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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 9:14 am
Will do! smile
And my first questions are these:
1) how many linear metres of rope are needed to handle her sails? 2) how many metres of canvas make up her sails?
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Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:30 am
JastaElf Will do! smile
And my first questions are these:
1) how many linear metres of rope are needed to handle her sails? 2) how many metres of canvas make up her sails? 1.) That's a tough one. Most parts of the rigging of a ship are used to handle the sails.
This isn't a diagram of Victory, but the parts of the ship and sails apply... http://www.rmhh.co.uk/files/interest/sails.jpg
If you look at all the names there, and look at the rigging at the same time, you'll see that most of the ropes are connected to sails. The ropes that connect in between masts are generally for security. Nearly every rope controls a sail of some kind. On the sails there are two types of lines; clewlines and buntlines. The clewlines are attached to clews (hence the name) on the edges of the sails and require a special kind of knot to secure them called a gasket hitch. Through the holes in the middle of the sails are the buntlines. All of them hang down to the belaying pins on deck, and several crew members are needed to work the lines.
1 miles = 1 609.344 meters 26 miles in metres therefore is 41,842.94 metres. Most of that will be to control Victory's sail handling.
Rigging A total of 26 miles (41.9 km) of cordage which was used to rig the ship. 768 blocks, made from elm or ash, were used for the rigging. (A further 628 used for the guns). Many other blocks were carried for the ground tackle, the ship's boats, storing and spares. 216 deadeyes were also used on the standing rigging.
2.)
Sails Victory could spread a maximum of 37 sails. In addition the ship carried 23 spare sails. Total sail area - 6,510 square yards (5,468.4 square metres).
I don't know in metres, but it shows square metres there.A bit about Nelson I've been reading quite a bit about Nelson recently. Quite a few of his characteristics apply to me, and strangely when looking at a drawing of him from life, I can see a resemblance to my father when he was younger.
I can tell you he was a little accident prone. He was struck in the head next to his right eye, and he lost almost all of his sight out of that eye. Apparently he could see black and white and some colour, but nothing else. Then he got bruised heavily in the stomach, and though he never really mentioned it, he had pain in that area randomly for the rest of his life. Following that, in one battle when he attended a landing party with his step son, he received a shot which shattered his right arm - hence the reason why it was removed. The man was and still is remarkable. I need to find out much more about him and trace my naval history.
Horatio Nelson, born in Burnham Thorpe (Norfolk) on 29th September 1758, died on board HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805.
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Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:08 pm
Wow, that's a lot of great information! Thank you!
I find it very sad that Nelson was only 48 when he died. sad Poor guy... but he died doing what he loved, and was with his men to the end... that means a lot!
More later; I just got home and my brain is fried. smile
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:40 am
JastaElf Wow, that's a lot of great information! Thank you!
I find it very sad that Nelson was only 48 when he died. sad Poor guy... but he died doing what he loved, and was with his men to the end... that means a lot!
More later; I just got home and my brain is fried. smile He was born in 1758, so I believe he was 47 as he died in 1805. September 29th 1758 - October 21st 1805 (at Trafalgar).
My quote in my signature should say something about his death. "In honour I gained them, and in honour I die with them."
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Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:58 pm
Hello? Anyone? Jasta?
I've just been liasing with the Royal Navy. More specifically, I have been speaking with the Chief Petty Officer. I'm now going to be speaking to the curator, and probably the chief tour guide as well about doing volunteer work on the Victory.
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Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:57 pm
I'm here, going through and trying to catch up. smile
I think it's wonderful that this opportunity is opening up for you! I hope it all works out--and I'm dying to hear about your volunteer days. smile It's very exciting!
I've worked as a docent at some historic houses in our area--lots of Colonial era and American Civil War stuff--and we got to wear costumes every so often. If they ask you to make a costume for your work, I know where you can get some very nice reproduction gold lace for the uniform--and it's accurate! *grins*
Though... a national treasure like Victory probably has ready-made really spiff uniforms already on hand... Anyway, keep us posted! I'm very excited for you!
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:33 pm
Yeah, things aren't going great with that at the moment. The curator was rather sour towards me, and the learning development officer has changed her tune to suit him as well.
However, I've spoken to the Chief Petty Officer again, and he said he's going to see if he can get me into the museums at the dockyard. That would mean I'd be down there near Victory at least, and in the Royal Naval Museum, there are relics from Victory, so there's some hope there still. I'll keep you posted on that.
Did you know Nelson was only about 5'5" 1/2 to 5'6"?
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Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:26 am
Hello? Posted that nearly a month ago now. ^
Going to see her again this Wednesday!
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:47 pm
I'm glad you get to see her again! smile
And I recognize your frustration about posting frequency. sad No one has commented on any of the writing I posted... I'm at a loss for how to get people to post.
Did you have any luck with the CPO's idea to get more access?
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:40 am
The CPO met with me and the two friends who came with me, and got us into the crew's private mess for a cup of tea! However, he wasn't able to give us a private tour as he had other things to attend do - it was his time off after all and it was almost too nice of him to come down especially to meet me.
He spoke with the head honcho's PA, and I was asked to ring back the next day. The man in charge himself asked me to send in a CV as they treat volunteers like proper staff down there. He said he'd see what he could do based on that.
I also spoke to the guys at the Royal Naval Museum, and I was given a number and e-mail for the "Friends Co-ordinator" who runs everything to do with the volunteers. Hopefully something will come of that in the future.
A new friend of mine is trying to help me with my connection to Victory. This time, it felt ever stronger althought I found I couldn't connect as well inside as it was guided tours only this time - it generally is over the Winter time. He called it a "past life" but it can be interpreted in different ways. I just need to look into things further to find out. What I feel is so strong that having no connection would be completely wrong and too baffling to not be true.
The section of the Royal Naval Museum that's called the Victory Gallery has a light show, and that almost brought me to tears. They had models of people and cannons, they replicated smells, they had a smoke machine, and when they replicated the cannonfire, I covered my face and tried to fight the tears back. It was actually LIKE I remembered it, or someone's memories have passed to me like I generally believe.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:55 am
Wow! That all sounds wonderful--there may be a real opportunity here for you! Great news!
As for the strong reaction--I've had that happen in similar places for similar reasons. I'll be very interested to hear what further investigation brings up! In the meantime, remember to breathe. smile
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:32 pm
My friend Paul said that on the approach to the ship when we got down there, I was breathing so deeply that it apparently sounded like I was about to hyperventilate. confused
It's like someone has grabbed a hold of my diaphragm and yanked it down when I get strong feelings like that. It's a real soul-tugging sensation. I'm really hoping there IS a significant connection there, because it'd just mean I'm overly obsessive otherwise and that'd make me feel terrible.
Get your backside to England for a few weeks Jasta! C'mon!
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:47 am
smile Working on it! I really think 2008 will be the year in which I next get my butt off this continent and over to the UK--and you can bet Victory is high on my list of places to go, things to see!
As to that reaction... yeah, had similar ones. It can be a little scary, but is kinda cool too.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:33 am
Yeah, it's something called "inherited memory syndrome" so a retired minister I speak to told me yesterday. Definitely worth investigating. I really just don't know how to go about it.
Let me know about coming over to England for a bit. Try and get a tall ships voyage on the agenda too if you can. I'd definitely try to meet up with you.
I'm hoping and praying that I'll be able to get some kind of voluntary work at the historic dockyard.
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:42 pm
I feel the same way about a certain historic house in this area. I know it as well as if I live in it, but of course do not... I find it hard to go there for short visits because it is SO hard to leave. sad
If I can get over there this year, I definitely want to put a tall ships voyage onto the agenda. Will keep looking into it as the year goes on!
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