chollyjohn
New Member
- Sep 27, 2008
- 126
- Boat Info
- 1992 Sea Ray 310 Sportbridge - Only 41 Made by Brunswick
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruiser; 370HP each; Inboard Zurth Str8 Drives
MANURE LESSON
You learn something everyday...here's your lesson for today:
Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be
transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's
invention, so large shipments of manure were common.
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than
when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became
heavier, but the process of fermentation began
again, of which a by product is methane gas As the
stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and
did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time
someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
Several ships were de stroyed in this manner before it was
determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always
stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant
for the sailors to stow it high enough off of the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold
would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Ship High In Transport) which
has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.
You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I.
I had always thought it was a golfing term
HOPE THIS fact BRINGS A SMILE :smt001 OR TWO.
You learn something everyday...here's your lesson for today:
Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be
transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's
invention, so large shipments of manure were common.
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than
when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became
heavier, but the process of fermentation began
again, of which a by product is methane gas As the
stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and
did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time
someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
Several ships were de stroyed in this manner before it was
determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always
stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant
for the sailors to stow it high enough off of the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold
would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.
Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Ship High In Transport) which
has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.
You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I.
I had always thought it was a golfing term
HOPE THIS fact BRINGS A SMILE :smt001 OR TWO.
