| halyard – line for raising or lowering a sail or flag weevil – small beetle with a long head that's usually curved into a snout maggot – wormlike fly larva sextant – instrument used for navigation flog or flogging – to whip with a lash or rod as a punishment starboard – right side of a ship, looking forward rigging – lines that hold and move masts, sails, and spars of a ship mess – a place that the crew of a ship usually gather at to eat poop – the enclosed superstructure at the stern (back) of a ship hot-shot – small pieces of metal that are heated to a very hot temperature then are put into pistols and are shot at ships or people in hopes of burning or setting fire kiss the gunner's daughter – The term given to the punishment for midshipmen, in which they are bent over a cannon and whipped (spanked) with a cane or rod. The 'gunner's daughter' is the cannon. scupper – opening in the side of a ship through which water on deck is drained overboard (also a gutter) dog-watch – watchers from 4 to 6, and from 6 to 8 in the evening ensign – the flag worn at the stern of a ship Jack or Union Jack – the British flag heave-to – to stop the vessel from going forward helm – the instrument by which the ship is steered, and includes both the wheel and the tiller hull down – when a ship is so far off you can only see her masts keel – the principal piece of timber on which the vessel is built to-leeward – towards that part of the horizon to which the wind blows magazine – a store place for gunpowder to make sail – to increase the quantity of sail already set, either by unreefing or by setting others rumb line – the direct course between 2 marks fire ship – A ship (or ships) that is purposely set on fire and left to drift into enemy ships. The fire ship then sets the enemy ships on fire. A much feared and dreaded weapon. stern – the rear of a ship spar – A stout rounded pole that supports rigging aft – At or toward the stern of the ship hull – the frame or body of a ship ratline – A small horizontal rope that forms a ladder between the shrouds. Used for climbing aloft. aloft – at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship (also upward) midshipman – a young naval officer in training |
| Here is a compiled list of words/terms that you may read about in the Hornblower books or hear in the movies (for those of you who might have a difficult time understanding ship terms). If I have forgotten one, by all means let me know and I will add it to the list. |
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