Page 262 - Michael Frost-Voyages to Maturity-23531.indd

~ Glossary ~

Aldis Lamp A signal lamp, handheld or fixed, with which to send
messages by Morse Code.

(Named after its inventor, Arthur Aldis 1878–1953.)

Bosun (Boatswain) The senior member of the ‘uncertificated’ deck
(navigating) crew.

Catenary The curve of a cable or wire when it hangs from fixed
points.

Davit A ‘crane’ (there are many types) that holds, raises or
lowers lifeboats.

Discharge Book A record a mariner’s certification and seagoing
experience.

Freeboard The distance from the load water line to the main deck.

Hawse pipe Steel pipes in the hull through which the anchor cables
run and in seaward (outward) end of which the anchor
itself should fit snuggly.

Khat (Qat) The leaves of a shrub grown and chewed in some parts
of Africa. It is a mild Stimulant, which apparently
suppresses the appetite and produces some degree of
dependence.

Knot One nautical mile per hour (thus ‘knot per hour’ is
tautological nonsense).

One nautical mile is the distance subtended at the
globe’s surface by one minute of latitude; thus, because
of the earth’s ‘flattened’ poles, a nautical mile differs in
its length from place to place all over the globe.

Mate The ‘navigating’ officers rank from Chief Officer down
to 4th mate. Normal British terminology is for the
senior of them to be termed ‘The Mate’ and the next
senior either the 1st mate (if there is one) or the 2nd

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