Les from Hull, the explanation given regarding the origins of "2 - 6 Heave" were exactly as explained to us during basic training in the Royal Navy. I would venture to guess that if they don't bloody well know, nobody else alive can shed any authorative light on it. Personally I'm more than prepared to believe it. Gunners were specialists and seperate from the sailors who made up the guns crews, so your thoughts on numbering and function goes right out the window.

Gargoyle, unless you actually served in the Navy and/or worked longer at sea than I did, then I'd back my experience and knowledge of matters relating to the Royal Navy and life at sea against yours any day. And not to bruise your ego too much, if you think for one milli-second that I'd pay attention to any little forum Hitler who tries to tell me where I can, or where I cannot post on this forum, then damn well think again, you are going to be bitterly disappointed.