Historical information about Manure (OT)

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Historical information you need to know about shipping Manure:

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by

ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large

shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry

form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit

it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began

again, of which a by-product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored

below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane

began to build up below decks, and the first time someone came below

at night, with a lantern, BOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in

this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After

that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term, " Ship

High In Transit " on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high

enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold

would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of

methane. Thus evolved the term " S.H.I.T, " which has come down

through the centuries and is in use to this very day.