On Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:12:55 -0700, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

Not really. When they say "flood", it isn't really flooding. They just
kept the decks wet by pumping the water up from the bilge. It probably
improved speed because the water was in the bilge anyway and when they
pumped it onto the decks, the excess ran overboard through the many
scuppers located on the decks.

By the time Constitution was built, powder was sent up from the
magazines in cloth bags. Other than that. Somebody listen to a tour
guide? They are everywhere known for lying.

Casady