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By Captain James Bollinger.

 

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The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 2

By Captain James Bollinger.
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The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 2 As the gang entered the 1740s, expansion west to the more accessible and flat beaches of West Sussex was an obvious business move. Gray and by now the notorious bunch of men who followed, were expanding by amalgamating with other gangs  through alliances and hostile take overs. This could be described in contemporary terms as a 'turf war'. Arguably, the struggle for Gray was not necessarily the Revenue and Dragoons as they were thinly spread, it would have been the other gangs.  Smuggling was a battle of survival, hearts, minds and only the fittest or maybe in this case the cruelest would survive. The lawlessness continued..... Mermaid Street, Rye. On right pub sign for the Mermaid Inn. A regular haunt for the gangs as well as other villains was Rye, East Sussex. The Transport gang led by Jeremiah Curtis (aka Alexander Pollard) worked with John Grayling in the Hastings area. Hastings would have been rich pickings in the 1740s with its beac...
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The story of the Wreck of the VOC Ship The Amsterdam, Bulverhythe, Hastings, East Sussex.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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 The story of the Wreck of the VOC ship The Amsterdam, Bulverhythe, Hastings, East Sussex. The VOC Ship The Amsterdam (Replica). The story of the VOC ship the Amsterdam is one of movie proportions, However, I do hope Hollywood never get the rights to make it ! But it is still surprising a film has never been made ! The story takes on a three month maiden voyage of the VOC mirror ship (East Indiaman)  the Amsterdam. There are some technical pronunciations and titles I need to explain to the reader of this blog. Lets start with the abbreviation VOC. The abbreviation VOC stands for  Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)  or in English, United East India Company. A mirror ship in short term is a ship owned and sailed by the VOC that took currency such as gold, silver, raw materials and soldiers to Batavia and other parts of the Dutch empire. Then returned with the purchased goods to the Netherlands. The VOC ship The Amsterdam (Replica). The Amsterdam was completed in 17...
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Sir Martin Frobisher by Taliesin Trow.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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  In "Sir Martin Frobisher" by Taliesin Trow, readers are treated to a captivating exploration of the life and exploits of a lesser-known Elizabethan privateer, often overshadowed by the renowned Francis Drake. Trow skillfully brings to light the remarkable story of Sir Martin Frobisher, a man with a short temper and an indomitable spirit that left an indelible mark on the annals of maritime history. One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to resurrect Frobisher from the shadows of history, portraying him not merely as a contemporary of Drake, but as a distinct and fascinating character in his own right. Trow delves into the intricate details of Frobisher's life, providing readers with a comprehensive account of his endeavours and contributions to Elizabethan England. At the heart of the narrative is Frobisher's audacious exploration of the elusive Northwest Passage. The author skillfully navigates through the challenges and triumphs of these perilous jour...
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The Twisted Spell By Diane Narraway.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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  The Twisted Spell By Diane Narraway. Diane Narraway's "Twisted Spell" weaves a captivating narrative set against the mystical backdrop of Chiswell, a quaint village on the island of Portland, off the coast of Dorset, England. Delving into the rich local history of this mysterious place, Narraway creates a spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends elements of witchcraft, religious faith, and the consequences of one's actions. The story unfolds in a community where the echoes of witchcraft still linger, creating an atmospheric and otherworldly setting. Chiswell's reputation for its mystical past comes to life through Narraway's vivid prose, transporting readers to a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. The author's meticulous research is evident in the intricacies of the narrative, as she masterfully embroiders local history into the fabric of her storytelling. At the heart of the tale is the Conjurers Lodge, an intriguing instit...
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Who was Captain Jack Sparrow ?

By Captain James Bollinger.
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 Who was Captain Jack Sparrow ? This is a subject that has often entered my mind after watching an entertaining film such as Pirates of the Caribbean or Black Sails. I often wondered who film producers used to inspire their characters. Black Sails is a mix of fact and fiction, a interwoven blend of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stephenson and the Golden Age of Piracy researched and described by Colin Woodward in T he Republic of Pirates. However, what of Captain Jack Sparrow. Readers maybe surprised to learn that piracy took place every where in the world with many notable characters to speak off.  "The Greatest Scounderal that sailed from England" - of Captain John Ward by Sir Henry Wotton 1608. Hollywood would only have us focus on the lush Islands of the West Indies. With the 17th century Buccaneers being used in the same breadth as their redundant sailors the pirates on the Golden age of piracy  of the 18th century with a cross over of Privateers spanning centuries ...
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