1. History of the Smoking Lamp
“Lighting the smoking lamp” is a custom, like many of our
Marine and Naval customs, that had its beginning in the
days of “wooden ships and iron men”. Sailors were
forbidden to have flints or other flame producing devices
on their person for obvious safety reasons.
At the direction of the ship’s Captain, the smoking lamp would
be “lighted” at various times of the day and the sailors and Marines
would gather on deck to smoke their tobacco. Strict adherence
was demanded and the hapless offender received severe punishment