USS Rankin (AKA-103)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=207 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>USS Rankin (AKA-103)</B></div> <div> <style type="text/css">  </style> <a href="/" target="_top" style="text-decoration: none; ">Home</a> </div> <div> <IMG SRC="13858020.png" border=0 width="600" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Naval Terminology</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="718" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#A0A0A4" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 28 ><NOBR><div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index_m.htm" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Top</U></A> </FONT>| <A HREF="index_m.htm#1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>1</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#a" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>A</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#b" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>B</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#c" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>C</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#d_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>D</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#e_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>E</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#f" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>F</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#g" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>G</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#h" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>H</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#i" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U> </U></A><A HREF="index_m.htm#i" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>I</B></U></A><A HREF="index_m.htm#i" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B> </B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#j" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>J</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#k" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>K</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#l_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>L</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#m" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>M</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#n" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>N</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#o_1" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>O</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#p" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>P</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#q" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>Q</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#r" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>R</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#s" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>S</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#t" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>T</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#u" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>U</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#v" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>V</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#w" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>W</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#x" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>X</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#y" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>Y</B></U></A> | <A HREF="index_m.htm#z" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><B>Z</B></U></A><B> </B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="622" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="227"><div>  <script>  </script>  <form name="form1" onSubmit="search(document.form1, frametosearch); return false"><input type="text" name="findthis" size="10" title="Press 'ALT s' after clicking submit to repeatedly search page"> <input type="submit" value="Find a Word" ACCESSKEY="s"></form>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id536.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Submit New Words"><U>Submit a New Word</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> <A HREF="printer.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="printer.htm"><U>Printer Friendly Version</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=273 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <style type="text/css">  </style></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 392 WIDTH="626"><div> This glossary lists many of the specialized words used aboard Navy ships. It includes technical terms and nautical slang, plus everyday words with shipboard origins. The words were compiled from online sources, from publications such as <A HREF="http://www.usni.org/webstore/shopexd.asp?id=18911" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.usni.org/webstore/shopexd.asp"><U><I>The Bluejacket's Manual</I></U></A><I>, </I>and from contributions of many individuals. You can go quickly to any letter by clicking it in the alphabet at the top of the page.</div> <div> The section for each letter is headed by the letter's international phonetic form, followed by its international signal flag, its U.S. Navy semaphore representation, and its representation in Morse code. The letter's pre-1957 phonetic form is shown at the end of the line. <A HREF="/terms/alphabets.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="/terms/alphabets.htm"><U>Click Here</U></A> to see an overview of all these naval alphabets. </div> <div> Please help us improve this list of Navy words; we want it to be the best such list in the world. <A HREF="id536.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Submit New Words"><U>Click Here</U></A> to submit your additions and corrections. (Don't worry if you don't have a good definition—tell us the term and its meaning in your own words, and we will do the rest.) We are particularly looking for slang and other terms that wouldn't necessarily be found in official publications.</div> <div> <B>WARNING!</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Verdana" > Seafaring men have long had a colorful or "salty" manner of speech, filled with sexual, excretory, and other "purple" words not used in polite society. That may be changing in these politically correct times, but to Bowdlerize the language used here would be to deny its rich history. The traditions and origins of "swearing like a sailor" remain. While we have attempted to present things with a bit of humor, if you are easily offended this listing may not be for you. You have been warned.</FONT></div> <div> To help you avoid the saltiest, most purple words, (or to help you find them more easily), they are shown below <B>like</B> <B>this</B>.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>0 - 9</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Numerals</B></FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9022a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="903463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="111"><div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 285 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>01 level -</B><B> <A NAME="01level"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>the deck above the <A HREF="#maindeck" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>main deck</U></A>. The next higher decks are the 02 level, the 03 level, and so on. Though these are formally called decks, they are usually referred to as levels, since they are not usually complete decks that run from <A HREF="#stem" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>stem</U></A> to <A HREF="#stern" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>stern</U></A> and all the way <A HREF="#athwartships" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>athwartships</U></A>. </div> <div> <B>1MC</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="1mc"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>the basic public address system on a ship. Reaches all spaces, and is used for general announcements and to transmit general alarm system signals. Control stations are located on the bridge and quarterdeck, and at the central station. Other transmitters may be installed at additional points. </div> <div> <B>4.0 - </B>a perfect score; used on written tests, examinations, inspections, etc. Pronounced "four-oh."</div> <div> <B>10% </B>- the number who never get the word. See <I>pass the word.</I></div> <div> <B>72 -</B> <A NAME="72"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>a three-day liberty, such as over a holiday weekend; named for the number of hours in three days. It is unusual for 72's to be granted, because a man usually has the duty every third day, and cannot be on liberty at that time. </div> <div> <B>90</B><B>-</B><B>day wonder -</B> <A NAME="90daywonder"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>derisive term for a graduate of <A HREF="#ocs" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>OCS</U></A>. The derision arises from the lack of experience and naval knowledge of the typical graduate. Sometimes seen as <I>90-day blunder.</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="a"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>A</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>Alfa </B>(AL-fah)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9072a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="908463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>di-dah</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Able</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 760 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Abaft</B> <B>- </B>farther aft of a given point on a ship, as in "abaft the beam," which is said of something which bears between the <A HREF="#beam" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>beam</U></A> and the <A HREF="#stern" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>stern</U></A>, or is further back than the ship's middle.  </div> <div> <B>ABC warfare</B> <B>- </B>Atomic/Biological/Chemical Warfare. In different eras, has been known as <I>NBC warfare</I> (Nuclear/Biological/Chemical) and <I>CBR warfare </I>(Chemical/ Biological/ Radiological).</div> <div> <B>Abandon ship - </B>get away from the ship, as in an emergency.</div> <div> <B>Abeam - </B>at right angles to the centerline of, and outside of, the ship. An object that is abeam of your ship is directly off to its side. </div> <div> <B>Aboard - </B>on or in a ship or naval station.</div> <div> <B>Abreast - </B>abeam of; directly alongside.</div> <div> <B>Accommodation ladder - </B>a portable flight of steps down a ship's side, used to get from the deck to the pier, wharf, or water level. </div> <div> <B>Acey-deucey</B> <B>- </B>a board game traditionally played in off-duty hours; the game is a variety of backgammon.</div> <div> <B>Acey-Deucey Club</B> <B>- </B>a social club for First- and Second-Class Petty Officers.</div> <div> <B>Adrift</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="adrift_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>not secured; scattered about; not properly stowed, or out of place. <I>Gear adrift</I> refers to miscellaneous articles scattered about. </div> <div> <B>Advance and Transfer</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="advanceandtransfer_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>two separate terms involving a ship's turn. Advance is the forward progress made between the time that the rudder is put over and the time the ship is steady on her new course. Transfer is the horizontal displacement of the ship during the same period of time. Advance is maximized in a turn of 90º or more; transfer is maximized in a turn of 180º or more.</div> <div> <B>Affirmative - </B>Navy term for "yes." The opposite is <I>negative.</I></div> <div> <B>Aft - </B>in, near, or toward the stern; not as specific as <I>abaft</I>. Opposite of <I>forward.</I></div> <div> <B>After - </B>refers to something aft, particularly when it is the furthest aft thing of its kind. On land, the <I>back room</I> is a room far at the back of the house. Aboard ship, an <I>after compartment</I> is a compartment far toward the stern. </div> <div> <B>Afternoon watch - </B>the 1200-1600 watch.</div> <div> <B>Aground - </B>resting on or touching the bottom. If his ship goes aground and is not an amphibious ship designed to do so, it is <I>very</I> bad news for the Captain. </div> <div> <B>Ahoy - </B>term used to hail a boat or a ship, as in "Boat ahoy!"</div> <div> <B>Air bedding - </B>an evolution where all hands bring their mattresses, pillows, etc. topside to expose them to the purifying effects of the air.</div> <div> <B>Airdale, airedale</B> <B>- </B>naval aviator, aka <I>brownshoe</I>. Can also refer to any member of the aviation community, officer or enlisted. Often modified by non-aviation types with the <A HREF="#universaladjective" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>universal adjective</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>A. J. Squared-Away</B> <B>- </B>mythical sailor who always has his act together.</div> <div> <B>Alee - </B>to the leeward side; downwind.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 953 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Alfa Mike Foxtrot</B> <B>- </B>see <I>AMF, </I>below.</div> <div> <B>All hands - </B>the entire ship's company, both officers and enlisted. As in "all hands man your battle stations," etc.</div> <div> <B>All night in - </B>having no night watches, and therefore able to sleep all night.</div> <div> <B>Allotment - </B>assignment of a man's pay directly to a person, bank, or other agency. Paid by check, and used to assure payment, no matter where the man may be on payday; commonly used to provide for one's family, to make payments on a debt, etc. </div> <div> <B>All stop - </B>an order to the engine room to bring all engines, (even if there is only one), to a condition where they are not driving the ship ahead or astern.</div> <div> <B>Aloft - </B>above the ship's uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above, often on a mast.</div> <div> <B>Alongside - </B>by the side of the ship or a shore structure.</div> <div> <B>AMF - </B>acronym for "Adios, Motherfucker," a common farewell phrase. The polite form, "Adios, My Friend," is seldom used among seafarers. </div> <div> <B>Amidships - </B>in or towards the middle of a ship in regard to length or breadth; <I>rudder amidships </I>means that the rudder is in its center position, aligned with the ship's centerline. </div> <div> <B>Anchor - </B>a heavy iron device which is attached to a ship by a cable (rope or, usually, chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the ship in a particular station.</div> <div> <B>Anchorage - </B>suitable place for the ship to anchor. Area of a port or harbor set aside for such a purpose.</div> <div> <B>Anchor ball - </B>black shape hoisted in the forepart of a ship to show that the ship is anchored.</div> <div> <B>Anchor buoy - </B>small buoy secured by a light line to the anchor, to indicate its position on the bottom.</div> <div> <B>Anchor cable - </B>chain, wire, or line running between the anchor and the ship.</div> <div> <B>Anchor detail - </B>the group of men assigned to handle ground tackle when the ship is anchoring or getting underway.</div> <div> <B>Anchor lights - </B>the riding lights required to be carried by vessels at anchor. </div> <div> <B>Anchor man - </B>the lowest-graded man in a Naval Academy graduating class, or in any Navy training class. </div> <div> <B>Anchor pool</B> <B>- </B>the betting pool on the hour and minute the ship will drop anchor or tie up.</div> <div> <B>Anchor's aweigh</B> <B>- </B>when a ship raises anchor, the anchor is said to be aweigh as soon as it is no longer in contact with the sea bottom. In the process of weighing anchor, the sequence of reports is usually as follows:</div> <div> "Anchor's at short stay" - The ship has been pulled up to the anchor, but the anchor is still lying on the bottom, undisturbed.</div> <div> "Anchor's up and down" - The anchor's flukes have broken free of the bottom, and the shank is more or less vertical. The crown of the anchor is still resting on the bottom.</div> <div> "Anchor's aweigh" - The anchor has left the bottom. At this point the ship is <I>underway</I>, whether or not it is moving through the water under its own power.</div> <div> <B>Anchor watch - </B>detail of men standing by as a readiness precaution while the ship is at anchor or in port.</div> <div> <B>Anemometer - </B>instrument to measure wind velocity.</div> <div> <B>Antifouling paint - </B>composition applied to reduce marine growths on a ship's bottom.</div> <div> <B>APC - </B>aspirin-like headache remedy, no longer in use. Familiarly called "All Purpose Capsules," they took their name from their ingredients: aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine. </div> <div> <B>Armament - </B>the weapons of a ship or aircraft.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 493 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>ASAP - </B>As Soon As Possible. Usually spoken as a word, "A-sap," with the first "A" accented and given the long sound.</div> <div> <B>Ashore - </B>on the beach or shore.</div> <div> <B>Astern - </B>behind, or toward the stern; said of an object or vessel that is abaft another vessel or object.</div> <div> <B>Athwart or athwartships</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="athwartships"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>across; at right angles to the fore and aft centerline of the ship or other object.</div> <div> <B>Augment - </B>to transfer from the Naval Reserve to the regular Navy. "LTJG Savio wanted to make the Navy his career, so he put in his papers to augment."</div> <div> <B>Auxiliary - </B>an assisting machine (such as an air conditioner) or vessel (such as an ammunition ship).</div> <div> <B>Avast - </B>a command to cease or desist from whatever is being done. "Avast heaving on that line, Berninger." </div> <div> <B>Awash - </B>so low in the water that water is constantly washing across the surface. </div> <div> <B>Away all Boats </B>- the command to launch all an amphibious ship's boats. Also the title of a famous book and movie about amphibious operations. </div> <div> <B>Aweigh</B> <B>- </B>see <I>anchor's aweigh, </I>above.</div> <div> <B>AWOL -</B> <A NAME="awol_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Absent WithOut Leave; an offense under Article 86 of the <A HREF="#ucmj" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>UCMJ</U></A>. It is pronounced "A-woll," with the "A" being long and accented.</div> <div> <B>AWOL bag</B> <B>- </B>small canvas or vinyl bag used to carry clothing or personal items while on weekend liberty.</div> <div> <B>Aye, aye - </B>reply to an order or command, indicating that it is understood and will be carried out.</div> <div> <B>Azimuth - </B>the bearing of an object from the observer, measured as an angle clockwise from true north or the heading of the ship. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="b"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>B</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>Bravo </B>(BRAH-voh)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="90c2a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="90d463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>dah-di-di-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Baker</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1212 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Back Alley - </B>a card game often played aboard ship.</div> <div> <B>Backing</B> <B>- </B>operating the ship's engine(s) so that they tend to drive the ship astern. Used primarily in slowing or stopping a ship, and occasionally to make it go backwards. </div> <div> <B>Backing down - </B>same as <I>backing, </I>above.</div> <div> <B>Bad shit - </B>a situation, or a collection of material, etc. that is especially not good. "Bringing drugs aboard can lead to some very bad shit."</div> <div> <B>Bag</B> <B>- </B>to get, or collect. "I'm going to go below and bag some Z's." Also to abandon, or leave. "Let's bag this gin mill and get back to the ship."</div> <div> <B>Ballast - </B>heavy weights packed in the bottom of a ship to give her stability.</div> <div> <B>Ballast tanks - </B>double bottoms for carrying water ballast and capable of being flooded or pumped out at will. </div> <div> <B>Balls to the wall</B> <B>- </B>maximum speed, or maximum effort.</div> <div> <B>Bandit</B> <B>- </B>air contact positively identified as hostile. A <I>bogey </I>is an unidentified air contact. </div> <div> <B>Barge - </B>any boat reserved for use by an Admiral. Also an unpowered flat-bottomed craft used to haul material.</div> <div> <B>Barnacles - </B>small shellfish that attach themselves to submerged structures, including a vessel's undersides.</div> <div> <B>Batten down</B> <B>- </B>to cover and make fast, secure, or shut; usually said of a watertight fixture or structure. Originally, deck hatches did not have hinged, attached covers. Hatch covers were separate pieces which were laid over the hatch opening, then made fast with battens (pieces of timber).</div> <div> <B>Battle cover</B> <B>-</B><B> </B>the steel cover for a port or deadlight.</div> <div> <B>Battle lantern - </B>A rugged battery-powered lantern for emergency use.</div> <div> <B>Battle lights - </B>dim red lights that furnish sufficient light for personnel during darken ship. </div> <div> <B>Beach</B> <B>- </B>ashore, or to be put ashore. "The Navigator ran us aground and they beached him."</div> <div> <B>Beach Jumper - </B>member of an extremely secret <A HREF="#navalspecialwarfare" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Naval Special Warfare</U></A> unit, founded in WWII by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and disbanded in the 1970s. At least they <I>say</I> it's disbanded. </div> <div> <B>Beachmaster - </B>the officer in charge of the beach in an amphibious landing. He and his <I>beach party </I>control everything between the surf and the high water line, and are responsible for the proper handling of all men and cargo as they come ashore from the sea. </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="beam"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Beam - </B>the greatest athwartships width of a vessel, usually found about halfway between the bow and the stern. Also, an object directly to port (or starboard) is said to bear on the port (or starboard) beam. </div> <div> <B>Bear a hand - </B>speed up the action; lend a helping hand. "Now bear a hand in rigging the ship for heavy weather."</div> <div> <B>Bearing -</B><B> <A NAME="bearing"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>the direction of an object, expressed in degrees clockwise from zero, either as <I>relative </I>or <I>true </I>bearing. Relative bearings are measured from the bow of the ship; true bearings are measured from true north. </div> <div> <B>Beef boat - </B> a supply ship or cargo ship.</div> <div> <B>Beer muster - </B>slang for a beer party ashore.</div> <div> <B>Before the mast - </B>from the days of sail; literally, the position of the crew whose living quarters on board were in the forecastle (the section of a ship forward of the foremast). The term is also used more generally to describe seamen as compared with officers, in phrases such as "he sailed before the mast."</div> <div> <B>Belay</B> <B>- </B>to stop. "Belay the chatter on the bridge." Also, an instruction to disregard a request or an order, as in "belay my request for overnight liberty." Finally, to secure a line to a fixed point. </div> <div> <B>Belaying pin - </B>a wooden or iron pin fitting into a rail upon which to secure lines. </div> <div> <B>Bells -</B> <A NAME="bells"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>bells are traditionally rung every half hour during a watch. One bell is rung after the first half hour, two after the first hour, and so on to <I>eight bells,</I> rung at the end of the four-hour watch. Bells are rung in sequenced pairs, so five bells would be sounded <I>ding-ding, ding-ding, ding.</I></div> <div> <B>Below - </B>within the ship, but beneath the main deck. To <I>go below </I>is to go below decks.</div> <div> <B>Below decks - </B>any place below the main deck. </div> <div> <B>Benny</B> <B>- </B>a treat or reward, derived from <I>benefit</I>.</div> <div> <B>Benny Sugg</B> <B>- </B>a Beneficial Suggestion program where personnel were rewarded for making suggestions to improve some aspect of military life, usually living conditions.</div> <div> <B>BEQ - </B>Bachelor Enlisted Quarters; apartments and barracks ashore, reserved for enlisted personnel without families.</div> <div> <B>Berth - </B>space assigned a vessel for anchoring or mooring. Also, a man's bunk. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 883 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Bight</B> <B>- </B>a loop in or a slack part of a line. Also a curve or bend in a shoreline, or a small body of water formed by same.</div> <div> <B>Bilge</B> <B>- </B>the area below the deck gratings in the lowest spaces of the ship, where things, especially liquids, tend to collect. Also, to fail an examination. "Johnson bilged his test for Machinist's Mate Third Class."</div> <div> <B>Bilge rat</B> <B>- </B>someone who works in the engineering spaces; a <A HREF="#snipe" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>snipe</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Bilge wine - </B>homemade wine, made in the engineering spaces and hidden in the bilges.</div> <div> <B>Billet - </B>a  specific position in the ship's organization. For example, First Division Officer, Captain's yeoman, etc. Also, the position to which one is assigned. "Mr. Sander's billet was Electronics Material Officer."</div> <div> <B>Binnacle</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="binnacle"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>a large stand used to house a magnetic compass and its fittings; typically found next to or in front of the ship's wheel.</div> <div> <B>Binnacle list</B> <B>- </B>sick list; a listing of the names of the men currently in sick bay and unable to perform their duties due to sickness or injury. This list was originally to be found attached to the binnacle.</div> <div> <B>Bitchbox</B> <B>- </B>an amplified intercom, such as the <A HREF="#1mc" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>1MC</U></A>, used to communicate between spaces of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Bitter end</B> <B>- </B>the free or loose end of a line. Originally, the bitter end of a mooring line was taken to the <I>bitts </I>to secure it.</div> <div> <B>Bitts</B> <B>- </B>mooring fixtures on the deck of a ship. Their counterparts ashore are <I>bollards</I>.</div> <div> <B>Black-Hand Gang</B> <B>- </B>the engine room and fire room crew. Older (ca. WW II), less politically-correct form is <I>Black Gang</I>. Originally, it referred to the appearance of men who had been handling or working around coal. During WWII, members of the Black Gang were issued black hats instead of white ones, and were therefore sometimes called <I>black hats</I>.</div> <div> <B>Blackshoe</B> <B>- </B>member of the surface or submarine community. Until recently, the only approved footwear for these communities was black in color. More recently, brown footwear is optional, but seldom seen due to tradition. A <I>brownshoe </I>is a member of the Naval aviation community, where brown shoes have been worn for many years.</div> <div> <B>Blivet</B> <B>- </B>traditionally, "ten pounds of shit in a five-pound bag." Technically, a rubber fuel bladder.</div> <div> <B>Block - </B>an apparatus consisting of an outside shell and a sheave or pulley through which a line may be passed.</div> <div> <B>Blow tubes </B><B>- </B>in ships with oil-fired boilers, an operation performed several times daily to clean the soot from tubes internal to the boiler. The operation generates significant amounts of soot and smelly gases, and often requires the ship to sail abreast of the wind, so these will not foul the weather decks. </div> <div> <B>Bluejacket -</B> <A NAME="bluejacket"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>a Navy enlisted man below the grade of Chief Petty Officer; bluejackets are the typical "sailor," wearing the traditional sailor's uniform, with white hat, blue or white jumper, black silk neckerchief, and (sometimes) bell-bottom trousers. </div> <div> <B>Blue Nose - </B>one who has sailed above the Arctic Circle.</div> <div> <B>Blue water</B> <B>- </B>literally, deep water, but more traditionally, away from land. The opposite of <I>brown water</I>. A <I>blue water navy</I> is capable of prosecuting battle away from shore-based support in vessels of sufficient size and endurance to do so safely.</div> <div> <B>BMOW - </B>Boatswain's Mate Of the Watch.</div> <div> <B>Board - </B>To go aboard a vessel. Also, a group of persons meeting for a specific purpose, such as an <I>investigation board.</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 913 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Boat</B> <B>- </B>any small vessel incapable of making regular independent voyages on the high seas; the traditional differentiator is that "ships carry boats." Also, a submarine of any size.</div> <div> <B>Boat boom - </B>a boom to which boats secure; it is swung out from the side when the ship is anchored or moored.</div> <div> <B>Boat hook - </B>long pole with a hook and pushpoint on one end. The bow hook and stern hook use them to position boats into place while alongside a ship or pier. </div> <div> <B>Boats</B> <B>- </B>nickname for a Boatswain's Mate.</div> <div> <B>Boatswain - </B>a warrant officer or limited duty officer in charge of all deck work.</div> <div> <B>Boatswain's chair - </B>a simple seat that can be lowered over the side to hold a man while painting. Also a more complicated chair into which a man can be strapped; used to <A HREF="#highline" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>highline</U></A><I> </I>personnel from ship to ship. </div> <div> <B>Boatswain's locker - </B>a compartment, usually forward on the main deck, where line and other equipment used by the deck force is stowed. </div> <div> <B>Boatswain's Mate</B> <B>- </B>enlisted rating having primarily to do with deck work. </div> <div> <B>Boatswain's pipe -</B> <A NAME="boatswainspipe"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B> </B>small metal whistle with a characteristic sound, used to signal the announcement of important messages, or for ceremonial purposes. In the days of sail, orders to the deck crew were given by various calls on the boatswain's pipe. </div> <div> <B>Boatswain's whistle - </B>same as <I>boatswain's pipe, </I>above.</div> <div> <B>Bogey</B> <B>- </B>unidentified air contact. May turn out to be friendly, neutral, or hostile. A hostile bogey becomes a <I>bandit. </I></div> <div> <B>Bollard</B> <B>- </B>squat cylindrical fixture attached to a pier. Used to secure lines, such as mooring lines.</div> <div> <B>Boom - </B>projecting pole or spar that provides an outreach for handling cargo, mooring boats, etc.</div> <div> <B>Boondoggle</B> <B>- </B>travel which is more fun than functional; applies to many military schools.</div> <div> <B>Boot</B> <B>- </B>rookie or newbie; usually applied to enlisted men, but often heard as <I>boot Ensign</I>. Originated in the habit of referring to a new man as 'bootcamp,' rather than by name.</div> <div> <B>Boot camp - </B>training camp for new enlistees. During the Spanish-American War, sailors wore leggings called boots, which came to mean a Navy (or Marine) recruit. These recruits trained in "boot" camps.</div> <div> <B>Boot topping</B> <B>- </B>black paint used at the waterline of many warships; separates the hull paint from the anti-fouling underwater paint.</div> <div> <B>BOQ - </B>Bachelor Officer Quarters; apartments and other living spaces ashore, reserved for officers without families.</div> <div> <B>Boresight</B> <B>- </B>a rough method of aligning guns to a sighting system. </div> <div> <B>Bosun</B> <B>- </B>phonetic spelling of <I>boatswain; </I>also spelled bos'n. </div> <div> <B>Bow - </B>the forward section of a vessel. <I>Off the bow </I>refers to the position of an object somewhat off the heading of the ship, usually within 45º of dead ahead. </div> <div> <B>Bower anchor - </B>either of the two anchors usually carried at the ship's bow. Most ships anchor by using one of the bowers. </div> <div> <B>Bow hook - </B>boat crew member who tends to the lines in the forward part of the boat. </div> <div> <B>Box the compass</B> <B>- </B>to name all the points of the compass. Also, to face successively in all directions, as when a ship loses steerage and drifts aimlessly.</div> <div> <B>Boyson - </B>a young striker or apprentice; usually used by an older and more experienced salt.</div> <div> <B>Boys' town -</B><B> </B>large stateroom with bunks for six or more of the most junior officers. Sometimes called an "ensign locker."</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 769 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Bracket</B> <B>- </B>in shipboard gunnery, a bracket results when one salvo lands to the left of the target and the next lands to the right. Adjustments in deflection usually result in a hit soon after.</div> <div> <B>Bracket and halving</B> <B>- </B>a method of correcting the aim of shipboard gunnery. For example, say a salvo falls left of the target; a <I>spot </I>(an aim correction) is made using right deflection, and the next salvo falls to the right of the target. Another spot is applied back to the left, half the amount of the previous correction. In this way, the <I>fall of shot</I> is walked onto the target.</div> <div> <B>Brass</B> <B>- </B>officers, especially senior officers. Also, shell casings from small arms or larger guns whose shells have metal casings. </div> <div> <B>Brasso - </B>commercial product used for polishing bells, belt buckles and anything else made of brass; extremely effective, but more than a little messy. </div> <div> <B>Bravo Zulu</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="bravozulu"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>phonetic pronunciation of 'BZ' from the NATO signals codes. Another way of saying <A HREF="#welldone" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>well done</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Break out - </B>to unstow or prepare for use. "Break out your rain gear, for there's heavy weather ahead!"</div> <div> <B>Breast line - </B>mooring line that runs at right angles to the ship and is used to keep the ship from moving laterally away from whatever it is moored to.</div> <div> <B>Bridge - </B>the raised deck from which the ship is steered, navigated, and conned; usually located in the forward part of the superstructure, and consists of the <I>wheelhouse </I>or <I>pilot house </I>and port and starboard bridge wings.</div> <div> <B>Brig - </B>A jail or jail cell on a ship or naval shore base.</div> <div> <B>Brightwork - </B>metal work, usually brass, that is kept polished rather than painted.</div> <div> <B>Broach - </B>to be thrown broadside into the surf. Broaching is a serious problem with landing craft, and is greatly to be avoided.</div> <div> <B>Broad on the (starboard or port) beam - </B>bearing 090º or 270º relative to the bow of the ship. </div> <div> <B>Broad on the (starboard or port) bow - </B>bearing 045º or 315º relative to the bow of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Broad on the (starboard or port) quarter - </B>bearing 135º or 225º relative to the bow of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Broadside - </B>simultaneous firing of all main battery guns on one side of a warship.</div> <div> <B>Brow</B> <B>- </B>the proper term for what is often called the <I>gangway</I>, the temporary bridge connecting the ship's quarterdeck to the pier, wharf, or float; usually equipped with rollers on the bottom and handrails on the sides.</div> <div> <B>Brown-bagger</B> <B>- </B>married member of the crew. Aka <I>khaki sacker</I>. So called because of his presumed activity of bringing his lunch from home, carried in a brown paper bag. </div> <div> <B>Brownshoe - </B>member of the Naval air forces, as opposed to <I>blackshoe, </I>or member of the surface or submarine forces.</div> <div> <B>Brown water - </B>shallow water or shallow draft, especially a ship or navy whose ships are not suited to deep (or open) water and deep-water combat.</div> <div> <B>Brown water ops</B> <B>- </B>Naval operations in shallow water, typically 100 fathoms or less.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 800 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Bubblehead - </B>a submarine sailor.</div> <div> <B>Buck - </B>an arbitrary object on the wardroom dining table, determining at which place food is first served. The buck moves from place to place between meals, to insure that every officer has a chance to be served first. Said to be involved in the expressions "pass the buck" and "the buck stops here."</div> <div> <B> <A NAME="bugjuice"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Bug juice</B> <B>- </B>Food term: substance similar in appearance to Kool-Aid which is served as a beverage aboard USN ships; its color has no bearing on its flavor. Largely composed of ascorbic acid. Used extensively as an all-purpose cleaner/stripper for bulkheads, decks, brass fire nozzles, and pipes. </div> <div> <B>Bulkhead - </B>vertical structure enclosing a compartment; equivalent to a wall ashore, but never called a wall.  </div> <div> <B>Bulkheading</B> <B>- </B>loudly criticizing a fellow officer.</div> <div> <B>Bull Ensign</B> <B>- </B>the senior ensign aboard.</div> <div> <B>Bullnose</B> <B>- </B>a chock placed right over the stem, in the <I>eyes of the ship</I>.</div> <div> <B>Bullshit - </B>idle chatter, frequently untruthful. </div> <div> <B>Bullshit artist</B> <B>- </B>a glib person, or one who lies convincingly.</div> <div> <B>Bullshitting</B> <B>- </B>lying or exaggerating, usually without sinister purpose.</div> <div> <B>Bulwark - </B>raised plating running along the side of a vessel above the weather deck; helps keep decks dry and prevents men and gear from being swept overboard. </div> <div> <B>Bumboat</B> <B>- </B>supply boat, usually of an unofficial nature; often operated by purveyors of curios, souvenirs, etc.</div> <div> <B>Bum skinny - </B>bad information. (<I>Skinny</I> is information.)  "Rogers gave us bum skinny about liberty being good in Izmir."</div> <div> <B>Bunk - </B>built-in bed aboard ship. Also called a <I>berth </I>or <I>rack.</I></div> <div> <B>Bunker - </B>compartment for the storage of oil or other fuel. </div> <div> <B>Buoy - </B>floating marker anchored to the bottom, which by its shape and color conveys navigational information; may be lighted or unlighted, silent or with a bell or whistle. </div> <div> <B>Burn bag - </B>cloth or paper bag containing <A HREF="#classifiedmatter" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>classified matter</U></A> that is soon to be destroyed by burning. </div> <div> <B>Busted - </B>said of an enlisted man who is reduced in rate, usually due to some offense. Also seen as <I>broke </I>or <I>broken. </I>"That affair in the captain's cabin got Chief Clinton busted all the way back to Second Class. He was lucky he didn't get brig time."</div> <div> <B>Butter bar</B> <B>- </B>Ensign/Second Lieutenant (O-1 paygrade), so called for the gold bar collar device.</div> <div> <B>Butt kit</B> <B>- </B>an ashtray, especially a can-shaped one mounted on a bulkhead. Sometimes called a <I>spit kit.</I></div> <div> <B>By and large</B> <B>- </B>colloquial term meaning 'for the most part.' Origin of the term seems to be that a ship was considered particularly seaworthy if it could sail both <I>by </I>(close to the wind) and <I>large </I>(before the wind).</div> <div> <B>By the board - </B>overboard; over the side.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="c"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>C</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>Charlie </B>(CHAR-lee)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9112a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="912463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>dah-di-dah-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Charlie</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 525 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Cabin - </B>the Captain's living quarters.</div> <div> <B>Camel - </B>large float used for keeping a vessel away from the wharf, pier, or quay. A camel is in the water, while a <I>fender </I>is suspended above the water.</div> <div> <B>Can</B> <B>- </B>short for <A HREF="#tincan" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>tincan</U></A>; a destroyer. Also a can-shaped buoy that marks the left side of the channel when entering port from seaward. </div> <div> <B>Candy ass</B> <B>- </B>one who doesn't do his share of the work. Marines embarked aboard ship, usually with no nautical duties when underway, are often called <I>candy ass Marines.</I></div> <div> <B>Cap stretcher - </B>mechanical device used to shape the cover of an officer's or CPO's distinctive cap. </div> <div> <B>Capstan - </B>the vertical barrel device used to heave in cable or lines; usually used in connection with the anchor. </div> <div> <B>Captain - </B>the master or commanding officer of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Captain of the head - </B>the person responsible for a head cleaning detail; a bathroom cleaner.</div> <div> <B>Captain's Mast -</B> <A NAME="captainsmast"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>non-judicial disciplinary procedure, usually meted out by unit commanders for minor offenses such as fighting. Also known simply as <I>mast. </I></div> <div> <B>Cardinal points -</B>the four principal points of the compass: North, East, South, and West. </div> <div> <B>Cargo net - </B>heavy, square net made of rope used for slinging cargo. When Marines are debarking into boats, cargo nets are placed over the side and the Marines climb down them. </div> <div> <B>Carry away - </B>to break loose, as in "the rough seas carried away the lifelines."</div> <div> <B>Carry on - </B>an order to resume work or duties.</div> <div> <B>Cast loose - </B>to let go a line or lines; also <I>cast off</I>.</div> <div> <B>CBR</B> <B>warfare - </B>Chemical/Biological/Radiological (nuclear) warfare. In different eras has been known as <I>ABC warfare</I> (Atomic/Biological/Chemical) and <I>NBC warfare</I> (Nuclear/ Biological/ Chemical).</div> <div> <B>CDO - </B><A HREF="#commanddutyofficer" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Command Duty Officer</U></A>.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 850 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Celestial navigation - </B>navigation with the aid of celestial bodies. Commonly uses a sextant and Nautical Almanac. Seldom used in the Navy now. </div> <div> <B>Chafing gear - </B>guard of canvas or rope around spars, hawsers, chocks or rigging, used to protect lines from excessive wear.</div> <div> <B>Chain of command - </B>the succession of commanding officers through which command is exercised from superior to subordinate, and through which requests are forwarded from subordinate to superior.</div> <div> <B>Chain locker - </B>the compartment in the bow, below the anchor windlass, where the anchor chain is stowed when not paid out.</div> <div> <B>Channel fever</B> <B>- </B>anxiety to get home, or reach port.</div> <div> <B>Charlie Foxtrot - </B> <a href="#ClusterFuck" style="color: #cc99ff">Cluster Fuck. </a>  </div> <div> <B>Charlie Noble</B> <B>- </B>the galley smokestack. The most popular version of the term's origin is that Charlie Noble was an Admiral who insisted that the brass or copper galley smokestack be polished for inspections.</div> <div> <B>Charm school - </B>training program attended by enlisted men about to be commissioned as officers. </div> <div> <B>Chart - </B>the nautical equivalent of a road map, showing land configuration, water depths, and aids to navigation. Never referred to as a map.</div> <div> <B>Charthouse or chartroom - </B>compartment on or near the bridge for handling and stowage of navigational equipment. </div> <div> <B>Chief - </B>see <I>Chief Petty Officer, </I>below.</div> <div> <B>Chief Master at Arms - </B>the enlisted man officially designated to keep order on the mess decks and elsewhere aboard the ship. More or less the ship's sheriff and chief of police.</div> <div> <B>Chief Petty Officer -</B><B> <A NAME="chiefpettyofficer"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>an enlisted man in one of the three highest rates: Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer. Instead of the <A HREF="#bluejacket" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>bluejacket's</U></A> traditional sailor garb, they wear officer-like uniforms, including a special cap or hat, and they occupy a special place between the bluejackets and the officers. Because of their skills, knowledge, and experience, the Chiefs are widely recognized as "the backbone of the Navy." </div> <div> <B>Chief snipe - </B>the <I>Engineer Officer</I>.</div> <div> <B>Chinese fire drill</B> <B>- </B>any evolution notable for its lack of coordination and military smartness.</div> <div> <B>Chip - </B>to remove paint or rust from metallic surfaces before applying paint. A major activity of <I>deck apes.</I></div> <div> <B>Chipping hammer - </B>small hammer with a sharp peen and face set at right angles to each other; used for chipping paint and scale from metal surfaces. </div> <div> <B>Chit - </B>any small piece of paper bearing permission to do something, or requesting such permission. Before going on leave, you need to get a chit from the Captain or Exec. To request a change in duty, you need to submit a chit.</div> <div> <B>Chock - </B>steel deck member, either oval or U-shaped, through which mooring lines are passed. Usually paired off with <I>bitts</I>.</div> <div> <B>Chockablock - </B>completely full; full to the top; as close to one another as possible.</div> <div> <B>Chow - </B>food.</div> <div> <B>Chronometer - </B>an especially accurate timepiece, set to Greenwich time; used for navigation.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 502 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>CIC - </B>Combat Information Center. The compartment, usually close to the bridge, where tactical and navigational information is gathered, evaluated, and disseminated. </div> <div> <B>Cinderella liberty</B> <B>- </B>liberty that expires at midnight.</div> <div> <B>Class Alfa fire -</B> <A NAME="classalfafire"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A> a fire which leaves ashes. See  <a href="#ScreamingAlfa" style="color: #cc99ff">screaming alfa.</a>  </div> <div> <B>Class Bravo fire</B> <B>- </B>a fire involving flaming liquids.</div> <div> <B>Class Charlie fire</B> <B>- </B>an electrical fire.</div> <div> <B>Class Delta fire</B> <B>- </B>a fire involving special materials and firefighting methods, such as a fire involving flammable metals or deep fat fryer equipment.</div> <div> <B>Classified matter -</B> <A NAME="classifiedmatter"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>information or material that would be of aid to a possible enemy if it were divulged improperly. From lowest to highest importance, classified matter is classified Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret. In the Navy and other military branches, all material of any importance to operations is classified. Since journalists almost never have access to classified matter of any sort, one can see that commercial news organizations almost never know what is really going on. </div> <div> <B>Clean bill of health - </B>this term has its origins in the document issued to a ship showing that the port it sailed from suffered from no epidemic or infection at the time of departure.</div> <div> <B>Cleat - </B>a small deck fitting of metal with horns, used for securing lines; also called a <I>belaying cleat. </I>Short piece of wood nailed to a brow or gangplank to give surer footing. </div> <div> <B>Clinometer - </B>bridge and engine-room instrument that indicates the amount of a ship's roll or degree of list.</div> <div> <B>Close aboard - </B>nearby. </div> <div> <B>Cluster fuck -</B> <A NAME="clusterfuck"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>an evolution remarkable for its significant lack of excellence. Mass confusion and chaos. Similar to a <I>Chinese Fire Drill</I>, etc.</div> <div> <B>CNO - </B>Chief of Naval Operations; the senior Admiral in the Navy. Every <A HREF="#ringknocker" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>ring knocker</U></A> wants to be CNO one day, but knows that it's extremely unlikely. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1677 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>CO</B> <B>- </B>Commanding Officer. The captain of a vessel. </div> <div> <B>Coaming</B> <B>- </B>raised framework around deck or bulkhead openings and cockpits of open boats; designed to prevent entry of water. Not always effective. </div> <div> <B>Coastie - </B>member of the United States Coast Guard.</div> <div> <B>Coffee mess</B> <B>- </B>an area, usually in a duty or working area, where coffee is made and served.</div> <div> <B>Cofferdam - </B>the space between two bulkheads set close together, especially between fuel tanks, to use for drainage or safety.</div> <div> <B>Cold iron</B> <B>- </B>engineering term meaning that the entire engineering plant has been secured. Lighting off boilers and getting steam up has always been an involved and lengthy operation, requiring anywhere from an hour to even longer before the ship could get underway; in time of war, being caught cold iron could be tactically disastrous. With the increasing usage of gas turbines, this is less of an issue—a gas turbine ship can get underway within minutes if the lube oil systems are warm.</div> <div> <B> <A NAME="collisionmat"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Collision mat</B> <B>- </B>a mat used to temporarily lose a hole in a ship's hull below the waterline. Also, a food term: pancake.</div> <div> <B>Colors - </B>the national ensign; distinguishing flag flown by a vessel to indicate her nationality. Also, the ceremonies performed at a naval activity when colors are hoisted at 0800 and hauled down at sunset.</div> <div> <B>Combatant ship - </B>a ship whose primary mission is combat.</div> <div> <B>COMCIVLANT / COMCIVPAC - </B>refers to the spouse at home, the one really in charge. "I'll have to run my leave plans past COMCIVLANT."</div> <div> <B>Command at sea -</B> <A NAME="commandatsea"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>being captain of a seagoing warship; the goal, reachable by many who make the Navy a career, of every <I>line officer</I>. </div> <div> <B>Command Duty Officer -</B> <A NAME="commanddutyofficer"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>many ships, particularly larger ones, establish a <I>command duty officer </I>who is senior to the OOD while on duty—a period that usually spans several OOD watches. The command duty officer, or <I>duty commander </I>relieves the executive officer of some of his detailed supervisory duties, and acts as the XO's representative in that officer's absence.</div> <div> <B>Commander - </B>An officer rank above Lieutenant Commander and below Captain. Also, another name for the executive officer. As the commanding officer is known as the captain, the executive officer is known as the commander. </div> <div> <B>Commissary - </B>land-based Navy grocery store. Non-grocery items are sold at the <I>exchange.</I></div> <div> <B>Commission - </B>to activate a ship or aircraft; a written order, approved by Congress, giving an officer his rank and authority; the rank and authority itself.</div> <div> <B>Commission pennant -</B> <A NAME="commissionpennant"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>long, thin, seven-star pennant flown by a ship to indicate that she is commissioned in the U. S. Navy.</div> <div> <B>Companionway - </B>set of steps or ladders leading from one deck level to another. </div> <div> <B>Compartment - </B>any room or other enclosed space aboard a ship; often specifically refers to living quarters. "The electrician's mates have their racks in the E Division compartment."</div> <div> <B>Compartment cleaners - </B>group of men, usually newcomers on board, assigned to clean living quarters.</div> <div> <B>Compass rose - </B>diagram of a compass card on a chart; assists the navigator in laying out courses and directions on the chart.</div> <div> <B>COMPHIBLANT - </B>Commander, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet. Formerly the admiral in charge of all amphibious ships in the Atlantic Fleet. </div> <div> <B>COMPHIBPAC - </B>Pacific Fleet version of COMPHIBLANT, above.</div> <div> <B>Complement - </B>the number, ranks and ratings of officers and men, as determined by the Chief of Naval Personnel, to be necessary to fight the ship most effectively.</div> <div> <B>Condition 1</B> <B>- </B>General Quarters (battle stations). May be modified for certain conditions, such as Condition 1-AS, in which all antisubmarine watch stations and weapons are manned, but anti-air stations may not be. Modified conditions are used to minimize crew fatigue, which can be a significant factor over a prolonged period at battle stations. Other types of modified conditions include 1-SQ (battle stations for missile launch).</div> <div> <B>Condition 1-A - </B>on an amphibious ship, the condition where all hands are involved in unloading men and cargo and making the amphibious landing. Pronounced "one-alfa."</div> <div> <B>Condition 2</B> <B>- </B>a condition of modified General Quarters, generally used on large ships.</div> <div> <B>Condition 3</B> <B>- </B>a condition of readiness commonly associated with wartime steaming where some, usually half, of the ship's weapons are kept in a manned and ready status at all times.</div> <div> <B>Condition 4</B> <B>- </B>a condition of readiness commonly associated with peacetime steaming. There are no weapons in a ready status.</div> <div> <B>Condition 5</B> <B>- </B>a condition of readiness associated with peacetime in port status.</div> <div> <B>Conn</B> <B>- </B>to direct the <A HREF="#helmsman" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>helmsman </U></A>and <A HREF="#leehelmsman" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>lee helmsman</U></A> as to movement of the <A HREF="#helm" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>helm </U></A>and <A HREF="#engineordertelegraph" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>engine order telegraph</U></A>, especially when navigating in narrow channels or heavy traffic. Similar to driving. When an officer announces "I have the conn," he is then legally responsible to give proper steering and engine orders for the safe navigation of the ship. </div> <div> <B>Conning</B> <B>- </B>giving orders regarding the maneuvering of a ship. </div> <div> <B>CONUS</B> <B>- </B>the CONtinental U.S.</div> <div> <B>Convoy - </B>a number of merchant ships and/or naval auxiliaries, assembled and organized for the purpose of passage together, and usually escorted by warships and/or aircraft for the purpose of defense.</div> <div> <B>Corpen</B> <B>- </B>a maneuver of a formation of ships. In its simplest form, ships in a column turn in succession, each at the same point, akin to a column movement of marching men. See <A HREF="#turn" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><I>turn</I></U></A><I>.</I></div> <div> <B>Country -</B> <A NAME="country"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>part of the ship where certain people live, such as <I>officers' country, chiefs' country, snipe country, </I>and so forth. </div> <div> <B>Course - </B>a ship's desired direction of travel. It is not necessarily the same as the ship's <A HREF="#heading" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>heading</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Court martial - </B>military court, authorized under the <A HREF="#ucmj" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>UCMJ</U></A>,  for the trial of more serious offenses. There are three kinds of court martial: <I>summary</I>, <I>special</I>, and <I>general</I>. See also <I>captain's mast.</I></div> <div> <B>Cover - </B>a hat. Also, to put on a hat.</div> <div> <B>Covered - </B>wearing a hat. Naval personnel do not salute when covered. Doing so is for lesser breeds of servicemen.</div> <div> <B>Coxswain - </B>enlisted man in charge of a boat; usually acts as helmsman. Pronounced "koksun." A coxswain or cockswain was at first the swain (boy servant) in charge of the small cock or cockboat that was kept aboard for the ship's captain and which was used to row him to and from the ship. The term has been in use in England dating back to at least 1463. With the passing of time the coxswain became the helmsman of any boat, regardless of size.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 535 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>CPA - </B>Closest Point of Approach. The bearing and distance of another ship when it is anticipated to most closely cross your path, either ahead or astern.</div> <div> <B>CPO - </B><A HREF="#chiefpettyofficer" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Chief Petty Officer</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Critter fritters</B> <B>- </B>food term: fried mystery meat.</div> <div> <B>Crossbar Hotel - </B>the ship's brig.</div> <div> <B>Crow -</B> <A NAME="crow"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>the rate insignia of a USN Petty Officer (E-4 and above), so-called because of the eagle surmounting the rate chevrons.</div> <div> <B>Crow's nest - </B>a platform or tub, standing high on a mast and used by a lookout.</div> <div> <B>Cruise book - </B>a book, similar to a school yearbook, published to commemorate long or special cruises. They are produced informally by people aboard the ship, and they contain pictures of the ship's personnel and their activities at sea and in port. The cruise book staff is chosen from men who are good at photography and drawing. The editor, usually one of the ship's junior officers, provides the written material. </div> <div> <B>Crypto - </B>term referring to the personnel, equipment, and practices involved in coding messages so they cannot be read by those for whom they aren't intended. </div> <div> <B>Crypto board - </B>a group of officers assigned the duty of handling coded messages. </div> <div> <B>Cumshaw</B> <B>- </B>procurement of needed material outside the supply chain, usually by swapping, barter, or mutual backscratching. Often involves the barter of coffee or other food items. Officially frowned upon, but a widespread practice. The word comes from the pidgin English of the old China Fleet for "Come Ashore" money. It was usually anything useless to a sailor or ship, scavenged and saved for trade to locals for the purpose of earning a little extra liberty money.</div> <div> <B>Cunt cap - </B>garrison cap worn by officers and CPOs. Also called a <I>pisscutter.</I></div> <div> <B>Cut and run</B> <B>- </B>to leave quickly; from the practice of cutting a ship's moorings in a hasty departure.</div> <div> <B>Cut of his jib</B> <B>- </B>a person's general appearance. From the days of sail, when individual sails were made aboard the ship and a certain amount of individuality was expressed in the shape and size of the sails. Ships could be, and were, identified by the "cut of their jib."</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="d_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>D</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>Delta </B>(DELL-tah)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9182a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="919463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>dah-di-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="91b730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Dog</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 268 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Damage Control - </B>measures necessary to keep the ship afloat, fighting, and in operating condition.</div> <div> <B>Dark adapted - </B>said of one's eyes when they have been optimized for seeing in the dark. The condition comes from spending several minutes with the eyes open in an area that is dark or illumniated only by dim red lights. Flashlights aboard ship often have red lenses, to avoid their destroying the dark adaption of those who see their light. </div> <div> <B>Darken ship - </B>condition where all the ship's external lights are extinguished, and all inside lights are prevented from being seen from outside. In peacetime, allows all hands topside to appreciate the beauty of the heavens and the phosphoresence of the sea. In wartime, keeps the enemy from seeing the ship.</div> <div> <B>Davit - </B>shipboard crane for lowering and raising boats. Pronounced "day-vit."</div> <div> <B>Davy Jones' locker -</B> <A NAME="davyjoneslocker_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>the bottom of the sea.</div> <div> <B>DCA</B> <B>- </B>Damage Control Assistant. The officer responsible, under the Chief Engineer, for damage control and stability of a ship.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 802 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Dead ahead - </B>directly ahead of the ship; bearing 000º relative.</div> <div> <B>Dead astern - </B>directly behind the ship; bearing 180º relative.</div> <div> <B>Dead in the water - </B>said of a ship that is underway but making no headway or sternway.</div> <div> <B>Dead reckoning - </B>navigator's estimate of the position of the ship from the course steered and the distance run. Short for "deductive reckoning." Not always accurate, due to the effects of wind, currents, and tides.</div> <div> <B>Deadhead</B> <B>- </B>the resistance of a magnetic compass to swinging back and forth excessively; a compass with insufficient deadhead will swing so much (due to normal movement of the ship or aircraft) that it is difficult to steer a course.</div> <div> <B>Debarkation station - </B>the place on a ship where personnel assemble to debark in boats. On ships where debarkation is a major part of the mission, debarkation stations are marked by numbers on colored backgrounds, the numbers and colors having a specific organization. </div> <div> <B>Deck - </B>on a ship, corresponds to the floor of a building on land. Decks below the main deck are the second deck, third deck, and so on, moving downward. Decks above the main deck are the 01 deck, 02 deck, and so on, moving upward. Also refers to work or personnel mainly involved with <I>deck seamanship</I>. </div> <div> <B>Deck ape - </B>a deck hand.</div> <div> <B>Deck gray - </B>dark color used to paint decks aboard ship. <I>Haze gray</I> is used on vertical surfaces.</div> <div> <B>Deck hands</B> <B>- </B>personnel, usually Seamen and Boatswain's Mates, who work with and care for topside gear and equipment. A deck hand is sometimes called a <I>deck ape</I>.</div> <div> <B>Deck log -</B> <A NAME="decklog_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>the official record of all the ship's activities, maintained and signed by the Officer of the Deck. It is traditional that the first log entry of a new year is made in verse.</div> <div> <B>Deck seamanship - </B>branch of seamanship embracing the practical side, from the simplest rudiments of knot tying up to navigation; includes small-boat handling, ground tackle, steering, heaving the lead, signaling, etc.</div> <div> <B>Deep six</B> <B>- </B>euphemism for throwing something overboard. Originally, the call of the leadsman signifying that the water is more than six fathoms deep, but less than seven. </div> <div> <B>Deflection</B> <B>- </B>in gunnery, the adjustment of fire to the left or right. </div> <div> <B>Degaussing - </B>treating the ship to reduce its magnetic field; used to protect the ship from magnetic mines.</div> <div> <B>Demurrage</B> <B>- </B>a fine levied for not unloading a ship on time.</div> <div> <B>Department Head - </B>an officer reporting to the Executive Officer and responsible for a department of the ship's organization. Most mid-sized ships have an operations department, a navigation department, a gunnery or deck department, an engineering department, and a supply department. Larger ships may have more, and smaller ships fewer, departments.</div> <div> <B>Deploy - </B>to move into position for battle or other purposes. A ship or a sailor can deploy to the Mediterranean, for example.</div> <div> <B>Depth charge - </B>large explosive charge used against submarines. It is dropped or launched from a ship, and explodes upon reaching a preset depth.</div> <div> <B>Deviation - </B>magnetic compass error caused by the magnetic effect of metal in the ship.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 743 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Dilligaff - Do I look like I give a flying fuck? Usually a short-timer's attitude. </B></div> <div> <B>Dip - </B>to lower a flag partway in salute or in answer, then to hoist it again. </div> <div> <B>Direct fire</B> <B>- </B>gunnery and fire control where the fall of shot can be directly observed by the firing unit.</div> <div> <B>Director - </B>electro-mechanical device for directing and controlling gunfire.</div> <div> <B>Displacement - </B>weight of water displaced by a ship. Equal to the weight of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Distance line - </B>a light line stretched between two ships engaged in replenishment or similar operations when underway. The line is marked at 20' intervals to aid the conning officer in maintaining the proper distance between ships.</div> <div> <B>Distress signal - </B>a flag display or a sound, light, or radio signal calling for assistance.</div> <div> <B>Ditty bag</B> <B>- </B>small cloth bag with drawstring closure; usually used to hold toilet articles and the like.</div> <div> <B>Division - </B>the smallest organizational unit aboard a ship. Usually consists of one or more officers plus a group of men responsible for a particular part of the ship's work. Also, an organization composed of two or more ships of the same type; two or more divisions make up a squadron.</div> <div> <B>Division officer - </B>the officer in charge of a division. Newly-commissioned officers often seek this responsibility, since it is the first step to assuming command at sea. </div> <div> <B>Dixie cup</B> <B>- </B>the bluejacket's white sailor hat. </div> <div> <B>Dog - </B>metal fitting used to tighten down watertight doors, hatch covers, scuttles, etc.</div> <div> <B>Dog down - </B>to set the dogs on a watertight door.</div> <div> <B>Dog watch -</B> <A NAME="dogwatch"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>a shortened watch period. Generally, there are two two-hour watches, designated First and Second Dog Watches, arranged so that personnel on watch can eat the evening meal. They usually run from 1600 to 1800 and 1800 to 2000. They also serve to alternate the daily watch routine so men with the midwatch one night will not have it the next time.</div> <div> <B>Doggie dicks</B> <B>- </B>food term: breakfast sausages.</div> <div> <B>Dolphins</B> <B>- </B>the warfare insignia of the submarine fleet. Aka <I>tin tunas</I> or <I>pukin' fish</I>. Represented as two heraldic dolphins flanking the prow of a WWII-type submarine, gold for officers and silver for enlisted. "Getting one's dolphins" is achieving the status of a qualified submariner.</div> <div> <B>Douche kit</B> <B>- </B>shaving gear.</div> <div> <B>Double up - </B>to double the mooring lines for extra strength.</div> <div> <B>Down by the head (or stern) - </B>said of a ship that is not level in the water from bow to stern. A ship that is <I>down by the head </I>has her bow lower in the water than her stern.</div> <div> <B>Down the hatch - </B>this drinking expression seems to have its origins in sea freight, where cargoes are lowered into the hatch. First used by seamen, it has only been traced back to the start of the twentieth century.</div> <div> <B>Down to the short strokes</B> <B>- </B>nearly done; almost finished. Origin unknown.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 592 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Draft - </B>the depth of water from the surface to the bottom of a ship's keel. Depends, to an extent, on how heavily the ship is loaded.</div> <div> <B>Dramamine - </B>drug used to prevent or minimize seasickness.</div> <div> <B>Dress ship - </B>to display flags in honor of a person or event. </div> <div> <B>Drifty</B> <B>- </B>said of a sailor who is not <I>squared away</I>. Probably comes from <A HREF="#adrift" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>adrift</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Drill - </B>a shipboard evolution used to practice and develop skills; includes fire drills, general quarters drills, man overboard drills, abandon ship drills, and so forth.</div> <div> <B>Drop the hook - </B>to anchor. "We dropped the hook at 1400."</div> <div> <B>DRUNKEX</B> <B>- </B>any evolution characterized more by the amount of alcohol consumption than by accomplishment of any goals (other than getting toasted, of course).</div> <div> <B>Drydock - </B>special dock used to facilitate repairs to the hull of a ship. The ship is floated into the drydock, which is then sealed off from the water. The water inside is pumped out, and the ship is left, high and dry, sitting on large wooden blocks in the bottom of the drydock. Quite a sight to see. </div> <div> <B>DTG</B> <B>- </B>Date-Time Group; part of the header of a message which indicates the date, time, and timezone of the message's origin. "150345Z JUL" is a DTG indicating 15 July at 0345 ZULU time.</div> <div> <B>Duffel - </B>name given to a sailor's personal effects. Also spelled <I>duffle</I>, it referred to his principal clothing as well as to the seabag in which he carried and stowed it. The term comes from the Flemish town of Duffel near Antwerp, and denotes a rough woolen cloth made there. A <I>duffel bag</I> is a rough cloth bag used to carry personal effects.</div> <div> <B>Dungarees - </B>the blue-jean-like enlisted working uniform. The term dates to the 18th century and comes from the Hindi word <I>dungri</I>, for a type of Indian cotton cloth.</div> <div> <B>Dungaree liberty - </B>liberty on which men are allowed to wear dungarees; usually called in isolated or uninhabited areas, or when fights are expected or desired.</div> <div> <B>Duty, the - </B>requirement, when in port, to be aboard and available for watchstanding or other responsibilities; shipboard personnel commonly have the duty every third day while in port, but it can be every second or fourth day, depending on the situation. At shore stations, the duty less frequent. "I can't have Thanksgiving dinner with your family, Dear, because I have the duty on Thursday." </div> <div> <B>Dynamited chicken</B> <B>- </B>food term: Chicken a la King.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="e_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>E</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>Echo </B>(ECK-oh)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="91d2a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="91e463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="91b730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Easy</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 841 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>EAOS - </B>End of Active Obligated Service.</div> <div> <B>Eagle shits - </B>said of payday, the day when "the eagle shits." </div> <div> <B>Eight bells - </B>signal traditionally rung at the end of a four-hour watch. See <A HREF="#bells" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>bells</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Eight o'clock reports</B> <B>- </B>reports made by all department heads to the XO, who then takes them to the CO. The reports usually consist of equipment reports and position reports, significant events of the day or of the day to come, etc., and are made shortly before 2000. </div> <div> <B>EMCON</B> <B>- </B>EMissions CONtrol. Various conditions of electronic silence. <I>EMCON Alfa</I> is total emissions silence, <I>EMCON Bravo</I> allows radiation of certain non type-specific emitters, etc.</div> <div> <B>Engineer - </B>anyone who works with the ship's propulsion equipment, electrical equipment, or other mechanical devices. A <A HREF="#snipe" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>snipe</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Engineer officer - </B>the department head in charge of the engineering department. Sometimes called <I>engineering officer</I> or <I>chief snipe.</I></div> <div> <B>Engineer Officer of the Watch - </B>the officer on watch in charge of the ship's propulsion machinery.</div> <div> <B>Engineer's bell book - </B>a log, kept in the engineering spaces, of all orders to change speed, stop engines, back down, etc. </div> <div> <B>Engine order telegraph -</B> <A NAME="engineordertelegraph"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>device used to transmit speed and direction orders from the bridge to the engine room; usually operated by the <I>lee helmsman</I>.</div> <div> <B>Engine room - </B>belowdecks space housing the ship's engines.</div> <div> <B>Ensign - </B>the national flag. Also the most junior rank for a commissioned officer.</div> <div> <B>Ensign locker - </B>large stateroom with bunks for six or more of the most junior officers. Sometimes called "boys town."</div> <div> <B>Enswine</B> <B>- </B>derogatory term for an Ensign.</div> <div> <B>EOOW</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="eeow"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><I>Engineer Officer Of the Watch</I>. Pronounced "ee-ow."</div> <div> <B>Evap</B> <B>- </B>short for <I>evaporator, </I>a distilling unit, aka <I>the still</I>. Used to produce fresh water at sea, both for the boilers and for drinking. For many years, vacuum "flash" evaps were used; reverse osmosis systems are becoming more common now.</div> <div> <B>Evolution - </B>any activity where all hands, or at least a large number of men, work together to accomplish a specific task. </div> <div> <B>EX</B> <B>- </B>short for "exercise." Some forms: MOBEX, DRUNKEX, BOREX, SINKEX.</div> <div> <B>Exchange - </B>shore-based Navy store selling all items except groceries;the <I>ship's store </I>is the seagoing version. Groceries are sold at the <I>commissary. </I> </div> <div> <B>Exec - </B>short for <I>executive officer.</I></div> <div> <B>Executive officer - </B>the line officer next in rank to the captain. Under the direction of the captain he has entire charge of all matters relating to the personnel, routine, and discipline of the ship. All orders issued by him are considered as coming from the captain. In case of the absence or disability of the captain, the executive officer assumes command. He is, by virtue of his position, senior to all staff officers aboard.</div> <div> <B>Extend - </B>to lengthen the term of one's service, voluntarily or involuntarily, without signing up for an additional term. "Harris extended for two years to get shore duty in Hawaii." </div> <div> <B>Eyes of the ship - </B>the foremost part of the weather deck in the bow of the ship.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="f"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>F</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>   </B></FONT><B>Foxtrot </B>(FOKS-trot)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9222a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="923463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>di-di-dah-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="91b730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>Fox</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 724 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Fake down</B> <B>- </B>to lay out a line to permit free running while maintaining seamanlike appearance. Generally used for large-diameter lines. The line is laid out in long parallel lines, generally starting up against a bulwark or deck edge and working inboard from there.</div> <div> <B>Fall of shot</B> <B>- </B>point of impact of a shell or salvo of shells.</div> <div> <B>Fancy work - </B>intricate, symmetrical rope work used for decorative purposes.</div> <div> <B>Fantail</B> <B>- </B>the aft-most weather deck on a ship, right above the stern.</div> <div> <B>Fart sack</B> <B>- </B>a fitted mattress cover.</div> <div> <B>Fast - </B>snugly secured; said of a line when it is fastened securely to a bitt, bollard, cleat, etc.</div> <div> <B>Fathom - </B>depth measure equal to six feet.</div> <div> <B>Fathometer - </B>electronic device used to measure the depth of the water under the keel.</div> <div> <B>Fender - </B>canvas, wood, rope gear, or old rubber tire used over the side to protect a ship from chafing when alongside a pier, wharf, or other ship. See <I>camel.</I></div> <div> <B>Fenderhead - </B>stupid person. He displays all the intelligence of a <I>fender. </I></div> <div> <B>Fid - </B>a tapered wooden pin used to separate the strands when splicing heavy line. </div> <div> <B>Field day</B> <B>- </B>a special time to scrub or otherwise clean a ship's spaces. Usually ordered when the CO or the XO thinks morale is low.</div> <div> <B>FIGMO</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="figmo"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Fuck it, I Got My Orders; phrase often used by short timers or others who will be leaving soon. "Go away and don't bother me, I'm outta here." </div> <div> <B>Fire and flushing water - </B>salt water piped throughout the ship for firefighting and flushing purposes.</div> <div> <B>Fire control - </B>shipboard system of directing and controlling gunfire, torpedo fire, or missile fire.</div> <div> <B>Fire main - </B>system of pipes which furnish water to fire hydrants.</div> <div> <B>Fireman - </B>an E-3 enlisted man, on track to become rated in an engineering rating.</div> <div> <B>Fireman Apprentice - </B>an E-2 enlisted man, on track to become rated in an engineering rating.</div> <div> <B>Fireman deuce - </B>a <I>fireman apprentice.</I></div> <div> <B>Fire room - </B>on a ship with a steam boilers, a compartment where a boiler is located.  </div> <div> <B>First Lieutenant</B> <B>- </B>the officer in charge of cleanliness and general upkeep of a ship or shore station. This is a duty, not a rank. In a ship with a large deck department, the First Lieutenant is generally the deck department head. </div> <div> <B>First watch - </B>the 2000-2400 watch; also called the <I>evening watch.</I></div> <div> <B>Fisheyes</B> <B>- </B>food term: tapioca pudding.</div> <div> <B>Five S's </B>- preparing oneself for duty or liberty; from shit, shower, shave, and shine shoes.</div> <div> <B>Fix </B><B>- </B>to determine the ship's position by using one or more navigational methods.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1683 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Flag bag - </B>container for storage of signal flags and pennants; rigged with slots to take the flags' snaps and rings.</div> <div> <B>Flaghoist - </B>a nondirectional means of transmitting signals with predetermined meanings taken from authorized publications. The U.S. and allied navies use use 68 different flags and pennants for this purpose. International use consists of 40 different flags and pennants. </div> <div> <B>Flag officer - </B>an officer of the rank of Rear Admiral or above; so called because he is entitled to fly his personal flag which, by the number of stars it shows, indicates his rank. </div> <div> <B>Flagstaff - </B>small vertical spar at the stern, on which the ensign is hoisted while in port. </div> <div> <B>Flag writer - </B>an admiral's yeoman. </div> <div> <B>Flank speed - </B>a certain prescribed speed increase over standard speed; faster than full speed, but less than emergency full speed.</div> <div> <B>Flashing</B> <B>- </B>a navigation light (buoy or lighthouse) in which the light is off longer than it is on during its periodic cycling. The opposite condition is <I>occulting.</I></div> <div> <B>Flashing light - </B>the term applied to the transmission of signals by light. The equipment used may be directional or nondirectional. Directional transmission reduces the possibility of its interception, thus providing some security. Nondirectional flashing light permits simultaneous transmission to a number of stations in any direction, but has little security from interception.</div> <div> <B>Flat hat - </B>brimless winter hat worn by sailors until it was abolished about 1960. Originally it had the name of the sailor's ship printed on a silk headband. Later the printing was changed to "U. S. Navy." A few old salts still use the expression "I hope to shit in your flat hat!" to express emphatic agreement about something. Even more emphatic is "I hope to shit in the captain's flat hat!"</div> <div> <B>Flat top</B> <B>- </B>aircraft carrier.</div> <div> <B>Fleet - </B>organization of ships and aircraft under one commander; normally includes all types of ships and aircraft necessary for major operations.</div> <div> <B>Fleet up</B> <B>- </B>to promote from within.</div> <div> <B>Flemish</B> <B>- </B>to coil a line on deck so that it can run freely while maintaining a seamanlike appearance. Generally used for lines of small diameter. The line is laid in a flat, close-coiled spiral on the deck.</div> <div> <B>Flinders bar</B> <B>- </B>on the <A HREF="#binnacle" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>binnacle</U></A>, the bar that holds the <A HREF="#quadrantalspheres" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>quadrantal spheres</U></A>. </div> <div> <B>Floating drydock - </B>movable dock floating in the water; ships of all sizes are floated into it and repaired.</div> <div> <B>Float test</B> <B>- </B>testing the buoyant qualities of unwanted material while at sea. Material that fails the float test becomes <A HREF="#jetsam" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>jetsam</U></A><A HREF="#jetsam" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U><I> </I></U></A>and goes to <A HREF="#davyjoneslocker_1" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Davy Jones' locker</U></A>; material which passes it becomes <I>flotsam</I>. Pass or fail, it's outta here.</div> <div> <B>Flotsam</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="flotsam"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>wreckage or cargo left floating in the sea after a shipwreck; sometimes applied to objects that float when thrown overboard. The related term <I>jetsam</I> applies to cargo or equipment thrown overboard (jettisoned) and either sunk or washed ashore. The common phrase <I>flotsam and jetsam</I> is now used loosely to describe any objects found floating or washed ashore.</div> <div> <B>Fluke - </B>flat end of an anchor; the part that bites into the bottom.</div> <div> <B>Flyboy - </B>a Naval aviator. Often used with the <A HREF="#universaladjective" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>universal adjective</U></A>. </div> <div> <B>Flying Bravo</B> <B>- </B>When a woman is having her monthly period, she is said to be <I>flying Bravo</I>. The Bravo alphabet flag is all red.</div> <div> <B>Flying bridge - </B>a bridge extending out from the control tower.</div> <div> <B>Flying Dutchman - </B>superstition has it that any mariner who sees the ghost ship called the <I>Flying Dutchman</I> will die within the day. The tale of the <I>Flying Dutchman</I> trying to round the Cape of Good Hope against strong winds and never succeeding, then trying to make Cape Horn and failing there too, has been the most famous of maritime ghost stories for more 300 years. The cursed spectral ship sailing back and forth on its endless voyage, its ancient white-hair crew crying for help while hauling at her sail, inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge to write his classic "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," to name but one famous literary work. The real <I>Flying Dutchman</I> is supposed to have set sail in 1660.</div> <div> <B>FNG - </B>Fucking New Guy</div> <div> <B>Foc'sle</B> <B>- </B>phonetic spelling for <I>forecastle</I>.</div> <div> <B>Fog bound - </B>said of a vessel when forced to heave to or lie at anchor due to fog. </div> <div> <B>Fog horn - </B>a sound signaling device, used when visibility is limited by fog.</div> <div> <B>Forecastle - </B>the upper deck in the forward part of the ship; pronounced "foke-sul."</div> <div> <B>Foremast - </B>the first mast aft of the bow.</div> <div> <B>Forenoon watch - </B>the 0800-1200 watch.</div> <div> <B>Forepeak - </B>the part of the vessel below decks at the stem.</div> <div> <B>Foretruck - </B>the highest point of the foremast.</div> <div> <B>Formation - </B>any ordered arrangement of two or more ships or aircraft proceeding together.</div> <div> <B>Forward - </B>in, near, or toward the bow (the front of the vessel). Opposite of <I>aft. </I>"The anchors are forward of the bridge." Often pronounced "for'ard."</div> <div> <B>FOT - </B>Food term: creamed chipped beef on toast. Long form is Foreskins On Toast. See <I>SOS.</I></div> <div> <B>Foul - </B>jammed; not clear for running. Also, dirty or unsuitable for use. "When you're seasick, be careful not to foul the deck."</div> <div> <B>Foul bore - </B>in gunnery, a condition where the bore of the gun is not clear for further firing; a shell or casing may be jammed in it. Also, one who, unnecessarily saltily and repeatedly, tells highly uninteresting sea stories.</div> <div> <B>Foul weather - </B>weather that is cold, or wet, or both.</div> <div> <B>Foul weather gear - </B>protective clothing worn in foul weather.</div> <div> <B>Foul weather jacket - </B>a warm, water-resistant jacket; the most common item of foul weather gear. </div> <div> <B>Fouled anchor - </B>the fouled (rope- or chain-entwined) anchor so prevalent in Navy designs and insignia is a symbol at least 500 years old that has it origins in British traditions. The fouled anchor was adopted as the official seal of Lord High Admiral Charles Lord Howard of Effingham during the late 1500s. A variation of the seal had been in use by the Lord High Admiral of Scotland about a century earlier. The anchor (both with and without the entwined rope) is a traditional heraldic device used in ancient British coats of arms. As a heraldic device, it is a stylized representation used merely for its decorative effect. </div> <div> <B>Founder - </B>to sink.</div> <div> <B>Four by Eight</B> <B>- </B>the 0400 to 0800 <A HREF="#watch" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>watch</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Foxtail - </B>handheld brush used for sweeping dirt from workbenches, bulkheads, etc.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 478 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Frame - </B>one of the ribs of the ship.</div> <div> <B>Freeboard - </B>height of a ship's sides from waterline to main deck.</div> <div> <B>Freighter - </B>a ship designed to carry all types of general cargo, or "dry cargo." See <I>gator freighter.</I></div> <div> <B>French interrupted screw - </B>type of rotating breech block on large Naval guns; has nothing to do with abbreviated liberty in Cannes.</div> <div> <B>Frock - </B>to temporarily promote an officer, usually because his assignment is suited to a person of the rank to which he is frocked. "LCDR Opal was frocked to Commander when he became CO of the Reluctant."</div> <div> <B>Frogman - </B>member of <A HREF="#udt" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Underwater Demolition Team</U></A> or <A HREF="#navyseal" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Navy SEAL</U></A> team. So called because of their equal comfort on land or under water. Also called <A HREF="#snakeeater" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>snake-eaters</U></A><I>. </I>Don't fuck with them.</div> <div> <B>FUBAR</B> <B>- </B>Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.</div> <div> <B>Fuckee fuckee - </B>social invitation, usually delivered by a non-English-speaking female in a liberty port. Sometimes seen as <I>fuckee suckee.</I></div> <div> <B>Fucking</B> <A NAME="fucking"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>- </B>universal adjective, used frequently in Naval speech to express displeasure, to demonstrate the saltiness of the speaker, or for no fucking reason at all. As in "I rolled out of my fucking rack, put on my dunga-fucking-rees, and went to fucking chow in the forward fucking messdecks. They had no fucking fresh milk, so I drank bug juice with my mother-fucking collision mats." (Purists may note the absence of an adjective before "bug juice." Just because the universal adjective <I>can</I> be used, doesn't mean it <I>is </I>used. The man quoted here may not be quite as salty as he <I>thinks </I>he is.)</div> <div> <B>Full rudder - </B>rudder position all the way to the right or left rudder stop.</div> <div> <B>Full speed - </B>a prescribed speed that is greater than standard speed but less than flank speed.</div> <div> <B>Funnel - </B>a ship's smokestack; <I>stack.</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="g"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>G</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>   </B></FONT><B>Golf </B>(GOLF)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="9272a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="928463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="929870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>dah-dah-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="905730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>George</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 695 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Gaff - </B>a light spar set at an angle from the upper part of a mast. The national ensign is usually flown from the gaff when underway.</div> <div> <B>Galley - </B>the ship's kitchen; any space in which food is prepared.</div> <div> <B>Gang - </B>a group of sailors in a particular rating or work group, such as sonar gang or engineering gang. </div> <div> <B>Gangway</B> <B>- </B>improper word for the temporary bridge connecting the ship's quarterdeck to the pier; more properly called a <I>brow</I>. Also, a call to get out of the way, which originated as a call for junior personnel to give precedence to a senior while crossing the gangway. "Gangway! The captain is coming."</div> <div> <B>Gator</B> <B>- </B>term referring to the amphibious force or any of its members. </div> <div> <B>Gator freighter</B> <B>- </B>Attack Cargo Ship, designated AKA or, after 1969, LKA. The best and most famous ship of this type was <A HREF="http://www.ussrankin.org" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ussrankin.org"><U>USS Rankin (AKA-103)</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Gator hashmark -</B><B> <A NAME="gatorhashmark"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>grease stripe on one's clothing, gotten by colliding with one of the many greased cables on the decks of amphibious ships; a true mark of manhood. </div> <div> <B>Gear - </B>general term for lines, ropes, machinery, personal effects, etc.</div> <div> <B>Gear adrift - </B>miscellaneous articles scattered about a compartment. Generally speaking, gear adrift should be <I>stowed ASAP</I>.</div> <div> <B>Gedunk</B> <B>- </B>dessert/junk food/candy, or a place to buy same. Aka  <a href="#PogeyBait" style="color: #cc99ff">pogey bait</a>  </div> <div> <B>General court martial </B><B>- </B>the most serious trial court authorized by the <A HREF="#uniformcodeofmilitaryjustice" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>Uniform Code of Military Justice</U></A>; consists of at least five officers, and tries the most serious offenses.</div> <div> <B>General mess - </B>the main dining area used by a ship's crew. Officers and Chief Petty Officers usually dine separately.</div> <div> <B>General quarters - </B>condition where all hands are manning their battle stations and the ship is ready to fight. Often used prepare the crew to react to a potential emergency. For example, a ship will call away general quarters for a major fuel or oil leak in the engineering spaces, to prepare in case a fire results. </div> <div> <B>Gig</B> <B>- </B>a boat reserved for use by the Captain, and usually specially outfitted. </div> <div> <B>Gig line</B> <B>- </B>on a uniform, a line formed by the buttoned shirt, a crease on the belt buckle, and the trousers' fly. At a personnel inspection, if your gig line isn't straight, you hear about it.</div> <div> <B>Gimbals - </B>a pair of rings, one inside the other, with axes at right angles to each other; supports a compass or gyro repeater and keeps it horizontal despite the ship's motion.</div> <div> <B>Gin mill - </B>a bar ashore, especially if small, uncomplicated, and full of local color. </div> <div> <B>Gitmo - </B>See GTMO.</div> <div> <B>Glass - </B>a barometer.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 841 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Glit - </B>generic substance good for repairing leaks, breaks, ruptures, etc. A mixture of glue and shit.</div> <div> <B>Goat locker</B> <B>- </B>Chiefs' quarters and mess. The term originated during the era of wooden ships, when Chiefs were given charge of the milk goats on board. Nowadays more a term of respect for the age of its denizens. </div> <div> <B>Golden rivet</B> <B>- </B>The mythical last rivet which completes a ship. Generally found in the depths of the engineering spaces, a maneuver used to get a female guest to bend over. "And if you look way down there, you can see the golden rivet!"</div> <div> <B>Gouge</B> <B>- </B>information, especially the "inside scoop." Also, an answer sheet to a written examination. </div> <div> <B>GQ</B> <B>- </B>General Quarters. See <I>general quarters, </I>above<I>.</I></div> <div> <B>Grab-assing</B> <B>- </B>horsing around, skylarking, etc.</div> <div> <B>Grapnel - </B>a small anchor with several arms, used for hooking or dragging.</div> <div> <B>Grease pencil - </B>a pencil with a very thick lead made of hard grease mixed with colorings, used especially for marking on glossy or glazed surfaces; such surfaces are widespread on ships, in the plotting boards, etc. used to record temporary or semi-permanent information. Ships use <I>lots</I> of grease pencils.</div> <div> <B>Great circle route -</B> <A NAME="greatcircleroute"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>the shortest route to a distant point; because of the difficulty of calculating and following it, used only for sailing uncommonly long distances. In most cases, ships follow a <A HREF="#rhumbline" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>rhumb line</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Green water</B> <B>- </B>solid water (a swell or wave) coming aboard, usually over the bow.</div> <div> <B>Grounded - </B>said of a ship which hits the bottom. </div> <div> <B>Ground tackle - </B>term referring to all anchor gear. Pronounced "ground tay-kl."</div> <div> <B>Group grope</B> <B>- </B>A disorganized or confused evolution.</div> <div> <B>Grunt</B> <B>- </B>a United States Marine, especially an infantryman. Aka <I>leatherneck, jarhead, </I>or <I>gyrene</I>. Often preceded by the <A HREF="#universaladjective" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>universal adjective</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>GTMO - </B>Abbreviation for Guantanamo Bay, a U. S. Naval Base in Cuba. Pronounced "gitmo."</div> <div> <B>Guard mail - </B>special class of official mail for the ship, kept separate from postal mail and always handled securely. </div> <div> <B>Guide, the -</B> <A NAME="guide"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>in a formation of ships, that ship from which the others keep their <A HREF="#station" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>stations</U></A>. By definition, the guide is always on station.</div> <div> <B>Gun Boss</B> <B>- </B>the Gunnery Officer or Weapons Officer.</div> <div> <B>Gundeck</B> <B>- </B>to mark a maintenance check as complete without actually doing the work. Aka <I>pencil-whipping,</I> especially when intentionally falsifying logs or records, such as by filling in the blanks just before an inspection. </div> <div> <B>Gunwale - </B>the line where the deck of a ship or boat meets its side. Pronounced "gunnel."</div> <div> <B>Gyrene</B> <B>- </B>a United States Marine. Said to have come from "GI Marine." Also <I>jarhead, grunt</I> or <I> leatherneck. </I>Often preceded by the <A HREF="#universaladjective" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>universal adjective</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Gyrocompass - </B>compass used to determine true directions by means of gyroscopes. </div> <div> <B>Gyrocompass repeaters - </B>compass cards electrically connected to the gyrocompass and repeating the same readings.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="h"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="636" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 68 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="901dc0f0.png" border=0 width="220" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>H</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>   </B></FONT><B>Hotel </B>(hoh-TELL)</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="92d2a2a0.png" border=0 width="42" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="106"><div> <IMG SRC="92e463c0.png" border=0 width="70" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="904870f0.png" border=0 width="135" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>di-di-di-dit</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="91b730f0.png" border=0 width="115" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> formerly <B>How</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1156 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Hack</B> <B>- </B>informal confinement of an officer to quarters. An officer so committed is said to be "in hack."</div> <div> <B>Hail </B><B>- </B>to address a nearby boat or ship, either by voice or by radio.</div> <div> <B>Halyard </B><B>- </B>line used for hoisting flags or sails.</div> <div> <B>Hammock - </B>bluejackets slept on them in ships built before WWII. Replaced by racks in the modern era. </div> <div> <B>Handsomely - </B>said of something executed deliberately and carefully, but not necessarily slowly.</div> <div> <B>Hand - </B>a member of the ship's company. </div> <div> <B>Handrail - </B>a steadying rail of a ladder; a banister.</div> <div> <B>Handy billy - </B>small, portable power-driven pump.</div> <div> <B>Hard over - </B>the condition of a rudder that has been turned to the maximum rudder angle.</div> <div> <B>Hashmarks</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="hashmarks"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>diagonal stripes on the lower left sleeve of an enlisted man's uniform, denoting periods of enlistment completed. Formally referred to as <I>service stripes. </I>One hash mark is awarded for each four full years of service in any of the armed forces. Men with three or more hash marks who have served with good conduct wear gold hash marks and a gold <I>crow. </I>Also used informally to refer to any mark on one's person or uniform, such a <A HREF="#gatorhashmark" TITLE="USS Rankin (AKA103)"><U>gator hashmark</U></A>, poop stains on one's underwear, etc. </div> <div> <B>Hashmark seaman - </B>a Seaman (or Fireman, etc.) who has completed his first four-year hitch and has not been, or is no longer, rated. </div> <div> <B>Hatch</B> <B>- </B>an opening in the deck, and its closure. Sometimes incorrectly used to mean a <I>watertight door</I>, which is mounted vertically in a bulkhead.</div> <div> <B>Haul - </B>to pull.</div> <div> <B>Hawsepipe - </B>steel casting in the bow, through which anchor chains are run.</div> <div> <B>Hawser - </B>heavy line, 5" or more in circumference, used for heavy work such as towing or mooring.</div> <div> <B>Haze gray - </B>color of paint used on vertical surfaces of Navy ships. Decks are painted <I>deck gray.</I></div> <div> <B>Head</B> <B>- </B>bathroom. In the days of sail, toilet facilities were found far forward in the bows, so that the smell would be blown downwind and away from the ship (since sailing ships could not lie directly into the wind when underway). The extreme fore part of a ship was known as the "beakhead," which may have been shortened to "head" over time. Q: "Where are the headlights on a submarine?" A: "In the heads."</div> <div> <B>Headway - </B>the forward motion of a ship.</div> <div> <B>Heading -</B><B> <A NAME="heading"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>the direction toward which a ship's bow is pointing at any given moment.</div> <div> <B>Heave - </B>to pull on a line. Past tense is <I>hove. </I>Also to vomit, as when seasick; see <I>ralph. </I></div> <div> <B>Heave around</B> <B>- </B>an order to haul in on a line, wire, or anchor chain, whether with power (windlass or capstan) or by hand.</div> <div> <B>Heave in - </B>to haul in.</div> <div> <B>Heave out and trice up - </B>get out of bed and secure your rack. </div> <div> <B>Heave the lead</B> <B>-</B> <A NAME="heavethelead"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>to take soundings by throwing a lead weight ("the lead", rhymes with "dead") on a line ahead of the vessel, then pulling the line taut and reading the depth from markers on the line as the ship passes over the weight.</div> <div> <B>Heave to</B> <B>- </B>to stop; said of a ship. Past tense is <I>hove to. </I>"The ship hove to for <I>swim call</I>."</div> <div> <B>Heaving line </B><B>-</B> <A NAME="heavingline"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>a small line with a weight on one end; the weighted end is thrown to another ship or to a pier so that a larger line may be passed. </div> <div> <B>Heel - </B>to list over. </div> <div> <B>Helm -</B><B> <A NAME="helm"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>the ship's wheel, used for controlling the rudder. Similar to the steering wheel of a land vehicle.</div> <div> <B>Helmsman -</B><B> <A NAME="helmsman"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B>the man at the helm; the man who steers the ship. Though an officer is the helmsman in <I>Star Trek, </I>in the Navy he is always an enlisted man. The <I>lee helmsman</I> is the standby or substitute helmsman, who usually mans the <I>engine order telegraph.</I></div> <div> <B>Helo - </B>a helicopter, particularly one that is based on, or delivers something to, or picks something up from, a ship. "The Captain will depart by helo at 1400." Pronounced with a long "e" and a long "o."</div> <div> <B>Hemp - </B>line made of the fibers of the hemp plant, and usually less than about 2 inches in circumference. See <I>manila.</I></div> <div> <B>Her - </B>the ship. Ships are traditionally spoken of as feminine beings. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="632" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 549 WIDTH="626"><div> <B>Highline -</B> <A NAME="highline"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>line running between two ships that are running side by side for replenishing or other purposes, used to transfer mail or light cargo between the ships; often used with a <I>boatswain's chair </I>to transfer personnel from ship to ship.</div> <div> <B>Hoist - </B>a display of <I>signal flags</I> on a <I>halyard</I>. Also, to raise a piece of gear or cargo.</div> <div> <B>Hoist away - </B>an order to haul up.</div> <div> <B>Hold - </B>space <I>below decks</I> for storage of ballast, cargo, etc.</div> <div> <B>Holiday - </B>an imperfection or vacant space in an orderly arrangement; an unfinished spot in painting.</div> <div> <B>Holiday routine - </B>daily routine followed aboard ship on Sundays and authorized holidays.</div> <div> <B>Holystone - </B>to clean a wooden deck with a small abrasive sandstone, roughly fitted to the end of a stick. Also, the abrasive stone itself; a small one is called a <I>prayer book</I>. Before the stick was used, sailors had to kneel as if in prayer when scrubbing the decks.</div> <div> <B>Home port - </B>the city in which a ship is based. "The USS Rankin's home port was Norfolk; the USS Sheliak was home ported in Honolulu."</di