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Edmonds CC >> Creative Retirement Institute >> Reports

Creative Retirement Institute

CRI Report

The CRI Report, a regular feature of the Edmonds Beacon and Enterprise newspapers, investigates topics of special interest to older adults. Author of the articles is John Nadeau, a CRI advisory board member. Here is a sampling of articles that have appeared in recent months.

 

YO, HO, HO, ETC.

 

 Maybe it’s Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn in one era and Johnny Depp in another who are responsible.

            Or maybe it’s authors like Robert Louis Stevenson and James Barrie who are to blame.

            Regardless, the image of wild and fearsome pirates, all free on the high seas, has long captured the public’s imagination.

            As usual, the legends have overcome reality. Note this account, which appeared in a 1726 edition of the Boston Gazette, of a notable capture:

            “The commander went at the head, followed by about 20 other pirates, with their black silk flag. As they were much wounded and no care taken in their dressing, they were very offensive and stunk as they went along, particularly the commander; he had one eye shot out, with which part of his nose hung down on his face.”

            Not exactly a romantic image there.

            “They have become so much part of legend, it’s easy to overlook the fact that these were and are real people,” says Gordon Kaufman.

            He will teach a course, American Privateers, 1775-1865: Pirates or Patriots, at the Creative Retirement Institute at Edmonds Community College on two Mondays next month, June 8 and 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.

            Kaufman is quick to point out the distinction between pirates and privateers. The former were murderers and thieves, always outside the law. The latter were another matter.

            Privateers had commissions or “letters of marque” from the governments of nations at war, permitting them to seize cargoes of enemy ships. Usually, the owners and crews of these rogue vessels could keep all or most of the booty.

            In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, the United States did not have the forces to challenge the Royal Navy. The privateers’ assignment, then, was to harass and disrupt Britain’s maritime trade.

            Perhaps the most famous of the privateers was an Englishman, Sir Francis Drake (1540-96). He sailed around the world, looting Spanish ships and settlements along the way and claiming California for England.

            Blackbeard, probably the best known pirate, learned his robbery techniques while serving with British privateers.

            Born Edward Teach some time before 1690, he went on to become a feared character with wild black hair and a ragged beard who terrorized traders in the Caribbean.

            Pirates have actually been around for a really long time. The Viking raiders who victimized inhabitants of northern Europe began as pirates before turning their attention to attacks on coastal settlements.

            “Of course, these criminals are still with us,” Kaufman says.” They have never gone away, as news reports from the Gulf of Aden remind us constantly.”

            A big difference, obviously, is that modern pirates are well armed and well organized.

            In his course Gordon Kaufman will explore all these topics and more. A retired naval officer, he has a master’s degree in military history. His research has focused on piracy and privateering.

            “After all these years, why does this subject still have an aura of romance and adventure?” he ponders. “Perhaps because the fantasy of swashbuckling buccaneers appeals to the Walter Mitty in so many of us.”

            You can learn more about this course and other CRI offerings by phoning 425-640-1830 or access the web site.

            Classes are open to all adults over age 50, regardless of educational background.