Well I never!

In the 16th and
17th centuries, everything had to be  transported by ship and it was
also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of
manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it
weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it
not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again,
of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below
decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. 

Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, KAAAABOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T " , (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.

Neither did I.

I had always thought it was a golf term.

Edited by Phat Bouy

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Phat Bouy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 15 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 168	Post Options Post Reply Quote Phat Bouy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Well I never! Posted: 21 Jun 06 at 7:08pm
	In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, KAAAABOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T " , (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I had always thought it was a golf term. Edited by Phat Bouy
	Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

Isis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Isis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jun 06 at 7:15pm
	wow, learn something new everyday...

les5269 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1530	Post Options Post Reply Quote les5269 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jun 06 at 9:17pm
	So how did you get up to your neck in it ..........?
	49er 531 & 5000 5025 and a mirror(now gone to mirror heaven)! Grafham water Sailing Club The greatest inland sailing in the country