The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #171678   Message #4153936
Posted By: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
27-Sep-22 - 08:23 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Off She Goes
Subject: RE: Origins: Off She Goes
“At six o'clock on the morning of the tenth, the sound went forth, all hands up, anchor ho o o ey. Ship the capstain bars there, carpenters, bring too forward, jump down there, tier men, and coil away the cable. Aye, aye, Sir. Are you ready there forward ? All ready Sir. Heave away. What kind of a drawling tune is that you Fifer? Strike up, "Off she goes,” or “drops of brandy.” Aye, that is the tune. Keep step there, all of ye, and stamp and go. Light round the messenger there, aft, hand forward the nippers, you boys. The anchor is a-peak, Sir. Very well. Thick and dry for weighing there below.”
[Sam Spritsail, Chap. IV., The Paisley Magazine, Vol.1, 1828]
Note, See also: Landsman Hay, above.

Capt. Crunch voice: Hatch the mizzen! Abaft the binnacle! Ah-ban-don ship!