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Help: sea terms
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Subject: sea terms From: richardw Date: 27 Feb 00 - 07:31 PM Does any sailor out there know what the second line in this verse would mean? Drake is a servant looking for an eloped couple: And in the morn the gallant Drake "While brailing up the spanker" espied the lovers in a bay quite cosily at anchor. Have not found brailing or spanker in any dictionary. thanks Richard |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 27 Feb 00 - 08:59 PM The Spanker sail is on the rearmost mast, and in Drakes day was a triangular sail set diagonally across the Mizzen mast Lateen yard is the technical term. (back most mast on the ship) on later vessels it was set as a square sail on one or two booms stuck out behind the mast(Like a schooners sail) Fore and aft rigged,The action of the sail and booms helped steady the ship. The brailing rope was used to pull in the sail and spill the wind, then the sail was lashed up and stowed away in port...Hope this was of some help. Yours,Aye Dave |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Sorcha Date: 27 Feb 00 - 09:36 PM Well Dave, for us non sailors, I think you just raised more questions than you answered!:) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:00 PM Pictures are easier than words...I am sorry I cannot be simpler.. It is simply put the rearmost sail on a ship and acts like it spanks the ass end...The brailing ropes pull in the sail when not needed... Yours,Aye.Dave |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Sorcha Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:11 PM Yes, BUT........can you find us Dummies a site that has pics? I know some sailing terms, but not a lot! Mizzen, lateen, boom? The boom is that damn thing that swings around and hits you in the head right? |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Sorcha Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:16 PM AND, is spanker short for spinnaker? |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:27 PM No! I will try and find you a site |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:36 PM Try this... The Spanker is right at the back of the ship. The last sail at the back.. Brailing ropes on the sail were hauled on by the sailors to pull the sail in to the mast when not in use. Yours,Aye. Dave http://www.lit.kobe-u.ac.jp/~hishika/bridge3_1.htm |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Bob Bolton Date: 27 Feb 00 - 10:36 PM G'day all, Hey! I found Dave's explanation perfectly clear ... and I'm someone whose total experience of unassisted sail is two episodes (~1958 & ~1985) on others' dodgy little craft that both sank before getting back to shore! Regards, Bob Bolton (Billy Connolly says "Swimming is surviving in the water") |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 27 Feb 00 - 11:01 PM Mizzen refers to the mast (vertical stick which holds sail) towards the back (rear, ropunder) end of the ship (boat). Spanker is a kind of sail used on that mast. Lateen refers to the kind of sail that needs a separate stick along its top, as distinguished from thiose that just run up the mast and have no stick along their top. A rope is used to collapse that sail when it is not needed and it was while using such a rope on such a sail on such a mast that Drake spotted his quarry at anchor. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 27 Feb 00 - 11:23 PM And BTW, a "spinnaker" is a large balloon like sail that is flown out front of the boat..its the one that is often multi-colored, very pretty... and used when sailing downwind. The name came from the first boat to use one, named "Sphinx." The big kite like sail looked to others like an "acre of cloth" and was known as "Sphinx Acre" and later slurred (as sailing terms often are) into the word spinnaker. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: richardw Date: 27 Feb 00 - 11:55 PM thanks all; I knew mudcatters would not let us dowm richard |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Sorcha Date: 28 Feb 00 - 12:12 AM Thank you all. I think I got it, if not called upon to take a test. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 28 Feb 00 - 09:02 AM I couldn't have said it better meself!! her stuns'l bones were carried away what care we for that sound? A living gale is on our tail, thank God we're homeward bound...Ok Dave, which one of us is going to buy a scanner so we can send pictures of all those things with odd names? Ahar..you'r smart as paint lad.. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Crowhugger Date: 28 Feb 00 - 10:07 AM To remember where the spanker is, just think which end of the child gets it. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 12:45 PM Good morning, mate! An' where's the mizzen mast? Dunno, skipper! How long's it been mizzen? |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 12:57 PM Trice that man up and give him a kiss of the cat. I'll have on such levity aboard this ship.Clew up your fore tl'gan'sl, Mister.She's shippin'it green.Put the lar'brd watch on the pumps and tell the bo'sun I want those manropes wormed and parceled and replace the main-royal. I'll be in me cabinMister. you have the wheel. troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:07 PM Aye Sir Troll, Sir...mind if I borrow the hatch to your cabin? Thought it would serve to replace the main royal with. We're fresh out of worms and the bosun wants to know if he could use monkey's fists instead? |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Micca Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:15 PM Amos "Mr Christian, flog that man" "But he's dead sir" " well, flog his gear" and a Monkeys fist dipped in red lead... and your not an AB until you can make a straight line of a heaving line in one throw!!! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:20 PM LOL! Learned the heaving line throw many years back, Micca! But please don't flog my gear! And it's been many many years since I heard someone talk of worming, parceling and serving a rope. Bet not many who even know how...tho' I am sure Dave and kendall do.. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:23 PM Amos. Yes I mind;why was I not informed of this;I'll consider it. troll ( All hands aft to splice the main-brace! The sun's over the yardarm! Somewhere!) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:27 PM Amos. Yes, I mind;why wasn't I informed sooner; I'll consider it. Now have all hands lay aft to splice the main-brace. The sun is over the yardarm. troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Eric the Viking Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:30 PM "captain-there's buggery aboard this ship"!! "How do ee know this then mister mate?" "The bosun's dick tastes of shit!" very sorry!!! very old joke!! still amuses though! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:33 PM This thread is sinking fast! Stop pumping! And remember what the cabin boy did to the skipper.. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:34 PM Her scuppers are awash! TAKE TO THE LONG BOATS! troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Doctor John Date: 28 Feb 00 - 01:43 PM There is a site (as yet unfinished) which has good drawings of masts, sails, rigging etc. I've lost its address but it came as an answer to my earlier question on shrouds, chain plates etc etc. DrJohn |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:07 PM Chain plates are rarely used today since much of the food leaks right through. "Rieve a thweaver, Carve a Thwole." Actually I have this great T-Shirt from the Hard Sail Company up in Kendall's neck of the woods...their logo and addy is on the back, but the front says.....yeah, you got it, "SAIL WITH A HARD ON" Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:14 PM So that's where all those stains in sailors' laps came from! Chain plates! The things you learn on the 'Cat! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: bob schwarer Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:23 PM Try these two sites: http://www.maritimeheritage.org/shipsdet.htm http://www.skipper.co.uk/brown/books/is1762.htm Bob S. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Margo Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:29 PM A very educational thread! But how can one sail have two booms, Dave? Margo |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:34 PM Not two booms, really -- two spars, for gaff and lateen rigged -- one along the top, and one along the bottom. And squaresails likewise hang from the yards, along their tops. The Bermuda rig of your normal little sailing boat has only a boom along the bottom of the triangular sail. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Micca Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:40 PM If the thread is sinking, all hands, man the Portugese Hand Pump? just to take the tone a notch lower. Maybe they wern't chain plate stains, and I knew how to splice,parcel and serve a rope too with me little fid in me hand.belay there and make fast.... |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:48 PM Haul away lively, Micca-mate! Yer handpump is leaking! Mebbe yer making too fast! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Eric the Viking Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:50 PM You must have heard of Seaman stains! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:53 PM worm and parcel with the lay..turn and serve the other way. Hey you.. heave around here..break out the lampblack and tallow, and, start slushing the rigging. I once heard a smart ass seaman on the leadline yell out "No bottom at the pink rag"!! the Officer of the deck said, "There is no pink rag on a leadline!" seamam answered "There's no damn bottom either!" |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: MudGuard Date: 28 Feb 00 - 02:58 PM Amos, why are you surprised that the ship is sinking? Bob Bolton is on board of it, and he already admitted sinking two ships, so what's another thread? And I am sure there was a Titanic ticket sold to a young boy called Bob B. ;-) MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 03:00 PM Kendall, if you're gonn start with stories of pink rags on bottoms, we'll have to clap you in irons. This here is a family site...:>) Well...sort of -- more oriented toward the starting than the continuing, I guess. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 28 Feb 00 - 03:30 PM I've been sailing over 40 years and a lot of that time spent as a racer...but I learned all the old lore and such. There is a similar thing in sailing as in "folk" regarding traditions, etc. But in sailing, learning the language aids in communication and its so much fun to screw around with. Bill and I used to loudly shout (instead of ready about/hard alee), "Ready to come, Hard to head" just to piss off the "sticks" at the YC. But I gotta' tell ya'.....in the early eighties we canned most of the trad stuff when we were racing and a lot of others did too. The commands became more like "Tacking in 10" (lengths), "Tacking Now"---"Go Jib"----"Hard on the Main".....Just a little easier in a way....I think we can blame this on the Aussies who were heavily into alternative lingo on Australia II. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Micca Date: 28 Feb 00 - 04:18 PM Wrote this last year when the Dole banana boat ran into the Nab Tower in the Solent, in daylight!!!!!!!! Dole Banana farewell Portsmouth way where the Seas are grey And the sun shines rarely on the mountain top The took a trip on a Banana Ship And when they reached Nab Tower they made a stop
Chorus
There'll be bananas everywhere
Chorus
Norwegian skipper is in despair
The Dole America was the ship
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 04:23 PM Boy, what memories that brings back -- hard aground in the Skaggerak halfway between Denmark and Sweden. Had to dive in the bloody cold water to see what was up with the keel, propped up between a couple of bloody boulders on the bottom just aft of the winch... Fortunately we got hauled off for the price of a nearby tug with no salvage complications. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Tony Burns Date: 28 Feb 00 - 04:58 PM Davey, I was surprised to see the term brailing rope as I've been lead to believe that there is only one rope on a vessel and that's the one hanging from the bell. All the other things landlubbers are likely to call ropes are sheets, halyards or lines. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 28 Feb 00 - 05:20 PM When you try to talk normal yer get shit, and when ye try and edumucate landlubbers; ye gotta talk in human terms they understand, so its "rope".. Aye this can be as frustratin as loosening a nuns staysails...especially on the weather side boys.. Take a turn round the tavern with me headline. I'm ashore fer a drink all this teachins givin me a headache and I aint drunk anything to deserve one mates.. Yours,Aye.Dave (the ancient edumucator) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 28 Feb 00 - 05:32 PM Well Amos...at least you had something to dive into. A few years ago, Bill and I had the "fun family outting" thing going on a 25 foot centerboard cruiser at Lake Erie. We're sailing out of Sandusky and neither of us knew the water there, but like most of Erie, we knew it was shallow. Bill's at the helm and I'm trimming and reading charts and I can see its REAL shallow. About this time a Tartan 10 (33 foot, full keel, great racer) comes blasting out of an inlet and crosses us about 200 feet ahead....the perfect solution. We tack in his wake and confidently proceed out of the bay.........almost. This guy was either the luckiest SOB in the world or he really knew the water. Suddenly we started dragging the board and even more quickly STOPPED!! Karen was always good crew and when I yelled, she went below and cranked like hell on the board. I flipped the sheets and halyards out of their cleats and Bill pulled down the main while I went forward and ripped down the Genny. All too late and to no avail. But Erie has a sandy bottom so at least we figured we could get off easily(?) and after all, we couldn't have been more than a few feet from deeper water. I think that thought of deeper water was what led Bill into the insanity that soon occurred. We talked about it for a few minutes and I ran up a flag while Bill stripped down and prepared to go over the side. Now remember, this is a CENTERBOARD sloop. As I looked back from the foredeck, I saw Bill about to DIVE into the water. Before a sound came out of my mouth, he jumped. Funniest thing I had seen in ages......He said later that it dawned on him just as he dove that: 1) this boat was aground; 2)was a centerboarder; 3) had the board pulled up; and 4) therefore drew less than 2 foot of water. In mid-air his body went thru some unrepeatable set of gyrations and he managed to hit the water in a sort of inverted "U" shape, hands and feet hitting (luckily) at the same time. He stood up immediately in water that didn't come to his knees!!! Anybody else watching the Cup races BTW...such as they are? The Vuitton challenger series was superb, but unless the Kiwi boat sinks, things don't look to good for Prada. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 05:37 PM I am cracking up, man -- I can just see the look on his face as he tried to change gears in midflight...ha! Good thing he had some cat in his blood and landed on all fours...LOL! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 06:07 PM Amen! I'm used to sailing shoal waters off Ceday Key,Fl. and running aground.My 20 footer is a swing keel and drafts 18". We ran aground one aferrnoon in an area that had been deep water the week before.So, after dropping the rags, I went over to push us off again. Suddenly my Wife starts yelling."Out of the water quick! I see a fin! SHARK!SHARK!" I took a quick look around as I clung to the bow pulpit and tried to keep my legs out of the water.Couldn't see a damn thing, so I dropped back in, pushed us off and cilmbed back aboard over the stern. It was only after I was aboard that I saw the fin too.It was attached to a 7-foot hammerhead! needless to say we left that vicinity promptly.It was the first and only fin I ever saw in the waters off Cedar Key. troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 06:12 PM What's the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts out "Once upon a time…" and a sea story starts "Now this is no shit…" troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: SeanM Date: 28 Feb 00 - 07:00 PM And back in the Nautical Terms that have made it to sea songs/shanties that most of us know...
"Paddy lay back M |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 28 Feb 00 - 07:03 PM The pawl is the little clanking tooth that drops into place to prevent backslippage as a capstan is turned. As I recall, anyway. Thus making it possible to gradually pull in an incredible amount of weight, wear the whole ship around, or break an anchor up from the mud, one little step at a time. Sweaty work, though. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 28 Feb 00 - 08:50 PM Oh, as I was a-walkin' down London road I come to Paddy West's house He give me a feed of American hash and he called it Liverpool scouse He said there's a ship that is wantin' hands and on her you'll quickly sign. Her mate is a bastard, her bo'sun's worse but she will suit you fine ch. Take off yer dungaree jackets, and give yerselves a rest. And we'll think of them cold nor'westers that we had at Paddy West's Well after I'd had a feed my boys, the wind began to blow He sent me up in the attic, the main royal for to stow. But when I got up in the attic, no main royal could I find. So I turned around to the window and I furled the window blind. Ch. NOW Paddy he called ALL HANDS ON DECK .our stations for to man, His wife she stood in the doorway with a bucket in her hand. Then Paddy sings out NOW LET HER RIP and she flung the water our way, Sayin' clew up your fore tl'gan'sl boys she's takin in the spray ch. Now seein' as we was sailin' south fer frisco we was bound Old Paddy he takes a length of rope and he lays it on the ground And we all stepped over and back again and he says to me thats fine Now if they asks if ye've been to sea you can say you've crossed the line ch. Now theres only one thing that you must do before you sail away Thats to step around the table where a bullocks horn does lay. And if they ask if ye've been to sea ye can say ten times round the horn, And bejesus you've been a-sailor since the day that you was born ch. Put on yer dungaree jackets,and walk up lookin' yer best, And tell them you're an old sailor lad whose come from Paddy Wests. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Barry Finn Date: 28 Feb 00 - 11:18 PM Another story, true enough. I just got to Maui & got my 1st taste of a Kona storm, this was a 50 yr storm & within the week over 60 boats broke up on the reefs at Lahaina. Well there was this crowd in the water (more like foam) trying to save this sailboat from coming in on the reef so I figure on lending a hand. First thing I do is kick off my sneakers & jump in, second thing I do is look at my feet to see where all the blood's coming from when someone says with a big laugh, why'd you take off your sneakers, just get here from the mainland, never been on a reef before? Barefooted Barry |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 29 Feb 00 - 08:42 AM ever wonder about the origin of the name of the water proof headgear that sailors wear? In the old days, they were made of pig skin..hence, the term SOW WESTER!! Sorry, I'm just a pun loving guy. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 29 Feb 00 - 08:49 AM In a pig's eye, Sir! You should hide for that one. That's on a par witht he guy who thought an oilskin was a lubricated condom. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 29 Feb 00 - 08:51 AM I'd love to sail with some of you guys...you know who you are.. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 29 Feb 00 - 09:09 AM Anybody else ever enjoy latter day naval battles with APYC's?? What a great "toy." We also used to bomb the local Yacht Club on a regular basis.....but them boys seemed lacking in humor. Of course, that just triggered more "attacks." Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 29 Feb 00 - 09:12 AM I still think we should liberate the Roseway and rename her the Mudcat -- I'd have to relearn a lot I have forgot, but it would be worth it. We could do the Atlantic seaboard in summer, and the Carribean in winter, in between the hurricanes of late fall, when we would just batten down at some well lubricated port somewhere. Memories from deep water: in a cloud of steam the 78-year old Aberdeen born chief engineer, Cabbie Runcie, emerges from the engine room of an old triple-expansion N. Sea trawler, wearing a torn undershirt and greasy jeans, and starts cussing all over the quarterdeck. "Thiy wanna knoo w's wroong with the HP piston?!!! A'll tell em wa's wroong wi' eet! A' knoo exacly w'as wroong wi' eet! Eet's FOOOOCKT!!! Tha's w'as wrong wi' eet! FOOOCKT!!!" Now, that's an elegant explanation for you. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:19 PM If you ever visit Newfoundland, you will be expected to learn this catch all statement. The following words are to be strung together with no gaps. Whale oil beef hooked |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: MMario Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:25 PM *chuckle* shall we add WOBH to Mudcat Acronymns, and REALLY confuse people? |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: catspaw49 Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:34 PM Whale oil beef hooked if that isn't a winner Kendall. I think Mario is right.....I can see this entering the Mudcat jargon immediately.....Wait a minute......whale oil beef hooked, it already has!!!!!! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: wysiwyg Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:39 PM yeeee hahhh!!! 'hooked here ! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:44 PM WOBH! A new classic piece of jargon -- from Newfie to kendall to the Cat, and it's a triple-play, folks. Whale oil beef hooked! LOL! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: wysiwyg Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:50 PM Great place to catch me the fishies, boys!!!! Am i the only girl now on board?? You get a line, I'll get a.... babe!!! YeeeHAHHHH! |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Margo Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:40 PM My stomach is sore from laughing, you all. Spaw, I could just see your friend in mid flight... Still laughing! Hey, I thought the pawl was the actual bar that they stuck into the capstan.... Margo |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:51 PM No Margo. The bar they stuck in the capstan was called, interestingly enough, A "capstan bar". Aren't these quaint nautical terms fun? *BG* troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 29 Feb 00 - 06:57 PM I didnt mean to create a monster, but, being a New Englander, I must accept the blame WOBH |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 29 Feb 00 - 07:00 PM You a member of that Chutch, kendall -- Ouah Lady of Infinite Blame? A |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 29 Feb 00 - 08:42 PM Actually, I'm a devout pedestrian |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: MMario Date: 29 Feb 00 - 10:56 PM gosh, kendall, I coulda sworn you were a dedicated biped. and having grown up in New England, I agree, taking the blame is deeply ingrained in the culture. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Sourdough Date: 01 Mar 00 - 12:50 AM This is all true stuff, it's the Gospel According to St. Pawl as preached at Our Lady of the Whelps. Sourdough |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: GUEST,micca at work Date: 01 Mar 00 - 05:55 AM If my memory serves me right I think its more likely to be the Gospel of St Pauli ( Hamburg) as preached by sailors on shore leave.. I must go ashore for some Pils for my stomach (it worked as an excuse in several European ports until the Mate twigged on) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 01 Mar 00 - 07:47 AM Guess he was ashore "for the cure" too Mike, pity you chose the same bar for yer Pils, mate...Crafty bastards us mates.Yours,Aye. Dave (the ancient "Miller Time" devotee) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Martin _Ryan Date: 01 Mar 00 - 10:52 AM Speaking of bars... Why were capstan bars "fleeted"? Regards |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 01 Mar 00 - 12:31 PM That's an obscure one -- the best guess I have is that it meant stacking them together, as in a number of vessels under single command. Another guess is that it derives from what gets done with them as the vessel passes the Fleet, a small stream which runs into the Thames at Fleet Street, which p'raps would mark homecoming for inbound vessels. This is all speculation, though... |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: AndyG Date: 01 Mar 00 - 12:50 PM For those who like to mix seafaring with bricklaying (cf Noel Murphy's song) you might like to read All at Sea from my a.h.b-o-u archive.
AndyG |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Skipjack K8 Date: 01 Mar 00 - 01:07 PM Pawls and fleeting. My knowledge of these matters comes from a couple of years in Thames barges back in the 70's, and they may well be colloquial derivations. Pawls are the steel bars that fall (loudly) as the anchor windlass is turned, and act as a brake to stop the chain recovered being lost. It is a very evocative sound, as, in the days of commercial sail, when a fleet of barges were anchored under the lea of a headland, during foul weather, the decision not to sail was unanimous, ..... until the sound of the pawls was heard. This would be one skipper deciding to brave it, and honour required every other master to make sail, too, even though the decision may have meant the loss of the barge, cargo, and probably crew. Not that there wasn't black humour played out on occasion, when, under the cover of darkness, or even daylight, the pawls were 'lifted' (disengaged) and the anchor was recovered in silence. The lucky skipper (if he was lucky, not foolhardy) stole an entire tide on the competition, and maybe he was the only one to escape the 'Starvation Buoy' at Woolwich, by winning the next scarce cargo. Fleeting the chain is neccessary as there are three turns of chain around the windlass barrel (horizontal) and the turning of the barrel causes the chain to move across the drum to the point where the chain jams, known as a 'riding turn'. To avoid this, the chain is 'catted' (very appropriate, I know)or held by an iron claw (literally), whilst the chain on the drum is loosened, and moved across to the unfavoured end. It is a chance for the poor sods on the windlass to take a breather, as the one who lets 'enough' chain out (the skipper) isn't usually the poor bastard who has to get it back in again. It takes ages to grind in only a few fathom, and as has been said already, is very sweaty work. As said, this may well be colloquial. Skipjack (who hates 'catters thinking he's a smart arse) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amos Date: 01 Mar 00 - 01:31 PM So there was no fleeting of the capstans bars, just holding and slacking some chain on the drum...the same technique is used on vessels heaving on wire ropes to reposition the ship -- a chain stop is turned onto the wire to take the strain, aand the turns on the drum can then be slackened or adjusted as needed. When the chain stop is yanked off, the strain transfers back to the main standing part of the wire. The same technique is used on mooring lines of manila, polyprop, or other materials, but a rope stopper is used instead of chains sometimes, using a couple of rolling turns and hanging on to the standing part. This allows you, for example, to transfer the line from windlass to bitts to make it secure without losing any. Just don't put yer focking fingers between the wire and the fairlead. Had an AB lose two fingers and faint dead away during a tug manuver doing that once. Never forgot it. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Troll Date: 01 Mar 00 - 01:42 PM I know what you mean,Amos. We had a gunners-mate who closed the breech-block on a 3"50 gun on his hand. It cost hin part of two fingers. There is only one crime at sea and that is carelessness. The punishment is swift and there is no appeal. You can sometimes get away with being stupid but careless will get ya every time. troll |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: SeanM Date: 01 Mar 00 - 02:22 PM Heartily agreed. LHA I was on got to do S & R on a helicopter that forgot to reset their artificial horizon... careless move that cost 8 people their lives... M |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 01 Mar 00 - 02:50 PM My nickname was Doctor Dave... I had to cure everything from lacerations and broken bones, to syphilis and frostbite. I put more stitches in people than some doctors. Held em while they died; and helped bring em back from death.. The marine industry is the most dangerous of them all, even today. Your are right Troll, mate, carelesness costs lives. I always told my crew, I never gamble, and one day you'll thank me for that. Yours,Aye.Dave |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 01 Mar 00 - 03:54 PM Anyone ever read THE GREAT GRAIN RACE? there is a story in there about "passing the stopper" which I found quite amusing. Only the most trusted Bos'ns mate or seaman got to do that. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amergin Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:04 PM Had a bosun who lost the upper part of his thumb, when an open hatch (up in the wheelhouse) got pushed by the wind and chopped it off. He's been in the business for twenty years and he knew better. Either keep the hatches dogged open or dogged shut. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: kendall Date: 01 Mar 00 - 04:23 PM While lifting cargo out of the main hold, we had a green seaman who thought he was Tarzan. He tried to grab the fall and swing across the open hatch. It would have been ok if the hook had been attached to the load... |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Amergin Date: 01 Mar 00 - 06:50 PM A Longshoreman I once knew had a dad who was one too. His dad one day had the bright idea of riding the cargo and fell off. I think it killed him, instantly. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Jul 00 - 05:00 PM The origin of WOBH, refreshed. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Wincing Devil Date: 31 Jul 00 - 12:02 AM Click here for a good page (with Pictures!) of the Parts of a sailing ship. Wincing Devil
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: GUEST,gareth@kitangus.com Date: 18 Oct 04 - 11:06 PM Ahoy! Great tales - bin' singin' such songs a s I may for years now, with all the manly passion in the world...still don't know what stun'sl bones are, and why they might make a horrible sound as they are carried away by gael, or strong wind or what? "Old Maui" Thanks |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: GUEST,Observer Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:13 AM There was a young girl called Bianca Who fell asleep while the ship was at anchor She awoke with dismay when she heard the Mate say We'll raise the mainsheet and spanker |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dead Horse Date: 20 Oct 04 - 04:31 AM Stun's'l booms = Booms added to a yard to carry extra sail. Like wot ya see Cutty Sark carryin' in all the piccies ;-) Adieu Spanish Ladies is the one that flummoxes me! (bloody Shank braillers & Cat painters etc.) |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Snuffy Date: 20 Oct 04 - 08:46 AM Isn't Spanish Ladies supposed to be Elizabethan, DH? Perhaps the Shank braillers & Cat painters were abolished by Samuel Pepys in his navy reforms |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave Bryant Date: 20 Oct 04 - 09:52 AM Dead Horse - if you were aboard a ship you'd be "worked off" then they'd drop you over the side. The RSPCA abolished cat painters. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Les from Hull Date: 20 Oct 04 - 10:05 AM Shank braillers and cat painters are used to secure the anchor to the cat head. A painter is a short length of rope used for tying up (we still refer to a boat's painter). Brailling is a word for tying up or fastening. Stuns'l booms (or more correctly studding sail booms) are extension pieces to allow a strip of extra canvas to be carried next to a square-rigged sail in calm weather to increase the sail area. Anybody who rigs them during a gale is out of his mind, they are for light winds only. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: MaineDog Date: 20 Oct 04 - 10:07 AM Your artificial horozon? Mine always took care of itself unless I did illegal aerobatics. You must mean you gyro compass? Anyway, this is without doubt the best thread I have seen yet. Carry on mates! MD |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dead Horse Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:57 PM By the way, the Folks'l is the place reserved for folk singers aboard ship, and is located just below the bilge. Catted is when a piece of string or thread has lived out its usefull life, and has been terminated by the Clones. Kanakas are the things that fall off on Brass Monkeys in inclement weather. Men Of War are exremely large jellyfish, so called because they never sing shanties. And a Jolly Boat is what brings the local women-of-ill-repute out to your ship. A Bumboat is the same thing, but for homosexuals. A Brilliantine is a ship rigged, three masted vessel, with grease on all upperworks. A Bowline is any rope attached to the front of a ship. Mainline is a rope attached to the waist (the side of the ship that gets thinner, near the big mast). Mizzenline is any rope you cannot find. (i.e. "The Upper Garnet Havantaclue Taffline is mizzen, Mr Bosun, sir") A Turks Head is a restroom in Istanbul I'll get me dungaree jumper........... |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: Dave Bryant Date: 21 Oct 04 - 05:50 AM . . . to secure the anchor to the cat head Is the cat head the place that mudcatters go to relieve themselves at Mudgathers ? - I never noticed any anchor at Banbury the other weekend. |
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Subject: RE: Help: sea terms From: HuwG Date: 21 Oct 04 - 08:14 PM I thought "brailing" was a technique used by blind banjo players. And a "stunsail boom" was what hit my father on the head every time he shouted, "Lee-o!" Just shows, we can always learn. |
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