S.H.I.T.
My Uncle just sent this to me. I found it interesting, and pretty funny, so I thought I might share...
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Certain types of manure used to be transported (as everything was back
then) by ship.
Well, in dry form it weighs a lot less, but once water (at sea) hits
it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began
once again. The by product of this fermentation is methane gas.
As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could
(and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks, and the first
time someone came below at night with a lantern ---- BOOOOM!
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was discovered
what was happening.
After that the bundles of manure where always stamped with the term
"S.H.I.T" on them which meant to the sailors to "Ship High In Transit".
In other words high enough off the lower decks so that any water that
came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the
production of methane. The connotation (S.H.I.T) is still with us today.
Bet you didn't know that one.
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Last edited by shopgirl; 09-10-2002 at 08:40 PM.
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