Companionways

[Richard Lunghino]

Hello all,

I was reading Archibald Gracie's book the other day and kept coming across the term "companionway" throughout his work.

For example, in his analysis of lifeboat No. 6, he restates Helen Churchill Candee's account of the disaster:

"...She last saw Mr. Kent in the companionway between Decks A and B..."

I am taking this to mean that he is talking about the Grand Staircase landing on B-Deck. Am I right in this assumption?

Thanks,

-Rich

[Timothy Trower]

Passageway, corridor, hallway. But not staircase.

[George Behe]

Hi, Richard.

For a long time I (like Tim) interpreted "companionway" to mean "hallway," but according to the online "Free Dictionary":

com·pan·ion·way (km-pnyn-w)
n. Nautical
A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or area below.

All my best,

George

[Tom McCluskie]

Companionway in H&W terms always referred to a stairway but I have known several people to also consider it a corridor or enclosed passageway. As perhaps a point of interest a companion hatch is a cover over the top of the staircase, usually closed in heavy weather, can be wood but usually of steel construction. Likewise a companion hatchway is the term for this opening in the deck. Finally for several years the wooden ladder used for the Pilot was termed the companion ladder however Pilot ladder is the more common term used today. It possibly was known as the companion ladder because the Pilot may have been considered as a "companion" to accompany the ship as she entered or left port.

[Timothy Trower]

Gentlemen -- I gratefully stand corrected!

[Tom McCluskie]

I hope no offence was taken Timothy, it was/is a very common mistake to make especially if one is not familiar with shipbuilding terminology, after all nobody likes a smart a**

[Timothy Trower]

No offense until you called me "Timothy" -- shades of my mother there, Thomas!

[Tom McCluskie]

A thousand pardons Tim, my head was in the wrong place yesterday..

[Richard Lunghino]

Thank you for your assistance, gentlemen.

-Rich

[Joshua Noble]

I've been wondering that same thing but after reading the responses, now I'm wondering what exactly Gracie was referring to. He mentions Ismay coming out of a door of the companionway. Could it be the Aft Grand Staircase?