MDA Waterways Object Name Thesaurus
0-9, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z [Contents]

macon
A type of oar.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT oarLink to term


main course
The largest sail of a suit of sails for a square rigged vessel.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT sail componentLink to term


main sail
The largest sail of a suit of sails for a fore and aft rigged vessel.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT sail componentLink to term
RT top sailLink to term


main sheet
The rope which controls the largest sail.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT rigging componentLink to term


main sheet horse
A wooden or metal bar fixed athwartships (across the width of the vessel) to the deck of a sailing vessel on to which the main sheet is fastened, usually being able to slide along the horse.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT horse (component)Link to term


maintenance and repairing equipment
Equipment designed for use in maintenance and repair in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by process>Link to term
NT boat maintenance equipmentLink to term
NT boat repair equipmentLink to term
NT dredging equipmentLink to term
NT ship repair equipmentLink to term
NT waterway maintenance equipmentLink to term


making iron
A flat or grooved edge iron used to compress the oakum in the seam.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT caulking ironLink to term
NT double crease ironLink to term
NT single crease ironLink to term
NT treble crease ironLink to term


mall

USE maulLink to term


Manchester flat
Adaptation of the Mersey flat. Manchester flats sailed along the Bridgewater Canal.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT canal flatLink to term


mandrel
Cylindrical tapered rods of iron or wood designed to hold a hollow part while it is being forged or turned.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT blacksmith's equipmentLink to term


mane comb
Grooming comb for untangling mane and tail hair.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT equine maintenance equipmentLink to term


Manvers keel
Variation of the Humber keel, trading principally to Manvers Main colliery on the Dearne and Dove Canal. Size 58ft x 14ft 10 inches.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Humber keelLink to term


margin plank
The outermost plank of a wooden deck.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term
BT plank (boat component)Link to term


marine engine
An engine designed for use in boats or ships.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT motive power producing equipmentLink to term
NT harbourmaster unitLink to term


market boat
Carrying goods and passengers over short distances, principally to markets.

UF luggage boatLink to term
CL transportLink to hierachy
BT canal passenger boatLink to term


marking equipment
Equipment designed for marking in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by process>Link to term
NT branding ironLink to term
NT branding stampLink to term
NT punchLink to term


marline spike
A pointed iron spike 6-18 inches long, usually pierced at the head. Used for opening the strands of ropes when splicing.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT rope working equipmentLink to term


martingale
Decorative shaped leather connecting strap, usually fitted with brasses. Hangs between the horse's fore legs. Fixed to lower point of the collar and belly band.

UF false martingaleLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT equine equipmentLink to term
BT equine powered propulsion system componentLink to term


mast
Vertical pole, often supported by stays and shrouds, providing an anchor point for sails or towing.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term
NT mizzenLink to term
NT pole mastLink to term
NT polka mastLink to term
RT bobbinLink to term
NT halyardLink to term
NT mast stepLink to term
NT shroudLink to term
NT sparLink to term
NT standLink to term
NT stayLink to term
NT yardLink to term


mast and spar component
Objects which are components of mast and spar systems. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT wind powered propulsion system componentLink to term
NT bobbinLink to term
NT boomLink to term
NT gaffLink to term
NT spritLink to term
NT tabernacleLink to term
NT top mastLink to term
NT truck (boat component)Link to term


mast box
Heavily constructed wooden box, approx 6ft x 10 x 10 with a hollow centre to house and support a sliding towing mast on canal narrow boats.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT equine powered propulsion system componentLink to term


mast flat

USE Mersey sailing flatLink to term


mast pin
Metal pin used to secure the top mast into the box mast at the required height on narrow boats.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT pinLink to term
RT box mastLink to term
NT top mastLink to term


mast step
A shaped depression or block cut into or mounted on the keelson, into which the heel of the mast is fixed.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT below decks watercraft componentLink to term
RT keelsonLink to term


masthead lamp
Lamp with plain or dioptric lens in large lamp fitted with side rings for running up the mast. Usually half round form with flat back and door.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT navigation lampLink to term
BT ship's lampLink to term
RT stern lampLink to term


maul
A term for various tools used for driving.

UF beaterLink to term
UF mallLink to term
UF mawlLink to term
CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT shipbuilding equipmentLink to term
BT striking equipmentLink to term
NT ship maul hammerLink to term


mawl

USE maulLink to term


meag
Used to cut the roots of plants on the Norfolk Broads.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT waterway maintenance equipmentLink to term


Measham teapot
Distinctive eathernware design with dark brown glaze and cream/red flowers in relief, often with a small plaque bearing a greetings message. Larger teapots sometimes have small teapot incorporated into the lid. Sold at Measham to boaters, but not produced by Masons of Swadlincote. Often given to other boaters as gifts. Other items of Measham ware include tobacco jars, jugs etc. 'Bargeware' and 'barge pots' are often used to describe Measham ware by land based people.

UF barge potLink to term
UF bargewareLink to term
CL containersLink to hierachy


measuring equipment
Objects which are used for measuring in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by process>Link to term
NT bevelLink to term
NT bevel boardLink to term
NT float type gauging stickLink to term
NT folding gauging stickLink to term
NT gauging stickLink to term
NT rope gaugeLink to term
NT shipwright's plumb bobLink to term
NT shipwright's plumb lineLink to term
NT sounding poleLink to term
NT sounding rodLink to term
NT weighing equipmentLink to term


Mersey barge
Motor craft and earlier steam powered craft used in and around the Mersey Estuary- the first on the Weaver in 1911. Larger craft replaced steam powered boats in the 1940s, carrying up to 285 tons.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT bargeLink to term
NT Rochdale Canal steam packetLink to term
NT Weaver packetLink to term


Mersey flat
The family of craft of the Mersey estuary and local rivers. They included sailing flats, unpowered flats, canal flats and coastal flats.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT bargeLink to term
NT canal flatLink to term
NT Mersey sailing flatLink to term


Mersey sailing flat
They went up the St Helens Canal, the Weaver, the Mersey and Irwell Navigation and the Runcorn and Latchford Canal. Up to mid C18 they were doubled ended and square sailed. From mid C18 to mid C19 they developed a transom stern and fore and aft rig. From mid C19 returned to a double ended shape but with a fore and aft rig. All around 72ft x 14ft.

UF mast flatLink to term
CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Mersey flatLink to term
BT sail propelled boatLink to term
NT inside flatLink to term
NT outside flatLink to term
NT Weaver sailing flatLink to term


metalworking equipment
Objects which are used for metalworking in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by material worked upon>Link to term
NT bench shearsLink to term
NT blacksmith's equipmentLink to term


middle Northwich
This type of narrow boat is one of 8 steel pairs built by W.J. Yarwood of Northwich in 1935/6. They are part of the Star Class series of boats built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT star class boatLink to term


mine boat
Craft principally designed to work underground in quarries and mines, generally short and narrow but boat shaped rather than rectangular.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT <craft by context>Link to term
NT Crooke mine boatLink to term
NT Gwauncaegurwen mine boatLink to term
NT Harecastle mine boatLink to term
NT Nent Force mine boatLink to term
NT Speedwell mine boatLink to term
NT Worsley mine boatLink to term


miscellaneous cargo craft types
Miscellaneous cargo craft. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT cargo vesselLink to term
NT Aberdeenshire Canal boatLink to term
NT Adelphi Canal boatLink to term
NT Arbury Canal boatLink to term
NT Arisaig Canal boatLink to term
NT bastard boatLink to term
NT Burton Boat Company Canal boatLink to term
NT Cemlyn Canal boatLink to term
NT Chelmer bargeLink to term
NT Cinderford Canal boatLink to term
NT Compstall Canal boatLink to term
NT Croydon Canal boatLink to term
NT Dudley Canal tunnel boatLink to term
NT Eardington Forge Canal boatLink to term
NT Emmets Canal boatLink to term
NT Glasgow Paisley Ardrossan boatLink to term
NT Grand Union Canal wide boatLink to term
NT Haigh Canal boatLink to term
NT Kilbagie Canal boatLink to term
NT Liskeard and Looe Union boatLink to term
NT Llechryd Canal boatLink to term
NT Muirkirk Canal boatLink to term
NT SevernerLink to term
NT Sir Nigel Gresley Canal boatLink to term
NT Somerset turf boatLink to term
NT Somerset withy boatLink to term
NT Stevenston Canal boatLink to term
NT Thorne and Hatfield Canal boatLink to term
NT Tremadoc Canal boatLink to term
NT Wilson House Canal boatLink to term
NT Woodeaves Canal boatLink to term
NT Worcester and Birmingham Canal bargeLink to term


mizzen
The after most (nearest the stern or rear of a vessel) mast.

UF jigger (mast)Link to term
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT mastLink to term


modesty flap
A hinged flap inside a narrow boat cabin which divides the side bed from the main bed.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT above decks watercraft componentLink to term


monkey boat
Said to relate to Mr. Monk, a boat owner in London. A term used more on the Grand Junction / London waterways.

USE narrow boatLink to term


monkey's fist
A ball of rope made by knotting around a weight, with a loop at one end. Acts as a toggle as part of a towing line and gives weight to a line when it is thrown.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT ropeworkLink to term


Monmouthshire Canal boat
60ft x 8ft 6.9in all the boats were built with cabins.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Welsh narrow boatLink to term


mooring pin
Metal pin to tie mooring ropes to. It is either fixed to the boat or hammered into the bank.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT pinLink to term


mortise chisel
A general term for various chisels used for mortising (creating a hole to receive a projection and make a joint). All have an extra strong blade, a stout handle to take the blows of the mallet and the blades are characterised by being thicker back-to-front than other chisels in order to resist bending when levering out the waste in a deep mortice.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT chiselLink to term
BT woodworking equipmentLink to term


motive power producing equipment
Equipment used for producing motive pwer in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT power producing equipmentLink to term
NT marine engineLink to term
NT oarLink to term
NT paddleLink to term


motor boat

USE motor narrow boatLink to term


motor boat tiller
Removable metal tube fitted to the rudder stock to provide steering leverage.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT tillerLink to term
RT motor narrow boatLink to term
NT tiller barLink to term


motor cruiser
A craft permanently fitted with accommodation for overnight stays and primarily used for holidays, privately owned or hired. Fitted with beds or bunks and often with shower or bath. Powered by an engine.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT cruiserLink to term
NT aft cockpit cruiserLink to term
NT centre steering cruiserLink to term
NT dual steering cruiserLink to term
NT forward steering cruiserLink to term


motor narrow boat
The first English trials of motor narrow boats took place just before the 1st World War, 1914-1918, and mostly involved conversion of horse boats. From the 1920s new motor boats were built with a counter stern and an underwater shape designed to maximize the efficiency of the propeller.

UF motor boatLink to term
CL transportLink to hierachy
BT diesel powered boatLink to term
BT narrow boatLink to term
RT motor boat tillerLink to term
NT pigeon boxLink to term


moulded boat
A boat constructed by moulding.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT <craft by construction>Link to term


moulding plane
A class of thin-bodied planes with variously shaped soles and blades whose cutting edges form many various mouldings.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT planeLink to term


moving and transport equipment
Equipment used for moving and transporting in an inland waterways context. Do not use for indexing. Use a more specific term.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT <tools and equipment by process>Link to term
NT towing equipmentLink to term


mud hopper
A craft designed to carry the waste products of inland waterway maintenance work primarily dredgings.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT waste disposal vesselLink to term


mud scoop
A leather bag held by a round iron frame on the end of a long pole. Used for hand dredging of the canal.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT dredging equipmentLink to term
BT waterway maintenance equipmentLink to term


Muirkirk Canal boat
Size and shape unknown.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT miscellaneous cargo craft typesLink to term


mule
Mule rigged spritsail barge with a gaff rigged mizzen.

CL transportLink to hierachy
BT Thames bargeLink to term
RT boomieLink to term
NT stumpy bargeLink to term


mushroom anchor
An anchor consisting of a straight length with a bowl shape at the end (like an inverted mushroom).

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
BT anchorLink to term


mushroom ventilator
A tube fitted vertically to the deck of a boat with a moveable hemispherical cover to allow fresh air to enter enclosed spaces.

CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT ventilatorLink to term


muzzle
Basket of wire or leather to fit over the horse's mouth or muzzle to prevent grazing when under way. Also fitted to horses liable to bite or snap.

CL tools and equipmentLink to hierachy
CL componentsLink to hierachy
BT equine equipmentLink to term
BT equine powered propulsion system componentLink to term



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