Jas. Hook

Here is a piece I came across - The drawings didn't copy though. The 'Portfire' is a new one on me. The web site is New Zealand Permanent Force Old Comrads Asso. www.riv.co.nz/rnza/hist/gun/firing.htm Some interesting info on the site regarding smothbore guns. Jas. Hook The Gun - Smoothbore Era 1550-1860: Firing the Gun previous | index | next Guns were first fired by a red-hot iron thrust down the vent. This method worked well but required a fire on the gun position, rather dangerous with loose serpentine powder, the dust from which could be ignited by the smallest spark or even by friction. Next came the 'slow match', a cord soaked in spirits or some mixture which enabled it to burn very slowly. It was held by a linstock. At first the slow match was taken to the gun on the linstock and applied to the vent, the latter having been primed with loose powder. Flame from the priming in turn ignited the propellant charge in the chamber. The methods described caused progressive erosion of the vent, leading to a reduction in propellant gas pressure with a consequent loss in muzzle velocity. To repair the damage, vents had to be bored out and re-bushed, a time-consuming process in the smooth-bore era. To overcome the problem, in 1697 metal tubes were introduced. At first they contained quickmatch but this was later replaced by powder. The tube was inserted in the vent and the contents ignited in the same way as loose priming. The use of the tubes also enabled the rate of fire to be increased. Linstocks In 1700 the 'portfire' (from the French 'porte feu' = carry fire) was introduced. It consisted of a half-inch (12.7mm) paper tube filled with a mixture of saltpetre, sulphur, mealed powder and antimony sulphide, carried in a portefire holder. At 'Preparation for Action' a linstock was placed in rear of each section, and its slow match ignited. Firing numbers ignited their portfires at the linstock, then used them to fire their guns. At 'Cease Firing' they cut off the burning ends of the portfires with the cutters on each trail and extinguished them. The image to the left is of a portfire and holder.

I've heard/read of slowmatch belt-safes but can't find the reference. The original question of having the coal on the slowmatch blown off by vent blast and that the ship was 'cleared for action' condition, I wonder just how cool and calm I'd be to relight the match by flint n' steel as the Dons returned fire. Jas. Hook

Hummmm... If it were puffed out and not doused with water I would think it could be easly relit from another linstock, just as people share a lit cigarette to light another. Jas. Hook

Hell's Thunder! M'lady B., talk about Absinthe and meeting the Green Faerie... that mix will have ye meeting with the Green Leprechaun. Slainte! Jas. Hook

Hell's Thunder! Why ye live in the middle of Blackbeard country. 'Tis 'bout time ye found ye course to the sweet trade. Welcome aboard. Jas. Hook

Hell's Thunder! - Even the spare pews, altar candle sticks and the barrels of sacramental wine are gone! Jas. Hook

Lady Deanna - That was very nice and earplugs weren't necessary at all. Congratulations on your guitar milestone. Keep up the good work! Jas. Hook

Have you been peeking over the fence? Sans potato cannon . . . Pew - No peekie over fence. A fine craft she be, a bit short in deck space but would be fine for a cutting-out raid. I'm sure some potato swivel-guns could be mounted in the upper rigging. Jas. Hook

Lady Ashley - A Very Merry & Happy Birthday to you! All the best. Your Humble Servant M'lady Jas. Hook

Stiring my coffee watching the snow falling outside the window... this vision comes to me of a black 4x4 pickup cresting through the snow drifts, flying the jolly roger, the bed bristling with potato cannons, the crew firing snowballs at Mr. Hands fortification... Gawd, too much sugar in the coffee. Jas. Hook Master Daydreamer

Here is a small knitter I came across... Has anyone used her products???? Leslie Carroll's Original Knits http://lcoknits.com/ Jas. Hook

Silkie - Not good... "Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day appeared at Gobbler's Knob as Phil sported a wet runny nose. However, Punxsutawney Phil appeared to be quite comfortable as anticipation grew amongst the crowd. Today's Groundhog Day can be compared to Bill Murray's famous words in the movie Groundhog Day. "Winter slumbering in the open air wears on it's smiling face a dream of spring. Ciao." Punxsutawney Phil was gently lifted in front of the massive crowd with breaking news. "Six more weeks of winter!" Raleigh Headlines Examiner However a number of other critters have predicted an early Spring. Jas. Hook

Now that the trailer is back. First - I'd get a hitch lock or some type of wheel lock for the unit. Second - I'd paint the roof top as one big jolly roger identifiable from the air. Jas. Hook

Callenish, ye tongue doth hang out like a limp sail. I'll join ye at baying at the Moon. Jas. Hook

Lady B. - (With a sweep and bow) M'lady, I find that you, swathed in anything less than silk to be an affront to nature. Your servant Jas. Hook Both pairs were purchased from faireware designer in Nevada who has quality designs but the otk socks are lacking.

My attempt at purchasing stockings has been less than successful and fit is marginal. Who makes a better than average stockings that come above the knee? Ones that will be satisfactory with breeches as well as with longer slops, wool, silk or whatever. Jas. Hook

Th' only way he could make 'em any heavier is if he added some lead in th' tankard with th' rum.... Aargh... 'nother Rum an' Rum...... . :::Waves hand::: By all means, add the lead then. ~Lady B Plook, plook, plook, plook, plook... can't ye just hear the sound o' musket balls being dropped into ye mug o' rum. Jas. Hook

What a fortuitous outcome... Huzzah! Still hoping that the contents are intact. Jas. Hook

Perhaps only the towne folk rigged out as such. Like the ones that off-load over taxed british goods into the harbor. Oops, I said the t-t-t-t-t-t... t-word again. Jas. Hook

It's time. Your servant M'lady Jas. Hook

Ahoy Jamaica Rose! Beside the physical specs listed was the trailer marked or lettered in any way that would make it conspicuous now or after a repaint.... raised lettering, roof rack, vents, etc.?????? I can only guess at the monitary value of the trailer and its contents let alone the time to construct these pieces of gear. If PRP is in need of some coin or two, perhaps an auction, donation or raffle could be setup on site to help these folks reestablish themselves, please give a hail down to the deck. Your servant M'lady Jas. Hook