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Tattoos sailors got and why?

In: Maritime History [Edit categories]

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The answer is "pretty much whatever they wanted". The only tattoo I have heard of that was common to many old-time sailors was to have the letters H O L D F A S T tattooed on the backs of their hands -- one letter on each knuckle.

First answer by James McFarlane. Last edit by James McFarlane. Contributor trust: 267 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question].

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