Brian Whatcott wrote:
Lacking a stronger source, I speculate:
a wooden bucket or small barrel was formerly used for the sanitary
purpose.
The top surface of a barrel is called the head.


Nice try, Brian and Ansley, but no cigar for either of you this
time...Roger's answer is the correct one--the head takes its name from
its original location at the head/bow of the vessel. And since waste
went directly overboard--no hoses or fixtures where sea water or waste
could collect--there was no odor. But since sailors of that era rarely
bathed, they wouldn't have noticed any odor from the head anyway.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1