hammocks in history

**hikingjer** · 10-06-2008, 22:26

The book "East of the Divide: Travels Through the Eastern Slope of the North Cascades 1870 - 1999" by Chester Marler has a chapter on a Miss Wheeler who did a long trip through the east side North Cascades of Washington state in 1932. She started near Lake Wenatchee (west of Leavenworth) then headed north to what is now the Glacier Peak Wilderness, the PCT, North Cascades National Park, Washington Pass, village of Mazama, then looped around in Pasayten Wilderness. It took here 43 days with her horse. She saw a fair number of people - miners, US Forest Service crews and rangers, shepherds and hikers & packers.

Near what is now Glacier Peak Wilderness she wrote,

"Was tired but relieved to do as well as did...Slept fair, but had to build fire in meadow and hang hammock in timber--heavy dew and everything wet this a.m.

Not too much is known about Ms. Wheeler. The author of this book got his quotes from Wenatchee National Forest archives. I wonder what her hammock back in '32 was like (?).

Does anybody know about hammocks back then or earlier? I saw indigenous Brazilians in the Amazon laying in hammocks on The Travel Channel. They've been using hammocks for a long time. Does anybody know of hammock use in the US back in the 1800s or early 1900s? I imagine the US military used hammocks on missions to tropical areas back in the 1800s and early 1900s. How about on ships? Didn't they use hammocks on ships for long sea voyages?

**warbonnetguy** · 10-06-2008, 22:48

there was a good thread started by youngblood just a couple months ago. i believe it was titled "patents". there were dozens of hammock related patents from that era. you can see the drawings if you click on the given links. there were both spreader bar type and end gathered designs. there were some really crazy designs that were patented too.

**Iafte** · 10-06-2008, 23:03

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**Ramblinrev** · 10-07-2008, 11:04

The use of hammocks on board vessels was commonplace. It was the perfect solution to the unstable nature of life at sea. They were also easy to take down and clear away for more space. I am quite sure any of the maritime museums could provide you with detailed information. I would think Dana's book Two Years Before the Mast might have some mention of the sleeping arrangements but I confess I have never read it.

**schrochem** · 10-07-2008, 11:15

Check out Shane's site.

**txulrich** · 10-07-2008, 16:24

Originally Posted by hikingjer

Does anybody know about hammocks back then or earlier? I saw indigenous Brazilians in the Amazon laying in hammocks on The Travel Channel. They've been using hammocks for a long time. Does anybody know of hammock use in the US back in the 1800s or early 1900s? I imagine the US military used hammocks on missions to tropical areas back in the 1800s and early 1900s. How about on ships? Didn't they use hammocks on ships for long sea voyages?

There are manuscripts from Lord Baden Powell (Scouting Founder) that describe hammocks in some detail. Late 1800's I believe.

**DuctTape** · 10-07-2008, 17:35

Originally Posted by txulrich

There are manuscripts from Lord Baden Powell (Scouting Founder) that describe hammocks in some detail. Late 1800's I believe.

http://meritbadge.net/books/YoungKni...ire/part22.htm

**hikingjer** · 10-07-2008, 22:36

This is good stuff.

from the Baden Powell webpage,

Another form of tent which I used in Mafeking and South Africa, and still use for sleeping out in, in England, is one which you would hardly call a tent. It is really a slungcot, with a movable canvas roof to it. It is called the "Ashanti Hammock."

Wow. And I thought somebody thought of a roof over a hammock recently, like last 30 years or so.

Shane's webpage is excellent. I bumped into that webpage about a year ago when surfing the Web for hammock info..