GLOSSARY

Bittacle (Binnacle). See pp. 214 and 253.

Bitts. Posts on a deck to which cables, etc., could be fastened.

Bolt-ropes. Ropes round the edge of a sail to prevent tearing.

Bonnets. See p. 158.

Boxhauling. See p. 252.

Brails. Small ropes used for the purpose of shortening a ship’s canvas.

Careen. To lay a ship over on to her side for the purpose of cleaning, caulking, etc.

Catheads. Short projecting beams serving as a bracket to suspend the anchor clear of the bows.

Drabler. Canvas laced on the bonnet of a sail to give it more drop.

Driver. A large squaresail set occasionally upon the mizzen-yard or gaff.

Dunnage. Loose wood or other material packed in the hold with the cargo to prevent it from shifting.

Fothering. See p. 262.

Gaff. A spar used for extending the upper edge of a fore-and-aft rectangular sail.

Gripe, to. To come up into the wind in spite of the helm.

Gripe of a ship. 1. The sharpness of her stern under the water. 2. A projection added to the keel.

Gripes. Lashings securing a boat in its place.

Ground-tackle. Ropes and tackle used in connection with anchors and mooring apparatus generally.

Hawse-pipes. The metal linings to the hawse-holes or holes in a ship’s bows through which the cable passes.

Hog, to. To scrub a ship with flat scrubbing brooms called hogs.

Manger. A small apartment made in the ship’s bows to catch the water flowing through the hawse-holes.

Mizzen. The aftermost mast of a vessel with two or more masts. Sometimes called a jigger. In medieval four-masters the aftermost mast was called the bonaventure mizzen, and the one immediately forward of this the main mizzen.

Moonrakers. Sails above the sky-sails.

Parral. A band for keeping the end of a yard to the mast.

Pinch, to. To sail close-hauled.

Quant, to. To propel a craft along shallow water-ways by means of a long pole.

Rhumb-line. The line (cutting all the meridians at the same angle) which is followed by a ship sailing on one course.

Scarfing. See p. 282.

Scuppers. Gutters or channels along the outer edge of a deck by which water runs off.

Snatch-blocks. Iron-bound blocks with an opening in which the bight of a rope may be laid without threading the end of the rope through.

Stringer. A strip of timber running round a ship internally in line with the deck.

Swatch-way. A narrow sound or channel of water among sand-banks.

Tabernacle. The socket or hinged post for a mast that can be lowered at will to pass under bridges, etc.

Trestle-trees. See p. 207.

Tumble-home. The incline inwards of a ship’s sides above the level of its extreme breadth.

Ware. To veer.