Hawsehole is a nautical term for a small hole in the hull of a ship through which ''

hawser Hawser () is a nautical term for a thick rope used in Mooring (watercraft), mooring or towing a ship. A hawser is not waterproof, as is a Nautical cable, cable. A hawser passes through a hawsehole, also known as a cat hole, located on the wikt: ...

s'' may be passed. It is also known as a cat hole. In the (British)

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

, a man who had risen from the lowest grade to officer was said to have "come in at the hawsehole".

References

{{Sailing ship elements Shipbuilding Sailboat components Sailing ship components Nautical terminology

See also

References