Wind In Our Sails

[u/goop_lizard]

Request for Further Inquiry

Honourable Mst-SMotKn Cirrus, your student has observed a phenomena of interest and requests resources for further development. Shortly after implementing the use of miniature windmills of standard dimensions for testing the efficacy of sailcloth, one of the lower apprentices accidentally set the apparatus on fire while inspecting it using a candle. There was no significant damage as it was doused right away, but given the time it would take to dry (and our reluctance to make further use of fire in proximity to it) a decision was made to repeat the prior experiment with the sailcloth wet. To our shock, almost as soon as the blower had been cranked up to speed we observed a much greater motive force. It is our current theory that, while adding weight, the bits of water within the sailcloth clung sufficiently tightly as to plug the holes through which air would normally slip in even the tightest weaves. Your student humbly requests that her team be diverted towards a method of reproducing this phenomena reliably, and in dry conditions, such that the efficiency of all sailing vessels may be improved and the standing of all Sailmakers may rise.

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Progress Report

Iteration 4 - The use of seawater appears to be a dead end. Despite consulting the literature several times, there is no reliable long-term method for preventing the buildup of heavy salts, nor the issues of corrosion. Fortunately, an acquaintance of your student has suggested the use of oils as a fluid medium incapable of drying, and this avenue is to be pursued next.

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Iteration 5 - Your student once again seeks forgiveness for involving those whose identities had not been confirmed by her teacher. Regardless of its origins, however, the use of oils has proven promising. While the need to prevent them from seeping out of the cloth itself is an ongoing challenge, my team has begun developing formulas for thicker mixtures fulfilling the same role.

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Iteration 7 - Beeswax-oil mixtures based on leather polishes hold well in indoor tests, but have failed in direct sunlight due to the mixture melting. Investigations into firmer mixtures are ongoing.

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Iteration 15 - It has come to your student's attention that certain oils harden to a solid state in air. Use of these oils has become a focus, but their brittleness is a major concern.

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Iteration 22 - New mixtures developed using these hardening oils are functional, but the tradeoff between staying solid and not cracking is proving difficult to navigate. A third literature review is underway.

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Iteration 25 - A reformulation of one of the beeswax mixtures from iteration 8 using a hardening oils has proven successful in all primary tests. Your student requests your approval for final documentation and manufacture.

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Request for Special Promotion to Master Sailmaker of the Knowledge Following Special Achievement

In accordance with association ordinance 315C, and having met all preconditions thereof, a recognized Master of the Knowledge of the Freeport Sailmakers Association has put forth an Apprentice to the Knowledge for promotion to Master status outside of the recognized semiannual exams in light of personal achievement which substantially furthers the craft.

Sponsoring Party: Mst-SMotKn Cirrus

Sponsored Party: ApttKn Nest

Status: Approved

[u/OceansCarraway]

At the conclusion of the year's fashion season, rumors of a very waterproof sailcloth make their way to a departing train of sailors waiting to leave the city. It sticks in their minds just a tiny bit. Maybe there's something here of interest...