Ships Log: Searle's Raid on St Augustine, 3-6-10

Rape, Pillage N Burn,


In 1668, Capt Robert Searle n his privateers from Port Royal sailed under the cover of night into the harbor of St Augustine to loot the silver ingots held in the royal coffers of the Spanish. They killed 60 people and pilaged the goverment buildings, churaches n' homes. The devaststion wrought by these blood thirsty pirates prompted Spain's Council of the Indies to build Castillo de San Marcos.

The re-enactor who run the re-enactment are much more colonial type than pirate types, as the whole city seem to dislike pirates. They consider themselves privateers, but from the Spanish point of view, they were viewed as pirates, for they burn the town down.

Ships Log: Alafia River Rebdezvous, 1-21-10

Ye Haw Maties,

I be search far n' wide fer unique items to stock my pirate store in St Augstine. I had to brave indian attacks on my way to do some trading at Alafia River Rebdezvous. This would be my first rendezvous event, which be a pre-1840's frontiersmen, indian, mountain men gathering.

Hundreds of period canvas tent with trade blankets with all kinds of goodies abounded. I be a lucky mate fer foundin' me a real 200 year old antique British Flintlock Pistol to add to my collection or ye can call me a salted codfish.
!

Ships Log: British Night Watch, 12-5-09

Dar British Be Comin'

It be a might frighting sight to see hundred of British Red Coats invade yar city, if ye happen ta be a pirate.

I be just an honest merchant man, sir. I says to these bloody red coats who be pointing their muskets at me. On the 5th of Dec at 8pm, the 35th Annual British Night Watch Parade started out with 400 fully dressed Red Coats n' their entourage marched up n' down St George Street.

Ship's Log: St Augustine's 444th Birthday: 9-4-09

In name of God, King n' County,

In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed at Mission of Nombre de Dio to proclaim name this land, St Augustine of Florida. The city put on a re-enactment of the event to celebrate the 444th birthday of St Augustine.

The good thing about such an old city, is that it has many celebrations fer re-enactors to get dressed up n' attract tourist. Not that I be liking Spanards, but if they weren't here, we pirates wouldn't have any body to plunder, arrrrgh!

Ships Log: Drake's Raid of St Augustine , 6-7-09

Burn the town,

In 1586, England and Spain were at war n' Sir Francis Drake fired upon St Augustine, forcing Governor Marquez n' his people to flee. Immediately, Indians looted the town. When the English arrived, they took what the Indians left behind, and it is said the killing of an English soldier by the Spanish rearguard prompted Drake to issue his dreadful orders- "burn the town!"

I love re-enactments. We all get to get in garb, fire some black powered, sword fight n' have some fun. But the Devil be angered by some event that I must voice out. Two little boys get dressed up as pirates and visit the Drake's raid encampment. They are unfriendly told to leave the area immediately. The boys n' their mother show up in my shop, purchase a few items to become more authentic but not enough to gain access. Is this the best policy to encourage youngsters to delve into history. I firmly believe in being inclusive vs exclusive. Let people come with what they have, educate them, and slowly over time they will upgrade n' become more authentic. A change in attitude will help greatly in our towns coffer as well as its merchants.


If historical correctness is so important, then the great re-entactment of the brave Spanish defense of the city gates and reguard action throughout the city and its last stand in front of the Government House is a total fabrication. Most of the city ran into the wood before the English arrive, a few sniper were left to slow the English. Why be costume Nazi, what does it buy us? In a time of a depressed economy for St Augustine as well as the entire US, we need to become more attractive to get at the few traveler about.

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.

Ships Log: Spanish Night Watch, 3-14-09

Lookee here,

It be grand ta live in an olde city that historical events frequently.

Every year the Spanish Garrison at Castillo de San Marcos lead a torch lite parade through the historic area to the Government House. We pirate have learned to stay away from the Spanish Military, arrrgh!

Ships Log: Searle's Raid on St Augustine, 3-7-09

Rape, Pillage N Burn,

In 1668, Capt Robert Searle n his privateers from Port Royal sailed under the cover of night into the harbor of St Augustine to loot the silver ingots held in the royal coffers of the Spanish. They killed 60 people and pilaged the goverment buildings, churaches n' homes. The devaststion wrought by these blood thirsty pirates prompted Spain's Council of the Indies to build Castillo de San Marcos.

It be real grand to round re-enactors again, as I'm not on the road travelin' from festival to fair. Here be a scene only 100 feet away from my store front. Pirates rampaging through St George Street to the front of the city gates where be engage