A 19th century American boarding pike

[M ELEY]

Thank you folks for explaining the odd terminologies in maritime use. I just think it's strange that 'orlop' originated from Dutch, yet it was used pretty much across the board for all ships at the time. Rick, I need to buy that nautical dictionary of yours for further reading! Now...why do some say 'starboard' and others 'larboard' but they mean the same thing!?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Now...why do some say 'starboard' and others 'larboard' but they mean the same thing!?

It's all there Captain ... and sounds reliable.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_and_starboard

[fernando]

Amazing that, over here, the term pike is only attributed to those rather long ones used by infantry (Pike men). These 'short' boarding ones we (Portuguese) call them chuços and the Spaniards, chuzos.
Just for the sake of comparison, i will show here three mid 19th century Spanish variations; the first one, four faceted, with a 9 1/2" head, a 8 foot total length and 1 1/2 pole diameter; the second one, with approx. the same length, a slightly thinner pole and a rather long head 15 1/2". And the third one, a kind of a bizarre variation, with twin short heads (less than 6") one in each end of the pole. The total length less than 5 foot, the pole diameter 1 1/4".
(Courtesy B. Barceló Rubi)

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[M ELEY]

Thank you for posting these, Fernando! I had heard of the rare, two-headed version, but only seen drawing of it and not the real deal! A very interesting type! I'd love to have one in my collection!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... A very interesting type! I'd love to have one in my collection!

I shall see to it, Captain .

[M ELEY]

Originally Posted by fernando

I shall see to it, Captain .

I'll hold you to it! Actually, this design would have to be used very carefully on a crowded deck. Otherwise, as Dmitri pointed out (pardon the pun!), you could easily stab the guy behind you!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

I'll hold you to it! Actually, this design would have to be used very carefully on a crowded deck. Otherwise, as Dmitri pointed out (pardon the pun!), you could easily stab the guy behind you!

Perhaps this was a weapon for resource, for when the guys on your back were also part of the enemy .

[Dmitry]

A two-bladed pike?! I wouldn't want to be in the second row...

[David R]

[QUOTE=M ELEY;263093! Now...why do some say 'starboard' and others 'larboard' but they mean the same thing!?[/QUOTE]

They don't, starboard went back to the days of a steering oar on one side, and larboard was the other side. Eventually to avoid confusion the terms Port and Starboard ware adopted.
Why an international (for the most part) vocabulary, because the crews were (For the most part)!

[M ELEY]

Originally Posted by David R

They don't, starboard went back to the days of a steering oar on one side, and larboard was the other side. Eventually to avoid confusion the terms Port and Starboard ware adopted.
Why an international (for the most part) vocabulary, because the crews were (For the most part)!

Thanks for that clarification, David. I know many nautical terms came and went depending on the advancements of sailing. In my writings, I was told by one gent that the proper spelling of the front of the ship was 'bough', not bow. Yet, I haven't come across any documentation to support that unless, like our 'larboard', it is a colloquel spelling?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... I was told by one gent that the proper spelling of the front of the ship was 'bough', not bow. ..Yet, I haven't come across any documentation to support that

( The Oxford Universal Dictionary Illustrated, 1933)


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[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Now...why do some say 'starboard' and others 'larboard' but they mean the same thing!?...

Originally Posted by David R

They don't, starboard went back to the days of a steering oar on one side, and larboard was the other side. Eventually to avoid confusion the terms Port and Starboard ware adopted.
Why an international (for the most part) vocabulary, because the crews were (For the most part)!

Was the link in my post #45 a wrong source ?...

[David R]

Possibly a more authoritative source.... https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/port-starboard.html

[David R]

Originally Posted by fernando

Was the link in my post #45 a wrong source ?...

Not at all. Sometimes stuff just gets repeated.