The Bosun´s Mate Glossary of Terms

A model used to assess risk. The USCG uses the GAR model when assessing the safety of a mission for example.

To lean out over the side of a smaller sailing vessel to balance it against the force of the wind. In some vessels an apparatus is rigged to assist in leaning our further called a trapeze.

To Windward; towards the Windward or weather side of the vessel

1. (n) The leading edge of a Sail.

2. (v) The act of a Sail flapping in the wind.

3. (v) To bring the ship´s Head closer to the wind.

A disease historically common to seaman, caused by lack of Vitamin C the British Navy started to fight it bu adding lime juice to their water - this was the origin of the slan "Limey"

A Knot used to form an eye or loop at the end of a Rope. It is very strong not does not easily jam.

A disease historically common to seaman, caused by lack of Vitamin C the British Navy started to fight it bu adding lime juice to their water - this was the origin of the slan "Limey"

To steer closer to the wind, usually by pulling in on the sheets

In 1970 the Coordinated Universal Time system was devised by an international advisory group of technical experts within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU felt it was best to designate a single abbreviation for use in all languages in order to minimize confusion. Since unanimous agreement could not be achieved on using either the English word order, CUT, or the French word order, TUC, the acronym UTC was chosen as a compromise. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a 24 hour astron...

Marked top spoke on a wheel when the Rudder is centered. Provided as a way to indicate when the Rudder was Amidships and to assist in counting turns of thr wheel so that the Helmsman would know when the wheel was hard to Starboard or Port.

The mark would frequently be in the form of a turks-head or other decorative Knot tied around this spoke.

A terms used to describe the ship´s boys (typically 7-10) on war ships that would carry gun powder from the magazeen to the gun decks and stand ready to pass pre-measured Charges to the men at the gun.

1. A man made structure projecting from, or along side the shore making up part of a Port or dockside, Alongside which vessels may tie-up.

2. A Breakwater protecting a Harbor entrance

A pole or a Beam. Masts, booms, and yards are all spars.

1. Aft Sail set on the jigger-mast

2. After mast  (4th Mast) on Schooner or sailing Ship carrying a spanker, or the mizzen Mast of a Yawl or a Ketch.

3. A light tackle of one single and one double Block rendering four times Purchase when rove to advantage. It was initially designed to Hold the Cable as it was being hove on Board and as a temporaty stopper when weighing Anchor by hand. A Jigger tackle is also used on fore-and-aft rigged vessels as a standing part of the throat and...

1. A specific sailing rig consisting of a vessel with three masts with square sails on all three masts.

2. Possive: "The Ship" to refer to a vessel by here crew - this will sometimes apply to not only the vessel by includes her crew, Gear, and stores as well.

3. May refer to any Boat.

After mast  the 4th Mast on a five or 6 masted Schooner or sailing Ship carrying a spanker, or the mizzen Mast of a Yawl or a Ketch.

1. A loop of Rope used to assist in weighing the Anchor. Led through two single blocks near the hawseholes and along the Deck running Alongside the Anchor Cable where it is held Fast with Nippers; Then looped around the Capstan and Back up to the Deck and along the Foredeck again. This was done because the hemp Anchor cables were too large to be brought around the capstain themselves.

2. A small Line used to pull a heavier Line or Cable.

A system for clasifying wind strengths and sea conditions:

1 Light Air Or just sufficient to give steerage way.  
2 Light Breeze Or that in which a man-of-war with all Sail set, and clean full would go in smooth water from. 1 to 2 knots
3 Gentle Breeze 3 to 4 knots
4 Moderate Breeze 5 to 6 knots
5 Fresh Breeze Or that to which a well-conditioned man-of-war could just carry in chase, full and by. Royals.
6 Strong Breeze Single-reefed topsails and top-gal. Sail
7 Moderate Ga...