Utah Bob #35998 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I always heard the term referring to military chaplains. But I was watching an episode of Death Valley Days and a guy called the new reverend in Carson City a Sky Pilot. I wondered why they would use a modern term like that. But a little research revealed the first use was around 1865 and again in 1883 and refers of the a pilot in the nautical guide sense. Guiding souls to heaven. Ya larn something new every day. 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Yup. Samuel Clemens was a steamboat pilot in his earlier days. I actually made that connection when I first heard the Eric Burdon song. But I've always tended to have a strange thought process, according to some who've known me for a while. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Not an earthly "pilot," but in Crossing the Bar, Tennyson wrote "I hope to see my pilot face to face / when I have crost the bar" back in 1889. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 1 hour ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: I always heard the term referring to military chaplains. But I was watching an episode of Death Valley Days and a guy called the new reverend in Carson City a Sky Pilot. I wondered why they would use a modern term like that. But a little research revealed the first use was around 1865 and again in 1883 and refers of the a pilot in the nautical guide sense. Guiding souls to heaven. Ya larn something new every day. Crossing over the river to Jordan........makes sense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 22 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Ya larn something new every day. ... yep, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Crimes Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 We still use "Sky Pilot" as the radio designator for the Unit Padre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 Tim McCoy was cast as a Sky Pilot in one of his films. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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