Wisconsin Maritime Museum
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Wisconsin Maritime Museum
@wimaritimemuseum.bsky.social
Connecting all people to Wisconsin’s waterways. Home of WWII U.S. Navy submarine USS COBIA (SS 245).
📸: Wrecked schooner J.H. RUTTER, P71-12-14, Wisconsin Maritime Museum Collections
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We may never know the tradition's exact origins, but we do know that it is a centuries-old practice still often used, even though many vessels nowadays bear traditionally male or neutral names.
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In some languages, such as Russian and French, the word for "ship" is actually a masculine noun. However, in both Latin and Hebrew, it is a feminine noun.
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Additionally, while the English language tends to utilize gender-neutral nouns, many other languages use feminine, masculine, or other types of nouns.
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The practice likely originated from ancient times when sailors primarily named their ships after female goddesses or loved ones, further reinforcing the feminine association.
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Most sources speculate that the long-standing tradition associates a seafaring vessel with a female figure similar to a mother, who are often seen as protective and nurturing. This aligns with the idea of a ship carrying and protecting its crew through perilous journeys.
March 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
⚓ $80.00 donation = USS COBIA model
⚓ $150.00 donation = Souvenir metal piece from USS COBIA
⚓ $245.00 donation = Wooden coaster set made from USS COBIA deck wood
⚓ $500.00 donation = Wooden frame made from USS COBIA deck wood
February 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
If you would like to see one of Burger’s luxury wooden yachts up close, visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s LADY ISABEL on display!
February 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The Burger Boat Company was founded in 1863 by Henry Burger. It quickly gained a reputation throughout the Great Lakes for building quality vessels. This eventually expanded to also include ship repairs.
February 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM