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Wednesday, February 23rd 2011

9:47 AM

Supporting The Country With Coast Guard Gifts

Coast guard models are excellent examples of model ships. The architecture behind the ships of the coast guard are prime examples for model ships. From sailboats to war ships, the coast guard model ships have them all. Getting your coast guard gifts in bulk is a fantastic way of going about saving both time and money. Many model ship retailers offer deals for bulk purchases on coast guard gifts for this reason, and they demand quality in every ship design.

One such model is the USCG Eagle - a gorgeously crafted coast guard gift that is a wonderful addition to any collection. Each sail is handcrafted and gives off the illusion of a cool sea breeze pushing through the sails. The USCG Eagle measures in at 14" and is already completed and ready to sail proudly in the midst of your nautical themed room. The sail ship design is an attractive part of this coast guard replica.

Supporting The Country With Coast Guard Gifts

If you are looking for wholesale coast guard gifts that are intimidating in nature, then the USCG Patrol Boat is for you. The details of the USCG Patrol Boat are uncanny - such as a cannon and spotlights in the bow of the ship, among other authentic details. Although, if you have children, make sure to keep this ship at a safely unreachable distance, as it will most likely end up in your child's imaginary bath tub wars!

You Don't Have To Be In Thge USCG To Appreciate Coast Guard Gifts

The USCG Buoy Tender is another model in the line of coast guard gifts offered at some model ship retailers. With its contemporary design, the USCG Buoy Tender is different from the USCG Eagle but remains just as authentic. This coast guard model ship isn't a battle ship of any kind, and it makes that statement very clear by its lack of artillery. Small details such as cranes and ropes on the deck add authenticity to these coast guard gifts. No less a collector's edition, the front of the USCG Buoy Tender proudly displays the U.S. Coast Guard symbol.

Giving The Gift Of The Coast Guard

Every ship is designed with quality first and foremost. Many model ship retailers are taking advantage of 3D modeling technologies to created perfectly scaled architecture. Skilled hands must then complete the process of the model ship creation. Knowing this, you can confidently buy coast guard gifts and ship models while resting easy knowing the fact that your ship will arrive safely and make the rest of your collection proud.
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Friday, January 21st 2011

8:44 AM

Learning About Ships Bells

The ship bell is a part of the nautical culture that is rooted deeply in tradition. The ships bell was once an integral part of observing order, warning of dangers, keeping time, sounding alarms, and even in religious ceremonies. The many uses of the ships bell made it a mainstay among the United States Navy.

The first metal ships bell was created during the Bronze Age. One of the first countries that learned to make quality ship bells from metal was China. Among the first time that a ships bell was recorded in use was aboard the British Ship Grace Dieu in 1485. "Wache bells" were what the bells aboard this ship were called.

Soon, it became commonplace that the ships bell be used during times of heavy fog to warn other ships of their presence. Notifying other ships in the area of one's presence was easy thanks to the loudness of the ships bell. This use of the ships bell became maritime law, requiring that all ships have a working bell on board at all times. During the Revolutionary War, the Americans utilized the ships bell in the same fashion as the British. In fact, the USS Constitution, the oldest surviving ship in the history of America, had been equipped with a 242 pound ships bell.

Furthermore, the ships bell helped the American Navy excel during the War of Independence. This was due to the Jamaica Fleet using their ships bells, as they were supposed to, while sailing blindly through fog, unintentionally giving away their position to the Americans. Their reckless use of the bell was loud enough for the Americans to hear, and led to what became the biggest prize catch of the War of Independence. The Americans captured one million dollars' worth of prizes and cargo from the Jamaica Fleet in this huge victory.

Furthermore, other uses of the ships bell serve to put the crew at attention when necessary. The loudness of the ships bell is critical to getting the crew's attention. In case of fire, the ships bell was rung for five seconds, as hard and as loud as possible. The following rings informed the crew of the fire's location. One ring meant the fire was in the front; two rings meant the fire was in the center; three rings meant the fire was at the back of the boat.

The ships bell is still used for timekeeping, sounding alarms, and ceremonies in the modern age. The Naval Historical Center houses many recovered US Navy ship bells. The historical significance of the ships bell leads many museums to ask to use them for a display, or to research an old US Navy ships bell. It seems that the traditional sound of the ships bell still echoes to this day. Can you, or would you want to, picture a ship without a sounding ships bell?

The proud history of the ships bell affords it to be a highly sought after nautical decoration. Authentic ship bell replicas can be found online on many respected nautical decor websites. If you pride yourself a nautical enthusiast, then you should have at least one ship bell in your collection.

The Many Facets Of The Ships Bell
Ships Bells Role On A Vessel
The Many Facets Of The Ships Bell
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Thursday, January 20th 2011

2:44 PM

Digging Through The History Of Model Warships

Ship models often replicate actual warships from history. There have been many great ships of historical significance that are immortalized by model warships. Warships are the basis for several of these ship models. There are several model warships available, such as the USS Constitution, HMS Guerriere, and HMS Victory. The HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in existence, and is significant for a number of reasons.

When HMS Victory was conceived in 1758 it motioned a change from the previously smaller scale ships of the Royal Navy. HMS Victory was designed as a 100-gun ship, and its construction was started in 1759. Named after "The Year of Victories", the HMS Victory was commissioned in 1778 under Admiral Keppel's flag. (Find out more about other wooden model boats like this one here.

The first major battle of the HMS Victory was against the French at the Battle of Ushant on July 23, 1778. While the French fleet did not want to fight, Victory engaged them anyway. The confusing battle led to the court-martial of Admiral Keppel.

With Captain Henry Cromwell now guiding Victory, she sailed with eleven other ships to capture a French convoy. Even though the convoy was protected by twenty-one ships of the line, Admiral Kempenfelt attacked anyway. The winds disassembled much of the French fleet, and Victory managed to capture the remaining confused fleet.

Captain rover Calder and George Grey became the Victory's captains in 1796. Horatio Nelson passed news of an enemy fleet close by on to the Victory, who then sailed to intercept the fleet of unknown numbers. John Jervis bravely fought this fleet of twenty-seven ships of the line. Their tremendous victory boosted the spirits of the British at this point in the war.

HMS Victory was deemed unfit for service in 1798, and was retired to Chatham. Although, when the HMS impregnable lost its commission another first rate warship was needed to takes its place. Therefore, reconstruction of HMS Victory started in 1800, and was completed three years later on April 11, 1803. A month later, HMS Victory was once again sailing, this time with Captain Samuel Sutton at the helm.

Throughout the 19th century, HMS Victory was without a stable captain, and was retired on November 7, 1812. By 1889, HMS Victory was made to serve as a signal school well into the 20th century.

Of course after many inactive years, the Victory started to deteriorate. To save the Victory, the aptly named Save the Victory fund started in 1921. HMS Victory's historical significance in English history led to the British government getting involved in the restoration process. King George V. presided over the restoration which was completed in 1928.

The oldest commissioned warship in the world is the HMS Victory. A quarter of a million visitors come to see her every year as a museum ship. The UK Defense budget is paying for more work to the HMS Victory which will be ongoing through April 2019.

These achievements of the HMS Victory are proof as to why model warships are so well received in the nautical culture. There are a few online nautical decor retailers that have model warships for affordable prices. Learning the history behind the warship is a great way to take advantage of the value of your model warships.

Why Model Warships?
Today's Model Warships
Model Warships As A History Lesson
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Tuesday, January 11th 2011

5:25 PM

Diving Helmets - The Diver's Best Friend

The safety of professional divers is directly reliant on the type of nautical equipment they use. There are many lurking dangers, and so it is important to be able to have good, reliable equipment. The diving helmet which is worn by professional divers is incredibly adjustable for use in dangerous conditions. While the diving helmet obviously secures the divers head, it also keeps the diver connected via voice communication to the operation team above the water as well as with other divers in the water. For example, if the diver were to be knocked unconscious while underwater, the diving helmet will continue to automatically pump air to the diver until he regains consciousness. This is completely different from standard scuba gear, for instance, which requires the diver to make an effort to hold the breathing tube in his mouth for oxygen to come in. It goes without saying that a scuba diver is more at risk of drowning if they are knocked unconscious.

Augustus Siebe created the diving helmet and is considered to be the father of diving. Siebe was a German born inventor from the 19th century who when living in England created a diving helmet. This early diving helmet was equipped with a watertight seal and an air-containing rubber suit. Equipped with a land-to-diver air pump, Siebe's diving helmet and suit became the first working application ever. The modern diving suits used today are more reflective of the closed diving suit that Siebe Gorman & Co developed. The difference between Siebe's invention and other earlier diving suits was the air-tight nature of the helmet. Siebe's innovation in diving helmets was a truly great innovation. As such, this new innovation in diving equipment proved to be a better and safer way of exploring the ocean. Alexander McKee started much controversy when he accused Siebe of taking credit for the designs of two brothers, John and Charles Deane.

The diving helmet also had many uses outside of the water. The air tight compartment of the diving helmet made it useful in the First World War to protect against mustard gas attacks.

Earlier deep sea diving helmets used only two to four bolts to secure it. Joe Savoie created what was known as the neck dam in the 1960s. The neck dam paved the way for a new series of lighter weight helmets to come about. These lightweight helmets would go on to become the future of diving helmets. Savoie claimed to only be inspired by improving the safety of divers, and he did not seek a patent for his innovations.

The next evolution in diving masks noted to be the full face diving mask. The full face mask covered the entire face of the diver using straps to hold it in position that were adjustable by the diver.

In 1975 the invention of the Kirby Morgan Superlite-17 helped shape a more modern diving helmet. The Kirby Morgan Superlite-17 was built with materials such as fiberglass shells and fitted with chrome-plated brass. The future of diving helmets was changed by the innovations of the Kirby Morgan Superlite-17. Truly, the diving helmet came a long way since its invention to become the amazing piece of nautical equipment it is now.

Diving Helmets Help Explore The Depths
Old Diving Helmets For A New Era
Diving Helmets Help Explore The Depths
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Thursday, December 16th 2010

1:26 PM

Sextants As A Trend

John Bird invented the sextant in 1759, changing nautical travel forever. However, prior to the sextant being invented there were several other nautical navigational tools that allowed navigators to chart their departure from port to a certain destination. These other devices worked by using Polaris and the horizon to locate the latitude of their destinations. By using their thumbs and one or two fingers on an outstretched arm, navigators could determine the latitude of their position in relation to Polaris. Many navigators supplemented an arrow for the outstretched arm to make the process less awkward. Among the earliest nautical devices used was the Kamal, invented by the Arabs. Many of the advancements in astrology and astronomy can be attributed to Greek and Arabic ingenuity. The Arabs introduced Europeans to two of these breakthrough instruments, the astrolabe and the quadrant, in the 10th century. The C. Plath firm in Germany is credited with creating the more modern advancements in the sextant after World War II.

Because of these Greek and Arab advancements in astronomy and astrology, we are fortunate to have the navigational tools we do today. These innovations in technology would lead us to a world of more connections. Just like the sextant was a breakthrough in modern technology at the time, the global positioning system is the modern equivalent. Regardless, many hard boiled navigators remain glued to their sextants, not trusting GPS completely. Their criticism of GPS is profound, such as the unreliability in the technology. For example, GPS may lose service in an area where it needs to be used most, batteries may run out, or a satellite may go awry. That is why any navigator worth his or her salt still carries around a trusty sextant, and knowledge of how to navigate without the fancy technology of the modern age.

When it comes to sextants for sale there are plenty of functional sextants and nautical decorations. The 3" sextant is a great miniature brass sextant, widely available in nautical specialty stores and online. The size of this sextant is directly related to the extreme accuracy of it. There are also 4" sextants for sale if you want a larger sextant to use as a nautical decoration. Sextants for sale such as these can come in heavy high quality hardwood cases with nautical designs embedded on the case. Accompanying these sextants for sale can be more nautical decor, such as miniature telescopes that can reproduce images of highly magnified quality. Nautical decoration sextants for sale also include the brass sextant pen holder. This nautical decoration is sought after in particular for students and office workers alike.

The history of the sextant is a remarkable one. No wonder there are so many different kinds of sextants for sale. While no one knows where navigational technology will go from here, one thing is certain - that the advancements will continue to change our world for the better. Find out more about tropical decor here.
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Thursday, December 16th 2010

1:24 PM

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