The left side of the ship being called port has to do with that side being historically used for loading and unloading ships from the sea ports. In marine jargon or terminology the left side of the ship is termed as the port side when one is facing forward. Its opposite side, the right, is the starboard side. These terms are used not only in ships but also in the case of aerocrafts and spacecrafts.
Originally the term used to indicate the left side was "larboard". There were presumably incidents that led the terms larboard being at times confused for starboard and vice versa, and so the term port was introduced. The term port was officially adopted in 1844 by the Royal Navy but old term remained in general use for a few more years before being completely replaced.
Originally the term used to indicate the left side was "larboard". There were presumably incidents that led the terms larboard being at times confused for starboard and vice versa, and so the term port was introduced. The term port was officially adopted in 1844 by the Royal Navy but old term remained in general use for a few more years before being completely replaced.