I took a college course on the Civil War a few years back and I remember a class discussion about how important cotton was. My professor told the class with a straight face that everything from shoes and ropes to hats and sails were made with cotton. I raised my hand and pointed out that ropes and sails were made with hemp. The entire class looked at me like I just pooped on the floor and called everyone the N-word, then moved on to the next topic without acknowledging me. Does anyone else see a problem with cotton ship sails and ropes or is it just me?
I took a college course on the Civil War a few years back and I remember a class discussion about how important cotton was. My professor told the class with a straight face that everything from shoes and ropes to hats and sails were made with cotton. I raised my hand and pointed out that ropes and sails were made with hemp. The entire class looked at me like I just pooped on the floor and called everyone the N-word, then moved on to the next topic without acknowledging me. Does anyone else see a problem with cotton ship sails and ropes or is it just me?
Having spent a little time messing about with boats--you are right, cotton disappears like the dew compared to hemp or even jute.
Isn't that the origin of Levi's?
and he used it for paper
you forgot to mention that the paper the constitution was written on was made out of hemp
My professor would try to convince you it was also made of cotton...produced by slaves!
You're correct, the Revolutionary War would probably have been lost without the tons of hemp rope used by the Continental naval ships.