Glossary

Trinity House of Deptford Transactions, 1609-35. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 1983.

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'Glossary', in Trinity House of Deptford Transactions, 1609-35, (London, 1983) pp. 160-161. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol19/pp160-161 [accessed 19 March 2024]

GLOSSARY

Average Apportionment between shipowners and freighters of loss caused by intentional damage to a ship or her cargo in order to save the ship (e.g. cutting away masts or jettisoning cargo).
bend The transverse section of a ship; or the outermost timbers of a ship's side.
cannon-perier Medium shotted, short range gun of up to 8 inches calibre, and firing about a 24 pound shot.
ceiling Inside planking of a ship laid across the floor and carried up the sides of the hold to the level of the beams.
chase-ports Gunports at the bow or stern of a ship.
culverin Light shotted, long range gun, of around 5 inches calibre, and firing about a 17 pound shot.
demi-cannon Large calibre (6 inches) gun of medium range and length, firing a shot of over 30 pounds.
demi-culverin Light shotted, long range gun, of about 4 inches calibre, and firing about a 9 pound shot.
doll Dolium, or ton.
drake Never very accurately described when it was in general use, but it seems to have been a term used to describe both guns lighter and shorter than those standard to their calibre, and those which were taper bored.
entry Attestation of a ship's papers before customs.
inning Reclaiming marsh or flooded land.
knee A timber of naturally angular shape used to strengthen and support a ship's timbers at points of intersection.
last A last of herrings was 12 barrels; of red fish and pilchards, 10,000–12,000 fish.
lastage and ballastage Both words can mean the material used for ballast (i.e. sand, gravel, etc.), and the toll levied to supply it.
minion Light shotted, long range gun, of about 3 inches calibre, and firing up to about a 5 pound shot.
murderer Breech, loading anti-personnel gun.
Newfoundland fish Cod.
orlop Strictly speaking, the lowest deck, but the term was used to describe all except the weather deck.
pipe-stave Board used for making casks.
port-piece Short range gun, firing a shot of up to 10 to 12 pounds.
round A beam which rounds well having a sufficient curve to give a proper camber to the deck.
saker Light shotted, long range gun, of about 3 inches calibre, and firing about a 5 pound shot.
scarf/scarfing The joint by which two pieces of timber are joined into a continuous piece.
sharp A term used to describe a ship having a narrow or wedge shaped bottom.
tons and tonnage Tons gave the cargo capacity of a ship expressed in tuns of wine which could be carried in the hold; the addition of one third for tonnage gave the rough equivalent of modern gross tonnage (i.e. total cubic capacity).
waft/waftage Convoy.