5 th November 2010

1. 5th November 2010 Remember remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason Should ever be forgot... Mic Porter 8/26/2014 1

2. But first – from last time… [Herbert] Nigel Gresley (1876–1941) was the Chief Mechanical Engineer of our Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) and its forerunner the GNR. He started to develop three-cylinder locomotives from the A1, “Great Northern” in 1922 to his more famous A4, 4-6-2, “Streamlined Pacific” design. These had two cylinders outside the frames and a third between them. Gresley was, of course, concerned that an overhearing central cylinder might seize thus severely damaging the engine or, worse, trigger a derailment. So he had a... 2 Mic Porter

3. ... hole drilled into the big end into which was inserted a “stink bomb”. At a predetermined temperature this triggered and released a strong smell – usually Aniseed – which, assuming the train was travelling forward, would flow into the cab/footplate via the firebox air scoop. It is expected that on smelling the aniseed the fireman and driver respond by shutting of the steam and stopping. A sectioned “bomb” from record holder 4468 (BR 60022) “Mallard”. 3 Mic Porter

4. And a little for the pub quiz/full anorak/super Geek. On the 3rd July 1938 “Mallard” (driver: Joe Doddington, Fireman: Thomas Bray and footplate inspector/witness S. Jenkins) made the record breaking run from Grantham, down Stoke Bank and reaching a maximum near Essendine (milepost 90¼). The 125mph (some claim 126mph) unsurpassed record for a steam hauled train was set. However, the central big end bearing overheated and the train was halted at Peterborough. It was then towed, by a Ivatt Atlantic, into Kings Cross Station, for the press conference. 4 Mic Porter

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6. And now to today’s – Events [1] 1895 – George B. Selden is granted the first U.S. patent (# 549150) for a “Road Engine” (car/automobile). The application had taken 16 years starting before Benz but finishing late. 1940 – Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected as a third term US President; subsequently the constitution is changed limiting the President to two terms. 1942 – The British “win” the 2nd Battle of El Alamein. 1952 – General Dwight D Eisenhower elected US President with the largest number of popular votes ever recorded for a presidential candidate. 6 Mic Porter

7. Events [2] 1967 – A broken rail derails the 19:43 Hastings to Charing Cross express train between Hither Green and Grove Park (SE London) killing 49 and injuring a further 80. The train is structurally very badly damaged but the survivors include Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees.  1968 – Republican Richard Nixon elected President  1983 – At 4am the Byford Dolphin, a semi-submersible diving bell, explosively decompresses, from 9 to 1 atmospheres, when a connection is, inadvertently opened, (?) human error, 4 divers and a operating crew member die. The crew had been working 16 hour shifts; no causal analysis was agreed. 7 Mic Porter

8. Ins… 1935 – “The Long Fellow” Lester Piggott, British flat jockey and nine time winner of the Derby. 1938 – Jim Steranko, American graphic artist 1947 – Peter Noone (born: Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone), front-man & musician still touring with the “Herman's Hermits staring Peter Noone”. 1971 – Jonny Greenwood Multi-instrumentalist and Radiohead guitarist. 8 Mic Porter

9. Outs… 1879 – James Clerk Maxwell, Scottish physicist (b. 1831). The cgs unit of magnetic flux is named after him (SI unit = weber). 1982 – 1958 Academy Award winner Jacques Tati, French actor and director (b. 1908). Previously a rugby player. 1987 – Eamonn Andrews, Irish Boxer then Irish and British Television Sports Presenter (b. 1922). Also “Crackerjack” and “This is your life.” 1991 – Millionaire newspaper (Daily Mirror) publisher Robert Maxwell dies at sea of Tenerife after (?) falling overboard from his yacht “Ghislaine”. 9 Mic Porter

10. Outs [2]…  2000 – Victor Grinich, American businessman (b. 1924) and one of the “Traitorous Eight” that, in 1957, left Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory to form Fairchild Semiconductor that spawned many further “Silicon Valley” businesses including INTEL. [William Shockley co-invented the transistor, for which, with others, he was awarded the 1956 Physics Nobel].  2001 – Roy Boulting, English film director and producer (b. 1913) (Brother of John (1913 – 1985), & half of “The Boulting brothers”. Films: Brighton Rock (1947), Private's Progress (1956), Lucky Jim (1957) and I'm All Right Jack (Peter Sellers – BAFTA) (1959) 10 Mic Porter

11. Lewes (Sussex) fireworks [1]… It is 1605 and Guido (Guy) Fawkes, a catholic, seeks to blow-up the Houses of Parliament (and the human, protestant, contents including King James VI & I). He is the most remembered of thirteen conspirators of the (failed) Gunpowder Plot.  On 5 November 1605 Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape by lighting bonfires, “always provided that ‘this testemonye of joy be careful done without any danger or disorder’”. All plotters are executed (or if already dead their bodies exhumed and mutilated) ! Some are “hung, drawn and quartered” & distributed across the kingdom. ”. 11 Mic Porter

12. Lewes (Sussex) fireworks [2]… In Kent and Sussex major Guy Fawkes/Bonfire night “celebrations” are held but the largest, by far, is in Lewes. They are also linked to remembrances of the “Sussex martyrs. In Lewes “Bonfire Societies” plan major events, often on the hills surrounding the town and collect money for local charities. The inherent danger of mass firework displays, large crowd, the problematic anti papist hysteria that, historically was encouraged and alcohol has led to some major injuries and deaths. Alcohol sales are, now, restricted and drinking on the streets banded! 12 Mic Porter

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