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Life in Nelson's Navy 2 Trivia Quiz

This is the second quiz I've created on this subject - there may be more if I can think of any more questions!

A multiple-choice quiz by philipgrae. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
philipgrae

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
338,842

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
378

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. During Nelson's day, what was the left hand side of the ship called (looking ahead from the stern)? Hint

Starboard

Port

Left

Larboard

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these was NOT a part of the ship? Hint

Cathead

Heads

Knighthead

Hogshead

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Question 3 of 10

3. Sailors were musical souls and often sang songs of the sea when off watch. What is the generic term for these songs? Hint

Shundies

Shandies

Shanties

Shinties

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was a Sternchaser? Hint

A ship that was coming after you

A knot for tying off the sternsheets

A type of rope

A gun

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Question 5 of 10

5. What were Slops? Hint

Galley leftovers

The contents of the "heads"

Food for the ship's pigs

Seamen's clothing

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Question 6 of 10

6. If you were a newly-promoted Post Captain, what feature of your uniform denoted that you weren't long in the job? Hint

Nothing - all captains had the same uniform

Two broad and one thin stripe on your sleeves

Only one epaulette

An L plate

7. Amongst many other nationalities, 23 Americans served aboard the Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (probably all unwillingly!) What was the rather derogatory term used by the British for their American cousins? Hint

Colonials

Yanks

Jonathans

Rebels

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Question 8 of 10

8. A famous song from the days of the sailing navy was "____ of Oak" What is the missing word? Hint

Ship

Heart

Men

Head

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Question 9 of 10

9. What would I do with a Belaying Pin? Hint

Use it to slow down the ship

Use it to keep my trousers up

Use it to secure a rope

Use it to hit someone with

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Question 10 of 10

10. There was never an official rank of just "Admiral" - they had different levels of seniority. Which of these was the most junior? Hint

Admiral of the Blue

Admiral of the Fleet

Admiral of the Red

Admiral of the White

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. During Nelson's day, what was the left hand side of the ship called (looking ahead from the stern)?

Answer: Larboard

The current term, "Port" was not officially adopted by the Royal Navy until 1844. Starboard was (and still is) the right-hand side of the ship, and using the term "left" would probably have got you thrown overboard!

2. Which of these was NOT a part of the ship?

Answer: Hogshead

A hogshead is a type of barrel. The Catheads and Knightheads were stout posts at the bow of the ship used for hauling and securing the anchors. The Heads was a generic term for the ships lavatories, which were located near the bow.

3. Sailors were musical souls and often sang songs of the sea when off watch. What is the generic term for these songs?

Answer: Shanties

There is a rich tradition of shanties, and many have survived. Hmm ... maybe a theme for a quiz!

4. What was a Sternchaser?

Answer: A gun

Sternchasers were located in gunports facing out from the ship's stern. Their equivalent at the front of the ship were Bowchasers.

5. What were Slops?

Answer: Seamen's clothing

Slops (or more correctly Purser's slops) were articles of clothing issued to the crew - actually they had to buy them!

6. If you were a newly-promoted Post Captain, what feature of your uniform denoted that you weren't long in the job?

Answer: Only one epaulette

You would have a single epaulette on your right shoulder until you had achieved three years of seniority.

Answer: Jonathans

The origin of the term is uncertain ... It may refer to Jonathan Turnbull (1710 - 1785), Governor of Connecticut, known as "Brother Jonathan."

8. A famous song from the days of the sailing navy was "____ of Oak" What is the missing word?

Answer: Heart

It was written by the actor-manager David Garrick (who founded London's Garrick Theater) and was first sung there in New Year's Eve 1759. One line of the song "... to add something new to this wonderful year" commemorates the year 1759 when the Royal Navy were victorious in the Battles of Minden, Lagos, Quebec City and Quiberon Bay.

It is now the official march of the Royal Navy as well as the navies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

9. What would I do with a Belaying Pin?

Answer: Use it to secure a rope

Normally made of turned wood, although later there were iron ones, belaying pins were used througout the ship to secure and tie off a rope. You could be forgiven for answering "use it to hit someone with" as there are recorded cases of that happening ... However it isn't the official use!

10. There was never an official rank of just "Admiral" - they had different levels of seniority. Which of these was the most junior?

Answer: Admiral of the Blue

Nelson's final rank was lower than all of these - he was a Vice-Admiral of the White when he died.

Source: Author philipgrae

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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