Cut and Run: The Fourth Book in the Fighting Sail Series (51 page)

Able Seaman

One who can hand, reef and steer; well acquainted with the duties of a seaman.

Andrew

Sl.
The Royal Navy. Supposedly from Andrew Miller, a much feared press gang officer.

Antiphlogistic

Reducing inflammation or fever; anti-inflammatory.
 

Azimuth compass

Originally designed to measure the position of celestial bodies, a sighting arrangement was provided, often used for taking land bearings.

Back

Wind change, anticlockwise.

Backed sail

One set in the direction for the opposite tack to slow a ship down.

Backstays

Similar to shrouds in function, except that they run from the hounds of the topmast, or topgallant, all the way to the deck. Serve to support the mast against any forces forward, for example, when the ship is tacking. (Also a useful/spectacular way to return to deck for topmen.)

Backstays, running

A less permanent backstay, rigged with a tackle to allow it to be slacked to clear a gaff or boom.

Barkey

Sl.
Seaman's affectionate name for their ship.

Beetle headed

Sl.
Dull, stupid.

Belaying pins

Large wooden pins set into racks or rails. Lines secured to these can be instantly released by removing the pin.
 

Bever

Sl.
A light meal, usually taken in the afternoon.

Binnacle

Cabinet on the quarterdeck that houses compasses, the log, traverse board, lead lines, telescope and speaking trumpet

Biscuit

Small hammock mattress, resembling ship's rations. Also Hard Tack.

Bitts

Stout horizontal pieces of timber, supported by strong verticals, that extend deep into the ship. These hold the anchor cable when the ship is at anchor.

Blackwall

London yard where HEIC ships were built and refitted.

Blane

Gilbert Blane, (1749—1834) Scottish physician who instituted health reform in the Royal Navy.
 

Block

Article of rigging that allows pressure to be diverted or, when used with others, increased. Consists of a pulley wheel, made of
lignum vitae
, encased in a wooden shell. Blocks can be single, double (fiddle block), triple or quadruple. Main suppliers: Taylors, of Southampton.

Blower

Sl.
A mistress or whore.

Boatswain

(pronounced
bosun
) The officer who superintends the sails, rigging, canvas, colours, anchors, cables and cordage, committed to his charge.
 

Bombay Marine

Fighting navy of the East India Company.

Boom

Lower spar to which the bottom of a gaff sail is attached.

Bower

Type of anchor mounted in the bow.

Braces

Lines used to adjust the angle between the yards and the fore and aft line of the ship. Mizzen braces, and braces of a brig, lead forward.

Brig

Two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both masts.

Broach

When running down wind, to round up into the wind, out of control usually due to carrying too much canvas.

Bulkhead

A wall or partition within the hull of a ship.

Bulwark

The planking or wood-work about a vessel above her deck.

Bunting

Material from which signal flags are made.

Bursten belly

Sl.
Hernia.

Canister

Type of shot, also known as case. Small iron balls packed into a cylindrical case.

Cat's paws

Light disturbance in calm water indicating a wind.

Caulk

Sl.
To sleep. Also caulking, a process to seal the seams between strakes.

Chapbook

A small booklet, cheaply produced.

Company Bahadur

Sl.
Indian name for the East India Company.

Close hauled

Sailing as near as possible into the wind.
 

Coaming

A ridged frame about hatches to prevent water on deck from getting below.

Companionway

A staircase or passageway.

Counter

The lower part of a ship's stern.

Course

A large square lower sail, hung from a yard, with sheets controlling, and securing it.

Crank

Sl.
Description of a ship that lacks stability, having too much sail or not enough ballast. Opposite of stiff.

Crown and Anchor

A popular shipboard dice game.

Crows of iron

"Crow bars" used to move a gun or heavy object.

Cuddy

Area in a merchant ship forward of the roundhouse, on the same level as the quarterdeck.

Cutter

Fast small, single masted vessel with a sloop rig. Also a seaworthy ship's boat.

Deckhead

The underside of the deck above. Also Overhead.

Ditty bag

Sl.
A seaman's bag.
Derives its name from the dittis or 'Manchester stuff' of which it was once made.
 

Dogwatch

Short two hour watch that break the four hour cycle, giving each watch keeper a variation in watches.

Dolly

Wooden implement for stirring clothes in a wash tub.

Drab

Sl.
A particularly nasty slut or whore.

Driver

Large sail set on the mizzen in light winds. The foot is extended by means of a boom.

Dunnage

Officially the packaging around cargo. Also
Sl.
Seaman's baggage or possessions.

Factor

Owner or governor of a factory or trading post; a master merchant.

Fall

The loose end of a lifting tackle on which the men haul.

Fife rail

Holed rail to accept belaying pins.

First Luff

Sl.
First lieutenant.

Flick

Sl.
To cut.

Forereach

To gain upon, or pass by another ship when sailing in a similar direction.
 

Forestay

Stay supporting the masts running forward, serving the opposite function of the backstay. Runs from each mast at an angle of about 45 degrees to meet another mast, the deck or the bowsprit.

Foretack

Line leading forward from the bowsprit, allowing the clew of the forecourse to be held forward when the ship is sailing close to the wind.

Founder

Verb, to sink without touching land of any sort, usually during bad weather.

Frapping/Frapped

When not in service the gun, carriage and breaching tackle are lashed together, or Frapped.

Frizzen

Striking plate of a flintlock mechanisum.

Futtock shrouds

Rigging that projects away from the mast leading to, and steadying, a top or crosstrees. True sailors climb up them, rather than use the lubber's hole, even though it means hanging backwards.

Gaff

Spar attached to the top of the gaff sail.

Gaff sail

Fore and aft quadrilateral shaped sail, usually set at the mizzen.

Gangway / Gangboard

The light deck or platform on either side of the waist leading from the quarterdeck to the forecastle, often called a gangboard in merchant ships. Also, narrow passages left in the hold, when a ship is laden.
 

Gasket

Line or canvas strip used to tie the sail when furling.

Glass

Telescope. Also, hourglass; an instrument used for measuring time. Also barometer.

Gore

The lower edge of a sail, usually scalloped, in the case of a main or forecourse. In warships the gore is deeper (more round). Also Roach.

Gratings

An open wood-work of cross battens and ledges forming cover for the hatchways, serving to give light and air to the lower decks. In nautical phrase, he “who can’t see a hole through a grating” is excessively drunk.
 

Grape

Cannon shot, larger than case.

Grog

Rum mixed with water (to ensure it is drunk immediately, and not accumulated). Served twice a day at ratios differing from three to five to one.

Gunpowder

A mixture of charcoal, potassium nitrate and sulphur.

HEIC

Honourable East India Company.

Halyards

Lines which raise: yards, sails, signals
etc
.

Handspike

Long lever.

Hanger

A fighting sword, similar to a cutlass.

Head

Toilet, or seat of ease. Those for the common sailor were sited at the bow to allow for a clear drop and the wind to carry any unpleasant odours away.
 

Headway

The amount a vessel is moved forward, (rather than leeway: the amount a vessel is moved sideways), when the wind is not directly behind.

Heave to

Keeping a ship relatively stationary by backing certain sails in a seaway.

Holystone

Sl.
Block of sandstone roughly the size and shape of a family bible. Used to clean and smooth decks. Originally salvaged from the ruins of a church on the Isle of Wight.

Hounds

Projections at the mast-head.
 

Idler

One who does not keep a watch, cook, carpenter,
etc
.

Interest

Backing from a superior officer or one in authority, useful when looking for promotion to, or within, commissioned rank.

Jack Dusty

Sl.
Purser's steward, also Jack of the dust.

Jacob's ladder

Rope ladder (often used for boarding a ship from a boat).

Jib-boom

Boom run out from the extremity of the bowsprit, braced by means of a Martingale stay, which passes through the dolphin striker,