What Is Poop Deck?
What Are They, and Why Are They Called That?
If you’ve ever heard the phrase poop deck, you’ve probably wondered where it came from and what it means.
Although the phrase sounds quite amusing in English, the poop deck of a ship has nothing to do with poop.
It was never used for any purpose relating to going to the bathroom – but was a very important part of ship design.
What Are They, and Why Are They Called That?
A poop deck is a short, high deck of a ship located in the aft (back).
It was traditionally used to provide a high point for observations and navigation. Most modern ships don’t have a poop deck, as it is no longer needed.
Below is a simple diagram of the poop deck of a ship…
Where Does the Name Poop Deck Come From?
The name Poop Deck originated from the French “La Poupe” which means “the stern.” This refers to the Poop Deck’s location at the aft of the ship.
Many people wrongly assume that a poop deck – as the name suggests – is designed as some sort of a relief area. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Did Sailors Poop off The Poop Deck?
Sailors didn’t poop off the poop deck. The deck’s purpose was for navigational and observation purposes and there were other locations for the sailors to use as toilets.
The poop deck would usually be occupied by officers/crew members in charge of the ship. This is the last place that the majority of crew would want to go to the toilet!
Poop Deck Name Theories
It is commonly accepted that the name originated from the French word La Poupe, meaning stern, but there are often other reasons given as to why this deck is referred to as the poop deck.
One theory relates to the waves and the idea of the ship being ‘pooped’. Whether this is true in reality or just a coincidence is unclear.
When a wave comes from behind and hits the ship in such a way that water comes over the stern, the ship is said to have been pooped. But a poop deck raises the height of the stern, making it less likely that you’ll ship water from the following wave. The poop deck makes it harder to get pooped.
Above is a deck plan of a ship showing the poop deck clearly marked on the aft. This ship is the C.A. Thayer, built in California in 1895. The poop deck area is relatively small, compared to the rest of the ship.
What is The Poop Cabin on a Ship?
The cabin located under the poop deck was occasionally referred to as the poop cabin. It is located at the aft of the ship.
What is Meant by “Swabbing the Poop Deck?”
The phrase “swabbing the poop deck” relates to keeping the wood of the poop deck damp.
This would help to slow deterioration and minimize the risk of fire caused by the guns, cannons, and gunpowder used onboard.
Swabbing the Poop Deck also gave the crew something to do to prevent boredom during long sailings.
Did Titanic Have a Poop Deck?
The Titanic had a poop deck which was located on deck B and was used by 3rd class passengers as outside recreational space.
The Titanic’s poop deck was 128 feet long, and because of its location, it was one of the last decks above the water before the Titanic sank.
On Titanic’s poop deck, there was a staircase down to the Steering Gear Room and a docking bridge.