Keel hauling

[dazmac]

What was the procedure for keel-hauling ? Front to back of the ship ? side to side ? How did the rope get round the bottom ? If front to back and a man at each side pulling on a rope whilst walking the deck, what about guns etc protruding from the sides ?

[mikewall01]

It was a side to side procedure. For an explanation check out these two links below; http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/2700/st
ory52.htm and this one http://www.jcu.edu.au/aff/history/southseas/refs/f
alc/0757.html

[sddsddean]

Although it was most common to be keelhauled from side to side, as the articles above say, [usually ropes were attached to both hands and feet so that the victim didn't 'come up' too quick], it was not unknown for someone to be 'keelhauled the length of the ship'. This was usually fatal, as the victim, if they had any sense, opened their mouth and drowned. They would be put in position under the ship in the same manner as normal, then the men holding the ropes would walk the length of the ship. Apart from the drowning hazard, the victim usually got cut to ribbons on the barnacles etc on the ships bottom. Not a nice way to go!