Topic: Naval Superstitions!

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Not forgetting that when sewing up the canvas
the last stitch went through the nose,
making sure the sailor was well and truly dead!!

Never heard that one but yes, very practical! hmmmm.
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It was believed that the seas could be calmed by a woman exposing her breasts,
hence why a lot of ships figureheads are of naked women...

I know it has an immediate calming effect on me, so why not on the sea as well!

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I guess this old guy..


has quite the opposite effect then?
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Playing cards were thought of as unlucky at sea. Cards have always been connected with fortune telling and were thought of as the Devil's picture books. It was said that tearing up a deck, and tossing it overboard, will produce a favorable change in the wind.

This probably came about to stop sailors sitting about gambling rather than attending to their duties.

I was told that a distant ancestor of mine (Pollard) surname. Was the man who shot the man who shot Nelson. I did see a long time ago some documents that a relative had got that he was indeed the man! I will try and get some proof. Stirred my interest now. Carol.

Was he a Cornish man Carol? loads of Pollards down here.

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Was he a Cornish man Carol? loads of Pollards down here.

I really dont know. I am going to look into this further. I had forgotten about it until Aplmac put the pics. on. All I know is what a relative told me, they had followed it up and got the documentation from archives (Falmouth? Plymouth?) I WILL check and let you know. I am intrigued now. Not do me any good one way or the other. But want to know. Carol

Carol, the saying is Tre,Pol Pen beginning a surname, is the name of a true Cornishman,they all went to sea in those days, or were pressed ganged into the Navy.

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Carol, the saying is Tre,Pol Pen beginning a surname, is the name of a true Cornishman,they all went to sea in those days, or were pressed ganged into the Navy.

I have just found out that he was buried in Cornwall. His middlle name was West we think? Delving deeper now. Because my uncle was John West Pollard. Probably just a coincidence, but very interesting. Will find out more. Carol

Amazing isn't it how with just a name you can trace back through the centuries these days, please let me know how you get on.

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I have just found out that he was buried in Cornwall. His middlle name was West we think? Delving deeper now. Because my uncle was John West Pollard. Probably just a coincidence, but very interesting. Will find out more. Carol

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Pollard is also in my ancestory, my mother, but born in Luton, do not know where her father originated from.
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