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Nautical Dictionary - Nautical Glossary - Maritime Terminology

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Nautical Dictionary

Nautical Glossary - Maritime Terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

S.S.: Prefix before a ship's name to indicate that she is a steamship.

Sacrificial Anode: A metal, usually zinc in salt water or aluminum in fresh, affixed to the outside of a vessel intended to erode by galvanic electric current (caused by the immersion of dissimilar metals in water, much like a battery) so that useful metal parts are not corroded.

1 Saddle: A block of wood or a bracket attached to a spar to support another spar attached to it.

Safety Harness: A device worn around a person's body that can be tethered to jack lines to help prevent a person from falling overboard.

Safety Pin: (1) Any pin that is used to prevent a fitting from falling open. (2) A pin used to keep the anchor attached to its anchor roller when not in use.

Sagged: When from some cause a vessel's form is so altered that the ends of the keel are much above the level of its midship portion, it is said to be "sagged." The opposite of hogged.

Sail: A large piece of fabric designed to be hoisted on the spars of a sailboat in such a manner as to catch the wind and propel the boat.

Sail Shape: The shape of a sail, with regard to its efficiency. Controls such as the cunningham, boom vang, outhaul, traveler, halyards, leech line, sheets, and the bend of the mainmast all can affect sail shape. Also sail trim.

Sail Track: A slot into which the bolt rope or lugs in the luff of the sail are inserted to attach the sail.

Sail Trim: The positioning and shape of the sails to the wind; To sheet in or out the sails for the most optimal performance and speed

Sailboat: A boat which uses the wind as its primary means of propulsion.

Sailcloth: A fabric, usually synthetic, used to make sails.

Sailing By The Lee: Sailing on a run with the wind coming over the stern from the same side as the boom (danger of jibing).

Sailing Directions: Publications that describe features of particular sailing areas, such as hazards, anchorages, etc.

Sailing Ice: Small masses of drift ice with waterways in which a vessel can sail.

Sailing Rig: The equipment used to sail a boat, including sails, booms and gaffs, lines and blocks, etc.

Sailor: Man or boy employed in sailing deep-water craft. Word is sometimes loosely used to include men who go to sea. Used officially to denote a seaman serving on deck.

St. Elmo's Fire: An electrical discharge caused by certain atmospheric conditions, which takes place around the rigging. Known by many other names, it was regarded by many superstitious seamen as a favorable omen, foretelling the end of stormy weather. And others believed they would die within 24 hours if light from this phenomenon fell upon their face.

Sallying: Rolling a vessel, that is slightly ice-bound, so as to break the surface ice around her. May sometimes be done when a vessel is lightly aground, but not ice-bound. Can be accomplished by having most of the crew run side-to-side.

Salon: Also saloon; the main social cabin of a boat

Salvage: Recovery and reclamation of damaged, discarded or abandoned material, ships, craft and floating equipment for reuse, repair, re-fabrication or scrapping. Also the property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the vessel herself.

Sampson Post: A strong vertical post used to attach lines for towing or mooring.

Sargasso Sea: An area of the North Atlantic east of the Bahamas where a powerful eddy in the water causes Sargasso weed to collect in vast quantities and float on the surface.

Scandalize: A method of reducing sail in a fore-and-aft rig by hauling up the tack and lowering the peak of a sail. It was used by older sailing trawlers to reduce speed through the water while operating a trawl. Also the yards in a square-rigged ship are said to be scandalized when they are not set square to the masts after the ship has anchored. Scandalizing the yards of a ship was a sign of mourning for a death on board.

Scantlings: The dimensions of all parts which go into the construction of a ship's hull.

Scarf or Scarph: The joining of two timbers by beveling the edges so the same thickness is maintained throughout the length of the joint.

Schooner: A fore-and-aft rigged sailboat with two or more masts. The aft mast is the same size or larger than the forward ones.

Scope: The ratio of the length of an anchor line, from a vessel's bow to the anchor, to the depth of the water.

Scow: A boat with a flat bottom and square ends.

Screw: A boat's propeller.

Scrimshaw: A sailor's carving or etching on bones, teeth, tusks or shells.

Scuba: Self Contained underwater Breathing Apparatus see Aqualung.

Scud: To run before a gale with reduced sail or bare poles. This could be dangerous, with the possibility of being pooped.

Scull: Moving the rudder, or a single oar over the stern, back and forth in an attempt to move the boat forward

Scupper: An opening in a deck, cockpit, toe-rail or gunwale to allow water to run off the deck and drain back into the sea.

Scurvy: A disease caused by lack of Vitamin C historically common to seaman, because of the difficulty in preserving fresh fruits and vegetables.

Scuttle: (1) To deliberately sink a ship. (2) A small hatch; a round window in the side or deck of a boat that may be opened to admit light and air, and closed tightly when required.

Scuttlebutt: Gossip, usually about other people or events. The term scuttlebutt evolved from the name of a keg containing water and alcohol that sailors used to gather about before meals.

Sea: (1) A body of salt water. A very large body of fresh water. (2) The condition of the water around a boat. Heavy seas for example.

Sea Anchor: A drogue or drag device to slow down a boat, hold its bow into the sea in heavy weather, and reduce the boat's drift downwind.

Sea Battery: Assault upon a seaman, by Master, while at sea.

Sea Boat: Ship's boat kept ready for immediate lowering while at sea. When used for life-saving, it was called an "accident boat" or lifeboat.

Sea Breeze: Cool air pulled ashore by rising thermal air currents caused by the air inland rising as the land heats up

Sea Buoy: The last buoy as a boat heads to sea.

Sea Captain: Master of a sea-going vessel. Certificated officer competent and qualified to be master of a sea-going vessel.

Sea Chest: The cavity inside a Sea Suction from which pumps raw seawater, often for cooling purposes.

Sea Suction: Underwater opening in a ship's hull. May be several feet in diameter. Usually fitted with a grating to prevent the entry of large, unwanted objects.

Sea Dog: Old and experienced seaman.

Sea Kindly: A boat that is comfortable in rough weather.

Sea Lawyer: Nautical name for an argumentative person.

Sea Level: The average level of the oceans, used when finding water depths or land elevations.

Sea Room: A safe distance away from a shore, jetty, another boat, or other hazards.

Sea Smoke: Vapour rising like steam or smoke from the sea caused by very cold air blowing over it.

Sea Trials: A series of trials conducted by the builders to determine if the vessel has met the specifications and is operating properly.

Seabag: A soft, cylindrical fabric bag for clothes and personal possessions

Seacock: A through hull valve, a shut off on a plumbing or drain pipe between the vessel and the sea

Seafarer: One who earns his living by service at sea.

Seam: On vessels constructed of wood, the narrow gap between the planks which form the decks and sides and were caulked to make them watertight. Since wood swells when it's in contact with water, a narrow seam is necessary to allow for the expansion.

Seamanlike: In a manner, or fashion, befitting a seaman.

Seamanship: All the arts and skills of boat handling, ranging from maintenance and repairs to piloting, sail handling, marlinespike work, rigging, and all aspects of a boats operation.

Seaworthiness: Statement on the condition of the vessel. The sufficiency of a vessel in materials, construction, equipment, crew and outfit for the trade in which it is employed. Any sort of disrepair to the vessel by which the cargo may suffer, overloading, untrained officers, etc., may constitute a vessel unseaworthy.

Second Assistant Engineer: On steam vessels has responsibility for the boilers, on diesels, the evaporators and the auxiliary equipment.

Second Greaser: Old nickname for a second mate.

Second Mate: Ships navigation officer. Keeps charts (maps) up to date and monitors navigation equipment on bridge.

Secondary Port: A port that is not directly listed in the tide tables but for which information is available as a difference from a nearby standard port.

Section: A drawing representing the internal parts of a vessel as if she had been cut straight through, either longitudinally or athwartships. It shows the positions of the frames and their exact curvature in relation to the hull shape.

Sector: An arc of a circle in which certain types of navigational lights known as sector lights are visible.

Secure: To make fast; to make safe and shipshape. To stow an object or tie it in place.

Seiche: Short period oscillation in level of enclosed, or partly enclosed, area of water when not due to the action of tide-raising forces.

Seine: The large nets used for fishing they have weights on one edge and floats on the other. They can be closed to contain the fish.

Seize: (1) To bind a line with marline, cord, twine, wire, or other "small stuff" to prevent accidental opening or unraveling (2) To freeze up, as a valve.

Seized: Bound together.

Seizing: The cord, twine or other small stuff which is used to seize line.

Self-bailing Cockpit: A watertight cockpit with scuppers, drains, or bailers that remove water.

Semaphore: A method of signaling and communicating using two flags held in position by the signaler, the positions of the flags denoting the meaning.

Separation Zone: A region drawn on a chart to separate two lanes that have shipping vessels moving in opposite directions.

Serve: To wind small line around a rope to protect it. Rope is wormed, parcelled and served to protect it from water which could rot it, or from chafing

Serving Mallet: A mallet used for passing serving around a line.

Set: (1) To raise a sail. (2) A term applied to sails in relation to their angle with the wind; e.g., the set of the jib. (3) The direction the current is flowing (4) Movement of a ship, due to current or tide, not necessarily in the direction in which the ship is heading. (5) A ship sets sail when she departs on a voyage, whether sails are used or not. (6) An anchor is set when it has gripped the bottom and holds without dragging.

Sewed: Said of a vessel when water level has fallen from the level at which she would float, so she would be aground and need to wait for the next tide before re-floating. Also said of the water that has receded and caused a vessel to go aground.

Sextant: A navigational instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies

Shackle: A U-shaped fitting closed with a pin across the open ends, the pin sometimes being threaded at one end and sometimes held in place with a cotter pin, and used to secure sails to lines or fittings, lines to fittings, fittings to fittings, anchors to chain, etc.

Shaft: A cylinder used to carry rotating machine parts, such as pulleys and gears, to transmit power or motion; such as a propeller shaft.

Shaft Alley: The narrow compartment ending at the place where the shafts go through the packing glands at the skin of the vessel. 1

Shaft Log: A heavy longitudinal timber placed over the keel in a ship's stern through which the propeller shaft passes.

Shaft Strut: A term applied to a bracket supporting the after end of the propeller shaft and the propeller.

Shake: (1) A longitudinal crack in a mast or other spar. (2) The shivers of a sail when sailing too close to the wind. (3) As a verb, to let it out.

Shake Out: To remove a reef from a sail and hoist the sail aloft

Shallop: (1) Small boat for one or two rowers. (2) Small fishing vessel with foresail, boom mainsail, and mizzen trysail.

Shank: The main shaft of an anchor which connects the arms to the anchor ring.

Shanty: see Chanty.

Sharp Up: Said of a square-rigged ship with her sails trimmed as close to the wind as possible.

Sharpen Up: To come up more into the wind

She: All boats are referred to as female. She is at anchor. Her sails are set. She is beautiful.

Shear Pin: A safety device, used to fasten a propeller to its shaft; it breaks when the propeller hits a solid object, thus preventing further damage.

Sheathing: A covering to protect the bottom of a boat.

Sheave: The revolving wheel with grooved edge mounted in a block to guide the line or cable (pronounced shiv)

Sheepshank: A knot used to temporarily shorten a line.

Sheer: The straight or curved line of the deck line; curvature of the lines of a vessel toward the bow and stern.

Sheer Plan: A vertical longitudinal center line section of a vessel.

Sheer Strake: The topmost planking in the sides, next below the gunwale, often thicker than other planking.

Sheet: A line that controls the angle of the sail in its relation to the wind; attached to the clew of a sail to adjust its trim (make the sail the proper shape to catch the wind).

Sheet Bend: A hitch used to join two ropes. It can be used between lines of different diameters.

Sheet In: Pull the sail in by pulling on the sheet.

Sheet Out: Let the sail out by easing the sheet.

Shelf-Ice: Land ice, either afloat or on ground, that is composed of layers of sow that have become firm but have not turned to glacier ice.

Shell: (1) The outside plating of a ship from stem to stern. (2) The outer casing of a block inside which the sheave revolves.

Shellback: An old and experienced seaman.

Shift: A change in the wind direction.

Shift Colors: Navy term meaning to change the arrangement of the colors (the national flag) upon getting under way or coming to moorings.

Shifting: This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another. This can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargo-worthiness of the ship.

Shifting Boards: Temporarily placed longitudinal bulkheads used to prevent bulk cargo from shifting.

Ship: (1) Generic name for a large sea-going vessel. (2) To take an object aboard, such as cargo, or water. (3) To put items such as oars on the boat when not in use.

Ship's Agent or Broker: A person or firm who transacts all business in a port on behalf of shipowners or charterers. Also called shipping agent; agent.

Ship's Articles: A written agreement between the master of a ship and the crew concerning the terms of their employment.

Ship's Bells: The watches aboard ship change at 4, 8, and 12 around the clock. A watch lasts four hours and at each half hour during the watch, a bell is struck. For instance, at 12:30 a.m. there is one bell for the first half hour after midnight; at 1:00 a.m. there are two bells for the two half hours, and at 4:00 a.m. eight bells for the eight half hours passed. This sequence is repeated for each new watch. See Bells

Ship's Chairman (Shop Steward): In charge of union business for unlicensed personnel. Handles grievances.

Ship's Company: All those employed to work on board the vessel.

Ship's Log: A book with a record of every occurrence and incident concerning the ship.

Ship's Port Agent: A business firm which sells its services to organizations which operate vessels

Ship's Stability: The seaworthiness of a ship regarding the centrifugal force which enables her to remain upright.

Shipmaster: A person in command of a ship. A person certified as competent to command a ship. A master mariner.

Shipping Lane: Path through open water used for commercial vessel passage and so noted on chart

Shipwright: A ship builder, or one who works about a ship. Does wood carpentry on the ship and keeps ships faired. Builds launching ways and launches ship.

Shiver My Timbers!: An expression of surprise or unbelief, as when a ship strikes a rock or shoal so hard that her timbers shiver.

Shoal: (1) Shallow water. (2) An underwater sand bar or hill that has its top near the surface.

Shoe: (1) A false keel. (2) The projection of the keel abaft the stern frame where the spindle of the rudder rests.

Shoot: (1) A navigator shoots the sun by using a sextant to measure its altitude. (2) A sailing vessel shoots when she forges ahead to windward with her sails luffing.

Shoot Ahead: To move ahead swiftly. To move ahead of another vessel quickly when underway.

Shore: (1) The land in general, but usually refers to that part adjacent to the water. (2) A timber used in damage control to brace bulkheads and decks. (3) One of the many wooden props by which the ribs or frames of a vessel are externally supported while building, or by which the vessel is held upright on the ways.

Shoring: The act of supporting anything by propping or shoring it up.

Short Sea: When the distance between the wave crests is less than normal.

Short Stay: Said of a vessel's anchor, or cable when the amount of cable out is not more than one-and-a-half times the depth of water.

Short Ton: 2,000 pounds.

Short Splice: To permanently join two pieces of rope. It will not pass through a block since it increases the diameter

Shove Off: To leave; to push a boat away from a pier or vessel's side.

Shroud: Part of the standing rigging that helps to support the mast laterally by running from the top of the mast to the side of the boat. Sailboats usually have one or more shrouds on each side of the mast. Some people call them side stays

Side Lights: Green and red lights on the starboard and port sides of the boat required for navigation at night. Each light is supposed to be visible through an arc of 112.5°, beginning from directly ahead of the boat to a point 22.5° aft of the beam.

Sidereal Hour Angle: The westerly distance in an arc from Aries, measured as an angle at the pole or as the intercepted arc of the equinoctial between the hour angle of Aries and the hour angle of the body.

Sideslip: The tendency of a boat to move sideways in the water instead of along its heading due to the motion of currents or currents.

Sight: A nautical astronomical observation of the sun, moon, or a star, by which means a vessel's position can be determined. The sight was taken with a sextant at a specific time, determined by a chronometer.

Sighting: Observing with the eye. Applied to a document, means examining and signing as evidence of satisfaction as to its authenticity.

Sighting the Bottom: Drydocking, beaching, or careening a vessel and carefully examining the bottom with a view to ascertaining any damage it may have.

Signed Under Protest: Words incorporated when signing under duress and not concurring entirely with import of document signed, and after stating grounds of non-concurrence.

Single Sideband: A type of radio carried on a boat to transmit long distances.

Single Up: To cast off all but one remaining line.

Sirens: Mythical sea nymphs who charmed men with their melodious voices. Enchanted, the men would stop all work to listen and they would ultimately die of starvation because of their inability to sail any further.

Sister Ships: Ships built on the same design.

Sixteen Bells: Eight double strokes on ship's bell; customarily struck at midnight when new year commences.

Skeg: An extension of the keel for protection of propeller and rudder.

Skeleton (Of a vessel): The hull without the outside and inside plating.

Skiff: Technically, a flat-bottomed boat, but often used to name any small boat for rowing, sculling, or fitted with an outboard motor

Skin: The plating of a ship.

Skipper: The captain or master of a ship.

Skipper's Daughters: An old name for high waves when they break with a white crest.

Skylarking: gazing uselessly about, usually at the sky.

1 Skylight: A framing of metal fitted over an opening in a deck, with glass or plexiglass inserted for the admission of light into a cabin, engine room, etc.

Skysail: On a square-rigged ship, a light weather sail set next above the royal in fair weather.

Skyscraper: On a square-rigged ship, a small triangular sail set above the skysail in fair weather. A square version is called a Moonraker.

Slab Reefing: Reduces the area of the mainsail by partially lowering the sail and re-securing the new foot by tying it to the boom with points, or light lines attached to the sail. Also called points reefing and jiffy reefing.

Slack: Not fastened; loose. Also, to loosen or ease off.

Slack Away: To let out a line

Slack Tide or Slack Water: A short period at the turn of the tide. The time between flood and ebb tides when there is no current flow.

Slam Dunk: In sailboat racing, a tactical maneuver to lock in a competitor by tacking on them in close proximity so they can not tack from under your boat and they start to lose speed due to your sails blocking their sails.

Slatting: Flapping (of sails)

Sliding Ways: A structure of heavy timbers placed between ground ways and cradle to support the ship during launching.

Slings: In general the line, web straps, cable or chains attached to a heavy object to lift it.

Slip: (1) To let go purposely. (2) Where a vessel ties up, as the space between piers.

Slippery Hitch: A bend or hitch used to attach a line to a ring or spar so that by pulling the end of the line, the hitch will come free. This is done by passing a bight of the line under the other part so that when strain is applied the bight is jammed. A pull on the end of the bight clears it.

Slob: Loose and broken ice in bays, or along exposed edges of floes.

Sloop: A single masted vessel with fore and aft rigged sails.

Slop Chest: Chest, or compartment, in which is stowed clothing for issue to crew.

Slop Room: Compartment in which clothing for issue to crew is stowed.

Slops: Crew store managed by crew members offering everything from snacks to toiletries. Originally the name given to clothing that was issued to seamen.

Slot: The opening between the jib and the mainsail. Wind passing through this opening increases the pressure difference across the sides of the mainsail, helping to move the boat forward.

Smartly: A rate of action. In this case, quickly.

Smelling the Ground: Said of a vessel when her keel is close to the bottom and all but touching it.

Smuggle: The operation of secretly bringing goods into a country to avoid paying duty on the goods. Also applies to illicit goods.

Snap Hook: A metal fitting with an arm that uses a spring to close automatically when connected to another object.

Snatch Block: A block with a single sheave which is hinged and opens on the side so that the bight of a line can be led into the block and closed without running the whole length through

Snorter: A very high wind. Also called "Snotter"

Snub: To stop the running out of a line by taking a turn around a cleat, piling, etc.; to suddenly stop or secure a line. A ship with too much way can be snubbed by letting an anchor go.

Snubber: A spring line tied from the boat to chain rode, usually near the water's surface. It helps disperse tension forces. It also prevents damage to the boat by ground tackle and can help in the retrieval of the ground tackle in heavy weather.

Snubber Line: Line used for checking a vessel's way when warping her into a dock or basin.

Soft Tack: Fresh bread.

SOG: Speed Over Ground, speed relative to bottom.

SOLAS: Safety of Life at Sea Convention

Soldiers Wind: A wind which blows on the beam thus requiring no tacking or trimming of the sails. It will take a sailing vessel somewhere without requiring much nautical ability.

Sole: Cabin or salon deck or floor; the inside deck of the ship

Son of a Gun: Seaman who was born aboard a warship. As this was once considered to be one of the essentials of the perfect seaman, it has long been a complimentary term.

Sonar: SOnar Navigation and Ranging A device which emits pulses of high frequency sound which are reflected by any solid object they encounter. The time from the emission of the pulse and the arrival of its returning echo is measured, giving a range to the object. This is the basis of all depth sounders, measuring the depth of water under the ship.

SOS: A distress call made by a vessel requiring assistance. These three letters were chosen because they were easy to make and read using Morse Code. Some believe the letters meant "Save Our Ship" or "Save Our Souls".

sou'wester: A wind coming from the southwest

Sound: (1) To measure water depth or the depth of liquid in a tank (2) Signals required by navigation rules describing the type of vessels and their activities during times of fog.

Sounding(s): Depth measured; the number indicating depth on a chart; the process of measuring fuel or water in ships' tanks. A ship is thought to be "in soundings" when she is inside the 100 fathom line, and "off soundings" when she is outside that line.

South: One of the 4 cardinal compass points. South is the direction toward the South Pole and is at 180° on a compass card.

South Wind, Southerly Wind: Wind coming from the south.

Spanker: An additional sail hoisted on the mizzen mast to take advantage of a following wind.

Spanking: Applied to a wind, or movement of a vessel, to denote brisk and lively.

Spar: A pole used as part of the sailboat rigging, such as masts, booms, gaffs, yards, etc. A vertical spar is a mast.

Spar Buoy: A tall buoy used as a navigational aid.

Spherical Buoy: A ball shaped buoy marking a navigational hazard.

Spider: An outrigger used to hold a block clear of a mast or of the ship's side.

Spile Hole: Small hole bored in cask or barrel to allow air to enter when emptying.

Spill: To spill the sails is to take the wind out of the sails, either by heading up into the wind, or by easing the sheets to the point where the sails can hold no wind.

Spill Pipe: An overflow pipe.

Spindle Buoy: A tall cone shaped navigational buoy.

Spindrift: Finely-divided water swept from crest of waves by strong winds.

Spinnaker: A large balloon shaped lightweight sail used when running or reaching. Spinnakers are made of cloth very similar to that used for parachutes, which is why you may also hear them called chutes, or kites.

Spinnaker Halyard: A halyard used to raise the spinnaker.

Spinnaker Pole Lift: A line running from near the top of the mast, used to hold the spinnaker pole in place.

Spit: A small projection of land.

Spitfire Jib: A small storm jib made of very heavy cloth.

Splashboard: A raised portion of the hull forward of the cockpit intended to prevent water entering.

Splice: To join two lines together by interweaving and tucking their strands over and under each other in various manners. A strong way of joining lines without the use of knots.

Splice the Main Brace: A traditional term in the British Navy for serving out an additional tot of rum or grog to a ship's crew. In sailing ship days the main brace was spliced (in terms of drink) in very bad weather or after a period of severe exertion by the crew.

Spliced: To get spliced is slang for getting married. A splice joins two lines together permanently.

Spline: A flexible strip used for fairing lines.

Split Tacks: To take the opposite tack when sailing to windward with another yacht.

Spoke: In a wheel, such as a steering wheel, a spoke is a rod that extends from the hub outwards to the rim.

Sponson: 1) Any of several structures that project from the side of a boat or ship, especially a gun platform. 2) Appendages added to the side of a vessel, such as a canoe or kayak, to aid in stability. 3) A pontoon-like hull, or portion of a hull, that provides lift. A three-point hydroplane has two sponsons, one each side of the main hull.

Spooning: Running directly before wind and sea.

Spray: Water blown, or thrown, into the air in particles.

Spreader(s): Small struts or spars extending toward the sides from one or more places along the mast. The shrouds cross the end of the spreaders, enabling the shrouds to better support the mast. Also known as crosstrees in older vessels.

Spring, to: In a wooden vessel, a plank in the hull springs when one of its ends breaks loose, and because of its shape bent to the curve of the hull, springs outwards beyond that curve. Such a plank is said to be sprung.

Spring a Leak: To develop a hole or break in the hull through which seawater could enter. Term originated from a sprung plank.

Spring Line: A dock line leading forward or aft, to prevent a vessel from moving ahead or astern. The after bow spring line is attached near the bow and runs aft, where it is attached to the dock. The forward quarter spring line is attached to the quarter of the boat, and runs forward, being attached to the dock near the bow of the boat.

Spring Tides: The tides found during a New Moon or Full Moon. They run the strongest and are the highest and lowest tides experienced in the tidal cycle.

Sprit: (1) A spar that extends from the bow of the boat. (2) A spar stretching diagonally across a four-sided fore-and-aft sail to support the peak.

Spritsail: A four-sided fore-and-aft sail set on a sprit.

Spume: Froth of sea foam.

Spunyarn: Small line consisting of several loosely twisted yarns.

Squall: A sudden and violent gust of wind often accompanied by rain.

Square: On a square-rigged ship, the yards are square by the braces when they are at right angles to the fore-and-aft lines of the ship.

Square Rigger: Large ships dating back to the 17th century typically with three masts carrying rectangular sails mounted on horizontal spars called yards. A sailing-ship rig with rectangular sails set approximately at right angles to the keel line from horizontal yards.

Square Knot: A knot consisting of two overhand knots used to join two lines of similar size. Also called a reef knot.

Squawk Box: Ship's intercom system

Stability: The tendency in a boat to keep an upright position or to return to it when careened over.

Stabilizers: Wing-like retractable devices extending from the sides of the vessel to dampen down rolling in seas and produce a steadier, smoother, and more comfortable motion.

Staghorn: A bollard with horizontal arms, forming the shape of a cross, as a means of belaying lines.

Staith: Elevated structure from which coal and other cargoes can be loaded into a vessel. Name is also given to a landing-place, or loading-place.

Stall: (1) To stop moving. (2) Usually air travels smoothly along both sides of a sail, but if the sail is not properly trimmed, the air can leave one of the sides of the sail and begin to stall. Stalled sails are not operating efficiently.

Stalling: The turbulent effect of air on the lee side of a sail when trimmed in too far.

Stanch: Said of a vessel that is firm, strong, and unlikely to develop leaks.

Stanchion: A vertical support for guardrails and lifelines.

Stand-on Vessel: One that has the right-of-way and should maintain her course and speed during a crossing or overtaking situation, unless a collision appears imminent. (Was formerly called "the privileged vessel.")

Standing Part: That part of a line which is made fast. The main part of a line as distinguished from the bight and the end.

Standing Rigging: The part of a ship's rigging which is permanently secured and immovable; e.g. stays, shrouds, etc.

starb'd: Starboard.

Starboard: The right side of the boat when facing forward.

Starboard Tack: A sailboat sailing on a tack with the wind coming from starboard and the boom on the port side. If two boats under sail are approaching, the one on port tack must give way to the boat on starboard tack.

Stargazer: On a square-rigged ship, a small sail set in light weather above the moonraker.

Stateroom: Cabin; sleeping compartment.

Station Bill: A list showing the stations of all members of the crew during any maneuver.

Stave, to: To cause a break in the hull which may sink the vessel; the vessel is then called stove.

Stave Off: To hold off a boat with a staff, boathook, long spar, etc., to prevent her from coming along too heavily. also known as Fend Off.

Stay: A line or wire from the mast to the bow or stern of a ship, for support of the mast; rigging used to support the mast from forward or aft.

Stays: During the operation of tacking, the moment when a sailing vessel is head to the wind and hanging there, with her head not paying off on the opposite tack. Such a vessel is said to be "in stays" or "in irons".

Staysail or Stays'l: A triangular fore-and-aft sail carried on a stay. A sail that is set on a stay, and not on a yard or a mast. On a cutter this is the sail located between the jib and the main sail

Steadying Sail: Also stability sail or riding sail. Any small sail set to help the boat maintain its direction without necessarily moving, as when at anchor or in heavy weather.

Steamer: A steamship. A ship propelled by a steam engine.

Steaming Light: A white navigation light carried by vessels under way at night to indicate their presence and give an indication of their course.

Steep Seas: Tall and short waves caused by water current and wave directions being opposite to the direction of the wind.

Steerage: The after part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by the steerage passengers, or those paying the lowest fare.

Steerageway: Sufficient movement through the water to allow the boat to be controlled and steered by the rudder.

Stem: The forward edge of the bow. On a wooden boat the stem is a single timber.

Stem, to: A term indicating that a vessel is holding her own against a contrary current.

Stemming: Maintaining position over the ground when underway in a river or tidal stream.

Stempost: The principal vertical timber in a ship's bow.

Step: A recess into the keel or a framework fixed to the keelson in which the mast is placed

Step the Mast: Erecting the mast on the boat. The Mast Step is a fitting which supports the bottom end of the mast at the deck or keel.

Stepped: A mast that is in place is stepped.

Stern: The back (aftermost) part of a boat.

Stern Line: A line running from the stern of the boat to a dock or pier when moored.

Stern Post: (1) A large casting shaped to allow the propeller blades to revolve. The rudder is fitted on the after post. (2) The principal vertical timber in a ship's stern, upon which the rudder is fastened.

Stern Pulpit or Stern Rail: A sturdy railing or elevated guard rail around the deck at the stern. also known as Pushpit

Stern Tube: The bearing which supports the propeller shaft where it emerges from the ship.

Sternway: The backward motion of the ship.

Stevedore: One who is employed in the working of cargo when a ship is being loaded or unloaded in port.

Stiff: Said of a boat that resists heeling, or returns quickly to the vertical when rolling in a heavy seaway.

Stirrups: On a square-rigged ship, the short pieces of line which hang from the yards and support the footropes on which the topmen stand while working aloft on the sails.

Stock: A crossbeam at the upper part of an anchor.

Stopper Knot: A knot used to form a knob in the end of a line to prevent the end from running through a block or other narrow space.

Stops: Small lines used to tie the sails when they are flaked or furled.

Store(s): A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship for the maintenance of the crew, and for the navigation, propulsion and upkeep of the vessel and its equipment.

Storm Bound: Confined to an anchorage or haven through being unable to proceed because of stormy weather.

Storm Trysail: A very strong sail used in stormy weather. It is loose footed, being attached to the mast, but not the boom. This helps prevent boarding waves from damaging the sail or the rigging.

Stow: To pack or store away; especially, to pack in an orderly, compact, safe manner.

Stowage: The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also in between ports when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.

Stowaway: Illegal passenger who hides himself on board a ship in order to gain free passage or to escape from a country.

Strainer: Filtering device used to remove the solid debris from the cooling water.

Strake: On wooden boats, a line of planking running from the bow to the stern along the hull.

Strand: (1) A number of fibers twisted together ready to be laid up into a rope with other strands. (2) A vessel is stranded when she is driven ashore or onto a shoal by the force of the weather.

Stretch Off the Land: Old sailing ship term for taking a nap.

Strike: To lower, as in "Strike the sails", or "Strike the colors".

Strike Down: On a square-rigged ship, the act of lowering a spar or yard to the deck.

Stringer: A longitudinal stiffener for the side of a ship, made of angle bar, bulb angle channel or plates, etc. Depending upon their locations, stringers are known as bilge stringers, side stringers, hole stringers, etc.

Strut: Metal fitting attached to the hull that supports and aligns the aft portion of the propeller shaft.

Studding Out a Sail: Extending a sail using a whisker pole

Studdingsail: On square-rigged ships, an additional sail set in good weather outside the square sails when the wind was abaft the beam. Pronounced "Stun-s'l"

Stuffing Box: A fitting around the propeller shaft to keep the bearing lubricated and to keep water out of the boat.

Suck the Monkey: Originally, to suck rum from a coconut, the end of the nut resembling a monkey's face. Later, illicitly to suck spirit from a cask, usually through a straw. Also called Bleed the Monkey.

Sump Pump: Small pump for shower drainage

Sun Over the Yardarm: Also referred to as "Elevenses."

1 A traditional maritime saying to indicate that it is time for a morning drink, it was generally assumed that in northern latitudes the sun would show above the foreyard of a ship by 11:00 which was approximately the time in many ships of the forenoon "stand-easy", when many officers would slip below for their first drink of the day. Sundowner: A slang name for a bullying officer on a ship.

Superstructure: Any structure built above the top full deck, such as a deck house, bridge, etc.

Superstitions: Here are a few old superstitions of seamen: (1) When a ship was launched or about to sail on a long voyage, a libation was offered to the gods of the sea by pouring wine upon the deck so that good fortune would accompany the ship. (2) Flowers carried on board were destined to form a wreath, indicating death. (3) To hear bells at sea is a sign of oncoming death. (4) It is bad luck for a ship to begin a voyage on a Friday. (5) Women on board were considered to be a sign of bad luck (6) Gales and high winds would subside if a naked woman appeared before them (hence many figureheads depicted a woman with a naked breast). (7) In a calm, whistling will bring wind, but whistling while the wind is blowing will bring a gale.

Surge: Rising and falling of the sea, usually due to wave action.

Swab: A mop made from rope; to use such a mop.

Swallow: The space between the two sides of the shell of a block in which the sheave is fitted.

Swallow the Anchor: To retire from a life at sea and settle ashore.

Swamp: To fill with water, but not settle to the bottom.

Sweat, Sweat Up: To haul on a rope, to haul up tight, to hoist the last possible inch or so.

Swell: Succession of long and unbroken waves that are not due to meteorological conditions in the vicinity. Generally due to wind or storms at a distance from the position.

Swinging Bridge: A bridge that swings away from the waterway so that boats may pass beside it.

Swinging Circle, Swinging Room: The distance a boat can move around its anchor. Swinging room is important because if other boats or objects are within a boat's swinging circle they may collide.

Swinging Ship: The process of checking the accuracy of and adjusting the ship's magnetic compass.

Swivel: A rotating fitting used to keep a line from tangling.

Symbols: Marks of identification.

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