Boatswain

an officer on board a ship, whose function it is to take charge of the rigging, cables, cordage, anchors, sails, boats, flags and stores. He must inspect the rigging every morning and keep it in good repair; and must either by himself or by deputy steer the life boat. If on a ship of war he must call the men to their duty by means of a silver whistle given him for the purpose; besides taking into custody those condemned by a court martial, and, either by himself or by deputy, inflict on them the punishment awarded.