Re: [GZG-L] Request for comments and information

In a message dated 7/21/99 5:17:35 PM Central Daylight Time, 
thomas.anderson@university-college.oxford.ac.uk writes:

<< 
 this is a bit OT, but educational: could someone explain to me what a
 'columbiad' is? i sort of assumed it was an epic journey to Columbia,
 probably written in iambic pentameter :).
  >>

A Columbiad: Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean  -	a term for the United
States. 
The Columbiad was invented by the United States as a compromise naval
piece. 
Not as short as a carronade, not as long as a long gun - a middlin'
thing. A 
compromise whose success is best noted by the fact that nobody else
built 'em.