GUN-DECK: Under certain circumstances drunkenness was not a naval crime. Shore-leave was infrequent and it was expected that many of the men would return to the ship drunk. He was expected to conduct himself as best he could in the presence of the gangway watch; but upon reaching the gun deck, he was allowed to curse the officers, the ship, the navy, or any other institution in the vilest language he was capable of uttering with impunity. This practice was called "gundecking"