The Bosunīs Mate Glossary of Terms
The Bosunīs 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 sailorīs knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply.
Random terms, by category
|
Abbreviations and Acronyms
(41 terms)
|
The things sailors do
(8 terms)
Hike
To lean out over the side of a smaller sailing vessel to balance it against the force of the wind. In some vessels an apparatus is rigged to assist in leaning our further called a trapeze.
|
|
Why say back when you can say aft instead!
(20 terms)
|
Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore
(149 terms)
Gybe
1. To go from one Tack to the other when running with the wind coming over the Stern.
2. The moment when the Boom swings across the Hull while changing tacks in this manner. If handeled correctly a Fore and Aft rigged vessel should be able to Gybe safely regardless of wind strength. This is accomplished through easing Preventer tackle (if any) and by hauling in the main sheets so that there is less travel for the main Boom during the Gybe. An unintentional Gybe, which can be the result ... |
|
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.
|
Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value.
(12 terms)
Knot
1. A speed of one Nautical mile per hour. (6076 feet) per hour.
2. A method of making a Line Fast to an object, another Line, itself, or for ornament. |
|
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"
|
Specific sailing maneuvers
(33 terms)
|
|
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.
|
The parts of ships
(131 terms)
|
|
Important people and/or their positions in nautical history
(14 terms)
Jack
A name for the common British naval seaman - Jolly Jack Tar in full. the term is derived from tarpaulin (tared canvas) that was frequently worn by topman as protection against the weather. Initially this name was only applied to able seamen but it was relaxed over time to include all naval seamen.
|
Key locations of the maritime world
(20 terms)
Pier
A loading/landing platform extending at an angle from the shore.
|
|
Rigging components and terms
(104 terms)
|
Sails, their parts and materials
(30 terms)
Raffees
The small light sails set above the skysails on square-rigged masts in light winds.
|
|
Types of vessels and some famous examples
(22 terms)
|
The various spars used aboard ship
(6 terms)
|
|
The tools of the trade
(27 terms)
Arming
Tallow held in the recess of a sounding lead to bring up a sample of the sea bed
|
terms awaiting clasification
(36 terms)
none found |
|
Meteorology and its relationship to sailing
(7 terms)
Force 8
Gale force wind on the Beaufort Wind Scale
|
Total Terms: 539 Total Views: 1632148
