Going to the loo on a ship of the age of sail was a real adventure. Depending on the seaway, a sailor even risked his life to poo. This is because the latrines for the crew were located on the outside of the ship and—as you can see in this clip from the film Master and Commander—were exposed not only to prying eyes but also the elements. In this video, we venture deep into the smelly secrets of seafaring to explore the toilet situation aboard ships of the age of sail.
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Bibliography
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