This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2018) |
The aftercastle[pronunciation?] (or sterncastle, sometimes aftcastle) is the stern structure behind the mizzenmast and above the transom on large sailing ships, such as carracks, caravels, galleons and galleasses.[1] It usually houses the captain's cabin and perhaps additional cabins and is crowned by the poop deck, which on men-of-war provided a heightened platform from which to fire upon other ships; it was also a place of defence in the event of boarding. More common, but much smaller, is the forecastle.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Galeon_turystyczny_a4_ubt.jpeg/220px-Galeon_turystyczny_a4_ubt.jpeg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Gda%C5%84sk_-_Galeon_Lew_%28rufa%29.jpg/170px-Gda%C5%84sk_-_Galeon_Lew_%28rufa%29.jpg)
As sailing ships evolved, the aftercastle gave way to the quarterdeck, whose span ran all the way to the main mast.
References
edit- ^ "Castle ship part". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 January 2017.