DICTIONARY OF

Foot (of Sail) 142 Forefoot
Foot (of Sail). Lower edge of sail.
Foot Brail. Lowest brail on a spanker.
Foot Hook. Original form of 'Futtock',
Footing Down. Method of getting a rope as taut as possible. Man stands midway along it so
that his weight causes a small bight to be formed. As he takes his weight off it the small
amount of slack rope is gathered in and rope is turned up.
Foot Outhaul. Tackle for hauling out foot of spanker.
Footrope. Rope stretched under a yard or jib boom for men to work on when handling sail.
Sometimes called a 'horse'. Also, the boltrope along foot of a sail.
Footrope Knot. Diamond knot worked round a rope by using the four ends of two pieces of
small line passed through the rope.
Foot Waling.* Former name for the 'ceiling'.
Foraminifera (ous). Very small and elementary type of marine life that lives in a shell.
'Foraminiferous' is adjective used when describing ooze, or other sample of sea bed, that
contains foraminifera.
Forbes' Distance Recorder. Attachment used with Forbes' log to
record the distance run.
Forbes' Log. Consists, basically, of a manganese bronze tube that can be protruded through
bottom of ship at a position near her turning point. Bottom of tube carries a vane that rotates
as ship moves through water, sending an electric signal every 0.01 of a mile travelled. These
signals operate the 'Distance Recorder' and Elphinstone's Speed Indicator.
Force of Wind. Velocity, or momentum, of wind expressed by a figure in the Beaufort
Scale. Seldom exceeds 20 Ib. per sq. ft.
Forced Draught. Air supply, to a furnace, that has been increased beyond normal by
subjecting it to pressure, by increasing its speed, or by expediting the removal of exhaust
gases.
Forced Points. Alternative name for 'By points' of compass.
Fore. In or towards the forward part of a ship.
Fore and Aft. Leading or lying in the same direction as the length of a ship. 2. Embracing
the whole length of a ship.
Fore and Aft Schooner. Vessel having fore and aft sails only. Used for differentiating such
a vessel from a topsail schooner.
Fore Bitters. Songs sung on forecastle during dog watches. (R.N.)
Fore Cabin. Passenger accommodation that is inferior to saloon.
Forecastle. In Royal Navy is the upper deck from right forward to some line, usually the
screen bulkhead, abaft the cable holders. In Merchant Navy is the crew's quarters, even when
these are aft. In flush-decked sailing ships it extended from forward to the main tack block.
Forecastle Head. Merchant Navy name for topgallant forecastle.
Fore Course. Sail bent to fore lower yard.
Forefoot. Lower extremity of stem, usually curved, where it joins keel. Generally regarded
as part of keel, the stem being said to rest upon it.