Have you ever heard a captain shout “make fast” to his crew but thought, “what does that mean?” At Tall Ships® Tacoma 2008 we want to help familiarize you with some of the terms you might hear on board one of our visiting ships.
Aft |
At, near, or toward the stern or rear of a ship. |
All Hands |
Call for an action for all crew assigned to a ship to, may exclude captain and first mate. |
Aloft |
Above a deck, open to weather. |
Ballast |
A very heavy material, such as lead or iron, placed low in the ship to provide stability. |
Beam |
A measurement taken at the widest part of the ship. |
Belay |
In sailing, to secure a line by winding it around a pin or a short post. |
Bilges |
Lowest part of the boat that collects water. Bilge pump removes water. |
Boom |
A spar
(a wooden or metal pole) attached to the mast used to |
Bow |
The front end of a ship. |
Brace |
One of a number of lines used to alter the angle of the sail. |
Chantey/Shanty |
A work song. |
Cleat |
A fitting used to tie or secure a line. |
Coil Down |
Command to coil all lines that are lying on the deck. |
Deck Hand |
A crew member responsible for general duties. |
Doldrums |
An area in the ocean where the wind seldom blows. |
Downwind |
The direction that the wind is blowing toward. |
Furl |
To fold a sail into a compact, neat shape and secure it. |
Gangplank |
A board or ramp used as a removable footway between a ship and a pier. |
Gangway |
An opening in the railing or bulwark of a ship into which a gangplank fits. |
Halyard |
A rope used to raise or lower a sail or spar. |
Helmsman |
One who steers the ship. |
Knot |
One nautical mile per hour -- equals 6,076 feet. |
Main Mast |
The tallest mast on a ship. |
Make Fast |
Tighten the line so it is secure to a cleat or pin. |
Mate |
The officer who assists the captain; second in command. |
Port |
The left side of the ship when facing forward. |
Ready About |
Command issued to alert the crew to change the direction of ship and move sails. |
Rigging |
The ropes and sails of a ship. |
Starboard |
The right side of the boat when facing forward. |
Stern |
The back end of the ship. |
Strike |
To release and lower the sail so it no longer catches the wind. |
Sweat the Line |
A method used to remove last bit of slack in a line. |
Yard |
A horizontal pole to which sails are attached. |