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
Started by Hans, The Old Salt. Last reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim Aug 31, 2009. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Comment
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 12, 2012 at 12:10pm
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 16, 2012 at 9:17am not Navy but it still cracks me up:
Stayin' Alive with the Irish Army......
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on February 10, 2012 at 11:07am Another touching "teacher story"!!!!
The Marine Pilot
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Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on August 28, 2011 at 10:20pm A former Sergeant, having served his time with the Marine Corps, took a
new job as a school teacher, but just before the school year started
he injured his back.
He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his
body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn't
noticeable.
On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest
students in the school. The smart ass punks, having already heard the
new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and decided to see
how tough he really was, before trying any pranks.
Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened
the window wide and sat down at his desk.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler and
promptly stapled the tie to his chest.
... Dead silence...
He had no trouble with discipline all year.
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 17, 2011 at 1:18pm
Comment by Todd J on January 1, 2011 at 10:35am
Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on January 1, 2011 at 10:02am This may not be directly related to Navy matters, but as admins we do get a number of support questions about running NavyDads on mobile devices....in particular I thought this might address some Blackberry tech support issues:
Comment by Todd J on November 7, 2010 at 10:24am
Comment by Hans, The Old Salt on August 31, 2010 at 7:37pm 

May 23, 2013 from 5pm to 11pm – Sundance Saloon
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0 Comments 0 LikesCheck out the Bravo Zulu! USS Bainbridge blog and watch the must see video about the Bainbridge.
Created by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin Apr 20, 2009 at 11:45am. Last updated by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin Apr 20, 2009.
The chat feature on Navy Dads has changed a little. To enter into the chat room click on were it says Navy Dads (44 members online) then type your post in the box and hit enter to make the post show up. When you are done click the the arrow by the person icon and the chat box will be hidden again. The chat feature can also be found on the main page. Just scroll down till you see it. The chat will also make a two note sound when someone posts a comment so you know when the chat is active.…
ContinueCreated by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin Mar 6, 2009 at 7:19pm. Last updated by NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim Aug 26, 2011.
Everyone go check out the new video of our Sailors. It is my fourth video. So they will get better. Just keep adding those photos. Continue
Created by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin Sep 27, 2008 at 10:12pm. Last updated by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin Jan 26, 2009.
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