Three hundred years ago wipping was a common practice in most navies and on cargo ship. There were no laws against it and almost everyone thought whipping was the appropriate way to discipline sailors who disobeyed orders or were drunk on duty.Mr. Williams was an officer on a cargo ship 300 years ago. One night while at sea, he found a sailor drunk at a time when he should have been on watch. After the sailor sobered up Williams punished the sailor by giving him 5 lashes with a whip. Is it ok for Mr williams to whip the sailor? Yes or No Last edited: 13-Jun-09 09:03 AM