in fighting capacity as would enable them to take part in a Fleet
action.
=CAREEN.=--To heel a ship or make her lie over on one side.
=CASEMATE.=--An armoured gun-emplacement in the side of a ship.
=CATAMARAN.=--Properly a species of sailing craft used in the Indies.
The heavy wooden rafts which are used to protect the ship’s side when
she is lying alongside a dockyard wall.
=CAULKING.=--The operation performed in making the sides or wooden
decks of a ship watertight.
=CLASS.=--A ship is said to belong to a certain “class” when there are
others identical in appearance or design.
=CLEARING.=--The passing of a vessel through the Customs after she has
visited a foreign port.
=COAMING.=--A raised edge of iron or wood placed round a hatchway to
prevent water from washing below.
=COASTAL-DESTROYER.=--A large torpedo-boat not considered sufficiently
strong structurally to do more than coastal work.
=COASTGUARD.=--A semi-naval organisation of seamen, mostly living along
the shores of the United Kingdom intended originally for the prevention
of smuggling, but now converted into a force for the defence of the
coast or to assist wrecks.
=COMMISSION.=-A ship is said to be commissioned when she is manned for
service in the fleet.
A =commission=, the length of time the crew remain in a
ship; the order by which a person becomes an officer.
=COMMODORE.=--A Naval Captain specially appointed to take command as
such of a squadron of war vessels, or perform some special duty not
assigned to an officer of flag rank.
=COMPLEMENT.=--The total number of officers and men forming the crew of
a ship.
=COMPOSITE BATTERY.=--A battery consisting of more than one type of gun.
=CON.=--To direct the steering of a vessel.
=CONNING-TOWER.=--An armoured compartment in a ship from which she can
be steered, or the gun-fire in an action controlled if necessary. A
ship may have more than one conning-tower.
=CONTINUOUS VOYAGE, DOCTRINE OF.=--The doctrine or principle which
enables contraband of war to be captured when consigned to a neutral
port, but intended for a belligerent.
=CONTRABAND.=--Munitions of war or other goods which are prohibited
entry into a belligerent State.
(_a_) Absolute Contraband, material which is always contraband.
(_b_) Conditional Contraband, material which may be declared
contraband.
=CONTROL STATION.=--A platform whence range-finding instruments are
managed, or from which the gunnery officers of a ship control gun-fire
in an action.
=CONVERSION OF MERCHANTMEN.= The right or practice of converting
merchant vessels into warships on the high seas or in neutral ports.
=CONVOY.=--A number of merchant steamers crossing the ocean under the
protection of warships.
=CORDITE.=--The explosive used in guns for discharging projectiles.
=COUNTER.=--That portion of a vessel which overhangs the keel towards
the stern (q.v.).
=COUNTER MINING.=--To lay out and explode mines in the vicinity of
hostile ones, in order to destroy them by percussion.
=CRANK.=--A vessel is said to be crank when she lists over easily.
=CRUISER.=--A warship of high speed, usually employed in scouting,
commerce protection, and special service. They fall into various
categories:--
(_a_) Armoured Cruiser, a vessel having vertical external
armour. See also “Battle-Cruiser.”
(_b_) Light Cruiser, a vessel with deck protection only; or, if
armoured, of but small size and with a thin belt.
(_c_) Unprotected Cruiser, a cruising vessel having no armour;
included in the Light Cruiser class.
=CRUISING SPEED.=--The most economical speed from the point of view of
fuel consumption at which a ship can travel.
=DEMURRAGE.=--Compensation paid to the owner of a vessel when she has
been detained longer than her time for unloading.
=DERELICT.=--A ship whose crew have abandoned her when at sea.
=DESTROYER.=--A large type of torpedo-boat originally intended to
destroy such craft by gun-fire--now, with submarines, the chief medium
for torpedo-attack.
=DEVIATION OF THE COMPASS.=--The amount of the variation of a ship’s
compass from the true magnetic meridian, caused by the proximity of
iron.
=DIRECTOR TOWER.=--An armoured compartment in a ship whence torpedoes
are fired.
=DISPLACEMENT.=--The weight of water a ship displaces when floating.
=Normal Displacement.=--The weight of water a ship displaces
when she has her normal amount of stores, etc., on board.
=DOCK.=--A place in which a ship may be placed for repair or loading
and unloading. See “Floating Dock” and “Graving Dock.”
=DOCKYARD.=--The works, etc., where ships are built or repairs can be
carried out. In the Government dockyards ships are commissioned and
supplied with stores, ammunition, coal, etc.
=DRAUGHT.=--The vertical distance between the lowest portion of the
keel and the water line.
“=DREADNOUGHT.=”--Battleships and cruisers evoked by H.M.S.
=Dreadnought=, which was the first ship to be armed with one type of
big gun. “A.B.G. ships”--All-big-gun-ships.
=“DREADNOUGHT” CRUISERS.=--Cruisers derived from the principle of
design of H.M.S. _Dreadnought_, now called Battle Cruisers (q.v.).
=ECHELON.=--Guns are said to be mounted =en echelon= when they are not
mounted symmetrically but are placed diagonally athwart-ship.
=ENGINES.=--The reciprocating, turbine, or internal-combustion
machinery for propelling vessels.
=ENSIGN.=--(Usually pronounced “ens’n.”) The flag carried by a ship as
the insignia of her nationality or the nature of her duties.
=ESTIMATES.=--The annual estimate or expenditure on the Royal Navy for
its administration, personnel, and for the upkeep or building of new
vessels.
=FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY=--The Cabinet Minister who presides over
the Board of Admiralty. See “Admiralty.”
=FIRST SEA LORD.=--The Senior =Naval Officer= serving on the Board of
Admiralty.
=FLARE.=--The over-hang of the upper part of a ship’s sides beneath
the forecastle. The peculiar outward and upward curve in the form of a
vessel’s bow. When it hangs over she is said to have a “Flaring Bow.”
=FLEET.=--A number of vessels in company, be they war or other vessels.
=FLEET IN BEING.=--An inferior naval force, capable of action and
influencing or impeding the operations of an enemy.
=FLEET RESERVE.=--Short-service men who have left continuous service,
but are liable to be called upon in case of war.
=FLEET-UNIT.=--A vessel fit to form a unit in a fleet.
=FLOATING DOCK.=--An oblong floating structure in which a ship may be
placed, and out of which the water may be pumped, bringing her above
water-level, so that the bottom of the ship can be repaired, etc.; they
have usually no motive power.
=FLOTTENVEREIN.=--The German Navy League.
=FLUSH DECK.=--A deck having neither raised nor sunken part, so that it
runs continuously from stem to stern.
=FORE AND AFT.=--In the direction of a line drawn from stem to stern of
a vessel--at right angles to athwartships.
=FORWARD.=--In front of--the forepart, in the vicinity of the bows of a
vessel.
=GRAVING DOCK.=--A dock excavated out of the land into which entry is
made from seaward.
=GUN.=--A weapon used for firing shot or shell. See “Breech-loader” and
“Q.F. Gun.”
=GUNBOAT.=--A small type of slow cruiser armed with light guns,
specially adapted for harbour or river service.
=GUN-COTTON.=--A high explosive used in torpedoes and submarine mines,
etc.
=Wet Gun-Cotton.=--Gun-Cotton with a certain percentage of
moisture in it; it is useless as an explosive unless dry
gun-cotton is present to detonate it.
=GUNLAYER.=--A man specially qualified to train (lay) and fire a gun.
=Gunlayers’ Test.=--An annual practice carried out in
every ship to test the efficiency of the gun-layers
individually.
=GUN-POWER.=--The fighting efficiency of a ship expressed in the total
weight of metal capable of being discharged in a single broadside or a
specified period of time.
=HALYARD.=--A rope with which a sail, flag, or yard is hoisted.
=HARVEYISED.=--Armour made by the “Harvey” process. Now obsolete.
=HATCH, HATCHWAY.=--An opening in the deck of a ship through which
persons or cargo may descend or be lowered.
=HEAVY GUN.=--Any gun greater than and including a 4-in. Q.F. or B.L.
=HOG.=--When a vessel has a tendency to droop at her ends she is said
to hog.
=HORNPIPE.=--The dance once popular among the sailors of the British
Navy and still sometimes performed at festive times.
=HOSPITAL SHIP.=--An auxiliary vessel specially designed for the
reception of sick and wounded men; by nature of her duties and under
rules of International Law she is immune from attack.
=HULL.=--The body, framework, and plating of a vessel.
=HURRICANE DECK.=--In large steamships a light upper deck extending
across the vessel amidships.
=HYDRO-AEROPLANE.=--A seaplane. (q.v.)
=HYDROPLANE.=--A type of boat the flattened keel of which is so
constructed that, after a certain speed has been attained, the hull
rises in the water and skims lightly over the surface, thus driving
forward _above_ rather than _through_ the water. The hydroplane
=cannot= rise into the air and fly.
=IDLERS.=--Those, being liable to constant duty by day, who are not
required to keep the night watches, such as carpenters, sail-makers,
etc., also called “Daymen.”
=JACK-STAFF.=--A flagpole for flying the Union Jack, invariably at the
bows of the ship.
=KEEL.=--That portion of a ship running fore and aft in the middle of a
ship’s bottom.
=KEEL-PLATE.=--The lowest plate of all in the keel; this plate is the
first to be laid down when building is commenced.
=KNOT.=--The unit of speed for ships. A ship is said to be going =x=
knots, when she is going =x= sea (or nautical) miles in one hour. One
sea mile = 6,080 ft.
N.B.--The word =knot= should never be used to indicate distance.
=KRUPP STEEL.=--Steel hardened by a special process discovered and
applied at Essen.
=LABOUR.=--When a vessel pitches or strains in a heavy sea she is said
to “labour.”
=LANDLOCKED.=--Sheltered on all sides by the land.
=LARBOARD.=--The old term for port. (q.v.)
=LATITUDE.=--Distance north or south of the equator, expressed in
degrees.
=LAUNCH.=--To place a ship in the water for the first time.
=LAY DOWN.=--To commence building a ship.
=LEE.=--Or Leeward (pronounced Loo’ard). The side of a vessel opposite
to that upon which the wind blows.
=LIGHTER.=--A powerful hull or barge with a flat bottom, used for
transporting heavy goods, such as coal, ammunition, etc.
=LIST.=--A vessel is said to have a list if she heeled temporarily or
permanently to one side.
=LOG.=--The instrument used to measure a vessel’s speed through the
water. Also the ship’s daily journal.
=LONGITUDE.=--Distance east or west of a first meridian, expressed in
degrees.
=MAGAZINE.=--The place on board ship or on shore where ammunition is
stored.
=MAN.=--To place the right complement of men in a ship or boat to work
her.
=MARINE.=--A soldier specially trained for sea service. “Soldier and
sailor too.”
=MAST.=--The tall structure in a ship formerly for the carrying of
sail, but now carrying control stations, fighting tops, and wireless
telegraphy apparatus.
=MASTER.=--The Captain of a merchant vessel who holds a master’s or
extra master’s certificate.
=MINE.=--A weapon of war which is placed in the sea by the enemy, and
explodes on a ship striking it; or can be fired from the shore or ship
by means of an electric current.
=MINEFIELD.=--A space near a harbour specially devoted to mining
operations.
=MINE-LAYER.=--A ship specially fitted to lay mines out.
=MINE-SWEEPER.=--A ship whose duty it is to discover and destroy the
enemy’s mines in order to leave a clear passage for friendly craft.
=MOLE.=--A stone break-water or sea-wall.
=MOOR.=--To anchor a ship with two anchors.
=MOTHER-SHIP.=--A depot ship for torpedo craft, submarines, etc.,
victualling and issuing stores to the crews of the vessels under her
command controlled by her officers.
=MUZZLE ENERGY.=--The force which is propelling the projectile when it
leaves the gun.
=MUZZLE VELOCITY.=--The speed at which a projectile is travelling when
it leaves the gun.
=NAUTICAL MILE.=--One sixtieth of a degree of latitude. It varies from
6,046 ft. at the equator to 6,092 ft. in lat. 60° N. or S. The nautical
mile for speed trials, generally called the Admiralty Measured Mile, =
6,080 ft., 1.151 statute miles, 1,833 metres.
=NAVIGATION.=--That branch of science which teaches the sailor to
conduct his ship from place to place.
=NAVY LEAGUE, THE.=--A strictly non-party organisation formed in
January, 1895, with Admiral of the Fleet, Sir G. Phipps Hornby, G.C.B.,
etc., as its first President, for the purpose of urging upon the
Government and the electorate the paramount importance of a supreme
Fleet as the best guarantee of peace.
Its agencies are employed in all parts of the Empire spreading
information on matters affecting the Royal Navy.
=NUCLEUS CREW.=--The essential part of a crew of a ship such as the
gun-layers, petty officers, etc. Some ships are manned by nucleus crews
only, being completed to full strength in case of mobilisation. Such
ships are sometimes colloquially known as “Nucoloid.”
=OAKUM.=--The substance to which old ropes are reduced when unpicked.
=OCEAN GOING DESTROYER.=--A large type of torpedo boat destroyer,
specially designed for service in any wind or weather.
=ORDNANCE.=--A general term applied to guns collectively, and to the
Department concerned with them.
=ORLOP DECK.=--The lowest deck in the ship.
=PAY OFF.=--To end a “Commission.”
=PENDANT OR PENNANT.=--A long, pointed flag.
=Paying-off Pennant.=--A long streamer hoisted at the mainmast
of a war vessel to denote she is “paying off.”
=POOP.=--An extra deck on the after part of a vessel.
=PORT.=--The left-hand side of the ship as you stand looking forward.
=PRIMARY (or main) ARMAMENT.=--The largest guns mounted in a ship.
=PRIZE.=--In war time, any vessel taken at sea from an enemy.
=PROJECTED.=--A ship is said to be “projected” before keel plate is
actually laid.
=PROTECTIVE DECK.=--See “Armoured Deck.”
=PROW.=--The beak or pointed cutwater of a ship.
=Q.F. GUN.=--Quick-firing gun. A gun the cartridge of which is
contained in a metal cylinder, as opposed to the B.L. gun.
=QUARTERS.=--A term indicating those portions of a vessel immediately
on either side of her stern (q.v.). Differentiated in association with
the terms “Port” or “Starboard.” “Quarters” also designates the living
space for the personnel and the stations of the crew when in action.
=RAKE.=--The inclination of the mast (or funnels) from the
perpendicular; the “rake” is very nearly always in a direction aft, but
when the mast slants forward it is said to have a “Forward rake.”
=RAKISH.=--Having a smart or fast appearance. (Applied to ships.)
=RANGE.=--The distance in yards of the object fired at. The extreme
range is the longest distance to which a projectile can be fired by any
particular gun.
=RANGE-FINDER.=--An instrument used for determining ranges.
=RATE.=--The classification of a vessel for certain purposes.
=RATLINES.=--Small lines crossing the shrouds of a ship and thus
forming ladders.
=REFIT.=--To place a ship in dockyard hands for overhauling her
machinery, etc.
=REPAIR SHOP.=--A Fleet auxiliary (q.v.) which is fitted with a
foundry, etc. on board, and can carry out minor repair work.
=RIBS.=--The timbers which form the skeleton of a ship or boat.
=RICOCHET.=--A leap or bound such as a flat piece of stone makes when
thrown obliquely along the surface of the water. Generally spoken
of with reference to projectiles. A “_ricochet hit_” is made when a
projectile hits the enemy or target after it has first struck the water.
=RIG.=--The rig of a vessel is the manner in which her masts and sails
are fitted to her hull.
=RIGGING.=--The system of ropes in a vessel whereby the masts are
supported and the sails hoisted. There are two kinds of rigging, viz.,
standing rigging and running rigging, the latter term including all
movable ropes.
=ROLL.=--The oscillation of a vessel in a heavy sea.
=SAG.=--A drooping or depression. A ship is said to sag when her centre
tends to droop below the line joining her stem and stern; the opposite
to hogging.
=SALVO.=--A discharge of fire from several guns simultaneously.
=SCOUT.=--A light, swift, protected cruiser specially adapted for
scouting work.
=SCREENING CRUISERS.=--Cruisers separated from the battle fleet to
deceive the enemy as to the Fleet’s position.
=SEAPLANE.=--The official naval designation of the Hydro-aeroplane
which is a man-carrying apparatus equally capable of flight in the
air and navigation on water. Also called Navyplane, Waterplane,
Flying-Boat, Airboat.
=SEARCH, RIGHT OF.=--The right to search neutral vessels for the
discovery of contraband.
=SECONDARY ARMAMENT.=--The guns which support the primary armament.
=SHEET.=--The rope attached to a sail so that it can be “worked” as
occasion demands.
=SHROUDS.=--Strong ropes (generally wire) which support the mast
laterally.
=SLIP.=--The wooden “way” on which a ship is built.
=SPEED TRIALS.=--Trials carried out periodically to test a vessel’s
speed.
=SQUADRON.=--A number of ships under command of a single officer.
=STANCHION.=--An upright post supporting the deck above in a ship.
=STARBOARD.=--The right-hand side of the ship as you stand looking
forward.
=STAYS.=--Strong ropes supporting spars and masts in a ship.
=STEM.=--The “nose” or “cutwater” of any ship.
=STERN.=--The aftermost part of a vessel.
=STRAKE.=--A line of planking extending the length of a vessel.
=STRATEGY.=--The disposition and handling of Squadrons or Fleets to
dominate the forces of an enemy or control the time or place of an
engagement. The broad disposition of naval forces.
=SUBMARINE.=--A war-vessel the chief work of which is to operate below
the surface.
=SUBMERGED SPEED.=--The speed at which a submersible or submarine can
travel under water.
=SUBMERSIBLE.=--A vessel which can be made to dive but which generally
navigates on the surface.
=SUPERIMPOSED BARBETTES.=--Barbettes or turrets mounted behind and
above other barbettes or turrets so that the guns in the first are
enabled to fire over those in the second.
=SURFACE SPEED.=--The speed at which a submersible or submarine can
travel when navigating on the surface.
=TACTICS.=--The handling and conduct of ships or squadrons in actual
contact with an antagonist, or exercises for training for such
engagements.
=TENDER.=--A vessel attached to a parent ship.
=TOP.=--A position or platform on the mast of a vessel. A fighting top
in a top armed with light guns.
=TOPHAMPER.=--The upper works of the ship, such as masts, funnels,
bridges, cowls, etc.
=TORPEDO.=--An engine of war which is discharged from a tube (submerged
or above water) and which travels under water; it is loaded with a
charge of gun-cotton which explodes on impact.
=TORPEDO-BOAT.=--A vessel specially designed for attack on larger ships
by means of torpedoes.
=TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYER= (=T.B.D.=)--See “Destroyer.”
=TORPEDO-NET.=--A steel wire net which is thrown over the side of a
ship and held extended by means of booms; it hangs down about 20 to 30
ft. below the surface, and acts as a defence against torpedoes.
=TORPEDO TUBE.=--A tube from which torpedoes are ejected either by
means of a small charge of gunpowder or compressed air.
=TRAJECTORY.=--The line of flight of a projectile after leaving the gun.
=TROUGH.=--The hollow between two waves.
=TRUCK.=--The cap at the head of the mast or a flagstaff. It generally
contains one or more holes for the reception of signal halyards.
=TURRET.=--The revolving armoured structure in which big guns are
mounted, including the turn-table, ammunition hoists, etc. See
“Barbette.”
=TWO-KEELS-TO-ONE-STANDARD.= The standard under which the British Fleet
should be maintained at a strength, as against the next strongest
Power, of two completed capital-ships to one.
=TWO-POWER STANDARD.=--The standard which indicated that the British
Fleet was equal in strength to the fleets of the two next strongest
Powers. This standard has been abandoned.
=WAIST.=--That portion of a ship on the upper deck between the
forecastle and quarter deck.
=WATER-TUBE BOILER.=--A boiler in which the water is contained in tubes
round which the hot gases circulate.
=WAY (Momentum).=--It is important to note the difference between this
and the term “_weigh_,” the two being very often confounded. A vessel
in motion is said to have “way” on her; and when she ceases to move to
have “no way.” But a vessel under weigh in one not at anchor or secured
to the shore.
=WEATHER-SIDE.=--The side on which the wind blows.
=WEEPING (or Sweating).=--Drops of water oozing through the sides of a
vessel or caused by condensation on the surface of the beams, etc.
=WEIGH.=--To lift the anchor from the ground.
=WIRE-WOUND.=--All big British guns are made by winding miles of
steel wire or ribbon round a tube over which the exterior tubes are
afterwards shrunk.
=YARD.=--A spar suspended to a mast for the purpose of hoisting or
extending a sail, or to which signal halyards can be taken.
From “The Navy League Annual,” by the courtesy of
Alan H. Burgoyne, Esq., M.P.
Netherwood, Dalton & Co., Rashcliffe, Huddersfield.
FOOTNOTES
[1] All statements as to King Alfred’s navy are taken directly from the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Asser, and Florence of Worcester.
[2] An interpolated passage
[3] Wace.
[4] Guyot de Provins _ex_ Nicholas.
[5] _ex_ Nicolas.
[6] Henry VIII introduced a new form of warship in the “pinnaces,”
which were, to a certain extent, analogous to the torpedo craft of
to-day.
[7] Records of the Drake family.
[8] The italics are mine.--F.T.J.
[9] So far as I am aware nothing about this appears in any official
account. I have no Japanese confirmation, but accounts gleaned at the
time from the Russian auxiliaries--who, being foreigners had no object
in lying--make it perfectly clear to my mind that the Russian admirals
believed that the Japanese were astern of them till they met them at
Tsushima. It is the only logical explanation of why Rodjestvensky
essayed the narrow passage with his best ships, when he could equally
well have gone round Japan with them unopposed, and so secured at
Vladivostok that refit of which he was so much in need.
[10] It was badly weather-beaten, of course, and in sore straits on
account of its lengthy voyage.
[11] In 1620 the first submarine appeared. It was invented by a Dutch
physician, C. Van Drebel; and James I went for a lengthy underwater
trip in a larger replica.--See _Submarine Navigation_, by Alan H.
Burgoyne.
[12] In this connection, _see_ The First Dutch War, a few pages further
on.
[13] It is interesting to note that this particular argument, seemingly
rather hyperbolical to-day on account of railways, is so _only if the
hostile ships can be kept under observation_.
[14] This practice appears to have been allowed to die out. At any rate
it was re-introduced in the time of Queen Anne.
[15] Admiral Colomb (_Naval Warfare_) traced the Dutch defeat--or
perhaps one should write, “lack of advantage”--mainly to the fact
that the Dutch had a larger mercantile marine to protect, and merely
mentions incidentally the constant complaints of Van Tromp and others
to the inferiority of Dutch warships compared to English ones. But
since so many of the Dutch merchantmen carried very fair armaments,
and as “tactics” played no part in this war, I prefer to accept the
explanation of the Dutch Admirals, none of whom assigned failures
to the more obvious excuse of being hampered by convoys. Dutch
contemporary accounts of this and following wars appear generally to be
nearer the actual truth than English ones.
[16] Churnock, _ex_ Fincham.