Jim_S
Gone But Not Forgotten
(from the Oldies But Goodies collection)
MANURE--In the 16th &17th centuries ,manure was used as the main source for fertilizer
Large amounts of manure were baled and shipped dry( dry manure weighed less) by sailing ships, all over the known world.
However, if the dry material happened to get wet in the hold of the ship, the fermentation started up again causing methane gas to form in the hold of the ship! The first poor sailor to go into the hold with a candle or lantern --KABOOM!!!! Several ships were sunk by these explosions!!!!
In order to make sure the manure stayed dry during shipping, the merchants started marking the bales-"STOW HIGH IN TRANSIT" to avoid contact with water that might get in the hold of the ship.
After the markings had become familiar to the seamen, they were abbreviated to S.H.I.T.
MANURE--In the 16th &17th centuries ,manure was used as the main source for fertilizer
Large amounts of manure were baled and shipped dry( dry manure weighed less) by sailing ships, all over the known world.
However, if the dry material happened to get wet in the hold of the ship, the fermentation started up again causing methane gas to form in the hold of the ship! The first poor sailor to go into the hold with a candle or lantern --KABOOM!!!! Several ships were sunk by these explosions!!!!
In order to make sure the manure stayed dry during shipping, the merchants started marking the bales-"STOW HIGH IN TRANSIT" to avoid contact with water that might get in the hold of the ship.
After the markings had become familiar to the seamen, they were abbreviated to S.H.I.T.
I actually did know that, read it somewhere a few years ago still funny. 
