The Bosun's Mate Glossary of Terms

Typically spoken of in terms of RADAR Plotting: the closest distance at which it is calculated that a target vessel will pass (or approach)

Playing by climbing around in the Rigging. Especially when done as high as possible.  

1. Away from the direction from which the wind is blowing.

2. Sheltered from the wind.

Square, usually Ship, rigged sailing vessels and large sailing merchantman, especially in the last days of commerical sailing.

The orginal term windjamer was intented as insult from the crews of steamships.

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 very common Knot used to Bend two Lines of the same diameter. If used to tie Lines of differing diameter it may slip.

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...

1. To allow the Bow of a vessel move to Windward or closer to the Eye of the wind.

A fin or Blade attached under the hull's Stern used for steering.

A mechanical device used to pull in Cable or chain, such as an Anchor Rode. Historically this was a human-powered device, however it is still used on modern vessels for machine powered devices.

A terms used to describe the ship's boys (typically 7-10) on war ships that would carry gun powder from the magazeen to the gun decks and stand ready to pass pre-measured Charges to the men at the gun.

1. The steering apparatus of a vessel
2. The location on the vessel where the steering controls are located
3. Used as part of an expression to describe the vessel's handeling characteristics

A small wooden batten inserted at the Head of a bermuda Mainsail.

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.

Two-masted vessel with the Fore Mast being square rigged and after Mast usually Gaff rigged.

A Spar usually fixed horizontally to a Mast that supports a Sail.

A short shaft with a fitting at one end shaped to facilitate putting a Line over a piling, recovering an object dropped Overboard, or in pushing or fending off.

Gale force wind on the Beaufort Wind Scale