h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What I was thinking actually..

But just realised what do chariots and ships have in common - the material from which they were made - wood...

Why would you tip a chariot up or pack it away - save it from rot?

Could the gun decks of Victory have had to be replaced because of rot?

Maybe Woodworm?

Dunno how baggy trousers or THom yorke fit in here... Mayor queasy because his carriage was falling apart because of woodworm?

Does Thom Yorke have a false leg? Is it affected by woodworm?

From that I take it the decks were inclined.....

So to tilt something is to put it on an incline.

Lord Mayor queasy because his carriage was not level?

It's not about rot or woodworm - good idea though. Also not about inclines (Post 100).

Thank you.

This is going to sound silly but ....

I see "baggy trousers" and all I can think of is the old joke about why baggy trousers are like a dance hall? It's all got to do with ball room/ballroom.

Rust? Was Victory an "ironClad"? IIRC Consitution was...

Argon, hygenic mentioned the USS Constellation back in post 98, not the Constitution, if that's what you're thinking of...


Geggs

Actually, it applies to the Constitution as well, but it's not rust.

But not rust ....

Anything to do with Metal?

(bronze on chariots? Copper on gun decks to stop sparks - don't want sparks with gunpowder around...)

Baggy trews would generally be those that are too big for one, would they not?

Room for movement, certainly...

is this something to do with allowing space for movement? The guns need space for recoil - were the decks marked to make sure no personnel were in the way?

The chariots thing (removing wheels / tiping) - is it to ensure that some opportunistic thief couldn't just walk up and ride off in it?

Yes, if they really, really wanted it then they could put the wheels on or put it the right way up, but surely there's too much time and effort involved there for a quick getaway.

So, to disuade the random thief?


Geggs

It's not about room for movement, nor an anti theft device.

Some (small) clues: The thing about the Victory's deck was not part of the design.

The reason for tipping the chariot up against the wall is exactly the same as the reason for taking the wheels off. It's two different means to the same end.

hang on.. Wheels... I know chariots were made practical/popular because of spoked wheels - suspect spoked wheels had a tendency to break? So best to have as little weight on them as possible for as long as possible - thus removal from the chariot/tipping chariot up...

BUT.. what has this to do with Gun Decks (or other decks for that matter)...

Was victory's deck curved - thus making the ship stronger?

If it's not to do with the design of the deck, then it is to do with how the deck was used? Or how it changed over time or with use, which is somehow different from the way it was originally designed? Or it is to with the design of the guns, rather than the deck itself?


Geggs

Argon - "best to have as little weight on them as possible for as long as possible" DGI +1

Geggs - "how it changed over time" DGI +1

So HMS victory is now a Museum (I think) - used for something else...

Baggy trousers were originally used for???

Chariots are now used for? Wheels as tables?. going nowhere...

Light as possible - the deck of the Victory was made of other wood which was lighter than other wood?... Or Hollow? Or ...

The decks were made of spruce and held down by wooden pegs for easy repair but this dosr sound what you are looking for