tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803969651277143887.post4542072806094585388..comments2024-01-30T04:15:42.071-05:00Comments on British Tars, 1740-1790: "Bachelor's Fare" Revisited, 1777Kyle Daltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428848890576823316noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803969651277143887.post-57260423827400838212014-07-19T21:58:05.502-04:002014-07-19T21:58:05.502-04:00Your first guess was right, it was to stop the bul...Your first guess was right, it was to stop the bullets.<br /><br />Practically speaking, the board as it appears in the print probably wouldn't have stopped a bullet at that range. Even with the lower velocity blackpowder cartridges of the time, there's a good chance they'd have punched right through.<br /><br />Most likely the printer made it a thinner piece to save space in his image. He also omitted the sawdust that was spread on the quarterdeck before the execution was to take place.Kyle Daltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13428848890576823316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2803969651277143887.post-30756628462670299912014-07-19T19:56:55.556-04:002014-07-19T19:56:55.556-04:00Hey, I have a question if you don't mind. I wa...Hey, I have a question if you don't mind. I was trying to find a way to contact you via the blog and didn't see it so I'm responding to this post. <br /><br />In this picture of the execution of Admiral Byng, there's a board placed behind the Admiral.<br /><br />http://38.media.tumblr.com/177bc04452c842c200267de2ac4683df/tumblr_n8ysd5zG4k1qbrih3o1_1280.jpg<br /><br />Do you have any idea as to why that's there? It doesn't seem thick enough to stop bullets. Is it there to make for easier cleanup after? Is it a part of the ship's existing infrastructure? (such a strange word to use with a ship but I guess it's as good a word as any)<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.John Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768771014487413321noreply@blogger.com