@no1maraudersaid Columbus took a swim in Baltimore. https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-columbus-statue-20200705-xc4bhthfhjaflifz72org2lrhy-story.html
I wonder if he could swim; I read a book on Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe which said that few sailors on Spanish ships were able to.
A few early seafarers were famously good swimmers. In a narrative of his father’s life, the son of Christopher Columbus reported that his father had jumped from a burning ship during a sea battle, swimming several miles to shore, while most of his companions, unable to swim, either died on the boat or in the water.
A few early seafarers were famously good swimmers. In a narrative of his father’s life, the son of Christopher Columbus reported that his father had jumped from a burning ship during a sea battle, swimming seve ...[text shortened]... ore, while most of his companions, unable to swim, either died on the boat or in the water.
Not the most reliable source; Eric Trump's biography of the Donald will probably say the Great One swan across the Atlantic every morning before Fox and Friends.
A few early seafarers were famously good swimmers. In a narrative of his father’s life, the son of Christopher Columbus reported that his father had jumped from a burning ship during a sea battle, swimming seve ...[text shortened]... ore, while most of his companions, unable to swim, either died on the boat or in the water.
It would be even difficult for people who could swim once they hit that cold water. To swim several miles in it is very difficult to believe.
@very-rustysaid It would be even difficult for people who could swim once they hit that cold water. To swim several miles in it is very difficult to believe.
-VR
Why?
I knew a guy that was a Cuban Olympic swimmer. When he got his chance,
he swam from Cuba to Florida to make good his escape.
EDIT TO ADD
Ever notice how when the people of free countries leave, they are called emigres.
But when you leave a communist country you are called an escapee. Hmmmm
@no1maraudersaid Columbus took a swim in Baltimore. https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-columbus-statue-20200705-xc4bhthfhjaflifz72org2lrhy-story.html
I wonder if he could swim; I read a book on Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe which said that few sailors on Spanish ships were able to.
Few sailors in WW1 or maybe even WW2 could swim well.
"Able Seaman" means able to swim!
I knew a guy that was a Cuban Olympic swimmer. When he got his chance,
he swam from Cuba to Florida to make good his escape.
I guess we shouldn't be surprised in the gullibility
of someone who believes in little green men!
Diana Nyad In 2013, on her fifth attempt and at age 64, she became the first
person confirmed to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid
of a shark cage, swimming from Havana to Key West. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Nyad
@wolfgang59said Few sailors in WW1 or maybe even WW2 could swim well.
"Able Seaman" means able to swim!
I don't think that's true. Ability to swim was never a requirement. Neither of the two Wikipedia pages mentions that and the one about merchant ABs mentions a folk etymology that had it as short for Able Bodied Seaman, but that's incorrect as well. Able just means competent and more experienced than Ordinary Seaman, it was originally a pay grade in the Royal Navy, the requirement was two years service.
@deepthoughtsaid I don't think that's true. Ability to swim was never a requirement. Neither of the two Wikipedia pages mentions that and the one about merchant ABs mentions a folk etymology that had it as short for Able Bodied Seaman, but that's incorrect as well. Able just means competent and more experienced than Ordinary Seaman, it was originally a pay grade in the Royal Navy, the requirement was two years service.
The able seamen stay on the boat. It's the amateurs who fall in the drink.
July 4th
06 Jul '20 14:21
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