quarterdeck
Ship's ceremonial stern
The quarterdeck is the raised rear section of a ship's upper deck, traditionally reserved for officers and ceremonial functions.
Naval tradition treats it as hallowed ground—personnel salute when coming aboard.
By extension, quarterdeck can refer to naval officers collectively or to the command authority they represent: The order came from the quarterdeck.
Ship's rear platform
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- taffrailShip's rear deck railing
- sternpostAft vertical hull timber
- transomCrossbar above a door
aft · fantail · helm · bridge · forecastle · fo'c'sle · gangway · companionway
One who commands
- officersThose holding authority
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- ordersInstructions to obey
- leadershipAbility to direct others
helm · watch · navigation · oversight · admiral · commander · skipper · lieutenants
Armed naval vessel
- frigateMedium-sized naval warship
- destroyerOne that ruins completely
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
- carrierOne that transports
man-of-war · flagship · fleet · ensign · rating · navy · vessel · maritime
Large traditional sailing vessel
- wooden shipSeafaring vessel of lumber
- sailing vesselWind-propelled watercraft
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- mastVessel's sail support
cannon · gunports · figurehead · jolly boat · sextant · chronometer · ship's bell · Nelson
Recognition for achievement
- saluteGestural sign of honor
- musterAssemble for inspection
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
commissioning · decommissioning · medals · awards · uniforms · protocol · tribute · procession
afterdeck
Ship's rear platform
transom · aft · fantail · helm · bridge · forecastle · fo'c'sle · gangway · companionway · bulwark
captain
One who commands
leadership · helm · watch · navigation · oversight · admiral · commander · skipper · lieutenants · midshipmen
warship
Armed naval vessel
- frigateMedium-sized naval warship
- destroyerOne that ruins completely
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
carrier · man-of-war · flagship · fleet · ensign · rating · navy · vessel · maritime · sailing ship
tall ship
Large traditional sailing vessel
- wooden shipSeafaring vessel of lumber
- sailing vesselWind-propelled watercraft
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
mast · cannon · gunports · figurehead · jolly boat · sextant · chronometer · ship's bell · Nelson · Trafalgar
honors
Recognition for achievement
- saluteGestural sign of honor
- musterAssemble for inspection
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
colors · commissioning · decommissioning · medals · awards · uniforms · protocol · tribute · procession · dignitaries
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- deckssundeck, foredeck
- Age of Sailgalleons, ships, sea voyages, naval expeditions, sea battles
- Royal NavyRoyal Navy, admiral, warship, HMS Victory, battleship
- ship areasberth, bridge, bilge, bow, cabin
- ship compartmentsbridge, engine room, galley, cargo hold, helm
quarterdeckforecastle
Forward upper deck section
fo'c'sle · lower deck · gun deck · hold