Mariner to Masting

An experienced seaman. Sometimes the term is used in a broader sense to include all men who follow the sea as a profession.

(See Compass.)

Pertaining to the sea.

A distinguishing boat at the turning point in the course over which vessels are racing.

A small boat, such as the dingey used by the stewards to bring off marketing.

(See Hand Lead.)

To hitch marline, spun yarn, etc., around the parcelling in order to keep it in place while it is being served.

(Pronounced mar-lin.) Two yarns laid up left-handed and used for fine seizing. It is finer than spun yarn.

A pointed iron instrument used in splicing to separate the strands of a rope and as a heaver in putting on seizings.

A peculiar but simple way of catching the marline-spike in the seizing stuff, whereby it may be hove taut.

A simple hitch used in marling.

To sew the ends of two ropes together temporarily so that there will be no bulge, and so that it will render through a block. This is done when reeving new signal halliards, as it saves a climb aloft.

Sometimes called martingale boom. A short spar hanging down from an eye-bolt in the bowsprit cap for giving spread to the headstays. The martingale ends at the spear on the lower end, which is termed the dolphin striker. (See Jib-boom Guys.)

(See Back Ropes.)

Lengths of rope hooked or seized to the outer part of the jib-boom and leading to the lower end of the martingale, where they set up. They steady the martingale and keep the jib-boom from jumping.

(See Coat.)

The top part of a mast; that part of a mast from the cross-trees to the cap. To masthead a man is to send him aloft to remain a certain time for punishment. To masthead a yard is to hoist it by the halliards as far as it will go--this is done in making sail, after the sail has been sheeted home.

A bright white light carried in front of the foretopmast head by steamships when under way; shows from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side.

A hole in the deck of a vessel, or in the thwart of an open boat, for the mast to go through.

A wooden hoop that goes around a mast and to which the luff of a fore-and-aft sail is seized by robands. These hoops travel up and down the mast when the sail is hoisted and lowered. Also known as sail hoop.

A rope used in swaying up or in striking (sending down) a mast.

(See Winch.)

The title of a merchant ship captain. In order to command a vessel of the United States the master must be a citizen thereof.

A captain in the merchant service who has passed a successful examination in seamanship, navigation, etc., before an authorized board of shipmasters, and received from them a certificate of competency.

(See Manifest.)

Determining the position in which the masts of a vessel are to be placed; also the mechanical process of stepping the masts.