Poop deck

File:Soleil-Royal mp3h9369.jpg

Poop deck of a model of the Soleil-Royal, as seen from the forecastle

In naval architecture, a poop deck is a deck that forms the roof of a cabin built in the rear, or "aft", part of the superstructure of a ship.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The name originates from the French word for stern, Template:Wikt-lang, from Latin Template:Wikt-lang. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or "after" cabin, also known as the "poop cabin" (or simply the poopTemplate:Sfn). On sailing ships, the helmsman would steer the craft from the quarterdeck, immediately in front of the poop deck. At the stern, the poop deck provides an elevated position ideal for observation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While the main purpose of the poop is adding buoyancy to the aft, on a sailing ship the cabin was also used as an accommodation for the shipmaster and officers.Template:Sfn

On modern, motorized warships, the ship functions which were once carried out on the poop deck have been moved to the bridge, usually located in a superstructure.

See also

• Common names for decks
• Taffrail, the handrail around the poop deck
• Quarter gallery, a projecting area at the stern
• Puppis, a constellation

Sources

• Template:Cite encyclopedia