I found the pattern for a 1775 Royal Navy Hammock. Was thinking that it and a tarp would make a very comfortable camp.

What do you guys think? I'd like some opinions before I go to the trouble of making one. It looks like a fair amount of labor.

yeah thats cool...a comfortable bed, dont have to worry bout every rock and stick underneath yourself.. but gotta make sure you got trees in your area, but again that would be real comforatble with a good tarp overhead, do it i think youll be happy with it.

Deercop,
Before obtaining a hammock try laying in one for a few minutes (at least). You might not like the slump in the middle. That can be remedied to some extent by cinching it tight, but not completely. Might find one in the yard furniture section of your favorite store.
Sparks

Sparks, when I was a kid I used to backpack during the early season in the Sierra Nevadas. We would use hammocks to keep us above the snow. If the weather looked bad, we would string a cord overhead and run it and the hammock through one of those plastic tube tents!

I was just curious as to opinions if this would be an acceptable set-up for a 1810-20 era camp.

deercop sure you can sleep in a hammock,
but you will have to wear SLOPS & dress as a sailor.....

hey deercrop,way back when i used to hike w/a g.i. issue jungle hammock,it consisted of a hammock w/a built in bug curtain and roof! really sweet rig,till i set it up and went off for a couple of hours, well it Downpoured!!it filled w water and soaked everything i had in it.it held water very well.so, keep that in mind!good luck

I did two tours in the bush in RVN with SF.
I worked with the CIDG program in a border
"A" Camp.
We used hammocks most of the time on operation.
You get used to them and they get to be pretty comfortable.
I used mine for camping after I got home.
You tie a rope length wise over your hammock where you are tied at the trees.
You can then drape a "roof" if needed.
Your roof needs to be longer than the hammock and secured at the corners with tentpegs or somesuch.
The lower the roof is, the more protection.
You also want to tie a drip cord at the ends of the hammock so's MOST of the rainwater flowing down the rope can drip to the ground before it runs down your neck.

Good thing to treat the cords with insect repellant to keep critters from running down your neck.

I suppose one could use the explanation of being a retired sailor in his "Interpretation."

I had some "Professional" campers remark on my setup and they shut up pretty quick when I told them where I learned to use it.

Sorry i missed this when it was posted. I am thinking of doing a Continental Marine Impression-Love those cool Green Coats plus i have some Leatherneck Buddies looking down on me from above. A hammock is a great piece of gear. I first used one as a Boy Scout in S.C.. Use it man !! I may try as well. Anyone know where an old Marine can get a decent WhaleBoat? Squtting Duck AKA Corporal Balding

Yeah, try brigadequartermaster.com or
REI outfitters or U.S. military surplus, or
www.sportsmanguide.com.