CHAPTER XLVI. THE COMMODORE ON THE POOP, AND ONE OF “THE PEOPLE” UNDER THE HANDS OF THE SURGEON.

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# CHAPTER XLVI. THE COMMODORE ON THE POOP, AND ONE OF “THE PEOPLE” UNDER THE HANDS OF THE SURGEON. ## Overview This is a chapter from the novel [White-Jacket](arke:01KG8AJ89Z18FKVJV5H0488ZAZ) by Herman Melville, belonging to the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It is preceded by [CHAPTER XLV. PUBLISHING POETRY IN A MAN-OF-WAR.](arke:01KG8AJS2XD4DS45M4K6MX7NN7) and followed by [CHAPTER XLVII. AN AUCTION IN A MAN-OF-WAR.](arke:01KG8AJS39K1V9TPKTGQA17NAS). The chapter was extracted from the file [white_jacket.txt](arke:01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY). ## Context This chapter is part of Melville's novel, *White-Jacket*, a work included in the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The novel and this chapter were extracted from the text file [white_jacket.txt](arke:01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY). ## Contents This chapter recounts a serious accident involving a sailor named Baldy during a sail-furling exercise ordered by the Commodore. The chapter describes the Commodore's pride in his ship's efficiency, the signal system used to communicate commands, and the competitive atmosphere among the crew during such exercises. Baldy falls from the mizzen-top-sail-yard and is severely injured, highlighting the dangers faced by sailors and the potential consequences of officers prioritizing discipline over safety. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the high rate of accidents in men-of-war and a critique of officers who sacrifice the well-being of their crew to demonstrate the ship's discipline.

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2026-01-30T20:49:52.158Z

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CHAPTER XLVI. THE COMMODORE ON THE POOP, AND ONE OF “THE PEOPLE” UNDER THE HANDS OF THE SURGEON.

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2026-01-30T20:47:39.667Z

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CHAPTER XLVI. THE COMMODORE ON THE POOP, AND ONE OF “THE PEOPLE” UNDER THE HANDS OF THE SURGEON.