The albatross is a long winged, powerful oceanic bird. There are some thirteen species of albatross, all related to the petrels, and constituting the family Diomedeidae. Albatross have large heads, stout bodies and extremely long narrow wings. The bill is straight and strong, the upper mandible hookedat the point and the lower mandible truncated. The bill is covered with distinctive horny plates. The feet are webbed with three toes on each foot. The upper part of the body is of a greyish brown colour, the belly white. The albatross is the largest known sea bird, with a wing span of some 533 cm. Albatross often accompany ships for days on end without ever landing, and are regarded with feelings of attachment and traditionally superstitious awe by sailors - it being considered bad luck to kill an albatross. Research Albatross
During the American Civil War Port Hudson, Louisiana was in possession of Confederate troops, 6000 strong, under Gardner in 1863. It was assailed on three separate occasions by the Federals, as being a desirable position from which to command the Mississippi from New Orleans to Vicksburg.
The fort surrendered to General Banks after the fall of Vicksburg. The first attempt to reduce it was made on March the 8th, by Banks and Farragut, the Federal admiral. Farragut essayed to pass the batteries of the fort with his fleet, while Banks, with a land force of 13,000, diverted the attention of the garrison. Farragut's fleet consisted of the Hartford, the Mississippi, the gunboats Albatross, Essex and Sabine, and several mortar-boats. This attempt was an utter failure. Farragut's fleet had to return to Prophet's Island badly disabled by the fort's batteries.
On May the 23rd of the same year, Banks again invested the fort with 15,000 men, Augur coming to his aid with 3500 more. On May the 24th, Augur defeated a body of Confederates under Miles, driving them back within their works. Being informed on May the 24th that the Confederates were endeavoring to escape, Banks determined on a general assault, the Federal naval force under Farragut having come to his assistance. The struggle was a severe one, but the Confederates resisted every attack. So the siege went on. Each day Farragut's guns riddled the Confederate works, and many Federals were killed by the Confederate sharpshooters. Gardner held out gallantly until he heard that Vicksburg had been captured. Then he surrendered on July the 9th, 1863. Research Battles of Port Hudson
The Beriev A-40 Albatross (Mermaid) is a Soviet maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine flying boat that entered service in 1992 and is the largest amphibian aircraft ever built. The Beriev A-40 is powered by two PNPP D-30KPV turbofans providing a top speed of 650 kmh and a range of 4100 km depending upon load. The Beriev A-40 carries a crew of eight. The Beriev A-40 has no fixed armaments but can carry up to 6500 kg of disposable stores in a lower-fuselage weapons bay. Research Beriev A-40
The Grumman SA-16 (Albatross) also known as the Grumman G-111 and the Grumman HU-16, is an American utility amphibian flying boat used exclusively for Search and Rescue (SAR), they entered service in 1949 and played an important role in both the Korean War and Vietnam War by rescuing downed airmen. The SA-16 is a high-wing cantilever monoplane powered by two Wright R-1820 engines providing a top speed of 250 mph and a range of 2640 km. The SA-16 carries a flight crew of four and a mission crew of two and has a cabin configured for ten passengers, or 12 litters plus one attendant or 22 troops or 5000 lb of freight. Research Grumman SA-16
HMS Albatross was a British training aircraft carrier of 4800 tons displacement launched in 1928. HMS Albatross was powered by four Yarrow boilers providing a top speed of 22.5 knots. She carried a complement of 450 and had provision to carry nine seaplanes, in 1940 six Supermarine Walrus search-and-rescue flying boats were carried. HMS Albatross was armed with four 4.7 inch anti-aircraft guns and thirty-two smaller guns. Research Albatross
Albatross is slang for an encumbrance; something that causes anxiety.
Albatross is medical slang for a patient who never seems to get better, or who is regularly ill with a new ailment, and who sticks with one physician for seemingly endless treatment. Research Albatross
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Albatross
