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Margarita XXXIV
Contributed by
ramfire
on
Thursday, 10th October 2002 @ 01:00:00 PM in AEST
Topic:
StoryPoetry
|
But no, the proper handling lines and gear
will save the beams from cracking, seams besides.
To see such break crew need have little fear.
"Mister Huerra, would you like to see the hold of La Paloma?'
"With pleasure."
Taking the lead, Captain Thompson led down into cramped quarter. Pointing
with a lantern to the shingle stacked hides, he continued his explanation of
steeving. "Two long, heavy spars, called steeves, are sharpened off like wedges on
one end. The wedge ends go into the inside hide that is the center of the book.
To the other end of each straps are fitted, into which large tackles are hooked. Each
tackle has two purchase blocks, one hooked to the strap and the other to a dog,
fastened into one of the beams as far aft as possible. When this has been accomplished,
and the ways greased upon which the book is to slide, the falls of the tackle are stretched
forward, and all hands are tallied on, and boused away upon them until the book is well
entered. When these tackles were nippered, straps and toggles clapped upon the falls,
two more luff tackles are hooked on, with dogs, in the same manner. By luff upon luff,
the power is multiplied. Into a pile in which one hide more could not be crowded by hand, a hundred or a hundred and fifty are driven by this complication of purchases."1.
Huerra was impressed by the mechanical ingenuity. He spoke in wonder.
"I never knew such cleaver things existed, captain. Now I truly know the power
of pulleys and rope."
"Yes, there is much power in such things."
Don Hernandez, appreciating Captain's conclusion but not the close confinement
of the hold, spoke abruptly. "Perhaps, Captain Thompson, there is something
else you would like to show us. Perhaps you'd like to show us your cabin, whiskey
and cigars."
Both Captain Thompson and Huerra laughed at the witticism.
"An excellent suggestion, sir. If you gentlemen will follow me, I think I can
accommodate you."
1. Taken from Two Years Before The Mast, Richard Henry Dana, The Franklin Library, Franklin Center, Pennsylvania, pg. 277, 1983.
Copyright ©
ramfire
... [
2002-10-10 13:00:00]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: Margarita XXXIV
(User Rating: 1 )
by Essentially9 on
Thursday, 25th November 2004 @ 06:54:49 PM AEST
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