SEA SAWS

Dunstan Times, 17 October 1938, Page 3

SEA SAWS

lONS THAT AREN’T The language of the sea is often mystifying to the layman. The most batlling of all the maritime commands concerned the old helm orders which wore recently abolished (writes “ A Navigating Officer,” in the ‘ Sydney Morning 1 iorald ’). Up to a few years ago, when the officer of the watch desired to alter course to starboard lie gave the order; “ 1 lard-a-port.” The quartermaster thereupon turned Ins wheel to starhoard, and the ship, like the motor car, followed suit This order survived the old sailing ships, when the order referred to the direction the tiller was moved

Seafarers measure their ships in tons, which are not actual tons, but units of measurement. Those big figures de-

noting tonnage do not mean anything, except to the underwriters, and they are Hie basis of calculating the dock and harbour dues

The term “ tonnage ” probably came into use in connection with the levying of dues on wine-carrying ships, the dues being paid on the number of

“ tuns ” of wine which could he accommodated, thus affording a convenient, if not accurate method of comparing