What is the origin of the phrase 'Running a tight ship?'

[capnsensible]

A tanto.

 

[newtothis]

I always thought it came from the slightly archaic slang for drunk, and have run my ship accordingly.

 

[oldgit]

Seem to recall a newly built hull from a boat workshop in Hoo, being literally sunk for a tide or two to make it water tight. ?
In similar a vein..............
There still remain a set of drying blocks just below Aylesford Bridge.
Apart from their main purpose , wooden lighters would be allowed to sink and fill with water to rid them of any rats or other vermin.

Possibly apocryphal ?

 

[Poignard]

Seem to recall a newly built hull from a boat workshop in Hoo, being literally sunk for a tide or two to make it water tight. ?
In similar a vein..............
There still remain a set of drying blocks just below Aylesford Bridge.
Apart from their main purpose , wooden lighters would be allowed to sink and fill with water to rid them of any rats or other vermin.

Possibly apocryphal ?

In a similar vein........

The mud off Blackwall on the Thames was noted for being very glutinous.

Leaky vessels would be allowed to settle into it as the tide ebbed, causing the gloop to be forced into the leaking seams.

This was known as a Blackwall caulk.

 

[Blueboatman]

In a similar vein........

The mud off Blackwall on the Thames was noted for being very glutinous.

Leaky vessels would be allowed to settle into it as the tide ebbed, causing the gloop to be forced into the leaking seams.

This was known as a Blackwall caulk.

“In glue and (saw)dust we place our trust,
If that won’t do, then putty must!”

And then along came sikafkex and epoxies . And a whole new chapter of bodges to be written

 

[oldgit]

" We" had two special wooden lighters with white painted holds used only for the carriage of loose tea from not sure where and butter from New Zealand.
The hatch covers were insulated with cork.
We were permitted to keep any of the sweepings and the usual percentage of splinters hidden within.

 

[LittleSister]

The naval sense of it is most certainly discipline. One where the right action was held in high esteem, both officers and men.

The phrase simply means a ship that is disciplined and well-run with careful, detailed planning and well-drilled routines.

But the OP did not ask for the contemporary meaning of the term (which I'm sure he knows), he specifically asked for its origins, which is something different.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

But the OP did not ask for the contemporary meaning of the term (which I'm sure he knows), he specifically asked for its origins, which is something different.

Indeed. The origin is tight discipline. Which meant a well run ship. And absolutely not a spit and polish tyranny.