Titanic's vocabulary

Here, we can post all the words we don't understand, when you read a book about the Titanic for example...


So, I begin with a simple question, and I hope someone can answer me.
I just start to read the Chirnside's book, "The Olympic Class Ships" who arrived in my mailbox this morning.
In the appendix about the Californian, the author say there are 4 lifeboats, one pinnace (chaloupe), and one gig, on the ship.


But, I dont know what is a "gig", which type of lifeboats ?

Google Traduction tell me it's a "concert" in french...


Someone can help me for traduction ?

Selon le Dictionnaire Gruss de Marine : "Sorte de yole très légère ayant en général des bordages à clin. Le fond est plat et les extrémités effilées". In French, "gig" is called "guigue" or "guigne". :chnfgdt:

Thank you for your response Gérard.
I understand, now.

And Tony gave me two interesting links :

- Cornish Pilot Gig

- Captain's Gig

What a nice topic for the forum !
That's a great idea ! I'll certainly find some words I don't understand soon so I guess that it'll be very helpful ! :D