A classic three-masted, square-rigged merchant ship of the 17th and 18th century, invented by the Dutch to be economical in operation, carrying the largest cargo and smallest crew possible. It had a w [..]

An additional strip of canvas attached to the foot of the bonnet of a fore-and-aft sail. Also spelled drabbler.

The step made by the drop of a hand-rail (at the top of a ship's side) to a lower level.

A large timber support bracket location directly below the head of a mast, supporting the trestle trees and top.

An early name for the steering mechanism when steering was achieved with the help of tackle connected to the tiller. Also a name used for when a boat was steered by two ropes leading from the stern to [..]

Wind coming in from the front or 'wrong' side of a sail or sails, i.e. coming in to harbour with 'all yards aback'.

Like aft or a preposition indicating further aft, or nearer the stern; as in: the capstan stands abaft the mainmast, i.e. behind it, or nearer the stern.

At right angles to, or beside a ship.

A type of sharp bow developed in the 19th century which led to better performance and speed. Used in the construction of the famous China tea clippers such as the Thermopylae and Cutty Sark.

A shipwright's tool, similar to an axe, used for shaping and dressing wood. It was different from an axe in that it had a long slender curved blade set at a right angle to the handle.