Alphabetic listing of places, words, phrases and acronyms with their definitions, carefully and skilfully crafted by Alex’s sister, Isabella. Crib for the underlying themes and jokes.
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
K1 - An accurate copy of John Harrison's H4 (first marine chronometer) , made by Larcum Kendall. James Cook used K1 on his second and third voyages.
K2 - The third precision marine chronometer made after the H4, designed by John Harrison. K2 was on HMS Bounty.
Katherine - Alex’s daughter
Kathleen Ferrier - See Blow the Wind Southerly. Ferrier was a famous Scottish classical singer and a favourite in Alex’s family. She died way too young.
Kelp - Types of brown algae, which hold on to the rocky sea bottom with root-like structures. Floats in huge mats close to land and potentially capable of fouling a propeller or a rudder. More here (Wikipedia)
Kevvo - Stainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others
Kite - Sailors’ slang for a spinnaker
Knockdown - When the boat is severely rolled or knocked over sideways, normally when beam on to big rolling breakers.
Knot - -- Speed: definition of speed at sea. One knot is one nautical mile per hour. The nautical mile is about 1.15 % longer than the "statute" mile used on land. A knot is about half a metre per second.
-- A knot is also the result of winding a rope around itself or another rope to make a join or a loop .
Krikkit robot - A robot from the planet Krikkit (The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)