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Monthly Archives: September 2011
Scurvy and the Google Orange
Today the Google “doodle,” the image that appears above the Google search box, was an orange. Why an orange? If you clicked on the doodle it took you to a search for Albert Szent-Györgyi, the Hungarian physiologist who is credited with discovering … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea
Tagged Albert Szent-Györgyi, Google, James Lind, Limeys, scurvy, Vitamin C
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“Pirate” Battle on the Delaware with the A.J. Meerwald, the Kalmar Nyckel and the Gazella
Frankly, the A.J. Meerwald , the Kalmar Nyckel, and the Gazela deserve far better. The A.J. Meerwald, the “Official Tall Ship of the state of New Jersey,” is a 1928 built Delaware Bay oyster schooner. The Kalmar Nyckel , the Delaware’s “Official Tall Ship,” … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged A.J. Meerwald, Kalmar Nyckel, pirate battle sails
2 Comments
Blue Whale Serenade
Remarkable footage of blue whales from MSNBC. Thanks to Thomas Armstrong for pointing it out on Facebook. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Fire on Norwegian Cruise Ship, MS Nordlys, Kills Two and Injures Nine
A fast burning fire in the engine room of the Norwegian cruise ship, MS Nordlys, killed two crew members and injured nine others. The more than 200 passengers aboard the ship were safely evacuated to the town of Aalesund, 230 miles (375 kilometers) northwest of … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged engine room, fire, Hurtigruten', MS Nordlys
2 Comments
Sink the Ark Royal ?
There have been a book, two movies and one pop song entitled, “Sink the Bismark.” That is what came to mind when I heard that the Torbay Council’s Harbour Committee is recommending that they sink the Ark Royal. The … Continue reading
Not Your Father’s America’s Cup – Plymouth Capsize Club
The old days before Facebook or even the internet, the America’s Cup races were sailed on stately 12 meters in the light air of summer off Newport, Rhode Island. The most exciting thing I ever saw a twelve meter do … Continue reading
Mariners’ Response to 9/11 – Carolina Salguero & Jessica DuLong Speaking Aboard the Lilac
If you are in the vicinity tomorrow evening be sure to stop by the historic buoy tender LILAC at the Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 at North Moore Street, Tribeca, Manhattan, where Carolina Salguero & Jessica DuLong will speak on the Mariners’ Response … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Carolina Salguero, Jessica DuLong, John J. Harvey, Lilac, Mariners' Response to 9/11
1 Comment
Pirates Strike Ashore ? British Tourist David Tebbutt Killed and Wife Judith Kidnapped from Kenyan Resort
British tourists, David and Judith Tebbutt, arrived at Kiwayu Safari Village, an exclusive Kenyan resort, at 4PM, Saturday. Between midnight and 4AM, a gang of armed men arrived by speedboat and stormed their beachfront villa. David Tebbutt, 58, was killed and his wife … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
Tagged David and Judith Tebbutt, Kenya, Kenyan resort, kidnapping, Kiwayu Safari Village, murder
2 Comments
Air Swimmers
Have you ever wanted to live in an aquarium? I have friends who have been flooded recently, who may feel that they do and I strongly suspect that they do not recommend it. Here is an alternative which looks a lot … Continue reading
An American Dunkirk – Evacuating Manhattan on 9/11
Ten years ago today, amidst the smoke, flames, and debris from the collapsed World Trade Center towers, an armada of tugs, ferries, launches and virtually every other craft available in New York harbor steamed toward the docks and seawalls of … Continue reading
Keith Tantlinger – Father of the Container
If Malcom McLean was the father of containerization, then Keith Tantlinger, who died recently at the age of 92, was the father of the shipping container. Tantlinger’s container designs spurred the containerization revolution that forever changed both shipping and world trade. The idea of “containerizing” … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea
Tagged containerization, corner casting, Keith Tantlinger, Malcom McLean, shipping container, twist lock
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An 80′ Mast, a 65′ Bridge and Boat Balls
What does it take to get a sailboat with an 80′ tall mast beneath a bridge with a 65′ vertical clearance? It takes balls. Boat balls, which is to say, two heavy bags each filled with a ton of water, … Continue reading
