G
GAFF to GANG
GAFF
GAGE
To GAIN the wind
GALE of wind
GALEON
GALLED
GALLERY
GALLEY
GAMMONING
GANG
GANG-BOARD to GIMBALS
GIMBLETING to Fire-GRAPPLING
GRATINGS to GROUND-TACKLE
GROWING to GUTTER-LEDGE
GUY to GYBING
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GAFF to GANG
GAFF
GAFF, a sort of boom or pole, frequently used in small ships, to extend the upper edge of the mizen; and always employed for the same purpose on those sails whose foremost edges are joined to the mast by hoops or laceings, and which are usually extended by a boom below. Such are the main-sails of all sloops, brigs, and schooners.The foremost, or inner extremity of the gaff, is furnished with two cheeks forming a semicircle, which inclose the after part of the mast so as to confine the gaff close to it's respective mast whilst the sail is hoisting or lowering. It is further secured in this situation by a rope passing from one of the cheeks to the other on the fore-side of the mast; and to prevent the friction of this rope upon the mast, by hoisting or lowering, several little wooden balls, called trucks, are hung upon it, in the same manner as the holy beads are hung upon a catholic's rosary.
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© Derived from Thomas Cadell's new corrected edition, London: 1780, page 136, 2003
Prepared by Paul Turnbull
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/0598.html