"U S Navy, Liberty Ships, Victory Ships" HOW TO ORDER USN SUBMARINE EMERGENCY LIGHT U. S. Navy emergency lamp with translucent cover. We can substitute the blue lens, if you prefer. Used in situations where a ship needed to use care not to expose their bright lights. An unusual and handsome light. Item # 1189 HOW TO ORDER USN PILOTHOUSE BLACKOUT LAMP From the period between the World Wars, this blackout lamp has sliding brass doors to adjust the amount of light emitted. Professionally polished and lacquered, and ready to use. Excellent for any situation where you want to control the amount of light for different conditions. Item # 1197 RARE, VINTAGE US NAVY WWII - ALL BRASS STEERING STATION - BRASS SPOKES WITH WOOD HANDLES- BEAUTIFULLY POLISHED & LACQUERED Maker "LIDGERWOOD MFG. CO. ELIZABETH, N.J" Height to top of spoke: 52 1/2" Station: 36" USA" A totally solid, heavy brass steering station - polished and lacquered.

The only one we have had the pleasure of offering for sale during our 43 years in the nautical antique business!! Note: It's one not to be missed for your personal collection!!!! Item # 6253 HOW TO ORDER USN WW II BELAYING PINS USN WW II belaying pins. Iron weighing 5 lbs. each, 15 1/2" long, 1 1/2" in diameter. Used to secure wire or manilla rope to railings, masts, etc. Great collectors item! Item # 0089 HOW TO ORDER WWII US NAVY "LIONEL" BRASS TAFFRAIL LOG ON WOOD PLINTH, POLISHED AND LACQUERED US Navy WWII Brass "Taffrail Log"- - Maker:" Lionel (the famous Toy Train company pitched in during WWII making these great instruments needed for the war efforts) COMPLETE WITH ITS ORIGINAL BRASS MOUNTING BASE.

Item # 8057 HOW TO ORDER VINTAGE, RARE US NAVY BATTLE SHIP WWII ALL BRASS GYRO REPEATING COMPASS (LIKE THE ONE SHOWN ON THE "IOWA MUSEUM SHIP" IN SAN PEDRO HARBOR, CA) ONE OF A KIND!!!! A-1 condition, rarer than all the other usual US Navy decor gear! Polished and lacquered to perfection!! She is a heavy, solid brass construction, 100 lbs ++ could make a fantastic "one-of-a-kind "coffee table. Install a circular/round piece of glass on it and voila, a super rare "US Navy WWII " coffee table. Size: Width = 16" Height =15" high at the gimbal ring, + 2 1/2 additional height to top of the repeating compass. One could raise the unit by installing a mahogany or other fine wood base below, further embellishing the total look! Do not miss this one! Item # 7854 RARE BRASS US NAVY WW2 SUBMARINE SALV.

AIR RESCUE PLAQUE Rarer than hens teeth f screw heads and location would assist Rescue Divers to find the right compartment they were looking for by feel under zero visibility conditions. A truly rare and valuable addition to a US Navy collection, especially the few This AUTHENTIC brass 15" x 7 1/2" rectangular plaque was salvaged from a submarine circa 1978 and has been in our collection ever since. Below the top larger cut out circle it reads: in the plaque it reads "SALV. AIR AFT ENG. ROOM." Above the smaller bottom circle reads: "OPEN" with an ARROW above pointing counter clockwise. The plaque was fastened to the outer hull of the sub indicating the below corresponding area. Vertically shown on the right side 9 large round brass slotted screw heads. The number of surviving Submarines. The Plaque is beautifully polished and lacquered. Item # 7188 SOLD USN ALUMINUM BINNACLE USN Binnacle with an aluminum body but a brass hood. Previously polished and lacquered. Has a brass plaque that reads "STANDARD BINNACLE" etc.

Item # 1820 SOLD VINTAGE 1942 U S NAVY "LIONEL" BRASS COMPASS/BINNACLE WITH ELECTRIC/KEROSENE ILLUMINATION Marked on the front makers tag: US NAVY-BU OF SHIPS (N) THE LIONEL CORPORATION NEW YORK. Circa 1942 The Lionel Corporation (Toy Trains maker etc) was assisting with the war effort, making these great binnacles. This unit is fitted with the below rare "John E Hand & Sons Company compass," (John E Hand being one of the premier US existing early 1900's instrument makers.) The Compass housing has a dual lighting system. The kerosene light/lamp housing features a hinged opening side panel door (with reflector) making it easy to remove and refill the kerosene lamp fount. Below the the fount, a pull out drawer for storing matches and extra wicks. Used on US Navy ships, Liberty Ships, Victory Ships and many other US Navy war ships as well during WWII.

Size 9" wide x 10" tall x 9" deep bracket in back included Weight 11 pounds COLLECTION OF WWII US NAVY - FINE VINTAGE INSTRUMENTS Collection of WWII US Navy instruments. Fine vintage instruments from private collection. ASSORT. ITEM # SOLD BRASS ENGINE ROOM LIGHT - U. S. NAVY - WORLD WAR II Salvaged from the WW II Heavy Cruiser "Los Angeles," which was scrapped about 20 years ago. We have several sizes. Made of solid brass. Restored, polished and lacquered, then electrified. Features a heavy brass junction box attached below the main light. Useful as well as collectible. Very attractive. Item # 0090 SOLD U. S. NAVY WW II MASTHEAD LIGHT This great light was waterproof and sported 6 x 15 volts for very bright lights (2 only showing in the picture). Why 6 you ask? Because the light was positioned on top of the mast, making it hard to reach to replace a bulb during battle conditions, and if some burned out the others carried on! Polished and lacquered. Weight 15 pounds.

Item # 0393 SOLD 1930'S WWII RARE US NAVY BATTLE SHIP'S RANGE FINDER ON BRASS STAND The Range Finder gives us, fairly accurately, the distance of the enemy ship at the instant of observation, the reading on the Range Finder being direct in yards. On the big USN battleships, a Range Finder unit was mounted most likely on the top of each turret, forward and aft. This Range Finder measurers 60 1/2" long x 7 1/2" wide x 58" tall, mounted on heavy duty brass tapered stout column ending in a 15" round brass base with 6 fixing holes. A truly great collectors item, a museum piece! Item # 2511 SOLD 1942 U. S. NAVY WW II DESTROYER STEERING STATION 1942 U. S. Navy WW II destroyer steering station, polished and lacquered to gleaming perfection. This is a museum piece in A-1 condition, beautifully restored. The brass wheel with wood surround alone is a master piece. When wheel is turned, the indicator needle points to the required rudder indication.

Two brass lights show the helmsman his indicator dial during battle conditions. The Westinghouse tag on the lower body supplies info regarding inner working functions. The body is marked with stamped in # 3B7195. This rare destroyer steering station is for that retirement gift or addition to your U. S. Navy collection or museum. If you served on a destroyer (tin can submarine destroyer), here's a chance to spin your yarn re: battle conditions and tell stories about that German/Japanese sub that did not get away. Don't miss this one! Item # 0359 HOW TO ORDER USN STANDARD BINNACLE NO. 2 The complete binnacle includes the compass chamber, the magnate chamber, the legs, the hood, the central tube for heeling magnet, magnet trays, including soft iron spheres, correction magnets, etc. The hood has a 7" glass window in front, and a 4" door in opposite side. Two oil/elec. lamps fitting in holders, one on each side of the hood, provide illumination for the compass card. A very rare binnacle!

SOLD FABULOUS "LIONEL"VINTAGE WWII US NAVY 1943 "PELORUS NO 1" WITH ILLUMINATED DIAL Gimbaled brass housing-maker: "Lionel". The WWII US Navy1943 slender 13" wide Pelorus unit stands 57" tall and is crowned by a brass dome, polished and lacquered cap. The round 14" fastening base, has 8 fixing holes. The unit weighs 89 pounds. Item # 1206 SOLD BEAUTIFUL, VINTAGE "JOHN E. HAND" US NAVY WWII BRASS COMPASS - NO. 5 WWII US Navy - No. 5 brass compass maker: John E. Hand & Sons. Famous turn of the century precision instrument maker. Used on many medium sized US Navy ships during WWII. Comes complete with its protective brass cap (covering the glass of the compass). The compass card is in very good condition; the fluid shows a small air bubble that does not detract from the overall appearance.

Two moveable iron spheres, a front door section that swings open, allows the compass adjustor to calibrate a true north heading. The brass tag reads: U.S. NAVY - BUREAU OF SHIPS - NO.5 COMPASS - MARK 2 SERIAL:97 Height: 5" x 4 1/2 width (width from iron ball to iron ball- 8 1/4") Weight: 6 pounds , excluding the wood plinth it is resting on. Polished and lacquered to perfection!! Item # 0705 SOLD USN ENGINE REVOLUTION TELEGRAPH U. S. Navy Engine Revolution Telegraph. Rare heavy brass & aluminum body, 51" tall x 15 1/2" x 16 1/2" -- a real "Big Boy." 54 1/2" to top of handles. Heavy brass upper control body. The central brass inspection and control plate reads: "engine telegraph revolutions." In the middle are 3 vertical windows with revolution control numbers that can be changed with the knobs. Below are 2 brass bells that would ring when changes were made and understood via deck and engine room.

If only it could talk, it looks like it has seen a lot of action. A fantastic find. Weight approx. 300 pounds. Item # 0375 Customs Customs This old traditional greeting for hailing other vessels was originally a Viking battle cry. Between the Devil and the Deep In wooden ships, the "devil" was the longest seam of the ship. It ran from the bow to the stern. When at sea and the "devil" had to be caulked, the sailor sat in a bo'sun's chair to do so. He was suspended between the "devil" and the sea and the "deep" and a very precarious position, especially when the ship was underway. Crow's Nest The raven, or crow, was an essential part of the Vikings' navigation equipment. These land-lubbing birds were carried on aboard to help the ship's navigator determine where the closest land lay when weather prevented sighting the shore. In cases of poor visibility, a crow was released and the navigator plotted a course corresponding to the bird's flight path because the crow invariably headed towards land. The Norsemen carried the birds in a cage secured to the top of the mast.

Later on, as ships grew and the lookout stood his watch in a tub located high on the main mast, the name "crow's nest" was given to this tub. While today's Navy still uses lookouts in addition to radars, etc., the crow's nest is a thing of the past. Cup of Joe Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe". Dead Horse When a Sailor pays off a debt to the command (advance pay, overpayments, etc...) they say they've paid off a Dead Horse. The saying comes from a tradition of British sailors.

British seamen, apt to be ashore and unemployed for considerable periods of time between voyages, generally preferred to live in boarding houses near the piers while waiting for sailing ships to take on crews. During these periods of unrestricted liberty, many ran out of money, so innkeepers carried them on credit until hired out for another voyage. When a seaman was booked on a ship, he was customarily advanced a month's wages, if needed, to pay off his boarding house debt. Then, while paying back the ship's master, he worked for nothing but "salt horse" the first several weeks aboard. Salt horse was the staple diet of early sailors and it wasn't exactly tasty cuisine. Consisting of a low quality beef that had been heavily salted, the salt horse was tough to chew and even harder to digest. When the debt had been repaid, the salt horse was said to be dead and it was a time for great celebration among the crew. Usually, an effigy of a horse was constructed from odds and ends, set afire and then cast afloat to the cheers and hilarity of the ex-debtors.

Devil to Pay Today the expression "devil to pay" is used primarily to describe having an unpleasant result from some action that has been taken, as in someone has done something they shouldn't have and, as a result, "there will be the devil to pay." Originally, this expression described one of the unpleasant tasks aboard a wooden ship. The "devil" was the wooden ship's longest seam in the hull. Caulking was done with "pay" or pitch (a kind of tar). The task of "paying the devil" (caulking the longest seam) by squatting in the bilges was despised by every seaman. 3819833 Aboard Navy ships, bells are struck to designate the hours of being on watch. Each watch is four hours in length. One bell is struck after the first half-hour has passed, two bells after one hour has passed, three bells after an hour and a half, four bells after two hours, and so forth up to eight bells are struck at the completion of the four hours. Completing a watch with no incidents to report was "Eight bells and all is well." The practice of using bells stems from the days of the sailing ships.

Sailors couldn't afford to have their own time pieces and relied on the ship's bells to tell time. The ship's boy kept time by using a half-hour glass. Each time the sand ran out, he would turn the glass over and ring the appropriate number of bells. Fathom Fathom was originally a land measuring term derived from the Ango-Saxon word "faetm" meaning to embrace. In those days, most measurements were based on average size of parts of the body, such as the hand (horses are still measured this way) or the foot (that's why 12 inches are so named). A fathom is the average distance from fingertip to fingertip of the outstretched arms of a man and about six feet. Since a man stretches out his arms to embrace his sweetheart, Britain's Parliament declared that distance be called a "fathom" and it be a unit of measure. A fathom remains six feet. The word was also used to describe taking the measure or "to fathom" something. Today, of course, when one is trying to figure something out, they are trying to "fathom" it. Forecastle The appropriate pronunciation for this word is fo'ksul.

The forecastle is the forward part of the main deck. It derives its name from the days of Viking galleys when wooden castles were built on the forward and after parts the main deck from which archers and other fighting men could shoot arrows and throw spears, rocks, etc. Galley The galley is the kitchen of the ship. The best explanation as to its origin is that it is a corruption of "gallery". Ancient sailors cooked their meals on a brick or stone gallery laid amidships. Head The "head" aboard a Navy ship is the bathroom. The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, the integral part of the hull to which the figurehead was fastened. He "Knows the Ropes" In the very early days, this phrase was written on a seaman's discharge to indicate that he was still a novice. All he knew about being a sailor was just the names and uses of the principal ropes (lines). Today, this same phrase means the opposite and that the person fully knows and understands the operation (usually of the organization).

Holy Stone The last Navy ships with teak decks were the battleships, now since decommissioned. Teak, and other wooden decks, were scrubbed with a piece of sandstone, nicknamed at one time by an anonymous witty sailor as the "holystone." It was so named because since its use always brought a man to his knees, it must be holy! Larboard Before February 18, 1846 - If you were standing left of the keel on a Navy Warship, you were on the "Larboard" side. But that all changed 164 years ago today, when the Navy issued a General order replacing the term "larboard" with "port." Log Book In the early days of sailing ships, the ship's records were written on shingles cut from logs. These shingles were hinged and opened like a book. The record was called the "log book." Later on, when paper was readily available and bound into books, the record maintained it name. Manning the Rails This custom evolved from the centuries old practice of "manning the yards." Men aboard sailing ships stood evenly spaced on all the yards and gave three cheers to honor a distinguished person.

Now men and women are stationed along the rails of a ship when honors are rendered to the President, the heads of a foreign state, or a member of a reigning royal family. Men and women so stationed do not salute. Navy ships will often man the rails when entering a port, or when returning to the ship's homeport at the end of a deployment. May Day "Mayday" is the internationally recognized voice radio signal for ships and people in serious trouble at sea. Made official in 1948, it is an anglicizing of the French m'aidez, "help me". Pea Coat Sailors who have to endure pea-soup weather often don their pea coats but the coat's name isn't derived from the weather. The heavy topcoat worn in cold, miserable weather by seafaring men was once tailored from pilot cloth and a heavy, course, stout kind of twilled blue cloth with the nap on one side. The cloth was sometimes called P-cloth for the initial letter of "pilot" and the garment made from it was called a p-jacket and later, a pea coat. The term has been used since 1723 to denote coats made from that cloth.

Port Holes The word "port hole" originated during the reign of Henry VII of England (1485). King Henry insisted on mounting guns too large for his ship and the traditional methods of securing these weapons on the forecastle and aftcastle could not be used. A French shipbuilder named James Baker was commissioned to solve the problem. He put small doors in the side of the ship and mounted the cannon inside the ship. These doors protected the cannon from weather and were opened when the cannon were to be used. The French word for "door" is "porte" which was later Anglicized to "port" and later went on to mean any opening in the ship's side, whether for cannon or not. Salutes The hand salute is the military custom you will learn first and use most while in the military. It is centuries old, and probably originated when men in armor raised their helmet visors so they could be identified. Salutes are customarily given with the right hand, but there are exceptions. A Sailor, whose right arm or hand is encumbered may salute left-handed, while people in the Army or Air Force never salute left-handed.

Gun Salutes In the days of cannon, it took as long as twenty minutes to load and fire a gun. When a ship fired her guns in salute, she rendered herself powerless for the duration. By emptying their guns, the ship's crew showed shore batteries and forts that they were no threat. Over time, this gesture became a show of respect, with both shore and ship gun batteries firing volleys. While many people like to say the 21 gun salute was a tribute to the American Revolution, a number determined as a result of adding together the numbers 1+7+7+6, the truth is the 21 gun salute was an effort to cut costs. The habit of firing salutes became wasteful, with ships and shore batteries firing shots for hours on end. This was particularly expensive for ships, which had a limited space to store powder (which went bad quickly in the salt air). The British admiralty first dictated the policies now in place as a practical matter to save gunpowder. The rule was simple, for every volley fired by a ship in salute, a shore battery could return up to three shots.

The regulations limited ships to a total of seven shots in salute, so the 21 gun-salute became the salute used to honor the only the most important dignitaries. Today, the U.S. Navy Regulations proscribe that only those ships and stations designated by the Secretary of the Navy may fire gun salutes. A national salute of 21 guns is fired on Washington's Birthday To honor the President of the United States To honor heads of foreign states. Additionally, ships may, with approval from the office of the Secretary of the Navy, provide gun salutes for naval officers on significant occasions, using the following protocol: Admiral -17 guns Rear Admiral (upper half) -13 guns Rear Admiral (lower half) -11 guns All gun salutes are fired at five second intervals. Gun salutes will always total an odd number. Scuttlebutt The origin of the word "scuttlebutt," which is nautical parlance for a rumor, comes from a combination of "scuttle" and to make a hole in the ship's hull and thereby causing her to sink - and "butt" and a cask or hogshead used in the days of wooden ships to hold drinking water.

The cask from which the ship's crew took their drinking water and like a water fountain and was the "scuttlebutt". Even in today's Navy a drinking fountain is referred to as such. But, since the crew used to congregate around the "scuttlebutt", that is where the rumors about the ship or voyage would begin. Thus, then and now, rumors are talk from the "scuttlebutt" or just "scuttlebutt". S.O.S. Contrary to popular notion, the letters S.O.S. do not stand for "Save Our Ship" or "Save Our Souls". They were selected to indicate a distress because, in Morse code, these letters and their combination create an unmistakable sound pattern. Splice the Main Brace A sailing ship's rigging was a favorite target during sea battles since by destroying the opponent's ability to maneuver or get away would put you at obvious advantage. Therefore, the first thing tended to after a battle was to repair broken gear, and repair sheets (line attached to the corner of a sail that allows you to secure and adjust the tightness of a sail.) and braces (line attached to a yard on a square rigged ship).

It was the custom, after the main braces were properly spliced, to serve grog to the entire crew. Thus, today, after a hard day (or, not so hard day), the phrase has become an invitation to have a drink. Starboard The Vikings called the side of their ship its board, and they placed the steering oar, the "star" on the right side of the ship, thus that side became known as the "star board." It's been that way ever since. And, because the oar was in the right side, the ship was tied to the dock at the left side. This was known as the loading side or "larboard". Later, it was decided that "larboard" and "starboard" were too similar, especially when trying to be heard over the roar of a heavy sea, so the phrase became the "side at which you tied up to in port" or the "port" side. Taken Aback One of the hazards faced in days of sailing ships has been incorporated into English to describe someone who has been jolted by unpleasant news. We say that person has been "taken aback." The person is at a momentary loss; unable to act or even to speak.

A danger faced by sailing ships was for a sudden shift in wind to come up (from a sudden squall), blowing the sails back against the masts, putting the ship in grave danger of having the masts break off and rendering the ship totally helpless. The ship was taken aback. Three-Mile Limit The original three-mile limit was the recognized distance from a nation's shore over which that nation had jurisdiction. This border of international waters or the "high seas" was established because, at the time this international law was established, three miles was the longest range of any nation's most powerful guns, and therefore, the limit from shore batteries at which they could enforce their laws. (International law and the 1988 Territorial Sea Proclamation established the "high seas" border at the 12-mile limit.) Took the Wind Out of His Sails Often we use "took the wind out of his sails" to describe getting the best of an opponent in an argument. Originally it described a battle maneuver of sailing ships. One ship would pass close to its adversary and on its windward side. The ship and sails would block the wind from the second vessel, causing it to lose headway.

Losing motion meant losing maneuverability and the ability to carry on a fight. Bell-Bottom Trousers The Sailor's bell-bottom trousers, which came to epitomize '60s and early '70s fashion, are actually a practical item for Sailors living aboard ship. The wide, flared, legs are easy to roll up when swabbing a deck or wading through slightly flooded spaces. Ornamental Sleeve Buttons The decorative bone buttons that are today sewn on many suit jackets, sports coats and blazers began as an effort by Lord Nelson to keep young midshipmen and cabin boys from wiping their noses on their sleeves. In the days of sail, young boys, often as young as nine years old, would sign on sailing ships as cabin boys, usually becoming midshipmen as they got older. Many, particularly on their first voyages, would become homesick, tearfully tending to their duties in their fancy gentlemen's uniform. That uniform had no pockets for a handkerchief, so the young boys would, like all young boys, wipe their noses on their sleeves.

To break his cabin boys and midshipmen of this ungentlemanly habit, Lord Nelson had large brass buttons sewn on the sleeves of all midshipmen and cabin boy uniforms. The decorative value of the buttons were soon realized, and in short order, London tailors were adding decorative buttons to frocks, coats, and dinner jackets. Though the buttons have become less gaudy, the practice continues . Sally Ship "Sally ship" was not a ship but a method of loosening a vessel that ran aground from the mud holding her fast. In the days before sophisticated navigation equipment, ships ran aground much more often than today. A grounded ship could be freed with little or no hull damage if she could be rocked out of her muddy predicament. To free her, the order was given to "sally ship". The crew gathered in a line along one side and then ran from port to starboard and back and forth until the vessel began to roll. Often the rolling broke the mud's suction and she could be pulled free and gotten underway. Dress Ship Commissioned ships are "full-dressed" on Washington's Birthday and Independence Day, and "dressed" on other national holidays.

When a ship is dressed, the national ensign is flown from the flagstaff and usually from each masthead. When a ship is full-dressed, in addition to the ensigns, a "rainbow" of signal flags is displayed from bow to stern over the mastheads, or as nearly so as the construction of the ships permits. Ships not under way are dressed from 0800 to sunset; ships under way do not dress until they come to anchor during that period. Marooned This old punishment for mutineers consisted of placing them on an island with musket, cutlass, and a breaker of water; and leaving them to their fate. It got its name from a certain Cimaroon Indians who had been transplanted in the West Indies as cheap labor and, deserted by their Spanish masters, had been left to starve to death. The famous Captain Drake discovered them in a pitiable condition and gained the Indian's lasting gratitude by returning them to their far-off home. Passing Honors Passing honors are ordered by ships and boats when vessels, embarked officials, or embarked officers pass (or are passed) close aboard - 600 yards for ships, 400 yards for boats.

Such honors are exchanged between ships of the U.S. Navy, between ships of the Navy and the Coast Guard, and between U.S. and most foreign navy ships passing close aboard. "Attention" is sounded, and the hand salute is rendered by all persons in view on deck (not in ranks). Dungarees Webster defines dungaree as "a coarse kind of fabric worn by the poorer class of people and also used for tents and sail." We find it hard to picture our favorite pair of dungarees flying from the mast of a sailing ship, but in those days Sailors often made both their working clothes and hammocks out of discarded sail cloth. The cloth used then wasn't as well woven nor was it dyed blue, but it served the purpose. Dungarees worn by Sailors of the Continental Navy were cut directly from old sails and remained tan in color just as they been when filled with wind. After battles, it was the practice in both the American and British Navies for Captains to report more sail lost in battle than actually was the case so the crew would have cloth to mend their hammocks and make new clothes. Since the cloth was called dungaree, clothes made from the fabric borrowed the name.

Fathom Fathom was originally a land measuring term derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "fætm" meaning literally the embracing arms, or to embrace. In those days, most measurements were based on average sizes of parts of the body, such as the hand or foot, or were derived from average length between two points on the body. A fathom is the average distance from middle-fingertip to middle-fingertip of the outstretched arms of a six-foot tall man. Even today in our nuclear Navy, Sailors can be seen "guess-timating" the length of line by using the Anglo-Saxon fingertip method; crude but still reliable. Boatswain & Coxswain As required by 17th Century law, British ships-of-war carried three smaller boats, the boat, the cock-boat, and the skiff. The boat - or gig - was usually used by the Captain to go ashore and was the larger of the three. The cock-boat was a very small rowboat used as the ship's tender. The skiff was a lightweight all-purpose vessel.

The suffix "swain" means keeper, thus the keepers of the boat, cock, and skiff were called boatswain and cockswain (or coxswain). The Bitter End As any able-bodied seaman can tell you, a turn of a line around a bitt, those wooden or iron posts sticking through a ship's deck, is called a bitter. Thus the last of the line secured to the bitts is known as the bitter end. Nautical usage has somewhat expanded the original definition in that today the end of any line, secured to bitts or not, is called a bitter end. The landlubbing phrases "stick to the bitter end" and "faithful to the bitter end" are derivations of the nautical term and refer to anyone who insists on adhering to a course of action without regard to consequences. Gundecking In the modern Navy, falsifying reports, records and the like is often referred to as "gundecking." The origin of the term is somewhat obscure, but at the risk of "gundecking," here are two plausible explanations for its modern usage.

The deck below the upper deck on a British sailing ship-of-war was called the gun deck although it carried no guns. This false deck may have been constructed to deceive enemies as to the amount of armament carried, thus the "gundeck" was a falsification. A more plausible explanation may stem from shortcuts taken by early Midshipmen when doing their navigation lessons. Each Mid was supposed to take sun lines at noon and star sights at night and then go below to the gun deck, work out their calculations and show them to the navigator. Certain of these young men, however, had a special formula for getting the correct answers. They would note the noon or last position on the quarter-deck traverse board and determine the approximate current position by dead reckoning plotting. Armed with this information, they proceeded to the gun deck to "gundeck" their navigation homework by simply working backwards from the dead reckoning position. Chewing the Fat "God made the vittles, but the devil made the cook," was a popular saying used by seafaring men in the last century when salted beef was staple diet aboard ship.

This tough cured beef, suitable only for long voyages when nothing else was as cheap or would keep as well, required prolonged chewing to make it edible. Men often chewed one chunk for hours, just as if it were chewing gum and referred to this practice as "chewing the fat.". The Lucky Bag The so-called Lucky Bag was really a huge locker in which articles lost aboard ship were deposited. Once a month these articles were produced and handed back to their respective owners. But there was a catch to it...each lucky recipient of a lost article was then given three strokes from the cat-o'-nine tails to teach him not to lose anything again. Jacob's Ladder Jacob's Ladder is a portable ladder made of rope or metal and used primarily as an aid in boarding a ship. Originally, the Jacob's Ladder was a network of line leading to the skysail on wooden ships. The name alludes to the biblical Jacob, reputed to have dreamed that he climbed a ladder to the sky. Anyone who has ever tried climbing a Jacob's Ladder while carrying a seabag can appreciate the allusion. It does seem that the climb is long enough to take one into the next world.

Log Books Today, any bound record kept on a daily basis aboard ship is called a "log." Originally, records were kept on the sailing ship by inscribing information onto shingles cut from logs and hinged so they opened like books. When paper became more readily available, "log books" were manufactured from paper and bound. Shingles were relegated to naval museums but the slang term stuck. Wardroom The Wardroom originally was known as the Wardrobe Room, a place where officers kept their spare wearing apparel. It was also the space where any loot secured from enemy ships, was stored. In an effort to have some privacy on a crowded ship, officers would sometimes take their meals in the Wardrobe Room. Today, the wardroom aboard ship is where officers take their meals, relax, and socialize. Watches Traditionally, a 24-hour day is divided into seven watches. These are: midnight to 4 a.m. [0000-0400], the mid-watch; 4 to 8 a.m. [0400-0800], morning watch; 8 a.m.

to noon [0800-1200], forenoon watch; noon to 4 p.m. [1200-1600], afternoon watch; 4 to 6 p.m. [1600-1800] first dog watch; 6 to 8 p.m. [1800-2000], second dog watch; and, 8 p.m. to midnight [2000-2400], evening watch. The half hours of the watch are marked by the striking the bell an appropriate number of times. Dog Watch Dog Watch is the name given to the 1600-1800 and the 1800-2000 watches aboard a ship. The 1600-2000 four-hour watch was originally split even to prevent men from always having to stand the same watches daily. As a result, Sailors dodge the same daily routine, hence they are dodging the watch or standing the dodge watch.

In its corrupted form, dodge became dog and the procedure is referred as "dogging the watch" or standing the "dog watch." Hammocks Swinging beds for Sailors were first used by Columbus, who discovered their practical use from natives in the West Indies. Skylarking Originally, skylarking described the antics of young Navy men who climbed and slid down the backstays for fun. Since the ancient word "lac" means "to play" and the games started high in the masts, the term was skylacing." Later, corruption of the word changed it to "skylarking." Skylarking is a familiar term to most Sailors and a popular pastime for others. Today, it is generally looked upon with disfavor both onboard ship and ashore. The Superstition of Friday Myth has it that the reluctance of seaman to sail on a Friday reached such epic proportions, that many years ago the British Government decided to take strong measures to prove the fallacy of the superstition. They laid the keel of a new vessel on Friday, launched her on a Friday and named her HMS Friday. They then placed her in command of one Captain Friday and sent her to sea on Friday.

The scheme worked well, and had only one drawback...neither ship nor crew were ever heard from again. Of course, this is NOT true...but rather started as a joke told by Irish comedian Dave Allen on his BBC show "Dave Allen at Large" which was broadcast in the 1970s. (Our sincere thanks to Mr. James Logan, merchant navy officer for the research, and the TRUTH behind the myth.) Yankee Americans are known by their nicknames from Hong Kong to Timbuktu; one of the most widely used is "Yankee." It's origin is uncertain but one belief is that it was given to us by the early Dutch. Early American sea captains were known but not revered for their ability to drive a hard bargain. Dutchmen, who were also regarded as extremely frugal, jokingly referred to the hard to please Americans as "Yankers" or wranglers. The nom de plume persists to this day. Binnacle List Many novice Sailors, confusing the words "binnacle" and "barnacle," have wondered what their illnesses had to do with crusty growths found on the hull of a ship. Their confusion is understandable.

Binnacle is defined as the stand or housing for the ship's compass located on the bridge. The term binnacle list, in lieu of sick list, originated years ago when ships' corpsmen used to place a list of the sick on the binnacle each morning to inform the Captain about the crew's health. After long practice, it came to be called the Binnacle List. Knot The term knot, or nautical mile, is used world-wide to denote one's speed through water. Today, we measure knots with electronic devices, but 200 years ago such devices were unknown. Ingenious marines devised a speed measuring device both easy to use and reliable, the "log line." From this method we get the term "Knot." The log line was a length of twine marked at 47.33-foot intervals by colored knots. At one end a log chip was fastened. It was shaped like the sector of a circle and weighted at the rounded end with lead. When thrown over the stern, it would float pointing upward and would remain relatively stationary. The log line was allowed to run free over the side for 28 seconds and then hauled on board.

Knots which had passed over the side were counted. In this way, the ships speed was measured. Sickbay In the days of sailing ships, it was customary to uncover when entering sick bay, out of respect to the dying and dead. Through modern medicine the sickbay has transformed into a place where people are usually healed and cured, so the custom remains. As in any hospital, silence is maintained. Bamboozle In today's Navy, when you intentionally deceive someone, usually as a joke, you are said to have bamboozled them. The word was used in the days of sail also, but the intent was not hilarity. Bamboozle meant to deceive a passing vessel as to your ship's origin or nationality by flying an ensign other than your own -- a common practice of pirates. Jack The Jack is a replica of the blue, star-studded field of the National Ensign that is flown by ships at anchor from 8 a.m. to sunset. The Jack is hoisted at a yardarm when a general court-martial or a court of inquiry is in session. It is half-masted if the Ensign is half-masted, but it is not dipped when the Ensign is dipped.

Chit One tradition carried on in the Navy is the use of the word "chit." It is a carry over from the days when Hindu traders used slips of paper called "citthi" for money, so they wouldn't have to carry heavy bags of gold and silver. British sailors shortened the word to chit and applied it to their mess vouchers. Its most outstanding use in the Navy today is for drawing pay and a form used for requesting leave and liberty, and special requests. But the term is currently applied to almost any piece of paper from a pass to an official letter requesting some privilege. Mind Your P's & Q's There are few of us who at one time or another have not been admonished to "mind our P's and Q's," or in other words, to behave our best. Oddly enough, "mind your P's and Q's" had nautical beginnings as a method of keeping books on the waterfront. In the days of sail when Sailors were paid a pittance, seamen drank their ale in taverns whose keepers were willing to extend credit until payday. Since many salts were illiterate, keepers kept a tally of pints and quarts consumed by each Sailor on a chalkboard behind the bar.

Next to each person's name, a mark was made under "P" for pint or "Q" for quart whenever a seaman ordered another draught. On payday, each seaman was liable for each mark next to his name, so he was forced to "mind his P's and Q's" or he would get into financial trouble. To ensure an accurate count by unscrupulous keepers, Sailors had to keep their wits and remain somewhat sober. Sobriety usually ensured good behavior, hence the meaning of "mind your P's and Q's." Bully Boys Bully boys, a term prominent in Navy shanties and poems, means in its strictest sense, "beef eating Sailors." Sailors of the Colonial Navy had a daily menu of an amazingly elastic substance called bully beef, actually beef jerky. The term appeared so frequently on the messdeck that it naturally lent its name to the sailors who had to eat it. As an indication of the beef's texture and chewability, it was also called "salt junk," alluding to the rope yarn used for caulking the ship's seams.

Side Boys Side boys are a part of the quarterdeck ceremonies when an important person or Officer comes on board or leaves a ship. Large ships have side boys detailed to the quarterdeck from 0800 to sunset. When the side is piped by the BMOW, from two to eight side boys, depending on the rank of the Officer, will form a passageway at the gangway. They salute on the first note of the pipe and finish together on the last note. In the days of sail, it was not uncommon for the Commanding Officers of ships sailing in convoy to convene aboard the flagship for conferences. It was also not uncommon for COs to invite each other to dine aboard their vessels. Unfortunately, there was no easy way to bring visitors on and off a ship while underway. And there was no dignified may for a high ranking officer to scurry up or down a rope ladder hanging down the side of a ship. Often the boatswain's chair, a rope and wood sling, would be used to hoist the guest onto and off the ship. The Boatswain's Mate would control the heaving by blowing the appropriate commands with a whistle known as a Boatswain's Pipe.

The number of "strong backs" needed to bring the visitor aboard depended upon the size of the "load" being hoisted. Somewhere along the line, it was noted that the more senior the visitor's rank, the more Sailors were needed to "man the side." Over time, the need to hoist visitors onto and off of Navy ships went away, but the custom of mustering the Sideboys and piping distinguished visitors aboard ship remains. Carry On In the days of sail, the Officer of the Deck kept a weather eye constantly on the slightest change in wind, so sails could be reefed or added as necessary to ensure the fastest headway. Whenever a good breeze came along, the order to "carry on" would be given. It meant to hoist every bit of canvas the yards could carry. Pity the poor Sailor whose weather eye failed him and the ship was caught partially reefed when a good breeze arrived. Through the centuries the term's connotation has changed somewhat. Today, the Bluejackets Manual defines "carry on" as an order to resume work -- work not so grueling as two centuries ago.

Church Pennant The Church Pennant is the only flag ever flown over the National Ensign at the same point of hoist. It is displayed during church services conducted by a Chaplain, both ashore and afloat. Eyes of the Ship Most of the early ships had heads of mythological monsters or patrons carved in the bow; hence, the terms "figure head," "the heads" and the term "eyes of the ship" followed from the eyes of the figures placed there. Large "eyes" are still painted on the bows of Chinese junks. Sailors also believe that these "eyes" help them and their ship through a storm by magically seeing the right of way. One particular Sailor's tale says that on the day before he was to sail, he bought his wife two beautiful, green emeralds for earrings. He was heartbroken when she did not like them, so instead he used them as the eyes of the female "figure head" on the bow of his ship. His wife had a change of heart that night, and unbeknownst to her husband, removed the emeralds from the wooden figure. She planned to wear them upon his return, but he never did.

One day after sailing, his ship steered right into a typhoon and sank. Some say it was because the ship could not "see" as his wife had stolen the ship's "eyes." When the wife heard the news, she cried for days until she fell asleep. When she awoke, she was blind...and the two beautiful emeralds had disappeared. Cut of His Jib In the days of sailing ships, nationality and rigs could often be distinguished by their jibs. A Spanish ship, for example, had a small jib or none at all. Large French ships often had two jibs and English ships normally had only one. From ships, the phrase was extended to apply to men. The nose, like the jib of a ship arriving in harbor, is the first part of the person to arrive at a designated place. Figuratively, it implies the first impression one makes on another person. "To Be Three Sheets in the Wind" In the days of sailing ships, this is a phrase which refers to the lines used to control the sails of sailing vessels. When these sheets are cast to the wind (let go), it would cause the old sailing ships to shudder and stagger.

The resulting track would be the same as that of a drunken Sailor, out of control, and hence "three sheets in the wind."

Question: A binnacle is the name for the surround of what item found on a ship?
Answer: Compass