For River City John and the other Tars of GAF

[RattlesnakeJack]

Came across this delightful photo today .... purportedly taken aboard USS Mohican, circa 1870.  That's quite an impressive "reading pipe" he is smoking!

[pony express]

Looks practical-the smoke would come up behind the book, and not obscure his view of the pages.

[Drydock]

Well there, ya see, the chaise lounge was invented by the US Navy sometime after the Civil War . . .

[Pony Racer]

Awesome pic....

[Niederlander]

Cool photo!  What's the field piece behind him?  I want one!

[Ol Gabe]

Yes, looks like one of the infamous pipes from China, and what is the wooden brass-capped 'pot' down beside him? A wooden spittoon or a 'Tot/Grog pot'? Might this indeed be a staged pic?
Best regards and keep on researching!
'Ol Gabe
GAF

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I want that pipe!  It would be great to use at a Civil War reenactment. 

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

Well there, ya see, the chaise lounge was invented by the US Navy sometime after the Civil War . . .

What would a pleasant cruise be without a comfortable deck chair?!?!?!   

G.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Perhaps the pot is for the pipe ashes, one simply can not dump them on the deck, and well walking to the down wind side of the deck would require one to exert much more effort that fitting for an officer of the navy