Posted on 10/07/2014 7:57:28 AM PDT by Textide
1. Myth:
Tarring and feathering could be fatal.
Busted:
The notion that hot tar caused severe, sometimes fatal burns is based on the assumption that tar meant the asphalt we use on roads, which is typically stored in liquid state at about 300°F (150°C). But in the eighteenth century tar meant pine tar, used for several purposes in building and maintaining ships. As any baseball fan knows, pine tar doesnt have to be very hot to be sticky. Shipyards did warm that tar to make it flow more easily, but pine tar starts to melt at about 140°F (60°C). Thats well above the ideal for bathwater, but far from the temperature of hot asphalt.
Pine tar could be hot enough to injure someone. The Loyalist judge Peter Oliver complained that when a mob attacked Dr. Abner Beebe of Connecticut, hot Pitch was poured upon him, which blistered his Skin. But other victims of tarring and feathering didnt mention severe or lasting burns among their injuries. Rioters probably applied the tar with a mop or brush, lowering its temperature. Sometimes they tarred people more gently over their clothing.
(Excerpt) Read more at allthingsliberty.com ...
http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/12/5-myths-tarring-feathering/
Here are the 5 myths:
1. Tarring and Feathering could be fatal
2. Rebellious Bostonians invented the tars-and-feathers treatment.
3. Pre-war mobs attacked high-class royal officials with tar and feathers.
4. Towns displayed tar barrels and bags of feathers on Liberty Poles.
5. Tarring and feathering ended with the Revolution.
I guess this article is posted here as a how to just in case we finally get fed up with our politicians?
It’s always good to know such things.
America was much more civilized when “uncivilized” acts like this were more common and not punished by authority.
Actually, it usually was done TO “authority” when they stepped out of line.
Now that authority will use deadly force on citizens in order to continue their lawless acts against them.
As the fellow said in the Mark Twain story, after being tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail, “If it weren’t for the honor, I’d just as soon have walked.”
In College, my fraternity would tar (honey) and feather members when they turned 21. First they tied up the member in front of his favorite sorority.
Get Harry Reids naked ass over here now.
Yeah, I imagine today it would be considered ‘assault’.
Asphalt is not stored at 300 degrees
Its heated before transport and application
Like Bunker C...its cousin used for ship’s fuel.... heated before it goes to the diesels
You’ll note sometimes roofers reheat the pitch before applying on a tar roof
You can buy unheated asphalt at Lowes in bags to compress into potholes unheated
The bottom of the cracking tower.
Technology has improved since the Rev-War days. Now, one could use Gorilla-Glue at room temp instead of heated tar/pitch. From experience, if you get gorilla-glue anywhere on you, within just a minute or two it will not wash off. It just has to wear off over time...
A time-honored tradition, badly in need of resurrection.
That’s a sensible and affordable substitute.
How about a substitute for the feathers? I’m thinking a modern malcontent might use those sprinkles from doughnuts or perhaps confetti in lieu of feathers.
Looks like photobucket vetoed your pic...
Actually, the article states that it was done to the working class people and not to the gentry.
Tar, feathers, politician.
(some assembly required)
Always loved that story. Poe had quite a gift for irony.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.