Nautical Term: Quarter deck
Definition of Quarter deck
The quarter deck is a significant and raised section of the hull and deck extending from the aft shoulder to the stern. This area is named for its strategic location at the aftmost part of the ship, allowing crew members to defend against boarders from this vantage point.
For example, during a naval battle in the 18th century, the captain of a British warship gave the order to march to quarters on the quarter deck, as enemy ships were sighted closing in for a boarding action. The British crew quickly took up their defensive positions on the quarter deck, ready to repel the enemy boarders with swords, cutlasses, and muskets.
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