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The Landlubber-Friendly Guide to Maritime Terminology

This page was created with the intention of helping those, who like myself, would capsize, float in circles, or find themselves eternally adrift if ever they were on a seagoing vessel with nothing to help them but instructions written in mariners terms.

Lets start with some important distinctions...

A boat is any small water-going vessel.According toThe New International Dictionary of the English Language,this includes any " small, open watercraft propelled by oars, sails, or an engine."

A ship is a larger sea-going vessel capable of deepwater navigation, that in modern day is characterized by the fact that it can take on board smaller sea-going vessels,and that has been characterized in the past by having at least three masts and carrying square-rigged sails on all three masts.

A vessel can be either square-rigged or fore n' aft rigged.

Square-rigged ships have sails that are rigged(hang down) perpendicular to the keel(bottom of the boat. Because they hang from spars(or cross bars) from the horizontal masts(poles) that are on the ship, they must be let down from above the deck. They work best with wind from behind the boat(wind from astern) ...... Fore N' Aft rigged ships have sails that are rigged (hang) parallel to the keel (bottom of the boat) and that can be put up (rigged) by someone standing on the deck because they are hung directly from the mast(pole). Ships rigged this way can sail with wind coming from all directions except from the front quarter of the ship....

After knowing what type of rigged ship one is on, understanding the terms used to refer to the other various parts of the vessel is important.

Keel-This is essentially the backbone of the vessel, that also serves to help keep the vessel from drifting sideways at sea. The keel is created first, along with the ribs of the ship, and then the planks are fastened to a ship to build the boat. Hull-The body of the ship; its main section. Bow-The bow is the front part of any ship. Stern-The stern is the rear part of any ship. Bilge-The very bottom of the ship. This is where water would first collect if there were to be a leak. Most modern ships come equipped with a bilge pump to keep this area free of water in such an instance. Forecastle-This is a raised deck that is located at the very front of a ship, near the bow. It was once used as a platform from which to fire arrows, stones, and other attack weapons. This term can also refer to the crew's quarters that are located in the front or foward part of the ship. Ballast-This is the seawater or any other substance that is carried on a ship in its deepest holds in order to keep the ship stable. Bridge-This is the elevated platform located above the main deck. In modern ships, this is the area from which a ship is navagated, or steered. Main Deck-This is the area that is the top deck of the ship and is exposed to the elements. Mast-This is the upwardly-extending pole that runs perpendicular to the keel of the ship. Ships can have more than one mast. Rudder-Is located underwater, is connected to the helm and is used to help the ship navigate. Helm-The ship's steering wheel. Sail-Is the canvas, cloth, or other material that is hung from the mast. Its main purpose is to catch the wind and propell the ship in its desired direction. Ships may have more than one sail. There is a main sail that is located on the center or main mast, and there can also be a foresail and jibs. Foresail-sails located in the foward part of the ship. Jib-Is a sail located up at the front of a ship and that extends out from the head of the foremast to the jib boom.

Here is some more help on boat terms

Third, one would need to know the various terms for labling the ship's sides.

Port- When standing on the main deck and facing the bow of the ship, this is the left side of the ship. Starboard-When standing on the main deck and facing the bow of the ship, this is the right side of the ship. Abaft-This term is used to refer to anything to the rear of. For example anything behind the mainmast could be referred to as abaft the main mast. Astern-When standing on the main deck and facing the bow, this is to one's rear; it refers to the back end of the ship. Abow-When standing on the main deck and facing the bow, one is looking abow. It refers to the front of the ship. Lee Side-This term refers to the side of the ship that is away from the winds current. Windward Side-Much like it sounds, this term refers to the side of the ship from which the wind is blowing.

Thelast important term one would want to know if travelling in a vessel is how to measure distance travelled. This terms is knots. Its kind of the nautical equivilents to knowing your car's speed, or miles per hour.

For further information on boats; terminology reffering to boats, and types of boats refer to Boat Texas as well as The Trad Boat Homepage

To learn more about nautical terms and Maritime History take a look at the Early American Maritime History Homepage