(1) A large casting shaped to allow the propeller blades to revolve. The rudder is fitted on the after post. (2) The principal vertical timber in a ship's stern, upon which the rudder is fastened.

The stationary seating surface, the inlet of a valve.

The U.S. federal body charged with enforcing acts of the U.S. Congress that affect common carriers in interstate commerce. STB replaced the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1997.

A bulkhead, frame, or longitudinal stiffener, running fore and aft.

Here are a few old superstitions of seamen: (1) When a ship was launched or about to sail on a long voyage, a libation was offered to the gods of the sea by pouring wine upon the deck so that good fortune would accompany the ship. (2) Flowers carried on b ...

A single complete operation consisting of progressive phases starting and ending at the neutral position.

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 type of knot that tightens under load. It is formed by running the standing line through the loop formed in a regular bowline, or by tying around a bight in the line.

A short period at the turn of the tide. The time between flood and ebb tides when there is no current flow.

1) To wear a boat is the operation of bringing a sailing vessel onto the other tack by bringing the wind around the stern, as opposed to tacking, where the wind is brought around the bow. 2) In respect to the flying of flags, a ship flies her national fla ...

Course Over Ground

An auxiliary engine used for furnishing power for a variety of small mechanical chores.

Abbreviation for Export-Import Bank of the United States. An independent U.S. Government Agency which facilitates exports of U.S. goods by providing loan guarantees and insurance for repayment of bank-provided export credit.

Is the lowest temperature to which oil must be heated under standardized test conditions to drive off sufficient inflammable vapour to flash when brought into contact with a flame. Flash points of petroleum based lubricants increase with increasing pressu ...

This is the pressure found on the suction side of a refrigeration system.

In the direction the wind is blowing. A boat sailing downwind, away from the wind source with the sails let out all the way, is running with the wind.

The tall, narrow, waterproof box that houses a vessel's centerboard and allows it to be retracted into the ship's hull.

Old legend of a Dutch skipper who, in a strong gale, swore by Donner and Blitzen that he would beat into Table Bay in spite of God's wrath. His ship foundered and he was condemned to go on sailing eternally in his attempt to reach Table Bay. There was a s ...

A compressor control mechanism designed to control performance output of the compressor to the demands of the plant process.

In a dynamic compressor, surge limit is the capacity below which the compressor operation becomes unstable.