HOLD: The part of a ship below decks reserved for the storage of 
freight or baggage. 
HOUSE FLAG: The penant usually flown on the mainmast, bearing 
the emblem of her owners. 
HURRICANE DECK: A deck with no overhead protection. 
KEEL: The central longitudinal beam at the extreme underside of 
the vessel; the foundation of the entire construction. 
KNOT: A nautical mile. The British Admiralty knot is 6,080 feet; 
the statute knot is 6,082.66 feet, or 1.151 land miles. 
LEAD: A mass of lead used for taking depths at sea, 
LEE OR LEEWARD: The side of the vessel away from the wind. 
LOG: (a) An instrument towed by the vessel at the end of a long 
line, recording approximate distance traveled. 
(b) Official daily record of a voyage, including weather, 
wind, direction and velocity, distance traveled, etc. 
MID-SHIP: Toward the middle or "waist" of a vessel; is equally 
distant from bow and stern. The term "amidships" is fre¬ 
quently used. 
MOORING: Securing a ship in position by lines so it cannot move 
or swing; anchoring. 
OVERHANG: Portion of hull at the stern, over and unsupported 
by the water. 
\ 
PILOT: Usually the licensed "guide" who comes aboard ship -from 
a near port and directs its course through the local channel 
to anchorage or pier, or -from the pier to the outer end of the 
channel. 
PILOT HOUSE: Sheltered position connected with the bridge 
from which the ship is steered. 
POOP: Raised deck toward the stern of the vessel. 
PORT: The left side of a vessel. French, babord. 
PORTHOLE: Stateroom window. 
RUDDER: The hinged projection astern for steering, controlled by 
chains from under the bridge. 
