Why do ships have SS before their name?

SS often stood for "steamship," as steam what made these vessels operate. It was also a clear indicator that a boat differed from the slower performing means of propulsion, such as sailing and rowing power.

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What did SS stand for on the Titanic?

TITANIC was also referred to as an SS ship which stands for 'steamship', indicating that the propulsion was steam powered, but 'SS' had less prestige than 'RMS', so it was used less.

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What does SS and MS mean on ships?

Usage. Historically, prefixes for civilian vessels often identified the vessel's mode of propulsion, such as "MV" (motor vessel), "SS" (screw steamer; often cited as "steam ship"), or "PS" (paddle steamer).

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What is USS vs HMS vs SS?

USS vs. HMS. SS is probably the most common designation you will see, and it's often confused with “USS.” The fact that the two terms are nearly identical only makes that much more confusing. In fact, USS is short for “United States Ship,” and its usage predates the usage of the SS prefix.

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Do boat names start with SS?

For example, one of the more popular prefixes that most people recognize when it comes to boats is SS. This prefix is used to indicate that the vessel is a steamship and uses steam as its propulsion method.

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Why do most boats have “S S ” in the names?

33 related questions found

What does SS mean on a submarine?

In the Navy hull classification “SSBN,” the letters “SS” stand for submersible ship, B denotes ballistic missiles, and the N indicates it is nuclear powered.

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Why do boat names start with USS?

The prefix “USS,” meaning “United States Ship,” is used in official documents to identify a commissioned ship of the Navy. It applies to a ship while she is in commission. Before commissioning, or after decommissioning, she is referred to by name, with no prefix.

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Why is ship called she in the navy?

Another tradition is to consider ships as female, referring to them as 'she'. Although it may sound strange referring to an inanimate object as 'she', this tradition relates to the idea of a female figure such as a mother or goddess guiding and protecting a ship and crew.

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Why do ships always have female names?

Traditionally, ships are given female names because it has been surmised that in ancient history ships were once dedicated to goddesses. When belief in goddesses waned, ships were named after important mortal women.

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What does DD stand for on Navy ships?

CVL. Light aircraft carrier (cruiser hull) DD. Destroyer.

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What does MS mean on a ship?

Some of the main used ones are as follows: MT – Motor Tanker. MV/MS – Motor vessel/Motor Ship. LB- Lifeboat. NS – Nuclear Ship.

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What does it mean to get your dolphins in the Navy?

Unlike his naval colleagues serving on surface ships, a fully qualified submariner, whatever his trade, can take an individual through his boat and explain, in great detail, what everything in the boat does and how to operate it - even in complete darkness. That takes training and it is called earning your dolphins.

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What is the difference between SS and USS ships?

------U.S.S. means "United States Ship." It's used for Navy ships. "S.S." means "Steamship." It's used for ships with engines run by steam. If a ship has Diesel engines it is designated "M.S." or "M.V." for "Motor Ship" or "Motor Vessel."

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What does MV stand for ships?

motor ship (MS) or motor vessel (MV): A ship propelled by internal-combustion engines.

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What does RSS stand for in ships?

Royal Research Ship - Wikipedia.

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Why are Australian ships called HMS?

This prefix is derived from HMS (Her/His Majesty's Ship), the prefix used by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, and can be equally applied to warships and shore bases (as Australia follows the British tradition of referring to naval establishments as stone frigates).

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Are Australian ships called HMS?

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the Permanent Naval Forces of the Commonwealth being designated the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and of the ships of that Navy being designated His Majesty's Australian Ships.

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Was The Titanic a SS or HMS?

Why was the Titanic RMS not HMS? RMS is Royal Mail Steamer. She was a civilian ship, belonged to a private owner, and flew the Red Ensign. HMS is Her/His Majesty's Ship - implying a warship.

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What does USSR stand for on ships?

Agreement Between the Government of The United States of America and the Government of The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas. Share. Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. Signed at Moscow May 25, 1972. Entered into force May 25, 1972.

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What does KD mean on ships?

All RMN ship carries the prefix KD (Malay : Kapal Di-Raja, literally "Royal Ship"), which is equivalent to "His Majesty's Ship" in English.

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What does SD mean on ships?

Non-delivery of cargo at the intended port.

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What did German soldiers think of the SS?

The Wehrmacht view of the SS could be described as the SS being that “one kid” in class that “everyone hates but gets praised by every teacher in the school”.

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Did the SS Californian ignore the Titanic?

Earlier, he had told his wireless operators to alert other ships in the area to the icebergs. The Titanic's wireless operators told Californian's operator to "shut up" and they ignored the warning. Later that night the Californian spotted the flares from the Titanic.

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Why was the Titanic called RMS not SS?

Not many people know that RMS stands for Royal Mail Ship – at the time though it stood for 'Royal Mail Steamer' – indicating that the Titanic was contracted to carry mail.

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Why are ships toilets called heads?

"Head" in a nautical sense referring to the bow or fore part of a ship dates to 1485. The ship's toilet was typically placed at the head of the ship near the base of the bowsprit, where splashing water served to naturally clean the toilet area.

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