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Bump's World - November 2011
October 25, 2011
KING PINE
In the 1600's and 1700's ship building was a big growing industry in America. England was in the process of taking over the world and she needed the best ships to do that. He who ruled the seas ruled the world. To accomplish this England needed the resources from her colonies. The rescources of the America's was England's key to world domination.
The English were quick to settle in New England because of the great harbors and a climate not to different from their own. New England also offered great forests. In order to build a fleet to dominate the world you have to build the best ships. The best ships have to be built from the best trees.
The King of England designated a group of wood experts to travel to the new world seeking out the best trees and making those trees available for the Kings fleet. This group traveled all over the new world inspecting the forests. They needed trees that were strong, tall and straight. As the ships got bigger and bigger the masts had to be taller and taller. That means taller and taller trees.
The King's tree experts decided that pine trees were best for masts and the best pine forests were in New England. In fact the best growth of tall straight pine trees were in a very small town just south of Conway, New Hampshire. According to the King's men Madison, New Hampshire had the best pine trees anywhere.
The King's men marked the trees in this forest and designated these trees to be the property of the King. It was a crime to cut any off the Kings trees punishable by death. The King took his trees very seriously.
These trees were cut and transported to the ship building yard all over New England. Many were also transported to England it's self to be fitted on the ships being built there. The trees of Madison, New Hampshire carried the King's flag all around the world. The Trees of Madison, New Hampshire were fitted on the ships of America's new navy. These trees lead America to become the number one ship builder in the world.
When I was growing up my parents could not wait to get rid of me so they sent me to camp every summer. The day I got out of school in the spring until school started again in September I was shipped north to camp Tohkomeupog.
One summer at camp when I was about 10 years old I was told by our camp counselors that we had a new exciting project to clear the side of a mountain.
I thought whatever; they were kind of into slave labor anyway. I cut down trees and dug out stumps and lots of rocks. There seemed to be somewhat of a plan here because I was told very specifically what trees to cut and what boulders to dig out. At Camp we did this for 2 years. Our work began to take shape as wide trails down this mountain.
That winter a new ski area opened in Madison, New Hampshire. Please e mail me with the name of this very popular successful ski area. Since there is only one ski area in Madison, New Hampshire this should be pretty easy.
Please mail comments to me at Bump@newwaveyachts.com
Bump Wilcox
Bump's World - November 2011
October 25, 2011
KING PINE
In the 1600's and 1700's ship building was a big growing industry in America. England was in the process of taking over the world and she needed the best ships to do that. He who ruled the seas ruled the world. To accomplish this England needed the resources from her colonies. The rescources of the America's was England's key to world domination.
The English were quick to settle in New England because of the great harbors and a climate not to different from their own. New England also offered great forests. In order to build a fleet to dominate the world you have to build the best ships. The best ships have to be built from the best trees.
The King of England designated a group of wood experts to travel to the new world seeking out the best trees and making those trees available for the Kings fleet. This group traveled all over the new world inspecting the forests. They needed trees that were strong, tall and straight. As the ships got bigger and bigger the masts had to be taller and taller. That means taller and taller trees.
The King's tree experts decided that pine trees were best for masts and the best pine forests were in New England. In fact the best growth of tall straight pine trees were in a very small town just south of Conway, New Hampshire. According to the King's men Madison, New Hampshire had the best pine trees anywhere.
The King's men marked the trees in this forest and designated these trees to be the property of the King. It was a crime to cut any off the Kings trees punishable by death. The King took his trees very seriously.
These trees were cut and transported to the ship building yard all over New England. Many were also transported to England it's self to be fitted on the ships being built there. The trees of Madison, New Hampshire carried the King's flag all around the world. The Trees of Madison, New Hampshire were fitted on the ships of America's new navy. These trees lead America to become the number one ship builder in the world.
When I was growing up my parents could not wait to get rid of me so they sent me to camp every summer. The day I got out of school in the spring until school started again in September I was shipped north to camp Tohkomeupog.
One summer at camp when I was about 10 years old I was told by our camp counselors that we had a new exciting project to clear the side of a mountain.
I thought whatever; they were kind of into slave labor anyway. I cut down trees and dug out stumps and lots of rocks. There seemed to be somewhat of a plan here because I was told very specifically what trees to cut and what boulders to dig out. At Camp we did this for 2 years. Our work began to take shape as wide trails down this mountain.
That winter a new ski area opened in Madison, New Hampshire. Please e mail me with the name of this very popular successful ski area. Since there is only one ski area in Madison, New Hampshire this should be pretty easy.
Please mail comments to me at Bump@newwaveyachts.com
Bump Wilcox