Reference Use
Because DANFS is a work of the U.S. government, its content is in the public domain, and the text is often quoted verbatim in other works. Many websites organized by former and active crew members of U.S. Navy vessels include a copy of their ship's DANFS entries.
Since the Dictionary limits itself to the bare facts, it includes almost no analysis or historical context. While most entries are limited to objective data, some use a pro-U.S. tone, especially with reference to Cold War and World War II events. Some vessels, especially ones with proud records like USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Constitution, have articles strongly praising of their subjects' histories. DANFS also utilizes some of the Navy's more obscure jargon.
Read more about this topic: Dictionary Of American Naval Fighting Ships
Famous quotes containing the word reference:
“If we define a sign as an exact reference, it must include symbol because a symbol is an exact reference too. The difference seems to be that a sign is an exact reference to something definite and a symbol an exact reference to something indefinite.”
—William York Tindall (1903–1981)
“In sum, all actions and habits are to be esteemed good or evil by their causes and usefulness in reference to the commonwealth, and not by their mediocrity, nor by their being commended. For several men praise several customs, and, contrarily, what one calls vice, another calls virtue, as their present affections lead them.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)