The Pyrates Way Magazine - Kimball Publications, LLC
Transcription
The Pyrates Way Magazine - Kimball Publications, LLC
T E N G TH E W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT T E FO R DIE BY H E TH RUM N G 3 5 16 23 24 26 27 37 Pyrate Scratch The Crew Rewriting Blackbeard History Pyrate Mummers One-On-One Reenactor’s Corner Wenches of the Quarter Pyrate Media Reviews The Pyrates Way 39 40 44 44 50 52 56 TH E Pirates II Premiere Pirated Music: Free CD Thank You! Advertisers Lollygag Next Issue Final Salvo www.pyratesway.com 1 S E PYRAT W AY AY Good sipping, great tasting and perfect for any rum cake recipe. W FO R 53 Tortuga Rum DE Pyrate Master I Our first in a series about the series. . .television series that is. T BLA 45 Memorializing the 290th Anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise. Discover the secret of one of the best pirate faires in California. 41 DIE BY E Battle of Ocracoke Pac.Coast Pirate Faire E H T RUM TH E H As long as there have been trading cards, there’s been a pyrate influence upon them. From slave to pyrate, this mate was a captain ye’d never cross. 33 I LIV 19 Pyrate Trading Cards Black Caesar 13 17 Maggie, Our own Pyrates Way pooch, shows us Pirate Invasion at the Bay Area Ren Faire. KILL 7 Dog’s Perspective The Carolina Renaissance Festival brings the holidays early to their pyrate-filled shire. N Pyrate Xmas DE KILL BLA I LIV G Winter 2008-09 Issue # 10 S E PYRAT Digitally signed by Sir Black Fox DN: cn=Sir Black Fox, o=The Pyrates Way, LLC, ou=The Pyrates Way, email=publisher@pyratesway. com, c=US Date: 2012.11.05 08:40:37 -05'00' E H T RUM Just recieved my latest issue of Pyrates Way and what a great looking bunch of Pyrates. Especially the one with the shovel!! And Thomas Tew Rum!!! One of my favorites. I even named a rum cake after it in my new book, soon to hit the stores, "Hatchetmeg's Famous Gourmet Rum Cakes.” In fact, I even named one after our beloved publisher "Black Fox's White Chocolate Pyrate Cave Rum Cake.” Hatchet Meg via Pyrates Way bulletin board DIE BY T H E DE KILL BLA FO R Aye Mate, everyone gets a vote on this grand craft we call The Pyrates Way. Make your views about the magazine, websites, and radio station heard. Mail yer letters by longboat to: Editor, The Pyrates Way, PO Box 1231, Bear, DE, 19701 OR you can email us at: [email protected]. We respond to every letter and email. N AY TH E W I LIV G I’m honored m’luv. I’ve never been associated with a recipe before! Let us know when the book is released and we’ll review it for the readers. Thank you for using our bulletin board to contact us. The bulletin board is available to everyone at: piratesway.proboards.com Our bulletin board now has over 1,000 users and it’s growing every day. You can find updated information about articles and when the next issues will be available. S E PYRAT Hey Steve, I wanted to email you sooner here after Wicked Faire, but damn life is so fast paced, I know I don't have to tell you that though . . . . LOL. Got the magazines. . . man I'm impressed. Thanks so much for that, I really appreciate that and I can say that so is my crew for sure. I just wanted to thank you again for putting us in your awesome magazine, that means more to us than you will ever know. . . and we are very very greatful for that oppuirtuinity you gave us. I wanted to say that it was a real pleasure to finally meet you and I can genuinly tell you that you are one of the coolest and sincere people I have met in this whole thing that we do. We are here if you ever need anything at all bud, all you have to do is ask. Again thanks a ton, and good form. Joe Sea Rats of the Atlantic Thank you Joe and it was a pleasure meeting you too. Re-enactors are an incredible group of people from the groups that entertain and are a bit over-the-top to those that are strict historians. There’s room in our pirate hobby for all of us, m’thinks. Personally, I employ a bit of fun with my reenacting. I’d say it’s about 70% historical and 30% just plain fun. It may not be very pyratical, but when I hand a small child (who’s obviously scared of pyrates) a small plastic finger hook. . . you should see their face light up! Making them a pyrate just like us, the fear is gone! Hey Steve, It was great seeing you at Wicked and catching up. I have to say it was a real (pleasent) suprise to see how you have included me as part of your magazine. I just knew I shoulda pursued working with you instead of Pirates Magazine after meeting you at Glenrock Fairy Festival back in '06. 20/20 hindsight eh? I look forward to talking to you soon. Sincerely, Steven Dapcevich Owner The Pirate Empire thepirateempire.com Good to see you again Steve. . . it’s always a pleasure. We’ll be hearing more from Steve about his adventures as a certain Disney pirate impersonator in future issues of The Pyrates Way! As always, I look forward to your comments and you can find us on MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Hi5, and all of the major pyrate and Renaissance bulletin boards. Of course the best way to reach us is by sending an email to: [email protected] The Pyrates Way Magazine Volume 3 • Issue 4 • Winter 2008 - 2009 Published and printed in the United States of America. ISSN: 1932-023X. The Pyrates Way is published by The Pyrates Way, LLC, by the hand of Steve “The Black Fox” Kimball of Black Fox Designs. The Pyrates Way is published four times a year in the U.S. Licensed publisher and news service in the State of Delaware # 2006601923. Copyright ©2006-2009 by Black Fox Designs, LLC, PO Box 1231, Bear, DE, 19701. All Rights Reserved both foreign and domestic. No work may be copied or reproduced without the express permission and consent of the publisher. All correspondence should be addressed to: Steve Kimball, Publisher, The Pyrates Way, PO Box 1231, Bear, DE 19701 U.S.A./New World. All submitted writing and images become the property of The Pyrates Way. The Pyrates Way is printed in the Americas and is distributed by Ingram Periodicals, Inc. [email protected] 2 Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 3 Steve “Sir Black Fox Kimball” publishes The Pyrates Way from our shore-based print house in The New World. The Fox spends all of his waking hours on this here rag, the final treasure of his life of art direction experience and ten years in the Colonial Navy as a Journalist. Keeping the Fox on his toes in all things editorial are Kevin “The SlightlyDazed-N-Dangerous” Arrington and Meredith “Maren Eriksdottir” Eriksen. Both of these managing editors have years of experience in writing, proofing, and editing. Cindy “The Pirate Lady” Vallar and Brad “Captain Moone” Howard are historians, editors, and professional pyrate entertainers and speakers. Acting as our content editors, they keep our scurvy crew historically accurate. Keeping our visuals on the side of maritime atmosphere, our image editor, Laura “Madam Grace” Noel conjures up some wonderful imagery. Since our homeport is on the eastern side of The New World, Charles “Cutthroat E H T RUM DIE BY mythical place called California. Keeping a weather eye out for us on the entertainment horizon is Kendra Guffey and Louie Frase from CBS TV’s Pirate Master. Our crew is rounded out by Cynthia “Noir Cyn” Kimball and Michelle “Cap’n Chelle” Campbell whose proofing skills add the final eyeballs over our works and verify that every “i” is dotted E T H N 4 Winter 2008-2009 We’ve the best crew on the seven seas and with additional photographers, writers, and artists bringing their styles into the mix . . . yer sure to have the grandest experience when you pick up any issue of The Pyrates Way. TH E The Pyrates Way W I LIV G and every “t” crossed. AY DE KILL BLA FO R Cuppy” Gurrola has taken the responsibility of covering the western coast and some S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 5 T E N G 6 Winter 2008-2009 TH E The Pyrates Way W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT 7 T E N G TH E W AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM I LIV Called “Pirate Christmas,” this special pyratethemed weekend at The Carolina Renaissance Festival was a celebration of pyrate adventures mixed with holiday shopping. The Fairhaven Village Marketplace area was decked out in its holiday best as several of the vendors offered more than just the usual renaissance or pyrate fare. According to their website, “The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 10-stage theater, a 22-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure!” The Pyrates Way found ourselves alongside many subscribers from the area, more than willing to show us around this grand faire. They pointed out how the Carolina palmettos and pine trees were cleverly combined with the medieval atmosphere of the site. Of course, with the sand-laden ground and a few large palm trees, a pyrate-theme was an even closer match. Everywhere in the village were reminders that you were in a medieval site but the additional decorations also let you know that pyracy was being celebrated during that early November weekend. Several groups of roving pyrates entertained guests and many weapons were admired (all peace-tied of course). Among the usual shouts of “Huzzahh” were the “Arrrrrghs” of our bretheren. Even the king and queen got into the act at one point, getting into the sperit by sharing an “Arrrrgh” with the crowd. S E PYRAT The pyrate-highlight of the day was the challenge of a pyrate captain to the knights of the realm. In a near fight-to-the death, the pyrate captain was victorious in showing the fearless cunning of buccanneer warriors. Swords clanged, blood spilt, rum spewed and the final match won by the sound of blunderbuss fire! 8 Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 9 The Pyrates Way AY W FO R KILL Winter 2008-2009 DE N 10 TH E provided by old friends of The Pyrates Way, the songs and charms of The Pyrates Royale (one of our favorite bands). With several shows performed throughout the day, Captain Fletcher Moone and his fellow pyrates provided the shire with the additional atmosphere of the sea chanty. Their bawdy musical mix brought smiles to all who shared their company. In truth, their shows were the biggest draw in the kingdom that day. We spent the entire day in the company of the very best Renaissance Festivals can offer pyrates. In truth the only negative to the day was in the handling of beverages. Apparently they would only serve one drink per person, thus one’s large mug was often found only half-full. BLA I LIV G T E As with any open day of almost any festival, there were many beauteous wenches to behold. Several of the usually-Renaissance-dressed shirefolk accended their garb with either holiday or pyrate accoutrements (sometimes both). The edibles at the festival were of usual fare and ale, meade, cider, and wine were available in great quantity. Mamosas of fine champagne and orange juice were also offered . . . a drink not offered anywhere else we’ve visited. Wonderful scenery, street entertainment, pirate jousting, wenches, fine food and drink . . . what else could one want in spending a day with such fine folk? Mayhaps some pyratical song and mirth would be the only missing ingrediant to such a pyrate stew. Luckilly, this, too was DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT **For more information about this festival, pick up a winter issue of Faire Magazine. The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 11 FO R houseboy. This was a far better assignment than working the fields in the scoring sun. For a slave, things could have certainly been worse. Caesar ran errands, worked in the kitchens, carried bath water for the French ladies, and tugged at their corset strings. His other job, according to Jack Beater in his book, Pirates and Buried Treasure, was to pull steadily on a rope that operated the large, cloth-covered fan causing a gentle breeze to be felt in the long dining hall during his master’s evening meal. While the boy labored behind the screen, he observed the ways of TH E The Pyrates Way W AY DE KILL BLA N Winter 2008-2009 T E I LIV G 12 DIE BY H E H T RUM Black Caesar has been called the most famous African pirate to harass the Gulf of Mexico. But did the notorious pirate really exist? Some believe not. A number of historians feel he was merely a composite of two or more black-skinned pyrates who used the same moniker. "Caesar" was a rather popular name for black men during the 18th and 19th century. Unfortunately, there is no hard evidence – no smoking gun – that would provide us with irrefutable proof that he really existed, never mind terrorized the high seas. The many myths about his life and death are contradictory; as are the dates; which appear to place Black Caesar creating mayhem 110 years apart. There was even a Black Caesar (perhaps the original?) who allegedly sailed with Blackbeard in 1718, and was with him when Blackbeard drew his last breath. However, there is one version in particular that is repeated more often than others, and that is the Black Caesar tale that will be told. Henri Caesar was born in 1767 in Haiti, the son of African slaves owned by Monsieur Arnaut, a wealthy French planter. Some claim his father was Scottish. Henri had a modicum of intelligence as a youth, and so he was put to work as a S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way his French masters, and listened to their private conversations. This experience provided him with an education of sorts, and a desire to somehow improve his lot. By the time the boy had reached age 16, Caesar had grown into a tall, brawny lad, with an intense look about him. He lumbered when he walked, and became the proverbial bull in a china shop. Henri was prone to drop expensive dinner- www.pyratesway.com ware, and to fall over objects like carpets and chairs. In short, he was a klutz. It wasn’t long before his master’s children began to fear the awkward servant with the forbidding mug. As a result, his master sent him to work in the plantation's lumberyard. Henri was not thrilled with the job change. His main duty was to cut mahogany logs with a two-man saw. It was the worst job on the plantation by far. Henri worked six days a week, 12 hours a day, under the sweltering Caribbean sun. There was usually a sadistic French overseer nearby, whip at the ready, just itching to lay it across the back of a slave who was not working hard enough, or who dared to pause without his permission. The worst was an overseer named Jean Folquet, who delighted in laying his whip across the backs of slaves until the blood dripped on the ground. Henri thought of how good he had it back in his master’s house; light duties, good food, no sun searing the back of his neck. Once in awhile, as the slaves would bed down for the night, he would hear the rumblings of unrest. And as time went by murmurs of unrest evolved into talk of full blown revolt – and the word was apparently spreading from one plantation to another. The local voodoo priest promised the day would come 13 DIE BY T BLA The Pyrates Way W AY DE TH E a stockade on Captiva Island until relatives produced funds for their freedom. This was Gaspar’s particular mode of operation. Caesar was aware of this, and in 1817, during a drunken revelry, he and his crew raided Captiva, abducting several of the younger women and killing a guard. Gaspar was furious over this brutal transgression. Consequently, he invaded Sanibel with a superior force and demanded Caesar to surrender the women captives and vacate the island immediately. This demand gave Caesar no opportunity to dig up his treasure cache, and so he and his men were driven to the east coast of Florida As a side note, Gasparilla's own reign of terror came to an end in 1891 E FO R E H T RUM cratic upbringing, Gaspar was quite a rogue. Caesar proposed they become partners in crime, but Gaspar, who considered himself a gentleman, treated this proposal with distain. Still, historians believe that Gaspar allowed Caesar to build a camp on Sanibel near San Carlos Bay to help protect his own encampment from the south. Caesar's grubby camp consisted of palm-thatched huts guarded by a pack of mangy dogs - a marked contrast with Gaspar's mansion, staffed with many servants. Gaspar’s main headquarters were a heavily fortified encampment on Boca Grande where he held captured women, particularly the wealthy or those of royal blood, for ransom. They were held in H Winter 2008-2009 G N 14 cy. He was smart enough to avoid attacking heavily armed merchantmen, so he began preyed on small ships and defenseless villages, mainly on the Cuban coast and the Bahama Channel. But when the War of 1812 ended, British warships returned to this area to once again deal with the pyrate problem. This forced Black Caesar move his operations northward into the Gulf of Mexico. Venturing into the waters of southwest Florida, Caesar was known to have established camps from time to time on various coastal islands, where his crew could rest between raids and also repair their ship. These islands also offered excellent sites for concealing loot. It was here that some historians believe Caesar stashed a treasure valued at between two and six million dollars. Pine Island is noted as one site of Caesar's cache of treasure. Some of the old trees on the island still bear mysterious pyrate markings identical to markings found on Marco Island. The markings have never been deciphered. During his years sailing around the Florida Gulf, Black Caesar met José Gaspar, also known as Gasparilla. Gaspar was born in Spain near Seville in 1756. He was reported to be "small in body, perhaps, but imbued with the stamina of a Spanish fighting bull." Gaspar was from an upper-class family and possessed a cultured, well-bred personality. However, despite his aristo- I LIV The rebellion foretold by the Voodoo Priest finally began 12 years after Caesar began toiling in the lumberyard. In 1791, a Haitian slave revolt led by Boukman Dutty and Toussaint L’Ouverture, both former slaves, erupted with rioting and pillaging. An army was sent from France to quell the riot, but they were quickly routed by the escaped Haitian slaves. It wasn’t long before the uprising spilled over into the Arnaut plantation. Every member of the master's family was butchered, and the mansion put to the torch. But special treatment was reserved for Jean Folquet, the whip-wielding overseer. Henri sought him out, and with the help of a few other now exslaves, the sadistic Frenchman was captured, and the held down, as Caesar and another slave used the two-man saw to slice the Frenchman to pieces. Once the plantation was destroyed, Henri Caesar and the other escaped slaves fled into the jungle. For the next nine years, the former slaves carried on their revolt by patrolled Haiti's jungle trails, attacking garrisons, and ambushing French patrols. By 1804, the French decided the island was more trouble than it was worth, and the troops were called home. The slaves had succeeded in liberating the island, and they became the first nation in the west to become independent after the United States. The victory for the insurrectionists was short-lived. During all the combat, no one had the foresight to raise crops, or gather provisions, in order to sustain them. And so they began to starve. By 1805, Henri has decided it was time to leave the island. By now he had attracted a following of his own, and together they spotted a Spanish ship anchored several leagues from shore, just off the harbor at Port de Paix, on Haiti's north coast. They waited until nightfall, and then used a fishing boat to sail out to the ship. Reaching the side of the vessel, the gang silently clambered aboard and murdered all of the sleeping sailors, except for the captain and three seamen, who were needed for piloting the craft. Not too many ex-slaves had experience piloting maritime vessels. Once there were far out at sea, the former slave declared himself captain of the ship. Styling himself after Caesar the Great, he named himself the Black Caesar. After a few weeks at sea, Caesar was confident his men could handle the ship, so he ordered the four spaniards to be knifed and their bodies dumped overboard. The next order of business for Black Caesar and his crew was pira- KILL when the slaves would rise up and drive the white men off their island. Henri did not give the talk much credence, but he did harbor his own hatred for Jean Folquet, the French overseer with the whip. Folquet constantly shouted orders, and commanded the slaves to work harder so that more lumber could be shipped to Europe. All the while he kept tenderizing Henri’s back with his bullwhip. Yes, that’s the fellow Henri wanted... S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com when he decided to attack a seemingly helpless British Ship which turned out to be the heavily armed American Naval warship - the USS Enterprise. As Gasparilla's heavily damaged ship began to sink, legend states that Gaspar twisted himself in the anchor chain, and with cutlass in hand, dove to his death, sinking to the ocean floor. What became of the Black Caesar from this point on is unknown. It is said he pyrated the seas until 1829 when he was captured by authorities in North Carolina, and hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia. According to folklore, he left 26 tons of silver buried near Sanibel Island. Others claim he died along side Gaspar when attacked by the American warship; while other researchers believe he was captured by the U.S. Navy, tied to a tree in Key West, and burned to death by the widow of a preacher from Baltimore whose eyes he had burned out. Whatever became of Black Caesar’s treasure, if it ever truly existed, is also a mystery. Some claim he buried a load of silver bars captured from a Spanish ship enroute from Vera Cruz, Mexico to Spain. According to the tale, Caesar forced the Spanish crew to excavate a massive pit for the silver, whereupon he slaughtered the captives and tossed their bodies in the pit with the treasure. Caesar was alleged to have concealed another $2 million in loot on Sanibel - gold and silver coins, plus jewels. Some historians have estimated this plunder worth as much as $6 million, but this is difficult to substantiate. In any event, the huge trove has never been recovered. The bottom line is that historians will never be certain that Black Caesar ever existed; either as one individual murderous pyrate, or part and parcel of a second or even third reincarnation. Regardless, the legend of the Haitian slave captain will continue to enthrall historians as the ultimate story of rebellion, revenge, and high seas piracy - at least for a brief moment in history. 15 Rewriting Black Beard History T BLA FO R DIE BY E (Continued on Page 32) The Pyrates Way AY W TH E DE Winter 2008-2009 E H T RUM H 16 G N This extraordinary petition is the result of extensive research conducted by Duffus that concludes that, based on a preponderance of available evidence, the skeletal remains of Edward Salter were exhumed by the North Carolina Office of State remains to Beaufort County in order that these may be reinterred here in a solemn and dignified manner.” Research by Duffus and others finds that Edward Salter, cooper, first appeared in the records of Bath when he purchased two lots in the town in October 1721. Additional property deeds and records reflect Salter’s success as a cooper, merchant and planter, as over the next decade he purchased various tracts of land comprising more than 4,000 acres, including most notably the plantation and house on the west bank of Bath Creek formerly owned by the colony’s proprietary governor, Charles Eden. However, there is a compelling reason to suspect that Salter had been in Bath prior to 1721. According to an official deposition held in the British Archives, a cooper named Edward Salter was forced into piracy aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge by Black beard, the notorious pirate captain, on December 5, 1717, near Puerto Rico. According to a warrant issued by George I, King of Great Britain, a common sailor named Edward Salter was among six men who were suspected of being members of Black beard’s pirate crew and were arrested in Bath in November 1718. Traditional historical accounts have claimed that these men, along with nine wounded survivors of the famous engage- I LIV A motion has been filed with the Clerk of Court of Beaufort County, North Carolina, to reopen the estate of Edward Salter, a historically prominent Bath Creek landowner, merchant, cooper, and suspected pirate who died in January 1735 (Gregorian calendar). The motion has been filed by J. Erik Groves, P.C., of Waxhaw, NC, who represents Kevin P. Duffus (See our One-onOne Interview on Page 24), an author and historical researcher based in Raleigh. The motion further petitions the court to appoint Duffus executor of the Edward Salter estate. A hearing has been scheduled to consider the motion. Archeology (OSA), and have been, for most of the past 23 years, stored in a state research facility in Raleigh. In 1986, during an exploratory investigation by the OSA prior to a grading and bulkhead project along the west bank of Bath Creek, the human remains were discovered in a substantially constructed crypt on land owned by Salter at the time of his death. The remains were removed by the OSA to save them from being damaged or destroyed. A subsequent forensic analysis by anthropologists at Wake Forest University found that the remains belonged to a male of European heritage who had performed repetitive manual labor during his lifetime using his right arm and shoulder. Archeologists also determined that the construction of the crypt was typical of early-18th century methods and materials. Extant deeds of Beaufort County indicate that the cooper Edward Salter was the only owner of the property known to have died and been buried there prior to 1759. The original will of Edward Salter is preserved in the North Carolina Archives. In the preamble of his will, Salter expresses his desire that his remains be “decently interred according to the discretion of [his] wife and Executors hereafter named.” According to the petition filed in the court (estate file #09-E-127), upon appointment as executor, Duffus “shall seek the immediate identification of the human skeletal remains by DNA testing, and if proven that these are of Edward Salter of Beaufort County, Petitioner shall seek the immediate return of those KILL WASHINGTON, NC—A Raleigh writer is seeking to reopen the 274-year-old estate of a Beaufort County man he believes was a member of Black beard's pirate crew. S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 17 N Winter 2008-2009 TH E The Pyrates Way W AY DE KILL BLA I LIV G 18 Legend has it that in the year 1726, Captain Henry Steel was among the most revered and feared pirates of all. In fact, he was known to have looted over 100 ships in just one year. But Captain Steel's legend was lost, along with all of his treasure as his incredible story faded over time, into the realm of mythology. Over the years, many treasure hunters have sought the reputed treasure of Captain Henry Steel and thus prove the myth that he and his fearless, yet small crew, ever existed. To this day, every one of these missions has failed. Yet each has discovered crumbs of evidence that have lead many to believe that the myth is in fact real, that Captain Steel was the greatest pirate of all and that his incredible bounty is still, to this day, waiting to be found. The story has been passed down through the generations and recorded evidence exist that one Henry Steel did exist and was a ship's captain at the time the legend was generated. But this is all that can be proven and so the questions remain. Was he a pirate? And does his treasure exist? If legend is to be believed, T E FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 19 As Captain Steel carefully explained the plan, his crew knew W AY DE The Pyrates Way BLA TH E DIE E FO R RUM what was coming next. Steel was never one to shy away from a fight and so they knew that once the treasure was hidden, the Ruby BY Dagger was to then turn and confront her pursuer in an T all-out battle. It was a battle from which the pirates may not return. Any survivors from this tiny crew could head back to Dominica and using the clues hidden inside the Chest of Zanzibar, recover the treasure and split it amongst them. On the deck of the Ruby Dagger, the decision was swift and unanimous and Captain Steel's plan was immediately ratified. Over the next two days, with the Ruby Dagger hidden in a cove adjacent to the sleepy Souffriere Bay, the pirate crew separated and hid their share. Under their captain's instructions, they were to use a combination of maps, clues, codes, decoys and booby traps to halt the progression of bounty hunters and pursuers. One by one the pirates returned to their ship with two maps, each with a variety of tools and trinkets that would assist in finding the buried gold. The captain marked the master map of Dominica, locked everything into separate compartments, and stored the Chest of Zanzibar in a secret place beneath the boards of his own cabin. When it was done, the entire H Winter 2008-2009 G N 20 with the enemy closing in, the Chest of Zanzibar was about to become the centerpiece of his master plan. Captain Steel laid it out for the crew. Dominica, a relatively egalitarian community, was sympathetic to pirates. For a small fee, Steel knew that the Ruby Dagger would be granted safe harbor and the crew given the opportunity to come ashore. With this in mind, each pirate was to take a share of their enormous treasure and hide it somewhere on this island of Dominica. They were also to hide a key with their treasure. Using their skill and all they had learned from E Steel, they were to make sureH the treasure would never be T found without a map that they would also create. Then every pirate was to return to the captain with two maps to each treasure for safety. The captain's plan was to lock both maps in a compartment of the Chest of Zanzibar. The Chest of Zanzibar had fifteen compartments, enough to dedicate each compartment to one of the hidden treasures. Steel explained to the crew that he would lock every compartment on the chest and destroy the keys he used to lock them. This meant that the only keys that existed to these compartments were those found in the treasures. So one find would lead to another compartment and this, in turn, would lead to another treasure. Once the last drawer was locked and the ship's keys destroyed, the treasure could only be found in a particular order. They would all lead to the largest treasure, Captain Henry Steel's own priceless booty that he was planning to hide himself. In the fifteenth and final compartment, Steel was to place a map of the entire island with an 'x' on every spot where treasures of gold were buried. I LIV By the time the Ruby Dagger had circumnavigated the globe, then sailed south though the Caribbean, she had found her way to the mysterious island of Dominica. The Ruby Dagger had left some 117 ships in her wake and was full to the gunnels with looted treasures from around the world. But she was not alone. Throughout the year 1726, Steel and his crew had developed quite a reputation and a long list of shipping companies, governments and monarchies, all keen to see an end to his pirating ways. So at this point, HMS Gallant, a warship of the crown, sent on the direct order of the King, was closing in on the Ruby Dagger. Said to be from that very time, one of the recent treasure hunters found a piece of driftwood with the inscription, "We be brave, we be bold, but with king's men starboard stern, we be sure to not grow old". Believers of Steel's legend are certain that this is, in fact, a piece of the Ruby Dagger and written by one of the crew at the very time that the Ruby Dagger was being chased by the Royal Navy frigate. Captain Steel was faced with a difficult decision: Try and outrun the much larger and more equipped warship, or turn, fight and take his chances. Time was not on his side. In sight of Dominica's mountain peek, Steel was aware he had only a few days before he would be face to face with his nemesis. On the main deck of the Ruby Dagger, Captain Steel gathered his entire crew and informed them of the situation. He had a plan, but it would take a majority vote of the entire crew to put his plan into action. As Steel spoke, he perched himself atop his prized possession, the Chest of Zanzibar. Ironically, this chest, a labyrinth design of multiple compartments, was actually purchased by Steel, with real pieces of eight, albeit ones stolen from other ships. On a restock and refit in North Africa, Steel eyed the beautiful chest in a local bazaar in Zanzibar. He fancied it for a trophy. Recognizing the modest dwellings of its artisan creator, Steel paid the full asking price without hesitation. Steel never quite knew how he might use the chest at the time, but here in the Caribbean KILL Captain Steel sailed for a relatively short period aboard his vessel known as the Ruby Dagger. It was not a large ship and Steel preferred to sail with a relatively small crew, just thirteen pirates, modest by the standards of the day. S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way crew spent the night drinking the ships entire store of rum and at first light prepared for battle. It would be another full day before they found themselves sailing directly into the path of the HMS Gallant. The enemy in sight, Steel gave the order to raise the black flag, leaving no doubt as to what they were and that no quarter would be given to captured, Royal Navy sailors. It would be a fight to the death. From this point, detail of the battle that ensued is sketchy. The captain's log from HMS Gallant at the time was official and to the point, but devoid of color. Simple entries from Captain Lawrence Hennessy follow: November 3 1726 - Unidentified vessel making sail for Dominica. Size and description fits that of pirate ship known as the Ruby Dagger. November 4 1726 - Closed in on unidentified vessel. Confirmed positive identification of Ruby Dagger. November 5 1726 - Lost sight of Ruby Dagger in bad weather. November 7 1726 - Conducted costal search of leeward side of Dominica. No sign of Ruby Dagger. November 8 1726 - Search for Ruby Dagger continues unsuccessfully. November 10 1726 - Outside Souffriere Bay in SW corner of Dominica, regain sight of Ruby Dagger stationary in windward passage. Identified the vessel with black flag, knows a Jolly Roger, raised. Preparing for battle at dawn. November 11 1726 - Heavy battle with crew of Ruby Dagger. His Majesty's casualties; 39 souls perished, 28 wounded. No survivors from enemy combatants. Ruby Dagger damaged with cannon shot to port side, sunk within one hour of damage. It's Captain, not captured yet reported to have gone down with his ship. Royal Navy crew boarded enemy vessel before she sank. No recovery or sighting of currency or contraband. Captain Henry Steel's entire crew was lost and from Captain Hennessy's log, it is concluded that Steel himself also perished. The wreck of the Ruby Dagger most likely broke up after she sunk and the Chest of Zanzibar disappeared forever. Admirers of Steel's legend believe that records of this battle and stories of this small band of outnumbered pirates inflicting such a heavy "butcher's bill" on the pride of His Majesty's fleet were destroyed and that surviving Royal Navy crew were separated and sworn to secrecy to avoid embarrassing the crown. Rather than being rewarded for ridding the seas of this fearless pirate, Captain Lawrence Hennessy was assigned a less than desirable voyage to the colonies of North America, where he lived his days in solitude and never spoke of his battle with Captain Steel and the Ruby Dagger in 1726. The above captain's entries were found on a single page torn from the original log after Hennessy's death. The page is now the possession of the Rhode Island Maritime Society Archives and Museum. It is stored in a vault and rarely displayed. The legend of Captain Henry Steel, the Ruby Dagger and his fearless band of pirates, lives on. The only thing that will give truth to the legend will be the recovery of the Chest of Zanzibar and Steel's Dominican gold. November 12 1726 - returning to safe harbor with limited hands. www.pyratesway.com 21 on the ship at Pirate's Court, a lively gathering of public speaking and judgment where one individual will be "cut adrift" every episode. In the end, captain or not, only one pirate will win the largest booty, worth $500,000, and claim the title of "Pirate Master." Former NFL Player from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Born: Aug. 16, 1961. He describes himself as very competitive, friendly and strong-minded. John Lakness - Jr. Scientist/Chippendale Dancer from Carlisle, MA. Born: March 23, 1982. He describes himself as Tarzan dressed in a tuxedo. Laurel Schmidt - Musician from Charleston, SC. Born: Feb. 28, 1984. He says he is driven by two things: music and the ocean. Louie Frase - Marina Joy McElveen - Alexis Shubin - Owner, Fishing Creek, MD. Born: June 27, 1963. He describes himself as loyal, lovable and humorous. Receptionist from West Columbia, SC. Born: Oct. 17, 1985. She describes herself as driven, vibrant and energetic. Fashion Publicist, Laguna Beach, CA. Born: July 14, 1980. She describes herself as intimidating, animated and emotional. Kendra Guffey - Jupiter Mendoza - Sean Twomey - Dive Master from Los Angeles, CA. Born May 21, 1968. She considers herself to be adventurous, energetic and curious. Bartender from Los Angeles, CA. Born: March 18, 1977. She describes herself as vivacious, outgoing and spiritual. Bartender from Venice, CA. Born: Sept. 7, 1979. His hobbies include reading, surfing, jogging and high diving. Jay Hatkow - Auto Parts Saleman from Detroit, MI. Born: Sept. 23, 1969. Jay describes himself as devious, jealous and impatient. Joe Don Morton - Cameron Daddo - Firefighter from Fairbanks, AK. Born: Aug. 4, 1970. He describes himself as free-spirited, funny and big-hearted. Actor and Musician from Australia, living in Los Angeles, CA. Born: March 7, 1965. HOST OF PIRATE MASTER. Azmyth Kaminski - Nesa Namir - Make- Music Producer from Los Angeles, CA. Born: Dec. 12, 1980. The hardest thing he has had to overcome was a 15-day fast. Up Artist from Berkeley, CA. Born: Sept. 29, 1977. She enjoys backpacking, skiing, painting, reading, writing & dancing. Mark Burnett - Television Producer from The United Kingdom. Born: July 17, 1960. CREATOR & PRODUCER OF PIRATE MASTER. E H T FO R Glass Blower from Los Angeles, CA. Born: April 7, 1986. She describes herself as silly, hardworking and feisty. N Winter 2008-2009 T TH E The Pyrates Way DE I LIV G Some images and content courtesy of CBS.com ©MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Image of Cameron Daddo courtesy of www.daddo.com. Additional information and images courtesy of Mark Burnett Productions. 22 DIE BY KILL Ben Fagan - RUM BLA Christian Okoye - District Atty. From Sparks, NV. Born:Nov. 11, 1971. She describes herself as confident, athletic, competitive and loud. E Cheryl Kosewicz - Ex-Army from Tamaqua, PA. Born: July 18, 1977. She enjoys working out, basketball and hiking. H Christa DeAngelo - AY along the way. Gold coins will be awarded after each treasure hunt, but only to some. One pirate will become the captain of the ship and will set the tone for law and order or betrayal and sabotage, which could lead to mutiny by the crew. Such fates will be decided W Join 16 modern-day pirates as they embark on a high seas adventure around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. Each week, these buccaneers will go on extraordinary expeditions and decipher clues S E PYRAT 5. Do you believe in "Ghost Ships" ? I don’t know if I believe in “Ghost Ships,” but I have reason to believe in “ghosts on a ship.” In 1989, I helped to deliver Walter Cronkite’s ketch, Wyntje, from Tortola to Wrightsville Beach, NC, and the four of us aboard were convinced we had a ghost among us. For three consecutive days, as we were skirting the western fringes of the Sargasso Sea, “someone” awakened each of us for our overnight watches precisely one hour before we were due on deck. We each distinctly heard a deep male voice, but when we turned on the cabin lights, there was no one there. About 300 miles east of Savannah, the ghost seemed to have departed. Whoever it was, he seemed to be determined that we not oversleep our appointed watch times—perhaps that’s how he met his end. Admittedly, we were also in the Bermuda Triangle. ONE-ON-ONE KEVIN DUFFUS with 6. Is it true you're rebuilding the sloop "Adventure"? I am a member of the board of directors of the Blackbeard Adventure Alliance (BAA), a nonprofit maritime educational organization primarily established to build a full-scale sailing replica of Blackbeard’s last pirate ship, the sloop Adventure. The Jamaica-rigged sloop will be built on the waterfront in Washington, North Carolina and be commissioned in Bath, the state’s oldest town, first port and port of registry for the historic sloop. We plan for the ship to become a living history museum, and bring to life North Carolina’s seafaring past as a colonial epicenter of pirates, privateers and buccaneering activity in the 18th Century, led by the icon of the age, Black Beard—arguably North Carolina’s most notorious citizen. We are presently raising funds for the construction of the vessel and an operating endowment totaling more than $5 million. Author of The Last Days of Black Beard The Pirate 7. What is your favorite Port? 1. What's the biggest misconception about Pyrates? 4. What is your favorite Rum? Many years ago a fellow racing sailor introduced me to Mount Gay Special Reserve. Drinking sufficient quantities of it, he said, could make one invisible and desired by women. I don’t think the latter necessarily worked, but I did lose myself one night after enjoying too much of the Barbadian rum. 24 Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way AY “Blackbeard’s Ghost,” of course. Even though people today may find the movie quaint and silly, it takes no more liberties with the history of pyracy than the POC series. I have often chanted Aldetha’s curse, Kruh-Vergo-Gebba-Kalto-Kree, hoping to conjure the ghost of Black Beard, or at least, Peter Ustinov, but so far, it hasn’t worked. The movie was also an early lesson for me to not accept pop culture’s take on history. At my first opportunity after seeing the movie, I visited Ocracoke, where Disney suggested that Black Beard had built his hotel from the timbers of the salvaged vessels of his victims, on a 100-foot-high cliff overlooking the bay where the notorious captain was killed. It didn’t take me long to realize that the highest point on the island is about eight feet above sea level. 10. What has been your most important discovery? I am proud to have been the first to discover and publish the true route of Lt. Maynard on the eve of his engagement with Black Beard and his crew. The revelation that the King’s sailors approached Ocracoke Inlet from the west, from the inland waters of NC, fundamentally changes the history and explains why the pyrates were taken by surprise, cornered and defeated at Ocracoke. I have also proven that Capt. Brand did not lead an expedition of hundreds of men into NC, but instead traveled by horseback “a single gentleman” in the company of his servant. These facts expose just a couple of the many weaknesses that cause the foundations of the traditional Black Beard story to crumble when deeply scrutinized. Moreover, my research concludes that the members of Blackbeard’s crew who were arrested in Bath (and who had not fired upon the King’s men at Ocracoke), and jailed in Williamsburg, were eligible for the extension of the King’s pardon and were released, contrary to Charles Johnson’s list of executed pyrates. I’ve made many more discoveries based on circumstantial evidence and thorough analysis that contradict previously published historical accounts, including the true meaning of Tobias Knights letter to Black Beard, the pyrates’ behavior while in Bath (no sexual assaults nor liaisons with the planter’s wives and daughters), and Black Beard’s less-thanauthoritative command of his crew. And I almost forgot—I think I know who Black Beard really was and where he was born. W FO R KILL TH E I liked the movies okay, but less with each installment and the increasing elements of science fiction. I wish that a movie studio would make a pyrate movie with few or no special effects, more in the style of Master and Commander. 9. What is your favorite Pyrate Movie? DE G N 3. What is your opinion of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise? which they live, much like the pyrate society of Nassau in 1716. Under-publicized are the even greater instances and more deadly piracies in Southeast Asia that have connections to known terrorist groups. I just wish there was a more distinctive way to term modern piracies on the high seas so that the public doesn’t assume that all pirates are the same. I am also disappointed that a recent pirate exhibit at the NC Museum of History titled, Knights of the Black Flag, devotes a large exhibit space to Somali pirates a few steps away from the fake Black Beard skull donated by the family of Edward Rowe Snow to the Peabody Essex Museum. BLA I LIV I have been following the wake of Black Beard’s journey through history ever since I was a teen living in eastern North Carolina. With high school friends I explored countless craters in the ground made by treasure hunters at Plum Point near Bath where the pirate captain was purported to have had a home. I searched for the grave of his legendary sister, Susannah, and visited the haunting shores of Ocracoke where he and his cohorts were killed. Later, I moored a black-hulled racing sloop on Bath Creek, and made numerous passages to Ocracoke across the same waters as Thatch (a.k.a. Teach) sailed in 1718. I’ve even dropped a hook in Admiralty Bay, Bequia, where the French slaver, La Concorde became Queen Anne’s Revenge. But I have gotten to know the real man behind the legend, and his closest companions, through primary source research by spending hundreds of hours in the archives of Great Britain, North Carolina, and the various deed offices of coastal courthouses DIE 8. What are your thoughts on the recent Somali Pirate attacks? BYIt has taken me some time and a lot of reading for me to alter my perspective from thinking that the Somali pirates were nothing more than religious fanatics and terrorists, to understanding the root causes of modern piracy off the west African coast. I think that it T correctly judged that these young Somalis have become pirates because of economic needs and the lawless environment in has been E 2. How long have you been exploring the legends of Black Beard? E H T RUM For its historical significance and lack of commercial development, Bath Creek makes a fine home port in which to retire from pyracy, dock or moor a boat, or share your plunder with a colonial governor, but my favorite port to sail into would have to be Ocracoke Island’s Silver Lake, although Salt Whistle Bay at Mayreau Island, Grenadines, is not a bad place to careen, either. H Pyrate misconceptions in general terms are beyond my expertise, but I believe I can address some of the historical misconceptions of Black Beard and his closest comrades—the men I call the Bath County Pyrates. Documentary evidence indicates a high probability that the majority of the 20 or so men with Black Beard during his last six months were the sons of Bath County landowners. Why is this significant? Historians have failed to question why Black Beard was in the company of these men (like quartermasters William Howard and John Martin) during his brief two-year pyrate career as they traveled the coast of America and the Caribbean, and why he returned to North Carolina with them after scuttling the Queen Anne’s Revenge at Beaufort Inlet. But perhaps a more intriguing mystery is why these men became pyrates in the first place. My research led me to conclude that they were probably encouraged, initially supported, and dispatched by North Carolina’s proprietary governor, Charles Eden, in the late fall or early winter of 1715/1716. These young mariners, planters and traders, were looked upon by the war-torn, disease-wracked, economically failing colonial community of the Pamlico River as their last best hope for survival. Whether they intended to be beach scavengers for Spanish gold, smugglers, privateers or pyrates, they were serving the economic purposes of their families and their community. And that may explain why Gov. Eden was willing to risk his own reputation, career, and neck, to pardon Black Beard and his crew, when their pyracies after Jan. 6, 1718, including the burning of the Protestant Caesar and the blockade of Charleston, were clearly outside the terms of the King’s mercy. It seems to have been a symbiotic relationship, not based on greed or malfeasance, but on family, community, and survival. S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 25 RE-ENACTOR’S CORNER PRESENTS: The South Florida Pirates BLA FO R T E Until we dock in the same port, I remain yours in piracy, Capt Arabella Drummond Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way AY W TH E DE N G For more information about the crew and many upcoming events Be sure to visit our website at: www.southfloridapirate.com 26 DIE BY KILL E H T RUM H with the fairs already established group of fine actors and actresses. From the time they took the princess till they returned her to the royal family for letters of mark. It became a most eventful day for the crew and it also became very clear to this writer just how much they enjoy doing what they do best and that is pirating! On the last evening of Fair the whole crew attended a Gun and Cannon event to signify the end of our season. Approximately 50 –60 pirates with both black powder flint locks, pistols, blunderbusts and cannons joined forces to give the fair a rousing sendoff. As the sun began to set and before the last words to “Here’s a Health to the Company” were sang, a volley of gun and cannon fire split the night. Visitors who had gathered to see the event were so very surprised to see just how much noise we could actually make. It was the first time for me to fire my 44 cal. Pistol (a fine gift from a friend) and I must say right here and now there is something to be said for gunfire . . . ooh la la . . . it made my day. The crew continues to flourish and grow planning many events already scheduled for the spring and summer of 09’. From the oldest members of the crew to the youngest “Ruthless Rachel” a feisty five year old, South Florida Pirates will carry their colors proudly and promote piracy anywhere and anytime. So if you are visiting Florida be sure to watch out for the South Florida Pirates- they seem to be everywhere!!! I LIV If you are traveling through southern Florida you might likely come across the South Florida Pirates. A crew that began as a social group and became something very different. Attending the many Renaissance, Pirate fairs and festivals our state has to offer, this rather large group of pirates has also become “Champions of Charity”. They tirelessly give their time and energy to such groups as March of Dimes, Joe Di Maggio Children’s Hospital, and many special needs children’s eventsgthroughout the year. Movie premiers and promotional events and several other events that the crew puts on themselves are always on the agenda. At last count they are approximately 50 strong so when the SFP attends an event . . . they actually become the event. Boasting characters like Capt Daniel DeFoe, Edward Teach (Better known as Black Beard), Sir Henry Morgan, Captain James Hook and Capt Arabella Drummond, these pirates plan a last Saturday of the month raid on their favorite tavern the “Pirate Republic” in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. On Saturday evening it becomes a night for anyone visiting Ft Lauderdale nightlife to remember, as they always arrive in full attire, right down to those wonderful weapons. Recently during the Florida Renaissance Festival the crew decided to kidnap the princess from the Royals and hold her for ransom. It was a first for the crew, interacting S E PYRAT T E N G TH E W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT T E N G TH E W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT DIE BY T E BLA FO R E H T RUM H The Pyrates Way AY W TH E DE Winter 2008-2009 G N 32 ipate in the resistance to royal authority by refusing to collect taxes. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of his county’s militia and was instrumental in uncovering a diabolical plot among Royalist holdouts in eastern North Carolina: a plan to murder the leading men of the region and take possession of the state on behalf of King George III. John Salter was a captain in command of a company of Pitt County militiamen at the Battle of Moore’s Creek. The elder Edward Salter’s d a u g h t e r , Hannah, married Jacob Blount and was the mother of Willie Blount. Willie Blount was younger halfbrother of William Blount, representative of North Carolina to the Continental Congress. Willie Blount (Edward Salter’s grandson) was governor of Tennessee in 1809, and served three terms, until 1815. Blount County, Alabama is named in his honor for his willingness to send the Tennessee militia into a neighboring territory. Today, descendants of Edward Salter live throughout the U.S. and continue to serve the public in government, churches and business. Kevin Duffus has communicated with many bona fide descendants of Edward Salter who support the motion to reopen Salter’s estate and who also have offered samples of their own DNA for the proposed tests. All of Edward Salter’s descendants who have been recently contacted fully support the reinternment of his mortal remains in Bath, North Carolina, as were his wishes on his deathbed in 1735 (Gregorian calendar). I LIV ment between Lt. Robert Maynard of the British Royal Navy and Black beard at Ocracoke Inlet, were forcibly taken to Williamsburg, Virginia, for trial. Established history purports that 13 of the 15 men, including Edward Salter, were convicted and executed. However, there exists no official record to prove that Edward Salter was executed. Three other names which appear in previously published historical accounts as having been hanged at Williamsburg also appear in Bath records following their “executions”—James Robins, John Martin and Joseph Brooks, Jr. Proving the identity of the skeletal remains exhumed by the OSA along Bath Creek in 1986 through DNA analysis is important: primarily, as a necessary step to facilitate the respectful reinternment of the remains; secondly, to persuasively prove that established history has been in error—that Edward Salter, cooper of the Queen Anne’s Revenge and cooper of Bath, North Carolina, following the purported pirate executions in Williamsburg, were one and the same man, based on documentary and DNA evidence. The remains of Edward Salter, if conclusively identified, would be historically significant to the state of North Carolina as they would be the only known identifiable, documented surviving remains of any of the estimated 4,000 pirates who sailed the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea during the Golden Age of Piracy. Edward Salter is historically important beyond his brief association with piracy. Salter was the progenitor of a prominent family in North Carolina, as well as other U.S. states. Salter was appointed to serve in the lower house of the Assembly as a representative of Bath County (now Beaufort County). But perhaps Salter’s greatest legacy to the early foundations of colonial North Carolina was the family he left behind upon his death. Salter’s son and grandsons contributed significantly to the growth of the colony and to North Carolina’s participation in the struggle to gain independence from Britain. Edward Salter III attended the first NC provincial congress in New Bern in August 1774. He was one of three Pitt County delegates at the provincial congress held in Halifax, North Carolina, on April 4, 1776, when participants adopted a resolution known as the Halifax Resolves: “the first official state action for independence—a recommendation to the Continental Congress that independence should be declared by all of the colonies through their representatives in the Continental Congress [Powell, NC—A History].” Edward III also led a detachment of Minute Men to capture the Royalist camp and food stores intended for His Majesty’s army led by General Cornwallis. Edward III served for five successive years as the solitary senator representing Pitt County in North C a ro l i n a ’ s first General Assembly. Months preceding the Boston Tea Party, Robert Salter, sheriff of Pitt County in 1773, was among those who first began to quietly partic- KILL (Continued from Page 16) S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 33 MOR E Py what this J oker ’s sto ry w as. T Ratcatcher? We sat here for nearly an hour and never saw a rat. . . .just stuffed socks. AY DE KILL BLA I LIV on’t D “ id an sa it”... I’m M t out ut Plan This think ab meant b e to N EVE re what h enough d u not s elled goo . mark he sm DIE BY E I was promised that at least one pyrate would drop a turkey leg -damn lying pyrates! E H T RUM N G TH E S E PYRAT These wooden chew toys were overly-ornamental 34 Winter 2008-2009 ! H FO R e Ther p were yrate sure rates W here ryw s eve Not The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way Everyone called this guy “King.” Last guy I knew called King was an English Sheepdog who had over six bitches in his lifetime. -- Look at the blank stare on my sister Lizzie - she goes through life that way. www.pyratesway.com 35 Pirates of Colonial Virginia E H T RUM Covering the attacks of only a few pirate crews on the colony of Virginia, Lloyd Haynes Williams' recounts read very easilly for such a topic. Well documented and researched, Williams relied on the Newport News Maritime Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. and a history teacher from the College of William and Mary for much of his source material. The book, rarely available these days outside of textbook version, is well designed for the pyrate historian. It begins DIE BY T E KILL W AY DE N TH E S E PYRAT The Great Ships: The Pirate Ships The History Channel 2006 46 Minutes This documentary, one in a series on great ships, recounts “the reign and the swift, agile, and dangerous pirate ships that were the scourge of the high seas during the golden age of piracy in the late 17th and early 18 centuries.” It also uncovers the truth behind the terrifying skull and crossbones of the infmous Jolly Roger that “struck fear in the hearts of sailors everywhere.” Winter 2008-2009 Reviewed by Steve Kimball BLA I LIV G 36 with the general summation of life in the colony during the early 1700s, the vessels used, pyrate chain of command, and pyrate rules. These chapters give one a well-rounded view of the time period before diving into the stories of individual pyrates who plagued the Virginia coast such as Edward Davis, William Howard, and Black Beard. The tales of the various pirates' exploits contain direct transcripts of trials and reports made by the Virginia Colony authorities to the British Crown. H FO R Lloyd Haynes Williams The Dietz Press, Richmond, VA 1937 135 pages The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way It also contains shorth histories of some of the most famous pirates and explains why they took only the fastest, most maneuverable of those at sea. There is a colorful description of pirate life and the tactics used by pirate captains against their persuers. It’s a very general piece, excellent for those just starting their maritime education, but has a very “video game” type soundtrack and monotone narration. Reviewed by Steve Kimball www.pyratesway.com 37 Drunk & The Devil E H T RUM T E N G TH E Ye Olde Tavern http://z10.invisionfree.com/Ye_Olde_Tavern “Ahoy ye Scurvy Sea Rats. . . Introduce yerself in the tavern and buy us a round and spin us a yarn. However when ye be done let yer compass guide ye to other areas of the Forum but keep a weather eye for thar be Pyrates aboot!” A very impressive and organized bulletin board fol38 W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA Reviewed by Steve Kimball DIE BY H There may be better recordings of these chanties, engineered by a steadier hand or sung by a pyrate band that’s a bit more in tune or practiced, but not many have more heart than this CD. Many of the tracks are familiar chanties sung in the “traditional” way but several jump out immediately as bold new efforts to change up the melody of an old song. The first of these is South Australia which has an almost contemporary sound to the harmonies and if tweaked just a bit more would have made for a cleaner sound and a new favorite version for all who would hear it. Haul Away Joe has also been given a new, deep, haunting, slow melody, complete with erie sound efects and atmosphere. By far, our favorite tune is the polka New York Girls which is a very upbeat fun piece with an accordian accompanyment reminescent of a 1930s Popeye cartoon. FO R There Be Pirates! 2008 13 Tracks S E PYRAT lows that welcome. Ye Olde Tavern is one of the best moderated and informative pirate sites on the web today and you can meet some very knowledgeable pirates and just plain wonderful folk. There are plenty of important links, scuttlebutt, and events that you won’t find anywhere else! Reviewed by Steve Kimball Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 39 Winter’s Booty: Pirated Music! RUM DIE BY T H E BLA This CD is provided FREE E to both subscribers from H The Pyrates WayT. No extra copies will be for sale or even pressed. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! w a y . com/cd, you’ll be able to print out and assemble the perfect jewelcase cover and back insert. There’s even links there to the entertainer’s own websites so you can find out how to get additional music from these incredible pyrate bands! Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way AY W If you G click over TH to www. pyrates E DE B u t wait. . . there’s more! N 40 Even the Pyrates Royale’s Captain Fletcher Moone gives one of the funniest performances of his singing career with yet another tribute to The Pyrates Way. I LIV Expect to hear from The Salty Sea Dogs, Cindy Warner (Blackbeard’s Crew & Clan McCool), The Jolly Garogers, and even a chanty by Louie Frase from TV’s Pirate Master and one or two hideous songs by Sir Black Fox! M o r e bands and entertainers have joined us on this once-in-alifetime gathering of talent. Yo u ’ v e not heard real pyrate music unless you’ve heard The Brigands sing their The Pyrates Way homage. You can see them perform it live at The Rock Hall Pirates and Wenches weekend in Rock Hall, MD by heading over to our online TV station at www.pyratetv.com. Loren Lowell, our beautiful cover wench from the Spring 2007 issue even sings a wonderful Black Fox tribute that you can guarantee was written by the most-modest Sir Black Fox, himself. FO R Included on this specially-recorded CD sampling are the finest pyrate bands, singers, and entertainers of our time. All of the music is about The Pyrates Way and several of them are hysterical remixes of famous pop and pyrate tunes. But wait. . . . there’s more! KILL This issue’s booty is our finest (and most expensive) booty ever given free with your subscription to The Pyrates Way magazine. S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 41 Pyrate Trading Card Listing AY 1888 • Pirates of the Spanish Main • 50 Cards • set worth $2,500.00 W FO R one card collector against another in order to win the opponent's cards. Along came both Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! and the CCGs took over the collectible card genre as the inevitable "Pirates of the Caribbean" card sets littered stores' aisles. There are lots of pyratethemed CCGs to pick from these days from Pirates of the 7th Sea to Pirates of the Cursed Seas (see Pyrates Way, Winter 2007-08). Of course if you want my opinion. . . I suggest collecting the brand new Pyrates Way series of 64 photographic, business-cardsized, UV-coated, colorful trading cards. . . there's treasure in 'em, mate. DE TH E T "non-sports cards" saw Fleer produce literally hundreds of different cards based on television programs, movies, rock stars, and their biggest hit "Garbage Pail Kids" a take off on the growing "Cabbage Patch Doll" craze. Over the last few decades, more non-sport cards have found their way into collectors hands, especially when wizards of the Coast introduced the sword & sorcery-based "Magic: The Gathering" in 1993. These "battle decks"of Collectible Card Games (CCG) were used to pit BLA G DIE BY E KILL RUM could become on its own and from the post-war jump in card enthusiasm came three major players in the "gum card" marketplace: Topps, Bow-man, and Fleer. During the period of trading card's silver age (1936 1969) only one set of pyratethemed "gum cards" were produced and those were known as the 1961 Fleer Pirates Bold cards. Recently, a full wax box of these cards sold for $5,440. During the bronze age of trading cards (1970 - 1985) the market for what was termed H E H T mined. Many of the cards were produced with flaws, misprints and poor printing because of their "second-class citizenship" to the treat created inside the wrapper. After 1936, most of the card manufacturers had decided on a certain style, and most cards remained the same. The cards themselves ceased to be packaged along with other products and became a product in their own right. When World War II broke out, all bets were off. The country's attention demanded a wartime focus on resources and trading cards, like comic books, were dropped from many printer production lines. However, several playing card manufacturers did make their own collectible cards featuring silhouettes of enemy ships and planes. Some of these included the makeshift "pirates" of Hitler's fleet. . . the auxiliary ships that could change their shape with moveable hulls and gun placements (see book review, Pyrates Way, Summer 2008). Several companies eventually realized what a gold mine the trading card industry N Of course, most trading cards have been associated with sports with baseball cards being the most popular of all. A change to the course of trading cards did not happen with the popularity of the cigarette, but more to do with the popularity of the players on the cards themselves. . . and a pyrate, or rather Pirate, to boot. Pittsburgh Pirates Shortstop Honu Wagner did not want kids having to get a hold of cigarettes in order to get his card (or so was told, many rumors abound that since he was not being paid for his image, he didn't want cigarette companies to make money off of it). Only a few were printed prior to objection and the card was withdrawn from the series. Thus, to find one of his cards is a true treasure of which the value is over $750,000. This upset offered up changes in the trading card market. From 1902 through 1935 (the "golden age" of card trading), companies other than those in the tobacco industry decided that trading cards were a very viable means of assuring customer loyalty. Cracker Jacks™ came out with sets of various-themed cards (and still do) as well as chewing gum makers and candy manufacturers. The "golden ticket" idea from the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was a reality to children in the early part of the 20th century. . . which card would you get with your candy? There was a wide variation in size as most trading cards were an afterthought of the marketing department after the size of the candy bar or gum package had been deter- I LIV Evidence of mass-produced trading cards extends as far back as 1869 (just after the end of the Civil War), when a photograph of the Cincinnati Red Stockings was printed on a card and given out by store owners. Called "cabinet" cards, the cards had a small magnifying glass with them that one could attach in order to read the card. Of course advertisements for the store were printed on the back. One of the printed cards from that series was recently sold for over $35,000.00. Within 20 years, tobacco companies began to insert cards (first made out of silk, then out of cheaper cardboard or thick paper) into packs of cigarettes and into tins of tobacco and cigars. These 1.5" wide by 2.75" tall "cigarette" cards gave both protection to the tobacco products by stiffening the pack and provided incentive for the consumer to buy more cigarettes in order to collect the series. These cards are considered the first modern promotional campaign and some of the very first "collectibles." Many of the card sets contained less than 25 but several featured more than 50 unique cards. In 1888, The Allen and Ginter Tobacco Company out of London included the very first pyratethemed trading cards with their cigarettes. The 50-card set in mint condition is worth over $2,500 these days. . . a lot of booty to find at a yard sale, mates! S E PYRAT 1937 • Captain Blood Movie Cards • 25 Cards • set worth $50.00 These cigarette cards were manufactured by Allen & Ginter Tobacco, London. Manufactured by Morris Tobacco, includes scenes from the movie featuring Errol Flynn. 1924 • Treasure Island • 13 Cards • set worth $40.00 1961 • Pirates Bold • 66 Cards Manufactured by Morris and sons, for old cigarette cards, one can find these relatively easilly. Manufactured by Fleer, these packs of gum cards included pirate flag stickers. The PSA #8 Blackbeard is the most collectible. 1926 • Pirates and Highwaymen • 25 Cards • set worth $65.00 2006 • Pirates of the Caribbean • 62+ Cards• starter set worth $35.00 Manufactured by Lambert & Butler, these aren’t limited to just famous pirates. Manufactured by Upper Deck, the game includes 231 additional cards. 1933 • Sea Raider Chewing Gum • 48 Cards• set worth $300.00 1999-2001 • 7th Sea• 1,000+ Cards Manufactured by Goudey Gum Company, The cards are square unlike others of the time. Manufactured by Alderac Entertainment, the game was based on a fantasy/Renaissance world of Théah. 2004-08• Pirates of the Cursed Seas 1936 • Jolly Roger Cups• 48 Cards • set worth $500.00 Manufactured by Pac-Kups, Inc. , These cards have some of the best comic art illustration of all the pre-WWII cards. 1936 • Pirate’s Picture • 72 Cards Manufactured by Pirate’s Picture Bubble Gum , These cards depict the general life of a pirate during the “golden age.” ™ Manufactured originally by WizKidz, then bought by Topps, the company was shut down in November of 2008. 2008-10 • The Pyrates Way • 64 Cards Manufactured by The Pyrates Way magazine, these cards include past issues, weapons, ships, and famous pyrates of past and present. T E BLA FO R DIE BY Loyalist Arms - 2 Pirate and Alien - 6 PirateQuest.us - 2 Red Rum - 6, 36 Pirate’s Plunder - 4 Bilge Pumps - 12 Clip Clocks - 4 Faire Magazine - 12, In. B. Cvr. Blackbeard - 4 Red Falcon Armouries - 12 Pirate Man - 4 Cyphrevoudou.com - 36 Damsel in this Dress - 4 Stimpzilla - 36 Pyrates4Patriots - 6 Pirates & Privateers - 36 44 Winter 2008-2009 AY British Ink - 6 G TH E The Pyrates Way W ToBeAPirate.com - 2 N Pirate Up - 6 I LIV The Concordium - In. F. Cvr. DE KILL E H T RUM H The biggest thanks goes to our staff, Brad, Meredith, Kevin, Laura, Cindy, Louie, Kendra, Chuck, Michelle, and Cynthia. Our cover model is Linda Frase of Fishing Creek, Maryland. Linda is the beautiful wife of the infamous “Libatious” Louie Frase from CBS Television’s Pirate Master series (see more about Pirate Master on page 19). The photograph was taken on Hooper’s Island, Maryland by The Pyrates Way‘s own publisher, Steve Kimball. Pirate scholar Kevin Duffus put aside time to answer our questions as well as provide photos for the One-on-One interview. You can find out more about Kevin and his incredibly well-researched book “The Last Days of Black Beard The Pirate” at www.thelostlight.com. Steve “Sir Black Fox” Kimball took the shots of various Wenches Of The Quarter, including Terri “Welsh Wench” Balchen, Candace “Ginger” Schafer-Southard, Capt Arabella Drummond, and “Pixie.” Kim McCartney’s photo was taken by her hubbie, Jim McCartney. Thank you’s out again to Dan Holden who wrote another great article, this one about Black Caesar. Our publisher shot and wrote the articles for Pyrate X-mas at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, Pyrate Trading Cards, and Remembering Ocracoke. Although Steve took the photographs of the Pirate Invasion of the Bay Area Renaissance Faire in Florida, the magazine’s favorite cairn wench, Maggie barked out the captions. Steve also wrote all of the reviews in this issue. We’d like to thank Tony Fryer for additional trading card images. Our west coast pyrate, Chuck “Cuppy” Gurrola shot all the photos for the Pacific Coast Pirate Faire and he and his beautiful lady Colby covered the release party of Joone’s Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge. Thanks to CBS Television for giving us the opportunity to put together a 3-part series about Pirate Master. Famed faire photographer Michael Erana took the shots of our brethren at the Mummers’ Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We’d also like to thank Tortuga Rum company for giving us information about their rums, rumcakes and the tasty images to go with it. The back cover is a shot taken by Steve Kimball of the Delaware Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckle underway at the Norfolk Tall Sail event this past summer from the deck of The Freedom Row. S E PYRAT T E N G 46 Winter 2008-2009 TH E The Pyrates Way marched past the very well where Black Beard’s men pulled water . . . where Black Beard may have relieved Stede Bonnet of his pyrate command and “arduous duties.” Out onto the beach, a biting freezing wind swept up sand, stinging our faces. The procession stopped and we gathered to hear the memorial as spoken by Captain Pern of Blackbeard’s Crew. The memorial was brought to a close with the shout of each man’s name who died upon that shore during the battle, whether he be pyrate or royal sailor. A shot of blackpowder followed each name Just to be a part of the event was humbling. Imagine being on the very beach where those dead men may be buried . . . which hasn't been properly memorialized since the last rites were said over their corpses (should even that have occurred). Two-hundred and ninety years had passed and no one had ever given those folks their rightful due. Each man lived on the course they'd plotted, whether pyrate or sailor. Each man died as they'd sworn to. In mocking the movie "A League of Their Own," I commented several times, "There's NO CRYING in Pyracy" . . . . only to find myself misty-eyed at the procession, the memorial, and the after-party. The whole weekend made me proud to be a part of this hobby we call pyrate re-enactment. . . and although rarely dressed for the occasion, my heart was with each member of the crew as we shared the moment. An event like this is central to what we do . . . more than saying “Arrgh,” dressing colonial, or even drinking rum. W I LIV At the invitation of Kevin Duffus, author of "The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate," The Pyrates Way traveled from Delaware to the shores of the Carolinas to document a memorial to those who died during Black Beard’s last battle. Joining us were Blackbeard’s Crew out of Hampton, VA. On the way to the ferry (one of the only ways to get out to Ocrakoke) we were met by snow and cold winds, giving way to the eerie thought of wondering why pyrates of any sort would be so far north in November. Truly, I’d have found a nice Carribbean beach to nestle into than the Carolina coast. Meeting up with m’mates, we set out for Ocrakoke, having a few glasses of ale or a flask of rum along the trip. As we got closer, Kevin pointed out some of the routes taken by both Black Beard and the oposing Royal Navy forces. Once on Ocracoke, we settled into our rooms at the famous Blackbeard Inn, a quaint and historic setting at which our memorial would start. After enjoying each other’s company late into the evening, we were all still able to make the morning muster in the street in front of the hotel. I was allowed to follow along the very solumn procession. A lone drummer helped the small parade keep pace through a few side streets on the island and then into the woods, following the same paths walked by pirates and sailors hundreds of years before. Some tears were shed by the participants as we AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 47 T E N G TH E W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT “On Nov. 22, 2007, I stood at edge of Teaches Hole Channel alone on a calm, quiet morning. The horizon could hardly be discerned as the water and sky blended together in a silky haze of mauve. The words of the eloquent Civil War novelist Howard Bahr came to mind: A memorial wreath was given to the seas off of Ocracoke in memory of all those fallen at the battle. Never before has the battle been memorialized in such a way as honor was given to each life lost. ‘All that had happened was still there, just beyond the thin curtain of time.’ The sensation of being so close to the past was all at once alluring, powerful and odd, as if all you had to do was step through the canvas of Teaches Hole Channel and see the Battle of Ocracoke unfold. I wondered if it would be possible to share that experience with others. Hardly could I imagine that one year later I would be joined by at least 175 people, many of whom were complete strangers to me before the day began but who I now consider as kindred spirits and fellow travelers on our journey through time. This past weekend I was able to appreciate the common ties that bound pyrates and people of the sea together. We are all Brethren of the Coast. We did the right thing. We indeed made history together. We hope to do it again.” Kevin Duffus, Author "The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate" 48 Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 49 Winter 2008-2009 why don’t you just send the Pope up, and I’ll send you the pyrate." So the Pope begins to float up, and halfway he meets the pyrate. "How ya doin?" says the pyrate. "Glorious," says the Pope, "when I get to heaven I’m going to walk with St.Peter, talk with God, and visit the Virgin Mary." Well the pyrate begins to laugh out loud. The Pope asks "what’s so funny?" The pyrate cooly replies, "Sir, I think you’re about three hours too late." A pyrate runs from his boat to the nearest bar and shouts to the bartender, "Give me twenty shots of your best, most expensive rum, quick!" The shots are poured, and the pyrate drinks them as fast as he can. The bartender is very impressed and exclaims, "Wow. I never saw anybody drink that fast. "The pyrate replies, "Well, you'd drink that fast too, if you had what I have." The bartender says, "Oh my God! What is it? What do you have?" "Only Fifty cents!" Black Beard ran aground on a sandbar. A fisherman offered to tow the boat off the bar for two pieces of gold and an accord was reached. Black Beard said, after the ship was free, “mate, a man could get wealthy pulling ships off this sandbar both day and night.” "Can't at night,” replied the fisherman. “At night I haul sand.” TH E 59. Where bark grows 60. View 67. Coach says take one 69. Custom Guitar type 71. Express Video Supply 87. Need this to row 89. See #61 99. From the shoulder 100. Not Coffee to drink 103. Sara Lee Corp. 104. Amount of Golf Strokes 115. Trading As 116. To exist The Pyrates Way W AY DE KILL FO R The Pope and a pyrate both pass away on the same day, and in a mix up, the Pope goes to hell and the pyrate goes to heaven. So God calls down to hell and says, "Lucifer, I think we have a mix up here. I’ve got one of yours, and you’ve got one of mine. So BLA DraftsMan Officer More than 1 wench Type of Card Name: _ _ Anne DS9 Security Chief Burned to gray Lou Gehrig’s Disease Snails to eat A Teletubbie Us Shine your Livre with this Dog Feet Deye T E 9. 10. 11. 22. 28. 35. 38. 42. 45. 46. 48. 49. 55. 56. DIE BY H 50 DOWN Oath Indiana University Saturday Night Live Texas Dental Ass. AUTW Same as OSO Why’s it gone? G N 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. E H T RUM I LIV ACCROSS 1. CA Pirate Fest 6. Free PW Booty 11. Keyed 18. Misspelled Summit 23. Enter. Week. Abbr. 25. Lattitude 28. Not Jelly 31. RailRoad 34. Seduce 38. Air Conditioning 41. Russian Yes 43. Her 46. Wartime Prisoner 49. Slang Little 52. Higher Education Support Program 56. Present Tense: Done 58. Spielberg Hit 60. More than a Sin 64. Actors’ Wage 70. REEVG 75. Up, Up, and 80. Not now, Not ____ 85. ___________ Court 94. Actors' Equity Ass. 98. Not Wheat, Barley 103. Spot to relax 106. Three 109. Los Ang. Airport 112. Scotch, single 116. Ale 120. Beer A young woman was so depressed that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean. She went down to the docks and was about to leap into the frigid water when a handsome young pyrate saw her tottering on the edge of the pier crying. He took pity on her and said, "Look, you've got a lot to live for. I'm off to Europe in the morning, and if you like, I can stow you away on my ship. I'll take good care of you and bring you food every day." Moving closer he slipped his arm round her shoulder and added, "I'll keep you happy, and you'll keep me happy". The girl nodded yes. After all, what did she have to lose? That night, the pyrate brought her aboard and hid her in a lifeboat. From then on every night he brought her three sandwiches and a piece of fruit, and they made passionate love until dawn. Three weeks later, during a routine inspection, she was discovered by the captain. "What are you doing here?" the captain asked. "I have an arrangement with one of the pyrates," she explained. "I get food and a trip to Europe, and he's screwing me." "He sure is, lady," the Captain said. "This is the Staten Island Ferry." S E PYRAT As with all things, they end. Thus this will be the last strip of Pirate & Alien. Expect a surprise new strip from a new pirate artist to appear in this space next issue! GRIM OUTLOOK The Pyrates Way By Steve Kimball www.pyratesway.com 51 T E BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM N AY W KILL I LIV u (For S DE UE: S S I NEXT RATE PY E E R F GS A W Y L SCAL ZINE Founded in 1984, Tortuga Rum Company has grown to become the largest A duty-free liquor business in the Cayman Islands. Husband and wife team G MA G ATES Robert and Carlene Hamaty, started the company while they were both YR T employed by the islands national airline, Cayman Airways. They started the P S with two blended rums, Tortuga Gold and Tortuga Light. Tortuga R O company F G E N H I T is a combination of Jamaican Rum and Barbados Rum specially blendIN NELY) PYRARum A R T ed for the Cayman Islands; therefore it is like no other. IN bscribers O The name, Tortuga, chosen by Robbie & Carlene, was derived from the original name given to the Cayman Islands, Las Tortugas meaning "The Turtles". The Hamatys, having no marketing or promotional experience at that time, overcame many obstacles and setbacks and pushed forward, seeing the opportunity to sell local products duty-free to visitors of the island, by both air and sea. The Rums Tortuga Rums now consist of 11 different varieties. The two original Tortuga Light Rum & Tortuga Gold Rum followed by Dark, 151 Proof, Banana, Coconut, Spiced, Rum Cream, Rum Liqueur, Rum Coffee Liqueur and the latest addition, Tortuga 12 year old Premium Gold Rum. Tortuga Dark Rum received prestigious awards two consecutive years at the Caribbean Rum Tasting Contest in Barbados, and Tortuga Coconut Rum took an award in the same contest in 1997. Also, Tortuga Light Rum won a silver medal, placing second in 1998. The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 53 T BLA FO R DIE BY E TH E Airport locations in Mexico City, Houston, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico have them as well. Tortuga Rum Company has franchises in Jamaica and Barbados, where Tortuga Rum Cake is merchandised and sold as the Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake. Robert and Carlene Hamaty have dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort into creating their company. They are proud to be known as one of the pioneers of developing a global awareness of Caribbean fancy food items. W N G AY DE I LIV author, Barbara Curry Daily, has written the Caribbean's largest cookbook featuring more than 400 rum-spiked island recipes made with Tortuga rums and Tortuga gourmet products. Supermarket guru Phil Lempert of WOR Tortuga Rum Company also provide a Network Radio, enthusiastically declared " I wide variety of products such as: 6 flavors of love this book! It made me smile and made my Tortuga syrups, Tortuga Rum Punch, Tortuga mouth water". Rum Mints, 3 flavors of Tortuga Rum Fudge, Tortuga is now a global name. Their office Tortuga Rum Truffles, 5 flavors of Tortuga in Miami, Tortuga Imports Inc., handles the constantly growing year-round mail order business and services thousands of repeat customers worldwide. Tortuga Rum Cake is found on board luxury cruise ships like Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise Lines. In addition Tortuga Rum Cakes are available throughout the Caribbean and Mexico at leading retail shops in Antigua, Aruba, Tortola, St. Martin, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Cancun, Mexico City, St. Thomas, Nevis and St. Barts. Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way Tortuga Products 54 E H T RUM H The Tortuga Rum Cake story officially began in 1987. It was at this time that Carlene started baking rum cakes at home, using a family recipe that had been handed down through generations. She of course used Tortuga Rum as the main ingredient. Encouraged by rave reviews she received while baking the cakes for friends, Carlene Hamaty began testing local demand. The Tortuga Rum Cake made its first "public" appearance on the dessert menu of a local restaurant, and was an instant hit. The demand for the rum cakes became so great that in 1990 a 1,700 square-foot commercial bakery was established. The trademark ingredient is a generous amount of premium fiveyear old, oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum, not available to the public. Each cake is individually handglazed with this rum before packaging. The vacuum-sealing process ensures a shelf life of six months and will keep indefinitely if refrigerated or frozen. Although Tortuga Rum Cake has become world-famous, the recipe still remains a secret! Rum Gourmet Coffee, specially blended Tortuga Rum BBQ Sauce, Tortuga Steak Sauce, Tortuga Hell Fire Sauce, Tortuga Jerk Sauce, Tortuga Wildflower Honey, Tortuga Citrus Honey, Tortuga Pepper Jelly and Tortuga Rum Plum Pudding. Another very exciting project was introduced in December 2000. Tortuga Rum Fever & Caribbean Party cookbook. Grand Cayman KILL The Cakes S E PYRAT From the inception in 1984, the name Tortuga Rum Company has since become synonymous with one of the world's finest confections: Tortuga Rum Cake. . . Cayman Islands number one Export and souvenir item. The Pyrates Way www.pyratesway.com 55 T E BLA FO R DIE BY While the standoff between the pirates (with their American hostage) and U.S. Naval forces was ongoing, there were even more “looks” at me in my travels. Of course not all this public tention was negative. A lot of it came from friends of mine in the form of gentle ribbing at my expense. . .or should I say at the expense of my fellow brothers of pyracy. I was asked how “my crew” was doing in Somalia and why didn’t I have a tan after being on that ship in the sun for weeks at a time. “You speak Somali?” . . . “How do you divvy up oil into Winter 2008-2009 The Pyrates Way AY W TH E DE KILL E H T RUM H G N 56 fair shares?” . . . “You’re not here to hijack the bar, are ya?” I took it all in stride, as anyone who knows me knows that I can dish it out. However, the motivations behind the questions did make me think about why I enjoyed “playing pyrate.” Pyrates were and are cursed folks. . .robbers, thieves, the dreggs of humanity. . . living ticks who sucked on the life and successes of others. They took what they wanted and gave nothing back. They raped women whenever they felt the need, gorged themselves on stolen goods, and made themselves sick on the kind of rum, wine, and ale that would make even a billygoat puke. I’ve never heard of a fellow reenactor being arrested for putting a musket ball through another or even an emergency call for a cutlass wound. The idea of “rape, pillage, and plunder” is something none of our pyrate enthusiast brothers and sisters would even contemplate. The question of why we glorify such behavior is not a new one. With the help of literary tales and Hollywood, the idea of pyrates has been toned down a bit more tame version. The romance and lure of treasure and the action of a swashbuckling swordfight is what has inspired many of us. A sense of history also draws us into such recreations of the life and battles of these men. But at this time when the word “pirate” is becoming feared again . . it gives a pyrate pause. I LIV The recent attacks of Somali pirates on American-flagged vessels has brought the word “pirate” back to the front of people’s minds with much more fervor than anything produced by Walt Disney Studios. Folks not paying attention to world news over the last 10 years may not have noticed that these attacks are not a new phenomenon. Those pirates have been preying on international shipping without very much resistence. Until of course they took on an American-flagged vessel, albeit owned by a Dutch export company. As with many things that happen on our globe, the majority of Americans don’t pay it much mind unless it effects them directly. Leave it to one of our own U.S. Navy Special Forces teams to win the day. A set of sharpshooters on the rolling bow of the USS Bainbridge picked off the three pirates holding a single ship captain hostage. This surgical strike showed the awsome effectiveness of our resolve to keep our mariners safe, keep the sea lanes open, and protect our foreign interests. It didn’t take a battleship’s strength or the power of an aircraft carrier’s airwing . . . it took the skills of single, individual sailors and their precision use of firearms. This kinds of prowess does us all proud. I’m a proud U.S. Navy veteran as was my father and my son is presently on course to join the Navy Special Forces in a Diver capacity. As I’ve pointed out in other Final Salvo editorials, my Navy experience has often fueld my pyrate enthusiasm. With beads embedded in my beard and with some sort of pyrate t-shirt on my back, neighbors and friends have always referred to me as “the pyrate man.” The smiles that came with that nickname have grown slim since the U.S. interests were attacked off Somalia. S E PYRAT T E N G TH E W I LIV AY DE KILL BLA FO R DIE BY H E H T RUM S E PYRAT