i don’t think so. that picture without the sails is in the suez canal, so it might be tugged by tag boats.
Bumping this thread because Durzo on another thread suggested making a thread for geeking about author Patrick O’Brian and his books.
As you can see from above, this discussion has gotten some great play.
I’m always amazed at the subjects that GWCers can geek out on that you wouldn’t expect.
The Jack Aubrey series are possibly my “go to” books for swinging in my backyard hammock on a warm summer day.
“She took three hundred souls below off the deck o’ the Andalusia,
The poets and the Sages tried to warn us down the ages,
Their blood drips from the pages where they tell o’ the Black Matilda.”
OB
Amen brother. And thanks for sharing that cool tune!
After I read the whole Aubrey/ Maturin series and listened to the whole series again on Audiobook. Kinda pre-iPod …my library had all the books as books on yes …cassete-tape. :o
Patrick Tull is a great narrator of the books.
what are these “tapes” you speak of? 
If anyone is ever in San Diego CA (cough … Comi-Con … cough) you might want to check out “HMS Surprise” at the Maritime Museum there.
I recall being in Lunenburg Nova Scotia some eight years ago and they mentioned that the original ship “The Rose” had been laid down there and that she had been used in the Russell Crowe movie. Lunenburg itself is a bit of a museum since it is a UNESCO world heritage site.
OB
In a similar vein as Chuck’s recent discussion of Shakespeare and having to toil over the words, I at first found O’Brian’s work regarding nautical terms daunting.
I had to collect several reference books to help me better understand countless terms (“orlop”, “dog watch”, “knee”, “bitter end”, “back stay” … etc.). I respected the author for not simplifying the lives of men who lived (and died) hundreds years in the past for the sake of the story. The nerd in me relished the depth of details and even now takes joy in explaining (ad naseum) to others the aspects of pieces of wood and rope and cloth that were used to sail ships of war in order to kill people.
As a flight of fancy I wonder if hundreds of years hence young minds will ponder the writings of authors detailing the aspects of our current “Art of War”.
OB
I loved the language challenges in the PoB books. Daunting at first but once you get into it it’s really something to savor and enjoy, like a good glass of Scotch. I am also sort of a language and literature nerd which is another reason these books have great appeal for me. Some of the details are just fascinating. like most of the deaths on board from battle we due to splinters(granted, these were some big bloody splinters) followed by infection and death. Can you imagine what it would have been like to get a piece of wood driven into your leg and realize that this will probably kill you?
I also think PoB did a great job of highlighting some of the social and cultural issues. There social lives were as much a part of who they were as their lives on board. Naval officers, even of high rank were always in competition with the landed gentry and aristocracy for power and prestige. You may have been a captain on a ship of the line, but without lands and family connections you were still considered “less than” by the upper classes. So I guess I find the whole social aspect really interesting. A career in the Navy was the path for many without money, land, or connections to get ahead in life when they would not really had any other opportunity.
I did also love the Horatio Hornblower series but at the end of the day did not find it as rich and detailed as PoB’s books.
Have been to the USS constitution twice and loved it each time. I
For those who don’t already know, it’s still a commissioned ship in the US Navy, crewed by serving US Naval officers. It is one of the most coveted posts in the Navy according to the Lieutenant I spoke with one beautiful July afternoon. They also filmed some of the scenes from Master and Commander in the Captains quarters.
“…is not the Surprise a rather “aged” man of war?” Dr. SM
“…On the contrary doctor, she has a bluff now, lovely lines…she is in her prime.” Captain JA
“…Surprise is on our side.” Catain JA
Durzo
Agree Durzo on the social aspect of the series. My first read through I couldn’t wait for them to get under way … but later came to really appreciate that aspect of the stories.
The intrigue … back story … and motivations were very intricate and well rounded. I always liked how Jack was so comfortable at sea and so inept ashore. In contrast Stephen M. while nautically challenged was quite a different character on land.
The detail of the social warfare is as rich (and daunting) as the nautical minutiae 
OB
Well said. I particularly recall an episode in the second book (Post Captain?) in which Jack was smuggled out of Spain in a gorilla suit with Stephen as his “keeper”. A not so subtle comment on JA’s ability to navigate and command while on land. Really a funny moment. At sea, there isn’t anyone better than JA. I would love to see another movie, but am not holding my breath.
“I hate it when you speak of the service in this way Stephen, it makes me feel so very low…” JA
Durzo