No Bananas On Board!!!

They bring bad luck to fishermen. This is not only a strong Alaskan superstition, it’s been known by seamen worldwide for hundreds of years. The superstition varies, but it always results in bad luck. Here are a few amateur theories attempting to explain why…

• Banana oil rubs off on ones hands and the scent “spooks" the fish.
• How about that unfortunate crew member who slipped on the banana peel and went overboard, never to be seen again.
•  Some say that bananas give you the runs when you’re out on the water, which leaves you in the marine head for the whole trip instead of on the deck catching fish.

Back in the days of the transatlantic crossings by wooden sailing ships, many hazards would befall the captains, crew and passengers. Disease, pirates, shipwrecks, and storms claimed the lives of many.  Needless to say, a transatlantic crossing in the 17th and 18th centuries was a very risky endeavor.  So people were not eager to challenge any superstition that hinted at danger. This brings us to bananas. Often times, a ship would stop along the way at a tropical island to gather food and water.  This usually included the purchase of crates of bananas.  These wooden crates would usually carry a variety of critters in them such as bugs, spiders, vermin and snakes. These critters would make their way into the bilges of the ships, multiply, and then find their way into the captain's quarters.  The captain needed a good reason to end this practice, as he did not enjoy company of that sort. So he often circulated the rumor that bananas were bad luck in an attempt to keep his crew from bringing them on board. The crew and passengers were more than eager to follow the captain’s orders, because there was already enough risk crossing the sea – why invite trouble!  So, if the captain announced prior to the voyage that bananas were bad luck and not allowed aboard the vessel, everyone complied.  Legends die hard. We still believe today that a banana is always to blame for any misfortune on our boats, and there are many local stories to back up the superstition. Do you want to challenge it? Best to leave your banana behind.