Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009 Where: Jones River Landing, 55 Landing Road, Kingston, Mass. Who: Len Travers, Prof. American History, U Mass Dartmouth Maritime Artisans Speakers Series

Fighting Piracy, 1723: Battle off Block Island." Despite what one sees in movies, actual sea battles between pirates and the Royal Navy were rare, and usually ended badly for the pirates. Come and find out why. We'll explore one of those infrequent encounters, between the two vessels of Edward Low, the notorious (and overrated) pirate, and HMS Greyhound, Capt. Solgard commanding, off the coast of Rhode Island. The circumstances surrounding their duel challenges many popular views of the "Golden Age of Piracy," and helps make clear why it ended so suddenly in the years following this fight.

Contact: For information and directions, email mbma@jonesriver.org or call Peter Arenstam at 617-201-8855 (cell) The Maritime Artisans Series is a project of Mass Bay Maritime Artisans at Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center.The series highlights builders and artisans working in traditional maritime trades in the Mass Bay area. See the complete schedule of speakers, workshops, and demonstrations at www.jonesriver.org For directions to Jones River Landing, go to www.jonesriver.org, or call 617-462-7215 Mass Bay Maritime Artisans is the boatbuilding wing of the Jones River Environmental Heritage Center. Its purpose is to perpetuate the environment in which true maritime artisanry—skills based on scholarly study as well as experience and practical knowledge—continues to hold its essential and historic role in the Mass Bay region.