Nautical Terms For The Model Ship Builder Compliments of www.modelshipbuilder.com “Preserving the Art of Model Ship Building for a new Generation” January 2007 Nautical Terms For The Model Ship Builder Copyright, 2007 by modelshipbuidler.com Edition 1.0 All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions “The purpose of this book is to help educate.” For this purpose only may you distribute this book freely as long as it remain whole and intact. Though we have tried our best to ensure that the contents of this book are error free, it is subject to the fallings of human frailty. If you note any errors, we would appreciate it if you contact us so they may be rectified. www.modelshipbuilder.com www.modelshipbuilder.com 2 Nautical Terms For The Model Ship Builder Contents A......................................................................................................................................................................4 B ......................................................................................................................................................................5 C....................................................................................................................................................................12 D....................................................................................................................................................................20 E ....................................................................................................................................................................23 F ....................................................................................................................................................................24 G....................................................................................................................................................................30 H....................................................................................................................................................................33 I .....................................................................................................................................................................37 J.....................................................................................................................................................................37 K....................................................................................................................................................................39 L ....................................................................................................................................................................41 M ...................................................................................................................................................................46 N....................................................................................................................................................................49 O....................................................................................................................................................................50 P ....................................................................................................................................................................51 Q....................................................................................................................................................................55 R....................................................................................................................................................................56 S.....................................................................................................................................................................62 T ....................................................................................................................................................................75 U....................................................................................................................................................................80 V....................................................................................................................................................................81 W...................................................................................................................................................................81 X....................................................................................................................................................................84 Y....................................................................................................................................................................84 Z ....................................................................................................................................................................85 www.modelshipbuilder.com 3 Nautical Terms For The Model Ship Builder A After Body - That part of the ship's body abaft the midships or dead-flat. This term is, however more particularly used in expressing the figure or shape of that part of the ship. Air Funnel - A cavity framed in the openings of the timbers, to admit fresh air into the ship, and convey the foul air out of it. They are, generally, and should be, placed in the largest openings so as to be clear for passing the air freely. Amidships - In or toward the part of a boat or ship midway between the bow and the stern; also midway between port and starboard sides; toward the middle of the ship or boat. Anchor - (1) A heavy metal object, fastened to a chain or line, to hold a vessel in position, partly because of its weight, but chiefly because the designed shape digs into the bottom. (2) The act of using an anchor. Anchor Ball - A black ball visible in all directions, displayed in the forward part of a vessel to indicate that the vessel is anchored. Anchor Bed - Chocks which hold and anchor in place either in a locker or on deck. Anchor Bend - A type of knot used to fasten an anchor to its line. Anchor Buoy - A small buoy that is used to mark the position of an anchor. It is attached to the base or crown of an anchor and can be used to recover the anchor if it has to be cast adrift, or to trip it if it becomes wedged. Anchor Light - A white light, usually on the masthead, visible from all directions, used to indicate that a vessel is anchored. Anchor Lining - The short pieces of plank, or of board, fastened to the sides of the ship, or to stanchions under the fore channel, to prevent the bill of the anchor from tearing the ship's side. when fishing or drawing up the anchor. It is only used in the navy, and many ships upon which it was fitted have lately had it taken away. Anchor Warp - A hawser or line attached to an anchor. Anchor Windlass - A windlass is a winch-like device used to assist in the raising of the anchor. Anti-Gallicans - A pair of additional backstays temporarily rigged to provide extra support to the masts of square rigged vessels when sailing downwind. Apostles - Large bollards affixed to the main deck near the bow of a square rigged vessel around which hawsers or anchor cables were belayed. Appendage - A rudder, keel, centerboard, or skeg. Apron - A strengthening timber behind the lower part of the stem and above the foremost end of the keel in a wooden vessel. www.modelshipbuilder.com 4 Nautical Terms For The Model Ship Builder Aspect Ratio - The relationship (ratio) between the sails height (luff length) and length along the foot. High aspect ratio means a sail that is tall and narrow, low aspect ratio is a short, squat sail. A high aspect ratio sail is very efficient in sailing close to the wind. Astern - Backwards, somewhere behind the vessel, towards the stern; in the direction of, or behind, the stern; opposite of ahead. B Baby Stay - Secondary forestay supporting the leading edge of the mast and used to flatten the mainsail in building winds. Back Splice - A splice formed when a crown knot is made in the end of a piece of line and the ends are woven three times or more into the standing part of the line to keep it from unraveling. Backspring - A spring line from the stern of a boat to mid ships to stop forward movement Backstay - Standing or running (adjustable) wire rigging that supports the mast from the stern; a wire mast support leading aft to the deck or another mast. Badge - A sort of ornament fixed on the quarters of small vessels near the stern, and containing, either a sash for the convenience of the cabin, or the representation of it. It is commonly decorated with carved work, as marine figures, martial instruments. Baggywrinkle - Tassels of unraveled line, yarns, etc. which are lashed around chafe spots such as spreaders to prevent chafe on sails. Bag of Head Rails - The lowest part of the head-sails, or that part which partakes of the horizontal position. Bailers - Openings in the bottom or transom of a boat to drain water when sailing. Balance Frames - Those frames of a ship's hull which are equal in area, one forward and one aft of the ship's center of gravity. Balcony - The gallery in the stern of large ships. Bale - A metal ring on a boom, pole or mast where blocks or shackles may be attached. Ballast - Weight at the bottom or the lower portion of the