Recently, I read an article on the SS Kwinana and found it was originally known as the SS Darius.
The Steamship Darius was bought in 1912 by the State Government of Western Australia. At first, it was decided to rename her Kimberly, but there were too many ships of that name on Lloyds' Register of Shipping. Kwinana was finally chosen, the name taken from a sub-division in the Kimberly district. It is Aboriginal for 'Pretty Maiden.'
On Christmas Day, 1920, the Kwinana was damaged by a fire at Canarvon, Western Australia. A year later she was brought to Fremantle, Western Australia where she was stripped and towed to moorings at Careening Bay, Garden Island. During a westerly gale in 1922, a mooring shackle was parted and the vessel drifted across Cockburn Sound to where she lies today.
The rusting hulk of the SS Kwinana was cut down to low water level, and the centre filled with limestone to form a platform as part of the jetty at Kwinana.
Thinking about this boat and how it was renamed I was wondering if it is bad luck to rename a boat/ship.
After doing a little research, I would like to share what I have found and leave it up to you to decide!
According to legend, every vessel is recorded by name in the ‘Ledger of
the Deep’, and is known personally to Poseidon, or Neptune, the God of the Sea. To change
the name of a vessel without consulting Poseidon is to invoke his wrath. So in order to change a boat’s name, a traditional ceremony is used to appease the Gods of the seas.The first thing that must be done when renaming a boat is purge its old name from the Ledger of the Deep and Poseidon's memory. This will involve wiping out every trace of the old boat name, and reciting a short ceremony to remove the boat’s name from Poseidon’s records.
The renaming ceremony can then begin, and should take place as soon after the purging ceremony as possible. Finally, the gods of the winds must be appeased with another short ceremony, which will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas wherever you sail.
This version is for the Southern Hemisphere. For the Northern Hemisphere, swap around the attributes of the wind Gods, eg:
Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind would have frigid breath instead of scalding.
Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel (Insert your boat's new name) the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.
Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a
Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone: Great Boreas,
exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty
powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the
overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning: Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.
Facing east, repeat and fling to the East: Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.
Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South: Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.
Of course, any champagne remaining will be the beginnings of a suitable celebration in honor of the occasion.
Once the ceremony has been completed, you may bring aboard any and all items bearing the new name of your vessel. If you must schedule the painting of the new name on the transom before the ceremony, be sure the name is not revealed before the ceremony is finished. It may be covered with bunting or some other suitable material.
I also found this site where ocean liners were renamed and their fate!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ocean_liners
Next time you see a boat/ship think about that name and hopefully, if you are travelling on it and it has been renamed, it has been done correctly!
All this talk of the Ocean has made me hungry and I would like to share one of my favourite dishes!
Chermoula Fish Tagine
Ingredients
1kg firm white fish fillets 1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
3 celery sticks, trimmed, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled, finely chopped
400g can diced tomatoes
125ml (half a cup) fish stock
Fresh mint leaves, to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve
Rice, to serve
For the Chermoula
A quarter of a cup fresh coriander, chopped
A quarter of a cup flat leafed parsley, chopped
1 large red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
A large pinch of saffron
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 lemon, juiced
Method
To make the chermoula. Combine the coriander, parsley, chilli, garlic, saffron, cumin and lemon
juice in a large glass or ceramic bowl.
Cut fish into strips about 6cm long
and 4cm wide. Add to the chermoula. Toss to combine. Cover and place in
the fridge for 2 hours to marinate
| Heat the oil in a 28cm flameproof tagine over medium heat. Cook onion, celery and carrot, stirring until onion softens. |
Top with mint leaves and serve with lemon wedges and steamed rice.
Serves 4 People
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