The Steamboating Forum

Does anyone know if there is a specific name for the piece mounted on the bow pictured below?

Breakwater?

-Ron

Bulwark, I think, at least that's what they call the safety wall around the deck of a ship.

Sheerwater?

Bowrail - look it up in Chapelle's "Boat Buiolding".

A "bow rail" is as properly descriptive as any term, I suppose. However, the more colorful nautical term for such rails is "buffalo rail." This is opposed to, I suppose, "monkey rails" which are at the stern rather than the bow. Whether the "monkeys" and the "buffaloes" are related is anybody's guess, but a buffalo rail it is.

Due to the previous replies, and thus knowing where to look, I was able to find various references, and some often conflicting name definitions. It meets the definition of a bulawrk, being an extension of the hull sides above the deck, however this definition is not specific to the bow location.

As best I can cypher, three names are most used to describe the part:

Bow Rail
Buffalo Rail
Spray Rail

As far as the Buffalo Rail being forward, and the Monkey Rail being aft, that is the most common definition, although one author indicates "take your pick, forward or aft".

Now Then (pun intended), Bow Rail & Spray Rail are logical names, but how did it come to be known as a "Buffalo Rail"?

Thanks to all for replies