The Mary Celeste is spotted at sea (5 Dec 1872)
The Mary Celeste, a ship whose crew mysteriously disappeared, is spotted at sea. The Dei Gratia, a small British brig under Captain David Morehouse, spots the Mary Celeste, an American vessel, sailing erratically but at full sail near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was seaworthy, its stores and supplies were untouched, but not a soul was onboard. Read the full article on History.com.
Ferdinand Magellan Reaches the Pacific (28 Nov 1520)
After sailing through the dangerous straits below South America that now bear his name, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan enters the Pacific Ocean with three ships, becoming the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. He searched the Rio de la Plata, a large estuary south of Brazil, for a way through; failing, he continued south along the coast of Patagonia. At the end of March 1520, the expedition set up winter quarters at Port St. Julian. On Easter day at midnight, the Spanish captains mutinied against their Portuguese captain, but Magellan crushed the revolt, executing one of the captains and leaving another ashore when his ship left St. Julian in August. Read the complete article in History.com.
Blackbeard Killed off North Carolina (22 Nov 1718)
Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard, is killed on November 22, 1718, off North Carolina’s Outer Banks during a bloody battle with a British navy force sent from Virginia. Believed to be a native of England, Edward Teach likely began his pirating career in 1713, when he became a crewman aboard a Caribbean sloop commanded by pirate Benjamin Hornigold. In 1717, after Hornigold accepted an offer of general amnesty by the British crown and retired as a pirate, Teach took over a captured 26-gun French merchantman, increased its armament to 40 guns, and renamed it the Queen Anne’s Revenge. Read the rest of this exciting tale in History.com. There are no historic sea shanties written by pirates, though there is one ballad attributed to Captain Henry Every/Avery. The “Golden Age of Piracy” was from approximately 1650 – 1730, and sea shanties, as music scholars identify them, were a product of the commercial shipping trade that flourished around 1830 – 1860. Here is an excellent Library of Congress article on the subject by Stephen Winick. One might also hunt up a copy of “The Book of Pirate Songs” by Stuart M. Frank (ISBN 0-937854-05-0).
Whaleship Essex Sunk by Sperm Whale (20 Nov 1820)
The American whaler Essex, which hailed from Nantucket, Massachusetts, is attacked by an 80-ton sperm whale 2,000 miles from the western coast of South America. The 238-ton Essex was in pursuit of sperm whales, specifically the precious oil and bone that could be derived from them, when an enraged bull whale rammed the ship twice and capsized the vessel. The 20 crew members escaped in three open boats, but only five of the men survived the harrowing 83-day journey to the coastal waters of South America, where they were picked up by other ships. Most of the crew resorted to cannibalism during the long journey, and at one point men on one of the long boats drew straws to determine which of the men would be shot in order to provide sustenance for the others. Three other men who had been left on a desolate Pacific island were saved later. The first capture of a sperm whale by an American vessel was in 1711, marking the birth of an important American industry that commanded a fleet of more than 700 ships by the mid 18th century. Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick (1851) was inspired in part by the story of the Essex. Read the complete article in History.com. Here is another article on the subject.
Suez Canal Opens (17 Nov 1869)
The Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean and the Red seas, is inaugurated in an elaborate ceremony attended by French Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Read the complete article on History.com.
Moby Dick First Published (14 Nov 1851)
Moby-Dick is now considered a great classic of American literature and contains one of the most famous opening lines in fiction: “Call me Ishmael.” Initially, though, the book about Captain Ahab and his quest to catch a giant white whale was a flop. Its author, Herman Melville was born in New York City in 1819. As a young man, he spent time in the merchant marines, the U.S. Navy and on a whaling ship in the South Seas. In 1846, he published his first novel, Typee, a romantic adventure based on his experiences in Polynesia. The book was a success and a sequel, Omoo, was published in 1847. Three more novels followed, with mixed critical and commercial results. Melville’s sixth book, Moby-Dick, was first published in October 1851 in London, in three volumes titled The Whale, and then in the U.S. a month later. Melville had promised his publisher an adventure story similar to his popular earlier works, but instead, Moby-Dick was a tragic epic, influenced in part by Melville’s friend and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, neighbor, Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose novels include The Scarlet Letter. Read the complete article in History.com.
John Paul Jones Sets Sail
On November 2, 1777, the USS Ranger, with a crew of 140 men under the command of John Paul Jones, leaves Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for the naval port at Brest, France, where it will stop before heading toward the Irish Sea to begin raids on British warships. This was the first mission of its kind during the Revolutionary War. Commander Jones, remembered as one of the most daring and successful naval commanders of the American Revolution, was born in Scotland, on July 6, 1747. He became an apprentice to a merchant at 13 and soon went to sea, traveling first to the West Indies and then to North America as a young man. In Virginia at the onset of the American Revolution, Jones sided with the Patriots and received a commission as a first lieutenant in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775. Read the complete article on History.com.
Carolina Maritime Model Society Meeting
The Carolina Maritime Model Society is meeting today, 28 October 2023 at the North Carolina Maritime Museums in Beaufort, North Carolina. The Carolina Maritime Model Society exists to promote the production of high-quality ship models and encourage members and the public to participate in a craft that is as old as shipbuilding itself. The group will meet in the museum auditorium. Meetings are open to the public. Click this link for more information on this recurring meeting.
Tom Lewis Concert Recorded Live
From our friend and MMDI early supporter, Tom Lewis: “This Sunday evening I will be presenting a concert, at Harry’s bar, in Rosses Point near Sligo. The concert is at the behest of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (it was easier to say when it was just the San Francisco Maritime Museum!) Director: Peter Kasin’s original idea was for a Zoom event, but I just can’t do my best work for an inanimate camera. (Cameras don’t join in on the choruses!) So I had the bright idea of video-recording a ‘live show’ and luckily, the kind folks in California embraced the concept … hooraayyy! “The more the merrier, at Harry’s Bar on Sunday evening and, will later be broadcast (Saturday, Oct. 28th.) between noon and 1:00 PM PST. After the concert I’ll be around for a whole ‘live’ Q&A and chat session.” The recorded concert link is: https://givebutter.com/TomLewisConcert.
H.L. Hunley sinks during tests (15 Oct 1863)
On October 15, 1863, the H.L. Hunley, the world’s first successful combat submarine, sinks during a test run, killing its inventor and seven crew members. Horace Lawson Hunley developed the 40-foot submarine from a cylinder boiler. It was operated by a crew of eight—one person steered while the other seven turned a crank that drove the ship’s propeller. The Hunley could dive, but it required calm seas for safe operations. It was tested successfully in Alabama’s Mobile Bay in the summer of 1863, and Confederate commander General Pierre G.T. Beauregard recognized that the vessel might be useful to ram Union ships and break the blockade of Charleston Harbor. The Hunley was placed on a railcar and shipped to South Carolina. Read the complete article on History.com. 1863 was in the later period when the work songs of sailors were flourishing, variously called chanties in America or shanties in England.
Founding of the US Navy (13 Oct 1775)
The United States Navy claims October 13, 1775 as the date of its official establishment, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy. With the end of the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy was disbanded. – Wikipedia 3/27/2020. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorizes construction and administration of the first American naval force—the precursor to the United States Navy. Read the complete article here on History.com.
Albert Lancaster Lloyd, aka A. L. Lloyd or Bert Lloyd dies (29 Sept 1982)
Albert Lancaster Lloyd, usually known as A. L. Lloyd or Bert Lloyd, was an English folk singer and collector of folk songs, and as such was a key figure in the British folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. Wikipedia Born: February 29, 1908, London, United Kingdom Died: September 29, 1982, Greenwich, United Kingdom
Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe (1580)
English seaman Francis Drake returns to Plymouth, England, in the Golden Hind, becoming the first British navigator to sail the earth. On December 13, 1577, Drake set out from England with five ships on a mission to raid Spanish holdings on the Pacific coast of the New World. After crossing the Atlantic, Drake abandoned two of his ships in South America and then sailed into the Straits of Magellan with the remaining three. A series of devastating storms besieged his expedition in the treacherous straits, wrecking one ship and forcing another to return to England. Only the Golden Hind reached the Pacific Ocean, but Drake continued undaunted up the western coast of South America, raiding Spanish settlements and capturing a rich Spanish treasure ship. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/drake-circumnavigates-the-globe Call of the Sea, written by Bounding Main’s Dean Calin, is based on the voyage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g47YSftNBnE
Roanoke Colony deserted (1590)
The Roanoke Island colony, the first English settlement in the New World, was founded by English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh in August 1585. The first Roanoke colonists did not fare well, suffering from dwindling food supplies and Indian attacks, and in 1586 they returned to England aboard a ship captained by Sir Francis Drake. In 1587, Raleigh sent out another group of 100 colonists under John White. White returned to England to procure more supplies, but the war with Spain delayed his return to Roanoke. By the time he finally returned in August 1590, everyone had vanished. Read the complete article on History.com.
Please help the MMDI stay afloat!
Hello Friends, This is Dean Calin. I have worked very hard for a couple of years to get this website up and running. After our successful Kickstarter program we had a the expectation that a set amount would go toward the technical development of the site. Well, we had several major setbacks in that regard – a few unscrupulous individuals abandoned the project, forcing me to spend a great deal more to complete the site. Unlike other genres of music, the maritime music/sea shanty community lacked a central place for fans and the press to easily discover our important music, bands and festivals. I believe that what this site is offering our community is also the means to record and share the lore and history of the legends that led the way for us. Stormalong John, Ewan MacColl, A.L. Lloyd and Johnny Collins are all names that should not be forgotten. Now that the community content sections of the MMDI are complete, the two remaining pieces are organizing the banner advertising campaign and the outreach to raise funds through donations through Organic Arts, Ltd. I am afraid while we are in sight of the finish line we may not make it and all of this work may be for naught. We are down to, perhaps, $250.00. I am not in a position to support the site myself, either. Therefore, I am forced to ask for support, again, from the maritime music community. If you could please go to our donation page and contribute a couple of dollars we can continue our work to record and keep alive the legends and modern heroes of maritime music. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=35WASDV4HCVP6
Effingham fights Battle of Gravelines vs. the Spanish Armada (1588)
August 8, 1588: Five Spanish ships were lost. The galleass San Lorenzo, flagship of Don Hugo de Moncada, ran aground at Calais and was taken by Howard after murderous fighting between the crew, the galley slaves, the English who eventually killed all Spanish and slaves, and the French, who ultimately took possession of the wreck. The galleons San Mateo and San Felipe drifted away in a sinking condition, ran aground on the island of Walcheren the next day, and were taken by the Dutch. One carrack ran aground near Blankenberge; another foundered. Many other Spanish ships were severely damaged, especially the Portuguese and some Spanish Atlantic-class galleons (including some Neapolitan galleys) which had to bear the brunt of the fighting during the early hours of the battle in desperate individual actions against groups of English ships. The Spanish plan to join with Parma’s army had been defeated and the English had gained some breathing space, but the Armada’s presence in northern waters still posed a great threat to England. Read the complete article here: https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/spanish-armada
Polish Maritime Music Group Sąsiedzi Premiers New Song
In July, Polish maritime music group, Sasiedzi, premiered their latest song, “Upiorny dług”* on their YouTube channel, and other music streaming channels like Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal and Spotify. The song was first presented by Sąsiedzi at the 2023 edition of the International Festival of Sea Songs “Shanties” in Krakow, Poland, and it immediately made a big impression on the Jurors, as they awarded it the Monika Szwai Award for the best premiere at the festival. Band members, elevated by this successful premiere, felt that there was nothing left to do but to record it in the studio. This took place in late May and early June of 2023. Jakub Owczarek produced the recording, Marek Wiklinski and Rafal Krzysztoń wrote the lyrics and Mirek Walczak, Marek Wiklinski and Jakub Owczarek wrote the melody. The whole band was responsible for the arrangement, and the cover for Sasiedzi’s second single was designed by Ela Janerka – the guitarist and vocalist of the band Wbrew Pozorom. Find the new single here: YouTube, Spotify. View the concert premier video here: YouTube. * English: “Ghostly Debt”.
U.S. Brig Niagara Sailing Season To End Early
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Flagship Niagara League (FNL) regretfully announce that the remainder of the U.S. Brig Niagara’s 2023 sailing schedule is officially cancelled due to unforeseen propeller issues requiring a lengthy repair time. While the propellers are being fabricated and before the ship travels to shipyard in Cleveland for repairs, the U.S. Brig Niagara will be open for deck tours at the Erie Maritime Museum Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Sundays, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. To experience Erie’s rich maritime history from the water, the Schooner Lettie G. Howard is operating daily as scheduled, weather permitting. For more information, call 833-FNL- SAIL (833-365-7245) or book online at sailfnl.org/sail.
Thursday’s 20 July Seminar: Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution with Eric Jay Dolin
The NMHS Seminar Series Presents Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolutionwith Best Selling Author Eric Jay Dolin Just chosen as a finalist for the 2023 book award for nonfiction by the New England Society of New York This Thursday, 20 July 2023 Join us in person or watch on Facebook Live Welcome & Refreshments at 6:30 PM EST; Lecture at 7:00 PM EST, Q&A to Follow Seminars are free to attend, although we hope you will support the Series with a suggested $10 Seminar Guest donation. Pre-register to Join Us in Person Watch on Facebook Live $10 Seminar Guest Donation Buy the Book Please note that the National Maritime Historical Society is not affiliated with the Maritime Music Directory International.
Today is MMDI Launch Day!
Today we officially make available to the world a website that celebrates the music of mariners! The Maritime Music Directory International is designed to help fans of sea shanties find their favorite maritime-themed bands and the fun festivals at which to hear them perform! The website is free to access and is free for the bands and festivals to promote their great work! It is supported by Organic Arts, Ltd., a Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA-based artistic not-for-profit organization. The MMDI makes banner ads available at a modest fee to promote the music and support the website. As a not-for-profit, it also accepts charitable contributions. There are currently hundreds of acts and scores of performance venues and events listed on the site, with more being added every day. The popularity of sea shanties reached a new high during the pandemic through social media, video games and popular films. Acts like Fishermen’s Friends, The Longest Johns, David Coffin and Kimber’s Men, all veteran maritime music performers, have viral videos reaching mainstream audiences. You can read the official launch press release here.