Myths or Not ?

[j.sabourn]

It used to be common practice on most of the ships that I sailed on that the first six steps or so on the gangway and accomodation ladder were painted white. This supposedly was to deter rats from using rather than the ropes which in most ports had to have rat guards on, this was required by the port health authority to supposedly to stop rats leaving the ship and going ashore. Most seamen myself included used to think it was to stop them coming on board. So we have a divided opinion on the subject. However most rats came on board via the grain shutes on grain ships. The white painted gangways I never noticed in latter years , is it still done ? The poor old rat must wonder if he is coming or going there being two opposing answers to the theoretical question. JS. PS I may have posted this before but in one Australian Post magazine ,now defunct , was a picture of a ships rat guard with painted on “Dear Rat please use Gangway. “ which further aggravates a true answer to the question. JS

[John Arton]

John
As regards rat guards I would guess the common thoughts were they were there to prevent rats getting on board rather than deserting the ship. In my latter years at sea I hardly ever saw rat guards, indeed cannot recall ever having seen them as part of the ships outfit but given that I was on tankers that even in ballast the freeboard was such that they could have just as easily jumped straight on board.
As regards accommodation ladders and gangways having the first three steps being painted white, never saw that as all gangways and ladders I sailed with were of aluminium construction so painting them white would require special paint.
Rgds
J.A

[Des Taff Jenkins]

I was on my first ship for two years, four trips; and the gangway was painted white I think the first three steps, I always thought it was to show drunken sailors where to step; instead of into the safety net. As for the rat guards, We were always told to put the smooth end towards the wharf to stop the rats climbing up, or was it to help the rat leave if she was a bad feeder, made no difference we still had rat chasing while cleaning the holds after a wheat or sugar cargo.
But as John A mentioned I can't remember any of the twelve tankers I was on having any guards out

[j.sabourn]

The wire back springs were hard to fit with a rat guard so we used to wrap the wire for about a 4 ft. Length with burlap and cover the burlap with grease as a deterrent for a rat doing a tightrope act. This would cover both options of going ashore or coming on board when thought about. At the time never thought too much about it ,it was a requirement for most ports and was the normal practice of seamen I suppose. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

JOhn.
I hope the grease was the right kind otherwise the rats would be well fed, or was that the idea get them fat and let them drop into the water.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Same stuff used on the pistons on open deck steam winches. JS.

[Michael Black]

Seem that the Cruise ships are still using rat guards, they put them on from the quay, we always hung them over the side onto the mooring rope, tieing them up with a rope tail.
Regards Michael

[j.sabourn]

Maybe dual purpose Michael keeps the stowaways off as well ? JS

[Alan Briggs]

They are still using them Michael.