Why are all naval vessels ( ships ) reffered to as "she"?

There are many stories and myths concerning the origin of referring to vessels in the feminine, but one thing matters above all else - sailors (myself included) are extremely superstitious creatures, and changing long-standing traditions of the sea aren't easy unless the order comes from God himself. Even then it probably wouldn't happen soon.

Popular theories include goddesses & linguistics (ships in other languages are referred to in the feminine), and in recent times you could even say that female sponsors of ship christenings could be a reason. But none of it really holds up for those of us who are and have been sailors.

There's evidence that points to ships being referred to in the masculine up until the 16th century, but most Navy traditions on the subject point to the relationship between sailors (until the past few decades, all male) and their ships as being akin to a marriage. Most sailors spend more time onboard their ships than they do with their wives (in my first year of marriage I was away for 293 days), and the daily relationship can be easily compared with a male/female relationship. While some compare the cost of ship maintenance to that of a wife or girlfriend (the latter being said to be the more expensive by some), over time it's the psychological connection that a sailor feels for his ship that is the biggest parallel to an actual relationship.

Consider that a sailor must fight with, forgive, understand, love, hate, anguish over, and generally give his soul to his ship. In return, the ship acts as home, protector, comforter, etc. The term being "married to a ship" is no idle term. The divorce rate among sailors is a lot higher than the normal average, and it's because the sailor is spending more time with his ship than his wife.

Rear Admiral Francis D. Foley wrote a great article in Proceedings (Naval Institute Magazine) reflecting on this very subject (link below). One thing he mentions as an analogy is that like a woman, "A ship costs a lot to dress, sometimes blows a bit of smoke, and requires periodic overhauls to extend her useful life."

There's also the long-held tradition about treating vessels with the same respect you would a lady. Treat a ship in any other fashion and you'll wish you weren't aboard.

Another analysis is that all sailors are at the mercy of Mother Nature - by referencing vessels in the feminine, we stay on good terms with her, and no sailor wants to anger Mother Nature. Remember I said we are extremely superstitious when it comes to the sea, and for good reason.

In the end, aside from the relationship aspect, I've always felt that males tend to look at father figures for guidance and leadership, but when it comes to love and comfort, we seek out our mothers and wives or girlfriends. Being at sea is an isolating experience, even with a lot of other sailors, and a ship fills a psychological void that fellow sailors cannot.

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