Tuesday, January 29

A Most Peculiar Dream

I had the most unusual dream last night...  I attended a great ball with many friends and relations, but I seemed to be one of the only people dressed in the proper fashion. Some wore clothing from my father's generation and earlier, some wore fashions or uniforms I did not recognize. Other than the unusual garb, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely.

Miss Tattman and I do not seem to be able to make head nor tail of it.
The garb worn by all seemed quite out of sorts.
At one point near the end, I do seem to recall Miss Waterman dancing with a dog.
Lt. Tumbusch and his wife lead the merriment.

Friday, January 25

For the Kids

 Some educational period Navy fun for young and old alike can be found at 


A site funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and a project of the USS Constitution Museum. Play games, explore the ship, meet the crew, this website is as educational as it is entertaining!

Wednesday, January 16

Mississinewa 1812

To learn more about this ACASTA game, be sure to visit our GAMES page.

To read up on our previous adventures at Mississinewa playing the SPY GAME, be sure to visit MISSION ONE.

For more information about Mississinewa 1812, be sure to visit that EVENT'S page.

Thursday, January 10

Recent Changes

You may have noticed that the Acasta website has recently gotten a new look. I made the biggest changes on Tuesday with a new background and a wider window for text and images. I am finished with the bulk of the overhaul, but you may notice a few additional tweaks here and there in the days to come. 

The 'Journal Archive', 'Honorary Crew' & 'Logs by Author' features have moved to the bottom of the page.

We are very pleased to have you as a reader to our efforts here aboard the HMS Acasta. If you would, take a moment to comment on this post and let us know what type of of thing you enjoy reading here the most. Your input is very valuable and would be much appreciated!

Tuesday, January 8

WANTED. Spirited Young Men for the Royal Navy

The Acasta is looking for quality reenactors
to portray English sailors circa 1800-1812

Our organization seeks to educate via a series of first person activities designed to demonstrate the real lives of sailors as they go about their business etc. Landing Parties, Surveying Crews, Recruitment Drives, Press Gangs, Shore Leave... these are but a few of the activities that our crew will undertake whilst encamped at an event. 

First, be sure to read the Clothing guidelines for Acasta Sailors

Then check out our Philosophy

If these sound like a good fit for you, then you may have what it takes to be an Acasta! Email Albert Roberts today to find out more about joining the crew at:
Want some cheater's hints at how to get in good with the officers? 

Here's what we're looking for in new members. Someone who is motivated to learn and share their knowledge, someone who knows about the position that they're portraying, someone who can act in the manner befitting the station that they portray. First-person and acting skills (no 'Monty Python' accents need apply). And don't forget to salute!

Monday, January 7

Post for the Captain

Another letter from the Mail Packet, this one for Captain Freymann. You may examine the original letter and the comments of its author HERE.

Captain Freymann – 

Your letters home have enjoyed a great deal of circulation around the neighborhood, and the general society hereabouts is quite in raptures at the skill of yourself and your crew in the varied arts of letter-writing. Your exercise with the flag-hoists was thought very clever -- such small perfect pictures! --even for those of us without a Popham’s close to hand, and the basic geometrics of navigation were enough to put even the most devoted of shore-bound mathematicians through their paces. One wonders how you gentlemen ever make it home with such instruments at your disposal! I suppose, like all other pursuits, it is one that requires a great deal of practice to perfect.

You must think me very forward to write this, being that I am of no particular relation to you. Suffice it to say that I am an admirer of general writing practice, and a firm supporter of the advancement of the art of naval warfare, and in both of these matters you and your crew have garnered my unstinting praise. Your own letters have been both instructive and entertaining, and I mean only to repay the compliment.

I imagine, in this season of the year in which so many family gatherings are the usual practice, that you and your crew must, feel a little longing to be at home. I cannot claim to have any especial knowledge of how the New Year is rung in at sea (though several estimable naval gentlemen of my acquaintance, Captains Wentworth and Aubrey, are attempting to rectify the matter) but I am sure that you must have some hint of merriment aboard.

There was some suggestion in this neighborhood of first-footing, but as fair-faced dark haired young men are thin on the ground in this part of the country at present, we have kept the old tradition here of waiting up for the first chime of the clock at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in, and that shall have to suffice. The chimes of our clock seem long indeed when the door is open – I fully wished the new year would hurry up and get inside before Papa and all the rest caught a chill! After we had waited out all twelve chimes, the door was shut tightly, all our luck for the new year locked in, and Mama’s punch liberally distributed to one and all for a toast. I imagine there was a little laughter and a good deal of singing that dreadful Scotch air after that, but I went to bed shortly after the punch. Did any of your young gentlemen stay up to bring the New Year in? I cannot see ships having front doors, but you must have a custom of some kind.

Today being rather cold, the cutting and fitting of a new dress will keep me inside – though I must endeavor to be quiet about it. It is near past ten, and most of the rest of the household has not yet risen – too much punch at last nights’ festivities, I should think. I shall not trouble you with the rest of the day's plans, as they are not likely to be of much interest to you, and my letter grows long without them. How I should hate to have you squinting over a crossed-over page for them! Let me then close. All the best of luck to you and your crew this season, or fair weather and plenty of prizes, however you should reckon it.

I am, your humble neighbor,

You too can get in on the fun of writing a letter to your favorite Acasta crew members, to find out how... be sure to have a look inside the MAIL PACKET. 

Friday, January 4

More from the Mail Packet

Below, dear reader, you will find another of the letters pulled from the recent Mail Packet. This one is somthing of a mystery, as it is not addressed directly to any of us aboard ship, and is only signed 'Countess T.' We have all passed it around in an attempt to make heads or tails of it. Read on!


Tennessee, America
Gentlemen of the H.M. S. Acasta
Atlantic

Dear Sirs:                

It has come to my attention that you are in great need of society. While, I am unable to bring my person to the great sea directly, I thought it prudent that you receive this missive immediately. Please do not think it forward of me writing to you, as none of us have been properly introduced. My mother, the Dowager Countess, assures me that it is certainly acceptable to write to our men at sea as long as we have a direct acquaintance. I must say, that I am informally acquainted with Mrs. Glidden, who introduced me lightly to Mr. Roberts, and thus here I am being recommended you!   

You may think it strange for a Noblewoman to be writing directly to you, much less from the wilds of America, I am sure. The company I keep here is limited, yet the people are friendly and less wild than you may imagine. I have met several of the savages that frequent these parts, and was most impressed with their own sort of nobility, although, they were scandalously dressed! Pray, do not be afraid for any of our safety as these wild men do all appear well behaved. And, I have learned to fire a musket. That is truly an American sort of adventure, is not it?             

Please write me directly, do. If melancholia sets in for any reason, make sure to think of your countrywomen in the American frontier and send her a communication, as I can assure you that both Mrs. G and myself will both welcome any news from the brave fighting men on the seas and the excitement they create.   

Yours,

You too can get in on the fun of writing a letter to your favorite Acasta crew members, to find out how... be sure to have a look inside the MAIL PACKET. 

Wednesday, January 2

Plans for HMS Acasta 1797

HMS Acasta Deck, Quarter & Forecastle
HMS Acasta Frame
HMS Acasta Gun Deck
HMS Acasta Inboard Profile Plan
HMS Acasta Lines
HMS Acasta Orlop Deck
HMS Acasta Upper Deck Plan
These plans from the Royal Museums Greenwich collection

Tuesday, January 1

Happy New Year, 1813!

Happy New Year Acasta Log Reader,

Above is an artistic piece designed specifically to promote the HMS Acasta group and website. It features (from Left to Right) Capt. Robt. Freymann, 1st Lt. J. Hamilton waited on by honorary Acasta D. McArdle, 2nd Lt. M. Ramsey, Midshipman D. Raley, Purser B. Cushing, Able Seaman Mr. Houston, Acasta Surgeon Doctor Roberts, Able Seaman Mr. Alexander.

You may feel free to make use of this piece so long as you do not remove the 'HMS Acasta' website address, or alter the images in any way. Also, having the picture LINK back to www.hmsacasta.com would be greatly appreciated.
If you enjoy reading the adventures of the HMS Acasta, be certain to become an honorary member of the crew. This is a easy way to show us that you're out there and paying attention. It is a simple matter really, there is a blue button along the right side of this very page that will allow you to join. 

And Second, I would ask that you comment from time to time on the posts that interest you the most. This is an excellent way to let the crew of the Acasta know what you, the reader, is the most interested in seeing. It is always most gratifying to know what the readers like.
Don't be content to LURK... participate!

HOW can you participate you ask? Great question... read on!

If you're a historical reenactor with an interest in the Royal Navy circa 1800-1812, you might be just the person we're looking for! Find out more about joining the Acasta HERE.

OR, if you like to write, you can participate in our MAIL PACKET project, wherein you write a period style letter to one of the crew and it gets published AND answered here on the Acasta site. Be sure to click on the link for more details and EXAMPLES of some of the letters we've gotten thus far.

The Acasta log is generally updated every weekday at 8am CST, visit back often, and tell your History/Royal Navy friends to visit us.

Thanks for reading, and here's to the health of you and yours, and a happy new year!