Cool Stuff I Found: Video of the USS Constellation Setting Sail

This is pretty cool.  It's a video of the US Navy performing a drill to set sails on the USS Constellation (build in 1864).  The video is from 1900.  Note the guys climbing up the ratlines to do their work.

This vessel is not to be confused with the heavy frigate USS Constitution, which is much older and larger (and famous).

You can visit the USS Constellation in Baltimore, she's a lovely vessel, and a joy to tour.  Find out more about her and about visiting the Constellation here: http://www.historicships.org/constellation.html

What You're Calling a Crow's Nest Propbably Isn't One

Ah, the Victory!  Her beauty and power is perhaps matchless.  One can only imagine the salty old sea dogs of her day setting sail, running back and forth, climbing up and watching from the crow's nest.

The thing is, the Victory doesn't have a crow's nest.  In fact, many square rigged vessels (anything most people would call a  "pirate ship")- especially Navel vessels- didn't. 

What we see on the Victory- what many of us would call a crow's nest- is in fact called  a Top, or Fighting Top. 

                                                 Hi.  I'm called a top.  Don't call me a crow's nest, or I'll tell my dad!
Its purpose is to provide a platform for the crew, and to give the Marines (or whoever) an elevated position from which they could pick off enemies- or even throw grenades, etc. 

Tops are also- and this is important- designed to spread the rigging of the ship so that the shrouds (the ropes that hold the mast from going sideways...the vertical part of the ladder-looking things) could better hold the masts upright- to stop the mast from falling to either side.

 

                                  Hi, it's me, Top, again.  Without me, your topmast might fall over.   You're welcome.


A crow's nest, on the other hand, doesn't typically do either of those things (there are probably exceptions, and I am a fallible source of anything but broad information).   No, a crow's nest is made for observation.  And pretty much just observation.

                                                                                 Pictured: an actual crow's nest.  At the very top of the mast.

This picture above is a crow's nest.  It's about at the top of the mast, and it's like a basket (some looked like barrels).  It's not wide enough to really help much with the mast, it's not a great place to shoot guns.  It's basically just the highest point on the ship, and it's got that nice little basket to make it safe.  It's a great place to look over the horizon and see what's coming.

There are probably other kinds of crow's nests, but on the whole, but that is typically the difference.  My apologies for the title if you already knew the difference- many do.  But a lot of people don't.

And if you didn't know, now you do!

The Purpose of this Blog/ Note to Readers

I am no seaman, but I have a great amount of enthusiasm for ships, boats, sailing, and seamanship- as well as the history of those subjects- particularly of Nelson's Navy.  I've spent plenty of time on boats, read all of the Aubrey-Maturin series, and a few Horatio Hornblower books here and there...but I am no seaman.  Nor am I a historian.

But, I'm doing my best to remedy these shortcomings, and I want you to come with me.

I've taken a sailing class, I'm reading A Young Officer's Sheet Anchor, and I'm scheduled to volunteer as a crew trainee on the Kalmar Nyckel (www.kalmarnyckel.org) later this year.  It is my intention to document my experiences, and make note information that cleared up any questions or uncertainties I may have had before I started expanding my horizons (literally, in this case). 

It is my hope that the information I glean from my experiences will be helpful to others who are where I am now: landlocked, with no more information than the internet and some movies and TV shows (and fictional books) can supply.

And for those of you who are already seamen, welcome!  Maybe you will enjoy revisiting some experiences you might share from when you first struck out to become a sailor.  Or maybe you can help answer some questions landsmen like myself might have!

A note to all readers: I am a beginner in seamanship and sailing, and therefore my information is not to be entirely relied upon.  If you think something is wrong, please let me know.  When reading this blog, please keep in mind that this is a record of my perceptions as I grow as a sailor, and as such is subject to my own misunderstandings or misconceptions.  I check most of my info, but some of it might not be right- so take it with a grain of salt! (no pun intended, I'm so sorry you guys)

Welcome all, really.  I'm excited to grow and learn as a sailor.  Maybe I'll help someone else along the way!

TL; DR: I'm a beginner and am not a super-reliable source of information.  I'm hoping that other people who are new to sailing can maybe find a place they can at least relate to.  And that the information here can at least clarify some issues or questions, even if it's not the whole answer.

Besides, it will be fun to look back and see how much stuff I got wrong!