Van Straaten Fleet: SS Bilge Rat
Ship's Motto: Ververwijderd Kust Wachten (Distant Shores Await)
We are an SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) household that centers around a 16th century Dutch Whaling/Privateer vessel.
We believe in all forms of SCA participation, including: Armoured Combat, Marshaling, Arts & Sciences, Service, Bardic, and Gaming. The household falls into the rank structure that a sailing ship of the day would have had, but there are no commands given out, or orders to be followed, it is all based around fun. After all, isn't that what the SCA is all about?
The crew of the S.S. Bilge Rat are:
Egon Cornelius Van Straaten (aka Cpl. Morris Kendrick)
Ship's Master
Sigfreid Steinvorsten
First Mate
Rhys Davies (aka DiMarco Datini)
Bosun
Duncan Le Rat
Master Harpooner
Jaman the Unsteady
Ship's Surgeon
Azeem Nassar
Quartermaster
Tomkin Cuthbert
Master Gunner (Interim)
Pandora (aka Margurita Datini)
Marine Commander
Boris Tumanski the Unfortunate
Navigator
Friar O'Neill (aka Baron Halfdane Eastborn)
Galley Chief
McLachlin the Scot
Crow's Nest
There are a few more people who may be added in days to come, their membership is being considered.
What is the Bilge Rat?
The Bilge Rat is a 16th century Dutch Whaling Cog (Flute Ship), that has been refitted to carry cannon. We carry 8 cannons in total: (3)-4lb. cannon on each side of the the ship (port and starboard), and (1)-2lb. cannon on each end of the ship (fore and aft). We are not the typical "pirate" type ship of the day. Our ship is designed as a Whaling/Armed Escort Ship, we could never stand toe-to-toe with a Spanish Galleon or an English Frigate, they just have too much firepower. In a combat situation, our ship turns inside of the enemy's firing radius, this gives us the time we need to let loose a volley, and turn before they can give us a full broardside. Our fore and aft two pounders fire something called grapeshot. Grapeshot is a mixture of bent nails, cut-up chain, and lead shot, it is used to decimate the crew of the attacking vessel, and it also has a very efficient effect on sails, turning them to worthless rags with just a few volleys. A nasty weapon, but truly effective.
Our ship still sports a harpooner's pulpit, on the bow of the vessel. We do not spend all of our time hunting other ships after all. Hunting the giants of the sea is what brought us off land in the first place, and we still make a very handsome living doing it. Our Master Harpooner stands in the pulpit with his bladed harpoon, while the Harpooner's Mate stands a distance behind, handling the rope from the harpoon. We make landfall in the Orkneys every fall to harvest the Pilot Whales of the area, and we then sail south, and travel along the coast of Africa, catching Bow Whales as they swim towards the calving grounds.
(NOTE: We do not support the hunting of whales in reality, we just recreate the lifestyle of medieval whalers).
The Bilge Rat sports two masts, with square rigged sails, a forward spanker sail and two aft gaff sails. Her total length is about 86ft, and she is about 25ft wide. She was primarily designed as a whaling vessel, but was easily refitted to carry a small number of light cannon. The best point of the Bilge Rat is her quick turning speed, she out-turn almost any ship on the sea, with the exception of sloops and catamarans. The Bilge Rat can manage a top speed of about 21 knots in favorable conditions. But it usually travels at a steady speed of 11 to 15 knots. The Bilge Rat also has the ability to travel up deep rivers, a trait that most open sea-going vessels do not have, very useful if you have to escape a vessel of superior size, or if you have to escort a Baronial vessel up river. The Bilge Rat has 3 decks: main deck, gun/quartering deck, and the hold. Below that, sits the bilge. There is a sterncastle on the main deck, which houses the officer's quarters, the infirmary, and the purser's locker.
Three cheers for.....
Duncan Le Rat, our own Master Harpooner: Who has recently had the honor of becoming a father to a healthy baby boy. The next I see him I'll give a a good bonus. Raising a family these days is not a trifle thing, we all have to help take care of this child, give what we can.
Jacob Freeman the Upended: Jacob recieved his AoA at this past 12th night. He is now also the master of the SS Gungnir, the Secondary Flag Ship of the Van Straaten Fleet.
Allies
The Bilge Rat has some allies. It was once said that you can never have too many friends, I have to agree.
Starshine Keep
This is a land based household governed by Master Sgt. Tygar of Skagan. Starshine Keep is a very esteemed household, with a long record of service to the Barony, the Principality, the Kingdom. This household is a treasured ally, one that we refuse to give up, and anyone who slanders Starshine Keep, should keep watch over their shoulders, for they may see the flag of the Dutch Royal Navy bearing down on them.
Tearbringer
This is a Norse Longship, captained by Captain Ulf. We don't usually ally ourselves with norse ships, but this man has been a great friend and naval councellor to Egon, right from the start of his carrer. I will fight beside this man and his ship any time that I am needed.
The Lemmings
We are allied with this household only for the fact that they are great people, that, and the fact that Captain Kraig Landental is also a fellow Montengarde Navy captain. Seriously, the Lemmings are a great bunch of people, if they call you friend you never have to worry about them. They are loyal, trustworthy, and friendly. We are damn lucky to have them as friends, and we will stand by them any time.
The S.S. Bilge Rat is now registered on Ede's Household Directory: http://server.com/WebApps/db-view.cgi?id=102073
********************UNDER*******CONSTRUCTION*********************
Van Straaten Fleet Home
SS Gungnir
Iron Wolf Armouries
Sailing Ships
Send E-Mail to: vanstraaten_fleet@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2003 S. Viala. All Rights Reserved