Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
đ The phrase has dark roots from wooden sailing ships of the 1700s.
đș The “devil” wasn’t mythical.
It was the seam where the deck planking met the hull, running along the outer edge of the deck.
Sailors called it the devil seam because it was the hardest and most dangerous seam to seal.
To do the job, you’d hang over the side of the ship, hammering oakum into the seam and sealing it with boiling tar.
đ Above them was the devil seam.
Risk of burns and serious injury.
đ Below them was the deep blue sea.
A potentially fatal fall into open water.
Fun Facts đĄ
âïž Caulking the devil was often a punishment job…
Refusing orders on a merchant vessel could have far worse consequences. Some sailors decided the risk of punishment was worse than the alternative - and simply jumped ship at the next port.
The deep blue sea wasn’t poetic. It was lethal…
Falling overboard in the 1700s was usually a death sentence. Ships rarely stopped. Man overboard drills were basic or non-existent. Heavy clothing dragged sailors under. Sharks in warmer waters were a genuine concern. The sea didn’t forgive mistakes.
Hot tar, hemp fibres, sun exposure, fumes, and waves below. Officers sometimes assigned it deliberately to sailors who had messed up. Choose discomfort and risk, or refuse and face discipline. Pick your poison.
The Maritime Origins Series
Maritime Origins is a storytelling series created by Jason Nangle, Founder of Angle Recruitment, a global maritime recruitment and executive search firm.
The series explores the fascinating history behind everyday phrases that originated at sea, as well as the remarkable stories, traditions and characters that have shaped maritime culture.
Many sayings still used today were first spoken by sailors navigating the challenges of life on board ships. Alongside these phrase origins, the series also highlights lesser-known maritime stories, legends and historical moments from the world of shipping.
Through short stories and visual posts, Maritime Origins connects the language, heritage and traditions of seafarers with the modern maritime industry.
New posts in the series launch every Tuesday on LinkedIn and are then shared across other platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Follow
Jason Nangle on LinkedIn and Angle Recruitment across your preferred social platforms.
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