SEA TERMS(Spring 91)

Coxswain - Over the years this has been the title of a leading seaman or petty officer in charge of a ship's boat. It originated around the 13th century. It was for many years the name of the Navy and Coast Guard rating for a boatswain's mate third class. The term is a composite from the Middle English "coq", a ship's boat, and "swain", attendant.

Chronometer - A highly accurate clock used in navigation, which also served as the ship's clock. While in use on shipboard and ashore, it was not highly enough developed to be considered dependable until the mid 19th century. The word is made up from the Greek "chronos", time, and "metron", measure.

Doughnut - A baked cake which came from Holland. It is said that the hole in the center of a doughnut was developed in 1847 by a sea captain named Hanson Gregory. He cut a hole in the center before frying to make them more digestible. Some say it was so that he could "park" one on the spoke of the wheel while navigating. One wonders what happened when the wheel was turned.

 

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