0 the officer on a ship who is responsible for taking care of the ship's equipment
A boatswain on board an English ship-of-war is a more important personage than he is apt to be on board an American.
The boatswain and carpenter, and also the clerk, Mr. Samuel, were allowed to come upon deck.
The boatswain had power to beat the laggards and the ship's boys with a cane, or with a piece of knotted rope.
The boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, who are called the warrant-officers, always remain on board, even when the rest of the officers and crew are paid off, and the ship laid up in ordinary.
This boatswain was a young man, who had been for some years a follower of the Admiral in different ships, and to whom he had just given a warrant.
The boatswain was degraded and sentenced to 50 lashes while the four others were sentenced to 27 lashes.
Sailors, craftsmen and boatswains were known for fostering a tolerant attitude towards alcohol.
Just aft of that was a small mess for the petty officers (chief cook, chief steward, boatswain, and carpenter) consisting of four bunks and a table.