Boat Names
I am fascinated by the names people give their boats. Some of them are cute (perhaps too cute), while others are fairly straight forward, and some have interesting history behind them. There are whole books about the naming of boats. (I wonder, is that anything like the naming of cats?)
One of the things I do when talking with people about their boats is ask about the name. When we were discussing the things we wanted in a boat, we talked about renaming our "new boat" after my father-in-law, who always wanted a boat and never got around to having one. We decided not to change the name after all, and instead named our dinghy after him.
People names are common on boats. One that I found interesting was the Abbie Burgess, the name of a Maine State Ferry. Abbie Burgess was the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, who eventually became a lighthouse keeper herself.
So far my favorite name for a lobster boat is Sea Reaper, which has a woman working the stern (at least when we saw it) and the grim reaper painted on the bow. For those of you who are Terry Pratchett fans, we have called this one "The Death of Lobsters".
posted by Fiddler @ 7:17 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Curious... I was mulling over boat names the other day as the ferry from Vancouver Island pulled into the Powell River dock. She doesn't so much pull in, as she "k-turns" in: she comes along side of the dock,eases past the end that juts out, then noses into the side of the jetty beyond. One of the crew throws a weighted line (attached to the bow Spring) off the stern which is caught by a dock hand who hauls it in and secures it. The skipper applies the bow screw and ferry then swings its bow to starboard across the face of the dock. Once her starboard beam has bounced against the pilings, she is eased a little forward until she rests under the raised gang plank. We often go to the aft deck to watch the procedure, then rush down to the lowest deck to watch the "face" of the gang plank dock slide sideways across the open doors in the bow from which we all drive our cars on to land. In winter storms it can get rather exciting for she has to fight the tide and wind which are trying to drive her forward into the side of the dock before she can swing around on the bow spring.
I was mulling (as I return from digressing) as I noted how the seiners and traulers names (the Mary B; the Sea Hauler) are so different from those under sail (Wave Walker; Into the Wind), and different again from those I call a great big expensive hole in the water (Born Free; Just Cruisin'). Some, as you said, are disgustingly cute. I like "Fiddler"... and am glad she kept her moniker from before... it is like, with her identity intact, she brings her experience and wisdom with her, and loans it to her present human companions.
And your adventures teach me... when we heard of the tropical storm off Cuba, I mentioned to Greg it might interfere with your launch date. He didn't think so (he knows the Eastern Seaboard quite well,as his family had a winter home in Florida) and showed me the map ... I was quite surprised to see not only how far East into the Atlantic Bermuda is, but how far North... I always thought it was off the South East coast of Florida, not the coast Of North Carolina! Well, aint I the Westerner?
Hope the mast is secure, and your gear ready... I'm watching the clouds and hoping for fair winds for you. Have also begun sending out requests to the storm petrels and the terns... perhaps we can wave as you pass.
For some reason my comment from a few days ago got dropped. Will be more careful this time.
Jay
D 'n K:
Sorry to hear that the weather has kept you from your trip so long. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer!
I thought that you might like to hear about Jane Bigelow's reading of a selection from her book at the Tattered Cover:
We gathered about 7:30 at the TC, and stood briefly in groups -- some from Monday Night, some (others) from SCA, and a couple of groups of Jane's friends and co-workers. As we were seated, it was somewhat like a wedding, with Jane's friends on one side of the aisle, and the MNM and SCA folk on the other side.
Jane read from her book for about half an hour, and the reading drew the audience into the plot. (Well, at least me -- I wasn't paying that much attention to other listeners!)
It was great fun -- she managed to show us her character without the "she wore ... " sort of thing; much of it was written from the point of view of the character, with occasional bits of introspective comments which helped define who the character really was.
I think that everyone enjoyed the character -- a thief (by need) with the pluck to do what she had to and the charming personality (in a non- church-group kind of way) that makes you want to know her almost guarantees a good read!
I think that Jane was a bit nervous at the start (few are comfortable when speaking before a large group!) but she got into the reading, and had a fine time. It is great that she has so many friends to show support for her efforts. Also, where could you possibly hold a reading that would be better than the Tattered Cover.
When it came time for questions, Don asked when the next book would be out. Jane requested that somebody hit that man. (He had nagged her a bit about this before, too!)
So, life continues for your friends while we await you return!
Bob W.
So sorry that your previous comment got lost. Blogger was having fits the other day, and would not accept my postings.
Naming is very interesting. A new one we learned today was French for "Flying Saucer" applied to a modern catamaran. We talked to the owners, and while this boat looks a bit ungainly to them, it is comfortable and provides the kind of boat they need. Watching them scurry around on their backs underneath painting the bottom reminds me of why I like our full keel.
Death of Lobsters? VERY funny! :o)
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