"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 13:28:27 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos.
In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had
been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken
just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher
(*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle,
and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary
standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's
effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously
back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to
the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think
that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a
group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not
charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but
upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read
"The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of
mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and
personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century.
The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of
everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is
expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g.
pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g.
drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't.
--
John H

Uh, I got it, John!

I figured *you* did! Hell, I'd thought JimH had left. Hadn't seen any crap
from him in a while.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Nice troll. Stale bait. Won't bite. Have a great evening John.

BTW: Just a reminder to throw away all your prophylactics after you use
them the first time. Didn't your Daddy teach you that? ;-)