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March 13th 2010 - 05:34

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 and Acronyms
contains 41 terms


Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
The things sailors do
contains 8 terms


To steer the Boat more into the wind, this could have the effect of causing the sails to flap or Luff.
Why say back when you can say aft instead!
contains 20 terms


The direction away from the wind.
Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore
contains 149 terms


The Forward motion of a vessel. The opposite of Sternway
The foods of the sea
contains 2 terms


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"
Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value.
contains 12 terms & 2 images


1) To Secure or bind something using Rope or twine.
Bits and bobs from life aboard ship
contains 5 terms


A sailor's carving or etching wood, on bones, teeth, tusks or shells. Frequently used as a way to pass the time on long voyages then to be traded or sold on shore.
Specific sailing maneuvers
contains 33 terms


To allow the Bow of a vessel move to Leeward or further away from the Eye of the wind.
The points of sail and seamanship
contains 76 terms


A sailboat with its Bow pointed directly into the wind, preventing the sails from filling properly so that the Boat can move.
The parts of ships
contains 131 terms


A wood or metal plate fastened to the Bilge of a shoal-draught vessel to reduce Leeway and enable her to stand upright on the shore. Also a rubbing piece to prevent Chafe on a dinghy's bottom.
Important people and/or their positions in nautical history
contains 14 terms


Also Bosun, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced Bosun. A crew member responsible for keeping the Hull, Rigging and sails in good repair.
Key locations of the maritime world
contains 20 terms


1) The distance a vessel keeps from shore

2) The part of sea viewable in the distance from shore (beyone any Anchorage) any where vessels would navigate.
Rigging components and terms
contains 104 terms & 10 images


A Schooner with a square rigged Sail on Forward Mast - the Pacific Swift is an example of a Topsail Schooner
Sails, their parts and materials
contains 30 terms


A piece of cloth that catches the wind and so powers a vessel.
Types of vessels and some famous examples
contains 22 terms & 8 images


Two-masted vessel with both masts square rigged. On the aftermost Mast,  there is also a Gaff sail
The various spars used aboard ship
contains 6 terms


A Spar usually fixed horizontally to a Mast that supports a Sail.
The tools of the trade
contains 27 terms


1. A loop of Rope used to assist in weighing the Anchor. Led through two single blocks near the hawseholes and along the Deck running Alongside the Anchor Cable where it is held Fast with Nippers; Then looped around the Capstan and Back up to the Deck and along the Foredeck again. This was done because the hemp Anchor cables were too large to be brought around the capstain themselves.

2. A small Line used to pull a heavier Line or Cable.
terms awaiting clasification
contains 36 terms
there are currently no viewable terms in this category
Meteorology and its relationship to sailing
contains 7 terms


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 Gale Double ...
 

The Nautical Terms Glossary contains 539 terms and 14 images, viewed 727680 times


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