Ballast. Material used to load the ship, for stability or submerging purposes.

Barge. General name for vessels built for towing.

Bark. Three-masted vessel, square-rigged on the fore- and main-masts, and fore-and-aft rigged on the mizzen.

Barkentine. Three-masted vessel, square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft on the main- and mizzen-masts.

Beam. The widest part of a vessel.

Bollards. Posts of timber on sides of docks, quays, etc., over which ropes are thrown for hauling vessels alongside.

Boom. The lower spar for a fore-and-aft sail.

Bow. Sides of fore part of boat: the right hand being the starboard bow, and the left hand the port bow.

Bowsprit. Pole projecting from stem forward, and taking forestays and bobstays.

Bridge-house. House built near bridge.