It's traditional to have Lamb over Easter in the UK... however there is no tradition in how you choose to prepare and present it
The Gerald R. Ford, valued at $13 billion, boasts 75 operational berths, earning its title as the world’s largest aircraft carrier.
During the 19th century, Immigrants journeying to the American West frequently relied on covered wagons as their primary means of transportation, particularly along routes like the Oregon and California Trails. One such wagon, dubbed the prairie schooner due to its resemblance to a sailing ship when viewed from afar, gained popularity during this period.
Compared to the Conestoga wagon commonly used in the eastern United States for freight hauling, the prairie schooner was smaller and lighter, making it better suited for long-distance travel. Unlike the Conestoga, which featured an upward-angled body at each end to prevent cargo from tipping or falling out, the prairie schooner had a flat horizontal body. Its dimensions typically ranged around 4 feet in width, 9 to 11 feet in length, and 2 to 3 feet in depth, with lower sides than its eastern counterpart.
The prairie schooner's box, when coupled with its bonnet, reached a height of approximately 10 feet, with a total length spanning around 23 feet from the front tongue and yoke to the rear. It rode on two sets of wheels of varying sizes: rear wheels with a diameter of about 50 inches and smaller front wheels measuring approximately 44 inches. These wheels were constructed of wood with iron bands on the outer rims, though the bands sometimes detached due to wood shrinkage.
Constructed from cotton canvas, the wagon's cover was double-thickness, extending outward from the front and rear of the wagon bed to form the bonnet, offering enhanced protection during inclement weather. The cover could be tied at its ends to provide privacy and shield occupants from rain or dust. Painting or oiling methods were commonly employed to waterproof the wagon. Storage chests custom-built to fit snugly within the wagon box were a standard feature, supplemented by external storage options. Some pioneers innovated by creating additional storage beneath a false floor or by sewing pockets into the cover's interior.
A typical unloaded prairie schooner weighed around 1,300 pounds, with a recommended cargo weight limit of no more than 2,000 pounds. Teams of horses, mules, or oxen were employed to pull the wagons, with mules and oxen often preferred. Having reserve animals on hand was advisable to replace any that might become lame or exhausted during the journey.
Due to the lack of suspension and the rugged conditions of the roads and trails, most travelers on lengthy trips chose to walk alongside the wagon or ride a horse if available, finding these methods more comfortable than enduring the constant jolting and lurching of the wagon. Ox teams were guided by drivers walking alongside the animals, using whips and verbal commands as they lacked reins. Wagon travel on the Oregon Trail typically proceeded at approximately 2 miles per hour, covering 15 to 20 miles daily, a pace manageable for pioneers and their animal companions.