Avast, Sunday be Pirate Day in Lynn

LYNN – Looking for some swashbuckling fun?Look no farther than Lynn Woods, where an infamous pirate named Thomas Veale once roamed.Yes, pirates did indeed frequent Lynn and the surrounding area in the 1600s.Legend has it that a pirate treasure and the remains of Veale are somewhere in the vicinity of Dungeon Rock in Lynn Woods, according to Lynn Water and Sewer Commission Ranger Dan Small.Skeptics and believers alike are invited to follow in Veale’s footsteps on Dungeon Rock Pirate Day at Lynn Woods, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., is a free family-friendly event.?Dungeon Rock Day is about kids, pirates and fun,” he said. “It is free and all ages are welcome but this event is geared toward the younger kids, It’s not scary- and nobody will jump out and scare you.”Small said Dungeon Rock Day started a decade ago as a hike to the Dungeon where the visitors heard the pirate story told by an actor playing Captain Veale.?Eight years ago we decided to make it into more of an event so we increased the number of characters and created eight stations on the way to the Dungeon,” Small said. ” At each station three or four pirates interact with the kids, teaching them pirate songs or how to act like pirates or asking for their help with a problem. Last year the captain’s daughter had been captured by British soldiers and the children helped release her and get her back to her father.Small said a black pirate ship that flew no flag appeared in Lynn Harbor in the summer of 1658. A boat was lowered from the ship, a chest was loaded into the boat, and four oarsmen rowed it toward shore.The boat headed up the Saugus River and landed near the Saugus Iron Works. According to local legend, the next day iron workers found a note asking to purchase a supply of shackles, hatchets and shovels.The note promised that if the tools were made and left at a secret location, then silver would be left to pay for them. The pirates made camp in a place now known as Pirate’s Glen, which is near the Saugus River.British soldiers stationed nearby heard about the pirates and set off to capture them. Three of the pirates were reportedly captured and hanged, but Veale escaped into the woods taking his treasure with him. He reportedly ended up at a cave in Lynn Woods where he lived for a while and made his living repairing shoes, but then an earthquake caused a piece of rock to fall and seal the opening of the cave with Veale inside with his treasure.Volunteers make Dungeon Rock Pirate Day possible so be sure to support their effort by patronizing the gift shop or “Hogs Breath Inn” for some pirates grub. The menu includes sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, assorted snacks and beverages.Small said the event used to draw 200 visitors, but that number has grown dramatically.?Now we can have as many as 1,200 if the weather is nice,” he said. “This is great but we would be swamped if everyone came at the same time. To help with this issue we began taking reservations.”Reservations, which may be made by calling (781) 477-7096, are strongly suggested to avoid waiting in line and help reduce parking lot congestion.