To non-mariners, the markings look like hieroglyphs. For those in the know, they speak volumes about a particular ship and also about the shipping industry.
I love this kind of stuff, and I love the internet for bringing it to me. (via)
I posted an article about Chewbacca the Scout on Curbside Classic on Sunday. It's probably the most detailed account of ownership that I've written, and now that I'm looking it over, it's obvious I've left out a ton of stuff.