HULL—The shell, or plating, of a ship from keel to
gunwhale.
HULL DOWN—Refers to a ship that is so far over the
horizon that only its superstructure or top hamper
is visible.
INBOARD—Toward the centerline.
INHAUL LINE—Line used to haul the trolley back to
the delivering ship during highline transfers.
INLET—A narrow strip of sea extending into the
land.
INSHORE—Close to the shore.
IRISH PENNANT—Loose, untidy end of line left
adrift. Also called a deadman or cow’s tail.
ISLAND—Superstructure on the starboard side of the
flight deck of an aircraft carrier.
JACK—Starred blue flag (representing the union of
t h e e n s i g n ) f l o w n a t t h e j a c k s t a f f o f a
commissioned ship not under way.
JACKSTAFF—Vertical spar at the stem to which the
jack is hoisted.
JACKSTAY—Any horizontal line or wire for the
support of articles (such as seabags).
JACOB’S LADDER—A portable rope or wire ladder.
JETTY—A structure built out from shore to influence
water currents or to protect a harbor or pier.
JUMP SHIP—The act of deserting ship.
JURY RIG—Any makeshift device or apparatus.
KAPOK—Material used to stuff life jackets and other
lifesaving apparatus.
KEDGE—(1) A small anchor. (2) The act of moving a
ship by hauling it ahead by heaving in on a line to a
laid-out anchor.
K E E L —The lowermost longitudinal strength
member from which the frames and plating rise.
KEEL BLOCK—One of a series of blocks along a
drydock bed; used to support the keel of a vessel in
drydock.
KEELSON—That part of a boat’s keel that is inside
the boat.
KING POST—One of a pair of short, strong uprights
used to support the cargo booms of cargo vessels.
KING SPOKE—Spoke on the steering wheel that’s
upright when the rudder is amidships; usually
distinctively marked, as with a Turk’s head.
KNOCK OFF—Quit working.
KNOT—(1) A unit of measurement of speed equal to 1
nautical mile (6,080 feet) per hour. (2) A collective
term for hitches and bends.
LADDER—A shipboard flight of steps.
LANDING CRAFT—Vessels especially designed for
landing troops and equipment directly on a beach.
LANDING SHIP—A large seagoing ship designed
for landing large numbers of personnel and/or
heavy equipment directly on a beach.
LANYARD—(1) Any short line used as a handle or as
a means for operating some piece of equipment.
(2) A line used to attach an article to the person,
such as a pistol lanyard.
LASH—To secure an object by turns of line, wire, or
chain.
LASHING—Line, wire, or chain used to lash an
article.
LASH-UP—An uncomplimentary term applied to a
rig, device, or system meaning it’s in disorder. For
example, “What a lash-up they have there.”
LAUNCH—(1) To float a vessel off the ways in a
building yard. (2) A power boat, usually over 30
feet long.
LAY—(1) To go to a specific place, such as “Lay
aloft.” (2) To put something down, as to lay tile. (3)
The direction of a twist of the strands in a line or
wire.
LEAD LINE—A narrow block of lead weighing from
7 to 14 pounds attached to a marked line. Used by
leadsman to determine depth of water.
LEADSMAN—Person who uses the lead line.
LEE—An area sheltered from the wind; downwind.
LEE HELMSMAN—A spare helmsman who usually
operates the annunciator.
LEE SHORE—A shore that is leeward of the ship.
LEEWARD—(Pronounced loo-urd.) Side of the ship
opposite to the direction the wind is blowing from.
LIBERTY—Permission to be absent from a ship or
station for a short time.
AI-7
