Sailing Terms with the letter 'G'
Gaff- The spar that holds the upper edge of a fore-and-aft or gaff sail. Also a long hook with a sharp point to haul fish in.
Galley- The kitchen of the ship.
Gangplank- A movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier; also known as a "brow".
Garbled- Garbling was the (illegal) practice of mixing cargo with garbage.
Garboard- The strake closest to the keel (from Dutch gaarboard).
Global Positioning System (GPS)- A satellite based radionavigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing information to air, marine, and land users.
Grapeshot- Small balls of lead fired from a cannon, similar to shotgun shot on a larger scale. Used to hurt people, rather than cause structural damage.
Grog- Watered-down pusser's rum consisting of half a gill with equal part of water, issued to all seamen over twenty. (CPOs and POs were issued with neat rum) From the British Admiral Vernon who, in 1740, ordered the men's ration of rum to be watered down. He was called "Old Grogram" because he often wore a grogram coat), and the watered rum came to be called 'grog'. Often used (illegally) as currency in exchange for favours in quantities prescribed as 'sippers' and 'gulpers'. Additional issues of grog were made on the command 'splice the mainbrace' for celebrations or as a reward for performing especially onerous duties. The RN discontinued the practice of issuing rum in 1970. A sailor might repay a colleague for a favour by giving him part or all of his grog ration, ranging from "sippers" (a small amount) via "gulpers" (a larger quantity) to "grounders" (the entire tot).
Groggy- Drunk from having consumed a lot of grog.
Gunner's daughter- See Kissing the G.'s D.
Gunwhale- Upper edge of the hull.