DICTIONARY OF

Fiducial Points 135 First Meridian
Fiducial Points. Those indications, in the graduation of a scale, that were carefully and
precisely ascertained; and were not deduced from other indications in the scale.
Fiducial Temperature. That temperature at which the reading of a mercurial barometer
requires no correction for expansion of mercury.
Field Ice. Ice pack whose limits cannot be seen from ship.
Field Magnet. Permanent magnet of a dynamo- Establishes a magnetic field in which
armature rotates.
Field of View. Area that can be seen when looking through an optical instrument.
Fife Rail. Horizontal rail, or timber, in which are a series of belaying pins.
Fifteen-Metre Type. First international type of yacht (1911). Length overall, 76 ft.;
L.W.L., 49 ft.; Beam, 13.8 ft.; Sail area 4450 sq. ft.; Reg. tonnage, 27.5; T.M. tonnage, 50;
Freeboard. 3.7 ft.
Fifty-Gun Ship. Man of war intermediate between frigate and ship of the line.
Figsies. Elizabethan spelling of 'Fizgigs'.
Figure Head. Carved figure on stem and immediately below bowsprit.
Figure of Eight. Knot put in end of rope or fall to prevent it unreeving through a block or
sheave.
Filibuster. Originally, a buccaneer. Now applied to any lawless adventurer.
Fill (a Sail). To trim a sail so that wind acts on it.
Filler, Filling. Piece put into a made mast to complete its shape.
Filling. Name was formerly given to a composition sheathing - placed between frames of a
wooden vessel to close seams and exclude vermin.
Fine Lines. Said of a ship that has a fine entrance and less than average beam.
Fire Appliances. Usual name for fire-fighting appliances.
Fire Booms. Booms rigged out from ship's side and carrying a rope secured at head of each
boom. Used for keeping off fire ships and other hostile craft.
Firefoam. Preparation for extinguishing oil fires by spreading foam over oil surface, and
smothering the ignited layer.
Fire Ship. Comparatively worthless vessel loaded with combustibles and allowed to drift
amongst fleet of enemy ships at anchor; fire ship being ignited just before contact.
Firing Point. That temperature at which a given liquid gives off vapour in sufficient
quantity for the surface layer to ignite when vapour is ignited by flash.
First Mate. Deck officer next in rank below Master. Officer holding a First Mate's
Certificate of Competency.
First Meridian. Prime meridian. Meridian from which longitude is reckoned. By general
consent the meridian of Greenwich has been adopted.