Selected Navy Trivia
Crow’s Nest: The crow (the bird, not the rating badge) was essential part of early sailor’s navigation equipment. These land-lubbing fowl were carried onboard to help the Navigator determine where the closest land lay when the weather prevented sighting the shore visually. In cases of poor visibility, a crow was released and the navigator plotted a course corresponding with the birds because it invariably headed toward land. The crow’s nest was situated high in the main mast where the lookout stood his watch. Often, he shared this lofty perch with a crow or two since the crow’s cages were kept there; hence the “Crow’s Nest.”
Dog Watch is the name given to the 1600-1800 and the 1800-2000 watches aboard ship. The 1600-2000 4-hour watch was originally split to prevent men from always having to stand the same watches daily. As result, sailors dodge the same routine; hence they are dodging the watch or standing the dodge watch. In its corrupted form, dodge became Dog and procedure is referred to as “Dogging the Watch” or standing the “Dog Watch.”
He Knows The Ropes: When we say that someone knows the ropes we infer that he knows his way around at sea and is quite capable of handling most nautical problems. Through the years the meaning has been somewhat changed. Originally the statement was printed on a seaman’s discharge to indicate that he knew the names and primary uses of main ropes on board ship, in other words, “This man is a novice seaman and knows only basics of seamanship.”
Don’t wait for your ship to come in; Swim out to it...
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"...And the sea will grant each man new hope,
as sleep brings dreams of home."
---- Admiral of Seas Christopher Columbus
"...Home is the sailor, home from the sea…"
---- Robert Lewis Stevenson
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A tin can in heavy seas
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Sea Sayings:
Keep the keel wet and the bilges dry.
If one is fortunate enough to live afloat they are fortunate enough.
Putting holes in a boat below the water line is a bad idea.
When in heavy seas, keep the hatches and mouth closed.
There's always a nice harbor somewhere down wind.
Think twice… speak once.
Life is short and full of blisters.
A calm sea does not produce a skilled sailor.
We didn't all come over in the same ship, but we're all in the same boat.
We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.
Throw a lucky man in the sea, he will come out with a fish in the mouth.
Any Fool can carry too much sail.
One hand is for you and one is for the boat.
The leeward shore is not as far away as it seems.
Rule #16: The larger vessel has the right-of-way.
The longer an anchor is in the ground the heavier it gets.
Never spit to windward.
If the boat is riding too low in the water, there's too much 'land stuff' aboard.
Adjust to circumstances.
The flashing light on the horizon may be a safe harbor, or a dangerous reef.
Change in wind, change of seas; adjust sail trim, adjust course.
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones that you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Unknown
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Juliet to Romeo”
--- William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene II
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The USS Manley DD-940 set a record transit
through the Panama Canal of 3 hours and 45 minutes...
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"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'"
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President John F. Kennedy, 1 August 1963, in Bancroft Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President, January 1 to November 22, 1963 [Washington: Government Printing Office, 1964]
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The country of Panama is located just 9 degrees above the Equator. It is a lost paradise of enchantment. On an Armed Forces Day Celebration in the old Canal Zone these maps were available to the visitors. Panama is also a place dreams and fabulous memories. You can be part of it all...Come to Panama... it is more than a canal.
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Picture credits: Author, US Navy archives, Naval Historical Society
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