GLOSSARY OF NAUTICAL TERMS

Aback (or Backwinded) - The sail filling on the wrong side, in the case of a square rigger; may cause the ship to back up. Abaft - Towards the stern. Abrest - Along side of. Admiralty - A government department that administers the affairs of the Navy. A pirate would be judged by certain members at his trial. Admiralty Law - The law of the sea. (See Admiralty) Aft - At, near, or towards the stern. Aft Deck (Poop Deck)- Highest and rear-most deck of a vessel, directly above the captains quarters. Against the Sun - Counter-clockwise direction. Ropes on the left-hand side of the ship are coiled and tied against the sun. Ahoy- A seamans call to attract attention. Aloft - Above the deck, in the rigging, on the mast, or in the crows nest. Alongside - Close up beside a ship, wharf, or dock. Amidships - In the middle of the ship. Anchorage - A sheltered place or area, such as a wharf, cove, or inlet, where a ship can anchor safely. Astern - Behind a ship. Bar (or Sandbar) - Strips of sand or mud near shore created by waves and current movement. Large ships such as galleons can run aground on bars. Bare-Pole - Condition of a vessel in which it carries no sails. During storms, a crew will furl or, in extreme cases, take down the ships sails, making it bare-pole. Barnacle - A shellfish that will attach to the submerged part of a ships hull. Many will reduce a ships overall speed. Batten Down - To tie down all hatches and loose objects in the event of a storm. Bear Off - To sail away from a shore, object, or against the wind. Bear Up - To sail directly towards a shore or object, or to sail with the wind. Belay - To nix or change an order; as in, Belay that. Belay Pin - A thick wood pin in the railing of the ship used to secure rigging and lines to. Berth - A safe or cautious distance. Bilge - Lowest part of the ships hold; water seeping into the ship or leaking down from above tends to collect in this area. Bilge Pump - A manually-operated pump used to remove water leaking into or collecting within a ship. Boatswain (Bosn) - Crewmember responsible for keeping the hull, rigging, and sails in repair. Bone in her teeth - Sailing extremely well, so as a spray is being thrown up from the stem of the boat. Bow - The front of the vessel. Bridge - The location of a vessel in which the steering wheel is located. Can be considered

a command station. By the head - Where the bow is lower than the stern. By the stern - Where the stern is lower than the bow. Canvas - Slang for sail. Capstan - A large, short, cylindered object used to wind in rope or chains and is manually operated. Capsize - To turn over. Carpenter - Crewmember responsible for repairing the wooden parts of the ship and supervising careening. Would often double as a surgeon if one wasnt available. Castellan - Military officer in charge of a fort. Cast Off - To release a ship from its mooring ropes, raise its anchor, and release its sails. Caulking - To fill the seams of a wood vessel with caulk to make it water-tight. Chart Table - A table designated as the area where the navigator will study and store sea charts and maps. Chop - Small, steep, disorderly waves. Can cause a ship to pitch and roll. Coasting - Sailing close to shore. Colors - Term for a national flag or banner under which a ship sails. Dog Watch - Two-hour watch shift. Douse - To drop a sail quickly. Drift - When a vessel sails without the aid of sails. Ease - To relieve tension on a line. Ebb - When the tide passes from high to low, going out to sea. An optimal time to sail from a dock or shore. Fast - Used to describe an object that is tied or secured to another. Fathom - Nautical measurement of six feet. Forecastle (Focsle) - The extreme forward compartment of the vessel. Foot - Bottom part of a sail. Galley - Kitchen of a ship. Grog - Watered-down rum. Was a part of a Navy sailors rationed diet. Gun Deck - Enclosed deck where cannons and weapons are stored. Usually located directly beneath the main deck. Gunner - Crewmember responsible for maintaining the cannons and firearms, and commanding the members of the crew that operate the cannons in battle. Hard Over - When a steering wheel is turned as far as it can go. Helm - Steering wheel. Helmsman - Crew member responsible for the steering of the ship. Hold - Space for cargo below deck. Typically the second-to-last deck of the ship, right above the bilge. Keel - Centerline plank on the bottom of the ship that helps the vessel remain upright.

League - Nautical term of measurement. Is equivalent to three miles in length. Lifeline - Rope used to tether a crewman to the ship in turbulent waters and storms. Log - Book recording a ships courses and crews operations. Mainmast - The tallest mast on a ship. Mizzenmast - The mast behind the main mast; the aft-mast. Quartermaster - The ships foreman. Was responsible for maintaining order, distributing supplies, rations, and shares of the treasure. Scurvy - Disease common amongst sailors, due to lack of Vitamin C. Symptoms include the gums becoming spongy and teeth becoming loose. In some cases, fatigue and nausea also occur. Starboard - Right side of a ship. Stern - Backside of a vessel. Turnbuckle - Adjustable rigging fitting, commonly used for lifelines or small rigging. Weigh - Slang for bringing up; as in Weigh anchor. Windward - Upwind.