noon
The '' _ sick-bay _ '' is that part of a man-of-war where the invalid seamen are placed ; in many respects it answers to a public hospital ashore . As with most frigates , the sick-bay of the Neversink was on the berth-deck -- the third deck from above . It was in the extreme forward part of that deck , embracing the triangular area in the bows of the ship . It was , therefore , a subterranean vault , into which scarce a ray of heaven 's glad light ever penetrated , even at noon . In a sea-going frigate that has all her armament and stores on board , the floor of the berth-deck is partly below the surface of the water . But in a smooth harbour , some circulation of air is maintained by opening large auger-holes in the upper portion of the sides , called `` air-ports , '' not much above the water level . Before going to sea , however , these air-ports must be closed , caulked , and the seams hermetically sealed with pitch .