Index to Volume Seven - The People - Dock Family Trees - Glossary . . .

Bulkhead - An upright wall within the hull of a ship. Particularly a watertight, load-bearing wall. [043]

Bulwark or Bulward - The extension of the ship's side above the level of the weather deck. [043]

Bunker - A container for storing coal or fuel oil for a ship'​s engine. [043]

Bunker fuel or bunkers - Fuel oil for a ship. [043]

Buoy - A floating object of defined shape and color, which is anchored at a given position and serves as an aid to navigation. [043]

Cable length - A measure of length or distance. Equivalent to (UK) 1/10 nautical mile, approx. 600 feet; (USA) 120 fathoms, 720 feet (219 m); other countries use different values. [043]

Capsize - When a ship or boat lists too far and rolls over, exposing the keel. On large vessels, this often results in the sinking of the ship. [043]

Capstan - A large winch with a vertical axis. A full-sized human-powered capstan is a waist-high cylindrical machine, operated by a number of hands who each insert a horizontal capstan bar in holes in the capstan and walk in a circle. Used to wind in anchors or other heavy objects; and sometimes to administer flogging over. [043]

Chronometer - A timekeeper accurate enough to be used to determine longitude by means of celestial navigation. [043]

Civil Red Ensign - The British Naval Ensign or Flag of the British Merchant Navy, a red flag with the Union Flag in the upper left corner. Colloquially called the "red duster". [043]

Clean bill of health - A certificate issued by a port indicating that the ship carries no infectious diseases. Also called a pratique. [043]

Collier - A bulk cargo ship designed to carry coal, especially such a ship in naval use to supply coal to coal-fired warships. [043]