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Just why ships are boats are referred to as female is an answer that seems to have been lost in the annals of time.

But one leading maritime museum has taken the decision to refer to vessels in a gender neutral way, removing signs that call them 'she' or 'her', instead opting to refer to them as 'it'.

The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine, North Ayrshire, has been accused of "political correctness gone mad" by those against the decision to change their signs, including retired naval chief Admiral Lord West.

But the museum says that it was forced to make the changes after their "very expensive" signs were defaced by vandals who scratched out the feminine pronouns.

The museum shared their disappointment that the vandal did not contact them to discuss the issue, but it promised that it would remove the pronouns from its new signage.

Posting on its Facebook page , the museum said: "We can't afford to replace all signs, but new signs are gender neutral. Get in touch, we would love to discuss it!"

Replying to the post, visitors to the museum shared their anger over the issue directly.

(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

One person wrote: "Political correctness is getting out of hand, the few are trying to bully the majority, there is room in this world for everyone. This damage does not do there cause any good at all."

Another said simply: "If thats their biggest worry in their life they are very lucky."

Retired navy chief Admiral Lord West told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "It is an insult to a generation of sailors.

"The ships are seen almost like a mother. They preserve us from the dangers of the sea and, indeed, also the violence of the enemy.

"To change it in this trite fashion is just absolutely stupid.

"I think the world has gone mad - I thought Brexit was bad enough.

"I think we've got to be careful letting tiny little pressure groups make people change things."

Ceremonial ship launches have been 'christening' ships in the feminine for centuries.

"God bless her and all who sail in her," is a typical phrase uttered as new vessels take to the water for the first time.

The reasons for it are debated and open to interpretation.