- description
- # CHAPTER XX. HOW THEY SLEEP IN A MAN-OF-WAR.
## Overview
This is the twentieth chapter of the novel *White-Jacket*, titled "How They Sleep in a Man-of-War." It details the sleeping arrangements and challenges faced by sailors aboard a naval vessel. The chapter is part of the collection "Melville Complete Works" and was extracted from the file "white_jacket.txt."
## Context
This chapter is situated within Herman Melville's novel *White-Jacket*, which offers a satirical and critical look at life in the U.S. Navy during the mid-19th century. The novel was extracted from a plain text file and is organized into a collection of Melville's complete works. This chapter follows "CHAPTER XIX. THE JACKET ALOFT." and precedes "CHAPTER XXI. ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR’S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED."
## Contents
Chapter XX focuses on the cramped and uncomfortable sleeping conditions in a man-of-war. The narrator describes the hammocks, the lack of personal space, and the difficulties of achieving restful sleep due to the close proximity of other sailors and the heat. The text highlights the strict regulations that prevent sailors from improving their sleeping quarters, such as using "spreaders" to widen their hammocks. The chapter also recounts an incident where a hammock gave way, nearly causing an accident, and speculates on the victim's potential role as an informant. The narrative is divided into two chunks, detailing the physical discomfort and the psychological impact of these conditions.
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- CHAPTER XX. HOW THEY SLEEP IN A MAN-OF-WAR.
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- CHAPTER XX.