The Hull

Encyclopedia Appendex H - the Hull
Abaft the Beam - means that is on the stern side of that line.

Abeam - means at right angles to the ships side.

Anchors (Sizes, Types and Uses) -

...........Type.................. Number................ Weight

Best bower anchor........... 1............... 4 tons/ 4.54 tonnes

Small bower anchor.......... 1............... 4 tons/ 4.51 tonnes

Sheet anchors................. 2............... 4 tons/ 4.31 tonnes

Stream anchor................. 1............... 1 ton/ 1.10 tonnes

Large kedge anchor.......... 1.............. 1/2 ton/ 0.51 tonnes

Small kedge anchor.......... 1.............. 1/4 ton/ 0.30 tonnes

Astern - means behind the ship.

Athwastships - across the ship from side to side.

Beam - the maximum width of a vessel.

Belfry- Rung every half hour, the bell hung in the belfry enabled the crew to know what the time was. In order to ensure the bell was rung correctly two sandglasses were used. One lasts for half an hour, the other for 4 hours. At the beginning of a watch (4 hour shift) both glasses would be started. When the half hour glass ran out it would be restarted and the bell rung once. When it ran out again the bell would be rung twice and the glass restarted. This would continue until the 4 hour glass ran out. The bell would then be rung 8 times (eight bells) signaling the end of a watch. The whole process would then be started again.



Belfry

Best Bower Anchor - The best bower anchor was one of two main anchors. It was called 'bower' because it was secured to the starboard (right) bow. The heaviest and strongest anchor carried was used for anchoring the ship in deep waters.



Best Bower Anchor

Bow or Bows - the front of a vessel. The sharp or rounded part, that cuts through the water.

Builders Measurement (bm) - the figure quoted for most ships up until the 1870`s will be bm, and can be calculated from:

.........(L - 3/5B) x B x 1/2B

bm = --

.....................94

where: L = length in feet, and B = beam in feet.

Burthen or Burden - was the number of tuns a ship could carry.

Binacle - Placed in front of the wheel, the binnacle contains the ship's compasses that were used to aid the ship's navigation. With the two compasses the binnacle also contains a lantern that was used to illuminate the compasses at night. The cooper chimney or flue on top of the binnacle allowed the smoke from the lantern to escape keeping the binnacle clear.



Binacle

Capstans - The drumheads (top part) of the capstans can be found on the middle gun deck. The main capstan is located towards the stern (back) and was used to raise the anchors. The jeer capstan is in the centre of the deck and was used to lift stores, boats and guns, as well as raising masts and yards (spars).



Capstans

Cathead - beams projecting on either side of the forcastle near the bow to secure the anchor, after it was hoisted out of the water. An anchor thus secured was “Catted”.

Chain Pumps - Centered around the main mast are the chain pumps. These were used to pump out any water that might have collected in the hold. The water was drawn up from the hold and either pumped through a removable pipe to the outside or allowed to spill onto the deck. If the water went onto the deck in would then drain out through the scuppers.



Chain Pumps

Decks - the horizontal levels which divide a ship.

Displacement Tonnage - warships are now measured using the weight of the water displaced by the ship when she is fully ready for sea.

Draught - the distance between the bottom of the keel and the water line.

Filling Room - This was where the gunpowder charges would be made up. The gunpowder barrels were emptied into a large lead lined oak bin. Copper scoops were then used to measure out the different size of charges. The amount of gunpowder needed for each charge was about a third of the weight of the shot. For a 12 pounder gun, firing a 12lb round shot, approximately 4lbs of gunpowder was used. Once the charges were made up they were stored in 3 different areas on the ship so that they were not mixed up. The charges for the 32 pounder guns were stored in the racks on either side of the filling room. The charges for the 24 and 12 pounders were stored in the 2 hanging magazines that are accessed from the orlop deck.



Filling Room

Fine on the Port or Starboard Bow - would refer to something not quite straight ahead.

Fire Buckets - Hanging along the edge of the poop deck and accessible from the quarterdeck are a row of fire buckets. Fire was always a serious risk on ships because of their wooden construction, the pitch used to seal the decks and the tar coated rigging. Made from leather they were used to either hold water or sand. The GR painted on the buckets stands for George Rex or King George III.



Fire Buckets

Fore and Aft - running from Bow to Stern as distinct from Athwartships.

Forecastle - (fo`c`sle) another partial deck that was in the fore part of the ship. Found at the bow (front) of the ship, the forecastle had various roles. It was from here that the sails and yards (spars) on the main and fore masts were controlled. The crew where allowed to use the forecastle in their off duty periods rather than staying 'below decks'. It was also the deck from which the anchors were lowered and stowed. The mast protruding out from the bow is the bowsprit. The black platform at the base of the bowsprit is known as the marine’s walk. An armed marine sentry would be positioned here to prevent men from escaping when the ship was at anchor. The belfry at the end of the foc’sle was used to indicate the time of day. It was struck every half hour and could be heard throughout the ship.

Forward of the Beam - that it is on the bow side of the line (note forward is pronounced `forrard`).

Galley - The galley provided the cooking facilities for all of the crew. Located towards the bow (front) it is made up of two parts. Enclosed on three sides by wooden panels is the pantry where the food was prepared. The food was cooked on a cast iron stove called a Brodie Stove. The stove has 2 ovens that could cook up to 80lbs of bread; 2 copper kettles that could cook 250 gallons of stew; a grill and an automated spit for roasting meat. There is also a copper distiller that could produce 2 gallons (9.10 ltrs) of fresh water a day.



The Galley

Galley Stove Flue - In the centre of the forecastle is the galley stove flue. This carried the smoke from the Brodie stove, located 2 deck below, out of the ship. The flue could be closed, using a sliding metal plate, so that water could not get into the stove during rough weather. The flue could also be turned to face away from the wind and any water coming over the side of the ship.



Galley Stove Fue

Go Astern - is to go backwards.

Grand Magazine - The Grand Magazine was the main gunpowder storage area. It could hold up to 35 tons of gunpowder. The magazine is divided in to 3 areas: the Pallating Flat; the Filling Room; the Light Room. The walls of the magazine are lined with copper. This was done for 3 reasons: 1) copper, as a soft metal, reduced the chance of dangerous sparks. 2) being waterproof the copper helped to keep the powder dry. 3) the main reason for the copper was to prevent the rats getting into the magazine. If they were allowed to get in they would become covered in gunpowder and then spread the powder all over the ship.

Great Cabin - Found at the stern (back) this provides the most comfortable living space on the ship. Divided into 3 areas, it consists of the day and dining cabins plus the bed space. These were partitioned from the rest of the deck by wooden panels that could be removed during a battle. This would allow the great cabin to be turned into part of the upper gun deck. Although, not as large as the admiral's quarters. Located near the ship's 'command and control' center, it meant that the captain could be summoned quickly if there was a problem that needed his attention. Like the admiral's cabin, the captain’s cabin could be 'packed away' enabling guns to be fired out of the windows. When preparing for battle all of the furniture, including the wooden paneling at the stern, was taken out and stowed in the hold. The dividing panels, called bulkheads, were swung up to the beams or removed and stowed. Senior officers slept in wooden cots, which would become their coffin should they die at sea.



The Great Cabin

Gun Decks - The decks are named in relation to each other and are called the upper, middle and lower gun decks. The lightest guns occupy the highest of the 3 decks, while the heaviest can be found on the lowest deck. This was done to aid the ship's stability while at sea. By placing the heaviest guns on the lowest deck the ship was less likely to capsize in rough weather.

Gun Ports - the opening cut in the side of the ship through which the guns are fired.

Gun Room - At the stern (back) of this deck is the gun room where the gunner, chaplain and junior officers lived. A canvas screen, which could be rolled up during a battle, separated the gunroom from the rest of the deck. Arranged along the sides were 4 canvas cabins, which could also be rolled up when required. The number of cabins was restricted by the sweep of the long tiller, which is attached to the tiller through the stern (back) of the gun room. Because some of the ship's youngest crew members were in the care of the Gunner they would have eaten their meals in the gun room.



Gun Room

Gunwale - (pronounced gunnel) the upper edge of the side of a ship or boat.

Hammocks - Most of the crew slept in hammocks. Each man was issued with his own hammock, a wool filled mattress and 2 blankets. The hammocks were slung from battens fixed to the overhead beams at intervals of 16in (41cm). Although the space was cramped each man's room was effectively doubled because half the crew worked while the others slept. When a man joined a ship he was issued with a hammock, mattress, a bolster and a blanket. The hammocks would be slung from battens secured to the overhead beams. Petty officers slept at the outboard end of each row and were allowed 18-21 inches of space because of their status. An ordinary sailor was only allowed 16 inches of space. The men did not sleep where they wanted but slung their hammocks according to their division and watch. In the morning the men lashed up their hammocks and placed them in the netting, in positions allocated by their division and watch, around the upper deck of the ship. To ensure they were stowed compactly the lashed hammocks were passed through a special hoop.



Hammocks

Hanging Magazines - Accessed for the orlop are the hanging magazine. One is positioned towards the bow (front) and held gunpowder cartridges of the 24 pounders. The other magazine held 12 pounder cartridges and is to be found further aft, near the stern (rear). Located below the waterline the magazines and their contents where protected from enemy fire. To increase safety a dampened curtain, made from 'fearnought' would be hung across the entrance to each magazine. Each magazine would only hold one size of gunpowder cartridge, this was done so that cartridges would not be mixed up during the heat of battle and sent to the wrong size gun.

Helmsman - a person who steers a ship.

Hold - below the Orlop deck. In which provisions for six months were stored. This is the ship's main storage area. Before the stores were brought in, ballast had to be placed here to keep the ship trim and upright. In addition, extra ballast in the form of shingle was used. This also acted as a bed for the bottom layer of barrels. The ship could store enough provisions to last 6 months. This included water and beer stored in large barrels, plus wine and vinegar. The smaller barrels would contain salted fish, pork and beef. Dried provisions such as oats, peas, beans and pulses would be kept in sacks. There would also be butter and coal.



The Hold

Kedge Anchors (Large and Small) - Smallest anchors, the kedge anchors were used when the ship was anchored in a harbour. They helped to steady the ship and keep her clear of the bower anchor cable. They could also be used to 'kedge' or warp the ship. Warping was a way of moving the ship in a confined space or if there was no wind. The kedge anchor would be rowed away from the ship by boat and then lowered. By pulling in the anchor cable the ship could be moved along. This could be repeated until there was more space or the sails caught the wind.



Kedge Anchor

Keel - the lowest fore and aft timber on which the whole framework of the ship is built.

Keelson - a line of timbers which secure the keel to the upper framework.  Larboard - looking towards the bow the left hand side of a vessel is the Larboard/Port side. Until the name was changed in the middle of the nineteenth century to avoid confusion, the port side was known as the Larboard side. “Load-board”, being the side which was against the quay for loading cargo.

Lee Shore - a ship blown towards the Lee Shore is in danger.

Lee Side - is the sheltered side. The Lee side of the Quarter deck was reserved for the Midshipmen.

Leg Irons - Fixed to the deck in between two of the guns and exposed to the elements are the leg iron or bilboes. They were used to confine a man who had committed an offence. They could be used either as a form of punishment or as a holding area for a man awaiting trial. When used as punishment the offender would be locked into the leg irons for a number of days and fed on bread and water.



Leg Irons

Light Room - For obvious reasons no naked flames were allowed near the gunpowder. This meant that the palleting flat and filling room were illuminated from the separate light room. Two lanthorns (lanterns) were housed in light boxes at the front of the light room and heavy sheets of glass separated the light room from the filling room. To prevent the glass from being accidentally broken a copper wire mesh covered the glass giving it greater strength. For added safety the light room had a separate entrance from the other two areas of the grand magazine and was accessed via a ladder at the back of the light room. During a battle the ship's master-at-arms and the cook manned the light room.



Light Room

Lower Gun Deck - The lower gun deck contains the heaviest armament. This was also the main accommodation deck for the ships crew. There was no privacy, it was damp and the lighting was poor as the gun ports were normally kept closed to prevent water coming in. The only light came from candles and lanterns. Two messes of 4 men could eat at the table between the guns. To ensure everyone could eat at the same time, further tables were set up throughout the deck. The work onboard was very hard and to help ensure that the men had the energy to do it, their diet was high in calories. Breakfast was served at 08:00 and usually consisted of an oatmeal gruel, which could be sweetened with molasses or sugar. The main meal of the day was at noon and comprised of meat or fish stew with dried peas and pulses. When the ship had been freshly provisioned it would have been made with fresh meat from livestock the ship would carry. When the fresh meat had been eaten, salted meat or fish would be used. The last meal of the day consisted of ship’s biscuits and cheese. However, the biscuits sometimes became infested with maggots or weevils, the cheese turned moldy and the butter rancid. Captains were aware that a monotonous diet of poor quality food caused scurvy and other illnesses, so stocks of fresh meat, vegetables and fruit would be brought onboard at every opportunity. Drinking water would soon become undrinkable. They did, however, get a generous ration of alcohol. Every member of the crew over the age of 14 would receive either 8 pints of beer or 2 pints of wine or half a pint of rum or brandy each day. It was an offence to be found drunk. They could buy tobacco but smoking was not allowed due to the risk of fire. Instead, men would chew their tobacco and spit out the toxic saliva it produced into a spit kid. A man caught spitting on the deck could be flogged. Above the Orlop deck. The heaviest guns were mounted here, firing through the lowest line of gun-ports. The majority of the seamen lived on this lower deck.



Lower Gun Deck

Maim or Spar Deck - above the Middle deck, with the lightest guns (upper gun deck). In the stern there were partial decks above the Main deck.

Manger - Constructed using 3 low wooden bulkheads (walls), the manger sits right at the bow (front) end of this deck. Although the name implies it was used to house animals it is believed that this rarely happened. The manger's main purpose was to prevent water running along the deck when it came through the hawser holes (these are the holes where the anchor cables entered the ship). It was also where the dirty anchor cable would be cleaned as it was pulled back in when weighing anchor.



Manger

Marines - Commanded by a Captain of Marines, the middle gun deck was home to the Royal Marines. The marine officers shared the wardroom with the naval officers. The sergeants and privates ate and slept between the 24 pounder guns. The Royal Marines slept on this deck for two reasons. First, the marines and sailors liked to eat and sleep separately. Second, as volunteers the marines were trusted to protect the officers in the event of a mutiny, although outright mutinies were very rare.



Marines

Marines Walk - The marines walk, properly called the gangboard, provided direct access to the bowsprit from the forecastle. It was easier to climb onto the bowsprit from the upper gun deck, but because this meant passing through either the animal pens or the sick berth it was more convenient the use the gangboard. It was nicknamed the Marines Walk because, when the ship was anchored, an armed Royal Marine would be stationed on the gangboard. This was done to prevent any of the crew using the bow of the ship to desert.



Marines Walk

Mess Deck - The lower gun deck served as the living area for the largest proportion of the crew. The men would sleep on this deck, while some men would eat their meals here.

Mess Table - At meal times the crew was divided into messes of either 4 or 8 men. Each man would take his turn in being the mess cook. The mess cook would collect and prepare the food before taking it to the galley. When mealtime was called the mess cook would then collect and serve the meal. Some of the men would eat their food from tables slung from the deck head (ceiling). The others would use collapsible tables set up across the rest of the deck.



''The crew used wooden bowls and plates. As can be seen the plates were square planks, thus given us the phrase “a square meal.”''

Middle Gun Deck - The galley is the area on a ship where food is prepared. It contains two large pots for boiling stew, two ovens for baking bread and an open grate for grilling and spit roasting. A copper distiller was fitted to provide around two gallons of fresh water from sea water per day. Above the Lower deck. The medium sized guns were here.



Middle Gun Deck

On the Port Beam - means that something (another ship, land etc.) is on the Port side that line.

On the Starboard Beam - means that something (another ship, land etc.) is on the Starboard side that line.

Orlop Deck - the lowest deck level. The Orlop is below the waterline so it does not carry any guns. This made it an ideal storage and living area. Because this deck was not cleared for action the cabins and storerooms were permanent and could be locked. This meant that they could be used to store the purser's and surgeon's more valuable or dangerous items. It's position below the water also made this deck a safer place to be during a battle and injured men would be brought to the orlop to be tended by the surgeon. The surgeon, purser and midshipmen lived at the stern end of this deck with the carpenter and boatswain at the fore end. As the Orlop deck was below the waterline it was the safest place during battle, and therefore became the emergency operating theatre to tend the wounded.

Pallating Flat - The gunpowder would be brought onto the ship in barrels that could hold up to 100lbs (45kg) of gunpowder. The barrels were stacked in the pallating flat. For safety reasons the barrels would have sheets of leather placed between when they were stacked on top of each other. This stopped the barrels rubbing together, reducing the chance of explosions. The only access to this area was via the ladder in the filling room.



Pallating Flat

Poop Cabin - a cabin situated immediately beneath the poop deck of a ship.

Poop Deck - Located at the stern, this short deck takes it's name from the Latin word puppis - which means after deck or rear. Guns were rarely carried on this deck. It was mainly used as a viewpoint and signaling platform. The poop deck also gave protection to the men at the wheel and provided a roof for the captain's cabin. The ropes controlling the yards (spars) and sails of the main and mizzen masts were operated from the poop deck. The elevated position was ideal for both navigation and observation of the crew. Three lanterns were mounted on the poop.



'The Poop Deck''

Port - looking towards the bow the left hand side of a vessel is the Port side. Until the name was changed in the middle of the nineteenth century to avoid confusion, the port side was known as the Larboard side. The color of the navigation light on the port side is red. Port is also associated with `even` and Starboard with `odd`, since in a ships boat known as a whaler there are two oars on the port side and three on the starboard.

Port or Starboard Bow - anything which is within 45 degrees of straight ahead.

Quarterdeck - reserved for officers. The quarterdeck was the nerve centre of the ship. This made it a prime target for enemy fire during a battle. Towards the stern is the binnacle, this contains two compasses for navigation. The wheel was used to steer the ship and would require up to 4 men to man it under normal conditions and up to 8 men if the weather was bad. Behind the wheel is the captain’s cabin. Above the cabins is the poop deck, also used as the signal deck. The netting around this deck was used for the stowage of the crew’s hammocks. When stowed, the hammocks would be covered with white painted canvas which acted as a waterproof covering. The hammocks and cover also provided some protection for the men during battle.



The Quarterdeck

Quarters - the two sides of the stern within 45 degrees of dead astern are referred to as the Quarters. Thus another ship not directly astern could be described as on the Port or Starboard Quarter.

Rids - rise upward and outward to form the skeleton of the ship to which the planking is fastened.

Rope Store



The Rope Store

Sheet anchors - sheet anchors were positioned behind the bower anchors on each side of the ship. They were carried as spare anchors in case the bower anchors were lost.

Sick Berth - Constructed using canvas screens, the sick berth took up a small area at the bow (front) of the upper gun deck. Well ventilated, it was located as far away from the main living spaces as possible in order to reduce the spread of any diseases. During a battle the canvas screens were removed and the sick men were taken below the waterline to the orlop. This allowed the sick berth to become part of the gun deck. The sick berth also provided access to the ship's heads (toilets).



Sick Berth

Small Bower Anchor - The small bower anchor was also used for anchoring in deep waters, although it was not as strong as the best bower. It was also attached at the bow (front) of the ship, but on the port (left) side.

Starboard - looking towards the bow the right hand side is the Starboard side. The names probably derive from `Steer-board`, a large oar on the starboard quarter which was used to steer a vessel before the rudder arrived. The color of the navigation light on the starboard side, green. Port is also associated with `even` and Starboard with `odd`, since in a ships boat known as a whaler there are two oars on the port side and three on the starboard.

Stern - the rear end of a ship.

Stream Anchor - The stream anchor was a small lightweight anchor used for anchoring in shallow waters. Normally tied to the starboard sheet anchor, the stream anchor could also be used to warp the ship.

Tonnage - either the capacity or the weight of a ship. A figure for tonnage is completely meaningless unless one knows which system of measurement is used. The term derives from, ”tun”, a cask of wine, and a ships Burthen or Burden, which was the number of tuns the ship could carry.

Top, The Top or Fighting Top - a platform at the head of the lower masts where sharpshooters were stationed during battle to fire down on the decks of enemy ships. A private battle often developed between the fighting tops of opposing ships.

Topsides - the ships sides above the water line.

Upper Gun Deck - also known as the main deck. The upper gun deck was normally open to the elements; this was the main working deck, where the boatswain, sailmaker and carpenter carried out their daily tasks. Discipline had to be strict. A man could be placed in these leg irons for a period of days and fed on a diet of bread of water. If his punishment required him to be flogged, at 11:00 he was taken to the quarterdeck and punished in front of all of the crew. He was flogged with a "Cat o’ nine tails". After his flogging, he was taken to the sick berth, located beyond the canvas bulkhead just forward of where we are standing. Here the surgeon would use vinegar and brown paper to cleanse the wounds and assist healing. If this was not available then salt was used. After a very short period of recuperation he was returned to his duties.

Waist - the middle and widest part of the main deck.

Wales - strengthening pieces of wood forming protective bands around the hull. Such as the Lower Wale.

Wardroom - Found at the stern (back) the wardroom served as the living quarters for the officers. Split from the rest of the deck by removable wooden panels, there were 4 cabins arranged along the sides. In the centre of the wardroom was a shared dining table.

Weather Gage - the weather side was always sought in naval battles because to have the meant having an advantage over an opponent since one could choose the moment of attack against ships to Leeward. The copious amounts of smoke produced by cannon fire was blown to Leeward obscuring the enemy’s vision.

WeatherShore - lies to windward and is safe.

Weather Side - is the windward side, the side from which the wind is blowing. The weather side of the Quarter deck being higher, because of the ships heel, was reserved for senior officers. The Weather side was always sought in naval battles.

Wheel - Sheltered under the poop deck, the wheel was used to steer the ship. The double wheel needed 4 men to operate it during calm weather, but if the weather became rough anything up to 8 men would be required to work the wheel. The thick rope that is wound round the wheel's central drum drops through the deck and continues down to the lower gun deck. There the rope is directed into the gunroom where it is attached to the tiller.



The wheel

Work Space - The central part of the upper gun deck is uncovered and open to the air. This gave the crew a work area that had plenty of light and was well ventilated. During daylight hours and under the supervision of skilled craftsmen the crew would carry out tasks such as patching sails and repairing ropes.



Work Space