Why Sailors Can't Swim and Other Marvellous Maritime Curiosities

by Nic Compton

Why will a sailor never go to sea on Friday 13th?
Why are boats always referred to as 'she'?
How do you navigate the ocean without a compass?
Does the Bermuda Triangle really exist?
Why do sailors wear earrings?
Did Blackbeard actually exist?
Did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy'?
What is the correct way to bury a body at sea?
Why is a rope never called a rope?

This fascinating collection of maritime folklore and trivia delves into the history, science and culture of the sea, and is packed full of entertaining, surprising and insightful facts, from the delightfully obscure to the amusingly quaint, including everyday expressions that have their origins on board ship. It is a complete treasure trove for young and old alike.

Topics sailors and superstitions; ships and shipbuilding; navigation and seamanship; pirates and smugglers; fish and fishermen; coasts and oceans; tides and weather; art and literature of the sea.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Nic Compton is a writer/photographer specialising in sailing - but with a keen interest in environmental issues. After an idyllic childhood on boats in the Mediterranean, he returned to the UK at age 14 to complete his formal education, including in a degree in English with American & Commonwealth Arts at Exeter University. After a decade or so working as a journeyman shipwright, he studied Journalism at City University, eventually fetching up at the offices of Classic Boat in land-locked Croydon. He was deputy editor and then editor of the magazine from 1994 to 2000. That was when he gave up the security of the monthly pay packet for the vagaries of freelance life. Since then he has travelled the world as a writer/photographer, contributing to a variety of magazines, and has written 15 books mostly about boats. He recently completed an MA in Global Political Economy at Sussex University, and co-wrote two books about economics. He currently lives by the River Dart in Devon, UK, from where he sails a Romilly 22 called Ramona. More information at www.niccompton.co.uk.

Reviews

[Wouter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes on sailing

[Vera Pleijsier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and easy to read! I learned a lot!