It's a sickenin' thing.

The victim is lashed by his wrists to a capstan-bar in the ship's long-boat, and all the ship's boats are lowered also, and each ship in harbour sends a boat manned by marines to attend.

Then, with the master-at-arms and the ship's surgeon, the boat is cast off.

The boatswain's mate begins the floggin', and the boat rows away to the half-minute bell, the drummer beatin' the rogue's march.

From ship to ship the long-boat goes, and the punishment of floggin' is repeated.