For the NTO, Phrasology Dept.

[Dennis]

Nautical Traditions Officer,
I Rec'd this in an email today, and would like verification as to its authenticity....

" CANNON BALLS"...

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many
Freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannon fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon, but prevent them from rolling about the deck. The best storage method devised was a square based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine which rested on sixteen.

Thus, a supply of thirty cannon balls could be stacked in a
Small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem - how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a, "Monkey," with sixteen round indentations. If this plate was made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it.

The solution to the rusting problem was to make, "Brass
Monkeys." Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the
Cannon balls would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!" {And all this time, you have had dirty thoughts, haven't you?)

[john doyle]

Nautical Traditions Officer,
I Rec'd this in an email today, and would like verification as to its authenticity....

" CANNON BALLS"...

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many
Freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannon fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon, but prevent them from rolling about the deck. The best storage method devised was a square based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine which rested on sixteen.

Thus, a supply of thirty cannon balls could be stacked in a
Small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem - how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a, "Monkey," with sixteen round indentations. If this plate was made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it.

The solution to the rusting problem was to make, "Brass
Monkeys." Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the
Cannon balls would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!" {And all this time, you have had dirty thoughts, haven't you?)

All true
john CD31 #18 Bonnie Blue



redzeplin@yahoo.com

[Stephen H.]

I have heard that exact explanation from a Navy guide on the USS Constitution.

Nautical Traditions Officer,
I Rec'd this in an email today, and would like verification as to its authenticity....

" CANNON BALLS"...

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many
Freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannon fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon, but prevent them from rolling about the deck. The best storage method devised was a square based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine which rested on sixteen.

Thus, a supply of thirty cannon balls could be stacked in a
Small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem - how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a, "Monkey," with sixteen round indentations. If this plate was made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it.

The solution to the rusting problem was to make, "Brass
Monkeys." Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the
Cannon balls would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!" {And all this time, you have had dirty thoughts, haven't you?)

austex@attglobal.net

[Nautical Traditions Offic]

Captain,

You and others are correct, it is from the Constitution web site...and NO, I was NOT thinkin' dirty thoughts.....only drinkin' GROG and practicin' for next years race.....

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1
Nautical Traditions Officer
CDSOA, Inc.

[Steve Alarcon]

According to the Urban Legends web site, this story is untrue. Sorry!

Steve Alarcon
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle



alarcon3@prodigy.net