Searoom makes an offering...(this is not Ralph)

DENAMING and RENAMING

This subject has caused much derision and division amongst sailors for
years. But one only has to look around and see boats that have had many name
changes and still are afloat and serving their masters well. Do not fear
change if you see fit. Some say that only wooden boats have a soul and
therefore must never have name changes. It’s simple not true. Oh
sure lots of horror stories about it. And anyone can tell ghost stories
but this long message may shed some light on the subject. I have done
some research .

The boat has been seen as a religious as well as a utilitarian icon, with
and without a soul. In the beginning "blessing" a ship was not for the
soul of the boat but for the souls of those who were going to be aboard.
Early mariners were much more fearful of the gods themselves rather
than of the boat. Some cultures ( both in the Orient
and the Mediterranean) painted eyes on the boat to ward off evil gods
trying to make the boat "appear" as alive. Boats were not given souls
until quite late in the sea travels of man. Vessels were made of straw
also hides as well as wood, were all given sacrifices to the gods. Again the hope was
to protect the sailor from the unhappy gods.
As an aside, referring to a ship as "she" comes quite late in boating history,
in fact it may be the introduction of the idea of a "soul". After all a man at
sea for a verylong time may want the companionship of a good (or bad) woman. He
couldn't blame the captain for his troubles ( mutiny!) but he could
blame the woman. :-)

These years,we see ships of iron, aluminum, Ferro cement and laminates of
glass, carbon fiber, Kevlar and who knows what, the sailors who sail in those
beautiful boats would seem to want the gods to send "kindly" seas and
winds as did the later mariners.

Having said all that, the main thing is to just go and have fun renaming your boat. It's fun to gather family and friends around the boat, that you may have pride
in, for a joyous ceremony. A splash of wine (Red Wine please See below…) and some
laughing will surely please both the gods and the wooden OR plastic soul
of the vessel. :-)

As a further help I offer the following article that I
Wrote….

Ralph's Really Righteous Renaming Regimen

First: You must DE-name: Example; Bless the former name and allow that
name to go to the everlasting sea. ( A simple thanks for it's former service
and a good-bye to.... "Old name here"..... should do.) Also remove ALL traces
of the original name.

Second: You must establish the new name - Now here comes the fun part !!

1ST method ----You must pour very good red wine (RED wine, NOT bubbly-
see below ) on the bow and offer some to the god Poseidon (Neptune)
pouring the wine into the waters of the Home Port, saying out loud the
new name, asking Poseidon to bless the boat and all who ride within. If
it is a sailboat, don't forget Aeolus, the god of winds. Both gods
blessings required. Also, the Captain(owner), crew and guests should sip
the wine as well (spill and intake quantity is not limited ! The gods like
generosity ! )

2nd method ---- After de-naming : Scuttle the boat out of sight of
land -re float and rename - not many of us can do that one ! ( at least not on
purpose) :-)

3rd method ---- -- Have a Virgin urinate on the bow while renaming the
boat and asking Poseidon's blessing -- The major problem here is
ahhhhhh -- Well, I'll let you work on that one.

I used method 1 and 3 ( a friend has a baby girl). By the way, all the
methods have REAL historical backgrounds, Such as :

Red wine is the wine to spill , it symbolizes the blood of a virgin (yep,
they used to sacrifice a virgin and spill the blood on the boat). In
later history the blood of captured enemies or slaves was used.

Urine has a history that is almost as fascinating. In some cultures leather was
used to cover boats and urine helped tan the leather. The moon was most
often considered female and urine and monthly cycles had connection with
blood. Urine was also used to "wash" away old things and to clean
wounds. Since boats were thought to have souls, when captured, the soul
needed to have the old wounds washed away and re named to reflect the new
owners culture.

Do not use Champagne!
Drink it, don’t splash it on a vessel !
Champagne is a very "new" invention and was not used until the late 19th
century. A “Gimick” that the Champagne producers came up with to SELL more wine.
You can blame Cliquot and Moet for the “tradition“ of champagne.
Today several Large ship builders refuse to use champagne to christen their ships.
all because of what they considered to be too much of a commercial intrusion.

Later in the history of ship building christening a NEW ship may have symbolized baptismal water. And Champagne may be viewed as that.
By the way the word "christening" should be a consideration when
renaming. Not a religious thing but you really are not christening a
new boat when renaming. Also, It is possible some folks might feel it not
appropriate to use Greek and Roman gods to bless a "Christ-ening"
If that is a concern , Then simply exchange the “Gods” names and use
LORD or God in the place of the Mythilogical names

One last NOTE…. For hundreds of years..
Garlands of Flowers and or.. Greenery from TREES or LEAVES from trees …
Were used to decorate the vessel…
Today it’s acceptable to either place flowers or Greenery.. OR
Decorate the boat with flags and Pennants…

Lots of wild, weird, whacky and wonderful myths float around these lumps
that have rags hanging from sticks and that displace a pile of water !

During the De-Naming - Renaming ceremony ( which ever one you choose )
Please feel free to include the Ode to the sea and wind gods called " To
Appease the Spirits of the Seas " which I wrote......................

FORMER NAME and HISTORY REMOVAL Reading…To be done at the beginning of the celbration

I bid hail !! Aeolus and Poseidon !
And seek your benefaction upon this vessel ,
May the name she carried before, be gone as the winds of yore,
Having served the former master with honor.
I now, with deep respect, petition you royal beings ,
To give this vessel’s new hailing and her next voyages, your kindnesses.
Be it known by one and all! This vessel, from this day, will be hailed
as, “.....new name.......“ !

I further offer the following plea ..............
( can be read separately at another time…)

Title……TO APPEASE the SPIRITS of the SEAS

(To be read as wine or liquid is spilled on the vessel being RENAMED )

Aeolus, whose mighty hand doth charge the wind,
To this vessel gentle zephyrs send,
And we who sail within will bend
Our heads in tribute, Never end.

With breath from high that maketh heaven’s breeze,
To cause we sailors joy , or fear, upon the seas.
We call upon you Aeolus, please -
grant this ship and its’ mortal ease.

O! Poseidon, you spirit god of waters great and small,
On this vessel, by your grace, allow these sons and daughters all,
to pass from port of hailing to their port of call,
And on these sailing subjects make your gentle blessings fall.

You who cause the seas to rage or lie in sweet repose,
Please list’ to we mariners here, your servants of the flows.
This ship, the captain, crew and all of those -
Who love the wind and seas - will follow where thee goes

Ralph E. Ahseln
(C) April 1996 (revised 2003)
Gresham OR
rahseln@comcast.net