Ballast: Weight located on either side
of a ship to keep balance and avoid swaying from side to side.
Bow: Forward part of a ship beginning where the
sides move inward and ending where they meet at the stem.
Bulkhead: Any vertical partition separating
compartments or spaces on a ship.
Boatdeck: Uppermost deck of a ship on which lifeboats
are stowed.
Companionway: Interior stairs on a ship.
Crew’s
Quarters:
Rooms where ship’s crewmembers sleep.
Head: Term used to describe a bathroom on a ship.
Hold: Lowest part of the ship.
Keel: The main centerline structure (beam) running
along the center bottom of a ship.
Ladder: Stairways going down into the hold of a ship.
Knots: Measurement of nautical speed; one knot
equals 1.18 miles.
M.S.: Motor ship; ship powered by a motor engine.
Messroom: A room in which crewmembers have their meals.
Galley: Kitchen area on a ship where the food is
prepared.
Port Hole: A circular opening on the
sides of ships to give light and air to passengers and crew’ when closed it is
watertight.
Rudder: The device that steers and maneuvers the
ship.
Port Side: Term used to describe the
left side on ships.
Starboard
Side:
Term used to describe the right side on ships.
Stem: A pointed device found at the tip of the bow,
usually for decoration. Commonly used by
the captain to keep the ship on a straight course by pointing the tip of the
stem to an object on land.
S.S.: Steam ship; ship powered by steam from
burning coal or wood.
Stern: Far end of the ship.
Wheelhouse: The area on a ship located on the boat deck
where the steering devices are located.
Gimbals: A system of rings arranged to allow a
suspended object such as a compass to maintain a horizontal position.
Telegraph: A device used to the signal engine room for
changes in speed.
Tie Down Rod: Rods used to secure
wheelhouse and allows for removal of the wheelhouse.
Propeller: Revolving shaft with blades for propelling
ships.