During a - coin, public domain photograph

Great Lakes, Ill. (Aug. 02, 2006) During a "stepping the mast" ceremony for the USS Trayer, Battle Stations 21, a Recruit Division Commander pin is placed under the mast. The ancient custom of "stepping the mast," by placing coins under the step or bottom of a ship's mast during construction, dates from antiquity. One belief from Greek mythology is that should the ship be wrecked during passage, the coins would ensure payment of the crew's wages for their return home. Since at least the construction of the USS Constitution in the 1790's, the placing of coins or other items of significance has been passed on as a symbol of good luck for U.S. Navy ships. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class V.K. Schaefer File# 060802-N-3241S-860