The Bosun´s Mate Glossary of Terms

The Bosun´s Mate dictionary of Nautical Terms has been compiled from many sources and is constantly being augmented and revised in our attempt to capture as much of the rich yet complicated (and often conflicting) maritime termonology as possible.

You will find an extensive list of information about all sorts of nautical items from sailor´s knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply.

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Abbreviations Abbreviations and Acronyms (41 terms) SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea	Actions The things sailors do (8 terms) Luff-up To steer the Boat more into the wind, this could have the effect of causing the sails to flap or Luff.
Directions Why say back when you can say aft instead! (20 terms) Abrest Along side or at right angles to the fore-and-aft Line.	Expressions Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore (149 terms) Nautical mile One minute of Latitude, 1.85 km or 6076 feet - aproximately 1/8 longer than the US statute mile of 5280 feet.
Food The foods of the sea (2 terms) Sea-pie 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.	Knots Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value. (12 terms) Bowline A Knot used to form an eye or loop at the end of a Rope. It is very strong not does not easily jam.
Life aboard Bits and bobs from life aboard ship (5 terms) Scurvy A disease historically common to seaman, caused by lack of Vitamin C the British Navy started to fight it bu adding lime juice to their water - this was the origin of the slan "Limey"	Maneuvers Specific sailing maneuvers (33 terms) Harden up To steer closer to the wind, usually by pulling in on the sheets
Navigation The points of sail and seamanship (76 terms) Compass Navigation instrument that indicates direction, either through magnetic (showing magnetic north) or gyroscopic (showing true north) means.	Parts The parts of ships (131 terms) Fo'c'sle The extreme Forward compartment of the vessel.
People Important people and/or their positions in nautical history (14 terms) Captain The person who is in charge of a vessel and legally responsible for it and its occupants.	Places Key locations of the maritime world (20 terms) Quay A wharf used to discharge cargo
Rigging Rigging components and terms (104 terms) Bight 1. A Bend or loop in a Rope. 2. A bay.	Sails Sails, their parts and materials (30 terms) loof (an older spelling for the word Luff) 1. (n) The leading edge of a Sail. 2. (v) The act of a Sail flapping in the wind. 3. (v) To bring the ship´s Head closer to the wind.
Ships Types of vessels and some famous examples (22 terms) Ketch A sailing vessel with two masts, the after Mast being shorterand stepped Forward of the Rudder post.	Spars The various spars used aboard ship (6 terms) Topmast A second Spar carried at the top of a Mast, used to fly more Sail.
Tools The tools of the trade (27 terms) Daybeacon A fixed structure (Navigation aid) on shore or in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.	unsorted terms awaiting clasification (36 terms) none found
Weather Meteorology and its relationship to sailing (7 terms) Beaufort Scale A system for clasifying wind strengths and sea conditions: 1 Light Air Or just sufficient to give steerage way.   2 Light Breeze Or that in which a man-of-war with all Sail set, and clean full would go in smooth water from. 1 to 2 knots 3 Gentle Breeze 3 to 4 knots 4 Moderate Breeze 5 to 6 knots 5 Fresh Breeze Or that to which a well-conditioned man-of-war could just carry in chase, full and by. Royals. 6 Strong Breeze Single-reefed topsails and top-gal. Sail 7 Moderate Ga...

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