The ancient
Greeks understood this. You will recall that Xenophon, the historian, once
asked his wife Philesia for something in their house, and she couldn't find it.
So Xenophon proceeded to lecture her.
He described
a visit he had made to a Phoenician ship: "I have never seen gear so well
arranged, or so many coils of rope and tackles stowed away so neatly. A ship
needs a large number of spars and warps when she enters port or puts to sea;
much rigging when under sail, and contrivances to protect her against enemy
craft.
"She
carries a stand of arms for the crew and each mess needs a set of household
utensils. In addition, she carries a cargo which the captain sells for profit.
All the gear necessary for these several functions was contained in a small
store not more than 15 by 12 feet."
Xenophon
continued: "I noticed that each article was so neatly stowed that it was
ready to hand; it had not to be searched for and there was nothing to cast off
and cause delay when anything was needed in a hurry.
"I
found that the bosun knew each particular locker so well that he could, even
when on deck, say exactly where anything was stowed and how much there was of
it. I saw this man in his off-duty time inspecting all the stores most likely
to be needed. I asked him why he did
this.
" 'Sir,'
he said, 'I am looking to see that all the gear is properly stowed, nothing
foul, nothing missing. For when God sends a storm at sea there is no time for
searching for gear or clearing it if foul. God threatens and punishes careless
sailors and you are lucky if you escape with your lives. You are fortunate if,
even when you show good seamanship, he brings you safe into port.'"
Xenophon then
admonished Philesia for not being able to do the same thing in a large house
founded on solid earth, furnished with ample storerooms. I don't know if Philesia was ever able to
improve her performance to Xenophon's satisfaction, but I do know it's
important for sailboats of all sizes to make every attempt to keep all the gear
neat and tidy, which calls for a plentitude of stowage spaces (and preferably a
handy diagram showing what's stowed where, if you haven't got the kind of
memory displayed by that Phoenician bosun).
Today's Thought
Method is good in all things. Order governs
the world. The Devil is the author of confusion.
— Swift, Letters: To Stella
Tailpiece
"Excuse
me, sir, but this coin you just gave me is counterfeit.""Well then you may have it, my man. Keep it for your honesty."
(Drop by every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for a new Mainly about Boats column.)
1 comment:
Xenophon should, perhaps, have taken care not to annoy his First Mate.
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