helm—Used interchangeably with the word “tiller.” Theoretically, every rudder is equipped with a helm or tiller, although actually tillers are seldom used except on small boats. To port your helm (tiller) means to push the handle of the tiller to the port side. This steers the vessel to starboard. Therefore, when the order to port the helm is given on board any ship, it is intended that the steering apparatus be so operated that were there a tiller on the rudder it would be moved to port.
hermaphrodite brig—A two-masted sailing ship with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails only on the main. This type is often incorrectly called a brigantine. For illustration see page [201].
hold—The inner space in a vessel in which the cargo is stowed.
holystone—A soft, porous stone used for scouring the decks. Its name comes from its shape, which fancy has suggested is that of a Bible, and to the fact that when it is in use the sailors are invariably on their knees.
hull—The hull is the body of a vessel, exclusive of rigging or equipment.
Jacob’s ladder—A collapsible ladder made of wooden steps strung between two ropes. It is used over the sides of a ship when the ship is at sea, as, for instance, when a pilot comes aboard or departs.
jaws—The horns at the end of a boom or gaff, which keep it in its position against the mast.
jib—One of the triangular headsails of a sailing vessel. There are several, as follows: balloon jib, flying jib, inner jib, jib of jibs (only on large ships), jib topsail, middle jib, spitfire, standing jib, storm jib.
jib-boom—A spar running out beyond the bowsprit for the purpose of carrying other jibs. Flying jib-boom—A boom extending beyond the jib-boom for the purpose of carrying the flying jib.
jigger—The fourth mast from the bow in a ship carrying four or more masts. The second from the bow in a yawl or a ketch.