All 7 sides and decks, explained
1. Bow
The bow is the front of the ship, the end that points forward. Here it is on the left, with the bowsprit sticking out.
Fun fact Going toward the bow is called going forward, or fore.
2. Stern
The stern is the back of the ship. Here it is on the right, where the captain's cabin is.
Fun fact Going toward the stern is called going aft.
3. Starboard
Starboard is the right side of the ship when you stand on board and face the bow. In this picture it is at the top.
Fun fact The word comes from steering board: long ago, ships were steered with an oar on the right side.
4. Port
Port is the left side of the ship when you stand on board and face the bow. In this picture it is at the bottom.
Fun fact Port used to be called larboard, but it sounded too much like starboard, so sailors changed it.
5. Upper deck from above
This is the top deck, seen from above, with the ship's boats, the hatches and the wheel near the stern.
Fun fact The square holes in the deck are hatches. Ladders go down through them to the decks below.
6. Gun deck from above
On the gun deck, the cannons point out to port and to starboard, in two long rows.
Fun fact The masts go straight down through every deck to the bottom of the ship.
7. Lower deck from above
Lower down are cabins, storerooms and hammocks, all packed tightly into the space inside the hull.
Fun fact Every corner of the ship was used, because there was so little room for so many people.
