Planes, Trains, and Sailing Ships: Jury Duty

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Jury Duty

Tuesday, I had the opportunity to answer a summons for jury duty in the court of common pleas (civil court). I reported as instructed a 9am at the Moss Justice Center in York. I had to go through an airport style security check, except they do not allow any electronic devices. Oh my! I will have to read something that is actually printed on paper!.

A representative from the county clerks office came in and told us all the rules about who we can talk to, how we find out if we are needed the next day, where we could eat, and what was going to happen. The judge was a circuit court judge from Spartanburg rather than a local judge so they weren't quite sure how he liked to do things. After a short break at 10, they came in and said roll call would take place in the jury waiting area, rather than the court room, but we would have to wait until the attorneys in the case came down. So we waited. And waited. Then around 1130 they gathered everyone together and told us we were released, thank you for your service. That was it. I was a little disappointed. I am not sure I really wanted to be on a jury, but I would have at least liked to have seen the selection process. So I went home.

USS Constitution build log

I have all the shroud lines tied down, the fore-, main-, mizzen stays installed. I also added the spritsail yard lifts and braces to stabilize the yard arm on the bowsprit, even though that is supposed to wait until last to rig. I added the netting to the railings on the tops and installed them. I may have to adjust the tension on some of the shrouds and stays, but that is yet to be seen. The next challenge is installing the ratlines. those are the "rungs" of the rope ladders installed on the shrouds that the sailors use to climb the masts.With my shaky hands this might be a problem.