Posted by Jock on May 31, 2007 at 22:32:24 from 86.143.117.221 user Jock.
In Reply to: Re: Kerwallop...and candle grease posted by David Bamford on May 31, 2007 at 09:33:40:
Having devoured a number of the Napoleonic-era Naval Thud-and-blunders, I have learned that if you embarking on a nocturnal clandestine mission in a rowed craft, you need to not only coat the rowlocks in tallow... .
Napleonic-era naval rowing boats did not use rowlocks, but a special kind of flat thole pin, often made of oak, which is still to be found today on Thames Skiffs. Tallow had to be applied to the oar leathers to lubricate them. A metal rowlock is much better lubricated with machine oil than than tallow, though in emergency a splash of water will stop them from squeaking for a time. Lake district skiffs, "native war canoes", have a metal pin that went through a metal bush pressed through the oar itself. Swallow and Amazon would have had metal rowlocks.