Proposed: The "Aarrrrgh, Mateys" Act

[Mark Zeitler]

Awesome idea, sounds like a good plan that provides lots of coolness Talossa style ;D

[Nic Casálmac'h]

Pirates of the Caribbean?

He said that as an addition to the movies mentioned in section 5. Definitely wouldn't want to forget that one.

WooHoo,
Cap Nic. In advance of this way too cool bill passing, I would like to volunteer the services of me and me best mate Geoffery.
We've been tryin' ter comandeer us a vessle a long time now, and are very skilled in our piracy (not the sailing though -- that's why you're catain).
I can't speek directly for my mate, but I've always been against mutineering, and black-marks and such. I'm mainly in it for the booty.
Savvy?
PW

Aye savvy, an' I'd love to 'ave ye aboard. Experienced pirates are always welcome. At the moment my crew consists merely o' meself, me brother Sebastian (a.k.a Tuzul, mate and master gunner), an' per'aps a friend or two of 'is. Pirate ships often 'ave more crew'n they need. The more the better when ye're attackin'.
Any honorary crew members are welcome. At the moment there's not much room for actual crew members (no more'n three, if that), but I don't think that's a problem. If it ever is, we can always get a better boat--a bigger one. Commandeer one even.
As to the honorary crew there oughta be something to call them besides that. They obviously can't be able seamen, but there ought to be some name. Any ideas anyone?

-Captain Nic Blaknar, master of the Piranha and Terror of the Seas

[Ups Antônio Martüc]

wokka said:

I suggest we appoint a Sub-Minister of the Navy first, to ensure any laws made (about the sea), can be carried out properly, I have e-mailed Joe Clark about the position, but have yet to recieve a reply

You have no authority to give anyone that position, Walkland.

[Hooligan]

The Sub-Ministry of the Navy does exist. It was established by Prime Dictate 24PD5, the short prelude to 24PD7 (in which the post of Sub-Minister is mentioned). Both of these may be read on the Kingdom's Website. The post of Sub-Minister is currently vacant. Joseph Walkland is suggesting that it be filled with the government's choice of person. As Deputy Prime Minister, I concur.

I applaud S:reu Walkland for his familiarity with Talossan law and government.

Hooligan

[Geoff Holdorf]

A well-oiled Government machine hard at work. Gotta dig it!

[Ups Antônio Martüc]

mha said:

The Sub-Ministry of the Navy does exist. It was established by Prime Dictate 24PD5, the short prelude to 24PD7 (in which the post of Sub-Minister is mentioned). Both of these may be read on the Kingdom's Website. The post of Sub-Minister is currently vacant. Joseph Walkland is suggesting that it be filled with the government's choice of person. As Deputy Prime Minister, I concur.

I applaud S:reu Walkland for his familiarity with Talossan law and government.

Hooligan

I knew there was a sub-ministry of the navy position, but I just challenged Walkland in thinking he has the authority to appoint someone to it. That was all. I pretty much read every law in Talossa. Anyway. I propose every Talossan vessel bare the talossan flag

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

gunshyslycat1 said:

I knew there was a sub-ministry of the navy position, but I just challenged Walkland in thinking he has the authority to appoint someone to it.

I don't think he meant to imply that he has the authority to appoint anyone to anything. He just said he had e-mailed Joe Clark about the Navy position. Joe Clark is Minister of Defence, and it's reasonable for S:reu Walkland to assume that S:reu Clark does have something to say about who is appointed to the Navy position.

[Ups Antônio Martüc]

I thought Walkland was proposing that Clark be appointed to that position.

[Joseph Walkland]

gunshyslycat1 said:

I thought Walkland was proposing that Clark be appointed to that position.

Well, People Shouldn't Jump To Conclusions

[Lord Q]

Right.

[Ups Antônio Martüc]

wokka said:

gunshyslycat1 said:

I thought Walkland was proposing that Clark be appointed to that position.

Well, People Shouldn't Jump To Conclusions

Well, I think a prime candidate doesn't currently have any power, knows alot about how a navy works, and owns a vessel.

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

gunshyslycat1 said:

Well, I think a prime candidate doesn't currently have any power, knows alot about how a navy works, and owns a vessel.

Those are good criteria. I think the second ("knows a lot about how a navy works") is probably most important. The person in charge of the navy has to be able to coordinate all the vessels under him, but doesn't necessarily have to command his own. Anyone who actually owns a vessel can always get a commission to command it.

captainblaknar said:

At the moment my crew consists merely o' meself, me brother Sebastian (a.k.a Tuzul, mate and master gunner), an' per'aps a friend or two of 'is.

I'm glad to see that Sebastian has just registered an account. I was going to ask when you were going to persuade him to apply.

Pirate ships often 'ave more crew'n they need. The more the better when ye're attackin'.

Right, you also need the extra men to form prize crews. Otherwise you wind up scuttling a big part of your take.

[Ups Antônio Martüc]

Yeah, let's take some republican vessels! I think they might have some fishing boats in the vicinity lol

[Lord Q]

Good grief, would you stop with that already?

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

john said:

Here it is, as promised. Vital legislation for the March Clark. (If, by some disaster, Nic doesn't become a citizen, we'll have to modify the last part of section 1 a bit.)

I think the general thrust of this proposal is great - I am, after all, the first person to use the phrase "letter of marque" on Wittenberg in recorded history. I would, however, like to see some clarification of the relationship between the Royal Navy and the privateer fleet. The Navy has not even gotten off the ground yet, and it'd be a shame if privateering distracted from the Navy to the extent that we end up with no vessels bearing the title of "Vaißál da Sieu Maxhestà" (His Majesty's Ship), like the legendary VSM Panache. Perhaps we could specify that the Bureau of the Navy is to administer the letter of marque program, that privateer captains will receive reserve commissions as naval officers, and may be activated and brought under military discipline at the direction of the Admiral of the Navy. During the American Revolutionary War, privateer ships vastly outnumbered the ships of the Continental Navy, and a number of the most prominent U.S. captains moved back and forth between command of privateers and regular Navy vessels during the course of the war.

The following sites will be helpful in drafting letters of marque for our new Private Adventurers:

www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/5213/marque2.htm
www.chebucto.ns.ca/~jacktar/yourown1.html

And for the purpose of recruiting crew members, prospective Private Adventurers may find the following examples of newspaper advertisements illustrative:

First, a Boston newspaper advertisement for a U.S. privateer during the Revolutionary War:

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


Note that last line - it coulda been written by a Florencian.

Next, an advertisement for a British (Canadian) privateer from the Nova Scotia Gazette:

Revenge Privateer.

Commanded by Capt. James Gandy, Who has been on several cruises, and met with great Success.

All Gentlemen Volunteers; Seamen, and able bodied Landsmen, who wish to acquire Riches and Honor, are invited to repair on board the Revenge Privateer ship of War, now laying in Halifax Harbour; mounting Thirty Carriage Guns, with Cohorns, swivels, &c bound on a Cruize to the Southward for four Months against the French, and all His Majesty's enemies, and then to return to this Harbour.
All volunteers will be received on board the said ship - or by Captain James Gandy, at his Rendezvouse at Mr. Proud's Tavern near the Market House, where they will meet with all due Encouragement, and the best Treatment; Proper Advance will be given.

GOD save the KING.