Ships Log: Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festive , 5-2-09

Love me innards,

It be grand ta finally get a day away from me shop ta venture out and visit dar Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, which feature the Fernindino Pirates.

Amelia Island is the only U.S. location to have been under eight different flags.
French 1562-1565 : The Island's first recorded European visitor was the French Jean Ribault on May 3, 1562. He named the island "Isle De Mai." Two years later, Rene de Laudonniere founded Fort Caroline nearby.

Spanish 1565-1763
The Spanish under Pedro Menendez defeated the French and founded St. Augustine in 1565. During their long dominion, the Spanish concentrated on educating and converting the Indians, and the Island name of "Santa Maria" was derived from a mission here. The mission and settlement were destroyed in 1702 by the English. Oglethorpe renamed the island "Amelia" after the daughter of George II.

English 1763-1783 :The Island became known as "Egmont" from Earl of Egmont's large indigo plantation. Revolutionary forces invaded in 1777 and 1778.

Spanish 1783-1821 (with 3 interruptions) After the Revolution, Britain ceded Florida back to Spain. Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807, which closed U.S. ports to foreign shipping, made the border town of Fernandina a center of smuggling and piracy.

Patriots 1812
With secret U.S. blessings, the so-called "Patriots of Amelia Island" overthrew the Spanish and hoisted their own flag on March 17, 1812. They replaced it with the U.S. flag the next day, but Spain demanded return of the island. The Spanish completed Fort San Carlos in 1816.

Green Cross of Florida 1817
To liberate Florida from Spanish control, Sir Gregor MacGregor seized Fort San Carlos in June, 1817, and hoisted his Green Cross standard. After his withdrawal, the Spanish attempted to regain control but were repelled by forces led by Jared Irwin and Ruggies Hubbard.

Mexican Revolutionary Flag 1817 :Irwin and Hubbard were joined by the pirate Luis Aury, who gained control and raised the Mexican rebel flag. U.S. troops occupied the island in December, 1817, and held it "in trust for Spain."

National Flag of the Confederacy 1861-1862 :Confederates took over Fort Clinch in April, 1861, but federal troops regained it in March 3, 1862, and occupied Fernandina for the duration of the War.

United States 1821-Present :Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821. Work began on Fort Clinch in 1847. In the 1850s, Fernandina moved from Old Town to become the terminus for Florida's first cross-state railroad. Organized by Senator David Yulee, the railroad ran from Fernandina to Cedar Key.


Lot of people attend this very well run event. The shrimp be good n' I found another olde treasure chest fer me store, yarrr!

Ships Log: Nina & Pinta visit St Augustine , 5-9-09

Columbus sailed the ocean blue,

The Nina and Pinta (really the Santa Clara) are historical reproductions of 2 of the original ships that Columbus sailed to the New World. They are visiting in St Augustine from May 8 to 19 for lubbers to visit, $6 admission fee.

Dar Ancient City Privateer boarded the two tallship in mass, as that's what pyrates do, arrrrgh!

Ships Log: Black Raven Maiden Cruise, 5-9-09

Ta be at sea!

It grand ta have the wind ta yar back, sea spray in yar face n' salt air in yar lungs. I took the 6:15 sunset cruise on the first day of crusing, so technically it was the 3rd cruise n' not the maiden voyage. While not a reproduction tall wood ship, the Black Ravenis best steel tourist pirate ship on ocean. Unfortunately tall ships can't break even in the tourist business as they require more crew member, more up keep, and have less passenger capacity.

Overall the cruise be pleasant n' informative. As it be dar first day at sea, they still need a bit more work on their interaction with passengers. When they get dar liquor licensee n' permit to fire black powder on the water, it will be much better. You can purchase ticket for the Black Raven at my shop: Pirate Portraits N Treasures, dar horizon looks golden with more pirate attraction is this olde port town.

Ships Log: 3rd In Garb Pub Crawl, 5-8-09

What do ya do with a Drunken Sailor,


The third In Garb Pub Crawl be a smaller group but just as fun as the two. We made a detour ta the Cast N Anchored this time to harass innocent lubber walking down Cuna Street. As always we be singing sea chanteys n' playing period games. Join us if ye be in St Augustine on the second friday of the month. This month's featured cause be the Project Special Care. Here be a group photo taken by Fran in front of Ann O'Malley's.

Ships Log: On the Cover of St Augustine Record, 5-8-09

Makin' a Splash,

I made it on the Cover of the St Augustine Record, the main local rag fer the oldest city in America. The paper photographer took a photo of me and Joseph O'Steen N Wife at the St Augustine Marine when the Black Raven first arrived into port on 4-22-09.

Ships Log: Bubble Room Opening, 5-7-09

Ahoy ye lubbers,

Dar Bubble Room Restaurant finally be opened after much delay. This is the second one, with the first one openin' up in '79 on Captiva Island.

The first night be open only contractor who help build dar establishment. So ye may inquire how a pirate like me got in. Well I be damn if I didn't send a week up on wooden scaffolds painting a circus tent on dar ceiling of the dining room. I be late in paying me rent n' the next thing I know I be 18 feet in the air painting upside down. A pyrate's life be full of unexpected surprises.

Ships Log: Change of Flags Ceremony, 5-2-09

The British be Coming!

It alway be a pleasure to visit the local fort. Commemorating dar transfer Castillo de San Marcos from Spanish to British control following the Peace of Paris Accord in 1763. Spain joined the Seven Years' War in Europe (1754-1763) on the side of France against England. The war was also waged in the colonies, and Spain lost both Havana and Manila to England in 1762. At the conclusion of the war in the following year, Spain agreed to cede Florida to the English in exchange for the return of Cuba. Diplomats had accomplished with the Treaty of Paris what innumerable English and Indian soldiers over the previous century had been unable to do with guns.