Felix the Cat and Captain Kidd

Felix the cat is back in this cartoon to rescue his golden goose from Captain Kidd. Captain Kidd stole the goose that laid the golden eggs, but couldn't get the goose to lay more golden eggs. It's no surprise that a pirate would want a goose that laid golden eggs!

Pirates Treasure Cross Bones Padlock?

Now here's something you don't see every day! Wow, this is a very unusual antique treasure, which I saw up for auction on Ebay. I wasn't the winner of this cross bones padlock, in fact I didn't even bid on it, but I found it to be quite interesting.



This is a padlock manufactured by the National Hardware Company, as indicated by the initials on the reverse, which dates it to circa 1890's. Truly a unique treasure, and one that you would have to assume was manufactured for pirates?

Now matey, your imagination can run wild on this one! Imagine the treasure chest this large 2 1/2" X 3 1/4" padlock kept hidden away! Arr! Could it be that it is indeed a pirates cross bones padlock lost long ago? If so, who found the treasure chest it belonged to, and who ended up with the treasures within? Or, was there even a treasure chest? Well Bucko, you get to decide whichever story your imagination prefers, as the truth may never be known! I love a good mystery!

The seller on Ebay purchased the pirate padlock from an estate sale in Waitsfield, Vermont. The Ebay auction for the antique pirate padlock was started at $9.99 and closed for $330.09 with 23 bids from 6 different bidders. The photos were taken by the Ebay seller, and used with his permission - Ebay Seller: Ski-vt. Thanks David!

Christmas Ship

Have you ever wondered how the concept of a Christmas ship came to be? Well of course Christmas can be celebrated or decorated anywhere, but did you know that St. Nicholas just may have had something to do with the Christmas ship concept? After all, if anyone came up with the idea certainly it should be inspired by St. Nicholas.

These delightful flights of imagination are the origin of the New Amsterdam St. Nicholas legends:

It is said that the first Dutch emigrant ship had a figurehead of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas Day was observed in the colony, and the first church there was dedicated to him, and yes, St. Nicholas went down chimneys to bring gifts! Oh my, I hope they had large chimneys.

The next time you see a Christmas ship you may now wonder if there was a figurehead of St. Nicholas on the first Dutch emigrant ship! Ahoy sailors! Bring your ship to shore, and get those sails decorated in lights!

Hawaii Sailing Vacation

Time to chat about another great sailing vacation destination! For a tall sails adventure on the high seas, Hawaii is perhaps at the top of your list. While planning your Hawaiin sailing vacation you will most likely want to take advantage of one of the exclusive resort locations in the Hawaiian Islands. Luxurious and convenient features, such as spacious living areas, custom furnishings, and artwork can be found in an outstanding Hawaii vacation home.

Just imagine the wonderful places you can choose and be close to the ocean when you stay in a Hawaii Condo. You can be so close that you will frequently feel the spray from the ocean as waves break against the coastline. One terrific example is in Kaanapali, which runs parallel to the ocean, with rentals as close as a mere thirty feet from the beach! Arrr! Now that is one great destination, and you won't want that great opportunity to sail away from you so book your vacation now!

PiRaTe and Sailing Videos

Like videos? As we add videos we will update the list below so you can choose a video to watch. Be sure to check back for new videos added.

Felix the Cat and Captain Kidd with the Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs

Talk Like a Pirate the Five A's

Talk Like a Pirate and Prepare for Halloween

Captain Big Beard and the Time Looters

Depoe Bay Crashing Waves

Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam in Captain Hareblower

Jack Sparrow Dead Mans Tale

Pirates of the Burning Sea Video Game

Shark Fighter Hero Volney Beckner

Destruction of a Ship by a Whale - Part III

This tall sails adventure is CONTINUED FROM PART I and Part II

Next day, at daylight, they returned to the ship, no one daring to venture on board but the captain, their intention being to cut away the masts, and fearful that the moment the masts were cut away that the ship would go down. With a single hatchet, the captain went on board, cut away the mast, when the ship righted. The boats then came up, and the men, by the sole aid of spades, cut away the chain cable from around the foremast, which got the ship nearly on her keel. The men then tied ropes around their bodies, got into the sea and cut a hole through the decks to get out provisions. They could procure nothing but about five gallons of vinegar and twenty pounds of wet bread. The ship threatened to sink, and they deemed it prudent to remain by her no longer, so they set sail in their boats and left her.

On the 22d of August, at about five o'clock P.M., they had the indescribable joy of seeing a ship in the distance. They made signal and were soon answered, and in a short time they were reached by the ship Nantucket, of Nantucket, Mass., Captain Gibbs, who took them all on board, clothed and fed them, and extended to them in every way the greatest possible hospitality.

On the succeeding day Captain Gibbs went to the wreck of the ill-fated Ann Alexander, for the purpose of trying to procure something; but, as the sea was rough, and the attempt considered dangerous, he abandoned the project. The Nantucket then set sail for Paita, where she arrived on the 15th of September, and where she landed Captain Deblois and his men. Captain Deblois was kindly received and hospitably entertained at Paita by Captain Bathurst, an English gentleman residing there, and subsequently took passage on board the schooner Providence, Captain Starbuck, for Panama.

An excerpt from "Thrilling Adventures By Land and Sea"
By James O. Brayman
in the 1800's

If you like whale stories read this movie review for Whale Rider.

Blackbeard - Terror at Sea

If you love a tall sails adventures, National Geographic's "Blackbeard Terror at Sea" is available on video for your home theater viewing!

Modern Pirates Golden Treasure

Have you ever wished you could have found an old treasure box filled with gems, silver, gold and old coins? From the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to more modern times, man has had an affinity for gold, and gold bullion. In all ages, man has been fascinated with the beauty and magic of gold, and with its power to change lives through it's inflation-fighting traits.



You can create your own treasure load by investing in gold bullion! Ingots are generally gold ingots or silver ingots of pure bullion cast in a convenient size and shape. Coins have a currency value or they are actually defined as ingots. Buying gold has been recognized for centuries as one of the best ways to preserve one's wealth and purchasing power. Gold bullion is a unique investment, and certainly one that any pirate would aspire to behold. Time to fill your treasure chest so you can have golden opportunities to look forward to in the future. Arrr!

Talk Like a Pirate Day - The Five A's

Aye! Shiver me timbers. Soon me hearties summer will be coming to a close and Pirate season will be winding down a bit. Before fall sets in "Talk Like a Pirate" day will soon arrive on September 19th. Hurry! Ye have only a few days to brush up on your skulls skills! Tune in for this first tall sails adventure talk like a pirate video.

For some, pirate talk comes natural, and for others it becomes second nature. Then there are those who would have to practice for some time before they catch on. Now matey, don't hang your jib bucko, practice will help you improve, and ye won't need to fear walking the plank. Perhaps if you swallow a clap of thunder you will loosen up ye old vocal chords a bit to become savvy. But, not too much me friend as you don't want to become three sheets to the wind.

If ye don't feel ye do very well with your pirate talk then practice on your dog. At least your dog won't run away if your pirate accent or lingo is bad. Maybe your dog will howl along with your pirate talk.

While researching "Talk Like a Pirate" day I came across a video. It's a good example of how practice will help to perfect your technique. With a few basic lessons from these pirates you'll quickly learn the technique. Todays lesson teaches the foundation of pirate talk, which is the five "A's." Tune into the video below to learn the basics. The Pirate Guys, Ol' Chumbucket and Captain Slappy will teach ye lubbers the basics to talk like a pirate.

Pirate Buddy on Demand

Sailing on down the road in your vehicle you glance over to a passing car. There you see a character lightly bouncing in the passenger seat dressed up like a pirate. You may not realize the character is actually a dummy called, "Buddy on Demand" and that the dummy (less the pirate attire), was purchased for security reasons!

Woman who fear driving alone may want a Buddy on Demand to keep the road pirates away. With an easy flick of a switch, she'll be joined by a blow-up male passenger, which inflates instantly beside her, and is preferably dressed as a pirate, of course! Buddy on Demand is the innovation from a women's Internet site called Sheilas' Wheels. What will they think of next?

Although a woman might want to get a Buddy on Demand, she should be aware that the dummy's ego is extremely over-inflated. I wonder if she'll be waving a pirate flag from her antenna? Arrr!

Sailing Into La Jolla Cove

Are you planning a sailing vacation into San Diego? Be sure to sail on over to La Jolla Cove, and savor a delicious meal at the La Jolla restaurants such as the finest Italian cuisine Trattoria Acqua. Gracefully overlooking the cove, Trattoria Acqua offers what few other restaurants in San Diego can: fresh seafood from the Mediterranean Sea on your plate within 24 hours of being caught! Now that's fresh! Ahoy sailors, you won't have to fish for that catch!

Trattoria Acqua offers gorgeous panoramic views of the Southern California coastline, which you'll experience in several of their videos on their website. Specialty menu options include gourmet meals with fresh herbs. It'’s enough to make your mouth water!

Now that we are entering fall it is a great time to plan ahead for your summer sailing vacation, so don't forget Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla Cove. Okay, now that I'm hungry I need to go grab a bite to eat! Arrr!

Destruction of a Ship by a Whale - Part II

This tall sails adventure is CONTINUED FROM PART I

Captain Deblois, again seeing the perilous condition of his men, at the risk of meeting the same fate, directed his boat to hasten to their rescue, and in a short time succeeded in saving them all from a death little less horrible than that from which they had twice as narrowly escaped. He then ordered the boat to put for the ship as speedily as possible; and no sooner had the order been given, than they discovered the monster of the deep making toward them with his jaws widely extended. Fortunately, the monster came up and passed them at a short distance. The boat then made her way to the ship and they all got on board in safety.

After reaching the ship a boat was dispatched for the oars of the demolished boats, and it was determined to pursue the whale with the ship. As soon as the boat returned with the oars, sail was set, and the ship proceeded after the whale. In a short time she overtook him, and a lance was thrown into his head. The ship passed on by him, and immediately after they discovered that the whale was making for the ship. As he came up near her, they hauled on the wind, and suffered the monster to pass her. After he had fairly passed, they kept off to overtake and attack him again. When the ship had reached within about fifty rods of him, they discovered that the whale had settled down deep below the surface of the water, and, as it was near sundown, they concluded to give up the pursuit.

Captain Deblois was at this time standing in the night-heads on the starboard bow, with lance in hand, ready to strike the monster a deadly blow should he appear, the ship moving about five knots, when working on the side of the ship, he discovered the whale rushing toward her at the rate of fifteen knots! In an instant, the monster struck the ship with tremendous violence, shaking her from stem to stern! She quivered under the violence of the shock, as if she had struck upon a rock! Captain Deblois immediately descended into the forecastle, and there, to his horror, discovered that the monster had struck the ship two feet from the keel, abreast the foremast, knocking a great hole entirely through her bottom. Springing to the deck, he ordered the mate to cut away the anchors and get the cables overboard, to keep the ship from sinking, as she had a large quantity of pig iron on board. In doing this, the mate succeeded in getting only one anchor and one cable clear, the other having been fastened around the foremast. The ship was then sinking rapidly. The captain went to the cabin, where he found three feet of water; he, however, succeeded in procuring a chronometer, sextant, and chart.

Reaching the decks, he ordered the boats to be cleared away, and get water and provisions, as the ship was keeling over. He again descended to the cabin, but the water was rushing in so rapidly that he could procure nothing. He then came upon deck, ordered all hands into the boats, and was the last to leave the ship, which he did by throwing himself into the sea, and swimming to the nearest boat! The ship was on her beam end, top-gallant yards under the water. They then pushed off some distance from the ship, expecting her to sink in a very short time. Upon an examination of the stores they had been able to save, he discovered that they had only twelve quarts of water, and not a mouthful of provisions of any kind! The boats contained eleven men each; were leaky, and night coming on, they were obliged to bail them all night to keep them from sinking!

Continue to Part III

An excerpt from "Thrilling Adventures By Land and Sea"
By James O. Brayman
in the 1800's

Travel to the Beach

Obviously one of the best places to go see ships with tall sails or to hear pirate tales is to go to the beach! By now you may be feeling you're in for a vacation, but perhaps the budget is tight. With Discount Vacation Packages you can take a relaxing vacation getaway to a fun new destination along a sunset beach while taking advantage of Fairfield Getaways package pricing. So, go ahead and spend your next vacation on a relaxing beach! Grab your kids and their sand castle buckets, and book your beach destination travel plans today!

Destruction of a Ship by a Whale - Part I

A tall sails adventure awaits you as you read this excerpt from "Thrilling Adventures By Land and Sea"
By James O. Brayman
in the 1800's

The following thrilling account of the destruction of the whale ship Ann Alexander, Captain John S. Deblois, of New Bedford, by a large sperm whale, is from the lips of the captain himself. A similar circumstance has never been known to occur but once in the whole history of whale-fishing, and that was the destruction of the ship Essex, some twenty or twenty-five years ago, and which many of our readers fully remember. We proceed to the narrative as furnished by Captain Deblois, and which is fully authenticated by nine of the crew, in a protest under the seal of the United States Consul, Alexander Ruden, Jr., at Paita.

The ship Ann Alexander, Captain J.S. Deblois, sailed from New Bedford, Mass., June 1st, 1850, for a cruise in the South Pacific for sperm whale. Having taken about five hundred barrels of oil in the Atlantic, the ship proceeded on her voyage to the Pacific. Nothing of unusual interest occurred until when passing Cape Horn, one of the men, named Jackson Walker, of Newport, N.H., was lost overboard in a storm. Reaching the Pacific, she came up the coast and stopped at Valdivia, on the coast of Chili, for fresh provisions, and the 31st of May last, she called at Paita for the purpose of shipping a man. The vessel proceeded on her return voyage to the South Pacific.

On the 20th of August last she reached what is well known to all whalers, as the "Off-shore ground," in latitude five degrees fifty minutes south, longitude one hundred and twenty degrees west. In the morning of that day, at about nine o'clock, whales were discovered in the neighborhood, and about noon, the same day, they succeeded in making fast to one. Two boats had gone after the whales - the larboard and the starboard, the former commanded by the first mate, the latter by Captain Deblois. The whale which they had struck, was harpooned by the larboard boat. After running some time, the whale turned upon the boat, and rushing at it with tremendous violence lifted open its enormous jaws, and taking the boat in, actually crushed it into fragments as small as a common chair! Captain Deblois immediately struck for the scene of the disaster with the larboard boat, and succeeded, against all expectation, in rescuing the whole of the crew of the boat, nine in number!

There were now eighteen men in the starboard boat, consisting of the captain, the first mate, and the crews of both boats. The frightful disaster had been witnessed from the ship, and the waste boat was called into readiness, and sent to their relief. The distance from the ship was about six miles. As soon as the waste boat arrived, the crews were divided, and it was determined to pursue the same whale, and make another attack upon him. Accordingly they separated, and proceeded at some distance from each other, as is usual on such occasions, after the whale. In a short time, they came up to him, and prepared to give him battle. The waste boat, commanded by the first mate, was in advance. As soon as the whale perceived the demonstration being made upon him, he turned his course, suddenly, and making a tremendous dash at this boat, seized it with his wide-spread jaws, and crushed it to atoms, allowing the men barely time to escape his vengeance, by throwing themselves into the ocean.

Continue to read Part II

Beach Boys the Sloop John B

Here's a favorite old song. I first learned this song in choir when I was in grade school. Now that I've given you a clue to my age we'll leave it at that. Yes, that's right we were singing about the drunks in this song in grade school, and I'm not so sure the schools would allow that these days. Or would they? None the less here are the lyrics in case you would like to hop on into your imaginary Sloop John B.

Talk Like a Pirate and Prepare for Halloween

The long days of summer will quickly come to a close and fall will be here. September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The video below will help you prepare your pirate talk for the Talk Like a Pirate Day, and for Halloween if you plan to dress up as a pirate, and even if you plan to dress up your dog! For costume and pirate attire ideas and how to look like an authentic pirate take a look at our pirate costume ideas to turn yourself into a savvy pirate.

Captain Big Beard and the Time Looters

Have fun with this far fetched fun pirate story for all ages. Time Looters will loot 10 minutes of your time to locate the dirty tea towel pirate map and hidden treasure. So sit back and relax and have a good laugh as you travel back in time to visit Captain Big Beard.

Watch both parts to the Pirate Captain Big Beard story.

Pirates Attire, Clothing and Costumes

Well me friends, without proper pirate attire you may find yourself walkin' the plank! Arr! Here's some tips for pulling a pirate costume together, without having to rob too much from your pocket book. Look carefully at the pirate attire images on this page for more ideas for your pirate costumes.

Pirate Belt Sword Holder

Eye Patch

Dress in layers of natural fibers such as cotton, linens, leather

A rich pirate may wear a silk scarf

Hat, or other dressing such as a sash or bandanna tied around the forehead

Think; "Johnny Depp" style!

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean or other pirate movie for costume ideas

Find a stuffed parrot or other bird to wear on your shoulder attached to a chain

Chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil hung in fish net bag from belt or purse

Treasure chest filled with cheap jewelry

Long beads or chains worn around the neck

Earrings - Large hoop style or long dangling style

Hair pulled back or wear a wig in an untamed style, preferably a long length

Grease your hair - lol. Easy to do by adding heavy conditioner or hair gel

Large billowy sleeves with cuffs or ruffles

Ruffles around the neck or down the front of a shirt

Loose fitting pants which hang just below the knees

Pirate Hat and Clothing

Leotards or tights

Leather or faux leather boots

Sash tied around waist and/or around the head

Sword

Musket

Hook

Treasure bag for all your plundering of candy

Eyeliner thick and heavy around the eyes. Johnny Depp wore it well, didn't he?

Braided hair

Faux tattoos unless you already sport the real thing

Flask or other type of bottle to hang from your belt loops

Small handbag (yes, guys used those too) worn around your neck or shoulder 

Heavy belt or chains for around the waist

Pirate Style

Handkerchief hanging out of a pocket

Dress your dog too!

Place a stuffed parrot on your shoulder

Attach a real parrot to your shoulder with a leash

Unkempt style in general

Have fun, be safe and try to be a nice pirate
(I know, "nice pirate" is an oxymoron)

Here are some links with photos to help provide further ideas:
 
Johnny Depp Impersonator

Several Pirates and a Pirate Ship of Some Sort Here

Illustration of a Pirate from the Late 1800's

A Pirate Booty Snack to Munch on While You Sport Your Pirate Costume

Yosemite Sam as Captain Hareblower Sporting His Costume

Pirate Attire Costumes

Pirate Costume Ideas

Pirate Clothing Styles

Shirley Temple Good Ship Lollypop!

For some crazy reason I started humming the old Shirley Temple song, "On the Good Ship Lollypop"!