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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- GLOSSARY --

KINGPOSTS

Kingposts are vertical poles, shorter than masts, that are used to support ships' cargo-handling booms. They are commonly installed in pairs, one on each side of a ship, with one or more booms attached to their bases. Operating cables run from their tops to the boom ends. Kingposts are also, though less frequently, installed individually. Sometimes, pairs of kingposts are connected by a bridge between their tops, and the term "goalpost" is sometimes used to describe these. A topmast often extends upwards from the bridge of such kingpost pairs.

Kingposts also frequently serve ventilation functions, and may have slits, cowls or other fittings installed at their tops for this purpose.

Kingposts, along with masts and smokestacks (funnels) are basic elements of widely-used merchant ship identification systems.

Caution: Kingposts can sometimes be difficult to distinguish among other shipboard clutter, and may be hidden by taller structure at some angles of view. Seen from the side, single kingposts and pairs may look the same. In addition, kingpost and mast arrangments frequently change during a ship's career.

This page features a definition of the term "kingpost", with appropriate illustrations.


Examples of commonly-seen kingposts:

Two KINGPOST pairs, with a mast between them.
Kingposts and masts are all fitted with cargo-handling booms and their associated tackle.


As seen on USS K.I. Luckenbach (ID # 2291), 1919.

Cropped from Photo # NH 103051.

 
Three KINGPOST pairs, with a bridge (and topmast) between the middle pair.
All of these kingposts have ventilating cowls at their tops.


As seen on the transport Sol Navis (ID # 4031-A), 1919.

Cropped from Photo # NH 44465.

 


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Page made 17 March 2007