by Michael Aye
sky lark . To frolic or play, especially up in the rigging.
spar. Any lumber/pole used in rigging sails on a ship.
starboard. The right side of a ship or boat.
stern. The aft part of a boat or ship.
tack. To turn a ship about from one tack to another, by bringing her head to the wind.
taffrail. The upper part of the ship’s stern, usually ornament with carved work or bolding.
transom. The stern cross-section/panel forming the after end of a ship’s hull.
veer. A shifting of the wind direction.
waister. Landsman or unskilled seaman who worked in the waist of the ship.
weigh. To raise, as in to weigh anchor.
windward. The side or direction from which the wind is blowing.
yard. A spar attached to the mast and used to hoist sails.
yard arm. The end of a yard.
yawl. A two-masted sailboat/fishing boat with the shorter mizzen mast placed aft of the rudder post. Similar to a ketch.
zephyr. A gentle breeze. The west wind.