Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-21
PHRAsEOLOGY OF THE SEA.
some of the Most Familiar Titles
and Their Origin.
Detroit Free Press.)

Detroit Free Press)
In the early days Of English naval or
ganization vessels Of war had double
crews-a military one for lighting pur.
| poses and another of mariners for navi
| eating duties. In consequence, a large
number Of English sea terms have mill.
| tary origin.
AT that time the rank Of admiral was
| unknown, and the chief officer or the
| squadron was called constable, or JUS
| tice. The term admiral as now used II
| derived from the Arabic amir" OF
"emir," a commander (as in "Amir-al-
| Bahr" commander of the sea). The early
| English form was "amral." and is still
| preserved as such by the French.
The title Of captain Is not a naval but
military. one. Originally. the real cap
tain Of the ship was a master. A mill
tary officer was placed OH board though
he knew nothing of nautical matters.
Gradually his Importance increased while
that Of the master diminished proper
tionately till at the present day the mas
ter's Office is gradually becoming obso-
lete. Commodore comes from the Spa
nish "comendador."
The title of lieutenant is borrowed di-
rectly from the French, and is meant as
place holder or one who took the place
of the captain when absent. In former
days there were no cadets. but volunteers,
but with the gradual advance OF polite
ness the term cadet was Appropriated
from the French.
'Boatswain" is derived from the Saxon
"swein," a servant. The term quarter
master, as USED In bOtn the army and
navy, appears to be confusing and ano-
malous In the army ir is the title of
a commissioned officer who performs inn
portapt and responsible duties. In the
navy he is simply warrant officer di-
recting subordinate duties. In old ships
and in olden times his position was a
more important one; so much SO that
he was considered to be the fourth part
of the master-hence the term quarter
master.
The ships cook was once a great man,
and there are instances on record of his
being promoted for efficient preparation
of food The ships steward was origi-
naliy the caterer.
The terms larboard and starboard come
from the italian "questra borda" and
"nuela borda," which by rapid delivery
became starboard and larboard but
owing TO the strong similarity of sound.
they were changed into starboard and
port Qlatin porto, to carry. the use Of
been the cause of many accidents.
Gangway has been handed down from
the days of the ancient galley OF the
Phoenicians. Cartha ginians. and Romans,
ii having been a. board which ran along
the whole length serving az a passage
for the rowers to and from their seats.
II was also used as a resting place for the
mast and sail when not in use.
The cockpit, in the lowest part of the
vessel below water used during an action |
for the treatment of the wounded is de- |
rived from the old days OF the English |
sport of cock-fghting; bat this has been |
modernized and is now known as the |
"hats'-why. no one can eSslain.
Lubber Is from the Dutch, meaning |
lazy. cowardly fellow.
Anchor come from the Latin "anchora," |
or "ancora," which up TO 600 B. C.. con-
sisted simply of large stone with hole
through il.
The peculiarty OF so many portions OF
a ships rigging bearing names derived
from the trappings of a horse can only
be accounted for from the fact that the
early warships were manned by soldiers
as well as sailors. the natural consequence J
being that they. the sailors, adapted
some Of their terms TO meet their fancy,
among these being brides, whips. bits,
stirrups, and the like.