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Archiver > Mariners > 2003-05 > 1051951607


From: "Nida Rogers" <>
Subject: Re: [Mar] Of Steam ships, WCs, Wooden cogs and things.....
Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 16:47:14 +0800
References: <9gq6bv4t86njsj8hq5k631p21bdur7ve4i@4ax.com>


Hello Paul,

Many thanks for the posting. To see what the modern submariner
has to contend with when "nature calls", please see:

http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/chap9.htm

Scroll-down to section 102 (F. Heads).

I never served in boats but I knew a few that did. They all stressed
the importance of following the correct flushing procedure.

Failure to do so could result in unpleasant consequences. I think that
it was called "blowback".

Best regards,
Iain Rogers, Hong Kong, China

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Benyon <>
To: <>



>
> The following extract from the "Times" of 11 Oct 1852 caught my eye, as
> it appeared to cover several interesting topics - at a time when steam
> was starting to make headway on the international stage and when the
> increased number of passengers was starting to make companies rethink
> their policies when it came to using water closets rather than the
> "head" and the need to maintain ventilation etc.
>
> But the thought of a vessel using wooden cogs on a trip of 12,000 miles
> has me a little worried though ;-)
>
> Interesting to note that the RN was prepared to let men go abroad in
> order that the packet service could be maintained - although, perhaps
> this was a cheaper option than paying for their passage home ?
>
> THE AUSTRALIAN MAIL PACKETS.- Plymouth, October 9. The A
> P.M., that the water was got out of her. The leakage came in through the
> lower ports and the water-closets ; the lower ports are each fitted with
> two half-doors, one opening upwards, the other down; the latter were
> said to be caulked at Woolwich, but it will be readily perceived that
> any attempt to caulk one half the ports must be insufficient, especially
> in a ship constructed like the Melbourne. When the ship plunged in heavy
> weather the sea was forced up through the soil pipes of the two closets
> on either side of the bow, and of the two on the larboard quarter. These
> closets will be removed, and other accommodations adopted. The
> intention, in caulking the lower halves only of the lower ports, was to
> give extra ventilation in the tropics, but the ports will now be
> fastened, and caulked above and below, and ventilation will be attained
> by brass scuttles and by cowl pipes from the deck.
>
>

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