Jules Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I had not heard of this guy until today. What a hero. He had his own country out of pure rebellion and when a business partner invaded his country, he came back and took care of them as prisoners of war, causing the German and British government to send diplomats, which he then used to claim that was the de fact recognition of Sealand. Fucking brilliant. Where most people saw a crumbling, rust-stained hunk of concrete and steel, Paddy Roy Bates saw a kingdom. Bates, who has died aged 91, occupied an abandoned wartime fort in the North Sea and declared it the sovereign Principality of Sealand, with its own passports, flag, anthem and stamps ? and himself as its monarch. What began as a swinging 60s attempt to set up a radio station became a micro-state that is still going strong more than 45 years later ? although it has not been recognized by any government. Today, Sealand makes money by selling aristocratic titles and hosting Internet servers. Michael Bates remembered his father as a "huge, huge character." "How many people do you know that are discussed by governments and prime ministers?" Michael Bates said. "The history is absolutely amazing." Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/prince-roy-sealand-roy-bates-dead-91-17442405#.UHYUslG63eA This what the "country" looks like: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Sealandafterfire2.JPG/640px-Sealandafterfire2.JPG Here is the location: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Map_of_Sealand_with_territorial_waters.svg/500px-Map_of_Sealand_with_territorial_waters.svg.png And here's the whole history and story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand You know what. He might've been a little crazy, but this a bad ass story. This what little boys dream of in their threehouses or their cabin in the woods. To have your own country, make your own rules, live in your own little world. I think that's awesome and I applaud this guy. He was 91 when he died this week and he made the most of all those years. Roy Bates, you ruled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Looks like Cleveland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Looks like Cleveland :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Looks like Cleveland lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quick release Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 How deep is the water there? WTF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 How deep is the water there? WTF? The English Channel isn't extremely deep. After all, the Brits and the French built a railroad tunnel underneath it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ba Ba Bluey Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Cool story, but Sealand looks pretty lame. It doesnt even have a Chipotle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.