What did a boatswain do in1870?

[goggy]

Carmela,the sailor laddies probably thought the reaction of the locals was a good thing to remember!Not realising that the whip      carried by Baas was what got the instant obedience!!Bo,suns also carried a Ropes End to encourage slackers.
                   Cheers,George.

[SB]

Thanks, Carmella, my dictionary agrees with you.
Maybe, goggy, this goes some way to explaining why anyone would want to sail solo around the world.
SB