Both live in Liverpool, where no pub would charge a red-star man for a drink. Wine poured upon the deck before a long voyage represents a libation to the gods which will bring good luck. It was in the early days of the British Navy that guns were first fired in salute. Since they could not be reloaded quickly, the act of firing a gun in salute assured those receiving the salute that those who fired had disarmed themselves, and could do no harm. The more guns that were fired, the greater the assurance of disarmament, and the higher the respect offered to those being saluted.
Legend has it that an umbrella aboard ship is unlucky.