OUR ARTICLE titled "Should ships be referred to as she or it" (FTW July 12, 2002) attracted a good deal of reader response. Here are some of the theories: As I understand it, the reference to a ship as 'she' goes way back to when all ships were constructed with a figurehead on the bow. This figurehead represented a goddess (a particular one I think, but cannot recall which one) who, it was said, would protect the ship and crew. This is why ships became known as 'she'. Ron Bevan, East Coast Maritime. 'She' refers to a mother's touch, high value cargo, crew, bunkers etc all under her safe arms, everybody (ship owner, forwarders, shippers, consignees) relying on her to keep things going smoothly. Mfanafuthi Khuzwayo, Safmarine "She" for a vessel has been traditional for many years and I believe that only a "she" would have the guts and bravado to face terrifying oceans throughout the world. This one's for the girls!! Ron Peterson, Samsung Having read the article I think that the comments must have come mainly from the male gender. I see aship as an efficient mode of transport that conquers many obstacles to get where she is going, so yes, she must remain a she. Karen-Sue Sacks, Heneways
