In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common to those areas not blessed with an abundant natural supply.

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, B O O O O M!

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." (ship high in transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.

Just because.....!

It is that wonderful time of year again (10 November), where ALL MARINES, current and former look around for a fellow Marine to say... HAPPY 233rd BIRTHDAY, DEVIL DOG!!

Since 1775, the United States Marines have made the world a safer and better place to live.

There are so many, but I wished to share some of my favorite quotes about the United States Marines...

** President Ronald Reagan said in 1985,
>> Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem!

** RAdm."Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995 said,
>> Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat.

** Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991 said,
>> They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And
then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these
really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which
means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake."

** Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997 said,
>> The United States Marine Corps, with it fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth.

There is only one thing in this world that I hold near and dear to my heart.... Every United States Marine (which, I too am proud to claim the title).
This which has always been and will continue to be my most cherished accomplishment.

Here is a link for GoDaddy.com to a wonderful United States Marine Corps Birthday Tribute! The CEO & Founder of GoDaddy.com, Bob Parsons, is himself a Decorated Former Marine and Purple Heart Recipient (Vietnam). OOH-RAH!

www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/usmc2007/playmovie.asp

As a final note, in history, as always there is a war on somewhere in the world and the United States Marines are always there to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

SEMPER FIDELIS or Semper Fi as it has come to be known, is the Marines motto and it means "Always Faithful"!

I have always believed it to be true.

SEMPER FI... is a Way of Life!!

I also wish to say Thank You to them for their sacrifice and eternal dedication to "DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY".

As to our other serviceman & woman, I also send best wishes for a safe tour and GODSPEED home to your families.

"FAIR WINDS and FOLLOWING SEAS" to all my brothers, sisters (and cousins in other branches of the armed services).