[Non-Sequitur]

Speaking as an old Navy man they're all ships. Except submarines. Those are boats.

[strela]

Speaking as an old Navy man they're all ships. Except submarines. Those are boats.

Speaking as an old Navy man whose brother was an airedale, they're all targets (including submarines).

[stand watie]

are PT boats/admiral's gigs/lifeboats ships OR boats?

as a groundpounder/MP i have no idea about this subject, end of story. that's why i asked the question.

for dixie,sw

[Polybius]

Speaking as an old Navy man they're all ships. Except submarines. Those are boats.

Glossary, The Bluejacket's Manual, 1944:

Boat: a small vessel that can be hoisted onto or carried by a ship.

Ship: a vessel of large size capable of carrying boats.

Pigboat: Slang for submarine.

My wife's grandfather seved in the S-Boats during the 1920's and 1930's. Maybe that's why it's so hard to get my 11 year old son to take a bath. Must be in his genes. ;-)