Naval Terms

a term applied to a vessel whose yards are so trimmed that the wind is on their forward side and tending to drive her astern.

towards the stern of a ship, relative to some other object or position.

on or in a vessel. Close aboard is to be in close proximity to a ship or obstruction.

across the wind in relation to the bow of a sailing vessel

a term denoting floating at random, as of a boat or swhip broken away from its moorings and tat the mercy of winds and waves

the condition of resting buoyantly upon the water, the upward pressure being equal to that of gravity

at or near the stern or after part of a ship (opposite of fore)

behind a vessel

something which is directly across the line of a ship's course

the condition when the seas wash over a wreck or shoal, or when a vessel is so low that water is constantly washing aboard in quantities

an order to shove off or to lower a boat or draft of cargo

towards the direction of the wind; to windward

the situation of the anchor at the moment it is broken out of the ground. When this situation occurs, the ship is no longer secured to the ground and will drift unless under sail or power.

additional weight carried in a ship to give it stability and/or to provide a satisfactory trim

to secure the openings in the decks and sides of a vessel when heavy weather is forecast

the transverse measurement of a ship at its widest part. It is also a term used in indicating direction in relation to a ship.

the direction or point of the compass in which an object is seen, or the direction of one object from another, with reference to (1) the nearest cardinal point of the compass, or (2) true north, measuring clockwise

working to windward by successive tacks

to blanket a sail or vessel by intercepting the wind with other sails or with another vessel

A vessel unable to make progress through the lack of wind

to secure a sail to a yard or other spar. Also, to shackle the chain to the anchor.

a wooden box or non-magnetic metallic container for the compass

(pron. bo sun) in the US Navy, a petty officer who supervises the deck force in seamanship duties

in the US Navy, a petty officer who supervises the deck force in seamanship duties

two vertical heards of iron or wood to which mooring lines are made fast

to extend a corner of a sail with a spar

the foremost end of a ship

the author of the American Practical Navigator, the great American epitome of navigtion, known popularly among seafarers as Bowditch. It is published by the US Naval Oceanographic Office

(pron bo lin) the line leading forward from the bow chock when a vessel is tied up to a wharf

(pron. bo sprit) a large spar projecting from the stem of sailing vessels

to name the points (and quarter points) of the compass from north through south to north and return backwards and to be able to answer any question respecting it divisions

a sudden rise or drop in a vessel's deck line

an elavated athwartship platform which a vessel is navigated and all activities on deck

to heave a vessel to the wind

the full weight of metal which can be fired simultaneously from all the guns on one side of a warship

a vertical partition dividing the hull into separate compartments

the planking or woodwork, or steel planting in the case of steel ships, along the sides of a ship above its upper deck to prevent seas washing over the gunwales

when a vessel is deeper than her normal draft forward

the situation when a square-rigged vessel running free on one tack is thrown off by a sea or bad steering sufficiently to bring her sails aback on the other tack

when a vessel is deeper than her normal draft at the stern, out of trim by an excess of weight aft

sailing close-hauled

a cylindrical barrel fitted in larger ships on the forecastle deck and used for heavy lifting work, particularly when working anchors and cables

to list; a vessel is hove down by careening her, when in a light trim, by use of tackles to a dock or trees on a river bank for the pupose of cleaning her bottom

an implement of punishment in the old navy. It is consisted of nine cords each with three knots, all lashed to a short heavy piece of rope. To be so punished was to be intruduced to the gunner's daughter

the science of findin a ship's position by means of observations of heavenly bodies and the mathematical calculation attending them

the condition of sailing when a vessel sails as close to the wind as possible with her sails full and drawing

to turn toward the wind

(pron. coxs'n) the helmsman of a ship's boat and the senior member of its crew who has permanent charge of it

small cranes from which a ship's boats are slung

to lose a mast

the depth of water a ship draws

the flag carried by a ship as insignia of her nationality, usually hoisted on a staff over the railing about her stern

to deviate from the course to which the head of a ship was previously directed

a nautical measure equal to six feet

naval officer above rank of captain. So called because the officer is authorized to fly a personal flag

a pole on which a flag is hoisted and displayed

(pron. fo'c'sul) forward section of weather deck

the distance, measured at the center of the ship, from the waterline to the uppermost complete deck that has permanent means of closing all openings in its weather portions

a spar that stands or hoists on the after side of the mast and supports the head of the sail

(pron. gunnul) the upper edge of a vessel's or boat's side

the ropes, wires, or tackles used to hoist or lower sails

an opening in a ship's deck affording access into the compartment below

to pull (nothing is ever "pulled" aboard ship)

to bring a sailing vessel nearer to the wind after she has been running before the wind

toilet facilities

to operate a sailing ship or powered vessel in such a way as to make no headway (the vessel remains relatively stationary). [syn. "to lie to"]

to lean over to one side, though not permanently

the steering mechanism of a ship

the body of a vessel exclusive of masts, yards, sails, rigging, machinery, and equipment

a ship so far distant that only its masts, and/or sails, funnels, etc.., are visibile above the horizon

to penetrate a vessel's hull with shot

towards midships

flagple at the bow from which the union jack is flown when a ship is not under way

the main center-line structural member, running fore and aft along the bottom of a ship

a punishment in which a man was hauled down one side of a vessel under the keel and up the other side

a measure of speed, not distance, in nautical miles per hour (equivalent to app. 1.1508 statute miles per hour)

left (now referred to as "port") side of a ship when looking forward

the situation of a sailing vessel with her sails trimmmed for a wind which comes voer her larboard (or port side)

the side of a ship, promontory, or other object away from the wind

(pron. loo'ard) being stituated, or having a direction, away from the wind

the inclining of a ship to one side or the other due usually to a shift in the cargo or the flooding of some part of the hull. It is a longer-term situation than a heel

compartment aboard ship or ashore fitted for the stowage of ammo

the direction at right angles to a ship's heading or line of her keel

away from a vessel; away from the center fore and aft line

to overtake another vessel

(also, Taffrail Log) a mechanical device used for the pupose of measuring the distance a vessel has sailed

a figure marked on thesides of cargo carriers indicating the depth to which the vessel can be loaded under given weather and water conditions

the raised deck and after structure at the stern of a vessel

said of a vessel which carries an extraordinary spread of canvas for some special purpose such as to avoid stranding, to escape an enemy, etc...

general term for any mechanical arrangement of blocks and line for multiplying force

ceremonial area of the main deck. In sailing vessels, it is abaft the mainmast. It was from the quarterdeck that the captain or master commanded a sailing vessel

to maneuver a warship so that it can fire down the length of an adversary

all the rope, chain, metalwork, and associated fittings used to support and operate the masts, spars, flags, sails, booms, and derricks of sailing vessels, and the masts, booms, and derricks of powered vessels

a flat vertical surface astern by which a ship or boat may be steered

draining holes cut through the bulwarks to allow any water on deck to drain away down the ship's side

(pron. shiv) the revolving wheel (or pulley) in a block

a patch of water in the sea with a depth less than that of the surrounding water

the fore and aft sail set from the after mast of a sailing vessel

a term applied to all masts, yards, gaffs, booms, etc.

right side of a ship when looking forward

the situation of a sailing vessel with her sails trimmed for wind which comes over her starboard side

to have sufficient headway for the rudder to grip the water so that a vessel will answer to her helm

the foremost timber or steel member forming the bow of a vessel

the after end of a vessel

line of planks or plates running the length of a vessel

all construction above the main deck of a ship

the operation of brining a sailing vessel's head to wind and across it so as to bring the wind on the opposite side of the vessel

(pron. takle) name used for a purchase after a line has been rove through the sheaves and the standing part has been made fast to one of the blocks. Essentially synonymous with "purchase" in everyday usage

the upper part of a ship's stern

lever that turns the rudder on a boat. Synonymous with "helm" in a larger vessel

the forward part or group of a formation of ships

the line indicated along the side of a vessel by the plane of the surface of the water

towards the point from which the wind blows

an uncovered deck exposed to the weather

the advantage of the wind. It refers to the position of a ship under sail when she is windward of another ship

to raise or lift the anchor

in the direction from which the wind blows

long, nearly cylindrical spars, tapering toward the ends, used for supporting and extending sails