CNN.com has an interesting article on its site (see related link below). In short, Lloyds List has decided to start referring to vessels as "it" rather than "she," citing the practice as a "reflection of the modern business of shipping." Politics aside, I always thought that referring to a ship in the feminine gender embodied a bit of the old world charm. Guess not anymore. There are certain peices of machinery that, in my opinion, over time, take on almost human attributes. My father once said that if any machine could approach ownership of a soul, it would be an airplane. I know people who say the same of cars, others would say ships... I would agree. There is something nearly human about their quirks and peculiarities... The way my C-27 prefers starboard tack, the way the A-4 likes choke when she's cold, the way she reposes in a near regal fashion at the dock. Regardless of what Lloyds may print about the shipping news, my vessel will aways be a lady. Rob
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Gender References
Aw...what do the Brits know about any way; in a country best known for calling its women "birds"! Besides, Sir Richard Branson still names all his airplanes after women...including a B747-400 beauty named "Jersey Girl" and replete with nose art that I had occassion to taxi past as she waited her turn to get in line in Boston recently and whereupon after appreciating her lines sitting here on the ramp I observed over the radio, "Dadgum, 'Jersey Girl,' I think I love you!" a decidedly and VERY female voice replied in a delicious British accent, "Oh, you Yanks! I bet you say that to all the girls!" So, phooey on Lloyds! They're insurance agents after all!! Let 'em all remain "shes"!
Aw...what do the Brits know about any way; in a country best known for calling its women "birds"! Besides, Sir Richard Branson still names all his airplanes after women...including a B747-400 beauty named "Jersey Girl" and replete with nose art that I had occassion to taxi past as she waited her turn to get in line in Boston recently and whereupon after appreciating her lines sitting here on the ramp I observed over the radio, "Dadgum, 'Jersey Girl,' I think I love you!" a decidedly and VERY female voice replied in a delicious British accent, "Oh, you Yanks! I bet you say that to all the girls!" So, phooey on Lloyds! They're insurance agents after all!! Let 'em all remain "shes"!
Why are ships of the female gender ?
I never did know why the female gender is (was?) used for ships, but several years ago while on a trip to the UK I came across a trivial article in a London tabloid that listed several reasons: Sailing vessels where (are?) highly temperamental! Their upkeep is expensive! (Personal safety dictates a no comment policy on this one). It's best to spoil them regularly with new goodies to see them at their best (Isn't that what we do all the time?) The list went on and on but the last one I will never forget: It seems that ships are female because the boueys (read aloud and fast) are at sea !!!
I never did know why the female gender is (was?) used for ships, but several years ago while on a trip to the UK I came across a trivial article in a London tabloid that listed several reasons: Sailing vessels where (are?) highly temperamental! Their upkeep is expensive! (Personal safety dictates a no comment policy on this one). It's best to spoil them regularly with new goodies to see them at their best (Isn't that what we do all the time?) The list went on and on but the last one I will never forget: It seems that ships are female because the boueys (read aloud and fast) are at sea !!!
Politically Correct??
I sure do get tired of people being politically correct. Like ya said the reference to a sailing vessel as "she" goes back centuries!! I guess the N.O.W. ladies are attacking our sport, now, that they have ruined everything else right down to the American Family. My bote is a lady, and a witch, rarely a witch with a capital B. I dearly love her and dislike her sometimes...Guess it's kinda like bein married. My bote, named "Mostly There" Kinda fits!! All the best!!!..Denny P.
I sure do get tired of people being politically correct. Like ya said the reference to a sailing vessel as "she" goes back centuries!! I guess the N.O.W. ladies are attacking our sport, now, that they have ruined everything else right down to the American Family. My bote is a lady, and a witch, rarely a witch with a capital B. I dearly love her and dislike her sometimes...Guess it's kinda like bein married. My bote, named "Mostly There" Kinda fits!! All the best!!!..Denny P.
A Boat is a She/ A Boat is a He
Two Quotes "People who do not know that a sailboat is a living creature will never understand anything about boats and the sea." Bernard Moitessier, The Long Way "A boat can be a she, and a boat can be a he. There's only one thing a boat can't be and that's an it." Richard Bode, First You Have to Row a Little Boat Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Two Quotes "People who do not know that a sailboat is a living creature will never understand anything about boats and the sea." Bernard Moitessier, The Long Way "A boat can be a she, and a boat can be a he. There's only one thing a boat can't be and that's an it." Richard Bode, First You Have to Row a Little Boat Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Lloyds
I really don't give a he/she/it what Lloyds calls boats - mine is a 'she' but I also agree with Bob of Warwick.
I really don't give a he/she/it what Lloyds calls boats - mine is a 'she' but I also agree with Bob of Warwick.
Individuality and personification
My daughter sent me the article yesterday for comment (knowing I would). Here is what I said to her. "While gender is not important, personification is. One of the great losses in my mind is that fact that 'airliners' have no personal identity. They are major machines and should have some individuality, like sea-going ships. I suspect why they don't want to do that (the 'unlucky' airplane I guess). Ships should be she. Or he. Machts nichts to me. Yachts the same. ( While it is snobby, Mabel is officially a 'yacht'.) So Mabel is clearly a 'she'. But my previous boat Saga could be a 'he' I guess. But 'it' just doesn't feel good." She ( a non-sailor sadly) responded " I agree with you, I think the world is becoming increasingly depersonalized, it's sad. human beings should make their culture in their own image!
My daughter sent me the article yesterday for comment (knowing I would). Here is what I said to her. "While gender is not important, personification is. One of the great losses in my mind is that fact that 'airliners' have no personal identity. They are major machines and should have some individuality, like sea-going ships. I suspect why they don't want to do that (the 'unlucky' airplane I guess). Ships should be she. Or he. Machts nichts to me. Yachts the same. ( While it is snobby, Mabel is officially a 'yacht'.) So Mabel is clearly a 'she'. But my previous boat Saga could be a 'he' I guess. But 'it' just doesn't feel good." She ( a non-sailor sadly) responded " I agree with you, I think the world is becoming increasingly depersonalized, it's sad. human beings should make their culture in their own image!
Ready for a new "Lady"
I have a lovely, high maintenance wife of 32 years. I now feel I need an additioinal "lady" in my life, so I'm buying my first sailboat, a 28 footer. If "she" can match up to Terri, I'll be doubly happy! (I like a challenge)
I have a lovely, high maintenance wife of 32 years. I now feel I need an additioinal "lady" in my life, so I'm buying my first sailboat, a 28 footer. If "she" can match up to Terri, I'll be doubly happy! (I like a challenge)
Why Ships are of Female Gender
One story that I heard about why ships are given a female gender also explains the term "maiden voyage". It seems that in days long past, it was the practice to sacrifice a version as part of the ceromony for launching a new ship. The now departed lass would be beheaded, and her head stuck upon the bow of the ship. When the head eventually fell off, it was said that her soul had transferred to the ship. I believe I read this in: The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge It's so gross is has to be true.
One story that I heard about why ships are given a female gender also explains the term "maiden voyage". It seems that in days long past, it was the practice to sacrifice a version as part of the ceromony for launching a new ship. The now departed lass would be beheaded, and her head stuck upon the bow of the ship. When the head eventually fell off, it was said that her soul had transferred to the ship. I believe I read this in: The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge It's so gross is has to be true.
Definitely Ladies
Boats are considered ladies because of their motors. How many times on a really cold morning when you really needed her to turn over she wouldn't? dave
Boats are considered ladies because of their motors. How many times on a really cold morning when you really needed her to turn over she wouldn't? dave
Huh
Kevin, how exactly does one go about sacrificing a version? And Denny, what the hell is a bote?
Kevin, how exactly does one go about sacrificing a version? And Denny, what the hell is a bote?
"Virgin", not "Version"
I corrected this immediately after I submitted it with the mistaken "version" wording. There must be something wrong with the "Edit" feature, because I did double-check that my fix was accepted. Now it's back to the wrong wording again.
I corrected this immediately after I submitted it with the mistaken "version" wording. There must be something wrong with the "Edit" feature, because I did double-check that my fix was accepted. Now it's back to the wrong wording again.
Why vessels are 'she'.
I am surprised no one has guessed the obvious... have we all got SO 'politically correct' (a term I always put in quotes since it is neither political nor correct) that we have lost sight of heritage? In the days in which sailors put to sea for months, going onto years, a captain might be the only 'respectably' married man on board. He was probably the only one who got paid enough to be. He therefore tended to see his ship more than his wife and thus the ship got referred to as his 'significant other' (sorry) or mistress. He was her 'master' and cared for her, made decisions for her welfare, and gave her orders to follow (not very 'PC' but a valid metaphor for the 19th C). In return she responded as only a mate can do-- in her own fashion but ultimately in the way that did them both the most good. In time it got to the point where his wife was the 'other woman' and he might complain of being ashore too long. The wife unfortunately took on the status of a mistress-- there for his convenience when nothing else was available and left for forgotten as soon as he had a choice. Or so it seemed. Stories are legion of children being born whilst their father was away and him coming home to a larger brood than the one he'd left (and this in a time when for a married mother to fool around was absolutely taboo, no matter how long her husband was away). I shrink at getting TOO metaphysical here but I am sure the feminine mystique of 'vessels' has NOTHING to do with that particular word and its resemblance to Latin words for part of the female anatomy. I just happen to like the sea-captain connotations best-- it's romantic and though dated in today's world, does our love for nautical pursuits some honour. JC 2 (the language-arts teacher) (I shudder to think that 'virgin' was earlier misspelt because it has fallen SO out of favour in this 'PC' world-- the concept as well as the word!)
I am surprised no one has guessed the obvious... have we all got SO 'politically correct' (a term I always put in quotes since it is neither political nor correct) that we have lost sight of heritage? In the days in which sailors put to sea for months, going onto years, a captain might be the only 'respectably' married man on board. He was probably the only one who got paid enough to be. He therefore tended to see his ship more than his wife and thus the ship got referred to as his 'significant other' (sorry) or mistress. He was her 'master' and cared for her, made decisions for her welfare, and gave her orders to follow (not very 'PC' but a valid metaphor for the 19th C). In return she responded as only a mate can do-- in her own fashion but ultimately in the way that did them both the most good. In time it got to the point where his wife was the 'other woman' and he might complain of being ashore too long. The wife unfortunately took on the status of a mistress-- there for his convenience when nothing else was available and left for forgotten as soon as he had a choice. Or so it seemed. Stories are legion of children being born whilst their father was away and him coming home to a larger brood than the one he'd left (and this in a time when for a married mother to fool around was absolutely taboo, no matter how long her husband was away). I shrink at getting TOO metaphysical here but I am sure the feminine mystique of 'vessels' has NOTHING to do with that particular word and its resemblance to Latin words for part of the female anatomy. I just happen to like the sea-captain connotations best-- it's romantic and though dated in today's world, does our love for nautical pursuits some honour. JC 2 (the language-arts teacher) (I shudder to think that 'virgin' was earlier misspelt because it has fallen SO out of favour in this 'PC' world-- the concept as well as the word!)
Well, John...that may be one explanation...
But there are other reasons why boats have always been considered feminine: The Roman Goddess of Navigation was Minerva, and since Roman times all boats have been deemed feminine in her honor. But the REAL reasons are: Because she's often surrounded by a great deal of bustle. Because it takes a lot of costly paint and polish to keep her looking good. Because if the initial cost doesn't break you, you'll be done in by the upkeep. Because she responds better to a firm but loving hand. Because she shows off her topsides, hides her bottom, and can be observed running around between various buoys. Because when she is old and tired, even though she may become a reluctant crank and a creaking old hulk, there will still be some who will recall her in her prime. And because as long as she has life and vitality, and keeps her good name, she will always find men to love her, to serve her, and see that she gets home safely.
But there are other reasons why boats have always been considered feminine: The Roman Goddess of Navigation was Minerva, and since Roman times all boats have been deemed feminine in her honor. But the REAL reasons are: Because she's often surrounded by a great deal of bustle. Because it takes a lot of costly paint and polish to keep her looking good. Because if the initial cost doesn't break you, you'll be done in by the upkeep. Because she responds better to a firm but loving hand. Because she shows off her topsides, hides her bottom, and can be observed running around between various buoys. Because when she is old and tired, even though she may become a reluctant crank and a creaking old hulk, there will still be some who will recall her in her prime. And because as long as she has life and vitality, and keeps her good name, she will always find men to love her, to serve her, and see that she gets home safely.
Sure...
That is, if I survive being tarred and feathered by every hard-core feminist who reads this board!)
That is, if I survive being tarred and feathered by every hard-core feminist who reads this board!
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