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.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  San Francisco, CA  |  San Francisco County  |  94109  |  California  |  United States of America

Hyde Street Pier
San Francisco Bay "Ark" Historical
The Tubbs Cordage Building Historical
Triple-Expansion Steam Engine Historical
Tug Sea Fox Historical
Steam Donkey Engine Historical
Ferryboat Eureka Historical
The Return of the C.A. Thayer Historical
The South End Rowing Club
Hyde Street Pier Was Part of Highway 101 Historical

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.