Panoramic view of the captain’s cabin on USS Blueback (SS-581). In reality, the entire cabin is about the size of a small walk-in closet.

Definition

Noun

  • Known on a cruise ship/passenger ship as a stateroom. In the USN or USCG (and most merchant vessels), it refers specifically to the captain’s quarters where the commanding officer resides.
  • The officer’s quarters on early sailing ships.

Origin

Probably earlier than the 15th or 16th centuries. Possibly from the Latin word Capanna, meaning little house.

Comments

On sailing vessels, a cabin originally referred to a box-hammock suspended from the overhead which was a luxury at the time on ships. The first cabins were probably the carosse, which was an open space under the poop deck on a galley where the admiral or captain had his bed. This area eventually became enclosed by bulkheads to form the great cabin. This was further divided into a sleeping cabin and day cabin, where the captain took his meals prepared by a private cook.

From the early 17th to mid-19th centuries, cabins for officers below the rank of captain were usually temporary affairs with canvas screens or removable wooden bulkheads for privacy. Their cots and personal items would be stored in this space, but the area could be quickly dismantled in the event of battle, fire, etc.

On U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, staterooms are the bedrooms for officers, with several officers sharing a single stateroom. The Executive Officer (XO) “usually” has a stateroom to themselves, but there’s an extra rack for visiting dignitaries to share. Only the captain has the luxury of having his own private cabin and he does not surrender it to anyone (even visiting dignitaries).

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.