Sea superstitions

[Dennis McGuckin]

The albatross link got me thinking about other sea superstitions.
Few days ago I went to open a can of soup.
For whatever reason the can had to be opened upside down.
I had to get my daughter to do it for me. She thought I had gone nut's[er]
Why was that bad luck at sea?
I know the whistling one was from the days of sail. Whistling would bring a bad wind/storm.
Den.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Superstitions at sea:

Those who sail the world's oceans have traditionally been awash with superstition, so hitting the high seas involves learning a laundry list of potential pitfalls to make sure no omens go unheeded or taboos are committed. And although many superstitions that plagued sailors' thoughts in past eras have fallen away in modern times, some remain alive and well today.

A look at some of the superstitions of the sea from then and now:

10. APPEASING THE GODS:

Many cultures throughout history have attributed the powers of the sea to a plethora of authoritative deities and devils. And in an attempt to tame them and ensure a safe voyage, sailors often proffered gifts to these aquatic higher powers.

Animal and human sacrifices alike were one primitive way of appeasing the spirits of the seas. They could take place before launching, upon reaching safe harbor and at other times during a voyage. Cattle were a popular choice, but dogs, foxes, fowl, sheep, horses and a whole ark of other animals have also been among the many animals sacrificed over the millennia to calm the seas.

Libations and offerings of honey, flour, money, cloth, cheese, bread, brandy, fruit, meat, oil, wine and other gifts have all sunk slowly to the depths, having been cast overboard by superstitious sailors hoping for successful and safe travels.

Much more at: LINK: Top 10 Sea Superstitions : Deadliest Catch : Discovery Channel

[John Arton]

I was always led to believe that killing an Albatross would bring bad luck upon your ship and that dolphins only ever followed a l ucky ship.
Regarding Albatross's, the journal I have that was written by a young lady who spent a voyage to San Fran and back on her fathers ship in around 1888 or so, has numerous references to the crew catching an Albatross for food. Now I am assuming that the term Albatross related to the same bird that we all knew when we were at sea.
If that is the case then when did it become a legend that it was bad luck to kill an Albatross?
rgds
JA

[John Gill]

I recall leaving the S america coast on a Blue Star boat when we ran into a ferocious storm, shipping them green she was. It was said the cause of the bad weather was that some member of the crew had omitted paying for the pleasures received from a lady of easy virtue in BA. Of course nobody would ever admit to doing a runner along Corrientes and heading back on board.
Gilly

[Keith at Tregenna]

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner:

LINK: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

K.

[Lou Barron]

Sailors are knowed to be one of the most people to be superstitious .Do not like sail on a Friday and whistling even the Japanese Navy banned whistling there are a lot of other superstitions .Seeing the ghost the white lady and there are lot more

[Red Lead Ted]

Tramped around the Caribbean on a Haines Norse chartered out to Harrison's for 4 months, Hit all the ports we would dream of had a ball {Downside} The bad luck was i paid off with pennies Was only home for 3 days ended up going back to the pool for a job Enjoyed it though Regards all Terry.

[happy daze john in oz]

Cutting your finger nails on a Friday was thought to bring bad luck. Trawler me would not was the day they sailed, and never sail on a Friday. I can remember a couple of guys who not only did not was Friday, they often ommited to wash other days as well.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Cutting your finger nails on a Friday was thought to bring bad luck. Trawler me would not was the day they sailed, and never sail on a Friday. I can remember a couple of guys who not only did not was Friday, they often ommited to wash other days as well.

Now John, put the Penfolds down and start again

[j.sabourn]

Ivan, maybe John in Oz has taken the brackets off and found the 78 bottles of Dr. Penfolds. Cheers John Sabourn