The accommodation ladder is a sort of light staircase occasionally fixed on the gangway. It is furnished with rails and man-ropes; the lower end of it is kept at a proper distance from the ship's side by iron bars or braces to render it more convenient. (See gangway.)
♦ Forecastle-ladder and hold-ladder, for getting into or out of those parts of a ship.
♦ Jacob's ladder, abaft top-gallant masts, where no ratlines are provided.
♦ Quarter or stern ladders. Two ladders of rope, suspended from the right and left side of a ship's stern, whereby to get into the boats which are moored astern.