beam- the width of a ship at its widest part
bilge- water that collects in the bottom of a ship
bow- the forward part of a ship
bowsprit- a long pole for sails sticking out of the bow of the ship
cargo- the goods that are carried on a ship, a plane, or a vehicle
chip log and reel- device for measuring the speed of a vessel through the water. It consisted of a triangular piece of wood, weighted on one side and attached to a line with marked (knots) lengths. When thrown from the stern of a vessel the line was allowed to run out for a specified time. The number of knots that had come off the reel determined the vessel's speed. This traditional way of measuring is no longer used, but a ship's speed is still referred to in knots.
compass- An instrument whose magnetized metal needle aligns itself with the magnetic fields of the earth. This causes one end of the needle to point north. Mariners used this information to navigate the ship. The Chinese are said to have invented the first compass over 2000 years ago.
crow's nest- a platform high on a ship's mast used as a lookout
diagram- a drawing, sketch, plan, or chart that helps to make something easier to understand
draft- the amount of water needed for a ship to float when loaded
flagship- the ship carrying the commander of a group of ships and carrying his flag showing his rank
forecastle- the forward part of the upper deck of a ship; the living area for the crew in the front part of a ship
foremast- the mast nearest the bow of a ship
foresail- the lowest and largest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged ship
lateen- a triangular sail on a short mast
mainmast- the center mast
mainsail- the main sail on the mainmast
mast- a long pole that rises from the bottom of a ship a supports the sails and rigging
merchant- n: a buyer and
seller of goods, one who carries on trade
adj: used in trade
mizzenmast- the mast behind the mainmast in a ship
rigging- the ropes and chains used in working sails and supporting masts
spritsail- the sail on the bowsprit
stern-the rear end of a boat
tacking- to change the direction of a sailing ship by shifting the sails, or to sail into the wind
trimming- changing position in the water
topsail- the sail above the lower sail on a square-rigged ship
yard- a long pole tapered toward the ends that supports and spreads the top of a sail