AON

I wonder how difficult it was to disarm a loaded cannon.

I've read in army manuals how they dealt with a misfire.

I am certain the navy must have did the same thing, but could they not at the very least have rolled the ball out when they were coming into a friendly port?

the loss of the Boyne in Plymouth harbour on the 1st of May 1795

if you weren't getting shot at there was a fortune to be made...

and these poor buggers just trying to get through a terrible day... (1795)

You will find it very handy!

Thank you Don,

At my last place of employment, they were my supplier of choice, and we would hold our orders until we had a substantial amount to reduce the overall delivery charge.

I could get the odd personal item free of charge that way.

As of late, I've been trying to support my countries economy.

I cannot say this any differently without getting political.

Part 2...

This post is in two parts.

War is Hell.

This story was related by a young man to his parents about a 'skirmish' with the French fleet.

We jump into the letter in the midst of battle. well after the transcribed opening following directly...

Kentish Gazette - Friday 20 June 1794

Copy of a letter from "William Knight, of the Brunswick, to his Father and Mother at Sandwich, dated Spithead the 12th of June, 1794

               "I here send you the proceedings of Earl Howe's fleet...."

Assuming you're not referring to the leeches.  Yikes!  

I'll bet they would have preferred medicine and care from the late 20th century or now (21st century.

Ach, it's nothing but a flesh wound.

Throw some leeches on it and walk it off.  

Being anywhere near ships not a sea was dangerous.  (1787)

Broken collar bone

Broken leg

I suppose beer kept better over time than fresh water. 

Although called fresh, beer was cleaner.

Beer kept the sailors in a much better mood than water ever could.  

It is in the thick of the fight, the Battle of the Nile (1798), guns booming, smoke and fire all around you, wood exploding and splinters fill the air.

All the Officers around you on the quarterdeck are killed, the Captains wounded and taken below.

What do you do.....

Assume command until an adult shows up of course!

Ship returning home fires a salute to the town and takes off one mans arm, opens another's chest, and kills one other.

I wonder what happened to that Captain?   1798

Speaking of Captain Bligh.... I wonder what ever happened to him after the mutiny and he was cast afloat by the crew?

Well he became an Admiral of course!

Possibly a little top heavy in upper management???  1794

Bad and good news for me.

The Bolt and Nut supplier in St. Catharines failed to fill my order for the #6-32 stainless steel helicoil inserts.

Amazon.com has the item and advertises they will ship it to Canada but try to place the order... sorry!

Amazon.ca does not offer it.

I have since found Ackland-Grainger has the item and at half the price.

Placed the order on line yesterday.

Now we wait to see if they follow through.

 Going to visit the local wood carving club this afternoon.

I believe 414 ships listed.

I cannot imagine the sight of that many sails.

Good time to have shares in wood, cloth, rope and gun barrel businesses.

11 minutes ago, Mark P said:

 The Navy was more paternalistic than popular modern legend, obsessed with flogging and sodomy (not necessarily at the same time) would have us believe.

(Not sure if this warrants a warning but... ) Which reminds me of a joke:  Did you know that the Navy invented sex.... it was the Army that introduced it to women.

and this poor bugger had to live in the shadow of his brothers sacrifice. (1798)

I am waiting with baited breath for this hillarious topic to come full circle.... with corners.

here is one you wouldn't think of.... dated 1799

Also found an article from 1790 listing every ship in the British Navy, where it is, and who was the commander.

I suppose this made the spy's job easier.

I stumbled on the following letter printed in 1799 that I thought was quite interesting.  It relates to the nicknames of ships...

Had a most enjoyable afternoon.

Started fairing the hull.

Just wanted to be the first person in history to ever write those words.  

Also, my #6-32 helicoil inserts came in today.  One problem, they were not stainless steel.

The supplier in Cambridge is overnighting them by courier to St. Catharines. I should pick them up Monday afternoon.