David was probably in the Navy or connected to the Maritime industry- After all,
he lives in Rhode Island and you can almost see the ocean from anywhere in the
state...  ;-)

James Creech wrote:

> David, I have only been reading this list for about 2 months and I already
> know you are a great source of VW and other arcane knowledge, creative
> thinker, and most generous with your time (as are many others).  But where
> do you come up with these fascinating tidbits, like the no. of ships lost in
> storms?  Is this stuff in your head?  I am concurrently impressed,
> entertained, and edified.  At some point in time we should consider a
> manageable way to share brief bio's among list members - would be
> interesting I think.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Creech
> 87 Westy too recently owned to name
> Winchester VA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 2:02 PM
> Subject: Re: Tiico conversion
>
> > At 13:49 10/26/2000, David Marshall wrote:
> > >I guess this could be true - but there is there fair share of storms on
> the
> > >Pacific and crossing the Atlantic as well.  The sea container ships that
> I
> > >have seen look pretty sturdy to me!  Who knows what reason it might be -
> > >this is all speculation as we aren't there! :)
> >
> > Ships are sturdy indeed, mostly anyway.  But the amount of free energy
> > floating around at the air/water interface is potentially so enormous that
> > no vessel can withstand it.  Completely aside from mechanical troubles,
> > shipping companies pay good money to outfits who attempt to predict
> weather
> > and sea conditions and generate routes for a given trip that finds the
> best
> > or avoids the worst.  When a hurricane or typhoon comes, the prudent ship
> > runs away, early and often.  Many ships have survived hurricanes; many
> have
> > not.  On average over the last 50 years or so, one ship of 100 tons or
> > greater has been lost at sea from all cause *about every day and a half.*
> >
> > david
> >
> > David Beierl - Providence, RI
> >   http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> > '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
> > '85 GL "Poor Relation"