Indyboys at The National Archives

Nov 21, 2013 11:30

Cross posting this from nodbear's journal ( Read more... )

naval, indefatigable, event, history, research, edward pellew, age of sail

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Comments 14

eglantine_br November 21 2013, 13:39:47 UTC
Just sitting here with my mouth open, thinking: somebody opened that book, and took a pen and ink and wrote those words. And they were there-- on the actual Indy. They put their left hand on the page on the left, and the sweat and salt from their palm soaked into the paper, and they used their right hand to make the words that are there now, so much later.

And their unique, never-again brains were full of memories and thoughts we will never know. And they were dressed in wool, from forgotten sheep, and somebody made their clothes by hand. Somebody with a never-again brain, pulled the needle through the cloth over and over, and we will never know what they knew.

And they were irreplaceable. And so are we all.

Well there. I have made myself cry-- and it is not even 9 am. And anyway, you hardly need me to say any of this. This is where fiction intersects with history.

And wouldn't they be horrified to think some silly woman is weeping over muster books and dead men and sheep!

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shezzawatto November 21 2013, 14:32:40 UTC
That is why you can write fabulous fanfiction and others can't - that evocation of detail.
"... sweat and salt from their palm...", " ... never-again brain", "... forgotten sheep..."
Brilliant.
Weep away - it is appropriate.

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eglantine_br November 21 2013, 17:20:51 UTC
The Great Gatsby had it backwards, I think-- we are borne ceaselessly into the future. (I never did like that book.)

I have always felt this way about the past. I can remember weeping over the same thoughts when I was five or six, and not having the words to explain.

It is only the internet that has allowed me to find kindly people who know what I mean.

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anteros_lmc November 21 2013, 21:48:30 UTC
She is a wonder isn't she? eglantine_br's writing frequently moves me to tears, it's so evocative.

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shezzawatto November 21 2013, 14:35:18 UTC
Congratulations shipmates! Look where romantical fanfiction musings lead. Who'd a thunk it!

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anteros_lmc November 21 2013, 21:50:26 UTC
Whoda thunk it indeed! I am still continually astonished that we have got this far. I keep waiting for someone to finally figure out that we're really just a fair of disreputable fangirls :} Thanks for all your support, it means the world to us.

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eglantine_br November 21 2013, 17:05:26 UTC
Nodbear and Anteros are beyond awesome!

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anteros_lmc November 21 2013, 21:51:04 UTC
Awww you're too kind! :}

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mylodon November 22 2013, 12:13:57 UTC
So delighted for you. You must be able to sneak A/H in somehow - maybe just to say how they missed this particular muster?

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anteros_lmc November 26 2013, 20:42:45 UTC
maybe just to say how they missed this particular muster?
Captured by the enemy in a prize perhaps?

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stevie_carroll November 25 2013, 18:01:39 UTC
Cor!

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anteros_lmc November 26 2013, 20:41:42 UTC
Cool intit? :)

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