Historic England
FISH Maritime Fixtures and Fittings Thesaurus
Used for recording fixtures and fittings associated with vessels found in a maritime context and often useful in identifying a specific craft.
Martnet
Leech Line
Decking
Orlop Deck
Sterncastle Deck
Main Deck
Bowcastle Deck
A second deck in castling at the bow of a vessel above the level of the forecastle deck.
Lower Deck
Poop Deck
Aftercastle Deck
The first deck in castling at the stern of a vessel, usually above the upper deck. The equivalent of the quarter deck in later construction.
Quarter Deck
Middle Deck
Upper Deck
Deck
A floor running the length of a vessel or only part of it, connecting the sides and forming the roof of the compartments or holds.
Electric Oven
Oven
Pusher Mast
Mizen Mast
Mizen Royal Mast
Mizzen Royal Mast
Mizen Topmast
Mizzen Topmast
Mizen Skysail Mast
Mizzen Skysail Mast
Mizen Topgallant Mast
Mizzen Topgallant Mast
Mizzen Mast
Mizen Gaff Topsail
Mizzen Gaff Topsail
Chain
Anchor Chain
Anchor Cable
Cable
Originally any large hemp or wire rope or chain but now more normally, one to which the anchor is secured.
Electric Decklight Lamp
Decklight Lamp
A lamp fitted above head height to provide external lighting on a vessel.
Electric Handheld Lamp
Handheld Lamp
Electric Motor
Turbine Engine
Internal Combustion Engine
Engine
Mizen Topmast Staysail
Mizzen Topmast Staysail
Hatch Coaming
Booby Hatch
A hatch, usually with a sliding cover which allows access to a storeroom or locker, or on smaller craft to the accommodation.
Hatch
Mizen Yard
Mizen Top Yard
Mizzen Top Yard
Mizzen Yard
Metal Ballast
Stone Ballast
Ballast
Heavy material, usually stone, gravel or iron, placed in the holds of a vessel in order to lower its centre of gravity and provide stability when no cargo is being carried.
Porthole
Scuttle
Mizen Topgallant
Mizzen Topgallant
Companion Way Grating
Companion Way Cover
A hatch or grating covering the entrance to a companion way.
Anchor Stock
Killick
Close Stowing Anchor
An anchor with the stock in the same plane as the arms enabling it to be stowed flat on an anchor bed.
Admiralty Pattern Anchor
An anchor with a fixed shank and arms, the stock of the anchor being at right angles to the arms.
Plough Anchor
Stockless Anchor
Stone Anchor
Admiralty Anchor
A design of stockless anchor favoured by the Admiralty.
Mushroom Anchor
Anchor
A heavy implement, now usually made of metal, designed to be dropped from a vessel and embedded in the seabed to hold the vessel in a desired position.
Channel
Channel Wale
Chain Wale
A broad plank, projecting horizontally from the side of a vessel, used to spread the shrouds and provide better support for the mast.
Electric Deckhead Lamp
Deckhead Lamp
A lamp fitted to the underside of the deck above to provide internal lighting in a vessel.
Cauldron Cover
Cauldron Lid
Cauldron
A large pot used for boiling.
Mizen Lateen Course
Mizzen Lateen Course
Clew Line
Clue Line
A rope attached to the clues of a square sail, other than acourse, and used to pull the clues up and inwards when furling the sail.
Electric Bulkhead Lamp
Bulkhead Lamp
A lamp fixed to the bulkhead providing internal lighting.
Candle Lantern
Lantern
Mizen Topgallant Staysail
Mizzen Topgallant Staysail
Mizen Skysail
Mizzen Skysail
Companion Way Stairway
Companion Ladder
Traditionally a ladder leading from the main deck to the quarterdeck. Nowadays used to mean any ladder leading from one deck to another.
Companion Way
A staircase or ladder allowing movement between decks.
Forecastle Deck
Forecastle
The forward part of the upper deck extending from the bow to the fore mast.
Mizen Gaff Course
Mizzen Gaff Course
Mizen Royal
Mizzen Royal
Bittacle
Binnacle
A short stand of wood or metal in which the compass is suspended, usually in gimbals, allowing it to remain horizontal regardless of the vessel's movement.
Mizen Course
Mizzen Course
Mizen Gaff
Mizzen Gaff
Knee Of The Head
Transom Knee
Apron Knee
An angled piece of timber connecting the apron to the frame of the vessel.
Stern Knee
Knee
Kort Nozzle
Propeller Housing
Longboat
Launch
Ships Boat
Main Gaff Course
Main Lateen Course
Main Course
Main Rail
Waist Rail
Middle Rail
Railing
Rigging Rail
Poop Rail
Guardrail
Quarter Deck Rail
Counter Rail
A rail running around the stern of a vessel.
Lower Rail
Head Rail
Taffrail
Bow Rail
A railing running around the front of a vessel.
Rails And Fixtures
Main Royal Mast
Main Skysail Mast
Main Topmast
Main Spencer Mast
Main Topgallant Mast
Main Mast
Halyard
Buntline
A rope attached to the footrope of a square sail used to spill the wind out of the sail for reefing or hoist the sail to the yard for furling.
Jeer
Slab Line
Brace
A rope or wire attached by a block to a yard arm and used to adjust the yard in a horizontal plane.
Bowline
A rope, that when hauled in, keeps the weather edge of a square sail taut and steady when a vessel is close-hauled to the wind.
Sheet
Running Rigging
Head Ledge
Chock
A wooden wedge used to prevent any stowed article from shifting whilst the vessel is in motion.
Ledge
Riband
Hawse Piece
Pillar
Filling Piece
A piece of timber forming part of a made mast.
Cathead
A short beam projecting over the bow of a vessel at the side of the bowsprit. The cathead held a sheave which took the tackle used to raise the anchor.
Fashion Piece
The aftermost timber in the underwater body of a wooden vessel which forms the shape of the stern.
Stemson
Rider Cross Chock
Counter
The arched section of the vessel curving aft and upwards from the wing transom and buttock to the stern above.
Knighthead
Fashion Plate
The aftermost plate in the underwater body of a metal vessel which forms the shape of the stern
Fillet
A piece of wood used to strengthen a joint or serve as a support to a surface.
Ram
Rider Butt Chock
Stringer
Skeleton
Hinged Door Doorway
Jacobs Ladder
Sliding Door Doorway
Hatchway
Inspectionway
Doorway
An opening between two spaces, filled by a door.
Ladderway
Gangplank
Accessway
Means by which access is enabled onto, into and through a vessel. Use more specific narrow terms.
Housed Joint
Tenon
Scarf Joint
Halving Joint
Mortise
Notched Joint
Joint
Thickstuff
Waterway
Limber Board
Spirketing
Ceiling Plank
A plank forming part of the floor or walls of a hold.
Inner Hull Short Plank
Inner Hull Plank
Hull Plank
Inspectionway Cover
Awning
A cover, usually made of canvas, fixed to, or fitted over, raised support.
Walkway Support
Anti Boarding Netting
Netting forming a horizontal barrier of fixed open work. Found across castle decks and waist in early forms of construction.
Pump Partner
Sheave
A wheel or roller with a groove along its edge for holding a rope or cable which when hung between two supports and fitted with a rope or cable is used to make a pulley.
Winch Cover
Ship Fittings
Fore Top Yard
The yard mounted on the fore topmast.
Fore Topgallant Yard
The yard mounted on the topgallant of the fore mast.
Fore Yard
The yard mounted on the fore mast.
Fore Topgallant
A square sail set on the topgallant yard of the fore mast.
Main Topgallant
Bonaventure Topgallant
That part of a mast mounted above the topmast on a bonaventure mast in older sailing vessels.
Topgallant
Frame Butt Chock
Frame Cross Chock
Forefoot
Thwart
Deck Clamp
A timber fastened to the inside of a wooden vessel's side forming a support for the end of a deck beam.
Carling
A short piece of timber ranging fore and aft between beams to strengthen the vessel.
Deck Beam Brace
A brace used to support and strengthen a deck beam.
Deck Plank
A plank forming part of the deck.
Deck Plate
A metal plate forming part of the deck.
Deadwood
A block of timber, in both the bow and stern of a vessel, positioned just above the keel where the hull is narrow and the angle of the timbers at its most acute.
Framing Components
Parts defining the strength and shape of the structure of a vessel and which provide the framework for the vessel's planking or plating.
External Frame
The main skeleton of a vessel to which the outer hull is attached.
Floor Timber
A plank forming part of a deck floor.
Web Frame
Cant Frame
A piece of timber set at an oblique angle rather than at right angles to the keel. Cant frames are found at both ends of the vessel, those at the bows incline toward the stem post and those at the stern incline toward the sternpost.
Filling Frame
Frame
False Sternpost
An additional timber clamped to the sternpost to reinforce it.
Inner Sternpost
Sternpost
Fiddlehead
A carved stemhead in the form of a scrollturning aft and inwards like the head of a violin. Originally adopted by small sailing vessels with no figurehead as a piece of bow decoration.
Billet Head
Carved ornamentation at the bow of a vessel which does not have a figurehead.
Figurehead
An ornamental carved and painted figure erected on the bow of a vessel as a decorative emblem. Usually signifying some aspect of the vessel's name or function.
Bow Decoration
Ornamentation used to enhance the appearance of the front, or bow, of a vessel.
First Futtock Rider
An additional timber bolted to the first futtock to provide extra strength.
Breadth Rider
A additional timber mounted across the breadth of a vessel to strengthen the structure.
Floor Rider
An additional timber used to provide support for a floor beam.
Top Rider
Second Futtock Rider
Rider
Ensign Staff
The flagstaff on which the ensign is flown.
Jack Staff
Flagstaff
A pole or staff on which a flag is hoisted.
Flying Jib Boom
A continuation of the jib boom to the end of which the tack of the flying jib is hauled.
Jib Boom
Cross Piece
A bar or timber connecting two bitts or knight-heads.
Bitt Pin
A pin fitted through a cable bitt to prevent the cable from coming off.
Bracket Knee Plate
A flat plate, triangular in shape, used to join a frame and a beam.
Ship Structure
Floating Bulwark
A section of the bulwark which is hinged allowing access onto the deck.
Bulwark
The portion of a vessel's side above the level of the deck.
Deck House
A cabin erected on the deck of a vessel.
Platform Support
Platform
Topcastle
Blindage
A series of screens which could be erected along the waist of a ship to protect the crew from enemy fire.
Conning Tower
The superstructure of a submarine or warship from which the vessel can be piloted.
Wheelhouse
Walkway
Superstructure
The constructions on board a vessel above the upper deck, including deck houses, conning towers etc.
Dowelled Butt Joint
A butt joint which is fixed using dowels inserted into the ends of the planks.
Butt Joint
A joint in which planks or plates are joined end to end.
Aftercastle
Castling set above the aftercastle deck at the stern of a vessel.
Castling
Panels erected around the fighting platforms of a vessel to provide protection.
Chain Plate
A metal bar fixed below the chain wales to which the shrouds are secured.
Eye Bolt
A bolt with an eye in the end to which the blocks of purchases can be hooked or a line secured.
Turnbuckle
Fastener
An object to fasten, bind or join one item to another. Use more specific term where known.
Clenched Bolt
A bolt, the end of which has been bent over to secure it once it has passed through the timbers. Predates the threaded bolt.
Square Head Bolt
Round Head Bolt
Hexagonal Head Bolt
Pan Head Bolt
Bolt
A metal pin, often with a screw thread and used in conjunction with a nut.
Bilge Keel
An external fin usually made from plates and angle bars riveted to the hull and designed to reduce roll and provide additional strength to a vessel's hull.
False Keel
An additional keel secured on the outside of the main keel to increse a vessel's draught. In older vessels false keels were also used to protect the vessel's hull in the event of running aground.
Box Keel
A keel made from plates in the form of a box. The plates being joined by riveting to angles bars.
Keel
Boiler
A tank in which water is heated. In sailing vessels the boiler was used for hot water and domestic purposes. In steamships a boiler was used to generate steam under pressure to provide motive power to drive the engines.
Furnace
Battery
A device producing electrical energy used to power a vessel's engines, particularly submarines when submerged.
Reactor
Engine Power Source
Bolt Rope
A rope sewn around the edge of a sail to prevent the canvas from fraying or tearing.
Roband
Cringle
A small loop of rope, often with a metal ring or thimble, worked into the bolt rope of a sail. Cringles are used to hook in the tack and sheet tackles when a sail is reefed.
Lanyard
Cordage
The collective term for all ropes and lines carried on board a vessel.
Aerial
A metal structure used to transmit and receive radio signals.
Radio
Communications Equipment
Equipment used to communicate from ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore or ship-to-aircraft.
Main Topmast Studdingsail
Fore Royal Studdingsail
An additional sail set on the royal mast of the fore mast in fine weather.
Main Royal Studdingsail
Main Topgallant Studdingsail
Lower Studdingsail
Fore Topmast Studdingsail
An additional sail set on the topmast yard of the fore mast in fair weather.
Fore Topgallant Studdingsail
An additional sail set on the topgallant yard of the fore mast in fair weather.
Studdingsail
Main Wale
Wale
Plated Hull
Armoured Hull
A hull which has been reinforced by the addition of armour plating.
Hull
Three Bladed Propeller
Two Bladed Propeller
Bow Thruster Unit
A propeller situated in a transverse tunnel, passing through the hull near the bow of a vessel.
Four Bladed Propeller
Propeller
Propeller Shaft
Paddle Wheel Shaft
Mechanical Propulsion System
Diaphragm Pump
Chain Pump
A pump consisting of an endless chain fitted with valves, operated by a roller or winch manned by several men. A chain pump could move large quantities of water in a short time.
Piston Pump
Pump
Scupper
Scupper Pipe
Pumping Gear
Quadruple Reciprocating Engine
Triple Reciprocating Engine
Compound Reciprocating Engine
Reciprocating Engine
Planked Partitioning
Plated Partitioning
Partitioning
Port Light
Starboard Light
Navigation Light
Lighting
Flemish Horse
Horse
Fore Futtock Shroud
Main Futtock Shroud
Mizzen Futtock Shroud
Futtock Shroud
Shroud
Fore Topgallant Shroud
Mizzen Topgallant Shroud
Main Topgallant Shroud
Topgallant Shroud
Spritsail (Square)
Square Sail
Sail
Lugsail
Spencer
Gaff Mainsail
Spinnaker
Lateen Sail
Spritsail (Fore And Aft)
Spanker
Gaff Sail
Bonaventure Gaff Course
A fore and aft sail set on a gaff on the bonaventure mast in older sailing vessels.
Fore And Aft Sail
Any sail which is rigged so that the luff of the sail abuts the mast or is attached to a stay. The sail can be extended by a boom at the foot and a gaff at the head or by a single sprit or yard.
Stabilizer
Daggerboard
A drop keel, usually of wood or metal, which can be raised or lowered through a slot in a vessel's keel to increase the draught in order to reduce leeway.
Leeboard
Centreboard
A board which can be lowered in a shallow draught vessel to increase the vessel's lateral area and keel thus increasing the resistance to leeway.
Stabilizing Fittings
Fore Topmast Staysail
Fore Staysail
A fore and aft sail hanked to the fore stay.
Main Royal Staysail
Main Topmast Staysail
Staysail
Main Skysail
Fore Skysail
A light-weather sail set above the royal on the fore mast.
Skysail
Standing Rigging
Ratline
Rigging
Thimble
Fairlead
A device on a deck or spur, often in the form of a block, used to guide a rope and prevent it from cutting or chafing.
Rigging Fittings
Tingle
Tarred Flannel
Patch
Seam Covering Piece
Covering Board
A board placed along the top edges of upper hull planking to close the spaces between the inner and outer hull planking between the frames.
Waterproofing Fittings
Ventilation Duct
Ventilation Hatch Cover
Ventilation Hatch Grating
Ventilation Cowl
Ventilation Fittings
Very Pistol
A pistol used to fire pyrotechnic lights from on board a vessel or aircraft to indicate certain messages. In general they are confined to naval use to indicate particular signals.
Signalling Pistol
A pistol used to fire flares or pyrotechnics to signal to other vessels.
Spotting Top
Top
Stem Bar
Upper Stem Piece
Lower Stem Piece
Stem
Rove
Weld
Nut
Lug
Gammoning
Staple
Rivet
Stitching
Hinge
Use for any hinge opening mechanism which may often be retrieved separately from the doors, portholes, lids or hatches to which they originally belonged in a maritime context.
Fastenings
The means by which a ship structure is held together. Use appropriate narrow terms.
Skinned Hull
Sleeper
Crutch
A rising knee fitted in the stern to connect the ends of the stringers and other longitudinal members.
Rising Bracket
Standard
Rising Knee
Forestay
Longitudinal Support
Any rigging used to give support to the masts along the length of the vessel and to hold the mast firmly in place in the fore-and-aft direction.
Storm Lamp
Lamp
Sprit Course
Course
A sail attached to the lower yards. Use more specific term.
Hatchway Tarpaulin
Hatchway Grating
Hatchway Cover
Head Plate
Heel Plate
Pillar Plate
Hinged Door
Bow Door
A door in the front, or bow, of a vessel used for loading and unloading. Often found on ferries.
Sliding Door
Door
A barrier used to close an opening, usually hinged and often hung within a supporting frame.
Funnel
Exhaust Pipe
Engine Exhaust System
Main Gaff Topsail
Bonaventure Gaff Topsail
A fore and aft sail, set above the course on the bonventure mast of older sailing vessels.
Fore Gaff Topsail
A fore and aft sail set on a gaff mounted on the topmast of the foremast.
Gaff Topsail
Pennant
Jack
Ensign
The nation flag flown on a vessel.
Semaphore Flag
Flag
A piece of cloth, usually flown from a staff or halyard, used as a standard, signal or ensign.
Belfry
A housing for a vessels bell. Bells were used to announce the time every half hour and as a warning signal in fog or during emergencies.
Bell
A bell used to announce the time on board a vessel, and as a warning signal in fog and during emergencies.
Foghorn
A signalling device emitting a loud noise to warn shipping in foggy weather.
Flare
A device, which when activated, gives off a bright light. Used as a signal.
Signalling Equipment
Equipment used for identification, ship to ship, ship to shore, or ship to aircarft communications.
Flying Jib
The foremost of the sails set on a stay extending from the foremast to the jib boom or bowsprit.
Inner Jib
Outer Jib
Jib
Magnetic Compass
Gyro Compass
Compass
An instrument used for navigation and orientation showing magnetic or true north, and bearings.
Radar
Periscope
Sonar
Piloting Equipment
Deck Transom
A beam fastened across the stern post to strengthen the stern and give it shape. The deck transom is used to hold the ends of the lower deck planking.
Filling Transom
Main Transom
Wing Transom
Transom
Bowsprit
A spar projecting over the bow of a vessel to provide the means for staying the fore topmast and from which the jibs are set.
Sprit
Centre Line Lift
Side Lift
Lift
Bark Skin
A hull covering made from the bark of trees, usually stitched and bound.
Animal Hide Skin
A hull covering formed from a patchwork of animal skins usually stitched and bound.
Textile Skin
Plastic Skin
Wood Skin
Metal Skin
Outer Hull Skin
Upper Apron Piece
Lower Apron Piece
Apron (Maritime)
A curved timber, fixed behind the lower section of the stem directly above the leading end of the keel.
Stern Decoration
Decoration
Carved elements and mouldings designed to make a vessel more attractive.
Mast House
Mast Step
Mast Hole
Mast Partner
Mast Step Brace
Mast Fitting
Cast Metal Oven Housing
Plate Metal Oven Housing
Metal Oven Housing
Brick Oven Housing
Oven Housing
Clenched Nail
A nail, the end of which has been bent over to secure it once it has passed through the timbers.
Nail
A metal spike for fixing one object to another.
Navigation Bridge
Docking Bridge
A bridge from which the captain, or officer of the watch, can supervise the docking of a vessel.
Bridge
An elevated platform above the upper deck of a vessel from which it is navigated and from where all activities on the vessel can be monitored and controlled by the officer of the watch.
Outer Hull Plate
Inner Hull Plate
Hull Plate
Outer Spritsail Yard
Spritsail Yard
Chair
A single seat with a back and, sometimes, arms.
Stool
Furniture
Single Bladed Paddle
Double Bladed Paddle
A paddle with a blade on either end. Usually used to propel a canoe or kayak.
Paddle
A short, broad bladed oar used without a rowlock.
Oar
Manual Propulsion System
Main Lower Topsail
Bonaventure Lower Topsail
The lower topsail set on a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Fore Lower Topsail
Mizzen Lower Topsail
Lower Topsail
Bonaventure Upper Topsail
The upper topsail set on a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Main Upper Topsail
Fore Upper Topsail
Mizzen Upper Topsail
Upper Topsail
Rubbing Strake
Garboard Strake
Sheer Strake
Diminishing Strake
A plank, forming part of the hull of a wooden vessel, which is thinner at one end.
Strake
Carvel Plank
A plank used in carvel construction, where the edges of the planks are placed edge to edge and not overlapped (as in clinker construction).
Clinker Plank
A plank used in the construction of a clinker built vessel where the planks overlap.
Outer Hull Short Plank
Bottom Plank
A plank laid fore and aft in the bottom of a vessel to take the weight of the crew or cargo off a vessel's planking and timbers.
Outer Hull Plank
Main Jeer Capstan
Fore Jeer Capstan
Capstan
An upright cylindrical barrel revolving around a spindle used to wind cable on board ship. The capstan was turned manually by inserting bars into the drumhead at the top.
Stern Light Lamp
Stern Light
Code Pennant
A triangular flag, usually coloured or patterned, which can be used to convey messages using a standard code. Each code flag's pattern or colour is different and can be used to represent a whole message, or a single number in a message.
Code Flag
A flag, usually coloured or patterned, which can be used to convey messages using a standard code. Each code flag's pattern or colour is different and can be used to represent a whole message, or a single word or letter in a message.
Main Topmast Stay
Main Topgallant Stay
Main Royal Stay
Mainstay
Athwartships Support
Any rigging used to give support to the masts across the width of the vessel.
Thole Pin
Oarlock
Rowlock
Oar Pivot
Tiller
Hydroplane
Wheel
Whipstaff
Steering Oar
Sweep
Steering Gear
Toilet
Heads
Sanitation Fixtures
Ventilation Hatch
Round Head Screw
Raised Head Screw
Flat Head Screw
Screw
Shoe Block
A single shelled block with two sheaves revolving on pins at right angles to each other.
Double Block
A single shelled block containing two sheaves revolving on the same pin, allowing two ropes of equal thickness to be worked through it.
Quadruple Block
A single shelled block containing four sheaves revolving on the same pin, allowing four ropes of equal thickness to be worked through it.
Snatch Block
A block with an opening on the side enabling a rope to be fixed around the sheave.
Shoulder Block
Fiddle Block
A single shelled block containing two sheaves carried on separate pins one on top of the other. The lower portion of the shell is narrower and the whole lies flatter to a mast than a DOUBLE BLOCK.
Sister Block
Single Block
A block containing a single sheave, allowing one rope to be worked through it.
Triple Block
A single shelled block containing three sheaves revolving on the same pin, allowing three ropes of equal thickness to be worked through it.
Deadeye
A circular block, usually made from lignum vitae, pierced with three holes and grooved around the circumference used to secure the end of a shroud to a chain plate.
Lead Block
Jewel Block
A block at the end of the main and foretop yards through which the halyard of a studdingsail is run.
Block
A pulley, comprising a shell, sheave and pin, through which a rope passes. Blocks are used for various purposes but particularly to increase the mechanical power of ropes used in working the sails.
Sister Keelson
Plate Keelson
Box Keelson
A keelson made from plates in the form of a box. The plates being joined by riveting to angles bars.
Keelson
Sacrificial Anode
A terminal, usually made of zinc, attached to the iron or steel hull of a vessel, from which a charge flows to inhibit corrosion whilst the anode gradually dissolves.
Anode
A terminal attached to the metal or sheathed hull of a ship from which a charge flows to inhibit corrosion.
Torpedo Tube
Gun Port
Gun Port Lid
Torpedo Tube Port
Torpedo Tube Shutter
Ordnance Fixture
Lifeboat
Lifebuoy
Lifejacket
Liferaft
Life Saving Equipment
Hanging Bracket
Cathead Supporter
A hanging knee used to support the cathead.
Hanging Knee
Hatches And Ports
Openings in the decks and sides of a vessel, used for access, loading, light and ventilation.
Fore Gaff Course
A fore and aft sail set on a gaff on the foremast.
Fore Lateen Course
A fore and aft sail set on a yard on the foremast.
Fore Course
A square sail set on the lowest yard of the foremast.
Fish Davit
A davit used in conjunction with a cat davit to hoist the fluke end of a stocked anchor to the billboard.
Cat Davit
A davit used to hoist the anchor from the waterline to the billboard.
Boat Davit
A davit used for raising and lowering boats carried on board.
Anchor Davit
A davit used to raise the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow.
Davit
A small crane, derrick or pair of curved pillars, usually fitted on the deck close to the side of a vessel, used for raising and lowering lifeboats, anchors etc.
Breasthook
A curved timber bolted across the inside of a vessel's stem to strengthen the fore part of the vessel and hold the bow and sides together.
Hawsehook
Lodging Knee
Bulkhead
An upright partition separating compartments within a vessel.
Clenched Spike
A spike, the end of which has been bent over to secure it once it has passed through the timbers.
Spike
A sharp, pointed metal object.
Bunk
A sleeping berth.
Hammock
Bed
A piece of furniture, usually equipped with a mattress and covers, for sleeping or resting on.
Bonaventure Royal
A square sail set above the topgallant on a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Fore Royal
A square sail set on the fore mast above the topgallant.
Main Royal
Royal
Aldis Lamp
A handheld lamp used to send morse code messages ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore.The lamp and its reflector can be covered/uncovered by a trigger operated shutter.
Signalling Lamp
A lamp, usually with moveable shutters fitted over the bulb, used to signal to other vessels usually using morse code.
Wedged Treenail
Treenail
Metal Hull Sheathing
Wood Hull Sheathing
Sheathed Hull
Propulsion System
Sails And Rigging
Pieces of fabric used to catch the wind in order to move the vessel and the ropes, wire or chains used to work the sails or support the masts and yards.
Parrel Assemblage
Parrel Rib
Parrel Ball
Parrel
Yard
Hair
Oakum
Tarred hemp or manila fibres used for caulking the seams of the decks and sides of a wooden vessel to make it watertight. Oakum is usually made by unpicking old ropes.
Caulking
Fibres driven into the seams of a vessel's timbers and covered with pitch or resin to make the vessel watertight.
Bonaventure Topgallant Yard
A yard mounted on the topgallant mast on a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Bonaventure Top Yard
A yard mounted on the topmast on a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Bonaventure Yard
A yard mounted on a bonventure mast. Use more specific type where known.
Bonaventure Gaff
A gaff mounted on a bonaventure mast.
Main Gaff
Fore Gaff
Gaff
Third Futtock
Second Futtock
Fourth Futtock
First Futtock
The timber, closest to the keel, forming part of the frame or rib in a wooden vessel.
Futtock
Stempost
Stern Light Lantern
Trestle Table
Table
Line
Cordage, formed of two or more strands of hemp, less than one inch in circumference.
Downhaul
A rope used for hauling down a jib or staysail when shortening sail.
Rope
Cordage, made from natural or man-made fibres or wire, with a circumference greater than one inch.
Rudder Pintle
Rudder Gudgeon
Rudder
Fore Topmast
The portion of the fore mast below the topgallant.
Fore Royal Mast
The portion of the fore mast below the skysail.
Fore Topgallant Mast
The portion of the fore mast above the topmast and below the royal.
Fore Skysail Mast
The uppermost portion of the fore mast on which a skysail is set in fair weather.
Fore Mast
The forward mast on a vessel with two or more mast.
Backrest Bench
A long seat with a back but without armrests.
Bench
A long seat usually without a back. Often used to refer to a seat athwart a small boat.
Bonaventure Lateen Course
A fore and aft sail set on the lowest yard of a bonaventure mast on older sailing vessels.
Bonaventure Course
A square sail set on the lower yard of a bonaventure mast in older sailing vessels.
Bonaventure Mast
On older sailing vessels, the fourth mast .
Spencer Mast
Radio Mast
Radar Mast
Mast
Skylight
Window
Wireless Telegraph
Engine Room Telegraph
A device by which the engine room can communicate with the bridge or other parts of the vessel.
Bridge Telegraph
A device used by the captain or officer of the watch to communicate with the engine room or other parts of the vessel.
Telegraph
Main Top Yard
Main Topgallant Yard
Main Yard
Fender
An object, made from old cable, matting, rubber or plastic, which hangs over the side of a vessel to protect it against impact.
Hawse Hole
Hawse Pipe
Mooring Gear
Outrigger Boom
Boom
A spar used to secure, and stretch out, the bottom of a sail.
Stern Paddle Wheel
Side Paddle Wheel
Paddle Wheel
Cross Beam
A heavy timber running across the bitts in the bows of a vessel.
Sill Beam
Deck Beam
A beam running athwartships forming part of a vessel's structure and supporting the deck.
Forked Beam
Beam (Maritime)
A transverse member of a vessel's frame used to support a deck.
Fore Topmast Shroud
Mizzen Topmast Shroud
Main Topmast Shroud
Topmast Shroud
Deadlight
A hinged plate, usually of brass, iron or wood, inboard of a ship's scuttle or port, which can be lowered and secured with a butterfly nut to prevent damage to glass in heavy weather or conceal internal light from enemy vessels.
Porthole Lid
Cleat
A bar, made of wood or metal, attached to the insides of the gunwales to which the sheets are fastened when a vessel is under sail.
Belaying Pin
A short bar of wood, brass or iron used to secure a rope.
Belaying Gear
Equipment used for securing ropes.
Backstay
A rope or wire which supports a mast against the forward thrust of the sails. Backstays stretch from the mast head to either side of the ship or to the channels.
Stay
Windlass
Derrick
A spar, fixed on board a vessel and pivoted at the lower end, fitted with a purchase and used like a crane for hoisting cargo and other heavy weights.
Winch
Lifting Gear
Martingale
Spar
Inner Hull Skin
Hull Skin
Outrigger Float
Outrigger
Wind Assisted Propulsion System
Badge
An ornament placed on the outside of the vessel, usually depicting its name and crest.
Escutcheon
The area in the middle of the stern of a vessel where the name and port of registry are inscribed.
Ornaments And Mouldings
Oven Chimney
Oven Exhaust System
Sponson
Paddle Wheel Housing
Planked Hull
Short Toptimber
Long Toptimber
Toptimber
Galley
Compartment
Any area, onboard a vessel, between the transverse bulkheads.
Decks And Compartments
The horizontal platforms and internal spaces on board a vessel.