IIRC, Magellan had two crew members executed for sodomy when he overwintered in Patagonia on his outward voyage. While it certainly went on, there was a great deal of risk involved if you were found out and the captain was a stickler for the law.
On voyages for extended lengths of time, I should have said. They would anchor a litle off shore and send the boats to land for provisions, often avoiding any native peoples.
If asked, the captain’s wife would almost surely say the hubby was “at sea”.
They prayed.
The full quote is funnier. One of many awesome Churchill quotes…
Admirals (to Churchill who had just been appointed “First Sea Lord”): “You have no respect for naval traditions”
Churchill: “Naval traditions? What are those? Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash”
Also the title of a Pogues Album 
Churchill just came up with this wonderful stuff, didn’t he?
Please recommend to me a book of Churchill quotes I should read before I die.
Thanks,
mangeorge
I believe also, when England/The Netherlands was at war with Spain/Portugal, there was much raiding of enemy towns, and probably some rapes occurred.
And bestiality. Magellan ordered the sheep executed too.
How timely! I just watched a segment on The Newshour about animal cloning. 
Man, was he lost.
The Royal Navy often pressed men into service. (The jokes practically write themselves don’t they?) Anyway, just because a ship came into port (see what I mean?) didn’t mean the men would be able to go ashore. On the other hand prostitutes in small boats would often go out to the ships and the men would have the opportunity to spend their money as they see fit.
David Cordingly’s Women Sailors and Sailor’s Women deals with the subject of homosexuality at sea to some extent.
Marc
Thus far not a mention of “The Search for the Golden Rivet”
You lot do surprise me
I’ve heard about the “traditions” involved with crossing the equator, etc. True?
Well, if you want a good description of modern Crossing the Line ceremonies, there was one in the recent thread discussing PBS’ Carrier series. Chief Scott gives a very detailed description of his transformation from 'wog to Shellback beginning about post #160.
As for what the Crossing the Line might have been like in the days of sail… I can’t begin to guess.
I’m not sure how accurate the situation is, but C.S. Forester did research his Horatio Horn blower novels pretty well, using period documents for background, and he depicted blockade service during the Napoleonic Wars as pretty grim in this aspect, with men spending months or even years on ships that might be within sight of land the whole time, yet not allowed on land, because of fear that the largely impressed crew would desert.
“Blow the man down…”
Well, yeah… Everyone has to eat, you know.
Gracias!
Slight hijack, but a fraternity brother of mine Crossed the Line at the intersection of the Equator with the Prime Meridian. I don’t recall the special name for that, but it was a pretty big deal to him at the time.
^ 0 degree long and 0 degree lat!