Scott Vernon wrote:
Ships of the line had 21 guns on each side. To salute, or to show
friendliness, a ship would fire off all 21 guns on the same side &
just before of passing another ship. Therefore not allowing enough
time to reload and fire upon the other ship.

The idea is right but ships of the line had well more than 21
guns on a side. The 1st rates would have 100+ guns (50+
a side, assuming chasers are counted on a side) and the
smallest ship of the line would be ~60. A frigate (like
John Paul Jones' Bonhomme Richard) would have about
that number, however (42 total.)

But the idea's right anyway -- they wouldn't necessarily be
able to fire the lower gun decks, cutting down the number,
they'd want to leave some guns free to cover misfires, etc.

Urban legend;
http://www.snopes.com/military/21gun.htm#add




"Bart Senior" wrote in message
et...

The 21-gun salute comes from summing of the digits in the
year 1776.

That was from memory. Upon googling further, there are several different
sites that differ on some of the details but the jist is the same.
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/salute.htm


--
Scott Vernon
Plowville PA __/)__/)__


"Wolfie" wrote in message
...
Scott Vernon wrote:
Ships of the line had 21 guns on each side. To salute, or to show
friendliness, a ship would fire off all 21 guns on the same side &
just before of passing another ship. Therefore not allowing enough
time to reload and fire upon the other ship.

The idea is right but ships of the line had well more than 21
guns on a side. The 1st rates would have 100+ guns (50+
a side, assuming chasers are counted on a side) and the
smallest ship of the line would be ~60. A frigate (like
John Paul Jones' Bonhomme Richard) would have about
that number, however (42 total.)

But the idea's right anyway -- they wouldn't necessarily be
able to fire the lower gun decks, cutting down the number,
they'd want to leave some guns free to cover misfires, etc.

Nah... just getting rid of some old bait.!...

The week wasn't bad... very busy... but at least the American Tourists
were nice to meet. I wear my American Flag pin with the yellow ribbon.

CM

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
| ruff week at work?
|
|
| "Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
| ...
|
| "Walt" wrote in message
|
| | BONUS QUESTION: What's the proper way to dispose of a flag that has
| | become old and worn out?
|
| Send it to Iraq... they are running out of American Flags to burn in
| protest.
|
| CM
|
|
|

Americans actually have hoisted the Canadian Flag upside down on more than
one occasion.

CM

"Walt" wrote in message
...
| Bobsprit wrote:
|
| Flying her upside down is a sign of distress.
|
| Or just Horvath trying to hoist a flag...and getting it wrong.
|
| If Horvath's on your boat you have every reason to fly the flag upside
| down.
|
| --
| //-Walt
| //
| // http://cagle.slate.msn.com/working/040514/matson.gif

Is the yellow ribbon a border, like an Admiralty Flag?

Capt. Mooron wrote in

were nice to meet. I wear my American Flag pin with the yellow ribbon.

Was there a shut down of the Molson Brewery? On more than one occasion?

Capt. Mooron wrote
Americans actually have hoisted the Canadian Flag upside down on more than
one occasion.

No... separate ribbon below the flag.... ;-)

CM

"Bart Senior" wrote in message
et...
| Is the yellow ribbon a border, like an Admiralty Flag?
|
| Capt. Mooron wrote in
|
| were nice to meet. I wear my American Flag pin with the yellow ribbon.
|
|

I believe the first time was a sports event broadcast nationally!
I drink Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale.... "those who like it , like it a
lot"
Molson breweries are being converted to grow prime bud.... the weed not the
brew.

Understand that as Canadians.... we have Never hoisted your flag upside
down!

That's the problem with you self involved Yanks! Too busy navel gazin' to
understand you're ****in' other people off at times. Wake the **** up! Look
around.... there are other people on this planet!

CM

"Bart Senior" wrote in message
et...
| Was there a shut down of the Molson Brewery? On more than one occasion?
|
| Capt. Mooron wrote
| Americans actually have hoisted the Canadian Flag upside down on more
than
| one occasion.
|
|

Well duh, who else would put a leaf, a freaking leaf on their countries
flag?


--
Scott Vernon
Plowville PA __/)__/)__

"Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
...
Americans actually have hoisted the Canadian Flag upside down on more than
one occasion.

CM

"Walt" wrote in message
...
| Bobsprit wrote:
|
| Flying her upside down is a sign of distress.
|
| Or just Horvath trying to hoist a flag...and getting it wrong.
|
| If Horvath's on your boat you have every reason to fly the flag upside
| down.
|
| --
| //-Walt
| //
| // http://cagle.slate.msn.com/working/040514/matson.gif