Patrick O'Brian Wake
Patrick O'Brian passed away in a Dublin hotel room on January 2, 2000 at the age of 85. His body was returned to his home in the village of Collioure France, to be buried in a cemetery next to his late wife, Mary. In March of that same year, a small group of enthusiasts gathered on board the USS Constellation to celebrate O'Brian's life and the Aubrey/Maturin novels he wrote. This included reading selected passages from the novels, firing of cannon for honors and enjoying the tastes of food and drink from a companion book, Lobscouse and Spotted Dog.From these humble beginnings has grown an enjoyable limited seat event that still includes all the original pomp and circumstance but has improved to include dining in the Captain's Cabin, conducting the formal passing of the port and lengthy discussions on nautical trivia and the like. . Participants provide a donation to Historic Ships in Baltimore and must bring one menu item from the list of available food or drinks. Over the years the menu has included such items as solomongundy, kedergee, spotted dog, negus, sillery, dried peas beaten to a paste (with a marlin spike of course), maids of honor, Strausburg pie and, of course, the trusted old friends including hard tack, shrub, grog from a cask and cabinet pudding. Seating is limited and the list fills quickly. If you are interested, contact the Paddy O'Wake yeoman, Rick Gay at richardgay@cox.net.
