Pirates

I loved the recent news stories of our brave Captain Richard Phillips and his crew of the Maersk Alabama. It is a story almost out of the pages of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'. With all the recent talk of pirates and the trouble the U.S. seems to be having with them I thought it fitting to do some history articles about our U.S. Navy and the political correctness of the past (or not).

The Maersk Alabama was the first American-operated ship to be seized in a series of hijackings in the waters off Somalia. The pirates gained access to the Alabama by climbing aboard using hooks and ropes. They fired shots into the air. Captain Phillips told his crew to lock themselves down while he surrendered himself to the pirates to safeguard his crew. He was then taken to a lifeboat were he was held for 5 days. I was delighted to read Captain Richard Phillips words about his brave rescuers and his crew.

He said, "There were acts of heroism on the part of the crew. They got one of the pirates into some darkened space, stabbed him in the hand and overpowered him. Chief mate Shane Murphy was integral to them never getting control of the ship."On April 12, Navy Seal sharpshooters from the U.S. Navy destroyer killed three pirates holding Captain Richard Phillips. He said of those Navy Seals, "These Seals and the navy did an impossible job. They're unbelievable people. We really owe it to the military for what they do day in and day out that we never even hear about." Thank you Captain Phillips.Also our President, Barack Obama said in a statement, "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans." (I'm just hoping it has been a model for President Obama)

An Advertisement in the Boston newspaper

recruiting crew for privateer Deane

An Invitation to all brave Seamen and Marines,

who have an inclination to serve their Country

and make their Fortunes.

The grand Privateer ship DEANE,

commanded by ELISHA HINMAN, Esq; and prov'd to be

a very capitol Sailor, will Sail on a Cruise against the

Enemies of the United States of America, by the 20th

instant. The DEANE mounts thirty Carriage Guns, and

is excellently well calculated for Attacks, Defense, and

Pursuit -- This therefore is to invite all those Jolly Fellows,

who love their country, and want to make their fortunes

at one Stroke, to repair immediately to the Rendezvous

at the Head of His Excellency Governor Hancock's Wharf,

where they will be received with a hearty Welcome by a

Number of Brave Fellows there assembled, and treated

with that excellent Liquor call'd GROG which is allow'd

by all true Seamen, to be the LIQUOR OF LIFE.

Doesn't that just cause your insides to yearn for the sea? I'm just not sure that I am Jolly enough but in the end I believe it is the GROG that will entice me the most.

A great read to go along with this subject is : The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi