Pirate Plunder November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

ISSUE 17

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CONWY PIRATE FESTIVAL SATURDAY & SUNDAY 8TH & 9TH JUNE 2024 Sea Battle - Live Cannon Firing - Pirates and Militia Music with Port Sunlight Sea Dogs - Pirates in the Stocks Smugglers Market - Action packed weekend Take our tests of skill & Get your Pirate's letter of marque (small charge) - Dance shows - Pirate tales

Conwy has great Shops, Taverns Eating Places Medieval Castle, Plas Mawr and Town Walls

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Don't miss out on the evening concert with the:

Free event in conwy town, north wales FB.com/ConwyPirateFest www.conwypirates.com Pirate Plunder l May 2019

Volume 6 Number 17 November 2023 Pirate Plunder is an independent title published thrice a year in May, August and November for The Pirate Brethren of the British Isles. It aims to encourage the fundraising activities of pirate crews by promoting pirate festivals and other events where charitable pirates are to be found.

EDITORIAL Cap’n Davy Young Young Editorial Services 52 Rickman Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3DP Tel: 01737 551687 Mob: 07785 796826 E: youngeditorial1@btinternet.com

PRODUCTION Anthony Wiffen ASTAC Business Publishing Ltd Tel: 01460 261011 Mob: 07557 280769 E: anton_print_1@mac.com

PRINTING Advanced Print 170-172 Brighton Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2NE Tel: 020 8668 1411 E: info@advanced-print.com www.advanced-print.com ISSN 2516-5607 ©2023 Young Editorial Services

In far-away times, before my wife and sons became known as Saucy Sue, Feckful Pete and Cap’n James Summer, and were joined by Sara Mendes da Costa (AKA Pirate Rose), we spent many a sunny day on Studland Beach, near Poole Harbour, where Feckful Pete kept digging large holes, presumably in search of treasure!

In those days, I was ignorant of Studland Bay’s piratical past, but recently discovered that pirates had used it as a base because it offered a sheltered anchorage, several local hostelries and corrupt local officials. During the 1580s, hardly a year went by without some mention in historical archives of piratical activities in and around Poole.

John Piers, a pirate from Padstow in Cornwall, relied upon his mother to sell some of his booty at local fairs. He and 15 men were captured in Studland Bay in 1581 and taken to Dorchester gaol where he managed to bribe his way out. However, he was soon caught again and, with eight of his men, was hung on Studland beach in March, 1582.

Their bodies were left hanging in chains for two tides to be washed clean by the sea.

Scuttlebutt

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Broadside

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News and rumours from The Pirate Brethren of the Seven Seas.

Cap’n Frank Sharman reports that, despite unpredictable weather, 2023 has been a good year for the Sea Dragons. Two new boats have joined the fleet after passing open water trials on the reservoir.

A Phoenix from the ashes

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During their first year in action, Sharkeye’s Pirates attended events in Colwyn Bay and Northwich, with the expectation of more in 2024. The crew’s arsenal includes two steelbarrelled cannons mounted on naval gun carriages and a swivel gun.

Captain’s journal

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By mid-morning, the hastily-commissioned figurehead to appease the sea gods had been securely clamped to ‘The Lady’, but the day was not to end well for James when he receives a cry for help.

Front Cover. Main image: David Farrar, AKA Sharkeye Davy, who founded Sharkeye’s Pirates less than a year ago (picture courtesy of Susan Farrar). Inset: ‘Hispaniola’ went into service at the Conwy Pirate Festival this year for the first time (picture courtesy of John Sutton, AKA Combat Wombat).

Suffolk smugglers patronised ‘The Parrot’

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This grade II listed building in the Suffolk village of Aldringham was built around 1576 when it was originally named ‘The Case Is Altered’. The village has long been associated with smuggling and there is a local story that a secret tunnel leads from the inn to Aldringham church.

Festival focus

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Abandoned hull becomes the ‘Hispaniola’

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Shantyman

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Trading post

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How to become a pirate

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Where to see pirate action

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Organised by the seasoned team at The Dolmen, Weymouth Pirate Fest rocked that West Country seaside town once again.On the East Coast, Harwich secured its reputation as the Premier UK Shanty Festival.

In his second article, Jonathan Mann describes how an abandoned hull was converted into a replica of a ship that had been walled-in at an Isle of Man boathouse for over 100 years.

Reivers’ Gallows from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has now been together for five years and always been somewhat eclectic, taking their influence from traditional songs and tunes.

Weapons, clothing, boots, hats, eye patches, earrings, tankards for grog and all manner of gear for pirates.

List of active pirate crews from the coast of South Devon up to the shores of the Forth and Clyde.

Calendar of festivals or re-enactment events either organised by pirates or likely to be subject to a pirate attack.

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Scuttlebutt

Sheppey Pirates celebrate beer!

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n 21 October, the Musket Brewery celebrated its tenth anniversary at Loddington Farm, Kent, in the Year its Armoury Tap Room was awarded ‘Pub of the Year’ by the Maidstone & Mid Kent branch of CAMRA. Invited to make ‘Ten Years of Beer’ go with

a bang were Sheppey Pirates, who duly obliged with an impressive display of firepower and swordsmanship for two hours in the afternoon!

(Editor: I must commend the brewers for their innovative choice of names for their ales, which include Ball Puller, Flash In The Pan, Flintlock, Muzzleloader, Powder Burn and Trigger).

Dick Trucker (left) appears to have blown his halo over the tent behind him.

It’s a fact Central America and the Northern Coast of South America, which became colonies of Spain, were generally known as ‘The Spanish Main’. The land offered rich pickings in the form of gold, silver and precious gemstones for the colonial power.

Unfortunately for Spain, most of this wealth could not easily be reached by ships, so had to be transported by pack animals to fortified ports along the coast for shipment home across the Atlantic.

These ports were probably the best defended locations along the Spanish Main, with shore batteries that had larger cannons than the most of the pirate

ships could carry. This advantage, combined with high, thick walls, made them impervious to attack from the sea.

They would also host Spanish galleons ready to fight off approaching pirate vessels.

The main vulnerability of the ports was their lack of protection from the landward side, but the Spanish considered the jungle would protect them and they were usually, although not always, right because pirates knew the routes used for moving treasure and were willing to risk the dangers of the mosquito-infested swamps in order to relieve Spain of its wealth!

Landlord to leave den of Purbeck Pirates

The landlord of The Red Lion in Swanage where The Purbeck Pirates gather to plot their exploits will soon be pulling his last pint (Editor: In my opinion the town’s best tavern where the crew o’ Pirate Plunder has enjoyed many an evening, some of which I have even been able to recall the following day).

Jim MacAulay (6 ft 8 in), who is known as ‘Little Jim’ to the pirate community, will remain in the area, where he and 4

wife Jane have made so many friends among both locals and regular visitors to this Dorset resort.

New owners of the traditional 17th century inn will inherit an established tradition of serving up to five ales on gravity from the ground floor cellar behind the public bar – two regular beers are complemented by up to three guest ales.

A massive selection of ciders and perries is also offered, with the range displayed on blackboards in both bars.

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‘Little Jim’ once had a minor altercation outside the inn with our staff writer Cap’n James Summer – there was never any doubt as to the outcome!

The lounge has a restaurant area where quality food is served, with curry and steak nights always popular.

An open-sided barn at

the rear of the property allows for jam sessions when The Red Lion hosts musicians from events such as the Swanage Folk Festival in September.

Scuttlebutt

Notorious pirate crews raid Christchurch

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wo of Dorset’s notorious pirate crews, The Jolly Rogers and Pirates of Poole, joined forces to raid Christchurch Carnival, which took place on the second weekend in August, to help swell the event’s charity buckets for a couple of local good causes.

Christchurch Food Bank and Somerford ARC Community Centre have both benefitted from the sale of raffle tickets, as well as money collected in charity buckets

The combined force of pirates at the Carnival (picture courtesy of Steve West).

wielded by enthusiastic (and well-armed) pirates.

This enabled the Carnival organisers to

present both charities with cheques for £1,000.

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Broadside

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s we sail towards the end of 2023, it be a good time, with ships protected against Winter storms, pistols cleaned and cutlasses sheathed, to write letters that months spent preparing for action have delayed putting pen to parchment.

So, Cap’n Davy, I says be ye well and in calm waters or safe on land.

Not that dry land has been that safe due to storms and floods. The year has been one in which events have been almost spoilt by bad weather. I says almost because inclement conditions have arrived either just before or just after pirate festivals, but not when they were held!

I’ve been looking through the August edition of Pirate Plunder. Thanks for considering all the pirates that are out here. The re-enactors provide the spectacle that inspires others to join in. I caught piracy a few years back at the Brixham Pirate Festival (BPF) and have enjoyed meeting people from all over the world at various UK festivals (not done Brittany yet, but it’s on our radar).

At BPF we make everyone welcome, from the ‘stitch counters’ to the youngster in a stripy T-shirt. As long as we

Cap’n Frank Sharman by the River Derwent.

Yes, we did experience some heavy rain at the Matlock Bath Pirate Mutiny on the Saturday – nearly all day in fact, but the Old Time Sailors were performing in The all get on and have a good time that’s all that matters.

We are currently making plans for May, 2024, when we will be hosting the Fourth International Pirate Rendez-Vous during the Festival, with pirates attending from overseas.

Philip Nelson, Plymouth, Devon Young shanty fans at BPF with Cask, a daughter and father duo performing new and old shanties forebitters and songs of the sea (picture courtesy of Blue Moon Photography).

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Fishpond, which gave us the opportunity to meet and drink with fellow pirates all afternoon and into the evening in this convivial tavern! Next day, the sun was shining,

so we set up camp by the rowing boat station and spent all day on the river.

Despite unpredictable weather, 2023 has been a good year for the Sea Dragons. Two new boats have joined the fleet after passing open water trials on the reservoir. These be Sea Dragons 11 and 12. Sea Dragon 13 (The Ghost Ship) is under construction, but wasn’t ready for Halloween.

These last three boats are all unmanned craft, but another manned Sea Dragon is at the planning stage and the latest pirate home movie is now on DVD showing the fleet in action.

Cap’n Frank Sharman, Sea Dragon Pirates, Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts

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A Phoenix from the ashes

aunched less than a year ago, a number of Sharkeye’s Pirates crew began their reenactment activities with the Liverpool Pirate Brethren, gaining experience by participating in pirate festivals and events at Belfast, Caernarfon, Conwy,

Holyhead, Leeds, Northwich and Ross-on-Wye. Then, after starting, expanding and popularising the Liverpool Pirate Festival in Albert Dock, the facility changed hands and the new owners gave all events management to an outside company in 2016, after which the Dock Management Committee changed again and all events were cancelled.

Amongst other factors, this led to the demise of the Liverpool Pirate Brethren (reported in the May, 2020, edition of ‘Pirate Plunder’).

Some group members then went on to form the Gunpowder Pirates, but with a lethargic committee and little motivation to attend events this group quickly disbanded and Sharkeye’s Pirates emerged like a Phoenix from the ashes.

With no committee to jeopardise the stability of the new group, a website was quickly created,

followed by a page on Facebook, then a group bank account. While already possessing a number of proofed and licensed black powder weapons, including two flintlock pistols, a blunderbuss and a swivel gun, the arsenal was further expanded with the purchase of two brand new steel cannons and a musket.

During their first year in action, they’ve attended events in Colwyn Bay and Northwich, with the expectation of more in 2024.

At festivals they can offer the

More Bigger & Better

Pirate Stuff

Luluna Clothing Made to last afore the mast

Frock coats Waistcoats Shirts

Tel: 07986 335478 E-mail: larp@darkbladeuk.co.uk

www.darkbladeuk.co.uk Pirate Plunder Plunder ll November May 20192023 8 Pirate

Corsets Tailored Bustles Jackets Blouses Tricorn Hats Visit our online shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LulunaClothing Or contact us for a custom-made garment: luluna.clothing@gmail.com www.lulunaclothing.wixsite.com/upcycle

organisers cannon firing using the steel-barrelled cannons mounted on seasoned oak, naval gun carriages.

The cannons are enhanced with a brass plaque on both sides, with each cannon bearing the name of an infamous pirate (Black Bart and Long Ben). Their swivel gun carries three brass plaques engraved with the name ‘Fortunatus’ after a departed colleague and is slotted on to a unique. heavy-duty tripod designed and assembled by a crew member.

The Brown Bess musket and long-barrelled blunderbuss together with two flintlock pistols are used for musketry demonstrations. As required by law, all crew members are covered by public liability insurance. They also have a canvas canopy containing a display table packed with interesting pirate items such as a stink pot, grapple hook, boarding axe, a variety of shot and cannonballs.

Another pop-up black canopy

is earmarked for children’s entertainment with exciting pirate storytelling and a junior pirate’s school where children can learn about the exploits of real pirates, then take part in preparing and loading a replica pirate cannon.

A conscious attempt has been made to cater for all ages of those attending festivals and events.

Sharkeye’s Pirates is run on experience and enthusiasm, with input from dedicated crew members consisting of nine pirates and one mermaid. There are three more applicants waiting to apply for group insurance cover prior to joining.

More information from www.sharkeyespirates.wordpress.com

Penzance Harbour

Captain and crew are visiting as many pirate events as they can with their stall, not the boat, unfortunately!

We shall have all you will need to bring out ‘yer inner pirate’ from shirts, hats, trousers and flags to piratical accessories beyond count.

We stock 17th & 18th Century weaponry, as well as Celtic, Gothic, Steam-punk shirts and T-shirts plus a range of jewellery and accessories.

So we hope to see you at one of the events this year, but if you cannot make it, we can be found in Penzance Harbour, Cornwall.

www.bagorags.co.uk

Facebook@pirateBagORags

@bagorags1

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Captain’s journal 15th February, 1674

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reetings dear reader, my fond hope that the curse had seen fit to pass us by has been cruelly dashed, in sad and horrifying fashion.

Yesterday, we collected our hastilycommissioned figurehead from a woodcarver in Georgetown and by mid-morning had her securely clamped to ‘The Lady’. Despite the speed of her production, her workmanship was fine; she cut a pretty picture gracing our bow and with the last bolt in place the crew gave a resounding cheer, but smile as I might my heart was weighted with disquiet.

I had woken out of sorts having passed a fitful night as the previous day I’d spied a cormorant and fearing more costly edicts from Jacob (who now has an alarmingly faithful

following among the crew), chose to keep it quiet. As I performed my morning tasks (checking for missing teeth, dressing, having my ‘good morning’ tot of rum), I realised Matthew’s treasured ring was missing, I was still upturning the cabin when Chalky came to collect me to fetch the figurehead.

After mounting our good luck charm, Davy and the rest of the lads were minded to mark the occasion in typical pirate fashion, namely through drunken carousing in the various taverns

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and hostelries in Georgetown. They even took Kate, newly garbed as ‘Nate’. So fending off protestations, disbelief and ignoring Davy’s worried demeanour, it was to an almost deserted vessel that I returned.

Slumped in my chair in splendid seclusion, I watched as the sun slowly fled the sky.

While I still could without a lamp, I made sure to fetch myself up another bottle from the stores. On the short trudge back the light finally died and unbidden the phrase ‘quiet as the grave’ stole

into my mind. I shivered and hurried back to the relative warmth and seeming safety of my cabin.

As I entered, the lamps flickered, then went out one by one, leaving all in darkness but for a shallow pool cast on to my desk by the climbing moon.

Then it happened, the air in the room curdled even as it had in that cursed antechamber, the familiar stench of decay was suddenly everywhere and before my panicked eyes, Matthew’s ring dropped from the air on to the moonlit desk.

With my breath held and in total silence, his face, white as death and inexpressibly tired swam out of the shadows.

“Help me James.”

Then he was gone, leaving me shaking and fearful, with bottle dropped from my nerveless fingers.

The crew’ll be back in dribs and drabs over the next few hours, I need to speak to Davy to make sense of this. I don’t yet know what ‘it’ is – this much, however, I do know. It isn’t over, death is no barrier to it and Matthew needs our help.

Mark me well, he will receive it.

Here there be monsters!

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he legendary Captain Mako gives readers of ‘Sea Beasties – A pirate’s Guide’ the benefit of his long career commanding the pirate ship ‘Damsel’ and his battles with the Terrors of the Deep!

This handsome book contains 165 illustrated entries detailing the monsters seafarers be bound to encounter in their travels, where to find them, how to survive with their skin intact and perhaps gain some extra coins in their pocket.

Mermaids and krakens are, of course, featured in the Guide’s pages, but readers are also advised on

how to manage the evil whales o’ Scandinavia, murderous adaros, maraudin’ dendans and that colossal living force of nature known as Leviathan.

The good Captain prepares readers for these beasties and many other threats so they can weather all the dangers the Seven Seas have to offer.

Don’t forget, when there’s plundering to be done let no beastie stand in your way!

More information from www.amazon.com (search for ‘Sea Beasties – A Pirate’s Guide’)

The Mermaid Inn Hotel c Restaurant c Bar

Usquabae thistle skull and hearts pocket flask

Ship’s tankard

King’s shilling tankard

Round porthole flask

www.pewterworld.co.uk sales@pewterworld.co.uk

A warm welcome awaits pirates and smugglers at this 600-year-old inn 01797 223065 info@mermaidinn.com www.mermaidinn.com

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Suffolk smugglers patronised ‘The Parrot’

ow known as ‘The Parrot’, this grade II listed building in the Suffolk village of Aldringham was built around 1576 when it was originally named ‘The Case Is Altered’ In 1604, the Kemp family acquired the premises and renamed it ‘The Parrot and Punchbowl’. The village has long been associated with smuggling and there is a local story that a secret tunnel leads from the inn to Aldringham church that is over a mile away.

The English bibliophile and publisher John Camden Hotten and Dutch author Jacob Larwood cite the pub as an example in ‘The History of Signboards, From the Earliest Times to the Present Day’, which was published in 1866.

The book states that punchbowls were added to pub signboards at the end of the 17th century and signified ‘political prestige’ as punch was the choice of drink for the Whigs and functioned as a sort of

party badge for pubs.

In 1778, two smuggler patrons were arrested on the premises and an account written in 1892 by Lewis Chandler from the adjacent town of Leiston recorded a large-scale arrest that confiscated 12 horses, six carts and three hundred tubs of gin. This was poured away outside the pub, but locals dug a sump hole to catch it in pails, leading to the death of one man from contaminated alcohol within 24 hours.

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In 1933, former pub landlord Charles Kemp told a local reporter that it was one of his Grandfather’s delight’s to tell how smuggled goods were brought daily to ‘The Parrot’ from Thorpeness and how at 11 o’clock sharp every night an old mare that wandered the Common during the day was harnessed and employed to convey smuggled goods from Aldringham to Bromeswell from where they were transferred to Ipswich.

The current landlord of ‘The Parrot’, Chris Theobald, is keen to adopt a ‘green’ approach to running the inn, not just in making the garden and surrounding areas more habitable for the local wildlife, but banishing plastic straws and stirrers from the bar and supporting local

suppliers such as the butcher and greengrocer, who provide fresh produce from just a few miles away.

The fishmonger delivers sustainable stock sourced from Lowestoft.

The bar is stocked with a great choice of craft gins, whiskies and bourbons alongside an eclectic wine list and with Adnams, brewers of Ghost Ship, just up the road; ale drinkers are assured of a satisfying pint.

By the way, that secret tunnel has yet to be discovered!

More information from www.aldringhamparrot.com

EXPLORE BENEATH THE SURFACE

A MAJOR EXHIBITION IN FALMOUTH MARCH 2023 – DECEMBER 2024

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Festival focus

Weymouth: a blast of a

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eymouth Pirate Fest rocked that West Country seaside town again! Not only did an eye-wateringly beautiful bunch of scallywag crews arrive ashore in Weymouth to partake of the fun, frivolity and yes, even a whole weekend of sunshine, but more than a thousand curious folk and mini-pirates came

and joined the party, enjoying pop-up pirate buskers, following the drums in the Pirate Parade and revelling in the all-day and all-night entertainments.

Organised by the seasoned team at The Dolmen, who this year made their Crew HQ at Hardy’s Hophouse in the town centre, pirates young, old and in-between kicked up their heels for a fantastic host of bands, headlined

on all three days by the Celtic Giants, Connach and, of course, The Dolmen, whose storming gig on Saturday night blew the bucket boots off the audience in a packedout Hardy’s.

As well as the merriment ashore, the beautiful tall ship ‘Moonfleet’ graced the waters of Weymouth quayside, and provided a perfect stage for the concluding gig of the festival, performed by

Drummers in the Pirate Parade, with Taloch Jameson of The Dolmen third from left (picture courtesy of Roy McDine).

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members of The Dolmen Acoustic (AKA Celtic Giants).

The Dolmen and crew send massive thanks to all the amazing pirates and wenches who came to the party, and to all the fantastic Pirate Fest sponsors: Hardy’s Hophouse; The Fantastic Sausage Factory; The Cutter Hotel; Elite Tattoos and Piercings; The Belvedere; The Boot; and the local BiD, We Are Weymouth. Many

A couple of happy if somewhat courtesy of Peter McLean).

Festival focus

fest!

Harwich secures its reputation

This year marked the 18th anniversary of Harwich International Shanty Festival. It has voyaged a long way since its small beginnings with a bunch of friends meeting up in a couple of pubs to drink good beer and sing wellloved shanties, but it continues to espouse these values although on a much larger canvas!

Its reputation as the Intent on joining the Premier UK Shanty party, these scallywags Festival was secured stormed ashore on from 13-15 October, Weymouth beach (picture with 251 events, 192 courtesy of Rob Reek). of which were free to other local businesses and attend. The Festival projects also helped make was declared open by the event a success by the Lord Lieutenant of organising some superb Essex, Jennifer Tollhurst additional piratical on the Ha’penny Pier activities and treats! and there followed The Dolmen declared, a long weekend that “You all made it rang with the sound possible. Keep a keen eye on that horizon for Weymouth Pirate Fest 2024. Huzzah!”

t dishevelled pirates (picture

The Jack Tars, an energetic shanty band specialising in traditional seafaring songs and British/Irish folk staples, came down from Yorkshire to perform in the Harwich International Shanty Festival. of lusty shanties and workshops and even sea songs, with music pirates to entertain emanating from pubs, visitors. boats, clubs and the Credit must go to Pam port’s many historic Fitzgerald and her team buildings. There were of voluntary helpers for street theatre sketches, ensuring that Harwich maritime crafts, barge Shanty Festival enjoys trips, walks, talks, continued success.

Singing continued aboard ‘Excelsior’, an authentically-restored fishing smack of the Lowestoft fishing fleet and a member of the National Historic Fleet.

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Abandoned hull becomes the ‘Hispaniola’

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ne of the many fascinating sights in the Isle of Man is the Maritime Museum in Castletown. At first viewing it appears to be a normal museum, but once the story of its history begins to unfold it draws you into a mixture of adventure, piracy and smuggling.

The museum is housed in the former home of George Quayle MHK (1751-1835). MHK means Member of the House of Keys and George was also a member of a prominent banking family.

Being a politician and banker George was obviously not above breaking a few laws and engaging in smuggling between the Isle of Man and Anglesey a mere 50 miles away.

However, George was no ordinary smuggler and having some wealth behind him, he constructed a small ship, which he named Peggy after his mother.

This ship included cutting-edge new technology from the colonies in the form of drop keels that allowed it to sail closer to the

By Jonathan Mann*

wind than other contemporary vessels. In 1796, George took his ship overland to the Lake District to compete in a regatta on Windermere and wiped the floor with the competition. Not content with his vessel’s superior speed, he also armed her with four cannon

After WWII the Manx government inherited the building and opened up the long-sealed boathouse to discover the Peggy in a virtual time capsule. She was the best-preserved vessel of her age and two stern chasers.

Like all super villains, George needed a base of operations and next door to the family bank he constructed his home and headquarters, the building that is now the maritime museum.

The house is built over a sea level

The Peggy is freed from her basement boathouse.

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boathouse, which allowed the Peggy to lower her mast and slip through a low arch in the quayside wall and enter her home. Once inside the boathouse, the doors could be shut and the crew escape through trapdoors in the ceiling to George’s den above.

His den is a magnificent recreation of a captain’s cabin from a tall ship with stern windows and a navigation table, but it is a room full of secrets that would excite anybody who ever read Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books. Apart from the secret trapdoors in the floor, the afore mentioned navigation table rolls away from the wall to access two secret passages, one behind the wooden panelling and a second that gives access to the attic via a pull-down, counter-balanced ladder. Not only that, but the fine cast iron fire place when tapped is revealed to be made of wood and at the press of a button swings to reveal a hidden safe whilst a cunningly-disguised wooden nail in the window frame when pulled releases a secret panel on the other side of the room. This is rumoured to have still had bottles of French brandy in when discovered during restoration.

There is far more to describe, but I digress. The most interesting part of the story is that George’s family became ill-at-ease with his shenanigans and in a fit of pique he put his ship Peggy in the basement boathouse and had masons wall her in. He admonished his family never again to enter… and no one did officially, for over 100 years. After WWII the Manx government inherited the building and opened up the long-sealed boathouse to

Abandoned 16 ft hull. discover the Peggy in a virtual time capsule. She was the best-preserved vessel of her age.

Why do I mention this? Well, as you read the above you can probably tell that this story made quite an impression on me and I have visited the Peggy many times.

Hence, when a friend abandoned a 16 ft hull in storage at my home, I started to wonder about converting it to resemble the Peggy and use her in the Conwy Pirate Festival.

As the hull was ten feet shorter than the Peggy, I could not reproduce her exactly, but 16 ft is quite big enough and somewhat easier to store. I set out to try and reproduce the general lines and rigging at least not forgetting some armament!

The hull I had to start with had been neglected for a number of years, but was in good structural condition. I note for anybody contemplating a similar project that there are many ‘free hulls’ available on Facebook Marketplace. In any case, I started by stripping all the timber from the hull and jet washing her to give a good base. The inside had been repaired in the past so I painted it to give a uniform finish and disguise the fibreglass.

One of the distinctive parts of the Peggy is a raised stern and it is with that feature that I started, making a dovetailed three sided box to slip over the transom and come back along the top of the

gunwales. This gave me an area to add a bit of artistic license to the job by adding a couple of routed skulls and a name. I also added a couple of rustic wrought iron hanging basket-holders to take stern lanterns and added some squiggly bits.

It was my intention to have the vessel rowed as sailing in a re-enactment event battle is impractical, so I wanted to make the gunwales very strong to take the thrust of four oars.

New timber was bent and glued/ screwed and through-bolted to the top of the fibreglass. Reinforcing blocks were attached at the crutch positions where the oars would be used. To get optimum placement of the oars and thwarts, I engaged the help of the cox in

our local rowing club. Last year, I chased a boat full of rowers in my dinghy and hailed them, they thought I was going to complain about something, but were overwhelmingly enthusiastic when I explained I wanted to press-gang them into rowing a pirate boat at the festival.

The next item was to make bottom boards as small boats are always shipping some water and dry feet are desirable. A number of shaped cross members were formed to which floor boards could be attached with gaps between for drainage and lightness.

Solid thwarts were fixed across the boat to support both the weight of the oarsmen and act as supports for the base of the masts.

The masts pass through a central hole in each thwart and locate in a morticed step on the bottom boards. Even using inch and a quarter thick timbers, the thwarts distort under the weight of the oarsmen so turned supports were made and fixed either side of the mast to stiffen the construction.

I utilised some left-over timber decking to form covers to the front and rear buoyancy tanks, mainly to disguise the fibreglass and add

The stern was raised.

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New gunwales were fitted. a touch more realism. However, the front seating also added much needed stiffness to the Samson post, which was installed to support the swivel gun. Knowing the amount of recoil with even a small charge of typically one ounce, I added lateral and floor bracing to the gun mount and kept it as low as possible to maintain the lowest possible centre of gravity. The top of the post gun mount was turned and reinforced with a hoop cut from a large diameter steel pipe The Peggy has two masts and a bow sprit, booms, gaffs, etc. I decided due to time constraints that I would just make the masts this year and that would also mean that I could improve her for the next season. The mainmast length was purposely made approximately 17 ft in length to double up as a ridge pole for a tarpaulin cover through the Winter, whilst the other mast was made a little shorter.

The masts were constructed in true shipwright style as hollow spars formed from four sections of 2 x 1 inches glued together and rounded with a large router bit.

The base had a piece of timber inserted to locate in the mast step mortice and a mahogany truck was turned to add contrast at the Plunder ll November Pirate Plunder May 20192023 18 18 Pirate

Bottom boards were added.

top. Traditional hemp rope rigging seemed the only way to support the masts and a chock was placed on either side of the mast tops to support a spliced loop in the shrouds. The lower ends of the shrouds were attached with a pair of wooden dead eyes attached to a galvanised ring on the gunwales.

The rudder was designed to look authentic, but with a nod to my dinghy days I made the main rudder blade swivel up so that the vessel can enter shallow water without unshipping the rudder assembly. I made a long sweeping curved tiller for effect. However, this displeased the cox, who asked for a shorter rope operated tiller

The swivel gun was mounted.

to save space! The original tiller is used now for display.

In order to maintain authenticity, all the ropes are secured with wooden cleats or to belaying pins.

I hope to add extensively to the rigging before next season to make the vessel fully-rigged.

The next challenge was to make a set of four oars. I wanted the oars to be long as that reduces the angle between their entry point in the water and the crutches. I know from experience that rowing with short oars is uncomfortable.

I decided that for strength I would make the oars octagonal this also makes them easier to make than rounding off very long lengths

of what started as 3 x 3 inch. The timber was power-planned to rough size and then finished with a hand plane. The oar blades were kept slim to decrease the effort need to row whilst the inboard end was rounded with a large radius router cutter. The oars were wrapped in leather where they passed through the crutches (we obtained an old leather brief case off a market and cut it up).

For a finishing touch I added a red band of paint around the tips.

Unfortunately, my cox adviser thought the oars too long and consequently I banished the first batch of oars to adorn the stage as a back drop prop at the festival and made shorter oars, which I rounded over the whole length with a traditional rounding plane rather than keeping the octagonal design.

These oars were deemed fully-functional on our first test row to my great relief.

We tested the vessel with our rowing team before the festival and apart from shortening the tiller as previously mentioned all was deemed satisfactory.

We christened her ‘Hispaniola’ as a tribute to ‘Treasure Island’ and she went into service this year for the first time.

Luckily, the RNLI were carrying out a practise exercise and very kindly launched our ship before towing her out to a pontoon off Conwy Quay

saving us a lot of effort.

For anyone in Conwy at this year’s festival, you would have seen a band of cutthroats rowing around our harbour avoiding the main pirate vessel ‘Vilma’ and firing the swivel gun at the militia ashore. We continuously try to come up with something new

each year to add flavour to the event and I think this added substantially to this year’s sea battle.

For anyone interested in the background story of the Peggy, there are many resources on the internet to find further information. Peggy was found to be slowly deteriorating due to age

and was removed from her boathouse in 2015 for a multi-million pound restoration project. It is hoped that she will be returned in 2025. *More examples of Jonathan’s work can be seen on his Facebook page: Glipso – Custom Reenactment Woodwork.

r r a y haye day ppoole quay - dorset 2024

saturday 15th june 12 noon - 6pm

Pirate Parade led by the Mayor 12 noon, all welcome to join...

Live Music – Fairground rides – Wimborne Militia Cannons Stocks – Tombola – Stalls – Ball & Chain – Aunt Sally Boards Children’s Fancy Dress Competition & Treasure Hunt Face Painting – Pirates of Poole Shenanigans for all!

In support of 3 local chosen charities, nominations now being considered

keeping the history of poole alive Organised by: Pirates of Poole piratesofpoole@yahoo.co.uk – Activities subject to change –

November May 2019 2023llPirate PiratePlunder Plunder 19

Shantyman

T

Band destined for a life of piracy

he Reivers was the name given to raiders between the 14th and 17th centuries and their exploits often led to the gallows! Before Reivers’ Gallows was formed, Lee, Flog and Kris performed with another band, but after leaving, they stole Phil from somewhere else and when their original fiddle player left, they kidnapped Bron.

This pirate band from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has now been together for five years and always been somewhat eclectic. They chose their name from the Reivers that raided across the Scottish

Left to right: Phil, Flog, Bron and Kris, with Lee at the back, aboard the schooner ‘Atyla’.

borders; however, as none of them ride horses and one has an irrational dislike of sheep, the band decided to look towards the sea. Having heard the

Reivers’ Gallows entertained the crowds at this year’s Brixham Pirate Festival.

PiratePlunder PlunderllNovember May 20192023 20 Pirate

siren’s call, they decided that Reivers’ Gallows was destined for a life of piracy.

As doubloons are hard to come by, they make ends meet by pretending to be normal folk. Two of them teach, one fights fires, another is an engineer and the other has earned his days of leisure!

Collectively, the band takes its influence from traditional songs and tunes, puts them in a barrel, tosses them around a bit, then performs them in its own way. It is fiddle-driven with two crew members (Bron and Kris) on violins. Lead vocalist is Lee, who also plays guitar and banjo, with Phil on cajon and Flog on bass.

They love performing all their tunes, but the ones most favoured are

definitely those where the fiddles take centre stage and the audience reacts by moving to the music. This year, they have been fortunate enough to entertain the crowds at Brixham Pirate Festival, Fantasy Forest and Field 8 during Cropredy. They also had a successful gig at the Black Bear in Tewkesbury during the town’s Medieval Festival (Editor: Saucy Sue and I were prevented from attending this event due to family illness).

Reivers’ Gallows are a welcome addition to the growing number of pirate bands in Britain and are becoming better known through press reports and social media.

More information from www.facebook.com/ ReiversGallows/?locale=en_ GB

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Trading post

I

Pirate album from The Dolmen

n what has been an active year for The Dolmen, which included the best, busiest and sunniest Weymouth Pirate Fest yet, has seen the band, headed by prolific writer/musician Taloch Jameson and his equally talented son Connach, continue work on their new pirate album – ‘The Devil’s Crest’.

Long-established iconic pirate albums from The Dolmen are ‘Spirits of the Sea’ and ‘Storm’, which are still available from the group, together

with its complete catalogue of albums and merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies and stickers adorned with the infamous Dolmen Demon Pirate!

More information from www.thedolmen.com

Authentic pirate shirt This handsome shirt offered by Southern Swords was inspired by the pirate captains of old and is made of high quality 100% cotton.

The shirt is also a historically accurate design, with a cord-tie collar and long sleeves, which imparts an authentic pirate look and feel.

It is available in two sizes: Large and XXL. More information from www.southernswords.co.uk

Storage for young pirates An aged wooden box from My Happy Moments makes a useful treasure chest for any young buccaneer to keep important small items.

Shaped like an old book, it features a rustic, handcarved skull and bones.

It measures 18 x 30 cm and is 10 cm deep.

A skeleton storage box, which is shaped like a coffin, is also available

from the supplier. It is decorated with handcarved skeleton and skull details.

This box measures 35 x 14 cm and is 9 cm deep.

More information from www.myhappymoments.co.uk

OLD HARRY’S LOCKER Alternative Market for STEAMPUNK PIRATES 7 Golden Lion Bank, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 3BS

www.whitbypandemonium.co.uk PiratePlunder Plunderl lNovember May 20192023 22 Pirate

in Swanage, Dorset, for Nautical Curios Antiques and Collectables

Tel: 07961 572032 E-mail: cw1@gmx.co.uk

Trading post Exotic spiced rums

T

he ‘Tropical Horizons’ range from Pirate’s Grog Rum introduces drinkers to a new world of flavour exploration, with a fleet of three exotic spiced rums.

Pirate’s Grog Honey Spiced Rum uses the finest ethically-sourced pure honey from The

Honeybee Man and infuses a wonderful array of spices into its awardwinning, five-year aged golden rum.

Pineapple Spiced Rum is bursting with sweet citrus pineapple notes, a bold union of exotic spices and deliciously smooth golden rum.

The third release in the range is Smokey Ginger Spiced Rum, which marries fresh ginger to the smokiness of chipotle chillies, combined with a touch of Demerara sugar and golden rum.

All three 700 ml rums have an alcohol content of 37.5%.

More information from www.piratesgrogrum.com

The Pirate Shop in the North Wales town of Conwy is the UK market leader for swords, daggers, guns, clothing, flags and accessories.

A global distributor for Red Dragon Armoury, we sell the products of major international manufacturers such as Deepeeka, Windlass, Art Gladius, Medio Evo and

Rope-handled tankard A new product for thirsty pirates from The Pirate Shop is a hand-crafted 500 ml beer tankard in varnished mango wood known as ‘The Dusk Chuug®’, which blends ancient Viking, Norse and Swedish craftsmanship with modern functionality.

It features a charcoalcoloured rope handle made from a highquality synthetic hemp material that offers a unique blend of style and practicality. This anti-bacterial and waterresistant rope ensures durability, preventing stretching or loss of rigidity over time.

Each tankard is meticulously carved from premium-grade natural wood, showcasing the natural beauty and grain patterns that make every piece oneof-a-kind.

‘The Dusk Chugg’ has a height of 16 cm and is 10 cm in diameter.

More information from www.thepirateshop.co.uk

Marshal Historical in the UK. We also stock other wellknown brands such as Hanwei, GDFB and SPES. On-site facilities at our 12,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre only five minutes from the centre of town include a trade showroom and a product development studio.

To make an appointment, please call us on: 01492 541300

www.thepirateshop.co.uk

PrirateShop_PP_Aug_2023.indd 1

November 2023llPirate PiratePlunder Plunder 23 May 2019 31/08/2023 15:59

Unless ye intends to steal a ship or become a mutineer if ye are already on one, then the best course of action is to sign on with one of the active pirate crews listed on these two pages. If retired from a life of piracy, then ye’ve a duty to keep faith with The Brethren by celebrating ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’ on 19th September every year!

Aberystwyth Pirate Society www.abersu.co.uk/society/piratesociety/ Appledore Pirates www.facebook.com/app.pirates/ Blackwater Pirates www.facebook.com/groups/2968567940086465/ Brixham Pirates Festival

www.brixhampiratesfestival.com Brotherhood of the Black

www.brotherhood-of-the-black.co.uk Cambridge Skeleton Crew

www.facebook.com/Cambridge-Skeleton-Pirate-Crew-21145581 05283991/?ref=py_c Coastal Union of Pirates Privateers Aviators & Steampunks

Brixham Pirates Festival

www.facebook.com/groups/564365187654696 Cutthroats, Pirates, Thieves an Fun Lovers

www.facebook.com/groups/626925014509041/permalink/986442898557249 Drumskullz

www.facebook.com/drumskullz East Coast Pirates (Whitby)

www.facebook.com/groups/187485482170319 Greyhounds of St Edmund

www.facebook.com/groups/156887281148110/members

Brotherhood of the Black

Hastings and Eastbourne Pyrates

www.facebook.com/groups/192667164601226/?fref=nf Hawkhurst Gang Bonfire Society

www.hgbs.org.uk Heart of the South West

www.brotherhood-of-the-black.co.uk/fullscreen-page/ comp-jb2kqfu4/d3247830-2479-4c4c-9b37-75d6cc43dd1e/9/%3Fi%3D9%26p%3Df1lx9%26s%3Dstyle-jf9xgtpi International Talk Like a Pirate Day

CUPPAS

www.talklikeapirate.com Peninsular Pyrates

www.discoverlandguard.org.uk Pirates and Smugglers of the UK

www.facebook.com/groups/1503592149898698/permalink/2941689819422250 Pirates of Poole,

East Coast Pirates

www.piratesofpoole.co.uk Piratical Union of Buccaneers, Corsairs and Associated Trades

www.pubcat.org.uk Plundering Pirates of the North East

www.facebook.com/plunderingpiratesnortheast Purbeck Pirates

www.facebook.com/groups/1224784210899407 PiratePlunder PlunderllNovember May 20192023 24 Pirate

Heart of the South West

River Rogues (Pirate living history re-enactment, Oxford)

www.facebook.com/groups/riverrogues Sea Dragon Pirates www.facebook.com/frank.sharman.79 Sharkeye’s Pirates www.sharkeyespirates.wordpress.com Sheppey Pirates

www.sheppeypirates.co.uk Suffolk Free Company: Pirates

www.suffolkfreecompany.org.uk/piratesuffolks Sully Smugglers

www.sullysmugglers.webs.com The Jolly Rogers – Dorset

PUBCAT

www.jollyrogersdorset.co.uk The Pirate Castle

www.thepiratecastle.org The Pirate Society (University of Sussex)

www.facebook.com/sussexpirates The Pirate’s Rum Bible

www.facebook.com/groups/3461839360611139 The Sea Dragons

www.facebook.com/frank.sharman.79 Vectis Buccaneers Re-Enactment Society

www.facebook.com/Vectis-Buccaneers-Re-enactment-society-499770177437687/?modal=admin_todo_tour Whitby International Pirate Society

www.whitbypirates.co.uk

Sea Dragon Pirates

Vectis Buccaneers November May 2019 2023llPirate PiratePlunder Plunder 25

Where to see pirate action

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calendar, but like the weather, dates may be subject to change, so you are advised to check the forecast with the organiser’s website afore setting sail. The Editor of Pirate Plunder would also be much obliged if those arranging festivals would let him know of any changes to location, duration or even cancellation of their events due to battles with bureaucrats, plagues from Far Cathay or other circumstances beyond their control.

International Mermaid Day All around the Seven Seas 29 March, 2024 www.daysoftheyear.com/day/mermaidday

Port Isaac Shanty Festival Port Isaac, Cornwall 19-21 April, 2024 www.portisaacshantyfestival.co.uk

International Scurvy Awareness Day All around the Globe 2 May, 2024 www.scurvyday.com

IPC Rendez-Vous, Brixham, Devon 3 May, 2024 www.facebook.com/ events/1059452565434692

Swanage Living History Pirate Festival Swanage, Dorset 25-26 May, 2024

Pirate Day The Torbay Inn Paignton, Devon, www.facebook.com/torbayinn

www.facebook.com/purbeckpiratefestival

The Original Conwy Pirate Festival The Quay, Conwy, North Wales 8-9 June, 2024

Grain d’Pirate Binic-Étables-sur-Mer, Brittany, France 10-11 August, 2024 www.graindpirate.fr

www.conwypirates.com

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival Falmouth, Cornwall 14-16 June, 2024 www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk Harry Paye Day Poole Quay, Poole, Dorset 15 June, 2024 www.piratesofpoole.co.uk

Whitby Pirate Festival Whitby, North Yorkshire 30 August-1 September, 2024 www.facebook.com/whitbypiratefestival

International Talk Like a Pirate Day All around the Globe 19 September, 2024 www.talklikeapirate.com

Brixham Pirates Festival Brixham, Devon 4-6 May, 2024

Pirate Mutiny Matlock Bath, Derbyshire 3-4 August, 2024

Harwich International Shanty Festival Harwich, Essex 11-13 October, 2024

www.brixhampiratesfestival.com

www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

List of Advertisers Bag O’ Rags Brixham Pirate Festival Conwy Pirate Festival DarkBlade (UK) Ltd Harry Paye Day HKCB Luluna Clothing Matlock Bath Pirate Mutiny Mermaid Inn November PiratePlunder Plunderl l May 20192023 26 Pirate

9 28 2 8 19 21 8 27 11

National Maritime Museum Cornwall Nauticalia Ltd Old Harry’s Locker Pandemonium Pewter World Pirate Shop Rogues’ Armada Swanage Pirate Festival

13 5 22 22 11 23 25 7

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