E BOATSWAIN’S CALL
Gun, keel, buoy, shackle
all parts of a Bosun’s pipe
for calling All Hands
Author: Cethru Cellophane
I have reached the regrettable realization that I may have squandered my life. I did a quick count recently and figured that I have visited about 66 countries, and lived for more than 3 years in 3 of them. During this time I completed 14 corporate moves (relocations) and have changed my address more than 23 times. I should have settled on a profession that would have kept me in one place with no packing and unpacking. When I think of the time I have spent bundling my life into and out of boxes. Ah well, it's all water under the bridge. But I am grateful for the experience. At the end of the day I will be able to say with a certain authority, "been there, done that". A note about this site’s Header Image The Header image for this site is of the Smith Avenue High Bridge. The bridge was built in 1889 and carries Minnesota State Highway 149 across its span of 2770 feet, 160 feet above the mighty Mississippi River. The picture was taken from the river looking to the north-east and downtown Saint Paul. The bridge is about 1040 miles from New Orleans. One of the reasons I like this view is that I come from a city which has a spectacular bridge. It’s the Clifton Suspension Bridge http://www.ikbrunel.org.uk/clifton-suspension-bridge which spans the Avon Gorge and the River Avon in Bristol, U.K. It’s about 1350 feet long and stands 245 feet above the river below. Sadly it has claimed the lives of more than 400 people who have committed suicide by jumping from the bridge. As a side note, not all attempts were successful. two small girls thrown off the bridge by their deranged father survived the fall when they were fished from the river by the crew of a passing pilot boat. The bridge was opened in 1864 and was designed by the 24 year old architect, Isambard Kingdom brunel. It took 35 years to complete.
January 8, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Interesting collection of words.
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January 8, 2020 at 3:08 pm
The Bosun’s pipe is actually a very simple instrument. the gun refers to a small barrel on to which is welded a keel (as in a sailing craft) at the end is a buoy which sits in the palm of the hand and is free floating and then there is a hole which if completely covered stifles any sound but with subtle changes in the position of the fore-finger alters the tone. the shackle is a small loop to which a chain is attached to hang it about your neck. It originated in the days of sailing for relaying commands to sailors aloft in the rigging which sails to deploy etc. To have a Bosun’s pipe was considered a great honor as it implied authority to give orders on board ship. Ha! and we thought Trump was complicated.
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