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Quiz about Red Sky at Night Sailors Delight
Quiz about Red Sky at Night Sailors Delight

Red Sky at Night, Sailor's Delight Quiz


Various appearances of the color red in the nautical world. May be difficult for landlubbers.

A multiple-choice quiz by wjames. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
wjames
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
370,778
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1201
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: Guest 110 (4/10), rainbowriver (10/10), Guest 136 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The adage "Red sky at night, sailors delight" has some basis in fact, as the light of the setting sun is diffused by large amounts of dust, indicating which type of good-weather system is to the west (upwind) of the observer? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. "Red lead" paint is extensively used on boats; what makes this paint so popular, especially for the bottom of a boat? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. At sea, you see a "Red Ensign"; what does that signify? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Sailors use the mnemonic "Red is wine, and wine is port" to remember what? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Sailors can check the depth of water under them with a sounding line that has distinctive markers at certain intervals. A red piece of cloth signifies which depth, equal to 42 feet? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The International Code flag "Bravo" is solid red, and when flown by a ship indicates which potentially hazardous situation? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. U.S. Coast Guard ships have different-colored hulls to indicate their main work. White-hulled ships do mainly law enforcement; black-hulled ships service buoys. Where do modern red-hulled ships operate, where the bright color is helpful? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Early pirate flags were red, meant as a warning and indicating what? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Why do some modern ships use red-colored interior lights at night? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. International law requires ships to show various lights at night to indicate their presence, which way they are heading and even what kind of work they are doing. Sailors using rhyming mnemonics to remember some of the light signal combinations, such as "Red over white, fishing at night" or "Red over green, sailing machine". What type of vessel is indicated by "White over red, _____ ahead"? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 110: 4/10
Feb 26 2024 : rainbowriver: 10/10
Feb 05 2024 : Guest 136: 9/10
Feb 03 2024 : Tabbyk30: 3/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 71: 6/10
Jan 30 2024 : Guest 73: 10/10
Jan 30 2024 : forus919: 7/10
Jan 30 2024 : Guest 109: 8/10
Jan 30 2024 : Guest 104: 5/10

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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The adage "Red sky at night, sailors delight" has some basis in fact, as the light of the setting sun is diffused by large amounts of dust, indicating which type of good-weather system is to the west (upwind) of the observer?

Answer: High pressure

High pressure is usually associated with nice weather, clear of clouds and rain. In the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere, winds generally move weather systems from west to east; a sailor seeing indications of high pressure to his west would expect better weather with the approaching system.
2. "Red lead" paint is extensively used on boats; what makes this paint so popular, especially for the bottom of a boat?

Answer: Keeps barnacles from growing on the hull

The toxicity of the lead kills barnacles and other organisms that would tend to grow on the hull of the ship. This "marine growth" can greatly slow any size vessel and increase fuel consumption.
3. At sea, you see a "Red Ensign"; what does that signify?

Answer: A British merchant ship

The British Merchant Navy flies the Red Ensign on its ships; the White Ensign is for British war ships. The Red Ensign has a miniature UK flag in the upper left corner and the remainder is solid red. The flag is also informally known as the "Red Duster".
4. Sailors use the mnemonic "Red is wine, and wine is port" to remember what?

Answer: Color of navigation lights

At night, ships show navigation lights so that other ships can see them and can tell certain important things about them, such as which way they are heading. The light on the port (left) side of a ship is red; the starboard (right) side light is green.
5. Sailors can check the depth of water under them with a sounding line that has distinctive markers at certain intervals. A red piece of cloth signifies which depth, equal to 42 feet?

Answer: 7 fathoms

The red cloth on a sounding line, or lead line, is at the 7 fathom mark; a fathom is 6 feet long, so 7 x 6 = 42 feet. The 17 fathom mark (102 feet) is also marked by a red piece of cloth.
6. The International Code flag "Bravo" is solid red, and when flown by a ship indicates which potentially hazardous situation?

Answer: Dangerous cargo

"Bravo" is flown by ships carrying, taking on, or discharging hazardous cargo - fuel, explosives, etc. This advises other ships to stay clear and anyone on or near the ship to be careful not to produce a spark or smoke.
7. U.S. Coast Guard ships have different-colored hulls to indicate their main work. White-hulled ships do mainly law enforcement; black-hulled ships service buoys. Where do modern red-hulled ships operate, where the bright color is helpful?

Answer: Ice-bound regions

U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers have bright red hulls so that they can be more easily seen against the background of sea ice or the sea itself. Helicopters flying from the icebreakers especially appreciate their being so visible and easier to find. Lightships were also red-hulled to help identify them, but the U.S. Coast Guard no longer has lightships.
8. Early pirate flags were red, meant as a warning and indicating what?

Answer: Bloodshed/no mercy

The first pirate flags were red, symbolizing the willingness to shed blood. The French cynically called this flag the "Jolie Rouge" or "Pretty Red". The English term "Jolly Roger" may be an Anglicized "Jolie Rouge".
9. Why do some modern ships use red-colored interior lights at night?

Answer: To preserve the crew's night vision

Night vision is critical for sailors that navigate the ship at night so that they can see dim or even unlit objects around the ship. After 20 minutes or so in the dark, a person can see much better than someone who was just in an area lit by white light. Red lights are the least disturbing to a person's night vision.
10. International law requires ships to show various lights at night to indicate their presence, which way they are heading and even what kind of work they are doing. Sailors using rhyming mnemonics to remember some of the light signal combinations, such as "Red over white, fishing at night" or "Red over green, sailing machine". What type of vessel is indicated by "White over red, _____ ahead"?

Answer: Pilot

Pilot boats carry highly skilled mariners called "pilots" who guide ships into and out of unfamiliar ports. International law requires all vessels to stay out of each other's way, but the Pilot Boat will be approaching other ships to get the Pilot aboard or take them off; that is why the Pilot Boat has a distinctive light signal to show why it is approaching another ship instead of staying clear.
Source: Author wjames

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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