AboutJohn Expertise Retired US Navy, stationed 10 years in Hawaii. Study of the early years of the Pacific War 1941-42, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. Easy access to actual sites in and around Pearl Harbor. More limited knowledge of general WWII history in the Pacific.
Experience I'm well-read in general WWII history, and spent a lot of off time exploring various military sites on O'ahu.
Education/Credentials I hold a B.A degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in Historical and Political Studies, Summa cum Laude, earned in 2002.
Question Hi-
The Norwegian cheif officer on my ship said that US Navy ships use "left and right" when referring to the port and starboard sides of the ship.
He said it was because during WWII, the US military was short handed and gave 2 week crash courses for shore side labor to be trained as captains at sea to help the war effort. He said due to their lack of training, they used "left and right."
The C/O also said that he has heard the military ships use this terminology in recent years over the radio and that they currently teach this to military personnel.
I think this is totally false, since I went to a US merchant marine academy and have never learned or heard this being used in practice.
I hope you can tell me if there's any validity to his story.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Kerry
Answer I spent 24 years in the US Navy, and it was always port and starboard when referring to a side of the ship.
HOWEVER, when giving orders to the helmsman, it's a left or right turn. i.e. "come left to new course 324", or "5 degrees right rudder".
So, port and starboard when referring to a place on the ship, right and left when ordering the direction of the entire ship.
