Navy Dads

Information

The Fantail

In nautical terms the fantail is the furthest aft part of the main deck of a warship, sort of the 'back porch', where Sailors off watch go to grab a cup of coffee, smoke a cigarette, tell sea stories, or share a ribald joke.

Members: 15
Latest Activity: Jan 3, 2016

WHAT'S THE FANTAIL?

If you look up "fantail" in your Funk and Wagnalls you'll find it defined something like "An Australian or Oriental flycatcher (genus Rhipidura) having fan-shaped tail feathers."

Funk and Wagnall's don't have a clue!

On the other hand, if you were a tin-can Sailor (prize to the first non-Sailor who correctly tells us what a "tin-can Sailor" is) you'd immediately envision a picture sorta like the one above.

In nautical terms the fantail is the furthest aft part of the main deck of a warship, sort of the 'back porch', where Sailors off watch go to grab a cup of coffee, smoke a cigarette, tell sea stories (what's the difference between a sea story and a fairy tale?), discuss the next liberty port, brag about the gal they met in the last liberty port, or tell their buddies what they're going to do about the guy who caused their girl-next-door to send them a "Dear John". It's where a snipe goes to get a breath of fresh air after a long watch in the engineroom, or where a young Ensign on his first sea cruise goes to watch God's sunset as no landlubber ever saw one and maybe be lucky enough to see the "green flash". It's where a crusty old Chief takes a wayward Seaman Deuce for a private a$$ chewing away from his mates in the workspace, and it's where the Skipper musters "all hands not actually on watch" to publicly commend the crew for all the hard work that went into their ship earning the squadron battle efficiency "E" for the 3rh consecutive year.

I think that we ought to have a "fantail" here on Navy Dads, so I've started one. It will be an informal place, free of political correctness, with maybe sometimes salty (but never crude-just-to-be-crude or offensive) language, and like the fantail of a ship, a place to "be ourselves".

Now, anyone have a spare smoke? --- I seem to be fresh out

Discussion Forum

Bastard!

Started by Hans, The Old Salt. Last reply by no1ref Sep 23, 2014. 2 Replies

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of The Fantail to add comments!

Comment by MarkM on January 11, 2010 at 10:36pm
Hans, this is a great idea. Non squid Dads can come here and read about things they won't see in the recruiting literature.

I served 4 years active and 7 years reserve, from 1976-1987.
Comment by Tom B on September 5, 2009 at 9:00pm
Saw this and thought I would join. I was talking to a friend at my class reunion last week about a mid watch I had. I was on the fantail as the aft lookout and a whale surfaced and scared the crap out of me. He is retired from the under water navy, and told they call the fantail " the target".
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 27, 2009 at 8:48pm
there is a post about that in the Prayers group
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 13, 2009 at 8:13pm
Man oh man Have I BEEN THERE Jim!!! Sometimes it would be mucho better to be a pawn than a king!!!!!!!
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 12, 2009 at 8:16pm
been there...hope things are better now...............
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 8, 2009 at 9:11pm
I chuckle over these every time I look at them!!!!!!!! He's got a ton at www.broadside.net
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 8, 2009 at 9:05pm

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 7, 2009 at 6:56pm
How helmsmen are made? With apologies to any pilots out there.....

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 2, 2009 at 8:32pm
A great follow-up to The Last Stand is a book called Sea of Thunder by Evan Thomas. It is a fairly detailed examination of the four great commanders in that epic battle: Halsey, Kurita, Ugaki, and Evans. It is a much drier read, but if you are interested in learning about the men behind the names, it is worth it.
Comment by Paige on August 2, 2009 at 1:16am
Paul, it is clearly a popular book. I had a hard time finding a company that had the book in stock. I found the paperback version for a reasonable price, so I ordered two. One to give to Billy and the other for myself to read and then I will pass it on to my WWII Navy veteran grandfather. Thanks for all the great reviews!
 

Members (13)

 
 
 

MISSION STATEMENT:

NavyDads mission is to Provide Support, Encouragement, and Knowledge to Sailors and their Families throughout their Journey together in the United States Navy.

NavyDads can only succeed with your help.  We receive no outside funding and every dollar you donate helps us cover operating costs and helps keep this site running. 

Google-Based NavyDads Search


  only search NavyDads

Events

Blog Posts

Phishing for Info

Posted by Michael J Conway on April 18, 2023 at 4:08pm 0 Comments

USPS MILITARYKIT - **FREE**

Posted by Joseph Hernandez on January 28, 2023 at 11:54am 1 Comment

Before A School

Posted by Philip Steinert on January 2, 2023 at 2:10pm 2 Comments

My little sailor

Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:08pm 2 Comments

my dad skII Wolfcale

Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:00pm 0 Comments

Off to A School

Posted by Michael J Conway on November 13, 2022 at 9:55pm 1 Comment

Son leaves for San Diego

Posted by Jeff J Sperekas on June 25, 2022 at 7:33pm 1 Comment

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER

Posted by John W Hensman on October 9, 2021 at 4:21pm 0 Comments

Form letter

Posted by John D O'Rourke on September 16, 2021 at 5:58am 2 Comments

Boot Camp

Posted by Mark F Durovka on March 22, 2021 at 8:46pm 2 Comments

RTC

Posted by Thomas ODonnell on January 10, 2021 at 3:00pm 7 Comments

Bittersweet Happiness

Posted by Jim Lisi on December 13, 2020 at 1:21pm 3 Comments

Pride and Honor

Posted by Elliott Peigen on September 7, 2020 at 9:56am 2 Comments

Introducing Myself

Posted by John Lillyblad on March 18, 2020 at 4:38pm 5 Comments

Mail problems

Posted by Fernando Bolano on March 17, 2020 at 2:36pm 3 Comments

SHIP 06 DIV 100

Posted by Chris Koning on February 9, 2020 at 3:54pm 0 Comments

Ship 10 Div 114

Posted by Mike Cunningham on February 3, 2020 at 2:15pm 1 Comment

Day ONE

Posted by Mike Cunningham on January 15, 2020 at 1:23pm 2 Comments

Ship 2 Division 907

Posted by Mark Poindexter on December 17, 2019 at 2:36pm 0 Comments

© 2024   Created by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service