Armed Stem to Belted Armor

The forward part, or entrance, of the ship strengthened with armor, for the purpose of ramming.

A metal protection against artillery projectiles.

Belted Armor. A plating completely encircling the ship in the vicinity of the water-line, and from ten inches to twenty inches in thickness.

Compound Armor. A combination of iron or steel, or nickel and steel, or other metals. Compound armor is generally considered to refer to a layer of steel facing on iron plate.

Internal Armor. This applies to two denominations of armor: first, as a backing for main or outboard armor; second, for transverse bulkheads, extending from side to side, forward and aft inclosing the battery and protecting the vessel against a raking fire. These bulkheads extend from the water-line to the lower part of the upper deck.

Nickel-steel Armor. A combination of steel and nickel. This is the standard armor for the U.S. Navy. Its advantage is its superior resisting power--the mixing of the two metals makes a very tough substance, and renders it less liable to split upon impact with projectiles.

(See Projectile.)

A man-o'-war protected with heavy plates of iron and steel, especially surrounding the guns.

A petty officer who keeps the small arms in condition.

A room set apart for the storage of small arms.

To put together the various parts of a mechanism; to bring or call men together.

The bugle call or drum-beat for the crew to assemble.

When an officer serves on board a vessel he is said to be attached to her.

(See Torpedo.)

Aye! Aye! (See Hail.)

(See Uniform.)

A circular breastwork of metal inside of which guns are mounted. A gun is said to be in barbette when it is fired over a parapet instead of through an embrasure.

A gun mounted in barbette.

A large double-banked boat used by flag officers.

The crew of a barge.

Mounted ordnance. The guns on the sides of the ship, taken collectively are respectively referred to as port and starboard batteries.

A gun or guns mounted in barbette.

Covered Battery. Ordnance concealed by a breastwork.

Floating Battery. Ordnance mounted on a raft or hulk.

Masked Battery. Same as covered battery.

Mortar Battery. Mortars are fired at an angle of 45 deg. These guns have no embrasures.

Water Battery. Ordnance mounted close to and almost on a level with the water, so as to penetrate the hulls of vessels in the vicinity of the water-line. (See Table of U.S. Naval Breech-loading Guns.)

A drawing showing the respective positions and ranges of the guns.

Until recently an oil lantern placed near each gun for the purpose of lighting the deck during an engagement at night. Since the introduction of electricity on board men-o'-war, battle lanterns have been electric. The lamps are shaded, and the light is thrown down on the deck, thus furnishing sufficient illumination for working the guns without dazzling the eyes and making outside objects obscure.

A modern armored man-o'-war carrying a heavy battery.

The hospital on board ship, situated forward between decks. Also known as Sick Bay.

A hospital nurse.

A platform for raising a gun carriage above the level of the deck when the gun is too low for the port. A platform for supporting a mortar.

(See Armor.)