Backstays: Large ropes used to support the masts. They come aft either side of the ship from the masthead.
Balloon foresail or fore staysail: An enormous sail set on the forestay of cutters and schooners, and used for close-hauled sailing in light weather.
Balloon-jib: An enormous jib made of light canvas carried by fore-and-aft rigged craft; the foot extends from the bowsprit end to the fore-rigging. It is used when sailing from one to eight or nine points free.
Balloon-Topsail: A square-headed gaff topsail of very large proportions, set with a yard and a jack-yard at clew; to the latter the sheet is bent.
Battens: Strips of wood let into the mast to prevent its wearing. Strips of wood put round hatches over tarpaulins to keep the latter down. A batten of wood is also used for several purposes on a vessel's rigging. A thin splint of wood used by naval architects for making curved lines.
Beam: The breadth of a ship. The midship side of a ship. Abaft the beam is behind the centre of the ship's side, and forward of the beam is in front of that centre. See also "Abeam."
Bear away: To put the helm up and cause the vessel's head to go off the wind.
Beating to windward: Making for a point to windward by short tacks.
Belay: To make a rope fast to a pin or cavel, without hitching or seizing. "Belay there!" Stop hauling, and make fast.
Bend: To attach a sail to a yard. To bend a cable is to attach it to an anchor. A knot by which two ropes are fastened together.