A hurricane is a storm system that is defined by regular winds that can reach up to 74 miles per hour. A tropical storm is an orderly system of powerful thunderstorms with a definite surface circulation and winds reaching anywhere between 39 miles per hour to 73 miles per hour. A tsunami, Japanese for “harbor wave,” is simply a sequence of water waves that happen as a result of the displacement of water in a sizable body of water, like an ocean or even a large lake. Understanding how these weather systems (tsunamis are actually the consequence of displacement of water and not a weather system) work is integral in the safety of people living along coasts, or where there is a large incidence of these natural disasters. People who understand the risks of these natural disasters will be inclined to be well-prepared for them. This prescient preparation can include […]
The American Navy is the largest in the world, having a huge resource of fighting ships. In fact, the battle fleet of the U.S. Navy is so huge that its fleet tonnage exceeds the next 13 largest fleets of the world, combined. It all began during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. With the establishment of a naval base that could challenge the British Navy, Colonists began to be debated the merits of a naval fleet in a meeting of the Continental Congress. “Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive,” said George Washington, and thus came about the Continental Navy. Naval power played a significant role in the American Civil War, though it saw very little action during the World War I. In the 21st Century, the U.S. Navy has a sizable global presence and it actively supports America’s defense and foreign policy. Within the U.S. […]
Maritime is a word that refers to all things of the sea. Today, maritime activities bring the world to our doorstep. Maritime activities transport people, food, and nearly every commodity of modern living throughout the world and acts as an agent by which to spread influences throughout many world powers and nations. Maritime commerce brings automobiles from one side of the world to the other and it brings the fuel to power those vehicles, too. Thanks in part to maritime transportation, food is never out of season. Medicines, clothes, toys, games, furniture, appliances, building / construction materials, and almost everything in the typical American home is a result of maritime commerce, being that the majority of our products are shipped in from all over the world. While we enjoy these things, we often take for granted the tremendous degree of navigational expertise it took to get them to us. This […]
The exciting sport of sailing dates back thousands and thousands of years. Throughout history, sailboats have been used for industrial, commercial, and recreational purposes, and have undergone many structural changes. Whether for business or pleasure, sailing is a thrilling adventure that anyone can enjoy. These links are brought to you by Action Donation Services® who processes the boat and yacht donations for some of America’s finest charities:Sailing Groups and OrganizationsInternational Sailing Federation: International group that governs the bylaws of the sailing world.US Sailing: National organization that instructs and enables sailors to enjoy their passion.Sail America: Group that supports the sailing and sailing product industry.Inland Lake Yachting Association: Organization for those interested in yachting and sailing on lakes.American Sailing Association: The leading group on sailing schools and instruction.American Boat and Yacht Council: The regulation-making body for the boating industry.Recreational SailingSailing Magazine: Leading source of current sailing news and reviews.Sailnet: Large community […]
The bombing of Pearl Harbor remains one of the most traumatic events in recent United States history and there are a number of museums that commemorate it. However, few museums are like The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, a museum dedicated to the submarine known as the “Pearl Harbor Avenger.”On December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the Bowfin was launched into war. It was named after the bowfin, a predatory fish known for its voraciousness and it lived up to its name. It would go on to sink 44 enemy ships during nine separate and highly successful war patrols. The Bowfin was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and a Navy Unit Commendation. It was also one of the only 15 ships saved from becoming scrap metal for the army when it was acquired by the Pacific Fleet Memorial Association in 1979. Subsequently, it was […]