- Fo’c’sle= forecastle- which serves as quarters for lower ranking crew, and a hideaway during boarding. It can also be used as an archery tower in battle
- Bowsprit, or spar- a beam extruding from the front of the ship. it allowed for the front sails to be further out, increasing the number of sails you could have
- Jibboom- a slide-out extension for the bowsprit
- Fighting Top- a small platform located on the poles of a mast (not necessarily the main mast)
- Foremast- Front mast of a ship
- Main mast- the tallest mast of the ship, usually in the center of the ship (for balance as this mast is most effected by wind)
- Shrouds- ropes under tension that are used to support masts
- Mizzen- mast that comes after/behind the main mast of the ship
- Quarterdeck- a part of the deck intended for special functions (e.g. ceremonies)
- Captain's cabin- separate quarters for the captain
- Rudder- a movable fin at the rear of the ship that effects water flow around the ship and as a result contributes to the rotation (turning) of the vessel
- Chains- platforms used by crew conducting depth sounding
- Gunport- an opening in the hull of the ship to accommodate an appropriately sized cannon
- Hull- exterior of the ship that floats above water level
- Keel- a long fixed fin at the bottom of the boat that aids in stabilization.
- Forepeak or Beak- a front protrusion of the ship used as a platform for crew operating sails on the bowsprit
- Figurehead- a decorative wooden attachment at the front of ships (like the hood ornament of a Mercedes-Benz)
Then
Now
Rather than using "left" or "right", sailors use port for left, starboard for right, and stern for behind.
What Made These Ships Better?
Before this era, oar-powered ships were still common, for both military and civilian purposes. Although reliable, oar power demands a great deal of crew labor, which means there are less people who can do other things (e.g. load cannons, repair the ship, etc.). The full employment of sail power would not have been possible without the development of the triangular lateen sail, which was capable of a sailing technique known as beating, where rather than traveling directly against wind, one can zig-zag to the same destination while still using wind power. These ships were also stronger than they ever were before.
Ships also became longer during this area so more cannons could be mounted on the side, suiting the popular broadsiding battle strategy, where two ships would combat side by side, rather than, say, ramming each other, as was custom during other rime periods.
Ships also became longer during this area so more cannons could be mounted on the side, suiting the popular broadsiding battle strategy, where two ships would combat side by side, rather than, say, ramming each other, as was custom during other rime periods.
Tracking
Lateen sails on a caravel