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Certain of these young men, however, had a
special formula for getting the correct answers.
They would note the noon or last position on the
quarterdeck traverse aboard and determine the
approximate current position by dead reckoning
plotting. Armed with this information, they
proceeded to the gun deck to “gundeck” their
navigation homework by simply working
backwards from the dead reckoning position.
HAWSER
Hawser is a heavy line of hemp, used for
mooring and towing. It was formerly used as
anchor cable (before chains). It is derived from
the French hausser, meaning “to haul.”
HEAD
The ship’s lavatory is called the head because
these facilities in the old days were located in the
forward part of the ship.
LASHING BROOM TO MASTHEAD
A popular custom in the U.S. Navy is that of
lashing a broom to the masthead of a ship when
it has participated in a complete victory over an
enemy force. The broom signifies the ship’s ability
to sweep the seas. (A ship making the highest
gunnery or engineering record in the fleet also
displays a broom.) As noted earlier for his unusual
display of victory, Admiral Tromp originated this
custom (see Commission Pennant).
LUCKY BAG
Formerly, a lucky bag was a bag in which
personal possessions that had been left adrift were
stored. Today, the term refers to any storage area
for loose gear picked up by the master-at-arms
force.
MAST
The term captain’s mast, or merely mast,
derives from early sailing days when naval justice
proceedings were held on the weather deck near
the ship’s mainmast.
MIDSHIPMEN
In early days the crew was quartered in the
forecastle, while officers lived in the aftercastle.
The title “midshipmen” was originally given to
youngsters of the British Navy who acted as
messengers, carrying orders from officers aft to
the men forward. These lads, who continuously
passed back and forth amidships, were regarded
as apprentice officers. The ancient term has
survived, and today officer candidates at
Annapolis (and other midshipmen’s schools) are
called midshipmen.
PIPING THE SIDE
To the new officer the custom of piping the
side, a heritage from the British Navy, seems one
of the strangest of all naval customs. It originated
in the days of sail when captains visiting one
another at sea were hoisted on board in a net or
basket if rough weather prevented the use of
ladders. Piping was necessary in setting taut and
hoisting away the cargo net or basket containing
the boarding officer. Thus, we acquired the
custom of piping the officer alongside and over
the gangway.
The officer of the deck ordinarily summoned
from the crew several hands to assist the visitor
in making the landing on deck. If he were young,
a lieutenant perhaps, two men were required to
help him; if older, a commander perchance,
having increased his girth as well as his grade
through the years, he might require four. If,
however, he happened to be a captain or an
admiral, he may have required six or eight to
enable him to secure a stable footing. Thus, there
came about the custom of having “side boys”
to meet officers. When the custom became a
regulation courtesy, the side was similarly attended
upon their departure.
QUARTERDECK
There is evidence that the marked respect paid
the quarterdeck aboard ship today had its origin
many hundreds of years ago. In the days of Greek
and Roman sea power, obeisances were made to
the pagan altar, which was placed aft. Later the
same respect was paid the shrines of the Virgin
similarly located. Still later the “King’s colors,”
which were a symbol of church and state
combined, became the object of respect. One is
impressed with the thought that the quarterdeck
has always been the honored part of the ship. It
retains its “sanctity” today. (The name poop deck
derives from the Latin word puppis, a name given
the sacred deck where the pupi or doll images of
the deities were placed.)
AII-6
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