SAND BANK YACHT CLUB - Abaco Journal April 1998

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SAND BANK YACHT CLUB NOTES
by John Lacey

Eighty-three Sand Bank Yacht Club members and house guests survived an evening of nerve-wracking terror on 24th February. The Pirates of The Bahamas convened at the home of Mike and Gae Meeson, which had been converted that day to 'The Admiral Benbow Inn', to welcome their new governor the 17th Duke of Belvedere, his wife the Duchess, and their lovely daughters Lady Nadine and Lady Barbara. Their purpose was to celebrate the 1672 Declaration of Indulgence by His Britannic Majesty King Charles II of Great Britain, its Commonwealth of Nations and Defender of the Faith.

The intent of His Majesty's declaration was to promote peace among Catholics and Protestants. Sand Bank Yacht Club celebrants chose to interpret it as an opportunity to indulge their craving for good food, good grog and good companionship. The pirates and their wenches, all attired in their finest regalia, convened at 5.30 pm, drank their grog appreciatively, and waited for the Governor's party to arrive in golfcart-drawn carriages promptly at 5.45. As the Governor's party were seated, the town crier welcomed them and recounted the dire consequences to anyone who threatened their persons or property.

Dinner - which comprised barbecued pork and turkey, apple sauce, Rice Florentina, vegetables, Burning Fruit, fresh rolls and tankards of imported grog - was served to each participant after he or she had been through the Governor's reception line.

The Duke of Belvedere then rose to address the motley band. he conveyed His Majesty's personal greetings and gratitude for their unswerving loyalty. He announced that, at His Majesty's command, he had brought for them a treasure chest of fine jewels which he proudly displayed to a host of appreciative gasps.

He described the perils of his long voyage to these Isles of June, dogged constantly by the pirate band headed by Captain Sureshot Shelly who had threatened their lives, their fortunes and his daughters' honour every step of the way. he expressed his relief and gratitude that the Pirates of The Bahamas, under the leadership of Captain Slitthroat Sheehe and Lieutenant Fearless Frederick had now made him and his party feel secure from Sureshot Shelly's threats.

At that very moment there was a barking of pistols and a clashing of cutlasses as Sureshot Shelly and his scurvy henchmen stormed the Admiral Benbow Inn. They kidnapped the Governor's daughters and made off with them and the treasure in a fast launch, hotly pursued by Slitthroat Sheehe, Fearless Frederick and the few Pirates of The Bahamas still able to participate in the rescue effort. The Duchess was hysterical. The Duke drank more grog. The night sky was filled with Very lights and fireworks as the miscreants were pursued across the raging ocean.

After many anxious minutes, Slitthroat and Fearless returned with the treasure and the Duke's daughters who were damp but otherwise unharmed. They had also captured two of Sureshot's uglier wenches who were promptly auctioned to the highest bidder, Bud Camferdam, for five doubloons the pair. The Governor, his Lady and the remaining attendees retrieved their composure and celebrated into the wee hours.

The Sand Bank Yacht Club is grateful to Gae and Mike Meeson for lending us their home; to Peggy and Tom Larder and Cynthia and Paul Vernall for their hard work in organising the event; and to the cast of thousands who contributed to the evening's drama, as follows:

CAST OF THOUSANDS (in order of appearance)
Town Crier Mike Meeson
17th Duke of Belvedere John Lacey
Duchess of Belvedere Edna Lacey
Lady Barbara Barbara Farnan
Lady Nadine Nadine Sheehe
Captain Slitthroat Brian Sheehe
Lieutenant Fearless Sinclair Frederick
Captain Sureshot Gerry Shelly
First Ugly Wench Dave Buchanan
Second Ugly Wench Milt Fehrenbach
Pirates of The Bahamas All other attendees

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