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G, H, I and J |
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gabion - A cylindrical wicker basket filled with earth and stones, used in building fortifications.
gaff - A spar attached to the mast and used to extend the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail.
galleon - A large three-masted sailing ship with a square rig and usually two or more decks, used from the 15th to the 17th century especially by Spain as a merchant ship or warship.
gally - A low, flat vessel propelled partly, or wholly by oars.
gangplank - A board or ramp used as a removable footway between a ship and a pier.
gangway - (1) A passage along either side of a ships upper deck. (2) A gangplank. (3) An interjection used to clear a passage through a crowded area.
gibbet (cage) - Chains in which the corpses of pirates are hung and displayed in order to discourage piracy.
Gold Road - A road across the Isthmus of Panama used to transport gold by train of pack mules.
to go on account - A pleasant term used by pirates to describe the act of turning pirate. The basic idea was that a pirate was more "free lance" and thus was, more or less, going into business for himself.
grapple (also grappling hook, grappling iron, or grapnel) - An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside.
grog (see also spirits) - An alcoholic liquor, especially rum diluted with water. Admiral Vernon is said to have been the first to dilute the rum of sailors (about 1745.)
grog blossom - A redness on the nose or face of persons who drink ardent spirits to excess.
gun - A cannon.
gunwalls - The sides of the top deck which act as a railing around the deck, and have openings where heavy arms or guns are positioned.
hail-shot - A shot that scatters like hail when fired from a cannon.
hands - The crew of a ship; sailors.
handsomely - Quickly or carefully; in a shipshape style.
hang the jib - To pout or frown.
hardtack (also sea biscuit) - A hard biscuit or bread made from flour and water baked into a moisture-free rock to prevent spoilage; a pirate ships staple. Hardtack has to be broken into small pieces or soaked in water before eaten.
haul wind - To direct a ship into the wind.
hearties - A term of familiar address and fellowship among sailors.
heave down - To turn a vessel on its side for cleaning.
heave to - An interjection meaning to come to a halt.
hempen halter - The hangmans noose.
ho - Used to express surprise or joy, to attract attention to something sighted, or to urge onward as in Land ho! or Westward ho!
hogshead - (1) A large cask used mainly for the shipment of wines and spirits. (2) A unit of measurement equal to approximately one hundred gallons.
holystone - A piece of soft sandstone used for scouring the wooden decks of a ship.
hornswaggle - To cheat.
hulk - British prison ships that captured pirates and privateers.
interloper - One that trespasses on a trade monopoly, as by conducting unauthorized trade in an area designated to a chartered company; a ship used in unauthorized trade.
jack - A flag, especially one flown at the bow of a ship to indicate her nationality.
Jack Ketch - The hangman. To dance with Jack Ketch is to hang.
Jack Tar , or tar - A sailor.
jib - A triangular sail stretching from the foretopmast head to the jib boom and in small craft to the bowsprit or the bow.
jolly boat - A light boat carried at the stern of a larger sailing ship.
Jolly Roger - A pirate flag depicting a skull-and-crossbones. It was an invitation to surrender, with the implication that those who surrendered would be treated well. A red flag indicated "no quarter."
jury mast - a temporary or makeshift mast erected on a sea vessel after the mainmast has been destroyed. Often, in combat, the mast was the most damaged (providing the ship didn't sink). Without the mast, a ship was powerless, so a term grew out of the need to make masts to power damaged ships.
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