Conference unifix::sailing

    Generally varnished surfaces, although I think the term applies
    to any surface which is finished more for cosmetics than function.
    
    Walt

    Not to be a smart*** but when I graduated from the Merchant Marine
    Academy "brightwork" was any non-painted metal surface. Such as
    chrome-plated metal, brass, or copper.
    
    Hope this helps. Does this answer give you more or less work to do?
          
    Jack Schuffels
    
    AKA "Captain Hook"

    This is getting interesting...
    
    re .2 What is/was the term used for varnished surfaces? Is this a case
    of professional/amateur semantic differences, or an archaic usage.??
    Not to imply that you're archaic, Jack.
                                               O    O
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Ed,
A 40-pluser    

    I'll have to look up the term for varnished surfaces, but as I remember
    its something just like that (varnished or oiled surfaces). I'm
    also not aware of difference (professional vs amateur) in marine
    terminology. 
    
    But I will have admit to being in the second half century (52) of
    my life.
    
    Seriously though, when it was your turn to polish the brightwork
    on a ship you better know where to find it (unless you would rather
    clean oily bilges).
    
    Jack 
                   
                         
           
                    
    

    
    My time "in the service..." was spent on submarines.  We had no
    varnished surfaces, almost no chrome and brass and no Bosun Mates
    to keep the terminology book.   I know that many terms I heard used
    on Navy ships have little or no bearing to small boats, and many
    only some similarities.   For instance the Ensign on our submarine
    (aside from some wet eared non-quals) was a 13 striped, 50 star
    flag.  "Yachies" are want to call that 13 stripe, anchor-in-the-blue,
    insignia an Ensign.
    
    I also have never ordered "open the main ballast tank vents" on
    our boat and cannot recall hearing the OOD or Diving Officer
    order "Ready About".  So I guess some things just dont transfer
    from military/commercial shipping to yachts without adjustments.
    
    Walt :^}

    I agree with Walt on terminology similar to what he stated. Military
    sea-going terms are in a class by themselves when it comes to the
    many and varied ships they operate. Of course we dont even refer
    to
    submarines as ships. They are boats. Even though a WW II fleet
    submarine was 320 ft long and displaced 2100 tons. Thats roughly
    equivelent to a Fletcher class destroyer.
    
    But when you come down right to it basic marine term are pretty
    consistant. I'm sure we could start another note just on terminology.
    
    I'll keep my "scope" up and my "hydrophones" on for a continuation
    of this conversation.
    
    Jack

    I was reading the April issue of sail last nite.  There is the usual
    section on spring commissioning.  One piece on maintaining exterior
    varnished surfaces was describing a problem where the "brightwork"
    was discolored and lifted, as a result of improperly sealed or bedded
    woodwork, a few weeks after finishing.  This author (a Maine carpenter)
    was refering specifically to the Varnish itself as brightwork.
    
    I personally avoid this particular one on my boat by, 1) not varnishing
    but oiling exterior woodwork, 2) refering to the woodwork by its
    function - like handrail - or generically - like "I'm going to oil
    the teak", 3) all metal surfaces are either painted, anodized or
    stainless - again I "polish the stainless", and finally - doing
    it myself.
    
    Walt

    I guess .3 was right! I'm either using an archaic term or
    Naval/merchant service term. Now I'm really gonna hafta go home
    and dig out some old manuals. 
    
    Stand by (tomorrow) for the official meaning if brightwork.
    
    
       

    Just for the helluva it I looked in Webster's 7th Edition and lo
    and behold this is what I found!
    
    brightwork n: polished or plated metalwork
    
    I feel rejuvenated :-}

    While we were dusting off our small library on the boat this past
    weekend I came across a book that we picked up for my son, called
    The Origin of Nautical Terms.   I remembered this note and looked
    up brightwork.  To paraphrase (since I didnt write the text down):
    
    Any wood finished with a transparant coating....  The term has also
    degenerated in some circles to mean polished metal.
    
    Walt

    Brightwork refers to varnished places, or in the case of some boats
    you see, places that SHOULD be varnished.  It would be interesting
    to learn strict derivation, although it certainly predates chrome.
    One explanation I've heard is that varnished wood would reflect
    light, whereas unvarnished would not.  Does not explain, however,
    why shined brass is NOT brightwork.  Someone else may have more
    to add.
    

��                     <<< Note 266.6 by MILVAX::SCHUFFELS >>>
��                                 -< Scope up >-

��    I agree with Walt on terminology similar to what he stated. Military
��    sea-going terms are in a class by themselves when it comes to the
��    many and varied ships they operate. Of course we dont even refer
��    to
��    submarines as ships. They are boats. Even though a WW II fleet
��    submarine was 320 ft long and displaced 2100 tons. Thats roughly
��    equivelent to a Fletcher class destroyer.

    Somewhere in this file, there was a good description of boat
    vs. ship.  I've looked, but cannot find it.  Any pointers?

    Thanks.