The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-04-11
ADMIRAL VERY On
SHIPS AND RIGS
Questions the Authority of
S0-CaIIed American
Nomenclature.

Editor Advertiser: As lowIy student
of language, and particularly of the
more or less picturesque phraseology OF
the sea, l have been interested in the
discussion as to the appropriate name
| to be given to a four masted vessel with
yards upon three only of the four. This
| problem, like that of the hickory nut
and the shag-b bark; and it's congener
that of the partridge and the quail, is
never ending provocative of argu-
ment, occasionally leading to heated dis
pute Unlike the ornithological and
the botanical questions, however, the
nautical discussion is without an ex-
elusive court of arbitration to which
the disputants may turn for a ruling.
Falconer and JaI, those excellent au-
thorities; the former in, English, and
the latter a Polyglot, while defnitive
in their day, have their limitations, and
these are confined to period ante
dating the rigs which give rise to the
interesting discussion now experiencing
revival. Where then can we turn for
comfort? No mere admiral nor captain
is in a position to arbitrate; nor can we
accept without question the ruling of
the nautical editor, however capable he
may be, unless his view is supported by
authority.
With this preamble I come to the edi-
torial in this mornings Advertiser,
from which learn that "eur American
nomenclature, differing from that of
"our British brethren" gives the name
ship to four-masted vessel, square
rugged upon three masts only.
In the face of this unqualified state
ment &c cathedra, it is perhaps pre-
sumptive for me to intrude my Bunsby
without a faithful Cutie in support.
In fact, like a good old mess-mate of
my early days, whose well-meant desire
to impart information to his nautical
associates was rewarded in general by
ridicule and contumely, I am prompted
to premise by saying If I might speak
and live -''
So, if I might speak and live, would
it be in order for me to enquire if the
Century Dictionary and Encyclopedia
will be recognized as good american
authority; and if in the absence of
reliable modern precedent exclusively
nautical, its dictum in matters maritime
will be accepted as conclusive7 If
yes let me quote from page 5576
of Volume VII of the 1906 edition of
the Century.
Four masted vessels which are
square-rigged on all four masts are
called fouy-hadsted ships; those which
have fore-and-aft sails on the after
mast are called foaw-n1Gsted ba1ks. -
Please note my use of the word
"reliGble' in connection with so much
of my query as afirms by implication
the absence of modern guides to mari
time nomenclature. / am not unmind-
full of the fact that at least one govern
ment publication is in existence showing
an illustration in support of the con-
tention in opposition to the definition
in the Century. But as authority, it's
origin and it's lack of supporting text
or other official utterance deprive it
of weight sufficient to oppose to a work
whose merits are so well grounded as
that from which l have quoted above.
Respectfully and alphabetically,
SAM. w. VERY.
Naval Station, Honolulu, T. H.
April 10, 1908.