Pirate Dictionary T-Y

TRADE WINDS

The trade winds or trades are strong easterly winds that blow through the tropics and subtropics. They blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

TRAVERSE BOARD

This was used to record the course and speed of the pirate ship during a four hour watch. The speed was measured using the chip log, and the direction was taken using the sea compass.

VIKING

A pirate from Scandinavia circa 789, also known as Northmen. Because these warriors would work themselves into a battle frenzy, they were also called Berserkers.

VIKING LONG SHIP

This Scandinavian ship was made of pine and oak, and could be over 75 feet in length. It had a single mast, sail and many oars, and generally carried a crew of 50 men.

VRIJBUITER
(or vrybuiter)

Another name for a pirate or buccaneer, Dutch pirates were known as "vrijbuiters," the word "vrij" meaning free, "buit" meaning loot, and the ending "er" meaning agent. The word "vrijbuiter" eventually morphed into "freebooter" in English and "flibustier" in French.

WAGGONER

A volume of sea charts. The name was derived from a Dutch pilot named Waghenaer who published a collection of charts and sailing directions in 1584.

WEIGH

This is the term for raising the anchor before the ship departs.

WESTERLIES

The winds that blow between 35 degrees and 55 degrees of latitude are known as the westerlies.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE

The Western Hemisphere is another term used to describe the New World or the Americas.

YARD

The crossbar (called a spar) that supports a sail. The end of a yard is referred to as a yardarm.