The Red Cloud chief., 1898-07-01
TERMS USED eY SAILORS.
Light on the Origin OF Some of the
Familiar Terms.

Light on the Origin OF Some of the
familiar Terms.
In the early days OF English naval
organization vessels Of war had double
crews. a military one for fighting pur-
poses and another of marines for nav
igating duties. In consequence q large
number Of English sea terms have n
military origin. At that time the rank
Of admiral was unknown, and the chief
officer Of the squadron was called "a
constable, or justice. The term ad-
miral as now used is derived from the
Arabic amir" or "eniir." a commander
las in Admiral Bahr." commander OF
the seal. The early English form was
'amiral' and Is still preserved rs such
by the French. The title captain Ia not
n naval but n military one. Originally
the real captain of the ship was "A
master" A military officer a
placed on board. though he knew moth
Ing Of nautical matters. Gradually his
Importance increased. while that OF the
master diminished proportionately. TIL
at the present day the masters office
Is becoming obsolete. Commodore
comes from the Spanish "comenda-
dor" The title Of lieutenant Is Dor
rowed directly from the French and Is
meant as a pl%ace-holder, or one II
took the place Of 70 captain when alb
sent. In former days there were no
cadets. hut volunteers. but with the
gradual advance of politeness the term
cadet was appropriated from the
French. "Boatswain" is derived from
the Saxon "swein,' a servant. The
term quartermaster. as used In both the
army and navy. appears to be confus-
ing and anomalous. In the army 1t IL
the title of a commissioned officer di-
recting subordinate duties. In OLD
ships and In olden times his position
was n more important one. so much SO
that he was considered to lie the fourth
part of the master-hence the term
quartermaster. The ships cook was
once n great man. and there are In
stances on record OF his being pro-
noted for efficient preparations OF ROOD.
The ships steward was originally the
caterer. The terms larboard and star
board from the Italian 'Questa borda
and "quella borda," which by rapid
h'llN'lN b'Nultl' lhl bohh' 49,
board, hut owing TO the strong sim
ilarity OF he sound they were changed
into starboard and port Oatin porto.
to carry, the use OF the terms In the
original form having been the cause
of many accidents. Gangway has been
handed down from the days OF the an
cient galley Of the Phoenicians, Garth
: aglnians and Romans. II having been
a hoard which ran along the whole
! length, serving as n passage for the
rowers to and from their seats. 1t 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
l. sport Of cock fighting, but this has
= been modernized. and Is o known
&c as the "nats"-why, no one can eX
J. plain. Lubber Is from the Dutch
@ meaning a lazy. cowardly fellow. An
l. Choir comes from the Latin "anchora,
o or "ancora," which up to COO b. c. con
'e sisted simply Of a large stone with
lie hole through It. The popularity OF 81
y many DOTllUHS III IL snip , TlbBihb pcai
n ing names derived from the trappisg
p OF a horse can only be accounted 70
from the fact that the early warship
ID were manned by soldiers as well a
t. sailors, the natural consequence bein
e. that they. the soldiers. adapted som
n OF their terms to meet their fame!
n Among the various ropes, etc. will b
-. found brides. whips, bits. stirrups, an
the like. The old and we'll known sc
term grog was originated as a term @
ay d~erision and disgust when Admire
rs Vernon In l7i5 introduced the wise In
lg novation of making his crew drin
Is, their spirit ration diluted with waite
o. instead OF neat. as they had hithert
done. The sailors did not like til
is watery business, and in revenge nicl
a named the admiral "Old Grog" and hi
diluted mixture as grog, from the fat
g, that he generally wore an overcoat
n a color then known as grogram gray
ut Detroit Free Press.
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