The Bosun´s Mate Glossary of Terms

United States Coast Guard

A disturbed column of water around and behind a pleasure craft as it makes its way through the water. It includes both the charastic "V" shaped wave pattern and the turbulent wated thrown Back by the propellers.

A detailed look: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/jul2001/994688283.Ph.r.html

Right side of the Ship when facing Forward.

Named as such after a contraction called a Steering Board, from ancient ships. This was a Rudder like contraption that was situated on the right side of the vessel (as the left or Port side of the vessel needed to be kept free for tieing up to the Dock)

The hauling part of a tackle. The Rope to which power is applied.

A favorite dish for the crew of tall ships. It could consist of almost anything, but the propper dish consisted of layers of meat, vegetables, and fish alternating with crusts of bread and/or broken biscuit - affectionately referred to as a Two or Three decker based on the number of layers.

A Knot used to form an eye or loop at the end of a Rope. It is very strong not does not easily jam.

A british naval song wirtten by David Garrick that starts:

´Come cheer up, my lads, ´tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year´

Set to music by Willian Boyce in 1759 and commerating that same year "the year of vistories" or "the wonderful year" as the song proclaims. This is based on the victories at Lagos, Quiberon Bay, and the capture of Quebec - which all occured in that year during the seven years war 1756-63.

It was later a traditional...

A turn or swing of the Boat that puts the after quarter or Beam of the Boat against the waves in a heavy sea, creating a danger of swamping or capsizing.

A protected region of water where vessels are moored. The term is often used to denote a Pier or a wharf.

A temporary derrick consisting of three spars with their heels spalyed out in a tripod configuration.

Designed to lift heavier loads then a sheer-legs but limited in that it can only lift straight up and then not allowing for as much transverse movement.

The person who is in charge of a vessel and legally responsible for it and its occupants.

With the straightforward meaning of being in a troublesome spot, the interesting thing is the origin of this expression.

The deep blue sea part is obvious - but in this case the "devil" is not the scary guy with horns but the Hull plank closest to the waterline where barnacles and marine growth gather the heaviest.

The crew on long voyages would always spend time maintaining the Ship and scraping the growth off this area was one of the nastiest of jobs.

Both due to the fact t...

An older name for a Messenger used to assist in weighing the Anchor.

Pockets in a Sail where battens can be placed to stiffen the Sail.

Any waterborne Displacement vessel

1. The tallest Mast of the Ship, on a Schooner, the Mast furthest Aft.

A Navigation instrument used to measure the apparent height of a landmark whose actual height is known, such as the top of a lighthouse. From this information, the ship´s distance from that landmark can be calculated.

When the wind, and thus the waves, are falling on a boat´s quarter.