I am anxious to make it clear that little dictionary is intended as a help to beginners. I do not profess to teach those who may be already experienced in yachting and the art of boat sailing, and still less those acquainted with the sea. For these there are various nautical dictionaries; but so far as I am aware, there is no such work exclusively devoted to those who start in entire ignorance of their subject; and to supply this apparent want the present work is an attempt. The dictionary is fully illustrated and in almost every case from the object described.