Sanitation at Sea

Sanitation at Sea. . , The toilets for ordinary sailors were usually located in the front or "head" of the ship and consisted of a series of holes in a plank which allowed for a direct drop into the ocean. From this location came the name "head," which remains a common term for toilets afloat and ashore. , In the later days of sail, toilets moved inboard. This type of system was used aboard Balclutha. For the sailors they were not much more comfortable than the previous design. When the ship plunged into the ocean, a geyser of water would fly up through the drain pipe to discomfort the user. Toilet paper was a little-known luxury on sailing ships. Oakum or other rope fibers were common substitutes. Paddle steamers usually had toilets in the paddle boxes. , Truth to tell, most seamen did not like the indoor toilets and used the bowsprit and supporting stays whenever possible. Even today, on modern yachts, this habit of avoiding marine toilets is one of the major causes of yachtsmen drowning by falling overboard.