An original Illustrated London News print from 1879

24th,

That is a great sketch of the naval brigade. The men in the picture are from HMS Shah, which was diverted by her Captain (Bradshaw) while on their way back to England from service in the Pacific. They suddenly found their time away from home and loved ones extended, and had to make last minute preparations for service ashore.

On 2 March, 1879 one of the Shah's men, Henry Eason, wrote the following in his diary:

“We are expecting by next week at this time to be on the way to the relief of our comrades or brother blue jackets who are hemmed in by the enemy at Ekowe. Great preparations are being made on board here. Last night soda water bottles were served out to all the landing party with a piece of Fearnot to cover them, and today notwithstanding it being Sunday, all the sail makers were at work making tents for our men, and 29 blue jackets are making canvas leggings as fast as possible for all that land.” (From THE NAVAL MISCELLANY, VOLUME VII, THE DIARY OF SIGNAL BOSUN HENRY EASON: THE NAVAL BRIGADE IN THE ZULU WAR, 1879)

Petty Officer Tom

PO Tom
Fearnot? What is it, and how did it get that fascinating name?

Regards

springbok9,

Sorry, I have no idea what it is. This was the first time I had seen the word. From the way the author describes its use, I would have to think it is some kind of padding or insulation, such as cork.

I tried looking it up on the internet, but no luck there.

Then, of course, the person who transcribed the original diary may have spelt the word incorrectly.

Fearnot! :lol!: I'm sure someone else out there knows the answer.


Petty Officer Tom

Interesting one to throw out at the Forum, what is Fearnot.
First to get it gets to be crowned the Boffin of July


Regards

springbok9

It took a little while, but I think I have found the answer. Would have helped a little if the word had been spelled correctly.


Webster's New World College Dictionary

1. Fearnought or Fearnaught (n.) a heavy woolen cloth used for coats


Petty Officer Tom

Could it be as in the meaning "Dutch courage" Perhaps a drop of "Gin" with the soda water.. And meaning no alcohol drank on a Sunday.

Last night soda water bottles were served out to all the landing party with a piece of

Quote :

Fearnot to cover them, and today notwithstanding it being Sunday

PO Tom
Well done, boffin of the month
Never heard of that phrase at all.

Saul david
Interesting take on the phrase.

Regards