Amidship:
The middle of a ship.
Aft:
Back of a ship (also, Stern).
Bow:
Front of a ship (also, Prow).
Bowsprit:
A spar running out from a ship's bow, to which the forestays are fastened.
Captain's Cabin:
The largest cabin on the ship, normally situated below the poop deck.
Chains:
small platforms, built on either side of the hull of a ship, used to provide a wide purchase for the shrouds.
Crow’s Nest:
A secure lookout point at the top of the highest mast of a ship. Usually manned to watch for danger.
Fo'c'sle:
The section of the upper deck of a ship located at the bow forward of the foremast (also Forecastle).
Forecastle:
The section of the upper deck of a ship located at the bow forward of the foremast (also Fo'c'sle).
Foremast:
The foreward-most mast of a ship.
Forestay:
A piece of standing rigging which keeps a mast from falling backwards.
Gangplank:
A short plank that is extended over the side of the ship to the docks to load and unload cargo.
Gunport:
An opening in the side of the hull of a ship, above the waterline, which allows the muzzle of artillery pieces mounted on the gun deck to fire outside.
Gunwale:
The elevated side edges of a boat which strengthen its structure and act as a railing around the deck.
Helm:
The steering wheel of a ship which controls the rudder.
Hull:
The body of a ship.
Jib:
A triangular sail in the front of a ship.
Keel:
The central spine of the hull of a ship, running from the bow to the stern. When broken, many sailors believe that the soul of the ship has departed.
Lateen Sail:
Large fore and aft triangular sails mounted at an angle to the mast of a ship.
Main Mast:
The central mast of a ship, usually positioned amidship.
Mizzenmast:
The largest and, perhaps, most important mast. It is the third mast or the mast aft of a mainmast on a ship having three or more masts.
Poop Deck:
The highest deck at the stern of a large ship.
Port:
Left side of a ship.
Prow:
Front of a ship (also, Bow).
Quarterdeck:
The after part of the upper deck of a ship.
Rigging:
The ropes that connect the mast to the sails of a ship and allow for sailors to climb up and down.
Rudder:
A flat piece of wood at the stern of a ship that dips into the water and is used for steering. The rudder is controlled at the helm.
Sextant and Astrolabe:
Nautical devices used to determine a ship’s latitude and longitude position on a map using the sun or stars.
Scupper:
A scupper is a hole in a ship's side used to drain water from the deck.
Shrouds:
Pieces of standing rigging which hold the mast up from side to side.
Starboard:
Right side of a ship.
Stern:
Back of a ship (also, Aft).
Yardarm:
The main arm across the mast which holds up the sail.
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