Head (USS Constellation)

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The crew’s bathroom was through the opening in the railings here at the bow. Sailors refer to their bathroom as the “head” because it is located at the front or “head” of the ship. Through the passage was a platform which had two benches called cabinets, one on either side of the ship. Each cabinet had several holes in the seat for the sailors to relieve themselves. The whole crew used this area for a bathroom. Only the captain had a private washroom in his quarters. Officers typically used chamber pots which they emptied here at the head. Why have a bathroom at the front of the ship? The reasons for locating the heads at the bow are Smells Smells emanating from the heads would be blown away from the deck of the ship by the following winds; that were normally from aft, as the ship sailed before the wind. Keeping the Heads’ Outflows Clean Because the heads were right at the bow slanting inwards, the waves constantly splashing seawater upwards would wash any accumulation of waste from the port and starboard planking, whilst also keeping the gratings used as a toilet seat and the surrounding deck area well washed.

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