This is a good year for England – USA rivalry. There was that whole World Cup thing or whatever you call it (I’m kidding, I like soccer/football) and, even more importantly, there was the battle for the Guinness world record for Largest Pirate Gathering. The title is currently in US hands, but England looks like it’s going to be making a push for it very soon.

And, while the rest of the world may be more interested in the World Cup, allow me to point out that while both have heaving bosoms and rowdy, intoxicated men. I can pretty much assure you there will be lest hostility at a pirate gathering and NO FUCKING VUVUZELAS!!!

Where was I?

The year started out with Portland, Oregon sitting comfortably on the title for America with a count of 1651 pirates at the 2009 Portland Pirate Festival having beat out the previous record holders Brixham, England who had counted 1469.

Now the game was on! Brixham rallied and took it back in May at the Brixham Pirate and Shanty Festival with a count of 1744.

And then, in June, the US made another grab at the title at the NorCal Pirate Festival and took it with a count of 2646 – just over 900 more than the previous record!

And that brings us to now. The Mersey Pirate Muster 2010 (click on the link for “Sunday 18th July”) takes place this July in Liverpool. This is the second annual Muster and they’re making a run for the title. There’s a little information on the first muster here and there’s information about a childrens art project to design a flag for the muster here. Will they take the title back across the ocean? I hope so… it’ll give Portland something to fight for in September.

image via NYTimes

Tags: Brixham, Brixham Pirate and Shanty Festival, England, Guinness World Record, Liverpool, Mersey Pirate Muster, NorCal Pirate Festival, Northern California Pirate Festival, Pirates, Portland, Portland Pirate Festival, USA, vuvuzela

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