Shipwrights' Terminology
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AFTER BODY.
That part of the ship's body abaft the midships or dead-flat. This term is, however more particularly used in expressing the figure or shape of that part of the ship.

AIR FUNNEL.
A cavity framed in the openings of the timbers, to admit fresh air into the ship, and convey the foul air out of it. They are, generally, and should be, placed in the largest openings so as to be clear for passing the air freely.

AMIDSHIPS.
In midships, or in the middle of the ship, either with regard to her length or breadth. Hence that timber, or frame, which has the greatest breadth and capacity in the ship is denominated the midship bend.

ANCHOR LINING
The short pieces of plank, or of board, fastened to the sides of the ship, or to stanchions under the fore channel, to prevent the bill of the anchor from tearing the ship's side. when fishing or drawing up the anchor. It is only used in the navy, and many ships upon which it was fitted have lately had it taken away.
BADGE.
A sort of ornament fixed on the quarters of small vessels near the stern, and containing, either a sash for the convenience of the cabin, or the representation of it. It is commonly decorated with carved work, as marine figures, martial instruments.

BAG OF THE HEAD RAILS.
The lowest part of the head-sails, or that part which partakes of the horizontal position.

BALCONY.
The gallery in the stern of large ships.

BALUSTERS.
The ornamental pillars, placed along, or in front of, the balcony in the stern and quarters of large ships.

BARK.
A name given to small ships, especially to ships, having no head-rails, and to such as have three masts without a mizzen top-sail.

BASE.
The foot or lowest part of a pillar; or that part of a body over which rests, or is designed to rest.

BEAK-HEAD.
The short platform at the fore-part of the upper-deck, in large ships, placed at the height of the ports from the deck, for the convenience of the chase-guns. Its termination aft is the bulk-head called the beak-head bulk-head, which encloses the fore-part of the ship.

BEAK-HEAD CARLINGS.
Large carlings which are used to frame the beak-head instead of a collar beam.

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