why she for Ship?

Question

why is every ship treated like a lady?why is the pronoun used for ships is SHE instead of IT?

Answer 1

Long ago people were afraid of the sea. It was a great danger and risk going to sea to trade or explore. Most who went relied on something more than skill. They became religious, supersitious or ritualistic about the sea. Hence never killing an albatross while on voyage.
It has been a long belief that most things when treated with love will take care you when you are most in need of their help. Examples are the Marine corps and their rifles, swordsmans and their swords, mechanics and their tools, good chefs and their food, Mothers and their children.
Boats are around the same lines. When you hold a love for your boat then she will keep your course true, keep you afloat during the most violent of storms and she rightly sink to the depths of the ocean. Ships are given female pronouns because it was often that men sailed them and it is my experience when you love your ship and take care of her as you would a lover than you will always be safe at see. However, when you mistreat and ignore her, your ship will buck, fall apart and flounder leaving you to drown in the cold of the sea. Kinda like a lover you don't respect, pay attention to, and love as you should.

Hope that helps.

Later...

Answer 2

I think a lot of times its very lonely out on the sea. The ship and you is all thats out there. You care for her and she'll care for you. Every man needs a woman in his life, and a ship is just an icon of caring for something as you would a woman.

Answer 3

It dates Back to the wooden ships of old when they put womens figureheads on the bow of the ship.

Answer 4

very old term. comes from ships being unpredictable and temperamental...i know i shouldn't say this...but like a woman.

Answer 5

All ships on the 1st voyage are on their "maiden" voyage so therefore all maidens are female

Answer 6

It has to do with the way she acts, not always predictable.