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Why Is A Ship Called She?

By
Industry Observer with Living in the Pacific

Just finishing up some late morning computer work and though I'd post something a little different. I will be politically correct and apologize in advance to some who may be offended. I'm sure this could have been composed a century or two ago and in those days, illustrates how clever english was so readily accepted as true to being. 

Why is a Ship Called She?

A ship is called a "she" because there is always a great deal of bustle around her; there is usually a gang of men about; she has a waist and stays; it takes a lot of paint to keep her good looking; it is not the initial expense that breaks you, it is the upkeep; she can be all decked out; it takes an experienced man to handle her correctly and, without a man at the helm, she is absoulutely uncontrollable.
She shows her topsides, hides her bottom and , when coming into port, always heads for the buoys.

Now, why did they used to name all typhoons and hurricanes after women?  Well I'm sure that is a whole other story.

Posted by

 

  Randy Landis, Overseas Retirement Consultant.

 

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Jim Little
Ken Meade Realty - Sun City, AZ
Your Sun City Arizona Realtor

My Grandfather, a sea captain, said we call ships she because they are often beautiful and always hard to handle.

Jan 03, 2010 02:58 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I would like to think that in the days of old . . . the ship (vessel) which carried the sailors, needed to remain protected on the high seas.  The woman, and by our names, were used because women were revered and respected in those days -- when they named ships, and sailed them.  As we all come from the womb, women carry (transport) their child(ren), safely.  

I seriously doubt that sailors were a hackneyed bunch of jerks, who mocked and poked fun at women -- as a lot of people seem to want to do today.  Sailors lives depended on one thing . . . and one thing alone.  A safe voyage.  Men were very different in those days . . . but go ahead and bring a long-standing tradition down to your level -- so you can understand it better.

Bon voyage, as they say.

Jan 03, 2010 03:04 AM
Randy Landis
Living in the Pacific - Tupelo, MS
Life is Good in the Tropic Shade!

I just knew I would stir something up. Carla, for the most part you're absolutely right (wikipedia). Because mariners were "married" to the sea in those days, their ship was their life and sole protector. The entire analogy can be summed up as a Captain who had a great love for his vessel would always refer to "her".

But you're really wrong about sailors, they absolutely were a hackneyed bunch of jerks back then.

Jan 03, 2010 03:34 AM
Tom Boos
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

Very good, Randy.  It sounds like you're an "old salt" from way-back.  And, who looks better under the "sheets", than a SHE?

Jan 04, 2010 12:25 AM
Penny Bergstrom
Delicious Decors, Stage, Design, Remodel 805.448.9226 - Santa Barbara, CA
Home Staging, Interior, Design & Remodel, Santa Barbara to LA

I love this post Randy! Mind if I re-blog it? (Once I figure out how to do so.) 

Feb 10, 2011 07:07 AM
Randy Landis
Living in the Pacific - Tupelo, MS
Life is Good in the Tropic Shade!

Go for it Penny!

Feb 10, 2011 09:26 AM