Re: Why "Bristol?"

On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:12:56 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok
<decypher.address@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:14:44 +0100, "Edgar" <ejcove@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


"mmc" <merlinuxo@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4958f6da$0$4897$9a6e19ea@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It is actually "Ship shape and Bristol fashion". there seem to be a
number of explanations for the term but it certainly has been in use
for more then a hundred years as it is mentioned in "Two Years Before
the Mast", printed in 1840. The meaning apparently has always meant in
top notch condition. (and I don't know where that term originated :-)

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

"Two Years Before the Mast"
What a great book. Haven't heard the title mentioned in a long time.
I reread it earlier this year and it is a most interesting account of life
aboard ship around the 1830's and a good picture of Southern California in
those days..
Interesting how they went across to the west coast of USA and stayed there
for two years while they steadily filled the hold with hides, compressing
them down with levers until sometimes the pressure would lift a ships deck
up off its beams. I presume they were buffalo hides so no wonder there are
not so many of these animals left. I doubt there were enough people there
in those days to eat all the carcasses so they must have all been wasted.
And then there is the bit about a shipmate who fell off the ice covered
yardarms while running towards Cape Horn and they had no option but to sail
on while his cries faded away astern...
I wonder if it is still in print. My copy came from a s/h bookshop and was
inscribed as a Christmas present to someone in December 1900.


It's been years since I read the book but I have the idea that these
were cattle hides. Isn't there something in the book about being
anchored near some ranch and the ranch hands throwing dried hides down
a cliff so the crew could load them aboard?
Cheers,

I believe you're correct. I think the buffalo were mostly wiped out
by "sportsmen" on shooting sprees.
If you keep American history in view as you read TYBTM, it becomes
more than a sea journal. For example the Alamo fell during Dana's
voyage. The Plains Indians were the lords of much west of the
Mississippi, St Joseph, Missouri was a trading post and the Pony
Express was years in the future. etc., etc.
I marveled more at the sea tale when I paused and put some of the
other history in place with Dana's world.
California was more remote to Americans than Europe was then.
Hey, maybe it still is! (-:

--Vic
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: FS: 3rd attempt. NIB WoF $2800 shipped and payal
    ... Buffalo and Niagara Falls call North Tonawanda ... $2500 cash and carry ... ship it from work being we get pretty goods rates. ... tower of the Wurlitzer Building. ...
    (rec.games.pinball)
  • Re: Obtaining Canadian Immigration Records
    ... If your relative happened to visit the U.S., after about 1895 or so, there may be a record when he or she crossed the border, and that record may possibly contain the date and ship of immigration to Canada. ... These records are collectively known as the St. Albans Lists, but information was gathered by manyof the cities on the US-Canadian border, including Detroit, Buffalo, Rochester, Niagrara Falls, and many other cities. ... Perfsonally, I found that the records kept by Detroit noted only that the person arrived in the US by railroad, but the Buffalo, NY records noted the year ship, port, and sometimes date of Canadian arrival. ...
    (soc.genealogy.jewish)
  • Re: FS: 3rd attempt. NIB WoF $2800 shipped and payal
    ... I'm in Buffalo NY area. ... The game is currently at work on a pallet ... waiting to ship in Buffalo. ... ship it from work being we get pretty goods rates. ...
    (rec.games.pinball)
  • Re: US Proof sets available now
    ... Bruce Farley wrote: ... I also got my subscription on Thursday. ... ship. ... 'Buffaloed in Buffalo' ...
    (rec.collecting.coins)
  • Re: Why "Bristol?"
    ... It is actually "Ship shape and Bristol fashion". ... aboard ship around the 1830's and a good picture of Southern California in ... anchored near some ranch and the ranch hands throwing dried hides down ...
    (rec.boats.cruising)