Whatever

Speaking of songs I started writing one at the beach this weekend. Thought about this song and started changing lyrics.

https://youtu.be/0r7Pbb4ndvI


Mine goes....

I've got a little sand in my crack
To my ding-a-ling-a-ling
Watch out for them jellyfish
They'll give you a sting



That's all I got so far

 

Years down the road, we'll all be able to look back and say, "I knew him back then..."

 

Clever Design Choice #2: Firepower

Okay, so "Old Ironsides" could not be caught by any enemy ship of the line...
... she could also carry more and heavier guns than any other frigates in the world.
We're not done yet.

There's one little problem with having a narrow(ish), fast ship.
"Beamier" ships are more maneuverable.
What happens if your "inferior" opponent can so position himself that your broadside guns cannot bear on him?
What if he can maintain a position at your bow or stern where he can "Rake" you with fire while you cannot respond?
Then he has a fair chance of beating you.
"Raking" fire, i.e. firing down the length of your opponent's ship, is particularly destructive.

Enter the "Carronade".
This was actually a British invention, but it was a key component of Constitution's firepower.
On the upper decks of the Constitution, instead of small(er) caliber guns, were a number of "Carronades".
(The heaviest long barreled cannon were carried one deck below.)

A "Carronade" is a short barreled, very large caliber gun.
Because it is short barreled, it is far lighter than a cannon of like caliber.
Therefore, it can be carried on the upper deck, where the full length heavy cannon would unbalance the ship.
They also were mounted on a special carriage giving a much wider angle of fire.
The range is short due to the short barrel.
But at close range, it is a real ship killer.

The idea was to bore right in on your opponent and let loose at close range as you pass him by.
Then haul off to observe the result
Remember that heavy White Oak planking... he will hurt you at close range, but you'll hurt him a lot more.
By no means would you engage in a turning contest with the enemy ship.
If the enemy refuses to strike his colors, you bear down on him to give him another.
When his rigging is damaged sufficiently to cripple his maneuverability, close in to board him.
At this point, your "Carronade" could be loaded with a keg of musket balls to clear the enemy's decks.

Now, this choice of armament is completely unsuitable for a long range engagement with a peer opponent or Ship of the Line.
The enemy will try to keep his distance and batter you with his longer range guns.
But again, there were no peer opponents and Ships of the Line had no hope of catching her.

 

QFT ... well played Dean

 

Jesus, I spent over an hour trying to find a 10mm flare wrench! Stopped by the local Napa first, yanno support your local town. I will not be back in that one, rude as fuck. Went East to an Advanced, nope, nadda. Finally found one at Autozone. Also needed to pick up a set of 6 ton jack stands. Holy fuck those went up on price!

Fun fact, Duralast jack stands are made by Torin, just painted blue.

 

Dey be cuttin dem feelds next doo!!

 

Freedom Units or GTFO

 

I'm so glad I get to learn something new in here. And I mean that sincerely.

 

Hmmm, maybe so, but I like the fact I can tear my whole truck apart with a 10, 12, 14, and 17 millimeter wrenches... 95% of the equipment at work is SAE, and it's a pain in the ass to remember all those sizes...

 

Yeah I know.
#kidding.






party pooper

 

Base 10 number systems Rock when doin’ old fashioned field calc’s but gotta admit there’s nothing like the feel of a 9/16’s.

 

I like naval history.
While you guys are doing constructive stuff and paying my Social Security (thanks!)...
... I'm reading and eating Cheetos.
Cuz I can.

 

Best seller right there!!!

 

That took some pretty good effort

 

Rattle can or Maaco. That’s a tough one

 

I agree