aft:

Toward rear of a ship. Near or around the stern. Opposite of fore.

aloft:

Anywhere above deck.

astrolabe:

Astronomical instrument used by ancient Greeks and others to measure the angular height of celestial bodies in relation to the horizon. The seaman’'s astrolabe was a simple device for measuring the altitude of the sun or a star for fixing one’'s approximate latitude.

athwart:

Across

barque:

A sailing vessel with at least three masts, with the fore and mainmasts square rigged, and the mizzenmast or aftermast rigged fore-and-aft.

barquentine:

Vessel with the foremast rigged square, and the other masts rigged fore-and-aft.

beam:

Strong pieces of timber that support the decks.

beam ends:

A vessel lying on its side, whether in distress at sea, or aground.

Black Ball:

Shipping line famous for its fast passenger service between England, America and Australia. The New Brunswick-built Marco Polo was a Black Ball ship.

boom:

1. Spar used to extend the foot of a fore-and-aft sail; 2. a period of expansion or economic prosperity

bow:

Front of a ship.

brace:

Line attached to the end of the yard arms. Letting the braces in and out adjusts the angle of the yard and any sail hanging from it.

brig:

Two-masted sailing vessel with both masts square rigged.

brigantine:

Two-masted sailing vessel with square rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged mainmast.

canvas:

Jute, cotton or hemp material for making the sails of a ship.

cardinal points:

Four principal points of a compass: north, south, east and west.

clipper:

Sailing ship built for great speed. Clippers differ from other square riggers by having long and slender hulls at least six times as long as they are wide.

code signals:

Set of signal flags used to send messages.

compass:

Instrument used to plot the course of a vessel by showing direction. Is made of a freely swinging magnetized needle that points toward the (Magnetic) North Pole.

deck:

Planked floor on a vessel.

doldrums:

Areas of the ocean where there is usually very little wind.

figurehead:

Carved figure on the bow of many sailing vessels. A vessel without a figurehead has a "billet" head.

floor timbers:

Floor timbers connect the “spine” of a vessel (the keel and keelson) with frame timbers that support the hull’s shape.

foot:

Base or bottom of a sail.

fore:

Forward part of a vessel, or things in that direction; as in foremast, fore hatch. Opposite of aft.

fore-and-aft sail:

Sail that lies along the same line as the keel, or along the same plane as a vessel’s fore-and-aft line. Fore-and-aft sails are usually set upon gaffs, or on stays. Examples include the jib, spanker, etc.

foremast:

Most forward mast.

full rigged ship:

Vessel with square rigged sails on all masts.

furl:

To roll a sail up snugly on a yard or boom and secure it.

gaff:

Spar that is used to extend the vertical, or upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is not set on a stay.

half-model:

Wood model of a vessel carved to scale by a master shipbuilder and used to create accurate drawings to guide ship builders in constructing a full-sized frame of a vessel.

halyard:

Rope that lift yards up and down.

hardwood:

Wood of any tree with broad, flat leaves. Species include birch, oak and maple. Useful because they are tough and heavy with a compact texture.

hold:

Interior of a vessel where cargo is stowed.

hull:

Body of a vessel.

jib:

Triangular fore-and-aft sail set ahead of the foremast.

jigger:

Fourth mast from the bow on a ship, barque or schooner.

keel:

Principal timber upon which the hull is constructed. The backbone of the hull.

keelson:

Timber, or line of timbers, placed over the keel on the floor timbers, and running parallel to the keel, to provide additional strength to the bottom of the hull.

latitude:

Distance north or south from the equator, measured in degrees.

lead:

Weight of lead used to sound depth of water underneath a vessel’s hull.

lee:

Side opposite to that from which the wind blows.

lee shore:

Shore that is receiving the wind blowing in from sea.

log:

Used to measure a vessel’s speed. Also name of the record book tracking a ship’s progress, direction, weather and events while at sea.

longitude:

Distance east or west of the prime meridian, expressed in degrees or time.

mainmast:

Second mast from the bow of a ship, barque or schooner.

mariner:

A sailor.

mast:

Long pole or spar of timber set upright on a ship’s keel to support the sails.

mate:

Officer who ranks second to the commander of the vessel.

meridian:

Any line of longitude. Meridians connect the North and South Pole, and cross the Equator at a right angle.

mizzen mast:

Third mast from the bow of a ship, barque or schooner.

mutiny:

Usually the rebellion of sailors or soldiers against their officers. A revolt against authority.

navigation:

Science of locating the position and plotting the course of ships (and other crafts).

navigators:

One skilled in navigation.

oakum:

Loose hemp or jute that is wedged and soaked in tar to form a watertight seal between planks of wood.

poop:

Deck or other structure covering the stern of a vessel. Also the name of the action when a wave breaks over the stern (vessel was “pooped”).

port:

1. left side of the ship when facing forward; 2. a city with a harbour where cargo is loaded and unloaded

prevailing wind:

Wind and wind direction that is strongest and most frequent.

prime meridian:

Meridian at Greenwich, England, from which longitude is measured east and west.

quadrant:

Early instrument used to measure angles and altitudes in astronomy and navigation.

ratlines:

Series of rope steps used to climb into the rigging.

rig:

The way a vessel and its masts are fitted with sails.

rigging:

Ropes, chains and wires that are used to support the vessel’s masts, spars and sails.

schooner:

Ship with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft.

sextant:

Navigation instrument measuring the angular distance of the sun, a star, etc. from the horizon.

shallop:

Small boat for one or two rowers.

shanty:

Work songs of sailors.

shroud:

Ropes or wires running laterally from the top of the mast to the side of the vessel that support the mast

sloop:

Single-masted sailing vessel using a fore and aft rig. One sail is set from the forestay.

softwood:

Wood of any tree with cones (pine, cedar and spruce). Softwoods provide light, buoyant and easily cut timbers.

sonar:

Instrument that transmits sound waves in water. Used in finding depths, locating submarines, and wrecks.

spanker:

Sail set on the lowest part of the mizzen or aftermost mast. Sail’s head is set on a gaff (a spar attached to the mast.)

spar:

A general term for any iron or wood pole or rod. Spars include yards, booms, masts, bowsprits, etc.

square-rigged :

Ship fitted with square or rectangular sails as the principal sails on two or more masts.

starboard:

Right side of a ship when facing forward.

stays:

Ropes or wires that support a mast. Stays run in afore-and-aft direction from the mast to second mast or to other part of the vessel.

stern:

Rear of a ship

steward:

Attendant on a ship

tack:

Direction a ship goes in relation to the position of the sails. Also to change the course of a ship.

tonnage:

A number used to indicate a vessel’s cargo capacity.

venison:

Flesh of a deer used as food.

water current:

Flow of water in a definite direction.

yard:

Slender rod or spar fastened across a mast to support a sail.

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