Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 : 9781518750137

Give a ship an unlucky name, and it will last throughout the whole of her career. A sailor is proverbially superstitious, and he clings jealously to tradition. It is told that when the frigate Chesapeake was launched she stuck fast on the ways, and did not reach the water until the following day, which was Friday. Although she was a fine vessel to look at, she grounded upon the bar upon her first attempt to sail, and, when once free, behaved herself in such a lubberly fashion that those who witnessed her starting out declared she was bewitched. Even after many changes had been made in the length of her masts, in the weight of spars, and the cut of sails, still she was considered by many a failure. And, although her sailing qualities improved as time went on, yet her bad name stuck to her, as bad names will.

Author: James Barnes

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Nov 05, 2015

Number of Pages: 114 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1518750133

ISBN-13: 9781518750137