Maritime living.

Before we begin, there are some basic understandings, that we need to establish. Without those understanding, you will get lost in the transition

A phrase I will be using extensively is AKA. It stands for “Also Known As.”

I am faced with a challenge: to explain , the daily life of a sailor, in maritime language. and changing it into the common language of the landlubber

landlubber. AKA. Those who have no knowledge of seamanship or the seas.

Maritime living is a different world altogether. With its own challenges, words, and dangers.

In the early days of tall ships, Not everyone could handle being a sailor!

There are hundreds of phrases and marine terminologies used in sailing and ship navigation. Their use and application are like another world that is soon fading from our lives. Life at sea was a romance, more than an occupation. The wonders and stunning beauty of the open sea is totally unknown to most people today. They may wonder how it stole the hearts of many a sailor, that fell in love with the sea.

The sailor’s life was very difficult and demanding. It required strength and courage that made them known as “men of steel and ships of wood.” But despite the obstacles and challenges, it captured the hearts of many a young man who “ran off to sea” or the many men who made the sailors life their life-long passion. And a deep passion it was!

The hair-raising stories of Pirates, sea dogs, creatures from the deep, and the supernatural, that still capture the imaginations of many today. But there is an unseen story of the true and Brave men who ploughed the waves and storms, and fought courageously in battles at sea. They gave their hearts and lives to the ocean in the defense of their country and our freedoms. Many of the Men who fought so bravely where still in their teens, but men at heart. It’s a story of romance and sacrifice, courage and commitment, a story that few today understand.

Its pitiful how Hollywood has made these brave men look like scoundrels and pirates. We all know that element was there and very real. But that element was just a sliver of the truth. The heroic men that faced the worst dangers the sea could muster, (and those dangers were staggering), were of the elite of the sea! The unsung heroes. and yet, in their silence and absence, the romance and the gallantry, continues to capture our hearts and minds..

Even less understood is the loved ones left behind. they watched every day, scanning the horizon for their beloved to come home. Each mast and sail that came over the horizon brought unspeakable hope! Each time a crows nest broke the horizon, it was the first announcement that started a riot of excitement. The church bells would ring with great joy. All the town was thrown into a frenzy, as everyone scampered about to be at the docks on time, or racing to the top of the hill, to see which vessel it was! but behind every mountain, there is a valley.

More often than not, that valley became a vale of tears. Each disappointment was heart crushing. The loved ones who never came home, but found their resting place beneath the waves, far outnumbered the weathered faces that came back. There are few things in life as crushing as the “little cloth bag” of their loved one’s meager possession. It was all that was left. It was presented to the mother or wife of those who gave their all. The silence of the empty chair is deafening. The coat hanging on the peg behind the door, carries with it, a story never to be finished. The emotional storms that “little cloth bag” brought with it, was far fiercer than any Gale the sea could muster.

Those who survived and returned, were more precious than any treasure. Their tales of the voyage was captivating and staggering. A story not many see today.

When a ship approaches harbor, the port master would raise the signal flags and request information from the ship. The ship in return, would raise its flags in answer to those questions, and request permission to enter port or drop anchor in the bay.

But for the grieving wife or mother, their questions of “why” or “what happened” may never be answered. The signal flag that can never be flown and is never answered back is “why?”

But time moves on, those lives and their story is lost somewhere in the pages of history.

But the flag of their country they fought for, waves on! The life and story of the American Sailor, may be silenced by the storms and the deep, but will forever be heard in the pages of history and the chapters of the heart!

The big ships full of adventure and challenges is a story who language is seldom spoken. But it’s there, waiting to be awakened and its treasures explored! The romance may be hidden from our eyes, but once discovered, it can still capture the heart! For those who discover this hidden, but not forgotten treasure, the sea still beckons and steals the heart!

First let’s start with a ship in port.

Gangplank: the long portable walkway between the ship and the dock, used for boarding a ship.
Boatswains: The sailor that plays the ships whistle when officers or dignitaries come aboard. there is a different tune for each rank of officer, and another tune for dignitaries. (Boatswain: whose normal job was the care of the ship, from the crows’ nest above the sails, to the keel below deck, from the bowsprit to the rudder. It was their responsibility to keep it all in good shape.)
1. The word “boatswain” is a job description. However, boatswain “mate”, identifies a person involved in that trade.
Quarterdeck: the small area of the ships deck, where the Gangplank rest upon.
1. It is always manned by:
1. an officer referred to as the officer of the deck, (OTD)
1. the ships armed security personnel, an armed MP or a shore patrol.
1. A boatswain’s mate that pipes the boarding party on board
1. a pedestal with a log book on it. The officer of the deck, logs names, Rank, who comes, who goes, what time, date, etc.
It is required of all military personnel to salute the US Flag on the quarterdeck, and the OTD as they cross the gangplank, and before they reach the quarter deck.
Note: this gangplank/quarterdeck is referred to as the forward Gangplank. Only officers and dignitaries used the forward gangplank.
Enlisted men used the Aft gangplank, unless they are bringing guest aboard. then they use the forward gangplank and gain permission from the officer of the deck to bring the guest on board. If permission is granted, the OTD (officer of the deck) logs the information such as their name, relationships into the log book and who it was that requested the permission. No guest is allowed in restricted areas of the ship. There is no piping for an enlisted man or his party. The personnel attending the quarterdeck have full view of who is entering the Aft deck. They monitor it very closely and know everyone that uses it. There is normally no one manning the aft deck, (aft gangplank) unless condition require it.
old Salt: an experienced sailor who has proven himself at sea. Sometimes also referred to as a sea dog.
Dixie: the round white hat that Sailors wore. There were rules that applied on how to wear it. An improper wearing would require a verbal warning. A second warning you would not like! It was a part of your uniform.
Scuttle bucket: the fresh water barrel on board ship. it was usually the gathering place where much visiting took place. (And a whole lot of Gossip!) cleaning up the scuttle bucket had nothing to do with the water barrel! Everything to do with stopping the rummers that circulated among the crew.
Note: there was always a silver coin placed into the water barrel.it was a superstition. But later found to be useful. This was considered a health requirement as it prevented many ailments.
Billows: The huge rolling swells of the ocean. In times of storms, they can be several stories tall. normally a lot bigger and higher than your ship!
Sipping water: when those giant swells come crashing down on the foredeck (front part of the ships deck) and aft-deck (rear part of the ships deck) of your ship. Usually in times of storm. They can engulf you ship and shake it vigorously with a thunderous roar. It’s extremely majestic and beautiful to behold! Also, very dangerous and destructive.
The Helm: the steering wheel of the rudder. Shaped similar to a wagon wheel. In times of bad weather, it might take several men to hold the helm in place, that they might keep the ship on course. you could not allow the ship to turn with the wind! As that will cause the ship to capsize. The ship must always be facing the incoming waves, while in a storm. So, you’re standing there with the billows trying to wash you overboard, the wind making the salt water spray, stings your face, while the helm is trying to launch you like a pinwheel. The old saying of courage was “tied to the mast”. You couldn’t tie yourself to the helm, as it had to be moved to navigate, but tying yourself to the mast, was total commitment to stay on post or die.
mid-deck. Ships had open decks. The center of the ship is called mid-deck. This is where the “hold” (cargo spaces below deck) had its wide entry. These entries had “wooden covers” or “hatches’ (water tight doors) would be found. These cargo access points were usually 2-3 feet high above the deck. This not only served to keep water out of the holds, it also was used for “other reasons” as well. The mid-section is where a the “captains court” would be held, while the captain and 1^st officer, stood on the elevated aft deck. if a seaman was charged with a crime or an offense, the captain was always the ships judge, most courts were held in the presence of the entire crew. This is also where punishments would be carried out. Such as whippings, de-ranking, executions, and such like. All punishments were always severe and normally brutal. This was necessary to prevent mutiny and keep the captain in control of his crew. Such things as being hulled, starved, hanged, or “walking the plank” were very real and feared by every man. History tells us, if the captain was overly severe or unjust, his actions would incite a mutiny instead of discouraging it.
Cannon Thunder: the sound of the roaring cannons, and the shaking of the ship as they were fired., the smell of gunpowder and the verbal orders of the captain being yelled out over the chaos of the battle.
Sabers and cutlasses: the long-curved swords and knives once used by sailors in hand-to-hand combat in battles at sea.
Restless Sea: the constant moving of the sea, the swells, billows, tides, Gales, storms, the cross-winds, water spouts, Freak waves that breech your ship, Hidden reefs, Dead mans’ sea, sudden sicknesses that spread over the entire crew, False alarms of eerie origin, mirages and apparitions, whirlpools, rain squalls, breeching whales, rivers at sea, and much more! Yes! The restless sea!
The sea lays down. Times when the ocean is calm and considered resting.
Gales: the strongest winds at sea. They could capsize your ship, break off the mast, and blow men overboard. Every hurricane and typhoon carried with it several days of gales.
Faithfull shipmate: an old Salt. This can also be a complement paid to someone who has earned a high degree of respect. normally due to an act of valor.
Set of sail: the angle, the pitch and the height of the sails to capture the wind, without being capsized or breaking the mast.
Below deck: somewhere on-board ship where you were protected from the storms and the elements of the Sea. Living quarters, gally, and sick bay for instance. A separate area from the cargo hold.
Stowaway: someone who secretly sneaked on board ship and hides somewhere to escape being found. Also, a sailor who loses his courage and runs from the place of duty.
the bell did toll: every movement the ship made in navigation or purpose, was announced by a certain ringing of the bell. there was only one “ships Bell”, but there were many ways it could be rung. it was like a morse code of the ship. When a ship prepares to leave the dock or return to sea, there was also a “bell” for that. Everyone knew what to expect, and what to do by, the ringing of the bell.
the old ship of Zion: a phrase used to denote Christianity and all the hardship and storms of life. Jesus is the captain of the old ship of Zion!
Crossing the bar: the place where the open sea meets the tides, underwater shelfs, harbor currents and sometimes fresh water rivers that pour into the sea. It is almost always a very turbulent and trouble place. Many a small bark has been sunk trying to cross the bar.
Broadside: A: for two ships to come close together, side by side. B: the full exposure of the side of a ship.
Bow shot: a small cannon firing a single shot across the bow of another ship. It meant stop or we will attack.
Banners: these are normally long flowing flags used to denote celebration. Such as when a ship returns home after a long voyage, or a victorious battle.
Dropped the Sails: the act of lowering the sails to stop the ships movement after it has entered harbor. Note: dropping the sails brought immediate results of slowing/stopping the ship. However once in port, and when the wind allowed, the sails were raised to their fullest height, and the bottoms of the sails were raised to the Yard-arms. This ensured a quick response when leaving harbor, or when the ship engaged in battle. So “dropping the sails” could mean more than one thing. “Raising” the sails, also had more than one meaning. It all depended on hat the ship was doing at the time.
Raised the Jack: a large flag flown from the rear of the aft deck, that told what fleet it was assigned to. Normally raised before entering port. Entering the port meant tied to a dock or pier. Sometimes entering port meant anchoring out in the harbor and using a “life Boat” to row to shore. The only difference between a lie boat and a liberty boat was how the boat was being used.
pulling for shore: when the Sailors manned the oars, and put their backs into the rowing of the life boats, it wasn’t always easy. Tides, winds, waves, loads, and river currents, could require some strong men that could hold up in the endeavor.
Spyglass: a hand-held telescope used by the ancient mariners to read other ship, the ocean and the weather.
1. spy the waves: to search the oceans and its horizons for other ships, people, land, hazards at sea, dangerous marine life such as killer whales, whales breaching, mysterious apparitions, changes in the oceans color. (This indicated temperature change, coming storms, hidden reefs, or the cross currents of rivers in the sea.) ship debris, Down-spouts, whirl-pools, etc. this was the responsibility of the watch in the crow’s-nest. light-houses had spyglasses for the same reasons. These were a much larger size and was mounted on a permanent tripod. And often inside the glass wall.
Crows-nest: the elevated platform mounted on the main mast, above the Sails. Used as an observation post. Every 10 ft of elevation above the deck, offered about 7 miles of increased visibility. It was the “Early warning “system of the days of Sail.
Bark: a small open boat. Normally used for inland waters or harbors. Anything with more than two mast would not be called a Bark. However, a small open boat, could be called a bark also.
“Dead man’s sea”. Times at sea when the ocean lays down. The water is as flat and still as if it were in a bucket. There is no wind or breeze. Sailors feared them, because if the ship was left in that condition to long, they could run out of food or water or both. You couldn’t row out of a “dead man’s sea”, it was a matter of weather, not location. Even if the sea awoke and the sails filled once more, there was still the danger of being delayed to long, and the provisions wouldn’t last.

The captain might call for rationing, until a port could be made. When they weren’t going anywhere. A designated rope would sometime be used to break the curse of the dead man sea. They would tie knots in the rope ever few feet. Then untying a knot every day was supposed to break the spell. These designated ropes had to be made while still in port, where a parson or godly man would pray over it

Ghost ships from the past. . A ship found at sea, having no living person on board. Many theories were made as to this strange and frightful event. The condition of the ship, and what was found inside didn’t always reveal what happened. Also, the captains log should have something recorded there. A “Dead mans’ sea” was always considered. Sickness, pirates, fearful encounters are also theories. Even ships that lost their mooring and drifted out to sea, are possible causes. Some ghost ship discoveries were indescribably horrific and without any explanation. Most ghost ship reappear through the ages. Reasons unknown.
Ghost ships today. Most, if not all, of todays ghost ships involve abandoned ship, found floating freely in the ocean. It normal for the crews to never be seen again. Nobody knows why. the modern events don’t have the fear and the horror of the scenes from the past. Perhaps its because modern communication can find help, before conditions onboard ship become so drastic.
The fly’en dutchman is perhaps the most notorious ghost ship of all. It was an 1680 Dutch merchant ship. Captained by Hendrick vander decken. A ship that set sail from Amsterdam to the east indies. Its route was to take them around the horn of south Africa. However, the ship disappeared in a storm. And was never heard from again. How-be-it. It has been spotted hundreds of times since it first disappearance. Always in full sail, without a man to be seen anywhere. It is considered a bad omen to see it. For many a ship, has had a very sad ending, after its sighting. The last sighting was in 1959.
“Fearful encounters” has many a theory. Everyone knew the life of a sailor was not for the faint of heart. This was the day of “men of steel, and ships of wood.” For something to be so frightful, as to cause a whole crew to abandon ship, was totally unconceivable. Unless there was something onboard that gave reasonable cause. The tales of gigantic octopus or some other monster of the deep, was well known in those early days. Even when the marks left behind on the ship, testified to such things, it’s still unconceivable today.
The love of the sea. The ocean is a world of beauty, not seen anywhere on land. It’s a world of water and light and power. Such sights as storms at sea. They are often spoken of as terrifying and destructive, but their beauty is beyond words. The sunrise and sunsets at sea, are augmented with the colors and humidity of the ocean. They can be so magnificent and majestic to witness. The ever changing colors and faces of the sea. A mixture of power and pastels. The sea life of every creature is on display. Much to the amusement of the sailors. The phosphorous sea at night with its hue of green and sparkles, the clear night skies with billions of stars, the amazement of a water spout, (a water tornado), flying fish, friendly dolphins, whales that sleep on the surface of the sea. Even a casual day is filled with stunning sunrises, beautiful weather, fresh sea air that is very invigorating, sea life on display and breathtaking sunsets. Then the very stary sky and the glowing night waters. A rain storm will produce torrential downpours, high winds, and an electrical storm that has Gods handywork on display! There is never a dull day at sea!
Davey Jones locker: a phrase used to denote being buried at sea.
Old days of sailing, sailors wore a scarf to cover their heads. This was a practical way of not getting lice.
A gold ear-ring. This was common in the early days of sailing. If a sailor got washed overboard, or left behind somewhere. The value of the gold piece was sufficient to buy portage back to his homeport, or returned to his ship.
Entertainment; in the early days of sailing. Most entertainment was songs, and doing sailor jigs on the midship, and skits.
Hygiene: #1 being a maritime sailor was not a clean occupation. Bathes were in sea water. Being rinsed with fresh water. However ,fresh water was very precious! And you got very little of it.
Hygiene: #2 on most military ships. Hygiene was very important. Baths were mandatory. And fresh water was more abundant.
The word: Maritime, was normally associated with commercial shipping or passenger vessels. But it does include the military ships as well.
Military ships, had a completely different and much better lifestyle than its maritime counterpart.
Pirates: most pirate ships were maritime ships where the crew mutinied against the captain. They could not safely enter any port. So they made their living in raiding and plundering coastal towns. And attacking other ships in the shipping lanes. No pirate ship was capable of attacking a military ship successfully. There were a surprising number of female pirate captains. But their infamy is not as well known.
Today, pirates are still a serious threat to the seas. Nothing has changed in their tactics or their ruthlessness. There are more cases in the eastern Atlantic and beyond. But they are not limited to there. their greatest targets are vessels of wealth. Such as super yachts who have the best and most expensive navigation equipment, or tanker ships. With oil.

Storms at sea: They are a force and a power, far beyond the imaginations of anyone who has never sailed the high sea.

Gale’s aka, high winds are so fierce, they rip ladders built into the deck, right off the ship.
When ice or water, is mixed with those winds, they are like bullets, that stab and burn.
If that storm Is pulling the jet stream down with it, the temperatures (even in the south pacific,) can be far below freezing.
Billows. The crashing mountains of water, several stories high. Billow, 10 stories tall are not uncommon.
When the billows come crashing down on the deck, the entire vessel will shake and rumble, as it is driven to its knees. Sometimes below the gunwales. (The stub walls around the topside deck of the ship) there is a whole new discovery in the gunwales.
When that storm is so intense and angry, at mid-day, it can be as dark as the night.
It is absolutely imperative, for the ship to face into the coming swells. Otherwise, it will capsize the ship, and drive it far below the waves.
The tossing and rolling of the ship, can be so sever, it is fatal to be topside, aka, somewhere outside of the ship, on the deck
The landlubbers romantic phrase says” tied to the wheel, or tied to the helm.” That is totally fictitious. Not to mention stupid. The helm that steers the ship, in time of a storm, can spin like a propeller. To tie yourself to it is suicide. However, the helmsman, would tie themselves to the mast, so they wouldn’t get washed overboard in the storm. It could take several men to hold the helm.
The bands. Were the chains that locked the rudder in place, to prevent it from being ripped off the ship, during a storm. this was a last resort, because they needed the rudder to steer with. But when steering became impossible, they had to tighten the bands. Keep in mind, if the rudder was torn from the ships hull, it would leave a gaping hole in the hull, below the water level. No explanation needed here.
When storms at sea became angry, you cannot navigate. The sails all had to be lowered. The gales would rip them to shreds. Break the mast, capsize the ship, or all three. At that point, you had to band the rudder, and let the wind drive her.
The boom. The large beam at the bottom of the sails, the sail was attached to it.
Reefing the sails. As the sail were lowered, every three or six feet, had tag lines sown to the sail. As the sail laid on top of the boom, tying these taglines around the boom, keep the sails in place.
In times of severe weather, you couldn’t use the full sail. It would capsize the ship. The tag lines could be use to limit how much sail was raised.
Cradle the boom. Reefing the entire sail, and lowering the boom into its resting place. Them securing it in place.
It was common, in trying to keep the ship from capsizing, to throw everything overboard, that had any weight. Including cannons and ships tackling. This lightening the ship was necessary to keep the center of buoyancy, as high as possible.
Ballast: the weight stowed in the bottom of the ships hull. This weight would keep the ship upright during the swells and shifting of the sails. It acted like a counterbalance. Sail boats don’t normally have very much ballast, they have dagger boards that counteract the wind.
Shiver me timbers. In times of storms and great swells. Sometimes the ship was driven into shallow waters. This was common when near any island or some great land mass. Hidden beneath the waves, were reefs and rocks. As hard as rock and sharp as knives. When the swells lifted the ship up high, then it would drop the ship completely, onto the reefs and corals. This busting up of the ship was repeated with every swell. As the ship disintegrated in many pieces, it would turn the entire ship into shivers. Shivers was the old word for splinters. As a rule: there were never any survivors. It was only those watching helplessly from shore, that held any memory as what happened to the ship that disappeared. The sailor that never returned. The many unsolved mysteries in Maritimes log book.
Harbor. A safe and protected inland bay. Where ship could anchor to unload or take on cargo.
Lagoon. An inland bay to shallow for commercial shipping.
Sea-wall. A manmade barrier to protect the shipping docks from the harsh elements of the sea. This was common in manmade harbors.
Jetty: any land mass used to narrow the entrance into a harbor. This was done in the case where the tides were severe, to prevent erosion.
Most jetties are made of giant boulders, deposited in place to limit the tide or erosion. at the end of the jetty, were pilings, those piling were fitted with navigational lights.
The Bar: a location just outside of a harbor. Where the open sea currents, meet the shallow waters or shelfs. This causes extreme conditions in navigation. The coast guard monitors the bar conditions, and post warning to all ship and vessels.
Bouy’s. a free-floating platform that was anchored to the bottom of the sea. They normally were fitted with a light, a fog horn and a reflective marker. Used to mark the channels to the harbor, and also to identify the inland side of the bar.
A sailing ship being towed out of the harbor, could never unfurl the sails, until it was safely past the last buoy, marking the end of the narrow channel. But also the entrance to the bar.
Long boats: these boats were used to tow ships in and out of harbor. And to position them at the docks. They were sometimes used as lifeboats, when a ship ran aground .
Captain. Is a title of the one who commands the ship. The term Captain can also be a rank. But mostly, It’s a position.
1^st mate. The one directly under the captain.
Skipper: the captain of a ship. Usually applied to smaller vessels. Such as fishing or tourism.
It is true some ship had many “portals.” A small window in the side of the ship, located close to the water line. They were used for rowing the ship when the ship had to move about, without sails. Most slave ships had portals. Because it gave the ship a silent , but protected way of sneaking close to land.

Staying in harbor, or anywhere near land , was the death sentence to any sailing ship during a storm. Being destroyed by shallow waters, the crashing and colliding of ships, being driven high onto the shore, or even getting entangles with the dock or another ship, would quickly send you to the bottom of the harbor.

The first sign of an unseen storm at sea, far beyond the horizon, was the sea lions. As the storms moved closer, it would drive the underwater rivers ahead of it. This underwater current, would usually drive the sea-lions into the harbors and docks. Their sudden appearance was the fist signal, to set out for the open seas before the growing swells trapped you into the harbor.

The second early warning of a coming storm, was the rocking of the ships at dock. With no wind or waves to be seen. And yet, in that still and quiet bay, the ships would all be rolling and rocking. This was caused by the underwater currents of the ocean, being driven into the harbors by the storm. Unseen above the waters, but keenly felt by the ship’s hull, below the water line.

The long boats were useless in pulling the ships out of the harbor, when against the giant incoming swells.

It was vital to get beyond the last buoy, get the sails up, and cross the roaring bar. And reach the safety of the sea, before it was too late. Almost always it had to be done in record time. you had minuets! Not hours!

Ships bells. Every ship had its own bell, with its name being cast into the side of the bell. Bell ringing was an essential part in maritime sailing. Bells were used to announce the ships maneuvers, time, warnings and emergencies, and crew announcements. Everything that went on, onboard the ship, was announced with a peculiar bell. Kind of like a more code.

Bells for time, and standing watches were the most common.

Bell ringing had a sequence that had to be used to be understood correctly.

A single ring stood for 30 minutes. A double ring represented an hour.

One bell. O. Was a single “Ring”

Two bells. OO. Was a double “Ring” rung together, with a very brief pause between the two.

Three bells. OO-O. a double ring, with a double pause, followed with a single ring.

Four bells. OO-OO. Two double rings.

Five bells. OO-OO-O. two double rings, followed a with a double pause. Then a single ring.

Six bells OO-OO-OO. Three double rings, each set was followed with a double pause.

Seven bells. OO-OO-OO-O. Three double rings, each set was followed with a double pause. And a final single ring.

Eight bells OO-OO-OO-OO. Four double rings.

Life aboard ship was made up of 4 hour increments. Called “Watches. The beginning of that four-hour increment was announced with eight bells. It started the beginning of the night watches. Every half hour was marked with a single ring, Added to the hour.

Watches were:4-8, 8-12, 12-4, 4-8. Notice there were no AM/PM. Military time is always the 24 hr format. There were no am/pm.

First watch. 4-8

4:00. Eight bells. OO-OO-OO-OO. The end of the day, the beginning of the watches.

4:30 single ring. O

5:00. OO. first completed hour of that watch. 4-5

5:30. OO-O first hour of that watch, plus half-past.

6:00. OO-OO second completed hour of that watch.

6:30. OO-OO-O second hour of that watch, plus half past.

7:00 OO-OO-OO third completed hour of that watch.

7:30 OO-OO-OO-O third hour of that watch, plus half past.

8:00 OO-OO-OO-OO fourth and last completed hour of that watch. Also started the next watch.

The same sequence of bells was repeated every four hours.

The captain’s chest.

Every ship had a set of three designated chests. All of those chests were very large.

The first chest was the captain’s chest. It was the banking system of that ship. Every sailors monthly pay came out of that chest. Also, when a ship entered port, the ports duty officer, would come aboard, and collect duty. Aka taxes, according to the ship manifest of cargo and its value.

The ships supply of food or medicines was also paid out of that chest.

If the ship needed repairs or ships tackle, such as rope or sails. Was paid out of the captain’s chest.

Something you wouldn’t expect in the captain’s chest, is mail. When at sea, if you encounter another ship, you would always greet them, and exchange mail bags, if they were going in the right direction. You also exchanged information on what was ahead for the other ship. This information was always recorded in the captain’s log. When a ship came up missing, it was usually the captains log, of the other ship that told the last know whereabouts of the missing ship.

The captain’s chest had a round top. This was because the ships charts of the sea, were rolled up and stored there. being held up with leather straps.

Any sailor that had something valuable, could also be stored there. it would be recorded in the chests log, which was also kept in the chest. Many call these chests, treasure chest. In reality, they really were. Most think they were constructed to simply be a box with a rounded lid. But inside, you would find two or three layers were sliding boxes that slid from side to side. Underneath the last level of sliding boxes, was the large area where the gold, silver, and precious gems would be found.

The reason for the precious gems, was simply a matter of space and convenience. You could pay for the ships supplies and hardware in several bags of gold or silver. Or you could pay with a hand full of small gems. Such as diamonds, pearls, rubies, and others. Also, the price of those gems was different in every port or country. A captain could make a sizeable profit on the market, using that difference.

The signalman’s chest.

Ships communicated by using flags. A line that went from the rear of the ship. Aka poop deck. Reaching the top of every mast, , and then to the front of the ship, aka bow. That line was used to display communication flags.

When signaling:

Another ship.
Lighthouses
Land
Duty officers of a port
Ship fleet assignment
Ships country of origin
Ships intentions
Distress signals

Flags: when a ship runs a line (rope) from the foredeck over the mast, and to the aft deck, it has several Flags that hang (flies) from that line. These flags are usually tri-angle shaped and each flag has a meaning. Together they communicate a message to the Port duty officer (the officer in charge of the harbor and each ship that enters that harbor). As well as other ship already in port. The ports duty officer was the first to board each ship. he would read the” manifesto” of the ship cargo, and the ship was required to pay duty (taxes) of the cargo’s value. Some military vessels can be exempt from paying duty. Depending on the king or the Duty officer.

These flags could express the alphabets, numbers, symbols that represented phrases, and designated flags for emergencies or the ships condition. There were MANY flags. They were all stowed in the signalman’s chest. This chest had square, vertical, pigeon holes. Looked like a honey comb on its side. A signalman could easily connect the flags together quickly, by the snap hooks of the flag. The snaps hooks were always kept in top of the square tube. Then they would peel out of the box as it was hoisted up for display.

When a ship approached harbor, it would signal the duty officer, to request entry into port. When the duty officer signaled back, the long boats were launched to bring the ship in. sometimes the harbor would be full. Entry was denied, but permission was granted to drop anchor in the bay. If there was sickness on board. That too was signaled to the harbor’s duty officer. A doctor would be sent out, to determine if the sickness would prevent the ship from entering port.

A common flag we are all aware of today, is the skull and cross-bones. This signaled a plague onboard. The duty officer would not grant permission to enter port, and a doctor may not even be sent out. However, the ship could request assistance in some way, such as medicine or supplies. All would be delivered to the ship, but nothing could be taken from the ship, back to harbor. Except payments for whatever good were delivered.

Pirates took advantage of the plague flag. To deceive another ship into thinking they were coming broadside for help. But in reality, it was a surprise attack.

The carpenter’s chest.

This contained all the tooling to make shipboard repairs. This was designed very similar to the captain’s chest. Except it didn’t have a rounded top, and was much larger. This chest was always stowed where it could be quickly accessed. It was very large and heavy. Repairs had to be tended to immediately.

History tells of many ship that entered some uncharted harbor and ran aground. This would usually crush the bottom of the hull. The ship would be sunk and stranded. However, it would usually be accessible at low tide. The crew would strip the ship of everything. Including timber. retrieving the carpenter’s chest with all of its tooling.

If possible, the ship could be rolled over at low tide, repairs made. And stood back up at high tide. This would take a month or more of low tides. If the ship was not repairable. Such as a broken keel. The crew would build another ship! Then continue on their way!

Icons of the early days of sailing!

True Stories from the sea! That will captivate your imagination and open your eyes to a whole new level of the sea.

1.Ernest Shackleton: Irish explorer. Feb 15, 1874-Jan 5, 1922. Wrote of his amazing journey’s around the globe. And the heart stopping tales, that are fascinating..

2.Joshua Slokum. Feb 20, 1844-1909 “Sailing alone around the world”. A retired sea captain. Taken from his diary of rounding the globe. A true tale you won’t soon forget.

3. Mutiny on the bounty. 28 april 1789 capt: lieutenant William bligh.

There are many such stories written on the halls of history. Each one has a special story to tell that is peculiar to that region and the ships that sailed them. All of them captivating!

4. Escape from Elephant Island: by Ernest Shackleton men, that set forth on an impossible journey for help. Who sailed over thousands of miles, without a compass, depending solely on seamanship instinct! And survived some the most astounding impossibilities ever recorded. and made it! Each page of that real life story , is absolutely riveting!

The old sailor and his wife. By Robert Bryan.

1. As you walk across the gangplank

The boatswains pipes’ you on.

You’ll cross the forward quarterdeck

As you board our happy home.

2. The old salt will greet you.

With a wide and happy smile

Sign your name in the log

Come and stay awhile!

3. The smell of bacon cooking

With coffee black and hot

Biscuits, gravy and hardtack too

Make a happy lot.

4. we’ll gather round the scuttle bucket

And talk of days gone by

When sails were full and winds were strong

Sea gulls filled the sky.

5. of storms at sea while billows roared

Sipp’en water fore and aft

It took three men to hold the helm

We fought the oceans blast.

6. Battles at Sea, the cannons thundered

Fire roared and Sabers clashed

It took brave men to hold the line

Defending our nations flag

7. The restless Sea and changing tides

The Gales forever blow

The old Sea salt with feeble voice

Says there’s someth’en I want to know.

8. Will you a faithful shipmate be

Stand true and strong and brave

To set your sails against all sin

Lost souls to seek and save?

9. Or will you run below the decks

To hope for calmer sea’s

Let others fight to keep the faith

You a stowaway will be.

10. It was just then the bell did toll

It was time to turn to sea

The question is for you my friend

Will you a shipmate be?

11. The old Sailor turned to go

His wife came in anew

Their lantern shown a brighter day

As they faded out of view

12. The old ship Zion, crossed Heaven’s bar

With flags and banners bright

Sailed into port, dropped the sails

What a glorious sight!

13. It dropped its anchor, raised the jack

The saints pulled hard for shore

The Sailor and his faithful wife

Are home forevermore!

14. There is a mansion high above

That sits on Heaven’s shore

And with a spy glass every day

They search the ocean or’e

15. One may ask, just what it is

They search the rolling Sea’s

They spy the waves with all their might

For loved ones longed to see!

Ships at Sea

Upon the sea of life there are many ships that sail.

Some are big and sturdy, some are small and frail.

But among the sips and vessels, be they many or so few

One thing they hold in common, they stand for me and you.

The sailboat is so pretty, but its driven by the fads

The battel ship is mighty, but fighting is always sad.

The motorboat seems humble, it carries two or three

But despite the winds or current, it goes where it wants to be.

There are pleasure boats and drifters, speed boats seem so free

They all teach us a lesson, of what we ought to be

The tugboats look so rusty, and seem to be so slow,

But without their gentle tugging, the big ships could not go

There are many ships that teach us of fear or peace or strife

But none are so dreaded as the shipwrecks of or lives’

It really does not matter, if our ship be rich or poor

When we sink beneath the waves, our journey is no more.

Upon the charts before us, we chose to set our course

If we take a faulty compass the shipwreck will be ours

The lighthouse will guide us, in the darkest of the night

But wearing colored glasses, we will fail to see the light

The fame we had on departure, or the bands that played so loud

The waving of our trusted friends, or the cheering of the crowd

Will be of no avail to us when the storms break at sea.

It will test our deepest character. Of what we ought to be

And if we make it some glade day, into heavens harbor fair

We then will know the final truth, of just what took us there!

It wasn’t the type of start we had, or the type of boat we be.

It will be how close to Christ we walked. The master of the sea.

Faith and fact

Faith and fact went sailing.

In a little open boat.

The sun was bright, the wind was right

The waves did gently roll.

But clouds came in, the sun did hide.

The breeze became a gale

The waters cold, began to foam

It broke their little sail

Fact let out an awful cry

His heart was filled with dread

It was a fact. Without a doubt

They both would soon be dead

Then faith stood up in loud rebuke

And calmed the raging storm

The wind did cease, the sea lay down

The sun was bright and warm.

So, what is this? Fact did ask

That faith should have such power

I know the facts, I saw it right

But could not save the hour

Faith replied, don’t you know?

Facts produce no hope

Set your course with Jesus Christ

Your faith will start to grow

Fact and faith went sailing

In a little open boat

Here is a lesson to be learned

If faith aint there, don’t go!

Maritime living.

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