A ship - Writers Forum

girl4anime · 07-18-2005, 08:34 PM

Hey everyone. I am writing a book/story/whatever and in it, the main character is on a boat for some length of time. It's set back in the like 18th century, kinda. I have my own sorta world, but the only thing that changes from our world is the countries. Same basic rules of life apply other than that. I was wondering if any one knew about being on a ship back then (doubtful) or if anyone could recommend books about that subject. If anyone can, that would be most helpful. If not, don't worry, i'll just make something up because after all it is my book. Haha.

---Katie

journyman161 · 07-18-2005, 08:53 PM

Depends on the size of the boat. But for extended stays, the food is monotonous & boring. They can supplement with fresh fish but even that palls after a while. What they do need is a source ov vit c, so they either need to call at land every few weeks for fruit & vegies, or have some other source on board.

If it's anything like our 18thC, the captain is GOD. If he says jump, you say can I come back down now? It was a rough & cruel time. Men were taken off the streets, often against their will, (Press Gangs, shanghaied) & forced to work their passage home. (if they were lucky & it was the Navy that had kidnapped them)

There are sheets everywhere, (ropes) with sometimes a boom that swings across the deck as the ship tacks. There were square riggers (think Francis Drake style ships) & Fore & Aft rigs (think Americas Cup boats) the F&A rigs have the swinging booms.

When in a storm or large waves, the ship turns into the waves or wind direction, sometimes with a sea anchor (basically a large bag in the sea on a rope that provides drag to prevent the ship being blown before the storm) so it can better ride the swells/waves.

The stronger the wind, the less sail used. Having a full sail in squalls or storms will either rip the sail or capsize the boat.

The sails have 'tells' on them; little strips (4 - 6 inch) of canvas stuck on the surface area of the sail. When the sail is at the optimum angle to the wind, the tells stand straight out from the sail.

There are fairly commonly king waves that boats meet at sea. There have been recorded waves that were 70 - 80 feet high.

Hope that helps.

girl4anime · 07-18-2005, 08:55 PM

Thank you!

barnsturm · 07-19-2005, 11:34 AM

Check out this link:

http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/marit.htm

Kimberly Bird · 07-19-2005, 03:35 PM

Awesome info you guys gave girl4. I think I may use this info myself.

Kimberly

Julianne · 07-20-2005, 03:19 PM

Try www.ladywashington.org. Then click on "Vessel Specs" for details of that particular ship, which a modern reproduction of an 1800's brig that is used for educational purposes and based out Washington. Incidentally, this ship was used in the movie "Prirates of the Caribbean"; it was the smaller of the two naval ships. You can also click on the "Tall Ship Links" for links to web sites for other ships. These should give you a lot of information about ship layout and terms, but I'm not sure how much "what life was like" info you'll get.

Happy researching!

barnsturm · 07-20-2005, 05:15 PM

That's http://www.ladywashington.org.

Julianne · 07-22-2005, 01:25 PM

Thanks for link fix, barnsturm!!!

Creative Mind · 07-26-2005, 10:05 AM

Read "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle," by Avi. It's a YA book about a girl on a ship during the 18th century. It's a great book and there's a lot of good description about the day to day aspects of living at sea.