Reports on subjects interesting to mariners, sailors, shipping companies and ships' officers, with a special emphasis on nautical terminology and the origins of the seaman's language.
A magneto ignition single-cylinder gasoline engine once used in small motor boats. Often called a one-banger, these simple engines carried one or two flywheels to keep the engine turning until the next firing sequence. Some are still operating. They make a characteristic popping sound.
posted by seatalker at 11:46 AM
Quite often at sea, if you keep a careful watch, you can just see the rigging of a ship in the distance. The ship itself lies over the horizon, and is described as being "hull down." Aside from the additional distance afforded your vision, this phenomenon also clearly reveals the curvature of the earth.
posted by seatalker at 11:38 AM
Retired seafarer.
