For which we owe the Royal Navy a debt of gratitude

During "Olden Days" gunpowder was kept in seperate parts of the ship down. These were connected by small tunnels which small boys were sent to fetch powder for jolly jack tars cannonage. These boys were known as "monkeys". Cannonballs were kept in pyramids stacked on a tray made from brass with 16 indentations which became known as "Brass Monkeys".

When it got really cold the brass contracted faster than the iron and all the balls rolled off hence the term.

Navy FACT.

Posted By: Tomblander, Jan 22, 14:57:48