T&T: "Monkey Sh-t"

[Michael Bragg]

Hey All,

Back in my Navy days, working in Aft Engine Room on an repair
ship, we had lots of cables (electric wires) running around - and passing thru
bulkheads and into junction boxes, etc. At each point they passed into or thru
something there was a tube or pipe that supported and protected the cable.
The Electrician's Mates would then pack "monkey sh-t" into the tube, around
the cable - waterproofing and securing the cable(s) in the tube. (Sometimes
there was a cap fitted to properly seal over the packing, many times not.) If
you needed to pull the cable, or run another cable thru the tube, you just
pulled this pacing back out, run the cable(s), and repack it when done. This
stuff was tacky, very-slow to dry out (only after years), could be shaped with
your hands, and worked great... 

I am (still) rennovating my old trawler
and getting into the "re-wiring" part of the project this winter. I have
several bulkhead penetrations planned, and will fit "tubes" large enough that
I can run additional wires thru later, and would love to figure out how to get
some of this packing material... problem is, I only know the Navy slang name
for it - and "googling" isn't helping. Any salty dogs out there know what I'm
talking about?

You help is greatly appreciated!

- Mike