30 - The Water Merchants [Redrobes]

[Straf]

Pulley systems and cranes and that were commonly known as derricks at one time. Nowadays it's mainly oil pumps that are still called derricks.

That the word is also a name is not coincidental. In the 16th century a certain 'wrong'un' named Thomas Derrick, who'd been convicted of various crimes including rape, was pardoned by the Earl of Essex, a certain Robert Devereux on condition that he'd become executioner. The role of executioner was not a popular occupation, the families and friends of those executed sometimes retaliated against the executioners. However this particular Mr Derrick accepted the role, probably with too much enthusiasm which should have been a warning in itself. Over his career it's estimated he executed 3000 people. An executive executor if ever there was one. He wasn't that happy with the rope over a beam method though, so he came up with a much more efficient system involving pulleys and levers. That particular configuration became known as a derrick from then on.

What will you call your crane and why?

EDIT: Oh I forgot to mention, Thomas Derrick became the executioner of the man who pardoned him but the Earl of Essex being a noble was given the privilege of being executed by beheading. It's not known whether Derrick built a device for that.