The Ocean’s Calling

Unveiling the shadows of Gallatin Street: The Laffite pirates in The Ocean’s Calling

In the vivid tapestry of historical fiction, The Ocean’s Calling, part of the captivating series One Virtue And A Thousand Crimes, unfurls the gripping tale of Cosma Wolfe’s journey from the red-light district of Gallatin Street in 1812 in her quest to the mysterious world of piracy. At the heart of her transformation are the notorious Laffite pirates, whose intriguing lives and enthralling escapades shape the narrative, blending elements of romance, adventure, and the complex realities of the time.

The Ocean’s Calling is a unique, deeply personal, LGTB+ pirate story. As I placed myself into this character to write from her perspective, I had to assume her willpower and courage to even find words for what she told me. I’m straight, at least that’s what I believe (if you read The Ocean’s Calling you might think otherwise), and writing about things I didn’t experience and that are so personal, and then to publish them for everyone to see, took me a lot of courage.

For the longest time, when people asked me about the story and how the writing was going, I just left out the LGTB+ stuff. There are so many layers to this story that no one noticed, and it would probably make sense without it as well. But it was there and whenever I connected with this character, she told me it must be there. So here I am, sharing with you things I didn’t even dare share with my closest friends and family.

Old New Orleans and the Laffite Blacksmith

The crescent city was founded in 1717, and its first citizen was probably Jaques Barbazon de Pailloux, who had been summoned from a fort he had already established at Natchez. There were some disagreements which ended with Adrien de Pauger laying off the squares of the original town, the Vieux Carré (Old Square) of today, on March 5, 1721. The citizens that followed were eighty illicit salt makers who had been convicted and banished to the New World by the French for evading their tax on salt.

Until 1770, the houses the New Orleaneans built consisted of a low frame structure, bricked between posts (briqueté entre poteaux) and roofed with cypress shingles, cypress being abundant. Then they began building wholly of bricks, added a first floor (une maison brique et à étage), and wooden shingles or flat tiles from Nantes and Havre, verdant. Everyone had a courtyard (‘cour’ if you were French, ‘patio’ if you were Spanish), and a porte cochère, a wide gate with thick planks which led family carriages through an arch tall enough to not let the coachman (usually a male slave) lose his towering beaver hat.

A mixture of both kinds of houses were present in 1812 New Orleans when the Laffite pirates and Cosma walked the banquettes (as New Orleaneans called sidewalks). In between one of these houses was erected a building first mentioned in 1772 and which was later called the Laffite Blacksmith, or the Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop, which still stands at 941 Bourbon St. today. It is said that the Laffite brothers used the famed smithy as cover for smuggling “black ivory” (slaves) into New Orleans. Despite its iron plaque, there are no records that the so-called Laffite blacksmith ever belonged to either of the Laffite brothers. This might have been deliberate, or the Laffite blacksmith may have just been one of many rumors about the Laffite pirates.

The Adventuress begins with a scene in which Jean heaves contraband into the attic above this smithy. However, it is their private lives which are so captivating, and have spawned the many Laffite pirate tales.

Explore female pirate stories in historical fiction for adults

In the vast sea of pirate tales that have dominated literature and popular culture, female pirate stories often stand as hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Historical fiction about pirates and pirate stories for adults have traditionally centered around male protagonists, but the narrative tide is slowly turning, unveiling the captivating stories of women who defied societal norms to sail the high seas.

The scarcity of female pirate stories can be attributed to the historical erasure of women in maritime narratives. During the Golden Age of Piracy, which spanned the late 17th to early 18th centuries, piracy was a male-dominated realm, and women were often marginalized or omitted from historical records. As a result, the prevailing perception of pirates as swashbuckling men has persisted through the ages.

However, contemporary authors and storytellers are reclaiming these untold tales, bringing to life the formidable women who dared to challenge the gender norms of their time. One notable example is Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World by Jane Yolen, a non-fiction exploration of the lives of historical female pirates that dispels the myths surrounding their exploits.

In the realm of historical fiction about pirates, a few authors have successfully woven female protagonists into the fabric of this adventurous genre. Pirates! by Celia Rees is a compelling novel that follows the exploits of two young women, Nancy and Minerva, who escape their constrained lives in 18th-century England to join a pirate crew. The narrative not only showcases their courage but also provides a refreshing perspective on the challenges faced by women seeking freedom and agency.

Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas by Laura Sook Duncombe is another illuminating work that dives into the lives of female pirates. Duncombe’s book offers a fascinating blend of historical research and storytelling, shedding light on the diverse roles women played in piracy, ranging from captains to crew members.

Despite the limited number of female pirate stories, the tide is turning as modern audiences crave more inclusive narratives. The growing interest in pirate stories for adults that feature strong, independent women reflects a broader societal shift towards acknowledging and celebrating the overlooked contributions of women throughout history.

As we set sail into uncharted waters of literary exploration, the call for more diverse and empowering female pirate stories grows louder. Authors, readers, and storytellers alike are invited to uncover these hidden gems, ensuring that the legacy of female pirates takes its rightful place alongside the swashbuckling tales of their male counterparts in the annals of historical fiction.

One Virtue And A Thousand Crimes, historical fiction book series

When I was tasked with finding a proper series name for this historical fiction book series about pirates, I plunged deep into the waters once sailed by renown pirates. I had already decided that Jean Laffite would play a major role, which led me to publications in his time. Nearly exactly a year after Jean Laffite helped the United States fend off the British at the Battle of New Orleans, Lord Byron published The Corsair (1816), which holds the epic lines:

“He left a corsair’s name to other times,

Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes.”

Which so aptly fits the characters of the Laffite pirates and piracy in general that I could not resist. Also Cosma, the protagonist of this historical fiction book series, though not protagonist in all stories related to the series, commits many crimes, but still has at least one virtue. It was simply a perfect fit.

In The Ocean’s Calling, the narrative unfolds like a meticulously crafted map, leading readers through the vibrant New Orleans streets of Gallatin in 1812, the unpredictable world of piracy, and the intricate dance of power and passion, in one of few female pirate stories. The Laffite pirates, with their enigmatic allure, navigate the turbulent waters of history, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of this captivating historical fiction book series. Join Cosma Wolfe as she embarks on a journey that defies societal norms, where the shadows of Gallatin Street conceal secrets waiting to be uncovered.

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