A Merry Crew
A Merry Crew
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
“Twas fer certain one of the most colourful conclaves ever seen in all the seven seas!
A truce was called on pain of keelhaulin’ and ye pirates, buccaneers, privateers, swashbucklers and all joined for a weekend in Tortuga (errr Prescott) as one great crew - reminiscent of the great pirate army of Morgan hisself – for the purpose of dancin' at a Grand Buccaneers' Ball, tellin’ of tales, singin’ of chanteys, feastin’ - an’ throwin of the football.
Yaaar! What a time we had!
Cap’n Blackhat who was seen by many witnesses to walk the plank two years since shocked many an old tar when he showed up – returned from Davy Jones’ Locker – with Calico Bess on his arm.
Bartholomew Burgundy sauntered in with his bodyguard Ol’ Jack Tar.
The crew of the sloop “Cherry” – Red Linda, George Black Dog Mary and Black Rose – came in their best plundered finery.
A pair of brash and megalomaniacal young she-pirates declared themselves to be none other than Queen Elizabeth and Bloody Mary.
The ever dangerous Hook was accompanied by Black Sheryl and Maharincess Maesoon, Princess of Corsairs and scourge of the Arabian Sea.
Jaynie of Barra and the Lacys of Howth arrived with tales of adventure from the stormy Irish Sea.
From Korea by way of Singapore and the Java Strait came Singapore Sarah, Pirate Queen of the South China Sea and a terror of Orient waters.
Dred Cap’n Roberts and Dangerous D looked surly enough but managed to keep the general truce - just barely.
Cap’n Scott Scarlett an his crew of fashion pirates did their best to play host to a seafarin’ rabble from around the globe.
Pirates sailing from Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Barbary Coast, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan and the Americas all vied with one another in frenzied jig to the uproarious approbation of all.
A hearty salute was given to Noah – the first seafarer of them all – and a chantey sung in his honour. (His jigging was surprisingly spry for a man of over 700 years!) His sons Shem, Ham and Japheth promised to scatter over the earth and all seven seas and were greeted by grunts, barks, roars and more from the lively crew of animals.
The shout of “boarders away” was given and Bosun Brett showed why he is one of the most feared men in any ship to ship action as he cleared the fo’csle single handed and claimed a large share of the booty.
BOOTY!!! ARRR!!!
This be no mere tale of the sea. We were all witnesses of his singlehanded clearin’ of the deck.
A hearty feast was enjoyed until the wee hours in the ship’s galley and after a few hours of shut eye below deck the feasting began again as all crews took boats back to shore for the much anticipated Buccaneers’ Bowl – football between pirate crews!
On one side – Cap’n Scott Scarlett and Chief Smoke-in-his-Hair put their crew together. On the other side Hook and Blach Zach did the same. The battle raged for hours. When all was said and done the game was declared a tie at 21-21. MVP honours were shared by one crewman from each side. These would be…
First Mate Amanda of Cap’n Scott’s crew caught a deep over-the-shoulder pass and then juked Singapore Sarah (no easy feat) to cross the goal line.
Blach Zach of Hook’s brigands had been trainin’ runnin' the rigging and put his fast feet to use in a pair of rushing scores. Arrr. He weren’t too easy to stop.
The truce held an' another year of Buccaneer frolics were complete. New crew mates were found and new tales added to the vast lore of the sea.
So sailed we all.
So sailed we.
So it be.
Cap’n Scott Scarlett
They all sailed "the Spanish Main" during the days of frigates and sloops, brigs, schooners and galleons.
The heyday of the buccaneers was from circa 1650-1725 when working either individually or in great pirate fleets out of strongholds like Port Royal of Jamaica, they raided as far north as Canada and as far south as Brazil and equatorial Africa. Their targets of choice were not only Spanish treasure galleons and rich merchant vessels but also coastal towns and cities in Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and the many small but valuable islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles chains of the Caribbean Sea. Though mainly a 17th and 18th century phenomenon, piracy in the Caribbean did have a brief resurgence around 1820 before disappearing.
Some swashbucklers operated legally, by commission, in time of war such as the privateers (private vessels licensed by their government with a "letter of marque" to prey upon enemy commerce) which abounded during the naval wars of the 1600s, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. Others were entirely outside the law. Still others moved in and out of legality with ease as the circumstances suited them.
They were Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welshmen, Dutchmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Portuguese, Danes, Americans, Indians and Africans. Some were loyal to their king, some to their fellow buccaneers and some only to themselves. Some had impeccable manners, some were implacable thugs. Now and again they would gather and celebrate the success of a great raid from which all returned laden with booty.
But in 2007 it was all in good fun as we sailed into Prescott for the annual Buccaneers' Ball!
Yohoho... Avast there matey... Pieces of eight, pieces of eight... Dance a proper jig or walk the plank. Booty for all and plunder a'plenty. Shiver me timbers and boarders away... A r r r r ...
A R R R R R R R R R R R R R R !
Prepare to Board
Study your Charts
17th & 18th Century Reenacting in Arizona
The American Heritage Festival
Return to Port
Message in a Bottle
BQ Talent Search: Fashion Pirates - Summer 1707
Once again, the staff of Buccaneers' Quarterly sailed the Seven Seas, scoured taverns, inns and grog shops and searched every hold in every harbour to find this year's top talent. The "ARRR" look is IN and this is reflected in the winners of our headshot category. Thus our "Faces" for 1707 are ..... Malay Ezra, Blach Zach, Kate Lynn, The Leopard, Seashell Chelsea and Dagger Tooth.
The Gangplank (runway) category was won by veteran She-Pirates Smuggler Jane and Dangerous D along with newcomer Black Rose. These ladies strike the pose but never strike the colours!
Music playing is
"The New Rigged Ship"
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From the Ship's Log
Ahoy there Cpt. Scott,
I would like to formally thank you so very much for all the energy and effort you put into hosting the best celebrations in Arizona, and particularly for hosting one every year here in Prescott! The Buccaneer's Ball was awash with a vast variety of pirates, privateers, buccaneers, and like from all over the state; all thanks to you. As a member of the crew of the WeMakeHistory flag ship, I would like to say.....THREE CHEERS to the BEST CPT. this crew will ever have! Hip hip -- HOORAY, Hip hip -- HOORAY, Hip hip -- HOORAY!!!!
I pray that our good Lord keeps you and your family safe on all your journeys throughout this life. Thank you once again for making the 23rd evening of June, in the year of our Lord 2007 the best one I have had all Summer! Perhaps my ship will be a-sailing up to Flagstaff for ye Highland Ball, Picnic, and Bowl; t'would be quite a weekend and I look forward to it!
God Bless Ye!
Your very confused mate from the Orient,
Cpt. Singapore Sarah
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Dread Capn' Scott,
Never had we before had a time like the Buccaneers' Ball!
We came out of our sheltered coves, and after swooping down upon a merchant vessel and capturing their gold and wine, we weighed anchor until the cover of darkness and went to the Ball. We put aside our intent to attack the English to avenge the cruel treatment of Mary, Queen of Scotts, for the night and danced and made merry with the scurvy swines! (Now we will capture them and drag them to Kisimul Castle's dungeon for our own entertainment!)
Jaynie of Barra
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Avast ye Capt’n
I be not a pirate, but an honest and humble mariner who has set sail on many of fine ship, including a stint on ‘Old Ironsides’ in the Continental Navy in service of the of Columbia (or The United States as it has come to be known). And I be no bilge rat either.
However, I have enclosed a few images of some wenches and pirates going after some booty . . . not to mention sandals, slippers and other gear to comfort the foot. Arrrr, one of my images was marred by a dust spot! The other shows a diabolical thieving trick by a few brigands to try to keep the booty all for themselves.
I Be,
Jack Tar
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Dear Cap'm,
There many great moments with the even'n. Iit was a night full of laughter, booty, and fun! Riotous and crazy fun! Anyone who missed it, missed one of the best nights of the season. I do believe I've jigged the longest jig in history! It was full of pirating and looting and plenty of walk the planks!! Arrrggghhh!! It seemed to me that every person there, had an exceptional kind of night. :}
Your Partner in Plunder,
Dangerous D >:)
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We had a great time! We love dressing up and dancing. We plan on attending the Highland Ball. It was really nice to meet you bot. Have a great day!
Red Linda
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Dear Captain Scott,
What can we say, other than, we never though that a Buccaneer's Ball could be so entertaining and wholesome. A Buccaneer's Bowl so peaceful and fun?! I wonder if pirates knew about it!!!
There was great anticipation before the Ball, greater joy when the children came home. The next morning we had a good time talking about every detail. What a lovely night. Everyone enjoyed the new dances. To tell the truth, everyone enjoyed every bit of it, all the new ideas that you introduced to this Ball. You surely can show us that your imagination is lovely. God gave us imagination. It's nice to see someone using his for the good of many.
The picnic was so relaxing, though there were plenty of games and good company. It's a pity that anyone might have missed so much fun.
This is just a note to say, "thank you". Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
We are looking forward for the next Ball.
With me sword we sign off,
Pirates Lacyrrrrrrrrr of Howth
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Dread Cap'n Scott,
Arrrr! What a fine night of dancin' and merriment that turned out to be. The ladies were ..?.., well they were ..?.., well lets just say right good dancers. The men were fairly well behaved, but seemed to be on edge, as I had quite the difficult time removin' any items they didn't need at the time. A pirates still gotta be a pirate after all.
Why I daresay the last time I had this much fun was when I rescued Princess Buttercup from the fire swamp. I was relived, as I had heard the Old Armory is infested with R.O.U.S.es (rodents of unusual size), but only caught a glimpse of one or two.
My compliments on a voyage well sailed.
Dread Pirate Roberts
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Ahoy Dread
Cap'n Scott & Smuggler Jane!
'Twas a most hearty diversion in Prescott! I have never seen me a group'a
more happy-footed raiders. Me most humble appreciation to Bahama Becky & The Plankwalkers
fer providin' the song an' dance.
Arrrr... good music, good folk, fine feastin'.... and football t' boot!
Every day I give thanks to the LORD for the treasures I have here on Earth.
To me buccaneer friends, may ye always sail in calm waters, th' wind never
leadin' you astray!
'Till We Sail Again,
I Remain Your Friend and Humble Cap'n,
And Blessed T' Be So,
Captain Bartholomew Burgundy
Plymouth, England
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I
think I made quite th' scene, standin' there in me new red coat, red
stockings, an' cocked hat with the bow rosette -- the one me mum rolls her
eyes at. Still 'aven't found a proper one big enough across the seven seas,
carryin' out me privateer duties. As for me crew of the Wayward Star, they
aren't savvy on th' Arizona heat, nor wi' me orders not to plunder Jerome
while I'm away.
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