Manure... Interesting fact about Methane production

In the 16th century, before commercial fertilizers, shipments of manure were common and also served as hold ballast in ships.

The manure was shipped dry but being stored below decks it always got wet. The build up of methane produced by fermentation in the confined spaces became volatile. Then something as simple as a lantern could cause a big BOOOM !!!.

This saw many ships destroyed before it was found what was happening. After that bundles of manure were stamped with the instruction.'Stow high in transit', which indicated it be stowed in higher decks clear of hold water.

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Stow High In Transit) which has come down through the ages..

You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I.

I always thought it was a golf term.