May 19, 2007
18th Century Ship Docks in London
The Gothenburg, a Swedish ship last spotted in the Thames in 1745 sailed under Tower Bridge and fired a cannon salute earlier today. HMS Belfast fired a full gun salute in return, the first salute to be fired from the ship since it’s been berthed in London.
This Gothenburg is a replica, hand-crafted using traditional methods and materials dating back to the 18th century. Work on the project started in 2002. The ship is made up of over 50 kilometers of planks,70,000 hand-made nails, 10,000 bolts, 1,000 rigging blocks and 10 authentic, cast-iron cannons.
In the two years since the ship was completed, the Gothenburg has toured 13 nations along the Old East India trading routes.
The original ship sunk in mysterious circumstances en route to Scandinavia from London. The ship’s captain and owner allegedly sold the Gothenburg’s cargo in London and then sank the ship deliberately to defraud insurers.
The Gothenburg will remain in London until June 2nd - the Swedish King and Queen will be visiting the ship Sunday.
Elvin Lingerie Thief Gets Two Years
A Belfast man has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing nearly $500 worth of panties, bras, garter belts and stockings at knifepoint.
Robert Boyd, who wore a wig, hat and sunglasses to disguise himself when he held up the Orchid shop on Lisburn Road, told the court he was involved in a role-playing game. Apparently, Boyd was having trouble separating fantasy and reality at the time of the heist in December 2005.
Belfast Judge Patrick Lynch told the 45-year-old man that however confused he may’ve got his real life with that of “Buho the elf”, he’d committed a real crime with serious consequences.
“The courts will not tolerate (armed robbery), and will clamp down upon it,” Lynch said. “You must take responsibility for your own actions.”
Boyd’s crime was described in a statement given by the woman working in the shop at the time: “He was standing there with a knife, like a kitchen knife, standing there holding the knife towards me.”
Though the woman wasn’t physically harmed, the judge felt it was clear she had suffered mentally.
Boyd will serve two years in prison, followed by two years on probation upon his release.
