Keckling. Old rope wound round cables, to keep them from chafing. (See Rounding.)
Kedge. A small anchor, with an iron stock, used for warping.
To kedge, is to warp a vessel ahead by a kedge and hawser.
Keel. (See Plate 3.) The lowest and principal timber of a vessel, running fore-and-aft its whole length, and supporting the whole frame. It is composed of several pieces, placed lengthwise, and scarfed and bolted together. (See False Keel.)
Keel-haul. To haul a man under a vessel's bottom, by ropes at the yard-arms on each side. Formerly practised as a punishment in ships of war.
Keelson. (See Plate 3.) A timber placed over the keel on the floor-timbers, and running parallel with it.
Kentledge. Pig-iron ballast, laid each side of the keelson.
Kevel, or Cavil. A strong piece of wood, bolted to some timber or stanchion, used for belaying large ropes to.
Kevel-heads. Timber-heads, used as kevels.
Kink. A twist in a rope.