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tack - (1) The lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail. (2) The position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails or the act of changing from one position or direction to another.
tackle - A system of ropes and blocks for raising and lowering weights of rigging and pulleys for applying tension.
take a caulk - To take a nap. On deck of a ship, between planks, was a thick caulk of black tar and rope to keep water from between decks. This term came about either because sailors who slept on deck ended up with black lines across their backs or simply because sailors laying down on deck were as horizontal as the caulk of the deck itself.
tender - A vessel attendant on other vessels, especially one that ferries supplies between ship and shore; a small boat towed or carried by a ship.
topgallant - Of, relating to, or being the mast above the topmast, its sails, or its rigging.
topmast - The mast below the topgallant mast in a square-rigged ship and highest in a fore-and-aft-rigged ship.
topsail - A square sail set above the lowest sail on the mast of a square-rigged ship or a triangular or square sail set above the gaff of a lower sail on a fore-and-aft-rigged ship.
transom - Any of several transverse beams affixed to the sternpost of a wooden ship and forming part of the stern.
trysail - A small fore-and-aft sail hoisted abaft the foremast and mainmast in a storm to keep a ship's bow to the wind.
walk the plank - Perhaps more famous than historically practiced, walking the plank is the act of being forced off a ship by pirates as punishment or torture. The victim, usually blindfolded or with bound hands or both, is forced to walk along a plank laid over the ship's side and fall into the water below. The concept first appeared in nineteenth century fiction, long after the great days of piracy. History suggests that this might have happened once that can be vaguely documented, but it is etched in the image of the pirates for its dastardly content.
warp - To move (a vessel) by hauling on a line that is fastened to or around a piling, anchor, or pier.
weigh anchor - To haul the anchor up; more generally, to leave port.
wench - A young woman or peasant girl, sometimes a prostitute.
wherry - A light, swift rowboat built for one person usually used in inland waters or harbors.
yard - A long tapering spar slung to a mast to support and spread the head of a square sail, lugsail, or lateen.
yardarm - The main arm across the mast which holds up the sail; Either end of a yard of a square sail. The yardarm is a vulnerable target in combat, and is also a favorite place from which to hang prisoners or enemies. Black Bart hung his governor of Martinique from his yardarm.
yawl (or dandy) - A two-masted fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel similar to the ketch but having a smaller jigger- or mizzenmast stepped abaft the rudder; a ships small boat, crewed by rowers.
ye - You.
Yellow Jack - A yellow flag flown to indicate the presence of an illness, often yellow fever, aboard a ship. Often the flag is used to trick pirates into avoiding potential targets.
yo-ho-ho - An exclamation associated with pirates.
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