Glossary of Thames Sailing Barge Terms
More Terms will be added and updated as the Restoration progresses
| Wale | An extra thickness of wood to protect the sides of the hull, particularly below the rail where the side would be damaged when alongside a quay or another vessel. |
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| Apron | A strengthening timber behind the stem which takes the planking at the bow. |
| Batten Studs | The iron clips on the sides of the hatch coamings in which are wedged the battens securing the hatch cloths. |
| Bow | The foremost end of the a ship, the opposite of stern. |
| Breast Hook | A timber or steel plate fitted internally across the apron and stem to give added strength to the bow area. |
| Camber | The curve of a ship's deck giving a fall towards the sides. |
| Ceiling (Sealing) | The inside planking forming the floor of a barge's hold; at the sides the lining is carried up to just beneath the inwale. |
| Chine | The angle where the bottom planks of a vessel meet the sides. |
| Chine keelson | Lengths of timber fitted inside the frames at the junction of floors and frames. |
| Coamings | A raised framework of timbers, usually between 15" - 24 " high boardering the main cargo holds and supporting the hatch covers. The covers were battened down with tarpaulins. |
| Deadwood | The solid timber in the bow and stern just above the keel. Both deadwoods are firmly fastened to the keel to add strength to the ship's structure and form a base for the floors. |
| Deck Beams | Transverse timbers on which the deck is laid. The beams are often supported at the ship's side by angled brackets called hanging knees. |
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