Futtock shroudsFuttock shrouds are rope, wire or chain links in the rigging of a traditional square rigged ship. They run from the outer edges of a top downwards and inwards to a point on the mast or lower shrouds, and carry the load of the shrouds that rise from the edge of the top. This prevents any tendency of the top itself to tilt relative to the mast. Climbing a ship's riggingIn the most traditional ships, the futtock shrouds can be used to gain access to the tops.
Crow's nestA crow's nest is a structure in the upper part of the main mast of a ship or a structure that is used as a lookout point. On ships, this position ensured the widest field of view for lookouts to spot approaching hazards, other ships, or land by using the naked eye or optical devices such as telescopes or binoculars. It should not be confused with the top, the platform in the upper part of each lower mast of a square-riggedsailing ship.
Shroud (sailing)On a sailing ship, the shrouds are the standing rigging which holds the mast up from side to side. There is frequently more than one shroud on each side of the boat. Usually a shroud will connect at the top of the mast, and additional shrouds might connect partway down the mast, depending on the design of the boat. Shrouds terminate at their bottom ends at the chain plates, which are tied into the hull.
CrosstreesCrosstrees, the two horizontal spars at the upper ends of the topmasts of sailing ships, serve to anchor the shrouds from the topgallant mast above. They may also be mounted at the upper end of the topgallant to anchor the shrouds from the royal mast (if fitted). Similar transverse spars remain on steamship and motor-vessel masts to secure wire antennae or signal-flag halyards. In modern sailing vessels, spreaders serve the same purpose.
FootropeA footrope is a rope suspended underneath a yard or bowsprit for sailors to stand on while working on the sails. It is a feature of square rigged sailing vessels from the middle of the 17th century onwards. Before its invention, sailors would lie or sit on the yards to stow or loose sails. The footrope is supported along the middle of its span by stirrups, short pieces of rope which are seized to the jackstay on the yard and hang down on the after side.
Jacob's ladder (nautical)The term Jacob's ladder, used on a ship, applies to two kinds of rope ladders. The term may also appear without the apostrophe, as Jacobs ladder.
Swivel gunA swivel gun (or simply swivel) is a small cannon mounted on a swiveling stand or fork which allows a very wide arc of movement. Another type of firearm referred to as a swivel gun was an early flintlock combination gun with two barrels that rotated along their axes to allow the shooter to switch between either the rifled or the smoothbore barrels.
RadarObject detection system using radio wavesLong-range radar antenna, used to track space objects and ballistic missiles.Radar of the type used for detection of aircraft. It rotates steadily, sweeping the airspace with a narrow beam.Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (ranging), direction (azimuth and elevation angles), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site.Glossary of nautical terms (A–L)This glossary of nautical terms is an alphabetical listing of terms and expressions connected with ships, shipping, seamanship and navigation on water (mostly though not necessarily on the sea). Some remain current, while many date from the 17th to 19th centuries. The word nautical derives from the Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from nautēs: "sailor", from naus: "ship".
Mast (sailing)The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected vertically or near-vertically on the median line of a ship or boat. A mast may carry sails, spars, and derricks. It may also give necessary height to a navigation light, look-out position, signalyard, control position, radio aerial, or signal lamp. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship. Nearly all sailing masts are guyed.
Antenna (radio)In radio-frequency engineering, an antenna (American English) or aerial (British English) is a structure used to convert alternating electric currents into radio waves for transmission, and to convert radio waves back into electric currents for reception. It is the interface between radio waves propagating through space and electric currents moving in metal conductors, used with a transmitter or receiver.
Square rigSquare rig is a generic type of sail and rigging arrangement in which a sailing vessel uses square sails which are carried on horizontal spars that, when at rest, are perpendicular (or ) to the centre line of the vessel. This is in contrast to fore and aft rig, where the sails are on the vessel's centre line when at rest.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.