Picking nits in GN?


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Posted by Tom Napier on September 03, 2009 at 23:30:32 user Didymus.

I recently reread Great Northern? and spotted something curious. After the Sea Bear is beached John says, "Her starboard side'll be dry first." Now the time is shortly before noon and the Sea Bear is pointing west or, possibly, south. That puts her port side towards the sun. Oops.
Here's a point I've made before but perhaps some Tarboarder can find an explanation. GN? presumably takes place after WDMTGTS. (I subscribe to the view that GN? "really" happened.) That's where John loses Jim Brady's anchor by not ensuring that the end of the chain is secured. Captain Flint must have heard this story yet, in Chapter 2 of GN?, he asks John to check that the kedge warp is made fast, saying, "Wouldn't help us to lose the lot. I did that once so I know."
Is Captain Flint being uncharacteristically tactless, self-centered or forgetful? John can't like being reminded of his bitter (play on words intended) experience but Ransome moves on without recording his response.
For the record, I've long maintained that, on logistical and topographical grounds, that GN? is set on South Uist, not Lewis. (Yes, I have been there.)
Well that's enough sacred cows gored for one post.


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