the ship.
DRIFT—The speed at which a ship is pushed off
course by wind and current.
DROUGUE—See SEA ANCHOR.
DRYDOCK—A dock from which the water may be
removed for the purpose of inspecting or working
on a ship’s bottom; it may be either floating or built
into the shore.
EASE—To relax, to slack.
EASE HER—Reduce the amount of rudder the ship is
carrying.
EBB, EBB TIDE, ON THE EBB—A falling tide.
EIGHT O’CLOCK REPORTS—Reports received
shortly before 2000 by the executive officer from
the heads of departments.
ENGINE-ORDER TELEGRAPH—Electro-
mechanical device that transmits orders to the
engine room concerning the speed of the engines.
ENSIGN—(1) The national flag. (2) The lowest grade
of commissioned officer.
EYES—The most forward part of the forecastle.
FAIRLEAD—A device, usually a block, for leading a
line around a corner.
FAIRWAY—Thoroughfare for a ship.
FALL—A line, wire, or chain rove on a purchase.
FANTAIL—The after end of the main deck.
FATHOM—Unit of measurement equal to a depth of 6
feet.
FENDER—A cushioning device hung over the side of
a ship to prevent contact between the ship and the
pier or another ship.
FID—A long, tapered, wooden tool used to open the
strands of a line for splicing.
FIELD DAY—A day devoted to general cleaning,
usually in preparation for an inspection.
FIREMAIN—Piping system to which fire hydrants
are connected.
FIRST WATCH—The 2000 to 2400 watch. Also
called the evening watch.
FIRST CALL—A routine call sounded as a warning
signal for roll call formations and many other
ceremonies; also sounded 5 minutes before
morning and evening colors.
FISHHOOK—A broken end of wire protruding from
a wire rope.
FLAG OFFICER—An officer of the rank of rear
admiral or higher.
FLAGSTAFF—Vertical staff at the stern to which the
ensign is hoisted when moored or at anchor.
FLAT—Partial deck (often a grating) to provide
walking and working surfaces; used extensively in
engineering spaces.
FLEET—An organization of ships, aircraft, marine
forces, and shore-based fleet activities, all under
one commander, for the purpose of conducting
major operations.
FLOOD—(1) To fill a space with water. (2) A rising
tide.
FOC’SLE—See FORECASTLE.
FOGY—(Pronounced fo-gee.) A longevity pay
increase.
FORE—Forward.
FORE AND AFT—The entire length of a ship, as in
“Sweep down fore and aft.”
FORECASTLE—(Pronounced fok-sul.) Forward
section of the main deck, generally extending from
the stem aft to just abaft the anchor windlass.
FOREMAST—First mast aft from the bow.
FORENOON WATCH—The 0800 to 1200 watch.
FOUL—(1) Entangled, as “The lines are foul of each
other.” (2) Stormy.
FOUNDER—To sink because of being overwhelmed
by the sea.
FRAME—The athwartship strength member of a
ship’s hull.
FRAPPING LINES—Lines passed around boat falls
to steady the boat when hoisting or lowering.
FREEBOARD—Vertical distance from waterline to
weather deck.
GAFF—A light spar set at an angle from the upper part
of a mast from which the ensign is flown when a
ship is under way.
GALLEY—Space where food is prepared. Never
called a kitchen.
AI-5
