A War by Diplomacy
Page 32
Ward roomThe part of a ship used by the senior officers of a ship.
Warden of the Cinque Ports.A largely ceremonial title by the 19th century, though some holders did take their possible duties of defending the coast seriously.
Watch (1) Time: A ships day was divided up into fur hour watches with one further divided into two. The watches were
First watch: 8 p.m.- 12 midnight
Middle watch:12 midnight - 4 a.m.
Morning watch:4 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Forenoon watch:8 a.m. – 12 noon
Afternoon watch12 noon – 4 p.m.
First dog watch4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Second Dog watch6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
In each watch, time was marked off in half-hour segments so the one bell of the First watch would be 8:30 p.m., two bells would be 9:00 p.m., and so on.
(2) Division of the crew. The crew was divided (usually) into two watches, the starboard watch and the larboard watch, which alternated when they worked (in normal circumstances) and when they were at leisure or asleep.
(3) Time when officers were on duty. Referred to as “being on watch” or “watch”.
(4) Police force on land
Wear (referring to a ship)The opposite of tack where the maneuver of changing which side of a ship the wind is coming from is accomplished by turning away from the wind.
Wedding portionA dowry, so called because it was regarded as the portion of her father’s estate that an unmarried daughter might expect to have.
WherryA rowboat used as a water taxi.
WritThe document authorizing the holding of a by election. It’s being issued had to be moved and passed in the House of Commons first.
Yellow admiralSomeone who has been promoted to the rank of Admiral without being given a command. Largely created to allow the promotion of a captain with less seniority.
.