The Spyglass Gazette

News from the crow’s nest, as reported by people who should probably have been keeping watch.

Fiction. Legends, reports and most of the crew are invented. The ship and the shanty are real.

Galleon Sighted Off the Reef

Beachgoers report a Jolly Roger on the horizon and a shanty that wasn’t there last week.

Holidaymakers on the island were surprised this week by the arrival of a large galleon flying a skull and crossbones, and by a beach shanty that appeared, they say, overnight.

“We came for the sun,” said one visitor. “We are now, technically, prisoners.” Madame Coralie, reading shells nearby, predicted treasure followed by running.

“The brochure said nothing about pirates.” — A holidaymaker

Captain Reports Escape. Again.

Calico Jack is “baffled” as another crew leaves his galleon with his treasure.

Captain Calico Jack, Terror of the Seas, confirmed this week that a party of prisoners escaped his galleon before dawn, taking a quantity of treasure and one of his lifeboats.

“I simply do not understand it,” said the captain, as his first mate stood behind him, scowling and examining his fingernails.

“Somebody aboard is helping them, and when I find out who, I shall be very cross.” — Captain Calico Jack

Parrot Questioned Over Gossip

Duchess is released without charge after declining to answer, except to ask for a cracker.

The captain’s parrot was questioned on the quarterdeck this week over remarks that appeared to identify a member of the crew as an accomplice to recent escapes.

Duchess declined to repeat the remarks, and was released into the custody of the first mate, who was seen giving her a cracker.

“Birds say all sorts. Doesn’t mean anything.” — Scarface

Shanty Spotted on Collins Street

Melbourne office workers find a pirate’s hideout a long way from the beach.

Melbourne’s Collins Street has a pirate problem: first a galleon in August, then a beach shanty in September, both belonging to the same captain.

“We are some distance from the sea,” noted one office worker. Lottie Spyglass, reached up a lamppost, said she could see the bay if she squinted.

“Sail ho! Oh, no, it’s a tram.” — Lottie Spyglass

Real: Pirates opened at Escape This Melbourne CBD on 10 August 2026 and Pirate Island on 18 September 2026.

Island Bound for Sydney

The captain’s shanty is to open on George Street, next to the galleon.

Shipping notices confirm that Pirate Island will open in Sydney this November, joining the galleon already moored on George Street.

Asked how a beach shanty travels, Scarface said “carefully, and by myself”, and went back to his hammock.

“A new island means a new pot. I am bringing the old pot.” — Cookie Marlowe

Real: Pirate Island opens at Escape This Sydney CBD on 6 November 2026.