#seafarer's cove

[dndtreasury]

Lost Treasures of Seafarer's Cove by Cardboard Anvil

[treason-and-plot]

[previous]

They drop anchor at Refuge Island for lunch: Spencer tells them they will be staying here for an hour so are welcome to swim or do some exploring. Georgina and Vinnie have a quick dip in the tranquil waters of the island’s cove and then enjoy the delicious picnic lunch that has been provided for them. Raj strolls over for a chat while they are eating.

“How are the newlyweds enjoying themselves?” he says, sitting down. “Has everything been to your satisfaction?”

“It’s been amazing,” says Georgina. “The aerial ballet that the orcas put on for us has been my favourite thing so far.”

“The orcas can always be relied upon to put on a show,” says Raj. “They are very social creatures, and love attention. Do you know though that they are technically not whales but dolphins?”

“Actually, yes,” says Georgina. “I remember reading that on one of the displays at the Whale Museum. We went there yesterday.”

“You did?” says Raj, looking very pleased. “What did you think?”

“We really liked it, except…the stuff about the kraken being the largest sea mammals confused me,” says Georgina. Vinnie emits a low rumbling sound from deep in his chest.

“Why?” says Raj.   

“Because krakens aren’t real,” she says. “Obviously.”

Raj’s eyebrows disappear under the brim of his cap. He turns to Vinnie.

“I can tell by your tattoos that you’re a seafaring man,” he says. “Correct?”

“Correct,” says Vinnie. “I was in the merchant navy for ten years.”

“And in your considerable experience, do you also believe it’s safe to say that kraken don’t exist?”

“I know they exist,” says Vinnie.

“Well, maybe if we’re lucky we’ll see one before we get back to port,” says Georgina, playing along. “Or when we go scuba-diving this afternoon.”

“I hope not,” says Raj, climbing to his feet. “My very first whale watching boat, my pride and joy, was lost in an attack by a fearsome predator. I don’t want to lose another one.”

[manabombs]

billy bones blogging

I was Flint's first mate that voyage... three days east of Tortola in the Caribie. Flint knew an island. That's where we buried the treasure. Gold and blood, they were Flint's trademarks. He'd leave both behind him that day.

Muppet Treasure Island, 1996

As I was working on the art piece I just posted the other day, it occurred to me that it might have actually been my first time drawing Billy Bones. Which seemed Wrong, considering that he is, in fact, one of the main reasons that I fell in love with this show you know other than the vanerackham brain worms.

And I've spent a long time thinking that I should make a post articulating exactly why I'm so attached to him (I usually just keep my thoughts confined to the tags over on @benjaminagunn but this is just that important) Muppet Treasure Island came out when I was like 6 years old and was one of my favorite movies growing up. I watched it enough times to have most of the songs memorized, along with large chunks of dialogue. In particular, the opening scene. The film opens with a musical number that presents the backstory of Flint's treasure-- then cuts to a scene at a busy inn, where we are introduced to the narrator of the aforementioned tale: Billy Bones.

"Oh, aye. Fifteen men went ashore that day... and only Flint, his own self, returned. Oh, aye, and then old Flinty... up and died afore they could get back to that cursed island... and dig up the treasure. No one knows to this day who has old Flint's map. Now, isn't that a story worth the hearing?" "It was the first dozen times we heard it."

A couples scenes & a musical number later, it's revealed that Billy had the map the whole time, and he passes it to our protagonist Jim Hawkins before promptly dying. His job is to set the plot in motion and then be completely absent from the rest of the story.

In high school, I decided that since I enjoyed this movie so much, I should read the full unabridged version of the book. And the first thing that really struck me about it was the description of Billy Bones. Obviously, I was expecting there to be differences between this 19th century novel and the adaptation that involves Muppets. And the I do think that the character of Billy Bones, as portrayed by Billy Connolly, is a great adaptation of the character!

But the novel paints a more complete image of him: The boisterous side of him that we see in Muppet Treasure Island is only how he behaves on the nights he gets incredibly drunk; most of the time he is quiet and brooding.

He was a very silent man by custom. All day he hung round the cove or upon the cliffs with a brass telescope; all evening he sat in a corner of the parlour next the fire and drank rum and water very strong. Mostly he would not speak when spoken to, only look up sudden and fierce and blow through his nose like a fog-horn; and we and the people who came about our house soon learned to let him be. Every day when he came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road. At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question, but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them. When a seaman did put up at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did, making by the coast road for Bristol) he would look in at him through the curtained door before he entered the parlour; and he was always sure to be as silent as a mouse when any such was present. For me, at least, there was no secret about the matter, for I was, in a way, a sharer in his alarms. He had taken me aside one day and promised me a silver fourpenny on the first of every month if I would only keep my “weather-eye open for a seafaring man with one leg” and let him know the moment he appeared. Often enough when the first of the month came round and I applied to him for my wage, he would only blow through his nose at me and stare me down, but before the week was out he was sure to think better of it, bring me my four-penny piece, and repeat his orders to look out for “the seafaring man with one leg.”

When I read the book, I got a greater sense that Billy Bones was a man suffering from a great deal of trauma-- which is very significant for the character, considering that he literally gets Scared To Death.

So! Years later when I heard "Starz is making a pirate drama that's a prequel to Treasure Island", I was stoked! So much so that I felt like I couldn't actually watch it until I was Emotionally Ready... which wasn't until 2019.

I watched the first episode, and I cradled Billy Bones in my hands, and I said "oh my sweet summer child.... you're going to have some serious Long John Silver related PTSD by the time this is over..... you're going to become a husk of the man you are now..... you are Unkillable because your death is already written in stone baby!"

[drayners]

Here comes another member of Fogbound Cove, Coast the Coatl! This kind fellow bears an impressive array of seafaring-themed tattoos. He mostly keeps to the docks, welcoming his friends back from their long journeys through the underground rivers of Clan Chervil. Coast’s design is inspired by axolotls and orca whales!

[ghostwaffleheimer]

Snowstripe's eyes swept across the gathering spot, snagging on the familiar black and white pelt of his colony's healer as he sat very cozily next to a stocky tom with thick grey fur. He squinted, trying to recall if he'd ever interacted with this cat, let alone what his name was.

Who but Robinswoop would hop by to sit next to him, chirping helpfully when he noticed Snowstripe's confused expression, "Oh, the grey tom is my brother's mate. Sootear."

"Hm?" Snowstripe blinked, getting Robinswoop's full attention now. Sootear... He sniffed thoughtfully, remembering how he'd been the first to pick up the scent of the cove near their borders. A sandy, salty scent, with something akin to seagulls mixed in. Then Mallowcloud had a large shell in his den and feathers in his nest, and he knew that Mallow, with his limp and preference for mice, was not one to be high-leaping for seafaring birds. "...Explains why his scent is familiar."

Being deputy and not much of a talker, Snowstripe had a reputation for being a stoic, closed-off character. Robinswoop, who had a way of making friends with ease, had known better. It was nice, actually, to just have someone to casually talk to. Robin had a tendency for making others comfortable around him, so happened upon all sorts of information by chance. Having family in charge must've made it easy, though his family was... eccentric, Snow had come to realize.

"Between my brother and your sister being... terrible parents..." It was a harsh way to put it, but he wasn't sure of another way. Smokestep was always a fool, and Honeysnap... well that wasn't his place to speak, but he'd noticed how Hallowpaw would stare after her, while Honeysnap blithely ignored her existence. Mallowcloud and Sootear were probably better parent figures to her. "And your brother being with a cove cat, that sounds--"

"Like quite a life, huh? Hahaha!" Robinswoop laughed, finding it funnier. He looked up at Snowstripe with sincerity. "But really, Snowy, I think you'd be a good dad. I see how Stormpaw looks up to you, and you're so gentle with him."

Snowstripe was taken aback. He knew about Stormpaw, that he idolized him from kithood, always talking about how he wanted to be deputy someday just like him. But he had never considered parenthood himself. Kits, huh? It didn't sound like a terrible idea. But there wasn't anybody... "...Thanks." After a moment of sitting with it, he figured he may as well be polite and return the conversation. "What about you?"

He thought he saw Robin's whiskers twitch as the small tom laughed again. "Me? No way! I'll stick with being the fun uncle!"

[popeofmars]

A song so beautiful blesses my ears as i feel the tears stream from my eyes

For never has such a symphony regaled such unworthy ears as mine

It sounds like evaporated honey made from lavender and lilac drifting on the wind

The rhythm is so sweet I feel like Nero at a feast praying it never ends.

Oh how something so intangible can take hold of me is a magical thing.

Incorporeal hands play with my heart guiding me closer by my heart strings.

Wandering becomes a word altogether removed from my seafaring mind as my feet guide me.

Never before have I felt so steadfast not when steered by a star or map, this path is my destiny.

The turn gives way to a cove no, a temple for it is home to my divine muse.

Her visage now before me I know not even the gods have borne witness to such mystical views

Butterflies fill my stomach, love my heart, and water my boots as the melody takes even greater hold of my mind, banishing all thoughts but the need to embrace her.

A singular purpose I am to fulfill, to follow a singular path and on completion press mortal lips to ones so holy and discover the taste of ambrosia mixed with rose water.

My pace matches the beat of my heart as I race through this liquid obstacle in my path, her solo becoming ingrained into every fiber of my being, giving my legs the strength to by devotion alone push into the depths between my muse and me.

The fires of passion like a solar flare feel as though they might very nearly turn the sea around us into steam, flames even harder as I reach out for my Persephone.

The butterflies multiply a thousand fold, each one attempting to embody words of proper deference to my beloved as I march ever onward.

I know not if it's the wind from their legion wings or the returning tide that make it harder to breathe as I approach the source of this musical and enchanting uproar.

One foot in front of the other I am ever closer to my paramore, all the while proclaiming the unbounded unending lexicon of love for she who sings the song my soul knows inside and out.

I am fully in the depths of an arcane bacchanalia that will soon surpass any and all earthly celebration, not the taste of salt water in my mouth.

The light from her eyes shine as I meet my true sailors fate, overshadowed by the way a song so wonderful blesses my ears one more moment before the water rises above my face.

[thiziri]

About The Princess Royal's and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence visit to the Falklands :

Day One

Her Royal Highness, accompanied by Sir Tim Laurence, arrived at the Falkland Islands, where they were welcomed by the Governor of Falkland Islands (Her Excellency Mrs. Alison Blake).

Day Two

The Princess Royal met Members of the Legislative Assembly, before laying a wreath at the 1982 Liberation Memorial in Port Stanley.

Her Royal Highness then visited the Primary and Secondary Schools in Port Stanley to hear about the education facilities on the Islands.

As Patron of City & Guilds, The Princess then visited the Falkland College, an accredited City & Guilds site.

In the afternoon, Her Royal Highness then visited the Falklands Islands and MOD Demining teams to receive a brief on how the Islands were successfully demined following 1982, before visiting a Magellanic Penguin colony under the care of the Falkland Conservation to see the work that has been possible due to the successful demining.

At Liberty Lodge, The Princess then met veterans of the 1982 Conflict and later attended a reception hosted by the Falklands Islands Government for the Island community.

Day Three

Her Royal Highness attended the Mount Pleasant Community Open day, touring civilian and military stands and meeting military personnel from Regiments and corps of which she is Colonel.

Following this, The Princess, accompanied by Sir Tim Laurence, visited Goose Green for the Falklands Islands Multicultural Day.

On route to Goose Green Her Royal Highness visited the Col H Jones and 2 Para Memorials and the Argentine Military Cemetery near Darwin.

In the afternoon The Princess visited San Carlos to pay respects at the Blue Beach military cemetery.

Day Four

The Princess Royal and Admiral Sir Tim Laurence visited Bleaker Island nature reserve.

In the afternoon they visited some of the battlefield sites of the 1982 Conflict, including Mount Harriet and Two Sisters.

Day Five

Her Royal Highness, as patron of the South Georgia Heritage Trust, met representatives of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Government to receive an update on the progress of the rodent eradication programme since her last visit in 2016.

The Princess then visited the Historical Dockyard Museum 1982 conflict Exhibition, followed by a walking tour of Stanley and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate city status being granted to Stanley.

As patron of Mission to Seafarers, Her Royal Highness visited the Lighthouse Seafarer’s Mission to mark its 25th anniversary.

Next, there was a visit to the Falklands Islands Wool Company and then onto the Falklands Islands Meat company.

Her Royal Highness then planted a tree for The Queen’s Green Canopy in the 1982 Memorial Wood.

Finally, Her Royal Highness attended a Falkland Islands Government dinner to commemorate Stanley receiving City status as part of the Late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, and to mark the 40th Anniversary of the 1982 Conflict.

Day Six

On the final day, The Princess Royal visited the HMS SHEFFIELD Memorial on Sea Lion Island and later visited the Sea Lion Island National Nature Reserve and Bluff Cove.

©The Royal Family

[nauticadreams]

During 1691, Jack Teague was born during a typhoon aboard a pirate ship. Named after the brother of his father, Edward Teague, Jack grew up without his unknown mother amid the seafaring outlaws at Shipwreck Cove on Shipwreck Island. Not eager to be yet another crewmate, Jack Teague insisted on one day becoming a captain of his own vessel. After serving as a cabin boy, he would find himself the captain of the Barnacle, a small fishing boat that had been left abandoned at Salty Cove on the island of Tortuga.

After a bout of adventures around the Gulf of Mexico, the Grand Barnacle would be destroyed in a confrontation with the English Royal Navy by cannonfire intended for Edward Teague’s ship, the Misty Lady.

After many more adventures, Jack would later find himself as a crewmember of the Wicked Wench, under the captaincy of Captain Morgan (not to be confused with the buccaneer and later governor of Port Royal of the same name), when they would be confronted by Capitan Armando Salazar around 1711. Salazar had been in command of the Spanish galleon, Silent Mary, and had been putting effort into the extermination of pirates in the West Indies out of vengeance for his father and grandfather who had perished at the hands of pirates. The battle would take place near the Devil’s Triangle west of the Windard Isles in the Lesser Antilles, and would see the Silent Mary destroyed as she ran aground a collection of rocks shortly after entering the triangle while in pursuit of the Wicked Wench - a result of actions spurred on by Jack “the Sparrow.” For a while, Jack found himself elected captain of the vessel, as their captain had perished in the confrontation.

Some time later, Jack no longer found himself aboard the Wicked Wench, as he had been press-ganged into service aboard a French brigantine named La Vipere, captained by Christophe-Julien de Rapier. Not long after, he had been left at sea in a longboat with fellow crewmate Robert Greene. Upon reaching dry land again, the duo began working for the East India Trade Company for five years, and Jack served as first mate aboard the brig Fair Wind. In 1716, after taking control of the Fair Wind, defending her from pirates, Jack Sparrow was offered captaincy of the merchant vessel Wicked Wench (which had apparently fallen into EITC hands by this point) by an impressed Lord Cutler Beckett, who was a director of the company regarding West Africa.

After a number of voyages on behalf of the East India Trading Company, Jack had been ordered to deliver a cargo of enslaved Africans to New Avalon in the Bahamas. Jack however despised the idea of humans being deemed as cargo and instead freed them, stealing Beckett’s ship. Shortly afterwards, a number of vessels were dispatched to capture the pirate Jack Sparrow, and before long he found himself imprisoned.

Months later, Jack would be brought to the coast of West Africa and be branded upon his arm with a “P” labeling him forever as a pirate. Just off the shore, he was made to watch as the Wicked Wench was torched. Breaking free from his captors, he swam for the ship but found himself trapped within her cabins as she sank beneath the waves.

Jack Sparrow found himself somewhere between life and death, on the path to Davy Jone’s Locker or the Land of the Dead. There, a deal was struck with Davy Jones that if Jones would raise his ship, after thirteen years he would forfeit his captaincy and serve onboard Jones’ ship, the Flying Dutchman. The blackened, charred ship would rise above the waves once more and be renamed the Black Pearl.

Two years later, in 1718, Jack would have Hector Barbossa aboard the Black Pearl, naming him first mate in a voyage to search for Aztec gold that had been stashed by Cortes. Prior to its discovery, the crew mutinied, an act which Barbossa spurred into being. Jack was marooned on a desert island, and Barbossa claimed captaincy of the Black Pearl.

Jack Sparrow would escape his solitude on the desert isle, and sail the seas having many more adventures over the next 11 years, until Jones would later reappear to him in 1729.

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Hidden Island Shaina Tranquilino September 11, 2024

Captain Jonah Hale had heard tales of the hidden island for as long as he could remember. An uncharted speck of land somewhere in the vastness of the Pacific, it was whispered about in seafarers' taverns, a place where time stood still and the rules of the world ceased to apply. Most dismissed the stories as mere sailor's lore, but Hale was not most people. He had spent the better part of his life chasing legends, and this was the one that had eluded him.

For years, he had studied ancient maps, deciphered cryptic journals, and pieced together fragmented tales. His obsession led him to the darkest corners of the earth, but it wasn't until he found an old mariner in a remote village in Indonesia that he finally got the clue he needed—a set of coordinates, scrawled on a scrap of parchment, handed over with a trembling hand.

"The island is not of this world," the old man had warned, his eyes clouded with memories of things better forgotten. "Once you set foot on it, there's no telling what you'll find... or if you'll ever leave."

Undeterred, Hale set sail with a small crew aboard his trusty vessel, The Odyssey. They sailed for days through uncharted waters, where the sea was eerily calm, and the sky seemed perpetually overcast. It was as if the world held its breath in this place, waiting.

On the morning of the seventh day, the island appeared on the horizon, a silhouette against the gray sky. It was small, no more than a mile across, dominated by a single, towering mountain shrouded in mist. Hale ordered the crew to drop anchor in a sheltered cove, and as the boat rocked gently on the waves, he felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.

"This is it," he muttered to himself as he stepped into the dinghy that would take him ashore.

The beach was a stretch of white sand, untouched by footprints or time. Beyond the shore, a dense jungle loomed, its trees ancient and gnarled, their roots snaking across the ground like the tendrils of some subterranean beast. The air was thick with the scent of earth and something else—something sweet and cloying that Hale couldn't quite place.

As he ventured deeper into the jungle, he noticed that the usual sounds of nature were absent. There were no birds, no rustling leaves, no insects buzzing in the undergrowth. It was as if the island itself was holding its breath, waiting.

He pressed on, his heart pounding in his chest, until he came to a clearing at the base of the mountain. In the center of the clearing stood a stone archway, covered in vines and inscribed with symbols that were not of any language Hale recognized. The archway framed nothing but empty space, yet as he approached, he felt a strange pull, as if the very fabric of reality was thinner here, stretched to its breaking point.

Hale reached out a hand and touched the stone. The symbols began to glow with a soft, amber light, and the air shimmered as a portal materialized within the archway. Through it, he could see another world—a world bathed in golden light, where towering spires rose from a landscape of lush, verdant forests. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying, a glimpse into something beyond his comprehension.

He should have turned back then, but the island's pull was too strong. Steeling himself, Hale stepped through the portal.

The transition was seamless, like walking through a veil of water. On the other side, the air was warm and filled with the sound of distant music, a haunting melody that seemed to come from the very earth itself. He was in a vast, open plaza, surrounded by towering structures made of a stone that glowed with an inner light. The architecture was unlike anything he had ever seen, a blend of organic and geometric forms that defied the laws of physics.

As he wandered the empty streets, Hale realized that this was a city of the lost civilization he had read about in his research—a civilization that had somehow transcended the bounds of time and space. But where were its inhabitants?

He found his answer in the city's central square. At its centre stood a colossal statue of a figure clad in flowing robes, its hands raised as if in supplication. Around the statue's base were dozens of stone figures, their expressions frozen in fear and awe. It took Hale a moment to realize that these were not statues—they were people, petrified in an instant, caught in the midst of some cataclysmic event.

A deep sense of dread settled over him as he understood the island's curse. This was not a place where time stood still, but a place where time had been shattered. The civilization had tried to harness powers beyond their understanding, and in doing so, they had doomed themselves to an eternity trapped between worlds.

Hale felt the island's pull once more, a whisper in his mind urging him to stay, to become part of the island's eternal tableau. But he resisted, stumbling back toward the portal. As he passed through the archway, he felt a jolt, as if something had tried to cling to him, to drag him back.

He staggered out into the clearing, the jungle silent and oppressive around him. The portal flickered behind him and then vanished, leaving only the stone archway, cold and inert.

Hale wasted no time in returning to the beach, his heart pounding as he rowed back to The Odyssey. As the island receded into the distance, he could still feel its presence, a lingering shadow on the edge of his consciousness.

When he reached the ship, he ordered the crew to set sail immediately. As they left the cove, the island seemed to dissolve into the mist, as if it had never been there at all.

For the rest of his days, Captain Jonah Hale never spoke of what he had seen on the hidden island. But the memory of that place haunted him, a reminder that some mysteries are better left unsolved, and that there are forces in the world far beyond human understanding.

[xtruss]

Excavating a Language at the End of the World

How an Old Dictionary is Revealing New Perspectives on an Indigenous Culture.

— By Katarina Zimmer | July 31, 2024

Image: Shutterstock

Deep in the southern hemisphere, where frigid waves lap against the toe of the South American continent, the sea has no single name. Locals have called it tāralömbi when the water is perfectly calm. Čilamaii are the swells that gather along the coast, mötālömön is the roughening of the water by western breezes. Döna is the term when certain winds ruffle the ocean’s surface in such a way that the movement of fish underneath cannot be discerned and canoes must return ashore.

The Indigenous Yaghan people who have spoken these words are native to Tierra del Fuego—the mosaic of islands, fjords, channels, bays, and coves created by the submerged foot of the Andean mountains in southern Argentina and Chile. The Yaghan and their ancestors are thought to have persisted in this harsh, windy, and cold seascape for thousands of years. There, they have built canoes, from which they hunted sea lions and seals with harpoons. They have caught fish, gathered mussels, made ornaments, and celebrated rites of passage. They have roamed far and wide.

The last truly native speaker of Yaghan, Cristina Calderón, died in 2022. Up to a few hundred members of the group are still alive today—including Calderón’s granddaughter Cristina Zárraga and others who are working to revitalize the language; Yaghan is classified as “dormant” by the Endangered Languages Project.

Dictionaries, it turns out, can be excavated for rich information missing from the archeological record.

Although archaeologists have long been fascinated by the deep history of this seafaring, nomadic people, many of the physical remains their ancestors left behind have been lost to time. Fortunately, they have also left clues in the Yaghan language.

The Yaghan words for the sea were exhumed from a 19th-century Yaghan-English dictionary compiled in the late 1800s by an Anglican missionary. In a recent paper in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, a team of Norwegian scholars argue that studying this historical snapshot of Yaghan could yield important clues about these people’s lives over the centuries. The same approach could be used for potentially hundreds of other languages, dead, alive, or dormant, across the globe to better understand old ways of life, ancient ecologies, and humans’ connection to the landscape.

Dictionaries, Such As The One Created For The Yaghan Language, It Turns Out, Can Be Excavated For Rich and Nuanced Information Missing From The Physical Archeological Record.

“You could think about language in a similar way as we think about the archaeological sites in a landscape,” says the lead author of the new research, archaeologist Jo Sindre Eidshaug of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s Marine Ventures project, an international archaeological research effort. Eidshaug views language as something that “settles” a landscape just like physical artifacts, as people develop knowledge and vocabulary in places where they spent most of their time.

“This kind of research gives us a new tool to understand some [questions about] the life of these people in the past,” adds Angélica Tivoli, an archaeologist at the Austral Center for Scientific Research of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Ushuaia, Argentina, who wasn’t involved in the new work.

Today, while language revitalization efforts of Zárraga and others are underway, little Yaghan is currently spoken in Tierra del Fuego. The Yaghan culture and language underwent a devastating decline after Europeans arrived. In the 1880s, about 90 percent of the Yaghan people died from infectious diseases Europeans brought. The decline continued into the 20th century, when many Yaghans continued to die prematurely and faced discrimination for speaking the language. Today’s Yaghan people still fashion traditional harpoon points of whale bone and weave baskets, nowadays mostly to sell to tourists, but they can no longer canoe or boat freely due to restrictions by the Chilean Navy.

Thomas Bridges, who constructed the dictionary, first met the Yaghans as a teenager in 1856 and later lived with them for 30 years. Carefully documenting their language and culture helped Bridges to translate the Gospel of Luke into Yaghan, as part of Anglican missionary tradition to make the Bible accessible in local languages. But while a complete Yaghan Bible may never have come to fruition, Bridges’ dictionary includes about 32,000 words. “That level of detail he was documenting—it’s so beautiful,” says Oxford University ornithologist Andrew Gosler, research director of the Ethno-Ornithology World Atlas which collects Indigenous knowledge on birds. “To be able to document that kind of detail,” he says, demonstrates a closeness with the native speakers.

Grandmother Tongue: Cristina Calderón, pictured here, was the last known truly native speaker of Yaghan. She died in 2022, but her granddaughter Cristina Zárraga and others are working to revitalize the language. Historical perspectives, like that from the newly analyzed dictionary, help enrich contemporary understanding of the culture’s deep history—and connection with the landscape of Tierra del Fuego. Photo By: Víctor Alejandro Correa Rueda/Wikimedia Commons

Because Bridges was merely striving to record the Yaghan vocabulary as comprehensively as possible, his dictionary may be less colored by prejudices and personal agendas than ethnographic reports of the Yaghan by other missionaries and travelers, Eidshaug says. But still, the dictionary is limited in the kinds of questions about the past it can answer. Languages change over time, so it’s unlikely, for example, to shed light on deep archeological questions, such as the origins of the first marine hunter-gatherers in Tierra del Fuego some 7,000 years ago. Or to necessarily give a full picture of the richness and breadth of Yaghan life.

In other places, like Australia, male linguists have been historically more likely to ask men than women about their practices, documenting little on activities traditionally carried out by women, notes linguist Luisa Miceli of the University of Western Australia. Bridges also mostly worked with only one Yaghan couple—Okokko and Camilenna—to understand the language, possibly limiting his view of the communities’ activities as a whole, Gosler says. And, many concepts in Yaghan are so specific to culture and place that they’re hard, if not impossible, to fully encapsulate in other languages, adds Zárraga, who learned the language as an adult from her grandmother.

But the dictionary might have encoded detailed knowledge about the kinds of resources, practices, and deep environmental understanding that were assembled over hundreds or thousands of years in Tierra del Fuego, much of which hasn’t been preserved in the archeological record. “The kind of environmental knowledge that is picked up in this language has an antiquity to it,” Eidshaug says.

Most Physical Traces of Yaghan Culture, Like Any Remnants of Foraged Feasts, Were Lost To Time.

Wherever they went, Yaghans accumulated knowledge and vocabulary about their environment—the climate, the sea and its inhabitants, the coastline, the beach, and the forested hinterlands of Tierra del Fuego. Archaeological studies have mostly focused on shell middens along the coast—ring-shaped piles of shells that were discarded around dwellings—where animal bones and bone tools were preserved thanks to the alkaline chemistry of the shells.

The dictionary catalogs commonly hunted and foraged foods that don’t preserve—fast-degrading things like crab shells, berries, and fungi—in line with some ethnographic reports. Eidshaug counted 48 Yaghan terms for local fungi, many that describe their ripening in rich detail. For example, auačix, the round yellow summer fungus that grows on the šöšči tree: čikidönara describes immature fungi; pöša the second stage just before the fungus opens in holes and gets puffy; and dönara is when they are fully ripe, shortly after falling from the trees.

Most physical traces of the central vehicle of Yaghan culture, the bark canoe, like any remnants of auačix feasts, were also lost to time. Yet the dictionary describes in detail the resources and strategies involved in canoe-making. Bark is cut from the šöšči tree, and wood fiber called uri is used for sewing. Hūšun—seed stalks of wild celery—are sewn as pads into the seams to make them waterproof. Tstāgi soil is used to cement the seams. Tatega—pieces of young smooth bark—are attached to the canoe’s upper edges to protect paddlers from blisters. Through words like these, “we get a broader picture of the material culture,” Eidshaug says.

By Any Other Name: While trying to better understand the Yaghan language and culture—in order to craft translated Bible verse—a 19th-century Anglican missionary ended up creating a detailed map of the Indigenous group’s local knowledge and worldviews within his handwritten dictionary. Here, he documented the many Yaghan words for funguses. Credit: Yahgan Dictionary, 1865, hosted on Patagonia Bookshelf.

The dictionary also offers a window into some of the intangibles of Yaghan culture and worldview. Some entries pertain to rituals, such as kīna, an initiation ceremony for boys aged 12 to 17. The Yaghan word “to go” is often combined with prefixes to indicate direction; some denote the cardinal directions like north and south, but others indicate “toward land” or “away from shore,” illustrating how people mentally divided their landscape. Other entries explain how Yaghans kept time according to the seasonal changes in nature around them. Čgaiaŋgūta is the season for ripe auačix fungus. Čīyāgörana is the season when šöšči tree bark loosens, hākūa for making spring canoes. Iūan is the time when older crabs carry the younger ones, čīiūaiella the time after they’ve separated.

Information buried in the dictionary might also help interpret the physical archeological record. In the dictionary, for instance, Uštānim is described as a porpoise jaw used as a comb. Isöska is the lower jaw bone of a whale used as spear bones. Dictionary entries of this type could help archaeologists make sense of a hodgepodge of bones found underneath shell middens, and perhaps provide important context to certain tools, Tivoli says. “Maybe it’s a way of calling our attention to look deeper into the archaeological record,” she says.

Many nouns describe local animals, which represent a third of the dictionary. The wealth of different terms for certain animals—such as for shellfish—may reflect a recent increase in their importance as a resource relative to other creatures.

This new, linguistic approach to uncovering more about a long-lived culture as described in Eidshaug’s paper is quite valuable, says archaeologist Flavia Morello of Chile’s Institute of Patagonia and the Cape Horn International Center, both part of the University of Magallanes. It shows how dictionaries can act as gateways to unique cultures and in doing so help foster a deeper societal appreciation for cultural diversity and the kinds of relationships humans can cultivate with landscapes. “It’s very inspiring as a paper,” she says.

Archaeologists elsewhere are increasingly interested in leveraging language in similar ways. Miceli and her colleagues recently published a pilot study to explore what kind of information they could glean—from dictionaries of 10 Aboriginal languages in Australia—about domestic fire use, and whether this could be useful in guiding archaeologists in excavating sites, Miceli says. Past collaborations between archaeologists and linguists have often centered on answering questions about the likely homeland of ancestral languages, and how and why they spread, rather than using vocabulary to help with archaeological excavations. “That, I think, is quite new,” Miceli says.

Watertight Insights: Many of the physical artifacts of the Yaghan people—whose ancestors have occupied Tierra del Fuego likely for thousands of years—have been lost to time and harsh weather. By digging through the 19th-century dictionary, scholars were able to learn more about the details of how people once made the canoes that plied the area’s waters. Photo courtesy of Springer Link.

Eidshaug and his colleagues also applied this same proof of concept to a dictionary of Norwegian as it was spoken among coastal fisher-farmers and other people in the area in the 1840s. And there are many more old dictionaries of languages waiting to be excavated from archive shelves.

In the case of the Yaghan, the hope is that such investigations not only answer archaeological curiosities but also help the living communities engage more deeply with their past. “We’ve connected several times with archaeologists who study artifacts and middens, and it has always been an interesting topic for us Yaghans,” says Zárraga, who spoke with me through an interpreter from her native Spanish language.

Zárraga spent a decade living with her grandmother, learning Yaghan practices, values, and language—and about her grandmother’s experience as the culture around her eroded. “It was … very pure cultural knowledge that my grandmother had, through the language,” Zárraga recalls. She is working to carry this ancestral knowledge forward in time. She’s already written two educational books on the Yaghan language and has plans for a Yaghan-Spanish dictionary. Eidshaug, meanwhile, has digitized Bridges’ dictionary to make it more easily accessible.

Though media reports often described her grandmother as the last Yaghan speaker, Zárraga hopes her efforts will ensure that the language and its embedded information will not molder in archives, and that the unique culture it described won’t go the same way. “That’s why it’s very, very important, all of these things that my grandma gave me,” she says. “So we are not the last ones.”

— Katarina Zimmer is a Science and Environment Journalist Currently Based in Germany.

[thelorehold]

The Celestial Beacon

Quest Summary: The players are tasked with restoring the Celestial Beacon, an ancient lighthouse that once protected the realm from seafaring dangers and guided celestial ships. The beacon's light has dimmed, leading to increased pirate activity and monstrous sea creatures threatening coastal cities. To reignite the beacon, the players must retrieve three magical prisms scattered across the realm.

Quest Type: Artifact Quest/Restoration

Quest Hooks:

- Coastal towns are being ravaged by pirates and sea monsters, leading local leaders to seek the party's help.

- A legendary sailor approaches the party with tales of the Celestial Beacon and the need to restore its light.

- An ancient prophecy speaks of heroes who will rekindle the beacon and bring peace to the seas.

Quest Objectives:

- Locate and retrieve the three magical prisms needed to restore the Celestial Beacon.

- Overcome challenges and guardians protecting the prisms.

- Return to the Celestial Beacon and reignite its light.

- Defend the beacon from those who wish to keep it dark.

Key Challenges:

- Navigating treacherous seas and battling fearsome sea monsters.

- Infiltrating a pirate stronghold to retrieve one of the prisms.

- Solving puzzles and overcoming traps in ancient ruins guarding another prism.

- Facing the wrath of a sea witch who holds the final prism and desires the beacon to remain dark.

Key Locations:

- The Sunken Reef: An underwater labyrinth teeming with sea creatures where one prism is hidden.

- Black Skull Cove: The notorious pirate stronghold where the second prism is kept.

- The Ruined Temple of Tides: An ancient temple filled with traps and puzzles protecting the third prism.

- The Celestial Beacon: A towering lighthouse that must be restored to its former glory.

Key Characters:

- Captain Elara Stormwind: A legendary sailor who provides the party with guidance and a ship for their journey.

- Blackbeard Korath: The ruthless pirate lord who controls Black Skull Cove and the second prism.

- Selene the Sea Witch: A powerful and malevolent witch who guards the final prism and seeks to keep the beacon dark.

- Guardian Ariel: The spirit of the Celestial Beacon who aids the party in their quest to restore the light.

Quest Rewards:

- A substantial bounty of gold and treasures from the coastal towns and Captain Elara.

- Powerful nautical artifacts and enchanted items retrieved during the quest.

- Recognition and favor from maritime guilds and coastal cities for saving them from piracy and monsters.

- Access to ancient sea lore and knowledge, including lost spells and seafaring secrets.

[kellycrawford93]

norway

21 Interesting Facts About Norway:

1. Norway's fjords aren't just majestic vistas; they hide secret passages and hidden caves where adventurers can uncover ancient Viking treasures and mysterious artifacts.

2. The Northern Lights aren't just a beautiful sight; they hold a secret energy that some locals believe can awaken latent abilities in those who witness their shimmering dance.

3. Among Bergen's seven mountains lies a hidden network of tunnels and caverns, rumored to be home to mythical creatures and lost civilizations waiting to be discovered.

4. Deep within the Lærdal Tunnel, there are whispers of a forgotten underground city, illuminated by crystals that emit an otherworldly glow, drawing daring explorers into its depths.

5. Oslo's Vigeland Park isn't just a showcase of sculptures; it's rumored to be a portal to another dimension, where the statues come alive at night, engaging in mysterious rituals.

6. The "Turistforeningen" trails hold more than scenic views; they conceal ancient runes and markings left by a long-forgotten civilization, hinting at secrets waiting to be deciphered.

7. The Lofoten Islands aren't just a picturesque destination; they harbor hidden pirate coves and smuggler's dens, where tales of buried treasure and ghostly apparitions abound.

8. Norway's ski culture isn't just a sport; it's a mystical tradition passed down through generations, with whispers of enchanted slopes and bewitched forests that come alive at dusk.

9. The Tall Ships Races aren't just maritime competitions; they're gatherings of seafaring spirits from ages past, sailing the seas in search of lost realms and mythical lands.

10. Traditional Norwegian cuisine isn't just food; it's a culinary journey through time, with recipes that hold the secrets of ancient rituals and mystical ingredients found only in the most remote corners of the wilderness.

11. The Viking Ship Museum isn't just a repository of artifacts; it's a gateway to the Viking realm, where visitors can step aboard ghostly longships and embark on voyages to the realms of gods and giants.

12. Norway's waterfalls aren't just natural wonders; they're portals to hidden realms and mystical dimensions, where nymphs and spirits frolic in the cascading waters under the light of the full moon.

13. The fjords aren't just stunning landscapes; they're guardians of ancient wisdom and sacred knowledge, with hidden passages that lead to realms beyond the mortal realm.

14. Norway's Arctic regions aren't just wilderness; they're realms of magic and mystery, where the spirits of the wild roam free and the aurora borealis dances with otherworldly grace.

15. The Oslo Opera House isn't just an architectural marvel; it's a gateway to the realm of dreams, where performers harness the power of music to transcend the boundaries of reality.

16. Norway's stave churches aren't just historic landmarks; they're sanctuaries of ancient magic, with carvings and symbols that hold the keys to unlocking hidden powers and ancient prophecies.

17.Coastal villages aren't just quaint communities; they're hubs of supernatural activity, where mermaids sing enchanting songs and sea monsters lurk in the depths.

18. The "Electricity Highway" isn't just a power grid; it's a conduit for mystical energies, channeling the power of the elements to fuel ancient rituals and sacred ceremonies.

19. Sami culture isn't just a heritage; it's a connection to the spirit world, with rituals and traditions that bridge the gap between the mortal realm and the realm of the ancestors.

20. Norway's fishing industry isn't just a livelihood; it's a quest for hidden knowledge, with fishermen seeking out secret fishing grounds said to be guarded by ancient sea spirits.

21. Winter sports aren't just recreational activities; they're rites of passage, where adventurers brave the elements to commune with the spirits of winter and unlock the secrets of the frozen wilderness.

[waterfunblog]

Turks and Caicos Boat Tours: A Seafaring Adventure in Paradise

When it comes to exploring the stunning beauty of the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is a gem that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and pristine beaches, this archipelago offers an unforgettable experience. And what better way to discover this paradise than through boat tours?

Why Choose Turks and Caicos Boat Tours?

Scenic Beauty: The turquoise waters surrounding the islands are a sight to behold. From the deck of a boat, you’ll witness breathtaking views of secluded coves, limestone cliffs, and lush greenery.

Snorkeling Excursions: Dive into the underwater wonderland! Snorkeling tours take you to vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, rays, and even sea turtles. Don your mask and fins, and explore this aquatic paradise.

Sunset Cruises: Picture yourself sipping a refreshing drink as the sun dips below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky. Sunset cruises are a romantic way to end your day in Turks and Caicos.

Private Charters: Want an exclusive experience? Charter a boat just for your group. Whether it’s a family outing, a celebration, or a corporate event, private charters offer personalized service and flexibility.

Guest Reviews

Our guests rave about their experiences:

Cindy H. (February 14, 2023): “Immaculately clean boat, just enough people on board. Food was good.”

T8394ZJlaural (February 9, 2023): “An amazing trip with an amazing crew.”

Supersad22 (February 6, 2023): “We absolutely loved it. The crew was very attentive.”

Gift Cards for Memorable Charters

Looking for the perfect gift? Consider gift cards for Turks and Caicos boat charters. Whether it’s a romantic sunset cruise, a family adventure, or a private charter, these gift cards are ideal for family, friends, or co-workers.

Book Your Adventure

Ready to set sail? Explore our fleet of custom-built powerboats and sailboats. Our experienced crew ensures safety and comfort, allowing you to focus on the magic of the islands. Book your Turks and Caicos boat tour now!

Remember, the best memories are made at sea. So, embark on a seafaring adventure and discover the magic of Turks and Caicos 🌊🚢🌴

[captmacsglen]

Sailing Bliss: Discover Vancouver's Coastal Majesty with Mac Sailing

Sailing Bliss: Discover Vancouver's Coastal Majesty with Mac Sailing

Prepare to be whisked away on an exhilarating maritime adventure along the captivating shores of Vancouver, British Columbia, courtesy of Mac Sailing.

With Mac Sailing Vancouver, your journey to sailing Vancouver takes on new meaning. Whether you're a seasoned seafarer or a newcomer to the sport, their expert team and state-of-the-art sailboats ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable experience on the Pacific Ocean's azure waters.

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of sailing British Columbia as you explore hidden coves, majestic fjords, and pristine beaches. From the vibrant cityscape of Vancouver to the tranquil serenity of the Gulf Islands, each destination promises a feast for the senses and an opportunity for discovery.

Indulge in the ultimate luxury with private sailboat charters in Vancouver through Mac Sailing. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking solace amidst nature's splendor, their bespoke charters cater to your every whim, ensuring an intimate and unforgettable sailing experience.

Set sail with Mac Sailing and immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Vancouver's coastal majesty. With a dedication to excellence and a passion for customer satisfaction, they guarantee a seamless and unforgettable sailing journey that will leave you longing for more.

Don't miss your chance to sailboat charters Vancouver with Mac Sailing. Book your voyage today and embark on an extraordinary adventure through the breathtaking wonders of Vancouver's coastline.

[sciencestyled]

The Unlikely Adventures of Ferdinand and the Fateful Genome Fiesta

Oh, what a peculiar twist of fate it was that steered me, Ferdinand Magellan, famed navigator of the globular seas, towards the yet uncharted waters of the human genome! You see, my tale begins not on the deck of a ship, but within the dusty, forgotten stacks of an ancient library in Lisbon, where a peculiar manuscript caught my eye—or rather, knocked upon my head, as it fell from a shelf during a rather overzealous search for a seafaring map.

This manuscript, bound in leather as weathered as the face of an old sailor, was titled "The Secret Inner Oceans: A Guide to the Human Corpus." A mix-up, perhaps, by some nearsighted librarian of yore, but as I leafed through its pages, my curiosity was piqued. It spoke not of saltwater and winds, but of something called DNA, described as the very essence of life, flowing like countless microscopic rivers within us all.

"Blimey!" I exclaimed, my mind racing faster than a ship caught in a tempest. What if my next great adventure lay not across the Earth's vast oceans, but inside the human body itself? The idea was as thrilling as it was ludicrous. But then again, I, Ferdinand Magellan, had never been one to shy away from ludicrous thrills.

So, with a heart swollen with excitement, I set about assembling a crew. Not the hardened sailors of yore, but a band of merry, white-coated scientists, whose understanding of this genetic brine was as deep as my knowledge of the high seas. We convened not under the crow's nest, but beneath the flickering fluorescents of a laboratory, our ship a state-of-the-art research facility equipped with the latest in sequencing artillery.

The mission? To chart the unknown territories of the human genome as one might a vast, unexplored ocean. The stakes were high, and the potential for discovery boundless. Could we, a motley crew of genetic buccaneers, navigate these inner seas and uncover the secrets etched into the very blueprint of life?

As we set sail on this most unconventional voyage, our tools were as foreign to me as the land was to a fish. Sequencers hummed and computers beeped like the calls of exotic birds, and I found myself more lost than I had ever been amidst the actual Spice Islands. Yet, the passion of my crew, their eyes alight with the thrill of discovery, was infectious, and I soon found myself uttering scientific terms with a sailor's swagger.

Days turned into nights, and sequences poured in like tales from distant shores. Each string of nucleotides was a potential treasure trove, a hidden cove of genetic gold. We encountered storms, of course—technical tempests and ethical squalls that threatened to capsize our endeavor. Yet, we navigated through these with the resolve of seasoned explorers, our eyes ever on the prize.

And what treasures we found! Genes that held the stories of diseases and traits, markers as valuable as any chest of gold doubloons. With each discovery, I felt as though I was, once again, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, each gene a new continent of biological mystery revealed.

This genetic odyssey, as mad and marvelous as any of my sea-faring exploits, led me to pen the article you now hold. A guide, a chart of sorts, for those intrepid enough to navigate the swirling, genetic currents of the Human Genome Project. For just as the oceans of the Earth were once a mystery to us, so too are the oceans within, vast and teeming with untold secrets.

So, here I stand, your unlikely captain of this genomic voyage, inviting you to hoist the sails and join us as we explore the inner cosmos of our own DNA. Who knows what wonders await us in the uncharted depths of our own essence?

Ah, my friends, let us set our course for the horizons yet unseen, the mysteries yet unsolved. For in the boundless ocean of our genome, there are still countless treasures waiting to be found, and it falls to us, the bold and the curious, to seek them out. Together, let us navigate these hidden waters, for the greatest discoveries lie not beyond the horizon, but within us.

[themarineking]

Unveiling the Secrets of Boating: 7 Tips That Will Make You the Captain of the Waves!

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure that will leave you breathless? Look no further than the captivating world of boating! Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a novice seeking adrenaline-fueled thrills, boating offers an extraordinary experience that combines freedom, relaxation, and pure excitement. Get ready to unleash your inner captain and explore the endless possibilities of the open waters. Join us as we reveal seven expert tips that will transform you into a boating aficionado!

Master the Art of Navigation:

Navigating the vast expanse of water can be a daunting task, but fear not! Acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of navigation to sail with confidence. Learn how to read nautical charts, understand buoy markers, and interpret GPS systems. With a little practice, you'll soon be able to chart your course like a true seafaring expert.

Safety First, Always:

Before setting sail, prioritize safety above all else. Stock your boat with essential safety gear, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals, and a first-aid kit. Ensure your vessel undergoes regular maintenance and inspections to avoid any surprises while out at sea. Remember, a safe journey is a memorable journey!

Weather Wisdom:

The weather can be a fickle friend when it comes to boating. Keep a close eye on weather forecasts, and plan your trips accordingly. Sudden storms or high winds can pose significant risks, so it's vital to stay informed and make responsible decisions. By doing so, you'll ensure smooth sailing and a stress-free adventure.

Embrace Knot-Tying Mastery:

Being well-versed in various knots is an essential skill for any boating enthusiast. From bowlines to cleat hitches, these knots serve a multitude of purposes, such as securing lines, docking, and towing. Practice tying knots until they become second nature to you, and impress your fellow boaters with your knot-tying prowess.

Explore Boating Communities:

Boating is not just about cruising the waters; it's also about building connections with fellow enthusiasts. Explore local boating communities, join clubs, and participate in events. You'll have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and forge lifelong friendships with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the sea.

Fishing Frenzy:

Take your boating adventure to the next level by delving into the exciting world of fishing. Cast your line, reel in the anticipation, and let the thrill of the catch consume you. Fishing while boating provides a unique and rewarding experience, whether you're a seasoned angler or a curious beginner. Just remember to check local fishing regulations and obtain any necessary licenses.

Unleash Your Inner Explorer:

Boating opens up a world of hidden treasures, pristine islands, and remote coves waiting to be discovered. Venture into uncharted territories and explore the breathtaking beauty that nature has to offer. Pack a picnic, anchor in a secluded spot, and let the serenity of the surroundings envelop you. Unleash your inner explorer and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Conclusion:

Embarking on a boating adventure is like stepping into a realm of limitless possibilities. By mastering the art of navigation, prioritizing safety, and staying weather-wise, you can ensure a smooth voyage. Embrace the camaraderie of boating communities, try your hand at fishing, and let your curiosity guide you to unexplored shores. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of boating? Take the helm, chase the horizon, and let the waves carry you to extraordinary experiences that will leave you craving for more.