spritsail—A sail common before the introduction of the jib. It is a small square sail set on a yard hung below and at right angles to the bowsprit. Sometimes, formerly, a short vertical mast was erected at the end of the bowsprit, and from this was set the sprit topsail.
squadron—Part of a fleet of naval ships under a flag officer.
squall—A sudden and very strenuous gust of wind or a sudden increase in its force. Small storms that come up quickly are often called squalls.
square-rigged—That method of disposing of sails in which they hang across the ship and in which they are approximately rectangular in shape.
starboard—The right-hand side of a vessel to a person facing the bow.
stays—Supports made of hemp or wire rope supporting spars, or, more especially, masts.
staysails—Sails set on the stays between the masts of a ship or as headsails.
stem—The foremost timber of a vessel’s hull.
stern—The rear end of a vessel.
stern castle—In ancient times an erection built at the stern of a ship to assist in its defense.