Avast Ye Matey! Thar Be Pirates!

Shadow Shot Sunday
March 27, 2011

Shadow Shot Sunday eminates from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Have a look at Hey Harriet, mateys, and see how to participate, or just look at the fine art examples shown by the masses.

The day wasn’t very bright, but the shadows were cast behind the flag of the Pirate’s sleek ketch rigged craft. This particular flag has flown in some very unusual places in its lifetime. More about that later. For now, she be wavin’ aloft at The Cabinette near Ashland, Wisconsin, along the shores o’ the Great Lake Superior.

Tended by the acting Cap’n and First Mate of the good ship Quivering Thigh, taken in 1983 along with the bounty of the frigate itself, two chests of gold doubloons, forty pistols, 73 cutlass’ and one good-lookin’ dark haired wench of dubious chastity.

The Grandkids, raising the Jolly Roger, takin' orders from the Cap'n.

The replica was built on the shore to the specifications put forth by one Cap’n Jack Spadelow. Now don’t be confused with Jack Sparrow, the newcomer in the Disney movies. Spadelow has been around since the early 1980’s as you can see in the photo below. The head on the wall was a relief sculpted by those that wished for his head to be thusly mounted, but to no avail as Spadelow was too crafty of a seaman to be captured.

Cap'n Jack Spadelow circa 1983,
Spadoman himself in another time and place

Handing over the wheel to his Grandchildren, Spadelow is now retired from the sea and lives along the tiny Kinnickinnic River in Northwestern Wisconsin. Having all the gold a man would need and the same aforementioned wench at his side, he lives a peaceful life despite there being those that still hunt his head.

He tried to get retirement pay and disability. When asked how he lost his arm and his leg, he replied it was in the Pirate service, cut off by cutlass in hand to hand combat while boarding a British craft in the Mediteranian, a worthy and acceptable reason for losing limbs, and well acceptable to receive the compensation due a lifetime o' work upon the sea. 

But when he was asked about the injury and loss of his left eye, he mentioned the bird that spit forth his digestion while flying overhead and said, “Aye mate, it be the first day wit me new hook!”

The original crew of the Quivering Thigh, taken off the coast of the Snake River

Needless to say, the disability claim for the loss of an eye was declined. So he stirs little and watches the youngsters board and fight and hoist the black and white Jolly Roger, awaiting his inevitable trip to Davey Jones’ Locker.

The Thigh, plying paddle across the border, Brule Lake, MN

The flag has seen the heights of Mt. Whitney California. At  14,505 feet above sea level, and the great Motorcycle Rally and Races at Sturgis, South Dakota, which lies a far distance from any body o’ water. It has flown on waters in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA and across the International border in Ontario, Canada. 

Well worn, but still able to put the fear of the Good Lord Almighty into the hearts of all that believe in make believe.

The ship still sails in the minds of children and childlike adults. The stories of the sea reenacted with swords and a ships wheel that turns about the craft on a dime that happens to be in the pocket of a Commander of a French Man-O-War loaded with diamonds, rubies, gold, silver, tobacco and rum.

Still havin’ fun lads and lasses, that’s what she be all about. And still dreamin’ the dreams of a great Cap’n rich in blood, guts, rapin', pillagin', booze and gold.

The well worn Jolly Roger of The Quivering Thigh

Peace be alive me hearties, she’ll be right mate, a keg o’ rum a time or two. Look out across the land and water as far as ye can see. Now, look a little farther and you’ll be seein’ the Quivering Thigh!

AURRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!