A deep dive into the meaning and origin of ‘old salt’
The term “old salt” is widely understood to mean an experienced or seasoned mariner. But how many years of sailing experience does it take for one to be given the tag? I have known some fellows who chalked up enough seagoing service to get licensed as masters in their early 30s. Can they be called “old salts”?
The wonders of old Venice come to life in watercolour
Some of the most alluring and interesting artworks that feature Venice are those executed in watercolour. The reason for this has as much to do with the peculiarities of the medium as with the timeless appeal of the city’s grand architecture and its quaint bridges and charming gondolas.
A dire warning to seafarers who are womanisers
I recently came across an interesting old ballad called ‘The Sailor’s Tragedy’. Also known as ‘The Dreadful Ghost’, the song was published in 1826 by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in an eight-page booklet that included three other ballads. It reminds me of the maritime Lotharios and skirt-chasers I have encountered in real life.
Pilot boats on the move: 12 striking colour photographs
The sight of a beautiful pilot boat sprinting and whipping up giant spumes could give one an adrenalin rush. It might even make young men and women want to become pilots. The exhilaration and thrill, however, cannot mask the cold reality: pilotage is hard work, and those who have chosen it as a career face constant danger.
Humans on hot days: Refreshing vintage photographs
On sweltering days, humans are instinctively drawn to water. The mere sight of it evokes a feeling of delight and even joy. The following vintage photos may not bring surcease to those suffering from the current heat wave that is gripping many countries. Nonetheless, they should be refreshing to the eyes, if not to the spirit.
The waterside paintings of Mademoiselle Berthe Morisot
The small Paris circle of artists who started what was to become known as Impressionism included a woman. Her name: Berthe Morisot (born 14 January 1841, Bourges, France—died 2 March 1895, Paris). By all indications, Morisot was liked and considered an equal by the other members of the group, which included the great Claude Monet. Even so, she had to put up with 19th-century male prejudice.
9 most shocking remarks from folks in maritime Manila
When in maritime Manila, expect the unexpected. You might hear words uttered that will jolt you and make you wonder if you’re watching an absurdist comedy. But it is no play. It is real life.
Glimpses of water and boats in the art of Rembrandt
The 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn painted only one seascape. This is not so surprising. Religious subjects, mythological characters, and portraits make up the bulk of Rembrandt’s oeuvre. But how one wishes that he had created more sea paintings
Words sweeten and mask reality in the shipping world
People in the shipping world love talking, and they are infatuated with words. How else can one explain the never-ending string of maritime conferences; the highfalutin awards dinner speeches; and the Day of the Seafarer slogans warbled by officials of IMO London and echoed by just about everyone in shipping?
The difference between bay and harbour illustrated with art
Bay or harbour? Which of these two terms to use can sometimes pose a dilemma. Official names help to some extent — e.g., “New York Harbor” and “Manila Bay”. But one may well ask: what is the difference between the two given that ships regularly come in and out of both places?
Mind-blowing photographs of ships with myriad sails
Most people, I guess, would be impressed by colour pictures of supertankers and mega cruise ships. As for me, I prefer to look at old photographs of four- or five-masted ships. The sight of these leviathans of yore stirs up my imagination.
10 simple ways to make seafarers happy
Most seafarers, I believe, have modest demands. They just want to earn an honest living and take care of their families with the least hassle possible. They don’t want to be treated like royalty or hailed as heroes on the annual Day of the Seafarer. Alas, what little they expect is often tossed overboard in a shipping world that is driven by the love of money.
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