On old ships, people had to use chamber pots or special buckets to go to the bathroom. The chamber pot was a small round pot, which was usually ceramic, with a lid. People would do their business in the chamber pot, and then either tip their waste into the ocean or, on some ships, have it emptied into a special bucket.
The waste then had to be disposed of far away from the ship, usually in deep water.
On ships like sailing ships, the “heads” or lavatories were not enclosed, so sailors could see the ocean under them when they were going to the bathroom. This could be a bit uncomfortable, especially during rough weather.
Those unlucky enough to use the head in rough seas were often thrown around, with the general belief that if a sailor who didn’t have strong sea legs and couldn’t keep their balance when going to the bathroom, they were not cut out for life at sea.
What did sailors use for toilet paper?
Sailors used all sorts of items as makeshift toilet paper, including pieces of rope, bits of clothing, straw, and other items. In the 16th century, sailors on ships used a type of cloth known as a “mancloth”.
This cloth was a square of linen that had been boiled and softened, and was placed over a side-mounted nail on the inside of the ship. Sailors would use this cloth to clean themselves, and then it would be washed and placed back on the nail to be used again.
Some sailors also collected any available seaweed or grass to clean themselves when other materials were not available. In the 18th century, the mancloth was replaced by soft paper rolls which were provided in most ships, while other sailors would write home for newspapers and magazines to be sent to them on their voyages.
How did old ships drain water?
In the past, dirt, mud and other waste material was allowed to cover a ship’s decks and bilges which created an additional challenge when trying to drain water. In order to drain water, the crew had to use gravity or a primitive suction force to remove the water.
One of the most common methods used to get rid of unwanted water on an old ship was by using a hand pump. This consisted of a tank and a crank with a handle usually operated by two or more people. This process was very hard and exhausting; it took a great amount of time and effort to manually remove a large amount of water.
Another way to remove unwanted water from the old ships was to use sails. The sails would be attached to poles and hoisted up to create a pressurized force that was able to pump out the water. This was done by connecting the halyards (ropes attached to the sails) to an exhaust pipe located at the bottom part of the ship.
When the sails were hoisted up and moved in a back and forth motion, the pressurized force was able to create a suction that removed the water.
Another tool used to remove water was a large bucket. This was usually made out of a durable material such as metal, leather or burlap that could hold large amounts of water. The buckets were placed at different parts of the ship and when filled with water they were hoisted up with a rope and manually emptied.
The last common method used to remove water was with a centrifugal pump. This type of pump is powered by a motor and can be used to move large volumes of water. It works by rotating rapidly and creating greater centrifugal forces inside the impeller chamber, this force allows the pump to suck in water and propel it out.
Did pirate ships have showers?
The answer is no, pirate ships did not have showers. Showers as we know them today were not invented until the 19th century, long after pirates were active in the seas. Even if they had been available, it seems unlikely that pirates would have chosen to install them.
Piracy was a grimy, rough-and-tumble lifestyle where the pirates were more concerned with surviving and making a profit than keeping clean. Most pirates likely just washed off in barrels of water or small ponds of fresh water that accumulated on the deck.
As such, showers were not a necessity for their lifestyle.
Where did medieval peasants go to the bathroom?
In the Medieval period, most peasants did not have access to modern toilet facilities. As a result, they would typically use whatever was available in order to answer the call of nature. This usually meant that they would have to go to the outdoors and find a private place, such as a woods or a field.
Peasants living in urban areas often did not have access to these areas and had to find alternative solutions. In some cases, this meant that there were designated areas that people could use for urination or defecation, such as public gardens or even alleyways.
In other cases, people may have used items in their homes, such as chamber pots, or went to collective latrines or public bathhouses.
Why do ships don’t sink in water?
Ships do not sink in water due to a combination of their design, their ability to displace water, and the principles of buoyancy. Ship hulls are designed with curved, rounded bottoms that displace more water when the ship is in the water, making it more buoyant.
A ship is able to stay afloat because of its displacement ability – it pushes a greater volume of water out of its way than its own weight, allowing it to remain on top of the water’s surface. As such, the mass of the ship is kept afloat by the upward force of the displaced water, known as an “archimedes principle”.
Additionally, ships contain various compartments and ballasts that help maintain balance, allowing them to remain vertical even when there is a shift in their weight distribution. All this helps to keep the ship afloat and not sink into the ocean.
How did longships not sink?
Longships were ingeniously designed to avoid sinking even when loaded with cargo or crew. They were built with overlapping planks of wood, which were held together with iron rivets and tar or tree sap sealant.
This allowed them to be flexible in rough seas and provided a strong, watertight seal. Also, their flat bottoms helped them to ride out the waves, while their shallow draft facilitated maneuverability in shallow waters.
Additionally, they incorporated well-tested designs, such as bilge boards, which concealed channels in the hull that allowed water to flow away from the crew. Finally, their relatively small size meant that longships could be easily bailed in the event of a leak or other water damage.
All of these factors combined to make longships a formidable form of transportation in the pre-industrial era.
What is the oldest ship still floating?
The USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” is the oldest ship still afloat. Launched in 1797 from its namesake shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, this 44-gun frigate served in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 and later during the Civil War.
It has been restored and is currently docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, where tourists can visit it. This 210-foot wooden-hulled vessel comes complete with three masts, a taffrail, and 32 sleek gunports, in addition to its impressive armament.
The USS Constitution is one of the few remaining three-masted sailing ships in the world and is truly a sight to behold. As it is a museum piece, it doesn’t actually take to the seas anymore, but getting up close to it is the next best thing.
Do ships rust underwater?
Yes, ships do rust underwater. The process of rusting is known as corrosion, and it is caused by oxygen and water in the environment reacting with the metal of a ship. When a ship is submerged underwater, it is still exposed to water and oxygen, so long-term corrosion of the metal is possible.
The rate of corrosion is largely dependent on the materials that make up the ship, and modern ships are built with materials that are designed to be more resistant to corrosion. However, with enough time, any metal object can be corroded.
What was hygiene like on pirate ships?
Hygiene on pirate ships was generally quite poor in the 17th and 18th centuries when piracy was most rampant. The cramped spaces, rats, and other unsanitary conditions meant that diseases ranging from smallpox to the plague spread quickly and easily among pirates, who had no access to medical care.
Showers and baths were nonexistent as fresh water was a precious commodity and thus was typically kept away from the crew and instead used to fill the ship’s tanks, casks, and grog (liquor). This lack of hygiene led to rampant body odor and lice and fleas often infested them.
The typical practice on such ships was to be shirtless and barefoot, without a change of clothes. Food was usually unclean and lacking in diversity, and often adulterated with urine and sewerage.
Pirates, very much like their seafaring counterparts, also experienced a range of physical ailments from scurvy and malnutrition to broken bones and cuts as a result of their work and living conditions.
Despite these challenges, some pirates managed to maintain good hygiene and hygiene habits – such as washing directly after meals, washing hands and faces regularly, brushing teeth, and changing clothes regularly – though those practices were far from widespread.
Did old ships have bathrooms?
No, most old ships did not have bathrooms. In earlier periods of maritime history, sailors would use a system called the ‘head’ to relieve themselves. This system involved chamber pots, which would be emptied into the ocean.
These chamber pots could also be used to store drinking water, which was one way of controlling the spread of disease onboard the ship. Some large ships also had toilets which were flushing toilets, but these toilets could not be used when the ship was out at sea.
The use of the head was preferably done at the bow of the ship due to prevailing winds that helped the odors to dissipate quickly.
How did female pirates keep their femininity?
Due to the fact that female pirates often had to disguise their gender to limit incidents of sexual harassment, they often kept any outward display of femininity to a minimum. However, when female pirates were able to operate openly, they were often afforded certain allowances that were not typically seen for men in the same occupation.
For example, female pirates were often allowed to wear colorful clothes, makeup, and jewelry because their gender was already known. This allowed them to show their femininity without fear of harassment.
Furthermore, many female pirates kept their hair long, which was unusual for a woman in this time period, as many focused on keeping their hair hidden or worn beneath a hat.
Furthermore, when it came to their actions, many female pirates sought to avoid violence, instead using their wit and intelligence to solve tricky situations. Some female pirates even maintained their femininity by refusing to swear and abstaining from alcohol.
This emphasized their status as women and highlighted their ability to effectively navigate the uncertain waters of the high seas without resorting to aggression or other masculine approaches to problem-solving.
In summary, female pirates often kept their femininity a secret in order to avoid sexual harassment aboard their ships. However, when able to sail openly and safely, female pirates were often afforded certain luxuries such as access to makeup, colorful clothing, and the ability to keep their hair long and flowing.
Furthermore, many female pirates sought to avoid violence, focusing instead on utilizing their wit and intelligence to navigate difficult situations.
Why do pirates have rotten teeth?
Pirates have rotten teeth because of their poor dental hygiene and dietary habits. Poor dental hygiene is a result of limited access to dental care; pirates rarely had access to or resources for proper dental care.
This was even more so the case in the 1600s and 1700s, when the golden age of piracy ran from. In addition to that, many pirates had poor dietary habits, as they subsisted on a largely sugar-based diet due to the limited availability of fresh fruit and vegetables on their ships for long journeys.
The sugar mixed with poor dental hygiene promoted plaque buildup, which ultimately caused pirates to lose many of their teeth.
Did pirates brush their teeth?
The historical evidence is inconclusive as to whether or not pirates actually brushed their teeth. We do know that they had access to toothbrushes, most likely made of stiff-bristled animal hair, and probably used them.
However, the general accepted belief is that teeth were usually only cleaned with abrasive materials, such as salt and charcoal, or with a cloth or a stick. These methods were used to remove food and plaque buildup, but would not have been effective at removing plaque and bacteria like brushing with a toothbrush would.
So while it is possible that pirates could have brushed their teeth, it is likely that they would have primarily relied on other oral hygiene methods.
What time did pirates go to bed?
Pirates typically went to bed relatively early in the evening, around the same time as most sailors; sunset. This was in part out of necessity due to the fact that they often had to be up and ready to sail at first light.
All hands needed to be rested and prepared for the day of sailing. Going to bed early was also seen as a way to conserve valuable time and to minimize the possibility of being caught off-guard by an enemy ship.
Pirates also needed to make sure they were awake late enough to remain vigilant and maintain a watch so that their ship wouldn’t be ambushed in the night.