#Navy ship lingo meaning how to

#Navy ship lingo meaning how to

Even the greenest hand on board could be instructed on how to steer a course by simply keeping the lubber line on the correct heading. Crew members achieving that level of skill were said to 'know the ropes.'Ī line marked on a ship's compass that's aligned with the vessel's centerline and used as a reference point showing the direction straight ahead. One requirement of shipping aboard as an able seaman (versus an ordinary hand) was a thorough knowledge of all ropes pertaining to the vessel's operation, which on a square-rigger could equate to miles of cordage. They could be busy places too, as a typical 18th century man-of-war possessed only six seats of ease for a crew of roughly 800. Thoughtful captains often had safety netting strung around the entire area, as it was not uncommon for patrons caught off guard to be washed overboard by larger seas. Those who used them were fully exposed to both the elements and the ship's company with at least one Spanish traveler describing with mock sentiment the lovely views afforded the crew of the moon and planets, as well as the tarred ropes (which serve the same purpose as the corncob in rural America) and those impromptu washings provided by the waves. Due to the continuous flushing action of the sea and its location (which allowed the wind coming forward to carry the smell forward, too, away from the ship), this is where the lavatories or 'seats of ease' came to be located, these being nothing more than benches built over holes cut into the grating. Over time, the forecastle devolved into basically a work platform covered with open grating. During the Medieval period, the bows evolved into a raised castle-like structure from which archers (and later fighting musketeers) could fire down upon the enemy during battle, which is where the name forecastle (or fo'c'sle) is derived. The forward-most part of the ship was originally known as the 'bows' or 'beakhead' after the ram on the bow of a fighting galley (think beak as in bird of prey). The word 'gam' came from whaleman slang for a pod of whales.ĭestitute, fallen on hard or trying times, this is derived from 'hard up the helm,' an order to place the tiller as far to windward as possible during difficult weather, thus turning the ship's head away from the wind so she might ride easier. It was there the latest news and gossip was exchanged and yarns were spun amid plenty of song, dance, food, and drink. The cloth was called dungaree (from the Hindi word dungri), and the name became synonymous with the clothes themselves.Ī 'gam' was a mutual visit between the crews of whaling ships when they happened to meet abroad. In fact, it was standard practice for captains in both the American and British navies to exaggerate the amount of sail lost during a battle in order to provide the crew with material. Webster's Dictionary once defined dungaree as 'a coarse kind of fabric worn by the poorer class of people and also used for tents and sail.' While we probably couldn't picture our favorite pair of jeans hanging from the yardarm, discarded sailcloth (which was not dyed blue, nor was as well-woven as today's fabric) was often utilized by sailors to make items such as work clothes and hammocks.

The bottom of a triangular sail is called the foot, and a 'loose-footed sail' is one attached fore and aft, but unsecured along the boom itself and able to dance freely in the wind if the clew (aft end) is freed. The name probably originated from the Flemish town of Duffel (near Antwerp) where the cloth was made. Best guess is the lookout stationed aloft likely shared his perch with the feathered members of the crew from time to time, thus the name!Ī sailor's personal belongings (normally referring to his clothing) as well as the sea bag of coarse woolen fabric used to carry and stow them in. The bird invariably headed for land, the navigator noted the direction of flight, and plotted accordingly. If the navigator was in doubt as to the direction of the nearest landfall, the cage was hoisted aloft, and a raven released. Name for the highest lookout station aloft, a term most likely derived from the old Norse practice of bringing cages of ravens aboard to assist in navigation. Phrase used to describe a ship sailing fast enough to foam the water in front of her bow.

This term for the smuggling of illegal liquor was derived from the sailors' ruse of bringing in contraband by hiding it in the tops of the sea boots.