BOATSWAIN (pronounced " bo'

See also:

• SUN
• SUN (0. Eng. sonne, Ger. sonne. Fr. soleil, Lat. sol, Gr. ijXior, from which comes helio- in various English compounds)

sun "; derived from "

See also:

• BOAT (0. Eng. bdt; the true etymological connexion with Dutch and Ger. boot, Fr. bateau, Ital. battello presents great difficulties; Celtic forms are from O. Eng.)

boat " and " swain," a servant)  , the warrant officer of the navy who in sailing-ships had particular charge of the boats, sails, rigging, colours, anchors and cordage . He superintended the rigging of the ship in dock, and it was his duty to summon the crew to work by a whistle . The office still remains, though with functions modified by the introduction of steam . In a merchant ship the boatswain is the foreman of the crew and is sometimes also third or fourth mate .