Shotline Diving’s Glossary Terms.AllABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAAbandoned(Maritime): The decommissioning of a vessel, leaving it to deteriorate naturally, either afloat or beached. Learn More → Aft CapstanAft Capstan: • Definition: A vertical drum near the stern used for handling heavy ropes, chains,... Learn More → Alexandria Bay, New YorkAlexandria Bay, New York • Definition: A village in the 1000 Islands region of the St.... Learn More → Alpena StormThe “Alpena Storm” of October 16, 1880 The “Alpena Storm”, named after the ill-fated steamer Alpena,... Learn More → Alpena, MichiganAlpena, Michigan • Known for its cement production, Alpena is home to one of the largest... Learn More → Amherst IslandAmherst Island Overview: 1. Geography: • Amherst Island is approximately 20 km (12 miles) long and 7... Learn More → Anchor ChainAnchor Chain: • Definition: A heavy chain used to secure the anchor to the ship, providing... Learn More → Apostle IslandsApostle Islands (Wisconsin, USA) • Definition: A group of 22 islands off the northern Wisconsin shore. •... Learn More → Archives of Ontariohttps://www.archives.gov.on.ca The provincial archive of Ontario, holding collections on government records, private papers, and local business... Learn More → Artificial ReefArtificial Reef An artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure placed on the seabed, designed to... Learn More → Avro AnsonAvro Anson: A British twin-engine aircraft widely used by the Royal Air Force and other... Learn More → BBargeBarge: A flat-bottomed vessel designed for transporting heavy goods over rivers, canals, and protected waters.... Learn More → BarkBark (or Barque): A sailing vessel with three or more masts, where the foremast and... Learn More → BarkentineBarkentine (or Barquentine): A sailing vessel with three or more masts, where the foremast is... Learn More → BarqueBarque (or Bark) • Definition: A vessel with three or more masts, square-rigged on the forward... Learn More → Bascom and GillhamBascom and Gillham Maritime historians or authors recognized for their extensive research and documentation of the... Learn More → BCAPTBritish Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP): A large-scale program initiated during World War II by... Learn More → Beaver IslandBeaver Island (Michigan, USA) • Definition: The largest island in Lake Michigan. • Significance: • Known for its... Learn More → Belly DumperList of belly dumpers found so far Cornwall N 45 01.660 W 74 50.690 Lake Huron N... Learn More → BilgeBilge: The lowest part of a ship’s interior, where water and other debris can collect.... Learn More → Bilge PumpBilge Pump: • Definition: A pump designed to remove water from the bilge, the lowest compartment... Learn More → Boldt CastleA grand mansion built on Heart Island by George C. Boldt, a wealthy hotel magnate,... Learn More → Bonnie Castle Dive ParkBonnie Castle Dive Park, Alexandria Bay, NYBonnie Castle Dive Park is a designated scuba diving... Learn More → BootleggerGlossary Term: Bootlegging (Maritime Context)Definition: In maritime history, bootlegging refers to the illegal transport of goods,... Learn More → Border Steamship CorporationBorder Steamship Corporation The Border Steamship Corporation was another key player in Great Lakes shipping, with... Learn More → Bowling Green State Universityhttps://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels Link: Learn More → Brandon BaillodBrendon Baillod – Maritime Historian and Shipwreck Discoverer Background and Expertise Brendon Baillod is a renowned Great... Learn More → BreakwaterA breakwater is a man-made structure built offshore, typically parallel to the shoreline, to protect... Learn More → Brigor Brigatine • Definition: A two-masted vessel with square sails on both masts. • Significance: Common during... Learn More → BrigantineBrigantine: A two-masted sailing vessel with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast. Brigantines... Learn More → British Register of Shipping for Inland WatersAn official record of vessels operating in British-controlled inland waters, such as the Great Lakes... Learn More → Brockville, OntarioBrockville, Ontario • Definition: A city on the St. Lawrence River, known as the “City of... Learn More → Buffalo RiverBuffalo River • Definition: A river in Buffalo, New York, connecting to Lake Erie and serving... Learn More → Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York • Once a primary grain port, Buffalo marked the western end of the... Learn More → Bulk CarrierA bulk carrier is a type of cargo vessel specifically designed to transport unpackaged bulk... Learn More → Bulk Freight “Rabbit”Glossary Term: Bulk Freight “Rabbit" The term “rabbit” was a Great Lakes shipping nickname used... Learn More → BulkheadBulkhead: Vertical partitions or walls within a ship that divide the vessel into compartments, providing... Learn More → Bureau Veritas Great Lakes RegisterBureau Veritas Great Lakes Register (1919) • A registry published by Bureau Veritas, an international classification... Learn More → CC. Patrick Labadie CollectionThe C. Patrick Labadie Collection is a renowned archive of historical materials documenting the maritime... Learn More → Cabin CruiserA cabin cruiser is a type of recreational motorboat equipped with a cabin that provides... Learn More → Canada Steamship LinesCanada Steamship Lines (CSL) A major Canadian shipping company founded in the early 20th century, specializing... Learn More → Canadian Harvard Aircraft AssociationCanadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) is an organization dedicated to... Learn More → Canadian Ship Registershttps://greatlakesmuseum.ca A repository of ship registration data maintained by the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes,... Learn More → Canadian War Museumhttps://www.warmuseum.ca A national museum dedicated to Canada’s military history. Its exhibits and collections include information on... Learn More → Canadian Warplane Heritage MuseumCanadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM), located in Hamilton, Ontario, is... Learn More → Canal SchoonerA canal schooner is a type of sailing vessel specifically designed to navigate narrow and... Learn More → Cape VincentCape Vincent, New York • Definition: A small village located where the St. Lawrence River meets... Learn More → Cape Vincent EagleCape Vincent Eagle • Publication Period: The Cape Vincent Eagle was published from approximately 188? to... Learn More → CapstanCapstan: A rotating machine used on ships to wind ropes or cables, typically for raising... Learn More → Capt. J.W. HallCaptain Captain J.W. Hall was a prominent 19th-century Great Lakes mariner, known for his long... Learn More → Carleton Island A historically significant island used during the American Revolution and War of 1812, with ruins... Learn More → Carvel PlankedA shipbuilding technique where wooden planks are fastened edge-to-edge to a frame, creating a smooth... Learn More → CaulkingThe process of sealing seams between planks to ensure a vessel is watertight Learn More → CBC NewsThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is Canada’s national public broadcaster, established in 1936. CBC News... Learn More → CenterboardGlossary Term: CentreboardDefinition: A centreboard is a pivoting or retractable keel-like structure used in sailing vessels... Learn More → Chatham Weekly PlanetA 19th-century newspaper published in Chatham, Ontario, that covered local news, politics, and commerce. It... Learn More → ChicagoChicago is a major port city located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan in... Learn More → Chippewa BayA scenic bay located in the St. Lawrence River, renowned for its natural beauty, historical... Learn More → Clayton • Clayton, NY: Town of Clayton Official Website • Definition: A historic river town in the... Learn More → ClevelandCleveland, Ohio • Historically a shipbuilding centre and a key player in the Great Lakes iron... Learn More → Clinker-builtClinker-Built ConstructionClinker-built (also known as lapstrake) is a traditional method of wooden boat construction in... Learn More → CondenserDefinition: A condenser on a ship is a mechanical device designed to condense steam back into... Learn More → ConversionConversion: The process of modifying a vessel’s structure and equipment to serve a different function than... Learn More → Cornwall, OntarioCornwall: A key port on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River. Historically significant... Learn More → Cunningham’s patented self-reefing topsailCunningham’s Patented Self-reefing Topsail: An innovative type of sail designed by Captain Cunningham in the... Learn More → Custom-House MeasureCustom-House Measure: A tonnage measurement used for customs and regulatory purposes, often reflecting the cargo-carrying... Learn More → CutterCutter • Definition: Similar to a sloop but with two or more headsails and a bowsprit. •... Learn More → DDavid Swayze Shipwreck FileDavid Swayze Shipwreck File and Mirrored Baillod.com Definition: The David Swayze Shipwreck File is... Learn More → DeckDeck: The horizontal surface covering each level of a ship. Wrecks often show collapsed or... Learn More → Deck WinchDeck Winch: • Definition: A mechanical device used for hoisting or adjusting cargo, sails, or lines. •... Learn More → Dennis GerberNotable Achievements:Wreck Exploration: • Dennis has worked with maritime heritage organizations to promote the preservation... Learn More → Dennis R. McCarthyDennis R. McCarthy is a prominent figure in the Thousand Islands region, particularly in Cape... Learn More → Department of Marine and Fisheries Annual Reportshttps://publications.gc.ca/ (Searchable resource) Annual reports issued by the Canadian government’s Department of Marine and Fisheries during... Learn More → DetroitDetroit, Michigan • Known as the “Motor City,” Detroit’s port has supported auto manufacturing by transporting... Learn More → Detroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is one of Michigan’s oldest and most widely circulated newspapers, founded... Learn More → Detroit Marine HistorianDetroit Marine Historian Newsletter by Year ie(1952) • A publication dedicated to documenting and sharing the... Learn More → Detroit RiverDetroit River • Definition: A 51-km (32-mi) river linking Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, forming... Learn More → DraftDraft: The vertical distance between the waterline and the lowest point of a ship’s hull.... Learn More → DredgeDredge: A vessel or piece of equipment used to excavate material from the bottom of... Learn More → Drummond IslandDrummond Island (Michigan, USA) • Location: Near the eastern end of Lake Huron, close to the... Learn More → DuluthDuluth, Minnesota / Superior, Wisconsin • The Duluth-Superior Port is the largest and busiest on the... Learn More → EErik Heyl: Early American SteamersErik Heyl’s “Early American Steamers” is a comprehensive multi-volume reference series documenting the history, design,... Learn More → Load More