The Superstitious Sailor: Whistling on a Ship

"You'll whistle up a storm", how true is that statement, and where did it come from. Find out here!
#history #superstition

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[Merennulli]

I've always had bad luck when whistling. It invariably reveals my secret that I am a terrible whistler.

[estern]

Can confirm. US Sailor for 12 years. Your shipmates will give you a death stare if you whistle aboard ship. And if you don't stop, someone will stop you.

[ExUSSailor]

I was introduced to that superstition by an old Chief, on my very first cruise. Fresh out of A School, a brand new Hull Tech, I was cleaning & stowing DC gear after a drill. I was quietly whistling to myself, until I heard, "Shipmate!" from behind me. This Chief then preceeded to dress me down for whistling aboard ship.

[BellhopStitch]

I have a fascinating addendum to this. I went to (and still am) in school for theater. Theater practitioners are notorious for their superstitions (Don't say Macbeth in a theater, don't walk under a ladder, etc) but one of those was also "Do not whistle on stage." I was taught that this stemmed from the early days of theater. Early stage hands in the more modern and complex theaters were sailors in port. The rigging and fly lines were run by these sailors, particularly due to their knowledge and skills at rigging on ships, and as such, they would use whistles commands to adjust the rigging accordingly. Whistling was forbidden outside of this context for fear that a whistle could cause a piece of scenery to suddenly, and dangerously, change.

[Gunblader]

In our darkest time of need, when all hope was fading, Maritime Horrors returns to brighten our lives again! Lets go!!!! We missed you!

[SimpleTon]

Swedish navy here. We don’t whistle onboard with one exception: the ships cook should whistle if peeling shrimp or strawberries so you know he/she is not eating them. Mostly harmless fun and a tradition, but it still hold true, at least in our navy.

[franciszeklatinik]

I was wondering when you would upload again

[apancher]

We've missed you! I hope all is well with you and those you care about. Fair winds and following seas, sir!

[ZDCastle]

lol. Whistling with your mouth is bad on ships, but whistling through a metal whistle is totally fine. The sea understands metal whistles and does NOT feel challenged by them 😂

[theonetruedoomslayer]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for. I learned that whistling on a ship is a bad thing when I did it during my shiphandling class.

[TitaniusAnglesmith]

Glad you're back! Was getting a little worried

[walterathow]

thanks for the upload I was wondering what happen to you. whatever you do don't whist to you get back.

[fernandomarques]

General quarters, general quarters!
All hands, man your watching stations.
We've got a new Maritime Horrors video to watch!

[relwaretep]

Shall be working during the release of the video, super looking forward to catching up during my break. Glad to hear you're still productive, hope your qualifications came through!

[calamity]

As someone who is still in school and plans to become a sailor I love this series and cannot wait for more.

[TheWiseGuyzz]

Thank you for uploading! We LOVE your content. Fair weather and following seas!

[jonathanfrank]

He’s back!
Glad to hear from you Boats!

[lindagreen]

Been missing you. Looking to more said this old 73 year old great granny/ Be safe

[iambrando]

He’s back! I feared you had bananas on board and met a horrible fate

[Ironknuckle]

There he is! Been wondering where he’d gotten to. Glad to see some new content.