by Alaric Bond
Slush – (Slang) Fat from boiled meat, sold by the cook to the men to spread on their biscuit. The money made was known as the slush fund.
Slushy – (Slang) The cook.
Snow – Type of brig, with an extra trysail mast stepped behind the main.
Spring – Hawser attached to a fixed object that can be tensioned to move the position of a ship fore and aft along a dock, often when setting out to sea.
Sprit sail – A square sail hung from the bowsprit yards, less used by 1793, as the function had been taken over by the jibs, although the rigging of their yards helps to brace the bowsprit against sideways pressure.
Stag – (Slang) To turn against your own.
Stay sail – A quadrilateral or triangular sail with parallel lines, usually hung from under a stay.
Stern sheets – Part of a ship’s boat between the stern and the first rowing thwart, used for passengers.
Stood/Stand – The movement of a ship towards or from an object.
Strake – A plank.
Swab – Cloth, or (Slang) officers’ epaulette.
Sweep – A large oar, often used to move bigger vessels, such as brigs or cutters.
Tack – To turn a ship, moving her bows through the wind. Also a leg of a journey; relates to the direction of the wind. If from starboard, a ship is on the starboard tack. Also the part of a fore and aft loose footed sail where the sheet is attached or a line leading forward on a square course to hold the lower part of the sail forward.
Taffrail – Rail around the stern of a vessel.
Tarpaulin – Tarred cloth or (Slang) used to describe a commissioned officer who came from the lower deck.
Tattletale – (Slang) Gossip.
Thwart – (Properly ATHWARTS). The seats or benches athwart a boat whereon the rowers sit to manage their oars.
Tie Mate – A seaman’s best friend, one who ties his queue, and attends to his body should he die.
Tight ship – In good order, watertight.
Tophamper – Literally any unnecessary weight either on a ship’s decks or about her tops and rigging, but often used loosely to refer to spars and rigging.
Tow – (Slang) Cotton waste.
Traverse board – A temporary log used for recording speed and headings during a watch.
Trick – (Slang) Period of duty.
Turnpike – A toll road; the user pays for the upkeep. Usually major roads.
Under threes – Referring to a captain of under three years seniority, and only allowed to wear one epaulette, on the right shoulder (after 1795).
Veer – Wind change, clockwise.
Waist – Area of main deck between the quarterdeck and forecastle.
Wales – Reinforcement running the length of the ship, under the gunports.
Watch – Period of four (or in case of dog watch, two) hour duty. Also describes the two or three divisions of a crew.
Watch list – List of men and stations, usually carried by lieutenants and divisional officers.
Wearing – To change the direction of a ship across the wind by putting the stern of the ship through the eye of the wind.
Weather helm – A tendency to head up into the wind. A well trimmed ship is often said to have slight to moderate weather helm. The opposite of lee helm.
Well – A deep enclosure in the middle of the ship where bilge water can gather, and be cleared by the pumps.
Windward – The side of a ship exposed to the wind.
Wormed, parcelled and served – Standing rigging, which has been protected by a wrapping of canvas and line.
About the Author
Alaric Bond was born in Surrey, England, but now lives in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, in a 14th century Wealden Hall House. He is married with two sons.
His father was a well-known writer, mainly of novels and biographies, although he also wrote several screenplays. He was also a regular contributor to BBC Radio drama (including Mrs Dale’s Diary!), and a founding writer for the Eagle comic.
During much of his early life Alaric was hampered by Dyslexia, although he now considers the lateral view this condition gave him to be an advantage. He has been writing professionally for over twenty years with work covering broadcast comedy (commissioned to BBC Light Entertainment for 3 years), periodicals, children’s stories, television, and the stage. He is also a regular contributor to several nautical magazines and newsletters.
His interests include the British Navy 1793-1815 and the RNVR during WWII. He regularly gives talks to groups and organizations and is a member of various historical societies including The Historical Maritime Society and the Society for Nautical Research. He also enjoys Jazz, swing and big band music from 1930-1950 (indeed, he has played trombone for over 40 years), sailing, and driving old SAAB convertibles.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Poem
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Forteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Author’s notes
Glossary
About the Author
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