bridles—Several lines leading from a larger line to distribute the strain on an object to which they are attached.
brig—A vessel with two masts (fore and main) both of them square rigged. For illustration see page [201].
brigantine—Same as a brig except that it has a fore and aft mainsail. For illustrations see page [201].
broadside—The firing of all the cannon on one side of a warship at the same moment.
bulkhead—A partition of almost any material. Nowadays steel bulkheads are most common. Their purpose is to divide the ship, generally laterally, into separate compartments that, in the highest designs, are watertight.
bulwarks—A parapet around the deck of a vessel, serving to guard passengers, crew, and cargo from the possibility of being swept overboard.
bumboat—A small harbour boat allowed to visit ships in port and supply the sailors with various articles.
buoy—A floating marker intended as a guide or a warning. Buoys have been more or less standardized, but in many different parts of the world similar shapes and colours still stand for different things.
cabin—A habitable apartment on shipboard.
cable—The rope or chain by which a ship’s anchor is held.