shoal
a large number of fish swimming together
hurdling
to take part in a race that involves jumping hurdles. Here, perhaps a reference to how the dead sailor's leg muscles were knotted up post-mortem
portent
a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
dreadnaughts
a type of battleship from the early 20th century
bulwark
an extension of a ship's sides above the level of the deck.
spinnaker
a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind.
mainsheet
a rope connected to the boom which allows a sailor to control the speed of a boat
harrowed
broken up, then smoothed over
bilge
the area on the outer surface of a ship's hull where the bottom curves to meet the vertical sides; also used figuratively to mean nonsense
Clamavimus
Latin: "We cry out"
viscera
the intestines
penitents
people seeking repentance
Shiloah
a pool in the City of David, referred to in the Bible
Non est species, neque decor
Latin for, "it has no form or majesty"
cenotaph
an empty tomb or monument
gaff
part of a ship's sail
combers
a long sea wave
