Coastie04

On an even keel, the gunports would not be straight up and down, but at a slight angle (see picture below of Peter Pett in front of the Sovereign of the Seas, circa 1645-1650). However, on the lee side when the ship is heeled like this, they'd probably be straight, or more likely, at an inverse angle. However, that's where those rings mentioned earlier on the inside of the gunport could be lashed to keep them shut.

Coastie

An interesting painting I ran across recently that depicts some men-o-war becalmed, and a small boat fishing in the foreground. The scene was painted by Peter Monamy in 1728.

Coastie

OK, doing some more research and found this painting of the resolution, circa 1678 in a gale. There is what appears to be a seal, face, or some other decorative carving on the inside of the open gunports. I've seen this before on some of the older vessel styles. Also, what seems like common sense, the lower gunports are closed, while the upper ones are open for ventilation. Unfortunately (or fortunately, for us researchers) the sailors of the Wasa failed to follow this convention.

Coastie

Well, from this picture, it definitely

looks like it could be leather above the lower gun ports, but I don't think that it is. First off, the port cover tackle goes through a hole in it, and it wouldn't really work to try pulling the upper gun port up if the tackle was supported by leather alone. Also, this picture of the Constitution from the inside doesn't show anything above the gunport.

Additionally, the stern chaser ports clearly don't have anything above them (especially look at the center one with fancy blocking above it).

Also, this blurry image clearly at least shows that the hole where the port cover tackle coming through a solid wooden plank.

However, I'm in Alaska, and it's been a few years since I've seen the ship in person, so someone closer might be able to take a good look to confirm or deny the configuration?

Coastie

OK, I found a picture of the two-part port covers that I mentioned earlier. I can't believe that I forgot that they were used on the USS Constitution! Although it's not the side 'shutter' style that I mentioned (will still have to look for that one), it is a two part cover, with a hole for the muzzle of the cannon. I can't really see these ever being completely water tight, but they'd keep most of the water out, and pumping occasionally would do the rest.

As far as the angle of the port, most vessels tended to get narrower as they go up, with the widest part of the beam being just above the waterline. However, I have seen some that are different, and where the gunports are cut where the ship is vertical, or where the vessel is still getting wider, and thus on the 'underside' of the hull, especially some of the forward gun ports, or the stern chasers.

U.S. Brig Niagara

Coastie

Continental Sloop Providence

OK, I found a great bit about securing cannons. Although it doesn't give specifics about the gun port, I figured it was apropriate here.

http://books.google.com/books?id=g7Jd_o6_s...num=1&ct=result

By the way, I have this book and strongly recommend it to anyone interested in the workings of a traditional ship, whether GAoP, or the late 19th Century/early 20th Century pinnacle of sail.

Coastie

The rings were for tying the covers shut, not using a bar. The cannons were generally lashed down to the deck, though I have also sen some of the muzzle ends tied to the overhead as well. In some vessels, while secured for sea, the cannons were lashed along the length of the vessel's side and pointed fore/aft along the ship instead of out of the gunport. Although this made getting ready for battle a little harder, ships rarely actually fought and the spare space that this configuration provided was thought to be better than being ready for immediate action. Also, the ships would usually have plenty of time after sighting each other to get ready for action. I don't have time to find a picture of this alternative way of securing the cannons, but I'll try searching in a day or two.

Coastie

Essentially, gunports had covers with hinges on top, and generally a line on the outside that could be pulled from within the ship to open them. While closed, they could be lashed and even sealed with some sort of grease from the inside. This would make it a little harder to open, but one of the gun's tools could be used to dislodge it if action was imminent. Upper gunports didn't always have covers, as they were on the weather deck and didn't need to keep anything out. In fact, it was generally good to allow the weather deck gunports to be used as freeing ports, allowing water to flow easier and quicker off the deck.

These pictures of the HMS Victory's gunports shows the tackle above the gun that was used to open the port. Gravity generally closed it, and any lashing or waterproofing could be completed from the inside.

I couldn't post these from flickr, but they proved some good detail of the gunports.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/257624...6cc1d5d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/257624...0208f0a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/257624...01d2f7a.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/257541...bc6ca87.jpg?v=0

Note the lack of gunport covers on the weather deck gun. Somewhere, I have also seen gunports that opened to either side, much like shutters for a window, but I can't seem to find any pictures at this time.

Coastie

In looking further, I found the following similar flag and description.

Also of interest is the large flag flown by the Turkish Admiral Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, with various symbols reflecting his tolerance towards diverse races and religions on the sea. The flag carries the "Fetih" Chapter from the Koran, below it inside crescents are the names of the four Caliphs, at the middle the Christian symbol of the Trinity, at its left the divine hand of God, and at the lower center the Jewish Star of David. This symbolism is a reflection of the Ottoman admiral's acceptance of sheltering the three prime religions of the 16th-century Mediterranean.

Coastie

From the Turkish Naval Museum webpage:

Used by Barbaros Hayrettin when he was Commander-in-Chief (1534-1546) of the Ottoman Navy, the naturally patterned green fabric of the silk flag is embellished and appliquéd in white silk. The decorations consists of the "Fetih" Chapter from the Koran, the names of the four Caliphs of Islam, the Christian symbol of the Trinity, the divine hand of God, and the Jewish Star of David. Dimensions : 287x200 cm

There are also many other great things to explore on that website, including clothing, a 17th Century galley, weapons, and more. I had quite an interesting time going through it.

And now for some teasers...

Terracotta and glass hand grenades

Pasha Çıplağı" Outfit, 18th-19th Centuries

17th Century smoothbore naval gun

Coastie

Came across this while searching ebay after the navigational kit got my interest up. It looks to be from the same seller, but much more affordable. Mission, I thought you might be interested in delving into dentistry a bit as well.

Tooth Extractor

Coastie

Oooh, drooling on the keyboard. And, my wife allowed me to bid on it!!! Unfortunately, I was outbid right away, and can't really afford it, but it was fun to bid at least. Someone will be very lucky when they win!!!

Coastie

From what I read, it seems as if they're not doing much more than documenting it with the video that they took. If it's in that good of shape, there's bound to be artifacts galore! Just imagine the treasure trove they could find if they did a bit more exploration of the wreck!

Coastie :angry:

Well, though not GAoP, the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1918 sure influenced history. It's possible that it even killed more people than the Black Death (according to some estimates). Between 2.5%-5% of the world population died due to the virus, and it affected 20% of the population to some extent. The unusual part is that it effected healthy people in the prime of their lives more than the elderly and extremely young. Definitely a history changer.

Coastie

Avocado, Jalepeno, Chicken and Lime soup, with some rustic artisan bread (homemade, of course). If I don't get bogged down with other housework, possibly some Creme Brule as well, though there's still some vanilla cheesecake in the fridge.

Coastie

My favorite Irish pub out in CT is the Harp and the Hound. Up here in AK, we've got the Red Dog Saloon, the Island Pub, the Lucky Lady, Seiner's (and a host of others, of course). I also like the Reef Marker, Gull's Landing, and the Low Tide Tavern.

Finally, since I'm surprised nobody mentioned it earler, why not the Pyracy Pub?

Coastie

I've been aboard her back in CT. She's a pretty boat, and they hide the fact that she's actually fiberglass very well with a wooden topside. As far as history, that type of vessel was a very common coastal trader/fishing style of boat. So, many pirates used it not only because of the shallow draft and sailing ability, but also because they were common and thus easy to obtain. It would be much like committing piracy today from a non-descript cabin cruiser, fishing vessel, or tug boat. It would be easy to blend in to normal shipping, and doesn't raise an alarm on a another similar boat that you intend to board.

Coastie

Cheeky, best of luck with finding a new job. Hopefully right before they really need your experience for some big project, and you can dump it on the little brat as you walk out for a higher paying job at a nicer place. At least I'll hope for that.

Coastie

(15) Any plastic toy handgrenade, or any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade that is a relic, curio, memorabilia, or display item, that is filled with a permanent inert substance or that is otherwise permanently altered in a manner that prevents ready modification for use as a grenade .

Not to split hairs, but this part seems to allow this replica without the hole drilled in the bottom, as long as it's filled with a permanent inert substance (I can think of many ways of doing this easily, such as putty, plaster, lead, etc.). However, then from the outside, at least, it would look just like an original.

Coastie

Here's to the ships with sails, and the masts that connect the two!

Coastie

As for the beer, try Alaskan Winter Ale (you probably need to wait until next year's vintage). It's made with spruce tips, a recipe that has its origins as far back as the 1700s in Southeast Alaska. So, if you're able to get your hands on a bottle (or case) of that, you'll be able to quench that curiosity. I'm going to try adding some to one of my batches of beer this summer.

Also, it's the new growth 'tips' that add the best flavor.

Coastie

Today, especially for schooners, Sitka Spruce is highly prized for masts. I've got a couple dozen in my back yard, and they extend up the mountain as well. Now, if I only had a 80-120 foot boat, I'd be set!

Also, the needles can make a tasty tea.

Coastie

I've been onboard (at the dock), and seen her underway many times when I was at the Coast Guard Academy. Even raced against her, though in a different class. She's pretty, and fairly fast, but takes too long to tack and is of an older design that makes it almost impossible to compete. However, the sailing should be a blast.

Coastie

8/10

Although, I would dispute one of the answers (that I got right), as it could be misleading. Without giving the answer completely away, seeing rats could be considered good or bad luck, depending on the context.

Coastie

Pass the cheese and bread...

Well, a couple of weeks ago, a large avalanche took out 1.5 miles of power transmission line from our hydro electric dam. They're just starting to fix it, and say it won't be fixed for about 3 months. Since the town is now on diesel generators, and we have to pay for the fuel to be barged up here, electricity prices have skyrocketed nearly 450%!!! So, that nice little $70 electricity bill (relatively) will now be over $300. And, as if that's not bad enough, the price increases went into effect May 1st, and cover ALL of April, not just after the avalanche. So, we'll have to pay the higher price for all the electricity we consumed before we were conserving (and in some cases, almost going back to the 18th Century-I live in a rain forest, and there really are people resorting to clothes lines because they can't afford to run the dryer). To top it off, our governor refuses to call it a disaster so we could get some federal and state funding to ease the price of the diesel, as every other town in the state relying solely on generators get. Of course, this is while she's living away from the state capitol and able to use her curling irons without worrying about the cost.

Also, as with everyone, gas prices nearing $4/gallon. With my 80 mile daily commute for work (and in a small town with no roads out of it!), it's eating up my pocket book.

Along with the higher gas prices, hop prices, barley prices, and other essential grocery prices have been heading upwards. More so here than elsewhere (from the people I've talked to) because everything is either barged or flown in. And, on a similar note, hunting season is far away and I saw 5 deer on my way to work. That would help ease the cost of eating. Well, I guess I couldn't afford to cook them with my electric stove/oven anyway. Luckily, I have a BBQ. Oh wait, it's gas. Even propane has been going up with gasoline.

To top it off, the tourists have descended again. From now until the end of summer, there'll be people who stop driving rationally to 'look at the mountains', pedestrians stopping and squating down in the middle of a busy street to take a picture, and people wearing garbage bags as rain coats (hint, do some research before heading out on that cruise. Southeast Alaska is a rainforest; they only show you pictures of the 10 sunny days all year on the pamphlet - bring a jacket).

...Hell with the cheese and bread, just pass the bottle!

Coastie