Quoting Steve Turley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > I've heard the explanation below many times and it sounds very > logical. > For many years, however, the port side was called larboard. What is > the > derivation of that term? I've heard that the British Navy pioneered > the > use of "port" to avoid confusion of the similar- sounding "starboard" > and > "larboard" > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 9:15 AM > To: sundial@rrz.uni-koeln.de > Subject: Re: Conference Travel Tip > > > The names port and starboard come from ancient ship-lore. Most people > are > right-handed, They would steer the ship with the right hand using a > plank - a > steer-board, down the outside of the ship near the stern. Hence > steer-board, > and right-hand side of ship. The other side of the ship would be > uncluttered, > and so would be the side of the ship to come alongside in the port. > Hence > left-hand side of ship and port side. > Better to understand the reason than have fancy mnemonics etc. David > Brown, > David Brown Sundials, UK
I'll stick to my little rhyme. As a leisure sailor I still need it to remember(especially when racing and the starboard rule applies). Regards Get your own zoom email - click here - http://www.zoom.co.uk/ -
