Captain Gerald F. "Cap'n Jerry" Dey

Gerald Fredrick grew up along the English coast and fell in love with the sea at an early age. He spent his early seafarin' days learning to fish, sail, navigate and shrewdly barter his skills for undisclosed wealth. As a young man may, he fell prey to a saucy blonde siren. It was only later that this siren revealed herself as a mermaid! Bein' the wild creature she was, she returned to Neptune's realm with the poor lad's broken heart. He almost left the sea for a life upon land.
He wears a ring to this day to remind him of her treachery.

He took to workin' on ships of trade between England and the Spanish Main. His undisclosed wealth grew to the point where he was able to commission the building of a brig which he christened the Nightmare. He received a letter of marqué and the Nightmare became a privateer vessel in pursuit of Spanish Gold. Although never proven, the British Crown never seemed to get all the gold they thought they should.

Rumor has it, there is a river in the Colonies that the natives call Manasquan. The Nightmare is said to have been seen in those waters. 'Tis also said the sound of oars and shovels could be heard in the moonlight on a small island upriver.
Enough said about that.

The Nightmare was ambushed by Spanish warships as she plundered a galleon, heavy with gold. She and most of her crew now rest on the bottom of the sea.
Gerald managed to escape with his life.

Gerald reverted to bartering his skills for passage on numerous "privateer" vessels. It was during this time that he made the acquaintance of Captain Black. Some talk of a voyage that Cap'n Jerry and Captain Black made to the river called Manasquan and a small island upriver. Both captains were thick as thieves from that day on.
Or so the story goes.

Rumor also has it that Cap'n Jerry has been called upon to become the Pirate King.
With his hand upon the wheel of a new ship, he sails for Fiddler's Green.
They say we will never see his like again...

But we all know how rumors go.....

Beloved by children and the elderly
(who he has faced single-handedly)
Official Documentarian to the Valhalla's Pirates
First Pirate of Barnegat
Forever in our hearts!

Fair Winds, Cap'n Jerry! You are missed.
March 5, 2011