Saturday 11 March 1664/65
Up and to the office, at noon home to dinner, and to the office again, where very late, and then home to supper and to bed.
This day returned Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes from Lee Roade, where they have been to see the wrecke of “The London,” out of which, they say, the guns may be got, but the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed.
10 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"the guns may be got, but the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed."
The "80 pieces of brass ordnance" can be retrieved, perhaps the most valuable part of the wreck per pound, as JWB's note three days ago has suggested to me: http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1… ; but the hull cannot be weighed = raised.
adamw • Link
Pictures of Leigh roads
http://www.leigh-on-sea.com/frame…
Just next to Southend-on-Mud
Note the yachts balanced on their keels - the water is not deep. Hence the unsubmerged roundhouse.
Home of the original Captain Haddock (Sir Richard) - known to Pepys in later years
Terry Foreman • Link
Leigh-on-Sea with images of the Roadstead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leig…
Robert Gertz • Link
Hmmn...The "London" blown up. What other portents of coming doom for the greatest city in the world shall we see?
Heaven...1665
"Peter? That fellow Stuart get my hint?"
"'Fraid not, Almighty."
"Hmmn...Well, one ship. 'Twas a modest demonstration of wrath. Lets try...A plague."
"Might have to throw in fire and military disaster as well, sir. Takes a bit to shake this one."
"No locusts? You're usually a locusts sort of guy."
"Mmmmnnn...Not really the place for them, sir. And sir...About that special dispensation."
"Yes. For the lecherous little diary-keeper?"
"Very entertaining fellow, sir. But I'm thinking of Posterity here."
"Does have a certain charm, that journal of his...And that wife of his does pray hard for him. Though why, only I know. Well, we see..."
"Yes, sir."
"Or you will...Naturally I already know."
"Of course, sir."
Mary • Link
weighed=raised
As in 'to weigh anchor' which is a more familiar modern example of this usage.
rob • Link
Robert Gertz, Heaven 1665....
Brilliant!
Thanks,
Rob
JWB • Link
"... guns may be got...hull...wholly lost,"
Sam doesn't question Batten's competence as surveyor.
Harvey • Link
"Sam doesn’t question Batten’s competence as surveyor"
In Pepys' day they did not have the illusion that life can be made safe. It was understood that the Universe is bumpy and disasters don't necessarily point to incompetence.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed."
The method of weighing (raising) from the water assumed a wreck in shallows: see http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
(Per L&M footnote)
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: "the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed."
‘weigh, v.1 < Germanic . .
. . 6. a. To raise (a sunk ship, gun, etc.) from the bottom of the water. Also with up.
. . 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. xii. 81 Rules to weigh Ships, or Guns, or any thing else in the Water . . ‘
(OED)