[Paddlewise] Nomenclature

Mike wrote:P

>When I worked at Ingall's/Litton Shipyard, in Pascagoula MS, they
>refered to ships (DD class destroyers, LHAs, subs) as boats.  Do these
>government warships become ships again once they leave the shipyard?  Or
>are warships always "boats" to navy personel?

When I worked at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company on nnuclear
submarines the workers spoke of "going down on the boat". However, if you
asked them what they did they always said they built ships. Diminuatives
(correct word?) are common in casual conversation. A sailor on the
Enterprise once said that she was a "good boat" in much the same way a
Redneck (and other necks) will talk about his "little woman". The tems may
be cute (maybe) but hardly accurate.

Trivia - At the Herreschoff yard the "boat" builders built small boats like
dinghies or small sailboats. Those who built yachts etc. called themselves
shipwrights.

Incidentally on nuclear submarines where we worked with the crew during
construction I learned that inanimate objects have intimate relations with
other inanimate objects as well as people. I decided not to enlist in the
Navy as that sounded to bizarre for me.  :-)

Of course, if one has visited MS one can appreciate how much English
language can be distorted as I learned visiting some low places in New
Orleans. Fortunately the language of a good time is universal.


Jim wrote:

>Screw the sponsons. Work on cloning manatees and use them as a flotation
aid.

Interesting comment. Sailors reportedly confused manatees with mermaids. Too
long at sea apparently does that to people. I have no idea if any sailors
acted out their baser instincts on Manatees but I suppose it would be better
than a sponson. The temptation to have the Professor comment is strong but
Jackie cautions me that this is a family group. :-)

Cheers,

John Winters









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