Nautical terms
 

I figure I would start a thread on this since I am looking for a particular answer.

When most of the sailors are on top of the deck like in Das Boot as they sail away or sail into port... waving goodbye to loved ones.

Obviously you would not want that on patrol. Is there a name for that? Like presentation or something.

This practice is known as manning the rails. It is a means of saluting or rendering honors. The custom is derived from manning the yards going back to sailing ships.





http://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.m...3-1024x731.jpg




Manning the rails. A great Navy tradition. :Kaleun_Salute:


For a more detailed explanation, google " manning the Rails. "





I hope this helps.

Thanks I appreciate that!

^ You are very welcome. :)

Just to add to CW there manning the rails in a foreign port isnt just about showing respect its also to show the gun / weapons are not manned which show no hostile intent.

I saw this once as a boy, when the USS Randolph sailed into Portsmouth Harbour (UK). My uncle was a meteorological officer on board and we were there to meet him off the ship. I thought it a magnificent sight (Summer, so all in whites) but that's very interesting about the guns... something I didn't know about before

:yep:

:yep: Very true and another added benefit to " manning the rails." Although, in modern warships, the fire control would be inside the ship. Then again, who would fire their weapons with sailors on deck. I knew you would be along in short order to clear everything up. :yep:

I think manning the rails was also a great way for the U-Boat men to pick the nurses they wanted while approaching the pier! That’s what I’d do!

And vice versa.

The nurses could check out the stock and see if they saw anything interesting. :)

^ The both of you are rogues. :haha: I would do the same thing, though.

Now we've got that settled, can anyone tell me where the phrase "Avaaarst there, me hearties" comes from?

Avast is to cease or stop; me hearties was a term for basic sailor.

Avast originally comes from the Dutch hou vast (“hold tight”).

"Jungs holt fast (und kikt in die Sünn)" in german (quote from Graf Luckner)Usually it meant to pull a rope or tow, but also meant to not give up and stand fast (and look towards the sun).

Seen this "manning the rails" on the »Gorch F0ck« (on sailing ships the yards are manned) , but also at various events like "Operation Sail" in Hamburg, and Bremerhaven.