English |
| Use the box below to search for a specific Term | |
|
| |
All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
| |
| s | |
| There are 319 entries in the glossary. | |
| Pages: << < 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 > >> | |
| Term | Definition |
| Stuffing Box | A fitting around the propeller shaft to keep the bearing lubricated and to keep water out of the boat. |
| Suck the Monkey | Originally, to suck rum from a coconut, the end of the nut resembling a monkey's face. Later, illicitly to suck spirit from a cask, usually through a straw. Also called Bleed the Monkey. |
| Sump Pump | Small pump for shower drainage |
| Sun Over the Yardarm | Also referred to as "Elevenses." A traditional maritime saying to indicate that it is time for a morning drink, it was generally assumed that in northern latitudes the sun would show above the foreyard of a ship by 11:00 which was approximately the time in many ships of the forenoon "stand-easy", when many officers would slip below for their first drink of the day. |
| Sundowner | A slang name for a bullying officer on a ship. |
| Superstitions | Here are a few old superstitions of seamen: (1) When a ship was launched or about to sail on a long voyage, a libation was offered to the gods of the sea by pouring wine upon the deck so that good fortune would accompany the ship. (2) Flowers carried on board were destined to form a wreath, indicating death. (3) To hear bells at sea is a sign of oncoming death. (4) It is bad luck for a ship to begin a voyage on a Friday. (5) Women on board were considered to be a sign of bad luck (6) Gales and high winds would subside if a naked woman appeared before them (hence many figureheads depicted a woman with a naked breast). (7) In a calm, whistling will bring wind, but whistling while the wind is blowing will bring a gale. |
| Superstructure | Any structure built above the top full deck, such as a deck house, bridge, etc. |
| Surge | Rising and falling of the sea, usually due to wave action. |
| Swab | A mop made from rope; to use such a mop. |
| Swallow | The space between the two sides of the shell of a block in which the sheave is fitted. |
| Swallow the Anchor | To retire from a life at sea and settle ashore. |
| Swamp | To fill with water, but not settle to the bottom. |