Titanic-Voices from the Disaster Boat Vocabulary

able seaman

An experienced deckhand (worker) capable of performing routine duties on board a ship. Synonyms: crew, deckhand, sailor

starboard

Pertaining to the right-hand side of a ship when you are on deck and facing the bow synonym: right

RMS

Royal Mail Ship, Royal Mail Steamer - the Titanic served as a mail carrier for letters across the Atlantic Ocean synonyms: post office, mail, communicate, carry

davits

a crane (usually in pairs) used to lower lifeboats synonym: crane

bulkhead

a partition separating areas below deck, like a wall synonyms: retaining wall, holding wall

stoker

a person who shoveled coal into the boilers. synonyms: manual laborer, shoveler

crow's nest

a platform of shelter for a lookout at or near the top of a mast synonym: lookout

tender

a small boat used for transportation between ship and shore synonym: ferry boat, ship's boat

growler

a small piece of an iceberg about the size of a house, up to 15 feet long and 15 feet above the surface. They often have a dark or greenish color synonym: iceburg, ice block

knot

a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour 1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour synonyms: speed, movement, travel

forward

at, toward or near the bow of a vessel synonym: front, bow

collapsible

descriptive word that means something that can break down or fall down from lack of strength synonym: collapse, folding, compact

boiler

device which heats and creates steam synonyms: range, furnace

aft

near or toward the stern of a ship synonyms: back, behind, abaft

forepeak

the compartment under the main deck at the extreme bow, used for stowage of the anchor rode, ballast and other equipment synonym: front of ship, bow

bow

the forward part of a ship synonym: front

bridge

the highest navigation station a vessel, often an open platform above the cabin affording the captain better control and visibility synonym: helm, headquarters

port

the left side of the ship when one is standing on board facing the bow synonyms: left side

keel

the main structural element of the ship, which runs lengthwise along the center of its bottom from bow to stern and to which frames and ribs are attached. synonyms: frame, center, backbone, structure, support

tonnage

the measure of size or carrying capacity of a ship synonyms: load, mass, weight

hold

the part of the belowdecks area of a ship which is used for carrying cargo synonyms: storage

stern

the rear part of the ship synonyms: back, rear, tail