Sailor Speak of the Week – King Post

Definition

Noun

• A short derrick mast on merchant vessels used for cargo hauling.

Origin

16th century. Of dubious nautical connotation.

Comments

Positioned close to the cargo hatches and used for loading and unloading smaller kinds of cargo, king posts are smaller than regular masts and many have booms on them. They can be used for loading and unloading cargo onto lighters (barges) when port cranes aren’t available or there are no berths. Often arranged in pairs (one on each side of the ship), some pairs have a bridge that connects the tops (often termed “goalposts”).

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.