gunboat—A small warship used for minor naval duties.
gunwale—The top of any solid rail along the outside of a vessel is generally called a gunwale.
guy—A steadying rope, as the guy of a spinnaker, which serves to keep that sail forward.
gybe—The swinging over of a fore and aft sail when the wind, accidentally or intentionally, has been brought from one side of it to the other around its free edge. This is sometimes a foolish and dangerous manœuvre.
halyard—A rope (sometimes a chain) by which a sail, flag, or yard is hoisted.
handsomely—A term which sounds contradictory. It means the opposite to hastily, and is used often with reference to ropes or halyards; as, “Lower away handsomely,” which means lower away gradually.
hatchway—An opening in the deck of a vessel through which persons or cargo may descend or ascend.
hawsepipes—Short tubes through which the anchor cable passes from the forward deck to the outside of the bow.
hawser—A cable or heavy rope used for towing and for making fast to moorings.
head sails—All the sails set between the foremast and the bow and bowsprit of a sailing ship. These are the fore staysail and the inner, outer, and flying jibs. Occasionally there may be others, such as a spritsail.