Monday 1/3/2011 Nautical trivia & Question of the Week
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:09 am
Captain Scott does a great job giving us safety tips. I'll present a different perspective and use what my wife calls my "treasure trove of useless trivia" to bring some nautical history to the site.
Following the revolutionary war the newly founded nation had a navy, but with no mandatory retirement we had personnel in their 80's still on active duty. The result was that there were no promotions to be had. The current naval vessels were commanded by two ranks of officers, commanders (those were were seen fit by congress to command a naval war vessel) or captains (those who could command a fleet). As ships were slowly added to the fleet, junior officers were sought to command them. Since there was no budget or slot available to promote them they were given command of the ship with the title of Leiutenant, commanding. Out of this comes the rank only held within the sea going branches - Leiutenant Commander. This rank continues to be the breaking turning point for officers. Junior officers who are not promoted to this rank, are not retained on active duty service while those who are able to achieve this rank are then considered career officers.
Question of the week:
A barber hauler is a:
a) Barge or platform, usually located next to the Admiral's Barge, where dignitaries and special invited guests could view sailboat races. It was so named because the people invited wore their finest styles and clothing.
b) A line with an eye on one end, through which the jib sheet runs, which is used to haul the jib sheet inboard to help shape the sail.
c) A line over the stern of the vessel, attached to the rudder so that the rudder can be hauled up to create less drag when sailing with the wind. This would be similar to our line coming up through the tiller.
d) A sturdy cleat affixed to the aft gun'l to which the line is affixed to tow a dingy for ship to shore transport (i.e. to get ashore after an extended voyage to see a "real" barber).
Have a great first week of 2011!
Following the revolutionary war the newly founded nation had a navy, but with no mandatory retirement we had personnel in their 80's still on active duty. The result was that there were no promotions to be had. The current naval vessels were commanded by two ranks of officers, commanders (those were were seen fit by congress to command a naval war vessel) or captains (those who could command a fleet). As ships were slowly added to the fleet, junior officers were sought to command them. Since there was no budget or slot available to promote them they were given command of the ship with the title of Leiutenant, commanding. Out of this comes the rank only held within the sea going branches - Leiutenant Commander. This rank continues to be the breaking turning point for officers. Junior officers who are not promoted to this rank, are not retained on active duty service while those who are able to achieve this rank are then considered career officers.
Question of the week:
A barber hauler is a:
a) Barge or platform, usually located next to the Admiral's Barge, where dignitaries and special invited guests could view sailboat races. It was so named because the people invited wore their finest styles and clothing.
b) A line with an eye on one end, through which the jib sheet runs, which is used to haul the jib sheet inboard to help shape the sail.
c) A line over the stern of the vessel, attached to the rudder so that the rudder can be hauled up to create less drag when sailing with the wind. This would be similar to our line coming up through the tiller.
d) A sturdy cleat affixed to the aft gun'l to which the line is affixed to tow a dingy for ship to shore transport (i.e. to get ashore after an extended voyage to see a "real" barber).
Have a great first week of 2011!