Friday Joke...History Lesson

PJO

Did you know this? I sure didn't...


In the 16th and 17th centuries, transportation by ship was the norm
and since it was before commercial fertilizer's invention, large sea
shipments of manure were common.

Manure, in dry form weighed a lot less than when wet, but once
water at sea hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of
fermentation began again, of which a by-product is methane gas.

As this "special" cargo was stored below decks in bundles you
can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below
decks and the first time a Hand came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!


Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined
just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always
stamped with the term "_ _ _ _" on them, which meant to the sailors to "Ship
High In Transit." (Acronym)

In other words, high enough off the lower decks so that any water that
came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the
production of methane.

You probably did not know this true history of the word.

Neither did I. I always thought it was a golf term.


Have a great weekend Wallies...GO EAGLES!