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 act of the U.S. Congress (1916) that created the U.S. Shipping Board to develop water transportation, operate the merchant ships owned by the government, and regulate the water carriers engaged in commerce under the flag of the United States. As of Ju ...

Sailor slang for marriage.

In the middle portion of the boat - Roughly halfway between a ship's stem and stern, and where the beam usually is the widest.

Various statements that the U.S. government requires to be displayed on export shipments. The statements specify the authorized destinations.

When the two blocks of a tackle have been drawn as close together as possible.

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

Leaning out over the side of the boat to to counteract heel and balance it.

The portion of a valve used to guide the disc.

A quality of compressed air for use with pneumatic instruments and controls. (usually dry and free from contaminants)

Too heavy aloft.

Forcing material into the seams of the planks in a boat's deck or sides to make them watertight; the material itself. Oakum was once the material used for this purpose, and was then sealed with hot pitch to prevent it from rotting. Today there are polymer ...

Slang term for a small swab made of rope and used for drying decks.

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.

Going toward the direction of the wind, by alternate tacks.

The alternate rise and fall of the bow of a vessel proceeding through waves.

A strong pair of iron, steel or wooden posts on a ship's deck, around which ropes or cables are wound and held fast.

A vertical longitudinal center line section of a vessel.

Analog

A compartment where the crew lives.