Terms and Definitions
This page is just a test. I am working on porting the Terms and Definitions over.
| Term | Definition(s) |
|---|---|
| Aback | (of a sail) Filled by the wind on the opposite side to the one normally used to move the vessel forward. On a square-rigged ship, any of the square sails can be braced round to be aback, the purpose of which may be to reduce speed (such as when a ship-of-the-line is keeping station with others), to heave to, or to assist moving the ship's head through the eye of the wind when tacking. A sudden shift in the wind can also cause a square-rigged vessel to be unintentionally "caught aback" with all sails aback. This is a dangerous situation that risks serious damage. In a fore-and-aft-rigged vessel, a headsail is backed either by hauling it across with the weather sheet or by tacking without releasing the sheet. It is used to heave to or to assist with tackingSee also back and fill. |
| Abaft | Toward the stern, relative to some object (e.g. "abaft the cockpit"). |
| Abaft the beam | Farther aft than the beam; a relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow; e.g. "two points abaft the beam, starboard side" would describe "an object lying 22.5 degrees toward the rear of the ship, as measured clockwise from a perpendicular line from the right side, center, of the ship, toward the horizon" |
| Abandon ship | An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent overwhelming danger. It is an order issued by the master or a delegated person in command, and must be a verbal order. It is usually the last resort after all other mitigating actions have failed or become impossible, when destruction or loss of the ship is imminent, and is customarily followed by a command to "man the lifeboats" or life rafts |
| Abeam | On the beam; a relative bearing at right angles to the ship's keel; e.g. describing an object located at a bearing of 90 degrees (starboard) or 270 degrees (port) as measured clockwise from the ship's bow |
| Able seaman (AB) | A merchant seaman qualified to perform all routine duties on a vessel, or a junior rank in some navies. See also able-bodied seaman. |
| Aboard | On or in a vessel. Synonymous with "on board". See also close aboard. |
| About | To change the course of a ship by tacking. "Ready about" is the order to prepare for tacking |
| Above board | On or above the deck; in plain view; not hiding anything. Pirates would often hide their crews below decks, thereby creating the false impression that an encounter with another ship was a casual matter of chance rather than a planned assault. |
| Above-water hull | The section of a vessel's hull above the waterline; the visible part of a ship. See also topsides. |
| Absentee pennant | A special pennant flown to indicate the absence of a ship's commanding officer, admiral, chief-of-staff, or an officer whose flag is nonetheless flying (a division, squadron, or flotilla commander). |
| Absolute bearing | The bearing of an object in relation to north: either true bearing, using the geographical or true north, or magnetic bearing, using magnetic north. See also bearing and relative bearing. |
| Accommodation ladder | A portable flight of steps down a ship's side. |
| Accommodation ship | A ship or hull used as housing, generally when there is a lack of quarters available ashore. An operational ship can be used, but more commonly a hull modified for accommodation is used. Also called an accommodation hull. |
| Act of Pardon | A letter from a state or power authorizing action by a privateer. See also letter of marque. Also Act of Grace. [c] |
| Action stations | See battle stations. |
| Admiralty | 1. A high naval authority in charge of a state's navy or a major territorial component. In the Royal Navy (UK), the Board of Admiralty, executing the office of the Lord High Admiral, promulgates naval law in the form of Queen's (or king's) Regulations and admiralty instructions. 2. Another name for admiralty law. |
| Admiralty law | The body of law that deals with maritime cases. In the UK, it is administered by the Admiralty Court, a special court within the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. The Admiralty Court is now in the Rolls Building. |
| Adrift | 1. Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed, but not underway. When referring to a vessel, it implies that the vessel is not being or able to be controlled and therefore goes where the wind and current take her; a vessel in this condition may also be described as "loose from her moorings" or "out of place". 2. Any gear not fastened down or stored properly. 3. Any person or thing that is misplaced or missing. When applied to a member of the Navy or Marine Corps, such a person is said to be "absent without leave" (AWOL) or, in U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps terminology, is guilty of an "unauthorized absence" |
| Advance note | A note for one month's wages issued to a sailor on his signing a ship's articles. |
