Pirates in Paradise 2008 - Key West, Fl
Extra Page: The All Girls Cannon Crew
(Photo: Mary Diamond)
This year featured an exciting new concept that would no doubt offend
strict historical re-enactors everywhere. If so, too bad for them.
I'm not sure where the idea for the All Girls Cannon Crew came from, but my guess would be that, if it came about as a formal idea at all, it probably came from Madam Grace. Whoever had the idea, it was a huge hit with the boys.
I think I found more photos of this group of cannoneers than of all the rest of the second battle combined. (Well, maybe not...Papa Ratsey took over 760 photos of that battle and he's pretty parsimonious when it comes to subjects.)
The crew had several powder monkeys and several guys who wanted to be powder monkeys, but, at right, you will see the core of the crew. They are, from left, Kate Souris, Red Jessie, Madam Grace & Rusty Nell.
(Photo: Mission Collection ,Mary's Camera)
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(Photo: Cheeky
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(Photo: Sharon, Callahan Digital Art
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(Photo: Mission Collection ,Mary's Camera)
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(Photo: Jessica Bagley
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(Photo: Red Jessi)
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After the battle, all the cannon virgins had to be initiated into the Cannoneer Club, which is done by being rubbed with the stinky swabbing sponge. The sponge has all sorts of detritus left from the black powder water bucket and it makes a black-icky mess. Both Edward and Mad Dog (not M.A. d'Dogge) from our crew were newbies, so they were swabbed. The girls received a special swabbing. The Viceroy, who performed the ceremony, decided it was best to induct an all girl's crew by smearing the stynky sponge across their chests instead of on their cheeks. (I think this was self-interest at work.) All you women who want to be on cannon crew, keep this in mind before you commit to anything. (I suspect they made that ancient old tradition up. Come to think of it, I doubt many women were officially on cannon crew. Someone go research that and report back. In triplicate.)
(Photo: James Callahan,Callahan
Digital Art)
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(Photo: Mary Diamond
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(Photo: Mary Diamond)
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(Photo: Jessica Bagley
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