tramp—The name usually given to merchant freighters that have no regular routes. They carry almost any cargoes that offer, and may carry them to almost any port.
trawler—A vessel usually driven by power and used in fishing. It tows a heavy net called a trawl.
trick—At sea, the time allotted to a man to be at the wheel or on any other duty.
trireme—In ancient times, a ship propelled by three banks of oars.
trysails—Small sails used in bad weather when no others can be carried, or, occasionally, for rough work.
trysail mast—In old ships a mast for hoisting a trysail. (Seldom seen.)
tug—A small, powerful vessel usually propelled by steam and used to assist larger ships about protected waterways. Tugs are also used to tow barges or almost anything that can float. In the narrow waters of harbours and particularly in going alongside piers and quays, large ships need the assistance that these small vessels give them. There are also larger tugs for use in towing barges or other vessels at sea. These are known as sea-going tugs.
turret—An armoured turntable in which the larger guns of warships are mounted.
turret steamer—A steamer which, below the water line, is similar to other ships, but which above the water line has its sides turned abruptly in, so that its main deck is greatly narrower than its water-line beam. For illustration see page [131].
twin screw—A ship equipped with two propellers is said to be a twin screw ship.