battendownthewhatsit

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Did I hear someone ask for a playlist of all my favourite sea shanties?

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you know what. I think I should be allowed to temporarily turn into a seal and go swimming around in the ocean for a while. just submit a little note to work that says "sorry, I need to take some sick time, I am becoming a seal" and leave for a week

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While most tales of slave revolts begin with burning down the master’s house, revolts aboard slave ships were often successful. There is evidence of 485 “collective act of rebellions by Africans, slave or otherwise,” aboard merchant vessels—about one out of every 10 trips. If you’re going to do this, there are some rules you need to follow. In fact, I’ve put together a short list of things you might want to remember if you’re considering organizing a rebellion on the high seas.

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After years as a proud member of the Fairtransport family (one of the last sail-only cargo lines), the Nordlys has completed her final sailing and is now anchored in Lowestoft, England.

Too small to continue carrying cargo under Fairtransport’s operations, the company took the time to ensure she would find the perfect new home.

Built in 1873, Nordlys is one of the oldest actively sailing cargo ships in the world. It sailed out of Amsterdam until this year. The ship is was sold to a private owner who will preserve its glory for years to come.

Fairtransport ships things like rum, coffee, and honey around the world. Want to sell your wares with them? You will once you realize that the Venn diagram of Etsy people and folks who want things delivered by a packet ship in six months is a circle.

Fairtransport still sails the Tres Hombres out of Amsterdam.

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Shipmates! Until now, I have refrained from posting anything about my land-based job on this blog, but I’ve just curated a maritime music playlist using the collections of Smithsonian Folkways (the music label/recorded sound archives of the Smithsonian Institution). The result is two hours of sea shanties, shipwreck ballads, and other boat-related music from around the English-speaking world. I hope you enjoy!

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Jack Crawford, the Hero of Camperdown (*22. March † 10. November 1831)

In the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797, HMS Venerable was the flagship of Admiral Duncan. During the battle, part of the mast was shot down with the admiral's flag. Lowering the Admiral's personal flag was a sign of surrender. Despite intense enemy fire, Crawford climbed the mast stump and nailed the flag to its upper end.

After the victory celebration in London he was formally introduced to King George III. For his deed he received a pension of £30 for one year, to which was added later a silver medal from the citizens of Sunderland. However, the drunk Crawford experienced difficult times and had to sell his medal. He was a victim of the cholera epidemic of 1831 and buried in an unknown poor grave.

The silver medal which after the sale fell into the hands of the family of Admiral Duncan and remained there

At the end of the 19th century new interest in the hero of Camperdown led to the erection of a gravestone on the Holy Trinity cemetery in 1888. Two years later, a monument was erected in his honour in Mowbray Park opposite today's Town Hall. In addition, a pub was named after him. This was destroyed in the Second World War. A former statue and the commemorative coin are now in the Sunderland Museum.

Statue of Jack Crawford in Mowbray Park, Sunderland

People outside Sunderland have raised doubts about Crawford's heroism. On the one hand, it is claimed that he did not climb the mast voluntarily, but acted under duress. On the other hand, it is assumed that he was drunk, acted without orders and actually should have been court-martialed.

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The Whaleboat, early 19th century

The whaleboat was towed by a harpooned whale until the animal tired. Lances were then used for the kill

Whaleboats were perhaps the most important piece of equipment to the whaler because it was in them that the actual hunt took place. 30 feet long and six feet wide with a depth of 22 inches amidships and 37 inches at bow and stern, whaleboats were built for speed and maneuverability for a small crew of 5-7 men. 

Whaleboat showing position of crew. unknown artist, early 19th century (x)

Their simple design made them strong and easy to repair, which was important on long voyages because the boats were frequently damaged during encounters with whales. They were sometimes equipped with a mast, sail, and rudder; many, however, were powered by five 16- to 18-foot long oars and were steered with a 22-foot long steering oar.

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A collection of merchant sailor songs.

Beware these packet ships, I say!

(Will try to also put together a YouTube version for folks without Spotify)

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whose pretty arse did you neglect kissing to find yourself among the fleet’s forgotten friday

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I found the shanty they sang us out of the harbor with at the Wooden Boat Festival last year that made me cry.

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Lake Superior, as seen from the deck of Pride of Baltimore II, July 8, 2025

Sound on for lake noises!

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THE POLYCULE klsdgsg, Black Sails

real housewives of nassau (4/?)

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come sail away (2/?)

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Hii, I made these Les Mis costumes for Animal Crossing New Horizonts ages ago, I thought I could share them in case someone wants to use them!!!! (Just introduce the code and they should show up)

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Topsail schooner Pride of Baltimore II at the dock in Erie, Pennsylvania, July 1, 2025.

Video by @the-golden-vanity.

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Hi There, was told you like tall ships.

Here's a night pic from Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025. ⚓