BuffettNews.com

APLAF was written for Phil Clark. Jimmy did sing the song aboard Fisher's boat after the treasure was found. Mel Fisher tried to talk me into investing in his search, wanted $5000 back around '73 or '74, didn't have that kind of money as a new Navy pilot, would have netted me about 80 grand I think after he found it.

I spent many a Friday happy hour at the Chart Room back in the early 70's

Taking a stab in the dark here...Phil Clark?

I think I read it was Phil Clark

I give ya Phil Clark.... I too have heard the story and there is no doubt that "the Pirate" is Mr. Clark.

However, the more I read this book "Fatal Treasure" and it's interviews with locals of the time, to include Capt. Tony who says that Mel Fisher was Mr. Key West during that time and all the buzz and atmosphere in KW during that time was of treasure hunting. Capt. Tony goes on to say that Mel was his Best friend.

Anyway.... I'm just wondering if this "treasure hunting" atmosphere had any influence in the song APLAF? Especially with lylics like:

"And in your belly you hold the treasure"


"Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late." 200yrs is about the time the Atocha was lost.

anyway... just a thought.

Cuervo wrote:
"Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late." 200yrs is about the time the Atocha was lost.

anyway... just a thought.

When did pirates as we think of them exist?

ToplessRideFL wrote:

Cuervo wrote:
"Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late." 200yrs is about the time the Atocha was lost.

anyway... just a thought.

When did pirates as we think of them exist?

The meaning of the word pirate most closely tied to the contemporary was established in the XVIII century AD. This definition dubbed pirates "outlaws" whom even persons who were not soldiers could kill. The first application of international law actually involved anti-pirate legislation. This is due to the fact that most pirate acts were committed outside the borders of any country.


http://www.piratesinfo.com/history/history.php

"The Golden Age of Piracy" is generally considered have occurred between 1700 and 1730. This is the period where we find such pirates as Edward Teach (AKA Blackbeard) and John "Bartholomew" Roberts (AKA Black Bart), the classic pirate stereotypes. This would have been 270 to 240 years prior to 1970.

The arguments regarding Mel Fisher are interesting, but I believe history records Jimmy as giving the nod to Phil Clark.

joe_pyrat wrote: The arguments regarding Mel Fisher are interesting, but I believe history records Jimmy as giving the nod to Phil Clark.

I'm not saying that APLAF attributed to Phil Clark.

I'm asking if you think that the "Teasure hunting" buzz of KW due to Mel Fisher, at the time, might have had some influence on some of the lyrics?

Cuervo wrote:I'm not saying that APLAF attributed to Phil Clark.

I'm asking if you think that the "Teasure hunting" buzz of KW due to Mel Fisher, at the time, might have had some influence on some of the lyrics?

It's hard to say, Key West has always been a pirate town of sorts, what with the wreckers, smugglers, treasure hunters and all. Mel Fisher was definitely a part of that scene at the time, so I guess the answer's a definite maybe, or it could have just been the place itself. It is an interesting hypothesis though, but only Jimmy knows for sure.

As the saying goes, “That's my story and I'm sticking to it...”

joe_pyrat wrote:

Cuervo wrote:I'm not saying that APLAF attributed to Phil Clark.

I'm asking if you think that the "Teasure hunting" buzz of KW due to Mel Fisher, at the time, might have had some influence on some of the lyrics?

It's hard to say, Key West has always been a pirate town of sorts, what with the wreckers, smugglers, treasure hunters and all. Mel Fisher was definitely a part of that scene at the time, so I guess the answer's a definite maybe, or it could have just been the place itself. It is an interesting hypothesis though, but only Jimmy knows for sure.

As the saying goes, “That's my story and I'm sticking to it...”

So, when was the KW wrecking "business" at its peak?

Quiet and Shy wrote:So, when was the KW wrecking "business" at its peak?

The end of wrecking in KW was attributed to improvements in navigation aids which greatly reduced the shipping which was colliding with the local reefs. Also, much of the information on wrecking refers to fast schooners and to KW thriving on wrecking prior to Flagler's railroad, so I would guess late 19th/early 20th century. Good question, I'll see what else I can dig up.

Looks like it was a bit earlier, around 1860. Found the following at http://bestonkeywest.com/keywesthistory.html:

Major industries in Key West in the early 19th century included fishing, salt production, and most famously salvage. In 1860 wrecking made Key West the largest and richest city in Florida and the wealthiest town per capita in the U.S. A number of the inhabitants worked salvaging shipwrecks from nearby Florida reefs, and the town was noted for the unusually high concentration of fine furniture and chandeliers which the locals used in their own homes after salvaging them from wrecks.

Have you seen the holes in the bar at the Chartroom Lounge with the ashes of past regulars in them.

The Chartroom Lounge was one the biggest disapointments to me on my last Key West trip.
I always thought it would be a run down joint, and not really in the middle of a resort. I'm guessing that it used to be a lot different.

supposedly Phil's ashes were in the Full Moon Saloon.
Don't know where they'd be now

For some reason, I've never made it to the Chartroom, but I'd heard that it went upscale. Next time I'm in Key West, I'll have to check it out and go pay Phil a visit too.