Vintage work crew photos

[owen moore]

So Marv, now I understand where the term "Loose cannon" came from.

[desbromilow]

So Marv, now I understand where the term "Loose cannon" came from.

I was always taught that the expression "loose cannon" originated from shipboard blackpowder cannons (think the cannons you see in movies of pirate ships, etc) which were attached to wooden trolleys, and the trolleys tethered to the porthole structure. If the cannon came out of the trolley, or the trolley became unattached to the ship structure, it could roll around in hull, and do damage to the ship, the crew, and goods.

[mklotz]

I was always taught that the expression "loose cannon" originated from shipboard blackpowder cannons (think the cannons you see in movies of pirate ships, etc) which were attached to wooden trolleys, and the trolleys tethered to the porthole structure. If the cannon came out of the trolley, or the trolley became unattached to the ship structure, it could roll around in hull, and do damage to the ship, the crew, and goods.

Yes, indeed, my take on the meaning as well. It's confirmed by the Wikipedia entry which contains a fascinating anecdote about the term. I don't think Wiki will be upset if I quote the whole entry here...

--------------------------

A loose cannon refers to a cannon (usually a wheeled cannon) which gets dislocated and moves about randomly on the decks of a warship, creating a hazard to crew and equipment.

A famous literary depiction of a loose cannon appears in Victor Hugo's 1874 novel "Ninety-Three", whose plot is set during the French Revolution. In a well-known episode, a ship of anti-revolutionary French Royalists is sailing towards Brittany, to aid the anti-revolutionary Chouannerie rebellion. While at sea, a sailor fails to properly secure his cannon, which rolls out of control and damages the ship. The sailor risks his life to secure the cannon and save the ship. The Marquis de Lantenac, leader of the Royalists, awards the man a medal for his bravery and then executes him without trial for failing in his duty.

The widespread publication of Hugo's book, both in the original French and in translation to various other languages, helped make the concept of a loose cannon more well-known. It has eventually developed a metaphorical meaning relating to a person who is acting in a wild and unpredictable manner and who constitutes as much danger to his or her own side as to the enemy.

--------------------------

[Jon]

Deep-boring machine 2959 for boring holes with a diameter of up to 1.3 m, length up to 30 meters. The length of the machine is 95 meters. The weight of the machine is 650 tons. The maximum weight of the product is 240 tons. Production Kramatorsk heavy duty machine tool building Plant. 1954

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[Jon]

Railroad shop crew with newly rebuilt locomotive, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, February 1944

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

[Jon]

Inserting the control rod into Reactor 4 at Chernobyl.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...l_fullsize.jpg

[IntheGroove]

This can't end well...

[gatz]

seems so.... pointless

[marksbug]

needs just a little duct tape... awe that should buff out. there got if fixed!! order some more duct tape from the gremlin parts source. put it on goober cheif's bill.

[greyhoundollie]

I am looking at those "man hole covers" around the outside edge. The 2 partially open holes in the lower section seem to have Snow Crabs in them! Is this an episode of "Deadliest Catch"?