Master and Commander

[paulineb]

I've just watched Master and Commander which was set in Nelson's time. Why was starboard called larboard (sp) in those days? Why did it change ?

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[Kevin]

Hi

Im no expert but I think larboard was the original name for Port which was changed so that it wasnt confused with starboard

Kevin

 

[Roy]

The Vikings called the side of their ship its board, and they placed the steering oar, the "star" on the right side of the ship, thus that side became known as the "star board." It's been that way ever since. And, because the oar was in the right side, the ship was tied to the dock at the left side. This was known as the loading side or "larboard". Later, it was decided that "larboard" and "starboard" were too similar, especially when trying to be heard over the roar of a heavy sea, so the phrase became the "side at which you tied up to in port" or the "port" side. Port came from the french 'porte' meaning an opening of any kind etc. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi
The National Maritime Museum site --- its all there under customs and origins. It seems it changed in the 1840s. I know cos I was there.

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[Stingo]

Pauline, it's unlike you to get so technical. If I recall correctly, even a washing machine is beyond your mechanical abilities.

Hope you're well.

John

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[Talbot]

Have you become stranded on a beer can mountain, or is there an indefinite pause before the next leg of your journey?

How are the repairs progressing, or is this a sore point.

Have you established yet what caused the fitting to fall apart?

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