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Mast step

To: <swiftsolo@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Mast step
From: "Greg Ryan" <gregoryrryan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 11:59:01 -0400
Reply-to: "Greg Ryan" <gregoryrryan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
By the way for those attaching the mast step here is some saftey advice. 

In the days of wooden ships, it was customary to place coins under the mast of 
a ship as it was being built. Usually the highest minted coin of the realm. 
This practice began with the ancient Romans, who would place a coin in the 
mouths of the dead, enabling them to pay Charon, a mythological ferryman for 
the departed, to transport them across the River Styx to begin the afterlife. 
Normally the coin is gold, but silver works too..Charon just wants his money. 
It was said that if a ship met with mishap at sea, the placement of coins under 
the mast would ensure that the fare for the trip across the River Styx would be 
paid for all.


This custom has outlasted the gods and goddesses of Roman mythology. One 
Spanish wreck found off the coast of England had a coin dated 1618 under its 
mast. When USS New Orleans was built, officers placed a total of 33 pennies, 
nickels and dimes under her foremast and mainmast.


With the birth of steam-powered ships and naval aviation, the custom continued, 
but pilots' wings and surface warfare insignia replaced the coins.

Greg

Tempting fate, its better safe than sorry.


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