Article by Capt. Franky Pettolina
Seafaring folk are a superstitious lot. I guess it probably began way back when a certain mariner brought forth the wrath of the spirits by shooting an albatross with his crossbow and hanging it about his neck. I know, I know. My English Degree is poking its head out again. For those of you that are not familiar with the Rime of the Ancient Mariner (no I am not talking about my Father going on about a man from Nantucket) it is an intriguing, and quite long, poem by the famed British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. There is also an epic song by the incomparable British heavy metal band Iron Maiden based on the classic poem. I encourage you, my loyal readers, to fire up the interweb machine of your choice and check out the poem and the song. You will not be disappointed.