My wife and I just finished watching the Horatio Hornblower series by A&E and I was intrigued by the hammocks used on the ships. Two distinct styles were displayed: the common gathered-end hammock and a bridge style I hadn't seen before.
http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/...11156_text.htm
I did a little more research and found that these hammocks were common with officers where the sailors used the gathered end. The gathered-end hammocks were also tied up (with bedding inside) using 7 half-hitches (referring to the 7 seas) and used during war time to help shield against splintering wood ("Lash and Stow!").
I'm intrigued by the bridge style hammock and I'm considering making one. The design seems solid and should sleep fairly flat.
Here are some other images from ship-board hammocks; a tradition brought to Europe from Columbus, who discovered the hammock on his little voyage to the Americas.
This image shows some gathered end hammocks, but the occupants are sleeping inline and, arguably, flat. It looks like the ropes gathering the ends have been modified to allow for this.
Instructions for making a Royal Navy Hammock.
Apparently the appropriate name for hammock suspension is "clew" -- a term used/borrowed from sailing ships but was used when referring to hammock ropes.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...f/DSCN2593.jpg
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