No room to swing a cat
A cat of nine tails was a whip with nine tails, used onboard as a corporal punishment.
All the crew would be gathered on deck to observe the punishment being given. On a small boat with a crowded deck, there would be
Very little or No room to swing a cat
POSH
When on a voyage from the UK to warmer climates, the elite wanted their cabin on the shaded side of the ship. The Port side Out, Starboard side Home
Hanging on to the bitter end
The inboard end of an anchor warp is called the Bitter End. If this was let go, the anchor would be lost
Freeze the balls off a brass monkey
Cannon balls were stored on brass trays, called monkeys. In freezing weather, the brass would contract quicker than the metal in the cannon balls, tipping out the cannon balls
A square meal
When there was time onboard, the cook would serve the meals on a square tray
Money for old rope
Rope ends, and old rope would be sold to ashore to traders, and the proceeds shared amongst the crew. So the saying money for old rope
Toe the line
The joints between the deck planking was firstly filled with oakum, then sealed with pitch. The appearance would be a black line. When the sailors were called to attention, they were required to be in straight lines, with their toes against the black joints, or toeing the line
Scrub around something
When scrubbing the decks, if there was something in the way, for instance kit belonging to an officer. Rather than move this kit and get into trouble, they would scrub around it
Over a barrel
Often the unfortunate sailor would be tied over the barrel of a ships cannon for the lashing with the cat of nine tails
First rate
A British warship carrying a hundred guns or more was termed FIRST RATE
Second, Third and Fourth Rate carried fewer guns
Pipe Down
The last order of the day piped on a Bosun’s pipe would be lights out and silence
Windfall
A sudden gust of wind normally off high ground, which would give the boat an extra turn of speed
As the crow flies
Very often when nearing the coast in poor visibility, a caged crow would be released. The crow would head for land, and the ship would follow (No wonder there are so many wrecks around the coast)
Slush fund
The cook would SCRAPE THE BARREL in which the meat had been store to get out the fat. This fat would be boiled into a slush, and sold ashore to candle makers. The proceeds called the slush fund, shared amongst the crew
Above board
Anything open and visible on the deck could be clearly seen, and above board
