Pirates – Salem Happenings

Boston Harbor Pirate Ship Cruises

Chances are, you’ve probably heard the song, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” at some point. In fact, if you’re a true fan of fictional pirates (or just a fan of Disney), you’ve probably seen all of the movies and ridden the ride where the song first appeared at least once. However, have you ever had the chance to actually see what it might be like to be a pirate yourself?

Well, if you haven’t, you’re in luck because Massachusetts Bay Lines is conducting a series of pirate cruises this summer. These cruises, which will take place each day at 12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M., and 4:00 P.M. from now until the beginning of September, will allow you to sail around Boston Harbor aboard a tall ship manned by the most motley crew that you will probably see in quite a while. This crew will brace the yardarms, hoist the sails, sing shanties, tell you tales of the sea, and, of course, fire the cannon. Best of all, if you can’t make it during the day and would really like to see the harbor at sunset, Massachusetts Bay Lines also offers a pirate sunset cruise daily from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. For more information on the Boston Harbor Pirate Ship Cruises, please visit the Massachusetts Bay Lines website.

Photo credit: Adam Purves (S3ISOR) via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

International Talk Like a Pirate Day 2015

Arr ye mateys! To’morrow be a fine day indeed. For that magical occasion in which every lad and lass can speak like a scurvy dog is finally upon us! Now, what be this magical time I speak of? Well, it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day of course, which means if ye seek to go on account (or, in plainer speak, seek to become a pirate) fer a day, thar be no better day than this day. However, in th’ interest ‘o not scaring off them who not appreciate th’ tongue of less reputable men and women, th’ remainder ‘o ‘tis missive will be in a more common tongue (or, in other words, standard English.)

Now, the first thing that every pirate needs to know is how to use a sword, but what do you do if sword fighting is not in your skillset? Well, fear not, for if your sword skills could use some work, the Boston Fencing Club has the perfect way for you to sharpen your abilities. This is because the Boston Fencing Club is offering free fencing sessions from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, September 19, 2015.) These sessions will teach you the basics of Olympic fencing, including how to thrust and parry. For more information on the Free Fencing Sessions at the Boston Fencing Club, please visit the Boston Fencing Club website, e-mail info@bostonfencingclub.org, or call 781-891-0119.

Once your sword skills are in order, you can then move on to speaking like a pirate. However, if you’re not quite sure how to talk like a scurvy dog or you are in need of some new pirate phases, here are five websites that you should definitely check out:

1. The International Talk Like A Pirate Day Website is filled with information about how to be a better pirate, including an explanation of why it is important to talk like a pirate and how you can actually do it.

2. The Pirate Translator on the Post Like a Pirate website is an excellent tool if you’re trying to figure out the pirate equivalent of everyday words.

3. Google and Facebook both have features that will allow you to change some of their menus into pirate speak. This can be an excellent way to get your brain into a pirate-talking mindset, and you can do it simply by going to the language settings in Google or Facebook and choosing the “pirate” option.

4. Another great option if you’re looking for a pirate translator is the Online Pirate Translator on Pirate Monkeyness. This translator is very similar to the pirate translator on the Post Like a Pirate website, but it has a much larger vocabulary.

5. If you’re really trying to get your pirate speak just right, you should definitely check out the How to Talk Like a Pirate Guide on WikiHow. This step-by-step guide will teach you a series of tricks that you can use to make sure that you’re talking like a real pirate in no time.

Photo credit: Dr Stephen Dann / Foter / CC BY-SA

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Arr ye mateys! Today be the day that some love, but others only dread — International Talk Like A Pirate Day! What be this strange occasion ye might ask? Well, it be a time for all among us to explore our inner pirate by speaking or even dressing as those scurvy dogs of old. In fact, there be a number of merchants devoted to the cause of celebrating the day, and there are those who will even offer you some booty for showing your devotion to the Golden Age of Piracy. As a result, if ye be a fine lad or lass that is seeking to find your inner swashbuckler, ye need no map. The answers ye seek lie here.

However, in the interest of those who are not as fascinated by the pirate tongue, the rest of this post will appear in the vernacular (or, in other words, non-piratey speak.)

First, if you’re a pirate in need of a ship, you may want to head to Boston Harbor. This is because the Adirondack III, a schooner that was built with an 1890’s design in mind, is currently docked there. This ship regularly offers a day-time, sunset, and nighttime sightseeing tour of Boston Harbor that will allow you and all of your pirate friends to enjoy approximately two hours of sailing aboard a beautiful 80-foot sailing vessel (for a fee of course.) If, on the other hand, the fee is a little too much for you or you tend to get a little seasick, you can always head to Salem and see the Friendship at Derby Wharf without your feet ever leaving solid ground. For more information on the Adirondack III, please visit the Classic Harbor Line’s Adirondack III page and for more information on the Friendship, please visit the National Park Service’s Friendship of Salem page.

Secondly, if you or your kids are looking for a place to learn more about the Golden Age of Piracy, Gore Place in Waltham, MA may be exactly what you’re looking for. This is because Gore Place is hosting two Talk Like A Pirate Day Tours tonight (Friday, September 19, 2014) at 7:00 and 8:30 P.M. These tours will give you a chance to hear stories of real pirates, partake in pirate trivia, and more while you see all of the splendor of the Gore Mansion. For more information on the event and to order tickets, which are selling out fast, please visit the Brown Paper Tickets website.

Finally, if you’re really just looking for a way to show off your general pirateyness and/or find out about all of the cool pirate stuff that you can get or do today, you may want to check out some of these places:

1. The International Talk Like A Pirate Day website is filled with pirate advice (use at your own risk), pirate games, places to post your pirate pictures, pirate songs, pirate swag, and more pirate stuff than you can shake a peg leg at.

2. Krispy Kreme is not only putting up pictures of some of their best-dressed pirate customers from last year, but also offering a special pirate doughnut that is only available today. Best of all, if you talk like a pirate while you place your order, Krispy Kreme will give you one free glazed doughnut and, if you place your order dressed as a pirate with three non-weapon accessories, they will give you a dozen glazed donuts for free.

3. Facebook and Google actually have a feature that will translate some of their menus into pirate speak. All you have to do is go into the language settings and choose “pirate.”

4. R&R Games is hosting a giveaway today where one lucky winner will receive a free copy of their pirate-themed board game, Plunder.

5. 3D Printworks is offering stl files for anyone that has access to a 3D printer. These files will allow you to print your own pirate eye patch (complete with skull and crossbones) or your own pirate hook.

Photo credit: birdorable / Foter / CC BY-SA