=forecastle=—Formerly a raised “castle” built at the bows of ancient and mediæval ships from which the decks of enemy ships could be attacked. Nowadays the quarters of the crew on board ship—generally in the bows of ships. =foremast=—The mast nearest the bow of a vessel having more than one mast, except on yawls, ketches, and other sailboats where the mast nearest the bow is larger than the mast farther astern. =foresail=—On a square-rigged ship, the lowest square sail on the foremast. On a schooner, the sail stretched between the boom and the gaff on the foremast. =forward=—The forward part or the forepart; that is, the vicinity of the bow of a vessel. To go _forward_ is to go toward the bow. =freeboard=—That portion of a vessel’s side which is free of the water; that is, which is not submerged. =freighter=—A ship engaged in carrying freight. =frigate=—A warship of the last days of sail. It was full rigged and had two decks on which guns were mounted. The _Constitution_ is a _frigate_. For illustration see page 145. =full-rigged ship=—A ship carrying three masts, each mounting square sails. For illustration see page 201. =funnel=—The smokestack or chimney connected with the boilers of a ship. =furl=—To roll a sail and confine it to its yard or boom. =gaff=—The spar at the top of some fore and aft sails, such as the mainsail or foresail of a schooner. =galleon=—A heavy vessel of the time of Spain’s nautical supremacy. =galley=—(1) In ancient and mediæval times a ship of war propelled by oars and sails. (2) The kitchen of a ship. =gangplank=—A movable runway used to bridge over the gap from a ship’s deck to a pier. =gangway=—A narrow platform or bridge passing over from one deck of a vessel to another, as from the poop to the midship deck of a freighter. =gear=—Any part of the working apparatus of a vessel, as the gear of the helm, which consists of the tiller, the chains, the blocks, and all other necessary parts. =gig=—A small boat formerly often carried on shipboard and meant for use when in port. =gimbals=—The brass rings in which a compass is mounted, and which permit it to remain horizontal despite the motions of the ship. =gondola=—A Venetian boat, used in the canals more or less as taxicabs are used in streets. It is propelled by one or two oarsmen, each with a single oar. =granny=—A knot. For illustration, see page 193. =graving dock=—Same as dry dock. =ground=—To run a ship into water so shallow that she rests on the bottom. =ground tackle=—The gear connected with and including the anchors of a ship. =gunboat=—A small warship used for minor naval duties. =gunwale=—The top of any solid rail along the outside of a vessel is generally called a _gunwale_. =guy=—A steadying rope, as the _guy_ of a spinnaker, which serves to keep that sail forward.