KNOTS AND NOTS
We go to a small Italian restaurant where they serve some of the best garlic knots. I guess it is simply pizza dough baked up and served with melted butter and or red gravey. Here's to you my cardiologist! Out of this world-----but that is NOT what I want to talk about today.
The KNOTS on a sailing vessel are simply amazing. While visiting the Nina (that's with a ~ over the second n), pronounced Ninya and Pinta (no ~), I came accross the photos in todays blog.
This pulley shows some incredible work, just to attach the rope. I know that today we make these ropes by machine, but back in the day they were all put together by hand or some antique twisting machine. NOT an easy chore. The blocks had to be cut and carved by hand, and of course closing off the ends of the rope with smaller line was an art in itself. Today they use a tape to do that or just melt the nylon of which the rope is constructed.
Just keeping the rope from underfoot when under way would have to be a very desciplined chore. The decks on the old boast were not flat, but rising in the bow and stern. Ladders or steps are needed to get the "Poop" deck in the stern of the boat. They were also not that wide and with water sloshing accross decks would cause very slippery conditions.
At approximately 85 feet in length, I can just imagine what the
life on board must have been, back when Columbus captained these things. And a storm at sea must have been a real treat. They have rounded bottoms with not much keel, so slipping off course and rolling must have been real easy. The thought gives real understanding of the term "Sea Legs".
They were asking for volunteers to sail with the two ships from Georgetown north to Philladelphia,
a week long experience. I must say that briefly I considered making the trip. But we were three hours away from my vault of medication and clean underwear. The latter being very important during a week long sail with limited facilities. Ten years ago, I would have done it in a minute and what an adventure it would be. Alas, no guts so no glory and I passed.
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