Capn Bob

Link's gone bai-bai

Usually, when I read these..."hardware" discussions, I only feel envy, being but a poor librarian dryside as I am. But not this time, nee-hee! Cuz, I, Mad Capn Bob...I got one of these! Only complaint about it is it's not an actual "turn-off" pistol...in nother words, the barrel doesn't unscrew, where you can place yer load directly in the breech, screw yer barrel down good and proper, prime yer piece, and yer ready for mayhem. Ye gots to improvise some sort of ramrod, so ye do. Oh yeah...the cock has a heavy pull, too...must be a strong mainspring in there. But that said, its a pretty little thing, isn't it? Okay, mine would be slightly better looking if I applied a bit of Brasso to the brass, but still...it's me prime piece. Being in Akron OH, I haven't used it for half of forever...got it thru Dixie Gun Works, quite a few years ago (back when I was younger and foolisher, and couldn't really afford to waste me money on something like that...but I did anyway), so I got it for less than what its going for now (good thing, too)

Last week Cleveland OH played host to the Tall Ships Festival. Cleveland is also host to the USS Cod Submarine Memorial. An old college friend of mine volunteers at the Cod, and the submarine saluted the ships as they came in. Scott informs me they used a blend of welding gas and oxygen in the sub's 5 inch desk gun, instead of shells. (Tthat gun's about 60 years old, and *I* wouldn't trust it with shells, blank or live...and I'm not entirely sure I'd trust Scott with any sort of ammo). I've requested permission and received it to post this Youtube clip for all of us to enjoy...

There's an article on this, and other nautical news, on the Archeology news website: Archaeology News

The trouble with Disintegrating Ray Guns is that they just fall to pieces...

Continueing with my current Greek theme...since I'm playing HPS Sims "Greek Wars" (playing Battle of Ephesus right now, and *winning*!), I'm reading "The Athenian Trireme" and... "Land Battles in 5th Century BC Greece"...it's practically a guidebook on how to fight your armies in the hoplite manner...and why the hoplites of Greece sliced and diced the Persian armies...(one word...Othismos!)

Dearie me...Treasure Island is a treasure indeed...but it's been years since I've read it...have to pick up me own copy sometime and read it again...

Nature is preparing us to live in the tropics! We should all move there now! We don't want to disappoint nature, do we? A little note off this topic...last night, my sister's house got skunked.

Right now, in Cuyahoga Falls OH, it is 89.8 degrees. My car has no working a/c (evaporator leak, $800 to repair...and since the car is about 10 years old, I'm saving the repair expense for an eventual new car), so I've been using a wet dishtowel on the back of me neck to keep "cool". When we lived in Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio TX) in 1965, the buildings on base had salt pill dispensers by the water fountains. Now that be *hot*.

Since I been reading way too much Classical Greek warfare history, including naval battles, I've been taken with a notion to build a...wait for it...a trireme. There actually is one afloat, commissioned by the Greek Navy, called the Olympias...be a neat thing to go cruising around it, if I could find a crew to man...err...person the oars. Anyone feel like a bit of exercise?

I dunno...I expected rather more 18th century or W-Burg specific words...but still, Huzzah!

Oh yes, the Pirates of Nassau Museum is high on my list. #1, actually. I also want to stop into their library, since I work in one, and I've heard theirs is in a late 18th century gaol. also planning on looking for some banana ketchup...

I *will* be going to Nassau in October (assuming the Gods have no other plans for me...), but I'm also planning on avoiding the Straw Market. No good with the haggling, me...

Well, with the collective body of knowledge on this board, we're all fonts of information...

I be at woik right now, but when I get home, donuts it'll be...dunked in rum, perchance? Saturday, I be cookin'...gyro sandwiches and warm Greek rice salad...yes, I celebrate my Greek heritage...which is difficult, seein' as how I ain't got none!