Beam ends – The sides of a ship. “On her beam ends” may mean the vessel is literally on her side and possibly about to capsize; more often, the phrase means the vessel is listing 45 degrees or more.
Batten down the hatches – To prepare for inclement weather, by securing the closed hatch covers with wooden battens so as to prevent water from entering from any angle.
Beaching – Deliberately running a vessel aground, to load and unload (as with landing craft), or sometimes to prevent a damaged vessel sinking.
