How an 18th century battleship works

Tom Dunlap · Mar 12, 2023

There are direct connections between the Age of Sail and Arborculture

Rigging ships is so like rigging trees. Small sails=small ropes

Has anyone else had the opportunity to tour HMS Victory? When I did the tour we finished up and the docent talked about Nelson being shot. He said, Nelson was standing there when he was shot, and pointed at me. I looked down at the deck and saw an inset brass plaque marking the spot! I stepped aside.

pete3d · Mar 12, 2023

Absolutely fascinating - thanks again Tom.

surveyor · Mar 12, 2023

Amazing complexity. the vastly superior Spanish armada was defeated in part when the English sent many ships set ablaze windward of the closely anchored Spanish warships, who were forced to cut anchor and run before the wind, many blown onto the rocks or forced to traverse completely around England with insufficient supplies.

SeanRuel · Mar 12, 2023

Not HMS Victory, but here is me on the main top of the Virginia- the main mast is a white pine log, 48' stepped in the keel. 40' off the water and rocking around, very odd feeling. It's like being on a rotten spar that keeps lifting its roots- my tree climber brain was on super high alert!