by Rob Mundle
BilgeThe curved part of a ship’s hull immediately above the keel
BittA vertical post set on the deck of a ship; used to secure and tie ropes or cables
BittheadThe top of the bitt
BlockA single or multiple sheaved pulley
Boatswain/bosunWarrant or non-commissioned officer responsible for the maintenance of the ship’s rigging, anchors and cables
BowerBow anchor or cable
BowspritA pole extending forward from a vessel’s bow
BraceA rope or line attached to the end of a yard which is either eased or hauled in so that the sail is trimmed to suit the wind direction
BrigA two-masted square rigger
Bring toTo cause a ship to turn into the wind or come to a stop
BulwarksThe planking along the sides of a ship above the upper deck which acts as a railing to prevent crew and passengers from going overboard
BuntlinesRopes tied to the foot of a square sail that keep it from opening or bellying when it is being hauled up for furling to the yard
BurthenDisplacement
Cable 1.A long, thick and heavy rope attached to the ship’s anchor
2.A naval unit of distance – ten cables is one nautical mile
CapstanA large waist-high vertical winch turned by crew manning the capstan bars which lock into the head of the winch. The crew then walk in a circle to work the winch. Used to raise the anchor and other heavy objects
CareenTo heel a ship over on one side or the other for cleaning, caulking or repairing
CatheadA sturdy timber projection near the bow to hold the anchor
CaulkingThe material making the ship watertight (such as cotton fibres or oakum) forced between the planks to stop leaks
CayA low bank or reef of coral, rock or sand
ChainsThe area outside the ship where the dead-eyes, rigging and other hardware come together to support the mast
ClewThe bottom corners of the square sail, or the lower aft corner of a triangular sail
Clew upTo draw up a square sail to the yard by hauling on the clew lines
Close-hauledSailing with the sails trimmed in as close as possible to the centre line. This allows the ship to sail as close to the direction of the wind as possible
CollierA cargo ship that hauled coal
CommanderThe next rank above lieutenant in the Royal Navy prior to the introduction of the rank of lieutenant-commander in the early twentieth century
Composite constructionConstruction involving multiple dissimilar materials – in this era metal frames and timber planking
CutterA fast sailboat with one mast that carries several headsails
Dead-reckoningThe method for estimating a vessel’s current position based on its previously determined position then advanced by estimating speed and course over an elapsed time
Deck beamsTimbers running from side to side of a ship to support the deck
DoldrumsA region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, faint breezes or squalls
Downs (The)An anchorage off the coast of England between Dover and Deal
DraughtThe measurement from the waterline to the deepest point of the vessel in the water
Driver boomThe yard carrying the driver, a square sail set from the peak of the gaff on the mizzenmast
EmbayedTrapped within the confines of a bay and unable to sail into safe water
FathomA unit of measurement for depth - one fathom is 1.83 metres or six feet
Feu de joieA progressive volley of shots fired by soldiers on a ceremonial occasion
FiferailA wooden rail positioned on the deck around the base of a mast which is used for belaying the ship’s halyards
Fine off the . . . bowJust off the centreline looking forward
Fore castle [foc’sle] fo’c’s’leThe living quarters in the bow of the ship where crew is accommodated
ForemastThe first mast, or the mast fore of the main-mast
FreeboardThe distance from the water to the ship’s gunwale
FuttockAn iron plate in the ship’s topmast for securing the rigging
GaffA spar angled aft from a mast which carries a four-sided fore-and-aft sail. The head of the sail is attached to the top of the gaff
GrogA mixture of rum and water served to a ship’s crew
Gunwale/gunnelThe top edge of the planking at the sides of the ship, named for the place where a crewman rested his gun to take aim
GybeChanging from one tack to the other away from the wind, turning the ship’s stern through the wind. See also ‘to wear ship’
HMSHis/Her Majesty’s Ship
HalyardA rope used for raising or lowering a sail, yard, spar or flag
Haul up or Haul onto the windTo change a ship’s course so that it is sailing closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing. At the same time the ship’s sails are trimmed to suit the new course
HawserA cable or rope used for mooring or towing a ship
HeadedWhen the wind changes direction so that it is coming from a point closer to the ship’s bow, causing the vessel to change course to leeward so that it can continue sailing effectively
Heave toSlowing a vessel’s forward progress by fixing the helm and foresail so that the vessel does not need to be steered: a procedure usually applied in very rough weather
HeelTo tilt to one side
HelmThe apparatus used to steer the vessel by moving the angle of the rudder
Horse latitudesA subtropical region extending about 30 degrees north and south of the equator. Sailing ships were often becalmed traversing these latitudes and consequently ran out of water, making it impossible to keep horses and other livestock alive. The crew had no option but to throw the dead animals overboard.
HoveRaised or lifted with effort or force, particularly the anchor
HullThe main body of the ship
Hull-downA situation where the hull of a vessel is not visible as it is below the horizon, but the rig can be seen
JibA triangular headsail set from the foremast which is the foremost sail
Jury-rigA temporary rig put up in place of a mast that has broken or been carried away
KedgeA small anchor used to keep a ship steady and clear from her bower anchor
KnotA unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour or approximately 1.151 miles (1.852km) per hour
LarboardThe old name for port, the left hand side of the ship. The term ‘fine on the larboard bow’ refers to an area just off the vessel’s centre-line, looking forward on the port side
Lead-lineA sounding line with a lead weight at one end used to record the depth of water under the ship
LeadsmanThe man who, standing in the chains, heaves the lead to take soundings
LeagueA unit of distance in the eighteenth century equal to three nautical miles
LeeThe sheltered side
LeewardThe direction away from the wind; opposite of ‘windward’
LeewayDrifting sideways
LieutenantLowest rank of commissioned officer in the Royal Navy, prior to the introduction of the rank of sub-lieutenant in the twentieth century
Lofting floorA flat floor where loftsmen take the dimensions from a vessel’s plans or half-model and scale them up to full size drawings on the floor. These patterns which are scribed using flexible battons are then used as templates
Log1.A device for measuring a ship’s speed
2.A record of a ship’s movements, the weather for navigational purposes, and general and pertinent information regarding incidents, observations and shipboard routine. Usually kept by the captain, masters and lieutenants
LuffThe leading edge of a fore-and-aft sail; or to change course into the wind so that the sails flap
Lying-to / lying a-hullWaiting out a storm by lowering all sails and letting the vessel drift
Main courseThe lowest square sail
MainmastThe tallest mast on a vessel
Make fastTo secure a line
Mal de merSeas
ickness (Fr)
MarinesSeaborne contingent of soldiers
MasterThe most senior non-commissioned officer or warrant officer in the Royal Navy at the time responsible for the navigation of the ship, subject to the command of its officers
MastheadThe very top part of the a mast
MateAssistant warrant officer to a senior warrant officer, hence bosun’s mate and master’s mate
Mechanical logA device for measuring a ship’s speed where a four-bladed rotator is towed on a line from the ship’s stern
MizzenThe sail set from the aftermost mast
MizzenmastOn a ship with three masts, this is the mast nearest the stern
Nautical mileA mathematical calculation based on the circumference of the Earth at the equator; equal to 1.15 miles
OakumOld pieces of rope picked to shreds and tarred for use as caulking. Known as rope junk
OffingDistance from shore, land or other navigational hazards
One HundredweightFifty kilos
PacketA vessel that transports passengers, mail and goods between two ports at regular intervals
PainterA mooring line – usually a light line attached to the bow of a small boat
PawlA hinged or pivoted catch on a ratchet wheel which prevents it from slipping back
PinnaceA small vessel with two fore-and-aft rigged masts; it can be rowed or sailed and usually carried men between shore and ship
Poop deckThe short deck towards the stern above the quarterdeck of a ship
PoopedTo have a wave break over the stern of the ship and onto the deck
PortThe left-hand side of a vessel
Post-CaptainAn alternative form of the rank of captain. It distinguishes those who were captains by rank, from officers in command of a naval vessel who were recognised as captain regardless of rank, and commanders who received the title of captain regardless of them being in command or not
Put the wheel/helm downTo turn the steering wheel in a particular direction
QuadrantA very simple instrument used to determine the altitude of a heavenly body
QuarterdeckThe upper exposed deck at the stern of the ship from the mainmast to the back, usually the territory of the ship’s officers
RatlinesBands of ropes lashed across the shrouds like steps that allow crew to easily climb aloft
Reciprocal course/trackTo return along a course from whence you came
Reef/reefedTo take in or reduce the area of a sail without furling it
RefitRepair or restore a vessel
RhumblineThe shortest distance in a straight line between two points, free of obstruction
RiggingAll ropes, wires and chains used to support the masts and yards
SchoonerA fore-and-aft rigged vessel, originally with two masts, but later with three or more. Designed for blockade running and as a fast naval vessel
SextantA navigational instrument used to measure the angle of elevation of an object above the horizon
SheaveThe grooved and revolving wheel fitted within a block over which a rope travels
SheetA rope attached to either of the lower corners (clews) of a square sail, or the aftermost lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail. Also, the rope used to control the boom of the mainsail or mizzen/spanker
Sheet anchorTraditionally, the largest of a ship’s anchors carried so they can be quickly dropped in the event of an emergency
Shipped on deckThe situation when a large wave bursts over the bulwark and washes across the ship’s deck
ShroudThe standing rigging on the ship that provides lateral support to the mast
SlattedA sail flopping backwards and forwards in near windless conditions
SloopA single-masted sailing ship usually carrying a mainsail and a single jib or headsail
SlopsReady-made clothing from the ship’s stores which is sold to the seamen
SpankerA large fore-and-aft sail set from the mizzen(aft-most) mast using a gaff – a wooden spar which supports the top of the sail
SparsA general term relating to all the poles in a vessel’s rig, such as masts, yards, booms and gaffs
SpritsailA four-sided sail set from a sprit which usually extends beyond the end of the yards
Square-riggerA ship using square sails as its principal form of sail
StarboardThe right-hand side of a vessel
StayA large long rope which acts as a piece of standing rigging to support the mast either athwartships or fore-and-aft
SternsheetsThe stern area of an open boat
StrakeA line of planking on the side of a vessel
StrikeTo “strike” is to remove and lower yards and topmasts to the deck
Swinging the compassA procedure where a vessel is turned through 360 degrees so that any deviations in the accuracy of the compass can be calculated and corrected
TackA manoeuvre; and a corner of a sail
TaffrailThe upper rail of the aft rail at a ship’s stern
TarA nickname for a lower-deck sailor. Derived from the fact that their canvas coats and hats were waterproofed with tar
TenderA small vessel that attends a man-of-war, primarily in harbour. Usually used to carry munitions, provisions, mail and despatches to and from the ship
TimoneerAn alternative term for the helmsman
TopgallantIn a square-rigged ship, these are the spars and rigging at the very top of the masts above the topsails
TopmastThe second section of mast above the deck fixed to the top of the lower mast and which supports the topgallant mast
TreenailsShort lengths of dowel that were wedged from both ends into holes bored through the planks and the frame using an augur
UncleatTo untie from a cleat – a T-shaped low-profile anchor point for securing lines
Waist (of the ship)The middle part of the upper deck of a ship, between the quarterdeck and the forecastle
WarpA rope attached to a ship which is used to move it from one place to another by men pulling on it when the ship is in harbour; hence warping means to move or re-position a ship by hauling on a line or anchor line
Wear ship, toA manoeuvre that comes when a square-rigged ship changes course by turning the ship’s stern through the wind so that the direction of the wind comes onto the opposite side of the ship. Today it is referred to as a gybe
WindageThe exposed part of a ship’s hull and rig of a vessel causing wind resistance
WindlassA horizontal and cylindrical barrel used as a lifting device for a rope or anchor cable. It is turned by rods called handspikes
YardA slender wooden spar slung at its centre on the forward side of a mast on a square-rigged ship
YardarmThe outer end of each yard from where, on square-rigged ships, signal flags were flown or men sentenced to death following a court martial were hanged
Author’s Note
The Mundle family heritage embraces the sea.
For more than 150 years the oldest male member of each generation sailed the world’s oceans to earn a living . . . until it came to me. Even so, the sea and sailing were an integral part of my life from a very early age, and by the time I was 20 my sport and career had merged so superbly that I was set on a course through life that would prove dreams do come true.
My life under sail started as a two-year-old aboard a sandpit sailboat my father made for me in the backyard of our family home – an aging, dark and dilapidated semi-detached cottage on Sydney’s lower North Shore.
The environment didn’t matter to me, even though there were four adults and three young children sharing the two-bedroom residence. I had an escape.
I still hold memories of being aboard my little boat, hoisting to the top of the broomstick mast the mainsail Mum had made from a bedsheet; then setting off on my dream-laced odyssey – one I shared with the family cat and chooks, and amid chokos which were growing profusely over the rickety back fence and the ramshackle wooden chook house.
At age seven my vivid imagination had me sailing a square rigger over far-off horizons
and visiting exciting ports. By this time my parents had moved my two younger brothers, Dennis and Bruce, and me to a house on Collaroy Plateau, on the northern beaches – a place from where I could see the ocean and feel the breeze.
I was very proud of the ‘ship’ I had built for these latest voyages. The hull was a fragile wooden tomato packing crate, little more than a metre in length. It had two masts: the mainmast was a broomstick I’d nailed to the front of the ‘vessel’, while the mizzen mast was a garden stake nailed to a ‘bulkhead’ amidships. My largest sail – the maincourse – was a Holland blind lashed by a myriad of knots to the top of the mainmast, while the square-sail on the mizzen – the crossjack – was the remnants of a colourful old curtain.
How I lived for the days when there was a strong wind blowing! That was when I’d drag my ship out from under the house and set it up on a ‘course’ in the backyard so that the sails would catch the wind. That done, I’d then squeeze myself into the aft part of the tomato crate, trim the sails and dream . . . all the time longing for a stronger gust to descend on the scene so I could sense even more the power of the wind in the sails.
Sometimes I’d even let my brothers sail my ship . . .
In keeping with the family tradition, my grandfather was a professional mariner. I remember telling him one day about my ‘square rigger’, and he was most impressed. He then told me that my great-great grandfather had been the master of a square rigger, but details were scant.
Fast forward many decades, to recent times when I was researching this book, looking for every skerrick of detail available relating to the era of the mighty clipper ships. One can only imagine the magnitude of my delight when I found, in the 27 April 1855 edition of the Sydney Morning Herald, an article relating to the arrival in Sydney of the clipper ship Commodore Perry. It read in part ‘. . . one of the largest and finest vessels that has entered this harbour,’ had arrived on her maiden round-the-world voyage out of Liverpool, England, and that the captain was George Mundle . . . my great-great grandfather. Travelling with him were his wife, daughter Elizabeth and son, my great grandfather George Valentine Mundle (who was born aboard the ship John Wood in Whampoa Anchorage on the Pearl River, Canton on 30 September 1850).