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Fort Taylor Pyrate Invasion, Dec 2013 - Key West, FL
Chapter 10th: Sunday, December 8th, Evening. Of signing the gibbet; How Ferguss and Georgiabelle Rose came to be pirate reenactors; Some visitors to the surgeon's table; Photos of the sunset on the fort wall; Sunday dinner at the Mercury camp; The mournful tale
Photo: Captain Jim
Mission on Sunday near the Gibbet
of the traveling goat; Of Doriana and Kevin's Honeymoon and Heading for the condo early.
Freshly changed, I hitched a ride back into the fort. Ferguss Hardwood and Georgiabelle Rose had stopped by our camp to get the gibbet signed. He had even brought a special silver pen so it would show up. This was actually something of which I got photos and those were (naturally) were amongst the ones that got deleted. In fact, all the photos I took that should be on this page got deleted, so we will be borrowing heavily of other folks' photos for Saturday evening.
I talked with Ferguss via Facebook and he sent me quite the fascinating narrative of how he came to piracy. Since my material for this chapter is rather short and his narrative is witty and interesting, I am going to include what he wrote here with a bit of editing for clarity and size.
The abbreviated history of Georgiabelle Rose and Ferguss Hardwood (As Told by Ferguss)
Seeking
Photo: Caribbean Pearl - Ferguss and Georgiabelle at FTPI
a void to fill the fast approaching retirement from Commercial Contracting & the 14 hour 7 day a week work schedule ingrained in our lives for Three decades we began enjoying road trips to places we never had time to visit. Visiting nearby venues on long weekends we realized we had to go further south to escape the cold. Civil War reenactors seemed to be thread counters & button monitors, as were other types of history originated groups . Whilst in Key West for a respite in March 2007 (Do you remember that freezing temp record setting night?) we stumbled across a tattered & stained poster for Pirates In Paradise 2006 in a tattoo parlor. We marked it on the calendar for Dec 2007 praying it would surely be warmer.
We arrived a few days early, doing the tourist things & even attending the PiP pub crawl on Duval. Camera in hand we paid our donation & explored the fort, the vendors (Lady Barbara's tent took credit cards) & watched the scene unfold. Pirates everywhere & the encampment on the beach was like a portrait by Don Maitz. There we met more Pirates & Pirate Hunters, some of the locals & the crews participating in camping. Back inside we listened to the Bone Island Buccaneers & learned about Mary Read & Anne Bonny.
Photo: Jaded Jetty
Ferguss and Georgiabelle in Camp at FTPI This Year
We noticed a common thread of comradery between crews. Together these small groups of mates from all over the U.S.A. had met to save a crumbling piece of history & educate the public on true Piracy. (Even if the time line of the fort did not fit.) By Friday afternoon my Navigator was Press-Ganged & fully Garbed... I resisted, not wanting to abandon coin from my wallet. She was a seamstress by trade & I was crafty & could reproduce all but the black powder weapons. What opened my heart the first crack was an invite to the inner circle Saturday night to see the after-hours interaction of players. Oh, the singing & story telling & the campfires..... Just what we were searching for to finish our time in this life.
Or was it? I was still not convinced, (fortunately, Georgiabelle is a powerful force.) Sunday evening we were again in Ole Zach's Tavern enjoying the Spirit of the gathering & sharing the music & then the Sadness overcame everyone & hush of the clanking as many crowded into the main tavern.......when we shared the cup & passed it around, I knew we had found a home.
Photo: Borrowed - The Pigeon Key Train Car on Knight's Key
A quick stop at Beal's outlet landed my first straw hat & my new Persona began.
We heard about the Pirate Invasion of Pigeon Key in February (2008) from several crews. The next day we headed north on our arduous trek to Atlanta and our old lives. We Stopped at Knight's Key & scoped out a place to anchor for the event in February. There we met with a couple at the Train car (The Pigeon Key Visitor's Center) who were helping to organize the Charity pirate event.
Returning to Pigeon Key for the event, we had a keg of Black powder, our first weapons purchased in a thrift store, & garb constructed or modified (except shoes ....those were still in transit.) Not knowing what to expect, we spent time with three different crews where we were introduced to Pirate's Choice Rum. This changed our lives further, forever combing our future with Piracy.
Image: Pirated - Rum Cay, Bahamas
Our names were born on that Outing as well as our persona. With no one there remembering our given names, we were called 'Georgia' because that's where we were from. This was confusing as we both responded to it, so I became Ferguss. It was natural that we became a crew of two, Shipwrecked on a remote Island. Since we had visited the Bahamas the month after leaving "Bone Island," our home port was Rum Cay and we became The Pirates of Rum Cay. The Golden Age was our time period & research of period correct accoutrements continues.
Later that year on a trip to New Orleans for PirateCon we met one of many Jack Sparrows, one of them turned out to be the Founder of the Atlanta Pirates & Wenches Guild. The following month we attended a gathering. It was not long before we were organizers... The group was a way to remain in contact with others & stay informed about upcoming events in the southeast. I Jokingly refer to our group as a drinking club with
Photo: APWG - Ferguss on the MeAss BeDragon Ship Float
a Pirate problem...... But if you look at the Guild's Calender, such outings are mixed with Kid-Oriented educational events. When crews & individuals join the Guild, no one is criticized for their portrayal & all are encouraged to continue on a historical journey into the real past.
With just a bit of promotion the Atlanta Guild grew from 30 members to over 500 with over half attending one or more events annually in Atlanta & others sticking to more regional events. Our float was created after walking in a grueling 4th of July parade in 100 degree/100% humidity weather. Captain Ben remarked: 'We either have to start a Pirate fitness Program or build a parade float. This spark ignited the building of our ship: MeAss BeDragon. '
So our two man Pirates of Rum Cay are still active within the Atlanta Guild and other clubs. We maintain our titles of Quartermaster & Navigator, our independence and letters of Marque received in St. Augustine.
[Returning to the Surgeon's Journal] I was soon back to playing surgeon. I had a wonderful couple with two kids during the afternoon each of whom was very curious, quizzing me on every tool. The mother commented, "This is the most interested they've been all day! They
Photo: Poppa Ratsey - The 2013 FTPI Group Shot
love to learn new things." They asked very incisive questions and even remembered what I had told them, repeating it back to me when I touched upon instruments I had already discussed. No doubt they will become surgeons some day. Or NASA engineers.
Five PM hit and I started tucking everything back into the shipping box. The box was a little worse for wear, but I thought it was tough enough to make the trip home safely. (It did.)
Then we headed over for the crew photo, which Tony "Papa Ratsey" took from the fort wall looking down at us. Tony has an eye for detail and he actually ordered people to turn a little, move a little and so forth, despite the fact that there were nearly 100 of us in the shot. It went pretty smoothly and we were soon finished.
The Mercury crew then headed up to the fort wall to take some photos of the sunset. We were hoping to see the green flash, but the horizon was cloudy and the green flash requires clear skies. So we missed that, but had a lovely sunset nonetheless. (I took pictures of it, but you're probably already tired of hearing how I deleted them. So I won't tell you.) Enjoy these sunset photos by Poppa.
 Photo: Poppa Ratsey - Key West Sunset With Ships |
 Photo: Poppa Ratsey - Key West Sunset With Birds |
When we returned to camp, William had arranged with Poppa Ratsey to get a crew shot of us. So we all perched on benches in Captain Jim's Oar House for this. (If you look closely, you may notice my pink flamingo breeches. Provided you want to notice them, that is.)
 Photo: Poppa Ratsey - The Mercury Crew on Sunday Night - madPete, Captain Jim, Iron Jon, Mission, Steve & William Pace |
Photo: Captain Jim
Iron Jon & Sergeant Jeff Consider the Goat
Iron Jon had prepared ham, cabbage, baked potatoes and corn for pre-dinner. (Tonight the 'actual' dinner was the camp wide pig roast.) (And the goat roast.) The cabbage Jon had made was so good that I had thirds. He explained how he had made it, but my memory does not willingly accept lists. I know it had brown sugar, red wine, sweet onions and number of other things in it. Yummy.
In the mean time, a group came to get and move the goat over to the dining area. This turned out to be a major operation involving half a dozen people, the Gator and multiple orders and directions.
Once they got it over to the food area, someone started carving it and discovered that it wasn't fully cooked! So then the half dozen people, Gator and multiple orders returned to our camp bringing the goat back to the fire pit. Searle's crew seemed to take charge of the second cooking of the goat and, quite frankly, I don't know what happened after that because I nodded off. I had been lying on the ground with my head propped up against a barrel watching. Then... zonk.
 Photo: Captain Jim - The Goat. Doesn't that look YUMMY? |
Photo: Caribbean Pearl
Doriana & Kevin, FTPI 2013 Sunday Night
While I'm sleeping on the ground there, let's profile a couple whom I never actually met at the event. I learned of them while cruising through Caribbean Pearl's photos.
When I write these Journals, I end up looking through everyone's photos at least 7 or 8 times. (This is because I can never quite remember where I saw that particular photo that would be perfect for Chapter x, so I keep having to go through them again and again and... If I would just stick to using my own photos, these things might be done in a week or two. But I digress.) While looking through Pearl's pics, I saw the photo you see at right of a couple. The title Pearl had given it was, "The Honeymooners!" This intrigued me. So I contacted Lily Alexander (my go to info source) to verify that, yes, they were on their honeymoon. This intrigued me further - it sounded like a great story. So I contacted Doriana.
Photo: Caribbean Pearl
Doriana & Kavin at FTPI 2011
Doriana and Kevin had actually been married the year before and were planning to spend their honeymoon in Hawaii, "but after going to the [FTPI] festival the previous year we completely changed our plans to spend it at the festival and Key West itself." I asked if honeymooning at FTPI was all they had hoped. "We couldn't have done better if we tried! We left it very open-ended, tried to really embrace 'Keys time' and had an amazing time as a result."
They particularly enjoyed the historic setting in Key West, especially the buildings and museums. They travelled back up the keys to see what else was out there on something mysteriously referred to as a "bridge drive." (I don't know what that means, but I'm going to guess that it's a reference to all the bridges that span the keys.)
Among other highlights, Doriana specifically mentioned eating with the roosters at Blue Heaven. They also took "an amazing kayak tour ([which we] highly recommend)" with Deadeye. Deadeye tried to get me to go out with their group on Monday, but I was feeling not well and declined. Had I gone, I might actually have met and chatted with them in person!
Photo: Caribbean Pearl
Doriana in the Fort
Photo: Poppa Ratsey
Kevin Playing Guitar w/ Brigands
Doriana and Kevin have been together for almost ten years. Their first big pirate event together was the Blackbeard Pirate Festival in 2010. "We had done a few other smaller ones in Salem and Hudson Valley and Kevin had been playing with The Brigands for a few years before that." I asked what they did when not playing pirate. Doriana is an Holistic Health Practitioner and Kevin is a teacher (when not playing in The Brigands.) As Doriana explained, "Healing and entertaining people are great ways to spend your day." Indeed.
They clearly love the Fort Taylor event, so I asked what the best part of it was. "The entire event is paradise, so it really is difficult to pin one part. We would have to say getting to see all of our friends as we walk through camp, it really is a family."
When I awoke, half the people who had been in the camp were gone. I had forgotten my ticket to the pig roast (which was being called Ham Night in reference to the silly animated movie Pirates!). However, I wasn't about to go back and get the ticket, being as whipped as I felt. Since whining for another meal ticket didn't seem appetizing (so to speak), I decided not to worry about attending it. As a result, I can't tell you anything more about the feast. Fortunately, Caribbean Pearl took several photos of it, which I will now share, even though I am completely ignorant of what actually happened.
 Photo: Rachel Siegel - Stephanie and Pearl Hold The Ham Night Sign Over the Primary Topic |
 Photo: Caribbean Pearl Sunday Pig Roast (going around, from left): Mark S. Dauck, Charles D. Brooks, Keith Iritsky and Don't Know. (That's MISTER Don't Know!) |
 Photo: Caribbean Pearl Sunday Pig Roast (l-r): Agave, Ferguss Hardwood, Georgiabelle Rose & Diosa |
 Photo: Caribbean Pearl Sunday Pig Roast: Catalina De Alquezar, Henry Avery, Jamie Spiering, Klaus Chroszielewski, Ginger Finnerty & Drake Francis |
 Photo: Caribbean Pearl Sunday Pig Roast (going around): Sherry Stilley Walp, Ken Horton, Jhode Cabral, Robert Isenberg, Rachel, Blackheart Charlie & Greg |
Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera
Bretton Hubbard Being Inducted. (Yes, It's That Bad.)
Of course, a much-loved tradition at Fort Taylor pirate events is the Order of St. Barbara aka. the Dousing With the Stinky Sponge. This privilege is afforded only to people who fired cannons and deck guns for the first time this year. (Actually, I don't know that to be true. Maybe anyone can do it if they wish. I wonder if you got doused with the stinky sponge before your first time firing a cannon in battle, if you'd have to do it again once you'd actually fired one? I digress...)
Since I wasn't there, I can't say much about it from my POV, but I can tell you what I heard. Actually, the main thing I heard is that one guy insisted that the sponge be rolled across his tongue. I don't know who this was, and he isn't identified in Rachel Siegel's photos. (She is the only photographer who appears to have gotten photos of this... well, someone got photos of it with her camera. Rachel was inducted into the Order of St. Barbara, so she couldn't have taken the photos. I digress again...) Anyhow, enjoy the pics.
 Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera The Viceroy Explaining The Order to the Crew to Be Inducted |
 Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera Blackheart Charlie Takes the Stinky Sponge Like a Man |
 Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera While Rachel Takes it Like a Woman |
 Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera This Guy Takes It In the Mouth! |
 Photo: Rachel Siegel's Camera Key West Inductees |
Back in the Mercury camp, I was feeling truly horrible – as if I had been beaten with a truncheon. It was only 7pm, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to stand up to a night of drinking heavily. (The popular Sunday sport at FTPI.) Had Stynky or either of my twins been there, I probably would have toughed it out and put on a good face
Photo: Borrowed -
If You Don't Understand Why This is Here, You Should Consider Skipping FTPI
for the night's festivities. Since they weren't, I achingly got to my feet, bid my adieus and headed out to climb on my bike.
One of the fort personnel was manning the gate during the feast (which I thought was awfully nice of him) and even HE registered surprise that I was leaving so soon.
At the condo, I took a shower and then said goodbye to the conscious world. I slept solidly for 12 hours. Sorry not to have the usual store of great stories to share about the Sunday night antics, but you know what they say. 'If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything.'
However, that is no kind of way to end the Sunday night chapter, so I finish with photos of Diosa feeding William key lime pie, which, to be quite honest, I don't understand at all.
 Photo: Captain Jim |
 Photo: Captain Jim |