Crow's nest
The term Krähennest referred to in the Seemannssprache the rebuilt to a masthead platform ( Mars ) on the masthead ( boom tip ) or on the spreader of the lower mast , at the base of topmast . The name lookout is also commonly used for a high observation point . Another name for the crow's nest is ice bucket .
About history
During the early days of sailing , the crow's nest was the place for seafarers who, as a lookout point , had to report sightings of other ships or from shore to the ship's command . The height of the lookout determines the visibility ; at a location 2 m above the water surface, an area of around 5 km is overlooked, at 10 m the radius expands to around 12 km, at 15 m to 15 km.
Crows nests and observation towers were still used on warships during World War II. With the help of the radar , however, it was soon possible to locate other ships much better than with the eyes of the best lookout, especially in poor visibility, and the crows' nests disappeared.
To the subject
The name crow's nests is derived from the fact that crows used to be carried along. Land could be found with the help of the crows. A crow was released and the ship followed the crow.
Individual evidence
- ↑ C. Lüdecke: German polar research since the turn of the century and the influence of Erich von Drygalski. Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar Research, 1995, p. 83.
- ^ Origin of Navy Terminology ( Memento January 1, 2015 in the Internet Archive ), The Navy Department Library.