My close friend the late Mr Arthur William Baker & I used to go historical trekking on the Great Lakes each winter situated on the NSW coast. On the way there we used to pass a mast forest.
Morning Keith, Neck aching trees in the mast forest my good fellow, are they native or were they imported to be grown for purpose? and are they pine or larch? Enjoyed the link to the wheels, impressive to say the least, I think that men would have difficultly making spoked wheels of this size today. Regards, John
Both fir & the white pine were used for ship's masts. When Captain Cook was free to explore after fighting in the French & Indian War in America he recommended that the English Crown settle Norfolk Island before the French did, as he thought that the Norfolk pines would make good ship's masts and the native flax could be used for sail material. Later, Cooks trials of using the Norfolk pine for ships' masts were unsuccessful. So I think we can safely assume that the mast forests over here were planted of fir and white pine for the specific purpose of being used for ship's masts to supply the British Royal Navy. Keith.
2 comments:
Morning Keith,
Neck aching trees in the mast forest my good fellow, are they native or were they imported to be grown for purpose? and are they pine or larch?
Enjoyed the link to the wheels, impressive to say the least, I think that men would have difficultly making spoked wheels of this size today.
Regards,
John
Both fir & the white pine were used for ship's masts. When Captain Cook was free to explore after fighting in the French & Indian War in America he recommended that the English Crown settle Norfolk Island before the French did, as he thought that the Norfolk pines would make good ship's masts and the native flax could be used for sail material.
Later, Cooks trials of using the Norfolk pine for ships' masts were unsuccessful.
So I think we can safely assume that the mast forests over here were planted of fir and white pine for the specific purpose of being used for ship's masts to supply the British Royal Navy.
Keith.
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