Number 5 Hatch.

[Jim Brady]

What is this number 5 hatch business.I had never heard of it before until I came across it on this site.I know what it refers to, never having heard of it I thought it was a deck crowd saying.However I have asked mates of mine who were on deck and they were not aware of this saying either.Is this a saying from down south,my mate was with NZSC for many years and he had never heard the expression and I'm sure he must've sailed with lots of guys from down south.So the question is why number 5 hatch,where did it originate and is it tribal.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Peter Trodden]

Hi Jim,
I heard of this quite a few years ago. If two men wanted to settle a difference with fists and they were in the middle of the Ocean,one would say "OK number 5 hatch.
Just like two guys in a pub,and one says "OK outside" Number 5 was aft of the Bridge on any ship,and so away from prying eyes. I suppose any after hatch would do,as long as THEM up topside did'nt see.
ttfn Peter T.

[Don Rafferty]

This was my understanding of it: http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/f...-5-hatch-2257/

[happy daze john in oz]

Les was the one who brought it to my attention, but from what i understood it was a spot for smoko or swining the lamp. What happens if the ship only has four?

[Roger Dyer]

Hi Jim,

I believe that sometime back on another thread, our friend, Davey (Gulliver), correctly explained the meaning of the term 'No.5 Hatch' when used in the context of this discussion.

For the 'deck crowd' on a cargo-ship it generally meant the hatch closest to their accommodation. During 'smoko' and off-duty hours, when the weather was favourable, rather than remain in the mess, most would sit out on the hatch to share a smoke, a yarn, a mug of tea or coffee and, sometimes, even a beer or two. It was a place where the degree of satisfaction one felt in the company of men was something few landlubbers ever experience. For those of us wise enough to listen to the yarns of some of the older seamen, the hatch-top became the University of the Sea and of life itself.

Sometimes, due to the lay-out of a ship, the lads from Catering or 'down below' might congregate on a different hatch as you, no doubt, would have done on many occasions. This separation was usually for reasons of convenience and rarely because of any perceived 'difference' amongst the three departments. For those of us who experienced the 'joys' of fo'c's'le accommodation, No.1. hatch served as our meeting place, rather like the main lounge of an Officer's Club I imagine (said he with tongue firmly in cheek).

Whether luxuriating in the balm of a Pacific evening, or gazing upon a New York skyline for the very first time or pondering the mystery of the Panamanian or African jungle as you slowly passed it by, the hatch-top served as an observation platform for much of what we lucky few experienced during our time at sea. We were indeed fortunate, weren't we?

So, Jim mate, rest assured there was no hidden or sinister meaning when Les' referred to 'No.5 hatch', it was simply a
common term for the hatch-top most used as a 'meeting place' by the 'deck crowd'.


........regards, Roger

[Jim Brady]

Hi Roger,thanks for that explanation,also Gullivers previous postings.I knew the gist of the saying but when I said was it tribal what I meant was was it a saying that was perculiar to a certain area of the country? Must say never heard of it sailing out of Liverpool.As you say Roger the stewards always sat in the same spot on the hatch.As we lived midships it was always the hatch just aft of the midship accommodation
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Neil Morton]

As usual Roger you put your finger (metaphorically speaking) right on the spot. You may recall that in my book I wrote of the gathering on the hatch prior to a run ashore in Recife.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
I well remember the yarns on number five hatch, Jim it wasn't any particular tribal area, unless you could say only deck, firemen and the occational steward participated. On tankers it was down aft at the back of the accomadation.
Here's a pick of a bloke from Brum can't remember his name holding forth at a group on the hatch while I am sitting on the bits listening.
Cheers DesBrummy.jpg