Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1956-03-14

ones, probably In difference toI
Athene, Goddess of the Sta.
Sailors always personify
ships and boats. This was car
ried SO far by a certain hinescI
Magnate as to put his boats in
the stocks when they did not
sail well. a venerable COM,
modorc in our own Navy, still
living in 1881 was one to talk
to the MizZcnmaSt of his ship.
This is mormon idea amongI
old sailors, who often believe,
as the old captain said, "she
can do anything but talk, and
sometimes she can even do
that. A ship which is about to-
sink makes her lamentations
just like any other human be-
ing"
II was long thought that rats
would desert a sinking ship. A
writer in 1875 says they have
been seen leaving a leaky ship
by hawSer tied to the dock,
and by swimming. Shakespeare
1lludeS to this belief. 1t is
quite reasonable to suppose
that the instinct of these ami
mails may have led them to a.
bandon a ship that had much
water in the hold, as they
would suffer from hunger. An
old work tells us the instinct
OF rats leaving a ship is be-
cause they cannot be dry in it. !
A belief in the virtues of
odd numbers was very prevail ,
ent as shown in the usages of
Maritime Nations with regard
to Salutes. All nation, festal
and personal salutes consist Of
an odd number of guns, a GUS
tom dating back to the begin
ming of modern history at least.
Minute guns are still the only
even-numbered salutes.
Sneczing has been regarded
by people in all ages, and in
all lands, as unfortunate. It
was long custom to salute
one who Sncezed. to remove
the bad results though to cnsue
therefrom.
Splitting to windward, pro-
hibited for obvious reasons, in
well regulated ships, was con-
Sidcred unluCky among mall
dive islanders. Chinese Junk
sailors considered it unlucky.
and a forcrunncr of foul wea-
Their, To cXpCCtoratc over the
bows of the vessel when start
ing on a voyage.
English Scamen think it I'M
lucky TO throw salt about. In
Holland, il was thought I'M
lucky TO overrun a Salt-cellar,
as a ship would be wrecked
each time ii was done.
Birds coming on board at
sea should not be Gagged or TAX
en-, for, as you lay hands on the
birds. you will have to lay
hands TO the sails, in the storm
that will come.
The kingfiShcr booed good
or evil, as its cry was to the
right or left, said Negroes of
West Africa. The ancients be-
licvcd that the petrol Matched
its eggs under its wints. and
never rested. The AlbatroSS is
believed by sailors to sleep on
the wing. SlallowS were thou
ght unlucky at sea. although
they are lucky on shore. Cleo
patra abandoned Il voyage. on
seeing a swallow at the mast
head of her vessel.
Grows were used as guides
by navlgatOrS, as they we're
carried out to sea and then let
loose. TO indicate the direction
OF the land by their flight. The.
crow, the raven and the mag
pie are proverbially birds of
lSS Omen. Tie dove was long
a bird OF good omen at sea.
There was a belief in the cf-
ilchCy of human chormS. and it
frequently occurred that q dyad !
mans hand and other human
relics were carried to sea. as
cha'mS against shipwrcck. An
!m"l charms were of the same
class, and were more frequent
~ used. ESkimoS fastCn a seal
skin 20 The prowS OF their can
ocS. aS a charm against bad
weather and storms. Foxes
tails and eagles bCaks served
equally well.
That well known charm. the
horseshoe, has long been a fav-
oritC with the Mariner. They
are often nailed TO the masts.
Sometimes in antiquity. a
badge was tied or fastened to-
the body. so as to identity il.
Il io@n'--N,ry much as mod
rin sailors t"ttOO tn, rodv.
Sc" shells, fish amulcts. the
r1'i. coral. amber. lunches Of.