she shipped it green, but what does it mean?

Subject: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Margo
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 11:59 AM

The phrase "shipped it green" appears in a number of sea shantys. I'm pretty good about looking up phrases and words I don't know but I can't find reference to this one anywhere. What does it mean? Thanks,

Margarita

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: gargoyle
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 01:00 PM

The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang 1994 Vol 1.

green n. 1. GREENHORN 1. Mil & Naut a raw recruit

1825 in OEDS:It appears that George Charteris....had been "doing" the green, and taking in the "deep one," quite in the gull-catching style.

1888 in OED The master sweater gets hold of a new hand, a greener, as he is termed, and pays him a shilling a day.

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 02:14 PM

"The wind was foul an' the sea ran high,
She shipped it green an' none went by".

or; "She shipped green water night & day"

Sailing in rough seas & taking water over the sides. Green water is water between land & the continental self - shallow water is green, water beyond the continental shelf is deep or blue water. Shipping water is never blue though.
Green hand in a new hand that can't yet hold on to what's in their stomach. Barry

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 11:13 PM

When you are on the deck of a ship (sailing or otherwise) and a solid wave of water (continental or deep ocean) comes over and completely submerges you, all you can see is green. Regards Ted

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Mo
Date: 24 Jan 99 - 09:38 AM

Funny, It always looks grey to me.... usually matches the sky too... Mo

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: GUEST,Scumbags and scall a wags
Date: 26 Apr 21 - 06:34 AM

"and none went by.." means she drank every wave o'er the bow.
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Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Apr 21 - 02:27 PM

I love this place.

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 06:22 AM

Shipping it green just means that the wave that breaks over the ship is deep enough at deck level to be a solid wall of water, unbroken, not surf.

Robin

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 06:41 AM

Just listening to the late and much lamented Joe Stead singing this great song, he definately sings the line ' she shifted green and none went by.'

Dave H

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 03:07 PM

joe stead, i was at his first gig.

Subject: RE: she shipped it green, but what does it mean?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 03:41 PM

I think BBCW is as near as you can get.