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HMS Friday is an urban legend concerning a disastrous attempt by the Royal Navy to dispel the superstition against sailing on a Friday. While widely circulated the story is in fact untrue, and there was never a ship named HMS Friday.
The details of the story vary, but it usually follows this form:
- "Sometime in the 19th century ago, the Royal Navy attempted to finally dispel the old superstition among sailors that beginning a voyage on a Friday was certain to bring bad luck. To demonstrate the falseness of this belief, they decided to commission a ship named HMS Friday. Her keel was laid on a Friday, she was launched on a Friday, and she set sail on her maiden voyage on a Friday, under the command of a certain Captain James Friday. She was never seen or heard from again."
This story, in numerous variations, is frequently recounted, often as fact.[1][2][3][4]
In fact, there has never been any Royal Navy ship of that name.[5][6] It is unclear where the story originated; however, it seems to have gained in popularity after its recounting by comedian Dave Allen on his BBC television show “Dave Allen at Large”, first broadcast in the 1970’s.[7]
References
- ^ "Nautical Folklore: Superstition of Friday". Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky". about.com. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Friday the 13th". Infoplease. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ Vigor, John (2004), The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating, McGraw-Hill Professional, ISBN 0-07-137885-5
- ^ "RNM News, 13th July 2007: No truth in 'HMS Friday' story". Royal Naval Museum. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Naval Friday 13th myth unfounded". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Myth of the Day 01 - HMS Friday". Trancefixed. Retrieved 2008-09-29.