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The term gun deck originally referred to a deck
Deck (ship)

A deck is a permanent covering over a compartment or a hull of a ship. On a deck #Glossary or deck #Glossary, the primary deck is the horizontal structure which forms the 'roof' for the hull, which both strengthens the hull and serves as the primary working surface....
 aboard a ship
Ship

A ship is a large watercraft that floats on water. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size. Ships may be found on lakes, seas, and rivers and they allow for a variety of activities, such as the ferry or cargo ships, fishing, cruise ship, Coast guard, and warship....
 that was primarily used for the mounting of cannon
Cannon

A cannon is any tubular piece of artillery, that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile over a distance....
 to be fired in broadside
Broadside

A broadside is the side of a ship; the artillery battery of cannon on one side of a warship; or their simultaneous fire in naval warfare....
s. However, on many smaller vessels such as frigate
Frigate

A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
s and unrated vessels the upper deck, forecastle
Forecastle

Forecastle, also spelled fo'c's'le , originally meant the upper deck of a sailing ship, forward of the foremast. The syncope of the word is common among nautical terms due to the nature of their pronunciation during the age of sail by sailors with strong accents and varying language skills....
 and quarterdeck
Quarterdeck

Quarterdeck may refer to*A part of a ship. See Deck *Quarterdeck Office Systems...
 bore all of the cannons but were not referred to as the gun deck. The completely covered level under the upper deck was, however, still called the gun deck although it had no guns at all.

term "gun deck" is also Navy slang for fabricating or falsifying something.






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The term gun deck originally referred to a deck
Deck (ship)

A deck is a permanent covering over a compartment or a hull of a ship. On a deck #Glossary or deck #Glossary, the primary deck is the horizontal structure which forms the 'roof' for the hull, which both strengthens the hull and serves as the primary working surface....
 aboard a ship
Ship

A ship is a large watercraft that floats on water. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size. Ships may be found on lakes, seas, and rivers and they allow for a variety of activities, such as the ferry or cargo ships, fishing, cruise ship, Coast guard, and warship....
 that was primarily used for the mounting of cannon
Cannon

A cannon is any tubular piece of artillery, that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile over a distance....
 to be fired in broadside
Broadside

A broadside is the side of a ship; the artillery battery of cannon on one side of a warship; or their simultaneous fire in naval warfare....
s. However, on many smaller vessels such as frigate
Frigate

A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
s and unrated vessels the upper deck, forecastle
Forecastle

Forecastle, also spelled fo'c's'le , originally meant the upper deck of a sailing ship, forward of the foremast. The syncope of the word is common among nautical terms due to the nature of their pronunciation during the age of sail by sailors with strong accents and varying language skills....
 and quarterdeck
Quarterdeck

Quarterdeck may refer to*A part of a ship. See Deck *Quarterdeck Office Systems...
 bore all of the cannons but were not referred to as the gun deck. The completely covered level under the upper deck was, however, still called the gun deck although it had no guns at all.

Slang

The term "gun deck" is also Navy slang for fabricating or falsifying something. The origin of the term dates to the practice of painting the image of cannon ports on the side of one's ship in order to present the appearance of having more guns than a ship actually does, and thereby convincing any adversary that they were outgunned, foregoing engagement.

This term is presently used to indicate the falsification of documentation in order to avoid actually doing the work or make present conditions seem otherwise acceptable.

See also

  • Glossary of nautical terms
    Glossary of nautical terms

    This is a glossary of nautical terms; some remain current, many date from the 17th-19th century. See also Wiktionary:Category:Nautical and :Category:Nautical terms....
  • Son of a gun
    Son of a gun

    Son of a gun is a slang term present in American English and British English English language which can be used approvingly, disparagingly or to express surprise....