I've never Conrad either, but this stuff just has a rightness about it. And maybe it is because I love Bush and Hornblower and quite possible because I'm spending so much time around a wooden ship and getting to know it.

The stuff related to Sheerness makes me want to weep it's so spot-on.

"Fortunately, nothing can deface the beauty of a ship." And that's just so true. Parts of the KN are in pieces for maintenance and it doesn't matter. She's still the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. And I know our Captain loves her madly from the way he talks about her. These ships really are organic.

So I'm glad I mentioned it to you the Conrad aside. *G* Because it really speaks to a ton of stuff that I found to be so Bush-like.