Jose Gasparilla resting at sunset

The warmth of the setting sun is washing over the notorious pirate ship Jose Gasparilla. She is rocking gently now and resting at the Tampa Convention Center following last Saturday's Gasparilla invasion and parade. The swashbuckling Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and their ship led the flotilla up the channel to another successful invasion and capture of the city.

Jose Gasparilla's flags are flying and cannon are ready

Jose Gasparilla pirate ship at anchor: Preparing to invade Tampa

The tall masted ship Jose Gaspar is standing by ready to transport the blood-thirsty and marauding pirates of the Krewe of Gasparilla as they invade the city of Tampa on Saturday. The ship is anchored off Bayshore Boulevard in Hillsborough Bay.

It's a pirate's life for thee aboard Jose Gasparilla

This scene does have a Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyesque look to it. Actually, it's the aft section of the pirate ship Jose Gaspar. Owned by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, it is used each year in the Krewe's invasion of the city. Hundreds of pirates take the key to the city and crowd on board their ship that then leads a huge flotilla of invaders and funseekers across Hillsborough Bay and into the channel. After docking at the Tampa Convention Center, the pirates invade the streets in a huge parade. The ship sits tied to its dock on the Bayshore for the remainder of the year and draws tourists and the curious who gaze upon its quiet, empty decks listening for whispered tales of rum, guns, beads and treasure to be found in Tampa. Come February, it will again take to the high seas as its motley, brazen Krewe of pirates take over our fair city for a day.