The best of its type of fishing boat. Word originates from a time when the crew used to fish from the deck of a vessel. The best fisherman got the highest place on deck, up in the bow, so his line was the highest above the sea.

Sailing with the wind from astern, in the same direction toward which the wind is blowing

Chest, or compartment, in which is stowed clothing for issue to crew.

Similar to a Barber hauler, a twing adjusts the angle of sheeting.

A switching railroad operating within a commercial area.

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 ...

The mark stencilled in and painted on a ship's side, designated by a circle and horizontal lines to mark the highest permissible load water lines under different conditions.

An ornamental knot to provide a stopper on the end of a line.

(1) A ruffle on the water indicating a breath of wind during a calm (2) A twisting hitch made in the bight of a rope to form two eyes, through which the hook of a tackle is passed for hoisting purposes.

(1) The action of a line as it passes over the sheave of a block. (2) The act of easing away gently.

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.

Notations made when the cargo is received at the carrier's terminal or loaded aboard a vessel. They show any irregularities in packaging or actual or suspected damage to the cargo. Exceptions are then noted on the bill of lading.

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

A measurement applied to filters or filter media to indicate the particle size at which suspended solids above that size will be removed.

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

Condition that exists when the air, gas, or fluid normally passing through an element is being shunted around the element.

Certificate given to a ship arriving from a foreign port, by the port's health officer, indicating that there are no cases of disease aboard the ship and the health of all on board is good.

A display of national colors at all mastheads and the array of signal flags from bow to stern over the masthead (for special occasions and holidays).

Laying up of a vessel, in a dock, for repairs.

Spiked pole used for propelling a barge or boat by resting its outboard end on an unyielding object.