1812: The Navy's War (90 page)
Fore-and-aft rig:
having, instead of square sails attached to yards, sails bent to gaffs or set on the masts or on stays in the midship line of the vessel.
having, instead of square sails attached to yards, sails bent to gaffs or set on the masts or on stays in the midship line of the vessel.
Forecastle:
that part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the foremast.
that part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the foremast.
Foremast:
the mast closest to the bow.
the mast closest to the bow.
Forereach:
to gain upon.
to gain upon.
Frigate:
a three-masted, square-rigged warship carrying a full battery of from twenty to fifty guns on the main deck and having a raised quarterdeck and forecastle.
a three-masted, square-rigged warship carrying a full battery of from twenty to fifty guns on the main deck and having a raised quarterdeck and forecastle.
Gaff:
the spar upon which the head, or upper edge, of a fore-and-aft sail is extended.
the spar upon which the head, or upper edge, of a fore-and-aft sail is extended.
Gallant:
third highest sail on a square-rigged ship above the top sail and course.
third highest sail on a square-rigged ship above the top sail and course.
Grapeshot:
small iron balls held together by a canvas bag that act like shotgun pellets.
small iron balls held together by a canvas bag that act like shotgun pellets.
Halyards:
a rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering sails, yards, flags, etc.
a rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering sails, yards, flags, etc.
Hawse:
the bows of a ship.
the bows of a ship.
Hawser:
a large rope for towing, mooring, or securing a ship.
a large rope for towing, mooring, or securing a ship.
Headsails:
sails situated forward of the foremast.
sails situated forward of the foremast.
Heel:
(noun) the lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, etc.
(noun) the lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, etc.
Heel:
(verb) to tilt or incline to one side.
(verb) to tilt or incline to one side.
Inshore:
near the shore or moving toward it.
near the shore or moving toward it.
Jib boom:
a spar that serves as an extension of the bowsprit.
a spar that serves as an extension of the bowsprit.
Jibe:
to shift a fore-and-aft sail or its boom suddenly and with force from one side of a ship to the other until the sails fill on the opposite side. A maneuver done when a vessel is running with the wind and changes direction.
to shift a fore-and-aft sail or its boom suddenly and with force from one side of a ship to the other until the sails fill on the opposite side. A maneuver done when a vessel is running with the wind and changes direction.
Kedge anchor:
a small iron anchor used to hold a ship fast during changes of tide and to tow a ship forward during a calm by dropping the anchor forward and pulling the ship toward it.
a small iron anchor used to hold a ship fast during changes of tide and to tow a ship forward during a calm by dropping the anchor forward and pulling the ship toward it.
Knot:
a unit of speed equivalent to 1 nautical mile or 6,080.2 feet an hour.
a unit of speed equivalent to 1 nautical mile or 6,080.2 feet an hour.
Larboard:
the left-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of starboard. Also called “port.”
the left-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of starboard. Also called “port.”
Lateen sail:
a triangular sail, extended by a long yard slung to the mast and usually low.
a triangular sail, extended by a long yard slung to the mast and usually low.
Lee:
the quarter toward which the wind blows.
the quarter toward which the wind blows.
Lee shore:
a shore on the lee side of a vessel, potentially dangerous in a storm.
a shore on the lee side of a vessel, potentially dangerous in a storm.
Letter of marque:
a license granted by a government to a private person to fit out an armed vessel to cruise as a privateer.
a license granted by a government to a private person to fit out an armed vessel to cruise as a privateer.
Lifts:
chains or ropes used to hold yards to masts.
chains or ropes used to hold yards to masts.
Line-of-battle ship:
see “sail of the line.”
see “sail of the line.”
Luff:
to turn the head of a vessel toward the wind.
to turn the head of a vessel toward the wind.
Mainmast:
the large center mast of a three-masted ship.
the large center mast of a three-masted ship.
Maintop:
the platform above the head of the mainmast in a square-rigged ship.
the platform above the head of the mainmast in a square-rigged ship.
Main topmast:
a mast next above the mainmast.
a mast next above the mainmast.
Merlon:
one of the solid intervals between embrasures or openings of a battlement or parapet.
one of the solid intervals between embrasures or openings of a battlement or parapet.
Mizzenmast:
the aftermost mast, usually the smallest, in a two-masted or three-masted ship. The mast closest to the stern.
the aftermost mast, usually the smallest, in a two-masted or three-masted ship. The mast closest to the stern.
Play upon:
fire at.
fire at.
Port:
the left-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of starboard. Also called “larboard.”
the left-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of starboard. Also called “larboard.”
Privateer:
an armed private vessel operating under the commission of a government.
an armed private vessel operating under the commission of a government.
Prow:
the bow of a vessel.
the bow of a vessel.
Pounders:
refers to the weight of a cannonball.
refers to the weight of a cannonball.
Quarter deck:
that part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast reserved for officers.
that part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast reserved for officers.
Ratlines:
one of the small traverse ropes attached to the shrouds and forming the steps of a rope ladder.
one of the small traverse ropes attached to the shrouds and forming the steps of a rope ladder.
Razee:
a sail of the line that has had one of its decks removed to transform it into a heavy frigate.
a sail of the line that has had one of its decks removed to transform it into a heavy frigate.
Redoubt:
small enclosed work of varying size used to fortify hills and passes.
small enclosed work of varying size used to fortify hills and passes.
Reef:
that part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to regulate the size of a sail.
that part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to regulate the size of a sail.
Reef point:
one of the pieces of small rope used in reefing a sail.
one of the pieces of small rope used in reefing a sail.
Royal:
a small sail immediately above the topgallant sail.
a small sail immediately above the topgallant sail.
Sail of the line:
largest of the warships, carrying from 50 to 120 guns, large enough to have a place in the line of battle. Most often a 74-gun ship with three decks. Also called ship of the line.
largest of the warships, carrying from 50 to 120 guns, large enough to have a place in the line of battle. Most often a 74-gun ship with three decks. Also called ship of the line.
Scow:
a large, flat-bottomed boat, having broad, square ends.
a large, flat-bottomed boat, having broad, square ends.
Sheet:
a rope that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind.
a rope that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind.
Ship of the line:
see “sail of the line.”
see “sail of the line.”
Slow-match:
a slow-burning fuse used to ignite the powder charge in a cannon.
a slow-burning fuse used to ignite the powder charge in a cannon.
Spring on her cable:
a line leading from a vessel’s quarter to her cable so that by hauling in or slackening it she can be made to lie in any position.
a line leading from a vessel’s quarter to her cable so that by hauling in or slackening it she can be made to lie in any position.
Spring tide:
a tide greater than usual, occurring at full moon and new moon.
a tide greater than usual, occurring at full moon and new moon.
Stand:
depart, or head toward.
depart, or head toward.
Starboard:
the right-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of larboard (or port).
the right-hand side of a ship when facing toward the bow. The opposite of larboard (or port).
Starboard tack:
the course of a ship when the wind is coming over the starboard side.
the course of a ship when the wind is coming over the starboard side.
Steam anchor:
a small spare anchor.
a small spare anchor.
Stern:
the rear end of a vessel.
the rear end of a vessel.
Stern Sheets:
the space at the stern not occupied by the thwarts of an open boat.
the space at the stern not occupied by the thwarts of an open boat.
Studding sail:
used in a fair wind to extend the sails on a square-rigged ship.
used in a fair wind to extend the sails on a square-rigged ship.
Swivel:
a small gun fixed on a swivel on a stanchion so that it can be rotated. Usually shoots a one-pound ball.
a small gun fixed on a swivel on a stanchion so that it can be rotated. Usually shoots a one-pound ball.
Tack:
to change direction by bringing the head of a vessel into the wind and then shifting the sails so that she comes up into the wind and then falls off on the other side until she is sailing at about the same angle, with the wind coming from the opposite side of the ship.
to change direction by bringing the head of a vessel into the wind and then shifting the sails so that she comes up into the wind and then falls off on the other side until she is sailing at about the same angle, with the wind coming from the opposite side of the ship.
Taffrail:
the rail around a ship’s stern.
the rail around a ship’s stern.
Tender:
a vessel employed to attend larger ships, to supply them with provisions, etc.
a vessel employed to attend larger ships, to supply them with provisions, etc.
Topgallant:
a mast or sail situated above the topmast and below the royal mast.
a mast or sail situated above the topmast and below the royal mast.
Topmast:
The second mast from the deck, between the lower mast and the topgallant. On large ships the masts were organized in sections.
The second mast from the deck, between the lower mast and the topgallant. On large ships the masts were organized in sections.
Topsail:
the sail above the course.
the sail above the course.
Trim:
to adjust sails and yards to get the best effect from the wind. Also, to arrange ballast, cargo, or passengers so that the ship will sail well.
to adjust sails and yards to get the best effect from the wind. Also, to arrange ballast, cargo, or passengers so that the ship will sail well.
Veer:
to alter the course of ship by turning away from the direction of the wind.
to alter the course of ship by turning away from the direction of the wind.
Warp:
to move a ship by hauling on a line, or warp.
to move a ship by hauling on a line, or warp.
Wear:
to go about or change direction by turning the head of a vessel away from the wind.
to go about or change direction by turning the head of a vessel away from the wind.
Weather gauge:
the position of a ship to the windward of another, giving an advantage in maneuvering.
the position of a ship to the windward of another, giving an advantage in maneuvering.
Wherry:
a long light rowboat, sharp at both ends.
a long light rowboat, sharp at both ends.
Windward:
the point or side from which the wind blows.
the point or side from which the wind blows.
Yard:
a long, narrow, cylindrical, tapered, wooden spar that supports and extends a sail.
a long, narrow, cylindrical, tapered, wooden spar that supports and extends a sail.
Author’s Note:
The majority of the above definitions are based on
Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language
, edited by William Allan Neilson, 2nd ed. (Springfield, MA: Merriam, 1938).
The majority of the above definitions are based on
Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language
, edited by William Allan Neilson, 2nd ed. (Springfield, MA: Merriam, 1938).
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