Saluting the quarter-deck. The admiral in our picture is saluting the quarter-deck as he is received aboard. This is the perpetuation of an ancient custom; of which the exact origin is somewhat obscure. Some consider the salute to the quarter-deck to be a survival of the demonstration of respect given to the shrine; which in medieval days was situated in the after part of a ship; frequently on the quarter-deck. By others its origin is thought to be due to the fact that the seat of command; representative of the royal prerogative; lay there. Thus a salute to the quarter-deck was a mark of respect to the King. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy; Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.