I have several questions about the chantey "Boston Harbour," one of the few chanties of 18th century vintage, which has been recorded by Cliff Haslam and by the Watersons, among others.

The basic story is of a lazy captain who, when a big storm comes up, gives a few orders then retires to the comfort of his cabin. His crew, naturally, wish him in a watery grave. (It's in Digitrad. – click here .)

The questions:

1. When the captain goes below, he tells his steward to fix him "a glass that will make me cough." Why does the captain want to cough? To appear sick and justify being below? Who would know he was coughing anyway?

2. Before going below, he orders the crew to "tighten up your ropes, boys, fore and aft." A poster to another thread (click here to read) suggested this was not a properly nautical order, but I did not follow why not. Any explanation?

3. What's a "dolphin striker," why's it called that, and why would it be "plowing up the deep" in a storm? Dick Greenhaus posted an explanation – "a martingale… a jumper strut for the bowsprit," but, alas I'm not getting it, even after looking at a couple of online nautical dictionaries, which were a bit over this lubber's head. [click here for full post]

4. Instead of "dolphin striker," the Watersons sing "the Rule Brittania plowing up the deep." Is a "Rule Brittania another name for a dolphin striker. If so, why? If not, what is it?

Thanks for any answers or pushes toward helpful resources.