Topic starter
02/11/2009 6:27 pm
Hello all (and especially Cap'n Walnut): The latest installment of "Reflections Online" is up and available on the S&D web site Here: The Official Website of Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen
Cap'n Walnut had asked about the Cumberland River and its navigability several months ago here on steamboats.org. Knowing that "Reflections Online" was about to become a reality, I posted that I would soon be writing some info. on that subject "in another place". ANYWAY, the first of two installments about the Cumberland is up for your reading pleasure.
02/11/2009 9:20 pm
Fascinating stuff, especially to one that believes the Cumberland to be one of the finer rivers....More please! But I gotta ask, being lazy and not desiring to do the Google shuffle, what are "sperm candles" and where exactly are Smith and Harpeth Shoals?
Nice stuff Bob, thanks...
Topic starter
02/11/2009 9:33 pm
Bruno, I think sperm candles are candles made from the blubber of sperm whales. That was the big reason for hunting whales back years and years ago, for their blubber which was used as fuel for various things.
Harpeth Shoals was/is right at the mouth of the Harpeth River, not very far above present day Cheatham Lock. Smith Shoals is much farther up, way above Nashville.
Glad you enjoyed the article!
02/11/2009 11:00 pm
Sperm candles were a very high grade candle made from spermiceti- a wax like material from the head for the sperm whale. The blubber was rendered down into whale oil which was used in lamps. The invention of coal oil and then kerosene functionally killed the american whaling industry.
03/11/2009 12:23 am
All: I got a "sneak peek" and it IS good stuff. Cap'n Walnut