To protect himself from the sea, the sailor maintains superstitions. Some are based on concrete facts, others on falsehoods. But these stories are still relevant even on our modern boats.
Rabbit
We never say that name on board! It's probably the ban that has the hardest life among sailors. We are just talking about the"big-eared animal". Some allow themselves to speak of the"hare's cousin" but no more.
Originally, the rabbit was taken on board to serve as food on board. In order to preserve him better, he was taken alive. This rodent had a tendency to nibble on the hemp ropes and especially the hemp stuffing that caulked the hull. Hence some ships that would have sunk because of rabbits..
Woman on board
Fortunately, this is a superstition that is no longer valid. But until the end of the 18th century, the presence of a woman on board was bad luck. Indeed, a woman turned the heads of sailors deprived of theirs for long months. This temptation could create dissension in an already hard-to-manage crew.
Champagne and baptism
A bottle of champagne that doesn't break when its godmother tries to break it on the bow is a bad sign. Some don't hesitate to choose a strong godmother and to brief her on the importance of the gesture. Others also admit to"preparing" the bottle with a few saw cuts beforehand..
The champagne on the bow keeps the bad spells away from the boat.
Friday
We don't go to sea on Fridays. Just like you don't put a boat in the water that day. We have to look far to find the origins of this tradition, more than superstition. In religion, it is the day when disasters happen. This superstition still exists today.
Thirteen
If we train a crew, we will try to be 14 rather than 13 on board.
Whistle
Whistling is totally forbidden on board. That would raise the wind and bring the storm. A sailor can whistle on land. Only the cook had the right to whistle on board, because as long as he did, he did not eat the provisions on board.
There are many other superstitions, including some related to fishermen. Like spitting on a net to make the fish come or not swearing, because the fish is leaking..
