USS Holder - Tin Can Sailor Talk

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GROUND TACKLE : Collective term for the equipment used in anchoring or in mooring with anchors.	KING'S POST : Post supporting the cargo booms on cargo ships. Also, the upright which supports the boom of a crane.	CHIP : To remove paint or rust from metallic surfaces with sharp-pointed hammers prior to application of paint.
FLUKES : The broad arms or palms of an anchor.	AHOY : Customary hail to a boat or ship.	HOLD : Compartment aboard ship used for stowing cargo.
RAT GUARD : A hinged metal disk which can be secured to a mooring line to prevent rats from using the line to gain access to the ship.	WISHBONE : A V-shaped brace which supports the upper platform of an accommodation ladder or the platform in the chains.	EXTRA DUTY : Additional work assigned by the CO as authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
PLANKOWNER : a man who has been on board since ship was commissioned.	GANGWAY : An opening in the rail or bulwarks, giving access to a ship.	KINK : A twist which disturbs the lay of line and wire.
PURCHASE : A combination of one or more blocks reeved with a line or wire. Also called TACKLE, BLOCK AND TACKLE, or when reeved with a chain, a CHAIN FALL.	SILENCE : Command given by any member of a gun crew who observes a serious casualty that requires immediate attention. All members freeze and remain silent until the gun captain or other responsible person issues an order.	FRAMES : The athwartships strength members of a ship's hull. Numbered from bow aft, and used as reference points to locate fittings, compartments, etc.
MEET HER : Slow the swim of a ship by putting on opposite rudder.	INBOARD LIFELINES : Temporary lifelines erected inboard of the permanent lifelines during heavy weather.	FRAPPING LINES : Lines passed around boat falls to steady the boat when hoisting or lowering.
DARKEN SHIP : Blacking out the ship so that no lights show outboard.	COXCOMBING : A type of fancy work consisting of coils of line worked around a tiller handle, stanchion, etc.	VERY'S PISTOL(or Very) : A device for firing small pyrotechnics into the air as signals.
WINDLASS : A power driven machine used for heaving in or paying out anchor chain.	MIND YOUR RUDDER : An order to the steersman to steer the proper course.	BATTLE LANTERN : A battery-powered lantern for emergency use.
CHOCK : A metal casting which serves as a lead for lines to a pier or to other ships. They may be open or closed.	SAMSON POST : A vertical timber on the forward deck of a boat used in towing and securing.	WALK AWAY : haul on a line by taking hold and walking down the deck, rather than hand over hand.
PILOTHOUSE : enclosure on the bridge centerline housing the main steering control. Also called the WHEELHOUSE.	LIGHT SHIP : A command or word passed which permits lights to be shown as the ship is secured from being darkened.	BORE : The interior diameter of a gun barrel. The caliber. The opening inside a gun, from the after part of the rifling to the muzzle.
LEFT-HANDED : Counterclockwise. Extended to mean "not the right way" or "backwards".	AGROUND : When any part of the ship is resting on the bottom. A ship runs aground or goes aground.	HAWSER : A heavy line over 5 inches in circumference used for towing or mooring.
WATCH : One of the 4-hour periods into which the 24-hour day is divided.	HEAVE : to throw, as to "heave a lead" or to "heave a heaving line". To haul on a line or wire.	STERN HOOK : Member of a boat's crew who stands aft and makes the stern of the boat secure.
LAY : Expresses the idea of "to move oneself", as "lay (yourself) up on the main deck" or "lay (yourself) aft". The direction of the twist of strands of a rope.	PELICAN HOOK : a hook used to provide a quick release. It can be opened while under strain by knocking away a locking ring which holds it closed.	DAVIT : one of a pair of strong arms by means of which a boat is hoisted in or out. The pair is called a set of davits. Any similar hoisting device.
Draft Marks : The figures fastened to the stem and stern, the lower edges of which indicate the draft of the ship.	Long Splice : Joining the ends of two lines in such a manner that the splice does not enlarge the line and it will pass freely through a block.	Adrift : Loose from moorings and unable to make headway. Applied in a general sense to anything not in its proper place.
Special Sea Detail : Men assigned on a Navy ship to special duties connected with entering or leaving port.	Knot : (1) A unit of speed equal to 1 nautical mile (6080 feet) per hour. (2) A collective term for hitches and bends.	Bridle: A span of rope, chain, or wire with both ends secured and the strain taken on the mid-part.
Hitch: Method of securing a line to a hook, ring, or spar.	Jackbox: Receptacle, usually secured to a bulkhead, into which telephone plugs or jacks are fitted.	Render: Expresses the idea of "to travel freely through or around," as a fall which renders around the blocks in a tackle.

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