Why we call a ship a she.

[Tim Gardner]

Some of my NY Maritime cohorts have been bandying this question around, and I thought I'd share it with the Com-Pac group.

"We always call a ship a "she" and not without a reason.
For she displays a well-shaped knee regardless of the season.

She scorns the man whose heart is faint and doesn't show him pity.
And like a girl she needs the paint to keep her looking pretty.

For love she'll brace the ocean vast, be she a gig or cruiser.
But if you fail to tie her fast you're almost sure to lose her.

On ships and dames we pin our hopes, we fondle them and dandle them.
And every man must know his ropes or else he cannot handle them.

Be firm with her and she'll behave when skies are dark above you.
And let her take a water wave - praise her, and she'll love you.

That's why a ship must have a mate; she needs a good provider.
A good strong arm to keep her straight, to comfort her and guide her.

For such she'll brace the roughest gales and angry seas that crowd her.
And in a brand new suit of sails no dame looks any prouder.

The ship is like a dame in that she's feminine and swanky;
You'll find the one that's broad and fat is never mean and cranky.

Yes ships are ladylike indeed, for take them altogether
the ones that show a lot of speed can't stand the roughest weather."

I believe the author is unknown and a quick search with Google shows that a good number of countries claim to be the originators.

FYI,  TG

[Bob23]

Thanks, Tim. That sure answers a lot of questions.
Bob23

[HenryC]

The sea is a harsh mistress, but I've seen worse.

[adifferentdrummer]

A bonnie lass is my little sailing ship. She gives me life and good reason to live it. She courts me and transports me and shews to me the beauty and the majesty of the open sea. With each sunrise she rouses in me a sense of adventure and a continuing quest to know her and to hold her, and with each sunset she encloses me and comforts me through the night. I serve her and she serves no one. Her spirit is free. She allows me to dwell with her as long as I give her the care she requires.

It is a give and take relationship we have, she and I. I give her paint and polish, keep her topsides trim and her bottom buffed. She gives me the ride of my life! But, perhaps, it is the expense of her upkeep that mostly makes me think of her as my mistress.

Sometimes, I think she cares for me as I do her, but I know I am only dreaming. She would cast me off in an instant if ever I failed to treat her respectfully, and Davy Jones would have the last laugh as I tried to explain my failings.

My little ship is a bonnie lass. She is single screwed and has a fine entry. I strive always to earn her approval, as any good husband should. When she drifts a-lee I am there to guide her,  around shallows and shoals and rocky crags. Pulling together, we can make it to the ends of the earth. A bonnie lass, my little sailing ship, is she.

Milt Faulkner
Reflections upon why a ship is called a she
January 19, 2010, 0200 hours and the second glass of rum

[HenryC]

AArgh!  Me fancies the turn o' her bilge, matey.

[rwdsr]

Milt,
You might just turn into a decent writer with another glass of rum.  LOL - seriously, that was pretty good!
BobD

[Craig Weis]

"AArgh!  Me fancies the turn o' her bilge, matey"  Would that be the best shape known to man?

Look, dad said to me as a youngester.
"Sex is very important. Just think what would happen if no one had sex for 100 years?"

And in later years I learned that "The angle of the dangle is equal to the mass of the ass."

And Milt writes; "Just be sure it is the idea and not the second glass of beer that inspires you."  I say stay away from the keyboard when your drunk, hey dar sailor?

skip.

[adifferentdrummer]

Thanks,Bob. I appreciate the encouragement. I do like to play at it. I once had a teacher who liked to say, "If you feel inspiration, then go with it, and write what you feel. Just be sure it is the idea and not the second glass of beer that inspires you." Some nights it is hard to tell, and rum always brings out the romantic in me. Rum is the original love drug, you know. Thinking (over a few glasses of rum) of all the fun I had this first sailing season with her, it was like falling in love all over again. She is a fine little lady.

And Henry, ye best be speak'n of yer own bonnie lass, cause if it be me girl's bilge ye be design'n fer, there be a keel haul'n in yer future, fer a certainty. AArgh!

Seriously, hats off to all you guys. Henry has posted some amazing writings to this group, and I've enjoyed every one. Skip has always offered excellent technical articles and good humor, and Bob, and so many others have added much wisdom and wit to our archives.

I'm still looking forward to getting our little lasses together this summer, Bob. I hope Frank and Deb will come along, too, and maybe even some others will join in. I still want to see how many Com-pacs we can get together for a flotilla. Who knows, maybe the wind will even blow and the little ladies can kick up their heels and strut their luffs!

Milt