Sailing Terms

Sailing Terms

I have been reading some books written by Alexander Kent. The books are naval fiction that take place from the mid 1700's to the mid 1800's. The stories take place on British ships and use a lot of sailing terms that I have not seen in other books. In the back of the 9th book called "FORM LINE OF BATTLE!" there is a list of sailing terms. I have copied the list below and added wear and warp. Those two terms are used a lot in the books and were not on the list; however, they are in my dictionary. I think you will find them interesting.

Aback: The position of the sails when they press against the masts.
A-box: When the yards are braced in opposite directions.
About: On the other tack.
A-lee: Position of the helm when placed in the opposite direction from that in which the wind is blowing. To leeward.
All in the wind: When too close to the wind so that the sails shake.
Athwartships: At right angles to the keel.
Avast: To hold fast. Hence the term: avast heaving.
A-weather: When the helm is placed in the direction the wind blows.
Bear up: To keep further away from the wind.
Beating: Tacking towards the direction of the wind.
Broach to: Coming suddenly up into the wind.
By the wind: Sailing as close to the wind as possible.
Claw to windward: Beating gradually to windward. To claw off a lee shore.
Close-hauled: Sailing close to the wind.
Dog vane: A small vane made of feathers or bunting attached to the weather shroud to show the direction of the wind.
Flat aback: When the wind takes the sails well on the wrong side.
Fly up in the wind: When a vessel comes up quickly head to wind.
Full and bye: Sailing close to the wind but keeping all sails full.
Go about: To tack.
Gripe: To carry too much weather helm.
Helm's a-lee: The helm put right over leeward.
Hove to: Remaining stationary.
Irons: A vessel is said to be in irons when up in the wind but will not pay off on either tack.
Luff: To bring a vessel close to the wind.
Shiver: To luff up so far as to cause the sails to shiver.
Slack is stays: Slow in tacking.
Veer: Wind is said to veer when it shifts with the hands of a watch, and to "back" when it shifts against the hands of a watch (It is the reverse way in the Southern Hemisphere). Also to pay or ease out cable.
Warp: To move (a vessel) by hauling on a line that is fastened to or around a piling, anchor, or pier. (in the books they also warp a ship by towing it with smaller boats)
Wear: To make (a sailing ship) come about with the wind aft. To come about with the stern to windward.
Yaw: When a ship does not steer a straight and steady course and the head "yaws" from one side to the other.

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