Monday, November 05, 2007

Bill the Goat & Valour-IT

Bill the Goat - The Navy Mascot

The Navy Mascot
The Naval Academy has had a goat as its mascot since 1890 when, according to legend, on their march from the ferry station at Highland Falls up the steep hill to West Point to play the first Army-Navy football game, the Naval Cadets (as they were then known) saw a goat outside the NonCom's houses at West Point and promptly commandeered "Billy" for their mascot. Since that time the goat has remained as the recognized mascot of the U.S. Naval Academy. (Statue donated by the Class of 1915)





So, now you know why this was a post for Team Navy!!!!


There are many stories about how Bill came to be the mascot for the Naval Academy. The official stories are from the USNA archives - none of which agree with the plaque on the statue that stands at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Listen to 'Team Bill' talk about Bill.

Bill is an Angora goat. All of the modern Bills are Angora Goats. The hair on the Angora goats is mohair. Mohair grows about 1" a month and the goats are shorn twice a year. Their native habitat was Turkey. It is believed that the Ark of the Covenant was lined with mohair.

Want to know more? - let me know. Yes, I raise them, I judge them and I spin the fiber into yarn and knit with it. The shawl is knit from mohair.


Our Angora Goats

7 comments:

Semper Fi Mom said...

The shawl is gorgeous!!! Wow! I have taught myself to knit, but so far some scarves, cotton dish cloths and a baby blanket are all I have managed. You are very talented!

Buck said...

Thanks for the "Paul Harvey" explanation, Flag Gazer (and your note, as well!).

I really should have got the connection, but I'm pleased the squids...er...Navy Guys missed it, too! ;-)

Flag Gazer said...

SI Mom - thanks! Knitting is part of my life!

Flag Gazer said...

Buck - Yep - and they missed it last year, too!!! So, this year, I decided to spell it out!!

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful, it must have taken alot of time to make. Thanks so much for your donation.

BTW test your widgets and see if each go to the paypal site. I don't think they work. I had to pull mine.

Buck said...

Mrs. G said: BTW test your widgets...

Just checked mine...and it works. You scared me there for a moment, Mrs. G!

Nice to see Team USAF hitting its stride!

Anonymous said...

Your goats are beautiful! As is your shawl!
I'm sending the link to your Navy goat posts to a friend of mine (she still resides in the Santa Cruz area) whose daughter just graduated from Navy Boot Camp this past weekend.
Hoo-Yah!