Why do ships have knee knockers

Went West pac instead it was quite of an experience in the waters of VietNam in My husband and I were both active USN — our kids were raised knowing terms like Turn To get to work , geedunk, shitchasers plumbers — yes, I was a DCman , head, sweepers….

Our oldest son grew up to be a jarhead!! They left out all the obscene words we were told to use, plus things like bulkhead, overhead and deck. Also,turn to. Belay my last, sweepers sweeper, lifer, lay to the bridge reports. Heave out trice up racks ect. Favorite time for shipmates who work the wee hours to dick around in the galley for unlimited hot dogs and tater tots.

You then get your stink finger and point right down his shirt, they look down and you get them right on the nose. Good harmless hazing. You have them ask Master Chief and watch hilarity ensue. We had another term, but I forget what it was. People that always went to sick bay or medical to get out of working…. Boomers are the children born of WW2 folk. When I was in a recruit was called a raisin.

An ashtray was a scuttlebutt. And the kitchen area where you washed dishes was the skullery. I was Eletrician Mate? Spent 18 months in Nam! I really wanted to be UDT but blue my knees out? Grab a boat hook and go to the bow and stand a mail buoy watch grab some paint and paint charlie noble go wind the anchor watch she is flying bravo this week go grab some pogy bait and a lot more I cant remember. A scuttlebut was a water fountain, also used the term for rumor. They would talk around the water fountain scuttlebutt An ashtray was a butt can.

Martin divided his coat with a poor beggar on a cold wintry day outside of Amiens. It is related that the coat was miraculously preserved and thereby became a sacred banner for the Kings of France. This cloak or cape, French "chape," was preserved in a place of prayer that took the name of "chapelle," or chapel, and the one charged with its keeping was called the "chapelain.

From the Hindstani word "chitti" and referring to a letter, note, voucher or receipt. The galley ship's kitchen smoke stack on early ships. Clothes stop. A small diameter cord about 12 inches long with metal ends to keep the cord from fraying. This short cord was used to tie laundry to a clothes line or other convenient object for drying.

Also used in a sea bag inspection to secure rolled clothing. Every recruit was issued a length of clothes stops in boot camp instead of clothes pins. They ceased to be issued in The national ensign. Also the daily ceremony of raising the national ensign at and lowering of the ensign at sunset. Naval ships underway fly the national ensign continuously therefore do not hold colors ceremonies at sea. Raised partition around hatches or between doorways to prevent water from entering. Also called "knee knockers" for barking one's shins if failing to safely navigate in the dark.

Interior stairway. A navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the Earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions or compass points - north, south, east, and west. Magnetic compass. The Chinese are credited with discovery of a suspended metal object pointing to the earth's magnetic pole. However, the magnetic pole's location varies and is subject to error in the presence of ferrous metals.

A non-magnetic compass that finds true north by using an electrically powered fast-spinning wheel and friction forces in order to exploit the rotation of the earth. Gyrocompasses on ships have two main advantages over magnetic compasses.

They find true north as opposed to magnetic north, and they are not affected by ferromagnetic metal such as the ship itself. Compass rose. A diagram on the compass face showing the abbreviated names of directions. Boxing the Compass. Calling the names of the 32 points of the compass in order.

To superintend or steer the ship. A Navy enlisted rating serving in the broad spectrum of Navy medicine. First called " loblolly boys " they prepared for battle by filling containers with water to hold amputated limbs.

In addition, duties called for maintaining the braziers of charcoal to heat the tar which is used to stop the hemorrhaging from amputations and keeping the deck safe for the surgeon around the operating area is a duty during battle. The deck, slippery with blood, was treated with buckets of sand. Or "cockswain" from the combination of "cock," a small boat, and "swain," a servant. It originally meant one who had charge of a boat and a crew in the absence of an officer.

Crossing the Line. The boisterous ceremonies of "crossing the line" are ancient and their derivation is lost. It is well known that ceremonies took place long ago when the ship crossed the thirtieth parallel, and also when going through the Straits of Gibraltar. Early ceremonies were rough and to a great extent supposed to try the crew to determine whether or not the novices on their first cruise could endure the hardships of life at sea.

The custom then, as at present, is primarily a crew's party. The Vikings were reported at an early date to carry out these ceremonies on crossing certain parallels.

It is highly probable that the present day ceremony was passed on to the Anglo-Saxons, and Normans from the Vikings. As at earlier times, ceremonies of propitiation are carried on to appease Neptune, the mythological god of the seas. One who has crossed the line equator is called a Shellback. The Sons of Neptune shellbacks prepare the ship for King Neptune and the Royal Party's arrival and conduct the solemn ceremonies.

The uninitiated are lowly scum sucking pollywogs. Golden Shellback is one who crosses the equator at the th meridian international date line. Something procured outside official channels and without official payment. Word derived from beggars of Amoy, China, who said "kam sia" meaning "grateful -thanks. One who is adapt at bartering. D Top of page Davy Jones' Locker. The bottom of the sea. Davy Jones being Neptune Rex's first assistant. Ditty Box or Ditty Bag. A small box or bag carried by sailors in which is kept letters, small souvenirs, and sewing supplies.

Probably from the Saxon word "dite," meaning tidy. Others suggest the name is derived from dittas cloth, an English fabric. Divine Services at Sea.

The summons is instantly obeyed, by every one proceeding to the quarter-deck the sick alone are exempted where the minister stands in readiness arrayed in his clerical robes, and the capstan covered with the national flag, to answer the purpose of a pulpit. The commodore takes his station on the weather side of the chaplain; the lieutenants, and all other commissioned and warrant officers on the weather side of the the deck; the forward officers at the fife-rail, and petty officers at the fore-part of the main-mast.

The bluejackets take up their position abaft the mizzen mast, clad in white frocks with blue collars, white trowsers, and straw hats, looking the picture of cleanliness; whilst the marines are stationed and drawn up in rank, on the lee side of the deck, headed by their commanding officer, all in blue uniform. The crew of a naval vessel is divided into departments which may be sub divided into divisions. Each division is headed by an officer or senior petty officer.

Drawing a Dead Horse. A "dead horse" is advance payment of wages. In the British Merchant Service, approximately a months pay was advanced when a sailor shipped.

A ceremony was held when the crew "stopped working for nothing," usually after about five weeks at sea. The men made a horse out of canvas stuffed with waste material or out of a cask.

Permission was requested to light it and hoist it out to the end of a boom or yard. Cheers went up as it marked the time the crew started to accumulate wages "on the books. A metal fitting or handle used to secure a water tight door WTD , hatch and scuttle.

Dogging or undogging a single WTD may require manipulation of eight to ten separate handles, although under normal non combat conditions a single dog may secure the WTD with other dogs left open. Dog Watch. A split watch between the hours of four to six and six to eight in the afternoon. Originally, the "Dodge Watch," as it allowed seamen to escape or dodge standing the same watch every day of the voyage.

As time went on, the names gradually corrupted to the present Dog Watch. Stephen Maturin in the Patrick O'Brian novels coins the pun, "It is called the dog watch because it is "cur tailed. An early battleship characterized by a single caliber big gun with a main battery of guns of 11 inches or more, no intermediate battery, a secondary battery from 3 to 6 inches caliber and a speed of at least 18 knots.

E Top of page Eight O'clock Reports. On shipboard shortly before 8 P. He in turn makes "eight o'clock reports" to the Commanding Officer. Those assigned to the Engineering Department are termed engineers , or more often called snipes , bilge rats and from the days of coal power, the black gang.

The title dates to when privileged squires carried the banners of their lords and masters into battle. Later, these squires became known by the name of the banner, the Ensign. The junior commissioned officer in the U. Navy and Coast Guard. Also known as a "Butter Bar" for the gold rank insignia collar device. May be addressed as "Enswine" if lacking in wardroom etiquette. In addition, "George" is the junior ensign, the lowest ranking person in a wardroom, while "The Bull Ensign" is the senior ensign.

The national flag flow from the flagstaff in port and the gaff at sea. Ex Short for exercise. Shortened title for Executive Officer, second in command on a naval unit. Also, XO. F Top of page Fathom. Saint Paul relates in the New Testament that soundings were taken after a gale, and the ship was found to be in twenty fathoms of water. The Greek word orgina, which means to stretch or reach out with the arms. A sailor stretches out both arms and measures from finger tip to finger tip - an approximate fathom.

More precisely, a fathom is six feet. Anything serving as a cushion between the side of the ship and another object. Field Day. A day set aside to clean ship. Also, to clean or straighten. This compartment is a rat's nest. Field day it and report when it is squared away. Best explained as a superstitious custom that was supposed to drive away evil spirits as they escaped from the hearts of the dead. Before the advent of firearms, the number three had mystical significance.

In ancient Roman funeral rites earth was cast three times into the grave; those present called the dead three times by name, and on leaving the grave site mourners called farewell three times. The national ensign, colors or standard. A flag lieutenant is the admiral's aide. From the Anglo-Saxon "floet," or "floetan. Even numbered fleets are in the Atlantic area and odd numbered fleets operate in the Pacific area.

Also, a term for all naval operating forces. Float Test. Checking the buoyancy of unwanted shipboard items. Also, splash test. From the old Spanish "flota. Foul Anchor. An anchor that is foul of the cable or chain is a symbol found in various naval crests.

The device is on the cap of American naval officers, the distinguishing device of a Chief Petty Officer, the collar device of midshipman, and on the cap badges of the British naval officers. Many sailors regard the device a sign of poor seamanship. Although, artistic to a civilian, it has been called a sailor's disgrace by some. The badge has been traced back to and Lord Howard of Effingham, the Lord High Admiral, who used it first as a seal of his office, but the device was used previous even to that time.

G Top of page Gig. A captain or commander's personal boat. A recorded fault. An imaginary straight line running down the front center of the torso for uniform alignment. Non alignment of the shirt edge, belt buckle and trouser fly results is a "gig. The ship's kitchen or food preparation area.

See Mess and Mess deck. From the Anglo-Saxon "gang. An opening in a ship to give entrance for boarding or leaving the ship. It may be either an opening in a bulkhead or railing. Also, " Gangway, " a command to step aside or make way. Who remembers not the messcooks cry, "Gangway, hot stuff. Items from vending machines or ship's store such as candy, soda and ice cream.

Any dessert, sweets, or good deal. Also Pogey Bait. Goat Locker. The Chief Petty Officer quarters and mess spaces. Also, Menopause Manor in reference to the age of the inhabitants. Light patrol vessel unarmored for use in shallow coastal waters. Gun decking is falsifying records or logs to avoid work or changing results to meet requirements. Also known as pencil whipping, radaring, or radioing a report. Any small portable gas powered pump used for fire fighting or de-watering.

The P Handy Billy was a main stay of shipboard damage control parties and later replaced by the P A square or rectangular hole in the deck for access to a lower deck of a ship.

However, one hears Marines refer to any door on ship or ashore as a hatch. A rope of sufficient size and strength to tow or secure a ship. Shipboard toilet. Shipboard toilet facilities were originally precariously located on the bow suspended above the water. Any spot missed while painting. A sailor or Marine who spends excessive time grooming or is compulsive about appearance. Hollywood shower. A long shower deemed to waste water.

Hollywood Marine. A large flat sandstone used to polish the wooden deck of a ship. Bible or Prayer Book. A smaller piece of sandstone used to reach into corners. The sailor on his hand and knees is in a prayerful position thus the religious terms. I Top of page Idlers. The traditional name for members of a ship's company who stand no regular watch. A jab at the members of the medical department, mess cooks and others who work on a different schedule.

Towards the imaginary center line of a ship. Irish Pennant. Any loose or untidy end of a line. Lines dangling from a ship's rigging. Threads hanging from a uniform. Bluejacket term for Coffee. For twenty years before "grog" was legislated out of the Navy, the rum ration was cut back and coffee and tea were supplied as a substitute.

Congress passed a bill on 23 May that provided "an additional ration of coffee and sugar to be served at his the bluejacket's first turning out. Jack , originally a Royal Navy sailor. Also, Jack Tar , from the tar used extensively on sailing ships.

The Navy enlisted dress blue uniform. Also see, " thirteen buttons. Jack o' the Dust. Person in charge of breaking out provisions for the food service operation.

Originates with the British Navy. Also, " Dusty. The Jack is flown from a yardarm on the mast when a Court Martial is in session. The first Jack used in the US Navy was a red and white stripe flag with a rattlesnake and the words "Don't tread on me. Jolly Roger. Junior Officer Protective Association. Unofficial association of the three lowest officer ranks with an eye to commiserate, educate, and socialize.

Jump Ship. To leave one's ship when unauthorized to so. Deserter is used for one who has been UA for over thirty days consecutive days and in certain other cases.

Also, "French Leave" in naval slang. See Liberty below. Jury Rig. Any temporary repair or makeshift device most often using non-standard materials or means.

Also, Kludge. K Top of page Keel Haul. A brutal punishment inflicted on seamen adjudged guilty of an offense in the days of sail. It usually resulted in death as the chances of recovery were slim. The guilty party was fastened to a line which had been passed beneath the ship's keel. He was then dragged under the water from starboard to the port side of the ship or hauled stem to stern along the barnacle-encrusted bottom. If the seaman survived the cuts, abrasions, and possible drowning he was considered to have paid his sentence.

Not known to have been practiced by the U. Navy, but in the Dutch Navy into the 18th century. The U. Navy, always a gentile service, practiced flogging and hanging as modes of punishment. Kiddie Cruise. An extinct Navy program available to high school graduates under 18 years old with an obligation to serve until their 21st birthday.

Hence instead of a four year enlistment one could theoretically serve as little as three years. The coaming of a watertight door or bulkhead opening. Coaming edges are raised about one foot off the deck and strike the shins if one fails to step over them.

A measure of speed equaling one nautical mile per hour. Knots-per-hour is incorrect usage. Veterans can be injured by over-training due to PT or face hazards and injuries as a result of firefighting training, water survival training, and the Battle Stations event.

Numerous Veterans throughout the Navy have endured serious injures while at boot camp. However, older ships may have exposed sailors to asbestos contained within pipe lag paste. Other shipboard chemical exposures can include paints, degreasers, solvents, rust remover, etc.

Coffin lockers falling on hands and arms is another common injury that may have lasting effects. For aviation-capable ships, the risk of being blown down or overboard by aircraft is always present as well as injuries from any flying debris that may have been missed during the previous FOD walkdown.

Due to the noise generated by aircraft, as well as launch and recovery equipment, hearing loss and tinnitus are also common. Some injuries are more specific to certain rating communities. Such as the nuclear field sailors being exposed to radiation associated with the reactor and associated equipment. Certain engineering personnel may be at risk for steam burns.