Ian,
One of the most interesting revelations in the book was the fact that
often the wives were taught navigation skills in their spare time aboard
ship and historically did bring the ships home when the husband/master
was incapacitated. There was one incident in which the captain died and
the wife "pickled" his body in a barrel of brandy in order to bring it
home for burial--successfully. This raised all sorts of speculation.
Betty Pace
From: "I Thompson" <joscyn(a)hotmail.com>
To: WLS-GWYNEDD-L(a)rootsweb.com
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:51:44 +0000
Subject: RE: Hen Frigates
Dear Betty,
Thank you for the reference you gave for all of us with maritime
ancestors
(so that's everybody on this list then!).
I must just point out that you raised a very interesting point (below)
regarding the completeness and truth of the records we deal with. Both
things are open to interpretation and, of course, the most lengthy diary
may
not at all be true or be so biased or misinformed... not to say that
doesn't
make it *interesting*!
Yours,
Ian
London SW9
I think these diaries are more full and honest than the logs we generally
get from ships' masters. I found the book very interesting.
I have sea captains in both my Williams and Hughes families.
Betty Pace
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