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

Hi Florida Sailor.

I'm subediting your "From Sail to Steam" entry at A87784320.

I've a question about one section, which is here in my slightly rewritten words:

"In the 1930s, Germany's goal to restore her naval forces was thwarted by the restrictions on military training imposed by the treaty that had ended the First World War. In order to train her naval cadets and the marine division of the Hitler Youth, Germany built three sailing ships"

Are you saying that the treaty prevented Germany from building mechanically powered ships?

G

That is my basic understanding, not 'prohibited' rather - officially restricted from developing new modern ships. Actually in the years following WWI all nations were limited in warship construction by a treaty signed in Washington, DC, USA. Germany's restrictions began at the Treaty of Versailles.

This is not to say they didn't cheat, but a sailing ship could be sent to other countries without any embarrassing questions being asked

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichsmarine

The Treaty of Versailles limited the size and armament of the Reichsmarine and prevented it from introducing new technologies. The restrictions were intended to prevent the German navy from becoming a threat to the Allied powers. On the other hand, the Allies had made certain that the Reichsmarine would be in the foreseeable future the strongest power in the Baltic Sea, in order to serve as a counterweight against the new Soviet Union, which was viewed with distrust by the Allies.

Germany was only allowed six battleships, six cruisers, twelve destroyers, and twelve torpedo boats. The Reichsmarine tried to meet the arms restrictions with secret armament and technical innovations such as the introduction of the pocket battleship...

I took a quick look for a definitive link and didn't find one I'll try to dig further if you like.

FS

No need to dig further! That's a good enough explanation. It allowed me to add an extra sentence explaining why the Germans could build a sailing ship but not a mechanised ship.

I've finished sub-editing the entry now. Have a look at it and make sure you're happy with it before I send it back.

Very good, but I am not sure we need the 'therefore' I think the sentence would read better without it, just my

FS

I've removed the "therefore". Are you happy with the rest of the Entry?


I spent my Christmas and New Year in Siesta Key, near Sarasota. Did you say you live somewhere near there?

Looks good to me, I just did another complete read through

I am about an hour north of Siesta Key, just a few miles north of the mouth of the Bay. Did you get to visit the shops at St. Armand's Key? I recently designed the railing for a bar, or lunch counter there called 'Deck on the Circle'.

There is a local joke joke about the Plumber who had an accident with an Electrician on St Armand's Circle.
'Was the damage bad' one asks;
'No, but it isn't often you get to see a Roles Royce run into a Bentley

When I saw your post I left you a message hoping we might meet for an hour or so, but I guess you didn't see it until after the fact


FS

We went to Mote Aquarium one day, and another day we drove across the big bridge and went up north to Homosassa, so we would have passed close to you.

I'm sorry I didn't see your posting. Our internet connection was very dodgy in Siesta Key and I was constantly battling to get a connection. I'd have loved to meet you.

It wouldn't surprise me, though, if we went to Siesta Key again. It was a lovely relaxing spot, and we (all 16 of us) enjoyed it thoroughly. I'll keep you in mind for next time.

The big traffic circle you go around into and out of Siesta Key is St. Armand's key It is mostly high priced shoppes and restaurants. It is worth a look even if you don't intend to buy anything.

When you decide to get back down here drop me a note here and I'll pass you my contact information.


FS