Stern - The back (after most) part of a
boat.
Jack staff - A short vertically erected pole
at the bow on which the national flag is hoisted on naval ships while at
anchor.
Anchor Windlass - A windlass is a
winch-like device used to assist in the raising of the anchor.
Hawse Pipe - Pipes made of heavy cast iron
or steel through which the anchor chain runs; placed in the ship's bow on each
side of the stem, or in some cases also at the stern when a stern anchor is
used.
Chain Locker - The compartment, near and
below the hawse holes at the bow, for stowing the anchor chains; a compartment
in the lower part of a ship for stowing an anchor chain.
Scupper - An opening in a deck, cockpit,
toe-rail or gunwale to allow water to run off the deck and drain back into the
sea.
Sounding(s) - Depth measured; the number
indicating depth on a chart; the process of measuring fuel or water in ships'
tanks. A ship is thought to be "in soundings" when she is inside the
100 fathom line, and "off soundings" when she is outside that line
Bitt - A vertical post extending above the
deck for securing mooring lines
Companion Way - The area leading down from
the deck to the cabin, usually with steps (ladder)
Fore Peak - The compartment at the bow of
the vessel
Bulkhead - A name given to any vertical
partition or wall which separates different compartments or spaces from one
another, also adding strength. Sometimes bulkheads are also watertight, adding
to the vessel's safety.
Main Deck - The uppermost complete deck.
Hatch Covers - Covers for closing up
hatchways.
Booby Hatch - The cover of a scuttle-way or
small hatchway which leads to to or from a store room, cabin of small craft,
crew's quarters, the forecastle or fore peak.
Guardrail - The upper deck rail along both
sides of a vessel to prevent anyone on board from falling overboard.
Bulwark(s) - A railing around the deck of a
boat to keep things from going overboard and the seas from coming aboard; the
strake of shell plating above a weather or shelter deck; the part of a ship's
side that extends above the main deck to protect it against heavy weather.
Gunwale - The upper edge of a boat's side;
the part of a vessel where hull and deck meet. (Pronounced "gunnel")
'tween Decks - The space between any decks.
Hold - A general name for the spaces below
the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo.
Double Bottom - General term for all
watertight spaces contained between the outside bottom plating, the tank top
and the margin plate. The double bottoms are sub-divided into a number of
separate tanks which may contain boiler feed water, drinking water, fuel oil,
ballast, etc.
Superstructure - Any structure built above
the top full deck, such as a deck house, bridge, etc.
Navigation Bridge - The bridge used for
taking observations, or directing the handling of the ship.
Main Mast - The tallest mast; the forward
mast of a yawl or ketch; the mast furthest aft on a schooner
Lifeboat - Small boat carried on the vessel
and used in case of emergency.
Ensign - (1) A nautical version of the
national flag of the country usually flown at the stern. (2) Adopted by the
United States Navy in 1862, the rank of a young officer equivalent to that of
midshipman
Stern - The back (aftermost) part of a
boat.
Rudder - A board-shaped swinging vane,
controlled by a tiller or wheel, and attached to the rudder post or stern for
steering and maneuvering a vessel.
Propeller - A rotating device, with two or
more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel. Sometimes called a
screw...
