Half-deck. A cabin or apartment in which the apprentices are berthed. Its situation is usually the ship's waist; but it is sometimes further aft, and occasionally it is under the poop or even right forward under the top-gallant fo'c'sle.
Halliards. Ropes by which sails are hoisted.
Harness-room. An office or room from which the salt meat is issued, and in which it is sometimes stored.
Hawse. The bows or forward end of a ship.
Head. The forward part of a ship. That upper edge of a square sail which is attached to the yard.
House-flag. The special flag of the firm to which a ship belongs.
Idlers. The members of the round-house mess, generally consisting of the carpenter, cook, sailmaker, boatswain, painter, etc., are known as the idlers.
Jack (or jackstay). An iron bar (fitted along all yards in sailing ships) to which the head of a square sail is secured when bent.
Kites. Light upper sails.
Leeches. The outer edges of square sails. In furling some square sails the leech is dragged inwards till it lies level with the head upon the surface of the yard. This is done by the first man who gets upon the yard, beginning at the weather side.