Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Saluting the Quarterdeck

A tradition maintained on all naval vessels is that any sailors entering or departing the quarterdeck are to salute. Some hold this is derived from the very early seagoing custom of the respect paid to the pagan altar on board ship, and later to the crucifix and shrine. Others hold that the custom comes from the early days of the British Navy when all officers who were present on the quarterdeck returned the salute of an individual by removing the their headdress. Today the salute is seen as respecting the authority of the ship and the colours that are flown on the quarterdeck.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01