Dictionary Definition
taffrail n : the railing around the stern of a
ship
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Translations
curved wooden top of the stern of a sailing
man-of-war or East Indiaman
- Finnish: selkälauta
rail around the stern of a ship
- Finnish: peräparras
deck area at the stern of a vessel
Extensive Definition
A Taffrail is the aftermost railing around the
stern of a ship, often, but not always,
ornately carved. A taffrail log is an object dragged from the stern
of the vessel to calculate the vessel's speed through the
water.
External references
- Nautical terms
- Penobscot Bay history site on taffrail log
- Information about John Bliss and Co. taffrail log (1867)