Ah, the wonders of modern digitization projects. Here's a beauty from 1794 that could be an interesting "read" for those confined to the house by winter ice-up or other unfortunate circumstances that prevent water-based activities. My professional duty for the week takes me to a conference entirely dedicated to Open Repositories on the Web. You can expect more and more of this kind of information to be available to all comers, and not just from Google. The entire book (more or less per introductory note) is actually online. What impresses me, besides just being a rare old nautical book, is that it is massive - over 400 pages with loads of sketches. Happened upon it looking up "cut and run".... Here's the introductory paragraph to the online product: The Elements and Practice of Rigging And Seamanship, 1794, is a comprehensive English textbook of rigging, seamanship and naval tactics. A key reference for those interested in the age of Nelson. Although at times difficult because of its fine detail, it will reward those that search through it to understand the technology of the era. It is at: http://hnsa.org/doc/steel/index.htm If your reading includes those marvelous books by Patrick O'Brian (chief protagonists Maturin and Aubrey) this would be good background. Well, heck, it's good background for a number of reasons. Enjoy... Natalie Wiest Librarian, sea kayaker, canoeist Texas Maritime College, Texas A&M University at Galveston *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Natalie Wiest wrote: > The Elements and Practice of Rigging And Seamanship, 1794, is a > comprehensive English textbook of rigging, seamanship and naval tactics. > A key reference for those interested in the age of Nelson. Although at > times difficult because of its fine detail, it will reward those that > search through it to understand the technology of the era. Thanks for the link, Natalie! For those who prefer hardcopies, Lee Valley publishes reprints of several similar books (e.g. A Young Officer's Sheet Anchor* - A key to leading, rigging and practical seamanship", 1808) at very reasonable prices. Check their web site. I for one am really glad that these sorts of books in all manner of technology, arts, fiction and non-fiction are being made available. It shows just how sophisticated our ancestors really were. I don't know about your early education, but when I was in grade school, we were taught essentially that people in the old days were dumb and we modern folks were smart. Since then, I've learned that quite the opposite is true. Recent archaeological evidence confirms that people thousands of years ago were essentially as smart as us; they just knew different things. I only wish that electronic paper was more developed. That's a technology where an electronically changeable "dye" on a sheet of plastic allows a page to display info dynamically and in a manner similar to paper. The image is seen in reflected light. I find backlit screens hard to read for very long and the thought of a computer that can roll up like a scroll and be read like a book appeals to me. BTW - some of you may have a cell phone with such a tiny screen. The Sony electronic book sold in Japan has this technology already (B&W not colour IIRC) Mike *A sheet anchor is a kind of backup anchor. Hence, the book is the officer's "backup" reference book) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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