Tycho,
Perhaps the dictionary definition should have said 'midshipman' rather than 'sailor', since mastheading was a customary punishment for one in his position. I believe it was a punishment which was effective but which didn't necessarily demean his status, which cleaning the heads certainly would have done - although I can't say that a midshipman was never given this as a punishment. Ordinary sailors, the preferred term was normally seaman, had the more demeaning punishments such as being manacled, perhaps cleaning the heads, and of course being flogged.
As you say, climbing to the masthead was to be expected when it was required - especially from the topmen or lookout, who wouldn't have considered it particularly dangerous and who were certainly conscious of the attached prestige. I'm not sure there was a 'cut-off point' for officers but they probably didn't go there that often, although junior officers were sometimes sent aloft with a glass if a second opinion of a situation, usually the sighting of a doubtful ship, was sought by the captain. Occasionally more senior officers went there too - and there is the famous instance of a certain Captain Nelson climbing to the masthead of his ship - I forget which one - in a 'race' with a young midshipman who had recently joined, to show him that there was nothing to be feared. (I have not read it anywhere, but I can imagine Nelson holding back to enable the youngster to get to the masthead at the same time, or even slightly ahead of, himself.)
Kester
|