NAVAL TERMS AND PHRASEOLOGIES

Avast

A command to desist for whatever is being done

Shell back

A man who has cross the equator and has been initiated

Pollywog

A person who has never cross the equator

Brig

A prison on a ship or a shore base

Aye-Aye

A reply to an order to indicate that it is understood and will be carried out

Cleat

A small deck fittings or metal with horns used for securing lines

Yardarm

A spar attached to the of a mast running athwart ship

Superstructure

All equipment and fittings except armament extending above the hull

Billet

Allotted sleeping place: also a man s location in the ships organization

Sea Lawyer

An enlisted men who likes to argue; usually one who thinks he can twist the regulations and standing order to favor his personal inclinations

Flag Officer

An officer with the rank of COMMODORE and above

Sea dog

An old sailor

Pipe down

An order to keep silent

Abeam

At right angle to the centerline of the ship

Broadside

At right angle to the fore and aft line of the ship

General Quarters

Battle station for all hands

Port Bow

Bearing 315 degrees relative to the bow of the ship

Starboard Bow

Bearing 45 degrees relative to the bow

Abaft

Behind or further aft, astern or toward the stern.

Dolphin

Cluster of piles at the corner or edge of a pier

Head

Compartment of a ship having toilet facilities

Bear Hand

Cooperation among the ship's company

Passageway

Corridor

Crossing the line

Crossing the earth equator

Draft

Depth of the water from the surface waterline to the ships keel

Leeward

Direction away from the wind

Windward

Direction toward the wind

Dead astern

Directly aft of the ship in line of the centerline

Dead ahead

Directly ahead of the ship's bow in line of the centerline

Coxswain

Enlisted men in charge of a boat

All Hands

Entire ship's company

Overhead

Equivalent to a ceiling of a building ashore

Rudder

Flat movable structure and vertically attached to the stern used for steering the ship

Field day

General cleaning day aboard ship, usually a day before inspection

Freeboard

Height of ships side from the waterline to the main deck

Centerline

Imaginary line running from the ships bow to stern: divides the ship lengthwise vertically

Compartment

It corresponds to a room in a building

Portside

Left hand side of the ship facing forward

Adrift

Loose from mooring or out of place

Fantail

Main deck section in the after part of the ship

Aft-in

Near or toward the stern

Wardroom

Officers mess and lounge room aboard ship

Deck

On a ship, its corresponds to a floor in a building

Alongside

On side a pier or berth

Bulkhead

One of the vertical wall like structures enclosing a compartment

Gangway

Opening in the bulwarks: order to stand a while and get out of way

Bridge

Raised platform from which a ship is navigated

Starboardside

Right hand side of the ship facing forward

Dead in the water

Said of a ship when she has neither headway nor steerway in the water

Landlubbers

Seaman s term for one that has never been at sea

Gig

Ships boat designated for the use of the Commanding Officer

Sickbay

Ships hospital or dispensary

Binnacle list

Sick list: list of men excuse for duty

Fathom

Six (6) feet unit of length

Skag

Slang for cigarettes

Java

Slang for coffee time

Jump ship

Slang for leaving the ship without authority/permission

Boot

Slang for new recruit

Black Gang

Slang for the engineering force

Skippy

Slang for undershirt

Lazarette

Storage compartment of the stern below deck

Lucky bag

Stowage of article found adrift

Bitts

Strong iron post on a ships deck for working of fastening lines almost invariably in pairs.

Ship-shape

Term for a neat and orderly condition

Cabin

The captains living quarter

Bow

The forward part of the ship

Waterline

The line which makes the surface with the hull

Amidship

The middle portion of the ship

Galley

The ship kitchen

Secure

To make fast; to tie; an order given in completion of a drill or exercise meaning to withdraw from drill station and duties

Pass the word

To repeat an order or information to the crew

Astern

Toward the stern, an object or vessel that is abaft another vessel or object

Irish pennant

Untidy loose end of a line

Mast

Upright spar supporting signal halyard and antennas in a naval ship

Bollard

Wooden or iron post on a pier or wharf for securing mooring lines