Davits—Iron cranes on vessels to which boats are hoisted.
Deadeye—A circular wooden block with three holes in it without sheaves, through which a lanyard is rove to set up standing rigging.
Dead wood—Solid wood worked on top of the keel forward and aft.
Depth of hold—The height between the keelson and the deck of a single-decked vessel.
Displacement—The quantity of water displaced by a vessel, which in weight is always equal to her own weight.
Dogvane—A light vane made of bunting or feathers to show the direction of the wind.
Dowse—To lower a sail suddenly.
Down-haul—A rope by which a sail is hauled down.
Draught of water—The depth of a vessel measured from the under side of the keel to the load water-line.
Earrings—Ropes for fastening the corners of the heads of sails to yards and for reefing.