bilge keel—Fins of wood or steel approximately paralleling the keel but built into and projecting from the ship at about where the bottom and the sides might be said to join. They are intended to minimize the rolling of the ship.
bilge water—Water that collects in the bottom of the ship. As this is always at the lowest part of the hull, oil and other impurities are always a part of the bilge water, with the result that its odour is generally offensive and it is very dirty.
binnacle—The fixed case and stand in which the steering compass of a vessel is mounted.
bireme—An ancient ship, driven by two banks of oars.
bitts—Posts of metal or timber projecting from the deck, to which lines may be made fast.
Blackwall hitch—A knot. For illustration see page [193].
block—A pulley used on board ship.
boat—A small vessel. It is improper to refer to large ships as boats.
bob stay—A stay or rope made fast to the stempost of a ship at the cutwater and leading to the end of the bowsprit.
bolt-ropes—The ropes along the borders or edges of a sail for the purpose of strengthening those parts.