Poop deck

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In naval architecture, a poop deck is a deck that constitutes the roof of a poop cabin built in the aft (rear) part of the superstructure of a ship. The name originates from the Latin puppis, or the elevated stern deck.

In sailing ships, with the helmsman at the stern, an elevated position was ideal for both navigation and observation of the crew.

The picture shows the stern of the ship. The deck out of view above the aftercabin is the poop deck. Despite similarity of the words, this has nothing to do with slang terms for defecation, which is performed using the ship's head. On modern, motorized warships, the ship functions which were once carried out on the poop deck are moved to the superstructure in the center of the ship (or the island on the starboard side, in the case of aircraft carriers), and the aft area, which is clear and flush with the main deck, is referred to as the fantail.

[edit] Sailing ship anatomy

Breakdown of a sailing ship
Parts of a sailing ship
Anchor \|Anchor windlass \| Bilgeboard \| Capstan \| Centreboard \| Daggerboard \| Deck \| Figurehead \| Forecastle \| Gunwale \| Hull \| Jackline \| Leeboard \| Mast \| Orlop deck \| Poop deck \| Rudder \| Ship's wheel \| Skeg \| Stern \| Tiller \| Winch