Sunday, May 25, 2014

MEMORIAL DAY ISSUE: MAY 26, 2014 HOME PAGE / NOTICES

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A Memorial Day Thought: "In all of the lands that America has sent troops to defend freedom and humanity , America has never asked for any more land than what it took to bury our dead" (Please comment if you know the author)

NOTICES: HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY: But don't forget the meaning of this day and those who died to win and maintain freedom. Freedom isn't free and that's why this holiday was authorized by Congress, as a reminder of that fact. A day to memorialize the fallen, and to enjoy some of the freedom they have provided. At today's ball games, memorial services, parades and barbecues don't forget to pause to remember the fallen, and stand for the passing national flag or the playing of the Star Spangled banner. Here is a link to our favorite version of the national anthem. Madison Rising:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaye7Md3PYs Waving Flag #3

1. To Reach The Latest Blog Posts simply Scroll down

2. The list of Special interest pages to your right are direct links, simply click on any page of interest. Once there simply scroll down or use the various internal and external links provided

3. NEW VISITOR? Click here for a short video explaining our purpose and mission, a basic site guide, short cuts etc. INTRODUCTION

4. Looking for maritime links? We link to maritime information sites throughout the special interest pages based on the special interest subject. But we also have an indexed collection of most of the world's English language maritime web sites. Click here: THE BIG LINKS LOCKER

Looking for past essays by the our top analyst, Namazu, former Japanese Giant Catfish demigod. His stuff is spread all over the blog but we are building an archive so you might want to check there first: EVERYTHING NAMAZU

6. We've been following the aggressive actions of the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard for nearly two years now. We are working on an archive for those posts as well: How Far Will The Dragon Swim?

7. On line books? We have a growing collection for reading on line or use as a reference: Our authoritative literature section is where we are editing, up dating and posting the entire collection of American Admiralty Bureau Guide and Commentators, references that should prove vital to admiralty lawyers working with expert witnesses. This is an on going project but about four complete volumes are on line now: After you enter the Authoritative literature page simply scroll down to the start of the American Admiralty Bureau Guides and Commentators.

AUTHORITATIVE LITERATURE INCLUDING AAB PUBS. We also have our popular serial posts on the parallels between space exploration and the earlier age of maritime exploration originally published as a serial blog post under the continuing title "SPACE AS AN OCEAN" and now posted as an E-Book in Progress titled PROTOCOLS: Click into our MARITIME LITERATURE page and scroll down until you see the words "E Book In Progress". Then you may continue to scroll down to read as many of the essays as you like. Each one is complete in and of its self so you could red the entire collection painlessly by reading just one a day, about five thought provoking minutes. To view the essays click here: MARITIME LITERATURE, Including PROTOCOLS. We also have in our MERCHANT MARINE INTEREST SECTION the National Mariner's Association book: BLOOD ON BROWN WATER. Just enter the MERCHANT MARINE INTEREST SECTION and scroll down: MERCHANT MARINE INTEREST: "BLOOD ON BROWN WATER"

8. Book Reviews: Are sorted via the special interest pages, just click on any of the special interest pages in the column margin to your right to select a subject area. Book reviews are spread throughout each section along with links to free videos on the pertinent subject, links to specialized web sites on the subject etc. Each book review will have a link to a vendor where you can obtain additional information or purchase the book. If you are interested in a library loan look for the International Book Binding Number (ISBN) either in our review or at the vendor's site. The ISBN number is a big aid when your librarian has to arrange an inter library loan.

9. To look at books that we haven't reviewed yet, shop for water sports books, videos, clothing, and equipment, boat building tools, fishing equipment, or surfing and diving gear visit our shopping mall. The shops are open while we're under construction.

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FINAL WEEK! DRAWING WILL BE MAY 31st . TO ENTER CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW THE TRUCK ILLUSTRATION.

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MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

ADMIRAL LEE ON MILITARY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXPtXPJLnJY

REAR ADMIRAL LEE OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS ON U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS

Interior View of the U.S. Naval academy Chapel, Annapolis, MD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXPtXPJLnJY-Link to video

Editor's note 6/15/2017 with the Muslim in Chief out of the White House the concern over this issue seems to be slackening. But we suggest keeping sharp eye on it. The military officers who enforced PC in religious practice in the armed forces the last 8 years may have simply been a bit lacking in moral courage. Anyone pushing the polices of the last eight years now wold have to be a committed member of the "Deep State", a swamp dweller in need of "clearing".

On May 7, 2013 a video was released of the speech given by Coast Guard Rear Admiral William Lee at the National Day of Prayer service on Capitol Hill. The Admiral boldly declared that he had disregarded the rules and gave a Bible to a service member who had attempted suicide. He went further and pledged not to abide by the restrictive regulations. To a standing ovation, Admiral Lee promised not to back down from "my right under the Constitution to tell a young man that there is hope."

After listening to his speech and reading the steady stream of reports about suppression of religious expression. We believe that the concerns stated by Christians in the military are the result of an environment of increasing religious hostility that has been created by restrictive regulations at the behest of activists like Mikey Weinstein. Several weeks ago, Defense Secretary Hagel was grilled about these regulations in a Congressional hearing -- but said he knew nothing about it. We doubt that. An environment hostile to religion has been created by Mikey Weinstein's influence over military regulations and compliant leaders. We think the Admiral's speech is worth listening to and considering..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXPtXPJLnJY

Click on the link above to hear the entire speech and watch the video

Official biography of Rear Admiral William "Dean" Lee USCG: http://www.uscg.mil/flag/biography/WilliamLee.pdf

Priced for giving away

NAVAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS, A BOOK REVIEW

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From the Publishers:
"The abolishment of flogging in 1850 started the U.S. Navy on a quest for a prison system that culminated with the opening of Portsmouth Naval Prison in 1908. During World War I, that prison became the center of the Navy's attempt to reform what many considered outdated means of punishment. Driven by Progressive Era ideals and led by Thomas Mott Osborne, cell doors remained opened, inmates governed themselves, and thousands of rehabilitated prisoners were returned to the fleet. Championed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt, Osborne's reforms proceeded positively until Vice Adm. William. Sims and others became convinced that too many troublemakers were being returned to the fleet. In response, FDR led an on-site investigation of conditions at Portsmouth prison, which included charges of gross mismanagement and rampant homosexual activity. Although exonerated, Osborne resigned and initiatives were quickly reversed as the Navy returned to a harsher system."

This book by CDR. James Rentfrow, USN (Retired) who currently teaches naval and U.S. history at the U.S. Naval Academy is a look inside of Naval corrections, which in our mind still have a long way to go but....if you are ever caught up in the U.S. naval correction system for a prolonged period of incarceration, unlike the civilian system you are at least reasonably assured of personal safety. The inmates do not run naval correctional facilities from behind the walls. As the book explores there was a brief period in history when that was the case in the naval correctional system, but unlike the civilian system where the problem is currently rampant, the U.S. Navy learned from the experience and corrected it. In today's brigs convicts are not abused, and generally kept safe from predatory convicts. Naval convicts will definitely feel "punished" under the strict discipline that goes with brig confinement but should feel "safe". This alone is a big improvement over many if not most civilian correctional system units. Another thing about naval corrections, convicts generally serve their terms, there is no regular parole system, no interruptions of any self improvement programs the inmates undertake behind bars, generally no time off for good behavior. Compliant, cooperative behavior is the only kind accepted. Unfortunately, upon completion of sentence naval inmates are also discharged from naval service and we don't know how the system does in terms of recidivism.
Perhaps that might be the subject of some future study. We think that civilian correctional professionals might learn something from the naval correctional system experience.

RECOMMENDED for naval professionals and correctional professionals of all stripes, and history buffs.

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Naval Institute Press (March 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1612514456
ISBN-13: 978-1612514451

Available from Amazon.com (see book icon link below) and the Naval Institute where the book price is discounted for Institute members. http://www.usni.org/store/books

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Saturday, May 24, 2014

WEEKEND EDITION: SUNDAY MAY 25, 2014 HOME PAGES AND NOTICES

AMERICAN ADMIRALTY BOOKS

YOUR PORTAL TO THE MARITIME WORLD

Visit Our Sailing Page

WELCOME ABOARD

Visit Our SAILING SHOP

AMAZON SAILING BOOKS
AMAZON SAILING VIDEOS

A Memorial Weekend Thought: "In all of the lands that America has sent troops to defend freedom and humanity , America has never asked for any more land than what it took to bury our dead" (Please comment if you know the author)

NOTICES: HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL WEEKEND SUNDAY! Today in our daily posts we provide you with another in our evolving series of essays on the parallels between commercial space travel and transport and traditional merchant marine operations. We also invite you via a link to join an expedition to the deepest bottom of the sea. Yesterday we had two new posts for you, one continued our musings about the the similarities between the on going commercialization of space transport and travel and earlier merchant marine activities, particularly during the age of European exploration. Our second post was a book review of interest to admiralty and naval lawyers, career mariners, and possibly quite a few of the general public. The book deals with the naval justice system, especially when justice miscarries.

1. To Reach The Latest Blog Posts simply Scroll down

2. The list of Special interest pages to your right are direct links, simply click on any page of interest. Once there simply scroll down or use the various internal and external links provided

3. NEW VISITOR? Click here for a short video explaining our purpose and mission, a basic site guide, short cuts etc. INTRODUCTION

6. We've been following the aggressive actions of the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard for nearly two years now. We are working on an archive for those posts as well: How Far Will The Dragon Swim?

AMERICAN ADMIRALTY SHOPPING MALL

10. Need Boat Building Plans? Links to designers with building plans for sale are in the BOAT BUILDING section. BOAT BUILDING SECTION

11. If you need additional guidance through this very large site try our SITE GUIDE AND INDEXS

FINAL WEEK! DRAWING WILL BE MAY 31st . TO ENTER CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW THE TRUCK ILLUSTRATION.

Shop Amazon - Save Up to 50% on Select Truck Parts & Accessories and Enter for a Chance to Win a 2014 Ford F150

Amazon - Shop. Connect. Enjoy. All from Earth's Biggest Selection.

Shop Amazon - Find the Value of Your Gadgets

Shop Amazon Gift Cards. Any Occasion. No Expiration.

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF SPACE TRAVEL / TRANSPORT AND MERCHANT MARINE OPERATIONS

SPACE AS AN OCEAN

LESSONS FROM THE AGE OF EUROPEAN MARINE EXPLORATION FOR THE SPACE AGE.

American Admiralty Books Safety & Privacy Policies

Unlike the last great age of exploration the present age was not preceded by eons of migration. Migrations of men are radically different from explorations. Migrations are random and uncoordinated events. Though random, migrations can generate profound changes. On Earth man migrated from the tropics to the rim of the Arctic and peopled every land mass on the planet except Antarctica before the final age of terrestrial exploration began. Migrations can both precede and follow great ages of exploration. Migrations are the result of cumulative individual decisions. Explorations are most often important undertakings of states. The present age of space exploration began as a competition between states and is already evolving into a mostly cooperative effort of multiple states. We are preparing to leave the planet. It will not be a migration, no random individual decisions to leave. It will be a cooperative international effort, organized in great detail and at great cost. Migration will probably follow at some distant point but we are going, of that there can be no doubt.

Why are we so sure that we are going? Because the results of our first tentative explorations tell us that it will be worth the trip. Prior to 1969 men on the moon were a science fiction invention. Today more than 40 years after Neil Armstrong's historic first step, we've had it, we've been there, we left behind junk cars to memorialize our passage! In the years since that historic landing we learned a few things about moon dust. Based on samples brought back from the moon we found a fairly large supply of nearly identical mineral formations in the northern United States. This allowed experimentation in quantity. We found that with sufficient technology we can extract many useful elements from moon dust and rock including water! Long term basing on the moon is therefor possible. But why would we want to base anything in that forsaken landscape? Two other late twentieth century discoveries make it desirable.

First, we now know for certain that other planets circle other suns.some as close as 38 light years from us and some we already know have atmospheres. The Hubble telescope ( the telescope orbiting our planet in space) and other unmanned probes that we have sent out have confirmed that water, especially in the form of ice is much more common in the universe than previously suspected. We discovered non oxygen dependent life forms on this planet at the bottom of the sea in sulfuric vents and possible DNA evidence in rock from Mars. In 1969 we did not know for certain that other suns had planetary systems and the universe was popularly thought to most probably be a dust bin. We will go on to fully explore our own solar system and beyond because we now know for a fact that our chances of discovering new and inhabitable real estate are in fact excellent. We also now know that the earth's viability as an inhabitable place is not indefinite. Even if we escape man caused environmental collapse, nuclear disaster, or catastrophic asteroid collisions, the sun has an expiration date and with it goes Earth. As a self aware species we will seek to survive. This fact drives both the now beginning age of exploration and waves of migration that will follow.

As a society the Western World already seems prepared to accept that our outward search may reveal new potential trading partners, competitors, prior claimants or even enemies. If life is now not only possible but probable in the universe out there, so is intelligent life with all that is implied by that term. We must be prepared before going, to deal with encounters with unique and quite different biota and perhaps even intelligent beings. What possible experience could the human race have from which to draw lessons for such an eventuality? We suggest that we have in our collective history an age quite similar to the impending age with many parallel events from which we can draw lessons. Once, only a few hundred years ago, the shape of the world was unknown. Human and animal populations were separated by vast, seemingly uncross-able oceans. Human societies were incredibly diverse and strange to each other. Creatures great and small from the far reaches of the planet seemed wondrously strange and alien. Into this unknown world would come the mariners of Western Europe. In their wake would come eventually the concept of the "Global Village", but first would come wars, pestilence, and extinctions , in unprecedented numbers. By studying the mistakes and successes of the great age of European maritime exploration we can decipher lessons of great utility in the age of space exploration. Now is the time do to do this for at the moment we are in a relatively long pause before the next human visit to a distant planet. But the pause will not hold. The time is short, the need vital, so let us begin.

SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION BOOK SHELF

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THE FISH AND CRABS OF "HELL" LIFE IN DEEP OCEAN SULFUR VENTS

Thousands of Feet Deep and Spewing Ordinarily Toxic Gases and Heating the Nearby Water to Hundreds of Degrees The Deep Ocean Sulfur Vents Are A Kind of Submarine Hell, Unless You Are one of the Species that Evolved There.

A Deep Ocean Thermal Vent Photo by NOAA

If you have about 45 minutes to spare we'd like to link you to a journey to a place as remote as the moon, almost as hostile and yet teeming with life.

LIFE NEAR THE DEEP OCEAN THERMAL VENTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrJCITOT0H8

DIVING TO A DEEP OCEAN VOLCANO

Friday, May 23, 2014

LESSONS FROM THE AGE OF EUROPEAN MARINE EXPLORATION FOR THE SPACE AGE.

A COMING AGE OF SAIL?

Solar Sails May Propel Our Solar System Ships At Near light Speed Bringing The Outer Reaches Of The Solar System Into Reach Without Multi- Year long Round Trips.

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A NASA ILLUSTRATION OF A "NANO SAIL"

When the Earth's seas are viewed from high altitude flight or near earth orbit the surface appears quite smooth. When we descend to the level that Coast Guard helicopters usually operate at , the surface becomes much more textured even in "light airs". Embark on that surface in a small dingy and it is anything but calm.

In a like manner Space is not the perfect vacuum, placid and void from all angles of approach and at all scales. On the human scale the space between the stars is vast and empty. For many 'practical purposes" this is so. But evolving technology continually redefines what are "practical purposes". In fact on both certain macro and micro levels Space is filled with flotsam, jetsam, foam, froth, and currents. At the subatomic level it is especially a roiling ocean. The quanta, particles and virtual particles constantly coursing through the ocean of space present the would be spacefarer with problems and opportunities reminiscent of some of the challenges and opportunities reminiscent of the age of sail. We must build space craft resistant to damage from these various "cosmic rays', just as a sailing craft had to be storm resistant and stable over a wide range of sea conditions. Yet these very phenomena, like the wind of the Earth's oceans, present us with a resource for propulsion. While such things as "cosmic rays" must be factored into the design and definition of a "staunch ship" for space, similar phenomena in forms such as the "solar wind"offer us a ready potential propulsive resource.

On the oceans of the World today we can observe sail, steam reciprocating engines, steam turbines , diesel, diesel-electric, and atomic engines propelling commercial and naval vessels. As we search for the propulsion system that will take us to the stars, we undoubtedly will experiment with a few technologies, that while not the the system to takes us to distant stars, still will be useful and long used for a variety of purposes. Among these may well be "particle sails".

"Particle sails" (AKA "nano sails") refers to systems that capture or convert the energy of " cosmic ray-like phenomena" such as "solar winds" into propulsion for space craft. Freed from rocket propulsion and rocket fuel such craft will be able to carry greater pay loads and will probably be characterized by extremely long range, or long on scene endurance. Range and endurance, coupled with greater pay load capability will be especially important in unmanned probes. Economy is another attraction of such technology. Some such craft may be no larger than present "pond yachts". Such "particle or nano sail"pond yacht sized probes might be launched from an orbiting construction shop via an air lock with little more effort than the hobbyist who sets the tiller and sheet line on his pond yacht and sets it to sail on a pond in a city park. Many such probes could be fabricated in space from materials and components boosted up by rocket to an orbiting shop. However, it would not be economic to launch such delicate and small craft by individual rockets from the Earth's surface. Just as commercial sail survives in certain fisheries and inter-island trades, to say nothing of recreation and tourist trades there may well be multiple uses for the "particle sail" craft in manned configurations. The best place to build and experiment with such craft is from near Earth orbit.

At the subatomic level space near home such as near Earth orbit is made pretty much of the same stuff as "deep space". Space throughout the observable universe is pretty much composed of the same elements, particles, and quanta.So if we build space craft large and small in near Earth orbit we have our model test tank, and full scale test basin immediately at hand. So as we search for propulsion system breakthroughs to take us to the far reaches of the solar system and beyond we find a need for work in space. Near space for this purpose is as good as far, but cheaper. Cheaper means more research funds on target, more research, faster progress. So here we find another reason for an expanded space station, an experimental station and production facility for future particle sail vessels and other small unmanned probes. To these reasons add a shipyard for the construction of big, probably rocket propelled at first solar system expedition ships., a training center, and geophysical and astrophysical observatories and you find ample reason to focus our manned space flight resources at this time on a space station, and ever cheaper and more reliable ways to get back and forth from it.

Research and routine technological improvement is never as splashy as a moon landing or Man on Mars. But man back to the moon or to Mars would be a waste of resources right now. Our next planetary manned missions should be to establish permanent bases. Ocean history suggest that this takes a fleet not a single craft. Consider the first voyage of Columbus. He took three ships, lost one. He left behind a contingent with the intent of returning . He did return but his contingent did not survive. It took multiple Atlantic crossings by multiple ships before a permanent settlement at Hispaniola was established. Surely there are many lessons from the "European Recognizance" applicable to the immediate future of the "Space Age". Not the least important of these lessons is the fact that Henry the Navigator of Portugal founded a navigational institute to foster the growth and development of navigational arts and sciences and the ever improving charting of Earth's waters and coasts prior to the greatest voyages of the European Recognizance. It was not an accident that Henry physically located his institute on the very edge of the sea rather than in the heart of his capital. It is time to move a major part of our research and developmental efforts to the edge of the "Ocean of Space".

The boon to mankind in viewing space as an ocean is the ability to draw exciting historical parallels. These parallels aid in the ability of the public to understand where we are going. To a public aware that we have been technologically capable of a Mars landing for decades, our virtually unexplained pause looks like politics as usual. As public interest lags, the will to fund the effort lags and progress slows even more. But a public that understands the coming decades of station and shuttle improvement as the historic parallel of the founding of Henry's "School of Navigation" may be able to maintain interest. Within such a context the present pause may be seen as an absolutely necessary prelude. The public excitement to continue and progress should be sustainable. Perhaps more importantly the pressure to do a parlor stunt of a manned mission in order to re-foster public support

should wain. A public taught to see our space efforts in terms of the historic age of the European Recognizance by sea would understand and support each necessary step. There is no one to beat to Mars. We are going there as an international community and we are going to stay. The first step is to establish our "institute", ou rport, and shipyard on the edge of the Ocean Space. From there and not the earth bound rocket launch platforms we will launch many future voyages.

SOME FINAL NOTES:

The Reality of Particle Sail Technology

The concept of solar sailing was first described by FrederikTsander. Articles on the concept first began to appear in America in the 1950s by authors unaware of the earlier work by Tsander. In the late 1970s the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) undertook serious studies in particle sail technology anticipating it's possible use in the 1986 Halley's comet rendezvous mission. Ultimately the Halley's comet mission was dropped due to budget constraints. In 1979 the World Space Organization started a solar sail experiment. This experiment resulted in the construction of a small sail and a successful ground test. The scientific consensus coming out of the JPL, World Space Foundation, University of Utah College of Engineering, the Battelle Memorial Institute , and elsewhere where significant research and experimentation in particle sails has taken place is that the particle sail, and particle sail propelled ships are practical, relatively low cost technology with significant potential in space transportation. Between 1976 and 1977 the JPL was successful in establishing a technology base for such devices, but particle sail technology development remains on the back burner at both NASA and JPL where the present budgetary focus is on continuing unmanned planetary and deep space missions , the continuing development of the International Space Station and the next generation Space Shuttle.

Solar sailing - using the sun as a propellant - offers the possibility of low-cost long-distance missions that are impossible with conventional spacecraft. This first comprehensive book on this propulsion method provides a detailed account of solar sailing, at a high technical level, but in a way accessible to the scientifically informed layperson. Solar sail orbital dynamics and solar radiation pressure form the foundations of the book, but the engineering design of solar sails is also considered, along with potential mission applications.