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Back in the days of the Sailing Ships, the Navy (and all vessels) placed their bathrooms at the front (the bow, or Head) of the ship. (The "Head" also is a reference to the ornate decorations of Mermaids found on the bow of many vessels). Anyway, you might think it funny to place a bathroom at the front of the ship. Each time the ship moves, the smell should flow back over the rest of the ship, right? No, because this was in the days of sail. In order for a ship to move, the wind had to come from behind, catch the sails and move the ship. The wind would always move faster than the ship, thus carrying the smell away from the vessel.

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15y ago
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10y ago

The first toilet facilities on sail vessels being men o war or merchantment was at the bow, or "HEAD" of a ship. It was a hole in the deck, forward of the waterline, and was washed out by wave action or with buckets of salt water.

Contrary to what you may think, the wind on a sailing ship blows from aft to forward, meaning any smell was blown clear of the ship.

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Q: Why is the bathroom called the head?
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