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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
Ok I give up, What is a "Sea Bag" and where do you get them?
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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SANTINI Loyal user SANTINI 293 Posts |
Hi,
A "Seabag" is an old type of restraint purportedly used on the old sailing ships on crew who had slipped a cog and gone insane (wonder how much that happened?). It can probably be considered to be the forerunner of the modern straitjacket. Basically, the seabag is a long canvas bag which encased the prisoner from neck to the feet. Leather straps were wrapped around the bag at key points such as the ankles, knees, waist, chest, and neck. I know Michael Griffin uses a similiar restraint and I believe on his the straps are added after he is in the bag. When I made my version I had my straps permanently sewn and riveted to the bag. In retrospect I found this made the escape slightly more difficult because the belts could not be slid down or up out of position on the canvas as one struggled to escape. However, sewing the straps onto the canvas did have one advantage in that they could be permanently positioned slightly above the ankles, etc. Like this, there was always some degree of slack to be had. I always entered my bag with my hands tied or otherwise restrained. I do not know if others do this nor do I know for sure if this is the way prisoners of old were put into the bag. I do not know of anyone who makes this unit (aside from myself) and I could probably make you one if you wished. Failing that, you can make one yourself by simply buying off of Ebay one of those bargain basement canvas mailbag escapes and cutting off the top part with the grommets until the top of the bag comes to just below your chin when you are standing in the bag. Next, sew a seam along this cut to prevent fraying. For the leather straps consult a shoe repair shop or scour Ebay. Try and get leather straps with roller buckles because these will release easy enough when you grip and manipulate them through the canvas. Hope this helps. Regards, Steve Santini |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Seabags are simply a canvas or heavy duck cloth bag usually held closed with a drawstring (rope).
History Lesson: In the day of the tall ship (wooden ships and iron men!) a sailors personal effects was called “duffel” or “duffle” (both correct). The word was referring to the sailor’s principal clothing and the seabag he carried and stowed it in. The term comes from the Flemish town of Duffel near Antwerp, and denotes a rough woolen cloth made there. Our turn duffle bag stems from that period and use. Basically, sailors in the "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" sailing ship days carried all their worldly possessions in one of these bags. They were easy to stow in any nook or cranny. Sailors didn’t have a room but a couple of hooks, pin, or beam to hang their canvas hammock from. When not asleep the sailors simply lashed their hammock to their bag and stowed it out of the way. When traveling to a new ship they stowed their clothing and stuff in the bag lashed their hammock to it and hoisted it onto their shoulder and in effect moved their entire home and complete inventory of earthly possessions from ship to ship. I wouldn't say they traveled light because it was a one-shoulder load that could torque your skeletal frame and bust your ankles. It was like hauling a dead linebacker Ships of old did not allow vast accumulation of private gear. Heck hobos who lived in discarded refrigerator crates could amass greater loads of pack rat **** than Sailors of the day. Anyway, until modern times most navies allowed a “grog” (rum and water) ration to it’s sailors. I think it helped to dull them to the long hours of boredom and mind numbing and painful work. From time to time a sailor would manage to get into ships stores and get intoxicated with rum. Sometimes, the conditions of service simply drove men mad. Usually the man was wrapped into his hammock and tied mummy style. Rarely (if ever) was a seabag actually used (it was simply too small). When a person regained his “right mind” he would wiggle out of his bindings. That was indication that he was prepared to return to work. Often his return to “normally” was welcomed by being flogged for getting intoxicated to begin with. If the person had the timidity to actually die while trussed up, then the hammock would be opened some ballast put in with the fellow, and the hammock then sewed closed. Finally, he was tossed over the side (after the proper ceremony of course). End of History Lesson So you could develop a great story line of having to restrain the raving insane aboard one of Her/His Majesty’s ships of the line (good timing given the “Master and Commander” film out right now). You could use the Seabag story line that Steve gives. You only need a large canvas bag. Do not make it as tall as you are; make it appear smaller and tighter. Give the illusion that you are packed into it. Making a heavy duty cotton duck cloth bag with drawstring closure should be within anyone's skill level. Inexpensive too! Or, you could make a hammock (diamond cut canvas sheet) and have yourself tied up in it. Even easer to make. Either way, you have a good story line for the escape routine and a reason to have such odd artifacts! Plus you will freak out any spectator that is even a little claustrophobic! I know, I know, this is more than you wanted and clearly more than anyone is going to read!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
There was a "sea bag" owned by Hardeen at the Appleton Houdini Museum, I am assuming it will be going to the Vagas Museum along with all of Radner's other Houdini stuff. For some reason they had it labeled as a Full Body Strait Jacket.
Shawn
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
Thanks for the education everyone. It has sparked a couple of great ideas for me. I like the canvas and leather strap look real well, and I think it would match my jacket pretty close if I got Humane straps.
When I master a couple more things that I already own, this will be on the list. One last question and I will let this one go. What is this thing? They call it a punishment suit, but this is sort of what I was thinking of when I was trying to picture a Sea Bag. http://www.alwaysescaping.com/Venezuela.html
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
I don't know about other people but I call it a full body strait jacket you can get something similar from Max Cita's web site, I believe I posted a link to his site in this section somewhere. Since it is adult rated, I don't want to post it again.
Shawn Hey Ksd, I sort of know Gunnarson so I sent him an email asking what it was exactly. I know there is something in either John Bushy or Terry Roses collection that kind of looks like it. I believe the item appears in ESCAPISM mag. Gunnarson's looks like an SJ with a "Foot in Boot" pants but I'll ask. Shawn UPDATE: Dec 12, 2003 KSD: Dean got back to me today on the escape you asked about: Quote: the escape you where asking about is called a U.S. Army Punishment suit. Tanner use to sell them in the early 80's. I added a few leather straps on the legs
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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