Is This My Best Mudlarking Find From the River Thames. Please Let Me Know What You Think! Thank You

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 11 гру 2024
  • This has to be my best ever mudlarking find from the River Thames. I've been keeping it a secret for a while but it's time to share it with you!! Discover the magic word engraved on this special artefact. Thank you for watching! Don't forget you need a permit to mudlark on the River Thames in London. You can find out how to get a permit at www.pla.co.uk.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1 тис.

  • @iaagg
    @iaagg 7 днів тому +101

    Certainly! Georgian-era naval logs, like those used on the HMS Merlin, were essential tools for navigation, recording vital data that helped officers maintain situational awareness at sea. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the context and practices surrounding H, K, and F: (Thank you Chatgpt!)
    H - Hour
    Usage: Marked the specific time an observation was made or a record was updated.
    Context: Timekeeping was crucial on ships, especially for navigation. Officers relied on sandglasses or marine chronometers (if available) to measure the passing of time.
    Example Entry: "H 12 - Noon observation taken; latitude observed 45°N."
    Why Important: Accurate timekeeping allowed for longitude calculation when paired with celestial observations and charts.
    K - Knots
    Usage: Recorded the speed of the vessel.
    How Measured: The ship's speed was determined using the log line, a simple device:
    A weighted wooden board (the "log") was attached to a line with evenly spaced knots.
    The log was thrown overboard and remained stationary in the water.
    As the ship moved away, the line paid out over a fixed time interval (measured with a sandglass, usually 30 seconds).
    The number of knots that passed overboard determined the speed in nautical miles per hour.
    Example Entry: "K 6 - Sailing at 6 knots heading NW by N."
    F - Fathoms
    Usage: Recorded the depth of water or the length of anchor cable deployed.
    How Measured:
    Depth was measured using a lead line, a weighted rope with depth markings (fathoms) and tallow on the end to bring up a sample of the seabed (useful for determining anchorage quality).
    Anchor cables were also measured in fathoms to track how much line was paid out.
    Example Entry: "F 15 - Sounded at 15 fathoms; sandy bottom."
    Why Important: Shallow water posed a grounding risk, and good anchorage depended on depth and seabed type.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  5 днів тому +8

      This is brilliant thank you!!

    • @petergaskin1811
      @petergaskin1811 5 днів тому +4

      Hence the term "swinging the lead". The Able Seaman "swinging the Lead" would stand on the windward Foremast Shroud Chainplates and swing the lead round and heave it forward of the ship so that the line was vertical by the time that the ship passed it allowing the depth to be measured with some certainty off the line.
      Also the slate you found was one on which the ship's speed was marked in chalk by the deck watch as a record to be later transcribed on the Ship's Navigation Log.
      The log had a line attached which had knots at about 43 feet intervals
      The sights used for determining latitude were always taken at local noon when the sun was at its Zenith (highest point) and the angle between the horizon and the Sun gave the Latitude.

    • @iaagg
      @iaagg 5 днів тому

      @@nicolawhitemudlark Who knew the speed knots came from knots on a rope. Wild.

    • @Braemar1
      @Braemar1 4 дні тому

      Great reply, very informative, thank you.

    • @earling22
      @earling22 3 дні тому

      But why slate?

  • @simonfew2255
    @simonfew2255 10 днів тому +367

    Hi Nicola. HKF H is hours K is knots and F is fathoms. So K and F is the distance run in that hour. The ships log was towed behind in the water and measured the distance run. so 3 and 5 in the K and F columns would be 3 nautical miles and there are 8 fathoms in a knot so 5 would be 5/8 of a nm (3.625nm).

    • @juneyshu6197
      @juneyshu6197 9 днів тому +10

      Thank you!

    • @chrisberry9017
      @chrisberry9017 9 днів тому +8

      Thank you so much for clearing that’ll! It’s fascinating!

    • @Greybeard1957
      @Greybeard1957 9 днів тому

      I'm ex royal navy, you beat me to it @simonfew2255. Spot on mate 👍

    • @uncletiggermclaren7592
      @uncletiggermclaren7592 9 днів тому +34

      No, H stood for "Heading" which was "The direction the ship is heading in".
      . Every time they change course, they entered the time, the new direction ( heading ) that the course was, and they would cast the log once they got up to a constant speed. If they changed the set of the sails, or the wind strength changed, they would record the time that happened, and cast the log again. This way they could come to an average speed the vessel held during the watch, as well as the length of time you spent on any particular tack. Which allowed you to plot all of the various tacks onto a chart, then you knew how to calculate your true distance traveled.
      The F did stand for fathoms, but that was a separate thing to the course, that was a measure of the depth of water, when the vessel was "In soundings". This was very important, because you could look at the changing depth, and it was an indication of where you were because most of the sea-charts had depth soundings on them.
      If your fathom depth was 7, and you had a pretty good idea of distance traveled, you could look on the chart and together the two things gave you your position.

    • @sherryroseman
      @sherryroseman 8 днів тому +1

      Exciting video...a lot of great finds. Thanks for the encouragement. It is something I really need to hear. ❤

  • @artieash6671
    @artieash6671 10 днів тому +73

    A classic video... letting us go with you on a lark. For those of us who are housebound, the wind and mud is great to experience vicariously. Thank you.

    • @janecroft4896
      @janecroft4896 7 днів тому +3

      Yes, isn’t it just wonderful. xx

    • @markp4321
      @markp4321 2 дні тому +1

      I agree with you totally. I’ve been taken on a wonderful trip that I also would not have been able to go on , living in the United States. ❤️❤️

  • @norm9517
    @norm9517 10 днів тому +152

    the HMS Merlin sank at the battle of Fort Mifflin in the Delaware River just below Philadelphia Pa. as the continentals were trying to keep the British Navy from entering the port of Philly to supply the British army who was then in control of the city. The two ships lost were the HMS Augusta and the HMS Merlin

    • @jamesdoyle5405
      @jamesdoyle5405 9 днів тому +25

      Good history but keep in mind navies recycle the names of ships. I served in the 7th iteration of USS Enterprise.

    • @MarieCuriosity
      @MarieCuriosity 8 днів тому +4

      This gives it relevance to me, as I grew up in Philadelphia, know the Delaware, and even had ancestors in Philadelphia back then!

    • @marytolhurst5165
      @marytolhurst5165 8 днів тому +14

      How could the log end up in the Thames tho'?

    • @nancyt2811
      @nancyt2811 8 днів тому +6

      ​@@marytolhurst5165the slate could have been lost before it sailed to America

    • @therighthonsirdoug
      @therighthonsirdoug 8 днів тому +12

      ​@jamesdoyle5405 You're quite correct, there have been 14 different ships and one onshore naval base to have borne the name HMS Merlin!

  • @josephinemonahan915
    @josephinemonahan915 10 днів тому +47

    Hello Nicola…..Ahoy!….”a hoi”….was used to call small boats moving up and down the Netherlands coast fetching and carrying goods…”hoi” is the Dutch word for “hello”

  • @bethsmith3421
    @bethsmith3421 9 днів тому +72

    1.Three sheets to the wind 2. pipe down 3. Know the ropes 4. All hands 5. Batten down the hatches 6. Keel over 7. Loose cannons 8. Above board 9. No room to swing a cat 10. Over the barrel 11. Pooped 12. Press into service 13. Sailing close to the wind 14. Scuttlebutt 15. Show one's true colors 16. Slush fund There are so many maritime sayings we use in regular conversation. Although, I wonder if they will continue as the newer generations seemed to have more conversations online and condensed. So maybe the time for colorful phrases will be lost in preference for condensing our conversations into the bare minimum.

    • @terryt.1643
      @terryt.1643 8 днів тому +5

      Hold on to the bitter end and spinning yarns are two of my favorites…

    • @medievalladybird394
      @medievalladybird394 8 днів тому +1

      By and large

    • @rodfryatt4266
      @rodfryatt4266 8 днів тому +4

      17 Plane sailing. 18 Belay that. 19 You can tell that to the marines. (But the sailors won't believe it) 20 Box the compass. 21 Tow- rag. 22 A square meal.

    • @melbea03
      @melbea03 7 днів тому +3

      Shiver me timbers

    • @medievalladybird394
      @medievalladybird394 7 днів тому +2

      @melbea03 yes, I can hear Tom Waits singing. 👌

  • @ianhelps3749
    @ianhelps3749 9 днів тому +30

    Naval ships would carry a small " jolly boat" used to transfer sailors to dry land without the ship having to dock, for example if they were given leave. Thus the saying " going on a jolly" for taking leave or going to a conference not involving much work.
    Thanks for the video and for asking about us. I'm going into retirement at the end of the year.
    And a late happy birthday!

    • @amsteensberg1653
      @amsteensberg1653 7 днів тому +1

      In Danish a small rowing boat is called a jolle ....might be the same word ....nothing related to joy or being Jolly though 🙂

  • @jonathanbarnes3061
    @jonathanbarnes3061 10 днів тому +49

    Don't know why this channel doesn't have two-hundred-fifty thousand subscriber's but the videos never get old.

  • @ronhuhn7562
    @ronhuhn7562 8 днів тому +29

    I have decided, with nothing more than UA-cam, that you must be one of the kindest people in the world. After six decades I have known a few. Blessings to you and all you hold dear.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  8 днів тому +4

      ❤ thank you, that is so kind of you to say

    • @raymondlovelock1437
      @raymondlovelock1437 7 днів тому +2

      ​@@nicolawhitemudlark I love watching your videos Nicola.

    • @lynnc4872
      @lynnc4872 7 днів тому +1

      Agreed❤❤❤❤💕any one can show kindness but you seem genuinely kind all around. Lovely lady❤

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  7 днів тому +1

      Thank you, Raymond! ❤️

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  7 днів тому +1

      ❤️❤️

  • @PiraticalBob
    @PiraticalBob 9 днів тому +31

    The ship's slate would have been kept beside the ship's wheel and bell, along with an hourglass that measured 1/2 hour intervals. Also would be the ship's compass. It was the duty of the master's mate to keep a running tally of course changes, speed, weather, etc. At the end of every half hour the hourglass would be turned and the bell struck to indicate the time. For H, K, and F, they stood for Hours (sailed), Knots (speed) and Fathoms (depth of water).

    • @derekwickens1394
      @derekwickens1394 9 днів тому

      used in calculating the "Days Work" saiiling ship navigational calculations.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  9 днів тому +3

      Thank you very much!

    • @yvesgauthier2324
      @yvesgauthier2324 7 днів тому +1

      Quand le quart était trop dur à cause du froid certains tournaient le sablier avant la demie heure. C'était "manger du sable". Lors d'une tempête de trois jours beaucoup de sable avait été mangé et l'heure mesurée ne correspondait plus du tout avec la position du soleil enfin réapparu.

  • @federicoprice2687
    @federicoprice2687 7 днів тому +18

    Brilliant! 😊 As an RN officer of 30 years vintage (ie, old and weathered!) I've entered countless log entries for very many watches on the bridge of a variety of HMS ships from small patrol vessels to aircraft carrier... in pencil. So this slate log resonates with me, as does the area of the foreshore where you found it, especially as I studied in the RN College Greenwich, was married there and lived near Blackheath for many years. H K F = Hours (run) Knots (speed as measured by the log) Fathoms (depth under the keel) Careening was actually the 'evolution' (operational manoeuvre) of heeling a ship to port or starboard by shifting heavy loads topside (eg canon) to expose the opposite portion of hull which needed to be worked on (inspecting, repairs, cleaning, yes scraping off barnacles etc). Occasionally the careening went horribly wrong - HMS ROYAL GEORGE being the most catastrophic example: an accident in which some 900 souls perished, including Rear Admiral Richard Kempenfelt, who drowned in his cabin as the ship flooded and sank in Portsmouth harbour. I have to admit to having innocently chucked or dropped some odd bits and pieces into the Thames from a few of HM Ships, thus inadvertently adding to the "treasure" for future mudlarkers to find. That would have been in the ranks of Midshipman, Sub Lieutenant and Lieutenant (pronounced LEFtenant in the UK, not LOOtenant as in the US) - I wouldn't have ditched stuff overboard in more senior ranks and in any case, my seagoing days gave way to staff jobs thereafter! Happy mudlarking!

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  7 днів тому +1

      Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this information xx

    • @georgem7965
      @georgem7965 4 дні тому +3

      I have heard a USN story that if a sailor encounters something he is unfamiliar with on board, a ship he/she has the choices of eating it, saluting it, painting it, or throwing it overboard.
      t is pure speculation but I think it most probable that the log slate was broken on board somehow, possibly dripped and landing on something hard, and then tossed overboard. I am sure the ship's Master and the 1st Mate were not best pleased.
      My father was a Bosun's Mate 1st class in WW2 but my university did not offer naval officer training (ROTC). So, I went with the US Army. Finally retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (Commander to the naval types).

  • @suebt8794
    @suebt8794 9 днів тому +22

    Nicola just to thank you for showing interest in our lives. Your kindness does not go unnoticed. Bless you with love x

  • @kayesdigginit1519
    @kayesdigginit1519 8 днів тому +19

    OMGoodness Nicola 😮
    You were able to not only find the ships slate pieces but also see actual logs from that exact ship 😮
    You are an amazing mudlark and researcher of your finds. Thank you so very much. I really truly enjoyed this video 😃

  • @stevea9604
    @stevea9604 9 днів тому +9

    Your reaching from the slate to the actual log books is amazingly incredible reaches 👍🏻🤩🤔🧐

  • @kape8286
    @kape8286 9 днів тому +9

    Imagine you thanking us. you are a breath of fresh air and an awesome story teller. Thank you

  • @susanboon4605
    @susanboon4605 10 днів тому +18

    Hi, Nicola. Nice to have a new video! I do love this one in particular, as I have a maritime connection through my GGGrandfather, who ran away to sea as a young boy and joined the US Merchant Marine. One of my most cherished family treasures are the buttons from his uniform.
    As far as interesting naval terms, my favourites are Scuttlebutt - the butt (barrel) of water on deck, through which a hole had been cut (scuttled), where the sailors often stood around exchanging gossip, and Pipe Down -used to tell people to be quiet, but originating from the Boatswain's whistle denoting time to go below deck and ready for bed.

    • @waltersnowdon1243
      @waltersnowdon1243 7 днів тому +1

      Hello again. the word scuttlebutt meaning idle gossip and rumours were passed on.When the water wasnt rationed on sailing ships the butt or barrel was full of rain water and a source of water for the crew. The butt was lashed to a grating (the scuttle on the open deck) where the crew could be seen at all times in case they were plotting mischief or mutiny! A utensil a bit like a soup ladle would hang from the top of the butt and was commonly reffered to as the dipper.

  • @hazel3564
    @hazel3564 10 днів тому +25

    Thank you for the good wishes you impart on us in each video. It’s very kind of you. You will never know how much pleasure you bring to an old American woman with ties to London from the 1600’s. I also enjoy seeing you with Si, he’s a very entertaining guy.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  9 днів тому +2

      Thank you Hazel. Much love xx

    • @janetf9076
      @janetf9076 8 днів тому +1

      This old lady agrees. This channel is one of the very few good things that came out of the COVID debacle!😂

  • @susancousins8766
    @susancousins8766 9 днів тому +12

    The research and reading of the history about the Merlin was fascinating. Now that I am older I can appreciate history!
    It was very boring to me when I was younger. I loved listening to my grandpa tell his stories of WWl and being able to entertain the men on the ship. He was a bandmaster who took his work serious. I really don’t know if he actually used any weapons. He never said anything about it.
    That you Nicola for all of your history lessons throughout your videos. You are a remarkable woman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💜

  • @Borntobemild2625
    @Borntobemild2625 10 днів тому +17

    I can't imagine how you feel when you find something that was last held or touched centuries ago & you hold it for the first time. My imagination would go into overdrive, trying to understand who lost it, how they lost it etc etc.

  • @helenedansereau9255
    @helenedansereau9255 10 днів тому +12

    Watching (and appreciating) so many of your videos has had an unexpected side effet : I have become addicted to the tinkly, glassy, sound of boots walking on shingle, and the metallic sound of a trowel scraping among beach stones. Who knew? Thanks for constantly meaningful content, and gorgeous wildlife and urban landscape shots.

    • @airypersiflage
      @airypersiflage 9 днів тому +2

      it's a unique variety of ASMR! sometimes when I play these of a Sunday afternoon I drift off and have to watch again when I wake!

  • @Malana12
    @Malana12 10 днів тому +21

    You should ask the Museum if they would be interested in the slate. It would be a good match with the ship’s log book

  • @michaelwyatt1143
    @michaelwyatt1143 4 дні тому +4

    That piece of slate finds is incredible. Well done for tracing it's history_ very interesting.Thanks Nicola for the video and going out in all weather conditions.x

  • @nigelwells1643
    @nigelwells1643 6 днів тому +7

    Fascinating video and incredible find. Some other sayings ; Square meal (They used square wooden platters to stop the plates sliding around) , ' Loaded up to the Gunnells' (Gunwhales) and 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey'. Cannon balls were stacked in pyramids on the gundeck and the square brass band used to keep them in place was called a 'Monkey'. In really cold weather it could contract and the shot would fall out over the top. Thankyou for your programmes. You bring history to life.

  • @philiptaylor8790
    @philiptaylor8790 5 днів тому +2

    The Devil is the joint between the outermost deck plank and the inboard planks. Hence " between the devil and the deep blue sea " was a dangerous place to be. Another phrase was " No pitch on the boil and the devil to pay" and " paying the devil".
    Loved the video.

  • @connie6545
    @connie6545 9 днів тому +8

    Thank you for another hunt on the River Thames! I just LOVE how you research the history behind your finds. ♥

  • @noelani240
    @noelani240 3 дні тому +1

    I’ve always liked the saying, batten down the hatches!

  • @suzannemangino5892
    @suzannemangino5892 10 днів тому +12

    🎂A very Happy Belated Birthday to you from across the pond!!!🙏🏻

  • @rondapaoletti5371
    @rondapaoletti5371 10 днів тому +11

    Three sheets to the wind. Loved seeing your treasures!

  • @hollyderderian152
    @hollyderderian152 5 днів тому +3

    I'm speechless about the slate ! I can hear your heart racing! Incredible find....a historical log!

  • @rebradshawbooks
    @rebradshawbooks 10 днів тому +112

    Thank you for 37 minutes and 31 seconds of not thinking about the crazy news here in the states. Thank you so very much.

    • @Late_to_the_party
      @Late_to_the_party 10 днів тому +18

      What is crazy? I live in the states.

    • @tilliemaekirk9444
      @tilliemaekirk9444 10 днів тому +27

      @@Late_to_the_party probably someone suffering, still, from TDS. It's a great time in the States - and going to be even greater as time will tell.

    • @JamesGower-ch5zj
      @JamesGower-ch5zj 10 днів тому +8

      Looks to me like you're going to be digging around in mud in the USA for a while.

    • @souloftheteacher9427
      @souloftheteacher9427 10 днів тому +5

      @@tilliemaekirk9444 Time will indeed tell. Hold that thought. Time depth, and what it brings, is rather a challenge for Americans.

    • @tilliemaekirk9444
      @tilliemaekirk9444 9 днів тому +4

      @@souloftheteacher9427 not at all difficult for most of us- a majority of us , in fact. Stay tuned, Teacher.

  • @JMA864
    @JMA864 4 дні тому +5

    That nail is a work of art!

  • @shawnellewinters7487
    @shawnellewinters7487 10 днів тому +11

    How excited you must have been finding so much to research! I envy you being able to literally touch history when you go mudlarking. As far as ship related sayings go, my grandmother would tell me, regarding loud or overly talkative people, "Empty vessels make the most sound".

    • @evangelineadams4885
      @evangelineadams4885 9 днів тому +4

      Was she talking about ships, though, or another kind of vessel?

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  9 днів тому +3

      brilliant thank you

    • @shawnellewinters7487
      @shawnellewinters7487 3 дні тому

      @@evangelineadams4885 empty cargo ships because they echo. But she said that about people who talked too much too 😄

  • @mandalasilver
    @mandalasilver 8 днів тому +5

    Happy Belated Birthday to the Queen of Mudlarks! Nathan from Chicago

  • @raymondlovelock1437
    @raymondlovelock1437 7 днів тому +2

    Thanks for sharing your videos with us. Being as it is close to Christmas and I just missed your birthday I am sending you a donation to treat yourself to something nice. Please take care and stay safe and warm. Happy mudlarking🎉

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  7 днів тому

      Thank you that is,so very kind of you Happy Christmas to you 🎉😊❤

  • @GeneSimons-fw5io
    @GeneSimons-fw5io 10 днів тому +11

    🔔 Always brightens the day when an alert from everyone's favorite mudlarker pops up! You really are rockin' it when it comes to your programming, much appreciated!

  • @effortless_choice
    @effortless_choice 4 дні тому +1

    “Rust picker” is a name we used in the United States Navy to describe someone performing manual labor.
    Nicola, this is the first video of yours I’ve ever seen…what a cool hobby. 👍😎🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @wookster67
    @wookster67 10 днів тому +15

    Hi Nicola, the choice was endless , With a single Sixpence you could buy a shave and dressing one's wig, a pound of local cheese, or you could have your chimney swept. 😂

  • @JeanStAubin-nl9uo
    @JeanStAubin-nl9uo 4 дні тому +1

    Thank you for sharing this with us.

  • @JamalZeid-z8n
    @JamalZeid-z8n 8 днів тому +8

    Das erinnert mich an meine Kindheit ❤herrlich und ein ein schönen Geburtstag wünsche ich dir

  • @jeffersonmp7846
    @jeffersonmp7846 9 днів тому +6

    hi Nick I love your videos , lots of love from Boston USA

  • @OregonTrailLife
    @OregonTrailLife 9 днів тому +5

    Hello! I went back and watched some old video’s (7 years ago!) You now have a full onion bottle. 😊 But I appreciate your video’s because they are soothing and not full of obnoxious music, your intro’s still remain short. You still show nature shots and I look forward to every video you upload. Thank you for staying true and letting us enjoy your finds.

  • @chrisberry9017
    @chrisberry9017 9 днів тому +3

    A wonderful way of starting the week. Thank you Nicola for helping to put life in perspective. The ship’s log was indeed a fascinating find, along with your subsequent research. Thank you so very much!

  • @jasonsummit1885
    @jasonsummit1885 8 днів тому +6

    Another maritime phrase is "between a rock and a hard place" referring to the waters between Sicily and the mainland which were hard to navigate.

  • @iamshotty
    @iamshotty 9 днів тому +5

    Ahoy there Nicola!! Always happy to watch a video with you, and I just watched you on Si's video too, so a double dose of lovely!!! Sending you much love always ❤Teresa 🇦🇺♥

  • @PixieStirling
    @PixieStirling 9 днів тому +3

    All the better for seeing you back in your element and letting us join💜💜💜💜💜💜Thanks.❤❤❤

  • @granddad-mv5ef
    @granddad-mv5ef 9 днів тому +2

    Mystery solving is your passion; not like Jane Marple, but real, everyday history. And plenty to be found on the foreshore! I feel quite fortunate to be a witness to your adventures; and occasionally add a small piece of knowledge.

  • @VonnieVonVonster
    @VonnieVonVonster 10 днів тому +5

    A fantastic video, Nicola. The Thames Gods were kind to you that day!
    As far as I know (from a shipping family) HKF stands for course, knots and force - basically, direction or heading, wind speed and sea conditions.

  • @kimberlymolitor354
    @kimberlymolitor354 10 днів тому +3

    Terrific finds and LOVE the history of the slate!! We have a long history of Navy men in my family and it makes me proud to hear histories of naval finds and the heroic men and women who have served. Happy belated birthday, sweet lady!!❤❤❤

  • @jessicamarielovato3600
    @jessicamarielovato3600 10 днів тому +4

    Nicola, I can't watch it yet in Utah, USA, but by reading some of the comments I wish the time would go by quicker (101 minutes to go). By what I'm seeing you've found something great. I can't wait!!! So looking for to your video. Have a blessed week Nicola 😊

  • @kevinsenior8155
    @kevinsenior8155 5 днів тому +1

    Hi Nicola. Thanks as always for your videos, and this is a classic. My Father is very poorly in hospital right now, so watching your outings gives me a break, and respite from all the stress. Bless you, and please keep larking. K

  • @marie-louisesegerlov8625
    @marie-louisesegerlov8625 10 днів тому +32

    I love that nail!

    • @GeneSimons-fw5io
      @GeneSimons-fw5io 10 днів тому +2

      I was impressed too. Piqued this ol' guy's curiosity... 🤔.

  • @melw2100
    @melw2100 10 днів тому +4

    The slate is a fantastic find and amazing history. Thank you for sharing!

  • @ianbennett1491
    @ianbennett1491 10 днів тому +5

    Brilliant Nicola.Thats what Quasimodo said."Let's see my HUNCH is right."😊

  • @briandaniels2377
    @briandaniels2377 4 дні тому +1

    Your so fun to watch, you get giddy as a school girl,when you find something to research. Keep up the good work

  • @guadalupeknippen528
    @guadalupeknippen528 9 днів тому +4

    Magnificent finds. Thank you for sharing with us. 🌻🍁😊🇺🇸

  • @airenesmiler6624
    @airenesmiler6624 8 днів тому +1

    Love the shirt, the Specials were a huge part of the soundtrack of my youth.

  • @angelodefini
    @angelodefini 10 днів тому +9

    Not maratine but river related. Author Samuel Clemens whose pseudonym was Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi river in the 1860's. Best known for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He would hear from the man slinging the sounding weight "Mark Twain" which meant the depth was 2 fathoms.

    • @SessionMom
      @SessionMom 9 днів тому +3

      My great grandfather was a sailor. He went to Palestine to help build houses. On his way back to the US, Samuel was on board the ship. He wrote about his journey in Innocents Abroad, pub. in 1869. In the book was a list of passengers and he mentioned my great grandfather.

    • @angelodefini
      @angelodefini 9 днів тому +1

      @ It is a small world. It has been proposed that everyone we meet are all connected with a gold thread. Thank you for reaching out.

  • @stevea9604
    @stevea9604 9 днів тому +4

    The river gives some of it’s best presents to you near your birthday 👍🏻🤩🌞😎🌊

  • @terryt.1643
    @terryt.1643 8 днів тому +4

    A cold yet satisfying day of mudlarking on the Thames. I love nautical terms which worked their way into common speech like “hold on to the bitter end” & “spinning yarns”

  • @denniseldridge2936
    @denniseldridge2936 7 днів тому +2

    Ooh, that slate really got me interested. I'm a bit of a follower and enthusiast of British naval history, so to see that slate was particularly exciting. To see where the very hands on that ship wrote up the daily logs, the first writers of history on that boat, fills me with awe. And that you were able to track down the actual logs... wow! Can you imagine that those log entries were first written on that very slate. So cool!
    I also really like when you investigate the names of individuals and companies on objects you find. We learn about businesses that often have long gone, like the hotel for instance. I wonder if the piece you found was perhaps damaged due to the bombs. Again, living history.
    Thank you so much, and happy birthday!

  • @Michelle-tk9jq
    @Michelle-tk9jq 10 днів тому +3

    What wonderful finds tied to history and people. Thank you Nicola I loved it. And happy belated birthday! ❤❤❤

  • @lordbalfourcottage5790
    @lordbalfourcottage5790 10 днів тому +4

    I believe the crows feet symbol on the nail is a stamp used by the navy, signifying that it is naval property. Rather than crow’s feet it is an arrow.

  • @sharonmccarthy2820
    @sharonmccarthy2820 9 днів тому +3

    Hi Nicola I’m not sure your see this but I want to thank you so much for caring about other people it shows that you are a kind loving caring lady and I love watching your mudlarking it’s so interesting to see what you find it’s amazing.i wish you well Nicola and your family.from a fan❤❤❤

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  9 днів тому

      Thank you Sharon. That is so kind of you. Thank you for watching my videos. I'm so glad you enjoy them. Nicola xx

  • @DublinBloodUSA
    @DublinBloodUSA 8 днів тому +3

    Hume lived 3 miles from my home here in Williamsburg Va. your beauty is the greatest find on your videos , what you find on the Thames is icing on the cake,

    • @Holly-ku8vz
      @Holly-ku8vz 7 днів тому

      I first found out about the term and practice of mudlarking MANY years ago as described in one of Hume's Virginia archeology books-- can't remember the title. He reminisces about finding pottery sherds along the Thames, and I was so captivated by this. Who knew one day I would be able to see these videos...greetings from central Virginia.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  5 днів тому

      ​@@Holly-ku8vz❤

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  5 днів тому

  • @user-it4eu4og6m
    @user-it4eu4og6m 10 днів тому +6

    To the "Bitter end", referred to the end of a rope. Some animals were taken live onto a ship and were kept within a manger, cows, goats and chickens lived in wooden cages for eggs. Cheese was part of a sailors diet because it could be stored for long periods as were dried peas. Meat was steeped and when cooked the scum ( called Mush) that floated to the top was spread on ships biscuits and also used as a grease which was applied to the mast to allow sails to be hoisted more easily.

  • @Nicole-pg5lk
    @Nicole-pg5lk 8 днів тому +2

    Thank you Nicola, another great video. Enjoyed it very much.
    Love from the Netherlands, Nicole❤.

  • @martas9283
    @martas9283 8 днів тому +3

    The log slate is marvellous! I used to have a proper slate pencil when I was little, inherited from my grandmother and probably dating back to her schooldays around 1900. I always liked the look of it - it had a swirly, pinkish paper wrapper around the middle. It felt nice to write with, but being quite thin and made out of some kind of stone, it got broken at some point. I can imagine the writing exercises in the classroom must have sounded worse than chalk on a blackboard!

    • @rodfryatt4266
      @rodfryatt4266 7 днів тому

      When I was learning to write at primary school in the 50's we used slate boards and chalk.

    • @martas9283
      @martas9283 7 днів тому

      @@rodfryatt4266 Was there a post war paper shortage still you think? Great way to save paper!

    • @rodfryatt4266
      @rodfryatt4266 7 днів тому

      @@martas9283 No I was not aware of any paper shortage. It was just a rural country school in a Tudor building. The slates were in wooden frames and looked about 100 years old. We later graduated to dip-in pens and ink.

  • @Francesmelton59
    @Francesmelton59 10 днів тому +4

    Sayings (over a barrel) (three sheets to the wind)
    As the Merlin ended its life in in 1777 America, I wonder how the slates ended up in the Thames. Probably lost overboard whilst being refitted perhaps.How fantastic to find it and be able to trace the ship. Thank you x

  • @HughLindsay66
    @HughLindsay66 10 днів тому +57

    HKF Hours Knots Fathoms

  • @stevea9604
    @stevea9604 9 днів тому +2

    Your birthday was such a great wonderful gift to us all 👍🏻🤩🥰

  • @isadelahunt2284
    @isadelahunt2284 10 днів тому +4

    'Copper bottomed', mening reliable and sound. If your ship is (literally) copper bottomed, it's much safer from worms and things destroying the wooden planks.

  • @terrylandburg6038
    @terrylandburg6038 10 днів тому +4

    Belated happy birthday from America. Enjoy your videos very much

  • @whitneylake2107
    @whitneylake2107 10 днів тому +3

    Wonderful episode ! Great history lesson - especially The Merlin. Thank you again

  • @StuartCarmichael-r4r
    @StuartCarmichael-r4r 10 днів тому +2

    So lovely to travel with you into the past and bring it to today . such joy and happy 1st Advent.

  • @neeleyfolk
    @neeleyfolk 10 днів тому +5

    Love the ships slate, big fan of American Revolution history. Used at The Battle of Red Banks 1777.

  • @robertpuleo1203
    @robertpuleo1203 7 днів тому

    Great job Nicola, I love seeing old history being discovered and brought back to life so all can enjoy our past. Thanks, Bob from USA

  • @superbellabeau
    @superbellabeau 10 днів тому +3

    Wiping the slate clean, starting with a clean slate are a few sayings that come to mind. The Merlin slate was a fantastic find and it was so interesting hearing the ships history. Happy week ahead Nicola ❤😊

  • @driver0070
    @driver0070 6 днів тому +2

    Love your mudlarking channel. Due t6 illn̈ess i don't get out as much as I would like,.so watching you on your explanations is almost like I'm there with you 😉

  • @OgYokYok
    @OgYokYok 9 днів тому +13

    Sorry for the language but holy fucking shit never have I been more amped/relaxed waiting for the reveal on the slate’s history. Just amazing. Absolutely love your channel. Every couple of months you find something staggering.

  • @anthonybedford
    @anthonybedford 9 днів тому +1

    Just Magical! Thank you so much for sharing the HMS Merlin connection. Brilliant!

  • @bkitteh6295
    @bkitteh6295 8 днів тому +3

    Another fabulous, memorable, thought-provoking video! Thanks, Nicola, for helping us maintain our perspective as the US prepares into 4 years of chaos. Your videos are so calming and healing. Thank you.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  6 днів тому

      @bkitteh6295 hello! Thank you so very much for your kind gift. Much love from me. I'm so glad you enjoy the videos xxx

  • @JamesHey-b9v
    @JamesHey-b9v 4 дні тому +1

    An absolutely fascinating video Nicola thank you. Loving all the detailed information about HMS Merlin absolutely fascinating. Much love to you xxxx

  • @LaurenMarshall-t6f
    @LaurenMarshall-t6f 9 днів тому +5

    I’ve been waiting for your next video!! You are my all time favorite UA-cam star! KY USA

  • @MaryLowrey-m7m
    @MaryLowrey-m7m 4 години тому

    I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Such in depth follow up, thanks 😘

  • @lindaruljancich8291
    @lindaruljancich8291 9 днів тому +3

    Love your videos Nicola and this one was exceptional - maritime sayings: clear the decks/shipshape and Bristol fashion/fair weather sailor/above board perhaps. Greetings from Australia.

  • @chattan3018
    @chattan3018 8 днів тому +2

    You are so interesting. Glad to have started watching your videos a while back.

  • @goodpeople5676
    @goodpeople5676 9 днів тому +3

    Really awesome video
    With love from SAM
    Guwahati, Assam, India 🇮🇳 ♥️

  • @dinahjackson8146
    @dinahjackson8146 8 днів тому

    I looove these finds!❤ I too, like seeing the names, ads or numbers on old finds. Plus, the wonderful history. Thank you!!!❤

  • @simonfew2255
    @simonfew2255 10 днів тому +3

    the ships log was basically a wooden wighted wedge on a long line with knots tied at regular intervals and an hour glass. it was thrown of the back and the numbers of knots that ran through the fingers until the sand ran out was the number of knots (speed) 1 knot is 1 NM/h

  • @davehamley-richards2941
    @davehamley-richards2941 7 днів тому +1

    Hi Nicola, what an amazing day you had, it was so exciting for me watch your film. For me it was your best ever find while mudlarking, Thank you so much.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  7 днів тому

      Thanks Dave! So glad you enjoyed the video and the slate find

  • @carolynchurch9913
    @carolynchurch9913 10 днів тому +5

    There is a Lord Howe island between Australia and New Zealand named after the First Lord of the Admiralty.

  • @DavidCrossman1
    @DavidCrossman1 6 днів тому +1

    First time viewer. I enjoyed your enthusiasm and ability to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. I especially appreciate that I was able to share your experience without getting cold or wet! Thank you.

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  5 днів тому

      Thank you David! Welcome to the channel. I'm do glad you're enjoying

  • @charlesperez9976
    @charlesperez9976 10 днів тому +6

    Ah!
    Nicola,this was brimful of fun finds.
    HMS Merlin,wow.
    I am fascinated by the fact that the ship was intentionally burned down in North America,yet this slate managed to end up in England.
    It wouldn’t seem to be of enough importance to bring back.
    Fascinating.
    Here’s a maritime saying,if it hasn’t been mentioned already:
    “I don’t like the cut of his jib”.
    The Jib is the tiny flag on the very top of the tallest mast,indicating the country of origin.
    If you were on a British ship,and you saw a French ship,with a French Jib,that was bad news,hence the phrase,meaning that it was a hostile ship.
    And lastly,for Pete’s sake,I’m dying to know why you are wearing a ‘The Specials” t shirt!!!
    I am,amongst other musical genres,a big Specials fan,proper mid-era Ska.
    I neeed to know the backstory to this garment!!!!!
    🤣🤣😅

    • @chrisberry9017
      @chrisberry9017 9 днів тому +1

      I was very curious too about the tea shirt!

    • @Corgio22
      @Corgio22 9 днів тому +1

      The Beat are the Best!

    • @charlesperez9976
      @charlesperez9976 9 днів тому

      Yeah,The Beat was a great band!
      The bass in the song ‘mirror in the bathroom’ is brilliant!!

    • @nicolawhitemudlark
      @nicolawhitemudlark  9 днів тому +1

      ha ha well that story is for another day ;) xx

  • @deancase8951
    @deancase8951 День тому

    Super cool slate chalk board. And Love the Specials shirt!!!

  • @kybortylor2559
    @kybortylor2559 9 днів тому +5

    I may have a cold-weather trick for staying warm, Nicola. If you put on a pair of those thin rubber medical gloves, and then the gardening gloves or cloth gloves, you may be warmer in general (not perfect) the thing is, you don't have constant wet on the inside and your fingers can hold the heat better. Same thing works with socks... if you put a plastic shopping bag on your feet, and then your woolies, your feet will stay warm because you are not transferring moisture from your feet into your socks. It's not ideal, don't do it all day long; but it has helped me lots!

  • @IslandGirl755
    @IslandGirl755 8 днів тому +1

    Thank you Nicola for all the details of history from the Thames. Love your videos . 🇨🇦

  • @aprilleighallred8546
    @aprilleighallred8546 10 днів тому +4

    Tying up the loose ends, learning the ropes, a loose cannon, batten down the hatches, Taken aback, Toe the line, not by a longshot

  • @debbielb2325
    @debbielb2325 8 днів тому +1

    I was lucky enough to try my hand at mudlarking in June whilst visiting from Canada. I went with the Thames Authority. It was a lot of fun but not near as easy as it looks. There was so many little bits it was overwhelming! Absolutely loved it.

  • @123uschie
    @123uschie 10 днів тому +3

    Thank you so much for this video Nicola.
    Belated birthday wishes to you❤

  • @TeineUaine
    @TeineUaine День тому

    So very interesting, Nicola! Really brings the past to life! 🇨🇦