Keelhauling: meaning, definitions and examples
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keelhauling
[ kil-haw-ling ]
naval punishment
Keelhauling is a form of punishment that was used in naval discipline, primarily in the 17th to 19th centuries. It involved dragging a sailor underwater from one side of the ship to the other, often resulting in severe injury or death. The practice was intended as a deterrent for serious offenses such as mutiny or dereliction of duty.
Synonyms
correct, discipline, punish.
Examples of usage
- The captain decided to keelhaul the mutineer as a warning to the rest of the crew.
- Historically, keelhauling was a brutal punishment for sailors who disobeyed orders.
- Reports of keelhauling struck fear into the hearts of sailors across the seas.
Translations
Translations of the word "keelhauling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 arrastar sob o casco do navio
🇮🇳 नौका के नीचे खींचना
🇩🇪 unter dem Schiff ziehen
🇮🇩 menarik di bawah lambung kapal
🇺🇦 перетягування під кілем
🇵🇱 ciągnięcie pod kadłubem
🇯🇵 船の下に引きずる
🇫🇷 traînage sous la coque
🇪🇸 arrastrar por debajo del casco
🇹🇷 gemi altından çekmek
🇰🇷 선체 아래로 끌다
🇸🇦 سحب تحت هيكل السفينة
🇨🇿 táhnout pod trupem lodi
🇸🇰 ťahanie pod trupom
🇨🇳 拖拉在船体下
🇸🇮 vlečenje pod trupom
🇮🇸 draga undir skipinu
🇰🇿 кеменің астынан тарту
🇬🇪 ნავით გადაყვანა
🇦🇿 gəminin altından çəkmək
🇲🇽 arrastrar por debajo del casco
Etymology
The term 'keelhauling' originates from the Dutch word 'kil', which means 'keel', the lowest part of a ship's hull. This method of punishment is reputed to have emerged in the 16th century around the time when European naval powers were establishing dominance on the high seas. It gained notoriety particularly in the British and Dutch navies. Sailors were subjected to this extreme punishment as a means to enforce discipline, especially on pirates and during times of war when strict adherence to commands was vital. The act of dragging a sailor under the ship served not only to punish but also to instill fear among the crew, which was crucial for maintaining order on ships that operated for extended periods at sea. Over time, as naval practices evolved and became more humane, the use of keelhauling declined and was largely abolished by the 19th century.