Keelhauling, a brutal naval punishment introduced in the Dutch Navy around 1560, involved dragging sailors under the ship's keel as a form of discipline. This severe punishment often resulted in serious injury or death, reflecting the harsh realities of naval life during this period. The practice highlighted the strict discipline enforced in maritime operations and the dangers faced by sailors at sea.

The introduction of keelhauling in the Dutch Navy in 1560 inspired maritime poetry and sea shanties that explored naval discipline and sacrifice. Poets like Robert Louis Stevenson depicted the harsh realities of exploration-era life, capturing the tension between adventure and danger.