--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the first century ravens or crows…" description: "\"“During the first century ravens or crows were often taken on board “Viking Knarr’s,” to be released thinking that they would fly in the direction of l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/284/captain-hank-bracker-seawater_crow_during-the-first-century-ravens-or-crows_2356457.jpg" --- # During the first century ravens or crows were often taken… ![“During the first century ravens or crows were often taken on board “Viking Knarr’s,” to be released thinking that they would fly in the direction of land. The lookout would observe the direction the birds flew in, so that the navigator could follow their course. Since the crow's nest is high from…” quote by Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/284/captain-hank-bracker-seawater_crow_during-the-first-century-ravens-or-crows_2356457.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/284/captain-hank-bracker-seawater_crow_during-the-first-century-ravens-or-crows_2356457.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/284/captain-hank-bracker-seawater_crow_during-the-first-century-ravens-or-crows_2356457.jpg) > ““During the first century ravens or crows were often taken on board “Viking Knarr’s,” to be released thinking that they would fly in the direction of land. The lookout would observe the direction the birds flew in, so that the navigator could follow their course. Since the crow's nest is high from the vessel’s center of gravity it is subject to violent motion in relatively calm or moderate seas. Any amount of movement of the ship is amplified, causing even seasoned sailors to become sea-sick. Therefore, being sent to the crow's nest was certainly not for everyone. More recently but still prior to the advent of radar, when the visibility from the bridge of the ship was inhibited by fog, heavy seas or limited night vision lookouts were posted on the bow or high on a mast, above the low lying sea fog. By tradition the protected structure fitted to the foremast high above the deck was named the crow’s nest in deference to the earlier Viking traditions. During the 19th century this vantage point was simply made out of a barrel lashed to the highest mast that allowed the lookout to look ahead for land, other ships, flotsam or other obstructions. In later years the crow’s nest was sometimes enclosed and even electrically heated. As a young midshipman I was assigned to the bow as lookout. Peering into the dark of night I suddenly saw a bright light on the horizon. Sighting this light was a thrill and an experience that validated my usefulness! Excited with my find and without a moment’s hesitation I hurried back to where I was within shouting distance from the ships bridge and loudly announced the light as being 2 points on the starboard bow. Proud of my announced discovery, I returned to my station at the bow only to discover that what I had reported was now obviously the tip of a Sickle Moon rising in the east. At the time everyone had a good laugh but I was told that I did the right thing. It took a while but eventually I lived it down and now it makes for a good “Sea Story!”!”” Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The crow’s nest, historically a high lookout point, was both a vital navigation aid and a physically demanding, sometimes misleading, position. **In simple terms:** High lookouts aid navigation but can mislead. Key Takeaway Use observation wisely, verify findings. Themes navigation observation mistake learning leadership Mood cautious educational Type instructional reflective When to use this quote - maritime navigation - leadership training - risk assessment - team communication Key Concepts situational awareness human error Questions to Reflect On - How can teams cross‑check critical information? - What practices reduce misinterpretation of signals? A Different Perspective Reliance on single observations can cause errors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bright Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bright-light/) [Crows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crows/) [Maritime-history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maritime-history/) [Night vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-vision/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) [Sea-stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea-stories/) [Vantage point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vantage-point/) ## Related quotes > [“Chester William Nimitz, Sr. was the last surviving officer to serve as a five star admiral in the Unites States Navy, holding the rank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/chester-william-nimitz-sr-was-the-last-surviving-officer-to-serve-as/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [“As cadets, we constantly hammered, scraped and wire brushed rusting steel, before applying red lead paint. 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With our Country so vulnerable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/i-can-t-understand-why-there-are-so-many-creeps-hacking-the-internet/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [“We anchored just off the mouth of the Ozama River in about 30 feet of water and used the running boat to land liberty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/we-anchored-just-off-the-mouth-of-the-ozama-river-in-about-30-feet-of/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [“When I told my parents that I was going to sea, they didn’t ask any questions and seemed to take it all for granted.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/when-i-told-my-parents-that-i-was-going-to-sea-they-didn-t-ask-any/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [“The nautical expression that “Rats leave a sinking ship” is an observed truth. 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The lookout would observe the direction the birds flew in, so that the navigator could follow their course. Since the crow's nest is high from the vessel’s center of gravity it is subject to violent motion in relatively calm or moderate seas. Any amount of movement of the ship is amplified, causing even seasoned sailors to become sea-sick. Therefore, being sent to the crow's nest was certainly not for everyone. More recently but still prior to the advent of radar, when the visibility from the bridge of the ship was inhibited by fog, heavy seas or limited night vision lookouts were posted on the bow or high on a mast, above the low lying sea fog. By tradition the protected structure fitted to the foremast high above the deck was named the crow’s nest in deference to the earlier Viking traditions. During the 19th century this vantage point was simply made out of a barrel lashed to the highest mast that allowed the lookout to look ahead for land, other ships, flotsam or other obstructions. In later years the crow’s nest was sometimes enclosed and even electrically heated. As a young midshipman I was assigned to the bow as lookout. Peering into the dark of night I suddenly saw a bright light on the horizon. Sighting this light was a thrill and an experience that validated my usefulness! Excited with my find and without a moment’s hesitation I hurried back to where I was within shouting distance from the ships bridge and loudly announced the light as being 2 points on the starboard bow. Proud of my announced discovery, I returned to my station at the bow only to discover that what I had reported was now obviously the tip of a Sickle Moon rising in the east. At the time everyone had a good laugh but I was told that I did the right thing. 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