The bow
the front of the ship (pointy bit)
The stern the rear of a ship (ass end)
Starboard This is the right hand side of the ship if someone is facing forward towards the bow
Port
This is the left hand side of the ship if someone is facing forward towards the bow
Forecastle
The section of the upper deck of a ship located at the bow forward of the foremast
Cargo hold
A space for storing cargo
Hull
The main structure or body of a ship
Beam
The greatest width of the ship
Bridge
The location from which a ship is steered and its speed controlled
Galley
The kitchen area of a ship
Knot
A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour
Scuppers
Drain holes on deck
The steamship Pioneer
was the first prop driven vessel to cross the Atlantic in October 1851. She sailed from New York to Liverpool, UK.
The White Star Line
merged with Cunard in the 1930's. Records relating to the White Star Line prior to the merge did not survive. However, a great deal of information still survives in books etc, it just takes a little searching.
Groggy
comes from "grog," the name sailors in the British Royal Navy disdainfully used for their daily ration of a half-pint of rum, after it was decreed in 1740 that the rum should be diluted with an equal amount of water. The unpopular order was issued by Vice Admiral Sir Edward Vernon, nicknamed "Old Grog" because of the impressive grogam cloak he wore on deck
Mayday
The distress call for voice radio, for vessels and people in serious trouble at sea. The term was made official by an international telecommunications conference in 1948, and is an anglicizing of the French "m'aidez," (help me).
walk the plank
For the most part, walking the plank is a Hollywood myth. There are a few accounts that people were forced to walk the plank by Pirates of the South China Sea. There is also one account that Barthalomew Roberts forced some of his captives to walk the plank. However, the accounts are suspect at best. Still, pirates were known to come up with some rather ingenoious ways to torture their captives so it is quite possible that some enterprising fellow with a sharp sadistic mind would've come up with such a develish plan.
For the most part pirates preferred the time-honored method of a "heave to". That is , they picked up the culprit and simply tossed him/her overboard.
On this page we have listed various attractions that will provide a fun day out for you and your family.
HMS Belfast - is a Royal Navy' cruiser and Floating Naval Museum. Open daily except
24, 25 and 26 December.
Address: Morgan's Lane Tooley Street London SE1 2JH UK.
The National Maritime Museum - comprises of three sites: the Maritime Galleries, the Royal Observatory and the Queen's House. Together these constitute one museum working to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. Open daily 10 -7
Address: Romney Road,Greenwich London SE10 9NF UK.
Titanic Museum -
Discover Titanic Where It All Began
Home of the World Famous Titanic Historical Society Collection
open daily 10 am to 4 PM Closed Sunday and holidays
Address: 208 Main Street Indian Orchard MA 01151-0053 USA. Visit Web site
USS Alabama - Visit Battleship Memorial Park, America's Most unique military attraction,
an unforgettable adventure for the entire family.
Open everyday except Christmas Day
Address: USS ALABAMA 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, AL 36602 USA. Visit Web site
HMS Victory -Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the battle of Trafalgar is preserved
at Portsmouth's Royal Naval Dockyard.
The Historic Dockyard opens at 10 am everyday throughout the year, except when closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Address: HM Naval Base,Queens street,Portsmouth Hants PO1 3 NH UK. Visit Web site
More pages coming soon
Battleship cove - The worlds largest naval ship exhibit.Dont just learn about history—live
it! At Battleship Cove, you will experience firsthand what it was like to serve on
board a Navy warship in WWII.
open to the public 362 days each year. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Address: Battleship Cove Five Water Street PO Box 111
Fall River, MA 02722-0111 USA Visit Web Site