Here's a question for you

[desperance]

Does anybody happen to know what the topmost plank (wale, strake) of a boat was called, before it was called the gunwale? Before they had guns, I mean? In this instance it's a rowing-boat, and it's not crucial because I have a cheat, but now I've started wondering, I really would like to know...

Comments

[devonellington.livejournal.com]

According to a swift look at a few sites, the "gunwale" was created when vesels began to use artillery and had to reinforce the top planking in order to support the guns and shoot.

It may not have been called anything before then because it didn't exist -- it was a tool of necessity once guns came about.

I'll ask some boat fiends in New Bedford and P-town when I get back from Philly.

They all just call that part of the boat "top planking". But maybe a bit more digging will get a more interesting story.