Elmo Naval St. Elmo's Fire. This was aromatic superstition associated with the electrical phenomenon which appears on the trucks of the masts and at the yard-arms in the form of faint glowing balls of light during an electric storm. In addition to St Elmo's Fire, it was known among sailors as "Corposant" and "Jack-o'-Lantern". The common belief was that it warns sailors of an approaching storm and is sent by St Elmo in gratitude for his having been saved from drowning by a ship which, in heavy weather, was hove-to and the saint taken from the water. The legend is said to have originated in Brittany.
Ensign (Red, White & Blue) Naval The Red Ensign was introduced into the Navy in 1625 and was being worn by merchant ships soon afterward; in 1674 it became the legal and recognised flag of the merchant service. In about 1650 the Royal Navy was using all three ensigns; the fleet was divided into Red, White and Blue Squadrons, each commanded by a Flag Officer of the appropriate colour and his ships were ensigns or pendants of that colour. All three ensigns remained in use in the Navy in his manner until 1864 when the Red Ensign was made the exclusive `property' of the Merchant Service. The White Ensign was then reserved for the Royal Navy, and the Blue Ensign for the then newly formed Royal Naval Reserve.
Eurasian IndiaA term, often used in a derogatory fashion, to describe someone of mixed descent. Over time, this would officially be replaced by the term Anglo-Indian. However in general usage, Eurasian was used right up until the end of Raj.
Eye Naval Eyes of a ship. The eyes of a ship are the extreme bows. The name comes from the ancient custom (still maintained in the Orient) of painting eyes on each bow so that the ship could see where she was going.
