Sea Language Glossary

Sea Language Glossary is the place where you can find explanations and definitions of the words or phrases used by seamen in the days of sail.

Sea Language Glossary cover
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‘Bout ship or about ship
The order given calling the crew to their stations preliminary to putting the ship on a new tack. See Close-hauled.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Come All Ye’, A

A fo’cas’le song; so called because of a common beginning, ‘Come all ye gallant sailors now, an’ listen to me song!’
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Cut the wind’, the
A phrase denoting an opportune state of wind and weather in which a short-cut sea course can be made with advantage, particularly in navigating a strait or narrow passage.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Donkey’, stream
A winch or windlass driven by steam power, fitted in the large sailing ships of the ‘nineties.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Faldying, Goun Of’
Sea clothing of coarse texture worn by the medieval ‘shyp-man’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Homeward-bound days’
A phrase descriptive of good times, when a seamen had been paid off in a home port with a substantial sum and was at liberty to spend it.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Mainsail haul’
An order given during the maneuver of putting a ship about. It is the moment of hauling round the main yards to ease the wind pressure on the after part of the ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Pier-head jump’, a
A term of opprobrium meaning a seaman who, by reason of bad or unskilful character, cannot obtain a post in a ship in the usual manner, and is constrained to frequent the pier-head on the chance of obtaining employment as a substitute for someone who has not joined.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Riding home’
A cable or warp that yields to the strain of heaving is said to be ‘riding home’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Run of the gear, the’
The particular way in which a vessel is rigged.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Sodger’, a
An incompetent: a clumsy fellow, generally in the way.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
‘Touch the pen’, to
Many seamen were illiterate and could not sign the Articles of Agreement. Their names were written in by the clerk at the engagement room, and their subscription of a mark was known as ‘touch th’ pen’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
A
A-lee
‘helm’s a-lee’ is the response of the helmsman after putting the helm down in order to tack.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Aback
The state of a ship with the wind directed towards the forward side of her square sails.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Abaft
Aft of, behind, or at the rear.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Abeam
A position on the broadside of a sighting vessel, nearly at right angles to the line of that vessel’s keel.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
About ship and reef tops’ls in one
With the wind ahead a sailing ship has to proceed on a zigzag course, sailing with the wind on one bow for a certain distance (a board), then crossing the wind to bring it on the other bow. The master gives the order “About ship!”, the men rush to their stations, haul and slack braces, the helmsman puts the wheel down, and the ship is brought on to a new tack. In the Old Navy, when reefing, the three big tops’ls would be lowered a little, the reef-tackles hauled on (so as to shorten the area of sail exposed to the wind), and the men would race aloft to “pass the earrings” and tie the reef-point – a “pleat” of sail having been hauled up to the yard to make a new or temporary head to the shortened sail. After the close of the Napoleonic Wars, in the so-called fancy frigates of the British Navy, in order to keep the men active and fit (in order to keep the men active and fit (in peacetime) these two maneuvers were performed together as a drill, three watches of men racing against each other on different masts.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Adrift
Not securely fastened.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Adrift, To cast or take
To loosen or unravel.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Advance Note
A month’s advance of wages has always been the custom at sea; in the days of sail two or even three months’ were common. The idea was to enable the potential voyager to fit himself out with oilskins, mattress, etc., but normaly the piece of paper “the note” found its way into the hands of the boarding-house masters, publications, ship-tailors, or money-lenders. The sailor received the Note when he signed on his ship – if it was worth two pounds ten (the usual monthly wage), the seaman would be lucky if he received two pounds ten (the usual monthly wage), the seaman would be lucky if he received two pound’s worth of booze, female charm, or ‘gear’ out of it!
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Aft
The rearward position within a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Ahead
In front, or towards the bows of a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Aloft
Any position above the hull of a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Alow
Any position on deck or within the hull of a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
American Bar
A well-known pub on Lime Street, Liverpool, famed both sides of the Atlantic. It still exists, but has become more popular with Yankee naval seamen since the Second World War. Photos of the crews of Yankee men-o’-war adorn its walls.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Andrew
Royal Navy.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Armstrong’s Patent
Sailor term covering muscular, non-mechanical labor.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Articles, ship’s
The articles of Agreement between the master and the crew of a ship, setting forth the conditions under which the men are employed, their duties and rates of pay.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Astern
Immediately behind, or towards the stern of a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
B
Back The Main Topsail
When a sailing ship wished to ‘heave to’ or stop without using her anchor, the sail on the mainmast were trimmed so that the wind would be on the other two side, working in opposition to the sails on the other two masts, thus causing the vessel’s way to be checked. The manoeuvre was called ‘backing the main-yard’ or ‘backing the main tops’l’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Ballast
Bulk of sand, stones, water, etc., not being cargo, carried as weight in a ship to ensure stability.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Ballast tanks
Steamships of the Strathmore class, and practically all modern steamships, have a double bottom or skin. The space between the outer and inner plating is constructed in the from of tanks in which sea water is carried as ballast.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bar
Wooden bar used to push round the capstan after inserting it in socket; shoal running across the mouth of a river.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Barbary Coast, The
A notorious water-front district of San Francisco, in the days of sail consisting mainly of boarding-houses, tailor shops, bar-rooms, and brothels, and the home of such famous crimps as Shanghai Brown, Larry Marr, etc. Probably so named on account of its ‘riff-raff’, comparable to the riffs and pirates (corsairs) of original North American Barbary Coast.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Barge or lighter
A large boat, frequently undecked, built to carry cargo in shallow waters.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Barque
three-masted sailing vessel, square-rigged on mainmast and fore and aft rigged on mizen.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Barquentine
Vessel resembling a barque, but square-rigged on foremast only.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Beating to wind’ard
The same as tacking – trying to sail a ship forward against a head wind by zigzagging.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Belay, to
The order to cease hauling on a rope and to secure it or make fast.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Belaying pin
A wooden pin, generally of greenheart, inserted into a socket in the rail of a ship and to which ropes of the running gear are secured.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bellow
Beneath, as in the warning, ‘Look out below’. Also meaning ‘off duty’, as in the term ‘watch below’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bells
Time on board ship is registered by strokes on the ship’s bell.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bend, to
To set in place; also to don in the matter of clothing.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bight, The
A stretch of water, very often stormy, washing the shores of South and West Australia.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bilges
Receptacles for drainage in the inner bottom of a ship. In wooden vessels drainage from leaky seams was often considerable and at times dangerous. The bilges were often foul-smelling. Not without reason, seamen rated the sea-worthiness of an old ship by the excessive foetor of her bilges, for a ship that leaked heavily would be well-flushed in her drainage.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Biscuit
Ship’s bread: flat, hard dough-cakes.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Blackball Cheeser
A type of peak-cap with no stiffening in the crown worn by seamen of famous Blackball Line of Western Ocean (Atlantic) Packet Ships.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Blackballer
A ship of the ‘Black-ball Line’, a famous fleet of swift sailing ships generally engaged in the trade between Liverpool and New York. They had the reputation of being hard ships for the seamen serving in them.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Block
A pulley. S shell of strong wood, generally of elm, in which a sheave (or small wheel) is set. A double block has two sheaves: a triple block, three. By the use of blocks and a rope rove between them, multiple power is exerted on the hauling part of a tackle. Sea Tackle.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Block, a lead or snatch
A block hooked or shackled in the deck to permit of a rope being stretched horizontally to afford room for seamen to exert their maximum strength in hauling.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Blood ‘N’ Guts
Deep-water term for the Red Ensign of the Merchant Service.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bloodboat
Sailor name for hard-case sailing ship (usually Yank or Nova Scotian) from which crews would desert and fresh ones be supplied by the medium of shanghaiing.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bloody flag
Large square red flag hoisted by British warships to indicate that they were going into battle.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Blue Peter
A blue flag with an oblong white center, indicating a ship is about to sail when hoisted, at different periods, at the foremast or mainmast. Its name is said to derive from the French verb partir, to leave; or from Sir Peter Parker (1793), Admiral Cornwallis, known as “Billy Blue”; a corruption of “blue pierced”; or from “peter”, an old name for a cabin trunk. Take your pick!
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Bluenose
A general nautical term for Canadians, but more especially for Nova Scotian sailing ships and men.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Board, to
To gain footing in a ship: also state of coming in contract with another vessel or with a dock or wharf.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Boarding House
A seaman’s lodging in a seaport.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Boarding-house master
The proprietor of a boarding house who supplied seamen to vessels requiring crews.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Boarding-house runner
A subordinate of the boarding-house master, generally a heavily-built ex-seaman, employed to ‘handle’ the boarders. See Crimp.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Boatswain
Pron., and often written, ‘bosun’: warrant officer in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, and all work on deck.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bobstay
A steel bar, chain, or rope tackle from the end of the bowsprit to the waterline of the bow, preventing the bowsprit from lifting upward.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Boltsprit
Bowsprit which pivots on a bolt, so that it can be raised.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Books, ships
Documents; particularly “The Articles Of Agreement”, q.v.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Boom
Spar used to extend the foot of a sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bouse
Stall (confirment).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bow
The extreme forward part of a vessel’s hull.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bow Stoppers
(1) Chain or hemp lashings with which to fasten the ring of an anchor to the cathead.
(2) A brake of sorts controlling the anchor chain, open when the anchor is about to be dropped, closed when the ship is lying at anchor or when sailing.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bow-Chaser
A small cannon fitted in the bows of merchant ships, particulary those engaged in the China Trade – East Indiamen and the like – usefull when meeting up with Chinese pirates.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bower
The best bower anchor was stowed on the starboard bow.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bowline
(Or bowling), rope made fast to the leech or side of a sail to pull it forward.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bowse
To haul with a tackle to produce extra tightness.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bowsprit
A heavy spar stopped into the bow of a ship for the purpose of extending the head-sails. In some square-rigged vessels a Jib-boom was fitted above and beyond the bowsprit for additional extension.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Braces
Rigging attached to the yard-arms of a ship for the purpose of hauling the yards in trimming square sail.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Brail
To furl a sail by pulling it in towards the mast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Brig
Originally an abbreviation of “brigantine”, but later a two-masted, square-rigged vessel in her own right.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Brigantine
Two-masted vessel, square-rigged on foremast and fore and aft rigged on mainmast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Brightwork
Includes the varnished teak pinrails around a ship inside the gun-wales, the fiferail at the foot of each mast, companionway ladder handrails, teak railings around the poop, skylights, and poop “benches” – all having to be sanded and canvassed and scraped and varnished at least once a voyage by the seamen until, in smart ships, they “shone like silver”. Also a ship’s brass or chrome metalwork that required polishing.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Bring to,
Check to movement of a ship by arranging the sails in such a way that they counteract each other and keep her stationary.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bucko
A prefix often found in sailor-songs and stories indicating a tough mate or master. Probably introduced into sailor talk by way of the Irish packet rats.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Buffer
Chief bosun’s mate: regulating petty officer in charge of discipline.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bulwarks
The upright plating or boarding at the sides of the ship above the hull proper, and enclosing the decks.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bulwarks
Planking of plating along sides of ship round upper deck.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bumboat
Type of small rowboats found in most tropical ports surrounding deep-water ships at anchor, their owners voci-ferously shouting their wares-fruit, booze, curios, etc., for which in the old days seamen would exchange a shirt or bar of soap – ‘Black dog, white monkey!’ would be the cry. Nowadays they demand money, Yankee dollars in particular!
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Bumboat
Boat privately selling goods or provisions to seamen on ships in harbors or anchorages.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Bunt of a sail
That part, generally the centre of the yard when the sail is furled.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Bunting
Signaller.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Burgee
A small flag, sometimes triangular (pennant) sometimes with two tails (swallowtail), having a special meaning.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
barrack stanchion
Sailor in comfortable post on shore.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
C
Cable
Anchor chain.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Cachalot
The sperm whale, hunted mainly by Yankee whalers in the South Pacific. This name comes from the French word cache, “box”, which itself is the name given to a small bony section of the whale’s head containing spermaceti, the precious oily substance used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics. The English-speaking whaleman called this a “case”, and because it was often a difficult place from which to extract the oil it was sometimes called a “hard case”. The man engaged in extracting it also became known as a “hard case” and so the term entered the English language for some who is considered tough.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Calavances
Small beans sometimes used for making soup.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Cape Stiff
Usual sailor name for Cape Horn.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Capstan
Vertical rotating cylinder used for winding up anchor and other cable.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Cargo
Goods carried in a ship on commercial account.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Carrack
A medieval ship of considerable burden, generally of three masts square-rigged.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Carry Away, to
To break; particularly under an excessive strain.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Cat
Cat o’ nine tails.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Catfall
A three-fold tackle sometimes rigged from the head of the fore topmast or sometimes shackled to the head of a cat-davit. In older ships the upper block was the cathead itself, the latter having three sheaves in its outboard end. Sometimed the lower block was fitted with a hook, or else a wire pendant with a hook attached was shackled to the lower block. Used in catting the anchor, i.e. hoisting the anchor to the cathead.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Cathead
A heavy baulk of oak or teak projecting from either bow – often with three shaves in its outboard end – to which the anchor was ‘catted’. After the ring of the anchor was made fast to the cathead the lower part of the anchor was ‘fished’ also with the hook of the cat-tackle and hoisted inboard. Hence the expression ‘cat an’ fish the anchor’. Many of the older patterned catheads had the face of a cat carved in their outboard ends.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Chafin’ Leather
A strip of leather sewn over the bolt-rope of the foot of a squaresail to prevent the chafing against the wire standing rigging.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Chafing leather
A long strip of stout leather sewn around the foot-rope of a lower sail to protect the foot-rope from damage when in contact with the standing rigging.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Chain-shot
Cannon balls fastened together with chain.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Chains, Chainplates
Metal bars or chains, extensions of the shrouds and back-stays, which are fastened to a sailing-ship’s sides beneath the channels, or wooden ledges, which spread the lower end of the rigging. A small boat coming alongside a ship would hook on to these chains so that passengers could climb aboard.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Chalk No Score
It was the usual thing in ports such as Liverpool, ‘Frisco, New York, etc., for a paid-off seamen to ‘chalk up a score’ with a boarding-house master, i.e. spend all his hard-earned wages with the boarding-house master in booze, lodgings, and female company, in return being found a berth in an outward-bound ship by the same boarding-house master when his money had been ‘blown’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Chalk a score
In sailortown pubs it was a common thing for a known sailor customer to be allowed credit, and what he owed for a night’s drinking would be chalked up on a blackboard behind the bar.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Charter
An engagement for a ship to carry specified goods on commercial account.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Charter party
The document specifying the nature, conditions, and rates of freight in a ‘Charter’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Chesstree
In olden times a post, heavily carved, with a shave in through which the tack (rope) from the corner of the main-sail would be rove. In later ships this was merely a sheave in the ship’s bulwark or side. (Sometimes written as chesstress).
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Chip off the old block
A name applied to the offsprings of a father who was a “bit o’ a character”, especially if they possessed his ways and looks.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Chippy, Chips
Sailor nickname for a ship’s carpenter or shipwright.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Chowlah
A girl, in particular a street-walker; possibly a word of Hindustani origin.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Clap on,
To add a temporary feature to clip on a sail means to rig an additional sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Clew
Lower corner of a square sail; aftermost corner of fore and aft sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Clew gallants or Clew garnets
Ropes running double from nearly the centre of fore or main yard to clews where tack and sheet are fixed; used for clewing up (taking in) the sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Clew up, to
When a sail has to be furled, it is first hauled to the yard by ropes worked from the deck. It is then ‘clewed up’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Clipper Ship
A square-rigged sailing ship of extremely fine design.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Close-hauled
A ship is said to be ‘close-hauled’ when she is sailing as nearly to the wind as possible. A well-trimmed square-rigged ship of the later type could make good speed with her keel at an angle of about 60 degrees to the direction of the wind. Manifestly, with a contrary wind, she could only gain mileage on her course by TACKING ( sailing for a period on port and starboard tacks alternately). The maneuver of turning her from one tack to the other is terminated ‘going about’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Coaming
Raised edge round a hatch.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Cockpit
Space neat after hatchway and below the lower gundeck allocated to surgeon and his mates, and used as operating theatre.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Cotton to, to
To become intimately acquainted with a person or an operation: to appreciate.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Courses
Fore and main sail and driver.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Crackerhash
Hard dog biscuits or ‘Liverpool Pantiles’ crushed and mixed with water into a paste and Jim or some other sweetener added, the result baked in the galley oven – a sailing-ship ‘bonne bouche’!
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Crackerhash
Biscuits broken into pieces and baked with small portions of salt beef or pork.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Crimp
A person who procures men to serve as sailors or soldiers by tricking or coercing them.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Crimp, A
A boarding-house or tailor’s runner who specializes in persuading seamen to desert their ships in port. Often applied to a tour for bawdy houses or grog shops in the seaports.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Cutters
Small, decked vessel with one mast: later a clinker-built ship’s boat.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
D
Dan O’Connell
An Irish politician who lived from 1775 to 1847, a leader in the struggle for Catholic emancipation, often called the Liberator.
Dandyfunk
Biscuits pulverized with a belain’ pin (after being put in a canvas bag), the resultant mass being smeared with slush left over from the boiling of salt beef and baked in the galley oven (if permitted by the cook) in a cut-down bully tin.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Davits
Pierce of timber used as crane; small cast-iron crane.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Dead-eyes
Blocks without sheaves, each with only three holes through which lanyards are rove. They are used to set up shrouds and backstays at the channels (out-board).
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Deck, on
Apart from the obvious meaning, a phrase denoting active duty as in ‘Watch on deck’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Digger Ramrees
Diego Ramirez, island near Cape Horn in the South Atlantic.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Discharge, discharge book
Seamen’s documents proving service and character in merchant vessels. Prior to 1899 they were in the from of loose sheets, but since that date Continuous Discharge Books have been issued by the British Board of Trade to seamen serving in British vessels.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Dogsbody
1. Sea biscuits soaked in water to a pulp with added sugar.
2. A general factotum.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Doldrums
A belt of inconstant weather in the vicinity of the equator lying between the limits of the Trade Winds.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Donkey
‘Donkey’s breakfast’, the name of the straw palliasse on which a seaman slept, this along with his plate and pannikin he would buy at some ship’s chandler prior to joining his ship.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Donkey’s Breakfast
This was the sailor name for the straw-stuffed bag of hessian which up to the Second World War was the only sleeping paillasse used by merchant seamen. It is even referred to in an early sea-ballad of 1400: “A sak of strawe were there right good”. As the seaman headed toward his ship on sailing day, with a seabag over one shoulder, he would call on a dockside chandler, buy his donkey’s breakfast, and hitch it up over his other shoulder. If were pouring with rain, he’d sleep that night on his sodden straw, and before the voyage was over the straw would have wormed itself into great knotted lumps and possibly become the home of vicious bed-bugs.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Doudou
A west Indian Creole word meaning ‘sweetheart’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Down Easter
By Britishers, ships and men hailing from the Eastern American ports – Boston, Salem, New Bedford, etc. – were so called, but the term really meant those from Maine only.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Driver
Large sail suspended from mizen gaff; also called a spanker.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Drogher
A name given to wooden sailing ship in certain trades; e.g., sugar drogher, timber drogher, cotton drogher, etc.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Dukes
Slang name for “fists”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Dungaree Jumpers
The ‘denim’ jumpers popular with seamen in any trade except that of the North Atlantic.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
F
Faithful lover
Tobacco carried in a ship’s ‘slop chest’ for sale to the crew was usually ‘plug’ tobacco, for both smoking and chewing. Faithful Lover, Fair Maid, Cornucopia were some of the brands carried in British ships.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Fall, a
A length of rope rove through a single block and used for moderate strains.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Fathom
Depth measurement of six feet.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Fid
Wooden marine spike.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Flat Aback
Said when a ship was caught by the wind on the wrong side of her sails putting great strain on her masts.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Flemish, to
Coil a rope concentrically in the direction of the sun’s movement.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Flogging around the fleet
A punishment for mutiny, insubordination, and desertion carried out in the British and other navies for over 400 years. The victim would be lashed to capstan bars laid athwart the launch, the latter proceeding around all the ships in the harbor, the man being flogged at each gangway until he had had his quota of lashes – up to 300 in extreme cases.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Fluke
Broad part of anchor.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Footrope
A two-inch rope served over with a tarry line called “spunyarn”, stretched from one yardarm to the other and kept up to the after side of the yard by short lengths of ropes called”stirrups”. In latter-day ships these footropes were made of wire. The seamen stood on them when reefing or furling the sails.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Fore and aft
Lengthways on a ship.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Fore-hand, the
of a halyard or other running tackle is the part leading directly from aloft and before it is passed through a LEAD OR SNATCH BLOCK to afford facility for horizontal strain.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Forebitter
Recreational song which takes its name from its having originally been sung by the forebitts, the bitts being a wooden or iron structure on the deck.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Forecastle
Pronounced fo’cas’le. The space at the extreme forward end of a ship in which the FOREMAST HANDS are quartered. The term is now applied to the sailormen’s quarters on board ship, wherever situated.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Forecastle-head
The deck above the fo’cas’le. On it, the capstan for use with the anchors is placed.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Foremast
Mast of vessel furthest forward.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Forward (for’ard)
Towards the bows.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Freight
The money paid for the carriage of goods by sea.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Frigate
Three-masted, fully-rigged ship with from 24 to 38 guns.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Fufu band
A shop’s “orchestra” in the days of sail. Although often including normal instruments – a melodeon, concertina, banjo, fiddle, and/or guitar – at times it would be made up of little more than a fiddle formed from a Havana cigar box, a penny whistle, a paper and comb, a drum shaped from an old paint tin with its top and bottom removed and replaced with pig bladder skins (obtained from the galley if the cook was amicable), and the stamping of the men.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Furl, to
To make sail fast on the yard or boom or in staysail nettings.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Futtocks
A short ladder leading from the head of the lower shrouds to the edge of the top, difficult to climb back over. In fighting ships there was an opening in the top called a “lubber’s hole”, through which beginners and cowards would crawl, there-by dodging the cliff-hanging chore of mounting the futtock rigging.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
G
Gaff
A spar hinged on the after-mast of a ship, on which the head of spanker or spencer (sail) is hauled out.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Galley
Ship’s kitchen; ship powered by oars as well as sails.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Gasket
Small lines used to secure a sail to the yard when furled.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Gear, running
All ropes used for adjustment and trim of sails and yards as contrasted with the STANDING RIGGING which is set up permanently.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Get, to
‘To get on anchor’ is to heave up and stow.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Glass
Sandglass which indicated the passage of half an hour.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Going large
Advancing freely before the wind (opposite to close-hauled).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Grating
A platform of wood, generally of teak, laid down in certain positions -as at the wheel – to save wear of the deck.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Ground
Sea bottom.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Ground swell
An undulation of the sea, frequently of considerable intensity, and not caused by contemporary weather, experienced in many roadsteads or open anchorages.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Gunwale, gunnel
The upper edge of the bulwark or wall around the ship’s sides, which in men-o-war was pierced for guns. Gunwale is a corruption of “gun-wall”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Gybe
To allow vessel to fall so far off course that the wind catches her on the opposite quarter and blows all the sails and gear to the wrong side.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
H
Hair cut short
Yankee seamen always preferred their hair cut “short back and sides”, decrying the English and continental sailor fashion of the queue or pigtail.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Half-seas-over
Half-drunk.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Halyard
Ropes or tackles used hoisting yards, gaffs and sails.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Halyards Racket
Lashing the parts of the tackle of a halyard together by means of a light line in figure-of-eight fashion to prevent someone letting go the halyards at night when a ship was being driven by some hard-case racing master.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Hand, to
To operate by hand. Thus ‘to hand sail’ is to set or furl.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Handy Billy
A watch tackle, sometimes called ‘Convenient William’, used for many purposes aboard ship but mainly for clapping on the fall or hauling part of another tackle to get extra purchase. Particularly useful in under-manned ships.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Handy Billy
A light tackle of convenient length used to set taut the running gear.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hardtack
Sea biscuit.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Hatches
The wooden cover of a HATCHWAY is made up of hatches of convenient size for handling.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hatchway
The openings on a ship’s upper deck through which cargo is transferred to or from the HOLDS.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Haul wind
To direct ship’s course as nearly as possible in the direction from which the wind is comming.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Hauling Part
That part of a halyard or tackle on which manual power is exerted.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Head
Forwardmost past of ship.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Head Earring
A lashing of rope securing the upper corners of a square sail.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Heads
Lavatories.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Heave to
Stop.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
High Shoes
Paddy Griffiths told Stan Hugill, that in his young days it was customary for Merchant Johns to ‘bend’ shore-going shoes which possessed rather higher heels than those worn by lands-men.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Hilo
A world cropping up in many shanties, possibly the Peruvian port of Ilo, or the Hawaiian port of Hilo, or just simply the expression “high-low”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Hitch, A
A knot. There are many varieties of hitches, each designed for a special purpose.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hold, The
A compartment within the hull in which cargo is carried.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hold, wings of
That part of the HOLD that lies at the sides of the ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Holy Joe
Sailor name for a parson.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Holystone
A sandstone used by seamen to scrub and whiten the docks. A sailor yarn runs: In the eighteenth century ships of both the British Navy and the East India service used to anchor off Bembridge, Isle of Wight, in the St. Helen’s Roads. Ashore here they could get good drinking water for their casks. The sailors discovered that the nearby ruined St. Helen,s church contained blocks of sandstone which were good for cleaning the decks – hence the name “holly-stones”. Large stones were called “bibles” and smaller ones – which would be used by the seamen kneeling – “prayer-books”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Home, the
The Sailors’ Home in Canning Place, Liverpool.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Hoodlum
At sea the term was applied to a landsman who had signed on board for sailor duties that he was unable to perform.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hook-rope
A short length of rope with a hook attached to one end. Used by cargo workers to facilitate the stowage of goods.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Hoosegow
On the West Coast of South America jails were called in the Spanish tongues juzgados. Sailinh-ship seamen who spent a lot of time behind bars called them, phonetically, “hoosegows”, and from the Spanish spelling, “jughouses”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Hoosiers
Cotton stevedores who worked on the wharves and levees of New Orleans and Mobile. The majority were black, but after the 1840s Creoles and white sailors who “screwed cotton” were also referred to by this name.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Horse
Iron or wooden bar running athwart deck on which a sail sheet can travel.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
I
Irish Pennants
Bits of spunyarn flying stays, or frayed ends of rope dangling from aloft, sign of a ‘slack’ ship.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
J
Jack o’ Clubs
First lieutnant.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Jack-flag
Flag flying from staff in bows.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Jago’s Mansions
RN barracks, Devonport.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
James Baines
Blackball liner, later in the Australian Trade; once sailed 420 miles, noon to noon, running the Easting down in a sixty-three day passage from Liverpool to Melbourne.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Jib
Triangular sail, normally extending from bowsprit to foremast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Jollyboat
A general purpose ship’s boat, its name probably stemming from the seventeenth-century name for a small boat – “gellywatte”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Judy
Liverpool-Irish slang expression for a girl or sweetheart.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Jury
Makeshift.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
K
Keelhauling
A serve naval punishment for desertion in which the victim was hauled from one yardarm to the other under the keel of the ship. The victim rarely survived; he would either be cut to ribbons by the shellfish on the ship’s bottom or else become bloated with sea water.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Kelson
Timber or iron plate immediately above keel.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Killick
Anchor.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Knees
Pieces of oak, grown to an L-shape, used in the construction of wooden ship.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Knightheads
In the older wooden ships great baulks of timber to which the inner end of the bowsprit was secured. In later ships, with spike jibbooms, such erections were smaller or even non-existent.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Knightheads
Bulks of timber to which inner end of bowsprit secured.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Kye
Cocoa.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
L
Land breeze
In most tropical seaports a steady breeze from the land may be looked for in regular diurnal recurrence.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Landfall, a
The first sight of land after a voyage.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Landward
Of, or pertaining to, the land.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Lanyards
Rope reeved through deadeyes for setting up rigging; any small rope for making anything fast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Larboard
Old term for port (left).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Larry Marr
One of the most infamous crimps of the Barbary Coast, San Francisco, who is reputed to have shanghaied all types of beings, from dead men and bank clerks to clergymen aboard hellships of all nations.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Lash up ‘n’ stow!
A naval expression for the unrigging of hammocks after night use.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Lay aloft, to
To proceed above the hull of a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Lay out, to
To make progress towards: to find one’s way.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Lazaret
A name originating in the countries which border the Mediterranean meaning a leper quarter; used aboard of sailing shops foe a room set aside as a sick-bay, or store-room when no one was sick.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Lead
Weight at end of line cast into sea to find depth of water.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
League
Three miles.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Lee
Side away from wind.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Leeboard
Triangular or pear-shaped board fitted instead of a keel to a sailing barge and lowered on lee side to prevent vessel from being blown to leeward when beating against the wind.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Leeward
(pronounced ‘looard’) direction to which wind blows.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Let go and haul
Order on tacking square-rigged ship given when the bow has just passed across the wind: ‘let go’ refers to the forebowline and weather braces, ‘haul’ to the lee braces.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
List
Lean to one side.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Lobscouse
A Liverpool dish from which Liverpool seamen took their name of ‘Scourses.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Longshoreman
Particularly stevedores and cargo workers; but applied by seamen to all waterfront working men.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Longsplice
Sailor slang for marriage.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Luff, To
To hold the ship by the helm closely into the wind without actually bringing her aback.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Lugger
Two-master sailing vessel with lug-sail (four-sided sail set on lug or yard) rig.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
M
Mainmast
Principal mast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Manning
The collective number of seamen in a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Marco Polo
A famous clipper of the Australian Gold Rush days; her most famous captain was Bully Forbes who lies buried in Smithdown Road Cemetery, Liverpool. His famous words ‘Hell or Melbourne in sixty days’ are said to be cut in the headstone above his grave.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Marline spike
Pointed steel or wooden tool for opening strands of rope when splicing.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Matelot
(pron. ‘Matlow’), sailor.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Mater
Captain of merchant vessel; originally officer of warship responsible to captain for navigation.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Matlow
From the French; a word originally meaning a naval seaman.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Mess-kid
Wooden tub for cooked victuals.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Messdeck lawyers
Know-alls.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Midshipman
Non-commissioned rank below sub-lieutenant.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Miramashee
Miramichi, a river in New Brunswick, well known to timber-droghers.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Mizen, or Mizzen
Aftermost mast in three-masted vessel; mast aft of the mainmast in two-masted vessel.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Molley Del Ray
Molina Del Ray (Monterey), the place where the battle was fought between the American General Tailor and the Mexican General Santa Ana. The latter ‘lost the day’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Monkey Jacket
A short heavy cloth coat worn by seamen in cold climes.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Mother Carey’s Chickens
Sailor name for Stormy Petrels, seabirds found flying close to the crests of the great seas of the high latitudes.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Mudhook
This and “kllick” are sailor slang words for an anchor.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
N
Nantucket
An island and port off the coast of Massachusetts, from whence hailed prime ships and seamen of the South Sea or Yankee Sperm Whaler days.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Nipper
Short lenght of rope used to bind anchor cable to messanger which went round capstan.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Number One
Second in command (first lieutenant).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
O
OD, Ordinary seamen
The lowest seaman rating in the Royal Navy.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Offing
A position in the open sea, off the land, in which a ship has sea room for safe working.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Offshore
Any position at sea within sight of the land.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Oggin
Sea.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
P
Packet rats
This was the name given to the tough seamen who manned the Western Ocean (Atlantic) packet ships running between Liverpool, New York, and Boston in the second and third decades of the nineteenth century. They were Irishmen hailing from New York, Liverpool, or Ireland herself. They were, in the main, great drinkers and singers, but awkward customers to handle. They were good seamen, too – with such men aboard a master could leave the shortening of sail until the last moment and be certain that these sailormen would be out and up aloft in a brace o’ shakes and in no time have the sails muzzled and stowed. On the other hand, they weren’t “fancy” sailor-men, like the men of the clippers; i.e., they weren’t interested in “sailorizing” – the arts of splicing, knotting, sewing canvas, and so on.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Packet, a
Originally a vessel engaged in direct service between one stated port and another: colloquially, an intimate term for a ship.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Painter
Lenght of rope for securing small boat to pier or jetty.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Pawlpitts
Timber construction supporting system of pawls on windlass.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Pawls
Short bars of metal at the foot of a capstan or close to the barrel of a windlass which engage a serrated base so as to prevent the capstan or windlass ‘walking back’. Records are in existence of capstans stripping their pawls – in a big ground swell for instance – running backwards and killing or maiming many of the crew. The clanking of the pawls as the anchor cable was hove in was the only musical accompaniment a shanty ever had!
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Pay day, a
In sailor phrase, the amount of money due to him on being paid off at the termination of a voyage.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Peak
Uppermost corner of a fore and aft sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Pinnace
Small two-masted vessel; eight-oared (later sixteen-oared) ship’s boat.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Pipe
Order formerly conveyed by boatswain’s whistle or call; now by loudspeaker.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Pisco
A fiery liquor common along the Chile Coast.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Poop
The aftermost deck of a ship; above the cabin. It is the post of command, and on it the wheel is situated. In a ship having no quarter-deck, the poop was often referred to by that name.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Port
Left; aperture cut in side of ship.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Privateers
Fighting ships in times of peace which were given “Letters of Marque” by their respective governments, permitting them to attack and sink ships of non-friendly countries without actually declaring war. In most cases such ships were declaring war. In most cases such ships were no more than pirates.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Purchase, a
A mechanical power or advantage in raising or lowering a weight. Purchase may be ‘gained’ as by blocks, multiplying the power exerted by hand, is the common meaning on shipboard.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Purser
(pron. ‘pusser’), officer responsible for issue of clothing and provisions; by extension, anything supplied by the navy.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Q
Quarter
Part of side of ship nearest the stern.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Quarterdeck
After end of upper deck.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Quartermaster
Originally the officer appointed to assist the master of a ship in such duties as stowing the hold and coiling cables.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Quarters
Marcy (later known as ‘quarter’).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
R
Red-Topped Boots
Seamen at one time wore long leather sae-boots the insides of which were tanned red, the top part of the boot being turned down to show this red leather.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Reef
To shorten sail by rolling up the bottom section and securing it by tying points (short lines) attached to the sail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Reeve, to, or Rove
To pass the end of a rope through a lead or block.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Ride A Spanker Down, Ride A Stays’l Down
The brailed-in type of spanker and stays’ls bent to the upper stays which had little slant, often jammed when being lowered, so boys were detailed off to ‘ride down’ such sails – a dangerous feat in which the ‘victim’ had to hang on to the canvas and rope and by the sheer weight of his body drive the sail downwards.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Rigger
A tradesman skilled in the rigging of ships: employed in the seaports to prepare a ship for sea in the absence of a crew.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Rigging, standing
The shrouds, stays, and – in general – all cordage on the board ship that does not require adjustment in working.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Roadstead
An anchorage in a position open to the sea, but passably sheltered by the land. An OPEN ROADSTEAD is one that is sheltered on but one quadrant of the compass.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Roving, a
Sometimes called a ‘roband’. A lashing of small cordage used to secure a sail to the yard.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Royal
Sail above topgallant.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Running Bowline
An ordinary bowline with a noose formed by putting a bight of the rope through the bowline. Used to lasso the end of a swinging spar or objects difficult to reach normally.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Running Gear
The numerous ropes and wires that ‘move’ as opposed to the standing rigging which ‘stays put’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
S
Saccarappa
Old name for the port of Westbrook in Maine, U.S.A.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Sake
Japanese nation drink made from rice.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Salt Horse
Salted beef usually, also pork, sometimes called ‘salt junk’, stowed in a harness-cask (the ‘horse’ in its ‘harness’) was the staff of life in the days of sail. Dried in the sun it was possible for it to become as hard as teak and without smell, and many a seaman in days gone by has carved a model ship, etc., from it.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Samshu
Chinese bean-wine, very fiery and potent.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Scoff, to
Primarily, to eat up. Colloquially at sea, to dispose of, to handle or defeat.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Scotchmen
Battens lashed to wire stays to prevent the canvas of the lower sails from being chafed by the wire when the ship is close-hauled.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Scouting tug boat
A deep-sea towing vessel cruising off shore in prospect of obtaining a towing vessel cruising off shore in prospect of obtaining a towing contract from an inward bound sailing vessel. In the ‘nineties, ‘Channel for Orders’ was a common destination set out in the CHARTER PARTY. As the wind served, Queenstown or Falmouth would be the ports headed for, and if weather conditions were adverse when the orders as to a final port of discharge received, a long tow ‘up Channel’ might be considered.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Scuppers
Gutterways either side the deck near the bulwarks pierced with holes to carry off surplus water when seas pour aboard, or when washing down decks.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Seizing
Line attaching the bottom of a drift net to the warp.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Shank painters
Lashing of hemp or chain securing the shank of the anchor inboard. In the older and in all small ships when about to drop the anchor the shank painter was cleared away and then the anchor hung by the bow stopper at the cathead, the stopper being released to drop the anchor. In later ships the anchor was rolled over the side from the fo’c’sle-head by means of ‘tumblers’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Shebang
Irish name for a shack wherein illicit whisky (potheen) was distilled; any sort of low ‘dive’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Sheerpoles
Rounded-off spars of timber fastened to the shrouds just above bottle-screws where the rigging is ‘turned-up’. In ships with dead-eyes and lanyards they were much bigger affairs than in ‘modern’ ships, often being pierced for to hold belayin’-pins.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Sheet and tack
The lower corners of a square main or foresail (or of a cro’jack on the mizen, if one was fitted), the SHEET being on the side away from the direction of the wind and the TACK on the windward side.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Sheet home, to
To haul out the lower corners of an upper square sail.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Shift Gaff Tops’l Tacks
A job more common in fore ‘n’ afters than in squareriggers; to haul the tack of a gaff-tops’l over the peak halyards of the gaff-sail, first down to loo’ard and then to wind’ard of the gaff beneath it.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Ship’s husband
An overlooker, generally a retired shipmaster, who attended to the loading, fitting and provisioning of a ship in her home port during the absence on leave of her master.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Short-cut hair
This phrase goes back to the days when Yankee seamen, not wishing to ape the British Matlow who wore a long pigtail known as a ‘queue’, cut their hair short.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Shorten down, to
To reduce the spread of sail.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Shrouds
Standing rigging stretched from the side of a ship to support the mast.
Sight, a
An observation. Colloquially, an opportunity to gain employment in a ship. A seaman would present himself to the mate of a ship as an applicant for a post. He would ask for a ‘sight’.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Sign out, to
To hail or call out strongly.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Sin-bosun
Chaplain (cf sky-pilot and Bible-bosun).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Six Days Shalt Thou Labour
… and do all that thou art able,
On the seventh day thou shalt holystone the deck an’ clean-scrape the rusty cable.’
This ruling was known among seamen as the ‘Philadelphia Catechism’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Skysail
Sail above royal.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Sling
A loop of strong rope placed around cargo in loading or discharging operations: the cargo engaged in one sling.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Sling, to
To place within a sling: to cast quickly.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Slipped His Cable
A seaman’s expression for ‘to die’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Sloop
Sailing vessel with fore and aft rigged single mast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Smacksman
Sailor on smack, a cutter or ketch-rigged sailing vessel, used for inshore finishing.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Snatch or lead block
A handy block having one open side in which a rope could be quickly engaged for hauling purposes. Also called a SHOE BLOCK from its resemblance to a shoe.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Snifters
Savage squalls met off the coast of Tierra del Fuego.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Snow
Two-masted merchant vessel, rigged as a brig with the addition of a trysail mast.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Soul ‘N’ Body Lashings
Lashings worn to help wind and water out. A full set consisted of one’s belt and knife worn outside a suit of oilskins, with a ‘gee-string’ of spunyarn or ropeyarn fastened to the belt between the legs to prevent the crutch of one’s oilskin trousers tearing when climbing around aloft; lashings of the same material just below the knees – like a navvy’s ‘boweyangs’ – to keep from filling one’s sea-boots and allowing oilskin trousers to ‘give’; lashings around both wrists to help prevent water running up one’s arms when pulling with the arms aloft on buntlines and clewlines; and a ‘pigtail’ of yarn stretching from the back of one’s sou’wester to the belt to help keep the sou’wester from flying over the head when aloft on the yard. The sou’wester usually had its thin ‘ties’ which would chafe under a man’s chin replaced by a broad band of serge or some such material and a large button. Once such a rig was ‘bent’ it was rarely taken off in the high latitudes – seamen would ‘turn-in all standing’ until these seas were left behind.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Spanker
See Driver.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Speegul
? from speg (peg).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Splice the main brace
The order given in the British Navy when issuing an extra tot of rum after a blow or sea fight. No really plausible theory has been put forward regarding the origin of the phrase.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Sprit
Spar running diagonally upwards from the mast to the aft, upper corner of a fore and aft sail (hence spritsail).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Sprogs
Raw recruits.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Sprogs
Raw recruits.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Sprung
A word used at sea when a mast or yard has split or partly broken.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Squadron
Group of warships numbering under ten.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Square-rigged
Rig consisting of four-concerned sails hung from yards set athwartships.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
St. Helena Soger
To call a seamen a “soger” or “solider”, casting aspersions on his seamanlike qualities, was one of the worst epithets one could use in the days of sail. Shortly after the execution of Admiral Byng and the French taking of Minorca from Britain (1756), other derogatory epithets came into use among naval seamen – e.g., “Port Mahon soger” and “Port Mahon baboon”.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Stanchion
Upright support.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stand by, to
To attend. To remain in position awaiting further orders.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Starboard
Right.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stargazer
Sail set above moonsail, which in turn is set above moonsail, which in turn is set above skysail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Start
To hit with rope’s end or cane.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stations
To take up position preparatory to some operation.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Stay
‘To stay’ equals ‘to tack’, that is bring the bows of the vessel through the wind.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Staysail
Sail hung from stay.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stevedore
A longshoreman engaged in stowing cargo.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Stoppers
Chains keeping the anchor to the cathead. There were two kinds – the “bow stopper” holding the ring of the anchor to the cathead, and the “shank anchor to the cathead, and the “shank painter” keeping the fluke (arm) of the anchor close to the ship’s side. A bow stopper was also a rope or ropes preventing the huge anchor cable (rope) from running out-board.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Stow a bunt
To haul the bulky middle part of a squaresail up on to the yard and lash it in position with lengths of rope called gaskets.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Stow, to
To arrange commodities (cargo, ship, stores, etc.) in Hold or Store-room, in such a disposition that they will not shift under the stresses of the sea.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Stretch ‘er luff
To haul either a squaresail or fore ‘n’ after taut.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Strike, to
Lower.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stripey
Long service able seamen (from chevrons worn for long service with good conduct).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Studding sail (Stuns’l)
Sail extending beyond side edge of square sail to make the most of light winds.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Stuns’l Boom
A light spar projecting from the lower yards from which a squaresail (stuns’l) was hung; in some ships the booms were over the yards in others beneath them.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Swifters
A wire stretched from capstan-bar to capstan-bar helping to keep them secure in their ‘pigeon-holes’. A custom more common in the Navy than in the Merchant Service.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Swig, to
A short pull in which the weight of the body is disposed to advantage.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
T
Tabnabs
Sailor name for a type of rock-cake common years ago.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Tack
Lower, forward corner of fore and aft sail; in square-rigged ships, line controlling forward lower corner of sail; ship’s course in relation to the wind (on starboard or port tack according to whether wind is coming from starboard or port).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Tackle
A purchase made up of rope and blocks.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Tackle, watch
A tackle of slightly heavier ger than the ‘Handy Billy’, used by the watch on deck to effect heavy hauling work that, without the provision of such a tackle, would require the services of the watch below.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Taffrail
The rail round the ships poop, to which a piece of canvas called a weather-cloth was fastened, enabling the officer of the watch to have some sort of a ‘lee’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Take in sail, to
To reduce the spread of canvas.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Tally
The counting of units (bags, bales, cases, etc.) as cargo loaded or discharged. The record of marks and numbers is kept in a TALLY BOOK. The individual sent on board by the shipper or consignee to watch his interest and keep a counter tally is known as a TALLY CLERK.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Tarpaulin Hat
The common seamen’s hat in Nelson’s day worn by both naval and merchant seamen. Shaped like a straw-hat and covered with tarred canvas it was an early form of sou’wester. ‘Tarpaulins’ was a name used for both oilskins and naval seamen.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Taut
Tight. Under full strain.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Tender
Small vessel attached to larger ship for harbour duties; the press tender delivered pressed men to ships.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Three Skys’l Yarder
A ship with three skysails one above each royal was considered by seamen to be the acme of sail perfection. Men who shipped in such a vessel looked with scorn on ships carrying only royals, and ‘brassbounders’, i.e. apprentices, from such queens, considered in their prerogative to walk out the prettiest girls in ports like Newcastle, N.S.W., Sydney Town, Melbourne, etc.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Ticket-o’-leave men
Convicts permitted a certain amount of parole, but not allowed to leave the country, especially in the case of those from the penal settlements of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania).
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Tide time
A limited perion before the incidence of High Water, during which the water gates of a tidal dock may be opened for the despatch or admission of ships.
Tip the chink
To issue grog to the men.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Togs
Cant word for clothes, usually secondhand.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Top
(as in maintop) platform at masthead of ship.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Topgallant
Sail above topsail.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Topman
Picked man who worked on top-sail and topgallant yards.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Topmast
Mast next above lower mast, the second division of a complete mast, the topgallant mast being the third.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Topsail
Sail above mainsail (second in ascending order from deck).
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Toss A Bunt
The act of rolling the bunt of a squaresail up to the yard. Prime seamen would be at the bunt when furling and at the yard-arm when reefing, hence the derisive phrase ‘a yard-arm furler an’ bunt-reefer’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Trace up
(or trice up), order to lift studding-sail boom ends, when topmen were our on yards, in preparation for furling or reefing.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Trim
Condition. In particular, a reference to the immersion of the underwater body of a ship. A ship would be ‘out of trim’ were loaded more deeply at the bow than at the stern; she would be in ‘ballast trim’ when sailing light without cargo.
Trim to
To adjust. ‘Trim sail!’ would be the order on the occasion of a shift of wind, or an alteration of the course.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Trinculo
? the purser.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Two Blocks
Said when the two blocks of a tackle are hauled close together.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
V
Vallipo
A sailor world for Valparaiso. A sailor generic term for this part of the world was the ‘Flaming Coast’.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Vang
Running rigging securing end of gaff or sprit.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Veer, to
To slacken cable.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Vino
Spanish word for any kind of wine, in common use among seamen.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
W
Waist, the
That part of the deck between the poop and the mainmast.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Waister
Seaman employed in waist of ship; untrained or incompetent seaman.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Warp, a
A heavy rope used for heaving a ship to the quay or dock.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Warp, to
To heave a ship from one position to another by means of a capstan and a warp.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Watch, the
The members of a crew having duty at the moment. At the commencment of a voyage, and after the heavy ‘all hands’ work of getting her under way had been completed, the whole crew was mustered in the waist (often, errorneously, called the quarter-deck). There they answered to their names, and a division was made into two ‘watches’, to their names, and a division was made into two ‘watches’, the port in charge of the mate, the starboard under the second mate, as deputy for the master. The watches were of four-hour periods, but, in order that the men should not always have the same divisions, the watch from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. was halved ‘Dog Watches’ of two hours.
Way, under
A ship is ‘under way’ when she is not attached to the shore or aground, but the expression may be taken to mean ‘making progress’.
Wear
‘To wear’ means to pass the stern of the ship through the wind as opposed to ‘tacking’ in which the bows pass through the wind.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Weather
Side from which wind is blowing; to sail to the windward of something.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Weigh
To raise.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Westers, Paddy Westers
Pseudo seamen also called ‘Hoodlums’. The name comes from the type of ‘seamen’ shipped by Paddy West, a Liverpool crimp aboard sailing ships in the latter of the nineteenth century.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Whack
After the Merchant Shipping Act of 1845, with its food allowance tables for seamen, sailors would demand their “whack” or full amount of food from the master if they thought they were being given short rations.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Whailing Terms
‘The hundred and ninetieth lay.’ This means the 190th part of the clear net proceeds of whaling voyage. Seamen shipping aboard whalers received no pay, but signed on according to certain ‘lays’. A good harpooner would get as much as ‘a 90th lay’, but ‘greenhorns’ would be lucky if they secured a ‘500th lay’, commonly called ‘a long lay’.
Tuckoona Whalers’ name for Talcahuano on the West Coast of South America.
Tonbas. Tumbez at the mouth of the Guayaquil River in Ecuador.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
White-stocking day
A term still common in Liverpool. In the nineteenth century white cotton stockings were the hall-mark of ladies of quality, but when a sailor’s wife or mother went to draw her ‘allotment’ of money (sailor’s half-pay) she would unfailingly put on a pair of these stockings, considering herself a ‘lady’ if only for a day – hence the term.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Windlass
Capstan-like fitting, on a horizontal shaft.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Windward
(pron. ‘wind’ard’), direction from which winds blows.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]
Y
Yard, a
The horizontal spars of a ship are the yards.
[Source: “Capstan Bars” by David W. Bone (1st ed 1931)]
Yardarm
The outer end of a yard and not all the yard, as is often suggested nowadays by so-called authorities. It is the part from which a mutineer was hung.
[Source: “Songs Of The Sea” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1977)]
Yardarm to yardarm
Sailing ships sailing abreast or in company.
[Source: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed 1961)]
Yawl
Four-oared ship’s boat or small sailing boat.
[Source: “The Oxford Book Of Sea Songs” by Roy Palmer (1st ed 1986)]

My private collection of books

Shantyman library –  you will see descriptions and recommendations of positions worth diving into, and true sources of knowledge about sea shanties. To gain knowledge about sea shanties is the main ultimate purpose of this library, every book in this library is somehow related to sea shanties and before mast songs.

More involvement in Traditional Sea Shanties

You can find this record here or directly listen below. If you want to discuss the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here.