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The cat o' nine tails (the cat) was a multi-tailed whip, each tail having knots spaced along its length, and was used to inflict severe physical punishment, notably in the Royal Navy and Army of Great Britain. On board ship, the captain may order a member of the crew to several lashes of the cat as punishment: 6, 12, 24 lashes and so on, depending on the crime. The seaman would be fastened to a grating set vertical. The whole crew would be summoned to 'witness punishment' and be forced to watch the punishment - as a reminder that they would receive the same if they committed the same crime or misdemeanour in the future.

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7y ago

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