DICTIONARY OF

Gacrux 149 Gam
G
Gacrux. Star Crucis. S.H.A. 173°; Dec. S57°; Mag. 1-6.
Gaff. Spar, having jaw that fits round mast, and to which the head of a gaff sail or trysail is
attached and extended.
Gaff Topsail. Small triangular sail having its foot extended along gaff, and its luff along
mast.
Gage.* Old name for a vessel's draught in water. Also, her position relative to wind and
another vessel.
Galactic. Pertaining to the Galaxy or 'Milky Way'.
Galaxy. The 'Milky Way'.
Gale. A strong wind. Formerly applied to any fresh wind; now usually denotes wind of force
8 and above.
Gale Warning. Notice of an impending gale. May be given by radio, visual signal,
telegram, or other means.
Galilean Glasses. Optical aid consisting of two tubes, each with a double concave eyepiece
and double convex object glass.
Galiot.* Galley with one mast and 16 rowing benches. Most popular vessel of ancient times.
Gallant. Former name for 'topgallant'.
Galleass/Galliass. Former warship having three masts, three tiers of guns and 32 rowing
benches.
Galleon. Large 16th-century sailing vessel used, principally, in trade with South American
colonies.
Gallery. Projecting walk, or balcony, at stern or quarters of old sailing ships.
Galley. Compartment in which cooking and other food preparation is done in ships. 2.*
Single-banked pulling and sailing boat reserved for captain's use in R.N. 3. Craft of varying
sizes, at different times built for pulling oars, though fitted for sailing when conditions were
favourable. 4. Open boat formerly used by Customs officers and Thames police.
Gallery Built. Name given to a flush-decked sailing vessel.
Galley Foist.* State barge used on ceremonial occasions.
Galliot. Bluff-bowed, two-masted trading vessel formerly used by Dutch. Usually rigged as
a topsail schooner.
Gallivat.* Swift sailing craft of about 70 tons, formerly used on Malabar coast. Had two
masts, lateen sails and was armed with small swivel guns.
Gallows. Horseshoe-shaped girder, hinged on deck of trawler. Carries block through which
trawl warp is led. 2. Support for a boom when sail is lowered and furled.
Gallows Bitts. Vertical framework fitted on deck to take stowage of spare spars and timbers.
Gallows Stanchions. 'Gallows Bitts.'
Gallows Top. Cross timbers at upper end of gallows bitts.
Galton's Sun Signal. 'Heliostat.'
Gam. Visit between whalemen when on whaling ground.