The basic unit of measurement for lumber. One board foot is equal to a oneinch board, 12 inches wide and one foot long. Thus, a board ten feet long, 12 inches wide, and one inch thick contains ten board feet.

The container of fresh water for drinking purpose used by the crew; formerly it consisted of a cask.

A board that can be raised and lowered by pivoting in a watertight box called the trunk or well to increase the draft and lateral area of the hull, preventing the boat from sliding sideways. Unlike a daggerboard, which lifts vertically, a centerboard pivo ...

Running directly before wind and sea.

The pressure that would be produced by stopping a moving stream of liquid or gas.

Arrangements with a carrier for the acceptance and carriage of freight; i.e., a space reservation.

A coating or precipitate deposited on surfaces such as water pipes, steam boilers that are in contact with hard water. Water that contains carbonates or bicarbonates of calcium or magnesium are likely to cause scale when heated.

An anchor is said to bite when the flukes dig themselves into the ground and hold firm without dragging.

To move ahead swiftly. To move ahead of another vessel quickly when underway.

In sailboat racing, to take to opposite tack of the rest of the fleet when behind, hoping that the wind will shift to your benefit.

A compartment forward where the chain cable is stowed.

A legally binding agreement between two or more persons/organizations to carry out reciprocal obligations or value.

A common measurement of the internal volume of a ship with certain spaces excluded. One ton equals 100 cubic feet; the total of all the enclosed spaces within a ship expressed in tons each of which is equivalent to 100 cubic feet.

Is the temperature at which oil begins to flow under prescribed conditions.

A rope sewn into the luff or foot of a sail for use in attaching to the mast or boom.

Said of a vessel's anchor, or cable when the amount of cable out is not more than one-and-a-half times the depth of water.

A soft, black, mayonnaise-like deposit which is typically an emulsion of oil, water, and oil insolubles.

The highest unlicensed rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.

Blocks of wood made to fit in the hawse-holes, or holes in the half-ports, when at sea. Those in the hawse-holes are sometimes called hawse-blocks.

An old naval saying to indicate those young men who, through birth or connection, were able to enter the Royal Navy without examination. Their subsequent promotion was assured.