The Untold Story of Acrobatic Relief on Board Sixteenth Century Ships

When we think of the early modern globalization process kickstarted by oceanic explorations, the mind easily runs towards romantic ideas of great adventures in exotic paradises or bloody battles between enemy ships and against ruthless exotic populations. However, as it is easy to imagine, life aboard the vessels that sailed the seven seas in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was not only made of adventures but also of a very uncomfortable daily life due to the narrow spaces and the cramped living conditions. In such an environment a proof of true dexterity was given by the mere accomplishment of daily physiological needs.

The ways to meet such needs could vary significantly. For example, the beautiful carved and decorated bows of the ships, works of art for nowadays observers, contained simple holes used by common sailors as toilets. To use such primitive means required great physical skill since these rudimentary bathrooms were but holes above the open sea, where sailors could easily fall into the water if a strong wave pushed the ship a little harder than expected. While evacuating, the sailors would hang on to a simple rope to avoid falling into the sea. As time went by, these spaces became more sheltered, to avoid unpleasant incidents, but the privacy we cherish today would have seemed then an illusion, and it took a long time to come true.

Of course, naval officers had much more comfortable places where they could take care of their needs. In the aft of the ships there were often double deck and well-equipped toilet rooms with real baths, sinks and latrines.

This post, although it may rightly provoke a little laughter, just wants to shed some light on an aspect of everyday life aboard early modern ships that is fully part of the history of the body and medicine (just think about the conditions on board a ship during an epidemic of dysentery!). The hope is that in the history of navigation, medicine, and naval archaeology too, this important aspect can be more considered. [David Salomoni]