Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left” and “right?”

Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by nicky0 on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @02:49AM (#35625066)

Have a read (or listen to the brilliantly read audiobook) of Master and Commander, and the subsequent series of novels by Patrick O'Brien. Apart from being entertaining historical novels, you learn a lot about naval life and terminology. Reading them I am struck by just how much nautical lingo made its way into common English usage.

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Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by drpixie on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @04:16AM (#35625690)

And if you like the O'Brien books, read the C.S. Forester "Horatio Hornblower" books - historically & nautically accurate and very readable.

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Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by bouvin on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @04:39AM (#35625850)

Having read the _excellent_ series in English, it was amusing for me to see the movie in a Danish cinema, where the incomprehensible English maritime jargon was translated to incomprehensible Danish maritime jargon.

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Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by aequitas on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @04:44AM (#35625873)

I'd also recommend watching The Terror (season 1) and play Return of the Obra Dinn. Though both contain fantasy elements, there's lots of nautical lore to be found.

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