Subject: SMML VOL 2779 Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 02:17:52 +1100 The Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML) is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http//sandlehobbies.com For infomation on how to Post to SMML and Unsubscribe from SMML http//smmlonline.com/aboutsmml/rules.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1 Michael London 2 Help Wanted 3 Re New web site 4 Re Taffrail or Patent logs, et al ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From "Pat McKee" Subject Michael London Dear SMML members I am writing to let from my father's computer and his email account to let you know that my father passed away on March 1st from cancer. I know that he was an active participant in the SMML. If anyone wants more information, please email me directly using the above address. Pat McKee (Michael's daughter) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From "dengar" Subject Help Wanted A friend is scratch building HMS Lance and has asked me for help with the 40mm PomPom and the 4inch H/A Guns. I have some drawings but he is looking to add extra details. Can anyone help? You can contact me offline at dengar@paradise.net.nz Thanks Gary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From Steve Singlar Subject Re New web site >> www.ptboatworld.freewebspace.com << Garth, Very vice web site. Great models. Steve, Pelham, NH ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From "Tom Detweiler" Subject Re Taffrail or Patent logs, et al Howdy SMMLies-- RE the most interesting thread on taffrail Logs that was before my time, but when I was an IC2 aboard a US FRAM destroyer my job took in the highest and the lowest info devices on the ship the wind bird anemometer and wind vane at the very tippy top of the forward mast, and the "Pit Sword", which was a five foot long hydrodynamic blade which protruded through a special valve for it in the very bottom of the bilge forward of boiler number one. It was our job to go down and open that valve and crank the pit sword up and down when we left or arrived in a port, more to lessen the chance of debris hitting the sword than anything else. Naturally when we went down to crank this thing up or down, it was hotter than hell down there between the bulkhead and the boiler cage and we did about anything to get out of it; the lowest ranking IC man was usually the lucky seadog to get that job! The pit sword as I recall it aboard a US Navy ship used electric current and seawater conductivity to record real ship's motion in knots per hour; the crew could derive the actual nautical miles traveled, even if you were only going around in circles, as opposed to the point to point distance traveled like on a map. It was a mature technology and although they have GPS now I'd be surprised if they have replaced the pit sword. Maybe some recent Navy type knows? Tom Detweiler, a grumbly old salt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Reviews, Articles, Backissues, Member's models & Reference Pictures at http//smmlonline.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume