DICTIONARY OF

Kepler's Laws 191 Kites
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion. 1. Every planet moves in an ellipse having Sun at one
of its foci. 2. Radius vector of any planet sweeps through equal areas in equal times. 3.
Squares of periodic times of planets are proportional to cubes of their mean distances from
Sun.
Ketch. Sailing vessel having fore and aft rig on each of two masts. Mainmast carries
foresails, jib, mainsail. Mizen carries mizzen - sail. Mizenmast is stepped about one-fifth of
length of ship from aft.
Kevel. Large bitt, or cleat, used for belaying large-sized ropes. 2. Palm of an anchor.
Kevel Head. Projection of rib timber above gunwale when shaped for use as a kevel.
Kevler. A costly material with high impact resistance.
Kew Pattern Barometer. Mercury barometer specially designed for use at sea. Is mounted
in gimbals and has a constricted tube to minimise 'pumping' in a seaway.
Key. A reef or low island.
Key of Keelson. Fictitious article for which greenhorns at sea are sometimes sent.
Kicking Strap. A tackle placed between boom and deck to prevent
the boom rising.
Kid. Small, shallow wooden tub, usually circular in shape.
Killer Whale. Savage and bloodthirsty whale of dolphin family. They haunt seating-grounds
and kill and devour sperm whales.
Killick. Nautical name for an anchor. Originally, was a stone used as an anchor.
Kinetic Energy. Energy due to motion.
King Post. Alternative name for a 'Samson Post'.
King's Harbour Master. Officer of R.N. appointed as harbour master in a dockyard port
under Dockyard Port Regulations, 1865.
King's or Queen's Hard Bargain. R.N. term for an inefficient rating.
King's Letter Boys. Certain boys who went to sea in R.N., between 1676 and 1728, under a
scheme introduced by Charles II.
King Spoke. Marked 'midship' spoke of a steering-wheel. Acts as an indicator to helmsman.
King's or Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. Rules, regulations and orders
by which the Royal Navy is regulated and governed.
Kink. Short bend in a rope, due to twist or turns, that prevents free running. Causes severe
strain if under tension.
Kippage. Former name for the equipment (equipage) of a vessel, and included the
personnel.
Kisbie Lifebuoy. Annular life-buoy made of cork, covered with canvas and fitted with rope
beckets.
Kit. Seaman's outfit of clothes. 2. A set of tools.
Kit-bag. Canvas bag in which a seaman's clothes are stowed.
Kites. Fine-weather sails set above royals.