Just Curious

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Originally Posted by Tbone

Pete, I already have a center console---stick steering, that is. I like to to see the underwater stumps coming at me.

Okay, one more historical question. I have read that originally "starboard" was used for right and "larboard" for left. Because the two words could easily be misunderstood, "larboard" was changed to "port." Anyone know if that's true?

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NITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT,

Washington, February 18, 1846

It having been represented to the Department, that confusion arises from the use of the words "Larboard" and "Starboard," in consequence of the similiarity of sound, the word "Port" is hereafter to be substituted for "Larboard."

GEORGE BANCROFT."

Source; -DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER 805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Read more: Answers.com - What is the history of port and starboard running lights and why were these colors used

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tbone

Pete, I already have a center console---stick steering, that is. I like to to see the underwater stumps coming at me.

Okay, one more historical question. I have read that originally "starboard" was used for right and "larboard" for left. Because the two words could easily be misunderstood, "larboard" was changed to "port." Anyone know if that's true?

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Correct you are sir. This one can be blamed on the Limey's, as Pete referenced. British navy actually banned the phrase in 1844, and the US followed up with standardization protocol using port and starboard.

Thanks to all of you. I've been enlightened today.

and to think I got out of school 20 years ago... I guess one never does get too old to learn something...lol... But if you think about it, if vehicles were set up the same way, there would be less fatalities in head on collisions... but the down side to that is that there would probably be more head on collisions because like Pete, they would be bouncing off of everything they passed by, including other cars..lol

Goes back to the origins of the word that we know as "starboard". Vessels dating back to the age of King Richard the 1st, utilized a rudder assembly, that was documented as always being mounted on the right side of the hull. Knights of the Teutonic Order, were known to have used the steering position on the right side. "Steer board" became "starboard", and has been the typical, but not exclusive location for steerage mechanisms.

That does not hold true today because on stick steer boats , steering stick is on the left side, but I have always wonder this topic also