Hi! I'm the one who posted about the "captain's daughter" earlier.

As it was explained to me, the 'Captain's Daughter' was a tool of discipline, usually either a lash or something similar. to "kiss the captain's daughter" (for light shipboard transgressions) was a light beating, while "put to bed with the captain's daughter" would be being beaten until the sailor passed out from the pain.

I'm willing to believe this, as I've seen a "Bosun's Daughter", which was a studded club about 2' long - apparently quite adept at subduing or killing should the need be.

For real context on "Drunken Sailor", consider that a truly drunken sailor on watch is at best useless, at worst an absolute menace to both ship and crew. In theory, it's still possible to be executed for being drunk on watch in the US Navy (didn't say it was done...just that it was in the possible punishments). I've read accounts of sailors drunk on watch being punished in truly horrific ways... Being beaten unconscious is probably one of the nicer that I've heard.

M