The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

crews, a military one for fighting pur-
poses and another of marines Tor naVl-
eating duties. Tn consequence, large
number of English sea terms have mill
tary origin
AT that time the rank Of admiral was
unknown, and the chief officer OF the
squadron was called a constable or JUS
tice. The term admiral as now used
Is derived from the Arabic amir or
"emir." a commander (as in "Amiral-
Bahr." commander OF the seal. The ear
~ English form was "Amiral' and is
stillpreserved IS such by the French.
The title captain rs not n naval but
a military one. Originally the real cap
tain of the ship was master" a
military officer was placed on board,
though he knew nothing Of nautical mat
tiers. Gradually his Importance increased
while that OF the master diminished pro-
portonately until at the present day the
masters office is becoming obsolete.
Commodore comes from the Spanish
"COmendador"
The title lieutenant IS borrowed direct
ly from the French and IS meant "a
plaCeholder, or ono who took the place
OF the captain when absent. In former
days there were no cadets, but volun-
teers. but with the gradual advance Of
politeness the term cadet was appropriate
ed from the French.
"Boatswain" Is derived from the Saxon
swein." q servant The term quarter
master, as used in both the army and
navy. appears 10 be confusing and anO-
mal0us. In the army 1t Is the title Of a
commissioned officer who performs inn
portant and responsible duties. Tn the
navy he is simply a warrant officer. di-
recung subordinate duties. In old ships
and I'm Olden times his position was
more important one so much so that he
was considered 20 be the fourth part OF
the master-hence the term quarter mas
ter.
The ships cook was once Il great man.
and there are instances on record OF his
being promoted for efficient preparations
OF food. The ships steward was ORR
ginally the caterer.
The terms larboard and starboard come
from the italian rquesta bOrda' and
"Quella borda,' which by rapid delivery
became starboard and larboard, but ow-
ing TO the strong similarity Of sound
they were changed into starbOard and
port Oatin porto. to carry) tho use OF
the terms I'm the original form having
been the cause OF many accidents.
Gangway has been handed down from
the days OF the ancient galley OF the
Phoenicians Cartha-enilns and Romans,
it having been a board which ran along
the whole length serving as passage for
the rowers 20 and from their seats IL
was also used for a resting place for
the mast and sail when not IN use.
The cockpit. I'm the lowest part OF the
vessel below water, used during an action
for the treatment Of the wounded IS
derived from the old days Of The English
sport Of cock-hghting. but this has been
modernized. and is now known as the
"nats'-Why. no one can explain.
Lubber is from the Dutch, meaning
lazy, cowardly fellow.
Anchor cOmrs from the Latin IAN
chora, or "ancora." which up 10 600
b. c. consisted simply OF large stone
with a hole through il.
The popularity OF so many portions OF
a ships rgiig bearing names derived
from the trappngs Of a horse can only be
accounted for from the fact that the early
warships were manned by soldiers as
wei as sailors. the natural consequences
being that they, the soldiers. adapted