Andy Hall
@maritimetexas
Maritime, naval, and military history guy, occasional author. Texas Marine Archaeological Steward. Iconoclastic tendencies. Opinions mine, not my employer's.
My in-laws were members of AAA, and before every road trip they would go by the local office and get a “triptik,” a sheaf of contiguous paper map sheets assembled and bound together for their route. AAA still makes them.
And Farragut selected as his flag captain in the Gulf of Mexico another southerner, Percival Drayton of South Carolina. They made a very effective team.
No, Facebook, I don’t know the former CIA Director. But I’m a little flattered that you think I might.
A remarkable letter, nearly fifty years old now, from Bishop Sheen encouraging a parishioner to discourage a friend from following the teachings of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), whose leaders were recently excommunicated by Pope Leo. The Vatican’s patience is long, but not unlimited.
Last time I saw someone carry a bat like that was Robert DeNiro in "The Untouchables." Just sayin'.
Today's Fourth of July question: What was the most strategically important turning point of the American Civil War, and why was it Vicksburg?
Speaking personally, I would've granted Mary Surratt clemency based on her cooking. The kung pao chicken is spectacular! Pro tip: when you go, ask the hostess for a booth.
My brother-in-law caught this bald eagle in Hurst, Texas, a suburb of DFW, over the weekend. Happy early Fourth of July!
The hottest style trend here right now is to paint every structure -- houses, apartments, businesses, whatever -- in stark black and white, with a little gray thrown in for variety. It's an aesthetic abomination, and people who do this should be broken on the color wheel.
Does he understand that U.S. passports are used by U.S. citizens traveling abroad, not by international visitors arriving in the United States? Probably not, and no one in the White House dares to tell him.
June 1, 2025. It was brought out for their special Normandy tours. It will be on regular display when she opens to the public, probably next year.
My boss: “You need to do that new training module one safe use of AI technology.” Me: “I’m watching the video right now.” Also me:
Will never be content until AMERIGO VESPUCCI has a double line of black gunports painted along those hull bands. Allow me to suggest a simple fix for this. #Seventyfour #ShipOfTheLine
The great soldier cartoonist of WWII, Bill Mauldin, responded to complaints that he was anti-officers this way (paraphrasing): "I build a shoe, and if some lazy or incompetent officer wants to pull it on and loudly announce to the world that it fits, that's his business."
CHARLES PEARS (1873-1958, English) «A squadron of Dreadnoughts in the Solent at dusk», undated oil on canvas | 100x151 cm | private collection
Learning that RFK Jr brings his own sauerkraut to restaurants is the least disturbing thing you’ll read about him all week.
Without intending any criticism of Dee Kelley, I would love to see how Dr. Boyce would have handled the role of Ship’s Surgeon. What little we saw of him with Captain Pike, there was a great dynamic there.
Curiously enough, the Philly cheesesteak proved popular with French Revolutionaries, as well, who took much of their initial rhetoric and ideals from the American Revolution and men like Franklin and Jefferson.
For those who doubted the image I posted of the president eating an Arby’s cheesesteak sandwich with French dip at Versailles, please stand down. Historians will tell you that cheesesteaks were first introduced to the French Court by Philly’s own favorite adopted son himself, Ben Franklin, in 1779.
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Hosts Author of “Terminal Lance” at Our Tuesday Sunset Parade. Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz hosted a Sunset Parade at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial with Marine veteran, author, and “Terminal Lance” creator Maximilian Uriarte as the Guest of Honor. Full text in ALT.
When dining at Versailles, be sure to honor your hosts by ordering the Arby's cheesesteak with French Dip.
Good news, Patrick O’Brian fans! The long-awaited sequel to. . . never mind.