Appendix I Glossary

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) Revised Edition
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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 the ensign) flown at the jackstaff of 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. KEEL—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

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