Keelhauling is a form of punishment and/or execution meted out to sailors at sea. The sailor was tied to a line looped beneath the vessel, thrown overboard on one side of the ship, and dragged under the ship's keel, either from one side of the ship to the other, or the length of the ship (from bow to stern).
Keelhauling would result either in severe physical injuries or more often, death. The hull of the ship was often covered in barnacles and other marine growth, therefore keelhauling would often result in serious lacerations, which could result in infection, scarring or death. The victim could also drown as a result of the amount of time spent under water.
History[]
Season Four[]
After Woodes Rogers defeats Edward Teach in the Boarding of the Lion, he has Teach keelhauled. Teach survives his first round, and Rogers has his men keelhaul him again. Rogers then orders that Rackham be keelhauled, but Teach reveals himself to be alive, coughing and trying to rise. After the third round, Teach remains alive, and again tries to rise, much to the amazement of his crew. Out of patience, Rogers takes Lieutenant Kendrick’s pistol and shoots Teach in the head.
After Rackham defeats Rogers at the Battle at Skeleton Island, he confronts the captured Rogers. Rackham gloats, and promises Rogers that no one is going to be keelhauled, though the thought had crossed Jack’s mind.
Quotes[]
"Don't worry. No one's going under the ship today. Though, the thought had crossed my mind."
- Jack Rackham to Woodes Rogers in XXXVIII.
Trivia[]
- Keelhauling was a real practice, and was even an official, although rare, punishment of the Dutch navy.
