Thread: Just Curious

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.

Written early nautical history typically documents the left side of the vessels hard to the dock, as a method to prevent damage to the "steer board". This gave way to the reference of the left side of the vessel, being the side that was placed to the dock. Dock became the "port" side. Thus the origins of port and starboard.

Close quarters in tight waterways placed the protected "steer board" on the right side of the hull, away from damage from passing vessels, allowing the port sides of the vessels to pass without incident, other than scrapping by. This established the passing of an oncoming vessel port to port. Still use the same practices today.

Navigation rules written today typically originate from historical practices, not necessarily from logic. Apparently the choice of helm placement may be the same.

Some modern thoughts summarize that engine rotation creates prop torque, that is more easily controlled from the starboard side, which may be worthy of consideration. However, historical placement cannot be ignored.

Me, I don't know...

Originally Posted by boatstall

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.

Written early nautical history typically documents the left side of the vessels hard to the dock, as a method to prevent damage to the "steer board". This gave way to the reference of the left side of the vessel, being the side that was placed to the dock. Dock became the "port" side. Thus the origins of port and starboard.

Close quarters in tight waterways placed the protected "steer board" on the right side of the hull, away from damage from passing vessels, allowing the port sides of the vessels to pass without incident, other than scrapping by. This established the passing of an oncoming vessel port to port. Still use the same practices today.

Navigation rules written today typically originate from historical practices, not necessarily from logic. Apparently the choice of helm placement may be the same.

Some modern thoughts summarize that engine rotation creates prop torque, that is more easily controlled from the starboard side, which may be worthy of consideration. However, historical placement cannot be ignored.

Me, I don't know...

thats just what I was going to say.........LOL......all I know is it works....

Thanks, boatstall, that makes sense. On another historical note, in the movie "Titantic" the order is given to steer hard to port to try to miss the iceberg but the helmsman turns the wheel to starboard (I might have it backwards). Being a smarty pants I pointed it out to my wife and said the director had made a mistake. Being more of a smarty pants she looked it up and found out that in the early ships the helmsman had to turn the wheel in the opposite direction he wanted to go (something about the rudder chains) and therefore the movie was right. It was not until automobiles became common and people got to use to their direct steering mechanism did ship manufacturers change the rudder linkage so the ship would go in the direction the wheel was turned.

Man, Stall, I sure am glad you never told me all that while we were way out in West Delta - I'd have bounced off every well, platform, and piling cluster within sight on the way back!
I always thought it was those damn limey's faults - driving on the right side of the road really could lead to driving on the right side of a boat?
Couldn't it?
Anyway, Terry, if it really messes with your mind, get a center console.
Pete

Your bringing up the Titantic, provided fodder for another piece of nautical history. Strange that I brought up the Knights of the Teutonic Order and you bring up Titantic. White Star Line's first transatlantic steamship that replaced sailing vessels, was the 556 ft. "Teutonic", and later they launched the "Titantic".

Originally Posted by sneakypete

Man, Stall, I sure am glad you never told me all that while we were way out in West Delta - I'd have bounced off every well, platform, and piling cluster within sight on the way back!
I always thought it was those damn limey's faults - driving on the right side of the road really could lead to driving on the right side of a boat?
Couldn't it?
Anyway, Terry, if it really messes with your mind, get a center console.

Pete

That bouncing reference reminded me of the day the compass wheel bounced off the needle, and we idled while I disassembled and reassembled, trying not to loose parts bouncing around in West Delta. Back when compasses were actually used.

Man, I can't believe you remember that!
And about compasses and wrist-watches - wonder how many GPS-dependant nimrods would never return if they lost their Garmins...
Best to Judy.
Pete

Well, what a wonderful lesson for today. An enjoyable class I must say, now what will we learn tomorrow, I'm always open to knowledge.
Thanks boatstall,
"gene"