Transverse or longitudinal partitions separating portions of the ship ("walls" in a ship).

Forward. The opposite of abaft.

Slang expression to indicate that a ship was not fitted with any mechanical aids, and that all the work of the ship had to be done with the strong arms of the crew.

The process of assimilating many small shipments into one large shipment at a central point so that economies of scale may be achieved; to commence discharge of cargo.

Weight of the earth's atmosphere over a unit area of the earth's surface, measured with a mercury barometer at sea level. which corresponds to the pressure required to lift a column of mercury 760 mm.

An extra charge sometimes added to steamship freight rates; justified by higher fuel costs. (Also known as Fuel Adjustment Factor or FAF.)

See insurance.

The area of calm which lies inside the trade winds near the equator.

The wooden bit in the stem of a whaling boat around which the harpoon line was controlled.

To loose a rope is to let it go

(1) Sailing away from the wind with the sails let out all the way; going with the wind, downwind sailing (2) To allow a line to feed freely. (3) The shape of the afterpart of the underbody of a ship in relation to the resistance it creates going through t ...

The practice of obtaining a crew by means of force. Crews were hard to get for long voyages, and when the unwilling shipmate regained consciousness, he found himself bound for some remote port, such as Shanghai. One who is forced to do something against h ...

Various means for allowing LNG tanks to expand and contract due to temperature changes by sliding on the tank supports while restricting its movement due to the motion of the vessel.

A buoy on the race course around which boats must turn.

An order issued by a seller against a purchaser; directs payment, usually through an intermediary bank. Typical bank drafts are negotiable instruments and are similar in many ways to checks on checking accounts in a bank.

A contract for transportation between a shipper and a carrier. It also evidences receipt of the cargo by the carrier. A bill of lading shows ownership of the cargo and, if made negotiable, can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in-transit.

Heavy weight,which gives a ship stability when the vessel is not carrying cargo.

A non-commissioned naval rank. Midshipmen play a part, under supervision, in most of the ship's activities, and are in training for higher command.

A cargo movement in which the water carrier provides a through service between an inland point and the port of load/discharge. The carrier is responsible for cargo and costs from origin on to destination. Also known as IPI or Through Service.

When the two blocks of a tackle have been drawn as close together as possible.