Exciting historical information you need to know about shipping Manure: > >In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. >It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of >manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a >lot less than when wet. >But once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process >of fermentation began again, of which a by-product 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 determined just >what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped >with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them which meant for the sailors to >stow it 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. >Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T.," which has come down through the centuries >and is in use to this very day. >You probably did not know the true history of this word. >Neither did I. >I always thought it was a golf term.

This was totally inappropriate to be sent out over this list, and it should not be repeated. This had nothing whatsoever to do with genealogy, and should have been deleted by the listowner before it ever got on the sight. Leave the garbage to private emails, as it has no place on a genealogy list. Timothy L. Robinson Baltimore, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Goad" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 6:29 PM Subject: [MDCECIL] Useful Info | Exciting historical information you need to know about shipping Manure: | > | >In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. |

Inappropriate or not, you have to lighten up, Timothy. You'll live longer. This type of stuff, and much worse, pops every now and then on all of the lists. Some people show indignation while others silently chuckle. Bob Wilson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Timothy L. Robinson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 5:33 PM Subject: Re: [MDCECIL] Useful Info-Not! : This was totally inappropriate to be sent out over this list, and it : should not be repeated. This had nothing whatsoever to do with : genealogy, and should have been deleted by the listowner before : it ever got on the sight. : Leave the garbage to private emails, as it has no place on a : genealogy list. : : Timothy L. Robinson : Baltimore, Maryland : : ----- Original Message ----- : From: "Shirley Goad" <[email protected]> : To: <[email protected]> : Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 6:29 PM : Subject: [MDCECIL] Useful Info : : : | Exciting historical information you need to know about shipping Manure: : | > : | >In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. : | : : : : ============================== : To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: : http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 : :