#italian shipyard

[sheltiechicago]

Zaha Hadid Architects designs sinuous solar-powered catamaran

UK studio Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed its concept for the Oneiric solar-panel-covered yacht, developed with Italian shipyard Rossinavi.

[anonymooseforever007]

The Engagement

(Luca Changretta x Shelby sister reader)

Summery: You had made it very clear already. You had absolutely no intentions of marrying Luca Changretta for a business deal.... So your brothers really should have been suspicious when you eagerly requested for them to set up a meeting for you and your fiancé one neutral ground.... And they should have been scared when you choose Alfie's shipyard as that neutral ground....

A/N: Hi Y'all! No trigger warnings besides peaky language and threats I think! There are talks about an arranged marriage, but once again we'll see how that goes over.... This is the first time I've like written Luca besides just mentions so I hope I did alright! Also I write this like two weeks ago but forgot to edit it until today oops! Enjoy!❤️

WC-5.0k

Part 1- The Proposal Main Masterlist

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"Remind me again why the fuck we're we're here Tom?"

"Ask her. She was the one who choose the meeting place."

"Keep in mind that she can also hear you perfectly well brother darling, and if you ask that question one more time you won't be so lucky."

Arthur raised his hands in surrender as he took a seat by John as you all sat waiting for your company to arrive. Well, Tommy didn't sit. He just stood with a cigarette hanging from his mouth watching the entrance gate of the loading dock. 

"All I don't understand is why you wanted to meet him here. After all, we're Romani blood right?"

"Yes Arthur."

"And Luca's Italian blood?"

"Correct"

"So why the fuck are we meeting at the fucking Jew's shipyard?"

"I actually agree with that. Why are we here? Isn't it suppose to be neutral ground or what not?" John chimed in and even Tommy tilted his head in concession. Even he wasn't sure why you choose to meet Luca in Alfie's territory. He would have rather met in Charlie's yard, but you'd insisted on being here, in the small boat yard on the edge of Alfie's territory. 

"Simple. If he hates both of you he can't favor either of you. Thus neutral land is formed."

"That's some wise fucking words if I've ever heard them, poppet." 

Turning around you smiled at the approaching gangster, his loyal dog strolling a few steps ahead. Reaching out you began to coo at the large dog who was eager to receive his belly rubs. Playing with Cyril always improved your mood. You ignored the groans of your brothers and John grabbing on to Arthur's coat to he decided to lunge.

"Hello Arthur!"

"Fuck off!"

"Oi! No fighting," you interrupted getting between the two men, "Now he may hate you all, but he can still hate one more than the other so let's not push it."

Alfie nodded his head mockingly behind you as you gently shoved your eldest brother away. Sending him back to his seat, you gave Tommy a short glare for not stepping in, to which he just shrugged, and then turned towards Alfie again.

"But really why are you here?"

"Can't a man walk his own property?"

"Sure, but you said everything would be ready for when Mr. Changretta arrived. You're not suppose to be here. It's to be a private affair."

"And it is. Just making one last check to see if you lot are all ready and make one last proposal of my own. Also I wanna remind ya not to get any blood on my dock. Just had it redone all nice and such. I wouldn't want your ugly guts staining the finish. I saw their ugly fucking cars pulling up down the street on my way in. Should be here any minute. It's a shame thou init? Pretty thing like you is too good for any of these cunts. If you'd like I can kill them all now and you can run with me, eh poppet? You can play with my dog any day you want." 

You laughed as both Arthur and John stood up this time with indignant protests. Even Tommy tensed up and turned to glare at the man who had spoken.

"Alright then Mr. Solomons," you drawled, patting the man's chest, "While that is just a lovelyoffer, unfortunately I am already taken for," a quick glare at Tommy, "though you're welcome to leave the dog anytime. He's such a lovely boy." Cyril wagged his tail at the attention shoving his head into your leg like an over grown cat looking for head scratches. Ones you were more than happy to oblige.

"Well then, I best be off now haven't I mates? Unlike you lot I know to appease a pretty woman with her desires. Y/N." Alfie nodded his head as he stared to head off, Cyril waiting until his master had called thrice before leaving your side. It wasn't until they'd both rounded the corner when the company you'd finally be waiting for arrived. Three black cars pulled up smoothly before coming to a halt. From your place in the shipping yard you watched nine men exit the cars. A few more than you had expected but still not any issue.

Your brothers walked up first, and you saw Tommy moving to shake someone's hand. The man was tall with dark slicked back hair and he wore his hat slightly tilted on his head. He looked stupid. In his mouth sat a toothpick that he seemed to enjoy munching on as he listened to your brother speak. He looked like a cow when he did that you'd stubborn decided. A stupid cow. A handsome cow. But a handsome stupid cow. Stupid. handsome. cow man. asshole.....ok so obviously still you weren't happy to be there. After all, this was the man who threatened to kill your entire family. Even the children, and you made a habit of disliking anyone willing to harm children. They didn't have to want any of their own or even like them in general, but to be willing to harm something so innocent to the crimes being punished seemed wrong to you. So even without meeting the man you knew you despised him. What kinda lowlife monster would be willing to hurt innocent kids to get his revenge? ....Evidently one you're brothers we're willing to marry you too. But was there really no other deal he'd make for peace? Well....If things went to plan you were about to find out. 

"I'm glad you were able to consider my proposal Mr.Shelby, I think it's much nicer this way isn't it?"

You didn't even try to hide your disbelieving laugh as the New York Gangster's words reached your ears. Immediately the attention went you, and since he was closer now, you could see the faint outline of a permanent  stubble outlining his lower face. Stupid veryhandsome cow man. As he looked towards you for the first time Luca raised and eyebrow.

"Do you find something amusing?"

Tilting your head slightly, you smiled with a false sweetness. Out of the side of your eye, you noticed your brothers tensing up slightly. Be it from the fact Luca was so close or that you interrupted their conversion. Either way, they began to notice the glint in your eye. And slowly they were regretting allowing you to meet Luca before the wedding. As if an introduction at the alter would have been any better.

"Yes. Very amusing in fact. See, I came here thinking it was ME being proposed to," clasping a hand mockingly to your chest you continued, "But here we are and the only one being romanced is my beloved brother. ...Well, romanced isn't the word, that's got to be the shittiest proposal I've ever heard. 'I'm glad you've considered my proposal'.... poppycock! Aren't you Italians suppose to be good at this romance shit?"

Arthur choked on his tongue besides you as Tommy spoke your name in warning, which you ignored. Luca moved his toothpick around his mouth and he gave you a once over. If you hadn't already been set on hating this man, his stare would have sent a pleasant shiver down your back in a way few could these days. Finally, letting out a small but still amused hum, Luca reached out to shake your hand. 

"Y/N, I presume?"

"Shelby. Y/N Shelby....Miss Y/N Shelby is my name. And you are too close, back up," you stated firmly. The special emphasis on both 'Shelby' and 'Miss' was more than enough to let anyone know your feelings on the current situation. Luca only raised his eyebrow again and rescinded his unaccepted hand. 

"I'm Lu...."

"I know who you are," you interrupted.

"Really," Luca queried. Surely you didn't know enough about him then if you were treating him so flippantly, he thought. He was the man determined to end you entire bloodline only a few weeks ago. You should be terrified of what would happen if he decided he didn't want to marry you!! But no, he thought, instead you were....

"You're the man who thinks finger paintings are scary."

Luca's toothpick fell from his mouth, while John could be heard covering his laugh. Then his eyes narrowed and his voice became slightly darker.

"What did you say?"

Tommy put a hand on your shoulder as he stepped forward to put himself between you two. But before he could open his mouth to take control of the situation again, yours opened first. You waved your hands around in sarcastic  excitement as you spoke, imitating the man's voice.

"What were you helping 'mama' with her lesson plan one day, making hand turkeys and decide, 'ohhh THUMBS! Terrifying?! That'll be a great way to show people not to mess with me!'"

Luca's eye twitched and if he hadn't already lost it, you were sure he would have snapped the toothpick between his teeth, his jaw was clenched so tightly.

"Watch your tone with me woma..."

"OR WHAT? You'll send me a finger painting?"

Arthur wrapped an arm around your waist and began to pull your back. No, he didn't like how Luca was speaking to you, but he also didn't want you to start a war of your own today. Even if he had a good idea you'd win. And yet still you weren't deterred. 

"Can it be pink and have confetti? OOHH or maybe it can be red like the blood that's gonna run down your throat when imaamuahhh," Arthur hissed as you bit the hand covering your mouth, but it was enough time for Tommy to finally step in again. Briefly...

"She doesn't mean that. It's the fa..."

"He's right! I don't!" You interjected again, freeing yourself of your eldest brother, "I'm not actually a fan of blood, so I won't slit your throat, but I'd be carefully of the champagne at the after party. Never know what slips in the cups these days..."

This time it was John who grabbed you, though not as roughly as Arthur, but luckily for everyone you had finished.... for now. The entire yard was silent and even Tommy was at a small loss for what to say. Truth be told he didn't know if there was anything to say. It was a long enough shot to convince Luca that marriage would be a way to end the vendetta and now here you were, possibly ruining that chance within half an hour. While he could understand your anger, there was still a part of him that was annoyed at the fact you could be so tactless. Another part though, the part that was still your big brother, was incredibly proud and resisting the urge to laugh at your comments. Luca however, remained unimpressed.

"My apologies, Miss Shelby," Luca restated, started to become more than annoyed with your antics. Surely, you knew that he was the one holding the power here? If your family had it, there was no way they'd have even considered the marriage. He was the one holding all the cards and you were instead choosing to act as though this entire plan was your idea. In a quieter, and deceitfully threatening voice, Luca ignored your demand for space and leaned closer to your ear. "Though, one would think for a woman in your situation, you'd be a little more welcoming to your fiancé. After all, I've been so generous to reconsider my previous message of vendetta, haven't I Bella?"

John could be heard whispering to Tommy, probably demanding to be allowed to hit the taller man, but he was held back. Again, you ignored your brothers instead focusing on the man before you, who's just said one of the worst things he could have.

"Generous? You think you're generous to try and force a woman into marriage and take her away from her family? Is it generous to not to kill children in exchange for someone else's freedom? Do you expect me to be happy, fucking happy, to have to spend the rest of my life with you when I don't even know you? I don't who you are or what you might do to me. You expect me to just follow your every whim and play housewife, knowing that one day you may kill me to go after my brothers? Is that what you define fucking generosity as," you fumed, just as angry as you were when you first learned about the new deal. "Well, if that's generous then damn all of the generosity in the world to hell! I agreed to come here today to meet you for my family. I am agreeing to consider giving up some of my freedom for their safety, when I'm not even the one who started this whole mess. I could have said no. I could have left them to fend for themselves and likely die over a needless feud, but I didn't. Because I was the one who decided to be generous. I am the one willing to give up something good that I have, to keep spending bad from happening to someone else. That is generous. My drawback for their benefit. I didn't have to do it but I did. Because I love them. So unless you're more incompetent than you've come off so far, I'd try thinking of a better word than generous for that little statement if I was you," speaking tersely you dared Luca to question your speech. Then taking a deep breath you closed your eyes off a moment.

His last comment had thrown you off, setting you off in a way you hadn't meant to go. And while your words were true, this isn't where you wanted the conversation to go. Not if your plan was going to work. It couldn't work if you'd pushed Luca too far too fast. He needed to be in just the right spot for the biggest blow to make the most efficient impact. Sighing, you straightened your shirt and looked down at your shoes. Your glare dropped and an almost desperate look appeared in your eyes briefly. 

"Besides.... is it too much to ask for a proper proposal? Like the one from a story that makes you dream of true love," Tilting your head in an almost wistfully sad way, you'd met Luca's gaze again, noticing that by some miracle he's eyes had softened just slightly. "Even if it's not true it would be nice to pretend wouldn't it? To actually be asked to be one's forever even if it seems there's only one answer? Can't I at least be granted that?"

Luca thought for a moment, taking the time to pull a new toothpick from his pocket. Shooting a brief glance over your shoulder, he saw your brothers staring at him intensely from a few steps behind. It crossed his mind that if he truly did want to, he could kill you here and now. Because he really did have the power in this fight. You stood within half an arms reach and the eight men he'd brought with him far outnumbered your three brothers. It could be an easy fight, over in mere seconds, damned how neutral this ground was suppose to be. He could kill you all now and the vendetta would be settled, AND he wouldn't ever have to deal with your infuriating brothers or your even more infuriating comments ever again. You had showed him no respect up to this point and if it were anyone else they'd have been dead after the first interruption. But you weren't dead, and for some reason, some unknown feeling brewing in the pit of his stomach, Luca wanted do keep it that way. So he unwittingly did exactly what you wanted him to do. 

"You want a proper proposal," Luca drawled, his eyes falling to your lips once and his voice was calmer now, almost softly curious, like he sympathized with your plea, "Is that it? Me asking you, and that's all it'll take for this to be done? You'll be good and stop fighting?"

Smiling sweetly again, a more genuine smile this time you nodded, clasping you hands together and placing them behind you almost shyly as you rocked your feet. It was a complete change from your attitude moments ago. Like all it took was to believe someone was listening to you, for you to become this sweet little demure creature from the fairytales his mother taught in her class. 

And somehow, naively Luca didn't realize the fairytale of your own act now. Giving a pleased smile, at what he assumed was your acceptance of the deal, he nodded, silently agreeing to your desires. Despite your beliefs Luca didn't think of himself as a monster, nor did he want an unhappy marriage either. He didn't necessarily care if you loved him, but it would be nice if he knew you wouldn't betray him. And if he could please his wife, he figured life would be so much easier for him in that matter. So he supposed he could give you this one thing you seemed to so closely desire. Besides, there was, again, this almost funny feeling that had settled in Luca's stomach. He couldn't say what it was but there was apart of him that was almost.... excited to be able to actually propose to you instead of just meeting you at the alter. It was something he couldn't explain and wouldn't admit yet but it was there. And so the next words from his mouth would seal both your fates.... or so he thought as he took the toothpick out of his mouth to fulfil your wish. 

"Y/N Shelby? Would you like to..."

"Wait, not like that!"

Luca froze, his head tilting in confusion at the light frown that has formed on your face. Your brothers, as well as Luca's own men could be here whispering in the background. None of them were really sure what was going on now, but none of them moved, all equally curious to see where this was going. 

"Not like that? Didn't you just say you wanted me to propose?"

"Yes, but I also said propose properly," you insisted, "if you don't do it the right way it may as well mean nothing." 

"And what exactly does 'proper' mean by your standards? What do you want me to do?" There was a small amount of sarcasm in his words due to a voice in his mind that was starting to get annoyed again, but Luca ignored it. It didn't even take you a second of thought before your smile returned. As had the look that worried your brothers in the first place.

"It means get on your knees Mr. Changretta."

Silence echoed across the entire shipyard. Almost all the men present stood in shock, eyes wide, even Tommy at what you'd just said. Luca however just tilted his head to the side, his hat looked straight now, processing. The deceptively sweet smile still lingered on your face as you waited for a response.

"You said to get on my knees.... to propose to you?" he repeated slowly, wanting to confirm you'd actually just demanded that of him. He wanted to be sure you had the audacity to order such from him. 

"I want you on your knees Luca....now."

....

Luca listened. 

For some reason, one nobody would ever be able to explain, he did as you said. The toothpick was clenched tightly between his lips as he slowly lowered himself to one knee, eyes locked with yours the entire time. His men could be heard whispering to each other behind him, and Luca knew he'd have to have a talk with them later about what they saw. Luca took a deep breath in, contemplating if this was actually going to happen, if he was actually doing this....Evidently he was. 

"Y/N Shelby..." he paused a moment as you stuck out your hand indicating he should take it... He did. You couldn't see it, but Tommy was looking up at sky, lips tightly together trying to hide his smirk. John and Arthur did have to turn around to hide their grins now too. Luca started again. The words were spoken with a slight hint of sarcasm as he repeated by the title you'd reminded him of earlier. Luca tilted his head in question, and if he did it any more his hat probably would have fallen off. 

"Y/N Shelby, Miss Y/N Shelby.... would you do me the honor of marrying me, Luca Changretta, and become my wife?"

"No."

Luca almost choked on his toothpick, he inhaled so quickly, his cheeks darkening a slight tint of red. You hadn't even paused for a moment to think, bluntly rejecting the man on his knees before you. Squeezing his hand lightly, you smiled again, though now Luca could see the true meaning of the look and realised that you never had any intentions of accepting his proposal at al. You just wanted to make a fool out of him down on his knees. Quickly, that embarrassment turned to anger as Luca shot to his feet, pulling you closer by the hand and seething in your face. Behind you, your brothers shot into action as well, all tensing up and reaching for their guns. But they knew that even if necessary, they'd have no shot as you were practically shielding Luca with you body because if where they stood. 

"That's is enough! Who the fuck do you think you are to fucking make me kneel..."

"Step back Luca," you interrupted, undetected by his ranting, but he ignored you.

"Don't tell me to fucking step back woman. If you think you can treat me...."

"Step back Luca," you repeated again calmly, but it only served to anger him more.

"STEP BACK! Step fucking back!! I will stand wherever I fucking want to stand," and with that he stepped even closer, to where the tip of his nose was touching yours. "You don't seem to understand anything going on."

"Actually I..."

"NO! Your precious brothers are going to have a bullet coming out of every fixing hole they have in ten seconds in you don't fucking listen," His hands were on your shoulders know gripping you roughly. The toothpick in his mouth almost stabbing you in the face as he spoke. "You are not the one in power here, I am. You do not make the calls, I do. I am the one who can tear apart everything you hold dear." Luca leaned his head back arrogantly, looking down at you over nose. He was still less than an arm's length part. "I have nine men and you have three. So who's to fucking stop me from killing your brothers and having my way with you right now?"

A shot rang though the air.

Luca's toothpick was still in his mouth, but now half of it had been blown to sawdust by the bullet passingly cleanly before his face. 

You just smiled...

"I told you to step back Luca..."

Every man in the ship yard ignored you, reaching for their guns, trying to find the shooter. Even your brothers looked around, slightly panicked, not knowing who fired the gun.... Or whose side they were on. The surprise of the shot, had loosened Luca's grip on you as you freed yourself and took a few steps back. Two more shots rang out from somewhere, landing close to Luca's feet, creating more space between the pair of you as he stumbled back. Then the shipyard went quiet again. Not a single man moved, for fear the next shots wouldn't be so harmless. Still searching for the ambusher Luca turned towards Tommy.

"I thought you said this was neutral ground! It's suppose to be private," He demanded, completely ignoring the fact he, himself had just threatened you on the very same neutral ground.

"It is. Or it's fucking suppose to be. I have no clue what's going on," Tommy replied, just as concerned. He should have known Alfie would play dirty. He hadn't counted on you doing it either though.

"But it's just that Mr. Changretta," clasping your hands together, you started towards the Italian man again, having no fear of getting shot. "As I told my brothers earlier, 'If he hates both of you he can't favor either of you. Thus neutral land is formed.' And I promise, Alfred Solomons hates both of you."

Luca huffed and narrowed his eyes. "I suppose this was your doing too?"

"Of course. See that 'you' is spelled without an 'me'.....and me, well I, have a very good relationship with a certain man's dog. And it is just amazing what a man will do when his dog likes you."

No one spoke so you continued. Though your face remained composed in an accomplished grin, you were almost bouncing on the balls of your feet due to your excitement. Your plan was going very nicely. Laughing, you carelessly spun around once, observing the mass of boxes and boats and building around you.

"They're amazing are they? Snipers? Could shoot your hat off from half a mile away  and you'd have never even heard the shot. Do you know how many snipers during the war were Jews? I don't, but I understand that Mr. Solomons employee a decent number of them. And when my dear friend heard of this whole marriage ploy?.....Well he righteously shared my outrage and offered to help me." Now you had taken to walking circles around your target. Now Luca realised that it was in fact you who had all the power, since the moment his tires hit the yard's ground. "And luckily for you, I did manage to curve his "help" from something a little bit less...murdery? Perhaps. After all, I do prefer to avoid violence if I can. There are so many more civilised methods than that...And finally we settled on this. The 'official engagement' taking place in this very yard, where I politely ask you to rethink your offer. And if you don't, we try to renegotiate.... and if you don't agree to that.... well. Luca you were wrong earlier..... I have far more than three men. All of who are very inclined to keep me safe. Now they've been instructed not to injury unless necessary, but that doesn't mean they can't give a warning shot. It doesn't mean they have to either. They were being very very nice just now. And you can't see them, but I promise they've had their sights on you for a while now. Why not give them a smile and then I'll tell you how this is gonna go." You opened your arms wide as if showing off everything. Luca just watched chewing on the half of his toothpick that remained. 

"How what's gonna go?" It actually wasn't Luca who spoke up. Nor was it your brothers. One of Luca's men, had asked the question. You turned and smiled at the man nodding you head once as if pleased that someone was participating. Luca made a mental note to beat the man later for encouraging you.

"See I really don't want to marry you. I don't love you. I don't even know you. There's also the fact you threatened everyone I love. But I also understand you and my brothers' small minds are incapable of imagining deals involving anything other than fighting or fucking and I don't particularly want to do either of those things with it right now. So I've come up with a new plan and who knows, maybe it'll work out in everyone's favour. Are you ready to hear it?" You paused waiting for a response. When none came you raised and eyebrow and made a point of glancing towards a rooftop over Luca's shoulder. "Do you want to know how this will work Luca?"

"Fine."

"Perfect! So you WILL take back your little finger paintings, but I will NOT be marrying you anytime soon. However, for the good of our families I am presenting another option. Luca Changtetta, I will NOT marry you on a whim, but," You paused for a moment for dramatic effect, waiting until Luca tilted his head. "Should you agree... I will let you take my hand in courtship for one year. And I promise it will not be easy for you. If you manage to whoo me, the you can have your marriage. If not.... Well then I should hope by that day we are close enough friends to put the past behind us and everyone can go their separate ways."

Luca tilted his head in confusion, "What?"

Bloody hell, this man needed to pick up a romance novel. Huffing slightly your reworded your demands. 

"Luca, you have a year to date me and make me fall in love with you. If you do I'll marry you. If not the you have a whole year to give up or come up with a better plan than killing everyone. Got it?"

"Why the fuck didn't you just say that in the first place? And what if I don't want to court you?"

"Because I didn't wanted to. And if you don't want to play then you can give up now or let the snipers play target practice."

Luca nodded his head and thought for a moment. The right choice was obvious as the fact that you were crazier than Alfred Solomons. After all, first you were threatening to kill him for trying to marry you, and now he had a year to change your mind. Luca's hand was still wrapped around his gun and he had half a mind to use it. The only thing keeping him from shooting you was the fact he knew, he'd have at least five bullets in him before he pulled the trigger. The obvious choice was to walk away now and give up the vendetta. You had just told him he could stop and you all could go your separate ways. No one else would have to die. All he had to do was give up, admitting you'd outsmarted him. He'd have to admit that you did hold all the power. 

"Well, Mr. Changretta? What do you think of my proposal?"

Luca didn't like admitting anyone else had the power... Even if looked very good on you. And so his choice was made.

"I suppose I better learn your favorite type of flower amore."

"Whatever kind you're most allergic to Romeo"

.....

And so it began...

[pinturas-sgm-aviacion]

1942 10 24 Daylight over Milan - Graham Turner

After attacks on Genoa on 22/23 and 23/24 October, which were designed to coincide with Montgomery's El Alamein offensive, Harris at the morning conference at HQ Bomber Command on 24 October decided to switch targets to Milan. Unlike Genoa, with its ports and shipyards, or Turin, with its war industries, the attack on Milan - the political and commercial centre of northern Italy - was for morale purposes and the effect on the civilian population. As a result, this attack was unusual in not being one single night raid. Instead, Harris chose to split the attack: 5 Group's Lancasters by day - perhaps to highlight British air superiority over a major Italian city - and the other Groups' 'heavies' at night. This battle scene features the daylight attack, which saw 88 Lancasters take off to bomb the aiming point of 'Milan "A"' - the city centre - though this caused controversy afterwards when it became public that the Duomo had been the aiming point . Seventy-four aircraft dropped 51.8 tons of HE bombs and 81.5 tons of incendiaries on Milan. As cloud over Milan was down to 3,000 ft, and since the bombs dropped included a good number of 4,000-pounders, release from below this height was in some cases avoided so a number of Lancasters stayed above the cloud, bombing at between 8,000 ft and 12,000 ft. A number went below the cloud and down to 2,000ft to identify the aiming point, however, and this is depicted in this battle scene. One Lancaster even got down to 50ft, where, the Italian authorities claimed, it strafed buildings and machine-gunned people in the streets; indeed, the Lancaster of Wg Cdr J. M. Southwell, 9 Squadron's CO, admitted later to having 'used 7,000 rounds machine-gunning two trains on the Milan-Novara railway and strafing what he said was Novara'. Nonetheless, photographic evidence - taken both during the bombing and later on by a reconnaissance aircraft - revealed that a large amount of damage was inflicted - mainly by fire - on industrial premises all over Milan, and the railway lines to Bologna,Genoa and Venice and along the St Gothard route had been severed. The main railway station had been particularly damaged, as were areas around the Porto Novara Station and the Parco Solari and many industrial premises, such asthe GEC Engineering Works, Municipal Tramways and the Caproni aircraft factory. Mussolini publically admitted damage to nearly 2,500 houses, with 450 completely demolished. For the British, the losses were three Lancasters(3.4 per cent), one having crashed over Milan and two others shot down by Luftwaffe night-fighters around Caen in France. These were light considering this had been a risky long-distance run in daylight across Axis-dominated Europe.Damage to aircraft was another matter, however. Several bombers had been damaged either by flak over Milan or enroute, by colliding with a seagull over the target, by a Macchi C.202 Folgore, by hitting high-tension electric cables,or by crash-landing at an emergency airfield in Sussex. A total of ten aircraft (11.45 per cent) were damaged, half ofthem seriously. While the day raiders were landing at their bases in England, another force of 71 aircraft, comprising the Stirlings,Halifaxes and Wellingtons from the PFF, 1, 3 and 4 Groups, was already over Milan. Although thick cloud covered the target, they could see the glow of the fires started by the Lancasters five hours earlier, and proceeded to bomb those. Further destruction to Milan, although not extensive, was caused

[ilikethisacompletelynormalamount]

I'm pretty sure there's meant to be an embargo on press discussing Ripley until the 4th, but this Danish reviewer appears to have jumped the gun a bit.

Aesthetically pleasing series with chilling Andrew Scott is a welcome alternative to the summer vacation-ready movie adaptation of Highsmith's thriller.

(English translation below the cut)

By Kristian Ditlev Jensen

Ripley is the title of Steven Zaillian's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's recurring character Tom Ripley, who is the protagonist in five of her psychological thrillers.

The first book is the magnum opus The Talented Mr. Ripley, which has been adapted into several films. Most famously, the 1999 version starred Matt Damon and Jude Law.

The story is about a young conman, Tom Ripley, who hustles his way through life, but one day gets mistaken for someone else. He seizes the opportunity and gets the offer of a lifetime from Mr. Greenleaf, an elderly shipyard owner.

"Go to the stunning Amalfi Coast in Italy and find my son Richard Greenleaf. Persuade him to come home!"

In Italy, Tom quickly finds Dickie, as he is simply called. But instead of bringing him home, he murders the man and assumes his identity.

In a formidable double-cross, he fools everyone by pretending to be both Tom and Dickie when it suits him. All goes well until a police inspector from Rome starts to smell a rat. And soon the hunt is on for the perpetrator.

The journey takes them via Sanremo, Palermo in Sicily, Rome and Venice. But the the criminal is always gone, even though the policeman is actually sitting and talking to him!

Anthony Minghella's feature film is good, but it's also a legitimately summer-holiday-ready, box office-targeted take on the story of a con artist and low-life con man. Now this version finally gets competition from a far more uncompromising, over-aestheticized and visually astonishingly harmonious work, starring Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers) with warm charm and icy creepiness.

It's not every day you see such a well-designed series, where everything from the dramatic choice to shoot in black and white, to the typography, to the production design of interiors and costumes is thought out down to the last detail.

"The light. Always the light."

The line comes from a Catholic priest standing just behind Tom Ripley, who is looking at a Caravaggio painting.

Michelangelo Merisi, as the Italian painter was originally known, took his artist name from the village of Caravaggio near Bergamo. And it was he who coined the art term chiaroscuro - or clairobscur in French - in the years around 1600.

The term refers to a painting technique where dark and light are contrasted so that the images almost appear as black and white paintings.

Steven Zaillan - who wrote the screenplays for Schindler's List, Awakenings and Gangs of New York - has just modeled Ripley on the painter Caravaggio, who lived a dramatic life to say the least.

In 1606, Caravaggio stabbed pimp Ranuccio Tomassoni in the thigh with a small sword, causing him to die from the blood loss. The painter lived on the run for years before being pardoned by the Pope, but died immediately afterwards of a fever at the age of 38.

This story is on every level behind the series.

Ripley is shot in black and white, i.e. modern clairobscur, just like Caravaggio's own works. It's also about a criminal on the run and a murderer.

The story goes on and on.

In a key scene, there is a cross-cut between the historical Caravaggio sitting at a table with the murder weapon, a short dagger, and Tom Ripley sitting with a fountain pen in front of him.

In the twentieth century, you could kill with a pen. Today, you'd probably do it over the internet.

The whole analog universe that Steven Zaillian revels in - the series is set in the 1960s, while the novel was published in 1955 - is a stroke of genius. It allows him to work sensually with a wide range of things that seem to have disappeared today.

There are phone booths and people write notes to each other with pens. The typography is almost a tribute to the printed media in the form of newspapers, books, writings, signs, stamps, letterheads, patches of text, forms, checks and so on.

Similarly, shoes are a little story in themselves. And drinks. And ashtrays. At the same time, the declaration of love for the Amalfi Coast is so authentic it makes you dizzy.

The fact that the series is shot as something of an homage to the black-and-white king of them all, director Orson Welles, doesn't make it any less impressive. With a wealth of indirect and direct quotes from, for example, The Third Man, where the play of light and shadows on the walls of the stairwells play a major role.

Ripley is a rare true work of art on Netflix.

[financieur]

V.01 ━━ M/Y Étoile. Commissioned in 2017 from an Italian Shipyard and delivered during the Summer 2019 in Monaco, the M/Y Étoile is a 6 levels yacht, and the replacement to the 'Nëperke' Yacht, his 2005 Sunseeker Predator 108. It was a much needed [ and desired ] upgrade to make justice to the position Le Chiffre now occupied within Quantum. It remained useful even past the takeover that Spectre went through by his hands in late 2019.

The boat's furniture was bespoke to his necessities, design to reflect little to nothing of his own personality and much of what he was perceived by others, and then crafted by an Italian atelier. As for the ship's internal structure, all finishes, such as the hardwood floors and ceilings, and details, such as the illumination coloring, were carefully chosen by Le Chiffre himself. The decor is nearly monochromatic, with the wood, soft lines and warm indirect lightening being a way to break the coldness of the palette and feign a sense of comfort to make it livable. The hull is painted in a mirror-like coating that uses a special coverage to avoid overheating the surfaces.

Another heavily customized feature of Étoile is the security infrastructure. The decks are all equipped with deck sensory arrays, which give an alert whenever people walk over it, as well as infrared beam sensors , lock-down vessel system, live CCTV and real time tracking by his team of choice. The ship is also equipped with an infirmary and an extremely well stocked armory. The Crew counts with a minimum of 4 security guards and an emergency surgeon in every trip it does.

The main deck is where all guest accommodations can be found, as well as the main lounging and guest entertainment areas. The vessel can comfortably fit 60 guests for events and 10 guests for travels in 5 rooms, divided between a VIP Stateroom, almost as well equipped as the Master Suite, two double cabins and two twin cabins. The upper deck holds the dining rooms and a private kitchen, as well as a sunbathing area and a bar. The fly deck, also known as owner's deck, is where the master suite can be found, equipped with a master bathroom and a walk-in closet, a small office space and a security control room can also be found at this deck. The sun deck holds only a small lounging area with a bar and another sunbathing area.

The lower deck is where the crew is accommodated, as well as most of the functional rooms, such as the laundry room, storage and pantries, can be found. The engine deck is where the technical rooms are found, such as the boat engine room, the infirmary and the armory.

Despite being considered his primary residence for many years, now the yacht spend most of the year docked either at Port Cala del Forte in Italy or the Falmouth Harbour Marina in Antigua, being only used by Le Chiffre when he want to travel in a more secure manner, or to entertain certain guests.

[ginandoldlace]

HMS Liverpool arrives at Alexandria, Egypt, for emergency repairs, after being torpedoed by Italian aircraft two days prior. She would eventually leave for Mare Island Naval Shipyard California and arrive for repairs June 1941, for damage received in the Mediterranean Sea

[scotianostra]

Scottish actor Russell Hunter was born 18th February 1925 in Glasgow.

Born Russel Ellis in Glasgow, Hunter's childhood was spent with his maternal grandparents in Lanarkshire, until returning to his unemployed father and cleaner mother when he was 12. He went from school to an apprenticeship in a Clydebank shipyard. During this time, he did some amateur acting for the Young Communist League before turning professional in 1946.

He was with the left wing Unity theatre, and due to appear in The Plough And The Stars at the first Edinburgh Festival in 1947. At the last moment, the Arts Council withdrew funding - but the show had to go on. It therefore became part of the inaugural Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the posters were altered from "Sponsored by the Scottish committee of the Arts Council" to read "Eliminated by ... "

Hunter worked in repertory theatre and Scottish variety before making his film debut in Lilli Marlene (1950). He appeared with Archie Duncan in The Gorbals Story, which was a major London success the same year. Rarely without work, he was particularly thrilled to join Peter Hall's Royal Shakespeare Company, and loved working with Peggy Ashcroft and Dame Edith Evans. Particularly suited to clown roles, he treasured a review by the Sunday Times's Harold Hobson, who wrote that he had "never seen such a lovely little Bottom".

Of course with his comic style Russell was well suited to the Panto circuit and appeared in numerous performances, many with his wife, the Scottish actress Una MacLean, herself a great actor and comedian.

The role of Lonely - the dirty, unkempt character in Callan made Hunter a household name, and he would remain recognised by the public for that part for the rest of his life, but his bread and butter was Scottish Theatre and he was rarely without work.

Although in the advanced stages of cancer, Hunter's last theatrical stint was in the Reginald Rose play 12 Angry Men back where it all started at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2003, he also appeared in the romantic comedy, American Cousins that year, playing an Italian grandfather in a Glasgow chip shop.

Russell Hunter passed away in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital on February 26th 2004.

A wee bit trivia to wrap up this post up, Peter Jackson is said to have remembered the series Callan from his youth and used Hunter's portrayal of Lonely as the model for the look of Gollum, with the bug eyes, the thin wavering lips, and the sniveling personality, I don't know how much credence to give this but they do look a wee bit similar!

[rabbitcruiser]

National Eat A Hoagie Day

If you can’t make it to Philadelphia for the world’s best hoagies, pick up ingredients at the supermarket and make your own meat, cheese, and veggie sandwich.

Hoagies, a type of sub sandwich, may seem like an ordinary sandwich, but for those within the Philadelphia area, it’s a part of their pride and joy. People argue over the origins of the hoagie, who started it first, and who’s hoagies are the best in the city. Eat a Hoagie Day is just one of those unique holidays that celebrate hoagies in all of their deliciousness.

History of Eat a Hoagie Day

Hoagies, a type of sub sandwich, is believed to have started in South Philadelphia. Hoagies owe their name to the Hog Island shipyard on the Deleware River when during the depression, Italian-American workers would purchase Italian sandwiches from Al Depalma, a luncheon that called these sandwiches “hoggies”. Some also say that the origin of the hoagie originated from Chester, but others argue that the hoagie originated from Emil’s lunch counter and grocery store.

For the luncheon owners from Emil’s, according to them, they said the inspiration for the hoagie came from a sandwich they saw in Maine made by an Italian lady, to which they began to make those sandwich themselves. When World War II began, many hoagies were being sent out to the shipyard. 

Hoagies are entirely localized to the region, being sold in every Wawa across Pennsylvania state. Made with tomatoes, cold cuts, cheese, pickles, olives, and onions, they’re all stuffed into an Italian bread loaf and are made for those with huge appetites. While the origins of the hoagie still remain somewhat of a mystery and debate among hoagie fans, it is particularly an Italian creation at best.

Eat a Hoagie Day is all about having a hoagie for lunch, whether you’re on your work break or just need to fill up your stomach. Hoagies, nevertheless, are loved by everyone who eats one, especially those within the Philadelphia area. 

How to Celebrate Eat A Hoagie Day

Make your own hoagie by adding ingredients such as salami, ham, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. Buy a fresh loaf of Italian bread from your local supermarket, grocery store, or bakery to make it authentic.

If you love hoagies with all your heart, take a trip to Philadelphia to try out both DiCostanzas’ or DePalmas’ hoagies to see which ones are the best in the city. Have a hoagie party and create your own versions of hoagies for your friends and family members. Share this holiday with everyone and enjoy a hoagie! 

Source

[ask-the-becile-boys]

What can you tell us about the bots before they died? I’m interested in their lives before being robots

Not a lot of information was initially set in stone by the AU's original creator Surge, and I was always a little hesitant to expand on their previous lives. But I have some ideas, and hey, no time like the present?

-

We'll start with Frank, because he had the least info on him of the original three as far as I can recollect. Frank Saddler was an African American man who grew up in southern Appalachia. His father was a preacher for a small church. Frank was a good student as a child and his father tried to get him as much access to an education as possible. Unfortunately, their church was the target of arson when Frank was about twelve. Frank got out by smashing through a window, though he was left with some scarring from the glass. He lost his faith after that, and his relationship with his father became strained. The rest of his childhood, he lived with a few different branches of his extended family, mostly going where extra hands were needed. He was older than Tony by maybe 7-8 years; he was about twenty-four when the flyers for the Dandy Candy mines caught his attention and he took the jobs overseas and twenty-six when he met Tony and Jack. He worked in the processing factories more than the mines, though he did both. He was killed when a Copper Elephant collapsed a smokestack.

Tony Sapienti was the first born States-side to an Italian immigrant family in Chicago, who grew up to be a trans man. His deadname was something very American/English sounding, a pattern that would be later repeated with Jack; even though his family didn't cut their children (Tony, Jack, and a middle sister named Patience) off from learning Italian (which would've been hard in their community) they were pretty adamant about their children being 'successful Americans.' Tony chose his name to sort of snub that. He went to school until he was thirteen, but as he dealt with the one-two punch of puberty and realizing he was transgender, he dropped out to try and recreate himself. His parents were not accepting of his new identity, and he drifted in and out of his family's life. He wanted more than anything to be a singer, but never found an opportunity. He took the Dandy Candy mining job when he was eighteen, hoping for both a legitimate job and a clean slate among people who didn't know him. He suffocated after a cave-in during the Weekend War.

Jack Sapienti was Tony's younger brother by three years. His parents held him to high expectations as their "first son," so much so that they doomed him from the start. He was frail and nervous from a young age, and the ADHD that plagued his schooling hadn't even started to be defined by Western medicine. However, he did stay in school until he was fifteen. Tensions then came to a head with Jack and his father, and Jack fled from home. He went looking for Tony, who he'd always admired and considered safe, only to learn he'd just missed him-- Tony was headed to the shipyard to go overseas to the Dandy Candy mines. Terrified to return home, Jack rashly lied about his age and got on the ship after Tony, only revealing himself to the dismayed Tony after the ship had left port. When they got to the mines, it was obvious Jack was not cut out for the general work, so the foreman assigned him to be Tony's assistant. This is how they came to be in the same area when they died; Jack was crushed by the cave-in.

"Locke Smith," or Balthazar Ash, was a born and bred English businessman-- not aristocracy, but pretty damn close. Born in the 1860s, he had full schooling, including higher education, and had a successful early career organizing mundane goods trading. By chance, he discovered the true magical nature of one of his client's dealings, and being both discrete and shrewd, he began to ingratiate himself in the hushed world of magic trade, creating the alias "Locke Smith." He was no magician himself, but he soon became a popular figure in European magic circles for his ability to connect resources to patrons. Demand grew, and he unscrupulously dipped into darker and darker artifacts. This got him into enough trouble that he fled to the United States, eventually settling in San Diego specifically to supply the more "discerning" members of the Cavalcadium-- which eventually included Thadeus Becile. Locke provided the materials for Dee's construction, and then later volunteered himself to Thadeus to become a Rock Candy powered robot when he became terminally ill.

Dee was once Della Stanek. Della lived in the Everglades, south of Lake Okeechobee, the daughter of farmers who grew up on the cultural cusp between early agricultural developers and the Gladesmen, with some Seminole heritage. She grew up wild, an only child with little schooling and little care for ambition. As she grew older she became a talented wood-crafter, handy-woman, and hunter, her skills refined through the necessary self-reliance of living in a remote area. She tended to go barefoot whenever possible, though this was mostly at home due to the dangers of snakes and sawgrass. She had a daughter, Hannah, with her Gladesman beau Cliff out-of-wedlock when she was twenty-two. She never traveled far beyond her home region during her life. Both Della and Hannah perished in the Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928, when Della was twenty-eight and Hannah was six. Della had no connection to Thadeus before becoming Dee; it was simply bad luck that his spell, when it couldn't find Delilah Morreo's soul, plucked Della's from the beyond.

*Fun Fact: Hare's New York accent and The Jack's English accent are the result of cross-contamination with other Rock Candy!

[aspergillosis]

italian shipyard winter

[thewul]

C'est l'une des rares photos d'époque de l'entrée en service du navire entant que paquebot de croisières Professeur, renommé MV Victoria par la suite, la ressemblance est frappante avec la planche de Hergé et j'ai la certitude qu'elle en est l'origine, tout y est y compris l'angle et l'orientation du navire Bravo! Mais pourquoi vous intéresse t il tant? Car nous allons le construire Professeur, ce navire appartiens aux Éditions Moulinsart, c'est le quartier général flottant de Tintinophiles, il fait le tour du monde, soirées déguisées et réceptions comprises A l'identique?! En apparence oui, y compris la cheminée blanche que Hergé a transposé a celle ci, mais son intérieur est autre, spacieux et composé de suites pour la plupart et sa construction est moderne, du classique neuf Dans le monde du yachting ce navire serait unique, c'est tout une époque, neuf et hors du temps c'est tout a fait cela… Sapristi… Le MS Époméo?! Exact

SS VICTORIA Incres Line's MV VICTORIA had one of the longest and most glorious histories of any passenger ship. Built by Harland and Wolff of Belfast in 1936 for Union-Castle Line as the DUNNOTTAR CASTLE for the company's round Africa service from London, she was a modest combination passenger cargo liner who served her owners well. She and her sister, DUNVEGAN CASTLE, were requisitioned for armed merchant cruiser service in World War Two, but the DUNVEGAN was far less fortunate and was torpedoed off Ireland with a loss of 24 lives in 1940. DUNNOTTAR continued in war service as a troop transport, her most noteable duty carrying British soldiers to Normandy in 1944. She continued in repatriation service after the war until 1949, when after a quarter million miles and troops carried, she was returned to Union-Castle. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE resumed her round Africa service and was joined by a series of newer vessels in the early 1950s. In 1958, she was offered for sale, and, quite remarkably, bought by Incres Lines who were seeking a solidly constructed ship to rebuild into the ultimate luxury cruise liner. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE sailed to Rotterdam, where a complete rebuilding was performed at the Wilton-Fijenoord shipyard, transforming her into the sleek, deluxe MV VICTORIA. She was given a new bow and stern and a vastly enlarged and modified superstructure. Her B&W diesel engines were replaced with brand new Fiat engines. The only original parts of the ship left were the hull and inner portion of her upper superstructure, where the bridge and officer's areas still retained their Union-Castle features. Gustavo Pulitzer-Finale was responsible for VICTORIA's chic interior stylings, which were replete with fine wood paneling and trend-setting midcentury Italian furniture. Her decks were named after precious and semi-precious jewels and color coordinated accordingly. On Amber Deck, one would find amber colored bannisters and carpeting. Same for Coral, Sapphire, and Emerald, etc. VICTORIA had a dining room with a barrel shaped domed ceiling and musician's balcony as well as a two deck high auditorium. Emanuele Luzzati created most of the artworks, which were based on Roman themes and in media ranging from metallic panels to elaborate ceramics. Like many other cruise ships, VICTORIA was a victim of the fuel crisis and high operating costs. Incres Line folded in 1975 and the VICTORIA was laid up at Brooklyn. Chandris Cruises purchased the then 39 year old ship for spare parts and furniture for their other vessels, but after reexamining her, they realized she would make an excellent asset to their cruise fleet. Instead of stripping her and selling her for scrap, they refitted the ship and gave her the slightly amended name of THE VICTORIA. Her capacity increased from 430 to 548 passengers. THE VICTORIA was a huge hit with budget-minded passengers and became a renewed fixture in Caribbean and European cruise service. She stayed in the Chandris fleet until 1993, when the Cypriots purchased her for the burgeoning cruise market from Limassol to Egypt and Israel. Her new owners, Louis Cruise Lines, renamed the ship PRINCESA VICTORIA and kept her in excellent condition for the next ten or so years. In 2001, she was laid up at Eleusis following the glut in European tourism caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11. By this time, her nearly 60 year old hull and forty year old machinery were in need of expensive maintenance. With the rise in scrap prices, it was inevitable that the PRINCESA VICTORIA would meet her end at Alang. Under the delivery name VICTORIA I, she sailed off from her Greek anchorage in the spring of 2004, arriving at Alang that summer. source: midshipcentury.com/victoria

[chrisframeofficial]

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

The world's 'cheapest cruise ship' can trace its heritage back to the 1990s when the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was ordered by Costa Cruises. The ship's original name was Costa Classica and she was one of two ships in the Classica class of cruise ships, the other being the Costa Romantica.

Costa Classica and Costa Romantica were ordered from Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard in Italy. Costa Classica was given the yard number of 5877 and launched on 2 February 1991.

She was the first ship Costa Cruises had built since its iconic Eugenio C was constructed in the 1960s. As Costa Classica the ship introduced a range of new facilities and amenities for Costa Cruises.

She was 722 ft (220m) long and had 14 passenger decks meaning that Costa could construct a number of new facilities on board the ship that hadn't yet been seen by Costa passengers.

The Classica Class were designed by Costa to be part of what they were calling the Euro-lux concept which aimed to upscale the facilities and amenities available on Costa ships.

The line hired Italian architectural firm Gregotti, who had prominent Italian designers take on the interior design of the ship.

When she entered service Costa Classica was superior to anything that Costa had offered before, with two restaurants, nine bars, two swimming pools, and four spas on board the ship.

Lengthening Mishap:

By the end of the 1990s Costa had decided that they wanted to upscale the ship, and as a result in 1999 they signed a building contract with Cammell Laird to create a 146 ft (45m) mid-section for the ship to lengthen the vessel to 870 ft.

The works were expected to include internal refurbishment and were much sought after by the yard the shipyard. However as Costa Classica was making her way to the shipyard, the contract to refurbish the ship was rescinded! This created a great deal of distress for the shipyard, and is cited as one of the reasons why the shipyard fell into receivership in April of 2001.

Later Life:

In 2014 the ship was given a significant internal refurbishment, and she emerged from this refurbishment named Costa neoClassica. She stayed with Costa until 2018 when she was sold to Bahama's Paradise Cruise Line, who renamed her Grand Classica.

In December of 20121 the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced a partnership with Margaritaville Resorts and hotels the partnership saw them operate the cruise ships on behalf of this brand with a transition taking place in April of 2022. As a result, the ship was renamed Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and sails with the brand to this day offering cheap ($49 pp for 2 nights) cruises in the US market!

[nobertsales]

National Eat A Hoagie Day

The original #hoagie is what is now referred to as an #ItalianHoagie which includes a variety of traditional Italian lunch meats, including dry salami, mortadella, capicolla, and provolone served with lettuce, tomato and onions with a light vinegar and oil dressing.

The most widely believed origin story for this sandwich is that it originated in Philadelphia. According to a report in a 1953 article in The Philadelphia Bulletin, the hoagie was started by Italians working at WWI-era shipyards in Philadelphia. This area was known as Hog Island and it’s where emergency shipping was produced for America’s war effort. According to this story, workers would put various meats, cheeses, and vegetables between two slices of bread. These sandwiches became known as hoagies.

🥖 #NationalEatAHoagieDay #FoodOfTheDay #NobertSales @NobertSales #Food #FoodSolutions #FoodService #FoodServiceSolutions #FoodSales #WeKnowFood #FoodConsultant #FoodDude 

[defencestar]

Circular Economy: Fincantieri, Hera Group join hands for sustainable shipbuilding

Fincantieri-Hera Group partnership for sustainable shipbuilding: Monfalcone, Italy (July 19, 2024) – Shipbuilding giant Fincantieri and Italian environmental leader Hera Group have announced a partnership to tackle waste management and promote sustainability in Fincantieri’s shipyards across Italy. This collaboration will see the creation of a new joint venture company specifically designed to…