How did Pirates relieve themselves? In most ships there would be a place at the bow (front pointy end) of the ship called the head. This was a hole in the floor to squat over. Faeces would fall directly into the sea below.

On a historical pirate ship, sailors relieved themselves at the "head," located at the very front (bow) of the vessel. This area featured wooden platforms with holes cut into them, positioned over the water. The term "head" is still used in maritime lingo today to refer to the bathroom. While the ocean provided a natural "flush," the experience was far from pleasant; sailors had to balance over the crashing waves, often clinging to the "beakhead" railings for safety during rough weather. To clean themselves, they used a "tow rag"—a frayed piece of hemp rope soaked in salt water and tied to the ship. In contrast, the captain and high-ranking officers enjoyed more privacy in the "quarter gallery" at the stern, which was essentially an overhanging wooden closet with a seat that dropped waste directly into the sea, far away from the crew's living quarters.