True beauty

You may have noticed in a comment thread down below, that poor old 'AussieD' is attempting to educate me, a born and bred landlubber, in the arcane intricacies of exactly how sailing ships work.  What can one say, except possibly, good luck with that one, 'AussieD'!

It is already clear that the first problem is language.  I have noticed before, in fact all the way back to when, as a nipper, I read "Hornblower" books as fast as I could get them, that matelots have a peculiar language all their own - even when they're not cursing and swearing! 

'AussieD' kindly sent me this picture of a sailing boat which, in my opinion, is a truly beautiful object.  It's a pity about that damned rebel flag hanging off the back but even so, it is a magnificent vessel.  Apparently, it is called HMS Bounty II so again I wonder about that flag but, hey, those uppity colonials are a sneaky lot, so I shouldn't be surprised!

It is just as well that my lessons in seafaring are being conducted via the internet because were they to be real-life I would have a problem because, as I may have mentioned before, I don't trust boats/ships.  It doesn't matter how 'yuuuuuuuuuge' they are, there is always, but always, far more sea than there is ship!  Need I say more?

 

 

Comments

[Cuffleyburgers]

Duffers, apart from the flag a truly beautiful photo.

Have you ever read any of the Commander Aubry novels by Patrick O'Brien? They are completely wonderful; fine novels and with such utter command of the nautical boat speak, you'll feel like a seasoned matelot after 100 pages.

[David Duff]

'Shiver me timbers', Cuffers, I had forgotten those terrific books which I started to read one after the other but then broke off in another direction for some reason and now I can't quite remember where I stopped. And, yes, I do remember all that non-stop nautical argot which made me feel really qualified even though I didn't understand a word of it! Thanks for the reminder!

[Hank]

David

Staying ashore is a good thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_(1960_ship)

Reading Hornblower was all the seamanship I need.