Skip to main content

Full text of "The sailor's word-book : an alphabetical digest of nautical terms, including some more especially military and scientific ... as well as archaisms of early voyagers, etc"

See other formats 


Google 


This  is  a  digital  copy  of  a  book  that  was  preserved  for  generations  on  library  shelves  before  it  was  carefully  scanned  by  Google  as  part  of  a  project 

to  make  the  world's  books  discoverable  online. 

It  has  survived  long  enough  for  the  copyright  to  expire  and  the  book  to  enter  the  public  domain.  A  public  domain  book  is  one  that  was  never  subject 

to  copyright  or  whose  legal  copyright  term  has  expired.  Whether  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  may  vary  country  to  country.  Public  domain  books 

are  our  gateways  to  the  past,  representing  a  wealth  of  history,  culture  and  knowledge  that's  often  difficult  to  discover. 

Marks,  notations  and  other  maiginalia  present  in  the  original  volume  will  appear  in  this  file  -  a  reminder  of  this  book's  long  journey  from  the 

publisher  to  a  library  and  finally  to  you. 

Usage  guidelines 

Google  is  proud  to  partner  with  libraries  to  digitize  public  domain  materials  and  make  them  widely  accessible.  Public  domain  books  belong  to  the 
public  and  we  are  merely  their  custodians.  Nevertheless,  this  work  is  expensive,  so  in  order  to  keep  providing  tliis  resource,  we  liave  taken  steps  to 
prevent  abuse  by  commercial  parties,  including  placing  technical  restrictions  on  automated  querying. 
We  also  ask  that  you: 

+  Make  non-commercial  use  of  the  files  We  designed  Google  Book  Search  for  use  by  individuals,  and  we  request  that  you  use  these  files  for 
personal,  non-commercial  purposes. 

+  Refrain  fivm  automated  querying  Do  not  send  automated  queries  of  any  sort  to  Google's  system:  If  you  are  conducting  research  on  machine 
translation,  optical  character  recognition  or  other  areas  where  access  to  a  large  amount  of  text  is  helpful,  please  contact  us.  We  encourage  the 
use  of  public  domain  materials  for  these  purposes  and  may  be  able  to  help. 

+  Maintain  attributionTht  GoogXt  "watermark"  you  see  on  each  file  is  essential  for  in  forming  people  about  this  project  and  helping  them  find 
additional  materials  through  Google  Book  Search.  Please  do  not  remove  it. 

+  Keep  it  legal  Whatever  your  use,  remember  that  you  are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  what  you  are  doing  is  legal.  Do  not  assume  that  just 
because  we  believe  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  the  United  States,  that  the  work  is  also  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  other 
countries.  Whether  a  book  is  still  in  copyright  varies  from  country  to  country,  and  we  can't  offer  guidance  on  whether  any  specific  use  of 
any  specific  book  is  allowed.  Please  do  not  assume  that  a  book's  appearance  in  Google  Book  Search  means  it  can  be  used  in  any  manner 
anywhere  in  the  world.  Copyright  infringement  liabili^  can  be  quite  severe. 

About  Google  Book  Search 

Google's  mission  is  to  organize  the  world's  information  and  to  make  it  universally  accessible  and  useful.   Google  Book  Search  helps  readers 
discover  the  world's  books  while  helping  authors  and  publishers  reach  new  audiences.  You  can  search  through  the  full  text  of  this  book  on  the  web 

at|http: //books  .google  .com/I 


••a 


\ 


^ 


\ 


4 


\ 


\ 


n 


/ 


4 


I 


THE 


r/i 


SAILOE'S   WOED-BOOK. 


r 


<  t 


f 


\'  * 


I* 


r 


r 


I 


t 


1 


THE 


SAILOE'S    WOED-BOOK 


AN  ALPHABETICAL  DIGEST 


OF 


NAUTICAL     TEEMS, 


lyCLUDINO  SOME  IIORK  ESPECIALLY  UILITART  AND  SCIENTIFIC,  BUT  USEFUL  TO  SEAMEN; 

AS  WELL  AS  ARCHAISMS  OF  EARLT  VOTAOERS,  ETC. 


BT  THE  LATE 


ADMIEAL    W:    H.*    SMYTH, 

K.8.F.,  D.C.L,  ke,         ^ 


REVISED  FOR  THE  PRESS  BT 


VICE-ADMIRAL   SIR   E:  BELCHER, 

K.C.B.,   fto.  &o. 


^t* 


LONDON: 

BLACKIE   AND    SON,    PATERNOSTER    ROW; 
AND  GLASGOW  AND  EDINBURGH. 

1867. 


• 

r 


t 


OLABOOW: 
O.  BT^CKIB  AVD  00. »  PBIFrXXS, 
VIUUFIELZk. 


\ 


^^IftjL 


THE  EDITOE'S  PEEEACE 


The  recent  loss  of  Admiral  William  Hemy  Smyth,  noticed  as  it  was 
by  the  leading  periodicals,  will  have  recalled  to  many,  not  only 
the  social  character  and  amiable  qualities  of  the  compiler  of  this 
Work,  but  also  his  distinguished  professional  career  and  high  reputa- 
tion as  an  officer,  a  navigator,  and  a  seaman,  which  will  be  a 
gug,rantee  for  the  details  of  this  posthumous  publication. 

When,  in  1858,  the  Admiral  reached  the  allotted  term  of  three- 
score years  and  ten,  yet  in  perfect  health,  he  executed  his  resolution 
of  resigning  to  younger  men  the  posts  he  held  in  the  active  scientific 
world,  and  concentrated  his  attention,  at  his  quiet  and  literary 
retreat  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  near  Aylesbury,  on  reducing  for  the 
press  the  vast  amount  of  professional  as  well  as  general  information 
which  he  had  amassed  during  a  long,  active,  and  earnest  life :  the 
material  for  this  ** Digest"  outstanding  as  the  last,  largest,  and  most 
important  part  of  it.  Had  he  survived  but  a  few  months  more,  a 
preface  in  his  own  terse  and  peculiar  style,  containing  his  last  ideas, 
would  have  rendered  these  remarks  unnecessary ;  but  he  was  cut  off 
on  the  8th  of  September,  1 865,  leaving  this  favourite  manuscript  to 
the  affectionate  care  of  his  family  and  friends.  By  them  it  has  been 
.»  most  carefully  revised;  and  is  now  presented  to  the  public,  especially 

to  his  honoured  profession,  for  the  benefit  of  which  he  thought  and 
worked  during  the  long  period  which  elapsed  between  his  leaving 
the  quarter-deck  and  his  death ;  as  his  Charts  (constructed  firom  his 
O  numerous  surveys),  his  twenty  years'  Essays  in  the  United  Service 

^  Journal,  his  efforts  to  render  his  astronomical  researches  accessible 

IC  to  seamen, — ^all  testify. 

^  Admiral  Smyth  was  what  has  been  called  a  c(yrrim(ywpl(iceT,     He 

^  had  the  habit  of  methodically  storing  up,  through  a  long  series  of 


o,* 


yi  EDITOR'S  PEEFACE- 

jeaxs^  all  that  could  profit  the  seaman,  whether  scientific  or  practical 
A  collector  of  coins,  and  in  various  ways  an  antiquary,  he  knew 
weU,  not  merely  that  ''many  mickles  make  a  muckle,"  but  that  it 
will  sometimes  chance  that  the  turning  up  of  one  little  thing  makes 
another  little  thing  into  a  great  one.  And  he  culled  firom  the 
intelligent  friends  with  whom  he  associated  many  points  of  critical 
definition  which  cannot  be  found  elsewhere.  Thus,  in  addition  to 
naval  terms,  he  has  introduced  others  relating  to  fortification;  to 
ancient  and  modem  arms  and  armour;  to  objects  of  natural  histoiy 
occurring  at  sea^  in  travel,  &c :  the  whole  forming  such  an  assemblage 
of  interesting  and  instructive  matter  as  will  prove  valuable  to  both 
seaman  and  landsman. 

This  "Digest"  may  engage  the  attention  of  the  naval  oflicer,  not 
merely  for  the  information  it  conveys,  but  for  the  doubts  it  may  raise 
in  matters  deserving  further  research.  Independently  of  the  variety 
of  subjects  treated,  the  author's  characteristic  manner  of  handling 
them  will  make  it  to  his  former  brother  officers  a  reminiscence  of 
one  of  the  true  tars  of  the  old  school — the  rising  generation  will  find 
here  old  terms  (often  misunderstood  by  younger  writers)  interpreted 
by  one  who  was  never  content  with  a  definition  until  he  had  con- 
firmed it  satisfactorily  by  the  aid  of  the  most  accomplished  of  his 
cotemporaries;  the  landsman  will  discover  the  meaning  or  derivation 
of  words  either  obsolete  or  which  are  not  elsewhere  to  be  traced, 
though  occurring  in  general  literature.  To  all  it  is  the  legacy  of  an 
officer  highly  appreciated  by  men  of  science,  who  on  shore  as  well  as 
afloat  fought  his  way  to  eminence  in  every  department,  and  always 
deemed  it  his  pride  that  no  aim  was  dearer  to  liim  than  the  advance- 
ment of  his  noble  profession. 

London,  May,  1867, 


INTEODUCTION. 


What's  in  a  word!  is  a  questioa  which  it  is  held  clever  to  quote  and 
wise  to  thiak  unaaswerable:  aod  jet  there  is  a  very  good  anawer,  and  it 
ia — a  meanlDg,  if  70a  know  it.  But  there  is  another  queation,  and  it  is, 
What'a  a  word  in  T  There  is  never  a  poor  fellow  in  this  world  bnt  must 
ask  it  now  and  then  with  a  blank  face,  when  aground  for  want  of  a 
meaning.  And  the  answer  is — a  dictionary,  if  you  have  it^  Unfortun- 
ately, there  may  bo  a  dictionary,  and  one  may  have  it,  and  yet  the  word 
may  not  be  there.  It  may  be  an  old  dictionary,  and  the  word  a  new 
one;  or  a  new  dictionary,  and  the  word  an  old  one;  a  grave  dictionary, 
and  the  word  a  slang  one;  a  slang  dictionary,  and  the  word  a  grave  one; 
and  so  on  through  a  double  line  of  battle  of  antitheses.  Such  is  assuredly 
matter  for  serious  (»igitation:  and  voluntarily  to  encounter  those  anom- 
alous perplexities  requires  no  small  amount  of  endurance,  for  the  task  is 
equally  crabbed  and  onerous,  without  a  ray  of  hope  to  the  pioneer  beyond 
that  of  making  himself  humbly  useful.     This  brings  me  to  my  story. 

Many  years  ago,  I  harboured  thoughts  of  compiling  a  kind  of  detailed 
nautical  vade  mecum;  but  a  lot  of  other  irons  already  In  the  fire  marred 
the  project     Still  the  scheme  was  backing  and  filling,  when  the  late 


2  INTRODUCnON. 

Major  Shad  well  Gierke — opening  the  year  1836  in  the  United  Service 
Joti/mal — ^fired  off  the  following,  to  me,  unexpected  announcement: — 

''A  Nautical  Dictionary,  or  Cyclopaedia  of  Kaval  Science  and  Nomen- 
.  clature,  is  still  a  desideratum.  That  of  Falconer  is  imperfect  and  out  of 
date.  We  have  heard  that  the  design  of  such  a  work  has  been  enter- 
tained, and  materials  for  its  execution  collected,  by  Captain  W.  H. 
Smyth,  whom  we  earnestly  recommend  to  prosecute  an  undertaking  of 
such  promise  to  the  service  of  which  he  is  so  experienced  and  distin- 
guished a  member — ^it  could  not  be  in  more  competent  hands.*' 

This  broad  hint  must  have  been  signalled  by  the  gallant  Major  in  the 
way  of  a  stimulating  fillip,  and  accordingly  it  aroused  considerable  atten- 
tion. Among  those  who  were  excited  by  the  notification  was  my  friend 
Captain  Basil  Hall,  who  wrote  to  me  from  Paris  a  few  days  afterwards 
— 13th  of  January,  1836 — ^in  these  words: 

'^I  read  a  day  or  two  ago,  in  the  United  Service  Joumaly  that  you  had 
some  thoughts  of  preparing  a  Nautical  Dictionary  for  publication;  and 
from  your  connection  with  that  journal^  or  at  least  your  acquaintance 
with  our  friend  the  editor,  I  am  led  to  fear  that  the  report  may  be  true. 
You  will  understand  the  use  of  the  word  /ear  when  I  tell  you  that^  for 
nearly  three  years,  my  own  thoughts  have  turned  in  the  same  direction, 
and  I  have  been  busily  preparing  for  a  task  to  which  I  meant  to  buckle 
to  with  a  will,  and  to  which  I  meant  to  devote  some  four  or  five  years 
of  exclusive  diligenca  What  I  am  anxious  to  know,  as  soon  as  may  be, 
is  the  fiict  of  your  having  undertaken  a  similar  work,  or  not.  For  I 
assure  you  I  am  not  so  fooUsh,  nor  so  insensible  either  to  my  own  peace 
of  mind  or  my  own  reputation;  nor  am  I  so  careless  of  your  good  opinion 
«nd  regard,  as  to  enter  the  lists  with  you.  I  repeat^  neither  my  feelings 
nor  my  judgment  would  permit  me  in  any  way  to  cross  your  hawse,  if 
indeed,  as  I  too  much  fear,  you  have  got  before  me.  There  is  one  other 
man  in  the  service  besides  yourself,  and  only  one,  with  whom  no  con- 
sideration would  induce  me  to  enter  into  competition — and  that  is 
Beaufort — ^but  liis  hands,  I  presume,  are  fiill  enough,  and  I  had  some- 
how imagined  yours  were  too.  So  much  so,  that  you  were  one  of  the 
first  men  I  meant  to  consult  on  my  return  to  England,  and  to  beg 
assistance  from.  I  should  not  have  minded  the  competition  of  any  one 
else,  but  I  am  not  so  vain  as  to  suppose  that  I  could  do  the  thing  as  well 
as  either  -of  you — ^and  therefore,  even  if  I  were  not  restrained  by  motives 
of  personal  friendship,  I  should  never  dream  of  risking  xnj  reputation 


INTRODUCTION.  8 

for  professional,  scientific,  or  literary  attainments  bj  a  straggle  in  which 
I  should  certainly  be  worsted" 

To  this  hearty  and  laudatory  interpellation,  an  immediate  reply  was 
returned,  stating  that  I  had  long  held  the  subject  in  view,  but  that  other 
weighty  avocations  occasioned  its  hanging  fire,  and  had  compelled  me  to 
suspend  it  sine  die.  Still  I  considered  such  a  work  necessary  to  the 
current  wants,  as  well  those  of  seafarers  as  of  the  landsmen  who  evince 
a  taste  for  nautical  matters;  and  that,  from  his  profession  and  literary 
prowess,  I  knew  of  no  one  better  fitted  for  the  task  than  himself — adding 
that,  under  the  emei^gency,  my  papers  were  at  his  service,  and  I  would 
occasionally  give  him  such  personal  aid  as  might  lie  in  my  power.  This 
was  acknowledged  in  a  long  explicatory  letter,  of  which  the  following 
are  extracts: — 

**!  trust  I  know  the  value  of  a  compliment  as  well  as  any  man,  and  I 
can  say,  with  perfect  truth,  that  in  the  whole  of  my  career  (such  as  it  has 
been),  professional,  scientific,  or  literary,  no  compliment— I  may  say  no 
circumstance — ^has  occurred  which  has  given  me  so  much  honest  grati- 
fication as  your  letter  of  the  3d.  I  know  you  are  a  man  not  to  say 
what  you  do  not  truly  think,  nor  to  express  yourself  strongly  where  you 
have  not  observed  carefully.  I  shall  therefore  not  disclaim  your  compli- 
ment, but  rather  seek,  in  a  kindred  spirit,  to  work  up  to  the  mark  which 
you  assign  me — and  which  I  know  but  too  well  how  far  I  am  short  of 

''I  do  hope,  indeed,  that  as  you  say,  'we  may  row  in  the  same  boat 
without  catching  crabs;'  but  of  this  I  am  quite  resolved,  not  to  cross  your 
hawse,  nor  to  interfere  with  your  project,  which  you  have  alluded  to  as 
having  already  commenced.  That  is  to  say,  I  shall  not  interfere  unless 
I  can  be  of  use  to  it  and  to  you,  and  with  your  full  concurrlBnce,  and,  as 
I  hope,  your  companionship.     ♦     ♦     ♦     ♦ 

"What  I  should  propose  would  be,  that  you  should  furnish  the  pro- 
fessional technicalities  in  all  the  different  branches,  and  that  I  should 
endeavour  to  popularize  them.  Here  and  there — as  in  the  matter  of 
Navigation — I  also  might  intrude  with  some  few  technicalities.  But 
generally  speaking  it  would  be  you  who  should  provide  the  real  solid 
stufif^  and  I  who  should  attempt  to  dress  it  up  so  as  to  be  intelligible 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  sea-service;  and  also  to  be  intelligible  to  those 
young  persons  whom  it  is  very  important  to  instruct  id  general  and  even 
popular  views,  but  for  whom  it  would  be  needless  to  write  a  new 
elementary  treatise.     •     ♦     •     ♦ 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

''This  is  a  sketch  of  my  plan.  What  think  you  of  iti  I  must  add 
one  thing,  however,  that  you  must  be  the  senior  officer  on  the  occasion. 
I  shall  act  in  all  this  matter,  and  in  the  most  perfect  good  faith,  as  your 
subordinate." 

In  responding  to  this  full  and  frank  overture,  I  entered  into  a  few 
more  particulars  respecting  my  progress  and  purpose  in  the  projected 
work;  and  invited  him — on  his  return  from  France— to  come  at  once  to 
Bedford  and  ransack  my^pers. 

Accordingly,  in  the  autumn  of  1836,  Captain  Basil  Hall  and  his 
family — ^the  whole  of  the  Schloss  Handfeldt  party — arrived  at  my  house, 
where  he  was  located  in  a  quiet  library,  with  all  my  materials  for  the 
Naval  Dictionary  before  him.  Here  he  remained  in  close  examination 
of  them  during  two  days,  when  he  promised  to  send  me  his  ultimatum 
in  writing  after  due  deliberation.  He  required  time  for  this,  seeing  I 
had  fairly  warned  him  that  my  onei*ou8  undertakings  would  necessarily 
throw  the  heavier  share  of  our  performance  upon  his  shoulders.  On  the 
27th  of  November  I  received  a  letter  from  Edinburgh,  in  which  he  made 
this  statement: — 

"With  respect  to  the  Marine  Dictionary  I  think  we  have  come  to  a 
clear  understanding — namely,  that  for  the  present  it  is  standing  fast. 
/  certainly  had  a  notion  that  I  was  an  interloper,  and  as  soon  as  I  saw 
the  vast  deal  you  had  done  in  the  way  of  preparation,  that  it  became  me 
as  a  man  of  fair  dealing,  to  back  out  This  does  not,  however,  appear 
to  have  been  your  wish,  but  on  the  contrary  that  we  may  still  make  a 
joint  work  of  it  by-and-by,  when  we  have  leisure,  both  of  us,  to  engage 
in  it  heartily — tooth  and  nail.  I  shall  therefore  keep  it  in  my  thoughts, 
and  endeavour  to  shape  my  future  plans  so  as  to  meet  this  view,  and, 
should  I  see  occasion,  I  can  write  to  you  about  it.  My  present  notion 
is,  that  if  ever  we  do  set  about  it,  I  must  come  to  Bedford  for  a  season, 
and  give  myself  entirely  up  to  the  work,  under  your  direction.  The 
work,  to  be  worth  a  straw,  or  at  all  what  would  be  expected  from  you 
and  me,  would  require  no  small  labour  on  our  parts,  for  a  considerable 
length  of  time." 

We  consequently  lay  upon  our  oars  for  some  time,  but  occasionally 
pulling  a  stroke  or  two  to  keep  to  the  station,  and  be  ready  for  headway 
when  required.  While  thus  prepared,  in  1842  my  excellent  and  highly 
accomplished  fiiend  was  most  unexpectedly  assailed  by  an  afflicting 
malady,  which  at  once  reduced  a  brilliant  mind  to  a  distressing  fatuity, 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

which — after  two  lingering  years-— closed  his  valuable  life,  and  clued  up 
our  arrangements. 

Meantime  our  plan  had  oozed  out,  and  too  great  an  expectation  was 
evoked  in  certain  quarters,  the  inquiries  from  whence  were  frequent 
reminders.  At  length  in  1865,  most  of  my  undertakings  having  been 
completed,  and  out  of  the  way,  I  made  an  overhaul  of  the  bulky  ribs  and 
trucks  of  the  scheme  in  question.  Both  my  judgment  and  feelings 
united  in  showing  that  it  is  now  too  late  in  th^  day  for  me  to  think  of 
setting  about  such  a  work  as  was  contemplated  thirty  years  ago;  yet 
finding  myself  still  capable  of  application,  and  fully  knowing  all  the 
bearings  of  the  case,  I  feel  assured  that  a  comprehensive  and  useful 
"word-book"  may  be  made  from  the  shakings.  On  the  whole,  therefore, 
the  foregoing  particulars  seem  to  be  a  necessary  prelude  to  this  introduc- 
tion. 

Doubtless  a  well-digested  marine  dictionary  would  be  equally  bene- 
ficial to  the  country  and  to  the  service,  for  the  utility  of  such  a  work  in 
assisting  those  who  are  engaged  in  carrying  on  practical  sea  duties  is  so 
generally  admitted,  that  it  is  allowable  here  to  dilate  upon  its  import- 
ance, especially  when  it  is  considered  how  much  information  a  youth  has 
to  acquire,  on  his  first  going  afloat,  in  order  to  qualify  him  for  a  position 
so  totally  different  from  what  he  had  hitherto  been  familiar  with.'  In 
this  case  such  a  volume  might  justly  be  deemed  one  of  the  most  useful 
of  his  companions,  as  it  would  at  all  times  answer  his  questions,  and  aid 
that  ardour  of  inquiry  which  some  of  his  shipmates  might  not  find  it 
easy  to  satisfy.  It  would  quicken  the  slow  progress  of  experience,  and 
aid  those  who  take  a  pleasure  in  the  knowledge  and  discharge  of  their 
duties.  But  a  work  of  this  description  must  necessarily  require  constant 
additions,  and  revised  explanations,  to  enable  it  to  keep  pace  with  the 
wondrous  alterations  and  innovations  which  are  now  taking  place  in 
every  department  of  the  naval  service.  The  future  of  all  this  is  utterly 
inscrutable  1 

Nor  has  this  province  been  neglected,  as  the  efforts  of  Captain  John 
Smith  (of  mine  own  clan),  Maynwaring,  Boteler,  Blanckley,  Falconer, 
Young,  and  many  others,  testify;  and  however  they  may  fell  short  of 
what  naval  science  demands,  they  are  full  of  initiative  training.  Indeed 
they  may  all  be  advantageously  consulted,  for  honey  is  not  the  less  sweet 
because  it  is  gathered  from  many  flowers;  and  I  have  freely  availed  my- 
self of  their  various  works,  as  far  as  they  go,  though  I  have  adopted  no 


g  DTTRODUCTION. 

term  without  holding  myself  responsible  for  its  actuality.  Such  a  Taunt 
may  be  considered  to  savour  of  the  parturiunt  montes  apothegm,  but  the 
reader  may  confidently  rest  assured  that  whatever  shortcomings  he  may 
detect  they  are  not  the  result  of  negligence. 

It  has  been  pronounced  that  such  lexicography  may  be  too  diffuse;  that 
to  describe  the  track  of  every  particulai*  rope  through  its  different  chan- 
nels, however  requisite  for  seamen,  would  be  useless  and  unintelligible  to 
a  landsman.  But  surely  nothing  can  be  considered  useless  which  tends 
directly  to  information,  nor  can  that  be  unintelligible  which  is  clearly 
defined.  Moreover,  such  a  work  may  be  so  carried  out  as  not  only  to  be 
instructive  in  professional  minutise,  but  also  to  be  a  vehicle  for  making  us 
acquainted  with  the  rules  which  guided  the  seamen  of  former  times^ 
thereby  affording  an  insight  into  those  which  are  likely  to  direct  th^n  in 
their  own. 

From  the  causes  already  stated,  my  project  of  a  full  sailor's  dictionary 
fell  to  the  ground;  yet  in  course  of  time,  and  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven, 
finding  leisure  at  last  on  hand,  I  thought  it  feasible  to  work  my  materials 
into  a  sort  of  maritime  glossary.  The  objects  of  such  a  digest  are  to 
afford  a  ready  reference  to  young  or  old,  professional  or  non-professional, 
persons,  who  by  consulting  it  may  obtain  an  instant  answer  to  a  given 
question.  Kow  although  many  of  the  explanations  may  be  superfluous 
to  some  seamen,  still  they  may  lead  others  to  a  right  understanding  of 
various  brackish  expressions  and  phrases,  without  having  to  put  crude 
queries,  many  of  which  those  inquired  of  might  be  unable  to  solve. 
Nor  is  it  only  those  afloat  who  are  to  be  thus  considered;  all  the  empire 
is  more  or  less  connected  with  its  navy  and  its  commerce,  and  nautical 
phraseology  is  thereby  daily  becoming  more  habitual  with  all  classes  of 
the  lieges  than  of  erst.  Even  our  parliamentary  orators,  with  a  proper 
national  bias,  talk  of  swamping  a  measure,  danger  ahead,  taking  the 
wind  out  of  an  antagonist's  saib^  drifting  into  war,  steering  a  bill 
through  the  shoals  of  opposition  or  throwing  it  overboard,  following  in 
the  wake  of  a  leader,  trimming  to  the  breeze,  tiding  a  question  over  the 
session,  opinions  above  or  below  the  gangway,  and  the  like,  so  rife  of  late 
in  St.  Stephen's;  even  when  a  member  ^  rats  "  on  seeing  that  the  pumps 
cannot  keep  his  party  from  faUing  to  leeward,  he  is  but  imitating  the 
vermin  that  quit  a  sinking  ship. 

This  predeliction  for  sea  idiom  is  assuredly  proper  in  a  maritime  people, 
especially  as  many  of  the  phrases  are  at  once  graphic,  terse,  and  per- 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

8picaou&  How  could  the  whereabouts  of  an  aching  tooth  be  better 
pointed  out  to  an  operative  dentist  than  Jack's  '^'Tis  the  aftermost 
grinder  alofl,  on  the  starboard  quarter."  The  ship  expressions  preserve 
many  British  and  Anglo-Saxon  words,  with  their  quaint  old  preterites 
and  telling  colloquialisms;  and  such  may  require  explanation,  as  well  for 
the  youthful  aspirant  as  for  the  cocoa-nut-headed  prelector  in  nautic  lore. 
It  is  indeed  remarkable  how  largely  that  foundation  of  the  English 
language  has  been  preserved  by  means  of  our  sailors. 

This  phraseology  has  necessarily  been  added  to  from  time  to  time, 
and  consequently  bears  the  stamp  of  our  successive  ages  of  sea-life.  In 
the  '* ancient  and  fishlike"  terms  that  brave  Baleigh  derived  from  his 
predecessors,  many  epithets  must  have  resulted  from  ardent  recollections 
of  home  and  those  at  home,  for  in  a  ship  we  find — 

Apeak,  Gat^s-paw,  Driver,  Hound,  Rabbit,  Stays, 

Apron,  Cot,  EaringB,  Jewel,  Ribband,  Stirrup, 

Astay,  Cradle,  Syes,  Lacingi,  Saddle,  Tiller, 

Bonnet,  Crib,  Fox,  Martingale,  SheaveB,  Truck, 

Braces,  Crowfoot,  Garnet,  Mouse,  Sheets,  Truss, 

Bridle,  Crow's  nest,  Goose-neck,  Nettle,  Sheep-shank,  Watch, 

Cap,  Crown,  Goose-wing,  Pins,  Shoe,  Whip, 

Catharpins,  Diamond,  Horse,  Puddings,  Sister,  Yard. 

Catheads,  Dog,  Hose, 

Most  of  the  real  sea-terms  are  pregnant  with  meaning;  but  those  who 
undertake  to  expound  them  ought  to  be  tolerably  versed  in  the  topic. 
Thus  perhaps  there  was  no  great  harm  in  Dr.  Johnson's  being  utterly 
ignorant  of  maritime  language,  but  it  was  temerariously  vain  in  that 
sturdy  lexicographer  to  assert  that  belay  is  a  sea-phrase  for  splicing  a 
rope;  main  sheety  for  the  largest  sail  in  a  ship;  and  bight,  for  the  circum- 
ference of  a  coil  of  rope;  and  we  long  had  him  on  the  hip  respecting  the 
purser,  a  personage  whom  he — misled  by  Burser — at  once  pronounced  to 
be  the  paymaster  of  a  ship;  as  the  then  purser  was,  in  fact,  more  familiar 
with  slops,  tobacco,  pork,  dips,  biscuit,  and  the  like,  than  with  cash  pay- 
ments— ^for,  excepting  short-allowance  dues,  he  had  very  little  meddling 
with  money  matters.  But  the  Admiralty  have  recently  swamped  the 
well-known  and  distinctive  nautical  title — despite  of  its  time-honoured 
claims  to  i-epute — and  introduced  the  army  appellative^  pay-masteb,  in 
its  stead 

The  pithy  conciseness  of  the  brackish  tongue  renders  it  eminently 
useful  on  duty.  In  some  of  their  sea-phrases  the  French,  our  great  rivals, 
use  a  heap  of  words  more  than  we  are  wont  to  do.  An  instance  is  given 
— supposing  a  ship  of  the  former  met  with  one  of  oura^  and  they  should 


8  INTEODUCmON. 

desire  to  salute  each  other^  the  English  commander  would  sing  out,  ''Man 
ship ! "  but  the  French  captain  would  have  to  exclaim,  '^Bangez  du  monde 
sur  les  yergues  pour  donner  des  cris  de  salut !''  By  the  way,  there  is  a 
ben  travcUo  respecting  the  difficulty  of  doing  our  naval  tidings  into  French: 
a  translator  of  note  made  quite  a  mull  of  a  ship  being  hrougJU  up  by  her 
anchors,  and  of  another  which  was  stranded  from  harrowing  too* much; 
while  ''a  man-of-war  riding  easily  in  the  road  at  Spithead"  was  rendered 
''Un  homme  de  guerre  se  promenait  \  cheval  \  son  aise  sur  le  chemiu 
de  Spithead."  Some  of  the  French  terms,  however,  are  recommended  by 
their  Parisian  stamp,  as  in  calling  iron  bilboes  "bas  de  soie** — the  waist- 
netting  ^  Saint  Aubinet" — ^the  quarter-gallery  a  '^jardin  d'amour:*'  but 
similar  elegance  was  not  manifested  in  dubbing  the  open-hearted 
thorough-bred  tar  "un  loup  de  mer." 

In  the  work  before  us,  the  nautical  import  of  the  terms  is  duly  con- 
sidered, and  the  orthography,  as  far  as  feasible,  is  ruled  by  authority  and 
custom,  with  an  occasional  slight  glance  at  the  probable  etymology  of  the 
words — slight,  because  derivation  is  a  seductive  and  frequently  illusory 
pilot  Our  language  is  said  to  have  been  arraigned  by  foreigners  for  its 
hissing  enunciation;  but,  regardless  of  the  rebuke,  our  pundits  have,  of 
late,  unnecessarily  increased  the  whistling  by  substituting  the  sibilant  $ 
for  the  vocal  »,  in  all  sorts  of  cases.  Happily  this  same  9  not  being  yet 
acclimatized  to  the  galley.  Jack  will  continue  to  give  tongue  to  an  enter- 
prLring  cruise  after  Portuguese  merchandise  and  there  anent 

The  plan  of  our  work  may  be  said  to  comprise  the  treating  de  omnihua 
rebus  natUiciSy  for  many  branches  of  knowledge  are  demanded  of  the 
intelligent  seaman.  Thus  in  Naval  Architecture,  the  terms  used  in  the 
construction  of  ships,  the  plans  and  sections,  and  the  mechanical  means  of 
the  builders,  are  undoubted  requirements  of  a  sea  word-book.  So  also 
in  Astronomy,  or  that  portion  of  nautical  science  constituting  observar 
tions  which  are  necessary  to  the  determinations  of  the  navigator. 
In  Mathematics,  especially  the  branch  distinguished  as  practical, 
the  doctrine  which  teaches  whatever  is  capable  of  being  numbered  or 
measured,  requires  verbal  elucidation,  not  so  much  for  the  educated 
youth,  as  for  him  who  labours  under  difficulties — who  is 

"  In  canTMs*d  berth,  profoundly  deep  in  thought. 
His  bney  mind  with  sines  and  tangents  fraught.*' 

Many  of  the  words  in  our  columns  are  not  de  fcuto  sea-terms,  but  as 
they  are  in  rife  and  familiar  use  on  ship-board,  they  obtained  a  lodgment; 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

whence  it  becomes  rather  a  difScult  matter  to  mark  a  boundaiy  for 
uantic  language.  Various  expressions  are  also  retained  which,  though 
now  unused  or  all  but  obsolete,  occur  so  frequently  in  professional 
treatises  and  antiquated  journals,  that  their  exposition  may  oflen  be 
welcomed  bj  a  general  reader:  they  are  here  introduced,  not  as  worthy 
of  revival,  yet  as  necessary  to  be  understood  when  fallen  in  with.  And 
it  should  be  remembered,  that — especially  during  our  last  conflict  with 
France — so  many  combined  enterprises  occurred,  that  the  most  general 
naval  and  military  phrases  pertained,  in  a  manner,  to  both  arms  of  the 
service. 

What  may  be  termed  mere  galley-slang  also  demands  explanation, 
since  even  officers  are  sometimes  ashore — I  was  going  to  say  at  sea — 
respecting  its  purport;  and  I  recollect  at  a  court-martial  holden  on  a 
seaman  for  insolence  to  his  superior,  the  lingo  used  by  the  shrewd 
culprit  was  liable  to  be  thought  respectful  or  otherwise  according  to  the 
manner  of  utterance,  and  he  was  admitted  to  the  benefit  of  the  doubtful 
meaniDg.  Still  it  must  be  admitted  that  all  vulgarisms,  as  far  as 
practicable,  should  be  indignantly  spumed  from  our  noble  EnglisJi 
language — a  language  unequalled  for  excellence  in  fluency,  capacity,  and 
strength.  A  stem  critic  may  also,  and  in  truth,  aver  that  terms  are 
included,  on  our  roll  the  which  are  not  altogether  of  maritime  usage. 
This  we  have  admitted,  but  the  allegation  will  be  greatly  weakened  on 
scrutiny,  for  they  are  here  given  in  the  sense  entertained  of  them  in 
nautic  parlanca  Such  are  generally  illustrative  of  some  of  the  lingual 
or  local  pecidiarities  of  sea-life,  or  borne  on  its  literature,  and  therefore 
are  necessarily  admitted  as  having  a  footing  in  maritime  philology. 
Some  of  our  misused  words  and  archaic  phrases  are,  by  influence  of  the 
newspaper  magnates,  brought  across  the  Atlantic,  and  re-appear  among 
us  under  the  style  and  title  of  Americanisms:  afler  which  fashion,  in  the 
lapse  of  time  and  the  mutation  of  dialect,  vocables  once  differing  in  origin 
and  meaning  may  become  identical  in  sense  and  sound.* 

Finally,  Natural  History,  a  taste  for  which  is  a  substantial  blessing  to 
the  sailor,  is  too  vast  a  department  for  our  professional  pages.  However, 
a  few  requisite  definitions  of  the  familiar  products  of  the  air,  earth,  and 
water  are  introduced.  Numbers  of  marine  birds  and  many  fishes — so 
often  misnamed — are  entered  upon  the  muster;  and  especially  those 

*  As  for  example  the  word  alarm,  alarum^  a  bell,  from  the  German  Idrm;  bnt  the 
military  alarm  on  a  drum  u  the  Italian  alCarme» 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


which  the  blue-jackets  vote  to  be  veiy  good  eating;  yet^  as  a  reverend 
author  has  well  observed,  we  should,  in  such  cases,  recur  to  the  probable 
state  of  their  appetites  at  the  time  of  experiment.  The  most  general 
nautic  dishes  and  refections  are  likewise  cited,  to  the  making  of  which 
most  of  our  searcooks  are  competent — ^there  being  no  pur6e,  entremets  or 
fricandeau  to  trouble  them.  But  though  they  are  at  times  libelled  as 
being  sent  from  the  infernal  regions,  they  are  pretty  fair  in  their  way; 
and  though  no  great  shakes  in  domestic  chemistry,  they  can  enter  the 
lists  against  any  white-aproned  artiste  at  pea-soup,  beef*«teak,  lobscouse, 
pillau,  curried  shark,  twice-laid,  or  savoury  sea-pie.  Still,  a  more 
luxurious  tendency  in  this  department  is  casting  its  shadow  before;  and 
there  are  Sybarites  invading  the  ocean  to  whom  the  taste  of  junk  is- all 
but  unknown. 


A  DIGEST 


or 


SEA  TEEMS  AND  PHEASES 


A,  The  highest  class  of  the  excellence  of  merchant  ships  on  Lloyd's 
books,  subdivided  into  A  1  and  A  2,  after  which  they  descend  by  the 
vowels:  A  1  being  the  very  best  of  the  first  class.  Formerly  a  river- 
built  (Thames)  ship  took  the  first  rate  for  12  years,  a  Bristol  one 
for  11,  and  those  of  the  northern  ports  10.  Some  of  the  outpprt 
built  ships  keep  their  rating  6  to  8  years,  and  inferior  ones  only  4. 
But  improvements  in  ship-building,  and  the  large  introduction  of  iron, 
are  now  claiming  longer  life. 

A  is  an  Anglo-Saxonism  for  in  or  on;  as  a'board,  a'going,  kc 

A.B.  The  rating  oi  Able  Seamen  on  the  ship's  books:  these  two  letters 
are  often  used  as  an  epithet  for  the  person  so  rated.  He  must  be  equal 
to  all  the  duties  required  of  a  seaman  in  a  ship— not  only  as  regards 
the  saying  to  *'hand,  reef,  and  steer,"  but  also  to  strop  a  block,  splice, 
knot,  turn  in  rigging,  raise  a  mouse  on  the  mainstay,  and  be  au  example 
to  the  ordinary  seamen  and  landsmen, 

ABAB.     A  Turkish  sailor  who  plies  in  coasting  crafb. 

ABACK.  The  situation  of  a  ship's  sails  when  the  wind  bears  against 
their  front  surfaces.  They  are  laid  aback,  when  this  is  purposely 
effected  to  deaden  her  way  by  rounding  in  the  weather-braces;  and 
taken  aback,  when  brought  to  by  an  unexpected  change  of  wind,  or  by 
inattention  in  the  helmsman. — All  aback  Jbrwardy  the  notice  given 
from  the  forecastle,  when  the  head-sails  are  pressed  aback  by  a  sudden 
change  in  the  wind.  {See  Work  Aback.) — Taken  aback,  a  colloqui- 
alism for  being  suddenly  surprised  or  found  out. 

ABACUS.  A  board  with  balls  sliding  on  small  rods,  used  in  China, 
Russia,  &c.,  for  calculating  bills,  <&c. 

ABAFT.  This  word,  generally  speaking,  means  behind,  inferred  rela- 
tively, beginning  from  the  stem  and  continuing  towards  the  stern,  that 
is,  the  hinder  part  of  the  ship. — A  baft  the  beam  implies  any  direction 
between  a  supposed  transverse  line  amidships  and  the  stem,  whether 


12  ABAKA ABBEOCHYN 

in  or  out  of  the  ship.  It  is  the  relative  situation  of  an  object  with  the 
ship,  when  that  object  is  placed  in  the  arc  of  the  horizon  contained 
between  a  line  at  right  angles  with  the  keel  and  the  point  of  the 
compass  which  is  direotlj  opposite  the  ship's  course.  An  object — ^as  a 
man  overboard — is  described  by  the  look-out  man  at  the  mast-head  as 
abeam,  before,  or  abaft  the  beam,  by  so  many  points  of  the  compass. 
As  a  vessel  seen  may  be  "three  points  before  the  beam,"  &c. 

ABAKA.  A  fine  vegetable  fibre,  with  which  the  white  Manila  rope,  so 
much  used  on  the  India  station,  is  made.  This  rope  floats  in  water, 
and  is  not  subject  to  rot^  nor  does  it  require  tarring.  A  frigate  on 
the  China  station  in  1805  had  nearly  the  whole  of  her  running  rigging 
of  this  cordage. 

ABANDONMENT  op  a  vessel.  Deserting  and  abandoning  her  by 
reason  of  unseaworthiness  or  danger  of  remaining  in  her,  also  when 
grounded  and  cannot  be  saved.  This  never  occurs  but  in  imminent 
cases;  therefore,  before  the  insured  can  demand  recompense  from  the 
underwriter,  they  must  cede  or  <ibandon  to  him  the  right  of  all 
property  which  may  be  recovered  from  shipwreck,  capture,  or  any 
other  peril  stated  in  the  policy.  Other  parties  entering  and  bringing 
the  vessel  into  port  obtain  salvage.     (Ftc/^  Derelict.) 

ABASE,  To.  An  old  word  signifying  to  lower  a  flag  or  sail.  Abaisser  is 
in  use  in  the  French  marine,  and  both  may  be  derived  from  the  still 
older  abeigh.     Abase  literally  means  to  cast  down,  to  humble. 

ABATE,  To.  An  old  Anglo-Norman  word  j&x)m  abattre,  to  beat  down  or 
destroy;  as,  to  abate  a  castle  or  fort,  is  to  beat  it  down;  and  a  gale  is 
said  to  abate  when  it  decreases.     The  term  is  still  used  in  law. 

ABATEMENT.  A  plea  by  which  a  reduction  of  freight  is  demanded, 
when  unforeseen  causes  have  delayed  or  hindered  the  performance  of 
a  stipulated  charter-party. 

ABATIS.  An  obstruction  used  in  temporary  fortification,  composed  of 
felled  trees  deprived  of  their  smaller  branches,  and  secured  to  the 
ground  side  by  side  with  their  tops  towards  the  enemy;  applicable 
to  the  front  of  posts,  works,  or  positions,  and  occaflionally  to  the  bars 
of  rivers. 

ABBEY-LUBBER  This  is  an  old  term  of  reproach  for  idleness,  and 
is  here  quoted  only  as  bearing  upon  the  nautical  lubber.  In  the 
"Bumynge  o/Fa/ule's  Churchy  1563,"  it  is  thus  explained — "An  Abbey- 
lubber,  that  was  idle,  well-fed,  a  long  lewd  lither  loiterer,  that  might 
worke,  and  would  not." 

ABBLAST.     Cross-bow;  hence, 

ABBLASTER     Cross-bow  man. 

ABBROCHYN,  The  old  term  for  beginning  or  broaching  a  barrel, 
cask,  or  any  "  vesselle  of  drynke." 


ABEAM  • ABOVE-BOARD  ]  3 

ABEAM.  In  a  line  at  light  angles  to  the  vessera  length;  opposite  the 
centre  of  a  ship's  side. 

ABEAM- ARM.     For  this  curved  timber,  see  Fork-beam. 

ABER  An  ancient  British  word  for  the  mouth  of  a  river — as  Aber- 
brothick,  Aber-avon,  Aberjstwith,  and  Aber-conway,  &c.  It  also 
means  the  confluence  of  two  or  more  streams. 

ABERB.ATION.  An  apparent  change  of  place,  or  alteration  of  their 
mean  position,  in  the  fixed  stars,  caused  by  the  earth's  orbital  move- 
ment— Aberration  of  a  planet  signifies  its  progressive  geocentric 
motion,  or  the  space  through  which  it  appears  to  move,  as  seen  from 
the  earth,  during  the  time  which  light  occupies  in  passing  from  the 
planet  to  us. — Crown  of  aberration  is  a  spurious  circle  surrounding  the 
proper  disc  of  the  sun. — Constant  o/ aberration^  or  amount  of  displace- 
ment in  the  sun's  longitude,  arising  from  the  progressive  motion  of 
light,  is  established  at  20^*45. 

ABET,  To.  To  excite  or  encourage — a  common  word,  greatly  in  use  at 
boat-racings,  and  other  competitive  acts. 

ABITED.     A  provincial  term  for  mildewed. 

ABJURATION.  The  oath  taken  till  lately  by  all  officers  on  receiving 
their  commission,  by  which  they  abjured  any  claim  of  the  Stuarts  to 
the  throne,  the  power  of  the  Pope,  and  the.  Romish  religion. 

ABLE.  A  term  not  simply  expressive  of  strong  Acuities,  but  as 
acquainted  with  and  equal  to  perform  the  expected  duty. — Able  sea- 
man, a  thorough  or  regular  bred  sailor.  (See  A.B.) — Able-bodied,  sound, 
healthy,  and  fit  for  the  Royal  service. 

ABLE-WHACKETS.  A  popular  sea-game  with  cards,  wherein  the 
loser  is  beaten  over  the  palms  of  the  hands  with  a  handkerchief  tightly 
twisted  like  a  rope.     Veiy  popular  with  homy-fisted  salt& 

ABOARD.  Inside  or  upon  a  ship;  the  act  of  i*esiding  afloat;  to  hug 
the  land  in  approaching  the  shore. — To  Jail  aboard  o/,  is  for  one  vessel 
to  run  foul  of  another. — To  haul  the  tacks  aboard,  is  to  bring  their 
weather  clues  down  to  the  chess-tree,  or  literally,  to  set  the  courses. 
— To  lay  a/n  enemy  aboard,  to  run  into  or  alongside. 

ABODE.  Waited  for;  as,  ship  ran  to  the  appointed  place  of  rendezvous 
and  abode  there  for  her  consort. 

ABORD.  An  Anglo-Saxon  term,  meaning  across,  from  shore  to  shore, 
of  a  port  or  river. 

ABOUT.  Circularly;  the  situation  of  a  ship  after  she  has  gone  round, 
and  trimmed  sails  on  the  opposite  tack. — Ready  about  I  and  A  bout- 
ship!  are  orders  to  the  ship's  company  to  prepare  for  tacking  by  being 
at  their  stations. 

ABOVE-BOARD.  Over  the  deck;  a  term  used  for  open  fair  dealing, 
without  artifice  or  trick. 


r 
/ 


1 4,  ABOX ABSTE  ACT 

ABOX.  A  word  used  in  veering  for  ciback,  alluding  to  the  sifcuation  of 
the  head-yards  in  paying  oS,  {See  Brace-abox) — Lai/  tJie  head-yards 
abox — ^in  former  times,  and  even  at  present,  many  good  seamen  prefer 
to  lay  the  head-yards  square,  or  abox,  to  heave-to.  It  brings  the 
vessel  more  under  command  for  sudden  evolution,  wearing,  or  staying. 

ABRAHAM-MEN".  A  cant  term  for  vagabonds,  who  formerly  bc^ed 
about  under  pretence  of  having  been  discharged  destitute  from  ships 
and  hospitals;  whence  an  idle  malingerer  wanting  to  enter  the 
doctor's  list  is  said  to  "sham  Abraham."  From  a  ward  in  Bedlam 
which  was  appropriated  for  the  reception  of  idiots,  which  was  named 
Abraham:  it  is  a  very  old  term,  and  was  cited  by  Burton  in  the 
Anatomy  of  Melancholy  so  fiir  back  as  1621. 

ABRASE,  To.     To  dubb  or  smooth  planks. 

ABRASION.  The  rubbing  off  or  wearing  away  of  the  parts  of  a 
rock  or  of  the  soil,  by  the  impinging  and  friction  of  other  bodies. 

ABREAST.  Side  by  side,  parallel,  or  opposite  to;  generally  used  in 
opposition  to  ahaft  or  afore. — Line  abreast  means  a  fleet  advancing  or 
retreating  uniformly  on  a  line  parallel  with  the  beam. — Abreast  of  a 
place,  is  directly  off  it;  a  direction  at  right  angles  with  the  keel  or 
ship's  lengtb.  In  the  army  the  term  was  formerly  used  for  any 
number  of  men  in  front;  but  at  present  they  are  determined  by  files. 
Abi'east,     Within-board,  signifies  on  a  parallel  with  the  beam. 

ABRID.     A  pintle-plate.  , 

ABROACH.     On  tap,  in  use;  spoken  of  barrels  of  beer  or  other  liquors. 

ABROAD.  Synonymous  with  foreign,  or  being  on  a  foreign  station. 
Also  an  old  word  for  spread;  as,  all  sail  abroad. 

ABRUPT.  A  word  applied  to  steep,  broken,  or  craggy  cliffs  and  head- 
lands, especially  such  as  are  bold-to  and  precipitous. 

ABSCISS.  A  part  either  of  the  diameter  or  the  transverse  axis  of  a 
conic  section,  intercepted  between  the  vertex  or  any  other  fixed  point 
and  a  semi-ordinate. — Abscission  of  a  planet,  its  being  outstripped  by 
another,  which  joins  a  third  one  befbre  it. 

ABSENCK  A  permission  occasionally  obtained,  on  urgent  affairs,  by 
officers  to  quit  their  duties. 

ABSOLUTE.  Anything  free  from  conditions. — Absolute  equations,  the 
sum  of  the  optic  and  eccentric  equation,  or  the  anomalies  arising  from 
a  planet's  not  being  equally  distant  from  the  earth  at  all  times,  ana 
its  motion  not  being  uniform. — Absolute  gravity  is  the  whole  force  with 
which  a  body  tends  downwards. 

ABSORPTION.  A  terra  formerly  used  for  the  sinking  of  islands  and 
tracts  of  land,  instead  of  subsidence. 

ABSQUATULATE.    See  Squatteb. 

ABSTRACT.     A  brief  register  of  the  warrant  officer's  stores,  by  which 


ABSTRACT ACCELERATION  1 5 

the  supplies,  expenses,  and  remains  are  duly  balanced.  An  abstract 
log  contains  the  most  important  subjects  of  a  ship's  log. 

ABSTRACT  MATHEMATICS,  or  Pure.  The  branch  which  investi- 
gates and  demonstrates  the  properties  of  magnitude,  figure,  or  quantity, 
absolutely  and  generally  considered,  without  restriction  to  any  species 
in  particular ;  such  as  arithmetic  and  geometry. 

A-BTJRTON.  The  situation  of  casks  when  they  are  stowed  in  the 
hold  athwart  ship,  or  in  a  line  with  the  beam. 

ABUT.  When  two  timbers  or  planks  are  united  end-ways,  they  are 
said  to  brUt  or  abtU  against  each  other.     (See  Butt.) 

ABYME.  Places  supposed  to  be  the  site  of  constant  whirlpools,  such  as 
Chary bdis,  the  Maelstrom,  and  others.     It  means  generally  an  abyss. 

ABYSS.  A  deep  mass  of  waters ;  in  hydrography  it  was  synonymous 
with  gulf. 

ACADEMITR  An  old  term  for  an  ofScer  brought  up  at  the  Boyal 
Nayy  Academy  at  Portsmouth,  afterwards  named  the  Royal  Naval 
College. 

ACAIR-PHUILL.  Compounded  of  the  British  acair  or  anchor,  and 
phuill,  a  pill,  or  harbour,  and  means  a  safe  anchorage. 

ACALEPH^.  A  class  of  marine  animals  of  low  organization,  having 
a  translucent  jelly-like  structure,  and  frequently  possessing  the  pro- 
perty of  stinging,  whence  their  name  (draX^^i^,  a  nettle).  The  com- 
mon jelly-fish  (MedvMi)  and  the  Portuguese  man-of-war  (Pli^/salia)  are 
the  best-known  examples. 

ACAST.  The  old  word  for  lost  or  cctstHHoat/.  In  weighing  anchor  the 
head-yards  are  generally  braced  acast,  to  cause  the  vessel  to  cast  in 
the  direction.  "Does  she  take  acast^**  is  frequently  the  question  of 
the  officer  abafl. 

A  CATER     An  old  word  for  purveyor  of  victuals,  whence  caterer^  or 

supeiintendent  and  provider  of  a  mess.     Thus  in  Ben  Jonson's  "  Devil 

of  an  Ass" — 

**  He  is  my  wardrobe-man,  my  accUer, 
Cook,  butler,  and  steward." 

ACATES.     Victuals;  provisions  purchased;  delicious  food;  dainties. 

ACATITJM.  A  word  used  in  Roman  naval  affairs  for  a  small  boat^  and 
also  the  main-mast  of  a  ship. 

ACCELERATIOK  The  increase  of  velocity  in  a  moving  body  by  the 
force  of  gravity.  A  planet  is  said  to  be  accelerated  when  its  actual 
diurnal  motion  exceeds  its  mean.  In  fixed  stars  the  acceleration  is 
the  mean  time  by  which  they  anticipate  the  sun's  diurnal  revolution, 
which  is  3'  56"  nearly. — Acceleration  0/  the  moon  is  the  increase  of  her 
mean  motion,  caused  by  a  slow  change  in  the  excentricity  of  the  ter- 
restrial orbit^  and  which  has  sensibly  diminished  the  length  of  the 
moon's  revolution  since  the  time  of  the  earliest  observations. 


1 6  ACCESS A-COCKBILL 

ACCESS.     Means  of  entry  on  board. 

ACCESSIBLK     A  place  which  can  be  approached  bj  land  or  sea. 

ACCLIVITY.     The  upward  slope  of  an  inclined  cliff. 

ACCOIL,  To.     To  coil  together,  by  folding  round.     (See  Con*.) 

ACCOLADE  [oul  and  coUum,  Lat.]     The  ceremony  of  dubbing  a  knight, 

and  the  consequent  embrace  formerly  customary  on  the  occasion. 
ACCOMMODATIONS.    Cabins  fitted  for  passengers. — Accommodation 
ladder,  a  convenient  flight  of  steps  fixed  at  the  gangway,  by  which 
oificers  and  visitors  enter  the  ship.  —  AccommodatioTiy  the  physical 
application  of  one  thing  to  another  by  analogy. 
ACCOMPANY,  To.     To  sail  together;  to  sail  in  convoy. 
ACCOST,  To.     To  pass  within  hail  of  a  ship;  to  sail  coastwise;  to  ap- 
proach, to  draw  near,  or  come  side  by  side. 
ACCOUNT,  Going  upon.     A  phrase  for  buccaneering. 
ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL  op  the  Navy.     Superintendent  of  pay 

and  general  accounts  of  the  navy. 
ACCOUNTS.     The  several  books  and  registers  of  stores,  provisions, 
slops,  and  contingents  of  a  ship  or  fleet;  and  they  are  strictly  enjoined* 
to  be  correct,  real,  and  precise,  both  in  receipt  and  expenditure. — 
Account  saleSf  a  form  of  book-keeping  in  commerce. 
ACCOUTREMENT.     An  old  term  for  an  habiliment,  or  part  of  the 
trappings  and  furniture  of  a  soldier  or  knight;  now  generally  used  for 
the  belts,  pouches,  and  equipments  of  soldiers  or  marines. 
ACCUL.     A  word  used  by  old  voyagers  for  the  end  of  a  deep  bay;  it  is 

corrupted  from  cul  de  sac, 
ACBLATOUR.     The  old  word  for  caterer  of  a  mess. 
ACHERNAR     A  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in  the  constellation  Eri- 
danus,  called  by  navigators  the  "Spring  of  the  River."     It  is  invisible 
in  our  latituda     (a  Eridani.)     Properly  should  be  acker  nahr. 
ACHIEVEMENT.     A  signal  exploit;  escutcheon;  armorial  bearings 

granted  for  achievement. 
ACHROMATIC.     An  optical  term  applied  to  those  telescopes  in  which 
aberration  of  the  rays  of  light,  and  the  colours  dependent  thereon,  are 
partially  corrected.     {See  Aplanatic.) 
ACHRONICAL.     An  ancient  term,  signifying  the  rising  of  the  hea- 
venly bodies  at  sunset^  or  setting  at  sunrise. 
ACKER.    See  Eaore  or  Eagor.     Also,  an  eddying  ripple  on  the  surface 
of  flooded  waters.     A  tide  swelling  above  another  tide,  as  in  the 
Severn.     {See  Bore.) 
ACK-MEN,  OB  AcK-PiRATES.     Fresh-water  thieves;    those  who  steal 

on  navigable  rivers. 
A  COCKBILL  {see  Cock-bill).     The  anchor  hangs  by  its  ring  at  the 
cat-head,  in  a  position  for  dropping. 


ACOLYTE ACmVB  ]  7 

ACOLYTK  A  term  sometimes  used  to  distinguish  the  smaller  com- 
ponent of  a  double  star.     A  subordinate  officer  in  the  ancient  church. 

ACON.  A  flat-bottomed  Mediterranean  boat  or  lump,  for  carrying 
cargoes  over  shoals. 

ACQUITTANCE.  A  commercial  term,  more  generally  called  quittcmce 
(which  see). 

ACRE,  OB  AcRB-FiQHT.  An  old  duel  fought  by  warriors  between  the 
frontiers  of  England  and  Scotland,  with  sword  and  lance.  This  duel- 
ling was  also  called  camp-Jight. 

ACROSS  THE  TIDE.  A  ship  riding  across  tide,  with  the  wind  in 
the  direction  of  the  tide,  would  tend  to  leeward  of  her  anchor;  but 
with  a  weather  tide,  or  that  running  against  the  wind,  if  the  tide  be 
strong,  would  tend  to  windward.  A  ship  under  sail  should  prefer  the 
tack  that  stems  the  tide,  with  the  wind  across  the  stream,  when  the 
anchor  is  let  go. 

ACROSTOLIUM.  A  buckler,  helmet,  or  other  symbolical  ornament 
on  the  prow  of  ancient  ships;  the  origin  of  the  modem  figure-head. 

ACT  AND  INTENTION.     Must  be  united  in  admiralty  law. 

ACTE.  A  peninsula;  the  term  was  particularly  applied  by  the  ancients 
to  the  sea-coast  around  Mount  Athos. 

ACT  OF  COURT.  The  decision  of  the  court  or  judge  on  the  verdict, 
or  the  overruling  of  the  court  on  a  point  of  law. 

ACT  OF  GOD.  This  comprehends  all  sudden  accidents  arising  from 
physical  causes,  as  distingmshed  from  httman  agency,  such  as  from 
lightning,  earthquakes,  hurricanes,  plagues,  and  epidemic  contagion 
amongst  the  crew.     For  none  of  these  are  ship-owners  responsible. 

ACT  OF  GRACK  An  act  of  parliament  for  a  general  and  free 
pardon  to  deserters  fix>m  the  service  and  others. 

ACTING  COMMISSION.  When  a  commissioned  officer  is  invaUded, 
his  vacancy  is  filled  up  pending  the  pleasure  of  the  admiralty  by  an 
acting  order.  But  when  an  officer  dies  on  a  station,  where  the 
admiralty  delegates  the  power  to  the  admiral  commanding  in  chief, 
the  vacancy  is  filled  by  an  acting  commission.  Thus  also  rear- 
admirals  now  act  on  acting  commissions  as  vice-admirals  during 
command  on  their  station,  but  return  to  their  proper  position  on  the 
navy  list  when  it  ceases. 

ACTION.  Synonymous  with  hatUe,  Also  a  term  in  mechanics  for  the 
effort  which  one  body  exerts  against  another,  or  the  effects  resulting 
therefrom. — Action  emd  reaction^  the  mutual,  successive,  contrary 
impulses  of  two  bodies. 

ACTIVE  SERVICK  Duty  against  an  enemy;  operations  in  his 
presence.  Or  in  the  present  day  it  denotes  serving  on  full-pay,  on  the 
active  list,  in  contradistinction  to  those  who  are  virtually  retired,  and 
placed  on  separate  lists. 

B 


18  ACTIVITY — -ADJUDICATION 

ACTIVITY.      The  virtue  of  acting.      The  sphere  of  activity  is  the 

surrounding  space  to  which  the  efficacy  of  a  body  extends,  aa  the 

attraction  of  the  magnet. 

ACTO,  OR  AcTOK.     A  kind  of  defensive  tunic,  made  of  quilted  leather, 

or  other  strong  material,  formerly  worn  under  the  outer  dress,  and 

even  under  a  coat  of  maiL  * 

ACTXJAEI^     Long  light  vessels  of  the  ancients,  especially  contrived 

for  swiftness;  propelled  both  by  sails  and  oars;  of  the  latter  never  less 

than  twenty. 
ACXJMBA.      Oakum.     The  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  the  hardSf  or  the 

coarse  part,  of  flax  or  unplucked  wool 
ACXJTK     Terminating  in  a  point,  and  opposed  to  obttise^    An  acfUe 

angle  is  less  than  a  right  one,  or  within  90^ 
ACUTE-ANGLED  TRIANGLE.     That  which  has  all  its  angles  acuta 
ADAMANT.     The  load-stone;  the  magnet — ^the  sense  in  which  it  was 

held  by  early  voyagers;  but  others  considered  it  a  ''precyowse  stone," 

or  gem. 
ADAMAS.     The  moon  in  nautic  horoscopes. 
ADAPTER.     A  brass  tube  to  fit  the  eye-end  of  a  telescope,  into  which 

all  the  eye-pieces  will  screw. 
AD  ARRIS.      A  word  which  Howell  explains  as  the  flower  of  sea- 
water. 
ADDEL,  OR  AnniiE.     An  old  term  for  the  putrid  water  in  casks. 
ADDICE,  an  adze.     Also  the  addled  eggs  of  gulls  and  other  sea-fowl. 
ADDLINGS.     Accumulated  pay  or  wages. 
ADELANTADO.     A  lieutenant  of  the  king  of  Spain,  but  used  by  old 

English  writers  for  "admiral." 
ADHESION.     Consent  to  a  proposal     Union  or  temporary  cohesion; 

as,  two  vessels  forced  into  (Hihesian  by  the  pressure  of  the  tide  on 

their  beam. 
ADIT.    A  space  in  ancient  ships,  in  the  upper  and  broadest  part^  at 

which  people  entered.     The  ctdii  of  a  military  mine^  is  the  aperture  by 

which  it  is  dug  and  charged:  the  name  is  also  applied  to  an  air-hole  or 

drift. 
ADJACENT.     Lying  close  to  another  object;  a  word  applied  to  the 

relative  situations  of  capes  or  bays  from  the  ship. — AdjctcefU  angle  is 

one  immediately  contiguous  to  another,  so  that  they  have  one  common 

side. 
ADJOURN,  To.     To  put  off  till  another  day.     AdjoummmUs  can  be 

made  in  courts-martial  from  day  to  day,  Sundays  excepted,  until  sen- 
tence is  passed 
ADJUDICATION.     The  act  of  a4judging  prices  by  legal  decree. 

Captors  are  compelled  to  submit  the  a<yudication  of  their  captures  to  a 

competent  tribunal. 


ADJUST ADMIBAL  1 9 

ADJUST,  To.  To  arrange  an  instrument  for  use  and  observation;  as, 
to  adjust  a  sextant,  or  the  escapement  of  a  chronometer.  To  set  the 
frame  of  a  ship. 

ADJUSTMENT.  In  marine  insurance,  the  ascertaining  and  finally 
settling  the  amount  of  indemnity — ^whether  of  average  or  of  salvage 
— which  the  insured  (after  all  proper  deductions  have  been  made)  is 
entitled  to  receive  under  the  policy,  when  the  ship  is  lost. 

ADJUSTMENT  OF  THE  COMPASS.  Swinging  a  ship  to  every 
point  of  bearing,  to  note  the  variation  or  error  of  the  needle  upon  each 
rhumb,  due  to  the  local  attraction  of  the  iron,  or  the  mass,  on  each 
separate  compass  bearing.  Thus,  in  lat  76°  N.  it  was  found  to  be 
+  22«  3(y  with  the  head  W.S.W.,  and  —  56**  SC  on  the  opposite 
bearing,  or  RN.K 

ADJUTANT.  [From  Lat*  (tdjuvo,  to  help.]  A  military  assistant  to 
field-officers.  The  term  has  been  applied  to  an  assistant  captain  of  a 
fleet     It  is  indeed  the  duty  performed  by  first  lieutenants. 

ADMEASUREMENT.  The  calculation  of  proportions  according  to 
assumed  rules,  often  ignorantly  practised  in  estimating  the  tonnage 
of  a  ship. 

ADMIRAL.  The  derivation  of  this  noble  title  firom  the  Greek  cUmyroSf 
from  the  Latin  admirabilis,  from  the  Saxon  aenmereecdy  and  from  the 
French  aumery  appear  all  fancifuL  It  is  extensively  received  that 
the  Sicilians  first  adopted  it  from  ^mtr,  the  sea,  of  their  Saracen 
masters;  but  it  presents  a  kind  of  unusual  etymological  inversion. 
The  term  is  most  frequent  in  old  Romance;  but  the  style  and  title  was 
not  used  by  us  until  1286;  and  in  1294,  William  de  Leyboume  was 
designated  ''Amiral  de  la  Mer  du  Roy  d'Angleterre;"  six  years  after- 
wards Viscount  Narbonne  was  constituted  Admiral  of  France;  which 
dates  nearly  fix  the  commencement  of  the  two  states  as  maritime 
powers. 

The  admiral  is  the  chief  commander  of  a  fleet,  but  of  this  rank 
there  are  three  degrees,  distinguished  by  a  flag  at  the  fore,  main,  or 
mizen  mast,  according  to  the  title  of  admiral,  vicd^miral,  or  rear- 
admiraL  These  were  again  subdivided  according  to  their  colour  of  red, 
white,  or  blue,  which  had  to  be  likewise  borne  by  the  squadrons  they 
respectively  commanded.  (See  Flao.)  In  1865  the  colours  were 
omitted,  and  the  only  flag  now  hoisted  by  ships  of  war  is  the  white  St. 
George's  ensign,  and  for  admirals  the  white  St.  Geoige's  cross  at  the 
main,  fore,  or  mixen. 

The  admiral  of  ike  fleet  is  the  highest  officer  under  the  admiralty 
of  Great  Britain;  it  is  rather  an  honorary  distinction,  and  usually 
attained  by  seniority  and  service:  when  this  officer  serves  afloat,  he 
hoists  the  proud  distinction  of  the  Union  flag  at  the  main. 


' 


20  ADMIBAL ADMIRALTY 

The  lord  high-<»dmtral  was  one  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  state, 
who  formerly  decided  aU  cases  relating  to  the  sea:  he  wore  a  gold  call 
and  chain,  similar  in  form  to  that  which  has  descended  to  the  boat- 
swain and  his  mate.  This  dignity  has  been  extinct  for  many  years, 
and  the  duty  mei^ged  into  that  of  the  lords-commissioners  and  admir- 
alty court;  in  1827,  it  was  revived  for  a  short  time  in  the  person 
of  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Clarence. 

The  epithet  of  admiral  was  also  formerly  applied  to  any  large  or 
leading  ship,  without  reference  to  flag;  and  is  still  used  for  the  principal 
vessel  in  the  cod  and  whale  fisheries.  That  which  arrives  first  in  any 
port  of  Newfoundland  retains  this  title  during  the  season,  with  certain 
rights  of  beach  in  flakes.  The  master  of  the  second  ship  becomes  the 
vice-admiral,  and  the  master  of  the  third  the  rear-admiraL 

ADMIB.AL.  A  beautiful  and  rare  shell  of  the  genus  Conus;  the 
varieties  are  designated  the  grand-admiral,  the  vice-admiral,  the 
orange-admiral,  and  the  extra-admiraL 

ADMIRALTY.  An  office  for  the  administration  of  naval  affiiirs,  pre- 
sided over  by  a  lord  high-admiral,  whether  the  duty  be  discharged  by 
one  person,  or  by  commissioners  under  the  royal  patent,  who  are  styled 
lords»  and  during  our  former  wars  generaUy  consisted  of  seven.  The 
present  constitution  of  the  Board  of  Admiralty  comprises — ^the  first 
lord,  a  minister  and  civilian  as  to  office;  four  naval  lords;  <me  civil 
lord  attending  to  accounts,  kc ;  one  chief  secretary;  one  second  secre- 
tary. Two  lords  and  one  secretary  form  a  legal  Board  of  Admiralty 
wherever  they  may  be  assembled,  under  the  authority  of  the  board  or 
its  chief. 

ADMIRALTY  BLACK-BOOK     See  Black-book. 

ADMIRALTY  COURT.  The  constitution  of  this  court  relatively  to 
the  legislative  power  of  the  king  in  council,  is  analogous  to  that  of  the 
courts  of  common  law  relatively  to  the  parliament  of  the  kingdom. — 
High  Court  of  Admiralty j  a  supreme  court  of  law,  in  which  the 
authority  of  the  lord  high-admiral  is  ostensibly  exercised  in  Ya^  judi- 
cial capacity  for  the  trial  of  maritime  causes  of  a  civil  nature. 
Although  termed  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty,  more  properly  this  is 
the  Court  of  Vice- Admiralty,  and  relates  solely  to  civil  and  military 
matters  of  the  sea,  and  sea  boundaries,  prizes,  collisions,  vessels  or 
goods  cast  on  the  shore  where  the  vice-admirals  have  civil  jurisdiction, 
but  no  naval  power,  as  the  lord-lieutenants  of  counties  are  named  in 
their  patents  *'  vice-admirals  of  the  same;*"  in  like  manner  all  governors 
of  colonies.  All  cases  in  connection  are  tried  by  the  Admiralty  Court 
in  London,  or  by  our  "^  courts  of  vice-admiralty  and  prize  jurisdictions 
abroad."  Admirable  as  some  of  the  decisious  of  this  expensive  tri- 
bunal have  been,  it  has  all  the  powers  of  the  Inquisition  in  its  practice, 


ADMIRALTY ADVANCE  2  J 

and  has  thereby  been  an  instrument  of  persecution  to  some  innocent 
navigators,  while  it  has  befriended  notorious  yillains.  Besides  this  we 
have  the  Admiralty  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  for  the  trial  of  all 
murders,  piracies,  or  criminal  acts  which  occur  within  the  limits  of  the 
country,  on  the  coast-lines,  at  sea,  or  wherever  the  admiralty  jurisdic- 
tion extends — ^the  deck  of  a  British  ship  included, 

ADMIRALTY  MIDSHIPMAN.  Formerly  one  who,  having  served 
the  appointed  time,  and  passed  his  examination  for  lieutenant^  was 
appointed  to  a  ship  by  the  admiralty,  and  thus  named  in  contra- 
distinction to  those  who  used  to  be  rated  by  the  captain;  he  generally 
had  precedence  for  promotion  to  "acting  orders.'' 

ADONIS.  An  anguilliform  fish,  about  six  inches  long:  it  is  of  a  golden 
colour,  with  a  greenish  tint^  and  has  a  white  line  from  its  very  small 
gills  to  the  tail. 

ADORNINGS.  The  carved  work  on  the  quarter  and  stem-galleries  of 
men-of-war. 

ADOWN.  The  bawl  of  privateersmen  for  the  crew  of  a  captured 
vessel  to  go  below.     Saxon,  adoun. 

ADREAMT.  Dozing;  the  sensation  so  ofben  combatted  with  towards 
the  end  of  a  first  or  a  middle  watch,  it  being  the  state,  as  an  old  author 
has  it,  ''between  sleeping  and  waking." 

ADRENT,  OK  Adreynte.     An  old  term  for  droumed. 

ADRIFT.  Floating  at  random;  the  state  of  a  boat  or  vessel  broken 
from  her  moorings,  and  driven  to  and  &o  without  control  by  the 
winds  and  waves.     Cast  loose;  cut  adrift. 

ADSCRIPTS.     Sometimes  used  for  the  tangents  of  avcs, 

AD  VALOREM.  Duties  levied  on  commercial  goods,  according  to 
their  value. 

ADVANCE,  To.     An  old  word,  meaning  to  raise  to  honour. 

ADVANCED  POST.  A  spot  of  ground  seized  by  a  party  to  secure 
their  front.     A  piquet  or  outpost. 

ADVANCED  SQUADRON.  One  on  the  look-out— Advance,  or  van- 
gvardy  that  division  of  a  force  which  is  next  the  enemy,  or  which 
marches  before  a  body. — Advance  fosae^  a  ditch  of  water  round  the 
esplanade  or  glacis  of  a  fortification. — Advance!  the  order  to  marines 
and  small-arm  men  to  move  forward. 

ADVANCE-LIST.  The  register  by  which  two  months*  wages  to  the 
crew  are  paid,  on  first  commission,  and  a  quarter's  to  officers. 

ADVANCEMENT.     Promotion  to  higher  rank. 

ADVANCE  MONEY.  In  men-of-war  and  most  merchant  ships  the 
advance  of  two  months'  wages  is  given  to  the  crew,  previous  to 
going  to  sea;  the  clearing  off  of  which  is  called  working  up  the  dead 
horse. 


22  ADVANCE AEROLOGY 

ADVANCE  NOTE.  A  document  issued  by  owners  of  a  ship  or  their 
agents,  promising  to  pay  a  seaman,  or  to  his  order,  a  sum  of  money  in 
part  of  his  wages,  within  a  certain  number  of  days  after  he  has  sailed 
in  the  ship.  Advance  notes  are  quite  n^otiable  before  a  seaman  has 
taken  his  departure. 

ADVANTAGE,  or  VAirrAGE-GROUin>.  That  which  gives  superiority  of 
attack  on,  or  defence  against^  an  enemy;  affording  means  of  annoyance 
or  resistance. 

ADVENTUHK  An  enterprise  in  which  something  is  left  to  hazard. 
— A  bill  qfcuiverUure  is  one  signed  by  the  merchant,  by  which  he  takes 
the  chances  of  the  voyage. 

ADVEBSAKY.  Generally  applied  to  an  enemy,  but  strictly  an 
opponent  in  single  combat. 

ADVERSK     The  opposite  of  favourable;  as,  an  culverse  wind. 

ADVICE-BOAT.  A  smaU  fast-sailing  vessel  in  advance  of  a  fleet, 
employed  to  carry  intelligence  with  all  possible  despatch.  They  were 
first  used  in  1692,  to  gain  tidings  of  what  was  transacting  in  Brest, 
previous  to  the  battle  of  La  Hogue. 

ADVOCATE  GENERAL.  An  officer  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  appear  for  the  lord  high-admiral  in  that  court, 
the  court  of  delegates,  or  any  other  wherein  his  rights  are  concerned* — 
Judge-advocate  of  the  navy,  a  law  officer  appointed  to  watch  over  and 
direct  proceedings  connected  with  courts-martia]. — Deputy  judge- 
advocate^  an  appointment  made  by  the  sudden  selection  of  some 
secretary,  or  captain's  clerk,  to  perform  the  duty  at  a  court-martial 
(where  no  legal  person  is  empowered),  utterly  ignorant  of  the  law  or 
the  customs  of  the  naval  service. 

ADZE,  OR  Addice.  A  cutting  tool  of  the  axe  kind,  for  dubbing 
flat  and  circular  work,  much  used  by  shipwrights,  especially  by  the 
Farsee  builders  in  India^  with  whom  it  serves  for  axe,  plane,  and 
chisel  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  from  the  polar  r^ons  to  the 
equator,  and  southerly  throughout  Polynesia,  this  instrument  and  its 
peculiar  adaptations,  whether  made  of  iron,  basalt,  nephrite,  <fec., 
all  preserve  the  same  idea  or  identity  of  conception. 

.^INAUTj^  Senators  of  Miletus,  who  held  their  deliberationB  on 
board  ship. 

^RAT^.     Ancient  ships  fitted  with  brazen  prows. 

AEROLITES.  One  of  the  many  names  given  to  those  solid  masses  or 
stones  which  occasionally  fall  from  the  atmosphere  to  the  surface  of 
the  earth.  The  assumption  of  their  periodicity  cannot,  as  yet,  be 
considered  as  confirmed. 

AEROLOGY.  The  rational  doctrine  or  science  of  the  air  and  its 
phenomena. 


ABROMANCY AFLOAT  23 

AEROMANCY.     Formerly  the  art  of  divining  hj  the  air,  but  now 

used  for  foretelling  the  changes  in  the  weather,  either  hj  experience 

or  by  instruments. 
AEHOMETKY.    The    science    of   measuring    the    air,   its   powers, 

pressure,  and  properties. 
.^ISTIYAL.     Belonging  to  summer;  the  solstitial  point  whereby  the 

sun's  ascent  above  the  equator  is  determined. 

-ESTUARY.    See  Estuary. 

^WUL.     An  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  a  twig  basket  for  catching  fish. 

AFEARD.  This  is  a  very  common  expression  for  afraid^  and  though 
thought  low,  is  a  true  archaieon  of  our  language,  as  seen  in  Chaucer, 
Shakspeare,  and  Ben  Jonson.  Major  Moor  terms  it  an  old  and  good 
word. 

AFER.  The  south-west  wind  of  the  Latins,  and  used  by  some  of  the 
early  voyagers. 

AFFAIR.     An  indecisive  engagement;  a  duel 

AFFECfTED.  An  algebraic  term  for  an  equation  in  which  the  unknown 
quantity  rises  to  two  or  more  several  powers. 

AFFECTIONATE  FRIENDS.  An  official  inconsistent  subscription, 
even  to  letters  of  reproof  and  imprest,  used  by  the  former  Board  of 
Commissioners  of  the  Navy  to  such  officers  as  were  not  of  noble 
families  or  bore  titles;  the  only  British  board  that  ever  made  so 
mean  a  distinction,  equaUy  kind  with  the  regrets  of  the  clergy  on 
burning  a  heretic,  or  those  of  Walton  in  cutting  a  live  fish  tetuierly. 
It  was  probably  adopted  from  James,  Duke  of  York,  who,  when  lord 
high-admiral,  always  so  subscribed  his  official  letters.  It  is  said  that 
this  practice  was  discontinued  in  consequence  of  a  distinguished 
naval  captain — a  knight — adding,  "your  affectionate  friend."  He  was 
thereupon  desired  to  '^  discontinue  such  an  expression,"  when  he 
replied,  *^I  am,  gentlemen,  no  longer  your  affectionate  friend, 
J.  Phil .  .  more." 

AFFIDAYIT.  A  declaration  upon  oath,  weakened  in  importance  by 
its  too  frequent  administration  at  custom-houses,  lazarettos,  <kc. 
Declarations  are  now  substituted  in  the  case  of  naval  officera 

AFFIRMATIYE  The  positive  sign  or  quantity  in  algebra;  also 
the  signal  flag  or  pendant  by  which  a  request  or  order  is  answered. 

AFFLUENT.  A  stream  flowing  directly  into  another  stream;  a  more 
specific  term  than  tributary. 

AFFORCIAMENT.     An  old  term  for  a  fortress  or  stronghold. 

AFFREIGHTMENT.  A  contract  for  the  letting  the  vessel,  or  a  part 
of  her,  for  freight     {See  Contract  of  Affbeightmemt.) 

AFLOAT.  Borne  up  and  supported  by  the  water;  buoyed  dear  of 
the  ground;  also  used  for  being  on  board  ship. 


2i  AFOEE AFTEE-GUARD 

AFORE.  A  Saxon  word  opposed  to  abafl^  and  signifying  that  part  of 
the  ship  which  lies  forward  or  near  the  stem.  It  also  means  farther 
forward;  as,  the  galley  is  afore  the  bitts. — Afore^  the  same  as.  hefwe 
the  mast. — Afore  the  beam,  all  the  field  of  view  from  amidship  in  a 
right  angle  to  the  ship's  keel  to  the  horizon  forward. 

AFORE  THE  MAST.    /5e«  Bkpobb  the  Mast. 

AFOUNDRIT,     An  archaism  of  sunk  or  foundered. 

AFRAID.  One  of  the  most  reproachful  sea-epithets,  as  not  only  con- 
veying the  meaning  being  struck  with  fear,  but  also  implies  rank 
cowardice.     {See  Afeard.) 

AFT — ^a  Saxon  word  contradistinctive  oi  fore,  and  an  abbreviation  of 
abq/t — ^the  hinder  part  of  the  ship,  or  that  nearest  the  stem. — Right 
aft  ia  isLA  direct  line  with  the  keel  from  the  stem. — To  haul  afi  a 
sheet  is  to  pull  on  the  rope  which  brings  the  clue  or  comer  of  the  sails 
more  in  the  direction  of  the  stem. — The  mast  rakes  eft  when  it 
inclines  towards  the  stem. 

AFT-CASTLR  An  elevation  on  the  after-part  of  our  ships  of  war, 
opposed  to  forecastle,  for  the  purpose  of  fighting. 

AFTER.  A  comparative  adjective,  applied  to  any  object  in  the  hind 
part  of  a  ship  or  boat;  as,  the  o/^er-cabin,  the  q/2^-hatchway,  &c. 
— After  sails,  yards,  and  braces — ^those  attached  to  the  main  and  mizzen 
masts.     Opposed  to  fore, 

AFTER-BODY.  That  part  of  the  ship's  hull  which  is  abail  the  mid- 
ships or  dead-flat,  as  seen  from  astern.  The  term  is,  however,  more 
particularly  used  in  expressing  the^t^e  or  shape  of  that  part  of  the 
ship.    (See  Dead-plat.) 

AFTER-CLAP.     Whatever  disagreeable  occurrence  takes  place  after 

the  consequences  of  the  cause  were  thought  at  an  end;  a  principal 

application  being  when  a  ship,  supposed  to  have  struck,  opens  her  fire 

again.     This  is  a  very  old  English  word,  alluding  to  unexpected  events 

happening  after  the  seeming  end  of  an  afiair;  thus  Spenser,  in  '*  Mother 

Hubbard^s  Tale"— 

''  And  bad  next  day  thai  all  should  readie  be. 
Bat  they  more  Babtill  meaning  had  than  he: 
For  the  next  morrowes  mede  they  closely  ment. 
For  feare  of  after-elapSf  for  to  prevent.^* 

AFTER-EKD.  The  stern  of  a  ship^  or  anything  in  her  which  has  that 
end  towards  the  stem. 

AFTER-FACR    iSee  Back  op  the  Stern-post. 

AFTER-GUARD.  The  men  who  are  stationed  on  the  quarter-deck 
and  poop,  to  work  the  after- sails.  It  was  generally  composed  of  ordi- 
nary seamen  and  landsmen,  constituting  with  waisters  the  largest  part 
of  the  crew,  on  whom  the  principal  drudgery  of  the  ship  devolved.  At 
present  the  crews  of  ships-of-war  are  composed  chiefly  of  able  and 
ordinary  seamen — landsmen  are  omitted. 


AFTEK-LADDEE AGAVE  25 

AFTEE-LADDEB  leads  to  captain's  and  officera'  quarters,  and  only 
used  by  officers. 

AFTEBMOST.  The  last  objects  in  a  ship^  reckoned  from  forwards;  as, 
the  aftermost  mast,  ct/termost  guns,  <fec. 

AFTERNOON-WATCa     The  men  on  deck-duty  from  noon  till  4  p.m. 

AFTER-ORDERS.  Those  which  are  given  out  after  the  regular  issue 
of  the  daily  orders. 

AFTER-PART.  The  locality  towards  the  stem,  from  dead-flat;  as,  in 
the  after-part  of  the  fore-hold. 

AFTER-PEAK.  The  contracted  part  of  a  TesseFs  hold,  which  lies  in 
the  run,  or  aftermost  portion  of  the  hold,  in  contradistinction  to  /are- 
peak.     Both  are  the  sharp  ends  of  the  ship. 

AFTER-RAKR  That  part  of  the  hull  which  overhangs  the  after- 
end  of  keel. 

AFTER-SAILS.  All  those  on  the  after-masts,  as  well  as  on  the  stays 
between  the  main  and  mizen  masts.  Their  effect  is  to  balance  the 
head-sails,  in  the  manner  that  a  weather-cock  or  vane  is  moved,  of 
which  the  main-mast  must  be  considered  the  pivot  or  centre.  The 
reverse  of  Iiead-sails.  "  Square  the  aft»r-yards,"  refers  to  the  yards  on 
the  main  and  mizen  masts. 

AFTER-TIMBERS.  All  those  timbers  abaft  the  midship  section  or 
bearing  part  of  a  vessel 

AFTMOST.     The  same  as  afi&rmost 

AFTWARD.     In  the  direction  of  the  stem. 

AGA.     A  superior  Turkish  officer. 

AGAINST  THE  SUN.  Coiling  a  rope  in  the  direction  from  the 
right  hand  towards  the  left — ^the  contrary  of  with  the  sun.  This  term 
applies  to  a  position  north  of  the  sun;  south  of  the  sun  it  would  be 
reversed. 

AGAL-AGAL.  One  of  the  sea  fuci,  forming  a  commercial  article  from 
the  Malay  Isles  to  China^  where  it  is  made  into  a  strong  cement  The 
best  is  the  GracUaria  spinosa.  Agal-agal  derives  its  name  from  Tan- 
jong  Agal  on  the  north  coast  of  Borneo;  where  it  was  originally  col- 
lected. It  is  now  found  in  great  abundance  throughout  the  Polyne- 
sian Islands,  Mauritius,  &o.  It  is  soluble,  and  forms  a  clear  jelly — 
used  by  consumptive  patients.  It  fetches  a  high  price  in  China.  It 
is  supposed  that  the  sea-swallow  derives  his  materials  for  the  edible 
bird's  nests  at  Borneo  from  this  fucus. 

AGATK  The  cap  for  the  pivots  of  the  compass-cards,  formed  of  hard 
siliceous  stone,  a  chalcedony  or  camelian,  &c 

AGAYR  The  American  aloe,  from  which  cordage  is  made;  similar  to 
the  pina  of  Manila.  The  fruit  also,  when  expressed,  affords  the  re- 
freshiug  drink  "  pulque." 


21}  JLQZ ACrA^ABmE5TB 


AOKL  In  ehrmifA/fffff  a  pmMl  of  a  hmdnd  jean^ — JS&^j  a^  one  of 
iti«  iAi\mUi^/fm  //f  cr/ritnu^  at  Llriyd  «  — Age  of  the  wtoan^  is  the  inter- 
ml  '/f  iifiM;  '/r  nnm\f^  tA  dajv  dapaed  mace  the  pteriami  coDJimeiian 

A^JfKSCY,  VMymtttti  pro  operd  H  lahcre^  fixed  \j  the  prize  net  at  fire 
pi^  ts/ffA,  «M  ft  fiur  sv«»^<9  bat  it  gi^ei  iMXhing  where  the  |ifuperij  ii 
fiM^/r^l;  III  ««i/;b  ««im«  tt  Lk  usual  far  the  »gaxt  to  chaige  a  groas  Sam. 

AOKXCV,  XAVALu  A  naefol  daw  of  penom,  who  tnuuaci  the 
M^/ft^dmry  iUtsuf%  of  f^^tun,  Mad  fnqaeotlj  hdp  them  to  the  top 
l/nii*^;iP:«  of  tl#«  pry/^WMOiiL     Tbef  are  paid  for  thdr  aervioea  bj  a  pcr- 

AO  KS'f,  lu  i^iywmf  txynmm  thai  \j  which  a  thing  is  done  or  effected. 
—'Nifmy  a/j^ii  m  a  d^/utf  empk^ed  to  paaa  acooonU,  tnmaact  hufineaB, 
ai^l  r^i*6y*i  |/«/  ^^  fAh^  mfmuaik,  id  Wioof  of  the  officers  and  crew,  and 
Vt  ii>\f\^y  t^<^  \mtt!t!tAh  as  dtr^a^AtA  \fy  them. — ^ilj/en^  vietmaUenf  officers 
MfffffAhUA  Uf  t\$*i  t^tskT^H  of  jfTf^wumM  at  our  ^/reign  ports  and  stations^ 
t//  #//ritrs/;t  ^/f,  \ftiy,  and  r^^late,  under  the  anthoritjr  of  the  oommis- 
ti^fft^fm  *d  i\»*f  ttMry,  (See  StauoKMCZ.) — Prize  agent,  one  appointed 
fs0r  i\0i  mhs  of  \my/m^  and  nominated  in  equal  numbers  bj  the  com- 
umwU%  %\y^,  ^//fi/^m,  ari/1  t^ie  ship's  companj. 

MiKSTH  TO   Uj()YI}%    /iee  Lwyd'b  Aamn. 

AOOKKHHION.     11i<$  firsi  act  <;f  injury  in  provoking  warfare. 

AOlO,  All  lUlisn  word,  ajifilied  to  denote  the  profit  arising  from  dis- 
(sifUttiUtu  bills;  also  ilu?  difference  between  the  value  of  bank-stock  and 
imrrttuay, 

AOfHTMKNT,  An  embankment  against  the  sea  or  rivers,  or  one 
thrown  up  to  fmico  out  a  stream. 

An<lN«  A  (Jhinese  kind  of  metal  cymbal.  (See  GoKo.)  It  is  singular 
that  Oowcfi  circa  1395,  using  this  old  word  for  gone,  thus  metalli- 
ciatcM  - 

**  Of  hnuMM,  of  lilrer,  and  of  golde, 
Tbd  world  if  pswed,  and  agon,^* 

AOONIHT.     A  champion;  prizc-flghtor. 

A(iltl{KMKNT*     Kxccpt  vessels  of  less  than  eighty  tons  register,  the 

mi4Nt(*r  of  II  ship  must  ontor  into  an  agreement  with  every  seaman 

wlioni  ho  carries  from  any  port  in  Qreat  Britain  as  one  of  his  crew; 

and  that  agrocMnont  munt  bo  in  the  form  sanctioned  by  the  Board  of 

Trado.    (Sm  Running  Aqreemrnt.) 
A(nU)UNI).     The  situation  of  a  ship  or  other  vessel  whose  bottom 

touoluvH  or  ti^sts  upon  the  ground     It  also  signifies  stranded,  and  is 

ustMl  (Igurativolv  for  l)cing  disabled  or  hindered. 
AOU  A-AUDIKNTE  [Six]  Corrupted  into a^uardwn<«,— the  adulterated 

brandy  of  S]muu  8U])plied  to  ships. 


AQUADA Am  27 

AGUADA.     The  Spanish  and  Portuguese  term  for  a  watering-plaoe. 

AGUGLIA  A  common  name  for  sharp-pointed  rocks.  From  the 
Italian  for  needle;  written  (tgulha  in  Spanish  and  Portuguese  charts. 

AHEAD.  A  term  especially  referable  to  any  object  farther  onward,  or 
immediately  before  the  ship,  or  in  the  course  steered,  and  therefore 
opposed  to  (Mtem, — Ahead  of  the  reckoning,  is  sailing  beyond  the  esti- 
mated position  of  the  ship. — Aliead  is  also  used  for  progress;  as,  cannot 
get  ahead,  and  is  generally  applied  to  forward,  in  advance. 

AHOLD.  A  term  of  our  early  navigators,  for  bringing  a  ship  dose  to 
the  wind,  so  as  to  hold  or  keep  to  it 

AHOO,  OK  All  Ahoo,  as  our  Saxon  fore&thers  had  it;  awry,  aslant^ 
lopsided     {See  Askew.) 

AHOY!    SeelRol 

AHULL.  A  ship  under  bare  poles  and  her  helm  alee,  driving  from 
wind  and  sea,  stem  foremost.  Also  a  ship  deserted,  and  exposed  to 
the  tempestuous  winds. 

AID,  To.     To  succour;  to  supply  with  provisions  or  stores. 

AID-DE-CAMP.  A  military  staff  officer,  who  carries  and  circulates 
the  general's  orders;  and  another  class  selected  as  expert  at  carving 
and  dancing.  In  a  ship,  flag-lieutenant  to  an  admiral,  or,  in  action, 
the  quarter-deck  midshipmen  to  a  captain. 

AIGRE.  The  sudden  flowing  of  the  sea,  called  in  the  fens  of  Lincoln- 
shire, acker.     (See  Bore.) 

AIGUADE  [Fr.]    Aguada  [Sp.]    Water  as  provision  for  ships. 

AIGUADES.     Watering-places  on  French  coasts. 

AIGUILLE  aimantee,  magnetic  needle.  —  de  carhie,  outrigger. 
—  d'indinaiaon,  dipping  needle.  —  de  tr/,  or  i  ralingue,  a  bolt-rope 
needle. 

AIGUILLES.  The  peculiar  small  flshing-boats  in  the  Garonne  and 
other  rivers  of  Guienne. 

AIGULETS  [Fr.  aiguUlettes],  Tagged  points  or  cords  worn  across 
the  breast  in  some  uniforms  of  generals,  staff-officers,  and  special 
mounted  corps. 

AILETTES.  Small  plates  of  steel  placed  on  the  shoulders  in  mediaeval 
armour. 

AIM.  The  direction  of  a  musket,  cannon,  or  any  other  fire-arm  or 
missile  weapon  towards  its  object. — To  take  aim,  directing  the  piece  to 
the  object. 

AIR.  The  elastic,  compressible,  and  dilatable  fluid  encompassing  the 
terraqueous  globe.  It  penetrates  and  pervades  other  bodies,  and  thus 
animates  and  excites  all  natura — Air  means  also  a  gentle  breath  of 
wind  gliding  over  the  surflice  of  the  water. — To  air,  to  dry  or  ven- 
tilate. 


23  AIB-BLADDEB ALARM 

AIK-B  LADDER.  A  vesicle  containing  gsu9,  situated  immediately  be- 
neath the  spinal  column  in  most  fish,  and  often  communicating  bj  a 
tube  with  the  gullet  It  is  the  homologue  of  the  lungs  of  air-breathing 
vertebrates. 

AIR-BRAVING.     Defying  the  winds. 

AIR-CONE,  in  the  marine  engine,  is  to  receive  the  gases  which  enter 
the  hot-well  from  the  air-pump,  where,  after  ascending,  they  escape 
through  a  pipe  at  the  top. 

AIRE.     A  name  in  our  northern  islands  for  a  bank  of  sand 

AIR-FUNNEL.  A  cavity  formed  by  omission  of  a  timber  in  the  upper 
works  of  a  vessel,  to  admit  £resh  air  into  the  hold  of  a  ship  and  con- 
vey the  foul  out  of  it. 

AIR-GUN.  A  silent  weapon,  which  propels  bullets  by  the  expansive 
force  of  air  only. 

AIRING-STAGE.  A  wooden  platform,  on  which  gunpowder  is  aired 
and  dried. 

AIR-JACKET.  A  leathern  garment  furnished  with  inflated  bladders, 
to  buoy  the  wearer  up  in  the  water.     {See  Ayr.) 

AIR-PIPES.  Funnels  for  clearing  ships'  holds  of  foul  air,  on  the 
principle  of  the  rarefying  power  of  heat. 

AIR-PORTS.  Large  scuttles  in  ships'  bows  for  the  admission  of  air, 
when  the  other  ports  are  down.  The  Americans  also  call  their  side- 
ports  by  that  nama 

AIR-PUMP.  An  apparatus  to  remove  the  water  and  gases  accumtdat- 
ing  in  the  condenser  while  the  engine  is  at  work. 

AIR-SCUTTLES.     The  same  as  air-parts. 

AIR-SELAFTS.  Vertical  holes  made  in  mining,  to  supply  the  adits 
with  fresh  air.  Wooden  shafts  are  sometimes  adopted  on  board  ship 
for  a  similar  purpose. 

AIRT,  OR  Art.  A  north-country  word  for  a  bearing  point  of  the  com- 
pass or  quarter  of  the  heavens.     Thus  the  song — 

*'  Of  ft*  the  atrif  the  wind  can  blaw, 
I  dearly  love  the  west.*' 

AIRY.     Breezy. 

AKEDOWN.     A  form  of  the  term  acUm^  as  a  defensive  dress. 

ALABIASTER.     An  arbalist  or  cross-bow  man;  also  the  corruption  of 

alabaster* 
ALAMAK.     The  name  given  in  nautical  astronomy  to  that  beautiful 

double  star  Anak  al  a/rd  of  the  Arabians,  or  y  Andromedse. 
ALAMOTTIK    The  Frocellaria  pdagica,  or  Storm-finch;  Mother  Gary's 

chicken,  or  stormy  petrel 
ALAND.     A  term  formerly  used  for  to  the  shore,  on  shore,  or  to  land. 
ALARM,   Alaruh  [from  the  Italian   aU^armi/]     An    apprehension 


ALABM-POST ALEWIFB  29 

from  sudden  noise  or  reporfc.  The  drum  or  signal  bj  whicH  men  are 
summoned  to  stand  on  their  guard  in  time  of  danger. — False  <da/rm  is 
sometimes  occasioned  by  a  timid  or  negligent  sentry,  and  at  others 
designedly  by  an  officer,  to  ascertain  the  promptness  of  his  men. 
Sometimes  false  alarms  are  given  by  the  enemy  to  harass  the  adversary. 
Old  Hider  defines  alarm  as  a  ''watch- word  shewing  the  neemesse  of 
the  enemies." 

ALARM-POST.  A  place  appointed  for  troops  to  assemble,  in  case  of 
a  sudden  alarm, 

ALBACOKE.  A  fish  of  the  family  Scomberidce,  found  in  shoals  in  the 
ocean ;  it  is  about  5  or  6  feet  long,  with  an  average  weight  of  nearly 
100  lbs.  when  fine. 

ALBANY  BEEF.  A  name  for  the  sturgeon  of  the  Hudson  River, 
where  it  is  taken  in  quantity  for  commerce. 

ALBATROSS.  A  large,  voracious,  long-winged  sea-bird,  belonging  to 
the  genus  Diomedea;  very  abundant  in  the  Southern  Ocean  and  the 
Northern  Pacific,  though  said  to  be  rarely  met  with  within  the  tropics, 

ALBION.  An  early  name  of  England,  from  the  whiteness  of  the 
eastern  coast  cliffs. 

ALBURNUM.  The  sapwood  of  timber,  commonly  termed  the  slab- 
cuts. 

ALCAID.  A  governor,  or  officer  of  justice,  amongst  the  Moors,  Span- 
iards, and  Portuguese. 

ALCATRAZ.     The  pelican.     Alcatraz  Island  is  situated  in  the  mouth 

of  the  river  San  Francisco,  in  California,  so  named  from  its  being 

covered  with  these  birds.     Also  Alcatraz  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  from 

PeUcanua  aula — ^booby.     Columbus  mentions  the  alcatraz  when  near- 

ing  America^  and  Drayton  says — 

'*  Most  like  to  that  Bhaip-sighted  cUcatrcUf 
That  beats  the  air  above  the  liquid  glass." 

ALDEBARAN.  The  lucida  of  Taurus,  the  well-known  nautical  star, 
popularly  called  Bull*s-eye. 

A-LEE.  The  contrary  of  a-weather:  the  position  of  the  helm  when  its 
tiller  is  borne  over  to  the  lee-side  of  the  ship,  in  order  to  go  about  or 
put  her  head  to  windward — Ra/rd  alee/  or  luff  alee!  is  said  to  the 
steersman  to  put  the  helm  down. — IlelrrCs  a-lee!  the  word  of  command 
given  on  putting  the  helm  down,  and  causing  the  head-sails  to  shake 
in  the  wind 

ALEMAYNR     The  early  name  for  Germany. 

ALERT.  On  the  look-out^  and  ready  for  any  sudden  duty.  Nearly 
synonymous  with  alarm.  Alerto  —  called  firequently  by  Spanish 
sentinels. 

ALEWIFK     The  Clupea  aloaa^  a  fish  of  the  herring  kind,  which 


30  ALEXIACUS ALL 

appears  in  the  Philosophical  Transactions  for  1678,  as  the  aloof e;  the 
corruption  therefore  was  a  ready  one. 

ALEXIACUS.  The  appellation  under  which  Neptune  was  implored  to 
protect  the  nets  of  the  tunny  fisheries  from  the  sword-fish. 

ALFERE,  OR  Alfebbz  \aJfier,  Fr.;  alferezy  Span.]  Standard-bearer; 
ensign;  comet.  The  old  English  term  for  ensign ;  it  was  iu  use  in 
our  forces  till  the  civil  wars  of  Charles  I. 

ALFONDIZA     The  custom-house  at  Lisbon. 

ALGA.     A  species  of  millepora. 

ALG^  Sea-weeds,  and  the  floating  scum-like  substances  on  fresh 
water;  they  deserve  to  be  more  studied,  for  some,  as  dulse^  layer, 
badderlocks,  d^a,  are  eatable,  and  others  are  useful  for  manure. 

ALGEBRA  A  general  method  of  resolving  mathematical  problems, 
by  means  of  equations,  or  rather  computing  abstract  quantities  by 
symbols  or  signs;  a  literal  arithmetic. 

ALGENIB.     A  principal  star  (y)  in  Pegasus. 

ALGERK     A  spear  used  by  fishermen  in  olden  times. 

ALGIER  DUTY.  An  imposition  laid  on  merchants'  goods  by  the 
Long  Parliament,  for  the  redemption  of  captives  in  the  Mediterranean. 

ALGOL.  A  wonderful  variable  star  in  Perseus,  which  goes  through  its 
changes  in  about  two  days  and  twenty-one  hours. 

ALGOLOGY.     Scientific  researches  into  the  nature  of  sea-plants. 

ALGORAB.  A  star  taking  rank  as  the  a  of  Corvus,  but  its  brightness 
of  late  is  rivalled  by  /9  CorvL 

ALHIDADE.  An  Arabic  name  for  the  index  or  fiducial  of  an  astro- 
nomical or  geometrical  instrument,  carrying  sight  or  telescope ;  used 
by  early  navigators.  A  rule  on  the  back  of  a  common  astrolabe,  to 
measure  heights,  &c. 

ALIEN.  Generally  speaking,  one  bom  in  a  foreign  country,  out  of  the 
king's  allegiance ;  but  if  the  parents  be  of  the  king's  obedience,  the 
child  is  no  alien.  An  alien  enemy,  or  person  under  the  allegiance  of 
the  state  at  war  with  us,  is  not  generally  disabled  from  being  a  wit- 
ness in  admiralty  courts;  nor  are  debts  due  to  him  forfeited,  but  only 
suspended. — Attends  duty^  the  impost  laid  on  all  goods  imported  into 
England  in  foreign  bottoms,  over  and  above  the  regular  customa 

ALIGNMENT.  An  imaginary  line,  drawn  to  regulate  the  order  of  a 
squadron. 

ALIQUOT  PART.  That  which  will  exactly  divide  a  number,  leaving 
no  remainder. 

ALL.  The  total  quantity;  quite;  wholly. — AU  dbacky  when  all  the  sails 
are  taken  aback  by  the  winds. — All  ahoo,  or  aU-a-ugh,  confused; 
hanging  over;  crooked. — AU-a-taunt-Oy  a  ship  fully  rigged,  with  masts 
in  and  yards  crossed. — AU  hands,  the  whole  ship's  company. — AU 


ALLAN ALLISION  3 1 

hands  alwy^  the  boatswain's  summons  for  the  whole  crew  to  repair  on 
deck,  in  distinction  from  the  watcL — All  hands  make  sail!  the  cheer- 
ing order  when  about  to  chaBe  a  strange  Teasel — AU  hands  to  quarters  f 
the  call  in  armed  merchantmen,  answering  to  the  Beat  to  quarters  in 
a  man-of-war. — All  in  the  wind,  when  a  vesseFs  head  is  too  close  to 
the  wind,  so  that  all  her  sails  are  shivering. — All  over^  resemblance  to 
a  particular  object^  as  a  ship  in  bad  kelter:  '^ she's  a  privateer  aU 
over,^* — AU  overish,  the  state  of  feeling  when  a  man  is  neither  ill  nor 
well,  restless  in  bed  and  indifferent  to  meals.  In  the  tropics  this  is 
considered  as  the  premonitory  symptom  of  disease,  and  a  warning 
which  should  be  looked  to. — AU  ready,  the  answer  from  the  tops  when 
the  sails  are  cast  loose,  and  ready  to  be  dropped. — AU  standingy  fully 
equipped,  or  with  clothes  on.  To  be  brought  up  aU  standing,  is  to  be 
suddenly  checked  or  stopped,  without  any  preparation. — Paid  off  aU 
standing,  without  unrigging  or  waiting  to  return  stores;  perhaps 
recommissioned  the  next  day  or  hour. — AWs  wdl,  the  sentry's  call  at 
each  bell  struck  (or  half  hour)  between  the  periods  of  broad  daylight, 
or  from  8  P.M.  to  4  a.il — AU  to  pieces,  a  phrase  used  for  out-and-out, 
extremely,  or  excessively;  as,  "we  beat  her  in  sailing  aU  to  pieces,'* — 
All  weailiers,  any  time  or  season ;  continually. 
ALLAN.    A  word  from  the  Saxon,  still  used  in  the  north  to  denote  a 

piece  of  land  nearly  surrounded  by  a  stream. 
ALLEOR     A  French  ballast-boat. 

ALLEGLAlNCE.     The  legal  obedience  of  a  subject  to  his  sovereign  in 
return  for  the  protection  afforded;  a  debt  which,  in  a  natural-bom 
subject,  cannot  be  cancelled  by  any  change  of  time,  or  place,  or  cir- 
cumstance, without  the  united  consent  of  the  legislature. 
ALLER-FLOAT,  or  Aller-trotjt.    A  species  of  ^ne  trout  frequenting 
the  shady  holes  under  the  roots  of  the  aUer  or  alder  tree,  on  the  banks 
of  rivers  and  brooks. 
ALLIANCE.     A  league  or  confederacy  between  sovereigns  or  states,  for 
mutual  safety  and  defence.     Subjects  of  allies  cannot  trade  with  the 
common  enemy,  on  pain  of  the  property  being  confiscated  as  prize  to 
the  captors. 
ALLICIENCY.     The  attractive  power  of  the  magnet 
ALLIGATOR  [from  the  Spanish  lagarto\     The  crocodile  of  America. 
The  head  of  this  voracious  animal  is  flat  and  imbricate;  several  of  the 
under  teeth  enter  into  and  pass  through  the  upper  jaw;  the  nape  is 
naked;  on  the  tail  are  two  rough  lateral  lines. 
ALLIGATOR  WATER     The  brackish  water  inside  the  mouths  of 

tropical  rivers,  with  white  and  muddy  surface  running  into  the  se& 
ALLISION.     Synonymous  in  marine  law  with  coUision,  though  the 
jurists  of  Holland  introduce  it  to  mark  a  distinction  between  one 
vessel  running  against  another  and  two  vessels  striking  each  other. 


32  ALLOCUTION ALMATH 

ALLOCUTION.  The  harangue  anciently  made  bj  the  Koman  generals 
to  exhort  their  forces. 

ALLOTMENT.  A  part  of  the  pay  apportioned  monthly  to  the  wives, 
children,  mothers,  or  destitute  fathers  of  the  warrant  and  petty  officers, 
seamen,  and  marines  of  ships  of  war  on  foreign  stations.  In  the 
merchant  service  all  such  stipulations  for  allotting  any  portion  of  a 
seaman's  wages  during  his  absence  must  be  inserted  in  the  agreement. 

ALLOTMENT-LIST.  A  document  containing  the  requisite  details,  at- 
tested by  the  four  signing  officers,  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Navy  Office. 

ALLOTTING.  Persons  agreeing  to  buy  a  ship's  cargo  appoint  a  disin- 
terested person  to  allot  a  share  to  each  by  affixing  their  respective  names.- 

ALLOW,  Ta     To  concede  a  destined  portion  of  stores,  &c, 

ALLOWANCK  The  ration  or  allotted  quantum  of  provisions  which 
each  individual  receives;  and  it  is  either  double,  full,  two-thirds,  half, 
or  short,  according  to  incidents. 

ALLUVION.  An  accretion  formed  along  sea-shores  and  the  banks  of 
rivers  by  the  deposition  of  the  various  substances  held  in  solution  or 
washed  by  the  waters.  Sea  alluvions  differ  from  those  of  rivers,  in 
that  they  form  a  slope  towards  the  land. 

ALLY.     A  friendly  or  confederated  state. 

ALMACANTAES.  Circles  parallel  to  the  horizon,  and  supposed  to 
pass  through  every  degree  of  the  meridian.  An  Arabic  term,  synony- 
mous with  parcUlels  of  latitude, 

ALMACANTARS  STAFF,  An  instrument  formerly  used  at  sea  for 
observing  the  sun's  amplitude,  formed  of  an  arc  of  about  15  degrees. 

ALMADIA.  A  small  African  canoe,  made  of  the  bark  of  trees.  Some 
of  the  larger  square-stemed  negro-boats  are  also  thus  designated. 

ALMAFADAS.    .Large  dunnage  cut  on  the  coast  of  Portugal 

ALMAGEST.  The  celebrated  work  of  Ptolemy  on  geometry  and 
astronomy.  Ricciolus  adopted  the  term  in  1651  for  his  Body  of 
Mathematical  Science,     It  became  general,  whence  Chaucer — 

**Hu  Almoffute  and  bookea,  grete  and  BiuaU." 

ALMANAC.  A  record  of  the  days,  feasts,  and  celestial  phenomena  of 
the  year.  Though  confounded  with  calendar,  it  is  essentially  different 
— ^the  latter  relating  to  time  in  general,  and  the  almanac  to  that  of  a 
year;  but  the  term  calendar  can  be  properly  used  for  a  particular 
year.     (See  Ephemeris.) 

ALMUHY.     The  upright  part  of  an  astrolabe. 

ALMATH  [ffamcU],     The  star  in  Aries  whence  the  first  mansion  of 

the  moon  takes  its  name.     The  Frankeleine  in  Chaucer  says: — 

'*And  by  hia  eighte  8i>ere8  in  his  working, 
He  knew  ful  wel  how  far  Alnath  was  shore 
Fro  the  bed  of  thilke  fix  Aries  above, 
That  in  the  ninthe  spere  considered  is." 


ALMIRANTE ALTERNATING  33 

ALMIRANTK     A  great  sea-ofiicer  or  high-admiral  in  Si)aiD. 

ALMIRAKTES  A.     The  wife  of  an  admiral 

ALMURY.     The  upright  part  of  an  astrolabe. 

ALNUS  GAYER.  Transport^hipe  of  the  early  English,  so  called  from 
the  wood  of  which  thej  were  constructed. 

ALOFT  [Anglo-Saxon,  (^fte^  on  high}  Above;  over-head;  on  high. 
Synonymous  with  up  above  the  tops,  at  the  mast-head,  or  anywhere 
about  the  higher  yards,  masts,  and  rigging  of  ships. — Alofi  there!  the 
hailing  of  people  in  the  tops. — Away  cdofi  I  the  command  to  the  people 
in  the  rigging  to  climb  to  their  stations.  Also,  heaven:  ''Poor  Tom  is 
gone  cUoJl.*' 

ALONDR     An  old  English  word  for  ashore,  on  land. 

ALONG  [Saxon].  Lengthwise. — Alongside,  by  the  side  of  a  ship;  .side 
by  side. — Lyirig  along,  when  the  wind,  being  on  the  beam,  presses  the 
ship  over  to  leeward  with  the  press  of  sail ;  or,  lying  along  the  land. 

ALONGSHORK  A  common  nautical  phrase  signifying  along  the 
coast,  or  a  course  which  is  in  sight  of  the  shore,  and  nearly  parallel  to 
it     {See  'Longshore.) 

ALONG^T.     In  the  middle  of  a  stream;  moored  head  and  stem, 

ALOOF.  The  old  word  for  "keep  your  luff,"  in  the  act  of  sailing  to  the 
wind.     {See  ItVFF.y^Keep  aloof,  at  a  distance. 

ALOOFE.    See  Alewife. 

ALOW.  Synonymous  with  hdow;  as  alow  and  alofi,  though  more 
properly  Imo  and  alofi,  Canying  all  sail  alow  and  alofi  is  when  the 
reefs  are  shaken  out,  and  all  the  studding-sails  set. 

ALPHABETICAL  LIST.  This  is  a  list  which  accompanies  the  ship's 
books;  it  contains  the  names  and  number  of  every  person  in  the  pay- 
book. 

ALTAIR.     The  bright  nautical  star  a  Aquilse,  binaiy. 

ALTAR.     A  platform  in  the  upper  part  of  a  dock. 

ALTEMETRIE.     The  old  term  for  trigonometry  among  navigators. 

ALTERNATR  Reciprocal — Alternate  angles  are  the  interual  angles 
formed  by  a  line  cutting  two  parallels,  and  lying  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  cutting  line;  the  one  below  the  first  parallel,  and  the  other 
above. — Alternate  ratio  is  that  of  which  the  antecedents  and  conse- 
quents bear  respectively  to  each  other  in  any  proportion  which  has 
the  quantities  of  the  same  kind. 

ALTERNATING  WINDS.  Peculiar  winds  blowing  at  stated  times 
one  way,  and  then,  from  a  sudden  alteration  in  the  temperature  of 
the  elements,  setting  in  the  contrary  direction.  A  remarkable 
instance  is  that  of  the  Gulf  of  Arta  in  the  Ionian  Sea,  where  the  effect 
is  promoted  by  local  causes.  All  land  and  sea  breezes  are  strictly 
alternating  winds.     These  however  are  mostly  inter-tropical;  the  solar 

C 


34  ALTERNATION AMAIN 

heat  cauamg  tHe  sea-breeze  to  blow  on  the  land  by  day,  and  condensa- 
tion and  greater  heat  of  the  sea  causing  a  reaction  when  the  land  has 
cooled  to  a  lower  temperature. 

ALTERNATION  oe  Permutatioit  op  Quantities,  is  the  varying  or 
changing  their  order,  and  is  easily  found  by  a  continual  multiplication 
of  all  numbers. 

ALTIMETRY.  Trigonometry;  the  art  of  measuring  heights  or  depres- 
sions of  land,  whether  accessible  or  not. 

ALTITUDR  The  elevation  of  any  of  the  heavenly  bodies  above  the 
plane  of  the  horizon,  or  its  angular  distance  from  the  horizon,  measured 
in  the  direction  of  a  great  circle  passing  through  the  zenith.  Also  the 
third  dimension  of  a  body,  considered  with  regard  to  its  elevation 
above  the  ground. — Apparent  altitude  is  that  which  appears  by 
sensible  observations  made  on  the  surface  of  the  globe. — Altitude  of 
the  pole.  The  arc  of  the  meridian  between  the  pole  of  the  heavens 
and  the  horizon  of  any  place,  and  therefore  equal  to  its  geographical 
latitude. — Altitude  of  the  cone  of  the  earth^a  and  moorCe  shadow^  ia  the 
height  of  the  one  or  the  other  during  an  eclipse,  and  is  measured  from 
the  centre  of  the  body. — Altitude  of  a  alwt  or  shell  The  perpen- 
dicular height  of  the  vertex  of  the  curve  in  which  it  moves  above  the 
hoiizon. — Meridian  altitude.  The  arc  of  the  meridian, — or  greater 
or  less  altitude,  measured  from  the  horizon,  of  a  celestial  object  in  its 
passage  over  the  meridian,  above  or  below  the  pole,  of  the  place  of  the 
observer.  In  Polar  r^ons  two  such  transits  of  the  sun,  and  in 
England  similarly,  circumpolar  stars  afford  double  observations  for  the 
determination  of  time  or  latitude.  The  general  term  is  understood  by 
seamen  to  denote  mid-day,  when  the  passage  and  meridian  altitude  of 
the  sun  affords  the  latitude. — Trtie  altitude  is  that  produced  by 
correcting  the  apparent  one  for  parallax  and  refraction. 

ALTMIKLEC.     A  silver  Turkish  coin  of  60  paras,  or  2«.  9^^^.  sterling. 

ALUFFE,  OR  Aloop.  Nearer  to  the  wind.  This  is  a  very  old 
form  of  luff;  being  noticed  by  Matthew  Paris,  and  other  writers,  as  a 
sea-term.     (See  Lupp.) 

ALURK  An  old  term  for  the  gutter  or  drain  along  a  battlement  or 
parapet  wall 

ALYEUS.  A  very  small  ancient  boat,  made  from  the  single  trunk  of 
a  tree.     A  monoxylon,  or  canoe. 

A.M.    The  uncials  for  ante-meridian,  or  in  the  forenoon.  {See  Meridian.) 

AMAIN  [Saxon  a,  and  mcegn,  force,  strength].  This  was  the  old  word 
to  an  enemy  for  "yield,"  and  was  written  amayne  and  almayne.  Its 
literal  signification  is,  with  force  or  vigour,  all  at  once,  suddenly;  and 
it  is  generally  used  to  anything  which  is  moved  by  a  tackle-&11,  as 
"lower  amain!''  let  run  at  once.     When  we  used  to  demand  the 


AMALPHITAN AMEUORATION  35 

salute  in  the  narrow  seas,  the  lowering  of  the  topsail  was  called 
striking  amain  (see  Striking),  and  it  was  demanded  hy  the  wave 
amain  (see  Wave),  or  brandishing  a  bright  sword  to  and  fro. 

AMALPHITAN  CODE,  the  oldest  code  of  modem  sea-laws,  compiled, 
during  the  first  Crusade,  by  the  people  of  Amalfi  in  Italy,  who  then 
possessed  considerable  commerce  and  maritime  power. 

AMAYE.     Sea-marks  on  the  French  coast. 

AMBASSADOR.  A  practical  joke  performed  on  board  ship  in  warm 
climates,  in  which  the  dupes  are  unmercifully  ducked  in  the  wash-deck 
tub: — 

"And  he  was  washed,  "who  ne^er  was  wasVd  before.** 

AMBER.  A  hard  resinous  substance  of  vegetable  origin,  generally  of  a 
bright  yellow  colour,  and  translucent  It  is  chiefly  obtained  from  the 
southern  shores  of  the  Baltic,  and  those  of  Sicily,  where  it  is  thrown 
up  by  the  sea,  but  it  also  occurs  in  beds  of  lignite. 

AMBERGRIS.  A  fragrant  drug  found  floating  on  sea-coasts,  the  origin 
and  production  of  which  was  long  a  matter  of  dispute,  although  now 
known  to  be  a  morbid  product  developed  in  the  intestines  of  the 
spermaceti  whale  (Physeter  macrocephalus).  It  is  of  a  grayish  colour, 
very  light,  easily  fusible,  and  is  used  both  as  a  perfume  and  a  cordial, 
in  various  extracts,  essences,  and  tinctures. 

AMBIENT  [from  ambio,  Lat.,  to  go  round].  Surrounding,  or  investing; 
whence  the  atmosphere  is  designated  ambient,  because  it  encompasses 
the  earth. 

AMBIGENAL.     One  of  the  triple  hjrperboles  of  the  second  order. 

AMBIT  of  a  geometrical  figure  is  the  perimeter,  or  the  line,  or  sum  or 
all  the  lines,  by  which  it  is  bounded. 

AMBITION  is  usually  denominated  a  virtue  or  a  vice  according  to  its 
direction;  but  assuredly  more  of  the  former,  as  it  is  a  grand  stimulus 
to  officers  to  avoid  reproach,  and  aspire  to  eminence  and  honour. 

AMBLYGON.     Obtuse  angular. 

AMBRY.     SeeAvuBREY, 

AMBUSCADE  [Span,  emhoscada],  A  body  of  men  lying  in  wait  to 
surprise  an  enemy,  or  cut  off  his  supplies;  also  the  site  where  they 
lurk.  This,  as  well  as  amhush,  obviously  arose  from  woods  having 
afforded  .the  hiding-places. 

AMBUSH.  Signifies  an  attempt  to  lie  in  concealment  for  the  purpose 
of  surprising  an  enemy  without  his  perceiving  the  intention  until  he  is 
attacked. 

AMELIORATION.  An  allowance  made  to  the  neutral  purchaser,  on 
reclaiming  a  ship  irregularly  condemned,  for  repairs  she  has  undergone 
in  bis  service. 


36  AMICABLE AMPHIPROR^ 

AMICABLE  NUMBERS  are  such  as  are  mutuallj  equal  to  the  sum  of 
each  other's  aliquot  parts. 

AMIDSHIPS.  The  middle  of  the  ship,  whether  ha.  r^ard  to  her  length 
between  stem  and  stern,  or  in  breadth  between  the  two  sides.  To 
put  the  helm  amidships  is  to  place  it  in  a  line  with  the  keeL  The 
term,  however,  has  a  more  general  bearing  to  the  axis  of  the  ship;  as 
guns,  or  stores,  or  place  amidships  has  reference  to  that  line,  fore  and 
afL  Externally  the  term  *' amidships"  as  to  striking,  boarding,  d^., 
would  be  about  the  mainmast,  or  half  the  length  of  the  ship.  {See 
Midships.) 

AMIDWARD.     Towards  the  'midship  or  middle  section  of  the  vessel 
AMLAGK.     A  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  denoting  to  manure  with  sea-weed. 

AMLER     A  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  sea-weed. 

AMMUNITION.  This  word  had  an  infinite  variety  of  meanings.  It  in- 
cludes every  description  of  warlike  stores,  comprehending  not  only  the 
ordnance,  but  the  powder,  balls,  bullets,  cartridges,  and  equipments. — 

,  Ammunition  bread,  that  which  is  for  the  supply  of  armies  or  garrisons. 
— Ammunition  chest,  a  box  placed  abaft  near  the  stem  or  in  the  tops 
of  men-of-war,  to  contain  ammimition,  for  the  arms  therein  placed,  in 
readiness  for  immediate  action. — Ammunition  shoes,  those  made  for 
soldiers  and  sailors,  and  particularly  for  use  by  those  frequenting  the 
magazine,  being  soft  and  free  from  metal. — Ammunition  waggon,  a  close 
cart  for  conveying  military  eflQc\&,— Ammunition  wife,  a  name  appUed 
to  women  of  doubtful  character. 

AMNESTY.  An  act  of  oblivion,  by  which,  in  a  professional  view,  par- 
don is  granted  to  those  who  have  rebelled  or  deserted  their  colours; 
also  to  deserters  who  return  to  their  ships. 

AMOK.  A  term  signifying  slaughter,  but  denoting  the  practice  of  the 
Malays,  when  infuriated  to  madness  with  bang  (a  preparation  from  a 
species  of  hemp),  of  sallpng  into  the  streets,  or  decks,  to  murder 
any  whom  they  may  chance  to  meet,  until  they  are  either  slain  or  fall 
from  exhaustion. — To  run  a-TnucL  To  run  madly  and  attack  all  we 
meet  {Pope,  Bryden),  As  in  the  case  of  mad  dogs,  certain  death  awaited 
them,  for  if  not  killed  in  being  taken,  torture  and  impalement  followed. 

AMORAYLE.     An  archaism  of  admiral, 

AMORCE  [Fr.J     A  word  sometimes  used  to  signify  priming-powder. 

AMPERES.  An  ancient  vessel,  in  which  the  rowers  used  an  oar  on 
each  side  at  once. 

AMPHIBIA.  A  class  of  animals  which,  from  a  peculiar  arrangement 
of  breathing  organs,  can  live  either  in  water  or  on  laud.  [Gr.  am- 
phibios,  having  a  double  manner  of  life.]     Hence  amphibious, 

AMPHIPRORJE.  Ancient  vessels,  both  ends  of  which  were  prow- 
shaped,  so  that  in  narrow  channels  they  need  not  turn. 


AMPHISCII AN  ALEMMA  37 

AMPHISCir.  The  inhabitants  of  the  torrid  zone  are  thus  denomin- 
ated from  their  shadow  being  turned  one  part  of  the  year  to  the  north 
and  the  other  to  the  south. 

AMPHOTEROPLOK     See  Hetoroplon. 

AMPLITUDK  As  a  general  term,  implies  extent.  In  astronomy,  it 
is  an  arc  of  the  horizon  intercepted  between  the  true  east  or  west 
points  thereof,  and  the  centre  of  the  sun,  star,  or  planet,  at  its  rising 
or  setting.  In  other  words,  it  is  the  horizontal  angular  distance  of  a 
star  fipom  the  east  or  west  points.  It  is  eastern  or  ortive  when  the 
heavenly  object  rises,  and  western  or  occiduous  when  it  sets,  and  is 
moreover  northern  or  southern  according  to  its  quarter  of  the  horizon. 
— Amflilvde^  in  gunnery,  is  the  range  or  whole  distance  of  a  projec- 
tile, or  the  right  horizontal  line  subtending  the  curvilineal  path  in 
which  it  moved. — Ampliivde,  in  magnetism,  is  the  difference  between 
the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun  from  the  east  and  west  points,  as  in- 
dicated by  the  mariner's  or  magnetic  compass — which  subtracted  from 
the  true  amplitude,  constitutes  the  error  of  the  compass,  which  is  the 
combined  effect  of  variation  and  local  deviation. 

AMPOTIS.     The  recess  or  ebb  of  the  tide. 

AMBELL.     An  archaic  orthography  for  admired. 

AMULET.  A  small  relic  or  sacred  sentence,  preservative  against  dis- 
aster and  disease,  appended  to  the  neck  by  superstitious  people:  few 
Italian  or  Spanish  seamen  are  without  them.  * 

AMUSETTE.  A  kind  of  gun  on  a  stock,  like  that  of  a  musket,  but 
mounted  as  a  swivel,  carrying  a  ball  from  half  a  pound  to  two  pounds 
weight. 

AMY.  A  foreigner  serving  on  board,  subject  to  some  prince  in  friend- 
ship with  us. 

ANACLASTICS,  or  Anaclatics.  The  ancient  doctrine  of  refracted 
light  or  dioptrics. — Anaclastic  curves^  the  apparent  curves  fonned  at 
the  bottom  of  a  vessel  full  of  water,  or  anything  at  great  depths  over- 
board to  an  eye  placed  in  the  air;  also  the  heavenly  vault  as  seen 
through  the  atmosphere. 

ANADROMOUS.  A  term  applied  to  migratory  fishes,  which  have 
their  stated  times  of  ascending  rivers  from  the  sea,  and  returning 
again,  as  the  salmon  and  others. 

ANALEM.  A  mathematical  instrument  for  finding  the  course  and 
elevation  of  the  sun. 

ANALEMMA  A  projection  of  the  sphere  on  the  plane  of  the 
meridian,  taken  in  a  lateral  point  of  view,  so  that  the  colours  become 
circles,  whilst  those  whose  planes  pass  through  the  eye  become  right 
lines,  and  the  oblique  circles  ellipses.  On  globes  it  is  represented  by 
a  narrow  double-looped  formed  figure,  the  length  of  which  is  equal  to 


3S  ANALOGY ANCHORABLE 

the  breadth  of  the  torrid  zone,  and  is  divided  into  months  and  days, 
to  show  approximately  the  solar  declination  and  the  equation  of  time. 

ANALOGY.  Resemblance,  relation,  or  equality;  a  similitude  of  ratios 
or  proportions. 

ANALYSIS.  The  resolution  of  anything  into  its  constituent  parts: 
mathematically,  it  is  the  method  of  resolving  problems  by  reducing 
them  to  equations. — Analysis  of  curves  is  that  which  shows  their  pro- 
perties, points  of  inflection,  station,  variation,  &c, — Analf/sis  of  finite 
quantities  is  termed  specious  arithmetic  or  algebra. — Analysis  of  infin- 
ites is  a  modem  introduction,  and  used  for  fluxions  or  the  diflerential 
calculus. — Analysis  of  powers  is  the  evolution  or  resolving  them  into 
their  roots. — Analysis  ofmetalsy  fluids,  solids,  earths,  manures,  <fec. 

ANALYTIC.  That  which  partakes  of  the  property  of  analysis,  and  is 
reducible  thereby. 

AN  AN.  A  word  going  out  of  use,  uttered  when  an  order  was  not  under- 
stood, equal  to  "What  do  you  say,  sir,?"  It  is  also  used  by  corruption 
for  anon^  immediately. 

ANANAS.     {Bromelia),     Pine-apple, 

ANAPHORA  A  term  sometimes  applied  to  the  oblique  ascensions  of 
the  stars. 

ANAS.  A  genus  of  water-birds  of  the  order  Natatores.  Now  restricted 
to  the  typical  ducks. 

ANASTROXJS.    See  Dodecatimoria. 

ANAUMACHION.  The  crime  amongst  the  ancients  of  refusing  to 
serve  in  the  fleet — ^the  punishment  affixed  to  which  was  in&my. 

ANCHIROMACHUS.--A  kind  of  vessel  of  the  middle  ages  used  for 
transporting  anchors  and  naval  stores. 

ANCHOR.  A  large  and  heavy  instrument  in  use  from  the  earliest 
times  for  holding  and  retaining  ships,  which  it  executes  with  admir- 
able  force.  With  few  exceptions  it  consists  of  a  long  iron  shank,  hav- 
ing at  one  end  a  ring,  to  which  the  cable  is  attached,  and  the  other  branch- 
ing out  into  two  arms,  with  flukes  or  palms  at  their  bill  or  extremity. 
A  stock  of  timber  or  iron  is  flxed  at  right  angles  to  the  arms,  and  serves 
to  guide  the  flukes  perpendicularly  to  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Ac- 
cording to  their  various  form  and  size,  anchors  obtain  the  epithets  of 
the  sheets  best  bower,  small  bower,  spare,  stream,  hedge,  and  grappling 
(which  see  under  their  respective  heads). 

Anchor  floating,  see  Floating  Anchor. — At  anchor,  the  situation  of 
a  ship  which  rides  by  its  anchor. — To  anchor,  to  cast  or  to  let  go  the 
anchor,  so  that  it  falls  into  the  ground  for  the  ship  to  ride  thereby. — 
To  anchor  with  a  spring  on  the  cable,  see  Spring.  Anchor  is  also  used 
figuratively  for  anything  which  confers  security  or  stability. 

ANCHORABLE.     Fit  for  anchorage. 


ANCHORAGE ANCHOE-STOCK  39 

AKCHOEAGE.  Ground  which  is  suitable,  and  neither  too  deep, 
shallow,  or  exposed  for  ships  to  ride  in  safety  upon;  also  the  set  of 
anchors  belonging  to  a  ship;  also  a  rojal  duty  levied  from  vessels 
coming  to  a  port  or  roadstead  for  the  use  of  its  advantages.  It  is 
generally  marked  on  the  charts  by  an  anchor,  and  described  according 
to  its  attributes  of  good,  snug,  open,  or  exposed. 

ANCHOR-BALL.  A  pyrotechnical  combustible  attached  to  a  grapnel 
for  adhering  to  and  setting  fire  to  ships. 

ANCHOR-CHOCKS.  Pieces  indented  into  a  wooden  anchor-stock 
where  it  has  become  worn  or  defective  in  the  way  of  the  shank;  also 
pieces  of  wood  or  iron  on  which  an  anchor  rests  when  it  is  stowed. 

ANCHOR-DAVIT.    SeeDAYiT. 

ANCHORED.  Held  by  the  anchor;  also  the  act  of  having  cast 
anchor. 

ANCHOR-HOLD.  The  fastness  of  the  flukes  ou  the  ground;  also  the 
act  of  having  cast  anchor,  and  taken  the  ground.     {See  Home.) 

ANCHOR-HOOPS.  Strong  iron  hoops,  binding  the  stock  to  the  end 
of  the  shank  and  over  the  nuts  of  the  anchor. 

ANCHOR-ICE.  The  ice  which  is  formed  on  and  incrustates  the  beds 
of  lakes  and  rivers:  the  ground-gnu  of  the  eastern  counties  of  England. 

{See  ICE-ANCHOR.) 

ANCHORING.  The  act  of  casting  anchor. — Andioring  ground  is  that 
where  anchors  will  find  bottom,  fix  themselves,  and  hold  ships  securely: 
free  from  rocks,  wrecks,  or  other  matters  which  would  break  or  foul 
the  anchor  or  injure  the  cable.  In  legal  points  it  is  not  admitted  as 
either  port^  creek,  road,  or  roadstead,  unless  it  be  statio  tutissima 
nautis.  A  vessel  dropping  anchor  in  known  foul  ground,  or  where  any 
danger  is  incurred  by  inability  to  recover  the  anchor,  or  by  being  there 
detained  until  driven  off  by  stress  of  weather,  is  not  legally  anchored. 

ANCHOR-LINING.  The  short  pieces  of  plank  fastened  to  the  sides  of 
the  ship,  under  the  fore-channels,  to  prevent  the  bill  of  the  anchor 
from  tearing  the  ship*s  side  when  fishing  or  drawing  it  up.     {See  also 

BiLIr-BOABBS.) 

ANCHOR-RING.     Formerly  the  great  ring  welded  into  the  hole  for  it. 

Recent  anchors  have  Jew's-harp  shackles,  easily  replaced,  and  not  so 

liable  to  be  destroyed  by  chain-cables. 
ANCHOR-SEAT.     An  old  term  for  the  prow  of  a  ship,  still  in  use  with 

eastern  nations — Chinese,  Japanese,  &c 
ANCHOR-SHACKLE.     An  open  link  of  iron  which  connects  the 

chain  with  the  anchor — a  "Jew's-harp*'  shackle. 
ANCHOR-SMITH.     A  foiger  of  anchors. 
ANCHOR-STOCK.     A  bar  at  the  upper  end  of  the  shank,  crossing  the 

direction  of  the  flukes  transversely,  to  steady  their  proper  direction. 


40  ANCHOE-STOCK ANELACE 

In  small  anchors  it  is  made  of  iron,  but  in  lai^  ones  it  is  composed  of 
two  long  cheeks  or  beams  of  oak,  strongly  bolted  and  tree-nailed  to- 
gether, secured  with  four  iron  hoops.  It  is  now  generally  superseded 
by  the  iron  stock. 
ANCHOErSTOCK-FA  SHION.  The  method  of  placing  the  butt  of  one 
wale-plank  nearly  over  the  middle  of  the  other;  and  the  planks  being 
broadest  in  the  middle,  and  tapered  to  the  ends,  they  resemble 
an  anchor-stock,  with  which  it  is  moi*e  in  keeping  than  is  the  method 
called  top-and-fnUt;  also  pursued  in  fishing  spars^  making  fiilse  rudder- 
heads,  <&c. 
ANCHOK-STOCKINGr  is  a  mode  of  securing  and  working  planks  in 
general  with  tapered  butts. 

ANCHOR-STOCK  TACKLK  A  small  tackle  attached  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  anchor-stock  when  stowing  the  anchor,  its  object  being  to 
bring  it  perpendicular  and  closer  to  the  ship. 

ANCHOR-WATCBL  A  sub-division  of  the  watch  kept  constantly  on 
deck  during  the  time  the  ship  lies  at  single  anchor,  to  be  in  readiness 
to  hoist  jib  or  stay-sails,  to  keep  the  ship  clear  of  her  anchor;  or  in 
readiness  to  veer  more  cable  or  let  go  another  anchor  in  case  the  ship 
should  drive  or  part  her  anchor.  This  watch  is  also  in  readiness  to 
avoid  collision  in  close  rivers  by  veering  cable,  setting  sail,  using  the 
helm,  dfo.,  which  formerly  involved  the  essence  of  seamanship. 

ANCHOY Y.  The  Engravlia  encrasicholua.  A  small  fish  of  the  family 
ClupeidcBy  about  four  inches  in  length,  much  used  in  sauces  and  season- 
ing when  cured.  It  is  migratory,  but  principally  taken  in  the  Medi- 
terranean, where  those  of  Goigona  are  most  esteemed  in  commerce. 

ANCIENT.  A  term  formerly  used  for  the  colours  and  their  bearer,  as 
ensign  is  now.  Shakspeare's  Nym  was  only  a  corporal,  but  Pistol 
was  an  ancient 

ANCON.  A  comer  or  angle  of  a  knee-timber. — Anoon  [Sp.]  Harbour, 
bay,  or  anchorage. 

ANCOErSTRENG.     A  very  old  designation  of  a  cable. 

ANCYLE.     A  kind  of  dart  thrown  with  a  leathern  thong. 

ANDREA-FERRARA.    See  Fehrara. 

ANDREW,  OB  Andrew  Millar.  A  cant  name  for  a  man-of-war,  and 
also  for  government  and  government  authorities. 

ANDROMEDA.  A  hemispherical  medusa  foimd  in  the  Indian  and 
Red  Seas.  The  body  is  transparent  and  brownish,  with  a  black  cross 
in  the  middle,  and  has  foliaceous  white  arms  on  the  under  part 

ANDROMEDA  a.  (Alpheratz.)  A  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in  the 
constellation  of  Andromeda. 

ANELACE  The  early  name  for  a  dirk  or  dagger  usually  woi-n  at  the 
girdle. 


ANEMOMACHIA ANGLE  41 

ANEMOMACHIA,     A  whirlwind  or  hurricane  in  old  writers. 

ANTEMOMETER,  or  Wind-gauge.  An  instrument  wherewith  to  mea- 
sure the  direction  and  velocity  of  wind  under  its  varying  forces — a 
desideratum  at  sea. 

ANEMONE.    See  Sea-anemone. 

ANEMOSCOPK  A  vane  index  with  pointers  to  tell  the  changes  of  the 
wind  without  referring  to  the  weather-cock. 

AN-END.  The  position  of  any  spar  when  erected  perpendicularly  to  the 
deck.  The  top-masts  are  said  to  be  an-end  when  swayed  up  to  their 
usual  stations  and  fidded.  To  strike  a  spar  or  plank  an-end  is  to 
drive  it  in  the  direction  of  its  length.     {See  Every  Eope  an-end.) 

ANENT,  OR  Anenst.     Opposite  to;  over  against 

ANEROID.  A  portable  barometer  or  instrument  for  showing  varia- 
tions of  the  weather  by  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  upon  a  me- 
tallic box  hermetically  sealed. 

ANEROST.    A  coast-word  of  the  western  counties  for  nigh  or  almost. 

ANEW.     Enough,  as  relating  to  number. 

ANGEL-FISH.  The  Squatina  angduSy  of  the  shark  family.  It  in- 
habits the  northern  seas,  is  six  or  eight  feet  long,  with  a  cinereous  rough 
back  and  white  smooth  belly;  the  mouth  is  beneath  the  anterior  part 
of  the  head,  and  the  pectoral  fins  are  very  larga     (Also,  Ghcetodan.) 

ANGEL-HEAD.     The  hook  or  barb  of  an  arrow;  probably  angle-head. 

ANGEL-SHOT.     A  ball  cut  in  two,  and  the  halves  joined  by  a  chain. 

ANGIL.  An  old  term  for  a  fishing-hook  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  ongul, 
for  the  same].  It  means  also  a  red  worm  used  for  a  bait  in  angling 
or  fishing. 

ANGLE.  The  space  or  aperture  intersected  by  the  natural  inclination 
of  two  lines  or  planes  meeting  each  other,  the  place  of  intersection 
being  called  the  vertex  or  angular  point,  and  the  lines  legs.  Angles 
are  distinguished  by  the  number  of  degrees  they  subtend,  to  360**,  or 
the  whole  circumference  of  a  circla  Angles  are  acute,  obtuse,  right, 
curvilinear,  rectilinear,  dba  (all  of  which  see). 

ANGLE-DOG,  or  Angle-twitch.     A  large  earth-worm,  sought  for  bait. 

ANGLE-IRONS.  Certain  strips  of  iron  having  their  edges  turned  up 
at  an  angle  to  each  other;  they  are  of  various  sizes,  and  used  for  the 
ribs  and  knees  of  the  framing  of  iron  vessels. 

ANGLE  OF  COMMUTATION.  The  difference  between  the  helio- 
centric longitudes  of  the  earth  and  a  planet  or  comet,  the  latter  being 
reduced  to  the  ecliptic. 

ANGLE  OF  ECCENTRICITY.  An  astronomical  term  denoting  the 
angle  whose  sine  is  equal  to  the  eccentricity  of  an  orbit. 

ANGLE  OF  ELEVATION.    6^66  Elevation. 

ANGLE  OF  INCIDENCE.    iSee  Incidence. 


42  ANGLE ANILLA 

ANGLE  OF  LEE-WAY.  The  difference  between  the  apparent  compass- 
course  and  the  true  one — arising  from  lateral  pressure  and  the  effect 
of  sea  when  close-hauled.  It  is  not  applicable  to  courses  when  the 
wind  and  sea  are  fair. 

ANGLE  OF  POSITION.  A  term  usually  confined  to  double  stars,  to 
distinguish  the  line  of  bearing  between  them  when  they  are  ap- 
parently very  near  to  each  other. 

ANGLE  OF  REFLECTION,    ^ee  Reflection. 

ANGLE  OF  SITUATION.  This  was  formerly  called  the  angle  of 
position,  and  is  also  termed  the  paraUactic  angle  (which  see). 

ANGLE  OF  THE  CENTRR  In  fortification,  the  angle  formed  at  the 
centre  of  the  polygon  by  lines  drawn  from  thence  to  the  points  of  two 
adjacent  bastions. 

ANGLE   OF  THE   SHOULDER,     i^ee  Epaule. 

ANGLE  OF  THE  VERTICAL.  The  difference  between  the  geo- 
graphical  and  geocentric  latitudes  of  a  place  upon  the  earth's  surface. 

ANGLER  A  fisherman,  or  one  who  angles  for  recreation  rather  than 
profit.  Also  a  species  of  LophiuB  or  toad-fish;  from  its  ugliness  and 
habits  called  also  the  seordevU,  It  throws  out  feelers  by  which  small 
fry  are  enticed  within  its  power. 

ANGLES   OF  TIMBERS.    iS'ee  Bevellings. 

ANGLING.  The  practice  of  catching  fish  by  means  of  a  rod,  line,  hook, 
and  bait^  which  by  its  mixture  of  idleness  and  chance  forms  recreation; 
but  however  simple  the  art  appears,  it  requires  much  nicety. 

ANGON.  A  javelin  formerly  used  by  the  French,  the  point  of  which  re- 
sembled 2l fleur-de-lis:  it  is  also  generally  applied  to  the  half-pike  or  javelin. 

ANGOSIADE.  An  astronomical  flEdsehood;  a  term  originating  from 
the  pretended  observations  of  D' Angos  at  Malta. 

ANGRA  [Sp.]  Bay  or  inlet — Angra  grande,  pegtiena,  <ka,  on  the 
coasts  of  Spanish  and  Portuguese  settlements. 

ANGUILLIFORM.  Applied  to  fishes  having  the  shape,  softness,  and 
appearance  of  eels. 

ANGULAR  CRAB.  An  ugly  long-armed  crustacean — ^the  GonopMex 
angtUattis — with  eyes  on  remarkably  long  stalks. 

ANGULAR  DISTANCE.  This  term,  when  applied  to  celestial  bodies, 
implies  that  the  sun  and  moon,  or  moon  and  stars,  are  within  measur- 
ing distance  for  lunars. 

ANGULAR  MOTION  is  that  which  describes  an  angle,  or  moves  circu- 
larly round  a  point,  as  planets  revolving  about  the  sun. 

ANGULAR  VELOCITY.  This  isa  term  used  in  the  orbits  of  double  stars, 
and  implies  the  motion  in  a  certain  time  of  one  star  round  the  other. 

ANILLA     A  commercial  term  for  indigo,  derived  firom  the  plant 
.  whence  it  is  prepared.     [Sp.  anil,  indigo,  Indigofera;  ainf/l,  Arab.] 


ANIMAL ANNULAR  43 

ANIMAXi  FLOWEKS.  ActinicBy  or  sea-anemones  and  similar  animals, 
which  project  a  circle  of  tentacula  resembling  flowers.  Formerly  they 
were  all  classed  under  zoophytes. 

ANIMATE.  The  giving  power  or  encouragement. — To  animate  a 
battery,  to  place  guns  in  its  embrasurea — To  animate  a  needle,  to  magne- 
tize it. — To  animate  the  crew  in  various  ways  for  any  special  duty. 

ANKEK.  An  anker  of  brandy  contains  ten  gallons.  The  kegs  in 
which  Hollands  is  mostly  exported  are  ankers  and  half-ankers. 

ANKER-FISH.     A  name  of  a  kind  of  cuttle-fish. 

ANKLE-BONK     An  old  seaman's  term  for  the  crawfish. 

ANNELIDS.  A  claas  of  worm-like  animal  of  which  the  body  is  com- 
posed of  a  series  of  rings. 

ANNET,  A  sea-gull,  well  known  in  Northumberland  and  on  the 
northern  coasts. 

ANNIVERSARY  WINDS.  Those  which  blow  constantly  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year,  as  monsoon,  trade,  and  etesian  winds. 

ANNONA.  An  ancient  tax  for  the  yearly  supply  of  com  or  provisions 
for  the  army  and  capital:  still  in  use  in  Italy. 

ANNOTIN-^.     The  ancient  Roman  victuallers  or  provision  vessels. 

ANNOTTO  {Bixa  orellana).  The  plant  from  the  dried  pulp  of  the  seed- 
vessels  of  which  a  delicate  red  dye  is  obtained,  used  to  give  a  rich  colour 
to  milk,  butter,  and  cheese. 

ANNUAL.  Those  astronomical  motions  which  return  or  terminate 
every  year.' 

ANNUAL  ACCOUNTS.     The  ship's  books  and  papers  for  the  year. 

ANNUAL  EQUATION.  An  inequality  in  the  moon's  march,  arising 
from  the  eccentricity  of  the  earth's  orbit,  whereby  the  diurnal  motion 
is  sometimes  quicker  and  at  other  times  slower  than  her  mean  motion. 

ANNUAL  PARALLAX.     See  Parallax. 

ANNUAL  RETURNS.  In  addition  to  the  general  accounts  of  the 
year,  there  are  three  returns  to  be  transmitted  to  the  admiral  or  senior 
officer  for  the  Admiralty.  They  are,  a  report  of  the  sailing  and  other 
qualities  of  the  ship;  state  of  the  ship  as  to  men;  and  progress  of  the 
young  gentlemen  in  navigation. 

ANNUAL  VARIATION.  The  change  produced  in  the  right  ascen- 
sion or  declination  of  a  star  by  the  precession  of  the  equinoxes  and 
proper  motion  of  the  star  taken  together.  Also,  the  annual  variation 
of  the  compass. 

ANNUL,  To.     To  nullify  a  signal 

ANNULAR.  Resembling  an  annulus  or  ring.  An  annidar  eclipse 
takes  place  when  the  apparent  diameter  of  the  moon  is  less  than  that 
of  the  sun,  and  a  zone  of  light  surrounds  the  moon  while  central. 

ANNULAR  SCUPPER.     A  contrivance  for  fitting  scuppers  so  that 


44  ANNULUS JL^riAJBXS 

the  whole  can  be  enlarged  by  a  movable  concentric  ring,  in  order  that 
a  surcharge  of  water  can  be  freely  delivered;  invented  by  Captain 
Downes,  R.N. 

ANNTJLUS.     A  geometrical  figure.     (See  Emo.) 

ANNULUS  ASTRONOMICUS.  A  ring  of  brass  used  formerly  in 
navigation.  In  1575  Martin  Frobisher,  when  fitting  out  on  his  first 
voyage  for  the  discovery  of  a  north-west  passage,  was  supplied  with  one 
which  cost  thirty  shillings. 

ANOMALISTIC  MONTH.    See  Anomalistic  Period. 

ANOMALISTIC  PERIOD.  The  time  of  revolution  of  a  primary 
or  secondary  planet  in  reference  to  its  line  of  apsides;  that  is,  from 
one  perigee  or  apogee  to  another. 

ANOMALISTIC  YEAR  The  space  of  time  in  which  the  earth 
passes  through  her  orbit — distinct  from  and  longer  than  the  tropical 
year,  owing  to  the  precession  of  the  equinoxes. 

ANOMALY.  Deviation  from  common  rule.  An  irregularity  in  the 
motion  of  a  planet  by  which  it  deviates  from  the  aphelion  or  apogee. 
— Mean  anonudy  formerly  signified  the  distance  of  a  planet's  mean 
place  from  the  apogee:  it  is  the  angular  distance  of  a  planet  or  comet 
from  perihelion  supposing  it  to  have  moved  with  its  mean  velocity. — 
True  anomaly,  the  true  angular  distance  of  a  planet  or  comet  from 
perihelion.     {See  Excentric  and  Equated.) 

ANON.     Quickly,  directly,  immediately. 

ANONYMOUS  PARTNERSHIPS.  Those  not  carried  on  under  a 
special  name,  and  the  particulars  known  only  to  the  parties  themselves. 
This  is  much  practised  in  France,  and  often  occasions  trouble  in  prize- 
courts. 

ANS^  The  dolphins  or  handles  of  brass  ordnance.  Also  the  pro- 
jections or  arms  of  the  ring  on  each  side  of  Saturn's  globe,  in  certain 
situations  relative  to  the  earth. 

ANSERES.     Birds  of  the  goose  tribe. 

ANSWER,  To.  To  reply,  to  succeed;  as,  the  frigate  has  answered  the 
signal.     This  boat  will  not  answer, 

ANSWERS  HER  HELM.     When  a  ship  obeys  the  rudder  or  steers. 

ANTARCTIC.     Opposite  to  the  Arctic — abbreviated  from  anti-arctic 

ANTARCTIC  CIRCLR  One  of  the  lesser  circles  of  the  sphere,  on 
the  south  parallel  of  the  equator,  and  23^^  from  the  south  pola 

ANTARCTIC  OCEAN.  That  which  surrounds  the  south  pole,  within 
the  imaginary  circle  so  called. 

ANTARCTIC  POLE.     The  south  end  of  the  earth's  axis. 

A  NT  ARES.  A  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  popularly  known  as  the 
scorpion^ 8  heart  (a  Scorpio):  it  is  one  of  those  called  ^nautical"  stars, 
used  for  determining  the  latitude  and  longitude  at  night. 


ANTECEDBNTAL ANYHOW  45 

ANTECEDENTAL  METHOD.  A  branch  of  general  geometrical  pro- 
portion, or  universal  comparison  of  ratios. 

ANTECEDENTIA.  A  planet's  apparent  motion  to  the  westward,  con- 
trary to  the  order  of  the  signs. 

ANTECEDENT  OF  A  RATIO.     The  first  of  the  two  terms. 

ANTECIANS.  Those  inhabitants  of  the  earth  who  live  under  the 
same  meridian,  but  in  opposite  hemispheres.     {See  Ai^Tiscu.) 

ANTE  LUCAN.     Before  daylight 

ANTE  MERIDIAN.     Before  noon. 

ANTE  MURAL.     See  Outwokk. 

ANTHELION.  A  mock  or  spurious  sun;  a  luminous  meteor,  resem- 
bling, but  usually  larger  than,  the  solar  disc. 

ANTHRACITE.  [Gr.  anthrax  and  lUhoa,]  A  stone  coal  demanding 
great  draught  to  bum,  affording  great  heat^  little  smoke,  and  peculiarly 
adapted  for  steamers. 

ANTICTHONES.  The  inhabitants  of  countries  diametrically  opposite 
to  each  other. 

ANTI-GALLICANS.  A  pair  of  extra  backstays,  sometimes  used  by 
merchantmen,  to  support  the  masts  when  running  before  the  trades. 

ANTI-GUGGLER  •  A  straw,  or  crooked  tube,  introduced  into  a  spirit 
cask  or  neck  of  a  bottle,  to  suck  out  the  contents;  commonly  used  in 
1800  to  rob  the  captain's  steward's  hanging  safe  in  hot  climates.  Is 
to  be  found  in  old  dictionaries. 

ANTILOGARITHM.  The  complement  of  the  logarithm  of  a  sine, 
tangent,  or  secant. 

ANTIPARALLELS.  Those  lines  which  make  equal  angles  with  two 
other  lines,  but  contrary  ways. 

ANTIPATHES.     A  kind  of  coral  having  a  black  homy  stem. 

ANTIPODES.  Such  inhabitants  of  the  earth  as  are  diametrically 
opposite  to  each  other.  From  the  people,  the  term  has  passed  to  the 
places  themselves,  which  are  situated  at  the  two  extremities  of  any 
diameter  of  the  earth. 

ANTISCII.  The  people  who  dwell  in  opposite  hemispheres  of  the 
earth,  and  whose  shadows  at  noon  fall  in  contrary  directions. 

ANT  ISLANDS.     Generally  found  on  Spanish  charts  as  Jlormigas, 

ANYIL.  The  massive  block  of  iron  on  which  armourers  hammer  forge- 
work.     It  is  also  an  archaism  for  the  handle  or  hilt  of  a  sword:  thus 

Coriolanus — 

"Here  I  clip 
The  anvil  of  my  sword." 

It  is  moreover  a  little  narrow  flag  at  the  end  of  a  lance. 
ANYHOW.     Do  the  duty  by  all  means,  and  at  any  rate  or  risk:  as 
Nelson,  impatient  for  getting  to  Copenhagen  in  1801,  exclaimed — 


4G  ANY A-POISB 

"  Let  it  be  hy  the  Sound,  by  the  Belt^  or  anyhow,  only  lose  not  an 

hour." 
ANY  PORT  IN  A  STORM  signifies  contentment  with  whatever 

may  betide. 
APAGOG.     A  mathematical  progress  from  one  proposition  to  another. 
APE,  OB  Sea-ape.     The  long-tailed  shark.     Also,  an  active  American 

seaL 
APEEK.     A  ship  drawn  directly  over  the  anchor  is  apeek:  when  the 

fore-stay  and  cable  form  a  line,  it  is  short  stay  (tpeek;  when  in  a  line 

with  the  main-stay,  long  stay  apeek.     The  anchor  is  apeek  when  the 

cable  has  been  sufficiently  hove  in  to  bring  the  ship  over  it. — Yards 

apeek.     When  they  are  topped  up  by  contrary  lifts.     {See  Peak.) 
APERT^      Ancient  deep-waiated  ships,  with  high-decked  forecastle 

and  poop. 
APERTURE,  in  astronomy.      The  opening  of  a  telescope*  tube  next 

the  object-glass,  through  which  the  rays  of  light  and  image  of  the  object 

are  conveyed  to  the  eye.     It  is  usually  estimated  by  the  clear  diameter 

of  the  object-glass. 
APEX.     The  summit  or  vertex  of  anything;  as  the  upper  point  of  a 

triangle. 
APHELION.     That  point  in  the  orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet  which  is 

most  remote  from  the  sun,  and  at  which  the  angular  motion  is  slowest; 

being  the  end  of  the  greater  elliptic  axis.     The  opposite  oi  perihelion, 
APHELLAN.     The  name  of  the  double  star  a  Geminorum,  better 

known  as  Castor. 
APHRACTI.     Ancient  vessels  with  open  waists,  resembling  the  present 

Torbay-boats. 
APLANATIC.     That  refraction  which  entirely  corrects  the  aberration 

and  colour  of  the  rays  of  light. 
APLETS.     Nets  for  the  herring-fishery. 
APLXJSTRE.     A  word  applied  in  ancient  vessels  both  to  the  ornament 

on  the  prow  and  to  the  streamer  or  ensign  on  the  stem.      Here,  as  in 

the  rudder-head  of  Dutch  vessels  frequently,  the  dog-vane  was  carried 

to  denote  the  direction  of  the  wind. 
APOBATHR-^.     Ancient  gang-boards  from  the  ship  to  the  quays. 
APOCATASTASIS.     The  time  in  which  a  planet  returns  to  the  same 

point  of  the  zodiac  whence  it  departed. 
APOGEE.     That  point  of  the  moon's  orbit  which  is  furthest  from  the 

earth;  the  opposite  of  perigee.     The  apogee  of  the  sun  is  synonymous 

with  the  aphelion  of  the  earth.     The  word  is  also  used  as  a  general 

term  to  express  the  greatest  distance  of  any  heavenly  body  from  the 

earth. 
A-POISK     Said  of  a  vessel  properly  trimmed. 


APOSTLES APPOINTBH  47 

APOSTLES.  The  knight-heads  or  bollard  timbers,  where  hawsers  or 
heavy  ropes  are  belayed. 

APOTOMK  The  difference  of  two  inoommensorable  mathematical 
quantities. 

APPALTO.  The  commercial  term  for  a  monopoly  in  Mediterranean 
ports. 

APPARATUS.     Ammunition  and  equipage  for  war. 

APPAE.EL.  In  marine  insurance,  means  the  furniture  or  appurten- 
ances of  a  ship,  as  masts,  yards,  sails,  ground  gear,  guns,  <&c.  More 
comprehensive  than  apparatus. 

APPARELLED.     Fully  equipped  for  service. 

APPARENT.  In  appearance,  as  visible  to  the  eye,  or  evident  to  the 
mind,  which  in  the  case  of  astronomical  motions,  distances,  altitudes, 
and  magnitudes,  will  be  found  to  differ  materially  from  their  real 
state,  and  require  correcting  to  find  the  true  place. 

APPARENT  EQUINOX.  The  position  of  the  equinox  as  affected  by 
nutation. 

APPARENT  HORIZON,    ^^ec  Horizon. 

APPARENT  MOTION.  The  motion  of  celestial  bodies  as  viewed 
from  the  earth. 

APPARENT  NOON.  The  instant  that  the  sun's  centre  is  on  the 
meridian  of  a  place. 

APPARENT  OBLIQUITY.  The  obliquity  of  the  ecHptic  affected 
with  nutation. 

APPARENT  PLACE  OF  A  STAR.  This  is  the  position  for  auy 
day  which  it  seems  to  occupy  in  the  heavens,  as  affected  with  aberra- 
tion and  nutation. 

APPARENT  TIME.  The  time  resulting  from  an  observation  of  the 
sun — an  expression  per  cantraciionem  for  apparent  solar  time. 

APPARITION.  A  star  or  planet  becoming  visible  after  occultation. 
Perpetual  apparition  of  the  lesser  northern  circles,  wherein  the  stars 
being  above  the  horizon,  never  set. 

APPEARANCE.  The  first  making  of  a  land-fall:  formerly  astronomi- 
cally used  for  phenomenon  and  phase.  The  day  of  an  officer's  first  join- 
ing a  ship  afler  his  being  appointed. 

APPLE-PIE  ORDER.  A  strange  but  not  uncommon  term  for  a  ship 
in  excellent  condition  and  well  looked  to.  Neat  and  orderly.  Absurdly 
said  to  be  a  corruption  of  du  pol  au  pied, 

APPLICATE.  The  ordinate,  or  right  line  drawn  across  a  curve,  so  as 
to  be  bisected  by  its  diameter. 

APPLICATION.  A  word  of  extensive  use,  for  the  principles  of  adjust- 
ing,  augmenting,  and  perfecting  the  relations  between  sciences. 

APPOINTED.     Commissioned — named  for  a  special  duty. 


48  APPOINTMENT AQUB 

APPOINTMENT.  The  equipment,  ordnance,  fomiture,  and  necessaries 
of  a  ship.  Also  an  officer's  commission.  In  the  Army,  appointmenU 
nsuallj  imply  military  accoutrements,  such  as  belts,  sashes,  gorgets,  &a 

APPORTER     A  bringer  into  the  realm. 

APPRAISEMENT.  A  law  instrument  taken  out  by  the  captora  of  a 
vessel,  who  are  primarily  answerable  for  the  expense. 

APPRENTICK  One  who  is  covenanted  to  serve  another  on  condition 
of  being  instructed  in  an  art,  and  ships'  apprentices  are  to  the  same 
effect  Boys  under  eighteen  years  of  age  bound  to  masters  of  merchant 
ships  were  exempted  from  impressment  for  three  years  from  the  date 
of  their  indentures;  which  documents  were  in  duplicate,  and  exempt 
from  stamp  duty. 

APPROACHES.  The  trenches^  zig-zags,  saps,  and  other  works,  by 
which  a  besieger  makes  good  his  way  up  to  a  fortified  place.  {See 
Trenches.) 

APPROVAL.     The  senior  officer's  signature  to  a  demand  or  application. 

APPROXIMATION.  A  continual  approach  to  a  quantity  sought, 
where  there  is  no  possibility  of  arriving  at  it  exactly. 

APPULSE.  A  near  approach  of  one  heavenly  body  to  another,  so  as 
to  form  an  apparent  contact:  the  term  is  principally  used  with 
reference  to  stars  or  planets  when  the  moon  passes  close  to  them 
without  causing  occultation. 

APRON,  OR  Stomach-piece.  A  strengthening  compass  timber  fayed 
abaft  the  lower  part  of  the  stem,  and  above  the  foremost  end  of  the 
keel;  that  is,  from  the  head  down  to  the  fore  dead-wood  knee,  to  which 
it  is  scarfed.  It  is  sided  to  receive  the  fastenings  of  the  fore-hoods  or 
planking  of  the  bow. — Apron  of  a  gun,  a  square  piece  of  sheet-lead 
laid  over  the  touch-hole  for  protecting  the  vent  from  damp;  also  over 
the  gun-lock. — Apron  of  a  dock,  the  platform  rising  where  the  gates 
are  closed,  and  on  which  the  sill  is  fastened  down. 

APSIDES,  Line  of.  The  imaginary  line  jpining  the  aphelion  and  peri- 
helion points  in  the  orbit  of  a  planet 

APSIS.  Either  of  the  two  points  in  planetary  orbits  where  they  are  at 
the  greatest  and  the  least  distance  from  the  sun,  and  are  termed  higher 
or  lower  accordingly.  The  two  are  joined  by  a  diameter  called  the 
line  of  the  apsides, 

AQUAGE.     The  old  law-term  denoting  the  toll  paid  for  water-carriage. 

AQUARIUS.     The  eleventh  sign  in  the  zodiac  (a  Aquarius  Sadalmelik). 

AQUATIC.     Inhabiting  or  relating  to  the  water. 

AQU  ATILE.  An  archaism  for  aqitatic;  thus  Howell's  lexicon  describes 
the  crocodile  as  "partly  aquatil,  partly  terrestrial." 

AQUATITES.     The  law-term  for  everything  living  in  the  water. 

AQUK     Wallndded  flat-floored  boats,  which  navigate  the  Rhine. 


AQUEDUCT AECHIMEDES  49 

AQUBDTJCT.     Conduits  or  canals  built  for  the  conveyance  of  water. 
AQT7ILA.     The  constellation  Aquila,  in  which  a  AquilsB  is  an  import- 
ant star  of  the  first  magnitude:  used  by  seamen  in  determining  the 

latitude  and  longitude;  also  in  lunar  distances.     {See  Altaib.) 
AQUILON.     The  north-east  wind,  formerly  much  dreaded  by  mariners. 
ARAMECH.     The  Arabic  name  for  the  star  Arcturus. 
ARBALIST  [from  arcus  and  h(ili8td\.     An  engine  to  throw  stones,  or 

the  cross-bow  used  for  bullets,  darts,  arrows,  &c. :  formerly  arbalisters 

formed  part  of  a  naval  force. 
ARBITER.     The  judge  to  whom  two  persons  refer  their  differences; 

not  alwa3rs  judicial,  but  the  arbiter,  in  his  own  person,  of  the  fate 

of  empires  and  peoples. 
ARBITRAGE,     The  referring  commercial  disputes  to  the  arbitration 

of  two  or  more  indifferent  persons. 
ARBITRATION.     The  settlement  of  disputes  out  of  court 
ARBOR.     In  chronometry,  a  shaft,  spindle,  or  axis. 
ARBY.     A  northern  name  for  the  thrift  or  sea-lavender. 
ARC,  OB  Arch.     The  segment  of  a  circle  or  any  curved  line,  by  which 

all  angles  are  measured. 
ARC  DIURNAL.    See  Diurnal  Arc. 
ARC  NOCTURNAL.    See  Nocturnal  Arc. 
ARC   OF  DIRECTION  or  Progression.    The  arc  which  a  planet 

appears  to  describe  when  its  motion  is  direct  or  progressive  in  the 

order  of  the  signs. 
ARC   OF   VISION.     The  sun's  depth  below  the  horizon  when  the 

planets  and  stars  begin  to  appear. 
ARCH-BOARD.     The  part  of  the  stern  over  the  counter,  immediately 

under  the  knuckles  of  the  stem-timbers. 
ARCH   OF  THE   COVE.     An  elliptical  moulding  sprung  over  the 

cove  of  a  ship,  at  the  lower  part  of  the  taffraiL 
ARCHED   SQUALL.     A  violent  gust  of  wind,  usually  distinguished 

by  the  arched  form  of  the  clouds  near  the  horizon,  whence  they  rise 

rapidly  towards  the  zenith,  leaving  the  sky  visible  through  it. 
ARCHEL,  Archil,  Orchill.     Jiocella  tinctorum  /uctm,  a  lichen  found 

on  the  rocks  of  the  Canary  and  Cape  de  Verde  groups;  it  yields  a  rich 

purple.     Litmus,  largely  used  in  chemistry,  is  derived  from  it. 
ARCHES.     A  common  term  among  seamen  for  the  Archipelago.     (See 

also  Galley-arches.) 
ARCHI-GUBERNUS.     The  commander  of  the  imperial  ship  in  ancient 

times. 
ARCHIMEDES'  SCREW.     An  ingenious  spiral  pump  for  draining 

docks  or  raising  water  to  any  proposed  height, — the  invention  of  that 

wonderful  man.     It  is  also  used  to  remove  grain  in' breweries  from 

D 


50  ARCHING ABEOMBTER 

a  lower  to  a  higher  level    The  name  has  been  recently  applied  to 

the  yeiy  important  introduction  in  steam  navigaiion — ^the  propelling 

screw.    (See  Screw-propeller.) 
ARCHING.     When  a  vessel  is  not  strongly  built  there  is  always  a  ten- 
dency in  the  greater  section  to  lift,  and  the  lower  sections  to  fall; 

hence  the  fore  and  after  ends  droop,  producing  arching^  or  hogging 

(which  see). 
ARCHIPELAGO.     A  corruption  of  Aegeopelagns,   now  applied  to 

clusters  of  islands  in  general     Originally  the  Mgea,n   Sea.     An 

archipelago  has  a  great  number  of  islands  of  varous  sizes,  disposed 

without  order;  but  often  contains  several  subordiaate  groups.     Such 

are  the  i^ean,  the  Corean,  the  Caribbean,  Indian,  Polynesian,  and 

others. 
ARCHITECTURE.     See  Naval  Architecture. 
ARCTIC.     Northern,  or  lying  under  arlUoSy  the  Bear ;  an  epithet  given 

to  the  north  polar  regions  comprised  within  the  arctic  circle,  a  lesser 

circle  of  the  sphere,  very  nearly  23**  28'  distant  fix)m  the  north  pola 
ARCTIC   OCEAN.     So  called  from  surrounding  the  pole  within  the 

imaginary  circle  of  that  name. 
ARCTIC  POLE.     The  north  pole  of  the  globe. 
ARCTURUS.     a  Bootis.     A  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  close  to  the 

knee  of  Arctophylax,  or  Bootes.     One  of  the  nautical  stars. 
ARD,  OR    AiRD.     A  British  or  Gaelic  term  for  a  rocky  eminence,  or 

rocks  on  a  wash:  hence  the  word  hard,  in  present  use.     It  is  also  an 

enunciation. 
ARDENT.     Said  of  a  vessel  when  she  gripes,  or  comes  to  the  wind 

quickly. 
ARE.     The  archaism  for  oar  (which  see).    A  measure  of  land  in  France 

containing  100  square  metres. 
AREA     The  plane  or  surface  contained  between  any  boundary  liaes. 

The  superficial  contents  of  any  figure  or  work;  as,  the  area  of  any  square 

or  triangle. 
ARENACEOUS.     Sandy;  partaking  of  the  qualities  of  sand;  brittle;  as, 

arenaceous  limestone,  quartz,  &c 
ARENAL.      In  meteorology,  a  cloud  of  dust,  often  so  thick   as   to 

prevent  seeing  a  stone's-throw  off.     It  is  common  in  South  America, 

being  raised  by  the  wind  from  adjoiniug  shores.     Also  off  the  coast  of 

AMca  at  the  termination  of  the  desert  of  Zahara. 

ARENATION.     The  burying  of  scorbutic  patients  up  to  tbe  neck  in 

holes  in  a  sandy  beach,  for  cure;  also  spreading  hot  sand  over  a  dis- 
eased person. 

AREOMETER.     An  instrument  for  measuring  the  specific  gravity  of 

fluids. 


AEGIN ARIS  51 

ABQIN.     An  old  word  for  an  embcmhnent, 

ARGO.  A  name  famous  from  Jason's  romantic  expedition,  but  absurdly 
quoted  as  tbe  first  ship,  for  the  fleets  of  Danaus  and  Minos  are 
mentioned  long  before,  and  the  Argo  herself  was  chased  bj  a  squad- 
ron under  ^etes. 

ARGO  NAVIS.  The  southern  constellation  of  the  Ship,  containing 
9  clusters,  3  nebuke,  13  double  and  540  single  stars,  of  which  about 
64  are  easily  visible.  As  most  of  these  were  invisible  to  the  Greeks, 
the  name  was  probably  given  by  the  Egyptians. 

ARGOL.  The  tartaric  acid  or  lees  adhering  to  the  sides  of  wine-casks, 
particularly  of  port-wine;  an  article  of  commerce;  supertartrate  of 
potass. 

ARGOLET.     A  light  horseman  of  the  middle  ages. 

ARGONAUT  A.  The  paper-nautilus.  The  sail  which  it  was  supposed 
to  spread  to  catch  the  wind,  is  merely  a  modified  arm  which  invests 
the  outer  surface  of  the  shell. 

ARGONAUTS.  A  company  of  forty-four  heroes  who  sailed  in  th« 
Argo  to  obtain  the  golden  fleece;  an  expedition  which  fixes  one  of  the 
most  memorable  epochs  in  history.  Also  a  Geographical  Society  in- 
stituted at  Venice,  to  whom  we  owe  the  publication  of  all  the  charts, 
maps,  and  directories  of  Coronelli. 

ARGOSY.  A  merchant  ship  or  carrack  of  burden,  principally  of  the 
Levant;  the  name  is  by  some  derived  from  Ragusa,  but  by  others 
with  more  probability  from  the  Argo,  Shakspeare  mentions  "argosies 
with  portly  saiL"  Those  of  the  Frescobaldi  were  the  richest  and  most 
adventurous  of  those  times. 

ARGOZIN,  OR  Abgkesyk.  The  person  whose  office  it  was  to  attend 
to  the  shackles  of  the  galley-slaves,  over  whom  he  had  especial  charge. 

ARGUMENT.  An  astronomical  quantity  upon  which  an  equation 
depends,— or  any  known  number  by  which  an  unknown  one  propor- 
tional to  the  first  may  be  found. 

ARGUMENT  OF  LATITUDE.  The  distance  of  a  celestial  body 
from  one  of  the  nodes  of  its  orbit,  upon  which  the  latitude  depends. 

ARIES.  The  most  important  point  of  departure  in  astronomy.  A 
northern  constellation  forming  the  first  of  the  twelve  signs  of  the  zodiac, 
into  which  the  sun  enters  about  the  20th  of  MarcL  With  Musca^ 
Aries  contains  22  nebulse,  8  double  and  148  single  stars,  but  not  above 
50  are  visible  to  the  unassisted  eye.  The  commencement  of  this  sign, 
called  the  first  point  of  Aries,  is  the  origin  from  which  the  right  ascen- 
sions of  the  heavenly  bodies  are  reckoned  upon  the  equator,  and  their 
longitudes  upon  the  ecliptic. 
ARIS.  Sharp  corner  of  stones  in  piers  and  docks. 
ARIS  PIECES.    Those  parts  of  a  made  mast  which  are  under  the  hoops. 


5  2  AEITHMETIO ARMING 

ABITHMETIC.  The  art  of  computation  by  numbers;  or  that  branch 
Tehich  considers  their  powers  and  properties. 

ARK.  The  sacred  and  capacious  vessel  built  bj  Noah  for  preservation 
against  the  flood.  It  was  300  cubits  in  length,  50  in  breadth,  and 
30  in  height;  and  of  whatever  materials  it  was  constructed,  it  was 
pitched  over  or  pay'd  with  bitumen.  Ark  ia  also  the  name  of  a 
mare*s-tail  cloud,  or  cirrhus,  when  it  forms  a  streak  across  the  sky. 

ARLOUP.     An  archaism  for  the  deck,  now  called  orlop  (which  see). 

ARM.  A  deep  and  comparatively  narrow  inlet  of  the  sea.  That  part 
of  an  anchor  on  which  the  palm  is  shut  The  extremity  of  the  bibbs 
which  support  the  tressel-trees.  Each  extremity  or  end  of  a  yard, 
beam,  or  bracket. — To  arm,  to  fit^  fiimish,  and  provide  for  war;  to 
cap  and  set  a  loadstone;  to  apply  putty  or  tallow  to  the  lower  end 
of  the  lead  previous  to  sounding,  in  order  to  draw  up  a  specimen  of 
the  bottom. — To  arm  a  shot,  is  to  roll  rope-yams  about  a  cross-bar 
shot,  in  order  to  facilitate  ramming  it  home,  and  also  to  prevent  the 
ends  catching  any  accidental  inequalities  in  the  bore. 

ARMADA.  A  Spanish  term  signifying  a  royal  fleet;  it  comes  from 
the  same  root  as  army.     The  word  armada  is  used  by  Shakspeare. 

ARMADILLA.  A  squadron  of  guarda-costas,  which  formerly  cruized 
on  the  coasts  of  South  America,  to  prevent  smuggling. 

ARMADOR.     A  Spanish  privateer. 

ARMAMENT.  A  naval  or  military  force  equipped  for  an  expedition. 
The  arming  of  a  vessel  or  place. 

ARM  AMENTA.  The  rigging  and  tackling  of  an  ancient  ship.  It  in- 
cluded shipmen  and  all  the  necessary  furniture  of  war. 

ARMAT^  Ancient  ships  fitted  with  sails  and  oars,  but  which  fought 
under  the  latter  only. 

ARM-CHEST.  A  portable  locker  on  the  upper  deck  or  tops  for  hold- 
ing arms,  and  aflbrding  a  ready  supply  of  cutlasses,  pistols,  muskets  or 
other  weapons. 

ARMED.  Completely  equipped  for  war. — Armed  at  all  poiiits,  covered 
with  armour. — Arm>ed  "en  fi\Ue^^  see  Flute. — Armed  mast,  made  of 
more  than  one  tree. — Armed  ship,  a  vessel  fitted  out  by  merchants  to 
annoy  the  enemy,  and  furnished  with  letters  of  marque,  and  bearing 
a  commission  from  the  Admiralty  to  carry  on  warlike  proceedings. 

ARMED   STEM.     See  Beak. 

ARMILL  ARY  SPHERK  An  instrument  composed  of  various  circles, 
to  assist  the  student  in  gaining  a  knowledge  of  the  arrangement 
and  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies.  A  brass  armiUa  tolomcei  was 
one  of  the  instruments  supplied  to  Martin  Frobisher  in  1576,  price 
£4,  68.  Sd. 

ARMING.     A  piece  of  tallow  placed  in  the  cavity  and  over  the  bottom 


ARMINGS ARMSTRONG  53 

of  a  sounding  lead,  to  whicli  any  objects  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea 
become  attached,  and  are  brought  with  the  lead  to  the  surface. 

ARMINGS.  Red  dress  cloths  which  were  fonnerly  hung  fore  and  aft, 
outside  the  upper  works  on  holidays;  still  used  by  foreigners.  (See 
Top-ARHIKQS.)     It  was  also  the  name  of  a  kind  of  boarding-net 

ARMIPOTENT.     Powerful  in  war. 

ARMISTICE.  A  cessation  of  arms  for  a  given  time;  a  short  truce  for 
the  suspension  of  hostilities. 

ARMLET.  A  narrow  inlet  of  the  sea;  a  smaller  branch  than  the 
arm.  Also  the  name  of  a  piece  of  armour  for  the  arm,  to  protect  it 
from  the  jar  of  the  bow-string. 

ARMOGAN.  An  old  term  for  good  opportunity  or  season  for  naviga- 
tion, which,  if  neglected,  was  liable  to  costa  of  demurrage.  It  is  a 
Mediterranean  word  for  fine  weather. 

ARMORIC.  The  language  of  Brittany,  Cornwall,  and  Wale*:  the  word 
in  its  original  signification  meant  maritime, 

ARMOUR.  A  defensive  habit  to  protect  the  wearer  from  his  enemy; 
also  defensive  arms.     In  old  statutes  this  is  frequently  called  harness. 

ARMOUR-CLAD.  A  ship  of  war  fitted  with  iron  plates  on  the  out- 
side to  render  her  shot-proof 

ARMOURER.  In  a  man-of-war,  is  a  person  appoint-ed  by  warrant  to 
keep  the  small  arms  in  complete  condition  for  service.  As  he  is  also 
the  ship's  blacksmith,  a  mate  is  allowed  to  assist  at  the  forge. 

ARMOURY.     A  place  appropriated  for  the  keeping  of  small  arms. 

ARM-RACK.  A  frame  or  fitting  for  the  stowage  of  arms  (usually 
vertical)  out  of  harm's  way,  but  in  readiness  for  immediate  use.  In 
the  conveyance  of  troops  by  sea  arm-racks  form  a  part  of  the  proper 
accommodation. 

ARMS.  The  munitions  of  war, — all  kinds  of  weapons  whether  for 
offence  or  defence.  Those  in  a  ship  are  cannons,  carronades,  mortars, 
howitzers,  muskets,  pistols,  tomahawks,  cutlasses,  bayonets,  and  board- 
iog-pikes. 

ARMS  OP  A  GREAT  GuiT.     The  trunnions. 

ARMSTRONG  GUN.  Invented  by  Sir  William  Armstrong.  In  its 
most  familiar  form,  a  rifled  breech-loading  gun  of  wrought  iron,  con- 
structed principally  of  spirally  coiled  bars,  and  occasionally  having  an 
inner  tube  or  core  of  steel;  ranging  in  size  from  the  smallest  field- 
piece  up  to  the  100  pounder;  rifled  with  numerous  shallow  grooves, 
-which  are  taken  by  the  expansion  of  the  leaden  coating  of  its  pro- 
jectila  Late  experiments  however,  connected  with  iron-plated  ships 
are  developing  muzzle-loading  Armstrong  guns,  constructed  on  some- 
what similar  principles,  but  with  simpler  rifling,  ranging  in  size  up  to 
the  600  pounder  weighing  23  tons. 


5i  AKMY ARROW 

ARMY.  A  large  body  of  disciplined  men,  with  appropriate  sub- 
divisions, commanded  bj  a  generaL  A  fleet  is  sometimes  called  a 
naval  army. — Flying  army,  a  small  body  sent  to  harass  a  country, 
intercept  convoys,  and  alarm  the  enemy. 

AKMYE.     A  early  term  for  a  naval  armament 

ARNOT,     A  northern  name  for  the  shrimp. 

ARONDEL.  A  light  and  swift  tartan:  probably  a  corruption  of 
hirondeUe  (swallow). 

ARPENT.  A  French  measure  of  land,  equal  to  100  square  rods  or 
perches,  each  of  18  feet.     It  is  about  Hh  less  than  the  English  acre. 

ARQTJEBUSS.  A  word  sometimes  used  for  carbine,  but  formerly  meant 
a  garrison-piece,  carrying  a  ball  of  3^  ounces;  it  was  generally  placed 
in  loop-holes.     {See  Hagbut.) 

ARRACK.  An  Indian  term  for  all  ardent  liquors,  but  that  which  we 
designate  thus  is  obtained  by  the  fermentation  of  toddy  (a  juice  pro- 
cured from  palm-trees),  of  rice,  and  of  sugar.  In  Turkey  arrack  is 
extracted  from  vine-stalks  taken  out  of  wine-presses. 

ARRAIER.  The  officer  who  formerly  had  the  care  of  the  men's  armour, 
and  whose  business  it  was  to  see  them  duly  accoutred. 

ARRAY.  The  order  of  battle. — To  array.  To  equip,  dress,  or  arm 
for  battle. 

ARREARS.  The  difference  between  the  full  pay  of  a  commissioned 
officer,  and  what  he  is  empowered  to  draw  for  till  his  accounts  are 
passed. 

ARREST.  The  suspension  of  an  officer's  duty,  and  restraint  of  his 
person,  previous  to  trying  him  by  a  court  martial.  Seamen  in  her 
Majesty  service  cannot  be  arrested  for  debts  under  twenty  pounds,  and 
that  contracted  before  they  entered  the  navy.  Yet  it  is  held  in  law, 
that  this  affords  no  exemption  from  arrests  either  in  civil  or  criminal 
suits. 

ARRIBA  [Sp.  pronounced  arriva\  Aloft,  quickly. — Agir  centre 
son  grCy  montar  arriba,  to  mount  aloft^  which  has  passed  into  seamen's 
lingo  as  areevo,  up,  aloft,  quickly: — amount  areevo,  or  go  on  deck. 

ARRIBAR,  To.     To  land,  to  attain  the  bank,  to  arrive. 

ARRIVE,  To.     In  the  most  nautical  sense,  is  to  come  to  any  place  by 

water,  to  reach  the  shore. 
ARROBA  A  Portuguese  commercial  weight  of  32  lbs.  Also,  a 
Spanish  general  wine  measure  of  4^  English  gallons.  The  lesser 
arroba,  used  for  oil,  is  only  3  J  English  gallons.  A  Spanish  weight  of 
25  lbs.  avoii*du{)ois;  one-fourth  of  a  quintal.  Also,  a  rough  country 
cart  in  Southern  Russia. 
ARROW.  A  missive  weapon  of  offence,  and  whether  ancient  or 
modem,  in  the  rudest  form  among  savages  or  refined  by  art,  is  always 


ARROW ARTILLERY  65 

a  sleDcler  stick,  armed  at  one  end,  and  occasionally  feathered  at  the 
other.     The  natives  of  Tropical  AMca  feather  the  metal  barb. 

ARROW.  In  fortification,  a  work  placed  at  the  salient  angles  of  the 
glacis,  communicating  with  the  covert  way. — Broad  arrow.  The 
royal  mark  for  stores  of  every  kind.     (See  Broad  Arrow.) 

ARSENAL.  A  repository  of  the  munitions  of  war.  Some  combine 
both  magazines  of  naval  and  military  stores,  and  docks  for  the  con- 
struction and  repair  of  ships. 

ARSHEEN.  A  Russian  measure  of  2  feet  4  in. =2*333— also  Chinese, 
four  of  which  make  3  yards  English. 

ART.  A  spelling  of  airt  (which  see).  Also,  practice  as  distinguished 
from  theory. 

ARTEMON.     The  mainsail  of  ancient  ships. 

ARTHUR.  A  well-known  sea  game,  alluded  to  by  Grose,  Smollet,  and 
other  writers. 

ARTICLES.  The  express  stipulations  to  which  seamen  bind  them- 
selves by  signature,  on  joining  a  merchant  ship. 

ARTICLES  OF  WAR.  A  code  of  rules  and  orders  based  on  the  act 
of  parliament  for  the  regulation  and  government  of  her  Majesty's 
ships,  vessels,  and  forces  by  sea:  and  as  they  are  frequently  read  to  all 
hands,  no  individual  can  plead  ignorance  of  them.  It  is  now  termed 
the  New  Naval  Code. — The  a/rtidea  ofwwr  for  the  land  forces  have  a 
similar  foundation  and  relation  to  their  service;  the  act  in  this  case,  how- 
ever, is  passed  annually,  the  army  itself  having,  in  law,  no  more  than 
one  year's  permanence  unless  so  periodically  renewed  by  act  of 
parliament. 

ARTIFICER.  One  who  works  by  hand  in  wood  or  metal;  generally 
termed  an  idler  on  hoard,  from  his  not  keeping  night-watch,  and  only 
appearing  on  deck  duty  when  the  hands  are  turned  up. 

ARTIFICIAL  EYE.  An  eye  worked  in  the  end  of  rope,  which  is 
neater  but  not  so  strong  as  a  spliced  eye. 

ARTIFICIAL  HORIZON.  An  artificial  means  of  catching  the 
altitude  of  a  celestial  body  when  the  sea  horizon  is  obscured  by  fog, 
darkness,  or  the  intervention,  of  land;  a  simple  one  is  still  the  greatest 
desideratum  of  navigators.  Also  a  trough  filled  with  pure  mercury, 
used  on  land,  wherein* the  double  altitude  of  a  celestial  body  is 
reflected. 

ARTIFICIAL  LINES.  The  ingenious  contrivances  for  representing 
logarithmic  sines  and  tangents,  so  useful  in  navigation,  on  a  scale. 

ARTILLERY  was  formerly  synonymous  with  archery,  but  now  com- 
prehends every  description  of  ordnance,  guns,  mortars,  fire-arms,  and 
all  their  appurtenances.  The  term  is  also  applied  to  the  noble  corps 
destined  to  that  service:  as  also  to  the  theory  and  practice  of  the 


56  ARTILLERY ASIENTO 

science  of  projectiles:  it  was  moreover  given  to  all  kinds  of  missile 
weapons,  and  the  translators  of  the  Bible  make  Jonathan  give  his 
"artillery  unto  his  lad."   . 

ARTILLERY,  ROYAL  MARINR  Formerly  a  select  branch  of 
the  R.  MarineSy  specially  instructed  in  gunneiy  and  the  care  of 
artilleiy  stores;  assigned  in  due  proportion  to  all  ships  of  war.  It  is 
now  separate  from  the  other  branch  (to  whose  original  title  the 
denomination  of  Light  Infantry  has  been  added)^  and  rests  on  its  own 
official  basis;  its  relation  to  ships  of  war,  however,  remaining  the  same 
as  before^  although  while  on  shore  the  Rojal  Marine  forces  are 
regulated  by  an  annual  act  of  parliament.  (See  Royal  Marine 
Artillery.) 

ARTIST.  A  name  formerly  applied  to  those  mariners  who  were  also 
expert  navigators. 

ARTIZAN.     A  mechanic  or  operative  workman.     (See  Artificer.) 

ARX.     A  fort  or  castle  for  the  defence  of  a  place. 

ASCENDANT.     The  part  of  the  ecliptic  above  the  horizon. 

ASCENDING  NODE.    ^e«  Node. 

ASCENDING  SIGNS.  Those  in  which  the  sun  appears  to  ascend 
towards  the  north  pole,  or  in  which  his  motion  in  declination  is 
towards  the  north. 

ASCENSION.     The  act  of  mounting  or  rising  upwards.     (See  Right 

ASCENSIOK.) 

ASCENSIONAL  DIFFERENCR     The  equinoctial  arc  intercepted 

between  the  right  and  Mique  ascensions  (which  see). 
ASCENSION  OBLIQUR    See  Oblique  Ascension. 
ASCENSION  RIGHT.     See  Right  Ascension. 
ASCII.     The  inhabitants  of  the  torrid  zone,  who  twice  a  year,  being 

under  a  vertical  sun,  have  no  shadow. 
AS  DEAF  AS  THE  MAINMAST.      Said  of  one  who  does  not 

i^adily  catch  an  onler  given.     Thus  at  sea  the  mainmast  is  synonymous 

with  the  door-post  on  shore. 
ASHES.    See  Windward. 
ASHLAR.     Blocks  of  stone  masoniy  fronting  docks,  piers,  and  other 

erections;  this  term  is  applied  to  common  or  free-stone  as  they  come 

of  various  lengths,  breadths,  and  thicknesses  from  the  quarry. 
ASHORE.     Aground,  on  land. — To  go  ashore^  to  disembark  from  a 

boat     Opposed  to  aboard. 
ASH-PIT.     A  receptacle  for  ashes  before  the  fire-bars  in  a  steamer,  or 

under  them  in  most  fire-places. 
ASIENTO   [Sp.]  A   sitting,   contract,   or  convention;    such   as  that 

between  Spain  and  other  powers  in  relation  to  the  supply  of  stores  for 

South  America* 


ASK A-STAY  57 

ASK,  OR  AsKEB.     A  name  of  the  water-newt 

ASKEW.     Awry,  crooked,  oblique. 

ASLANT.     Formed  or  placed  in  an  oblique  line,  as  with  dagger-knees, 

<kc. — To  sail  aslanty  turning  to  windward 
ASLEEP.      The  sail  filled  with  wind  just  enough   for  swelling  or 

belljring  out, — as  contrasted  with  its  flapping. 
ASPECT.     The  looming  of  the  land  from  sesrward. 
ASPER.     A  minute  Turkish  coin  in  accounts,  of  which  three  go  to  a 

para. 
ASPIC.     An  ancient  12-pounder  piece  of  ordnance,  about  11  feet  long. 
ASPIRANT   DE  MARINR     Midshipman  in  the  French  navy. 
ASPORTATION.     The  carrying  of  a  vessel  or  goods  illegally. 
ASSAIL,  To.     To  attack,  leap  upon,  board,  &c 
ASSAULT.     A  hostUe  attack.     The  effort  to  storm  a  place,  and  gain 

possession  of  a  post  by  main  forca 
ASSEGAI.     The  spear  used  by  the  Kaffirs  in  South  Africa;   it  is 

frequently  feather-bent  to  revolve  in  its  flight 
ASSEGUAY.     The  knife-dagger  used  in  the  Levant 
ASSEMBLY.     That  long  roll  beat  of  the  drum  by  which  soldiei-s,  or 

armed  parties,  are  ordered  to  repair  to  their  stations.     It  is  sometimes 

called  the /aU-in, 
ASSES'-BRTDGE.     The  well-known  name  of  prop.  5,  b.  i.  of  Euclid, 

the  difficulty  of  which  makes  many  give  in. 
ASSIEGE,  To.     To  besiege,  to  invest  or  beset  with  an  armed  force. 
ASSIGNABLE.     Any  finite  geometrical  ratio,  or  magnitude  that  can 

be  marked  out  or  denoted. 
ASSILAG.     The  name  given  in  the  Hebrides  to  a  small  sea-bird  with 

a  black  bill.     The  stormy  petrel. 
ASSISTANCE.     Aid  or  help:  strongly  enjoined  to  be  given  whenever 

a  signal  is  made  requiring  it. 
ASSISTANT-SURGEON.     The  designation  given  some  years  ago  to 

those  formerly  called  ''surgeon's  mates,"  and  considered  a  boon  by  the 

corps. 
ASSORTMENT.     The  arrangement  of  goods,  tools,  Ac,  in  a  serie& 
ASSURANCR     (See  Mabine  Inbuhance.)     Conveyance  or  deed:   in 

which  light  Shakspeare  makes  Tranio  say  that  his  father  will  ''pass 

assurance." 
ASSURGENT.     A  heraldic  term  for  a  man  or  beast  rising  out  of  the 

sea. 
ASSUROR.     He  who  makes  out  the  poL'cy  of  assurance  for  a  ship:  he 

is  not  answerable  for  the  neglect  of  the  master  or  seamen. 
A-STARBOARD.     The  opposite  to  a-port 
A-STAY.     Said  of  the  anchor  when,  in  heaving  in,  the  cable  forms 


58  ASTELLABBE ASTBONOMT 

snch  an  angle  with  the  sur&ce  as  to  appear  in  a  line  with  the  stays  of 
the  ship. — A  long  stay  apeek  is  when  the  cable  forms  an  acute  angle 
with  the  water's  surface,  or  coincides  with  the  main-stay — short  stay 
when  it  coincides  with  the  forestay. 

ASTELLABEK     The  same  as  astrolahe, 

ASTERIA,    See  Sea-stab.  • 

ASTERISM.     Synonymous  with  consteUatwn,  a  group  of  stars. 

ASTERN.  Any  distance  behind  a  vessel;  in  the  after-part  of  the 
ship;  in  the  direction  of  the  stem,  and  therefore  the  opposite  of 
ahead, — To  drop  asterrij  is  to  be  left  behind, — when  abaft  a  right 
angle  to  the  keel  at  the  mainmast^  she  drops  astern. 

ASTEROIDS.  The  name  by  which  the  minor  planets  between  the 
orbits  of  Jupiter  and  Mars  were  proposed  to  be  distinguished  by  Sir 
W.  HerscheL  They  are  very  small  bodies,  which  have  all  been  dis- 
covered since  the  commencement  of  the  present  centmy;  yet  their 
present  number  is  over  eighty. 

ASTRAGAL.  A  moulding  formerly  round  a  cannon,  at  a  little  dis- 
tance from  its  breech,  the  casca^bel,  and  another  near  the  muzzle.  It 
is  a  half  round  on  a  flat  moulding. 

ASTRAL.     Sidereal,  relating  to  the  stars. 

ASTROLABE.  An  armillary  sphere. — Sea-astrolabe,  a  useful  graduated 
brass  ring,  with  a  movable  index,  for  taking  the  altitude  of  stars  and 
planets:  it  derived  its  name  from  the  armillary  sphere  of  Hipparchus, 
at  Alexandria. 

ASTROMETRY.  The  numerical  expression  of  the  apparent  magnitudes 
of  the  so-called  fixed  stars. 

ASTRON  OMICAL  CLOCK,  A  capital  bit  of  horology,  the  pendulum 
of  which  is  usually  compensated  to  sidereal  time^  for  astronomical 
purposes.     {See  Sidereal  Tike.) 

ASTRONOMICAL  HOURS.  Those  which  are  reckoned  from  noon 
or  midnight  of  one  natural  day,  to  noon  or  midnight  of  another. 

ASTRONOMICAL  OBSERVATIONS.  There  have  been  occasional 
slight  records  of  celestial  phenomena  from  the  remotest  times,  but  the 
most  useful  ones  are  those  collected  and  preserved  by  Ptolemy.  Since 
1672,  science  has  been  enriched  with  a  continued  series  of  astronomical 
observations  of  accuracy  and  value  never  dreamed  of  by  the  ancients. 

ASTRONOMICAL  PLACE  OF  A  STAR  OR  PLANET.  Its 
longitude  or  place  in  the  ecliptic,  reckoned  from  the  first  point  of 
Aries,  according  to  the  natural  order  of  the  signs. 

ASTRONOMICAL  TABLES.  Tables  for  faciUtating  the  calculation 
of  the  apparent  places  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  planets. 

ASTRONOMICALS.     The  sexagesimal  fractions. 

ASTRONOMY.     The  splendid  department  of  the  mixed  sciences  which 


ASTROSCOPIA ATLANTEDBS  59 

teaches  the  laws  and  phenomena  of  the  universal  system.  It  is 
practical  when  it  treats  of  the  magnitudes,  periods^  and  distances  of 
the  heavenly  bodies;  and  physical  when  it  investigates  the  causes.  In 
the  first  division  the  more  useful  adaptation  naittical  is  included 
(which  see). 

ASTROSCOPIA.  Skill  in  examining  the  nature  and  properties  of 
stars  with  a  telescope. 

ASTBUM,  OR  AsTRON.  Sirius,  or  the  Dog-star.  Sometimes  applied 
to  a  cluster  of  stars. 

ASWIM.     Afloat^  borne  on  the  waters. 

ASYLUM.  A  sanctuary  or  refuge;  a  name  given  to  a  benevolent 
institution  at  Greenwich,  for  800  boys  and  200  girls,  orphans  of 
seamen  and  marines.  The  Royal  Military  Asylum  is  also  an  excellent 
establishment  of  a  similar  nature  at  Chelsea,  besides  numerous  others. 

ASYMMETRY.     A  mathematical  disproportion.     The  relation  of  two  . 
quantities  which  have  no  measure  in  common. 

ASYMPTOTES.  Lines  which  continually  approximate  each  other,  but 
can  never  meet. 

ATABAL.     A  Moorish  kettle-drum. 

ATAGAN.     See  Yatagan. 

AT  ANCHOR.  The  situation  of  a  vessel  riding  in  a  road  or  port  by 
her  anchor. 

ATAR.  A  perfume  of  commerce,  well  known  as  atar-of-roses;  atar  being 
the  Arabic  word  for  fragrance,  corrupted  into  otto, 

A'TAUNTO,  OR  All-a-Taunt-o.     Every  mast  an-end  and  fully  rigged. 

ATEGAR.  The  old  English  hand-dart,  named  from  the  Saxon  aeton 
to  fling,  and  gar,  a  weapon. 

ATHERINE.  A  silvery  fish  used  in  the  manufacture  of  artificial  pearls; 
it  is  4  or  5  inches  long,  inhabits  various  seas,  but  is  taken  in  great 
numbers  in  the  Mediterranean.     It  is  also  called  argentine, 

ATHILLEDA.     The  rule  and  sights  of  an  astrolabe. 

ATHWART.  The  transverse  direction;  anything  extending  or  across 
the  line  of  a  ship's  course, — Athwart  hawse,  a  vessel,  boat,  or  floating 
lumber  accidentally  drifted  across  the  stem  of  a  ship,  the  transverse 
position  of  the  drift  being  understood. — Athwart  the  forefoot,  just  be- 
fore the  stem;  ships  fire  a  shot  in  this  direction  to  arrest  a  stranger, 
and  make  her  bring-to. — Athwart  ships,  in  the  direction  of  the  beam; 
from  side  to  side:  in  opposition  io  fore-and-aft, 

ATHWART  THE  TIDK    See  Across  the  Tide. 

ATLANTIC.  The  sea  which  separates  Europe  and  Africa  from  the 
Americas,  so  named  from  the  elevated  range  called  the  Atlas  Moun- 
tains in  Marocco. 

ATLANTIDES.     The  daughters  of  Atlas;  a  name  of  the  Pleiades. 


60  ATLAS ATTILE 

ATLAS.  A  Inrge  book  of  maps  or  charts;  so  called  fipom  the  character 
of  that  name  in  ancient  mythology,  son  of  Uranus,  and  represented 
as  bearing  the  world  on  his  back.    Also  the  Indian  satin  of  oommerca 

ATMOSPHERE.  The  ambient  air,  or  thin  elastic  fluid  which  sur- 
rounds the  globe,  and  gradually  diminishing  in  gravity  rises  to  an 
xmknown  height,  yet  by  gravitation  partakes  of  all  its  motions. 

ATMOSPHERIC  or  SiNGLE-AcrriON  Steam-engine.  A  condensing 
machine,  in  which  the  downward  stroke  of  the  piston  is  performed  by 
the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  acting  against  a  vacuum. 

ATMOSPHERICAL  TIDES.  The  motions  generated  by  the  joint  in- 
fluence  of  the  sun  and  moon;  and  by  the  rotatory  and  orbital  course 
of  the  earth, — as  developed  in  trade-winds,  equinoctial  gales,  &c. 

ATOLLS.  An  Indian  name  for  those  singular  coral  formations  known 
as  lagoon-islands,  such  as  the  Maldive  cluster,  those  in  the  Pacific, 
and  in  other  parts  within  the  tropics,  where  the  apparently  insignifi- 
cant reef-building  zoophytes  reside. 

ATRIK     To  bring  the  ship  to  in  a  gale. 

A-TRIP.  The  anchor  is  a-trip,  or  a- weigh,  when  the  purchase  has  jxist 
made  it  break  ground,  or  raised  it  clear.  Sails  are  a-trip  when  they 
are  hoisted  from  the  cap,  sheeted  home,  and  ready  for  trimming. 
Yards  are  a-trip  when  swayed  up,  ready  to  have  the  stops  cut  for  cross- 
ing: so  an  upper-mast  is  said  to  be  a-trip,  when  the  fid  is  loosened  pre- 
paratory to  lowering  it. 

ATTACHED.  Belongs  to;  in  miHtary  parlance  an  officer  or  soldier  is 
attached  to  any  regiment  or  company  with  which  he  is  ordered  to  do 
duty. 

ATTACK.  A  general  assault  or  onset  upon  an  enemy.  Also  the 
arrangement  for  investment  or  battle.     (See  Pause  Attack.) 

ATTEMPT,  To.  To  endeavour  to  carry  a  vessel  or  place  by  surprise; 
to  venture  at  some  risk,  as  in  trying  a  new  channel,  &c. 

ATTENDANT  MASTER.  A  dock-yard  official  {See  Master  Atten- 
dant.) 

ATTENTION.  A  military  word  of  command,  calling  the  soldier  from 
the  quiescent  position  of  "at  ease"  into  readiness  for  any  exercise  or 
evolution.  Also  the  erect  posture  due  to  that  word  of  command,  and 
which  is  assumed  by  a  private  soldier  in  the  presence  of  an  officer. 
The  attending  to  signals. 

ATTERR AGK  The  land-fall,  or  making  the  knd.  Usually  marked  on 
French  charts  and  plans  to  show  the  landing-place. 

ATTESTATION.  In  Admiralty  courts  the  attestation  of  a  deed  signi- 
fies the  testifying  to  the  signing  or  execution  of  it. 

ATTESTED.     Legally  certified;  proved  by  evidence. 

ATTILE.     An  old  law  term  for  the  rigging  or  furniture  of  a  ship. 


ATTORNEY AUNE  6 1 

ATTORNEY.    See  Sea-attornet. 

ATTRACTION.  The  power  of  drawing,  or  the  principle  by  which  all 
bodies  mutually  tend  towards  each  other;  the  great  agent  in  nature^s 
wonderful  operations. — Attraction  of  mountains,  the  deviating  influ- 
ence exercised  on  the  plumb-line  by  the  vicinity  of  high  land.  But  ex- 
erting also  a  mai*vellous  effect  on  all  floating  bodies,  for  every  seaman 
knows  {hat  a  ship  stands  inshore  &ster  than  she  stands  out,  the  dis- 
tances being  similar. 

ATWEEN,  OR  Atwixt.  Betwixt  or  between,  shortened  into  Hween, 
that  is,  in  the  intermediate  space.  The  word  Hween  decks  is  usually 
applied  to  the  lower  deck  of  a  frigate,  and  orlop  to  that  of  a  line-of- 
battle  ship. 

ATJBERK,  OK  Hauberk.  One  who  held  land  to  be  ready  with  a  coat 
of  mail  and  attend  his  lord  when  called  upon  so  to  do.     Thus  the  old 

poet: — 

''Aubefk,  sketoun,  and  scheld 
Was  mani  to-broken  in  that  fold." 

AUDIT.     The  final  passing  of  accoimts. 

AUDITORS  OF  THE  IMPREST.  Officers  who  had  the  chai-ge  of 
the  great  accounts  of  the  royal  customs,  naval  and  military  expenses, 
<&c.;  they  are  now  superseded  by  the  commissioners  for  auditing  the 
public  accounts. 

AUGES.     An  astronomical  term,  synonymous  with  apsides. 

AUGET.     A  tube  filled  with  powder  for  firing  a  mine. 

AUGMENTATION  of  the  Moon's  Diameter.  The  increase  of  her 
apparent  diameter  occasioned  by  an  increase  of  altitude:  or  that  which 
is  due  to  the  diflbrence  between  her  distance  from  the  observer  and 
the  centre  of  the  earth. 

AUGRE,  OR  Auqer.  A  wimble,  or  instrument  for  boring  holes  for 
bolts,  tree-nails,  and  other  purposes. 

AUK,  OR  AwK.  A  sea-bird  with  short  wings.  The  great  auk  or 
gair-fowl  {Alca  impennis)  was  formerly  common  on  all  the  northern 
coasts,  where  they  laid  their  eggs,  ingeniously  poised,  on  the  bare  rocks. 
They  were  very  good  eating,  and  having  been  taken  in  great  numbers 
by  the  Esquimaiix,  and  by  European  sailors  on  whaling  voyages,  the 
species  is  now  supposed  to  be  exterminated. 

AULIN.  An  arctic  guU  {Cataractes  parasiticus),  given  to  make  other 
sea-birds  mute  through  fear,  and  then  eat  their  discharge — whence  it 
is  termed  dirti/  a/uUn  by  the  northern  boatmen. 

AUMBREY.     An  old  north-country  term  for  a  bread  and  cheese  locker. 

AUNE.  Contraction  of  ulna.  French  cloth  measure:  at  Rouen  it  is 
equal  to  the  English  ell — ^at  Paris  0*95 — at  Calais  1  '52  of  that  mea- 
sure. 


62  AURIGA AVAST 

AURIGA.  A  northern  constellation,  and  one  of  the  old  48  asterisms; 
it  is  popularly  known  as  the  Waggoner :  a  Auriga,  Capella. 

AURORA.  The  faint  light  which  precedes  sonrising.  Also  the  mytho- 
logical mother  of  the  winds  and  stars. 

AURORA  AUSTRALIS  or  Borealis.  The  extraordinary  and  lumi- 
nous meteoric  phenomenon  which  by  its  streaming  effulgence  cheers 
the  dreaiy  nights  of  polar  regions.  It  is  singular  that  these  beautiful 
appearances  are  nowhere  mentioned  by  the  ancients.  They  seem  to 
be  governed  by  electricity,  are  most  frequent  in  frosty  weather,  and 
are  proved  to  be  many  miles  above  the  surface  of  the  earth,  from  some 
of  them  being  visible  over  30*"  of  longitude  and  20°  of  latitude  at  the 
same  instant  I  In  colour  they  vary  from  yellow  to  deep  red;  in  form 
they  are  Proteujhlike,  assuming  that  of  streamers,  columns,  fans,  or 
arches,  with  a  quick  flitting,  and  sometimes  whimng  noises.  The 
aurora  is  not  vivid  above  the  76th  d^ree  of  north  latitude,  and  is 
seldom  seen  before  the  end  of  August.  Cook  was  the  first  navigator 
who  recorded  the  southern  lights. 

AUSTER.  The  south  wind  of  the  ancients,  gusts  from  which  quarter 
are  called  atUan, 

AUSTRAL.  Relating  to  the  south.^ — Austral  signs,  those  on  the  south 
side  of  the  equator,  or  the  last  six  of  the  zodiac. 

AUTHORITY.     The  legal  power  or  right  of  commanding. 

AUTOMIC  BLOW-OFF  APPARATUS.     See  Blowing-off. 

AUTUMNAL  EQUINOX.  The  time  when  the  sun  crosses  the 
equator,  under  a  southerly  motion,  and  the  days  and  nights  are  then 
everywhere  equal  in  length.     (See  Libra.) 

AUTUMNAL  POINT.  That  part  of  the  ecliptic  whence  the  sun  de- 
scends southward. 

AUTUMNAL  SIGNS.     libra,  Scorpio,  and  Sagittarius. 

AUXILIARIES.  Confederates,  an  assisting  body  of  allies;  or,  physically 
speaking,  vessels  using  steam  as  an  auxiliary  to  wind. 

AUXILIARY  SCREW.  A  vessel  in  which  the  screw  is  used  as  an 
auxiliary  force.  Such  a  vessel  is  usually  fully  masted  for  sailing  pur- 
poses. 

AVANI A  The  fine  or  imposition  imposed  on  Christians  residing  under 
Turkish  governors,  when  they  break  the  laws. 

AVANT-FOSSR  In  fortification,  an  advanced  ditch  without  the 
counterscarp,  and  stretching  along  the  foot  of  the  glads. 

AY  AST.  The  order  to  stop,  hold,  cease,  or  stay,  in  any  operation:  its 
derivation  from  the  Italian  basta  is  more  plausible  than  have  fast. 

AVAST  HEAVING!  The  cry  to  arrest  the  capstan  when  nippers 
are  jammed,  or  any  other  impediment  occurs  in  heaving  in  the  cable, 
notjinfrequently  when  a  hand,  foot,  or  finger,  is  jammed; — stop! 


AVBNTAILE AWEIGH  gS 

AVENTAILE.     The  movable  part  of  a  helmet. 

AYENUE.     The  inlet  into  a  port. 

AVERAGE.  Whether  general  or  pa/rtictilar,  is  a  term  of  ambiguous 
construction,  meaning  the  damage  incurred  for  the  safety  of  the  ship 
and  cargo;  the  contribution  made  bj  the  owners  in  general,  appor- 
tioned to  their  respective  investments,  to  repair  any  particular  loss 
or  expense  sustained;  and  a  small  duty  paid  to  the  master  for  his  care 
of  the  whole.  Goods  thrown  overboard  for  the  purpose  of  lightening 
the  ship,  are  so  thrown  for  the  good  of  all,  and  the  loss  thus  sustained 
must  be  made  up  by  a  general  average  or  contribution  from  all  the 
parties  interested.     (See  Genebal  Average.) 

AVERAGE-ADJUSTER  A  qualified  person  engaged  in  making  state- 
ments to  show  the  proper  application  of  loss,  damage,  or  expenses  in 
consequence  of  the  accidents  of  a  sea  adventure. 

AVERAGE-AGREEMENT.  A  written  document  signed  by  the  con- 
signees of  a  cargo,  binding  themselves  to  pay  a  certain  proportion  of 
general  average  that  may  from  accident  arise  against  them. 

AVERAGE-STATER.    See  Average-adjuster. 

A  VIST.     A  west  country  term  for  "a  fishing." 

AVVISO.  An  Italian  advice-boat.  [Aviso,  Sp.]  Despatch-boat  or 
tender. 

AW  AFT,  OR  AwHEFT.     The  displaying  of  a  stopped  flag,     (See  Wheit.) 

AWAIT.  Ambush;  cutting  off  vessels  by  means  of  boats  hidden  in 
coves  which  they  must  pass  in  their  coursa 

AWARD.  A  judgment,  in  maritime  cases,  by  arbitration;  and  the 
decision  or  sentence  of  a  court-martial. 

A- WASH.  Ree&  even  with  the  surface.  The  anchor  just  rising  to  the 
water's  edge,  in  heaving  up. 

AWA.Y  ALOFT.     The  order  to  the  men  in  the  rigging  to  start  up. 

AWAY  OFF.     At  a  distance,  but  in  sight 

AWAy  SHE  GOES.  The  order  to  step  out  with  the  tackle  fall  The 
cry  when  a  vessel  starts  on  the  ways  launching;  also  when  a  ship, 
having  stowed  her  anchor,  fills  and  makes  sail 

AWAY  THERK  The  call  for  a  boat's  crew;  as,  ^^away  there!  barge- 
men." 

AWAY  WITH  IT.  The  order  to  walk  along  briskly  with  a  tackle 
fall,  as  catting  the  anchor,  &c. 

AWBLAST.     The  arbalest,  or  cross-bow. 

AWBLASTER.     The  designation  of  a  crossbow-man. 

A-WEATHER.  The  position  of  the  helm  when  its  tiller  is  moved  to 
the  windward  side  of  the  ship,  in  the  direction  from  which  the  wind 
blows.     The  opposite  of  a-Ue. 

AWEIGH.     The  anchor  being  atrip,  or  after  breaking  out  of  the  ground. 


64  AWK AZIMUTH 

AWK.    See  Ara. 

AWKWARD  SQUAD.  A  division  formed  of  those  men  who  are 
backward  in  gaining  dexterity.     {See  Squad.) 

AWL.     A  tool  of  a  carpenter,  sail-maker,  and  cobbler. 

AWME.     A  tierce  of  39  gallons.     A  Dutch  liquid  measure. 

AWNING.  A  cover  or  canvas  canopy  suspended  by  a  crow-foot  and 
spread  over  a  ship,  boat,  or  other  vessel,  to  protect  the  decks  and  crew 
from  the  sun  and  weather.  {See  Euphrje.)  Also  that  part  of  the 
poop-deck  which  is  continued  forward  beyond  the  bulk-head  of  the 
cabin. 

AWNING-ROPES.     The  ridge  and  side  ropes  for  securing  the  awning. 

AXK  A  large  flat  edge-tool,  for  trimming  and  reducing  timber.  Also 
an  Anglo-Saxon  word  for  ashy  which  seamen  still  adhere  to,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  say  why  a  word  should  be  thought  improper  which  has 
descended  from  our  earliest  poets;  it  may  have  become  obsolete,  but 
without  absolutely  being  vulgar  or  incorrect 

AXIOM.  A  self-evident  truth  or  proposition,  that  cannot  be  made 
plainer  by  demonstration. 

AXIS.  The  imaginary  line  upon  which  a  planet  revolves,  the  extremities 
of  which  are  termed  the  poles, — therefore  a  line  joining  the  north  and 
south  poles.  The  real  or  imaginary  line  that  passes  through  the  centre 
of  any  cylindrical  or  spherical  body  on  which  it  may  revolve.  Also  a 
right  line  proceeding  from  the  vertex  of  a  cone  to  the  middle  of  it« 
base.  Also,  an  imaginary  right  line  passing  through  the  middle  of  a 
ship  perpendictdarly  to  its  base,  and  equally  distant  from  its  sides; — 
an  imaginary  line  passing  through  the  centre  of  a  gun's  bore,  parallel 
with  its  position. — Aods  of  a  telescope,    {See  Colukation,  Line  of.) 

AXLE-TREES.  The  two  cross-pieces  of  a  gun-carriage,  fixed  across 
and  under  the  fore  and  hinder  parts  of  the  cheeks.  The  cylindrical 
iron  which  goes  through  the  wheel  of  the  chain-pump,  and  bears  the 
weight  of  it. 

AYE,  AYE,  SIR  A  prompt  reply  on  receiving  an  order.  Also  the 
answer  on  comprehending  an  order.  Aye-aye,  the  answer  to  a  sen- 
tinel's hail,  from  a  boat  which  has  a  commissioned  officer  on  board 
below  the  rank  of  captain.  The  name  of  the  ship  in  reply  from  the 
boat  indicates  the  presence  of  a  captain.  The  word  "flag,"  indicates 
the  presence  of  an  admiraL 

AYLET.     The  sea-swallow. 

AYONT.     Beyond. 

AYR.  An  open  sea-beach,  and  also  a  bank  of  sand.  {See  Aibe.)  The 
mediaeval  term  for' oar. 

AYT.     See  Eyght. 

AZIMUTH.     A  word  borrowed  from  the  Arabic.     The  complement  of 


AZIMUTHAL BACK  g5 

tlie  amplitude,  or  an  arc  between  the  meridian  of  a  place  and  any  given 
vertical  line. 

AZIMUTHAL  ERROR.    See  Meridian  Errob. 

AZIMUTH  CIRCLES.    See  Vertical  Circles. 

AZIMUTH  COMPASS.  A  superior  graduated  compass  for  ascertain- 
ing the  amount  of  magnetic  variation,  by  amplitude  or  azimuth,  when 
the  sun  is  from  8°  to  15°  high,  either  after  its  rising  or  before  its  set- 
ting. {See  Magketic  Azimuth.)  It  is  fitted  with  vertical  sight  vanes 
for  the  purpose  of  observing  objects  elevated  above  the  horizon. 

AZOGUE.     [Sp.]     Quicksilver. 

AZOGUES.     Spanish  ships  fitted  expressly  for  carrying  quicksilver. 

AZUMBRE.     A  Spanish  wine-measure,  eight  of  which  make  an  arroba. 

AZURE     The  deep  blue  colour  of  the  sky,  when  perfectly  cloudless. 


B. 


BAARD.     A  mediaeval  transport. 

BAARE-Y-LANE.     The  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  high-water. 

BAAS.     An  old  terra  for  the  skipper  of  a  Dutch  trader. 

BAB.  The  Arabic  for  mouth  or  gate;  especially  used  by  seamen  for 
the  entrance  of  the  Red  Sea,  Bab-et-^mandeh, 

BABBING.  An  east- country  method  of  catching  crabs',  by  enticing 
them  to  the  surface  of  the  water  with  baited  lines,  and  then  taking 
them  with  a  landing  net. 

BABBLING.  The  sound  made  by  shallow  rivers  flowing  over  stony 
beds. 

BAC.  A  large  flat-bottomed  French  ferry-boat  In  local  names  it 
denotes  a  ferry  or  place  of  boating. 

BACALLAO  [Sp.]  A  name  given  to  Newfoundland  and  its  adjacent 
islands,  whence  the  epithet  is  also  applied  to  the  cod-fish  salted  there. 

BACCHI.  Two  ancient  warlike  macliines;  the  one  resembled  a  batter- 
ing-ram, the  other  cast  out  fire. 

BACIL  To  hack  an  anclior.  To  carry  a  small  anchor  ahead  of  the  one 
by  which  the  ship  rides,  to  pai*take  of  the  strain,  and  check  the  latter 
from  coming  home. — To  hack  a  ship  at  ancfwr.  For  this  purpose  the 
mizen  topsail  is  generally  used;  a  hawser  should  be  kept  ready  to 
wind  her,  and  if  the  wind  falls  she  must  be  hove  apeak. — To  back 
and  JUL     To  get  to  windward  in  very  narrow  channels,  by  a  series  of 

E 


(56  BACK BACK-BOPE 

smart  alternate  boards  and  backing,  irith  weather  tides. — To  back  a  sail. 
To  brace  its  yard  so  that  the  wind  may  blow  directly  on  the  front  of 
the  sail,  and  thus  retard  the  ship's  course.  A  sailing  vessel  is  backed 
by  means  of  the  sails,  a  steamer  by  reversing  the  paddles  or  screw- 
propeller. — To  back  astern.  To  impel  the  water  with  the  oars  contrary 
to  the  usual  mode,  or  towards  the  head  of  the  boat,  so  that  she  shall 
recede. — To  back  the  larboard  or  starboard  oars.  To  back  with  the 
right  or  left  oars  only,  so  as  to  round  suddenly. — To  back  out.  {See 
Back  a  SaiL)  The  term  is  also  familiarly  used  for  retreating  out  of 
a  difficulty. — To  back  a  rope  or  chairiy  is  to  put  on  a  preventer  when 
it  is  thought  likely  to  break  from  age  or  extra  strain. — To  back  toaier. 
To  impel  a  boat  astern,  so  as  to  recede  in  a  direction  opposite  to  the 
former  course. — Backing  the  worming.  The  act  of  passing  small  yam 
in  the  hoU-days,  or  crevices  left  between  the  worming  and  edges  of 
the  rope,  to  prevent  the  admission  of  wet,  or  to  render  all  parts  of  equal 
diameter,  so  that  the  service  may  be  smooth. —  Wind  backing.  The 
wind  is  said  to  back  when  it  changes  contrary  to  its  usual  circuit.  In 
the  northern  hemisphere  on  the  polar  side  of  the  trades,  the  wind 
usually  changes  from  east,  by  the  south,  to  westj  and  so  on  to  north. 
In  the  same  latitudes  in  the  southern  hemisphere  the  reverse  usually 
takes  place.  When  it  backs,  it  is  generally  supposed  to  be  a  sign  of 
a  freshening  breeze. 

BACK.     The  outside  or  convex  part  of  compass-timber.      Also  a  wharf. 

BACK,  OP  A  Ship.     The  keel  and  kelson  are  figuratively  thus  termed. 

BACK,  OP  THE  Post.  An  additional  timber  bolted  to  the  after-part  of 
the  stem-post,  and  forming  its  after-face. 

BACK-BOARD.  A  board  acrass  the  stem  sheets  of  a  boat  to  support 
the  back  of  passengers;  and  also  to  form  the  box  in  which  the  coxswain 
sits. 

BACK-CUTTING.  When  the  water-level  is  such  that  the  excavation 
of  a  canal,  or  other  channel,  does  not  furnish  earth  enough  for  its  own 
banks,  recourse  is  had  to  back-cutting,  or  the  nearest  earth  behind  the 
base  of  the  banks. 

BACK-FRAME.  A  vertical  wheel  for  turning  the  three  whirlers  of  a 
small  rope-machine. 

BACK-HER  The  order,  in  steam-navigation,  directing  the  engineer 
to  reverse  the  movement  of  the  cranks  and  urge  the  vessel  astern. 

BACKING.     The  timber  behind  the  armour-plates  of  a  ship. 

BACK-O'-BEY OND.     Said  of  an  unknown  distanca 

BACK  OFF  ALL.  The  order  when  the  harpooner  has  thrown  his 
harpoon  into  the  whale.     Also,  to  back  off  a  sudden  danger. 

BACK-ROPE.  The  rope-pendant,  or  small  chain  for  staying  the  dolphin- 
striker.     Also  a  piece  long  enough  to  reach  from  the  cat-block  to  the 


BACKS BACK-WATEB  C7 

stem,  and  up  to  the  forecastle,  to  haul  the  cat-block  forward  to  hook 
the  ring  of  the  anchor — similarly  also  for  hooking  the  fish-tackle.  {See 
Gaub-line.) 

BACKS.     The  outermost  boards  of  a  sawn  tree. 

BACK-STAFF.     A  name  formerly  given  to  a  peculiar  sea-quadrant, 

.  because  the  back  of  the  observer  was  turned  towards  the  sun  at  the 
time  of  observing  its  zenith  distance.  The  inventor  was  Captain  Davis, 
the  "Welsh  navigator,  about  1590.  It  consists  of  a  graduated  arc  of 
30**  united  to  a  centre  by  two  radii,  with  a  second  arc  of  smaller  radius, 
but  measuring  6°  on  the  side  of  it.  To  the  first  arc  a  vane  is  attached 
for  sight, — to  the  second  one  for  shade, — and  at  the  vertex  the  hori- 
zontal vane  has  a  slit  in  it. 

BACKSTAY-PLATES.     Used  to  support  the  backstays. 

BACKSTAYS.  Lon'g  ropes  extending  from  all  mast-heads  above  a 
lower-mast  to  both  sides  of  the  ship  or  chain-wales;  they  are  extended 
and  set  up  with  dead  eyes  and  laniards  to  the  backstay-plates.  Their 
use  is  to  second  the  shrouds  in  supporting  the  mast  when  strained  by 
a  weight  of  sail  in  a  fresh  wind.  They  are  usually  distinguished  into 
breast  and  after  backstays;  the  first  being  intended  to  sustain  the 
mast  when  the  ship  sails  upon  a  wind;  or,  in  other  terms,  when  the 
wind  acts  upon  a  ship  obliquely  from  forwards;  the  second  is  to  enable 
her  to  carry  sail  when  the  wind  is  al>a{t  the  beam;  a  third,  or  shifting 
backstay,  is  temporaiy,  and  used  where  great  strain  is  demanded 
when  chasing,  chased,  or  carrying  on  a  heavy  pressure  of  canvas: 
they  are  fitted  either  with  lashing  eyes,  or  hook  and  thimble  with 
salvigee  strop,  so  as  to  be  instantly  removed 

BACKSTAY-STOOLS.     Detached  small  channels,  or  chain-wales,  fixed 
abaft  the  principal  ones.     They  are  introduced  in  preference  to  ex- 
tending the  length  of  the  channels. 
BACKSTEKS.     Fiat  pieces  of  wood  or  cork,  strapped  on  the  feet  in 

order  to  walk  over  loose  beach. 
BACK-STKAPPED.     As  a  ship  carried  round  to  the  back  of  Gibraltar 
by  a  counter-cun'ent  and  eddies  of  wind,  the  strong  currents  detaining 

her  there. 
BACK-SWEEP.     That  which  forms  the  hollow  of  the  top-timber  of  a 

frame. 
BACK-WATER  The  swell  of  the  sea  thrown  back,  or  rebounded  by 
its  contact  with  any  solid  body.  Also  the  loss  of  power  occasioned 
by  it  to  paddles  of  steamboats,  <fec.  The  water  in  a  mill-race  which 
cannot  get  away  in  consequence  of  the  swelling  of  the  river  below. 
Also,  an  artificial  accumulation  of  water  reserved  for  clearing  channel- 
beds  and  tide-ways.  Also,  a  creek  or  arm  of  the  sea  which  runs 
parallel  to  the  coast,  having  only  a  narrow  strip  of  land  between  it 


gg  BACON BAGGAGE 

and'  the  sea,  and  communicating  with  the  latter  bj  barred  entrances. 
The  west  coast  of  India  is  remarkable  for  its  back-waters,  which  give 
a  most  useful  smooth  water  communication  from  one  place  to  another, 
such  as  from  Cochin  to  Quilon,  a  distance  of  nearly  70  miles. 
BACON,  To  SAVE.    This  is  an  old  shore-saw,  adopted  in  nautical  phrase- 
ology  for  expressing  ''to  escape,"  but  generally  used  in  pejtis  mere;  as 
in  Gray's  Long  Story.    (See  Foul  Hawse.) 
BAD-BERTH.     A  foul  or  rocky  anchorage. 
B ADDEBLOCK.     The  Fucu^s  esctdentuSf  a  kind  of  eatable  searweed  on 

our  northern  shores.     Also  called  jnirsiU, 
BADDOCK,     A  name  from  the  Craelic  for  the  fry  of  the  Gadits  car- 

bonaritis,  or  coal-fish« 
BADGK     Quarter  badges.     False    quarter-galleries    in    imitation  of 
frigate-built  shipa     Also,  in  naval  architecture,  a  carved  ornament 
placed  on  the  outside  of  small  ships,  very  near  the  stem,  containing 
either  a  window,  or  the  representation  of  one,  with  marine  decorations. 
BADGE,  Seaman's.    See  Good-conduct  Badge. 
BADGER,  To.     To  tease  or  confound  by  frivolous  orders. 
BADGEE^BAG.     The  fictitious  Neptune  who  visits  the  ship  on  her 

crossing  the  line, 
BAD-NAME.  This  should  be  avoided  by  a  ship,  for  once  acquired  for 
inefficiency  or  privateer  habits,  it  requires  time  and  reformation  to 
get  rid  of  it  again.  "Grive  a  dog  a  bad  name"  most  forcibly  exemplified. 
Ships  have  endured  it  even  under  repeated  changes  of  captains — 
one  ship  had  her  name  changed,  but  she  became  worse. 
BAD-RELIEF.     One  who  turns  out  sluggishly  to  relieve  the  watch  on 

deck.     {See  One-bell.) 
BAESSY.     The  old  orthography  of  the  gun  since  called  base. 
BAFFLING.     Is  said  of  the  wind  when  it  frequently  shifts  from  one 

point  to  another. 
BAG.     A  commercial  term  of  quantity;  as,  a  bread  or  biscuit  bag,  a  sand- 
bag,  &c.     An  empty  purse. — To  bag  on  a  bowline,  to  be  leewardly,  to 
drop  from  a  course. 
BAG,  OP  THE  Head-bails.     The  lowest  part  of  the  head-rails,  or  that 

part  which  forms  the  sweep  of  the  rail. 
BAG,  The     Allowed  for  the  men  to  keep  their  clothes  in.     The  ditty 

bag  included  needles  and  needfuls,  love-tokens,  jewels,  <fec. 
BAG  A  LA     A  rude  description  of  high-sterned  vessel  of  various  burdens, 
from  50  to  300  tons,  employed  at  Muskat  and  on  the  shores  of  Oman: 
the  word  signifying  mute  among  the  Arabs,  and  therefore  indicative 
of  canying  rather  than  sailing. 
BAG  AND  BAGGAGE.     The  whole  movable  property. 
BAGGAGK     The  necessaries,  utensils,  and  apparel  of  troops. 


BAGGAGE-GUARD BAITLAND  QQ 

BAGGAGE-GUARD.  A  small  proportion  of  any  body  of  troops  on 
the  march,  to  whom  the  care  of  the  whole  baggage  is  assigned. 

BAGGETY.  The  fish  otherwise  called  the  lump  or  sea-owl  {Cyctop- 
terus  luinpus). 

BAGGONET.     The  old  term  for  bayonet,  and  not  a  vulgarism. 

BAGNIO.  A  sort  of  barrack  in  Mediterranean  sea-ports,  where  the 
galley-slaves  and  convicts  are  confined. 

BAGPIPE.  To  bagpipe  the  mizen  is  to  lay  it  aback,  by  bringing  the 
sheet  to  the  mizen-shrouds. 

BAG-REEF.  A  fourth  or  lower  reef  of  fore-and-aft  sails,  often  used 
in  the  royal  navy. — Bag-reef  of  topaaiU,  first  reef  (of  five  in  American 
navy);  a  short  reef,  usually  taken  in  to  prevent  a  large  sail  from  bag- 
ging when  on  a  wind. 

BAGREL.     A  minnow  or  baggie. 

BAGUIO.    A  rare  but  dreadfully  violent  wind  among  the  Philippine  Isles. 

BAHAR.  A  commercial  weight  of  a  quarter  of  a  ton  in  the  Molucca 
Islands. 

BAIDAR.  A  swift  open  canoe  of  the  Arctic  tribes  and  Kurile  Isles, 
used  in  pursuing  otters  and  even  whales;  a  slender  frame  from  18  to 
25  feet  long,  covered  with  hides.  They  are  impelled  by  six  or  twelve 
paddles.     (See  Kaiack.) 

BAIKIE.     A  northern  name  for  the  Larua  mannus,  or  black-backed  gull. 

BAIKY.     The  ballium,  or  inclosed  plot  of  ground  in  an  ancient  fort. 

BAIL.  A  surety.  The  cargo  of  a  captured  or  detained  vessel  is  not 
allowed  to  be  taken  on  bail  l>efore  adjudication  without  mutual  consent. 
It  was  also  a  northern  term  for  a  beacon  or  signal. 

BAIL-BOND.  The  obligation  entered  into  by  sureties.  Also  when 
a  person  appears  as  proxy  for  the  master  of  a  vessel,  or,  on  obtaining 
letters  of  marque,  he  makes  himself  personally  responsible.  In  prize 
matters,  however,  the  bail-bond  is  not  a  mere  personal  security  given 
to  the  individual  captors,  but  an  assurance  to  abide  by  the  adjudication 
of  the  court 

BAILD.  This  phrase  "Fll  be  baiPd"  is  considered  as  an  equivalent  to 
"I'll  be  bound;"  but  it  is  probably  an  old  enunciation  for  "I'll  be 
poisoned,*'  or  "I'll  be  tormented,"  if  what  I  utter  is  not  true. 

BAILO.     A  Levantine  term  for  consul. 

BAILS,  OR  Bailes.     The  hoops  which  bear  up  the  tilt  of  a  boat. 

BAIOCCO,  An  Italian  copper  coin,  about  equal  to  our  halfpenny. 
Also  a  generic  term  for  copper  money  or  small  coin. 

BAIRLINN.     A  Gaelic  term  for  a  high  rolling  billow. 

BAIT.     The  natural  or  artificial  charge  of  a  hook,  to  allure  fish. 

BAITLAND.  An  old  word,  formerly  used  to  signify  a  port  where  re- 
freshments could  be  procured. 


70  BALiKNA BALE 

BALiENA,     The  zoological  name  for  the  right  whale. 

BALANCE.  One  of  the  simple  mechanical  powers,  used  in  deter- 
mining the  weights  and  masses  of  different  bodies.  Also,  one  of  the 
twelve  signs  of  the  zodiac,  called  Libra.  Balance-wheel  of  a  chron- 
ometer— 9ee  Compensation. 

BALANCE,  To,  To  contract  a  sail  into  a  narrower  compass; — ^this  is 
peculiar  to  the  mizen  of  a  ship,  and  to  the  mainsail  of  those  yessels 
wherein  it  is  extended  by  a  boom.  The  operation  of  balancing  the 
mizen  is  performed  by  lowering  the  yard  or  gaff  a  little,  then  rolling 
up  a  small  portion  of  the  sail  at  the  peak  or  upper  comer,  and  lashing 
it  about  one-fifth  down  towards  the  mast.  A  boom  main-sail  is 
balanced  by  rolling  up  a  portion  of  the  clew,  or  lower  aftermost  comer, 
and  fastening  it  strongly  to  the  boom. — N.B.  It  is  requisite  in  both 
cases  to  wrap  a  piece  of  old  canvas  round  the  sail,  under  the  lashing, 
to  prevent  its  being  fretted  by  the  latter. 

BALANCE-FISH.     The  hammer-headed  shark  (which  see). 

BALANCE-FRAMES.  Those  frames  or  bends  of  timber,  of  an  equal 
capacity  or  area,  which  are  equally  distant  from  the  ship's  centre  of 
gravity. 

BALANCE  OF  TEADK  A  computation  of  the  value  of  all  commodities 
which  we  import  or  export,  showing  the  difference  in  amount. 

BALANCE-REEF.  A  reef-band  that  crosses  a  sail  from  the  outer 
head-earing  to  the  tack  diagonally,  making  it  nearly  triangular,  and  is 
used  to  contract  it  in  very  blowing  weather.  (2)  A  balance  reef-band 
is  generally  placed  in  all  gaff-sails;  the  band  runs  from  the  throat  to 
the  clew,  so  that  it  may  be  reefed  either  way — ^by  lacing  the  foot  or 
lower  half;  or  by  lacing  the  gaff  drooped  to  the  band:  the  latter  is 
only  done  in  the  worst  weather. — This  is  a  point  on  which  seamen  may 
select — ^but  the  old  plan,  as  first  given,  affords  more  power;  (2)  is  ap- 
plicable to  the  severest  weather. 

BALANCING-POINT.  A  familiar  term  for  centre  of  gravity.  {See 
Gravity.) 

BALANDRA.  A  Spanish  pleasure-boat  A  lighter,  a  species  of 
schooner. 

BALANUS.     The  acom-shell.     A  sessile  cirriped. 

BALCAR.     See  Balkar. 

BALCONY.  The  projecting  open  galleries  of  old  line-of-battle  ships' 
stems,  now  disused.  They  were  convenient  and  ornamental  in  hot 
climates,  but  were  afterwards  inclosed  within  sash  windows. 

BALD  RICK.     A  leathern  girdle  or  sword-belt.     Also  the  zodiaa 

BALK  A  pack.  This  word  appears  in  the  statute  Richard  II.  c.  3, 
and  is  still  in  common  use. 

BALE,  To.     To  lade  water  out  of  a  ship  or  vessel  with  buckets  (which 


—  .,  i 


BALEEN BALLAST  71 

were  of  old  called  bayles),  cans,  or  the  like,  when  the  pumps  are  ineffec- 
tive or  choked. 

BALEEN.  The  scientific  term  for  the  whalehone  of  commerce,  derived 
from  bcdcsna,  a  whale.  It  consists  of  a  series  of  long  homj  plates 
growing  from  each  side  of  the  palate  in  place  of  teeth. 

BALE  GOODS.  Merchandise  packed  in  large  bundles,  not  in  cases  or 
casks. 

BALENOT.  A  porpoise  or  small  whale  which  frequents  the  river  St 
Lawi-ence. 

BALESTILHA.     The  cross-staff  of  the  early  Portuguese  navigators. 

BALINGER,  or  Balakqha  A  kind  of  small  sloop  or  barge;  small 
vessels  of  war  formerly  without  forecastles.  The  name  was  also  given 
by  some  of  the  early  voyagers  to  a  large  trading-boat  of  the  Philippines 
and  Moluccas. 

BALISTES.     A  fish  with  mailed  skin.     File-fish. 

BALI Z AS.     Land  and  sea  marks  on  Portuguese  coasts. 

BALK.  Straight  young  trees  after  they  are  felled  and  squared;  a  beam 
or  timber  used  for  temporary  purposes,  and  under  8  inches  square. 
Balks,  of  timber  of  any  squared  size,  as  mahogany,  intended  for  planks, 
or,  when  very  large,  for  booms  or  rafts. 

BALKAK.  A  man  placed  on  an  eminence,  like  the  ancient  Olpis,  to 
watch  the  movements  of  shoals  of  fish.  In  our  early  statutes  he  is 
called  hcdcor. 

BALL.  In  a  general  sense,  implies  a  spherical  and  round  body,  whether 
naturally  so  or  formed  into  that  figure  by  art.  In  a  military  view 
it  comprehends  all  sorts  of  bullets  for  fire-arms,  from  the  cannon  to 
the  pistol:  also  those  pyrotechnic  projectiles  for  guns  or  mortars,  whether 
intended  to  destroy,  or  only  to  give  light,  smoke,  or  stench. 

BALLAHOU.  A  sharp-floored  feat-sailing  schooner,  with  taunt  fore- 
and-aft  sails,  and  no  topsails,  common  in  Bermuda  and  the  West  Indies. 
The  foremast  of  the  ballahou  rakes  forward,  the  mainm^t  aft. 

BALL-AND-SOCKET.  A  clever  adaptation  to  give  astronomical  or 
surveying  instruments  full  play  and  motion  every  way  by  a  brass  ball 
fitted  into  a  spherical  cell,  and  usually  carried  by  an  endless  screw. 

BALLARAG,  To.      To  abuse  or  bully.     Thus  Warton  of  the  French 

king— 

**  You  iurely  thought  to  haUarag  us 
With  your  fine  squadron  off  Qa.^  Lagos." 

BALLAST.  A  certain  portion  of  stone,  pig-iron,  gravel,  water,  or  such 
like  materials,  deposited  in  a  ship's  hold  when  she  either  has  no  cargo 
or  too  little  to  bring  her  sufficiently  low  in  the  water.  It  is  used  to 
counterbalance  the  effect  of  the  wind  upon  the  masta^  and  give  the 
ship  a  proper  stability,  that  she  may  be  enabled  to  carry  sail  without 


72  BALLAST BALL-CLAY 

cUnger  of  overturning;.  The  art  of  ballasting  consists  in  placing  the 
centre  of  gravity,  so  as  neither  to  be  too  high  nor  too  low,  too  far  for- 
ward nor  Uh)  far  aft,  and  tliat  the  surface  of  the  water  may  nearly  rise 
to  the  extreme  breadth  amidshipSi  and  thus  the  ship  will  be  enabled 
to  carry  a  g^xKl  sail,  incline  but  little,  and  ply  well  to  windward.  A 
want  of  true  knowledge  in  this  doixai-tuient  has  led  to  putting  too  great 
a  weight  in  shi|>H*  bottomN,  which  in)|)odes  their  sailing  and  endangers 
tlunr  niHHtn  by  exc4>iMive  n)Hing,  the  consequence  of  bringing  the  centre 
of  gravity  Ux)  low.  It  should  be  trimmeil  with  due  regard  to  the 
caiMicity,  gravity,  and  flooring,  and  to  the  nature  of  whatever  is  to  be 
deiKMiUui  thoreon,     {See  Trim.) 

IIALLAHT,  Ah  a  verb,  Higiiities  to  steady; — as  a  substantive,  a  com- 
preheimivo  nund  A  niuu  is  said  to  'Mose  his  ballast"  when  his  judg- 
ment fails  him,  or  he  bocomos  top-heavy  from  conceit, 

HA  LLAHTA(iK  An  old  right  of  the  Admiralty  in  all  our  royal  rivers, 
of  levying  a  rate  for  supplying  Hhi|)s  with  ballast 

HALLAST-IJAHKKT.  Usually  made  of  osier,  for  the  transport  and 
measure  of  shingle-balluHt.  Hujipliod  to  the  gunner  for  transport  of 
l(M)Me  ammuniticui. 

IIA  Ll^AHT-LIUilTKU.  A  large  fiat-floortnl  barge,  for  hea^dng  up  and 
carrying  ballast; 

HALLAHT-MAUK,  The  horiwmt^il  line  di^ribetl  bv  the  surface  of 
the  water  on  the  iMuly  of  a  ship,  when  she  is  immersed  with  her  usual 
weight  of  luUlaMt  on  btmnl 

llALLAHT-MASTKU,  A  jHU>ion  apixnnted  to  see  the  port-regulations 
in  rttti|MH^t  to  balltuit  carritnl  out. 

IIA  LLAST-IH)UTS,  Ajuart^  holes  cut  in  the  sides  of  merchantmen  for 
talking  in  Ixdlast  But  should  be  securely  liarred  and  caulkeil  in  before 
])ro(H>eiUng  to  sea* 

llALl^ST-SHirriXa  when  by  heavy  n>lling  the  ballast  shifts  in 
Uie  hold. 

BALIAST-SHINOLE.     Composeil  of  oi^aree  gravel. 

BALLAST-SHOOTING,  (v^tv  Suoi^T.)  In  Knglaml  and  indeed  in 
most  frequenteil  port^  the  throwing  of  ballast  overboard  is  strictly 
prohibiteil  and  subject  U^  fine. 

BALLAST-SHOVEL.    A  jHHniUar  si|uare  and  s|xx>n-jHnnteil  iron  shovel. 

BALLAST-TRIM,     When  a  vt>«sel  has  oulv  liallast  on  boazd. 

BALLATOON.  A  sort  of  long  heavy  luggag^^vecsisel  of  upwanis  of  a 
hondneil  laDS»  eiu|Uoyed  on  the  river  between  Moscow  and  the  Caspiain 


^ 
? 


BALLrCARTRIDOE.     For  small  arms. 

BALLrCLAT.     Adhesivi^  strong  bottom,  brought  up  by  the  flukes  i\f 
the  ars.4Hts  in  massr  lumps; 


BALLISTA BAMBOO  73 

BALLISTA.  An  ancient  military  engine,  like  an  enormous  cross-bow, 
for  throwing  stones,  darts,  and  javelins  against  the  enemy  with  rapidity 
and  violence.  Also,  the  name  of  the  geometrical  cross  called  Jacob's  staff. 

BALLISTER.     A  cross-bow  man. 

BALLISTIC  PENDULUM.  An  instrument  for  determining  the 
velocity  of  projectiles.  The  original  pendulum  was  of  very  massive 
construction,  the  arc  through  which  it  receded  when  impinged  on  by 
the  projectile,  taking  into  account  their  respective  weights,  afforded, 
with  considerable  calculation,  a  measure  of  the  velocity  of  impact. 
Latterly  the  electro-ballistic  pendulum,  which  by  means  of  electric 
currents  is  made  to  register  with  very  great  accuracy  the  time  occupied 
by  the  projectile  in  passing  over  a  measured  space,  has  superseded  it, 
as  being  more  accurate,  less  cumbrous,  and  less  laborious  in  its  accom- 
panying calculations. 

B ALLIUM.     A  plot  of  ground  in  ancient  fortifications:  called  also  baih/, 

BALLOCH.     Gaelic  for  the  discharge  of  a  river  into  a  lake. 

BALLOEN.  A  Siamese  decorated  state-galley,  imitating  a  sea-monst.er, 
with  from  seventy  to  a  hundred  oars  of  a  side. 

BALL-OFF,  To.  To  twist  rope-yams  into  balls,  with  a  running  end  in 
the  heart  for  making  spun-yam. 

BALLOON-FISH  (l^etraodon).  A  plectognathous  fish,  covered  with 
spines,  which  has  the  power  of  inflating  its  body  till  it  becomes  almost 
globular. 

BALLOW.     Deep  water  inside  a  shoal  or  bar. 

BALL-STELL.     The  geometrical  instrument  named  deUa  steUcu 

BALLY.  A  Teutonic  word  for  inclosure,  now  prefixed  to  many  sea- 
ports in  Ireland,  as  Bally-castle,  Bally-haven,  Bally-shannon,  and 
Bally-water. 

BALSA,  OR  Balza.  A  South  American  tree,  very  porous,  which 
grows  to  an  immense  height  in  a  few  years,  and  is  almost  as  light  as 
cork.  Hence  the  balsa-wood  is  used  for  the  surf-boat  called  haUa, 
{See  Jangada.) 

BALTHEUS  ORIONIS.  The  three  bright  stars  constituting  Orion's 
Belt. 

BALUSTERS.  The  ornamental  pillars  or  pilasters  of  the  balcony  or 
galleries  in  the  stems  of  ships,  dividing  the  ward-room  deck  from  the 
one  above. 

BAMBA.  A  commercial  shell  of  value  on  the  Gold  Coast  of  AMca  and 
below  it. 

BAMBO.     An  East  Indian  measure  of  five  English  pints. 

BAMBOO  {Bambvaa  arundinaceay  A  magnificent  articulated  cane, 
which  holds  a  conspicuous  rank  in  the  tropics  from  its  rapid  gi'owth 
and  almost  universal  properties: — the  succulent  buds  are  eaten  fi^esh 


74?  BAMBOOZLE BANGE  \ 

I 

and  the  yonng  steins  make  excellent  presenrea  The  large  stems  are 
usefal  in  agricultural  and  domestic  implements;  also  in  building  both 
houses  and  ships;  in  making  baskets,  cages,  hats,  and  furniture,  besides 
sails,  paper,  and  in  various  departments  of  the  Indian  materia  medico^ 

BAMBOOZLE,  To.     To  decoy  the  enemy  by  hoisting  false  colours. 

BANANA  (Mvsa  paradisaica).  A  valuable  species  of  plantain,  the 
fruit  of  which  is  much  used  in  tropical  climates,  both  fresh  and  made 
into  bread.  Gerarde  named  it  Adam's  apple  from  a  notion  that  it  was 
the  forbidden  fruit  of  Eden;  whilst  others  supposed  it  to  be  the  grapes 
brought  out  of  the  Promised  Land  by  the  spies  of  Moses.  The  spikes 
of  fruit  often  weigh  forty  pounds. 

BANCO  [Sp.]     Seat  for  rowers. 

BAND.  The  musicians  of  a  band  are  called  idlers  in  large  ships.  Also 
a  small  body  of  armed  men  or  retainers,  as  the  band  of  gentlemen 
pensioners;  also  an  iron  hoop  round  a  gun-carriage,  mast,  <l:c.;  also  a 
slip  of  canvas  stitched  across  a  sail,  to  strengthen  the  parts  most 
liable  to  pressure. — Eeef-bands,  rope-bands  or  robands;  rudder-bands 
(which  see). 

BANDAGK  A  fillet  or  swathe,  of  the  utmost  importance  in  surgery. 
Also,  formerly,  parcelling  to  ropes. 

BANDALEERS,  or  Bandoleers.  A  wide  leathern  belt  for  the  car- 
riage of  small  cases  of  wood,  covered  with  leather,  each  containing  a 
charge  for  a  firelock;  in  use  before  the  modem  cartouche-boxes  were 
introduced. 

BANDECOOT.  A  large  species  of  fierce  rat  in  India,  which  infests 
the  drains,  dbc. 

BANDED-DRUM.     See  Grunteb. 

BANDED-MAIL.  A  kind  of  armour  which  consisted  of  alternate 
rows  of  leather  or  cotton  and  single  chain-maiL 

B  ANDEEOLD,  or  Banderole.  A  small  streamer  or  banner,  usually  fixed 
on  a  pike:  from  banderola,  Sp.  diminutive  of  bandera,  the  flag  or  ensign. 

BAND-FISH,  OR  Eibbon-fishes.  A  popular  name  of  the  GymneUnis 
genus. 

BANDLE.     An  Irish  measure  of  two  feet  in  length. 

BANG.  A  mixture  of  opium,  hemp-leaves,  and  tobacco,  of  an  intoxi- 
cating quality,  chewed  and  smoked  by  the  Malays  and  other  people  in 
the  East,  who,  being  mostly  prohibited  the  use  of  wine,  double  u{)on 
Mahomet  by  indulging  in  other  intoxicating  matter,  as  if  the  manner  of 
doing  it  cleared  off  the  crime  of  drunkenness.  This  horrid  stuff  gives 
the  maddening  excitement  which  makes  a  Malay  run  avivk  (which 
see). — To  bang  is  colloquially  used  to  express  excelliug  or  beating 
rivals.     {See  Suffolk-bang.) 

BANGK     Light  fine  rain. 


BANGLES BANK-HARBOUR  75 

BANGLES.  The  hoops  of  a  spar.  Also,  the  rings  on  the  wrists  and 
ankles  of  Oriental  people,  chiefly  used  by  females. 

BANIAN.     A  sailor  s  coloured  frock-shirt. 

BANIAN  OR  BANYAN  DAYS.  Those  in  which  no  fleeh-meat  is  issued 
to  the  messes.  It  is  obvious  that  they  are  a  remnant  of  the  maigre 
days  of  the  Roman  Catholics,  who  deem  it  a  mortal  sin  to  eat  flesh  on 
certain  da3rs.  Stock-flsh  used  to  be  served  out,  till  it  was  found  to 
promote  scurvy.  The  term  is  derived  from  a  religious  sect  in  the  East, 
who,  believing  in  metempsychosis,  eat  of  no  creature  endued  with  life. 

BANIAN-TREE.  Ficus  indica  of  India  and  Polynesia.  The  tendrils 
from  high  branches  extend  60  to  80  ibet,  take  root  on  reaching  the 
ground,  and  form  a  cover  over  some  acres.  Religious  rites  from  which 
women  are  excluded  are  there  performed. 

BANJO.  The  brass  frame  in  which  the  screw-propeller  of  a  steamer 
works,  and  is  hung  for  hoisting  the  screw  on  deck.  This  frame  fit8 
between  slides  fixed  on  the  inner  and  outer  8tem-])08ts;  resting  in 
large  carriages  firmly  secured  thereto.  The  banjo  is  essential  to  lifting 
the  screw. — Also,  the  rude  instrument  used  in  negro  concerts. 

BANK.  The  right  or  left  boundary  of  a  river,  in  looking  from  its 
source  towards  the  sea,  and  the  immediate  margin  or  border  of  a  lake. 
Also,  a  thwart,  banco,  or  bench,  for  the  rowers  in  a  galley.  Also,  a 
rising  ground  in  the  sea,  differing  from  a  shoal,  because  not  rocky  but 
composed  of  sand,  mud,  or  gravel.  Also,  mural  elevations  constructed 
of  clay,  stones,  or  any  materials  at  hand,  to  prevent  inundations. 

BANK,  To.  Also,  an  old  word  meaning  to  sail  along  the  margins  or 
banks  of  river-ports:  thus  Shakspeare  in  ^King  John"  makes  Lewis 
the  Dauphin  demand — 

"  Have  I  not  heard  these  islanders  shout  out 
Vive  It  Roy  I  as  I  have  &anA:*<2  their  towns?" 

BANKA.     A  canoe  of  the  Philippines,  consisting  of  a  single  piece. 

BANKER.  A  vessel  employed  in  the  deep-sea  cod-fishery  on  the  great 
banks  of  Newfoundland.  Also,  a  man  who  works  on  the  sides  of  a 
canal,  or  on  an  embankment;  a  navvy. 

BANK-FIRES.  In  steamers,  taking  advantage  of  a  breeze  by  allow- 
ing the  fires  to  bum  down  low,  and  then  pulling  them  down  to  a  side 
of  the  bridge  of  the  fire-place,  and  there  covering  them  up  with  ashes 
taken  from  the  ash-pit,  at  the  same  time  nearly  closing  the  dampers  in 
the  funnel  and  ash-pit  door&  This,  with  attention  on  the  part  of  the 
engineers,  will  maintain  the  water  hot,  and  a  slight  pressure  of  steam 
in  the  boilers.  When  foel  is  added  and  draught  induced  the  fires  are 
said  to  be  ''drawn  forward,"  and  steam  is  speedily  generated* 

BANK-HARBOUR.  That  which  is  protected  from  the  violence  of 
the  sea  by  banks  of  mud,  gravel,  sand,  shingle,  or  silt. 


76  BANK-HOOK BAB 

BANK-HOOK.  A  large  fish-hook  laid  haited  in  nmniiig  water,  at- 
tached by  a  line  to  the  bank. 

BANKING.  A  general  term  applied  to  fishing  on  the  great  bank  of 
Newfoundland. 

BANK  OF  OABS  [banco,  Sp.]  A  seat  or  bench  for  rowers  in  the  hap- 
pily all  bat  extinct  galley:  these  are  properly  called  the  athwarts,  but 
thwarts  by  seamen.  The  common  galleys  have  25  banks  on  each  side, 
with  one  oar  to  each  bank,  and  four  men  to  each  oar.  The  galeasses 
have  32  banks  on  a  side,  and  6  or  7  rowers  to  each  bank.  {See 
DorBLE-BAXK,  when  two  men  pull  separate  oars  on  the  same  thwart) 

BANKSAL,  OR  Ba^tksaui^  and  in  Calcutta  spelled  bankghaU,  A  shop, 
office^  or  other  place,  for  transacting  business:  Also,  a  square  inclosure 
at  the  pearl-fishery.  Also,  a  beach  store>house  wherein  ships  deposit 
their  rigging  and  furniture  while  undergoing  repair.  Also,  where 
small  commercial  courts  and  arbitrations  are  held. 

BANN.  A  proclamation  made  in  the  army  by  beat  of  drum,  sound  of 
trumpet,  kc,  requiring  the  strict  observance  of  discipline,  either 
for  the  declaring  of  a  new  officer,  the  punishing  an  ofiender,  or  the  like. 

BANN  AG.     A  northern  name  for  a  white  trout,  a  sea-trout 

BANNAK-FLUKK  A  name  of  the  turbot,  as  distinguished  firom  the 
halibut 

BANNER     A  small  square  flag  edged  with  fringe. 

BANNERER.     The  bearer  of  a  banner. 

BANNERET.     A  knight  made  on  the  field  of  battle. 

BANNEROL.     A  little  banner  or  streamer. 

BANNOCK.     A  name  given  to  a  certain  hard  ship-biscuit 

BANQUETTR  In  fortification,  a  small  terrace,  properly  of  earth,  on 
the  inside  of  the  parapet,  of  such  height  that  the  defenders  standing 
on  it  may  conveniently  fire  over  the  top. 

BANSTICKLK  A  diminutive  fish,  called  also  the  three-spined  stickle- 
back {Gasterosteus  aenUattu). 

BAPTISM.  A  ceremony  practised  on  passengers  on  their  first  passing 
the  equinoctial  line :  a  riotous  and  ludicrous  custom,  which  from  the 
violence  of  its  ducking,  shaving,  and  other  practical  jokes,  is  becoming 
annually  less  in  vogua  It  is  esteemed  a  usurpation  of  privilege  to 
baptize  on  crossing  the  tropica 

BAR^  OF  a  pobt  or  HARBorR.  An  accumulated  shoal  or  bank  of  sand, 
shingle,  gravel,  or  other  uliginous  substances,  thrown  up  by  the  sea 
to  the  mouth  of  a  river  or  harbour,  so  as  to  endanger,  and  sometimes 
totally  prevent,  the  navigation  into  it — Bars  of  rivers  are  some  shift- 
ing and  some  permanent  The  position  of  the  bar  of  any  river  may 
commonly  be  guessed  by  attending  to  the  form  of  the  shores  at  the 
embouchure.     The  shore  on  which  the  deposition  of  sediment  is  going 


BAR  ACOOTA BARBADOBS-TAR  77 

on  will  be  flat,  whilst  the  opposite  one  is  steep.  It  is  along  the  side 
of  the  latter  that  the  deei)est  channel  of  the  river  lies;  and  in  the 
line  of  this  channel,  but  without  the  points  that  form  the  mouth  of 
the  river,  will  be  the  bar.  If  both  the  shores  are  of  the  same  nature, 
which  seldom  happens,  the  bar  will  lie  opposite  the  middle  of  the 
channel.  Kivers  in  general  have  what  may  be  deemed  a  bar,  in 
respect  of  the  depth  of  the  channel  within,  although  it  may  not  rise 
high  enough  to  impede  the  navigation — ^for  the  increased  deposition 
that  takes  place  when  the  current  slackens,  through  the  want  of 
declivity,  and  of  shores  to  retain  it,  must  necessarily  form  a  bank. 
Bars  of  small  rivers  may  be  deepened  by  means  of  stockades  to  confine 
the  river  current,  and  prolong  it  beyond  the  natural  points  of  the 
river*s  mouth.  They  operate  to  remove  the  place  of  deposition  further 
out,  and  into  deeper  water.  Bars,  however,  act  as  breakwaters  in 
most  instances,  and  consequently  secure  smooth  water  vdthin  them. 
The  deposit  in  all  curvilinear  or  serpentine  rivers  will  always  be  found 
at  the  point  op{)osite  to  the  curve  into  which  the  ebb  strikes  and 
rebounds,  deepening  the  hollow  and  depositing  on  the  tongue.  There- 
fore if  it  be  deemed  advisable  to  change  the  position  of  a  bar,  it  may 
be  in  some  cases  aided  by  works  projected  on  the  last  curve  seaward. 
By  such  means  a  parallel  canal  may  be  forced  which  will  admit 
vessels  under  the  cover  of  the  bar. — Bar^  a  boom  formed  of  huge  trees, 
or  spars  lashed  together,  moored  transversely  across  a  port,  to  prevent 
entrance  or  egress. — Bar,  the  short  bits  of  bar-iron,  about  half  a  pound 
each,  used  as  the  medium  of  traffic  on  the  Negro  coast. — Bar-Iiarbour, 
one  which,  from  a  bar  at  its  entrance,  cannot  admit  ships  of  great 
burden,  or  can  only  do  so  at  high- water. — Capstan-bars,  large  thick 
bars  put  into  the  holes  of  the  drum-head  of  the  capstan,  by  which  it  is 
turned  round,  they  working  as  horizontal  radial  levers. — Hatch-ba/rs, 
flat  iron  bars  to  lock  over  the  hatches  for  security  from  theft,  &c. — 
Fo7't-bar,  a  piece  of  wood  or  iron  variously  fitted  to  secure  a  gun-port 
when  shut — Bar-shallow,  a  term  sometimes  applied  to  a  portion  of  a  bar 
with  less  water  on  it  than  on  other  parts  of  the  bar. — Bar-shot,  two 
half  balls  joined  together  by  a  bar  of  iron,  for  cutting  and  destroying 
spars  and  rigging.  When  whole  balls  are  thus  fitted  they  are  more 
properly  double-headed  shot. — To  bar.  To  secure  the  lower-deck 
ports,  as  above. 

BARACOOTA.  A  tropical  fish  {Sphyrmna  baracuda),  considered  in 
the  West  Indies  to  be  dangerously  poisonous  at  times,  nevertheless 
eaten,  and  deemed  the  sea-salmon. 

BARBACAN.     In  fortification,  an  outer  defence. 

BARBADOES-TAR.  A  mineral  fluid  bitumen  resembling  petroleum, 
of  nauseous  taste  and  offensive  smelL 


78  BARBALOT BARGE 

BARBALOT.     The  baibel.     Also,  a  puffin. 

BARB-BOLTS.  Those  which  have  their  points  jagged  or  barbed  to 
make  them  hold  securely,  where  those  commonly  in  use  cannot  be 
clinched.  The  same  as  rag-holL  Those  of  copper  used  for  the  false 
keel. 

BARBECUE.     A  tropical  custom  of  dressing  a  pig  whole. 

BARBEL  {Barhua  vtUgaris).  An  English  river-fish  of  the  carp  family, 
distinguished  by  the  four  appendant  beards,  whence  its  name  is  derived. 
It  is  between  2  and  3  feet  in  length,  and  coai*se.  Also,  barbel  is  a 
small  piece  of  armour  which  protects  part  of  the  bassenet. 

BARBER.  A  rating  on  the  ships'  books  for  one  who  shaves  the  people, 
for  which  he  receives  the  pay  of  an  ordinary  seaman.  In  meteorology, 
barber  is  a  singular  vapour  rising  in  streams  from  the  sea  surface, — 
owing  probably  to  exhalations  being  condensed  into  a  visible  form,  on 
entering  a  cold  atmosphere.  It  is  well  known  pn  the  shores  of  Nova 
Scotia.  Also,  the  condensed  breath  in  frosty  weather  on  beard  or 
moustaches  in  Arctic  travelling. 

BARBETTK  A  mode  of  mounting  guns  to  fire  over  the  parapet,  so 
as  to  have  free  range,  instead  of  through  embrasures. 

BARCA-LONGA.  A  large  Spanish  undecked  coasting-vessel,  navigated 
with  pole-masts,  i.e.  single-masts,  without  any  topmast  or  upper  part; 
and  high  square  sails,  called  lugsails.  Propelled  with  sweeps  as  well. 
The  name  is  also  applied  to  Spanish  gun-boats  by  our  seamen. 

BARGES.     Short  guns  with  a  large  bore  formerly  used  in  ships. 

BARGHETTA.     A  small  bark  for  ti*ansporting  water,  provisions,  <tc 

BARGONK     A  short  Mediterranean  lighter. 

BAREKA.  A  small  barrel:  spelled  also  barika  (Sp.  bareca).  Hence 
the  nautical  name  breaker  for  a  small  cask  or  keg. 

BARE-POLES.  The  condition  of  a  ship  having  no  sails  set  when  out 
at  sea,  and  either  scudding  or  lying-to  by  stress  of  weather.  (See  Under 
Bare-poles.) 

BARE-ROOM.     An  old  phrase  for  bore-down. 

BARGE.  A  boat  of  a  long,  slight,  and  spacious  construction,  generally 
carvel-built,  double-banked,  for  the  use  of  admirals  and  captains  of 
ships  of  war. — Barge,  in  boat  attacks,  is  next  in  strength  to  the  launcL 
It  is  likewise  a  vessel  or  boat  of  state,  furnished  and  equipped  in  the 
most  sumptuous  style; — and  of  this  sort  we  may  naturally  suppose  to 
have  been  the  famous  barge  or  galley  of  Gleopatra,  which,  according  to 
the  beautiful  description  of  Shakspeare — 

'*Like  a  burnished  throne 
Burnt  on  the  water:  the  poop  was  beaten  gold, 
Purple  her  sails;  and  so  perfumed,  that 
The  winds  were  love-sick  with  them;  the  oars  were  silver. 


BARGEES BARNACLE  79 

WMch  to  the  tune  of  flutes  kept  time,  and  made 
The  water  which  they  heat  to  follow  faster 
As  amorous  of  their  strokes." 

The  barges  of  the  lord-mayor,  civic  companies,  <fec.,  and  the  coal-barges 
of  the  Thames  are  varieties.  Also,  an  earlj  man-of-war,  of  about  100 
tons.  Also,  an  east-country  vejssel  of  i>eculiar  construction.  Also,  a 
flat-bottomed  vessel  of  burden,  used  on  rivers  for  conveying  goods  from 
one  place  to  another,  and  loading  and  unloading  ships:  it  has  various 
names,  as  a  "Ware  barge,  a  west-country  barge,  a  sand  barge,  a  row- 
barge,  a  Severn  trough,  a  light  horseman,  &c.  They  are  usually  fitted 
with  a  large  sprit-sail  to  a  mast,  which,  working  upon  a  hinge,  is 
easily  struck  for  passing  under  bridges.  Also,  the  bread-barge  or  tray 
or  basket,  for  containing  biscuit  at  meals. 

BARGEES.     The  crews  of  canal-boats  and  barges. 

BARGE-MAT K  The  officer  who  steers  when  a  high  personage  is  to 
visit  the  ship. 

BARGE-MEN.  The  crew  of  the  barge,  who  are  usually  picked  men. 
Also,  the  large  maggots  with  black  heads  that  infest  biscuit. 

BARGET.     An  old  term  for  a  small  barge. 

BARILLA.  An  alkali  procured  by  burning  salsola,  kali,  and  other  sea- 
shore plants.  It  forms  a  profitable  article  of  Mediterranean  commerce. 
{See  Kelp.) 

BARK.  The  exterior  covering  of  vegetable  bodies,  mp^ny  of  which  are 
useful  in  making  paper,  cordage,  cloth,  dyes,  and  medicines. 

BA  RK,  OR  Barque  [from  harca.  Low  Latin].  A  general  name  given  to 
small  ships,  square-stemed,  without  head-rails;  it  is>  however,  peculiarly 
appropriated  by  seamen  to  a  three-masted  vessel  with  only  fore-and-aft 
sails  on  her  mizen-mast. — Bark-rigged.  Rigged  as  a  bark,  with  no 
square  sails  on  the  mizen-mast. 

BARKANTINE,  or  Barquantine.  A  name  applied  on  the  great  lakes 
of  North  America  to  a  vessel  square-rigged  on  the  foremast,  and  fore- 
and-afb  rigged  on  the  main  and  mizen  masts.  They  are  not  three- 
masted  schooners,  as  they  have  a  regular  brigantine's  foreraaat.  They 
are  long  in  proportion  to  their  other  dimensions,  to  suit  the  navigation 
of  the  canals  which  connect  some  of  these  lakes. 

BARKERS.     An  old  term  for  lower-deck  guns  and  pistols. 

BARKEY.     A  sailor's  term  for  the  pet  ship  to  which  ho  belongs. 

BARKING-IRONS.     Large  duelling  pistols. 

BARLING.  An  old  term  for  the  lamprey. — Barling-spars,  fit  for  any 
smaller  masts  or  yards. 

BARNACLE  {Lepas  anatifera),  A  species  of  shell-fish,  often  found 
sticking  by  its  pedicle  to  the  bottom  of  ships,  doing  no  other  injuiy 
than  deadening  the  way  a  little : 


80  BARNAOH BARRA-BOATS 

**  BamadeSf  termed  soland  getae 
In  th*  ifllandB  of  the  Orcades.'*— iTucIiftraf. 

rhey  were  formerly  supposed  to  produce  the  barnacle-goose !  (vide  old 
cyclopedias) :  the  poet,  howeyer,  was  too  good  a  naturalist  to  believe  this, 
but  here,  as  in  many  other  places,  he  means  to  banter  some  of  the  papers 
which  were  published  by  the  first  establishers  of  the  Royal  Society. 
The  shell  is  compressed  and  multivalve.  The  tentacula  are  long  and 
pectinated  like  a  feather,  whence  arose  the  fable  of  their  becoming 
geese.     They  belong  to  the  order  of  Cirripeds. 

BARNAGH.     The  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  a  limpet 

BAROMETER  A  glass  tube  of  36  inches  in  length,  filled  with  the 
open  end  upwards  with  refined  mercury — thus  boiled  and  suddenly 
inverted  into  a  cistern,  which  is  furnished  with  a  leathern  bag,  on 
which  the  atmosphere,  acting  by  its  varying  weight,  presses  the  fluid 
metal  up  to  corresponding  heights  in  the  tube,  easily  read  off  by  an 
external  scale  attached  thereto.  By  attentive  observations  on  this 
simple  prophet,  practised  seamen  are  enabled  to  foretel  many  approach- 
ing changes  of  wind  or  weather,  and  thus  by  shortening  sail  in  time, 
save  hull,  spars,  and  lives.  This  instrument  also  affords  the  means  of 
accurately  determining  the  heights  or  depressions  of  mountains  and 
valleys.  This  is  the  mercurial  barometer;  another,  the  aneroid  bar- 
ometer, invented  by  Monsr.  Vidi,  measures  approximately,  but  not 
with  the  permanence  of  the  mei*curial.  It  is  constructed  to  measure 
the  weight  of  a  column  of  air  or  pressure  of  the  atmosphere,  by  pres- 
sure on  a  very  delicate  metallic  box  hermetically  sealed.  It  is  more 
sensible  to  passing  changes,  but  not  so  reliable  as  the  mercurial 
barometer.  29*60  is  taken  as  the  mean  pressure  in  England;  as  it 
rises  or  falls  below  this  mark,  fine  weather  or  strong  winds  may  be 
looked  for: — 30'60  is  very  high,  and  29*00  very  low.  The  barometer 
is  affected  by  the  direction  of  the  wind,  thus  N.N.K  is  the  highest, 
and  S.S.W.  the  lowest — ^therefore  these  matters  govern  the  decision  of 
men  of  science,  who  are  not  led  astray  by  the  change  of  reading  alone. 
The  seaman  pilot  notes  the  heavens;  the  direction  of  the  wind — and 
the  pressure  due  to  that  direction — ^not  forgetting  sudden  changes  of 
temperature.  Attention  is  due  to  the  surface,  whether  convex  or 
concave. 

BARQUE.     The  same  as  hark  (which  see). 

BARR.     A  peremptory  exception  to  a  proposition. 

BARRA-BOATS.  Vessels  of  the  Western  Isles  of  Scotland,  carrying 
ten  or  twelve  men.  They  are  extremely  sharp  fore  and  aft,  having 
no  floor,  but  with  sides  rising  straight  from  the  keel,  so  that  a  trans- 
verse section  resembles  the  letter  V.     They  are  swift  and  safe,  for  in 


BARRACAN BARRICADE  SI 

proportion  as  they  heel  to  a  breeze  their  bearings  are  increased,  while 
from  their  lightness  they  are  as  buoyant  as  Norway  skiffii 

BARRACAN.  A  strong  undiapered  camblet,  used  for  garments  in  the 
Levant  and  ip  Barbary;  anciently  it  formed  the  Roman  toga. 

BARRACK-MASTER.     The  officer  placed  in  chaise  of  a  barrack. 

BARRACKS.  Originally  mere  log-huts,  but  of  late  extensive  houses 
built  for  the  accommodation  and  quartering  of  troops.  Also,  the  portion 
of  the  lower  deck  where  the  marines  mess.  Also,  little  cabins  made 
by  Spanish  fishermen  on  the  sea-shore,  called  hovrracas,  whence  our 
name. 

BARRACK  SMACK.  A  corruption  of  Berwick  smack;  a  word 
applied  to  small  Scotch  traders.  The  masters  were  nicknamed  barrack- 
masters, 

BARRATRY.  Any  fraudulent  act  of  the  master  or  mariners  com- 
mitted to  the  prejudice  of  the  ship's  owners  or  underwriters,  whether 
by  fraudulently  losing  the  vessel,  deserting  her,  selling  her,  or  com- 
mitting any  other  embezzlement.  The  diverting  a  ship  from  her  right 
course,  with  evil  intent^  is  barratry. 

BARRED  KILLIFISEL  A  small  fish  from  two  to  four  inches  in 
length,  which  frequents  salt-water  creeks,  floats,  and  the  vicinity  of 
wharves. 

BARREL.  A  cylindrical  vessel  for  holding  both  liquid  and  dry  goods. 
Also,  a  commercial  measure  of  3H  gallons. 

BARREL  OF  A  Capstan.  The  cylinder  between  the  whelps  and  the 
paul  rim,  constituting  the  main-piece. 

BARREL  OP  A  Pump.  The  wooden  tube  which  forms  the  body  of  the 
engine. 

BARREL  OF  Small  Arms.  The  tube  through  which  the  bullets  are 
discharged.  In  artillery  the  term  belongs  to  the  construction  of 
certain  guns,  and  signifies  the  inner  tube,  as  distinguished  from  the 
breech-piece,  trunnion-piece,  and  hoops  or  outer  coils,  the  other  essential 
parts  of  "  built-up  guns  "  (which  see). 

BARREL  OP  THE  Wheel.  The  cylinder  round  which  the  tiller-ropes 
are  wound. 

BARREL-BUILDER.     The  old  rating  for  a  cooper. 

BARREL-BULK.  A  measure  of  capacity  for  freight  in  a  ship,  equal 
to  five  cubic  feet:  so  that  eight  barrel-bulk  are  equal  to  one  ton 
measurement. 

BARREL-SCREW.  A  powerful  machine,  consisting  of  two  large 
poppets,  or  male  screws,  moved  by  levers  in  their  heads,  upon  a  bank 
of  plank,  with  a  female  screw  at  each  end.  It  is  of  great  use  in  start- 
ing a  launch. 

BARRICADK    A  strong  wooden  rail,  supported  by  stanchions  extend- 

P 


82  BASJEUEB BASE-BIKG 

ing  as  a  fence  across  the  foremost  part  of  the  quarter-deck,  on  the  top 
of  which  some  of  the  seamen's  hammocks  are  usually  stowed  in  time  of 
battle.  In  a  vessel  of  war  the  vacant  spaces  between  the  stanchions 
are  commonly  filled  with  rope-mats,  cork,  or  pieces  of  old  cable;  and 
the  upper  part,  which  contains  a  double  rope-netting  above  the  sail,  is 
stuffed  with  full  hammocks  to  intercept  small  shot  in  the  time  of 
battle.  Also,  a  temporary  fortification  or  fence  made  with  abatis, 
palisades,  or  any  obstacles,  to  bar  the  approach  of  an  enemy  by  a  given 
avenue. 

BABBIEB  OF  Ice.  Ice  stretching  from  the  land-ice  to  the  sea  or  main 
ice,  or  across  a  channel,  so  as  to  render  it  impassable. 

BAERIEE  EEEFS.  Coral  reefs  that  either  extend  in  straight 
lines  in  frY)nt  of  the  shores  of  a  continent  or  large  island,  or 
encircle  smaller  isles,  in  both  cases  being  separated  from  the  land  by 
a  chaimel  of  water.  Barrier  reefs  in  New  South  Wales,  the  Ber- 
mudas, Laccadives,  Maldives^  <bc. 

BABBIEBS.  A  martial  exercise  of  men  armed  with  short  swords, 
within  certain  railings  which  separated  them  from  the  spectators.  It 
has  long  been  discontinued  in  England. 

BARROW.     A  hillock,  a  tumulua 

BARSK     The  common  river-perch. 

BARTIZAN.     The  overhanging  turrets  on  a  battlement 

BARUTH.  An  Indian  measure,  with  a  corresponding  weight  of  3^  lbs. 
avoirdupois. 

BASE.  The  breech  of  a  gun.  Also,  the  lowest  part  of  the  perimeter  of 
a  geometrical  figure.  When  applied  to  a  delta  it  is  that  edge  of  it 
which  is  washed  by  the  sea,  or  recipient  of  the  deltic  branches.  Also, 
the  lowest  part  of  a  mountain  or  chain  of  mountains.  Also,  the  level 
line  on  which  any  work  stands,  as  the  foot  of  a  pillar.  Also,  an  old 
boat-gun;  a  wall-piece  on  the  muaketoon  principle,  carrying  a  five-ounce 
balL 

BASE-LINR  In  strategy,  the  line  joining  the  various  points  of  a  base 
of  operations.  In  surveying,  the  base  on  which  the  triangulation  is 
founded. 

BASE  OF  OPERATIONS.  In  strategy,  one  or  a  series  of  strategic 
points  at  which  are  established  the  magazines  and  means  of  supply 
necessary  for  an  army  in  the  field. 

BASE-RING.  In  guns  of  cast-metal,  the  flat  moulding  round  the 
breech  at  that  part  where  the  longitudinal  surface  ends  and  the  ver- 
tical termination  or  cascable  begins.  The  length  of  the  gun  is 
reckoned  from  the  after-edge  of  the  baae-ring  to  the  face  of  the  muzzle : 
but  in  built-up  guns,  there  being  generally  no  base-ring  moulded, 
and  the  breech  assuming  various  forms,  the  length  is  measured  from 


BASHAW BASSE  83 

th^  afber-exireme  of  the  breech,  exclusiye  of  any  button  or  other 
adjunct. 

BASHAW.     A  Turkish  title  of  honour  and  command;  more  properly 
'  pacha. 

BASIL.  The  angle  to  which  the  edge  of  shipwrights'  cutting  tools  is 
ground  away. 

BASILICON.  An  ointment  composed  of  wax,  resin,  pitch,  black  resin, 
and  olive  oil.  Yellow  hasUiconj  of  olive  oil,  yellow  resin,  Burgundy 
pitch,  and  turpentine. 

BASILICUS.  A  name  of  Kegulus  or  the  Lion's  Heart,  a  Leonis; 
a  star  of  the  first  magnitude. 

BASILISK.  An  old  name  for  a  long  48-pounder,  the  gun  next  in  size 
to  the  carthoun:  called  basilisk  from  the  snakes  or  dragons  sculptured 
in  the  place  of  dolphins.  According  to  Sir  William  Monson  its 
random  range  was  3000  paces.  Also,  in  stUl  earlier  times,  a  gun 
throwing  an  iron  ball  of  200  lbs.  weight 

BASILLABD.     An  old  term  for  a  poniard. 

BASIN.  A  wet-dock  provided  with  flood-gates  for  restraining  the 
water,  in  which  shipping  may  be  kept  afloat  in  all  times  of  tide. 
Also,  all  those  sheltered  spaces  of  water  which  are  nearly  surrounded 
with  slopes  from  which  waters  are  feceived;  these  x'eceptacles  have  a 
circular  shape  and  narrow  entrance.  Geographically  basins  may  be 
divided,  as  upper,  lower,  lacustrine,  fluvial,  mediterranean,  &c. 

BASIS.     See  Babb. 

BASKET.  In  field-works,  baskets  or  corbeilles  are  used,  to  be  filled 
with  earth,  and  placed  by  one  another,  to  cover  the  men  from  the 
enemy's  shot 

BASKET-FISH.  A  name  for  several  species  of  Euryale;  a  kind  of  star- 
fish, the  arms  of  which  divide  and  subdivide  many  times,  and  curl  up 
and  intertwine  at  the  ends,  giving  the  whole  animal  something  of  the 
appearance  of  a  round  basket 

BASKET-HILT.  The  guard  continued  up  the  hilt  of  a  cutlass,  so  as  to 
protect  the  whole  hand  frx)m  injury. 

BASKING  SHABK.  So  called  from  being  often  seen  lying  still  in  the 
sunshine.  A  lai^e  cartilaginous  fish,  the  Squalu8  maximua  of  Lin- 
naeus, inhabiting  the  Northern  Ocean.  It  attains  a  length  of  30  feet, 
but  is  neither  fierce  nor  voracious.  Its  liver  yields  fit)m  eight  to 
twelve  barrels  of  oiL 

BASS,  OB  Bast.  A  soft  sedge  or  rush  {Juncus  l(Bvi8)j  of  which  coarse 
kinds  of  rope  and  matting  are  mada  A  Gaelic  term  for  the  blade  of 
an  oar. 

BASSE.  A  species  of  perch  {Perea  labrax),  found  on  the  coast  and  in 
estuaries,  commonly  about  18  inches  long. 


84  BASSOS 6ATABDEAU 

BASSOS.  A  name  in  old  cliarts  for  shoals;  whence  bas-fond  and  basso- 
fonda     Bocks  awash,  or  below  water. 

BAST.  lime-tree,  linden  {Tilia  europea).  Bast  is  made  also  from  the 
bark  of  various  other  trees,  macerated  in  water  tUl  the  fibrous  layers 
separate.  In  the  Pacific  Isles  it  is  veiy  fine  and  strong,  from  Hibiscus 
tiliaceus, 

BASTA     A  word  in  former  use  for  enough^  from  the  Italian. 

BASTAED.  A  term  applied  to  all  pieces  of  ordnance  which  are  of 
unusual  or  irregular  proportions :  the  government  bastard-cannon  had 
a  7-inch  bore,  and  sent  a  40-lb.  shot.  Alse,  a  fidr-weather  square  sail 
in  some  Mediterranean  craft,  and  occasionallj  used  for  an  awning. 

BASTAED-MAOKEREL,  or  Hobsb-Macksrel.  The  Caranx  trackurus, 
a  dry,  coarse,  and  unwholesome  fish,  of  the  fieimilj  ScomberidcBy  very- 
common  in  the  Mediterranean. 

BASTARD-PITCH.  A  mixture  of  K5olophony,  black  pitch,  and  tar. 
They  are  boiled  down  together,  and  put  into  barrels  of  pine-wood, 
forming,  when  the  ingredients  are  mixed  in  equal  portions,  a  sub- 
stance of  a  very  liquid  consistence^  called  in  France  bray  graa.  If  a 
thicker  consistence  is  desired,  a  greater  proportion  of  colophony  is 
added,  and  it  is  cast  in  moulds.     It  is  then  called  bastard-piteh, 

BASTE,  To.     To  beat  in  punition.     A  mode  of  sewing  in  sail-making. 

BASTILE.  A  temporaiy  wooden  tower,  <used  formerly  in  naval  and 
military  warfare. 

BASTIONS  Projecting  portions  of  a  rampart^  so  disposed  that  the 
bottom  of  the  escarp  of  each  part  of  the  whole  rampart  may  be  de- 
fended from  the  parapet  of  some  other  part.  Their  form  and  dimen- 
sions are  influenced  by  many  considerations,  especially  by  the  efiect 
and  range  of  fire-arms;  but  it  is  essential  to  them  to  have  two  faces 
and  two  flanks;  the  former  having  an  average  length,  according  to 
present  systems,  of  1 30  yards,  the  latter  of  40  yards. 

BASTON,  OB  Baton.     A  club  used  of  old  by  authority.     (See  Batoon.) 

BASTONADO.  Beating  a  criminal  with  sticks  [from  hastoney  a  cudgel]. 
A  punishment  comjnon  among  Jews,  Greeks,  and  Romans,  and  still 
practised  in  the  Levant,  China,  and  Russia. 

BAT,  OB  Sea- BAT.  An  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  boat  or  vessel  Also  a 
broad-bodied  thoracic  flsh,  with  a  small  head,  and  distinguished  by  its 
large  triangular  dorsal  and  anal  fins,  which  exceed  the  length  of  the 
body.     It  is  the  CTicetodon  vespertilio  of  naturalists. 

BAT  AND  FORAGK  A  regulated  allowance  in  money  and  forage  to 
officers  in  the  field. 

BATARDATES.     Square-stemmed  row-galleys. 

BATARDEAXJ.  In  fortification,  a  dam  of  masonry  crossing  the  ditch : 
its  top  is  constructed  of  such  a  form  as  to  afford  no  passage  along  it. 


BATAKDELLES BATTENS  85 

BATARDELLES.  Galleys  less  strong  tlian  the  capitana,  and  placed  on 
each  side  of  her. 

BATEAU.  A  flat-bottomed,  sharp-ended  clumey  boat,  used  on  the 
rivers  and  lakes  of  Canada;  some  of  them  are  large.  Also  a  peculiar 
army  pontoon. 

BATED.     A  plump,  full-roed  fish  is  said  to  be  bated. 

BATELLA     A  small  plying-boat. 

BATH.  (See  Washing-placb.)  An  erder  of  knighthood  instituted  in 
1339,  revived  in  1725,  and  enlarged  as  a  national-  reward  of  naval 
and  military  merit  in  January,  1815.  Henry  lY.  gave  this  name, 
because  the  forty-six  esquires  on  whom  he  conferred  this  honour  at 
his  coronation  had  watched  all  the  previous  night,  and  then  bathed  as 
typical  of  their  pure  virtue.  The  order  was  supposed  to  belong  to 
men  who  distinguished  themselves  by  valour  as  regards  the  navy,  but 
it  is  now  deemed  an  inferior  representation  of  court  fitvour. 

BATILLAGE.     An  old  term  for  boat-hire. 

BATMAN.  A  Turkish  weight  of  6  okea,  or  about  18  lbs.  English. 
There  is  also  a  smaller  batman  in  Turkey,  of  about  4  lbs.  10  oz. 
English.  In  Persia  there  are  also  two  batmans — ^the  larger  equal  to 
12  lb&  English,  and  the  other  is  of  about  half  that  weight.  Also, 
a  soldier  assigned  to  a  mounted  officer  as  groom. 

BATOON,  Babton,  ob  Baton.  A  stafi)  truncheon,  op  badge  of  military 
honour  for  field-marshals..  A  term  in  heraldry.  Also,  bcUoona  of 
St.  Fatd,  the  fossil  spines  of  echini,  foimd  in  Malta  and  elsewhere. 

BAT-SWAIN.     An  Anglo-Saxon  expression  for  boatswain. 

BATTA.  Extra  allowance  of  pay  granted  to  troops  ia  India,  varying 
somewhat  with  the  nature  of  the  service  they  are  employed  upon,  and 
their  distance  from  the  capital  of  the  presidency. 

BATTALIA.     The  order  of  battle. 

BATTALION.  A  force  of  soldiers,  complete  in  staff  aiid  officers,  of 
such  strength  as  will  allow  of  its  manoeuvres  on  the  field  of  battle 
being  intimately  regukted  by  one  superior  officer.  The  term  is  now 
proper  to  infantry  only,  and  represents  from  500  to  1000  men.  It  is 
the  ordinary  unit  made  use  of  iu  estimating  the  infimtry  strength  of 
an  army. 

BAITARD.     An  early  cannon  of  small  size. 

B  ATTELOK     A  lateen-rigged  vessel  of  India. 

RATTENING  THE  HATCHES.  Securing  the  tarpaulins  over  them. 
{See  Battens.) 

BATTENS.  In  general,  scantlings  of  wood  from  1  inch  to  3  inches 
broad.  Long  slips  of  fir  used  for  setting  fair  the  sheer  lines  of  a  ship^ 
or  drawing  the  lines  by  in  the  moulding  lofl^  and  setting  off  distances. 

BATTENS  FOR  Hammocks.    See  Hammock-battens. 


86-  BATTENS BAVIN 

BATTENS  OF  the  Hatches.  Long  narrow  latlis,  or  straightened  hoops 
of  casks,  serving  by  the  help  of  nailing  to  confine  the  edges  of  the 
tarpaulinsy  and  keep  them  close  down  to  the  sides  of  the  hatchways,  in 
bad  weather.  Also,  thin  strips  of  wood  put  upon  rigging,  to  keep  it 
firom  chafing,  by  those  who  dislike  mats :  when  large  these  are  desig- 
nated Scotchmm. 

BATTERING  GUNS.  Properly  guns  whose  weight  and  power  fit 
them  for  demolishing  by  direct  force  the  works  of  the  enemy;  hence 
all  heavy,  as  distinguished  from  field  or  light,  guns  come  under  the 
term.    {See  Siege  Artillery  and  Garrison  Artillery.) 

BATTERING  RAM.    See  Ram. 

BATTERING  TRAIN.  The  train  of  heavy  ordnance  necessary  for  a 
siege,  which,  since  the  copious  introduction  of  vertical  and  other 
shell  fire,  is  more  correctly  rendered  by  the  term  siege-train  (which 
see). 

BATTERY.  A  place  whereon  cannon,  mortars,  &a,  are  or  may  be 
mounted  for  action.  It  generally  has  a  parapet  for  the  protection  of 
the  gunners,  and  other  defences  and  conveniences  according  to  its 
importance  and  objects.  {See  also  Floating  Battery.)  Also,  a  com- 
pany of  artillery^  In  field-artillery  it  includes  men,  guns  (usually  six 
in  the  British  service),  horses,  carnages,  &c.,  complete  for  service. 

BATTLK  An  engagement  between  two  fleets,  or  even  single  ships, 
usually  called  a  sea-fight  or  engagement  The  conflict  between  the 
forces  of  two  contending  armies. 

BATTLE  LANTERNS  (American).     See  Fighting  Lanterns. 

BATTLEMENTS.  The  vertical  notches  or  openings  made  in  the 
parapet  walls  of  old  castles  and  fortified  buildings,  to  serve  for  em- 
brasures to  the  bowmen,  arquebusiers,  ^.,  of  former  days. 

BATTLE-ROYAL.  A  term  derived  fipom  cock-fighting,  but  generally 
applied  to  a  noisy  confused  row. 

BATTLE  THE  WATCH,  To.  To  shift  as  well  as  we  can;  to  contend 
with  a  difficulty.     To  depend  on  one^s  own  exertions. 

BATTLING-STONR  A  large  stone  with  a  smooth  surfiwe  by  the  side 
of  a  stream,  on  which  washers  beat  their  linen. 

BATTS.  A  north-country  term  for  flat  grounds  adjoining  islands  in 
rivers,  sometimes  used  for  the  islands  themselves. 

BAT-WARD.     An  old  term  for  a  boat-keeper. 

BAUN.    See  Bore. 

BAVIER.     The  beaver  of  a  helmet 

BAVIN.  Brushwood  bound  up  with  only  one  withe :  a  faggot  is  tied 
with  two.     It  is  often  spelled  ha/ven^  but  Shakspeare  has 

"  Bash  bavin  wits, 
Soon  kindled  and  soon  burned.'* 


BAW-BURD BEACH  .S7 

This  underwood  is  sometimes  procurable  by  ships  where  none  other 
can  be  got.     Bavin  in  war  applies  to  fascines. 

BAW-BURD.     An  old  expression  of  larboard. 

BAWJDRICK.     Corrupted  £rom  haldrick,     A  girdle  or  sword-belt. 

BAWE.     A  species  of  worm,  formerly  used  as  a  bait  for  fishing. 

BAWGIK  One  of  the  names  given  to  the  great  black  and  white  gull 
(Larua  marinus)  in  the  Shetlands. 

BAWKIE.     A  northern  term  for  the  auk,  or  razor-biUL 

BAXIOS.     [Sp.]  Bocks  or  sandbanks  covered  with  water.     Scopuli. 

BAY.  The  fore-part  of  a  ship  between  decks,  before  the  bitts  {see  Sick 
Bay).     Foremost  messing-places  between  decks  in  ships  of  war. 

BAY.  An  inlet  of  the  sea  formed  by  the  curvature  of  the  land  between 
two  capes  or  headlands,  often  used  synonymously  with  gulf;  though, 
in  strict  accuracy,  the  term  should  be  applied  only  to  those  large 
recesses  which  are  wider  from  cape  to  cape  than  they  are  deep. 
Exposed  to  sea-winds,  a  bay  is  mostly  insecure.  A  bay  is  distin- 
guished £rom  a  bend,  as  that  a  vessel  may  not  be  able  to  fetch  out  on 
either  tack,  and  is  embayed.  A  bay  has  proportionably  a  wider 
entrance  than  either  a  gulf  or  haven;  a  creek  has  usually  a  small 
inlet,  and  is  always  much  less  than  a  bay. 

BAY.     Laurel ;  hence  crowned  with  bays. 

BAYAMOS.  Violent  blasts  of  wind  blowing  from  the  land,  on  the 
south  side  of  Cuba,  and  especially  from  the  Bight  of  Bayamo,  by 
which  8om«  of  our  cruisers  have  been  damaged  They  axe  accompanied 
by  vivid  lightning,  and  generally  terminate  in  ndn. 

BAY-GULF.  A  branch  of  the  sea,  of  which  the  entrance  is  the  widest 
part,  as  contradistinguished  from  the  strait-gulf  The  Bay  of  Biscay 
is  a  well-known  example  of  the  semi-circular  gulf 

BAY-ICE.  Ice  newly  formed  on  the  surface  of  the  sea,  and  having  the 
colour  of  the  water;  it  is  then  in  the  first  stage  of  consolidation.  The 
epithet  is,  however,  also  applied  to  ice  a  foot  or  two  in  thickness  in 
bays. 

BAYLE.     An  old  term  for  bucket 

BAYONET  [Sp.  bayoneta].      A  pike-dagger  to  fit  on  the  muzzle  of  a 

musket,  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  its  firing. 
BAZAR,  OR   Bazaab.      A  market,   or  market-place.      An   oriental 

term. 

BAZAR  AS.  A  large  flat-bottomed  pleasure-boat  of  the  Ganges^  moved 
with  both  sails  and  oars. 

BEACH.  A  littoral  margin,  or  line  of  coast  along  the  sea-shore,  com- 
posed of  sand,  gravel,  dhingle,  broken  sheUs,  or  a  mixture  of  them  all : 
any  gently  sloping  part  of  the  coast  al^mately  dry  and  covered  by 
the  tide.     The  same  as  strand. 


88 

BEACHr  Ta     StnUen.  Iflntiizi^^ — «o  nm  a  boat  oa  tfe  iiuasr  to  land  » 
pezaoa  widi  intoit  Go  (heaert  hint — sa  old  baaamftrr  ml*wH,     To  iand 
a  bflftt  OIL  a  beack  be^ure  a  dangeaiKis  9e%  diia  «ipTnmidii  prartaral 
iddllr  fi>r  wiiiciL  die  Ekkvoraiid  Deal  num.  are  SuneiL 
BEACH-COICBESS.     LoiceDHS  ammui  a  Bay  ^  harbonE: 
BRACH-€0])tBI!^G.     Loafing  abonc  a  pore  tt>  dick  viail  diino 
BEACH 'FLEA.      A  9Ba£L  cmmaamxL  iT'Ukmi    i3:*>t(iiaiian^ 


BEACH-G^BAi^     Mgm  mtmina  thrown.  Tip  hj  ciie  serf  or  cii^ 
BEACHE^G  A  TE5«*EL     *?«  vauier  Voucttasct  straxdeis.     Also, 

die  act  of  mnning  a  vcmel  Tip  «>a  the  beach.    ]Sir  ▼ariom  parpoKB 

wfaeie  there  ia  no  'idn^  accomTnn*L-i.tif>n, 
BEACH'MA^^.     a  pexaoiL  on.  the  coasC  of  A^^ca  who  acts  aa  inter* 

prefer  to  ^pmaa&sm  and  aaBSCB  them.  m.  coad^nTtm^  the  trade. 
BEACH' MAi^TEB*      A  anperior  o£ca:.  capcmu  arpi^inted  t»  saper- 

inCHid  diaenLbazkacina  of  an  attacking;  &Fr;«i  whii  hi:uh»  ulenaarr  unw^s^ 

and  ^enoailv  leads  the  jcormin^  party,     fila  acta  wkoi  in.  the  beat  *it 

action^  if  he  ^nrninarily  9ho«}C  a  cowapl.  are  nnqTi«s9cioned — pocv  F^> 

conec  to  wit! 
BEACH'MENL     a  name  applied  to  boatmen,  and  :uiofie  whi}  land  people 

dimni^  a  heavy  mat, 

BEACH-RA^<j^££^     Men  hangrng  abcnt  «a-cor!a»  who  hikTe  been. 

emiifld  out  of  ^''imfia  iox  bad  •:ondncc. 
BEACH-TRAMP EEiL     A  name  applied  to  the  coaat-OTiri 

BEACON.  "An^o-'^axon,  hradm.\  A  post  'ir  jcake  «retnk!ti  'iv^ora  ^oal 
or  amdhank.  aa  a  warning  &)  seamen  t<)  ^ist^^  as  a  -iistaiLce;  aLw  a 
^dgnai-inazk  piacefi  on  tiie  ti)p  of  h^IIdw  eminenct^ti.  -tt  bailiiin;^  near  the 
^hofe  !^r  the  «k£e  j^iidance  of  shipping 

BEACONAGE     A  payment  Levied  !br  the  mazncenanoe  (x£  oeacaaaL 

BEA.^-     Often  Oiied  hv  •iawt-^^iimtrv  men  ror  aJ^a^ 

BEAK,  oa  Bca^-hsajIu  A  piiH!e  ot'  braae  like  a  beak,  dx^i  as  the  head 
of  'he  ancient  jaile^'H.  with  wiiicii  th#tv  •:ittr'^*d  thiiir  enemi^s^  Fidsos 
18  <iaiit  ^  have  drac  jdiieti  the  roscnm.  or  beak-heatL  Lac<^r  is  was 
a  oall  piactorm  is  ^he  dbre  part  'if  the  upper  •iei:k.  but  tiie  term.  i» 
now  applied  to  dias  part  without  the  iiiip  be^:re  tiie  ^^recae^tle*  or 
koee  of  the  head,  whick  ia  ii^^ieii  to  txie  5C•^nl  and  is  ^crruorteti  bT 
the  main,  knee,  Lacterij.  to  meet  iceam  pn:cTiI:fit>n.  tiie  whiiie  *>i  tiiiii 
IB  enlaised^  jtHmgnh^iefi.  and  irmeti  witk  ir':a  plates,  and  thus  the 
armed  ttem.  revtv^ss  the  amnenc  ^stratetr^  in  3ea-d;rit&.  ShaksDeare 
makea  Ariel  thos  aUnde  v«  the  t«ak  in  the  "T'^mpesc  '7 — 

**  Zhtmeded  'jie  kiiuri  «xrp:  jnw  in.  the  bemk, 
Ti^riw^  31.  'die  wsuas,  die  •ieek,  ok  ^nszy 


n 


BKAKKR BSAK-OOD  39 

BEAKEB.  A  flat  drinkii^  tumbler  or  cap^  horn  the  Gemuui  hecker, 
(SeeBunaoL) 

BEAK-HEAD  BEAM.     For  this  important  timber  wee  Cat-bkax. 

BEAK-HEAD  BULKHEAD.  The  old  terminatioii  aft  of  the  spmce 
called  beai-keadf  which  inclosed  the  fore  part  of  the  ship. 

BEALw  A  wmrd  of  CSaelic  deriTation  for  an  <^)ening  or  narrow  pass 
between  two  hUlflL 

BE  A  M.  A  long  doable  stratnm  of  mux^  donds  generally  obsenred 
over  the  saAce  of  the  Mediterranean  prerioos  to  a  violent  storm  or 
an  earthqoakeL     The  French  call  it  Awe. 

BEAM.  (See  AsEAjLy^Before  the  beam  is  an  arc  of  the  horizon,  com- 
prehended between  a  line  that  crosses  the  ship's  length  at  right  angles 
and  some  object  at  a  distance  before  it;  <^  between  the  line  of  the 
beam  and  that  point  of  the  oompsas  which  she  stem&  On  the  weather 
or  lee  beam  is  in  a  direction  to  windward  or  leeward  at  right  angles 
with  the  keeL 

BEAM-ABM.     Synonjmoas  with  cnw^oot  (which  see). 

BEAM-ENDS.  A  ship  is  said  to  be  on  her  beam-ends  when  she  has 
heeled  over  so  moch  on  one  side  that  her  beams  a|^roach  to  a  vertical 
position;  hence  also  a  person  lying  down  is  metaphorically  said  to  be 
on  his  beam-ends. 

BEAM-FILLINGSl  Short  lengths  of  wood  cat  to  fit  in  between  the 
beams  to  complete  the  cargo  of  a  timber  shipi 

BEAM-LTNTK  A  line  raised  along  the  inside  of  the  ship  lore  and  aft, 
showing  the  npper  sides  of  the  beams  at  her  side. 

BEAM  OF  THE  ANCHOR     Synonymons  with  awhor-etocL 

BEAMS.  Strang  transverse  pieces  of  timber  stretching  across  the  ship 
from  one  side  to  the  other,  to  sopport  the  decks  and  retain  the  sides 
at  their  proper  distance;,  with  which  they  are  firmly  connected  by 
means  of  strong  knees,  and  sometimes  of  standards.  They  are  sus- 
tained at  each  end  by  thick  stringers  on  the  ship's  side,  called  shelf- 
pieoesy  upon  which  they  resL  The  main-beam  is  next  abaft  the  main- 
masty  which  is  stepped  between  two  beams  with  transverse  sapports 
termed  partners;  the  foremost  of  these  is  generally  termed  the  main- 
beam,  or  the  after-beam  of  the  main-hatchway.  The  greatest  beam  oi 
all  is  called  the  midship-beam. 

BEAN-COD.  A  small  fishing-vessel,  or  pilot-boat,  common  on  the  sea- 
coasts  and  in  the  rivers  of  Spain  and  Portogal;  extremely  sharp  for- 
ward,  having  its  stem  bent  inward  above  in  a  considerable  carve;  it 
is  commonly  navigated  with  a  large  lateen  sail,  which  extends  the 
whole  length  of  Uie  deck,  and  sometimes  of  an  outrigger  over  the 
stem,  and  is  acoordin^y  weO  fitted  to  ply  to  windward.  They 
frequently  set  as  many  as  twenty  different  sails,  alow  and  aloft,  by 


90  BEAR BEARDINO-UNE 

every  possible  contrivance^  so  as  to  puzzle  seamen  who  are  not  feimiliar 
with  the  rig. 

BEAR  A  large  block  of  stone,  matted,  loaded  with  shot»  and  fitted 
with  ropes,  bj  which  it  is  rowsed  or  pulled  to  and  fro  to  grind  the 
decks  withaL     Also,  a  coir-mat  filled  with  sand  similarly  used. 

BEAR,  The  oonstellations  of  the.  Ursa  Major  and  Minor,  most 
important  to  seamen,  as  instantly  indicating  by  the  pointers  and  pole- 
star  the  true  north  at  nighty  much  more  correctly  than  any  compass 
bearing. 

BEAE,  To.  The  direction  of  an  object  from  the  viewer;  it  is  used  in 
the  following  different  phrases:  The  land's  end  bore  KN.K;  i.e.  it 
was  seen  from  the  ship  in  a  line  with  the  KN.K  point  of  the  compass. 
We  bore  down  upon  the  enemy;  i,e,  having  the  advantage  of  the  wind, 
or  being  to  windward,  we  approached  the  enemy  by  sailing  large,  or 
from  the  wind.  When  a  ship  that  was  to  windward  comes  under 
another  ship's  stem,  and  so  gives  her  the  wind,  she  is  said  to  bear 
under  the  lee;  often  as  a  mark  of  respect.  She  bears  in  with  the 
land,  is  said  of  a  ship  when  she  runs  towards  the  shore.  We  bore  off 
the  land;  t.e.  we  increased  our  distance  from  the  land. — To  bear  down 
upon  a  ship,  is  to  approach  her  from  the  windward. — To  hear 
ordrumce,  to  cany  her  guns  welL — To  bear  sailj  stiff  under  canvas. — 
To  bear  up^  to  put  the  helm  up,  and  keep  a  vessel  off  her  course, 
letting  her  recede  from  the  wind  and  move  to  leeward;  this  is  synony- 
mous with  to  bear  auxiy,  but  is  applied  to  the  ship  instead  of  the  helm. 
— Bear  up^  one  who  has  duly  served  for  a  commission,  but  from  want 
of  interest  bears  up  broken-hearted  and  accepts  an  inferior  warrant,  or 
quits  the  profession,  seeking  some  less  important  vocation;  some 
middies  have  borne  up  and  yet  become  bishops,  lord-chancellors, 
judges,  surgeons,  &c — To  bear  up  round,  is  to  put  a  ship  right  before 
the  wind. — To  bring  a  cannon  to  bear,  signifies  that  it  now  lies  right 
with  the  mark. — To  bear  off  from  and  in  toith  the  land,  signifies 
standing  off  or  going  towards  the  coast. 

BEAR  A  BOB,  ob  A  FIST.     Jocular  for  "lend  a  hand." 

BEAR  A  HAND.     Hasten. 

BEARD.  The  silky  filaments  or  byssus  by  which  some  testacea  adhere 
to  rocks.     Of  an  oyster,  the  gills. 

BEAKDIE.     A  northern  name  of  the  three-spined  stickleback. 

BEABDING.  The  angular  fore-part  of  the  rudder,  in  juxtaposition 
with  the  stem-post.  Also,  the  corresponding  bevel  of  the  stem-post. 
Also^  the  bevelling  of  any  piece  of  timber  or  plank  to  any  required 
angle:  as  the  bearding  of  dead  wood,  clamps^  &c 

BEARDING-LINK  In  shipbuilding,  is  a  curved  line  made  by  beard- 
ing the  dead-wood  to  the  shape  of  the  ship's  body. 


BEABBBS BEAT  TO  QUABTEBS  9I 

BEARERS.  Pieces  of  plank  placed  on  the  bolts  which  are  driven 
through  the  standards  or  posts  for  the  carpenters'  stages  to  rest  upon. 

BEARING.  An  arc  of  the  horizon  intercepted  between  the  nearest 
meridian  and  any  distant  object^  either  discovered  by  the  eye  and 
referred  to  a  point  on  the  compass,  or  resulting  from  finical  proportion. 
There  is  the  true  or  astronomical  bearing,  and  the  magnetic  bearing. 
It  is  also  the  situation  of  any  distant  object^  estimated  with  regard  to 
the  ship's  position;  and  in  this  sense  the  object  must  bear  either  ahead, 
astern,  abreast,,  on  the  bow,  or  on  the  quarter;  if  a  ship  sails  with  a 
side  wind,  a  distant  object  is  said  to  bear  to  leeward  or  to  windward,  on 
the  lee  quarter  or  bow,  or  on  the  weather  quarter  or  bow. 

BEARING  BACKSTAYS  AFT.  To  throw  the  breast  backstays  out 
of  the  cross-tree  horns  or  outriggers  and  bear  them  aft.  If  not  done, 
when  suddenly  bracing  up,  the  cross-tree  horn  is  frequently  sprung  or 
broken  ofL 

BEARING  BINNACLE.  A  small  binnacle  with  a  single  compass, 
usually  placed  before  the  other.  In  line-of-battle  ships  it  is  generally 
placed  on  the  fife-rail  in  the  centre  and  foremost  part  of  the  poop^ 

BEARINGS.  The  widest  part  of  a  vessel  below  the  plank-shear.  The 
line  of  flotation  which  is  formed  by  the  water  upon  her  sides  when 
she  sits  upright  with  her  provisions,  stores,  and  ballast,  on  board  in 
proper  trim. 

BEARINGS,  To  brinq  to  his.  Used  in  conversation  for  "to  bring  to 
reason.''  To  bring  an  unruly  subject  to  his  senses,  to  know  he  is 
under  control,  to  reduce  to  order. 

BEAT.     The  verb  means  to  excel,  surpass,  or  overcome. 

**  And  then  their  ships  could  only  follow, 
For  we  had  beat  them  all  dead  hollow." 

BEATEN  BACK.     Returning  into  port  from  stress  of  foul  weather. 
BEATING,  OB  TuBNiNG  to  Windwakd.      The  operation  of  making 

progress  by  alternate  tacks  at  sea  against  the  wind,  in  a  zig-zag  line, 

or  transverse  courses;  beating,  however,  is  generally  understood  to  be 

turning  to  windward  in  a  storm  or  fresh  wind. 
BEATING  THE  BOOBY.     The  beating  of  the  hands  from  side  to 

side  in  cold  weather  to  create  artificial  warmth. 
BEATING  WIND.     That  which  requires  the  ship  to  make  her  way 

by  tacks;  a  baffling  or  contrary  wind 
BEATSTER     One  who  hecUs  or  mends  the  Yarmouth  herring-net& 
BEAT  TO  ARMS.     The  signal  by  drum  to  summon  the  men  to  their 

quarters. 
BEAT  TO  QUARTERS.     The  order  for  the  drummer  to  summon 

every  one  to  his  respective  station. 


92  BEAYER BED 

BEAVER  A  helmet  in  general,  bnt  particakrly  that  part  which  lets 
down  to  allow  of  the  wearer's  drinking. 

BECALM,  To.  To  intercept  the  current  of  the  wind  in  its  passage  to  a 
ship,  by  means  of  any  contiguons  object,  as  a  high  shore,  some  other 
ship  to  windwaixl,  dec.  At  this  time  the  sails  remain  in  a  sort  of  rest, 
and  consequently  deprived  of  their  power  to  govern  the  motion  of  the 
ship.     Thus  one  sail  becalms  another. 

BECALMED.  Implies  that  fix>m  the  weather  being  calm,  and  not  a 
breath  of  wind  blowings  the  sails  hang  loose  against  the  mast. 

BECHE  DE  MER     See  Trepanq. 

BECK  [the  Anglo-Saxon  hecca\,  A  small  mountain-brook  or  rivulet, 
common  to  all  northern  dialects.  A  Gaelic  or  Manx  term  for  a  thwart 
or  bench  in  the  boat. 

BECKET.  A  piece  of  rope  placed  so  as  to  confine  a  spar  or  another 
rope;  anything  used  to  keep  loose  ropes,  tackles,  or  spars  in  a  con- 
venient place;  hence,  beckets  are  either  large  hooks  or  short  pieces  of 
.  rope  with  a  knot  at  one  end  and  an  eye  in  the  other;  or  formed  like 
a  circular  wreath  for  handles;  as  with  cutlass  hilts,  boarding  pikes, 
tomahawks,  dec.;  or  they  are  wooden  brackets,  and  probably  from  a 
corruption  and  misapplication  of  this  last  term  arose  the  word  becket, 
which  seems  often  to  be  confounded  with  bracket.  Also,  a  grummet 
either  of  rope  or  iron,  fixed  to  the  bottom  of  a  block,  for  making  fast 
the  standing  end  of  the  fall 

BECKET,  The  Tacks  and  Sheets  in  the  The  order  to  hang  up  the 
weather-main  and  fore-sheet^  and  the  lee-main  and  fore-tack,  to  the 
small  knot  and  eye  becket  on  the  fbremost-main  and  fore-shrouds, 
when  the  ship  is  close  hauled,  to  prevent  them  from  hanging  in  the 
water.  A  kind  of  large  deat  seized  on  a  vessel's  fore  or  main  rigging 
for  the  sheets  and  tacks  to  lie  in  when  not  required.  Cant  term  for 
pockets — ^'  Hands  out  of  beckets,  sir." 

BED.  Flat  thick  pieces  of  wood,  lodged  under  the  quarters  of  casks 
containing  any  liquid,  and  stowed  in  a  ship's  hold,  in  order  to  keep 
them  bilge-free;  being  steadied  upon  the  beds  by  means  of  wedges 
called  quoins.  The  impression  made  by  a  ship's  bottom  on  the  mud 
on  having  been  left  by  an  ebb-tida  The  bite  made  in  the  ground  by 
the  fluke  of  an  anchor.  A  kind  of  false  deck,  or  platform,  placed  on 
those  decks  where  the  guns  were  too  low  for  the  port& — Bed  of  a  gun- 
carriage^  or  stool-becL  The  piece  of  wood  between  the  cheeks  or 
brackets  which,  with  the  intervention  of  the  quoin,  supports  the  breech 
of  the  gun.  It  \a  itself  supported,  forward,  on  the  bed-bolt»  and  aft, 
generally  with  the  intervention  of  an  elevating-screw,  on  the  rear 
axle-tree. 

BED  OB  BARREL  SCREWS.    A  powerful  machine  for  lifting  large 


BED-BOLT BEILED  93 

bodies,  aud  placed  against  the  gripe  of  a  ship  to  be  launched  for  start- 
ing her. 

BED-BOLT.  A  horizontal  bolt  passing  through  both  brackets  of  a  gun- 
carriage  near  their  centres,  and  on  which  the  forward  end  of  the  stool- 
bed  rests. 

BEDDING  A  CASK     Placing  dunnage  round  it. 

BEDLAMERS.  Young  Labrador  seals,  which  set  up  a  dismal  cry  when 
they  cannot  escape  their  pursuers — and  go  madly  after  each  other  in 
the  sea. 

BED  OF  A  MOKTA  EL  The  solid  frame  ^n  which  a  mortar  is  mounted 
for  firing.  For  sea-service  it  is  generally  made  of  wood;  for  land- 
service,  of  iron,  except  in  the  smaller  natures.  In  mortar  vessels  as 
latterly  fitted,  the  bed  traverses  on  a  central  pivot  over  a  large  table 
or  platform  of  wood,  having  under  it  massive  india-rubber  buffers,  to 
moderate  the  jar  from  the  discharge. — Bed  of  a  river y  that  part  of  the 
channel  of  a  stream  over  which  the  water  generally  flows,  as  also  that 
part  of  the  basin  of  a  sea  or  lake  on  which  the  water  lies. 

BED-OF-GUNS.  A  nautical  phrase  implying  ordnance  too  heavy  for  a 
ship's  scantling,  or  a  fort  over-gunned. 

BE-DUNDERED.     Stupifled  with  noise. 

BEE.   A  ring  or  hoop  of  metal. — Bees  of  the  bowsprit,    {See  Bee-blocks.) 

BEE-BLOCKS.  Pieces  of  hard  wood  bolted  to  the  outer  end  of  the 
bowsprit,  to  reeve  the  fore-topmast  stays  through,  the  bolt,  serving  as 
a  pin,  commonly  called  bee& 

BEEF.     A  figurative  term  for  strengtL — More  beef!  more  men  on. 

BEEF-KID.     A  mess  utensil  for  carrying  meat  from  the  coppers. 

BEETLE.  A  shipwright's  heavy  mallet  for  driving  the  wedges  called 
reeming  irons,  so  as  to  open  the  seams  in  order  to  caulk.  {See 
Beemiko.) 

BEETLE-HEAD.  A  large  beetle,  weighing  1000  lbs.,  swayed  up  by  a 
crab  winch  to  a  height,  and  dropped  by  a  pincer-shaped  hook;  it  is  used 
in  pile-driving. 

BEFORE  OR  ABAFT  THE  BEAM.  The  bearing  of  any  object  which 
is  before  or  abaft  a  right  line  to  the  keel,  at  the  midship  section  of  a  ship. 

BEFORE  THE  MAST.  The  station  of  the  working  seamen,  as  dis- 
tinguishing them  from  the  officers. 

BEGGAR-BOLTS.  A  contemptuous  term  for  the  missiles  which  were 
thrown  by  the  galley-slaves  at  an  approaching  enemy. 

BE£LA.yiOUR  The  action  and  qualities  of  a  ship  under  different 
impulses.  Seamen  speak  of  the  manner  in  which  she  behaves,  as  if 
she  acted  by  her  own  instinct. 

BEIKAT.    See  Bykat. 

BEILED.     A  sea-term  in  the  old  law-books,  apparently  for  moored. 


94,  BEING BELLT 

BEING.     See  Biko. 

BELAY,  To.  To  fasten  a  rope  when  it  has  been  sufficiently  hauled 
upon,  by  twining  it  several  times  round  a  cleat,  belaying  pin,  or  kevel, 
without  hitching  or  seizing;  this  is  chiefly  applied  to  the  running 
rigging,  which  needs  to  be  so  secured  that  it  may  be  quickly  let  go  in 
case  of  a  squall  or  change  of  wind;  there  being  several  other  expres- 
sions used  for  securing  large  ropes,  as  bitting,  maJdng  fast^  stoppering, 
(be. — Belay  there,  stop!  that  is  enough! — Belay  that  y<umy  we  have  had 
enough  of  it.  Stand  fast^  secure  all,  when  a  hawser  has  been  suf- 
ficiently hauled.  When  the  topsails,  or  other  sails  have  been  hoisted 
taut  up,  or  '^  belay  the  main-tack,"  &c. 

BELAYING  PINS.  Small  wooden  or  iron  cylinders,  fixed  in  racks  in 
different  parts  of  the  ship,  for  belaying  running  ropes  to. 

BELEAGUER.  To  invest  or  closely  surround  an  enemy's  post,  in  such 
manner  as  to  prevent  all  relief  or  communication. 

BELFBY.  An  ornamental  frame  or  shelter,  under  which  the  ship's 
bell  is  suspended. 

BELL.  Strike  the  beU.  The  order  to  strike  the  clapper  against  the  bell 
as  many  times  as  there  are  half  hours  of  the  watch  elapsed;  hence  we 
say  it  is  two  bells,  three  bells,  &c.,  meaning  there  are  two  or  three 
half-hours  past     The  watch  of  four  hours  is  eight  bells. 

BELLA  STELLA.     A  name  used  by  old  seamen  for  the  cross-sta£ 

BELLATRIX.     y  Ononis. 

BELL-BUOY.  A  large  can-buoy  on  which  is  placed,  in  wicker-work,  a 
bell,  which  is  sounded  by  the  heaving  and  setting  of  the  sea. 

BELLIGERENT.  An  epithet  applied  to  any  country  which  is  in  a 
state  of  warfare. 

BELLOWS.  An  old  hand  at  the  bellows.  A  colloquialism  for  a  man 
up  to  his  duty.  ''A  fresh  hand  at  the  heUowa  "  is  said  when  a  gale 
increases. 

BELL-ROPE.  A  short  rope  spliced  round  a  thimble  in  the  eye  of  the 
bell-crank,  with  a  double  wall-knot  crowned  at  its  end. 

BELLS.     See  Watch. 

BELL-TOP.  A  name  applied  to  the  top  of  a  quarter-gallery,  when  the 
upper  stool  is  hollowed  away,  or  made  like  a  rim. 

BELL-WARE.     A  name  of  the  Zoetera  marina  (which  see). 

BELLY.  The  swell  of  a  saiL  The  inner  or  hoUow  part  of  compass 
timber;  the  outside  is  called  the  hack.  To  belly  a  sail  is  to  inflate  or 
fill  it  with  the  wind,  so  as  to  give  a  taut  leech. — Bellying  canvas  is 
generally  applied  to  a  vessel  going  free,  as  when  the  belly  and  foot 
reefs  which  will  not  stand  on  a  wind,  are  shaken  out. — Bellying  to  tlie 
breeze,  the  sails  filling  or  being  inflated  by  the  wind. — BeUying  to  lee- 
toard,  when  too  much  sail  la  injudiciously  carried. 


BELLY-BAND BBND  95 

BELLY-BAND.  A  strip  of  canvas,  half  way  between  the  close-reef  and 
the  foot  of  square  sails,  to  strengthen  them.  Also  applied  to  an  army 
officer's  sash. 

BELLY-GUY.  A  tackle  applied  half-way  up  sheers,  or  long  spars  that 
require  support  in  the  middle.  Frequently  applied  to  masts  that  have 
been  crippled  by  injudiciously  setting  up  the  rigging  too  taut. 

BELLY-MAT.    See  Paunch-mat. 

BELLY-STAY.  Used  half-mast  down  when  a  mast  requires  support ; 
as  belly-guy,  above. 

BELOW.  The  opposite  of  on  or  *pon  deck.  Generally  used  to  dis- 
tinguish the  watch  on  deck,  and  those  off  the  watch. 

BELT.  A  metaphorical  term  in  geography  for  long  and  proportionally 
narrow  encircling  strips  of  land  having  any  particular  feature;  as  a 
belt  of  sand,  a  belt  of  hills,  k^.  It  is,  in  use,  nearly  synonymous  with 
zone.     Also,  to  beat  with  a  colt  or  rope's  end. 

BELTING.     A  beating;  formerly  given  by  a  belt. 

BELTS.  The  dusky  streaks  crossing  the  surface  of  the  planet  Jupiter, 
and  supposed  to  be  openings  in  his  atmosphere. 

BENCHES  OF  BOATS.  The  seats  in  the  after-part  whereon  the 
passengers  sit;  properly  stem-sheets,  the  others  are  athwarts,  whereon 
the  rowers  sit. 

BEND,  To.  To  £sisten  one  rope  to  another,  or  to  an  anchor.  The  term 
is  also  applied  to  any  sudden  or  remarkable  change  in  the  direction  of 
a  river,  and  is  then  synonymous  with  bight  or  loop. — Bend  a  sail  is 
to  extend  or  make  it  fast  to  its  proper  yard  or  stay.  {See  GBAimy's 
Bend.)    Also,  hend  to  yowr  oars^  throw  them  well  forward. 

BEND.     The  chock  of  the  bowsprit. 

BENDEB.  a  contrivance  to  bend  small  cross-bows,  formerly  used  in 
the  navy.  Also,  "look  out  for  a  bender^'*  or  "strike  out  for  a  bend," 
applied  to  coiling  the  hempen  cables. 

BENDING  ROPES,  is  to  join  them  together  with  a  bowline  knot,  and 
then  make  their  own  ends  fast  upon  themselves;  not  so  secure  as 
splicing,  but  sooner  done,  and  readiest^  when  it  is  designed  to  take 
them  asunder  again.  There  are  several  bends,  as  Carnck-bend, 
hawser-bendy  sheet-beTid,  bowline-bend,  &c. 
BENDING  THE  CABLR  The  operation  of  clinching,  or  tying  the 
cable  to  the  ring  of  its  anchor.  The  term  is  still  used  for  shackling 
chain-cables  to  their  anchors. 
BEND-MOULD.     A  mould  made  to  form  the  ^ttocks  in  the  square 

body,  assisted  by  the  risin^-sqtuxre  and  Jloor-hoUow. 
BEND   ON  THE   TACK.     In  hoisting  signals,  that  piece  of  rope 
called  the  distant  line — ^which  keeps  the  flags  so  far  asunder  that  they 
are  not  confused.   Also,  in  setting  free  sails,  the  studding-sail  tack,  &c. 


1 


96  BiEND-BOLL BERM 

BEND-ROLL.     A  rest  formerly  used  for  a  heavy  musket 

B£NDS.  The  thickest  and  strongest  planks  on  the  outward  part  of  a 
ship's  side,  between  the  plank-streaks  on  which  men  set  their  feet  in 
climbing  up.  They  are  more  properly  called  wales,  or  wails.  They 
are  reckoned  from  the  water,  and  are  distinguished  by  the  titles  of 
firsty  aecandy  or  third  bend.  They  are  the  chief  strength  of  a  ship's 
sides,  and  have  the  beams,  knees,  and  foot-hooks  bolted  to  them. 
Bends  are  also  the  frames  or  ribs  that  form  the  ship's  body  from  the 
keel  to  the  top  of  the  side,  individualized  by  each  particular  station. 
That  at  the  broadest  part  of  the  ship  is  denominated  the  midship-bend 
or  decuI-JlaL 

BE-NEAPED.  The  situation  of  a  vessel  when  she  is  aground  at  the 
height  of  spring-tides.     (See  Neaped.) 

BENGAL-LIGHT.    See  Blub-lioht. 

BENJT.     A  low-crowned  straw-hat,  with  a  very  broad  brim. 

BENK.  A  north-country  term  for  a  low  bank,  or  ledge  of  rock;' pro- 
bably the  origin  of  bunk,  or  sleeping-places  in  merchant  vessels.  (See 
Bunk.) 

BENN.     A  small  kind  of  salmon;  the  earliest  in  the  Solway  Frith. 

BENT.  The  trivial  name  of  the  Arundo  arenaria,  or  coarse  unprofit- 
able grass  growing  on  the  sea-shore. 

BENTINCK-BOOM.  That  which  stretches  the  foot  of  the  fore-sail  in 
many  small  square-rigged  merchantmen;  particularly  used  in  whalers 
among  the  ice,  with  a  reefed  fore-sail  to  see  clearly  ahead.  The  tack 
and  sheet  are  thus  dispensed  with,  a  spar  with  tackle  amidships  brings 
the  leeches  taut  on  a  wind.     It  is  principally  worked  by  its  bowline. 

BENTINCKS.  Triangular  courses,  so  named  after  Captain  Bentinck, 
by  whom  they  were  invented,  but  which  have  since  been  superseded 
by  storm  stay-sails.     They  are  still  used  by  the  Americans  as  try-sails. 

BENTINCK-SHROUDS.  Formerly  used;  extending  from  the  weather- 
futtock  staves  to  the  opposite  lee-channels. 

BENT  ON  A  SPLICE.     Going  to  be  married. 

BERG.  A  word  adopted  from  the  German,  and  applied  to  the  features 
of  land  distinguished  as  steppes,  banquettes,  shelves,  terraces,  and 
parallel  roads.     {See  Iceberg.) 

BERGLE.     A  northern  name  for  the  wrasse. 

BERM.  In  fortification,  a  narrow  space  of  level  ground,  averaging 
about  a  foot  and  a  half  in  width,  generally  left  between  the  foot  of  the 
exterior  slope  of  the  parapet  and  the  top  of  the  escarp;  in  permanent 
fortification  its  principal  purpose  is  to  retain  the  earth  of  the  parapet, 
which,  when  the  latter  is  deformed  by  fire  or  by  weather,  would  other- 
wise fall  into  the  ditch;  in  field  fortification  it  also  serves  to  protect 
the  escarp  from  the  pressure  of  a  too  imminent  parapet 


BERMUDA BESIEteE  97 

BERMUDA  SAILS.    See  'Mcgiaw. 

BERMUDA  SQUALL.  A  sudden  and  strong  wintry  tempest  experir 
enced  in  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  near  the  Bermudas;  it  is  preceded  by 
heavy  clouds,  thunder,  and  lightning.  It  belongs  to  the  Gulf  Stream, 
and  is  felt»  throughout  its  course,  up  to  the  banks  of  Newfoundland. 

BERMUDIANS.  Three-masted  schooners,  built  at  Bermuda  during 
the  war  of  1814;  they  went  through  the  waves  without  rising  to  them, 
and  consequently  were  too  ticklish  for  northern  stations. 

BERNAK,     The  barnacle  goose  {Anser  bemicla). 

BERSIS.     A  species  of  cannon  formerly  much  used  at  sea. 

BERTH.  The  station  in  which  a  ship  rides  at  anchor,  either  alone,  or 
in  a  fleet;  as,  she  lies  in  a  good  berth,  i,e.  in  good  anchoring  ground, 
well  sheltered  from  the  wind  and  sea,  and  at  a  proper  distance  from 
the  shore  and  other  vessels. — Snug  hertfiy  a  place,  situation,  or  establish- 
ment A  sleeping  berth. — To  berth  a  vessel,  is  to  fix  upon,  and  put 
her  into  the  place  she  is  to  occupy. — To  berth  a  ship's  company,  to 
allot  to  each  man  the  space  in  which  his  hammock  is  to  be  hung, 
giving  the  customary  14  inches  in  width. — To  give  a  berth,  to  keep 
clear  of,  as  to  give  a  point  of  land  a  wide  berth,  is  to  keep  at  a  due 
distance  from  it. 

BERTH.  The  room  or  apartment  where  any  number  of  the  officers,  or 
ship's  company,  mess  and  reside;  in  a  ship  of  war  there  is  commonly 
one  of  these  between  every  two  guns  as  the  mess-places  of  the  crew. 

BERTH  AND  SPACE.  In  shipbuilding,  the  distance  from  the  mould- 
ing edge  of  one  timber  to  the  moulding  edge  of  the  next  timber. 
Same  as  room  and  space,  or  timber  and  space. 

BERTH-DECK.     The  'tween  decks. 

BERTHER.  He  who  assigns  places  for  the  respective  hammocks  to 
hang  in. 

BERTHING.  The  rising  or  working  up  of  the  planks  of  a  ship's  sides; 
as  berthing  up  a  bulkhead,  or  bringing  up  in  general  Berthing  also 
denotes  the  planking  outside,  above  the  sheer-strake,  and  is  called  the 
berthing  of  the  quarter-deck,  of  the  poop,  or  of  the  forecastle,  as  the 
case  may  be. 

BERTHING  of  the  head.    See  Head-boabds. 

BERYIK     A  haddock  split  and  half-dried. 

BERWICK  SMACK.  The  old  and  well-found  packets  of  former  days, 
until  superseded  by  steamers.     {See  Barrack  Smack.) 

BESET  IN  ICE.  Surrounded  with  ice,  and  no  opening  for  advance  or 
retreat,  so  as  to  be  obliged  to  remain  immovable. 

BESIEGE,  To.  To  endeavour  to  gain  possession  of  a  fortified  place 
defended  by  an  enemy,  by  directing  against  it  a  connected  series  of 
offensive  military  operations. 

G 


98  BESSY-LOECH BIFURCATE 

BESST-LORCH.     A  northern  name  of  the  Gobio  JtuvuUUia  or  gudgeon. 

BEST  BOWER    See  Bower-anchor. 

BETELGX7ESK  The  lucida  of  Orion,  a  Ononis,  and  a  standard  Green- 
wich star  of  the  first  magnitude. 

BETHEL.    See  Floating-bethel. 

BETTY  MARTIN.    ^e«  Martin. 

BETWEEN  DECKS.  The  space  contained  between  any  two  whole 
decks  of  a  ship. 

BETWIXT  WIND  AND  WATER.  About  the  line  of  load  immersion 
of  the  ship's  hull;  or  that  part  of  the  vessel  which  is  at  the  surface  of 
the  water. 

BEVEL.  An  instrument  by  which  bevelling  angles  are  taken.  Also  a 
sloped  surface. 

BEVELLING.  Any  alteration  from  a  square  in  hewing  timber,  as 
taken  by  the  bevel,  bevelling  rule,  or  bevelling  boards. — A  standing 
heveUing  is  that  made  without,  or  outside  a  square;  an  under-bevelling 
within;  and  the  angle  is  optionally  acute  or  obtuse.  In  shipbuilding,  it 
is  the  art  of  hewing  a  timber  with  a  proper  and  regular  curve,  accord- 
ing to  a  mould  which  is  laid  on  one  side  of  its  surface. 

BEVELLING-BOARD.  A  piece  of  board  on  which  the  bevellings  or 
angles  of  the  timbers  are  described. 

BE  VERAGK    A  West  India  drink,  made  of  sugar-cane  juice  and  water. 

BEWPAR.   The  old  name  for  buntin,  still  used  in  navy  office  documents. 

BEWTER     A  northern  name  for  the  black-wak,  or  bittern. 

BEZANT.  An  early  gold  coin,  so  called  from  having  been  first  coined 
at  Byzantium. 

BIBBS.  Pieces  of  timber  bolted  to  the  hounds  of  a  mast,  to  support 
the  tressel-trees. 

BIBLE.  A  hand-axe.  Also,  a  squared  piece  of  freestone  to  grind  the 
deck  with  sand  in  cleaning  it;  a  small  holystone^  so  called  from  seamen 
using  them  kneeling. 

BIBLE-PRESS.  A  hand  rolling-board  for  cartridges,  rocket,  and  port- 
fire casea 

BICKER,  OR  Beaker.  A  flat  bowl  or  basin  for  containing  liquors, 
formerly  made  of  wood,  but  in  later  times  of  other  substances.  Thus 
Butler: 

**Aiid  into  pikes,  and  musqueteen, 
Stamp  beakers,  caps,  and  porringers."* 

BID-HOOK.     A  small  kind  of  boat-hook. 

BIEL-BRIEF.     The  bottomry  contract  in  Denmark,  Sweden,  and  the 

north  of  Crermanv. 
BIERLING.     An  old  name  for  a  small  galley. 
BIFTJRCATK     A  river  is  said  to  bifurcate,  or  to  form  a  fork,  wlien  it 


BIGHT BILGE  99 

divides  into  two  distinct  branches,  as  at  the  heads  of  deltas  and  in 
fluvial  basins. 

BIGHT.  A  substantive  made  from  the  preterperfect  tense  of  bend. 
The  space  lying  between  two  promontories  or  headlands,  being  wider 
and  smaller  than  a  gulf,  but  larger  than  a  bay.  It  is  also  used  gene- 
rally for  any  coast-bend  or  indentation,  and  is  mostly  held  as  a  syn- 
onym of  shallow  bay. 

BIGHT.  The  loop  of  a  rope  when  it  is  folded,  in  contradistinction  to 
the  end;  as,  her  anchor  hooked  the  bight  of  our  cable,  i,e.  caught  any 
part  of  it  between  the  ends.  The  bight  of  his  cable  has  swept  our 
anchor,  i.e.  the  bight  of  the  cable  of  another  ship  as  she  ranged  about 
has  entangled  itself  about  the  flukes  of  our  anchor.  Any  part  of  the 
chord  or  curvature  of  a  rope  between  the  ends  may  be  called  a  bight. 

BIGr-WIGrS.     A  cant  term  for  the  higher  officers. 

BILANCELLA  A  destructive  mode  of  fishing  in  the  Mediterranean, 
by  means  of  two  vessels  towing  a  large  net  stretched  between  them. 

BILANCIIS  DEFERENDia  A  writ  directed  to  a  corporation,  for 
the  carrying  of  weights  to  such  a  haven,  there  to  weigh  the  wool  that 
persons,  by  our  ancient  laws,  were  licensed  to  transport 

BILANDEK.  A  small  merchant  vessel  with  two  masts,  particularly 
distinguished  from  other  vessels  with  two  masts  by  the  form  of  her 
main-sail,  which  is  bent  to  the  whole  length  of  her  yard,  hanging  fore 
and  aft^  and  inclined  to  the  horizon  at  an  angle  of  about  45°.  Few 
vessels  are  now  rigged  in  this  manner,  and  the  name  is  rather  indis- 
criminately used. 

BILBO.  An  old  term  for  a  flexible  kind  of  cutlass,  from  Bilboa,  where 
the  best  Spanish  sword-blades  were  made.  Shakspeare  humorously 
describes  Falstaff  in  the  buck-basket,  like  a  good  bilbo,  coiled  hilt  to 
point. 

BILBOES.  Long  bars  or  bolts,  on  which  iron  shackles  slid,  with  a 
padlock  at  the  end;  used  to  confine  the  legs  of  prisoners  in  a  manner 
similar  to  the  punishment  of  the  stocks.  The  offender  was  condemned 
to  irons,  more  or  less  ponderous  according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence 
of  which  he  waj^  guilty.  Several  of  them  are  yet  to  be  seen  in  the 
Tower  of  London,  taken  in  the  Spanish  Armada.  Shakspeare  men- 
tions Hamlet  thinking  of  a  kind  of  fighting, 

"  That  would  not  let  me  sleep:  methought,  I  lay 
Worse  than  the  mutines  in  the  bUboes." 

BILCOCK.     The  northern  name  for  the  water-rail. 

BILGE,  OR  Bulge.  That  part  of  the  floor  in  a  ship — on  either  side 
of  the  keel — which  approaches  nearer  to  a  horizontal  than  to  a  per- 
pendicular direction,  and  begins  to  round  upwarda  It  is  where  the 
floors  and  second  futtocks  unite,  and  upon  which  the  ship  would  rest 


•  ••  I 

>  •  a 


•  ••  • 


••• 


!••    • 


•      • 


• 


•   •< 


1 00  BILGE-BLOCKS BILL 

if  laid  on  the  ground;  lience,  when  a  ship  receives  a  fracture  in  this 
part,  she  is  said  to  be  bilged  or  bulged. — Bilge  is  also  the  largest  cir- 
cumference of  a  cask,  or  that  which  extends  round  by  the  bung-hole. 

BILGE-BLOCKS.    See  Slidino  Bilge-blocks. 

BILGE-CO  ADS.     In  launching  a  ship,  same  with  sliding-planks. 

BILGE-FEVER     The  illness  occasioned  by  a  foul  hold. 

BILGE-FREK  A  cask  so  stowed  as  to  rest  entirely  on  its  beds,  keep- 
ing the  lower  part  of  the  bilge  at  least  the  thickness  of  the  hand  dear 
of  the  bottom  of  the  ship,  or  other  place  on  which  it  is  stowed. 

BILGE-KEELS.  Used  for  vessels  of  very  light  draught  and  flattish 
bottoms,  to  make  them  hold  a  better  wind,  also  to  support  them  up- 
right when  grounded.  The  WcMrior  and  other  iron-clads  are  fitted 
with  bilge-keels. 

BILGE-KEELSONS.  These  are  fitted  inside  of  the  bilge,  to  aflford 
strength  where  iron,  ores,  and  other  heavy  cargo  are  shipped.  Other- 
wise they  are  the  same  as  sister-keelsons. 

BILGE-PIECES.     Synonymous  with  bilge-keels. 

BILGE-PLANKS.  Certain  thick  strengthenings  on  the  inner  and 
outer  lines  of  the  bilge,  to  secure  the  shijlings  as  well  as  bilge-keels. 

BILGE-PUMP.  A  small  pump  used  for  carrying  off  the  water  which 
may  lodge  about  the  lee-bilge,  so  as  not  to  be  under  the  action  of  the 
main  pumps.  In  a  steamer  it  is  worked  by  a  single  link  off  one  of 
the  levers. 

BILGE-TREES.     Another  name  for  bilge-coads. 

BILGE-WATER.  The  rain  or  sea-water  which  occasionally  enters  a 
vessel,  and  running  down  to  her  floor,  remains  in  the  bilge  of  the  ship 
till  pumped  out^  by  reason  of  her  flat  bottom,  which  prevents  it  from 
going  to  the  well  of  the  pump;  it  is  always  (especially  if  the  ship  does 
not  leak)  of  a  dirty  colour  and  disgusting  penetrating  smelL  It  seems 
to  have  been  a  sad  nuisance  in  early  voyages;  and  in  the  earliest  sea- 
ballad  known  (temp.  Hen.  VI.)  it  is  thus  gnimbled  at : — 

"A  sak  of  strawe  were  there  rygbt  good. 
For  Bom  must  lyg  theym  in  thejr  hood, 
I  had  aa  lef  e  be  in  the  wood 

Wout  mete  or  drynk. 
For  when  that  we  shall  go  to  bedde, 
The  pnmpe  waa  nygh  onr  bedde'a'hedde; 
A  man  were  as  good  to  be  dede 

As  smell  thereof  ye  stynk." 

The  mixture  of  tar-water  and  the  draioings  of  sugar  cargo  is  about 
the  worst  perfume  known. 
BILL.     A  weapon  or  implement  of  war,  a  pike  or  halbert  of  the  English 
infantry.     It  was  formerly  carried  by  sentinels,  whence  Shakspeare 
humorously  made  Dogberry  tell  the  sleepy  watchmen  to  have  a  care 


BILLAT BILL  ]  01 

that  their  bills  be  not  stolen.  Also,  the  point  or  tapered  extremity  of 
the  fluke  at  the  arm  of  an  anchor.  Also  a  point  of  land,  of  which  a 
familiar  instance  may  be  cited  in  the  Bill  of  Portland 

BILLAT.  A  name  on  the  coast  of  Yorkshire  for  the  pUtock  or  coal- 
fish,  when  it  is  a  year  old. 

BILL-BOARDS.  Doubling  under  the  fore-channels  to  the  water-line, 
to  protect  the  planking  from  the  bill  of  the  anchor. 

BILLET.  The  allowance  to  landlords  for  quartering  men  in  the  royal 
service;  the  lodging-money  charged  by  consuls  for  the  same. 

BILLET-HEAD.  A  carved  prow  bending  in  and  out,  contrariwise  to 
the  fiddle-head  (scroll-head).  Also,  a  round  piece  of  wood  fixed  in  the 
bow  or  stem  of  a  whale-boat,  about  which  the  line  is  veered  when  the 
whale  is  struck.     Synonymous  with  bollard. 

BILLET-WOOD.  Small  wood  mostly  used  for  dunnage  in  stowing 
ships'  cargoes,  also  for  fuel,  usually  sold  by  the  fathom;  it  Ls  3  feet 
4  inches  long,  and  7\  inches  in  compass. 

BILL-FISH.    See  Gab-fish. 

BILL-HOOK.  A  species  of  hatchet  used  in  wooding  a  ship,  similar  to 
that  used  by  hedgers. 

BILL  OF  EXCHANGR  A  means  of  remitting  money  from  one 
country  to  another.  The  receiver  must  present  it  for  acceptance  to 
the  parties  on  whom  it  is  drawn  without  loss  of  time,  he  may  then 
claim  the  money  afler  the  date  specified  on  the  bill  has  elapsed. 

BILL  OF  FREEDOM.     A  full  pass  for  a  neutral  in  time  of  war. 

BILL  OF  HEALTH.  A  certificate  properly  authenticated  by  the 
consul,  or  other  proper  authority  at  any  port,  that  the  ship  comes  from 
a  place  where  no  contagious  disorder  preyails,  and  that  none  of  the 
crew,  at  the  time  of  her  departure,  were  infected  with  any  such  dis- 
temper. Such  constitutes  a  dean  bill  of  health,  in  contradistinction 
to  B,/<>ul  bill 

BILL  OF  LADING.  A  memorandum  by  which  the  master  of  a  ship 
acknowledges  the  receipt  of  the  goods  specified  therein,  and  promises 
to  deliver  them,  in  like  good  condition,  to  the  consignee,  or  his  order. 
It  difiers  from  a  charter-party  insomuch  as  it  is  given  only  for  a  single 
article  or  more,  laden  amongst  the  sundries  of  a  ship's  cargo. 

BILL  OF  SALE  A  written  document  by  which  the  property  of  a 
vessel,  or  shares  thereof,  are  transferred  to  a  purchaser. 

BILL  OF  SIGHT,  or  op  View.  A  warrant  for  a  custom-house  officer 
to  examine  goods  which  had  been  shipped  for  foreign  parts,  but  not 
sold  there. 

BILL  OF  STORE.  A  kind  of  license,  or  custom-house  permission,  for 
re-importing  unsold  goods  from  foreign  ports  duty  free,  within  a  speci- 
fied limit  of  time. 


102  BILLOWS BIBEMIS 

BILLOWS.  The  surges  of  the  sea,  or  waves  raised  hj  the  wind;  a 
term  more  in  use  among  poets  than  seamen. 

BILLS.     The  ends  of  compass  or  knee  timber. 

BILLY  BOY  OR  BOAT.  A  Humber  or  east-coast  boat,  of  river-barge 
build,  and  a  try-sail;  a  bluff-bowed  north-country  trader,  or  large  one- 
masted  vessel  of  burden. 

BINARY  SYSTEM.  When  two  stars  forming  a  double -star  are  found 
to  revolve  about  each  other. 

BIND.     A  quantity  of  eels,  containing  10  sticks  of  25  each. 

BINDINGS.  In  shipbuilding,  a  general  name  for  the  beams,  knees, 
clamps,  waterways,  transoms,  and  other  connecting  parts  of  a  ship  or 
vesseL 

BINDING-STRAKES.  Thick  planks  on  the  decks,  in  midships,  be- 
tween the  hatchways.  Also  the  principal  strakes  of  plank  in  a  vessel, 
especially  the  sheer-strake  and  wales,  which  are  bolted  to  the  knees 
and  shelf-pieces. 

BING.  A  heap;  an  old  north-country  word  for  the  sea-shore,  and  some- 
times spelled  being. 

BINGE,  To.     To  rinse,  or  bull,  a  cask. 

BINGID.     An  old  term  for  locker. 

BINK.    JSee  Benk. 

BINN.  A  sort  of  large  locker,  with  a  lid  on  the  top,  for  containing  a 
vessel's  stores:  bread-binn,  sail-binn,  flour-binn,  &c 

BINNACLE  (formerly  Bittacle).  It  appears  evidently  to  be  derived 
from  the  French  term  habiitade,  a  small  habitation,  which  is  now  used 
for  the  same  purpose  by  the  seamen  of  that  nation.  The  binnacle  is 
a  wooden  case  or  box,  which  contains  the  compass,  and  a  light  to  illu- 
minate the  compass  at  night;  there  are  usually  three  binnacles  on  the 
deck  of  a  ship-of-war,  two  near  the  helm  being  designed  for  the  man 
who  steers,  weather  and  lee,  and  the  other  amidships,  10  or  12  feet 
before  these,  where  the  quarter-master,  who  conns  the  ship,  stands 
when  steering,  or  going  with  a  free  wind.     (See  Cokk.) 

BINNACLE-LIGHT.     The  lamp  throwing  light  upon  tJie  compass-card. 

BINOCLE.     A  small  binocular  or  two-eyed  telescope. 

BIOR-LINN.     Perhaps  the  oldest  of  our  terms  for  boat.     {See  Birlin.) 

BIRD-BOLT.  A  species  of  arrow,  short  and  thick,  used  to  kill  birds 
without  piercing  their  skins. 

BIRiyS-FOOT  SEA-STAR.  The  Falmipes  memhranaceus,  one  of  the 
Arteriadcs,  with  a  flat  thin  pentagonal  body,  of  a  bright  scarlet  colour. 

BIRD'S  NEST.  A  round  top  at  a  mast-head  for  a  look-out  station- 
A  smaller  crow's-nest.  Chiefly  used  in  whalers,  where  a  constant 
look-out  is  kept  for  whales.     {See  Edible  Bird's-nest.) 

BIREMIS.     In  Roman  antiquity,  a  vessel  with  two  rows  of  oars. 


BIRLm BITTS  ]03 

BIRLIN.  A  sort  of  small  vessel  or  galley-boat  of  the  Hebrides;  it  is 
fitted  with  four  to  eight  long  oars,  but  is  seldom  furnished  with 
sails. 

BIRT.     A  kind  of  turbot 

BIRTH-MARKS.  A  ship  must  not  be  loaded  above  her  birth-marks, 
for,  says  a  maritime  proverb,  a  master  must  know  the  capadtj  of  his 
vessel,  as  well  as  a  rider  the  strength  of  his  horse. 

BISCUIT  [i.e,  bis  coctus,  or  Fr.  bis-cuit].  Bread  intended  for  naval  or 
military  expeditions  is  now  simply  flour  well  kneaded,  with  the  least 
possible  quantity  of  water,  into  flat  cakes,  and  slowly  baked.  Pliny 
calls  it  pants  nauticus;  and  of  the  pants  militarise  he  says  that  it 
was  heavier  by  one-third  than  the  grain  from  which  it  was  made. 

BISHOP.     A  name  of  the  great  northern  diver  {Golymlms  glacialis), 

BISMER     A  name  of  the  stickleback  {Gasterosteus  spinachia). 

BIT.  A  West  Indian  silver  coin,  varying  from  id.  to  6d  In  America 
it  is  12^  cents,  and  in  the  Spanish  settlements  is  equal  with  the  real, 
or  one-eighth  of  a  dollar.  It  was,  in  fact^  Spanish  money  cut  into  bits, 
and  known  as  "cut-money." 

BITE.  Is  said  of  the  anchor  when  it  holds  fast  in  the  ground  on  reach- 
ing it  AJso,  the  hold  which  the  short  end  of  a  lever  has  upon  the 
thing  to  be  lifted.     Also,  to  bite  off  the  top  of  small-arm  cartridges. 

BITTER.  Any  turn  of  a  cable  about  the  bitts  is  called  a  bitter.  Hence 
a  ship  is  *^  brought  up  to  a  bitter''  when  the  cable  is  allowed  to  run 
out  to  that  stop. 

BITTER-BUMP.     A  north-country  name  for  the  bittern. 

BITTERrEND.  That  part  of  the  cable  which  is  abaft  the  bitts,  and 
therefore  within  board  when  the  ship  rides  at  anchor.  They  say, 
"  Bend  to  the  bitter-end"  when  they  would  have  that  end  bent  to  the 
anchor,  and  when  a  chain  or  rope  is  paid  out  to  the  bitter-end,  no 
more  remains  to  be  let  go.  The  bitter-end  is  the  clinching  end — 
sometimes  that  end  is  bent  to  the  anchor,  because  it  has  never  been 
used,  and  is  more  trustworthy.  The  first  40  fathoms  of  a  cable  of 
115  fathoms  is  generally  worn  put  when  the  inner  end  is  compara- 
tively new. 

BITT-HEADS.  The  upright  pieces  of  oak-timber  let  in  and  bolted  to 
the  beams  of  two  decks  at  least,  and  to  which  the  cross-pieces  are  let 
on  and  bolted.     (See  Bitts.) 

BITT-PINS.  Similar  to  belaying-pins,  but  larger.  Used  to  prevent 
the  cable  from  slipping  ofl*  the  cross-piece  of  the  bitts,  also  to  confine 
the  cable  and  messenger  there,  in  heaving  in  the  cable. 

BITTS.  A  frame  composed  of  two  strong  pieces  of  straight  oak  timber, 
fixed  upright  in  the  fore-part  of  a  ship,  and  bolted  securely  to  the 
beams,  whereon  to  fasten  the  cables  as  she  rides  at  anchor;  in  ships 


104  Brrr-STOPPER — black-jack 

of  war  there  are  usuallj  two  pairs  of  cable-bitts,  and  when  thej  are 
both  used  at  once  the  cable  is  said  to  be  doable-bitted  Since  the  intro- 
duction of  chain-cables,  bitts  are  coated  with  iron,  and  vary  in  their 
shapes.  There  are  several .  other  smaDer  bitts;  as,  the  topsail-sheet 
bitts,  paul-bitts,  carrick-bitts,  windlaas-bitts,  winch-bitts,  jear-bitts, 
riding*  bitts,  gallows-bitts^  and  fore-brace  bitts. 

BITT-STOPPER  One  rove  through  the  knee  of  the  bitts,  which  nips 
the  cable  on  the  bight:  it  consists  of  four  or  five  fiithoms  of  rope  tailed 
out  nipper  fashion  at  one  end,  and  clench-knotted  at  the  other.  The 
old  bitt-stopper,  by  its  running  loop  on  a  standing  end,  bound  the 
cable  down  in  a  bight  abaft  the  bitts — ^the  tail  twisted  round  the  fore 
part  helped  to  draw  it  stUl  closer.  It  is  now  disused— chain  cables 
having  superseded  hemp. 

BITT  THE  CABLE,  To.  To  put  it  round  the  bitts,  in  order  to  fasten 
it,  or  slacken  it  out  gradually,  which  last  is  called  veering  away. 

BIVOUAC.  The  resting  for  the  night  in  the  open-air  by  an  armed 
party,  instead  of  encamping. 

BIZK     A  pieroing  cold  wind  from  the  frozen  summits  of  the  Pyrenees. 

BLACKAMOOR     A  thoroughly  black  negro. 

BLACK-BIRD  CATCHING.     The  slave-trade. 

BLACK-BIRDS.  A  slang  term  on  the  coast  of  Africa  for  a  cargo  of 
slaves. 

BLACK-BOOK  of  the  Admibalty.  An  imaginary  record  of  offences. 
Also,  a  document  of  gi'eat  authority  in  naval  law,  as  it  contains  the 
ancient  admiralty  statutes  and  ordinances. 

BLACK- FISH.  A  common  name  applied  by  sailors  to  many  different 
species  of  cetaceana  The  animal  so  called  in  the  south  seas  belongs 
to  the  genus  GlohiocephoLlua.  It  is  from  15  to  20  feet  long,  and  occurs 
in  countless  shoals. 

BLACK-FISHER  A  water-poacher :  one  who  kills  salmon  in  close- 
time. 

BLACK-FISHING.  The  illegally  taking  of  salmon,  under  night,  by 
means  of  torches  and  spears  with  barbed  prongs. 

BLACK-HEAD.     The  pewitt-gull  {Larua  ridibundus). 

BLACK-HOLK  A  place  of  solitary  confinement  for  soldiers,  and  tried 
in  some  large  ships. 

BLACK-INDIES.     Newcastle,  Sunderland,  and  Shielda 

BLACKING.  For  the  ship's  bends  and  yards.  A  good  mixture  is 
made  of  coal-tar,  vegetable-tar,  and  salt-water,  boiled  together,  and 
laid  on  hot. 

BLACKING  DOWN.  The  tarring  and  blacking  of  rigging;  or  the 
operation  of  blacking  the  ship's  sides  with  tar  or  mineral  blacking. 

BLACK-JACK     The  ensign  of  a  pfirate.     Also,  a  capacious  tin  can  for 


BLACK-LIST BLADDER-FISH  IQo 

beer,  which  was  formerly  made  of  waxed  leather.     In  1630  Taylor 

wrote — 

**  Nor  or  of  blacke- jacks  at  gentle  buttry-bars, 
Whose  liquor  oftentimes  breeds  household  wars." 

BLACK-LIST.  A  record  of  misdemeanours  impolitically  kept  by  some 
officers  for  their  private  use — the  very  essence  of  private  tyranny,  now 
forbidden. 

BLACK-LOCK.  A  trout  thought  to  be  peculiar  to  Lough  Melvin,  on 
the  west  of  Ireland. 

BLACK  SHIPS.  The  name  by  which  the  English  builders  designate 
those  constructed  of  teak  in  India. 

BLACK  SOUTH-EASTER  The  well-known  violent  wind  at  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  in  which  the  vapoury  clouds  called  the  DeviFs 
Table-cloth  appear  on  Table  Mountain. 

BLACK  SQUALL.  This  squall,  although  generally  ascribed  to  the 
West  Indies,  as  well  as  the  white  squall,  may  be  principally  ascribed 
to  a  peculiar  heated  state  of  the  atmosphere  near  land.  As  blackey, 
when  interrogated  about  weather,  generally  observes,  "  Massa,  look  to 
leeward,"  it  may  be  easily  understood  that  it  is  the  condensed  air 
repelled  by  a  colder  medium  to  leeward,  and  driven  back  with  con- 
densed electricity  and  danger.  So  it  is  sudden  to  Johnny  Newcomes, 
who  lose  sails,  spars,  and  ships,  by  capsizing. 

BLACK'S  THE  WHITE  OF  MY  EYE.  When  Jack  avers  that 
no  one  can  say  this  or  that  of  him.  It  is  an  indignant  expression  of 
innocence  of  a  charge. 

BLACK-STBAKE.  The  range  of  plank  immediately  above  the  wales 
in  a  ship's  side;  they  are  always  covered  with  a  mixture  of  tar  and 
lamp-black,  which  not  only  preserves  them  from  the  heat  of  the  sun 
and  the  weather,  but  forms  an  agreeable  variety  with  the  painted  or 
varnished  parts  above  them.  Vessels  with  no  ports  have  frequently 
two  such  strakes— one  above,  the  other  below  the  wales,  the  latter 
being  also  called  the  diminishing  straka 

BLACK-STBAP.  The  dark  country  wines  of  the  Mediterranean.  Also^ 
bad  poi*t,  such  as  was  served  for  the  sick  in  former  times. 

BLACK-TANG.     The  sea-weed  FuctM  vesicolosus^  or  tangla 

BLACKWALL-HITCH.  A  sort  of  tackle-hook  guy,  made  by  putting 
the  bight  of  a  rope  over  the  back  of  the  hook,  and  there  jamming  it 
by  the  standing  part  A  mode  of  hooking  on  the  bare  end  of  a  rope 
where  no  length  remains  to  make  a  cat's-paw. 

BLACK  WHALE.  The  name  by  which  the  right  whale  of  the  south 
seas  (Balcdna  australu)  is  often  known  to  whalemen. 

BLAD.     A  term  on  our  northern  coasts  for  a  squall  with  rain. 

BLADDER-FISH.     A  term  for  the  tetrodon.     {See  Balloon-pish.) 


1 06  BLADE BLEED 

BLADE  OF  AN  ANCHOR  That  part  of  the  arm  prepared  to 
receive  the  palm. 

BLADE  OR  WASH  OF  AN  OAR  Is  the  flat  part  of  it  which  is 
plunged  into  the  water  in  rowing.  The  force  and  effect  in  a  great 
measure  depends  on  the  length  of  this  part,  when  adequate  force  is 
applied.  When  long  oars  are  used,  the  boat  is  generally  single-banked, 
so  that  the  fulcrum  is  removed  further  from  the  rower.  Also,  the 
motive  part  of  the  screw-propeller. 

BLAE,  or  Blea.     The  alburnum  or  sap-wood  of  timber. 

BLAKK     Yellow.     North  of  England. 

BLANK.  Level  line  mark  for  cannon,  as  point-blank,  equal  to  800 
yards.  It  was  also  the  term  for  the  white  mark  in  the  centre  of  a 
butt,  at  which  the  arrow  was  aimed. 

BLANKET.     The  coat  of  fat  or  blubber  under  the  skin  of  a  whala 

BLARE,  To.  To  bellow  or  roar  vehemently. — Blare,  a  mixture  of  hair 
and  tar  made  into  a  kind  of  paste,  used  for  tightening  the  seams  of 
boats. 

BLARNEY.     Idle  discourse;  obsequious  flattery. 

BLASHY.  Watery  or  dirty;  applied  to  weather,  as  "a  blashy  day," 
a  wet  day.     In  parlance,  trifling  or  flimsy. 

BLAST.  A  sudden  and  violent  gust  of  wind:  it  is  generally  of  short 
duration,  and  succeeded  by  a  fine  breeze. — To  hlasty  to  blow  up  with 
gunpowder. 

BLAST-ENGINK  A  ventilating  machine  to  draw  off  the  foul  air 
from  the  hold  of  a  ship,  and  induce  a  current  of  fresh  air  into  it. 

BIjATHER     Thin  mud  or  puddle.     Also,  idle  nonsense. 

BLA  Y.     A  name  of  the  bleak. 

BLAZE,  To.  To  fire  away  as  briskly  as  possible.  To  blaze  away  is  to 
keep  up  a  running  discharge  of  fire-arms.  Also,  to  spear  salmon. 
Also,  in  the  woods,  to  mark  a  tree  by  cutting  away  a  portion  of  its 
outer  surface,  thus  leaving  a  patch  of  whiter  internal  surface  exposed, 
to  call  attention  or  mark  a  track. 

BLAZERS.  Applied  to  mortar  or  bomb  vessels,  from  the  great  emis- 
sion of  fiame  to  throw  a  1 3-inch  shelL 

BLAZING  STARS.     The  popular  name  of  comets. 

BLEAK.  The  LeucUcua  aJbumus  of  naturalists,  and  the  fresh-water 
sprat  of  Isaak  Walton.  The  name  of  this  fish  is  from  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  blican,  owing  to  its  shining  whiteness — its  lustrous  scales  having 
long  been  used  in  the  manufacture  of  &lse  pearls. 

BLEEDING  THE  MONKEY.     The  monkey  is  a  tall  pyramidal  kid 
or  bucket,  which  conveys  the  grog  from  the  grog-tub  to  the  mess — 
stealing  from  this  in  transitu  is  so  termed. 
BLEED  THE  BUOYS.     To  let  the  water  out 


BLENNY BLOCK  ]  07 

BLENNY.     A  small  acanthopteiygious  fish  {Blennituf). 

BLETHER-HEAD.     A  blockhead. 

BLETHERING.     Talking  idle  nonsense;  insolent  prate. 

BLIND.  A  name  on  the  west  coast  of  Scotland  for  the  pogge,  or 
miller's-thumb  {Cotttcs  cataphractus). 

BLIND.  Everything  that  covers  besiegers  from  the  enemy.  (See 
Orillon.) 

BLIND  AG  K  A  temporary  wooden  shelter  faced  with  earth,  both  in 
siege  works  and  in  fortified  places,  against  splinters  of  shells  and  the 
like. 

BLIND-BUCKLERS.  Those  fitted  for  the  hawse-holes,  which  have 
no  aperture  for  the  cable,  and  therefore  used  at  sea  to  prevent  the 
water  coming  in. 

BLIND-HARBOUR  One,  the  entrance  of  which  is  so  shut  in  as  not 
readily  to  be  perceived. 

BLIND-ROCK.  One  lying  just  under  the  surface  of  the  water,  so  as 
not  to  be  visible  in  calms. 

BLIND-SHELL.  One  which,  from  accident  or  bad  fuze,  has  fallen 
without  exploding,  or  one  purposely  filled  with  lead,  as  at  the  siege  of 
Cadiz.  Also  used  at  night  filled  with  fuze  composition,  and  enlarged 
fuze-hole,  to  indicate  the  range. 

BLIND-STAKES.     A  sort  of  river-weir. 

BLINK  OF  THE  ICE.  A  bright  appearance  or  looming  (the  iceberg 
reflected  in  the  atmosphere  above  it),  often  assuming  an  arched  form; 
so  called  by  the  Greenlanders,  and  by  which  reflection  they  always 
know  when  they  are  approaching  ice  long  before  they  see  it.  In 
Greenland  blink  means  iceberg. 

BLIRT.     A  gust  of  wind  and  rain. 

BLOAT,  To.  To  dry  by  smoke;  a  method  latterly  applied  almost  ex- 
clusively to  cure  herrings  or  bloatera. — Bloated  is  also  applied  to  any 
half-dried  fish. 

BLOCCO.     Paper  and  hair  used  in  paying  a  vessel's  bottom. 

BLOCK.  (In  mechanics  termed  a  pulley.)  Blocks  are  flattish  oval 
pieces  of  wood,  with  sheaves  in  them,  for  all  the  running  ropes  to  run 
in.  They  are  used  for  various  purposes  in  a  ship,  either  to  increase 
the  mechanical  power  of  the  ropes,  or  to  arrange  the  ends  of  them  in 
certain  places  on  the  deck,  that  they  may  be  readily  found  when 
wanted;  they  are  consequently  of  various  sizes  and  powers,  and  obtain 
various  names,  according  to  their  form  or  situation,  thus: — A  single 
block  contains  only  one  sheave  or  wheel.  A  double  block  has  two 
sheaves.  A  treble  or  threefold  block,  three,  and  so  on.  A  long- 
tackle  or  fiddle-block  has  two  sheaves — one  below  the  other,  like  a 
fiddle.    Cistern  or  sister  block  for  topsail  lifts  and  reef  tackles.    Every 


1 08  BLOCK BLOOM 

block  is  composed  of  three,  and  generally  four,  parts:-^!.)  The  shell, 
or  outside  wooden  part.  (2.)  The  sheave,  or  wheel,  on  which  the  rope 
runs.  (3.)  The  pin,  or  axle,  on  which  the  sheave  turns.  (4.)  The 
strop,  or  part  by  which  the  block  is  made  fast  to  any  particular  station, 
and  is  usually  made  either  of  rope  or  of  iron.  Blocks  are  named  and 
distinguished  by  the  ropes  which  they  carry,  and  the  uses  they  serve 
for,  as  bowlines,  braces,  clue-lines,  halliards,  &c,  &c  They  are  either 
made  or  morticed  (which  see). 

BLOCK.  The  large  piece  of  elm  out  of  which  the  figure  is  carved  at 
the  head  of  the  ship. 

BLOCKADR  The  investment  of  a  town  or  fortress  by  sea  and  land ; 
shutting  up  all  the  avenues,  so  that  it  can  receive  no  re]ie£ — To 
blockade  a  port  is  to  prevent  any  communication  therewith  by  sea, 
and  cut  off  supplies,  in  order  to  compel  a  surrender  when  the  provi- 
sions and  ammunition  are  exhausted. — To  raise  a  blockade  is  to  dis- 
continue it. — Blockade  is  violated  by  egress  as  well  as  by  ingress. 
Warning  on  the  spot  is  sufficient  notice  of  a  blockade  de  faxlo.  De- 
claration is  useless  without  actual  investment.  If  a  ship  break  a 
blockade,  though  she  escape  the  blockading  force,  she  is,  if  taken  in 
any  part  of  her  future  voyage,  captured  in  delicto,  and  subject  to  con- 
fiscation. The  absence  of  the  blockading  force  removes  liability,  and 
mig?U  (in  such  cases)  overrules  right. 

BLOCK  AND  BLOCK.  The  situation  of  a  tackle  when  the  blocks 
are  drawn  close  together,  so  that  the  mechanical  power  becomes 
arrested  until  the  tackle  is  again  overhauled  by  drawing  the  blocks 
asunder.     Synonymous  with  chock-a-block. 

BLOCKHOUSK  A  small  work,  generally  built  of  logs,  to  protect 
adjacent  ports.  Blockhouses  were  primarily  constructed  in  our 
American  colonies,  because  they  could  be  immediately  built  from 
the  heavy  timber  felled  to  clear  away  the  spot,  and  open  the  lines 
of  fire.  The  ends  were  simply  crossed  alternately  and  pinned.  Two 
such  structures,  with  a  space  of  6  feet  for  clay,  formed,  on  an  elevated 
position,  a  very  formidable  casemated  work.  The  slanting  overhang- 
ing roof  furnished  excellent  cover  in  lieu  of  loop-holes  for  musketry. 

BLOCK-MAKER.     A  manufacturer  of  blocks. 

BLOCKS.  The  several  transverse  pieces  or  logs  of  timber,  piled  in 
plane,  on  which  a  ship  is  built,  or  to  place  her  on  for  repair :  they 
consist  of  solid  pieces  of  oak  laid  on  the  ground-ways. 

BLOCKS,  FIXED.     See  Fixed  Blocks. 

BLOOD-SUCKERS.  Lazy  fellows,  who,  by  skulking,  throw  their  pro- 
portion of  labour  on  the  shoulders  of  their  shipmates. 

BLOODY  FLAG.     A  large  red  flag. 

BLOOM.     A  pecidiar  warm  blast  of  wind;  a  term  used  in  iron-foundries. 


BLOEE BLOW-PIPE  1 09 

BLORE.     An  old  word  for  a  stiff  gale. 

BLOUT.  A  northern  term  for  the  sudden  breaking-up  of  a  storm. 
Blout  has  been  misused  for  blirt. 

BLOW.  Applied  to  the  breathing  of  wliales  and  other  cetaceans.  The 
expired  air  from  the  lungs  being  highly  charged  with  moisture,  which 
condenses  at  the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere,  appears  like  a  column 
of  steam. 

BLOW.     A  gale  of  wind. 

BLOWK  A  very  old  English  word  for  scold  or  revile,  still  in  use,  as 
when  a  man  receives  a  good  blowing-up. 

BLOW-HOLES.  The  nostrils  of  the  cetaceans,  situated  on  the  highest 
part  of  the  head.  In  the  whalebone  whales  they  form  two  longitudinal 
slits,  placed  side  by  side.  In  the  porpoises,  giumpuses,  dbc,  they  are 
united  into  a  single  crescentic  opening. 

BLOW  HOMK  The  wind  does  not  cease  or  moderate  till  it  comes 
past  that  place,  blowing  continuoiisly  over  the  land  and  sea  with 
equal  velocity.  In  a  naval  sense,  it  does  not  blow  home  when  a  sea- 
wind  is  interrupted  by  a  mountainous  range  along  shore. 

BLOWING  GREAT  GUNS  AND  SMALL  ARMS.  Heavy  gales;  a 
hurricane. 

BLOWING  HARP.     Said  of  the  wind  when  it  is  strong  and  steady. 

BLOWING  THE  GRAMPUS.     Throwing  water  over  a  sleeper  on      i 
watch. 

BLOWING  WEATHER.  A  nautical  term  for  a  continuance  of 
strong  gales.     {See  Gale.) 

BLOWN  COD.  A  split  cod,  half  dried  by  exposure  to  the  wind. 
JBlovm  is  also  frequently  applied  to  bloated  herrings,  when  only  partly 
cured.  Also,  a  cod-fish  rises  to  the  surface,  and  is  easily  taken,  if 
blown.  By  being  hauled  nearly  up^  and  the  hook  breaking,  it  loses 
the  power  for  some  time  of  contracting  the  air-bladder,  and  thus  dies 
head  out  of  water. 

BLOWN  ITSELF  OUT.     Said  of  a  falUng  gale  of  wind. 

BLOW  OFF,  To.     To  clear  up  in  the  clouds. 

BLOW-OFF-PIPE,  in  a  steamer,  is  a  pipe  at  the  foot  of  each  boiler, 
communicating  with  the  sea,  and  furnished  with  a  cock  to  open  and 
shut  it — Blawing-offis  the  act  or  operation  of  using  the  blow-off-pipe 
to  cleanse  a  marine  steam-engine  of  its  brine  deposit;  also,  to  clear 
the  boilers  of  water,  to  lighten  a  ship  if  grounded. 

BLOW-OUT.     Extravagant  feasting  regardless  of  consequences. 

BLOW  OYER,  (It  will).  Said  of  a  gale  which  is  expected  to  pass 
away  quickly. 

BLOW-PIPE.  An  engine  of  offence  used  by  the  Araucanians  and 
Bomeans,  and  with  the  latter  termed  sumpitan :  the  poisoned  arrow, 


1 1 0  BLOW BLUFF-UEADED 

ttumpUy  will  wound  at  the  distance  of  140  or  more  yards.     The  arrow 

is  forced  through  (like  boys'  pearshooters)  by  the  forcible  and  sodden 

exertion  of  the  lungs.     A  wafer  can  be  hit  at  30  yards  to  a  certainty, 

and  small  birds  are  unerringly  stunned  at  30  yards  by  pellets  of 

clay. 
BLOW  THE  GAFF.     To  reveal  a  secret;  to  expose  or  inform  against 

a  person. 
BLOW-THROUGH    VALVK      A  valve  admitting  steam  into  the 

condenser,  in  order  to  clear  it  of  air  and  water  before  starting  the 

engine. 
BLOW  UP,  To.     To  abuse  angrily. 
BLOW- VALVE.     A  valve  by  which  the  first  vacuum  necessary  for 

starting  a  steam-engine  is  produced. 
BLUBBER.      The  layer  of  fat  in  whales  between  the  skin  and  the 

flesh,  which  is  flinched  or  peeled  ofl*,  and  boiled  for  oil,  varying  from 

10  to  20  inches  in  thicknes&     (See  Sea-blubbeb.) 
BLUBBER  FORKS  Ajsny  CHOPPERS.     The  implements  with  which 

blubber  is  ''made  ofi^"  or  cut  for  stowing  away. 
BLUBBER-GUT.     A  large  rope  stretched  from  the  main  to  the  fore 

mast  head  of  whalers,  to  which  the  speck-falls  are  attached  for  the 

operation  of  flensing. 
BLUR     TiU  dWs  blue :  carried  to  the  utmost — a  phrase  borrowed  from 

the  idea  of  a  vessel  making  out  of  port,  and  getting  into  blue  water. 

— To  look  bluej  to  be  surprised,  disappointed,  or  taken  aback,  with 

a  countenance  expressive  of  displeasura 
BLUEJACKETS.     The  seamen  as  distinguished  from  the  marines. 
BLUE  LIGHT.     A  pyrotechnical  preparation  for  signals   by  night. 

Also  caUed  Bengal  light 
BLUE-LIGHTISM.     Afiected  sanctimoniousness. 
BLUE  MOON.     An  indefinite  period. 
BLUE-NOSE.     A  general  term  for  a  native  of  Nova  Scotia. 
BLUE  PETER     The  signal  for  sailing  when  hoisted  at  the  fore-top- 
mast head;  this  well-known  flag  has  a  blue  ground  with  a  white 

square  in  the  centre. 
BLUE  PIGEON.     A  nickname  for  the  sounding  lead. 
BLUE  WATER     The  open  ocean. 
BLUFF.     An  abrupt  high  land,  projecting  almost  perpendicularly  into 

the  sea,  and  presenting  a  bold  front,  rather  rounded  than  clifly  in  out- 
line, as  with  the  headland. 
BLUFF-BOWED.     Applied  to  a  vessel  that  has  broad  and  flat  bows 

— that  is,  full  and  square  formed :  the  opposite  of  lean. 
BLUFF-HEADED.     When  a  ship  has  but  a  small  rake  forward  on, 

being  built  with  her  stem  too  straight  up. 


BLUNDERBUSS BOARDEES  1  ]  1 

BLUNDERBUSS.      A  short  fire-arm,  with  a  large  bore  and  wide 
mouth,  to  scatter  a  number  of  musket  or  pistol  bullets  or  slugs. 

BLUNK.     A  sudden  squall,  or  stormy  weather. 

BLUSTROUS.     Stormy :  also  said  of  a  braggadocio. 

BO.     Abbreviation  of  hoy.     A  familiar  epithet  for  a  comrade,  derived 
probably  from  the  negro. 

BOADNASH.     Buckhemshein  coins  of  Barbary. 

BOANGA.     A  Malay  piratical  vessel,  impelled  by  oars. 

BOAE.D.  Certain  offices  under  the  control  of  the  executive  govern- 
ment, where  the  business  of  any  particular  department  is  carried  on : 
as  the  Board  of  Admiralty,  the  Navy  Board,  Board  of  Ordnance, 
India  Board,  Board  of  Trade,  <&c.  Also,  timber  sawn  to  a  less 
thickness  than  plank :  all  broad  stuff  of  under  1  ^  inch  in  thickness. 
{See  Plank.)  Also,  the  space  comprehended  between  any  two  places 
when  the  ship  changes  her  course  by  tacking;  or,  it  is  the  line  over 
which  she  runs  between  tack  and  tack  when  working  to  winctytrard,  or 
sailing  against  the  direction  of  the  wind. — To  make  a  good  hoard.  To 
sail  in  a  straight  line  when  close-hauled,  without  deviating  to  leeward. 
— To  tnake  short  hoards,  is  to  tack  frequently  before  the  ship  has  run 
any  great  length  of  way. — To  make  a  stem  hoard,  is  when  by  a  cur- 
rent, or  any  other  accident,  the  vessel  comes  head  to  wind,  the  helm 
is  shifted,  and  she  has  fallen  back  on  the  opposite  tack,  losing  what 
she  had  gained,  instead  of  having  advanced  beyond  it.  To  make  a 
stem  board  is  frequently  a  very  critical  as  well  as  seamanlike  opera- 
tion, as  in  very  close  channels.  The  vessel  is  allowed  to  run  up  into 
the  wind  until  she  has  shot  up  to  the  weather  danger;  the  helm  is 
then  shifted,  and  with  all  aback  forward,  she  falls  short  off  on  the 
.  opposite  tack.  Such  is  also  achieved  at  anchor  in  club-hauling  (which 
see). — To  hoard  a  ship,  is  to  enter  her  in  a  hostile  manner  in  order  to 
take  forcible  possession  of  her,  either  from  the  attacking  ship  or  by 
armed  boats.  The  word  hoard  has  various  other  applications  among 
seamen : — To  go  ahoard  signifies  to  go  into  the  ship. — To  slip  hy  tlie 
hoa/i'd,  is  to  slip  down  a  ship's  side. — To  hoard  it  up,  is  to  beat  up, 
sometimes  on  one  tack  and  sometimes  on  another. — The  weather-hoard 
is  the  side  of  the  ship  which  is  to  windward. — By  the  hoard,  close  to 
a  ship's  deck. 

BOARD  AND  BOARD.     Alongside,  as  when  two  ships  touch  each 
other. 

BOAlRDERS.     Sailors  appointed  to  make  an  attack  by  boarding,  or  to 

repel  such  attempt  from  the  enemy.     Four  men  selected  from  each 

gun  were  generally  allotted  as  boarders,  also  to  trim  sails,  tend  pumps, 

repair  rigging,  &c. 


112  BOARD  HIM BOAT-HOOK 

BOARD  HIM.     A  coUoquialiam  for  I'll  ask,  demand,  or  accost  him. 

Hence  Shakspeare  makes  Polonius  say  of  Hamlet^ 

"111  boud  him  preMntiy." 
To  make  acquaintance  with;  to  fasten  on. 

BOARD  HIM  IN  THE  SMOKE.  To  take  a  person  by  surprise,  as  by 
firing  a  broadside,  and  boarding  in  the  smoke. 

BOARDING.  An  assault  made  by  one  vessel  on  another,  by  entering 
her  in  battle  with  a  detachment  of  armed  men. 

BOARDINGr-BOOK.  A  register  which  has  for  its  object  the  recording 
all  particulars  relative  to  every  ship  boarded,  a  copy  of  wliich  is  trans- 
mitted to  the  admiral  under  whose  orders  the  ship  is  employed.     {See 

GUAIU>-BOOK.) 

BOARDING-NETTINGS.  A  framework  of  stout  rope-netting  placed 
where  necessary,  to  obstruct  an  enemy's  boardera 

BOARDING-PIKE.     A  defensive  lance  against  boaidera 

BOARDLINGS.  Flippant  understrappers  of  the  admiralty  and  navy- 
boards. 

BOARD  OF  TRADR  A  committee  of  the  Privy  Council  appointed 
for  the  consideration  of  commercial  matters. 

BOAT.  A  small  open  vessel,  conducted  on  the  water  by  rowing  or 
sailing.  The  construction,  machineiy,  and  even  the  names  of  boats, 
are  very  different^  according  to  the  various  purposes  for  which  they 
are  calculated,  and  the  services  on  which  they  are  employed.  Thus  we 
have  the  long-boat  and  the  jolly-boat,  life-boat  and  gun-boat,  but  they 
will  appear  under  their  respective  appellations. — A  bold  booty  one  that 
will  endure  a  rough  sea  welL — Man  Hie  bocU,  send  the  crew  in  to  row 
and  manage  it 

BOATABLE.     Water  navigable  for  boats  and  small  river-craft 

BOAT-BUOYS.   Means  added  to  increase  the  buoyancy  of  life-boats,  &c. 

BOAT-CHOCKS.  Clamps  of  wood  upon  which  a  boat  rests  when 
stowed  on  a  vessel's  deck. 

BOAT-CLOAK.  A  mantle  for  the  officer  going  on  duty;  when  left  in 
the  boat  it  is  in  the  coxswain's  chaise. 

BOAT-DAYIT.  A  curved  piece  of  timber  with  a  sheave  at  its  outer 
end,  which  projects  over  the  boat's  stem,  while  the  inner  end  is 
shipped  into  a  cleat  on  each  side  of  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  for  weigh- 
ing anchors  when  needed.     (See  Davit.) 

BOATFAST.    See  Painter. 

BOAT-GEER     A  general  name  for  the  rigging  and  furniture  of  a  boat 

BOAT-HIRK     Expenses  for  the  use  of  shore-boat& 

BOAT-HOOEL  An  iron  hook  with  a  straight  prong  at  its  hinder  part; 
it  is  fixed  upon  a  pole,  by  the  help  of  which  a  boat  is  either  pulled  to, 
or  pushed  off  from,  any  place,  and  is  capable  of  holding  on  by  anything. 


BOATILA BOAT  113 

BOATILA.    A  narrow-siemedy  flat-bottomed  boat  of  the  Gulf  of  Manar. 

BOATING.     Traosporting  men,  munitions,  or  goods,  in  boats. 

BOAT-KEEPEB.  One  of  the  boat's  crew  who  remains  in  charge  of 
her  during  the  absence  of  the  others.  In  small  vessels  he  is  sometimes 
called  the  boatman. 

BOAT-NAILS.  Those  supplied  for  the  carpenter^s  use  are  of  various 
lengths,  generally  rose-headed,  square  at  the  points,  and  made  both  of 
copper  and  iron.     {See  Naius.) 

BOAT-HOPE.  A  separate  rope  veered  to  the  boat  to  be  towed  at  the 
ship's  stem. 

BOAT'S  CHEW.  The  men  appointed  as  the  crew  of  any  particular 
boat,  as  the  barge's  crew,  cutter's  crew,  &c 

BOAT'S-GRIPES.  Lashings  for  the  secure  stowageof  boats.  (^^d^GRiPES.) 

BOAT-SKIDS.  Portable  pieces  of  plank  used  to  prevent  chafing  when 
a  boat  is  hoisted  or  lowered.     (See  Skids.) 

BOATSWAIN.  The  officer  who  superintends  the  boat-sails,  shipVsails, 
rigging,  canvas,  colours,  anchors,  cables  and  cordage,  committed  to  his 
charga  He  ought  also  to  take  care  that  the  blocks  and  running  ropes 
are  regularly  placed  to  answer  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  in- 
tended, and  that  the  sails  are  properly  fitted  to  their  yards  and  stays, 
and  well-furled  or  reefed  when  occasion  require&  He  pipes  the  hands 
to  their  several  duties,  seeing  that  they  attend  his  call,  and  ought  to 
be  in  every  way  a  thorough  seaman.  Although  termed  boatswain, 
the  boats  are  not  in  his  charge.  They,  with  the  spars,  &c,  and  stores 
for  repair,  belong  to  the  carpenter.  The  boatswain  is  the  officer  of 
the  first  lieutenant;  he  gives  no  order,  but  reports  defects,  and  carries 
out  the  will  of  his  superior. 

BOATSWAIN-BIRD.  Phaeton  cUhereus,  a  tropical  bird,  so  called 
from  its  sort  of  whistle.  It  is  distinguished  by  two  long  feathers  in 
the  tail,  called  the  marling-«pike.  ^ 

BOATSWAIN-CAPTAIN.  An  epithet  given  by  certain  popinjays  in 
the  service  to  such  of  their  betters  as  fully  understand  the  various 
duties  of  their  station. 

BOATSWAIN'S  MATE.  Is  an  assistant  to  the  boatswain,  who  had 
the  peculiar  command  of  the  long-boat.  He  summons  the  watch  or 
crew  by  his  whistle,  and  during  his  watch  looks  to  the  decks,  and  has 
peculiar  calls  for  "grog,"  ""bout  ship,"  "pipe to  break&st,"  " sweepers," &c. 

BOATSWAIN'S  STORE-ROOM.  Built  expressly  for  boatswain's  stores, 
on  a  platform  or  light  deck. 

BOATSWAIN'S  YEOMAN.    &«  Yboman. 

BOAT  THE  ANCHOR.     Place  the  anchor  inboard  in  the  boat. 

BOAT  THE  OARS.  Put  them  in  their  proper  places  fore  and  aft  on 
the  thwarts  ready  for  use. 

H 


]][4  ^^^ BODKIN 

BOR  A  knot  of  worms  on  a  string  naed  in  fiahing  for  eels;  also  collo- 
quially, it  means  a  berth. — Shift  your  bob^  to  moye  abont^  to  dodge, 
to  fish. — Bear  a  boby  make  haste,  be  brisk. 

BOR  The  ball  or  balance-weight  of  a  clock's  pendnlom;  the  weight 
attached  to  the  plumb-line. 

BOBBERT.  A  disturbance,  row,  or  squabble;  a  term  much  used  in 
the  East  Indies  and  China. 

BOBBING.     A  particular  method  of  fishing  for  eeLs — 

**Hu  hook  he  hated  with  a  dngon*s  tail. 
And  lat  upOD  a  rock,  and  hohb'd  for  whale.** 

BOBBING  ABOUT.     Heaving  and  setting  without  making  anj  way. 

BOBBLK  The  state  of  waves  when  dashing  about  without  any  regular 
set  or  direction,  as  in  cross  tides  or  currents. 

BOBSTAY-COLLAEa  These  are  made  with  laige  rope,  and  an  eye 
spliced  in  each  end;  they  are  secured  round  the  bowsprit,  on  the 
upper  side,  with  a  rose  lashing.  They  are  almost  entirely  superseded 
by  iron  bands. 

BOBSTAY-HOLEa  Those  cut  through  the  fore-part  of  the  knee  of 
the  head,  between  the  cheeks,  for  the  admission  of  the  bobstay;  they 
are  not  much  used  now,  as  chain  bobstays  are  almost  universal,  which 
are  secured  to  plates  by  shackles. 

BOBSTAY-PLATES.  Iron  plates  by  which  the  lower  end  of  the 
bobstay  is  attached  to  the  stem. 

BOBSTAYS.  Ropes  or  chains  used  to  confine  the  bowsprit  downward 
to  the  stem  or  cut-water.  They  are  fitted  in  various  ways.  Their  use 
is  to  counteract  the  strain  of  the  foremast-stays,  which  draw  it  up- 
wards. The  bowsprit  is  also  fortified  by  shrouds  firom  the  bows  on 
each  side,  which  are  aU  very  necessary,  as  the  fore-mast  and  the  upper 
spars  on  the  main-mast  are  stayed  and  greatly  supported  by  the 
bowspriL 

BOCCA.  [Sp.  boea,  mouth.]  Is  a  term  used  both  in  the  Levant^  and 
on  the  north  coast  of  South  America^  or  the  Spanish  Main,  for  a 
mouth  or  channel  into  any  port  or  harbour,  or  the  entrance  into  a 
sound  which  has  a  passage  out  by  a  contrary  way. — Bocoa  Tigrisy 
Canton  River. 

BODIES.  The  figure  of  a  ship^  abstractedly  considered,  is  divided  into 
different  parts  or  figures,  each  of  which  has  the  appellation  body,  as 
fore-bod^,  midship-body,  square-body,  <kc. 

BODKIN.     A  dirk  or  dagger,  a  word  still  in  use^  though  Johnson  says 

it  is  the  oldest  acceptation  of  it     It  is  the  bodekin  of  Chaucer;  and 

Shakspeare  makes  Hamlet  ask  who  would  bear  the  ills  of  life, 

"When  he  himself  might  his  quietus  make 
Withahaiehodkin?'* 


BODY BOLLARD  115 

BODY.     The  principal  corps  of  an  army,  or  the  main  strengih  of  a  fleet 

BODY,  OF  A  Placb.  In  fortification,  the  apace  inclosed  by  the  enceinte, 
or  line  of  bastions  and  curtains. 

BODY-HOOPS.     Those  which  secure  the  oris  pieces  of  a  made  mast 

BODY-PLAN.  The  draught  of  a  proposed  ship^  showing  the  breadth 
and  timbers;  it  is  a  section  supposed  to  cut  the  vessel  through  the 
broadest  part;  it  is  otherwise  called  the  plan  of  projection. 

BODY-POST.  An  additional  stem-post  introduced  at  the  fore-part  of 
an  aperture  cut  in  the  dead-wood  in  a  ship  fitted  with  a  screw-pro- 
peller. 

BOG.  A  marsh,  or  a  tract  of  land,  which  from  its  form  and  imperme- 
able bottom  retains  stagnant  water.     (See  Quaomibe.) 

BOG-BLUTEK  A  northern  name  for  the  bittern,  from  its  habit  of 
thrusting  its  bill  into  marshy  places. 

BOG-TROTTER.  Any  one  who  lives  among  marshy  moors,  but  gene- 
rally applied  to  the  Emeralders. 

BOGTJE,  To.  To  drop  off  from  the  wind.  To  edge  away  to  leeward 
with  the  wind;  not  holding  a  good  wind,  and  driving  very  much  to 
leeward.     Used  only  to  clumsy  inferior  crafl. 

BOGUE.     Mouth  of  a  river;  hence  disembogue.     Bogue  forts,  China. 

BOHEMIAN.  A  conceited  dawdler  in  his  duties.  Shakspeare  ridi- 
cules Simple  as  a  Bohemian  Tartar;  both  of  which  terms  were  applied 
to  gipsies. 

BOILER  Of  a  steam-engine,  made  of  wrought  iron,  or  copper-plates, 
which  being  partly  filled  with  water,  and  having  fire  appUed  to  the 
outside,  generates  steam  to  supply  the  engine. 

BOILERS.  Termed  coppers;  the  ship's  cooking  utensils,  of  iron  or 
copper. 

BOILING.  The  ^  whole  boiling"  means  the  entire  quantity,  or  whole 
party;  applied  to  number  or  quantity.     A  contemptuous  epithet. 

BOLD-BOW.     A  broad  bluff  bow. 

BOLDERING  WEATHER     Qoudy  and  thundery. 

BOLD-SHORE.  A  steep  coast  where  the  water,  deepening  rapidly, 
admits  the  near  approach  of  shipping  without  the  danger  of  grounding. 

BOLD-TO.     Applied  to  land;  the  same  as  steep-to. 

BOLE.     A  small  boat 

BOLIDR     A  name  for  aerolite  (which  see). 

BOLINK     See  Bowline.     Cla/ima  in  navi. 

BOLLAN.     The  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  the  fish  old-wife. 

BOLLARD.  A  thick  piece  of  wood  on  the  head  of  a  whale-boat,  round 
which  the  harpooner  gives  the  line  a  turn,  in  order  to  veer  it  steadily, 
and  check  the  animal's  velocity.  Also  a  strong  timber  fixed  vertically 
into  the  ground,  part  being  left  above  it^  on  which  to  fasten  ropes. 


lis  BOLLASI>-TDCBEBS BOLT 

Abo  a  li^iter  sort  of  dolphin  for  ftttarhing  reneh  ta     Wltanres  liare 
boDards  to  which  renels  are  secured  when  a]ongynde> 

BOLLARD-TIMBEBa  Two  pieces  of  oak,  nsoallj  calkd  kmi^i-heads 
(which  see). 

BOLLING  OB  BOWLING  AWAT.     Going  with  a  free  wind 

BOLMEL     An  old  term  for  a  waterman's  pole  or  boom. 

BOLOTO.     A  small  boat  of  the  Philippines  and  Moluccas. 

BOUSTERS.  Small  cushions  or  bags  of  tarred  can^as^  nsed  to  preserve 
the  stays  from  being  chafed  bj  the  motion  of  the  masts^  when  the  ship 
pitches  at  sea.  Pieces  of  soft  wood  covered  with  csnTaa^  placed  on 
the  tressel-treesy  for  the  eyes  of  the  rigging  to  rest  npon,  and  prerent 
a  sharp  nip.  Also  pieces  of  oak  timber  fiijed  to  the  curvature  of  the 
bow,  nnder  the  hawse-holes,  and  down  upon  the  upper  cheek,  to  pre- 
rent the  cable  from  rubbing  against  the  cheeka — BcisUn  for  sheets, 
tacks,  kc^  are  smtaU  pieces  of  fir  <»*  oak,  iajed  under  the  gunwale,  or 
other  part^  with  the  outer  surface  rounded  to  preyent  chafing. — 
BoUterSf  for  the  anchor  lining.  Solid  pieces  of  oak  bolted  to  the  ship's 
side  at  the  fare  part  of  the  fbre-chains  on  which  the  stanchioos  are 
fixed  that  receive  the  anchor  lining. 

BOLT.  A  cylindrical  pin  of  iron  or  copper  to  unite  the  difierent  parts  of  a 
vessel,  varied  in  form  according  to  the  places  where  they  are  required. 
In  shipbuilding  square  ones  are  used  in  frame-fastening;  the  heads  of  all 
bolts  are  round,8ancer,or  collared. — BcU  of  the  tnmj^  which  runs  through 
three  pairs  of  shackles. — Driji  or  driv^-holU  are  used  to  drive  out  others. 
— Bay-boUty  have  jags  or  barbs  on  each  side,  to  keep  them  firom  flying 
out  of  their  holes. — CUnchrboUs  are  clenched  with  livetting  hammera — 
Fend  at  fender  bolU,  made  with  long  and  thick  heads,  and  struck  into 
the  outermost  bends  of  the  ship,  to  save  her  sides  firom  bruises. — Fore- 
loek-hoks  have  at  the  end  a  forelock  of  iron  driven  in,  to  keep  them 
from  starting  back. — Sel-hoUa  are  used  for  forcing  the  planks,  and 
bringing  them  close  together. — Ring-boUs  are  used  for  the  bringing  to 
of  the  planks,  and  those  parts  whereto  are  fiistened  the  breeches  and 
tackle  of  the  guns. — Scarp-bolis  and  keel-Mis,  pdnted,  not  clinched, 
used  for  false  keel  or  temporary  purposea — BringingAo  hdUs,  fitted 
with  an  eye  at  one  end,  and  a  nut  and  screw  at  the  other,  for  bringing 
to  the  ends  at  the  stem,  kc — To  boU,  to  start  oS,  to  run  away. 
BOLT-BOAT.     An  old  term  for  a  boat  which  makes  good  weather  in  a 

rough  sea. 
BOLTING  TIMBERS.     Those  on  each  side  of  the  stem,  continued  up 

for  the  security  of  the  bowsprit     {See  EjaoHT-HEASS.) 
BOLT  OP  CANVAS.     The  piece  or  roU  of  39  yards  in  which  it  is  sup- 
plied, but  which  usually  measure  about  40  yards  in  length;  it  is  gene- 
rally frx>m  22  to  30  inches  wide. 


BOLT  ROPB BONA  FIDE  J  J  7 

BOLT-ROPE.  A  rope  sewed  all  round  the  edge  of  the  sail,  to  prevent 
the  canvas  from  tearing.  The  bottom  part  of  it  is  called  the  foot-rope, 
the  sides  leech-ropes,  and  if  the  sail  be  oblong  or  square  the  upper  part 
is  called  the  head-rope;  the  stay  or  weather  rope  of  fore-and-afb  sails 
is  termed  the  luff. 

BOLTBOP&NEEDLE.  A  strong  needle  for  stitching  the  sail  to  the 
bolt-ropes. 

BOLT-SPRIT.    See  Bowsprit. 

BOLT-STRAKE.  Certain  strakes  of  plank  which  the  beam  fastenings 
pass  through. 

BOLT-TOE.    The  cock  of  a  gun-lock. 

BOMB  [formerly  bomber,  from  bond>a].    The  mortar  of  bomb-vessels. 

BOMB  OR  MORTAR  VESSELS.  Small  ships  fortified  for  throwing 
bombs  into  a  fortress;  said  to  be  the  invention  of  M.  Reyneau,  and  to 
have  been  first  used  at  the  bombardment  of  Algiers  in  1682.  Until 
then  it  had  been  judged  impracticable  to  bombard  a  place  from  the  sea. 

BOMBALO.    A  delicate  kind  of  sand-eel  taken  in  quantities  at  Bombay. 

BOMBARD.  A  piece  of  ordnance,  anciently  in  use  before  the  intro- 
duction of  more  complete  cannon  with  improved  gunpowder,  propelling 
iron  balls.  Its  bore,  for  the  projection  of  stone  shot^  sometimes 
exceeded  20  inches  in  diameter,  but  was  short;  its  chamber,  for  con- 
taining the  powder-charge,  being  about  as  long,  but  much  narrower 
both  within  and  without.  There  were  also  very  diminutive  varieties 
of  it.  It  has  been  vaguely  called  by  some  writers  banlisky  and  by  the 
Dutch  danderhass.  Used  to  assail  a  town,  fortress,  or  fleets  by  the 
projection  of  shells  from  mortam  It  was  also  the  name  of  a  barrel, 
or  large  vessel  for  liquids;  hence,  among  other  choice  epithets^  Prince 
Henry  calls  that  ^tun  of  man,"  Falstaff,  a  "huge  bombard  of  sack." 
Also,  a  Mediterranean  vessel,  with  two  masts  like  the  English  ketch. 

BOMB-BED  BEAMS.  The  beams  which  support  the  bomb-bed  in 
bomb-vessels. 

BOMB-BEDS.    See  Bed  of  a  Mortar. 

BOMBO.    Weak  cold  puncL 

BOMB-SHELL.  A  large  hollow  ball  of  cast-iron,  for  throwing  from 
mortars  (distinguished  by  having  ears  or  lugs,  by  which  to  lift  it  with 
the  shell-hooks  into  the  mortar),  and  having  a  hole  to  receive  the  fuze, 
which  communicates  ignition  to  the  charge  contained  in  the  shelL 
{See  Fuze.) 

BOME-SPAIl  [a  corruption  of  boom],    A  s^iar  of  a  larger  kind« 

BOMKIN.    See  Bumkik. 

BONA  FIDR  In  good  faith;  without  subterfuge — Bona  fdes  is  a 
condition  necessary  to  entitle  to  the  privilege  of  pre-emption  in  our 
admiralty  courta. 


lis  BONAYENTUBE BOOK 

BONAYENTURK     The  old  outer  mizen,  long  disiued. 

BONDING.    See  Wabehoi79ihg-8T8teic. 

BONDING-POND.  An  inclosed  space  of  irater  where  the  tide  flows, 
for  keeping  timb^  in. 

BOND-MAN.  A  harsh  method  in  some  ships,  in  keeping  one  man 
bound  for  the  good  behaviour  of  another  on  leave. 

BOND  OF  BOTTOMRY.  An  authority  to  borrow  money,  by  pledging 
the  keel  or  bottom  of  the  ship.     (^S^  Bottomrt.) 

BONE,  To.  To  seize,  take,  or  apprehend.  A  ship  is  said  to  cany  a 
bone  in  her  mouth  and  cut  a  feather,  when  she  makes  the  water  foam 
before  her. 

BON  GRACK  Junk-fenders;  for  booming  off  obstacles  from  a  ship's 
sides  or  bows.    (See  Bow-grace.) 

BONTTO.  The  Thynmu  pelamys^  a  fish  of  the  scomber  fionily,  com- 
monly about  2  feet  long,  with  a  sharp  head,  small  mouth,  full  eyes, 
and  a  regular  semi-lunar  tail. 

BONI-YOCHIL.  The  Hebridean  name  for  the  great  northern  diver 
{Colymhus  glaciaUe). 

BONNET.  An  additional  part  laced  to  the  foot  of  the  jibs,  or  other 
fore-and-aft  sails,  in  small  vessels  in  moderate  weather,  to  gather  more 
wind.  They  are  commonly  one-third  of  the  depth  of  the  sails  they 
belong  to.  Thus  we  say,  T/ace  on  the  bonnet^"  or  ''Shake  off  the 
bonnet.''  Bonnets  have  lately  been  introduced  to  secure  the  foot  of 
an  upper-topsail  to  a  lower-topsail  yard.  The  unbonnetted  sail  is  for 
storm  service.  Bonnet^  in  fortification,  is  a  raised  portion  of  the  works 
at  any  salient  angle,  having  the  same  plan,  but  10  or  12  feet  more 
command  than  the  work  on  which  it  is  based.  It  assists  in  protecting 
from  enfilade,  and  affords  a  plunging  fire. 

BONNET-FLOOK.  A  name  of  the  well-known  flat-fish,  brill,  pearl,  or 
mouse^lab;  the  Pleuronectes  rhombus. 

BONXIE.  The  Shetland  name  for  the  skuarguU  {CaUMracUs  vulgaria). 
Also  a  very  general  northern  term  for  sea-birds. 

BONY-FISH.     One  of  the  names  of  the  haid-head  (which  see). 

BOOBY.  A  well-known  tropical  sea-bird,  Svia  fuecct,  of  the  fiunily 
PeUcanidce.  It  is  fond  of  resting  out  of  the  water  at  night,  even 
preferring  an  unstable  perch  on  the  yard  of  a  ship.  The  name  is 
derived  from  the  way  in  which  it  allows  itself  to  be  caught  immediately 
after  settling.  The  direction  in  which  they  fly  as  evening  comes  on 
often  shows  where  land  may  be  found. 

BOOBY-HATCH.  A  smaller  kind  of  companion,  but  readily  removable; 
it  is  in  use  for  merchantmen's  half  decks,  and  lifls  off  in  one  piece. 

BOOEL  A  commercial  term  for  a  peculiar  packing  of  muslins^  bastas, 
and  other  stuf&. — Brought  to  book,  made  to  account. 


BOOKING BOOTY  1  ]  g' 

BOOKING.    A  reprimand. 

BOOKa     {See  Ship's  Books.)    Official  documents. 

BOOM.  A  long  spar  run  out  from  diflferent  places  in  the  ship,  to  extend 
or  boom  out  the  foot  of  a  particular  sail;  as,  jib-boom,  flying  jib-boom^ 
studding-sail  booms,  driver  or  spanker  boom,  ringtail-boom,  main-boom, 
square-sail  boom,  &c,  A  ship  is  said  to  come  booming  forwards  when 
she  comes  with  all  the  sail  she  can  make.  Boom  also  denotes  a  cable 
stretched  athwart  the  mouth  of  a  river  or  harbour,  with  yards,  top- 
masts, or  stout  spars  of  wood  lashed  to  it^  to  prevent  the  entrance  of 
an  enemy. — To  top  one^s  boom,  is  to  start  off — To  boom  off,  to  shove 
a  boat  or  vessel  away  with  spars. 

BOOMAGR  A  duty  levied  to  compound  for  harbour  dues,  anchorage, 
and  soundage. 

BOOM-BOATS.     Those  stowed  on  the  booms. 

BOOM-BRACE  PENDANT.  A  rope  attached  to  the  extremity  of  a 
studding-sail  boom,  and  leading  down  on  deck;  it  is  used  to  counteract 
the  pressure  of  the  sail  upon  the  boom* 

BOOM-COVER.     The  tarpaulin,  or  painted,  cover  over  the  spars. 

BOOMING.  Sound  of  distant  guns;  it  is  often,  but  wrongly,  applied 
to  the  hissing  or  whistling  of  shot 

BOOM-IRONS.  Are  metal  rings  fitted  on  the  yard-arms,  through 
which  the  studding-sail  booms  traverse;  there  is  one  on  each  top-sail 
yard-arm,  but  on  the  lower  yards  a  second,  which  opens  to  allow  the 
boom  to  be  triced  up;  it  is  one-fourth  from  the  yard-arms,  and  holds 
down  the  heel  of  the  boom  when  it  is  rigged  out. 

BOOM-JIGGER  A  tackle  used  in  large  ships,  for  rigging  out  or 
running  in  the  top-mast  studding-sail  booms. 

BOOMKIN.    See  Bumkin. 

BOOM-MAINSAIL.    See  Maiksail. 

BOOMS.  A  space  where  the  spare  spars  are  stowed;  the  launch  being 
generally  stowed  between  them. 

BOOPAH.     A  Tongatabou  canoe  with  a  single  outrigger. 

BOOTHYR.     An  old  term,  denoting  a  small  river  vessel. 

BOOT-TOPPING.  The  old  operation  of  scraping  off  the  grass,  slime, 
shells,  &c,,  which  adhere  to  the  bottom,  near  the  surface  of  the  water, 
and  daubing  it  over  with  a  mixture  of  tallow,  sulphur,  and  resin,  as  a 
temporary  protection  against  worms.  This  is  chiefly  performed  where 
there  is  no  dock  or  other  commodious  situation  for  breaming  or 
careening,  or  when  the  hurry  of  a  voyage  renders  it  inconvenient  to 
have  the  whole  bottom  properly  trimmed  and  cleansed.  The  term  is 
now  applied  to  sheathing  a  vessel  with  planking  over  felt. 

BOOTY.  That  sort  of  prize  which  may  be  distributed  at  the  capstan- 
head,  or  at  once. 


120  BOOZE BOEN 

BOOZE.     A  carouse;  hence,  hoozy,  elevated  by  liquor. 

BORA  A  very  violent  wind  experienced  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
Adriatic  Sea,  but  which  fortunately  is  of  no  great  duration.     : 

BORACCHIO  [Sp.  borrachOf  drunk].  A  skin  for  holding  wine  or 
water,  usually  a  goat's*  Used  in  the  Levant.  A  skin-fullj  literally, 
gorged  with  wine. 

BOBASGA.    A  storm,  with  thunder  and  lightning. 

BOBD.  The  sea-coast,  an  old  term.  Formerly  meant  the  side,  edge,  or 
brim;  hence,  as  applied  to  a  ship,  to  throw  overboard,  is  to  cast  any- 
thing over  the  side  of  the  vesseL 

BOBDELS.  An  old  word  for  houses  built  along  a  strand.  In  the  old 
play  called  the  '^ Ladies'  Privilege,'*  it  is  said: — ^ These  gentlemen 
know  better  to  cut  a  caper  than  a  cable,  or  board  a  pink  in  the  bordels 
than  a  pinnace." 

BORDER.  A  term  referring  to  the  nature  of  the  vegetation  on  the 
margin  of  a  stream  or  lake,  or  to  artificial  works  constructed  along  the 
bank& 

BORD  YOU.  A  saying  of  a  man  waiting,  to  one  who  is  drinking 
meaning  that  he  claims  the  next  turn. 

BORE.  A  sudden  and  rapid  flow  of  tide  in  certain  inlets  of  the  sea;  as 
the  monstrous  wave  in  the  river  Hoogley,  called  bahu  by  the  natives, 
which  rolls  in  with  the  noise  of  distant  thunder  at  flood-tide.  It 
occurs  from  February  to  November,  at  the  new  and  full  moon.  Its 
cause  has  not  been  clearly  defined,  although  it  probably  arises  from  the 
currents  during  spiing-tides,  acting  on  a  peculiar  conformation  of  the 
banks  and  bed  of  the  river;  it  strikes  invariably  on  the  same  part  of 
the  banks,  majestically  rolling  over  to  one  side,  and  passing  on 
diagonally  to  the  other  with  impetuous  violence.  The  bore  also  occurs 
in  England,  near  Bristol;  and  in  America,  in  several  rivers,  but  espe- 
cially in  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  where  at  the  river  Petticodiao  the  tide 
rises  76  feetb  It  also  occurs  in  Borneo  and  several  rivers  in  the 
East  (See  Htobe.)  Also,  the  interior  cavity  of  a  piece  of  ordnance, 
generally  cylindrical  in  shape,  except  when  a  part  of  it  is  modified 
into  a  chamber. 

BOREAS.  A  classical  name  for  the  north  wind,  still  in  use;  indeed  a 
brackish  proverb  for  extreme  severity  of  weather  says — ^"Cold  and 
chilly,  like  Boreas  with  an  iceberg  in  each  pocket." 

BORE  DOWN.     SaQed  down  from  to  windward. 

BORHAME.     A  northern  term  for  the  flounder. 

BORING.  In  Arctic  seas,  the  operation  of  forcing  the  ship  through 
loose  ice  under  a  heavy  press  of  sail;  at  least  attempting  the  chance  of 
advantage  of  cracks  or  openings  in  the  pack. 

BORN  WITH  ▲  Silver  Spoon  in  his  Mottth.    Said  of  a  person  who^  by 


BOENB BOTTOM  121 

birth  or  connection,  lias  all  the  usual  obstacles  to  advancement  cleared 
away  for  him.  Those  who  toil  unceasinglj  for  preferment,  and  toil  in 
vain,  are  said  to  hare  been  bom  with  a  wooden  ladle.  Again,  the 
silyer-spoon  gentry  are  said  to  come  on  board  through  the  cabin 
windows;  those  less  fiivoured,  oyer  the  bows,  or  through  the  hawse-holes. 

BORNE.  Placed  on  the  books  for  victuals  and  wages;  also  super- 
numerary and  ^'for  rank.'' 

BORROW,  To.  To  approach  closely  either  to  land  or  wind;  to  hug  a 
shoal  or  coast  in  order  to  avoid  adverse  tide. 

BORT.     The  name  given  to  a  long  fishing-line  in  the  Shetland  Isles. 

BOSS.     A  head  of  water,  or  reservoir.     Also  the  apex  of  a  shield. 

BOTARGA.  The  roe  of  the  mullet  pressed  flat  and  dried;  that  of 
commerce,  however,  is  from  the  tunny,  a  large  flsh  of  passage  which  is 
common  in  the  Mediterranean.  The  best  kind  comes  from  Tunis;  it 
must  be  chosen  dry  and  reddish.  The  usual  way  of  eating  it  is  with 
oliv&^il  and  lemon-juice. 

BOTCH,  To.     To  make  bungling  work. 

BOTE'S-GARLE.     An  old  term  for  the  coxswain  of  a  boat. 

BOTHERED.     Getting  among  adverse  currents,  with  shifting  winds. 

BOTH  SHEETS  AFT.  The  situation  of  a  square-rigged  ship  that  sails 
before  the  wind,  or  with  the  wind  right  astern.  It  is  said  also  of  a 
half-drunken  sailor  rolling  along  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets  and 
elbows  square. 

BOTTR  An  old  English  term  for  boat,  and  assuredly  the  damaged 
boat  into  which  Prospero  is  turned  adrift  by  Shakspeare. 

BOTTLE-BUMR     The  bittern,  so  called  on  our  east  coast 

BOTTLE-GHARTa  Those  on  which  the  set  of  surface  currents  are 
exhibited,  derived  from  papers  found  in  bottles  which  have  been 
thrown  overboard  for  that  purpose,  and  washed  up  on  the  beach,  or 
picked  up  by  other  shipa 

BOTTLE-NOSE,  ob  Bottle-nossd  Whale:  A  name  applied  to  several 
of  the  smaller  cetaceans  of  the  northern  seas^  more  especially  to  the 
Hyperoodon  rostratus. 

BOTTOM.  A  name  for  rich  low  land  formed  by  alluvial  deposits :  but 
in  a  general  sense  it  denotes  the  lowest  part  of  a  things  in  contradis- 
tinction to  the  top  or  uppermost  part.  In  navigation,  it  is  used  to 
denote  as  well  the  channel  of  rivers  and  harbours  as  the  body  or  hull 
of  a  ship.  Thus,  in  the  former  sense  we  say  ''a  gravelly  bottom, 
clayey  bottom,"  (be,  and  in  the  latter  sense  ''a  British  bottom,  a 
Dutch  bottom,"  <fea  By  statute,  certain  commodities  imported  in 
foreign  bottoms  pay  a  duty  called  ''petty  customs,"  over  and  above 
what  they  are  liable  to  if  imported  in  British  bottoms.  Bottom  of  a 
ship  or  boat  is  that  part  which  is  below  the  wales. 


h 


122  BOTTOM-CLEAN BOULEPOKGES 

BOTTOM-CLEAK.     Thoroughlj  dean,  free  from  weeds,  &q, 

BOTTOM-PLANK  That  which  is  placed  between  the  garboard  strake 
and  lower  back-strake. 

BOTTOMREE,  ob  BoTTOMBT-BOin>.  The  contract  of  bottomry  is  a 
negotiable  instrument^  which  may  be  put  in  suit  by  the  person  to 
whom  it  is  transferred :  it  is  in  use  in  all  countries  of  maritime  com- 
merce and  interests.  A  contract  in  the  nature  of  a  mortgage  of  a 
ship,  when  the  owner  of  it  borrows  money  to  enable  him  to  carry  on 
the  voyage,  and  pledge  the  keel,  or  bottom  of  the  ship^  as  a  security  for 
the  repayment  If  the  ship  be  lost  the  lender  also  loses  his  whole 
money;  but  if  it  return  in  safety  then  he  shall  receive  back  his 
principal,  and  also  the  premium  stipulated  to  be  paid,  however  it  may 
exceed  the  usual  or  legal  rate  of  interest  The  afiair  is,  however, 
only  regarded  as  valid  upon  the  ground  of  necessity;  and  thus  exacting 
more  than  the  interest  allowed  by  law  is  not  deemed  usury. 

BOTTOMRY  PREMIUM.  A  high  rate  of  interest  charged  on  the 
safety  of  the  ship — the  lender  losing  his  whole  money  if  she  be  lost 

BOTTOM-WIND.  A  phenomenon  that  occurs  on  the  lakes  in  the 
north  of  England,  especially  Derwent  Water,  which  is  often  agitated 
by  swelling  waves  without  any  apparent  cause. 

BOUCHE.    See  Bush. 

BOUGE  OR  BowGE  A2n>  Chike,  or  Bilge  and  Chimb.  The  end  of  one 
cask  stowed  against  the  bilge  of  another.  To  prepare  a  ship  for  the 
purpose  of  sinking  it. 

BOIJILLL  Termed  by  seamen  bully-beef;  disliked  because  all  the 
substance  is  boiled  away  to  enrich  the  cook's  grease-tub,  and  the  meat 
is  useless  as  food;  rejected  even  by  dogs.  In  one  ship  of  war  it  pro- 
duced mutiny;  vide  Adams'  account  of  the  Bou/niy  miseriea  It  is 
also  the  name  given  to  highly  cooked  meat  in  hermetically  sealed 
tin  canisters. 

BOULDER-HEAD.  A  work  against  the  encroachment  of  the  sea, 
made  of  wooden  stakes. 

BOULDERS.  Stones  worn  and  rounded  by  the  attrition  of  the  waves 
of  the  sea :  the  word,  on  the  authority  of  Hunter,  was  considered  a 
technical  term  in  the  fourteenth  century,  as  appears  in  a  warrant  of 
John  of  Gaunt  for  the  repair  of  Pontefract  Castle—'^  De  peres,  appel6s 
buldres,  a  n're  dit  chastel  come  nous  semblerez  resonables  pur  la 
defense  de  meisme." 

BOULEPONGES.  A  drink  to  which  many  of  the  deaths  of  Europeans 
in  India  were  ascribed;  but  in  Bemier^s  ^^Travels,"  in  the  train  of 
Aurungzebe,  in  1664,  we  are  informed  that  '^bouleponge  is  a  beverage 
made  of  arrack,  sugar,  lemon-juice,  and  a  little  muscadine."  Probably 
a  corruption  of  bowls  of  punch.     (See  Pukch.) 


BOUNCE BOW-CHASKBS    •  123 

BOUNCE.     The  lai^r  dog-fish. 

BOUNCER.     A  gun  which  kicks  violently  when  fired 

BOUND.  Destined  for  a  particular  service.  Intended  voyage  to  a 
place. — Ice-bound.  Totally  surrounded  with  ice. — Tide-houndy  or  be- 
neaped.  {See  Nbap.) — Wind-hound.  Prevented  from  sailing  by  con- 
trary wind. — Where  are  you  hound  to? — i.e.  To  what  place  are  you 
going? — Bound  on  a  cruise,  A  corruption  of  the  old  word  houme, 
which  is  still  in  use  on  the  northern  coasts^  and  means  to  make  ready, 
to  prepare. 

BOUNTY.  A  sum  of  money  given  by  government^  authorized  by 
act  of  parliament  or  royal  proclamation,  to  men  who  voluntarily 
enter  into  the  army  or  navy;  and  the  widow  of  such  volunteer  seaman 
killed  or  drowned  in  the  service  was  entitled  to  a  bounty  equal  to  a 
year's  pay. 

BOUNTY-BO  A.TS.  Those  which  fished  under  the  encouragement  of  a 
bounty  from  government 

BOUNTY-LIST.  A  register  of  all  persons  who  have  received  the 
bounty  to  which  they  are  entitled  after  having  passed  three  musters 
in  the  service. 

BOURN.    See  Bukn. 

BOURSE.     A  place  where  merchants  congregate.     An  exchange. 

BOUSE.    See  Bowse. 

BOUT.  A  turn,  trial,  or  round.  An  attack  of  illness;  a  convivial  meet- 
ing.— ^BotU  ship,  the  brief  order  for  "  about  ship." 

BOW.  The  fore^nd  of  a  ship  or  boat;  being  the  rounding  part  of  a 
vessel  forward,  beginning  on  both  sides  where  the  planks  arch  inwards, 
and  terminating  where  they  close,  at  the  rabbet  of  the  stem  or  prow, 
being  larboard  or  starboard  from  that  division.  A  bold  bow  is  broad 
and  round;  a  lean  bow,  narrow  and  thin. — On  the  how.  An  arc  of  the 
horizon  (not  exceeding  45^)  comprehended  between  some  distant 
object  and  that  point  of  the  compass  which  is  right  ahead.  Four 
points  on  either  bow  is  met  by  four  points  before  the  beam. 

BOW.  An  astronomical  instrument  formerly  used  at  sea,  consisting  of 
only  one  large  graduated  arc  of  90"*,  three  vanes,  and  a  shank  or  stafi*. 
Also  the  bow  of  yew,  a  weapon  of  our  early  fleets. 

BOW.  She  hows  to  the  breeze;  when  the  sails  belly  out  full,  and  the 
ship  inclines  and  goes  ahead,  pitching  or  bowing  over  the  blue  waves. 

BOW-BYK  The  situation  of  a  ship  when,  in  stays,  she  falls  back  off 
the  wind  again,  and  gets  into  irons,  which  demands  practical  seaman- 
ship for  her  extrication.  This  was  deemed  a  lubberly  act  in  our 
fleets  of  old. 

BOW-CHASERS.  Two  long  chase-guns  placed  forward  in  the  bow- 
ports  to  fire  directly  ahead,  and  being  of  small  bore  for  their  length, 
carry  shot  to  a  great  distance. 


124  BOWD-BATBN BOWLINE 

BOWD-EATEN.     An  old  expression  for  eaten  by  weevils. 

BOWER-ANCHORS.  Those  at  the  bows  and  in  constant  working  use. 
They  are  called  best  and  small,  not  from  a  difference  of  size,  but  as  to 
the  bow  on  which  they  are  placed;  starboard  being  the  best  bower, 
and  port  the  small  bower.  The  appropriated  cables  assume  the 
respective  names.  {See  also  Spabb-akchok,  Sheet,  Stbeam,  Coastieo, 
Ejedoe,  &c.) 

BOW-FAST.  A  rope  or  chain  for  securing  a  vessel  by  the  bow.  (SeeTABT,) 

BOWGEy  OR  BouoE.     An  old  term  for  bilge. 

BOWGER  A  name  given  in  the  Hebrides  to  the  coulter->neb,  or 
puffin  (FrtUercfda  arcHca). 

BOWGRACE.  A  kind  of  frame  or  fender  of  old  junk,  placed  round 
the  bows  and  sides  of  a  ship  to  prevent  her  receiving  injury  frx>m 
floating  ice  or  timbers.     (See  Bongbage) 

BOWING.  An  injury  done  to  yards  by  too  much  topping,  and  letting 
their  weights  hang  by  the  lifts.  The  state  of  a  top-sail  yard  when  it 
arches  in  the  centre  from  hoisting  it  too  tautly.  Also  of  the  mast 
when  it  bellies  or  is  crippled  by  injudiciously  setting  up  the  rigging 
too  taut. 

BOWING  THE  SEA.  Meetmg  a  turbulent  swell  in  coming  to  the 
wind. 

BOWLINE  A  rope  leading  forward  which  is  &stened  to  a  space  con- 
nected by  bridles  to  cringles  on  the  leech  or  perpendicular  edge  of  the 
square  sails:  it  is  used  to  keep  the  weather-edge  of  the  sail  tight  for- 
ward and  steady  when  the  ship  is  close  hauled  to  the  wind;  and  which, 
indeed,  being  hauled  taut,  enables  the  ship  to  come  nearer  to  the 
wind.  Hence  the  ship  sails  on  a  bowline,  or  stands  on  a  taut  bow- 
line.— To  check  or  come  up  a  bowline  is  to  slacken  it  when  the  wind 
becomes  large  or  free. — To  sharp  or  set  taut  a  bowline  is  to  pull  it  as 
taut  as  it  can  well  bear. 

BOWLINE-BEND.  The  mode  of  bending  warps  or  hawsers  together 
by  taking  a  bowline  in  the  end  of  one  rope,  and  passing  the  end  of  the 
other  through  the  bight,  and  making  a  bowline  upon  it 

BOWLINE-BRIDLE.  The  span  attached  to  the  cringles  on  the  leech 
of  a  square  sail  to  which  the  bowline  is  toggled  or  clinched. 

BOWLINE^RINGLE.  An  eye  worked  into  the  leech-rope  of  a  sail; 
usually  in  that  of  a  foresail  two,  a  mainsail  three,  and  the  fore-topsails 
three,  but  the  main-topsail  four.  By  these  the  sails  are  found  in  the 
dark,  by  feeling  alone. 

BOWLINE  HAUL.  A  hearty  and  simultaneous  bowse.  (See  One! 
TWO ! !  theee  ! ! !)  In  hauling  the  bowline  it  is  customary  for  the 
leading  man  to  veer,  and  then  haul,  three  times  in  succession,  singing 
out  one,  two,  three— at  the  last  the  weight  of  all  the  men  is  thrown 


BOWLINE BOWSPRIT^  ]25 

in  together:  this  is  followed  by  "belay,  oh !'*  When  the  bowlines  are 
reported  <*  bowlines  hauled,  sir/'  by  the  officer  in  command  of  the  fore- 
part of  the  ship,  the  hands,  or  the  watch,  return  to  their  duties. 
BOWLINE-KNOT.  That  by  which  the  bowline-bridles  were  fastened 
to  the  cringles:  the  bowline-knot  is  made  by  an  involution  of  the  end 
and  a  bight  upon  the  standing  part  of  a  rope.  A  further  involution 
makes  what  is  termed  a  bowline  on  a  bight  It  is  very  difficult  to 
explain  by  words : — holding  the  rope  some  distance  from  the  end  by 
the  left  hand,  the  end  held  in  the  right  is  laid  on  the  main  port^  and 
by  a  twist  given  screw-fashion  to  the  rights  a  loop  or  kink  is  formed 
inclosing  this  end,  which  is  then  passed  behind,  and  back  in  the  same 
direction  with  the  former,  and  then  jammed  homa  It  is  rapidly  done, 
easily  undone,  and  one  of  the  most  seamanlike  acts,  exhibiting  grace 
as  well  as  power.  It  can  be  made  by  a  man  with  but  one  arm. 
BOW-LINES.     In  shipbuilding,  longitudinal  curves  representing  the 

ship's  fore-body  cut  in  a  vertical  section. 
BOWLING-ALONG.     Going  with  a  free  wind. 
BOW-LOG  TIMBEES.     A  provincial  name  for  hawse-wood. 
BOWMAN.     In  a  single-banked  boat  he  who  rows  the  foremost  oar 
and  manages  the  boat-hook;  called  by  the  French  ''brigadier  de  I'em- 
barcation.''     In  double-banked  boats  there  are  always  two  bowmen. 
Also  an  archer,  differently  pronounced. 
BOW-OAK.     The  foremost  oar  or  oars,  in  pulling  a  boat. 
BOW-PIECES.     The  ordnance  in  the  bows;  also  in  building. 
BOW-RAIL.     A  rail  roimd  the  bows. 

BOWSE,  To.     To  pull  upon  any  body  with  a  tackle,  or  complication  of 
pullies,  in  order  to  remove  it,  <fec.     Hauling  upon  a  tack  is  called 
''bowsing  upon  a  tack,"  and  when  they  would  have  the  men  pull  all 
together,  they  cry,  "Bowse  away."    Also  used  in  setting  up  rigging, 
as  "Bowse  away,  starboard;"  "Bowse  away,  port"     It  is,  however, 
mostly  a  gun-tackle  term. — Bowse  up  thejibf  a  colloquialism  to  denote 
the  act  of  tippling:  it  is  an  old  phrase,  and  was  probably  derived  from 
the  Dutch  buyzerij  to  booze. 
BOWSPRIT,  OR  BoLTSPBiT.     A  large  spar,  ranking  with  a  lower- 
mast,  projecting  over  the  stem;  beyond  it  extends  the  jib-boom,  and 
beyond  that  again  the  flying  jib-boom.     To  these  spars  are  secured 
the  stays  of  the  fore-mast  and  of  the  spars  above  it;  on  these  stays  are 
set  the  fore  and  fore-topmast  stay-sails,  the  jib,  and  flying-jib,  which 
.    have  a  most  useful  influence  in  counterbalancing  the  pressure  of  the 
after-sails^  thereby  tending  to  force  the  ship  ahead  instead  of  merely 
turning  her  round.     In  former  times  underneath  these  spars  were  set 
a  sprit^ail,  sprit-topsail,  &o. 
BOWSPRIT,  RrawiNO.    In  cutter-rigged  vessek     (&«  Cutteb.) 


1 26  BOWBPRIT-BITTS BOXINQ 

BOWSPRIT-BITTS.  Are  strong  upright  timbers  secured  to  the  beams 
below  the  deck;  they  have  a  cross-piece  bolted  to  them,  the  inner  end 
of  the  bowsprit  steps  between  them,  and  is  thus  prevented  from  slipping 
in.     The  cross-piece  prevents  it  from  canting  up. 

BOWSPRIT-CAP.  The  crance  or  cap  on  the  outer  end  of  the  bow- 
sprit, through  which  the  jib-boom  traverses. 

BOWSPRIT-GEAR.  A  term  denoting  the  ropes,  blocks,  &c,  belong- 
ing  to  the  bowsprit 

BOWSPRIT-HEART.  The  heart  or  block  of  wood  used  to  secure  the 
lower  end  of  the  fore-stay,  through  which  the  inner  end  of  the  jib- 
boom  is  inserted.  It  is  seldom,  if  ever,  used  now,  an  iron  band  round 
the  bowsprit,  with  an  eye  on  each  side  for  the  fore-stays,  being  preferred. 

BOWSPRIT-HORSES.  The  ridge-ropes  which  extend  from  the  bow- 
sprit-cap  to  the  knight-heads. 

BOWSPRIT-LADDER.  Skids  over  the  bowsprit  from  the  beak-head 
in  some  ships,  to  enable  men  to  run  out  upon  the  bowsprit 

BOWSPRIT-NETTING.  The  netting  placed  just  above  a  vessel's 
bowsprit,  for  stowing  away  the  fore-topmast  stay-sail;  it  is  usually 
lashed  between  the  ridge-ropes. 

BOWSPRIT-SHROUDS.  Strong  ropes  or  chains  leading  from  nearly 
the  outer  end  of  the  bowsprit  to  the  luff  of  the  bow,  giving  lateral 
support  to  that  spar. 

BOW-STA  VEa     Early  supplied  to  our  men-of-war. 

BO  W-TIMBERS.     Those  which  form  the  bow  of  the  ship. 

BOX.  The  space  between  the  back-board  and  the  stem-post  of  a  boat, 
where  the  coxswain  sits. 

BOXES  OF  THE  PUMPS.  Each  ordinary  pump  has  an  upper  and 
lower  box,  the  one  a  fixture  in  the  lower  part  of  its  chamber,  the 
other  attached  to  the  end  of  the  spear  or  piston-rod;  in  the  centre  of 
each  box  is  a  valve  opening  upwards. 

BOXHAULING.  Is  an  evolution  by  which  a  ship  is  veered  sharp  round 
on  her  heel,  when  the  object  is  to  avoid  making  a  great  sweep.  The  helm 
is  put  a-lee,  the  head-yards  braced  flat  aback,  the  after-yards  squared, 
the  driver  taken  in,  and  the  head-sheets  hauled  to  windward;  when 
she  begins  to  gather  stem-way  the  helm  is  shifted  and  sails  trimmed. 
It  is  only  resorted  to  in  emergencies,  as  a  seaman  never  likes  to  see 
his  ship  have  stemway.  With  much  wind  and  sea  this  evolution 
would  be  dangerous. 

BOXING.  A  square  piece  of  dry  hard  wood,  used  in  connecting  the 
frame  timbers.  Also,  the  projection  formerly  left  at  the  hawse-pieces, 
in  the  wake  of  the  hawse-holes,  where  the  planks  do  not  run  through; 
now  disused.  The  stem  is  said  to  be  boxed  when  it  is  joined  to  the 
fore  end  of  the  keel  by  a  side  scarph.     {See  Boxinq  of  Rudder.) 


BOXING BBACE  127 

BOXING  OFF.  Is  performed  by  hauling  the  heaxl-slieets  to  windward, 
and  laying  the  head-yards  flat  aback,  to  pay  the  ship's  head  out  of  the 
wind,  when  the  action  of  the  helm  alone  is  not  sufficient  for  that  pur- 
pose; as  when  she  is  got  ''in  irons.*' 

BOX  THE  COMPASS,  To.  Not  only  to  repeat  the  names  of  the 
thirty-two  points  in  order  and  backwards,  but  also  to  be  able  to  answer 
any  and  all  questions  respecting  its  divisions. 

BOYAKT.     An  old  term  for  a  hoy. 

BOYAUX  The  zig-zags  or  tortuous  trenches  in  the  approach  of  a 
besieger. 

BOY£Ii.  A  sloop  of  Flemish  construction,  with  a  raised  work  at  each 
end. 

BE  AB.  The  sheaf  of  the  young  leayes  of  the  Palmyra  palm  (and  also  of 
the  cocoa-nut),  from  which  sinnot  or  plait  for  hats  is  mada 

BRAB-TKEK     The  Palmyra  palm. 

BB.ACK  The  braces  are  ropes  belonging  to  all  the  yards  of  a  ship; 
two  to  each  yard,  rove  through  blocks  that  are  stropped  to  the  yards, 
or  fastened  to  pendants,  seized  to  the  yard-arms.  Their  use  is  either 
to  square  or  traverse  the  yards  horizontally;  hence,  to  brace  the  yard^ 
is  to  bring  it  to  either  side  by  means  of  the  braces.  In  shipbuilding, 
braces  are  plates  of  iron,  copper,  or  mixed  metal,  which  are  used  to 
bind  efficiently  a  weakness  in  a  vessel;  as  also  to  receive  the  pintles 
by  which  the  rudder  is  hung. 

BRACE  ABACK.  To  brace  the  yards  in,  so  as  to  lay  the  sails  aback. 
— To  brace  aborU,  to  turn  the  yards  round  for  the  contrary  tack,  or  in 
consequence  of  a  change  of  wind. — To  brace  abox,  a  manoeuvre  to 
insure  casting  the  right  way,  by  bracing  the  head-yards  flat  aback  (not 
square). — To  brace  by,  to  brace  the  yards  in  contrary  directions  to 
each  other  on  the  different  masts,  to  eflect  the  stopping  of  the  vessel. 
{See  Counter-bracing.) — To  bra>ce  in,  to  lay  the  yard  less  oblique,  as 
for  a  free  wind,  or  nearly  square. — To  brace  round,  synonymous  with 
brace  about — To  brace  eha/rp,  to  cause  the  yards  to  have  the  smallest 
possible  angle  with  the  keel,  for  the  ship  to  have  head-way:  deemed 
generally  to  form  an  angle  of  20°  with  the  keel. — To  brace  to,  is  to 
check  or  ease  off  the  lee  braces,  and  round  in  the  weather  ones,  to 
assist  in  the  manoeuvre  of  tacking  or  wearing. — To  brace  up,  or  brace 
»hmp  «p,  to  lay  the  yards  more  obUquely  fore  and  aft,  by  easing  off 
the  weather-braces  and  hauling  in  the  lee  ones,  which  enables  a  ship 
to  lie  as  close  to  the  wind  as  possible. 

BRACE  OF  SHAKJiS.  A  moment:  taken  from  the  flapping  of  a  sail. 
I  will  be  with  you  before  it  shakes  thrice. 

BRACE  PENDANTS.  Are  lengths  of  rope,  or  now  more  generally 
chain,  into  which  the  yard-arm  brace-blocks  are  spliced.     They  are 


128  BRACE BRANCH 

used  in  the  merchant  service  to  save  rope,  to  give  the  blocks  more 
freedom  for  slewing  to  their  work,  but  chieflj  because  when  the  brace 
is  let  go,  the  falling  chain  will  overhaul  it^  making  it  easier  to  haul  in 
the  other  brace. 

BRACE  UP  AND  HAUL  AFTl  The  order  usually  given  after 
being  hove-to^  with  fore  or  main  topsail  square  or  aback,  and  jib-sheet 
flowing,  ue.  haul  aft  jib-sheet,  brace  up  the  yards  which  had  been 
squared,  for  the  purpose  of  heaving  to. 

BRACK.     The  Manx  or  Gaelic  name  for  mackerel 

BRACKETS.  Short  crooked  timbers  resembling  knees,  fixed  in  the 
frame  of  a  ship's  head  to  support  the  gratings;  they  likewise  served  to 
support  and  ornament  the  galleiy.  Also,  the  two  vertical  side-pieces 
of  the  carriage  of  any  piece  of  ordnance,  which  support  it  by  the 
trunnions.  Called  also  cheeks.  Also,  triangular  supports  to  miscel- 
laneous things. 

BRACKISH.    Water  not  fresh;  from  the  Icelandic  breke,  the  sea. 

BRADS.     Small  nails. 

BRAE.     A  declivity  or  precipice. 

BRAGGIR.  The  name  given  in  the  Western  Islands  of  Scotland  to 
the  broad  leaves  growing  on  the  top  of  the  Alga  jnarina,  or  sea-grass. 

BRAILS.  Ropes  passing  through  leading  blocks  on  the  hoops  of  the 
mizen-mast  and  gaS,  and  fastened  to  the  outermost  leech  of  the  sail^ 
in  different  places,  to  truss  it  close  up  as  occasion  requires;  all  try-sails 
and  several  of  the  stay-sails  also  have  brails. 

BRAIL  UP!  The  order  to  pull  upon  the  brails,  and  thereby  spill  and 
haul  in  the  saiL  The  mizen,  or  spanker,  or  driver,  or  any  of  the  gaff- 
sails,  as  they  may  be  termed,  when  brailed  up,  are  deemed  furled; 
unless  it  blows  hard,  when  they  are  farther  secured  by  gaskets. 

BRAKE.  The  handle  or  lever  by  which  a  common  ship-pump  is 
usually  worked.  It  operates  by  means  of  two  iron  bolts,  one  thrust 
through  the  inner  hole  of  it,  which  bolted  through  forms  the  lever 
axis  in  the  iron  crutch  of  the  pump,  and  serves  as  the  fulcrum  for  the 
brake,  supporting  it  between  the  cheeks.  The  other  bolt  connects  the 
extremity  of  the  brake  to  the  pump-spear,  which  draws  up  the  spear 
box  or  piston,  charged  with  the  water  in  the  tube;  derived  from 
brcuJiium,  an  arm  or  lever.  Also^  used  to  check  the  speed  of  machinery 
by  Motional  force  pressing  on  the  circumference  of  the  largest  wheel 
acted  on  by  leverage  of  the  brake. 

BRAN,  Ta  To  go  on;  to  lie  under  a  floe  edge^  in  foggy  weather,  in  a 
boat  in  Arctic  seas,  to  watch  the  approach  of  whales. 

BRANCfiL  The  diploma  of  those  pilots  who  have  passed  at  the  Trinity 
House,  as  competent  to  navigate  vessels  in  particular  places.  The 
word  branch  is  also  metaphorically  used  for  river  divergents^  but  its 


BRANCH-PILOT BREAD  1 29 

application  to  affluents  is  improper.  Any  branch  or  ramification,  as 
in  estuaries,  where  they  traverse,  river-like,  miles  of  territoiy,  in 
labyrinthine  mazes. 

BRANCH-PILOT.  One  approved  by  the  Trinity  House,  and  holding 
a  branch,  for  a  particular  navigation. 

BRAND.  The  Anglo-Saxon  for  a  burnished  sword.  A  burned  device 
or  character,  especially  that  of  the  broad  arrow  on  government  stores, 
to  de&oe  or  erase  which  is  felony. 

BRANDED  TICKET.  A  discharge  given  to  an  infamous  man,  on 
which  his  character  is  written,  and  the  reason  he  is  turned  out  of  the 
service.  In  the  army,  deserters  are  branded  with  D;  also  B  for  bad 
character.     In  the  navy,  a  comer  of  the  ticket  is  cut  off. 

BRANDLING.  A  supposed  fry  of  the  salmon  species,  found  on  the 
north  of  England  coasts.     Also,  the  angler*s  dew-worm. 

BRANDY-PAWNER     A  cant  term  for  brandy  and  water  in  India, 

BRANLAIG.  The  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  a  cove  or  creek  on  a 
shore  between  rocks. 

BRANLIE,  OR  Braklik.    A  northern  name  for  the  samlet  or  par. 

BRAN-NEW.     Quite  new:  said  of  a  sail  which  has  never  been  bent.  . 

BRASH.  Small  fragments  of  crushed  ice,  collected  by  wind  or  cur- 
rents, near  the  shore ;  or  such  that  the  ship  can  easily  force  through. 

BRASS.     Impudent  assurance. 

BRASSARTS.  Pieces  between  the  elbow  and  the  top  of  the  shoulder 
in  ancient  armour. 

BRASSER     A  defensive  bit  of  armour  for  the  arm. 

BRAT.    A  northern  name  for  a  turbot 

BRAVE,  This  word  was  not  only  used  to  express  courage  by  our  early 
seamen,  but  was  also  applied  to  strength;  as,  ''we  had  a  brave  wind." 

BRA  WET.     A  kind  of  eel  in  the  north. 

BRAY,  To.     To  beat  and  bruise  in  a  mortar. 

BREACH.  Formerly,  what  is  made  by  the  breaking  in  of  the  sea,  now 
applied  also  to  the  openings  or  gaps  made  in  the  works  of  fortified 
places  battered  by  an  enemy's  cannon.  Also,  an  old  term  for  a  heavy 
surf  or  broken  water  on  a  sea-coast;  by  some  called  brist. 

BREACHING.     The  act  of  leaping  out  of  the  water;  applied  to  whales. 

BREACH  OF  THE  SEA.  Waves  breaking  over  the  hull  of  a  vessel 
in  bad  weather,  or  when  stranded. — A  dear  brecich  implies  the  waves 
rolling  clean  over  without  breaking.  Shakspeare  in  "Twelfth  Night" 
uses  the  term  for  the  breaking  of  the  waves. — Clean-breachy  when 
masts  and  every  object  on  deck  is  swept  away. 

BREACHT.  Brackish,  as  applied  to  water,  probably  originating  in  the 
sea  breaking  in. 

BREAD.    The  usual  name  given  to  biscuit 

I 


1  ^' 


- zrn'. 


a£^ 


■•. 


2X2 


:jt.         ii 


■  .r-T^- 


in  E 


..  ^,  ..r,;  vMih .  -rum  -L^  ii.  ami 
'    k?   -n.  ^nere  s  ends  a^ 


t  -i  A 


or  IBT 


;n 


..^ju  .mil  ii5?«»tt; 


.  -4  ..PI  v.,  Ai^ 
•  ty>.  Ving 


BBEAKINQ BREAMING  ]  31 

the  bottoxiL     On  shore  it  means  to  begin  the  works  for  besieging  a 
place,  or  opening  the  trenches. 

BREAKING.  Breaking  out  stores  or  cargo  in  the  hold  The  acfc  of 
extricating  casks  or  other  objects  from  the  hold-stowage. 

BREAKING  LIBERTY.     Not  returning  at  the  appointed  time. 

BREAKING  OF  A  GALK  Indications  of  a  return  of  fine  weather; 
short  gusts  at  intervals;  moaning  or  whistling  of  the  wind  through 
the  rigging. 

BREAKING-PLATE  DISTANCK  The  point  within  which  iron- 
plated  ships,  under  concentrated  fire,  may  be  damaged. 

BREAKING  THE  EY.    iSeeEram. 

BREAKING-UP  OF  THE  MONSOON.  A  nautical  term  for  the 
violent  storms  that  attend  the  shifting  of  periodical  winds. 

BREAK-OFF.  {See  Broken-opf).  «She  breaks  off  from  her  course," 
applied  only  when  the  wind  will  not  allow  of  keeping  the  course; 
applies  only  to  "close-hauled"  or  "on  a  wind." — Break-off!  an  order 
to  quit  one  department  of  duty,  to  clap  on  to  another. 

BREAK-SHEER,  To.  When  a  ship  at  anchor  is  laid  in  a  pi*oper  posi- 
tion to  keep  clear  of  her  anchor,  but  is  forced  by  the  wind  or  current 
out  of  that  position,  she  is  said  to  break  her  sheer.  Also,  for  a  vessel 
to  break  her  sheer,  or  her  back,  means  destroying  the  gradual  sweep 
lengthways. 

BREAK-UP,  To.  To  take  a  ship  to  pieces  when  she  becomes  old  and 
unserviceable. 

BREAK- WATER  Any  erection  or  object  so  placed  as  to  prevent  the 
sea  fix>m  rolling  inwards.  Where  there  is  no  mole  or  jetty  the  hull 
of  an  old  ship  may  be  sunk  at  the  entrance  of  a  small  harbour,  to 
break  off  or  diminish  the  force  of  the  waves  as  they  advance  towards 
the  vessels  moored  within.  Every  bar  to  a  river  or  harbour,  intended 
to  secure  smooth  water  within,  acts  as  a  break-water. 

BREAM.  A  common  fresh  as  well  as  salt  water  fish  (Abramis  brama), 
little  esteemed  as  food. 

BREAMING.  Cleaning  a  ship's  bottom  by  burning  off  the  grass,  ooze, 
shells,  or  sea- weed,  which  it  has  contracted  by  lying  long  in  harbour; 
it  is  performed  by  holding  kindled  fiirze,  faggots,  or  reeds  to  the 
bottom,  which,  by  melting  the  pitch  that  formerly  covered  it^  loosens 
whatever  filth  may  have  adhered  to  the  planks ;  the  bottom  is  then 
covered  anew  with  a  composition  of  sulphur,  tallow,  <kc.,  which  not  only 
makes  it  smooth  and  slippery,  so  as  to  divide  the  fluid  moi*e  readily, 
but  also  poisons  and  destroys  those  worms  which  eat  through  the 
planks  in  the  course  of  a  voyage.  This  operation  may  be  performed 
either  by  laying  the  ship  agrotmd  after  the  tide  has  ebbed  from  her 
or  by  docking  or  careening. 


132  BREAST BREECHING 

BREAST,  To.  To  run  abeam  of  a  cape  or  object.  To  cut  through  a 
sea,  the  surfiax^e  of  which  is  poetically  termed  breast — To  breast  the  eea 
to  meet  it  by  the  bow  on  a  wind. — To  breast  tlie  eurfj  to  braye  it^  and 
overcome  it  swimming. — To  breast  a  bar,  to  heave  at  the  capstan. — 
To  breast  to,  the  act  of  giving  a  sheer  to  a  boat. 

BREAST-BACKSTAYS.  They  extend  from  the  head  of  an  upper- 
mast^  through  an  outrigger,  down  to  the  channels  before  the  standing 
backstays,  for  supporting  the  upper  spars  frt>m  to  windward.  When 
to  leeward,  they  are  borne  abail  the  top-rim.     (See  Backstay.) 

BREAST-BEAMS.  Those  beams  at  the  fore-part  of  the  quarter-deck, 
and  the  after-part  of  the  forecastle,  in  those  vessels  which  have  a  poop 
and  a  top-gallant  forecastle. 

BREAST-FAST.  A  large  rope  or  chain,  used  to  confine  a  ship's  broad- 
side to  a  wharf  or  quay,  or  to  some  other  ship,  as  the  head-&ist  confines 
her  forward,  and  the  stem-flAst  abaft. 

BREAST-GASKETS.     An  old  term  for  bunt-gasketa 

BREAST-HOOKS.  Thick  pieces  of  timber,  incurvated  into  the  form 
of  knees,  and  used  to  strengthen  the  fore-part  of  a  ship,  where  they 
are  placed  at  different  heights,  directly  across  the  stem  internally,  so 
as  to  unite  it  with  the  bows  on  each  side,  and  form  the  principal 
security,  supporting  the  hawse-pieces  and  strain  of  the  cables.  The 
breast-hooks  are  strongly  connected  to  the  stem  and  hawse-pieces'  by 
tree-nails,  and  by  bolts  driven  from  without  thi'ough  all,  and  fore- 
locked  or  clinched  upon  rings  inside. 

B^IEAST-RAIL.  The  upper  rail  of  the  balcony;  formerly  it  was 
applied  to  a  railing  in  frt>nt  of  the  quarter-deck,  and  at  the  after-part 
of  the  forecastle-deck.     Also,  fife-rail. 

BREAST-ROPE.  The  lashing  or  laniard  of  the  yard-parrels.  {See  also 
Horse.)  Also,  the  bight  of  a  mat-worked  band  fastened  between  the 
shrouds  for  the  safety  of  the  lad's-man  in  the  chains^  when  sounding, 
so  that  he  may  hang  over  the  water,  and  let  the  lead  swing  clear. 

BREAST-WORK.  A  sort  of  balustrade  of  rails,  mouldings,  or  stan- 
chions, which  terminates  the  quarter-deck  and  poop  at  the  fore  ends, 
and  also  incloses  the  forecastles  both  before  and  behind.  {See  Pabafet.) 
ITow  applicable  to  the  poop-rails  only.  In  fortification,  it  signifies  a 
parapet  thrown  up  as  high  as  the  breasts  of  the  men  defending  it. 

BREATHER     A  tropical  squalL 

BREATH  OF  WIND.    AU  but  a  dead  calm. 

BREECHING.  A  strong  rope  pasising  through  at  the  cascable  of  a  gun, 
used  to  secure  it  to  the  ship*s  side,  and  prevent  it  recoiling  too  much 
in  time  of  battle,  also  to  secure  it  when  the  ship  labours;  it  is  fixed 
by  reeving  it  through  a  thimble  stropped  upon  the  cascable  or  knob 
at  the  breech  of  the  gun;  one  end  is  rove  and  clinched,  and  the  other 


BREECHING-BOLT BRIDGE  .    133 

is  passed  througli  the  ring-bolt  in  the  ship's  side,  and  seized  back. 
The  breeching  is  of  sufficient  length  to  let  the  muzzle  of  the  cannon 
come  within  the  ship's  side  to  be  chaiged,  or  to  be  housed  and  lashed. 
Clinch-shackles  have  superseded  the  ring-bolts,  so  that  guns  may  be 
instantly  unshackled  and  shifted. 

BREECHING-BOLT.     Applies  to  the  abova 

BEEECH-LOADER  A  gun,  large  or  small,  charged  at  the  breech. 
The  method  is  a  very  old  one  revived,  but  with  such  scientific  modifica- 
tions as  to  have  enormously  increased  the  effectiveness  of  small-arms ; 
with  cannon  its  successful  practical  application  to  the  lai*ger  natures 
has  not  yet  been  arrived  at,  but  with  field-gims  it  has  added  largely 
to  accuracy  of  practice  and  facility  of  loading. 

BREECH  OF  A  CANNON.  The  after-end,  next  the  vent  or  touch- 
hole.  It  is  the  most  massive  port  of  a  gun;  strictly  speaking,  it  is 
all  the  solid  metal  behind  the  bottom  of  the  bore.  Also,  the  outside 
angle  formed  by  the  knee-timber,  the  inside  of  which  is  the  throat 

BREECH-SIGHT.     The  notch  cut  on  the  base  ring  of  a  gun. 

BRE^ZK  This  word  is  widely  understood  as  a  pleasant  zeph3rr ;  but 
among  seamen  it  is  usually  applied  as  synonymous  with  wind  in 
general,  whether  weak  or  strong. 

BREEZE,  Sea  ob  Laio).  A  shifting  wind  blowing  &om  sea  and  land 
alternately  at  certain  hours,  and  sensibly  only  near  the  coasts;  they 
are  occasioned  by  the  action  of  the  sun  raising  the  temperature  of  the 
land  so  as  to  draw  an  aerial  current  from  seaward  by  day,  which  is 
returned  as  the  earth  cools  at  night. 

BREEZE,  To  kick  up  a.  To  excite  disturbance,  and  promote  a  quarrel- 
some row. 

BREEZING  TJP.     The  gale  freshening. 

BREEZO.  A  toast  given  by  the  presiding  person  at  a  mess-table; 
derived  from  hris^  gMrale. 

BREVET.  A  rank  in  the  army  higher  than  the  regimental  commission 
held  by  an  officer,  affording  him  a  precedence  in  garrison  and  brigade 
duties.  Something  approaching  this  has  been  attempted  afloat,  under 
the  term  "staff. '* 

BREWING.  The  appearance  of  a  collection  of  black  and  tempestuous 
clouds,  rising  gradually  from  a  particular  part  of  the  hemisphere,  as 
the  forerunner  of  a  storm. 

BRICKLAYER'S  CLERK  A  contemptuous  expression  for  lubberly 
pretenders  to  having  seen  "  better  days,"  but  who  were  forced  to  betake 
themselves  to  sea-life. 

BRIDGE.  A  narrow  gangway  between  two  hatchways,  sometimes  termed 
a  bridga  Military  bridges  to  afford  a  passage  across  a  river  for  troops, 
are  constructed  with  boats,  pontoons,    casks,  trusses,  trestles,  &c 


134.  BRIDGE-ISLBT BKIGANDINE 

Bridge  in  steam-vessels  is  the  connection  between  the  paddle-boxes, 
from  which  the  o£G[cer  in  charge  directs  the  motion  of  the  vessel  Also, 
the  middle  part  of  the  fire-bars  in  a  marine  boiler,  on  either  side  of 
which  the  fires  are  banked.  Also,  a  narrow  jidge  of  rock,  sand,  or 
shingle,  across  the  bottom  of  a  channel,  so  as  to  occasion  a  shoal  over 
which  the  tide  ripples.  That  between  Mount  Edgecombe  and  St. 
Nicholas'  Isle,  at  Plymouth,  has  occasioned  much  loss  of  life. 
BB.IDGE-ISLET.  A  portion  of  land  which  becomes  insular  at  high- 
water — as  Old  Woman's  Isle  at  Bombay,  and  among  others,  the  cele- 
brated Lindisfame,  thus  tidaUy  sung  by  Scott  :-^ 

^*  The  tide  did  now  his  flood-mark  gain, 
And  girdled  in  the  8aint*s  domain : 
For,  with  the  flow  and  ebb,  its  style 
Varies  from  continent  to  isle; 
Dry-shod,  o'er  sands,  twice  ev'ry  day   ; 
The  pilgrims  to  the  shrine  find  way; 
Twice  every  day  the  waves  efface 
Of  staves  and  sandall'd  feet  the  trace." 

BRIDGE-TRAIN.  An  equipment  for  insuring  the  passage  of  troops 
over  a  river.     Pontooners.     {See  Pontoon.) 

BRIDLE.    See  Moobing  Bridle  and  Bowline  Bridle. 

BRIDLE-PORT/  A  square  port  in  the  bows  of  a  ship,  for  taking  in 
mooring  bridles.  They  are  also  used  for  guns  removed  from  the  port 
abaft,  and  required  to  fire  as  near  a  line  ahead  as  possible.  They  are 
main-deck  chase-ports. 

BRIDLES.  The  upper  part '  of  the  moorlDgs  laid  in  the  queen's 
harbours,  to  ride  ships  or  vessels  of  war.     (See  Moorings.) 

BRIG.  A  two-masted  square-rigged  vessel,  without  a  square  main-sail, 
or  a  trysail-mast  abafb  the  main-mast.  This  properly  constituted  the 
snow,  but  both  classes  are  latterly  blended,  and  the  terms  therefore 
synonymous. 

BRIGADE.  A  party  or  body  of  men  detached  for  a  special  service.  A 
division  of  troops  under  the  command  of  a  general  officer.  In  artilleiy 
organization  on  land,  a  brigade  is  a  force  usually  composed  of  more 
than  a  battery;  in  the  field  it  commonly  consists  of  two  or  three 
batteries;  on  paper,  and  for  administrative  purposes,  of  eight. 

BRIGADE-MAJOR.  A  staff  officer  attached  to  a  brigade,  and  is  the 
channel  through  which  all  orders  are  received  from  the  general  and 
communicated  to  the  troops. 

BRIGADE-ORDERS.  Those  issued  by  the  general  officer  command- 
ing troops  which  are  brigaded. 

BRIGADIER.  An  officer  commanding  a  brigade,  and  somewhat  the 
same  as  commodore  for  a  squadron  of  ships. 

BRIGA2TDINE.     A  pliant  scale-like  coat  of  mail. 


BBIOAini'INE BBINGIKG  iN  I35 

BRIGANTINR  A  square-rigged  vessel  with  two  masts.  A  term 
variously  applied  by  the  mariners  of  different  European  nations  to  a 
peculiar  soit  of  vessel  of  their  own  marine.  Amongst  British  seamen 
this  vessel  is  distinguished  by  having  her  main-sail  set  nearly  in  the 
plane  of  her  keel,  whereas  the  main-sails  of  larger  ships  are  spread 
athwart  the  ship's  length,  and  made  fast  to  a  yard  which  hangs 
parallel  to  the  deck;  but  in  a  brig,  the  foremost  side  of  the  main-sail  is 
fastened  at  different  heights  to  hoops  which  encircle  the  main-mast, 
and  slide  up  and  down  it  as  the  sail  is  hoisted  or  lowered :  it  is  ex- 
tended by  a  gaff  above  and  a  boom  below.  Brigantine  is  a  derivative 
from  brig,  first  applied  to  passage-boats;  in  the  Celtic  meaning  <'pas* 
sage  over  the  water.'*     (See  Hbrit aphrodite  or  BRio-soHOOirEB.) 

BRIGANTS.     Formerly,  natives  of  the  northern  parts  of  England 

BKIGDIK   A  northern  name  for  the  basking  shark  (Squaliis  maximus), 

BRIGHT  LOOK-OUT.     A  vigilant  ona 

BRIG-SCHOONER  {See  Hkbhaphrodite  and  BRiOAimKE,  by  which 
term  she  is  at  present  classed  in  law.)  Square-rigged  on  the  foremast, 
schooner  on  the  mainmast 

BRILL.  The  FleuranecUs  rhombua^  a  common  fish,  allied  to,  but 
rather  smaller  than,  the  turbot. 

BRIM.     The  nmrgin  or  bank  of  a  stream,  lake,  or  river. 

BRIMSTONK    See  Sulphub. 

BRINE,  OB  Pickle.  Water  replete  with  saline  particles,  as  brine-pickle 
ibr  salt  meat.     The  briny  wave, 

BRINE-GAUGE    See  SALmoMEnsR. 

BRINE-PUMPS.     When  inconvenient  to  blow  off  the  brine  which 

'^'^  collects  at  the  bottom  of  a  steamer's  boilers,  the  brine-pump  is  used  for 
clearing  away  the  deposit. 

BRING  BY  THE  LEE,  To,  To  incline  so  rapidly  to  leeward  of  the 
course  when  the  ship  sails  large,  or  nearly  before  the  wind,  as  in  scud- 
ding before  a  gale,  that  the  lee-side  is  unexpectedly  brought  to  wind- 
ward, and  by  laying  the  sails  all  aback,  exposes  her  to  the  danger  of 
oversetting.     {See  Broaoh-to.) 

BRING  'EM  NEAR.     The  day-and-night  telescope. 

BRINGERS  UP.  The  last  men  in  a  boarding  or  small-arm  party. 
Among  soldiers,  it  means  the  whole  last  rank  of  a  battalion  drawn  up, 
being  the  hindmost  men  of  every  file. 

BRING  HOME  THE  ANCHOR,  To,  is  to  weigh  it.  It  appUes  also 
when  the  flukes  slip  or  will  not  hold;  a  ship  theh  brings  home  her 
anchor. — Bring  home  the  log.  When  the  pin  slips  out  of  the^g  ship 
and  it  slides  through  the  water. 

BRINGING  IN.  The  detention  of  a  vessel  on  the  high  seas,  and 
bringing  her  into  port  for  adjudication. 


136  BEmaiNO-TO BRnrLE-SXAR 

•BBINOING-TO  THE  YARD.  Hoistmg  up  a  sail,  and  bending  it  to 
its  yard 

BRING-TO,  Ta  To  bend,  as  to  bring-to  a  sail  to  tbe  yaixL  Also,  to 
check  the  course  of  a  ship  by  trimming  the  sails  so  that  they  shall 
counteract  each  other,  and  keep  her  nearly  stationary,  when  she  is  said 
to  lie  by,  or  lie-to^  or  heave-to. — Bring  to/  The  order  from  one 
ship  to  another  to  put  herself  in  that  situation  in  order  to  her  being 
boarded,  spoken  to,  or  examined.  Firing  a  blank  gun  across  the  bows 
of  a  ship  is  the  forcible  signal  to  shorten  sail  and  bring-to  until  further 
pleasure. — Bring-to  is  also  used  in  applying  a  rope  to  the  capstan,  as 
«  bring-to  the  messenger.*' 

BRING-TO  AN  ANCHOR,  To.  To  let  go  the  anchor  in  the  intended 
port  ^  All  hands  bring  ship  to  an  anchor  !*'  The  order  by  which  the 
people  are  summoned  for  that  duty,  by  the  pipes  of  the  boatswain  and 
his  mates. 

BRING  UP,  To.     To  cast  anchor. 

BRING  UP  WITH  A  ROUND  TURN.  Suddenly  arresting  a  run- 
ning rope  by  taking  a  round  turn  round  a  bollard,  bitt-head,  or  cleat 
Said  of  doing  a  thing  effectually  though  abruptly.  It  is  used  to  bring 
one  up  to  his  senses  by  a  severe  rating. 

BRISAS.  A  north-east  wind  which  blows  on  the  coast  of  South  America 
duriug  the  trades. 

BRISMAK.  A  name  among  the  Shetlanders  for  the  excellent  fish 
called  tusk  or  torsk,  the  best  of  the  cod  kind  {Bro^mus  vulgaris), 

BRISTOL  FASHION  AND  SHIPSHAPR  Said  when  Bristol  was 
in  its  palmy  commercial  days,  unannoyed  by  Liverpool,  and  its  ship- 
ping was  all  in  proper  good  order. 

BRITISH-BUILT  SHIP.  Such  as  has  been  built  in  Great  Britain  or 
Ireland,  Guernsey,  Jersey,  the  Isle  of  Man,  or  some  of  the  colonies, 
plantations,  islands,  or  territories  in  Asia,  Africa,  or  America,  which, 
at  the  time  of  building  the  ship,  belonged  to  or  were  in  possession  of 
her  Majesty;  or  any  ship  whatsoever  which  has  been  taken  and  con- 
demned as  lawful  prize. 

BRITISH  SEAS.    See  Quatuor  Maria. 

BRITISH  SHIP.     May  be  foreign  built^  or  rebuilt  on  a  foreign  keel 

which  belonged  to  any  of  the  people  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 

'  Guernsey,  Jersey,  or  the  Isle  of  Man,  or  of  any  colony,  island,  or 

territory  in  Asia,  Africa,  or  America,  or  was  roistered  before  the  1st 

of  May,  1786. 

BRITISH  SUBJECT.  Settled  in  an  enemy's  country,  may  not  trade 
in  any  contraband  goods. 

BRITTLE-STAR.  The  common  name  of  a  long-rayed  starfish  (Ophio- 
coma  rosvla). 


BKOACH BROGOING  137 

BROACH  A  BUSINESS,  To.    To  begin  it. 

BROACH-TO,  To.  To  fly  up  into  the  wincL  It  generaUy  happens 
when  a  ship  is  carrying  a  press  of  canvas  with  the  wind  on  the  quarter, 
and  a  good  deal  of  after-sail  set  The  masts  are  endangered  by  the 
course  being  so  altered,  as  to  bring  it  more  in  opposition  to,  and  thereby 
increasing  the  pressure  of  the  wind.  In  extreme  cases  the  sails  are 
caught  flat  aback,  when  the  masts  would  be  likely  to  give  way,  or  the 
ship  might  go  down  stem  foremost. 

BROAD  ARROW.  The  royal  mark  for  government  stores  of  every 
description.  To  obliterate,  deface^  or  remove  this  mark  is  felony;  or 
even  to  be  in  possession  of  any  goods  so  marked  without  sufficient 
grounds.     It  is  no  doubt  one  of  the  Ditmarsh  runes. 

BROAD  AXE  Formerly  a  warlike  instrument;  also  for  beheading; 
specially  applied  to  the  axe  of  carpenters  for  mast-making,  and  some- 
times cutting  away  the  masts  or  cable. 

BROAD  CLOTH.    Square  sails. 

BROAD  OF  WATER.  An  extensive  lake  with  a  channel  communi- 
cating with  the  sea,  or  a  wide  opening  of  a  river  afler  passing  a  narrow 
entrauca 

BROAD  PENNANT.  A  swallow-tailed  piece  of  buntin  at  the  mast- 
head of  a  man-of-war;  the  distinctive  mark  of  a  commodore.  The 
term  is  frequently  used  for  the  officer  himself  It  tapers,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  a  comet,  which  has  only  the  triangle  cut  out  of  it 

BROAD  R.    See  Bhoab  Arrow. 

BROADS.  Fresh-water  lakes,  in  contradistinction  to  rivers  or  narrow 
waters. 

BROADSIDK  The  whole  array,  or  the  simultaneous  discharge  of  the 
artilleiy  on  one  side  of  a  ship  of  war  above  and  below.  It  also  implies 
the  whole  of  that  side  of  a  ship  above  the  water  which  is  atuate 
between  the  bow  and  quarter,  and  is  in  a  position  nearly  perpendicular 
to  the  horizon.  Also,  a  name  given  to  the  old  folio  sheets  whereon 
ballads  and  proclamations  were  printed  of  old  (broad-sheet). 

BROADSIDE-ON.     The  whole  side  of  a  vessel;  the  opposite  of  end-on. 

BROADSIDE  WEIGHT  OF  METAL.  The  weight  of  iron  which 
the  guns  of  a  ship  can  project,  when  single-shotted,  from  one  side.  {See 
Weight  op  Metal.) 

BROADSWORD.    See  Cutlas. 

BROCAGE.     The  same  with  brokerage  (which  see). 

BROCLES.    See  Strake-nails. 

BRODIK  The  fry  of  the  rock-tangle,  or  Hettle-codling,  a  fish  caught 
on  the  Hettle  Bank,  in  the  Firth  of  Forth. 

.BROGGING.  A  north-country  method  of  catching  eels,  by  means  of 
small  sticks  called  brogs. 


1 38  BEOGUES BROOK 

BROGUES.  Among  seamen,  coarse  sandals  made  of  green  hide;  but 
Shakspeare  makes  Arviragus  put  ''his  clouted  brogues  from  off  his 
feet,"  for  "answering  his  steps  too  loud."  This  would  rather  refer  to 
shoes  strengthened  with  hob-nails. 

BROKE.  Sentence  of  a  court-martial,  depriving  an  officer  of  his  com- 
mission. 

BROKEN.  An  old  army  word,  used  for  reduced;  as,  a  broken 
lieutenant,  &c.  The  word  is  also  applied  to  troops  in  line  when  not 
dressed.  The  heart  of  a  gale  is  said  to  be  broken;  parole  is  broken; 
also,  leave,  bulk,  <fec.  (which  see). 

BROKEN-BACKED.  The  state  of  a  ship  so  loosened  in  her  frame, 
either  by  age,  weakness,  or  some  great  strain  from  grounding  amid- 
ships, as  to  droop  at  each  end,  causing  the  lines  of  her  sheer  to  be 
interrupted,  and  termed  hogged.  It  may  result  from  fault  of  construc- 
tion, in  the  midship  portions  having  more  buoyancy,  and  the  extreme 
ends  too  much  weight,  as  anchors,  boats,  guns,  &c,,  to  sustain. 

BROKEN-OFF.  Fallen  off;  in  azimuth,  from  the  course.  Also,  men 
taken  from  one  duty  to  be  put  on  another. 

BROKEN  SQUALL*  When  the  clouds  separate  in  divisions,  passing 
ahead  and  astern  of  a  ship,  and  affecting  her  but  little,  if  at  all. 

BROKEN  WATER.  The  contention  of  currents  in  a  narrow  channel. 
Also,  the  waves  breaking  on  and  near  shallows,  occasionally  the  result 
of  vast  shoals  of  fish^  as  porpoise,  skipjacks,  <&c.,  which  worry  untutored 
seamen. 

BROKER.  Originally  a  broken  tradesman,  from  the  Anglo-Saxon 
brocy  a  misfortune;  but^  in  later  times,  a  person  who  usually  transacts 
the  business  of  negotiating  between  the  merchants  and  shipowners 
respecting  cargoes  and  clearances:  he  also  effects  insurances  with  the 
underwriters;  and  while  on  the  one  hand  he  is  looked  to  as  to  the 
regularity  of  the  contract,  on  the  other  he  is  expected  to  make  a 
candid  disclosure  of  all  the  circumstances  which  mav  affect  the  risk. 

BROKET.  A  small  brook;  the  sea-lark  is  so  called  at  the  Fame 
Islands. 

BROKE-UP.  Said  of  a  gale  of  wind  passing  away;  or  a  ship  which 
has  gone  to  pieces  on  a  reef,  &c. 

BROND.     An  old  spelling  of  brand,  a  sword. 

BRONGIE.     A  name  given  to  the  cormorant  in  the  Shetland  Islands. 

BROOD.  Oysters  of  about  two  years  old,  which  are  dredged  up  at 
sea,  for  placing  on  the  oyster-beds. 

BROOD-HEN  STAR.     The  cluster  of  the  Pleiades. 

BROOK,  OB  Bbooklet.  Streams  of  fresb  or  salt  water,  less  than  a 
rivulet,  creeping  through  narrow  and  shallow  passages.  The  clouds 
brook'Upf  when  they  draw  together  and  threaten  rain. 


BEOOM BUOCANEEE  139 

BROOM.  A  besom  at  the  mast-head  signifies  that  the  ship  is  to  be 
sold :  derived  probably  from  the  old  practice  of  displaying  boughs  at 
shops  and  taverns.     Also,  a  sort  of  spariium,  of  which  ropes  are  made. 

BROOMING.    See  Breaming. 

BROTHER-OFFICERS.     Those  of  the  same  ship  or  regiment 

BROTH  OF  A  BOY.     An  excellent,  though  roystering  fellow. 

BROUGHT  BY  THE  LEE.    See  Bring  by  the  Lee. 

BROXJGHT-TO.  A  chase  made  to  stop,  and  heave-to.  Also,  the  cable 
is  brought-to  when  £Ei8tened  to  the  messenger  by  nippers.  The 
messenger  is  brought  to  the  capstan,  or  the  cable  to  the  windlass. 

BROUGHT  TO  HIS  BEARING&     Reduced  to  obedience. 

BROUGHT  TO  THE  GANGWAY.     Punished. 

BROW.  An  inclined  plane  of  planks,  on  one  or  both  sides  of  a  ship,  to 
communicate  internally;  a  stage-gangway  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  shipwrights,  in  conveying  plank,  timber,  and  weighty  articles  on 
board.  Also^  the  face  of  a  rising  ground.  An  old  term  for  a  gang-> 
board. 

BROWN  BESS.  A  nickname  for  the  old  government  regulation 
bronzed  musket^  although  till  recently  it  was  brightly  burnished. 

BROWN  BILL.  The  old  weapon  of  the  English  infantry:  hence, 
perhaps  the  expression  ''Brown  Bess''  for  a  musket. 

BROWN  GEORGE.     A  hard  and  coarse  biscuit. 

BROWNIR  The  Polar  bear,  so  called  by  the  whalers.  It  is  also  a 
northern  term  for  goblin. 

BROWN  JANET.     A  cant  phrase  for  a  knapsack. 

BROWN-PAPER  WARRANT.    See  Warrant. 

BROWSK     A  light  kind  of  dunnage. 

BRUISE-WATER.  A  ship  with  very  bluff  bows,  built  more  for 
carrying  than  sailing. 

BRUISING  WATER.  Pitching  heavily  to  a  head-sea,  and  making 
but  little  head-way. 

BRUN-SWYNE.     An  early  name  for  a  seal 

BRUSH.     A  move;  a  skirmish. 

BRYDPORT.  An  old  word  signifying  cable.  The  best  hemp  grew  at 
Bridport,  in  Dorsetshire;  and  there  was  a  statute,  that  the  cables  and 
hawsers  for  the  Royal  Navy  were  to  be  made  thereabouts. 

BUB.  A  liquor  or  drink.  Btib  and  grub  meaning  inversely  meat  and 
drink. 

BUBBLK  Another  term  for  spirit-level,  used  for  astronomical  instru- 
ments. 

BUBBLER  A  fush  found  in  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  thus  named  from 
the  bubbling  noise  it  makes. 

BUCCANEER.     A  name  given  to  certain  piratical  rovers,  of  various 


140  BUCBNTAUB BUCKLEBS 

• 

European    nations,  who   formerly  infested    the  coasts  of   Spanish 

America.     They  were  originally  inoffensiye  settlers  in  Hispaniola,  but 

were  inhumanly  driven  ivom  their  habitations  by  the  jealous  policy  of 

the  Spaniards;   whence  originated  their  implacable  hatred  to  that 

nation.     Also,  a  large  musketoon,  about  8  feet  in  length,  so  called 

from  having  been  used  by  those  marauders. 

BUCENTAUR.  A  large  and  splendid  galley  of  the  doge  of  Venice,  in 
which  he  received  the  great  lords  and  persons  of  quality  who  weut 
there,  accompanied  by  the  ambassadors  and  councillors  of^  state,  and 
all  the  senators  seated  on  benches  by  him.  The  same  vessel  served 
also  in  the  magnificent  ceremony  on  Ascension-day,  when  the  doge 
threw  a  ring  into  the  sea  to  espouse  it,  and  to  denote  his  dominion 
over  the  Gulf  of  Venice. 

BUGHAN  BOILERS.  The  heavy  breaking  billows  among  the  rocks 
on  the  coast  of  Buchan. 

BUCHT.     A  Shetland  term  for  lines  of  55  fathoms. 

BUCK,  To.     To  wash  a  sail. 

BTJGKALL.  An  earthen  wine-cup  used  in  the  sea-ports  of  Portugal, 
Spain,  and  Italy.     [&om  hoccUe,  It.] 

BUCKER  A  name  for  the  grampus  in  the  Hebrides.  It  is  also 
applied,  on  some  of  our  northern  coasts,  to  the  porpoise. 

BUGKET.  A  small  globe  of  hoops,  covered  with  canvas,  used  as  a 
recall  for  the  boats  of  whalers. 

BUCKET-ROPE.  That  which. is  tied  to  a  bucket  for  drawing  water 
up  from  alongside. 

BUCKETS.  Are  made  either  of  canvas,  of  leather,  or  of  wood;  the 
latter  are  used  principally  for  washing  the  decks,  and  therefore 
answer  the  purposes  of  pails. 

BUCKET- VALVE.  In  a  steamer's  engine,  is  a  flat  metal  plate  filling 
up  the  passage  between  the  air-pump  and  the  condenser,  and  acted  upon 
by  both  in  admitting  or  repressing  the  passage  of  water. 

BUGKHORN.  Whitings,  haddocks,  thombacks,  gurnet,  and  other  fish, 
cleaned,  gently  salted,  and  dried  in  the  sun. 

BUCKIK     A  northern  name  for  the  whelk. 

BUCKIE-INGRAM.     A  name  for  the  hermit^srab. 

BUCKIE-PRINS.     A  northern  designation  for  a  periwinkle. 

BUCKLE.  A  mast  buckles  when  it  suffers  by  compression,  so  that  the 
fibre  takes  a  sinuous  form,  and  the  grain  is  upset.  Also,  in  Polar 
regions,  the  bending  or  arching  of  the  ice  upwards,  preceding  a  nip. 

BUCKLERS.  Two  blocks  of  wood  fitted  together  to  stop  the  hawse- 
holes,  leaving  only  sufficient  space  between  them  for  the  cable  to  pass, 
and  thereby  preventing  the  ship  taking  in  much  water  in  a  heavy 
head-sea.     They  are  either  riding  or  blind  hucUera  (which  see). 


BUCKEA BUILT-UP  GUNS  ]41 

BTJCKIIA«  A  term  for  white  man,  used  hj  the  blacks  in  the  West 
Indies,  Southern  States  of  America,  and  the  A&ican  coast. 

BT7CK-WEEL.     A  bow-net  for  fish. 

BUDR     An  old  name  for  the  biscuit-weeviL 

BUDGE-BAKREL.  A  small  cask  with  copper  and  wooden  hoops,  and 
one  head  formed  hj  a  leather  hose  or  bag,  drawing  close  hj  a  string, 
for  carrying  powder  in  safety  from  sparks.  In  heraldry,  the  common 
bucket  is  called  a  water  bouget  or  budget. 

BUDGEROW.     A  cabined  passage-boat  of  the  Ganges  and  Hooghly. 

BUFFET  A  BILLOW,  To.     To  work  against  wind  and  tide. 

BUG.  An  old  term<for  a  vessel  more  remarkable  in  size  than  efficiency. 
Thus,  when  Drake  fell  upon  Cadiz,  his  sailors  regarded  the  huge 
galleys  opposed  to  them  as  mere  "great  bugges.'' 

BUGALILO.  A  large  trading-boat  of  the  Gulf  of  Persia;  the  buglo  of 
our  seamen. 

BUGAZEENS.     An  old  commercial  term  for  calicoes. 

BUILD.     A  vessel's  form  or  construction. 

BUILD  A  CHAPEL,  To.  To  turn  a  ship  suddenly  by  negligent 
steerage. 

BUILDER^S  CERTIFICATR  A  necessary  document  in  admiralty 
courts,  containing  a  true  account  of  a  ship's  denomination,  tonnage, 
trim,  where  built,  and  for  whom. 

BUILDING.  The  work  of  constructing  ships,  as  distinguished  from 
naval  architecture,  which  may  rather  be  considered  as  the  art  or  theory 
of  delineating  ships  on  a  plane.  The  pieces  by  which  this  complicated 
machine  is  framed,  are  joined  together  in  various  places  by  scarfing, 
rabetting,  tenanting,  and  scoring. 

BUILT.  A  prefix  to  denote  the  construction  of  a  vessel,  as  carvel  or 
clinker-built)  bluff-built,  frigate-built,  sharp-built,  &c;  English,  French, 
or  American  built,  dsc. 

BUILT-BLOCK.  Synonymous  with  made-block  (which  see).  The  lower 
masts  of  large  ships  are  built  or  made. 

BUILT-UP  GUNS.  Recently  invented  guns  of  great  strength,  specially 
adapted  to  meet  the  requirements  of  rified  artillery  and  of  the  attack 
of  iron  plating.  They  are  usually  composed  of  an  inner  core  or  barrel 
(which  may  be  of  coiled  and  welded  iron,  but  is  now  generally  pre- 
ferred of  tough  steel),  with  a  breech-piece,  trunnion-piece,  and  various 
outer  strengthening  hoops  or  coils  of  wrought  iron,  shrunk  or  other- 
wise forced  on;  having  their  parts  put  together  at  such  predetermined 
relative  tensions,  as  to  support  one  another  under  the  shock  of  explo- 
sion, and  thereby  avoiding  the  faults  of  solid  cast  or  forged  guns, 
whereof  the  inner  parts  are  liable  to  be  destroyed  before  the  outer  can 
take  their  share  of  the  strain.     The  first  practical  example  of  the 


14.2  BUIRAN BULL'8-BYB 

method  was  afforded  by  the  Armstrong  gun,  the  "bailding  up  "  which 
obtained  in  ancient  days,  before  the  casting  of  solid  guns,  haying  been 
apparently  resorted  to  as  an  easy  means  of  producing  large  masses  of 
metali  without  realizing  the  principle  of  the  mutual  support  of  the 
various  parts. 

BTJIRAN,     A  Ghielic  word  signifying  the  sea  coming  in,  with  a  noise 
as  of  the  roar  of  a  bull. 

BULCH,  To.     To  bilge  a  ship. 

BULGE.  (See  Bilge.)  That  part  of  the  ship  she  bears  upon  when  on 
the  ground. 

BULGE-WAYS.     Otherwise  hilge-waye  (which  see), 

BULK.  Li  bulk;  things  stowed  without  cases  or  packages.  {See 
Bqlk-head  and  Laden  in  Bulk.) 

BULKER.  A  person  employed  to  measure  goods,  and  ascertain  the 
amount  of  freight  with  which  they  are  chargeable. 

BULK-HEAD,  The,  Afore,  is  the  partition  between  the  forecastle 
and  gratings  in  the  head,  and  in  which  are  the  chase-ports. 

BULK-HEADS.  Partitions  built  up  in  several  parts  of  a  ship,  to  form 
and  separate  the  various  cabins  from  each  other.  Some  are  particu- 
larly strong,  as  those  in  the  hold,  which  are  mostly  built  with  rabetted 
or  cyphered  plank;  others  are  light,  and  removable  at  pleasure. 
Indeed  the  word  is  applied  to  any  division  made  with  boards,  to 
separate  one  portion  of  the  'tween  decks  from  another. 

BULK  OF  A  SHIP,  Implies  the  whole  cargo  when  stowed  in  the 
hold. 

BULL.  An  old  male  whale.  Also,  a  small  keg;  also  the  weak  grog 
made  by  pouring  water  into  a  spirit-cask  nearly  empty. 

BUIiL-DA2^CE.  At  sea  it  is  performed  by  men  only,  when  without 
women.     It  is  sometimes  called  a  stag-dance, 

BULL-DOG,  OR  Muzzled  Bull-doo.  The  great  gun  which  stands 
"housed"  in  the  officer's  ward-room  cabin.  General  term  for  main- 
deck  guns, 

BULLETIN.    Any  official  account  of  a  public  transaction, 

BULLET-MOULD.     An  implement  for  casting  bullets, 

BULLETS,     Leaden  balls  with  which  all  kinds  of  firearms  are  loaded. 

BULLHEAD,  ob  Bull-ju&  A  name  of  the  fish  called  miller's-thumb 
(CoUua  gohio), 

BULLOCK-BLOCKS.     Blocks  secured  under  the  top-mast  trestle-trees, 

which  receive  the  top-sail  ties  through  them,  in  order  to  increase  the 

mechanical  power  used  in  hoisting  them  up. 

BULLOCK-SUNGS.     Used  to  hoist  in  live  bullocks. 

BULL'S-EYE,     A  sort  of  block  without  a  sheave,  for  a  rope  to  reeve 

through;  it  is  grooved  for  stropping.     Also,  the  central  mark  of  a 


BULL'S-EYE  CRINGLE BUMPASHOBB  J 43 

target  Also,  a  hemispherical  piece  of  ground  glass  of  great  thickness, 
inserted  into  small  openings  in  the  decks,  port-lids,  and  scuttle- 
hatches,  for  the  admission  of  light  below. 

BULL'S-EYE  CRINGLE.  A  piece  of  wood  in  the  form  of  a  ring, 
which  answers  the  purpose  of  an  iron  thimble;  it  is  seldom  used  bj 
English  seamen,  and  then  only  for  the  fore  and  main  bowline-bridles. 

BULL-TROUT.  The  salmon-trout  of  the  Tweed.  A  large  species  of 
trout  taken  in  the  waters  of  Northumberland. 

BULLYRAG,  To.  To  reproach  contemptuously,  and  in  a  hectoring 
manner;  to  bluster,  to  abuse,  and  to  insult  noisily.  Shakspeare  makes 
mine  host  of  the  Crarter  dub  Falstaff  a  bully-rook. 

BULWARK.  The  planking  or  wood-work  round  a  vessel  above  her 
deck,  and  &stened  externally  to  the  stanchions  and  timber-heads.  In 
this  form  it  ia  a  synonym  of  berthing.     Also,  the  old  name  for  a 

.   bastion. 

BULWARK-NETTING.  An  ornamental  frame  of  netting  answering 
the  purpose  of  a  bulwark. 

BUMBARD.  A  cask  or  large  vessel  for  liquids.  {See  Bombard.) 
Trinculo,  in  the  '* Tempest,' '  thinks  an  impending  fetorm-cloud  ^' looks 
like  a  foul  bumbard." 

BUM-BOAT.  A  boat  employed  to  carry  provisions,  vegetaHes,  and 
small  merchandise  for  sale  to  ships,  either  in  port  or  lying  at  a  distance 
from  the  shore;  thus  serving  to  communicate  with  the  adjacent  town. 
The  name  ia  corrupted  from  bombard,  the  vessels  in  which  beer  was 
formerly  carried  to  soldiers  on  duty. 

BUMKIN,  Bumpkin,  or  Boomkin.  A  short  boom  or  beam  of  timber 
projecting  -from  each  bow  of  a  ship,  where  it  is  fayed  down  upon  the 
false  rail  Its  use  is  to  extend  the  clue  or  lower  comer  of  the  fore- 
sail  to  windward,  for  which  purpose  there  is  a  large  block  fixed  on  its 
outer  end,  through  which  the  tack  is  passed,  and  when  hauled  tight 
down  is  said  to  be  aboard.  The  name  is  also  applied  to  the  pieces  on 
each  quarter,  for  the  main-brace  blocks. 

BUMKIN,  A  small  outrigger  over  the  stem  of  a  boat,  usually  serving 
to  extend  the  mizen,  , 

BUMMAREE.  A  word  synonymous  with  bottomry,  in  maritime  law. 
It  is  also  a  name  given  to  a  class  of  speculating  salesmen  of  fish,  not 
recognized  as  regular  tradesmen, 

BUMP,  To.  To  bump  a  boat,  is  to  pull  astern  of  her  in  another,  and 
insultingly  or  inimically  give  her  the  stem;  a  practice  in  rivers  and 
narrow  channels. 

BUMP-ASHORE.  Running  stem-on  to  a  beach  or  bank.  A  ship 
bumps  by  the  action  of  the  waves  lifting  and  dropping  her  on  the 
bottom  when  she  is  aground. 


1  4j4  BUMPEES BUNTLINE 

BUMPERS.     Logs  of  wood  placed  oyer  a  ship's  side  to  keep  off  ice. 
BIJND.     In  India,  an  embankment;  whence,  Bunda  head,  and  Bunda 

boat 
BUNDLE-UP !    The  call  to  the  men  below  to  huny  up  on  deck. 
BUNDLING  Thikos  into  a  Boat.     Loading  it  in  a  slovenly  way. 
BUNGLE,  To.     To  perform  a  duty  in  a  slovenly  manner. 
BUNGO,  OB  BoKGA^     A  sort  of  boat  used  in  the  Southern  States  of 

America,  made  of  the  bonga-tree  hollowed  out 
BUNG-STABTER     A  stave  shaped  like  a  bat^  which,  applied  to  either 
side  of  the  bun^  causes  it  to  start  out     Also,  a  soubriquet  for  the 
captain  of  the  hold.     Also,  a  name  given  to  the  master's  assistant 
serving  his  apprenticeship  for  hold  duties. 
BUNG-UP  AND  BILGE-FREE.     A  cask  so  placed  that  its  bung-stave 

is  uppermost,  and  it  rests  entirely  on  its  beds. 
BUNK.     A  sleeping-place  in  the  fore-peak  of  merchantmen;  standing 

bed-places  fixed  on  the  sides  between  decks. 
BUNKER.     For  stowing  coal  in  steamers.     Cellular  spaces  on  each 
side  which  deliver  the  coal  to  the  engine-room. — Wing-bunkers  below 
the  decks,  cutting  off  the  angular  side-spaces  of  the  hold,  and  hatched 
over,  are  usually  filled  with  sand,  holystones,  brooms,  junk-blocks,  &c., 
saving  stowage. 
BUNT  OF  A  Sail.     The  middle  part  of  it,  formed  designedly  into  a  bag 
or  cavity,  that  the  sail  may  gather  more  wind.     It  is  used  mostly  in 
^    top-sails,  because  courses  are  generally  cut  square,  or  with  but  small 
allowance  for  bunt  or  compass.     '^  The  bunt  holds  much  leeward 
wind;"  that  is,  it  hangs  much  to  leeward.     In  **  handed  "  or  "furled  " 
sails,  the  bunt  is  the  middle  gathering  which  is  tossed  up  on  the 
centre  of  the  yard. — To  bunt  a  sail  is  to  haul  up  the  middle  part  of  it . 
in  furling,  and  secure  it  by  the  bunb-gasket 
BUNTERS.   The  men  on  the  yard  who  gather  in  the  bunt  when  furling 

sails. 
BUNT-FAIR     Before  the  wind. 
BUNT-GASKET.    See  Gasket. 

BUNTING.     A  name  on  our  southern  shores  for  the  shrimp. 
BUNTING,  OR  BuNTiN.     A  thin  woollen  stuff,  of  which  the  ship's 

colours,  flags,  and  signals  are  usually  made. 
BUNT-JIGGER.  A  small  gun-tackle  purchase,  of  two  single  blocks, 
one  fitted  with  two  tails,  used  in  large  vessels  for  bowsing  up  the  bunt 
of  a  sail  when  furling :  a  peculiar  combination  of  two  points,  fitted  to 
a  spar  to  which  it  is  hooked. 
BUNTLINE-CLOTH.  The  lining  sewed  up  the  fore-part  of  the  sail 
in  the  direction  of  the  buntline  to  prevent  that  rope  from  chafing  the 
saiL 


BUNTLINB-CRINGLB BUOY  J  45 

BFNTLINE-CRINGLE.  An  eye  worked  into  the  bolt-rope  of  a  saH, 
to  receive  a  buntline.  This  is  only  in  top-gallant  sails,  and  is  seldom 
used  now.  In  the  merchant  service  all  buntlines  are  generally  passed 
through  an  eyelet-hole  in  the  sail,  and  clinched  round  its  own  part. 

BIJNTLINES.  Ropes  attached  to  the  foot-ropes  of  top-sails  and  courses, 
which,  passing  over  and  before  the  canvas,  turn  it  up  forward,  and 
thus  disarm  the  force  of  the  wind;  at  one-third  from  each  clue,  eyelet- 
holes  are  worked  in  the  canvas,  and  by  grummets  passed  through,  a 
toggle  is  secured  on  both  bights :  to  this  buntline-toggle  the  buntline 
attaches  by  an  eye  or  loop.  When  the  sails  are  loosed  to  dry,  the 
bowlines,  unbent  from  the  bridles,  are  attached  to  these  toggles,  and 
haid  out  the  sails  by  the  foot-ropes  like  table-cloths.  The  buntline  is 
rove  through  a  block  at  the  mast-head,  passes  through  the  buntline 
span  attached  to  the  tye-blocks  on  the  yard  to  retain  them  in  the 
bunt^  or  amidships,  down  before  all,  and  looped  to  the  toggles  afore- 
said. By  aid  of  the  clue-lines,  reef-tackles,  and  buntlines,  a  top-sail  is 
taken  in  or  quieted  if  the  sheets  carry  away,  but  more  especially  by 
the  buntlines,  as  the  wind  has  no  hold  then  to  belly  the  canvas. 

BUNTLINE-SPANS.  Short  pieces  of  rope  with  a  thimble  in  one  end, 
the  other  whipped;  the  buntlines  are  rove  through  these  thimbles: 
they  are  attached  to  the  tie-blocks  to  keep  the  sail  in  the  bunt  when 
hauled  up. 

BUNTLINE-TOGGLES.    See  BuNTiJiras  and  Toggle. 

BUNT  SLAB-LINES.  Reeve  through  a  block  on  the  slings  of  the 
yard  or  under  the  top,  and  pass  abaft  the  sail,  making  fast  to  its  foot. 
Their  object  is  to  lift  the  foot  of  a  course  so  as  to  see  underneath  it, 
or  to  prevent  it  from  chafing.  Something  of  the  same  kind  is  used  for 
top-sails,  to  keep  them  from  rubbing  on  the  stays  when  flapping  in  a 
calm. 

BUOY.  A  sort  of  close  cask,  or  block  of  wood,  fastened  by  a  rope  to 
the  anchor,  to  show  its  situation  after  being  cast^  that  the  ship  may  not 
come  so  near  it  as  to  entangle  her  cable  about  its  stock  or  flukes. — To 
buoy  a  cable  is  to  make  fast  a  spar,  cask,  or  the  like,  to  the  bight  of  the 
cable,  in  order  to  prevent  its  galling  or  rubbing  on  the  bottom.  When 
a  buoy  floats  on  the  water  it  is  said  to  watcL  When  a  vessel  slips 
her  cable  she  attaches  a  buoy  to  it  in  order  afterwards  to  recover  it 
Thus  the  blockading  squadrons  off  Brest  and  in  Basque  Roads  fre- 
quently slipped,  by  signal,  and  each  in  beautiful  order  returned  and 
picked  up  their  cables. — To  stream  the  buoy  is  to  let  it  fall  from  the 
ship's  side  into  the  water,  which  is  always  done  before  the  anchor  is 
let  go,  that  it  may  not  be  fouled  by  the  buoy-rope  as  it  sinks  to  the 
bottom. — Buoye  of  various  kinds  are  also  placed  upon  rocks  or  sand- 
banks to  direct  mariners  where  to  avoid  danger. 

K 


146  BUOYANCY BUBOONET 

BUOYANCY.  Capacity  for  floating  lightly. — Centre  ofhuoywncy^  in 
naval  architecture,  the  mean  centre  of  that  part  of  the  yeasel  which  is 
immersed  in  the  water,     i^ee  Centre  op  Catity.) 

BUOYANT.     The  property  of  floating  lightly  on  the  water,. 

BUOY-ROPK  The  rope  which  attaches  the  buoy  to  the  anchor,  which 
should  always  be  of  sufficient  strength  to  lift  the  anchor  should  the 
cable  part;  it  should  also  be  little  more  in  length  than  equal  to  the 
depth  of  the  water  (at  high-water)  where  the  anchor  lies. — To  bend  the 
luoy-Topey  pass  the  running  eye  over  one  fluke,  take  a  hitch  over  the 
other  arm,  and  seize.  Or,  take  a  clove-hitch  over  the  crown  on  each 
arm  or  fluke,  stopping  the  end  to  its  own  part,  or  to  the  shank. 

BUOY-ROPE  KNOT.  Used  where  the  end  is  lashed  to  the  shank. 
A  knot  made  by  unlaying  the  strands  of  a  cable-laid  rope,  and  also 
the  small  strand  of  each  large  strand;  and  after  single  and  double 
walling  them,  as  for  a  stopper-knot,  worm  the  divisions,  and  round  the 
rope. 

BURBOT.     A  fresh-water  flsh  (Molva  lota)  in  esteem  with  fishermen. 

BURDEN.  Is  the  quantity  of  contents  or  number  of  tons  weight  of 
goods  or  munitions  which  a  ship  will  carry,  when  loaded  to  a  proper 
sea-trim:  and  this  is  ascertained  by  certain  fixed  rules  of  measurement. 
The  precise  burden  or  burthen  is  about  twice  the  tonnage^  but  then  a 
vessel  would  be  deemed  deeply  laden. 

BURG  [the  Anglo-Saxon  burh"],  A  word  connected  with  fortification 
in  Grerman,  as  in  almost  all  the  Teutonic  languages  of  Europe.  In 
Arabic  the  same  term,  with  the  alteration  of  a  letter,  burj,  signifies 
primarily  a  bastion,  and  by  extension  any  fortified  place  on  a  rising 
ground.  This  meaning  has  been  retained  by  all  northern  nations  who 
have  borrowed  the  word;  and  we,  with  the  rest,  name  our  towns,  once 
fortified,  burghs  or  boroughs. 

BURGALL.  A  fish  of  the  American  coasts,  from  6  to  12  inches  long: 
it  is  also  called  the  blue-perch,  the  chogset,  and  the  nibbler — ^the  last 
from  its  habit  of  nibbling  off  the  bait  thrown  for  other  fishes. 

BURGEE.  A  swallow-tailed  or  tapered  broad  pendant;  in  the  mer- 
chant service  it  generally  has  the  ship's  name  on  it. 

BURGOMASTER.  In  the  Arctic  Sea,  a  large  species  of  gull  (LariLS 
glaucus), 

BURGONET.  A  steel  head-piece,  or  kind  of  helmet  Shakspeare 
makes  Cleopatra,  alluding  to  Antony,  exclaim — 

"The  demi- Atlas  of  this  earth,  the  arm 
Andbuigonet  of  men." 

In  the  second  part  of  "Henry  VI."  Cliffbrd  threatens  Warwick — 

*' And  from  thy  bnrgonet  PU  rend  thy  bear, 
And  tread  it  underfoot  with  all  contempt." 


BURGOO BUSH  ]47 

BURGOO.  A  seafaring  dish  made  of  boiled  oat-meal  seasoned  with 
salt,  butter,  and  sugar.     (See  Loblolly  and  Skillaqalee.) 

BURLEY.     The  butt-end  of  a  lance. 

BURLEY-T  W INK     A  strong  and  coarse  twine  or  small  string. 

BURN,  OR  BouBNE.  The  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  a  small  stream  or 
brook,  originating  from  springs,  and  winding  through  meadows,  thus 
differing  from  a  beck.    Sbakspeare  makes  Edgar  say  in  "King  Lear" — 

**  Come  o*er  the  bourn,  Beasy,  to  me.'* 

The  word  also  signifies  a  boundary. 

BURNETIZE,  To.  To  impregnate  canvas,  timber,  or  cordage  with 
Sir  William  Burnett's  fluid,  a  solution  of  chloride  of  zdnc. 

BURN  THE  WATER  A  phrase  denoting  the  act  of  killing  salmon 
in  the  night,  with  a  lister  and  lighted  torch  in  the  boat. 

BURN-TROUT.     A  northern  term  for  a  small  species  of  river-trout. 

BURR  The  iris  or  hazy  circle  which  appears  round  the  moon  before 
rain.  Also,  a  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  the  wind  blowing  across  on 
the  tide.  Also,  the  sound  made  by  the  Newcastle  men  in  pronouncing 
the  letter  R. 

BURREL.  A  langrage  shot,  consisting  of  bits  of  iron,  bullets,  nails, 
and  other  matters,  got  together  in  haste  for  a  sudden  emergency. 

BURROCK.  A  small  weir  over  a  river,  where  weals  are  laid  for  taking 
flsL 

B  DRR-PUMP.     A  name  of  the  bilge-pump. 

BURSER,    See  Pubser. 

BURST.     The  explosion  of  a  shell  or  any  gun. 

BURTHEN.    See  Bubdbn. 

BURTON.  A  small  tackle  rove  in  a  particular  manner;  it  is  formed 
by  two  blocks  or  pullies,  with  a  hook-block  in  the  bight  of  the  run- 
ning part;  it  is  generally  used  to  set  up  or  tighten  the  shrouds,  whence 
it  is  fr^uently  termed  a  top-burton  tackle;  but  it  ia  equally  useful  to 
move  or  draw  along  any  weighty  body  in  the  hold  or  on  the  deck,  as 
anchors,  bales  of  goods,  large  casks,  &o,  {See  Spaitish  Bubton.)  The 
burton  purchase,  also  runner  purchase  (which  see). 

BUSH,  OB  BoucHE.  A  circular  shouldered  piece  of  metal,  usually  of 
brass,  let  into  the  lignum  vit«s  sheaves  of  such  blocks  as  have  iron 
pins,  thereby  preventing  the  sheave  from  wearing,  without  adding 
much  to  its  weight.  The  operation  of  placing  it  in  the  wood  is  called 
bushing  or  coaking,  though  the  last  name  is  udually  given  to  smaller 
bushes  of  a  square  shape.  Brass  bushes  are  also  extensively  applied 
in  the  marine  steam-engine  worL  Also,  in  artillery,  the  plug  (generally 
of  copper,  on  accoimt  of  the  superior  resistance  of  that  metal  to  the 
flame  of  exploded  gunpowder),  having  a  diameter  of  .about  an  inch,  and 


]48  BUSH BUTTER-BUMP 

a  length  equal  to  the  intended  length  of  the  vent,  screwed  into  the  . 
metal  of  the  gun  at  the  place  of  the  vent,  which  is  then  drilled  in  it. 
Guns  may  be  re-bushed  when  the  vent  has  worn  too  large,  hj  the 
substitution  of  a  new  bush. 
BCTSH.     The  forests  in  the  West  Indies,  Australia,  &c. 
BUSHED.     Cased  with  harder  metal,  as  that  inserted  into  the  holes  of 

some  rudder  braces  or  sheaves  in  general,  to  prevent  their  wearing. 
BUSHED-BLOCK.    See  Coak. 
BUSKING.     Piratical  cruising;    also,  used  generally,  for  beating  to 

windward  along  a  coast,  or  cruising  off  and  on. 
BUSS.     A  small  strong-built  Dutch  vessel  with  two  masts,  used  in  the 
herring  and  mackerel  fisheries,  being  generally  of  tfO  to  70  tons 
burden. 
BUST-HEAD.    See  Heab. 

BUSY  AS  THE  Devil  in  a  gale  of  wind.     Fidgetty  restlessness,  or 
double  diligence  in  a  bad  causey  the  imp  being  supposed  to  be  mis- 
chievous in  hard  gales. 
BUT«   A  northern  name  for  a  flounder  or  plaice.   Also,  a  conical  basket 

for  catching  fisL 
BUTCHER'S  BILL.     A  nickname  for  the  official  return  of  killed  and 

wounded  which  follows  an  action. 
BUTESCARLL     The  early  name  for  the  sea-officers  in  the  British 

Navy  (see  the  Equipment  op). 
BUTT.  The  joining  of  two  timbers  or  planks  endways.  Also,  the 
opening  between  the  ends  of  two  planks  when  worked*  Also,  the 
extremities  of  the  planks  themselves  when  they  are  united,  or  abut 
against  each  other.  The  word  likewise  is  used  to  denote  the  largest 
end  of  all  timber.  Planks  under  water  as  they  rise  are  joined  one  end 
to  another.  In  large  ships  butt-ends  are  most  carefully  bolted,  for  if 
any  one  of  them  should  spring,  or  give  way,  the  leak  would  be  very 
dangerous  and  difficult  to  stop. — To  start  or  spring  a  btUt  is  to  loosen 
the  end  of  a  plank  by  the  ship's  weakness  or  labouring. — Bult-hecuis 
are  the  same  with  butt-ends. — Butt  is  also  a  mark  for  shooting  at,  and 
the  hind  part  of  a  musket  or  pistol.  Also,  a  wine-measure  of  126 
gallons. 
BUTT-AND-BUTT.  A  term  denoting  that  the  butt  ends  of  two  planks 
come  together,  but  do  not  overlay  each  other.  {See  Hook  and  Butt 
and  HooK-scARPH.) 
BUTT-END.     The  shoulder  part  of  a  firelock. 

BUTTER-BOX.     A. name  given  to  the  brig-traders  of  lumpy  form, 
from  London,  Bristol,  and  other  English  ports.     A  cant  term  for  a 
Dutchman. 
BUTTER-BUMP.     A  name  of  the  bittern  in  the  nortL 


] 


BUTTEEBDFINGEEED BT  ]  49 

BUTTER-FINGERED.  Having  a  careless  habit  of  aUowing  things  to 
drop  through  the  fingers. 

BUTTLE.     An  eastern-county  name  for  the  bittern. 

BUTTOCK.  The  breadth  of  the  ship  astern  fix)m  the  tuck  upwards  : 
it  is  terminated  by  the  counter  above,  by  the  bilge  below,  by  the 
stem-post  in  the  middle,  and  by  the  quarter  on  the  side.  That  part 
abaft  the  after  body,  which  is  bounded  by  the  fashion  pieces,  and  by 
the  wing  transom,  and  the  upper  or  second  water-line.  A  ship  is  said 
to  have  a  broad,  or  narrow,  buttock  according  to  her  transom  con- 
vexity under  the  stem. 

BXJTTOCK-LINES.  In  shipbuilding,  the  longitudinal  curves  at  the 
rounding  part  of  the  after  body  in  a  vertical  section.. 

BUTTON.  The  knob  of  metal  which  terminates  the  breech  end  of 
most  guns,  and  which  affords  a  convenient  bearing  for  the  application 
of  handspikes,  breechings,  &c. 

BUTTONS,  To  make.  A  common  time-honoured,  but  strange  expres- 
sion for  sudden  apprehension  or  misgiving. 

BUTTRESS.     In  fortification.     {See  Countee-port.) 

BUTT-SHAFT,  or  Butt-bolt.  An  arrow  without  a  barb,  used  for 
shooting  at  a  butt. 

BUTT-SLINGING  A  BOWSPRIT.    See  Slikqs. 

BUXSISH.     a  gratuity,  in  oriental  trading. 

BUZZING.     Sometimes  used  for  booming  (which  see). 

BY.  On  or  dose  to  the  wind. — FuU  and  hy^  not  to  lift  or  shiver  the 
sails;  rap-fulL 

BY  AND  LARGE.     To  the  wind  and  off  it;  within  six  points. 

BYEAT.  A  northern  term  for  a  male  salmon  of  a  certain  age,  because 
of  the  beak  which  then  grows  on  its  under-jaw. 

BYLLIS.     An  old  spelling  for  biU  (which  see). 

BYRNIK     Early  English  for  body-amour. 

BYRTH.     The  old  expression  for  tonnage.     {See  Birth  or  Berth.) 

BYSSA.     An  ancient  gun  for  discharging  stones  at  the  enemy. 

BYSSUS.  The  silken  filaments  of  any  of  the  bivalved  moUuscs  which 
adhere  to  rocks,  as  the  Ptnna,  IfytUue^  <&c.  The  silken  byssus  of  the 
great  pinna,  or  wing-shell,  is  woven  into  dresses.  In  the  Chama  gigas 
it  will  sustain  1000  lbs.  Also,  the  woolly  substance  found  in  damp 
parts  of  a  ship. 

BY  THE  BOARD.  Over  the  ship's  side.  When  a  mast  is  carried 
away  near  the  deck  it  is  said  to  go  by  the  board. 

BY  THE  HEAD.     When  a  ship  is  deeper  forward  than  abaft 

BY  THE  LEE.  The  situation  of  a  vessel  going  free,  when  she  has 
fallen  off  so  much  as  to  bring  the  wind  round  her  stem,  and  to  take 
her  sails  aback  on  the  other  aide. 


150  BY CABLE 

BY  THE  STERN.     When  the  ship  draws  more  water  abaft  than 

forward.     (See  By  the  Head.) 
BY  THE  WIND.     Is  when  a  ship  sails  as  nearly  to  the  direction  of 

the  wind  as  possible.     {See  Full  and  By.)     In  general  terms,  within 

six  points;  or  the  axis  of  the  ship  is  67}  d^;rees  from  the  direction  of 

the  "wind. 
BY-WASH.     The  outlet  of  water  from  a  dam  or  discharge  channel 


C. 


CAAG.    See  Kaag. 

0 ABANE.     A  flat-bottomed  passage-boat  of  the  Loire. 

CABBAGR  Those  principally  useful  to  the  seaman  are  the  esculent 
cabbage-tree  {Areca  oleracea),  which  attains  to  a  great  height  in  the 
W.  Indies.  The  sheaths  of  the  leaves  are  very  close,  and  form  the 
green  top  of  the  trunk  a  foot  and  a  half  in  length;  this  is  cut  off,  and 
its  white  heart  eaten.  Also,  the  Crambe  mtvrUimOy  sea-kail,  or  marine 
cabbage,  growing  in  the  west  of  England. 

CABIN.  A  room  or  compartment  partitioned  off  in  a  ship,  where  the 
officers  and  passengers  reside.  In  a  man-of-war,  the  principal  cabin, 
in  which  the  captain  or  admiral  lives,  is  the  upper  after-part  of  the 
vesseL 

CABIN-BOY.  A  boy  whose  duty  is  to  attend  and  serve  the  officers 
and  passengers  in  the  cabin. 

CABIN-LECTTJKE.    See  Jobation. 

CABIN-MATE.  A  companion,  when  two  occupy  a  cabin  furnished 
with  two  bed-places. 

CABLE.  A  thick,  strong  rope  or  chain  which  serves  to  keep  a  ship  at 
anchor;  the  rope  is  cable-laid,  10  inches  in  circumference  and  upwards 
(those  below  this  size  being  hawsers),  commonly  of  hemp  or  coir,  which 
latter  is  still  used  by  the  Calcutta  pilot-brigs  on  account  of  its  light- 
ness and  elasticity.  But  cables  have  recently,  and  all  but  exclusively, 
been  superseded  by  iron  chain. — A  shot  of  cable,  two  cables  spliced 
together. 

CABLE,  To  Coil  a.  To  lay  it  in  fiikes  and  tiers  one  over  the  other. — 
To  lay  a  cable.  {See  Laying.) — To  pay  cheap  tlie  cables  to  hand  it  out 
apace;  to  throw  it  over. — To  pay  out  more  cable,  to  let  more  out  of 
the  ship. — To  serve  or  plait  the  cable,  to  bind  it  about  with  ropes, 
canvas,  <&&;  to  keep  it  from  galling  in  the  hawse-pipe.    {See  Hounding, 


CABLE-BENDS CABOOSE  151 

Cacklixo,  Keckling,  &c) — To  splice  a  caible,  to  make  two  pieces  fast 
together,  by  working  the  several  yams^  of  the  rope  into  each  other; 
with  chain  it  is  done  by  means  of  shackles. — To  veer  more  cdbUy  to 
let  more  out. 

CABL£-BENDS.  Two  small  ropes  for  lashing  the  end  of  a  hempen 
cable  to  its  own  part^  in  order  to  secure  the  clinch  by  which  it  is 
fastened  to  the  anchor-ring. 

CAJBLE-BITTED.  So  bitted  as  to  enable  the  cable  to  be  nipped  or 
rendered  with  ease. 

CABLE-BrrrS.    See  Birrs. 

CABLE-BUOYS.  Peculiar  casks  employed  to  buoy  up  rope  cables  in 
a  rocky  anchorage,  to  prevent  their  rubbing  against  the  rocks;  they 
are  also  attached  to  the  end  of  a  cable  when  it  is  slipped,  with  the 
object  of  finding  it  again, 

CABLE-ENOUGH.  The  call  when  cable  enough  is  veered  to  permit  of 
the  anchor  being  brought  to  the  cat-head. 

CABLE-HANGER.  A  term  applied  to  any  person  catching  oysters  in 
the  river  Medway,  not  free  of  the  fishery,  and  who  is  liable  to  such 
penalty  as  the  mayor  and  citizens  of  Rochester  shall  impose  upon  him. 

CABLE-LAID  ROPK  Is  a  rope  of  which  each  strand  is  a  hawser-laid 
rope.  Hawser-laid  ropes  are  simple  three-strand  ropes,  and  range  up 
to  the  same  size  as  cablets,  as  from  f  to  9  inches.     {See  Rope.) 

CABLE-SHEET,  Sheet-Cable.  The  spare  bower  cable  belonging  to 
a  ship.     Sheet  is  deemed  stand-by,  and  is  also  applied  to  its  anchor. 

CABLE'S  LENGTH.  A  measure  of  about  100  fathoms,  by  wliich  the 
distances  of  ships  in  a  fleet  are  frequently  estimated.  This  term  is 
frequently  misunderstood.  In  all  marine  charts  a  cable  is  deemed 
607 '56  feet,  or  one-tenth  of  a  sea  mila  In  ropemaking  the  cable 
varies  from  100  to  115  &thoms;  cablet,  120  fathoms;  hawser-laid, 
130  fathoms,  as  determined  by  the  admiralty  in  1830. 

CABLE-STAGE.  A  place  constructed  in  the  hold,  or  cable-tier,  for 
coiling  cables  and  hawsers  on. 

CABLE -STREAM,  Stream -Cable.  A  hawser  or  rope  something 
smaller  than  the  bower,  used  to  move  or  hold  the  ship  temporarily 
during  a  calm  in  a  river  or  haven,  sheltered  from  the  wind  and  sea,  kc 

CABLE-TIER  The  place  in  a  hold,  or  between  decks,  where  the 
cables  are  coiled  away. 

C  ABOBBLED.     Confused  or  puzzled 

CABOBS,  OB  Kebaub.  The  Turkish  name  for  small  fillets  of  meat 
broiled  on  wooden  spits;  the  use  of  the  term  has  been  extended  east- 
ward, and  in  India  signifies  a  hot  spiced  dish  of  fish,  flesh,  or  fowL 

CABONS.    See  Kaburus. 

CABOOSE,  OR  Camboose.     The  cook-room  or  kitchen  of  merchantmen 


132  CABOTAGE CAISSON 

on  deck;  a  diminutiye  subfititute  for  the  galley  of  a  man-of-war.    It 
is  generally  furnished  with  cast-iron  apparatus  for  cooking. 

CABOTAGE  [Ital.]  Sailing  from  cape  to  cape  along  a  coast;  or  the 
details  of  coast  pilotage. 

CABURNS.  Spun  rope-yam  lines^  for  worming  a  cable,  seidng,  winding 
tacks^  and  the  like. 

CACAO  [Sp.]  The  plant  TheobromOf  from  which  what  is  commonly 
termed  cocoa  is  derived. 

CACCLE,  OB  Keocle.  To  apply  a  particular  kind  of  service  to  the 
cable.    {See  Kecklikg.) 

CACHE.  A  hidden  reservoir  of  provision  (to  secure  it  from  bears)  in 
Arctic  travel     Also,>  deposit  of  despatches,  &c 

CADK     A  small  barrel  of  about  500  herrings,  or  1000  sprats. 

CADENCR  The  uniform  time  and  space  for  marching,  more  indispens- 
able to  large  bodies  of  troops  than  to  parties  of  small-arm  men;  yet 
an  important  part  even  of  their  drilL  The  regularity  requisite  in 
pulling. 

CADET.  A  volunteer,  who,  serving  at  his  own  charge,  to  learn  experi- 
ence, waits  for  preferment;  a  designation,  recently  introduced,  for 
young  gentlemen  formerly  rated  volunteers  of  the  first  class.  Pro- 
perly, the  younger  son  in  French. 

CADGE,  To.  To  carry. — Cadger^  a  carrier,  Kedge  may  be  a  cor- 
raption,  as  hemg  carriable. 

CiESAR*S  PENNY.    The  tip  given  by  a  recruiting  sergeant 

CAPFILA.    See  Kafila 

CAG&  An  iron  cage  formed  of  hoops  on  the  top  of  a  pole,  and  filled 
with  combustibles  to  blaze  for  two  hours.  It  is  lighted  one  hour 
before  high-water,  and  marks  an  intricate  channel  navigable  for  the 
period  it  bums;  much  used  formerly  by  fishermen. 

CAGE-WROCK.     An  old  term  for  a  ship's  upper  works. 

CAIQXJE,  OR  Kaique.  A  small  Levantine  vessel  Also,  a  graceful 
skiff  seen  in  perfection  at  Constantinople,  where  it  almost  monopolizes 
the  boat  traffic.  It  is  fast^  but  crank,  being  so  narrow  that  the  oars 
or  sculls  have  their  looms  enlarged  into  ball-shaped  masses  to  counter- 
balance their  out-board  length.  It  has  borne  for  ages  the  wave-line 
now  brought  out  in  England  as  the  highest  result  of  marine  architec- 
ture.    It  may  have  from  one  to  ten  or  twelve  rowers. 

CAIKBAN.     A  name  in  the  Hebrides  for  the  basking-shark. 

CAIRN.     Piles  of  stones  used  as  marks  in  survepng. 

CAISSON,  OB  Caissoon.  An  adopted  term  for  a  sort  of  float  sunk  to  a 
required  depth  by  letting  water  into  it,  when  it  is  hauled  under  the 
ship's  bottom,  receives  her  steadily,  and  on  pumping  out  the  water 
floats  her.     These  were  long  used  in  Holland,  afterwards  at  Venice, 


CAKB-ICB CALIVER  1 53 

and  in  Russia,  where  they  were  known  as  camela  (which  see).  Caisson 
is  also  a  vessel  fitted  with  yalves^  to  act  instead  of  gates  for  a  dry  dock. 
Used  also  in  pontoons  (which  see). 

CAKE-ICE.     Ice  formed  in  the  early  part  of  the  season. 

CALABASH.  Cticurhita,  a  gourd  abundant  within  the  tropics,  fur- 
nishing drinking  and  washing  utensils.  At  Tahiti  and  the  Sandwich 
Islands  they  attain  a  diameter  of  2  feet.  There  is  also  a  calabash-tree, 
the  fruit  not  exceeding  the  size  of  oranges. 

CALABASS.  An  early  kind  of  light  musket  with  a  wheel-lock. 
Bourne  mentions  it  in  1578. 

CALALOO.     A  dish  of  fish  and  vegetables. 

CALAMUS.    S€e  Rattan. 

CALANCA.     A  creek  or  core  on  Italian  and  Spanish  coasts. 

CALAYANCES  [Phaseolus  vulgaris.  Haricot,  Fr.]  Small  beans 
sometimes  used  for  soup^  instead  of  pease. 

CALCULATE,  To.  This  word,  though  disrated  from  respectability  by 
American  misuse,  signified  to  foretell  or  prophesy;  it  is  thus  used  by 
Shakspeare  in  the  first  act  of  ^Julius  Csesar.^'  To  calculate  the  ship's 
position,  either  from  astronomical  observations  or  rate  c^  the  log. 

CALENDAR.     A  distribution  of  time.     (See  Almanac) 

CALENDARrTIMR     On  which  officers*  bills  are  drawn. 

CALF.  A  word  generally  applied  to  the  young  of  marine  mammalia, 
as  the  whale. — Calf,  in  the  Arctic  regions,  a  mass  of  floe  ice  breaking 
from  under  a  floe,  which  when  disengaged  rises  with  violence  to  the 
surface  of  the  water;  it  diflers  from  a  tongue,  which  is  the  same  body 
kept  fixed  beneath  the  main  floe.  The  icebeig  is  formed  by  the 
repeated  freezing  of  thawed  snow  running  down  over  the  slopes,  until 
at  length  the  wave  from  beneath  and  weight  above  causes  it  to  break 
off  and  fall  into  the  sea,  or,  as  termed  in  Greenland,  to  calve.  Thus, 
berg,  is  fresh-water  ice,  the  work  of  years.  The  floe,  is  salt  water 
frozen  suddenly  each  winter,  and  dissolving  in  the  summer. 

CALF,  OB  Calva.  a  Norwegian  name,  also  used  in  the  Hebrides,  for 
islets  lying  off  islands,  and  bearing  a  similar  relation  to  them  in  size 
that  a  calf  does  to  a  cow.     As  the  Calf  at  Mull  and  the  Calf  of  Man. 

CALFAT.  The  old  word  for  caulking.  [Cal/ater,  Fr.;  probably  from 
cole,  wedge,  and  /aire,  to  make.]  To  wedge  up  an  opening  with  any 
soft  material,  as  oakum.     [Gala/atear,  Sp.] 

CALIBER,  OR  Calibre.  The  diameter  of  the  bore  of  a  gun,  cannon, 
shot^  or  bullet.  A  ship's  caliber  means  the  known  weight  her  arma- 
ment represents. 

CALIPASH.     The  upper  shell  of  a  turtle. 

CALIPEE.     The  under  shell  of  a  turtle. 

CALIYER.     A  hand-gun  or  arquebuss;  probably  the  old  name  of  the 


154  CALL CAMELS 

matcUock  or  carabine^  precursors  of  the  modem  firelock,  or  Enfield 
rifle.     {See  Calabass.) 

CALL.  A  peculiar  silver  pipe  or  whistle,  used  by  the  boatswain  and  his 
mates  to  attract  attention,  and  summon  the  sailors  to  their  meaJs  or 
duties  by.  yarious  strains,  each  of  them  appropriated  to  some  particular 
purpose,  such  as  hoisting,  heaving,  lowering,  veering  away,  belaying, 
letting  go  a  tackle-fall,  sweeping,  ko.  This  piping  is  as  attentively 
observed  by  sailors,  as  the  bugle  or  beat  of  drum  is  obeyed  by  soldiers. 
The  coxswains  of  the  boats  of  French  ships  of  war  are  supplied  with 
calls  to  "in  bow  oar,"  or  "of  all,"  "oars,"  &c. 

CALLIPERS.  Bow-legged  compasses,  used  to  measure  the  girth  of 
timber,  the  external  diameter  of  masts,  shot»  and  other  circular  or 
cylindrical  substances.  Also,  an  instrument  with  a  sliding  leg,  used 
for  measuring  the  packages  constituting  a  ship's  cargo,  which  is  paid 
for  by  its  cubical  contents. 

CALL  THE  WATCH.  This  is  done  every  four  hours,  except  at  the 
dog-watches,  to  relieve  those  on  deck,  also  by  pipe.  "All  the  watch," 
or  all  the  starboard,  or  the  port,  firsts  second,  third,  or  fourth  watches. 

CALM.  There  being  no  wind  stirring  it  is  designated  flat^  dead,  or 
stark,  under  each  of  which  the  surface  of  the  sea  is  unruffled. 

CALM  LATITUDES.  That  tropical  tract  of  ocean  which  lies  between 
the  north-east  and  south-east  trade-winds;  its  situation  varies  several 
degrees,  depending  upon  the  season  of  the  year.  The  term  is  also 
applied  to  a  part  of  the  sea  on  the  Polar  side  of  the  trades,  between 
them  and  the  westeriy  winds. 

CALYEBED  SALMON.  Salmon  prepared  in  a  peculiar  manner  in 
early  times. 

CALVE'S  TONGUE.  A  sort  of  moulding  usually  made  at  the  caps 
and  bases  of  round  piUars,  to  taper  or  hance  the  round  part  to  the 
square. 

CAMBER.  The  part  of  a  dockyard  where  cambering  is  performed,  and 
timber  kept.  Also,  a  small  dock  in  the  royal  yards,  for  the  conveni- 
ence of  loading  and  discharging  timber.  Also,  anything  that  curves 
upwards. — To  camber,  to  curve  ship-planks. 

CAMBER-KEELED.  Keel  slightly  arched  upwards  in  the  middle  of 
the  length,  but  not  actually  hogged. 

CAMBOOSE.     A  form  of  caboose  (which  see). 

CAMELS.  All  large  ships  are  built,  at  St.  Petersburg,  in  a  dockyard 
off  the  Granite  Quay,  where  the  water  is  shallow;  therefore  a  number 
of  camels  or  caissons  are  kept  at  Cronstadt^  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
them  down  the  riv^er.  Camels  are  hollow  cases  of  wood,  constructed 
in  two  halves,  so  as  to  embrace  the  keel,  and  lay  hold  of  the  hull  of  a 
ship  on  both  sides.     They  are  first  filled  with  water  and  sunk,  in  order 


OAMB-TO CANE  I55 

to  be  fixed  on.  The  water  is  then  pumped  out,  when  the  vessel 
gradually  rises,  and  the  process  is  continued  until  the  ship  is  enabled 
to  pass  over  the  shoaL  Similar  camels  were  used  at  Botterdam 
about  1690. 

CAME-TO.     Brought  to  an  anchor. 

CAMFER.    See  Chamfer. 

CAMISADO.     A  sudden  surprise  or  assault  of  the  enemj. 

CAMOCK.     A  very  early  term  for  crooked  timber. 

CAMP.  The  whole  extent  of  ground  on  which  an  army  pitches  its  tents 
andlodgea     (5'ee  Leating  the  Camp.) 

CAMP,  OE  Camp-out,  To.  In  American  travel,  to  rest  for  the  night 
without  a  standing  roof;  whether  under  a  light  tent^  a  screen  of 
boughs,  or  any  make-shift  that  the  neighbourhood  may  afford. 

CAMPAIGN.  A  series  of  connected  operations  by  an  army  in  the 
field,  unbroken  by  its  retiring  into  quarters. 

CAMPAIGNER.     A  veteran  soldier. 

CAMP-EQUIPAGE    See  Equipage. 

CAMPER.    See  Kemp. 

CAMPESON.    See  Gambison. 

CAMP-FIGHT.    See  Acre. 

CAN.     A  tin  vessel  used  by  sailors  to  drink  out  of. 

CANAICHE,  OB  Canash.  An  inner  port)  as  at  Granada  in  the  West 
Indies. 

CANAL-BOAT.  A  baige  generally  towed  by  horseSi  but  furnished 
with  a  large  square-sail  for  occasional  use. 

CAN-BODIES.     The  old  term  for  anchor-buoys,  now  can-buoy& 

CAN-BUOYS.  Are  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  and  therefore  would  coun- 
tenance the  term  cone-buoys.  They  are  floated  over  sands  and  other 
obstructions  in  navigation,  as  marks  to  be  avoided;  they  are  made 
very  large,  to  be  seen  at  a  distance;  where  there  are  several,  they  are 
distinguished  by  their  colour,  as  black,  red,  white,  or  chequered,  ka. 

CANCELLED  TICKET.  One  rendered  useless  by  some  subsequent 
arrangement  or  clerk's  error.  In  either  case  the  word  *' cancelled ''  is 
to  be  written  across  in  large  characters,  and  due  record  made.  The 
comer  cut  off  cancels  good  character,  yet  they  are  a  certificate  for  time. 

CANCER.  The  Crab;  the  fourth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun 
enters  about  the  21st  of  June,  and  commences  the  summer  solstice. 

CANDLE-BARK.     A  cylindrical  tin  box  for  candles. 

CANE  The  rattan  {Cailam'ua  ntderUwn),  is  extensively  used  in  the  East 
for  rigging,  rope,  and  cables.  The  latter  have  remained  for  years  at 
the  bottom  of  the  sea  uninjured  by  teredo,  or  any  destructive  Crus- 
tacea. The  cables,  too,  resist  any  but  the  sharpest  axes,  when  used  to 
connect  logs  as  booms,  to  stop  the  navigation  of  rivers. 


136  CANBVAS CANOS 

CANEYAS.  The  old  word  for  hempen  canvas;  but  many  races,  even 
the  Chinese,  make  sails  entirely  of  cane.  The  Americans  frequently 
use  cotton,  and  term  that  cloth  duck.  In  the  islands  of  the  South 
Pacific  it  is  made  from  the  bark  of  various  trees,  grasses,  &c 

CAN-HOOKS.  They  are  used  to  sling  a  cask  by  the  chimes,  or  ends 
of  its  staves,  and  are  formed  by  reeving  the  two  ends  of  a  piece  of  rope 
or  chain  through  the  eyes  of  two  flat  hooks,  and  there  making  them 
fast     The  tackle  is  then  hooked  to  the  middle  of  the  bight 

CANISTER  SHOT.    See  Case-shot. 

CANNIKIN.     A  small  drinking-vesseL 

CANNON.  The  well-known  piece  of  artillery,  mounted  in  batteiy  on 
board  or  on  shore,  and  made  either  of  brass  or  iron.  The  principal 
parts  are: — Ist.  The  breech,  together  with  the  cascable  and  its  button, 
called  by  seamen  the  pomelion.  The  breech  is  of  solid  metal,  from  the 
bottom  of  the  concave  cylinder  or  chamber  to  the  cascable.  2d.  The 
trunnions,  which  project  on  each  side,  and  serve  to  support  the 
cannon,  hold  it  almost  in  equilibrio.  3d.  The  bore  or  caliber,  is  the 
interior  of  the  cylinder,  wherein  the  powder  and  shot  are  lodged  when 
the  cannon  is  loaded.  The  entrance  of  the  bore  is  called  the  mouth 
or  muzzle.  It  may  be  generally  described  as  gradually  tapering,  with 
the  various  modifications  of  first  and  second  reinforce  and  swell,  to  the 
muzzle  or  forward  end.     {See  GuK.) 

CANNONADK  The  opening  and  continuance  of  the  fire  of  artillery 
on  any  object  attacked     Battering  with  cannon-shot. 

CANNON-PERER.  An  ancient  piece  of  ordnance  used  in  ships  of  war 
for  throwing  stone  shot. 

CANNON-PETRONEL.  A  piece  of  ordnance  with  a  6-inch  bore 
which  carried  a  24  lb.  balL 

CANNON,  RIFLED.  Introduced  by  Captain  Blakely,  Sir  W.  Arm- 
strong, and  others. 

CANNON  ROTAL.  A  60-pounder  of  eight  and  a  half  inches  bore. 
(See  Cabthouit.) 

CANNON-SERPENTINE.     An  old  name  for  a  gun  of  7-inches  bore. 

CANOK  A  peculiar  boat  used  by  several  uncivilized  nations,  formed 
of  the  trunk  of  a  tree  hollowed  out,  and  sometimes  of  several  pieces 
of  bark  joined  together,  and  again  of  hide.  They  are  of  various  sizes, 
according  to  the  uses  for  which  they  are  designed,  or  the  countries  to 
which  they  belong.  Some  carry  sail,  but  they  are  commonly  rowed 
with  paddles,  somewhat  resembling  a  corn-shovel;  and  instead  of 
rowing  with  it  horizontally,  as  with  an  oar,  they  manage  it  perpendi- 
cularly. In  Greenland  and  Hudson  Bay,  the  Esquimaux  limits  of 
America,  skin-boats  are  chiefly  in  use,  under  the  name  of  kaiack, 
oomiak,  baidar,  &c 


CANOPUS CANT-PUECHASB  I57 

CANOFTJS,  The  lucida  of  Argo  Navis,  and  a  Greeawich  star.  Also, 
a  city  of  classical  importance,  visited  by  the  heroes  of  the  Trojan  war, 
the  reputed  burial-place  of  the  pilot  of  Menelaus,  &c.  But,  as  some 
ancient  places  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  renew  their  classical  import- 
ance in  modem  times,  so  this,  under  the  modem  name  of  Abukeir,  has 
received  a  new  ^  stamp  of  &te,"  by  its  overlooking,  like  Salamis,  the 
scene  of  a  naval  battle,  which  also  led  to  a  decision  of  the  fate  of 
nations.  In  this  bay  Nelson,  at  one  blow,  destroyed  the  fleet  of  the 
enemy,  and  cut  off  the  veteran  army  of  France  from  the  shores  of 
Egypt.  The  Canopian  mouth  of  the  Nile  was  the  most  westerly  of  all 
the  branches  of  that  celebrated  river. 

CANOPY.     A  light  awning  over  the  stem-sheets  of  a  boat. 

CANT,  To.  To  turn  anything  about^  or  so  that  it  does  not  stand 
square.  To  diverge  from  a  central  right  line.  Cant  the  boat  or  ship; 
i.6.  for  careening  her. 

CAlNT.  a  cut  made  in  a  whale  between  the  neck  and  the  fins,  to  which 
the  cant-purchase  is  made  fast,  for  turning  the  animal  round  in  the 
operation  of  flensing. 

CANTARAu     A  watering-place. 

CANT-BLOCKS.  The  large  purchase-blocks  used  by  whalers  to  cant 
the  whales  round  under  the  process  of  flensing. 

CANT-BODY.  An  imaginary  figure  of  that  part  of  a  ship's  body 
which  forms  the  shape  forward  and  aft,  and  whose  planes  make  obtuse 
angles  with  the  midship  line  of  the  ship. 

CANTEEN.  A  small  tin  vessel  for  men  on  service  to  carry  liquids. 
AJso,  a  small  chest  containing  utensils  for  an  officer's  messing.  Also, 
a  kind  of  suttling-house  in  garrisons. 

CANTERA-     A  Spanish  fishing-boat. 

CANT-FALLS.    See  Spike-tacklk 

CANT-HOOK.     A  lever  with  a  hook  at  one  end  for  heavy  articles. 

CANTICK.QXJOINS.  Short  three-edged  pieces  of  wood  to  steady 
casks  from  labouring  against  each  other. 

CANTING  BALLAST.  Is  when  by  a  sudden  gust  or  stress  of  weather 
a  ship  is  thrown  so  far  over  that  the  ballast  settles  to  leeward,  and 
prevents  the  ship  from  righting. 

CANTING-LIVRE.    See  Console-bracket. 

CANT-LINE.  Synonjmous  with  girt-line,  as  to  cant  the  top  over  the 
lowermast-head. 

CANTONMENTS.  Troops  detached  and  quartered  in  different  towns 
and  villages  near  each  other. 

CANT-PURCHASE.  This  is  formed  by  a  block  suspended  from  the 
mainmast-head,  and  another  block  made  &st  to  the  cant  cut  in  the 
whale.    (See  Caiit-blogks.) 


158  '     CANT-RIBBONS CAP 

CANT-KIBBONS.  Those  ribbons  that  do  not  lie  in  a  horizontal  or 
level  direction. 

CANT-KOPE.    See  Fotjb  Caot. 

CANT-SPAK  A  hand-mast  pole,  fit  for  making  small  masts  or  yards, 
booms,  &c. 

CANT-TIMBERS.  They  derive  their  name  from  being  canted  or 
raised  obliquely  from  the  keeL  The  upper  ends  of  those  on  the  bow 
are  inclined  to  the  stem,  as  those  in  the  after-part  incline  to  the  stem- 
post  above.  In  a  word,  cant-timbers  are  those  which  do  not  stand 
square  with  the  middle  line  of  the  ship.  They  may  be  deemed  radial 
bow  or  stem-timbers. 

CANVAS  [from  cannabis,  hemp].  A  cloth  made  of  hemp,  and  used  for 
the  sails  of  ships.  It  is  purchased  in  bolts,  and  numbered  from  1  to  8, 
rarely  to  9  and  10.  Number  1  being  the  coarsest  and  strongest,  is 
used  for  the  lower  sails,  as  fore-sail  and  main-sail  in  large  ships.  When 
a  vessel  \a  in  motion  by  means  of  her  sails  she  is  ^d  to  be  under 
canvas. 

CANVAS-BACK  DUCK.  An  American  wild  duck  (AJ^MZatwZiwima), 
which  takes  this  name  from  the  colour  of  the  back  feathers;  much 
esteemed  as  a  delicacy. 

CANVAS-CLIMBER  A  word  used  by  Marston  for  a  sailor  who  goes 
alofb;  hence  Marina  tells  Leonine — 

"And,  clasping  to  a  mast,  endui'd  a  lea 
That  almost  burst  the  deck,  and  from  the  ladder-tackle 
Wash'd  off  a  canvas-climber." 

CAP.  A  strong  thick  block  of  wood  having  two  large  holes  through  it^ 
the  one  square,  the  other  round,  used  to  confine  two  masts  together, 
when  one  is  erected  at  the  head  of  the  other,  in  order  to  lengthen  it 
The  principal  caps  of  a  ship  are  those  of  the  lower  masts,  which  are 
fitted  with  a  strong  eye-bolt  on  each  side,  wherein  to  hook  the  block 
by  which  the  top-mast  is  drawn  up  through  the  cap.  In  the  same 
manner  as  the  top  mast  slides  up  through  the  cap  of  the  lower  mast^ 
the  topgallant-mast  slides  up  through  the  cap  of  the  top-masts.  When 
made  of  iron  the  cap  used  to  be  called  a  crance. — To  cap  a  mast-head 
is  placing  tarpaulin  guards  against  weather.  The  term  is  applied  to 
any  covering  such  as  lead  put  over  iron  bolts  to  prevent  corrosion  by 
sea-water,  canvas  covers  over  the  ends  of  rigging,  &c,  &c.  Also,  pieces 
of  oak  laid  on  the  upper  blocks  on  which  a  vessel  is  built^  to  receive 
the  keeL  They  are  split  out  for  the  addition  of  the  false  keel,  and 
therefore  should  be  of  the  most  free-grained  timber.  Also,  the  coating 
which  guards  the  top  of  a  quill  tube.  Also,  the  percussion  priming 
for  firearms. — Cap-a-pied,  armed  from  head  to  foot 


CAP CAPONNIERB  139 

CAP,  To.     To  puzzle  or  beat  in  argument.     To  salute  by  touching  the 

head-covering,  as  Shakspeare  makes  lago's  friends  act  to  Othello.     It 

is  now  more  an  academic  than  a  sea-term. 
CAPABARRE.    An  old  term  for  misappropriating  government  stores. 

{See  Marryat's  Novda.) 
CAPACISE.     A  corrupt  form  of  capsize, 
CAPACITY.     Burden,  tonnage,  fitness  for  the  service,  rating. 
CAPE.     A  projecting  point  of  land  jutting  out  from  the  coast-line;  the 

extremity  of  a  promontory,  of  which  last  it  is  the  secondary  rank.     It 

differs  from  a  headland,  since  a  cape  may  be  low.     The  Cape  of  Qood 

Hope  is  always  familiarly  known  as  ^'The  Cape."     Cape  was  also  used 

for  a  rhumb-line. 
CAPE,  To.     To  keep  a  course.     How  does  she  cape  ]  how  does  she  lie 

her  course? 
CAPE  FLY-AWAY.    A  cloud-bank  on  the  horizon,  mistaken  for  land, 

which  disappears  as  the  ship  advances.     {See  Foo.) 
CAPE-HEN.    See  Molly-mok. 

CAPELLA.     The  lucida  of  Auriga,  and  a  nautical  star. 
CAPE-MERCHAKT  [capo].     An  old  name  for  super-cargo  in  early 

voyages,  as  also  the  head  merchant  in  a  factory. 
CAPE-PIGEON,  OR  Cape-petrel.     A  sea-bird  which  follows  a  ship  in 

her  passage  round  the  cape;  the  ProceUa/ria  capensis.     {See  Pintado.) 
CAPER.     A  light-armed  vessel  of  the  17th  century,  used  by  the  Dutch 

for  privateering. 
CAPER  CORNER-WAY.     Diagonally. 
CAPFUL  OF  WIND.     A  light  flaw,  which  suddenly  careens  a  vessel 

and  passes  off 
CAPITAL  OF  A  Work.     In  fortification,  an  imaginaiy  line  bisecting 

its  most  prominent  salient  angle. 
CAPITANA.     Formerly  the  principal  galley  in  a  Mediterranean  fleet : 

the  admiral's  ship. 
CAPITULATION.     The  conditions  on  which  a  subdued  force  sur- 
renders, agreed  upon  between  the  contending  partiea 
CAPLIN,  OR  Capeuost.     A  fish  of  the  family  Clupeidie,  very  similar  to 

a  smelt;  frequently  imported  from  Newfoundland  dried.     It  is  the 

general  bait  for  codfish  there. 
CAP'N.     The  way  in  which  some  address  the  commanders  of  merchant 

vessels. 
CAPON.     A  jeering  name  for  the  red -herring. 
CAPONNIERE.     In  fortification,  a  passage  across  the  bottom  of  the 

ditch,  covered,  at  the  least,  by  a  parapet  on  each  side,  and  very 

generally  also  with  a  bomb-proof  roof,  when  it  may  be  furnished  with 

many  guns,  which  are  of  great  importance  in  the  defence  of  a  fortress, 


162  CAPTAIN CAPTADTS  GIG 

captain  of  the  forecastle^  admiraVs  coxswain,  captain^s  coxswain, 
captain  of  the  hold,  captain  of  maintop,  captain  of  foretop,  &c 

CAPTAIN".  A  name  given  to  the  crooner,  crowner,  or  gray  gurnard 
(Trigla  gtimardus), 

CAPTAIN  OF  A  Merchaiit  Ship.  Is  a  certificated  officer  in  the 
mercantile  marine,  intrusted  with  the  entire  chaige  of  a  ship^  both  as 
r^ards  life  and  property.  He  is  in  no  way  invested  with  special 
powers  to  meet  his  peculiar  circumstances,  but  has  chiefly  to  depend 
upon  moral  influence  for  maintaining  order  amongst  his  passengers  and 
crew  during  the  many  weeks  or  even  months  that  he  is  cut  off  from 
appeal  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  only  resorting  to  force  on  extreme 
occasions.  Great  tact  and  judgment  is  required  to  fulfil  this  duty 
properly. 

CAPTAIN  OP  A  Ship  op  Wab.  Is  the  commanding  officer;  as  well 
the  post-captain  (a  title  now  disused)  as  those  whose  proper  title  is 
commander. 

CAPTAIN  OF  THE  Fleet.  Is  a  temporary  admiralty  appoint- 
ment; he  is  entitled  to  be  considered  as  a  flag-officer,  and  to  a  share 
in  the  prize-money  accordingly.  He  carries  out  all  ordeis  issued  by 
the  commander-in-chief,  but  his  special  duty  is  to  keep  up  the  discipline 
of  the  fleet,  in  which  he  is  supreme.  He  is  the  adjutant-general  of 
the  force,  hoisting  the  flag  and  wearing  the  uniform  of  rear-admiraL 

CAPTAIN  OF  THE  Head.  Not  a  recognized  rating,  but  an  ordinary 
man  appointed  to  attend  to  the  swabs,  and  to  keep  the  ship's  head 
clean. 

CAPTAIN  OF  THE  Hold.  The  last  of  the  captains  in  rank,  as  a  first- 
class  petty  officer. 

CAPTAIN  OF  THE  Port.  The  captain  of  the  port  is  probably  better 
explained  by  referring  to  that  situation  at  Gibraltar.  He  belongs  to 
the  Board  of  Health;  he  controls  the  entries  and  departures^  the 
berthing  at  the  anchorage^  and  general  marine  duties,  but  possesses  no 
naval  authority.      Hence^  the  port-captain  is  quite  another  officer. 

(See  POBT-CAPTAIK.) 

CAPTAIN-GENERAL.     The  highest  army  rank. 

CAPTAIN'S  CLERK.  One  whose  duty  is  strictly  to  keep  all  books 
and  official  papers  necessary  for  passing  the  captain's  accounts  at  the 
admiralty. 

CAPTAIN'S  CLOAK.  The  jocose  name  given  to  the  last  sweeping 
clause,  the  thirty-sixth  article  of  war : — "All  other  crimes  not  capital, 
and  for  which  no  punishment  is  hereby  directed  to  be  inflicted,  shall 
be  punished  according  to  the  laws  and  customs  in  such  cases  used  at 
sea." 

CAPTAIITS  GIG.    See  Gia 


CAPTAUrS  STOEE-BOOM CAECASS  163 

CAPTAIN'S  STORE-ROOM.     A  place  of  reserve  on  the  platform 

deck,  for  the  captain's  wines  and  sea-stores. 
CAPTIVE.     A  prisoner  of  war. 

CAPTORS.  The  conquerors  of  and  sharers  in  the  proceeds  of  a  prize. 
Captors  are  not  at  liberty  to  release  prisoners  belonging  to  the  ships 
of  the  enemy.  The  last  survivor  is  in  law  the  only  captor. 
CAPTURE.  A  prize  taken  by  a  ship  of  war  at  sea;  is  the  taking 
forcible  possession  of  vessels  or  goods  belonging  to  one  nation  by  those 
of  a  hostile  nation.  Vessels  are  looked  on  as  prizes  if  they  fight  under 
any  other  standard  than  that  of  the  state  from  which  they  have  their 
commission;  if  they  have  no  charty-party,  manifest,  or  bill  of  lading, 
or  if  loaded  with  effects  belonging  to  the  king's  enemies,  or  even 
contraband  goods.  Whether  the  capture  be  lawful  or  unlawful,  the 
insurer  is  rendered  liable  to  the  loss. 
CAR.     A  north-coimtry  word,  denoting  any  swampy  land  surrounded 

by  inclosures,  and  occasionally  under  water. 
CARABINEER     One  who  uses  the  carbine. 

CARACEl,  Cabrak,  or  Carbick.     A  large  ship  of  burden,  the  same 

with  those  called  galleons.     Hippus,  the  Tynan,  is  said  to  have  first 

devised  caracks,  and  onerary  vessels  of  prodigious  bulk  for  traffic  or 

offence. 

CARACORA.     A  proa  of  Borneo,  Ternate,  and  the  Eastern  Isles;  also 

called  caracol  by  early  voyagers. 
CARAMOXJSSAL.     A  Turkish  iderchant  ship  with  a  pink-stem. 
CARAVEL,  OR  Caravela.     A  Portuguese  despatch  boat,  lateen-rigged, 
formerly  in  use;  it  had  square  sails  only  on  the  fore-mast,  though 
dignified  as  a  caravela. 
CARAVELAO.     A  light  pink-stemed  vessel  of  the  Azores. 
CARBASSE.    See  Ejlrbatz. 

CARBIN.     A  name  in  our  northern  isles  for  the  basking  shark. 
CARBINE,  OR  Carabine.     A  fire-arm  of  less  length  and  weight  than  a 
musket,  originally  carrying  a  smaller  ball,  though  latterly,  for  the 
convenience  of  the  supply  of  ammunition,  throwing  the  same  bullet  as 
the  musket^  though  with  a  smaller  charge.     It  has  been  proper  to 
mounted  troops  since  about  a.d.  1556,  and  has  been  preferred  to  the 
musket  as  a  weapon  for  the  tops  of  ships  as  well  as  boats. 
CARCASS.     An  iron    shell   for  incendiary  purposes^  filled  with   a 
very  fiercely  fiaming  composition  of  saltpetre,  sulphur,  resin,  turpen- 
tine, antimony,  and  tallow.     It  has  three  vents  for  the  fiame,  and 
sometimes  is  equipped  with  pistol  barrels,  so  fitted  in  its  interior  as  to 
discharge  their  bullets  at  various  times. 
CARCASS  OF  A  SHIP.     The  ribs,  with  keel,  stem,  and  stern-post, 
after  the  planks  are  stripped  off 


161  CARCATUS CARLTNE-KNEES 

CARCATTJS  [from  ca/riccUOy  It.]    A  law-term  for  a  freighted  ship. 
CAJtD.     The  dial  or  iauce  of  the  magnetic  compass-card* 

''Beaaon  the  card,  but  passion  is  the  gale.**— i^ope. 
Probably  derived  from  cardinal, 
CARDINAL  POINTS.     The  genenl  name  by  which  the  north,  east, 

south,  and  west  rhumbs  of  the  horizon  are  distinguished. 
CARDINAL   POINTS  OF  THE  ECLIPTIC.     The  equinoctial  and 
solstitial  points;  namely,  the  commencement  of  Aries  and  Libra,  and 
of  Cancer  and  Capricomus. 
CARDINAL  SIGNS.     The  zodiacal  signs  which  the  sun  enters  at  the 

equinoxes  and  solstices. 
CARDINAL  WINDS.     Those  from  the  due  north,  east,  south,  and 

west  points  of  the  compass. 
CAREEN,  To.     A  ship  is  said  to  careen  when  she  inclines  to  one  side, 

or  lies  over  when  sailing  on  a  wind;  off  her  keel  or  carina. 
CAREENING.     The  operation  of  heaving  the  ship  down  on  one  side, 
by  arranging  the  ballast,  or  the  application  of  a  strong  purchase  to  her 
masts,  which  require  to  be  expressly  supported  for  the  occasion  to 
prevent  their  springing;  by  these  means  one  side  of  the  bottom,  elevated 
above  the  surface  of  the  water,  may  be  cleansed  or  repaired.     {See 
Bbeaming.)     But  this  operation  is  now  nearly  superseded  by  sheathing 
ships  with  copper,  whereby  they  keep  a  clean  bottom  for  several  years. 
CAREENING  BEACH.     A  part  of  the  strand  prepared  for  the  pur- 
pose of  a  ship's  being  grounded  on  a  list  or  careen,  to  repair  defects. 
CARFINDO.     One  of  the  carpenter's  crew. 
CARGO.      The  merchandise  a  ship  is  freighted  with. 
CARGO-BOOK.     The  master  of  every  coasting-vessel  is  required  to 
keep  a  cargo-book,  stating  the  name  of  the  ship,  of  the  master,  of  the 
port  to  which  she  belongs,  and  that  to  which  she  is  bound;  with  a  roll 
of  all  goods,  shippers,  and  consignees.     In  all  other  merchant  ships 
the  cargo-book  is  a  clean  copy  of  all  cargo  entered  in  the  gangway- 
book,  and  shows  the  mark,  number,  quality,  and  (if  measurement 
goods)  the  dimensions  of  such  packages  of  a  ship's  cargo. 
CARICATORE     Places  where  the  traders  of  Sicily  take  in  their  goods, 

from  caricare,  to  load. 
CARINA.    An  old  term,  from  the  Latin,  for  the  keel,  or  a  ship's  bottom. 
The  north-country  term  keel  means  an  entire  vessel:  ^  So  many  keels 
touched  the  strand."     (See  Keel.) 
CARL,  OB  Male  Heicp.    See  Fimble  or  Femble  Hemp. 
CARLE-CRAB.    The  male  of  the  black-clawed  crab.  Cancer  pagurus; 

also  of  the  partan  or  common  crab. 
CARLINE-KNEES.     Timbers  going  athwart  the  ship,  from  the  sides 
to  the  hatchway,  serving  to  sustain  the  deck  on  both  sides. 


CABUNBS GABEAC  1(33 

CARLINES,  OB  CABIJNO&  Pieces  of  timber  about  five  iDclies  square, 
lying  fore  and  aft,  along  firom  one  beam  to  another.  On  and  athwart 
these  the  ledges  rest,  whereon  the  planks  of  the  deck  and  other  por- 
tions of  carpentry  are  made  fast  The  carlines  have  their  end  let  into 
the  beams,  called  ''culver-tail-wise,"  or  scored  in  pigeon-fashion.  There 
are  other  carlines  of  a  subordinate  character. 

CAKLINO,  OR  Caroline.  A  small  silver  coin  of  Naples,  value  4d. 
EnglisL     Ten  carlini  make  a  ducat  in  commerce. 

CARN-TANGLK  A  long  and  large  fucus,  thrown  on  our  northern 
beaches  after  a  gale  of  wind  in  the  offing. 

CAROTJS.  A  sort  of  galleiy  in  ancient  ships,  which  turned  on  a  pivot. 
It  was  hoisted  to  a  given  height  by  tackles,  and  thus  brought  to  pro- 
ject over,  or  into,  the  vessel  of  an  adversary,  furnishing  a  bridge  for 
boarding. 

CARP.  A  well-known  fresh-water  fish  of  the  Cyprinidaa  family,  con- 
sidered to  have  been  introduced  into  England  in  the  time  of  Henry 
YIIL;  but  in  Dame  Bemei's  book  on  angling,  published  in  1486,  it 
is  described  as  the  ^^  daynteous  fysshe"  in  England. 

CABPENTER,  Ship.  A  ship-builder.  An  officer  appointed  to  examine 
and  keep  in  order  the  hull  of  a  ship^  and  all  her  appurtenances,  like- 
wise the  stores  committed  to  him  by  indenture  from  the  store-keeper 
of  the  dockyard.  The  absence  of  other  tradesmen  whilst  a  ship  is  at 
sea,  and  the  numerous  emergencies  in  which  ships  are  placed  requiring 
invention,  render  a  good  ship's  carpenter  one  of  the  most  valuable 
artizans  on  board. 

CARPENTER'S  CREW.  Consists  of  a  portion  of  the  crew,  provided 
for  ship-carpentry  and  ship-building.  In  ships  of  war  there  are  two 
carpentei's  mates  and  one  caulker,  one  blacksmith,  aud  a  carpenter's 
crew,  according  to  the  size  of  the  ship. 

CARPENTER'S  STORE-ROOM.  An  apartment  built  below,  on  the 
platform-deck,  for  keeping  the  carpenter's  stores  and  spare  tools  iiL 

CARPENTER'S  YEOMAN.    iSec  Yeoman. 

CARPET-KNIGHT.  A  man  who  obtains  knighthood  on  a  pretence 
for  services  in  which  he  never  participated. 

CARPET-MEN.  Those  officers  who,  without  services  or  merit,  obtain 
rapid  promotion  through  political  or  other  interest^  and  are  yet  de- 
clared ''highly  meritorious  and  distinguished." 

CARK     See  Karr. 

CARRAC,  Carraca,  Carrack,  or  Carricke.  A  name  given  by  the 
Spaniards  and  Portuguese  to  the  vessels  they  sent  to  Brazil  and  the 
East  Indies;  large,  round  built,  and  fitted  for  fight  as  well  as  burden. 
Their  capacity  lay  in  their  depth,  which  was  extraordinary.  English 
vessels  of  size  and  value  were  sometimes  also  so  called. 


IQQ  CABBABA CARRY 

CARBABA.     The  great  northern  diver,  Colymbus  glaciaUs, 

CARREE.  A  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  the  scud  or  small  clouds  that 
drive  with  the  wind. 

CARRIAGE  OF  a  Guv.  The  frame  on  which  it  is  mounted  for  firing, 
constructed  either  exclusivelj  for  this  purpose,  or  also  for  travelling 
in  the  field.  Carriages  for  its  transport  only,  are  not  included  under 
this  term.  The  first  kind  only  is  in  general  use  afloat,  where  it  usually 
consists  of  two  thick  planks  (called  brackets  or  cheeks)  laid  on  edge  to 
support  the  trunnions,  and  resting,  besides  other  transverse  connections, 
on  two  axle-trees,  which  are  borne  on  low  solid  wooden  wheels  called 
trucks,  or  sometimes,  to  diminish  the  recoil,  on  flat  blocks  called 
chocks.  The  hind  axle-tree  takes,  with  the  intervention  of  various 
elevating  arrangements,  the  preponderance  of  the  breecL  The  second 
kind  is  adapted  for  field  and  siege  work:  the  shallow  brackets  are 
raised  in  front  on  high  wheels,  but  unite  behind  into  a  solid  beam 
called  the  trail,  which  tapers  downwards,  and  rests  on  the  ground 
when  in  action,  but  for  travel  is  connected  to  a  two-wheeled  carriage 
called  a  limber  (which  see).  Gun-carriages  are  chiefly  made  of  elm 
for  ship-board,  as  less  given  to  splinter  frY>m  shot^  and  of  oak  on  shore; 
wrought-iron,  however,  is  being  applied  for  the  carriages  of  the  large 
guns  recently  introduced,  and  even  cast-iron  is  economically  used  in 
some  fortresses  little  liable  to  sudden  counter-battery. 

CARRICK.  An  old  Gaelic  term  for  a  castle  or  fortress,  as  well  as  for 
a  rock  in  the  sea. 

CARRICK-BEND.  A  kind  of  knot,  formed  on  a  bight  by  putting  the 
end  of  a  rope  over  its  standing  part,  and  then  passing  it. 

CARRICK-BITTS.  The  bitts  which  support  the  ends  or  spindles  of 
the  windlass,  whence  they  are  also  called  windlass-bitts. 

CARRIED.     Taken,  applied  to  the  capture  of  forts  and  ships. 

CARRONADE.  A  short  gun,  capable  of  carrying  a  large  ball,  and 
useful  in  close  engagements  at  sea.  It  takes  its  name  from  the  large 
iron-foundry  on  the  banks  of  the  Carron,  near  Falkirk,  in  Scotland, 
where  this  sort  of  ordnance  was  first  made,  or  the  principle  applied  to 
an  improved  construction.  Shorter  and  lighter  than  the  common 
cannon,  and  having  a  chamber  for  the  powder  like  a  mortar,  they  are 
generally  of  large  calibre,  and  carried  on  the  upper  works,  as  the  poop 
and  forecastle. 

CARRONADE  SLIDE.  Composed  of  two  wide  balks  of  elm  on  which 
the  carronade  carriage  slides.  As  the  slide  is  bolted  to  the  ship's  side, 
and  is  a  radius  frx>m  that  bolt  or  pivot,  carronades  were  once  the  only 
guns  which  could  be  truly  concentrated  on  a  given  object. 

CARRY,  To.  To  subdue  a  vessel  by  boarding  her.  To  move  anything 
along  the  decks.     {See  Lash  asd  Cabbt,  as  relating  to  hammocks.) 


CABRY CARTRIDGB-BOX  J  (57 

Also,  to  obtain  possession  of  a  fort  or  place  hj  force.  Also,  the  direc- 
tion or  movement  of  the  douds.  Also,  a  gun  is  said  to  cany  its  shot 
so  many  yards.     Also,  a  ship  carries  her  canvas,  and  her  cargo. 

CARKY  AWAY,  To.  To  break;  as,  "That  ship  has  carried  away  her 
fore-topmast,"  i,e.  has  broken  it  ofL  It  is  customary  to  say,  we  carried 
away  this  or  that,  when  knocked,  shot,  or  blown  away.  It  is  also 
used  when  a  rope  has  been  parted  by  violence. 

CARRYING  ON  DUTY.  The  operations  of  the  officer  in  charge  of 
the  deck  or  watch. 

CARRYING  ON  THE  WAR  Making  suitable  arrangements  for 
carrying  on  the  lark  or  amusement. 

CARRY  ON,  To.  To  spread  all  sail;  also,  beyond  discretion,  or  at 
all  hazards.  In  galley-slang,  to  joke  a  person  even  to  anger;  also 
riotous  frolicking. 

CARRY  THE  KEG.    See  Keg. 

CARTE  BLANCHK  In  the  service  sense  of  the  term,  implies  an 
authority  to  act  at  discretion, 

CARTEL.  A  ship  commissioned  in  time  of  war  to  exchange  the 
prisoners  of  any  two  hostile  powers,  or  to  carry  a  proposal  from  one 
to  the  other;  for  this  reason  she  has  only  one  gun,  for  the  purpose  of 
firing  signals,  as  the  officer  who  commands  her  is  particularly  ordered 
to  carry  no  cargo,  ammunition,  or  implements  of  war.  Cartel  also 
signifies  an  agreement  between  two  hostile  powers  for  a  mutual  ex- 
change of  prisoners.  In  late  wars,  ships  of  war  fuUy  armed,  but  under 
cartel,  carried  commissions  for  settling  peace,  as  flags  of  truce.  Caxi^el- 
ships,  by  trading  in  any  way,  are  liable  to  confiscation. 

CARTHOUN.  The  ancient  cannon  royal,  carrying  a  66  lb.  ball,  with  a 
point  blank  range  of  185  paces,  and  an  extreme  one  of  about  2000. 
It  was  12  feet  long  and  of  8^  inches  diameter  of  bore. 

CARTOTJCH-BOX.  The  accoutrement  which  contains  the  musket- 
cartridges  :  now  generally  called  a  pouch. 

CARTOW.    See  Cabt-pibob. 

CART-PIECR    An  early  battering  cannon  mounted  on  a  peculiar  cart 

CARTRIDGE.  The  case  in  which  the  exact  charge  of  powder  for  fire- 
arms is  made  up— of  paper  for  small-arms,  of  flannel  for  great  guns,  or  of 
sheet  metal  for  breech-loading  muskets.  For  small-arms  generally 
the  cartridge  contains  the  bullet  as  well  as  the  powder,  and  in  the  case 
of  most  breech-loaders,  the  percussion  priming  also;  in  the  case  of 
some  very  light  pieces  the  shot  is  included,  and  then  named  a  round 
of  ''fixed  ammunition;*'  and  for  breech-loading  guns  some  sort  of 
lubricator  is  generally  inclosed  in  the  forward  end  of  the  cartridge. 

CARTRIDGE-BOX.  A  cylindrical  wooden  box  with  a  lid  sliding  upon 
a  handle  of  small  rope,  just  containing  one  cartridge,  and  used  for  its 


Igg  GAEXJEL 0A8HTKRKD 

safe  conveyance  horn  tlie  magazine  to  the  gun — ^bome  to  and  fro  bj 
powder-monkeys  (boys)  of  old.  The  term  is  loosely  applied  to  the  am- 
munition poucL 

CARTJEL.    See  Cabvel. 

CARVED  WORK.  The  ornaments  of  a  ship  which  are  wrought  by 
the  carver. 

CARVEL.  A  light  lateen-rigged  vessel  of  small  burden,  formerly  used 
by  the  Spaniards  and  Portuguese.  Also,  a  coarse  sea-blubber,  on 
which  turtles  are  said  to  feed. 

CARVEL-BUILT.  A  vessel  or  boat>  the  planks  of  which  are  all  flush 
and  smooth,  the  edges  laid  close  to  each  other,  and  caulked  to  make 
them  water-tight:  in  contradistinction  to  clinker-built^  where  they 
overlap  each  other. 

CARY.    See  Motheb  Cabt's  Chicken.    FroceUaria  pelagica. 

CASCABLE.  That  generally  convex  part  of  a  gun  which  terminates 
the  breech  end  of  it.  The  term  includes  the  usual  button  which  is 
connected  to  it  by  the  neck  of  the  cascable. 

CASCADK  A  fall  of  water  from  a  considerable  height,  rather  by  suc- 
cessive stages  than  in  a  single  mass,  as  with  a  cataract 

CASCO.     A  rubbish-lighter  of  the  Philippine  Islands. 

CASE.     The  outside  planking  of  the  ship. 

CASE-BOOK.  A  roister  or  journal  in  which  the  surgeon  records  the 
cases  of  all  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  are  placed  under  medical 
treatment. 

.  CASEMATE.  In  fortification,  a  chamber  having  a  vaulted  roof  capable 
of  resisting  vertical  fire,  and  affording  embrasures  or  loopholes  to  con- 
tribute to  the  defence  of  the  place :  without  these  it  would  be  merely 
a  bomb-proof. 

CASERNES.  Often  considered  as  synonymous  with  hivrracks;  but 
more  correctly  small  lodgments  erected  between  the  ramparts  and 
houses  of  a  fortified  town,  to  ease  the  inhabitants  by  quartering 
soldiers  there,  who  are  also  in  better  condition  for  duty  than  if  living 
in  various  parts. 

CASE-SHOT,  Common.  Called  also  canister-shot.  Adapted  for  close 
quarters  if  the  enemy  be  uncovered.  It  consists  of  a  number  of  small 
iron  balls,  varying  in  weight  and  number,  packed  in  a  cylindrical  tin 
case  fitting  the  bore  of  the  gun  from  which  it  is  to  be  fired,  Burrel, 
langrage,  and  other  irregular  substitutes,  may  be  included  under  the 
term.  Spherical  case-shot  are  officially  called  ehrapnetsheU  (which 
see). 

CASHIERED.  Sentenced  by  a  court-martial  to  be  dismissed  the 
service.  By  such  sentence  an  officer  is  rendered  ever  after  incapable 
of  serving  the  sovereign  in  any  position,  naval  or  military. 


CASINO CAST-OFFS  1 69 

CASING.  The  lining,  yeneering,  or  planking  over  a  ahip^s  timbers, 
especially  for  the  cabin-beams;  the  sheathing  of  her.  Also  a  bulk- 
head round  a  mast  to  prevent  the  interference  of  cargo,  or  shifting 
materials. 

CASING-COYEE.  In  the  marine  steam-engine  is  a  steam-tight  open- 
ing for  the  slide-valve  rod  to  pass  through. 

CASK.     A  barrel  for  fluid  or  solid  provisions.     (See  Stowage.) 

CASKETS  (properly  Gaskets).  Small  ropes  made  of  sinnet,  and  fastened 
to  grummets  or  little  rings  upon  the  yards.  Their  use  is  to  make  the 
sail  fast  to  the  yard  when  it  is  to  be  furled. 

CASSAVA,  OB  Cassada.  A  species  of  the  genus  JatropJia  janipha, 
well  known  to  seamen  as  the  cassava  bread  of  the  West  Indies. 
Tapioca  is  produced  from  the  Jatropha  manihot.  Caution  is  necessary 
in  the  use  of  these  roots,  as  the  juice  is  poisonous.  The  root  used 
as  chewsticks,  to  cleanse  the  teeth  and  gums,  by  the  negroes,  produces 
a  copious  flow  of  firothy  saliva. 

CAST.  A  coast  term  meaning  four,  as  applied  to  haddocks,  herrings, 
&0,  Also,  the  appearance  of  the  sky  when  day  begins  to  break.  A 
cast  of  pots,  &c. — Accost,  when  a  ship's  yards  are  braced  a'cast  pre- 
paratory to  weighing.     Also  condemned,  cast  by  survey,  kc, 

CAST,  To.  To  fall  of^  so  as  to  bring  the  direction  of  the  wind  on  one 
side  of  the  ship,  which  before  was  right  ahead.  This  term  is  particu- 
larly applied  to  a  ship  riding  head  to  wind,  when  her  anchor  flrst 
loosens  from  the  ground.  To  pay  a  vessel's  head  ofl*,  or  turn  it,  is 
getting  under  weigh  on  the  tack  she  is  to  sail  upon,  and  it  is  casting 
to  starboard,  or  port,  according  to  the  intention. — To  east  anchor.  To 
drop  or  let  go  the  anchor  for  riding  by — synonymous  with  to  anchor. 
— To  cast  a  traverse.  To  calculate  and  lay  off  the  courses  and  dis- 
tances run  over  upon  a  chart. — To  cast  off.  To  let  go  at  once.  To 
loosen  from. 

CAST.     A  short  boat  passage. 

CAST-AWAY.     Shipwrecked 

CAST-AWAYS.  People  belonging  to  vessels  stranded  by  stress  of 
weather.  Men  who  have  hidden  themselves,  or  are  purposely  left 
behind,  when  their  vessel  quits  port. 

CASTING  ACCOUNTS.    Searsickness. 

CAST-KNEES.  Those  hanging  knees  which  compass  or  arch  over  the 
angle  of  a  man-of-war's  ports,  rider,  <bc. 

CASTLE.  A  place  strong  by  art  or  nature,  or  by  both.  A  sort  of 
little  citadel.     {See  Forecastle,  Afteb-oastle,  ko) 

CASTLE-WRIGHTS.  Particular  artificers  employed  in  the  erection  of 
the  early  ship's  castles. 

CAST-OFFS.     Landsmen's  clothes. 


]  70  CAST  OF  THE  LEAD OATAMAB AN 

CAST  OF  THE  LEAD.  The  act  of  heaying  the  lead  into  the  sea  to 
ascertain  what  depth  of  water  there  is.  {See  also  Heave  and  Sound.) 
The  result  is  a  cast — ^'Get  a  cast  of  the  lead." 

CASTOR,  a  Gemini,  a  well-known  nautical  star  in  the  zodiac,  which 
has  proved  to  be  a  double  star. 

CASTOR  AND  POLLUX.  Fieiy  balls  which  appear  at  the  mast- 
heads, yard-arms,  or  sticking  to  the  rigging  of  vessels  in  a  gale  at  sea. 
{See  CoKFOSAirr  and  Cobpo  SAura) 

CASTR  A  METATION.  The  art  of  planning  camps,  and  selecting  an 
appropriate  position,  in  which  the  main  requirement  is  that  the  troops 
of  all  arms  should  be  so  planted  in  camp  as  immediately  to  cover  their 
proper  positions  in  the  line  of  battle. 

CAST  THE  WRONG  WAY.    See  WaoNO  Way. 

CASUALTIES.  In  a  military  sense^  comprehends  all  men  who  die,  are 
wounded,  desert,  or  are  discharged  as  unfit  for  servica 

CAT.  A  ship  formed  on  the  Norwegian  model,  and  usually  employed 
in  the  coal  and  timber  trade.  These  vessels  are  generally  built 
remarkably  strong,  and  may  carry  six  hundred  tons;  or  in  the 
language  of  their  own  mariners,  from  20  to  30  keels  of  coals.  A  cat 
is  distinguished  by  a  narrow  stem,  projecting  quarters,  a  deep  waist, 
and  no  ornamental  figure  on  the  prow. 

CATALAN.     A  small  Spanish  fishing-boat. 

CATAMARAN.  A  sort  of  rafb  used  in  the  East  Indies,  Brazils,  and 
elsewhere:  those  of  the  island  of  Ceylon,  like  those  of  Madras  and 
other  parts  of  that  coast,  are  formed  of  three  logs;  the  timber  pre- 
ferred for  their  construction  is  the  Dup  wood,  or  Gheme-Maram^  the 
pine  varnish-tree.  Their  length  is  from  20  to  25  feet,  and  breadth 
2^  to  3^  feet,  secured  together  by  means  of  three  spreaders  and  cross 
lashings,  through  small  holes;  the  centre  log  is  much  the  largest,  with 
a  curved  surface  at  the  fore-end,  which  tends  and  finishes  upwards  to 
a  point.  Tbe  side  logs  are  very  similar  in  form,  and  fitted  to  the 
centre  log.  These  floats  are  navigated  with  great  skill  by  one  or  two 
men,  in  a  kneeling  position;  they  think  nothing  of  passing  through 
the  surf  which  lashes  the  beach  at  Madras  and  at  other  parts  of  these 
coasts,  when  even  the  boats  of  the  country  could  not  live  upon  the 
waves;  they  are  also  propelled  out  to  the  shipping  at  anchor  when 
boats  of  the  best  construction  and  form  would  be  swamped.  In  the 
monsoons,  when  a  sail  can  be  got  on  them,  a  small  outrigger  is  placed 
at  the  end  of  two  poles,  as  a  balance,  with  a  bamboo  mast  and  yard, 
and  a  mat  or  cotton-cloth  sail,  all  three  parts  of  which  are  connected; 
and  when  the  tack  and  sheet  of  the  sail  are  let  go,  it  all  falls  fore  and 
aft  alongside,  and  being  light,  is  easily  managed.  In  carrying  a  press 
of  sail,  they  are  trimmed  by  the  balance-lever,  by  going  out  on  the 


OATANADKOMI CAT-HEAD  1 71 

poles  so  as  to  keep  the  log  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  not  impede 

its  velocity,  which,  in  a  strong  wind,  is  very  great. 
CATANADROMI.     Migratory  fishes,  which  have  their  stated  times  of 

going  from  firesh-water  to  salt  and  returning,  as  the  salmon,  &c 
CATAPULT.     A  military  engine  used  by  the  ancients  for  throwing 

stones,  spears,  &c. 
CATARACT.     The  sudden  fall  of  a  large  body  of  water  from  a  higher 

to  a  lower  level,  and  rather  in  a  single  sheet  than  by  successive  leaps, 

as  in  a  cascade. 
CATASCOPIA.     Small  vessels  anciently  used  for  reconnoitring  and 

carrying  despatches. 
CAT-BEAM.     This,   called  also  the  beakhead-beam,  is  the  broadest 

beam  in  the  ship,  and  is  generally  made  of  two  beams  tabled  and 

bolted  together. 
CAT-BLOCK.     A  two  or  three  fold  block,  with  an  iron  strop  and  large 

hook  to  it^  which  is  employed  to  cat  or  draw  the  anchor  up  to  the 

cat-head,  which  is  also  fitted  with  three  great  sheaves  to  correspond. 
CATCH.     A  term  used  among  fishermen  to  denote  a  quantity  of  fish 

taken  at  one  time. 
CATCH  A  CRAB.     In  rowing,  when  an  oar  gets  so  far  beneath  the 

surface  of  the  water,  that  the  rower  cannot  recover  it  in  time  to  pre- 
vent his  being  knocked  backwards. 
CATCH  A  TURN  THERE.     Belay  quickly. 
CATCH-FAKE.     An  unseemly  doubling  in  a  badly  coiled  rope. 
CATERER.     A  purveyor  and  provider  of  provisions:  now  used  for  the 

pei-son  who  takes  charge  of  and  regulates  the  economy  of  a  mess.    {See 

ACATEB.) 

CAT-FALL.  The  rope  rove  for  the  cat-purchase,  by  which  the  anchor 
is  raised  to  the  cat-head  or  catted. 

CAT-FISH     A  name  for  the  sea- wolf  {Anarrhicaa  lupus). 

CAT-GUT.  A  term  applied  to  the  sea-laces  or  FucusJUum.  {See  Sea 
Cat-out. 

CAT-HARPINGS,  ob  Catharpin  Legs.  Ropes  under  the  tops  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  futtock-shrouds,  serving  to  brace  in  the  shrouds 
tighter,  and  affording  room  to  brace  the  yards  more  obliquely  when 
the  ship  is  close-hauled.  They  keep  the  shrouds  taut  for  the  better 
ease  and  safety  of  the  mast. 

CAT-HEAT).  The  cat-head  passes  through  the  bow-bulwark  obliquely 
forward  on  a  radial  line  from  the  fore-mast^  rests  on  the  timbers  even 
with  the  water-way,  passes  through  the  deck,  and  is  secured  to  the 
side-timbers.  It  is  selected  from  curved  timber.  Its  upper  head  is 
on  a  level  with  the  upper  rail;  it  is  furnished  with  three  great  sheaves, 
and  externally  strengthened  by  a  cat-head  knee.     It  not  only  is  used 


1 72  CAT-HOLES CAT^TOPPER 

to  lift  the  anchor  from  the  surface  of  the  water,  but  as  it  '< looks  for- 
ward," the  cat-block  is  frequentlj  lashed  to  the  cable  to  aid  bj  its 
powerful  purchase  when  the  capstan  fails  to  make  an  impression.  The 
cat-fall  rove  through  the  sheaves,  and  the  cat-block  furnish  the  cat- 
purchase.  The  cat-head  thus  serves  to  suspend  the  anchor  clear  of  the 
bow,  when  it  is  necessary  to  let  it  go:  the  knee  bj  which  it  is  supported 
is  generally  ornamented  with  carving.     Termed  also  cat-head  bracket 

CAT-HOLES.  Places  or  spaces  made  in  the  quarter,  for  carrying  out 
fa^  or  springs  for  steadying  or  heaving  astern. 

CAT-HOOK.  A  strong  hook  which  is  a  continuation  of  the  iron  strop 
of  the  cat-block,  used  to  hook  the  ring  of  the  anchor  when  it  is  to  be 
drawn  up  or  catted. 

CAT-LAP.     A  common  phrase  for  tea  or  weak  drink. 

CAT  0'  NINE  TAILS.  An  instrument  of  punishment  used  on  board 
ships  in  the  navy;  it  is  commonly  of  nine  pieces  of  line  or  cord,  about 
half  a  yard  long,  fixed  upon  a  piece  of  thick  rope  for  a  handle,  and 
having  three  knots  on  each,  at  small  intervals,  nearest  one  end;  with 
this  the  seamen  who  transgress  are  flogged  upon  the  bare  back. 

CATRAIA.  The  catraia  of  Lisbon  and  Oporto,  or  pilot  surf-boats,  are 
about  56  feet  long,  by  15  feet  beani,  impelled  by  sixteen  oars. 

OAT-RIG.  A  rig  which  in  smooth  water  surpasses  every  other,  but, 
being  utterly  unsuited  for  sea  or  heavy  weather,  is  only  applicable  to 
pleasure-boats  who  can  choose  their  weather.  It  allows  one  sail  only 
— an  enormous  fore-and-afb  main-sail,  spread  by  a  gaff  at  the  head  and 
a  boom  at  the  foot,  hoisted  on  a  stout  mast,  which  is  stepped  close  to 
the  stem. 

CAT-ROPE.  A  line  for  hauling  the  cat-hook  about:  also  cat-back-rope, 
which  hauls  the  block  to  the  ring  of  the  anchor  in  order  to  hook  it. 

CAT'S-PAW.  A  light  air  perceived  at  a  distance  in  a  calm,  by  the 
impressions  made  on  the  surface  of  the  sea,  which  it  sweeps  very 
gently,  and  then  passes  away,  being  equally  partial  and  transitory. 
Old  superstitious  seamen  are  seen  to  scratch  the  backstays  with  their 
nails,  and  whistle  to  invoke  even  these  cat's-paws,  the  general  fore- 
runner of  the  steadier  breeze.  Cat's-paw  is  also  a  name  given  to  a 
particular  twisting  hitch,  made  in  the  bight  of  a  rope,  so  as  to  induce 
two  small  bights,  in  order  to  hook  a  tackle  on  them  botL  Also,  good- 
looking  seamen  employed  to  entice  volunteers. 

CAT'S-SKIN.     A  light  partial  current  of  air,  as  with  the  cat's-paw. 

CAT'S-TAIL.  The  inner  part  of  the  cat-head,  that  fays  down  upon  the 
cat-beam. 

CAT-STOPPER,  OE  Cathead-Stoppeb,  A  piece  of  rope  or  chain  rove 
through  the  ring  of  an  anchor,  to  secure  it  for  sea,  or  singled  before 
letting  it  go. 


CAT-TACKLE CAULKING  173 

CAT-TACKLK  A  strong  tackle,  used  to  draw  the  anchor  perpendicu- 
larly up  to  the  cat-head,  which  latter  is  sometimes  called  cat. 

CATTAN.    See  Katan. 

CAT  THE  ANCHOR.  When  the  cat  is  hooked  and  "cable  enough"  veered 
and  stoppered,  the  anchor  hangs  below  the  cat-bead,  swings  beneath  it; 
it  is  then  hauled  close  up  to  the  cat-head  by  the  purchase  called  the 
cat-fall.     The  cat-stopper  is  then  passed,  and  the  cat-block  unhooked. 

CATTING.  The  act  of  heaving  the  anchor  by  the  cat-tackle.  Also, 
searsickness. 

CATTY.  A  Chinese  commercial  weight  of  18  ozs.  EnglisL  Tea  is 
packed  in  one  or  two  or  more  catty  boxes,  hence  most  likely  our  word 
tesrcaddy. 

CAUDAL  FIN.     The  vertical  median  fin  terminating  the  tail  of  fishes. 

CAUDICARI.^     A  kind  of  lighter  used  by  the  Romans  on  the  Tiber. 

CAUL.  The  membrane  encompassing  the  head  of  some  infants  when 
bom,  and  &om  early  antiquity  esteemed  an  omen  of  good  fortune,  and 
a  preservative  against  drowning;  it  was  sought  by  the  Roman  lawyers 
with  as  much  avidity  as  by  modem  voyagers.  Also,  a  northern  name 
for  a  dam-dike.     Also,  an  oriental  license.     {See  Kaule.) 

CAULEL,  To.  {See  Caulking.)  To  lie  down  on  deck  and  sleep,  with 
clothes  on. 

CAULKER.  He  who  caulks  and  pays  the  seams.  This  word  is  mis- 
taken by  many  for  cawker  (which  see). 

CAULKER'S  SEAT.  A  box  slung  to  a  ship's  side  whereon  a  caulker 
can  sit  and  use  his  irons;  it  contains  his  tools  and  oakum. 

CAULKING  OF  A  Ship.  Forcing  a  quantity  of  oakum,  or  old  ropes 
untwisted  and  drawn  asunder,  into  the  seams  of  the  planks,  or  into 
the  intervals  where  the  planks  are  joined  together  in  the  ship's  decks 
or  sides,  or  rends  in  the  planks,  in  order  to  prevent  the  entrance  of 
water.  After  the  oakum  is  driven  in  very  hard,  hot  melted  pitch  or 
rosin  is  poured  into  the  groove,  to  keep  the  water  from  rotting  it. 
Among  the  ancients  the  first  who  made  use  of  pitch  in  caulking  were 
the  inhabitants  of  Phseacia,  afterwards  called  Corfu.  Wax  and  rosin 
appear  to  have  beei^  commonly  used  before  that  period;  and  the 
Poles  still  substitute  an  unctuous  clay  for  the  same  purpose  for  the 
vessels  on  their  navigable  rivers. 

CAULKING-BUTT.  The  opening  between  ends  or  joints  of  the  planks 
when  worked  for  caulking. 

CAULKING-IRONS.  The  peculiar  chisels  used  for  the  purpose  of 
caulking:  they  are  the  caulking-iron,  the  making-iron,  the  reeming- 
iron,  and  the  rasing-iron. 

CAULKING-MALLET.  The  wooden  beetle  or  instrument  with  which 
the  caulking-irons  are  driven. 


174  CAUET CENTRAL 

CATJRY.     Worm-eaten. 

CAYALIER  In  fortification,  a  work  raised  considerably  higher  tlian 
its  neighbours^  but  generally  of  similar  plan.  Its  object  is  to  a£fbrd  a 
plunging  fire,  especially  into  the  near  approaches  of  a  besieger,  and  to 
shelter  adjacent  faces  from  enfilade.  Its  most  frequent  position  in 
fortresses  is  at  the  salient  of  the  ravelin,  or  within  the  bastion;  and  in 
siege-works  in  the  advanced  trenches,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the 
musketry  of  the  attack  to  drive  the  defenders  out  of  the  covered  way. 

CAYALLO,  by  some  Cabvalhas.  An  oceanic  fish,  well-known  as  the 
bonito  or  horse-mackereL 

CAY  ALOT.     A  gun  carrying  a  ball  of  one  pound. 

C  A YA  LB  Y.    That  body  of  soldiers  which  serves  and  fights  on  horseback. 

CAYER     See  Kaver. 

CAYIARE.  A  preparation  of  the  roe  of  sturgeons  and  other  fish  salted. 
It  forms  a  lucrative  branch  of  commerce  in  Italy  and  Russia. 

CAYIL.  A  large  cleat  for  belaying  the  fore  and  main  tacks^  sheets,  and 
braces  to.     {See  EIevel.) 

CAYITY.  In  naval  architecture  signifies  the  displacement  formed  in 
the  water  by  the  immersed  bottom  and  sides  of  the  vessel. 

CAWE,  OB  Cawfe.  An  east-country  eel-box,  or  a  floating  perforated 
cage  in  which  lobsters  are  kept. 

CAWKER  An  old  term  signifying  a  glass  of  strong  spiiits  taken  in 
the  morning. 

CAY,  OB  Cayos.  Little  insulated  sandy  spots  and  rock&  The  Spaniards 
in  the  West  Indies  called  the  Bahamas  Loa  Cayos,  which  we  wrote 
Lucayoa,     {See  Key.) 

CAZE-MATTK    See  Casemate. 

CAZEBNS.    See  Casernes. 

C.B.  The  uncials  of  Companion  of  the  most  honourable  Order  of  the 
Bath.  This  grade  was  recently  distributed  so  profusely  that  an 
undecorated  veteran  testily  remarked  that  if  government  went  on  thus 
there  would  soon  be  more  C.B.'s  than  A.B.'s  in  the  navy. 

CEASE  FIBING.     The  order  to  leave  off. 

CEILING.  The  lining  or  planks  on  the  inside  of  a  ship's  frame:  these 
are  placed  on  the  fiat  of  the  floor,  and  carried  up  to  the  hold-beams. 
The  term  is  a  synonym  oi  foot-ivaling  (which  see). 

CELLS,    ^ec  Sills. 

CELOCES,  OB  Celetes.  Light  row-boats,  formerly  used  in  piracy,  and 
also  for  conveying  advice. 

CEMENT,  Roman.    For  docks,  piers,  <Sec.    See  Pozzolana 

CENTIME.     See  Fbang 

CENTINEL.    See  Sentby. 

CENTRAL  ECLIPSE.    See  Ecupbb. 


CENTBE CHAIN-CABLE  J  75 

CENTRE  (usually  Center).  The  division  of  a  fleet  between  the  van 
and  the  rear  of  the  line  of  battle,  and  between  the  weather  and  lee 
divisions  in  the  order  of  sailing. 

CENTRE  OP  Cavity,  op  Displacement,  op  Immebsion,  and  op  Buoy- 
ancy, are  synonjinous  terms  in  naval  architecture  for  the  mean  centre 
of  that  part  of  a  vessel  which  is  immersed  in  the  water. 

CENTRE  OF  GRAVITY,  or  Balancing  Point.    See  Gravity. 

CENTRE  OF  MOTION.    See  Motion  (Centre  op). 

CENTURION.  A  military  officer  who  commanded  one  hundred  men, 
in  the  Roman  armies. 

CEOL  A     A  very  old  term  for  a  large  ship. 

CERADENK     A  lai^e  fresh-water  mussel. 

CERCURI.     Ancient  ships  of  burden  fitted  with  both  sails  and  oars. 

CERTIFICATK  A  voucher  or  written  testimony  to  the  truth  of  any 
statement.  An  attestation  of  servitude,  signed  by  the  captain,  is  given 
with  all  discharges  of  men  in  the  navy. 

CERTIFY,  To.     To  bear  official  testimony. 

CESSATION  OF  ARMS.   A  discontinuation  or  suspension  of  hostilities. 

CETINE.  An  ancient  large  float,  says  Heyschius,  '4n  bulk  like  a 
whale;"  derived  from  cetus,  which  applied  both  to  whale  and  ship. 

C.G.     Coast-guard  (which  see). 

CHAD.  A  fish  like  a  small  bream,  abundant  on  the  south-west  coasts 
of  England. 

CHAFE,  To.  To  rub  or  fret  the  surface  of  a  cable,  mast^  or  yard,  by 
the  motion  of  the  ship  or  otherwise,  against  anything  that  is  too  hard 
for  it. — Chajmg-geaty  is  the  stuff  put  upon  the  rigging  and  spars  to 
prevent  their  being  chafed. 

CHAFFER.     A  name  for  a  whale  or  grampus  of  the  northern  seas. 

CHAFING-CHEEKS.  A  name  given  by  old  sailors  to  the  sheaves 
instead  of  blocks  on  the  yards  in  light-rigged  vessels. 

CHAFING-GEAR.  Mats,  sinnet^  spun-yam,  strands,  battens,  scotch- 
men,  and  the  like. 

CHAIN.  When  mountains,  hills,  lakes,  and  islands  are  linked  together, 
or  follow  each  other  in  .succession,  so  that  their  whole  length  greatly 
exceeds  their  breadth,  they  form  what  is  termed  a  chain.  A  measuring 
chain  is  divided  into  links,  <&c.,  made  of  stout  wire,  because 'line  is  apt 
to  shrink  on  wet  ground  and  give  way.     The  chain  measure  is  66  feet. 

CHAINAGE  OF  SHIP.     An  old  right  of  the  admiral 

CHAIN-BOLT.  A  large  bolt  to  secure  the  chains  of  the  dead-eyes 
through  the  toe-link,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  masts  by  the 
shrouda  Also,  the  bolts  which  fasten  the  channel-plates  to  the  ship*s 
side. 

CHAIN-CABLE   COMPRESSOR     A  curved  arm  of  iron  which 


176  CHAIN^ABLE CHAINS 

revolves  on  a  bolt  through  an  eye  at  one  end,  at  the  other  is  a  lai^r 
eye  in  which  a  tackle  is  hooked;  it  is  nsed  to  bind  the  cable  against 
the  pipe  through  which  it  is  passings  and  check  it  from  ronning  out  too 
quickly. 

CHAIN-CABLE  CONTBOLLER.  A  contrivance  for  the  prevention 
of  one  part  of  the  chain  riding  on  another  while  heaving  in. 

CHAIN-CABLES.  Are  not  new;  Cssar  found  them  on  the  shores  of 
the  British  ChanneL  In  1818  I  saw  upwards  of  eighty  sail  of  vessels 
with  them  at  Desenzano,  on  the  Lago  di  Garda.  They  have  all  but 
superseded  hemp  cables  in  recent  times;  they  are  divided  into  parts 
15  fathoms  in  length,  which  are  connected  by  shackles,  any  one  of 
which  may  be  slipped  in  emeigency;  at  each  7^  &thoms  a  swivel  used 
to  be  inserted,  but  in  many  cases  they  are  now  dispensed  with. 

CHAIN-CABLE  SHACKLES.  Used  for  coupling  the  parts  of  a 
chain-cable  at  various  lengths^  so  that  they  may  be  disconnected  when 
circumstance  demands  it 

CHAIN-HOOK.  An  iron  rod  with  a  handb'ng-eye  at  one  end,  and  a 
hook  at  the  other,  for  hauling  the  chain-cables  about. 

CHAIN-PIPE  An  aperture  through  which  a  chain-cable  passes  from 
the  chain-well  to  the  deck  above. 

CHAIN-PLATES.  Plates  of  iron  with  their  lower  ends  bolted  to  the 
ship's  sides  under  the  channels^  and  to  these  plates  the  dead-eyes  are 
fastened;  other  plates  lap  over  and  secure  them  below.  Formerly,  and 
still  in  great  ships,  the  dead-eyes  were  linked  to  chain-pieces,  and  from 
their  being  occasionally  made  in  one  plate  they  have  obtained  this 
appellation. 

CHAIN-PUMP.  This  is  composed  of  two  long  metal  tubes  let  down 
through  the  decks  somewhat  apart  from  each  other,  but  joined  at  their 
lower  ends,  which  are  pierced  with  holes  for  the  admission  of  water. 
Above  the  upper  part  of  the  tubes  is  a  sprocket-wheel  worked  by  crank 
handles;  over  this  wheel,  and  passing  through  both  tubes,  is  an  endless 
chain,  furnished  at  certain  distances  with  bucket  valves  or  pistons, 
turning  round  a  friction  roller.  The  whole^  when  set  in  motion  by 
means  of  the  crank  handles,  passing  down  one  tube  and  up  the  other, 
raises  the  water  very  rapidly. 

CHAINS,  properly  Chadt-wales,  or  Chaiotels.  Broad  and  thick 
planks  projecting  horizontally  from  the  ship's  outside,  to  which  they 
are  fayed  and  bolted,  abreast  of  and  somewhat  behind  the  masts.  They 
are  formed  to  project  the  chain-plate,  and  give  the  lower  rigging  greater 
ontrig  or  spread,  free  from  the  topsides  of  the  ship,  thus  affording 
greater  security  and  support  to  the  masts,  as  well  as  to  prevent  the 
shrouds  from  damaging  the  gunwale,  or  being  hurt  by  rubbing  against 
it     Of  course  they  are  respectively  designated  fore,  main,  and  mizen. 


CHAIN-SHOT CHIMBBB  1 77 

They  are  now  discoutinued  in  many  ships,  the  eyes  being  secured  to 

the  timber-heads^  and  frequently  within  the  gunwale  to  the  stringers 

or  lower  shelf-pieces  above  the  water-way. — In  tlie  chains,  applies  to 

the  leadsman  who  stands  on  the  channels  between  two  shrouds  to 

heave  the  hand-lead. 
CHAIN-SHOT.     Two  baUs  connected  either  by  a  bar  or  chain,  for 

cutting  and  destroying  the  spars  and  rigging  of  an  enemy's  ship. 
CHAIN-SLINGS.     Chains  attached  to  the  sling-hoop  and  mast-head, 

by  which  a  lower  yard  is  hung.     Used  for  boat  or  any  other  slings 

demanded. 
CHAIN-STOPPER     There  are  various  kinds  of  stoppers  for  chain- 
cables,  mostly  acting  by  clamping  or  compression. 
CHAIN,  Top.     A  chain  to  sling  the  lower  yards  in  time  of  battle,  to 

prevent  them  from  falling  down  when  the  ropes  by  which  they  are 

hung  are  shot  away. 
CHAIN-WELL,  or  Locker.     A  receptacle  below  deck  for  containing 

the  chain-cable,  which  is  passed  thither  through  the  deck-pipe. 
CHALAND.     A  large  flat-bottomed  boat  of  the  Loire. 
CH ALDERS.     Synonymous  with  gvdgeona  of  the  rudder. 
CHALDRICK.     An    Orkney  name    for    the    sea-pie  (HcBTnamiopUB 

oatralegtui), 
CHALDRON.     A  measure  of  coals,  consisting  of  36  bushels;  a  cubic 

yard  =  19  cwts.  19  lbs. 
CH  ALINE.     A  kind  of  Massoolah  boat 
CHALK,  To.     To  cut — To  wcUk  one* a  chalks,  to  run  off;  also,  an  ordeal 

for  drunkenness,  to  see  whether  the  suspected  person  can  move  along     /* 

the  line.     "Walking  a  deck-seam"  is  to  the  same  purpose,  as  the  man  is 

to  proceed  without  overstepping  it  on  either  side. 
CHALKS.      Marks.      ^Better   by   chalks:"   wageis  were  sometimes 

determined  by  he  who  could  reach  furthest  or  highest^  and  there  make 

a  chalk-mark. — Long  cJuilkSf  great  odds. 
CHALLENGK     The  demand  of  a  sentinel  to  any  one  who  approaches 

his  post     Also,  the  defiance  to  fight. 
CHAMADK     To  challenge  attention.     A  signal  made  by  beat  of  drum 

when  a  conference  is  desired  by  the  enemy  on  having  matter  to  propose. 

It  is  also  termed  beating  a  parley. 
CHAMBER,  OR  Chamber-piece.     A  charge  piece  in  old  ordnance,  like 

a  patererOf  to  put  into  the  breech  of  a  gun  prepared  for  it     {See 

MuRTHERER.)     XJsed  by  the  Chinese,  as  in  gingcUs  (which  see). 
CHAMBER  OF  A  MINE.     The  seat  or  receptacle  prepared  for  the 

powder-chaige,  usually  at  the  end  of  the  gallery,  and  out  of  the  direct 

line  of  it;  and,  if  possible,  tamped  or  buried  with  tight  packing  of  earth, 

kc,  to  increase  the  force  of  explosion. 

M 


173  CHAMBER OHANKEL-WALES 

CHAMBER  OP  A  PIECE  OF  ORDNANCR  The  end  of  the  bore 
modified  to  receive  the  charge  of  powder.  In  mortars,  howitzers^  and 
shell-gans^  they  are  of  smaller  diameter  than  the  bore,  for  the  charges 
being  comparatively  small,  more  effect  is  thus  expected.  The  gomer 
chamber  (which  see)  is  generally  adopted  in  oar  service.  In  rifled 
guns  the  powder-chamber  is  not  rifled;  it  and  the  bullet-chamber  differ 
in  other  minute  respects  from  the  rest  of  the  bore.  Fatereroes  for 
festive  occasions  are  sometimes  caUed  chambers;  as  the  small  mortars, 
formerly  used  for  flring  salutes  in  the  parks,  termed  also  pint-pots 
from  their  shape  and  handles. 

CHAMBERS.  Clear  spaces  between  the  riders,  in  those  vessels  which 
have  floor  and  futtock  riders. 

CHAMFFER  The  cutting  or  taking  off  a  sharp  edge  or  angle  from  a 
plank  or  timber.     It  is  also  called  camfeiing. 

CHAMPION.  The  great  champion  of  England,  who  at  the  coronation 
of  the  sovereign  throws  down  his  gauntlet^  and  defies  all  comers.  Held 
at  the  coronations  of  George  IV.,  William  lY.,  and  Victoria,  by  a 
naval  officer,  a  middy  in  1821. 

CHANCERY,  In.     When  a  ship  gets  into  irons.     {See  Ibons.) 

CHANCY.     Dangerous, 

CHANDLER,  Ship.     Dealer  in  general  stores  for  ships. 

change!.  In  warrantry,  is  the  voluntary  substitution  of  a  different 
voyage  for  a  merchant  ship  than  the  one  originally  specified  or  agreed 
upon,  an  act  which  discharges  the  insurers.    {See  Deviation.) 

CHANGEY-FOR-CHANGEY.  A  rude  barter  among  men-of-war^s 
men,  as  bread  for  vegetables,  or  any  ''swap." 

CHANNEL.  In  hydrography,  the  fairway,  or  deepest  part  of  a  river, 
harbour,  or  strait,  which  is  most  convenient  for  the  track  of  shipping. 
Also,  an  arm  of  the  sea,  or  water  communication  running  between  an 
island  or  islands  and  the  main  or  continent,  as  the  British  Channel. 
In  an  extended  sense  it  implies  any  passage  which  separates  lands, 
and  leads  from  one  ocean  into  another,  without  distinction  as  to  shape. 

CHANNEL-BOLTS.  The  long  bolts  which  pass  through  all  the  planks, 
and  connect  the  channel  to  the  side. 

CHANNEL-GROPERS.  The  home-station  ships  cruising  in  the 
Channel;  usually  small  vessels  to  watch  the  coast  in  former  times,  and 
to  arrest  smugglers. 

CHANNEL-GROPING.  The  carrying  despatches,  and  cruising  from 
port  to  port  in  soundings. 

CHANNEL-PLATES.    See  Chaik-plates. 

CHAJNNEL-WALES.  Strakes  worked  between  the  gun-deck  and  the 
upper  deck  ports  of  large  ships.  Also,  the  outside  plank  which  receives 
the  bolts  of  the  chain-plate&  The  wale-plank  extends  fore  and  af)^  to 
support  the  channels. 


CHA2«nCLEEE CHART  179 

CHAKTIGLEER.  A  name  in  the  Frith  of  Forth  for  the  dragonet  or 
gowdie  (GaUionymua  lyra).  The  early  or  vigilant  cock,  from  which 
seyeral  English  vessels  of  war  have  derived  their  names. 

CHAP.  A  general  term  for  a  man  of  any  age  after  boyhood;  but  it  is 
not  generally  meant  as  a  compliment. 

CHAPEw     The.  top  locket  of  a  sword  scabbard. 

CHAPELLING  A  SHIP.  The  act  of  turning  her  round  in  a  light 
breeze,  when  she  is  close  hauled,  without  bracing  the  head-yards,  so 
that  she  will  lie  the  same  way  that  she  did  before.  This  is  commonly 
occasioned  by  the  negligence  of  the  steersman,  or  by  a  sudden  change 
of  the  wind. 

CHAPLAIN.  The  priest  appointed  to  perform  divine  service  on  board 
ships  in  the  royal  navy. 

CHAPMAN.     A  small  merchant  or  trader;  a  ship's  supercai*go. 

CHAR    A  fine  species  of  trout  taken  in  our  northern  lakes. 

CHARACrrERS.  Certain  marks  invented  for  shortening  the  expression 
of  mathematical  calculations,  as  +,  — ^  )<>  -^>  -,  :  : :  :,  Vy  ^ 

CHABGE.  The  proportional  quantity  of  powder  and  ball  wherewith  a 
gun  is  loaded  for  execution.  The  rules  for  loading  large  ordnance  are: 
that  the  piece  be  first  cleaned  or  scoured  inside;  that  the  proper  quan- 
tity of  powder  be  next  driven  in  and  rammed  down,  care  however 
being  taken  that  the  powder  in  ramming  be  not  bruised,  because  that 
weakens  its  effect;  that  a  little  quantity  of  paper,  lint,  or  the  like,  be 
rammed  over  it,  and  then  the  ball  be  intruded.  If  the  ball  be  red 
hot,  a  tompion,  or  trencher  of  green  wood,  is  to  be  driven  in  before  it. 
Also,  in  martial  law,  an  indictment  or  specification  of  the  crime  of 
which  a  prisoner  stands  accused.  Also,  in  evolutions,  the  brisk  advance 
of  a  body  to  attack  an  enemy,  with  bayonets  fixed  at  the  charge,  or 
firmly  held  at  the  hip.  Also,  the  command  on  duty,  every  man*s 
office. — A  skip  of  charge,  is  one  so  deeply  immersed  as  to  steer  badly. 
— To  charge  a  piece,  is  to  put  in  the  proper  quantity  of  ammunition. 
CHARGER.     The  horse  ridden  by  an  officer  in  action;  a  term  loosely 

applied  to  any  war-horse. 
CHARITY-SLOOPa     Certain  10-gun  brigs  built  towards  the  end  of 
Napoleon's  war,  something  smaller  than  the  18-gun  brigs;  these  were 
rated  sloops,  and  scandal  whispers  ^in  order  that  so  many  com- 
manders might  charitably  be  employed." 
CHARLES'S  WAIN.     The  seven  conspicuous  stars  in  Ursa  Major,  of 
which  two  are  called  the  pointers,  from  showing  a  line  to  the  pole-star. 
CHART,  OB  Sba-ghabt.    A  hydrographical  map,  or  a  projection  of 
some  part  of  the  earth's  superficies  in  piano,  for  the  use  of  navigators, 
further  distinguished  as  plane  charts,  Mercator  charts,  globular  charts, 
and  the  bottle  or  current  charts  to  aid  in  the  investigation  of  surface 


1 80  CHABTER CHASEPOKTSI 

currents  (all  which  see).  A  selenographic  chart  represents  the  moon, 
especially  as  seen  bj  the  aid  of  photography  and  Mr.  De  la  Rue's 
arrangement. 

CHABTER  To  charter  a  vessel  is  to  take  her  to  freight,  under  a 
charter-party.  The  charter  or  written  instrument  by  which  she  is 
hired  to  carry  freight. 

CHARTERED  SHIP.  One  let  to  hire  to  one  or  more,  or  to  a  com- 
pany.   A  general  ship  is  where  persons,  unconnected,  load  good& 

CHARTERER  The  person  hiring  or  chartering  a  ship,  or  the  goyem- 
ment  or  a  company  by  their  agents. 

CHARTER-PARTY.  The  deed  or  written  contract  between  the 
owners  and  the  mewhants  for  the  hire  of  a  ship,  and  safe  delivery  of 
the  cargo;  thus  differing  from  a  bill  of  lading  which  relates  only  to  a 
portion  of  the  caigo.  It  is  the  same  in  civil  law  with  an  indenture  at 
the  common  law.  It  ought  to  contain  the  name  and  burden  of  the 
vessel,  the  names  of  the  master  and  freighters,  the  place  and  time  of 
lading  and  unlading,  and  stipulations  as  to  demurrage.  The  charter- 
party  is  dissolved  by  a  complete  embargo,  thoogh  not  by  the  temporary 
stopping  of  a  port.     It  is  thus  colloquially  termed  a  pair  of  indentures. 

CHASE^  To.  To  pursue  a  ship,  which  is  also  called  giving  chase. — A 
stem  chase  is  when  the  chaser  follows  the  chased  astern,  directly  upon 
the  same  point  of  the  compass. — To  lie  tvith  a  ship's  forerfoot  in  a 
chase,  is  to  sail  and  meet  with  her  by  the  nearest  distance,  and  so  to 
cross  her  in  her  way,  as  to  come  across  her  fore- foot.  A  ship  is  said 
to  have  a  good  chase  when  she  is  so  built  forward  or  astern  that  she 
can  carry  many  guns  to  shoot  forwards  or  backwards;  according  to 
which  she  is  said  to  have  a  good  forward  or  good  stem  chase.  Chas- 
ing to  windward,  is  often  termed  chasing  in  the  wind's  eye. 

CHASE.  The  vessel  pursued  by  some  other,  that  pursuing  being  the 
chaser.  This  word  is  also  applied  to  a  receptacle  for  deer  and  game, 
between  a  forest  and  a  park  in  size,  and  stored  with  a  larger  stock  of 
timber  than  the  latter. 

CHASE,  Bow.  Cannon  situated  in  the  fore  part  of  the  ship  to  fire 
upon  any  object  ahead  of  her.  Chasing  ahead,  or  varying  on  either 
bow. 

CHASE  OF  A  Gun.  That  part  of  the  conical  external  surface  extend- 
ing from  the  moulding  in  front  of  the  trunnions  to  that  which  marks 
the  commencement  of  the  muzzle;  that  is,  in  old  pattern  guns,  from 
the  ogee  of  the  second  reinforce,  to  the  neck  or  muzzle  astragal 

CHASE-GUNS.  Such  guns  as  are  removed  to  the  chase-ports  ahead  or 
astern,  if  not  pivot-guns. 

CHASE-PORTS.  The  gun-ports  at  the  bows  and  through  the  stem  of 
a  war-ship. 


CHASER CHEEKS  181 

CHASER.     The  ship  which  ia  pursuing  another. 

CHASE-SIGHT.     Where  the  sight  is  usuaUy  placed. 

CHASE-STERN.  The  cannon  which  are  placed  in  the  after-part  of  a 
ship,  pointing  astern. 

CHASSE  MAREES.  The  coasting  vessels  of  the  French  shores  of  the 
Channel;  generally  lugger-rigged;  either  with  two  or  three  masts,  and 
sometimes  a  topsail;  the  hull  being  bluffer  when  used  for  burden  only, 
are  thus  distinguished  frcnn  luggers.  They  seldom  venture  off  shore, 
but  coast  it. 

CHATHAM.    See  Chest  of  Chatham. 

CHATS.     Lice.     Also  lazy  fellows. 

CHATTA,  OR  Chatty.  An  Indian  term  for  an  earthen  vessel  some- 
times used  for  cooking. 

CHAW.     ^eeQuiD. 

CHEATING  THE  DEVIL.  Softening*  of  very  profane  phrases,  th« 
mere  euphuisms  of  hard  swearing,  as  od  rot  it,  od^s  blood,  dash  it,  dang 
you,  see  you  hhwed  first,  deuce  take  it,  hy  gosh,  he  darned,  and  the  like 
profane  preludes,  such  as  boatswains  and  their  mates  are  wont  to  use. 

CHEAT  THE  GLASS.    See  Floogino  the  Glass. 

CHEBACCO  BOAT.  A  description  of  fishing-vessel  employed  in  the 
Newfoundland  fisheries.     It  is  probably  named  from*  Chebucto  Bay. 

CHECK.  {See  Bowltke.)  To  slack  off  a  little  upon  it,  and  belay  it 
again.  Usually  done  when  the  wind  is  by,  or  as  long  as  she  can  lay 
her  course  without  the  aid  of  the  bowline. — To  check  is  to  slacken  or 
ease  off  a  brace,  whidi  is  found  to  be  too  stiffly  extended,  or  when  the 
wind  is  drawing  aft.  It  is  also  used  in  a  contrary  sense  when  applied 
to  the  cable  running  out,  and  then  implies  to  stopper  the  cablq. — 
Chech  her,  stop  her  way. 

CHECKERS.  A  game  much  used  by  seamen,  especially  in  the  tops, 
where  usually  a  checker-board  will  be  found  carved. 

CHECKING-LINES.  These  are  rove  through  thimbles  at  the  eyes  of 
the  top-mast  and  top-gallant  rigging,  one  end  bent  to  the  liH  and  brace, 
the  other  into  the  top.  They  are  used  to  haul  them  in  to  the  mast- 
head, instead  of  sending  men  aloft. 

CHEEK.     Insolent  language. — Own  cheek,  one's  self. — Cheeky,  flippant. 

CHEEK-BLOCKS.  Usually  fitted  to  the  fore-topmast  head,  for  the 
purpose  of  leading  the  jib-stay,  halliards,  <&c. 

CHEEKS,  A  general  term  among  mechanics  for  those  pieces  of  timber 
in  any  machine  which  are  double,  and  perfectly  corresponding  to  each 
other.  The  projections  at  the  throat-end  of  a  gaff  which  embrace  the 
mast  are  termed  jaws.  Also,  the  sides  of  a  gun-carriaga  {See 
Brackets.)  Also,  the  sides  of  a  block.  Also,  an  old  soubriquet  for  a 
marine,  derived  from  a  rough  pun  on  his  uniform  in  olden  days. 


132  CHEEKS 0HE3T  OF  CHATHAM 

CHEEKS,  OR  Oheek-ekees.  Pieces  of  compass-timber  on  tlie  ship's 
bows,  for  the  security  of  the  beak-head,  or  knee  of  the  head,  whence 
the  term  head-knee.  Two  pieces  of  timber  fitted  on  each  side  of  a 
mast>  from  beneath  the  hounds  and  its  uppermost  end.  AIso^  the 
circular  pieces  on  the  aft-side  of  the  carrick-bitts. 

CHEEKS  OF  AK  EMBRASURE.  The  interior  faces  or  sides  of  an 
embrasura 

CHEEKS  OF  THE  MAST.  The  faces  or  projecting  parts  on  each 
side  of  the  masts,  formed  to  sustain  the  trestle-trees  upon  which  the 
frame  of  the  top,  together  with  the  top-mast^  immediatelj  rest.  {See 
Hqunds  and  Tbestle-trek  Bib&) 

CHEER,  To.  To  salute  a  ship  en  passant,  by  the  people  all  coming  on 
deck  and  huzzahing  three  times;  it  also  implies  to  encourage  or  ani- 
mate.   (See  also  Hearty  and  Man  Ship  !) 

CHEERING-.  The  result  of  an  animated  excitement  in  action,  which 
ofiben  incites  to  valour.  Also,  practised  on  ships  parting  at  sea,  on 
joining  an  admiral,  <fec.  In  piratical  vessels,  to  frighten  their  prey 
with  a  semblance  of  valour. 

CHEERLY.  Quickly;  with  a  hearty  will  "Cheerly,  boys,  cheerly," 
when  the  rope  comes  in  slowly,  or  hoisting  a  sail  with  a  few  hands. 

CHEESE.     A  circle  of  wads  covered  with  painted  canvas. 

CHELYNGK     An  early  name  of  the  cod-fish. 

CHEQUE,  OR  Check.  An  office  in  dockyards.  Cheque  for  muster, 
pay,  provision,  desertion,  discharged,  or  dead — ^under  DDD.  or  DSq^i- 

CHEQUE,  Clerk  of  the.  An  officer  in  the  royal  dockyards,  who 
goes  on  board  to  muster  the  ship's  company,  of  whom  he  keeps  a 
register,  thereby  to  check  &lse  musters,  the  penalty  of  which  is 
cashiering.  ^ 

CHEQuZeD  sides.  Those  painted  so  as  to  sW  aU  the  ports; 
more  particularly  applicable  to  two  or  more  rows. 

CHERIMERI.     In  the  East,  a  bribe  in  making  a  contract  or  bargain. 

CHERRY.     A  species  of  smelt  or  spurling,  taken  in  the  Erith  of  Tay. 

CHESIL.  From  the  Anglo-Saxon  word  ceosl,  still  used  for  a  bank  ot 
shingle,  as  that  remarkable  one  connecting  the  Isle  of  Portland  with 
the  mainland,  called  the  Chesil  Beach. 

CHESS-TREE.  A  piece  of  oak  fastened  with  iron  bolts  on  each  topside 
of  the  ship.  Used  for  boarding  the  main-tack  to,  or  hauling  home  the 
clues  of  the  main-sail,  for  which  purpose  there  is  a  hole  in  the  upper 
part^  through  which  the  tack  passes,  that  extends  the  clue  of  the  sail 
to  windward.  Where  chain  has  been  substituted  of  late  for  rope,  iron 
plates  with  thimble-eyes  are  used  for  chess-trees, 

CHEST  OF  CHATHAM.  An  ancient  institution,  I'estored  and  estab- 
lished by  an  order  in  council  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  1690,  supported 


CHE3T-B0PE GHIKCEXE  )g3 

.  by  9k  oontribution  fix>m  each  seaman  and  apprentice,  according  to  the 
amount  of  hia  wagea,  for  the  mounded  and  hurt  seamen  of  the  royal 
navy,  under  the  name  of  smart-money. 

OHEST-BOPE.  The  same  with  the  guest  or  gift  rope,  and  is  added  to 
the  boat-rope  when  the  boat  is  towed  astern  of  the  ship,  to  keep  her 
from  sheering,  ie.  from  swinging  to  and  fro.     (See  Gubst-bopb.) 

CHEVAUX  DE  FRISK  An  adopted  term  for  pickets  pointed  with 
iron,  and  standing  through  beams,  to  stop  an  enemy :  this  defence  is 
also  called  a  turn-pike  or  pike-tum. 

CHEVENDER     An  old  name  for  the  chevin  or  chub. 

CHEYILS.    See  KEVELa 

CHEVIN.     An  old  Dame  for  the  chub. 

CHEYItON.  The  distinguishing  mark  on  the  sleeves  of  sergeants  and 
corporals'  coats,  the  insignia  of  a  non-commissioned  officer.  Also,  a 
mark  recently  instituted  as  a  testimony  of  good  conduct  in  a  private. 
Further,  now  worn  by  seamen  getting  good-service  pay. 

CHEWING  OF  OAKUM  ob  Pitch.  When  a  ship  sufTeis  leakage 
from  inefficient  caulking.    {See  Space.) 

CHEZ-YOUS.  A  kind  of  <<A11  Souls''  night  in  Bengal,  when  meats 
and  fruits  are  placed  in  every  comer  of  a  native's  house.  Hence 
ahevoe,  for  a  ship-gala. 

CHICO  [Sp.  for  small]. — Boga-chicci^  small  mouth  of  a  river. 

CHIEF.    See  Commandee-in-cqibf.    A  common  abbreviation. 

CHIEF  MATE,  ob  Chief  Officeb.  The  next  to  a  commander  in  a 
merchantman,  and  who,  in  the  absence  of  the  latter,  acts  as  his  deputy. 

CHIGKB,  Chagoe,  Chiogbii^  ob  Jigqbb.  A  very  minute  insect  of 
tropical  countries^  which  pierces  the  thick  skin  of  the  foot,  and  breeds 
there,  producing  great  pain.  It  is  neatly  extricated  with  its  sac  entire 
by  clever  negroes. 

CHILLED  SHOT.  Shot  of  very  rapidly  cooled  cast-iron,  Le.  cast  in 
iron  moulds,  and  thus  found  to  acquire  a  hardness  which  renders 
them  of  nearly  equal  efficiency  with  steel  shot  for  penetrating  iron 
plates,  yet  produced  at  about  one-quarter  the  price.  They  invariably 
break  up  on  passing  through  the  plates,  and  their  fragments  are  very 
destructive  on  crowded  decks j  though  in  the  attack  of  iron  war  vessels^ 
where  the  demolishment  of  guns,  carriages,  machinery,  turrets,  ifec.,  is 
required,  the  palm  must  still  be  awarded  to  steel  shot  and  shell 

CHIMBE  [Anglo-Saxon].  The  prominent  part,  or  end  of  the  staves, 
where  they  project  beyond  the  head  of  a  cask. 

CHIMK    See  Chine. 

CHIME  IN,  Ta  To  join  a  mess  meal  or  treat  To  chime  in  to  a 
chorus  or  song. 

CHINCIKLK    A  smaU  bight  in  a  line. 


184  CHINE CHOCK-AFT 

CHIKE.  The  backbone  of  a  clif^  firom  ike  backbones  of  animals;  a  name 
given  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  as  Black  Crang  Chine,  and  along  the  coasts 
of  Hampshire.  Also,  that  part  of  the  waterway  which  is  left  the 
thickest^  so  as  to  project  above  the  deck-plank;  and  it  is  notched  or 
gouged  hollow  in  front,  to  let  the  water  ran  free. 

CHINE  AND  CHINR     Casks  stowed  end  to  end. 

CHINED.     Timber  or  plank  slighUj  hollowed  out. 

CHINGLE.     Gravel    (See  Shingle.) 

CHINGXJERITO.  A  hot  and  dangerous  sort  of  white  com  brandy, 
made  in  Spanish  America. 

CHINSE,  To.  To  stop  small  seams,  by  working  in  oakum  with  a  knife 
or  chisel — a  temporary  expedient.  To  caulk  slightly  those  openings 
that  will  not  bear  the  force  required  for  caulking. 

CHINSING-IBON.    A  caulker's  tool  for  chinsing  seams  with. 

CHIP,  To.     To  trim  a  gun  when  first  taken  from  the  mould  or  castings. 

CHIPS.  The  familiar  soubriquet  of  the  carpenter  on  board  ship.  The 
fragments  of  timber  and  the  planings  of  plank  are  included  among 
chips. — CJdp  of  the  old  block,  a  son  like  his  ^Either. 

CHIRURGEON.     [Pr.]     The  old  name  for  surgeon. 

CHISEL.     A  well-known  edged  tool  for  cutting  away  wood,  iron,  &c 

CHIT.  A  note.  Formerly  the  note  for  slops  given  by  the  officer  of  a 
division  to  be  presented  to  the  purser. 

CHIIJLES.    The  Saxon  ships  so  called. 

CHIVEY.    Aknifa 

CHLET.    An  old  Manx  term  for  a  rock  in  the  sea. 

CHOCK.  A  sort  of  wedge  used  to  rest  or  confine  any  weighty  body, 
and  prevent  it  from  fetching  way  when  the  ship  is  in  motion.  Also, 
pieces  fitted  to  supply  a  deficiency  or  defect  after  the  manner  of  filling. 
Also,  blocks  of  timber  latterly  substituted  beneath  the  beams  for  knees, 
and  wedged  by  iron  keys.  (See  Boat-chock&) — Chock  o/the  bowsprit. 
See  Bend. — Chocks  of  the  rudder,  large  accurately  adapted  pieces  of 
timber  kept  in  readiness  to  choak  the  rudder,  by  filling  up  the  excava- 
tion on  the  side  of  the  rudder  hole,  in  case  of  any  accident.  It  is  also 
choaked  or  chocked,  when  a  ship  is  likely  to  get  strong  stem-way, 
when  tiller-ropes  break,  <&c. — To  chock,  is  to  put  a  wedge  under  any- 
thing to  prevent  its  rolling.     (See  Chucks.) 

CHOCK-A-BLOCK,  or  Chock  and  Block.  Is  the  same  with  block-a- 
Mock  and  two^hcks  (which  see).  When  the  lower  block  of  a  tackle  is 
run  close  up  to  the  upper  one,  so  that  you  can  hoist  no  higher,  the 
blocks  being  together. 

CHOCK- AFT,  Chock-puli^  Chook-home,  Chock-up,  &c.  Denote  as  fer 
aft,  full,  home,  up,  <&c.,  as  possible,  or  that  which  fits  closely  to  one 
another. 


CHOCK-CHANNELS CHRODANB  ]  85 

CHOCK-CHANNELS.  Those  filled  in  Tirith  Tirood  between  the  chain- 
plateS)  according  to  a  plan  introduced  by  Captain  Couch,  KN. 

CHOCOLATE-GALR  A  brisk  N.W.  wind  of  the  West  Indies  and 
Spanish  main. 

CHOGSET.     See  Bukgall. 

CHOKE,    The  nip  of  a  rocket 

CHOKED.  When  a  running  rope  sticks  in  a  block,  either  by  slipping 
between  the  cheeks  and  the  shiver,  or  any  other  accident^  so  that  it 
cannot  run. 

CHOKE-FULL.     Entirely  full;  top  full. 

CHOKE  THE  LUFF.  To  place  suddenly  the  fell  of  a  tackle  close  to 
the  block  across  the  jaw  of  the  next  turn  of  the  rope  in  the  block,  so 
as  to  prevent  the  leading  part  from  rendering.  FamiUarly  said  of 
having  a  meal  to  assuage  hunger;  to  be  silenced. 

CHOKEY.     An  East  Indian  guard-house  and  prison. 

CHOMMER  Y.     See  Chasse-mabSe,  for  which  this  is  the  men's  term. 

CHOP.  A  permit  or  license  of  departure  for  merchant  ships  in  the 
China  trade.  A  Chinese  word  signifying  quality.  Also,  an  imperial 
chop  or  mandate;  a  proclamation. 

CHOP,  OB  Chapp.  The  entrance  of  a  channel,  as  the  Chops  of  the 
English  ChanneL 

CHOP-ABOUT,  To.  Is  applied  to  the  wind  when  it  varies  and  changes 
suddenly,  and  at  short  intervals  of  time. 

CHOPPING-SEA.     A  synonym  of  cocUing-sea  (which  see). 

CHOPT.     Done  suddenly  in  exigence;  as,  chopt  to  an  anchor. 

CHORD.  In  geometry,  is  a  line  which  joins  the  extremities  of  any  arc 
of  a  circle. 

CHOW-CHOW.  Eatables;  a  word  borrowed  from  the  Chinese.  It  is 
supposed  to  be  derived  from  chau-chou,  the  tender  parts  of  cabbage- 
tree,  bamboo,  &c.,  preserved. 

CHOWDER.  The  principal  food  in  the  Newfoundland  bankers,  or 
stationary  fishing  vessels;  it  consists  of  a  stew  of  fresh  codfish,  rashers 
of  salt  pork  or  bacon,  biscuit,  and  lots  of  pepper.  Also,  a  buccaneer's 
savoury  dish,  and  a  favourite  dish  in  North  America.  {See  Cod- 
fisheb's  Cbew.)     Chowder  is  a  fish-seller  in  the  western  counties. 

CHOWDER-HEADED.     Stupid,  or  batter-brained. 

CHRISTIAN.  A  gold  Danish  coin,  value  in  England  firom  1G«.  to 
16a  4 J. 

CHRISTIAN'S  GALES.  The  tremendous  storms  in  1795-6,  which 
desolated  the  fleet  proceeding  to  attack  the  French  West  India  Islands, 
under  Admiral  Christian. 

CHROCKLE.     A  tangle  or  thoro'put  (which  see). 

CHRODANE.     The  Manx  and  Gaelic  term  for  gurnet 


186  CHRONOMETEE CINQUB-PORTS 

CHRONOMETER  A  valuable  time-piece  fitted  with  a  compensation- 
balance,  adjusted  for  the  accurate  measurement  of  time  in  all  climates, 
and  used  by  navigators  for  the  determination  of  the  longitude. 

CHRONOMETER  RATE.  The  number  of  seconds  or  parts  of  seconds 
which  it  loses  or  gains  per  diem.     (See  Rating.) 

CHRTJIN.     A  Gaelic  term  for  meists,-^Chnwnr8preief  the  bowsprit. 

CHUB.     The  LeucUeue  eq>halti8f  a  fresh-water  fish. 

CHUCK.  A  searshelL  Nickname  for  a  boatswain,  ^Old  chucks." 
Also,  an  old  word  signi^ng  large  chips  of  wood. 

CHUCKLE-HEADED.     ClownisMy  stupid;  lubberly. 

CHULLERS.     A  northern  name  for  the  gills  of  a  fish. 

CHUNAM.  Lime  made  of  burned  shells,  and  much  used  in  India  for 
the  naval  store-houses.  That  made  at  Madras  is  of  peculiarly  fine 
quality,  and  easily  takes  a  polish  like  white  marble. 

CHUNEL  A  coarse  slice  of  meat  or  bread;  more  properly  Jun£.  Also, 
the  negro  term  for  lumps  of  firewood. 

CHUNTOCKL   A  powerful  dignitary  among  the  Chinese.   (SeeJAirroovL) 

CHURCH.     The  part  of  the  ship  arranged  on  Sunday  for  divine  service. 

CHURCH-WARDEN.  A  name  given  on  the  coast  of  Sussex  to  the 
shag  or  cormorant.     Why,  deponent  sayeth  not. 

CHUTE.  A  fall  of  water  or  rapid;  the  word  is  much  used  in  North 
America,  wherever  the  nomenclature  of  the  country  retains  traces  of 
the  early  French  settlers.     (See  Shoot.) 

CILLS.  Horizontal  pieces  of  timber  to  ports  or  scuttles;  mostly  spelled 
sills  (which  see).  Crenerally  pronounced  by  sailors  sell,  as  the  port- 
selL 

CINGLE  [firom  cir-cingle,  a  horse's  belt].     A  belt  worn  by  seamen. 

CINQUE-PORT.     A  kind  of  fishing-net^  having  five  entrances. 

CINQUE  PORTS,  The.  These  are  five  highly  privileged  stations,  the 
once  great  emporiums  of  BritLsh  commerce  and  maritime  greatness; 
they  are  Dover,  Hastings,  Sandwich,  Romney,  and  Hythe,  which, 
lying  opposite  to  France,  were  considered  of  the  utmost  importance. 
To  these  were  afterwards  added  Winohelsea,  Rye,  and  Seaford.  These 
places  were  honoured  with  peculiar  immunities  and  privil^es,  on 
condition  of  their  providing  a  certain  number  of  ships  at  their  own 
charge  for  forty  days.  Being  exempted  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Admiralty  courts  the  Lord  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports  is  authorized 
to  make  rules  for  the  government  of  pilots  within  his  jurisdiction,  and 
in  many  other  general  acts  exceptions  are  provided  to  save  the 
franchises  of  the  Cinque  Ports  imimpeached.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that 
it  has  never  been  legally  determined  whether  the  Downs  and  adjacent 
roadsteads  are  included  in  the  liouts  of  the  Cinque  Ports.  All 
derelicts  foun^  without  the  limits  by  Cinque  Port  vessels  are  droits  of 


CIPHEEING CISCO  187 

admiralty.  This  oiganization  was  nearly  broken  up  in  tlie  late 
state  reforms,  but  the  Lord  Warden  stiU  possesses  some  power  and 
lurisdiction. 

CIPHERING.     A  term  in  carpentry.     (See  Stphesino.) 

CIRCLE.  A  plane  figure  bounded  by  a  line  called  the  circumference, 
everywhere  equally  distant  from  a  point  within  it^  <?alled  the  centre. 

CIRCLE  OF  PERPETUAL  APPARITION.  A  circle  of  the  heavens 
parallel  to  the  equator,  and  at  a  distance  from  the  pole  of  any  place 
equal  to  the  latitude:  within  this  circle  the  stars  never  set. 

CIRCLES,  Gbeat,  Less,  Azimuth,  Ybrtical  (which  see). 

CIRCLES  OF  LONGITUDE.  These  are  great  circles  passing  through 
the  poles  of  the  ecliptic,  and  so  cutting  it  at  right  angles. 

CIRCULARS.  Certain  official  letters  which  are  sent  to  several  persons, 
and  convey  the  same  information. 

CIRCUMNAVIGATION.  The  term  for  making  a  voyage  round  the 
world. 

CIRCUMPOLAR.  A  region  which  includes  that  portion  of  the  starry 
sphere  which  remains  constantly  above  the  horizon  of  any  place. 

CIRCUMVALLATION,  Lines  of.  Intrenchments  thrown  up  by  a 
besieging  army,  outside  itself,  and  round  the  besieged  place,  but 
frt)nting  towards  the  country,  to  prevent  interference  from  outside. 
This  continuous  method  has  gone  out  of  favour,  though  some  covering 
works  of  concentrated  strength  are  still  considered  essentiaL 

CIRRIPEDIA  A  group  of  marine  animals,  allied  to  the  Crustacea. 
They  are  free  and  natatory  when  young,  but  in  the  adult  state 
attached  to  rocks  or  some  floating  substance.  They  are  protected  by 
a  mulUvaJve  shell,  and  have  long  ciliated  curled  tentacles,  whence 
their  name  {curlr/ooted).  The  barnacles  (Ijepas)  and  the  acorn-shells 
(Bcdcmtis)  are  familiar  examples. 

CIRRO-CUMULUS.     This,   the   sonder-doudy    or    system  of  small 

roundish  clouds  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  commonly 

moves  in  a  different  current  of  air  from  that  which  is  blowing  at  the 

earth's  surface.     It  forms  the  mackerel  sky  alluded  to  in  the  following 

distich: — 

''r^  mack'rel  sky  and  mares'-iailB 
Make  lofty  ships  oany  low  sails." 

CIRRO-STRATUS.  Is  the  stratus  of  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmo- 
sphere, heavier  looking  than  the  cirrus,  but  not  so  heavy  as  the  stratus. 

CIRRUS.  The  elegant  modification  of  elevated  clouds,  usually  termed 
mares'-tails  (see  the  distich  given  at  Cibbo-Cumulus);  otherwise  the 
curl-cloud. 

CISCO.  A  fish  of  the  herring  kind,  of  trhich  thousands  of  barrels  are 
annually  taken  and  salted  in  Lake  Ontario. 


]gS  CI8TEBK CORAHS 

CISTERN.  A  reservoir  for  water  placed  in  different  parts  of  a  ship, 
where  a  constant  snpplj  maj  be  required.  Also  famished  with  a 
leaden  pipe,  which  goes  through  the  ship^s  side,  wherebj  it  is  occa- 
sionallj  filled  with  sea-water,  and  which  is  thence  pnmped  np  to  wash 
the  deckfl^  &c 

CITADEL.  A  fortified  work  of  superior  strength,  and  dominating 
everything  else,  generaUj  separated  therefrom  hy  an  open  space  of 
glads  or  esplanade;  often  useful  against  domestic  as  well  as  foreign 
enemiea 

CIVIL  BRANCH.  That  department  executed  bj  diriliansj,  as  contra- 
distinguished from  the  armj  or  navy  branch. 

CIVILIANS.  The  surgeon,  chaplain,  purser  or  paymaster,  assistant 
surgeons,  secretary,  and  ship  clerks,  on  board  men-of-war. 

CIVIL  LORD.     The  lay  or  junior  member  of  the  admiralty  board. 

CIVIL  WAR.  That  between  subjects  of  the  same  realm,  or  between 
factions  of  the  same  state. 

CLAIMANTS.  Persons  appealing  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  admiralty 
court  They  are  denominated  colourable,  or  fiur,  according  to  the 
informality,  or  justice,  of  thdr  claims, 

CLAKK  A  name  for  the  barnacle-goose  {Anser  bemida).  Also,  for 
the  If^paa  analifpraf  a  drriped  often  found  attached  to  vessels  or  timber 
by  a  long  fleshy  peduncle,  sometimes  4  or  5  feet  in  lengtL 

CLAM.  A  well-known  bivalve  shell-fish.  ''As  happy  as  a  clam  at  high- 
water,"  a  figurative  expression  for  otiose  comfort. 

CLAMBER.     To  cMmb;  to  ascend  quickly. 

CLAMPING.     Applying  a  cross-head,  or  stirrup-piece,  in  a  socket 

CLAMP-NAILS.  Such  nails  as  are  used  to  fasten  clamps;  they  are 
short  and  stout,  with  large  heads. 

CLAMPS.  Pieces  of  timber  applied  to  a  mast  or  yard,  to  prevent  the  wood 
from  bursting.  Also,  thick  planks  lying  fore  and  aft  under  the  beams 
of  the  first  orlop  or  second  deck,  the  same  as  the  rising-timbers  are  to 
the  deck.  They  are  securely  fiiyed  to  all  the  timbers,  to  which  they  are 
fastened  by  naOs  through  the  clamp,  and  penetrating  two-thirds  of  the 
thickness  of  the  timbers.  Also,  substantial  strakes,  worked  inside,  on 
which  the  ends  of  the  beams  rest.  Also,  smooth  crooked  plates  of 
iron  fore-locked  upon  the  trunnions  of  cannon;  these,  however,  are 
more  properly  termed  cap-squares.  (See  Carriage.)  Also,  any  plate 
of  iron  made  to  open  and  shut^  so  as  to  confine  a  spar.  A  one-cheeked 
block;  the  spar  to  which  it  is  fastened  being  the  other  cheek. — To 
dampf  is  to  unite  two  bodies  by  surfaces  or  circular  plates. — Clomiped, 
is  when  a  piece  of  board  is  fitted  with  the  grain  to  the  end  of  another 
piece  of  board  across  the  grain. 

CLAMS.     Strong  pieces  used  by  shipwrights  for  drawing  bolts^  ^c^ 


CLANG CLEAN  DONE  189 

Also,  a  kind  of  forceps  used  for  bringing  np  specimens  of  the  bottom 
in  sounding;  a  drag.     {See  Deep-sea  Olail) 

CLANG.     The  rattling  or  clashing  of  arms. 

CLAP-BOARD  [Grerman,  klapp'hard].  An  east-countrj  commercial 
plank,  which  ought  to  be  upwards  of  13  feet  in  length;  cask-staves 
are  also  clap-boards.  Clap-board,  in  the  colonies,  is  the  covering  the 
side  of  a  house  with  narrow  boards,  ''lapping  fashion,*'  in  contradis- 
tinction to  shingling,  or  tiling,  or  clench-built. 

CLAP-MATCH.     A  sort  of  seal,  distinct  from  the  fur-seal. 

CLAP  ON !  The  order  to  lay  hold  of  any  rope,  in  order  to  haul  upon 
it.  Also,  to  "Clap  on  the  stoppers  before  the  bitts,"  i.e.  fasten  the 
stoppers;  or,  "Clap  on  the  cat-fall,**  *.«•  lay  hold  of  the  cat-fall. — To 
clap  a  stopper  over  all,  to  stop  a  thing  effectually;  to  clap  on  the  stopper 
before  the  bitts  next  to  the  manger  or  hawse-hole;  to  order  silence. — 
To  clap  in  irons,  to  order  an  offender  into  the  bilboes. — To  dap  on 
canvas,  to  make  more  saiL 

CLAPPER.  A  name  for  the  valve  of  a  pump-box.  Also,  a  plank  or 
foot-bridge  across  a  running  stream;  also,  the  clapper  of  a  bell. 

CLAP-SILL.     The  lockage  of  a  flood-gate. 

CLARTY.     In  north-country  whalers,  used  for  wet,  slippery. 

CLASHY.     Showery  weather. 

CLASP-HOOK.  An  iron  clasp,  in  two  parts,  moving  upon  the  same 
pivot,  and  overlapping  one  another.  Used  for  bending  chain-sheets 
to  the  clues  of  sails,  jib-halliards,  <&c.     {See  Spab-hook.) 

CLASS.     Order  or  rank;  specially  relating  to  dockyard  men. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  SHIPS.  A  register  made  of  vessels  according 
to  the  report  rendered  in  by  special  surveyors.  {See  Navy  and 
Lloyd's  Register.) 

CLAW,  OR  Claw  off,  To.  To  beat,  or  turn  to  windward  from  a  lee- 
shore,  so  as  to  be  at  sufficient  distance  fr^m  it  to  avoid  shipwreck. 
It  is  generally  used  when  getting  to  windward  la  difficult 

CLAYMORK  Anciently  a  two-handed  sword  of  the  Highlanders,  but 
latterly  applied  to  their  basket-hilted  sword. 

CLEACHING  NET.  A  hand-net  with  a  hoop  and  bar,  used  by  fisher- 
men on  the  banks  of  the  Severn. 

CLEAN.  Free  from  danger,  as  clean  coast,  clean  harbour;  in  general 
parlance  means  quite,  entirely.     So  Shakspeare  represents  ^geon 

*'  Boaming  dean  through  the  bounda  of  Aaia.'* 
Also,  applied  to  a  ship's  hull  with  a  fine  run  fore  and  aft — Clean 
entrance,  clean  run. — To  dean  a  ship^s  bottom,  {See  BREAHiKa  and  Hoc.) 

CLEAN  BILL.     {See  Bill  of  Health.)    When  all  are  in  health. 

CLEAN  DONE.  Quite.  In  a  seamanlike  manner;  purpose  well 
eflTected;  adroitly  tricked.     {See  Weathered.) 


I  gor  CLEAN-FISH CLENCH 

CLEAK-FISH.     On  tlie  northern  coasts^  a  salmon  perfectly  in  season. 
CLEAN-FULL.     Keeping  the  sail  foil,  bellying,  off  the  wind. 
CLEAN  OFF  THE  REEL.     When  the  ship  by  her  rapidity  pulls  the 
line  off  the  log-reel,  without  its  being  assisted.     Also,  upright  oonduct. 
Also,  any  performance  without  stop  or  hindrance,  off-hand. 
CLEAN  SKIP.     A  whale-ship  unfortunate  in  her  trip^  haying  no  fish 

or  oil. 
CLEAR.     Is  variously  applied,  to  weather,  searcoasts^  cordage,  naviga- 
tion, &c,  as  opposed  to  foggy,  to  dangerous,  to  entangled.    It  is  usually 
opposed  to/aul  in  all  these  senses. 
CLEAR,  To.    £[as  several  significations,  particularly  to  escape  from,  to 
unload,  to  empty,  to  prepare,  &c.,  as: — To  dear  for  actiotu  To  prepare 
for  action. — To  dear  away  for  this  or  that^  is  to  get  obstructions  out 
of  the  way. — To  dear  the  decks.     To  remove  lumber,  put  things  in 
their  places,  and  coil  down  the  ropes.     Also,  to  take  the  things  off  a 
table  after  a  meaL — To  dear  goods.     To  pay  the  custom-house  dues 
and  duties. — To  dear  tiie  land.     To  escape  from  the  land. — To  dear  a 
lighter^  or  the  held.    To  empty  either. 
CLEARANCK     The  document  from  the  customs,  by  which  a  vessel 
and  her  cargo,  by  entering  all  particulars  at  the  custom-house^  and 
paying  the  dues,  is  permitted  to  clear  out  or  saiL 
CLEAR  FOR  GOING  ABOUT.   Every  man  to  his  station,  and  every 

rope  an  end. 
CLEARING  LIGHTERa     AU  vessels  pertaining  to  pubUc  depart- 
ments should  be  cleared  with  the  utmost  despatch. 
CLEAR  THE  PENDANT.    See  Up  and  Cleab  the  Pendaot. 
CLEAR  WATER     A  term  in  Polar  seas  implying  no  ice  to  obstruct 

navigation,  well  off  the  land,  having  sea-room. 
CLEAT  A  GUN,  To.     To  nail  krge  cleats  under  the  trucks  of  the 

lower-deckers  in  bad  weather,  to  insure  their  not  fetching  way. 
CLEATS,  OB  Cleet&     Pieces  of  wood  of  different  shapes  used  to  fasten 
ropes  upon:  some  have  one  and  some  two  arms.     They  are  called 
belaying  cleat^  deck-cleat^  and  a  thumb-cleats     Also,  small  wedges  of 
wood  fisistened  on  the  yards,  to  keep  ropes  or  the  earing  of  the  sail 
from  slipping  off  the  yard.     Mostly  made  of  elm  or  oak. 
CLEAVAGE.     The  splitting  of  any  body  having  a  structure  or  line  of 
cleavage:    as  fir  cleaves  longitudinally,   slates  horizontally,   stones 
roughly,  smoothly,  conchoidal,  or  stratified,  kc 
CLEFTS.     Wood  sawn  lengthways  into  pieces  less  in  thickness  than  in 

breadth.    {See  Plank.) 
CLENCH,  To.     To  secure  the  end  of  a  bolt  by  burring  the  point  with 
a  hammer.     Also,  a  mode  of  securing  the  end  of  one  rope  to  another. 
{See  Clinch.) 


CLENCHED  BOLTS CLINCHER  191 

CLENCHED  BOLTS.  Those  fastened  by  means  of  a  ring,  or  an  iron 
plate,  with  a  rivetting  hammer  at  the  end  where  they  protrude  through 
the  wood|  to  prevent  their  drawing. 

CLENCH-NAILS.  They  are  much  used  in  boat-building,  being  such 
as  can  be  driven  without  splitting  the  boards,  and  drawn  without 
breaking.    {See  EovE  akd  Clench.) 

CLEF.     A  north-country  name  for  a  small  grapnel 

CLERK.     Any  naval  officer  doing  the  duty  of  a  clerk. 

CLETT.     A  northern  or  Erse  word  to  express  a  rock  broken  from  a 
.  cliff,  as  the  holm  in  Orkney  and  Shetland. 

CLETJGH.     A  precipice,  a  clifil     Also,  a  ravine  or  clefl. 

CLEW.     Of  a  hammock  or  cot.     {See  Clue.) 

CLICKS.  Small  pieces  of  iron  falling  into  a  notched  wheel  attached  to 
the  winches  in  cutters,  &c.,  and  thereby  serving  the  office  of  pauls. 
{See  Ratchet,  or  Ratchet-paul,  in  machinery.)  It  more  peculiarly 
belongs  to  inferior  clock-work,  hence  click. 

CLIFF  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  deqf],  A  precipitous  termination  of  the 
land,  whatever  be  the  soiL     {See  Cbao.) 

CLIMATK  Formerly  meant  a  zone  of  the  earth  parallel  to  the  equator, 
in  which  the  days  are  of  a  certain  length  at  the  summer  solstice.  The 
term  has  now  passed  to  the  physical  branch  of  geography,  and  means 
the  general  character  of  the  weather. 

CLINCH.  A  particular  method  of  fastening  large  ropes  by  a  half  hitch, 
with  the  end  stopped  back  to  its  own  part  by  seizings;  it  is  chiefly 
to  fasten  the  hawsers  suddenly  to  the  rings  of  the  kedges  or  small 
anchors;  and  the  breechings  of  guns  to  the  ring-bolts  in  the  ship's 
side.  Those  parts  of  a  rope  or  cable  which  are  clinched.  Thus  the 
outer  enji  is  "bent "  by  the  clinch  to  the  ring  of  the  anchor.  The 
inner  or  tier-clinch  in  the  good  old  times  was  clinched  to  the  main- 
mast^ passing  imder  the  tier  beams  (where  it  was  unlawfully,  as  regards 
'  the  cusiom  of  the  navy,  clinched).  Thus  "  the  cable  runs  out  to  the 
clinch,"  means,  there  is  no  more  to  veer. — To  clinch  is  to  batter  or 
rivet  a  bolt's  end  upon  a  ring  or  piece  of  plate  iron;  or  to  turn  back 
the  point  of  a  nail  that  it  may  hold  &st.     {See  Clench.) 

CLINCH  A  BUSINESS,  To.  To  fimsh  it;  to  settle  it  beyond  further 
dispute,  as  the  recruit  taking  the  shilling. 

CLINCH-BUILT.     Clinker,  or  overlapping  edges. 

CLINCHER.  An  incontrovertible  and  smart  reply;  but  sometimes 
the  confirmation  of  a  story  by  a  lie,  or  by  some  still  more  improbable 
yam:  synonymous  with  capping, 

CLINCHER  OB  CumLEB  Built.  Made  of  clincher-work,  by  the  planks 
lapping  onis  over  the  other.  The  contrary  of  earvd-work.  Iron  ships 
after  this  fashion  are  distinguished  as  being  lap^ointed. 


192  CLINCHEE-NAIIfl CLOSE-POBTS 

CLINCHEE-NAILa  Those  wHicli  are  of  malleable  metal,  as  copper, 
wrought  iron,  &c.,  which  clinch  bj  toming  back  the  points  in  rough- 
built  fir  boats  where  roo&  and  clinching  are  thus  avoided. 

CLINCHEIl-WORK  The  disposition  of  the  planks  in  the  side  of  any 
boat  or  vessel,  when  the  lower  edge  of  every  plank  overlaps  that  next 
below  it.     This  is  sometimes  written  as  pronounced,  etinker-work, 

CLIPHOOK.  A  hook  employed  for  some  of  the  ends  of  the  i-unning 
rigging. 

CLIPPER.  A  fast  sailer,  formerly  chiefly  applied  to  the  sharp-built 
raking  schooners  of  America,  and  latterly  to  Australian  passenger- 
ships.  Larger  vessels  now  built  after  their  model  are  termed  clipper- 
built:  sharp  and  fast;  low  in  the  water;  rakisL 

CLIVK     An  old  spelling  of  cliff, 

CLOCK-CALM.     When  not  a  breath  of  wind  ruffles  the  water. 

CLOCK-STAItS.  A  name  for  the  nautical  stars,'  which,  from  their 
positions  having  been  very  exactly  ascertained,  are  used  for  determin- 
ing time. 

CLOD-HOPPER.    A  clownish  lubberly  landsman. 

CLOKIE-DOO.     A  west  of  Scotland  name  for  the  horse-mackerel 

CLOSE- ABOARD.  Near  or  alongside;  too  close  to  be  safe.  ^The 
boat  is  close  aboard,"  a  caution  to  the  officer  in  command  to  receive 
his  visitor.     <'  The  land  is  close  aboard,"  danger  inferred. 

CLOSE-BUTT.  Where  caulking  is  not  used,  the  butts  or  joints  of  the 
planks  are  sometimes  rabbetted,  and  fayed  close,  whence  tiiey  are  thus 
denominated. 

CLOSE  CONTRACT.     One  not  advertised. 

CLOSED  PORT.     One  interdicted. 

CLOSE-FIST.     One  who  drives  a  hard  bargain  in  petty  traffic. 

CLOSE  HARBOUR.  That  is  one  gained  by  kbour  from  the  element, 
formed  by  encircling  a  portion  of  water  with  walls  and  quays,  except 
at  the  entrance,  or  by  excavating  the  land  adjacent  to  the  sea  or  river, 
and  then  letting  in  the  water. 

CLOSE-HAULED.  The  general  arrangement  or  trim  of  a  ship's  sails 
when  she  endeavours  to  progress  in  the  nearest  direction  possible  con- 
trary to  the  wind;  in  this  manner  of  sailing  the  keel  of  square-rigged 
vessels  commonly  makes  an  angle  of  six  points  with  the  line  of  the 
wind,  but  cutters,  luggers^  and  other  fore-and-afl  rigged  vessels  will 
sail  even  nearer.  This  point  of  sailing  is  synonymous  with  an  a  Uvut 
bowline  and  on  a  toincL 

CLOSE  PACK.  The  ice  floes  so  jammed  together  that  boring  is  impos- 
sible, and  present  effi>rt8  useless.     (See  Pack.) 

CLOSE  PORTS.  Those  which  lie  up  rivers;  a  term  in  contradistinction 
to  outsorts. 


CLOSEQUAETEES CLOUTS  1 9  3 

CLOSE-QUARTERS,  oa  CiX)SE-piOHTS.  Certain  strong  bulkheads  or 
barriers  of  wood,  formerly  stretching  across  a  merchant  ship  in  several 
places;  they  were  used  for  retreat  ai^d  shelter  when  a  ship  was  boarded 
by  an  adversary,  and  were  therefore  fitted  with  loopholes.  Powder- 
chests  were  also  fixed  upon  the  deck,  containing  missiles  which  might 
be  fired  from  the  close  quarters  upon  the  boarders.  The  old  slave- 
ships  were  thus  fitted  in  case  of  the  negroes  rising,  and  flat-headed 
nails  were  cast  along  the  deck  to  prevent  their  walking  with  naked 
feet.     In  the  navy,  yard-arm  and  yard-arm,  sides  touching. 

CLOSE-REEFED.  The  last  reefe  of  the  top-sails,  or  other  sails  set, 
being  taken  in. 

CLOSE-SIGHT.  The  notch  in  the  base-ring  of  a  cannon,  to  place  the 
eye  in  a  line  with  the  top-sight. 

CLOSE  THE  WIND,  To.  To  haul  to  it— Close  upon  a  tack  or  bow- 
line^ or  close  hy  a  wind,  is  when  the  wind  is  on  either  bow,  and  the 
tacks  or  bowlines  are  hauled  forwards  that  they  may  take  the  wind 
to  make  the  best  of  their  way. — Close  to  the  vnndj  when  her  head 
is  just  so  near  the  wind  as  to  fill  the  sails  without  shaking  them. 

CLOSE  WITH  THE  LAND,  To.     To  approach  near  to  it. 

CLOSH  [from  the  Danish  Jdos\    A  sobriquet  for  east-country  seamen. 

CLOTHED.  A  mast  is  said  to  be  clothed  when  the  sail  is  so  long  as  to 
reach  the  deck-gratings.  Also,  well  clothed  with  canvas;  sails  well 
cut,  well  set,  and  plenty  of  them. 

CLOTHES-LINES.  A  complete  system  of  parallel  lines, .  hoisted 
between  the  main  and  mizen  masts  twice  a  week  to  dry  the  washed 
clothes  of  the  seamen. 

CLOTHING.  The  rigging  of  the  bowsprit. — Clothing  the  bowsprit  is 
rigging  it.     Also,  the  purser's  slops  for  the  men. 

CLOTH  IN  THE  WIND.  Too  near  to  the  wind,  and  sails  shivering. 
Also,  groggy. 

CLOTHS.  In  a  sail,  are  the  breadths  of  canvas  in  its  whole  width. 
When  a  ship  has  broad  sails  they  say  she  spreads  much  cloth. 

CLOTTING.  A  west-country  method  of  catching  eels  with  worsted 
thread. 

CLOUD.  A  collection  of  vapours  suspended  in  the  atmosphere.  Also, 
under  a  cloud  of  canvas. 

CLOUGH.  A  word  derived  from  the  verb  to  cUa/oe^  and  signifying  a 
narrow  valley  between  two  hills.  {See  Cleugh.)  Also,  in  commerce, 
an  aUowance  on  the  turn  of  the  beam  in  weighing. 

CLOUT.     From  the  Teutonic  hotzen,  a  blow.     Also,  a  gore  of  blood. 

CLOUT-NAILS  [Fr.  clouter].  To  stud  with  nails,  as  ships'  bottoms 
and  piles  were  before  the  introduction  of  sheet  copper. 

CLOUTS.     Thin  plates  of  iron  nailed  on  that  part  of  the  axle-tree  of  a 

N 


194  CIX)VE-HITCH CLUB 

gun-carriage  that  comes  through  the  nave^  and  through  which  the 
linch-pin  goes, 

CLOYE-HITCH.  A  knot  or  noose  by  which  one  rope  is  listened  to 
another.     {See  Hitch.)    Two  half  hitches  round  a  spar  or  rope. 

CLOVE-HOOK.     Synonymous  with  clasp-hook, 

CLOVES.  Planlcs  made  by  cleaving.  Certain  weights  for  wool,  butter, 
kc.    Also,  long  spike-nails  [derived  from  c2au,  Fr.] 

CLOW.  A  kind  of  sluice  in  which  the  aperture  is  regulated  by  a  board 
sliding  in  a  frame  and  groove. 

CLOY,  To.  To  drive  an  iron  spike  by  main  force  into  the  vent  or 
touch-hole  of  a  gun,  which  renders  it  unserviceable  till  the  spike  be 
either  worked  out^  or  a  new  vent  drilled.     {See  Nail  and  Spike.) 

CLUBBED.  A  fetshion  which  obtained  in  the  time  of  pig-tails  of 
doubling  them  up  while  at  sea. 

CLUBBING.     Drifting  down  a  current  with  an  anchor  out. 

CLUBBING  A  FLEET.  Manoeuvring  so  as  to  place  the  first  division 
on  the  windward  side. 

CLUBBOCK.     The  spotted  blenny  or  gunnel  {GuneUus  vulgaris), 

CLUB-HAUL,  To.  A  method  of  tacking  a  ship  by  letting  go  the  lee- 
anchor  as  soon  as  the  wind  is  out  of  the  sails,  which  brings  her  head 
to  wind,  and  as  soon  as  she  pays  off,  the  cable  is  cut  and  the  sails 
trimmed;  this  is  never  had  recourse  to  but  in  perilous  situations,  and 
when  it  is  expected  that  the  ship  would  otherwise  miss  stays.  The 
most  gallant  example  was  performed  by  Captain  Hayes  in  H.M.S. 
Magmfieent,  74,  in  Basque  Boads,  in  1814,  when  with  lower-yards  and 
topmasts  struck,  he  escaped  between  two  reefs  from  the  enemy  at 
Oleron.  He  bore  the  name  of  Magnificent  Hayes  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  for  the  style  in  which  he  executed  it. 

CLUB-LAW.     The  rule  of  violence  and  strength. 

CLUE,  Of  a  square  sail,  either  of  the  lower  comers  reaching  down  to 
where  the  tacks  and  sheets  are  made  fast  to  it;  and  is  that  part  which 
comes  goring  out  from  the  square  of  the  sail. 

CLUE-GAENETS.  A  sort  of  tackle  rove  through  a  garnet  block, 
attached  to  the  clues  of  the  main  and  fore  sails  to  haul  up  and  truss 
them  to  the  yard;  which  is  termed  clueing  up  those  sails  as  for  goose- 
wings,  or  for  furling.     {See  Blocks.) 

CLUE-LINES.  Are  for  the  same  purpose  as  clue-garnets,  only  that 
the  latter  term  is  solely  appropriated  to  the  courses,  while  the  word 
clue-line  is  applied  to  those  ropes  on  all  the  other  square  sails;  they 
come  down  from  the  quarters  of  the  yards  to  the  clues,  or  lower  comers 
of  the  sails,  and  by  which  the  sails  are  hauled  or  clued  up  for  furling. 

CLUE  OP  A  HAMMOCK  The  combination  of  small  lines  by  which 
it  is  suspended,  being  formed  of  knittles,  grommets,  and  laniards; 


CLUE-BOPE COAL-FISH  1 9  5 

ihej  are  termed  double  or  single  clues,  according  as  there  are  one  or 
two  at  each  end.  Latterlj  iron  grommets  or  rings  were  introduced, 
but  did  not  afford  the  required  spread,  and  in  some  cases  triangular 
irons,  or  span-shackles  were  substituted,  called  Spanish  cliLeSj  formed 
by  fixing  the  knittles  at  equal  distances  upon  a  piece  of  rope  instead 
of  a  grommet,  which  having  an  eye  spliced,  and  a  laniard  placed  at 
each  end,  extends  the  hammock  in  the  same  way  as  a  double  clue. — 
From  elite  to  earing,  A  phrase  impl3ring  from  the  bottom  to  the  top, 
or  synonymous  with  **from  top  to  toe."  Or  literally  the  diagonal  of  a 
square  sail.  Also,  every  portion,  as  in  shifting  dress;  removing  every 
article.  Also,  cleaning  a  ship  from  clue  to  earing;  every  crevice. — A 
due  up.     A  case  of  despair.     In  readiness  for  death. 

CLUE-ROPE.  Tn  large  sails,  the  eye  or  loop  at  the  clues  is  made  of  a 
rope  larger  than  the  bolt-rope  into  which  it  is  spliced. 

CLUE  UP !     The  order  to  clue  up  the  square  sails. 

CLUMP.     A  circular  plantation  of  trees. 

CLUMP-BLOCKS.  Those  that  are  made  thicker  or  stronger  than 
ordinary  blocks.     {See  Block,  Tack-akd-Sheet.) 

CLUSTER    See  Group. 

CLUTCH.     The  oyster  spawn  adhering  to  stones,  oyster  shells,  ckc. 

CLUTCH.  Forked  stanchions  of  iron  or  wood.  The  same  as  crutch, 
clutch,  or  clamp  block.     {See  Snatch-block.) 

CLUTTERY.     Weather  inclining  to  stormy. 

COACH,  OR  Couch.  A  sort  of  chamber  or  apartment  in  a  large  ship 
of  war,  just  before  the  great  cabin.  The  floor  of  it  is  formed  by  the 
aflmost  part  of  the  quarter-deck,  and  the  roof  of  it  by  the  poop :  it  is 
generally  the  habitation  of  the  flag-captain. 

COACH-HORSES. .  The  crew  of  the  state  barge;  usually  fifteen  selected 
men,  to  support  the  captain  in  any  daring  exploits. 

COACH-WHIP.     The  pendant. 

CO  AD.     In  ship-building,  the  fayed  piece  called  hilge-keel, 

COAK.  A  small  perforated  triangidar  bit  of  brass  inserted  into  the 
middle  of  the  shiver  (now  called  aheav^  of  a  block,  to  keep  it  from 
splitting  and  galling  by  the  pin,  whereon  it  turns.  Called  also  hush, 
cock  or  cogg^  and  dowd, 

COAKING.  Unitmg  pieces  of  spar  by  means  of  tabular  projections 
formed  by  cutting  away  the  solid  of  one  piece  into  a  hollow,  so  as  to 
make  a  projection  in  the  other  fit  in  correctly,  the  butts  preventing  the 
pieces  from  drawing  asunder.  Coaks,  or  dowels,  are  fitted  into  the 
beams  and  knees  of  vessels,  to  prevent  their  slipping. 

COAL-FISH.  The  Gadtu  carhonarius.  Called  gerrack  in  its  first  year, 
ciUh  or  qiLcth  in  its  second,  sayth  in  its  third,  lythe  in  its  fourth,  and 
colmie  in  its  fifth,  when  it  is  full  grown. 


1 96  COALING COAST-WARNING 

COALIKG.     Takiug  in  a  supply  of  coals  for  a  cruise  or  voyage. 

COALS.   To  be  hauled  over  the  coaJs,  is  to  be  brought  to  strict  account. 

COAL-SACKS.  An  early  name  of  some  dark  patches  of  sky  in  the  Milky 
Way,  nearly  void  of  stars  visible  to  the  naked  eye.  The  largest  patch  is 
near  the  Southern  Cross,  and  called  the  Black  Magellanic  Cloud. 

COAL-SAY.     The  coal-fish. 

COAL-TAR     Tar  extracted  from  bituminous  coal. 

COAL-TBIMMER.  One  employed  in  a  steamer  to  stow  and  trim  the 
fuel     This  duty  and  that  of  the  stoker  are  generally  combined. 

COAMING-CARLINGS.  Those  timbers  that  inclose  the  mortar-beds 
of  bomb-vessels,  and  which  are  called  carlings,  because  they  are  shifted 
occasionally.     Short  beams  where  a  hatchway  is  cut. 

COAMINGS  OF  THE  Hatches  or  Gratings.  Certain  raised  work 
rather  higher  than  the  decks,  about  the  edges  of  the  hatch-openings 
of  a  ship,  to  prevent  the  water  on  deck  from  running  down.  Loop- 
holes were  made  in  the  coamings  for  firing  muskets  from  below,  in 
order  to  clear  the  deck  of  an  enemy  when  a  ship  is  boarded  There  is 
a  rabbet  in  their  inside  upper  edge,  to  receive  the  hatches  or  gratings. 

COAST.  The  sea-shore  and  the  adjoining  country;  in  fact,  the  sea- 
front  of  the  land.     {See  Shore.) 

COAST-BLOCKADE.  A  body  of  men  formerly  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Customs,  termed  Preventive  Service,  ofiering  a  dis- 
posable force  in  emergency;  but  which  has  been  turned  over  to  the 
control  of  the  Admiralty,  and  now  become  the  Coast-guard,  over  which 
a  commodore,  as  controller-general,  presides.    {See  Sea  FENCiBLEa) 

COASTER    See  Coastino. 

COASTING,  OR  To  Coast  along.  The  act  of  making  a  progress  along 
the  sesr-coast  of  any  country,  for  which  purpose  it  is  necessary  to 
observe  the  time  and  direction  of  the  tide,  to  know  the  reigning  winds, 
the  roads  and  havens,  the  different  depths  of  water,  and  the  qualities 
of  the  ground.  As  these  vessels  are  not  fitted  for  distant  sea  voyages, 
they  are  termed  coasters. 

COASTING  PILOT.  A  pilot  who  has  become  sufficiently  acquainted 
with  the  nature  of  any  particular  coast,  to  conduct  a  ship  or  fleet  from 
one  part  of  it  to  another;  but  only  within  his  limits.  He  may  be 
superseded  by  the  first  branch-pilot  he  meets  after  passing  his  bounds. 
COASTING  TRADE.  The  commerce  of  one  port  of  the  United  King- 
dom with  another  port  thereof.  A  trade  confined  by  law  to  British 
ships  and  vessels. 
COAST-WAITER.     Custom-house  superintendents  of  the  landing  and 

shipping  of  goods  coastways. 
COAST-WARNING.     Synonymous  with  Btormsignal ;  formerly  fire- 
beacons  were  used  to  give  warning  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy. 


COAT COCK-A-HOOP  J  97 

COAT.  A  piece  of  tarred  canvas  Hailed  round  above  the  piurtners,  or 
tbat  part  where  the  mast  or  bowsprit  enters  the  deck.  Its  use  is  to 
prevent  the  water  from  running  down  between  decks.  There  is 
sometimes  a  coat  for  the  rudder,  nailed  round  the  hole  where  the 
rudder  traverses  in  the  ship's  counter.  It  also  implies  the  stuff  with 
which  the  ship's  sides  or  masts  are  varnished,  to  defend  them  from  the 
sun  and  weather,  as  turpentine,  pitch,  varnish,  or  paint;  in  this  sense 
we  say,  "  Give  her  a  coat  of  tar  or  paint."  "By  neglecting  the  scraper 
this  may  become  a  crust  of  coatings. 

COAT  OF  MAIL.     The  chiton  shell. 

COAT-TACKS.  The  peculiar  nails  with  which  the  mast  coats  are 
fastened. 

COB.  A  young  herring.  Also,  a  sea-gull.  Also,  a  sort  of  short  break- 
water— so  called  in  our  early  statutes :  such  was  that  which  forms  the 
harbour  of  Lyme  Kegis,  originally  composed  of  piles  and  timber,  lined 
with  heaps  of  rock;  but  now  constructed  of  stone  compacted  with 
cement. 

COBB.     A  Gibraltar  term  for  a  Spanish  dollar. 

COBBING.  An  old  punishment  sometimes  inflicted  at  sea  for  breach 
of  certain  regulations — chiefly  for  those  quitting  their  station  during 
the  night.  The  offender  was  struck  a  certain  number  of  times  on  the 
breech  with  a  flat  piece  of  wood  called  the  cohbing-boarcL  Also,  when 
watch  was  cried,  all  persons  were  expected  to  take  off  their  hats  on 
pain  of  being  cobbed. 

COBBLE,  To.  To  mend  or  repair  hastily.  Also,  the  coggle  or  cog 
(which  see). — Cobble  or  coggle  stones^  pebbly  shingle,  ballast-stones 
rounded  by  attrition,  boulders,  <bc. 

COBBLER     An  armourer's  rasp. 

COBBO.     The  small  fish  known  as  the  miller's-thumb, 

COBLE.  A  low  flat-floored  boat  with  a  square  stem,  used  in  the  cod 
and  turbot  fishery,  20  feet  long  and  5  feet  broad;  of  about  one  ton 
burden,  rowed  with  three  pairs  of  oars,  and  ^mished  with  a  lug-sail; 
it  is  admirably  constructed  for  encountering  a  heavy  swell  Its  sta- 
bility is  secured  by  the  rudder  extending  4  or  5  feet  under  her  bottom. 
It  belonged  originally  to  the  stormy  coast  of  Yorkshire.  There  is  also 
a  small  boat  under  the  same  name  used  by  salmon  fishers. 

COBOOSE.    See  Caboose. 

COCK.  That  curved  arm  affixed  to  the  lock  of  small  arms,  which,  when 
released  by  the  touch  of  the  trigger,  flies  forward  and  discharges  the 
piece  by  percussion,  whether  of  flint  and  steel,  fulminating  priming, 
needles  abutting  on  the  latter,  <&o. 

COCKADE.     First  worn  by  St  Louis  on  his  unfortunate  crusade. 

COCK-A-HOOP.     In  full  confidence,  and  high  spirits. 


198  COCKANDY COD 

COCKAND  Y.  A  name  on  our  aorthem  shores  for  tlie  puffin,  otherwise 
called  Tom  Noddy  (FrcUeretUa  arctica). 

COCK-BILL.     The  situation  of  the  anchor  when  suspended  from  the 

.  cat-head  ready  for  letting  go.  Also  said  of  a  cable  when  it  hangs 
right  up  and  down.  To  put  the  yards  a-cock-bill  is  to  top  them  up 
by  one  lift  to  an  angle  with  the  deck.    The  symbol  of  mourning. 

COCK-BOAT.  A  very  small  boat  used  on  rivers  or  near  the  shore. 
Formerly  the  cock  was  the  general  name  of  a  yawl :  it  is  derived  from 
coggle  or  cog  (which  Beep 

COCKETS,  OR  Coquets.  An  official  custom-house  warrant  descriptive 
of  certain  goods  which  the  searcher  is  to  allow  to  pass  and  be  shipped. 
Also,  a  galley  term  for  counterfeit  ship-paper& — Cocket  bread.  Hard 
sea-biscuit. 

COCK-PADDLE.  A  name  of  the  paddle  or  lump-fish  (Cydopterua 
lumpus), 

COCKLE.  A  common  bivalve  mollusc  {Cardium  edule),  often  used  as 
food. 

COCKLING  SEA.  Tumbling  waves  dashing  against  each  other  with 
a  short  and  quick  motion. 

COCKPIT.  The  place  where  the  wounded  men  are  attended  to,  situated 
near  the  after  hatch-way,  and  under  the  lower  gun-deck.  The  mid- 
shipmen alone  inhabited  the  cockpit  in  former  times,  but  in  later  days 
commission  and  warrant  officers,  civilians,  &c.,  have  their  cabins  there. 
— Fore  cockpit  A  place  leading  to  the  magazine  passage,  and  the 
boatswain's,  gunner's,  and  carpenter's  store-rooms;  in  large  shi|)s,  and 
during  war  time,  the  boatswain  and  carpenter  generally  had  their 
cabins  in  the  fore  cockpit,  instead  of  being  under  the  forecastle. 

COCKPITAHIAN.  A  midshipman  or  master's  mate;  so  called  from 
messing  in  the  cockjnt  of  a  line-of-battle  ship. 

COCKSETUS.     An  old  law-term  for  a  boatman  or  coxswain. 

COCKSWAIN,  OR  Coxswain.  The  person  who  steers  a  boat;  after  the 
officer  in  command  he  has  charge  of  the  crew,  and  all  things  belonging 
to  it.  He  must  be  ready  with  his  crew  to  man  the  boat  on  all 
occasions. 

COCOA,  OR  Chocolate  Nuts,  commonly  so  termed.  {See  Cacao.)  It  is 
the  breakfast  food  of  the  navy. 

COCOA-NUT  TREE.  The  Palma  cocoa  yields  toddy;  the  nut  a  valu- 
able oil  and  milky  juice;  the  stem,  bark,  branches,  <Scc.,  also  serve 
numerous  purposes.     {See  Pai^>la.) 

COD.  The  centre  of  a  deep  bay.  The  bay  of  a  trawl  or  seine.  Also, 
the  Gadits  morrhua,  one  of  the  most  important  of  oceanic  fishes.  The 
cod  is  always  found  on  the  submerged  hills  known  as  banks;  as  the 
Dogger  Bank,  and  banks  of  Newfoundland.     {See  Lino.) 


COD-BAIT COIGN  J  99 

COD-BAIT.  The  large  sea-worm  or  lug,  dug  from  the  wet  sands.  The 
squid  or  cuttle,  henings,  caplin,  any  meat,  or  evea  a  fidse  fish  of  bright 
tin  or  pewter.     (See  Jio.) 

CODDY-MODDY.     A  gull  in  its  first  yearns  plumage. 

CODE  OF  SIGNALS.     Series  of  flags,  &c,,  for  communicating  at  sea. 

COD-FISHER'S  CREW.  The  crew  of  a  banker,  or  fishing-vessel, 
which  anchors  in  60  or  70  fathoms  on  the  Great  Bank  of  Newfound- 
land, and  remains  fishing  until  full,  or  driven  off  by  stress  of  weather. 
Season  from  June  until  October.     (See  Fishsbies.) 

CODGER.  An  easy-going  man  of  regularity.  Also,  a  knowing  and 
eccentric  hanger-on;  one  who  will  not  move  faster  than  he  pleases. 

COD-LINR     An  eighteen-thread  line. 

COD-SOUNDS.  The  swim-bladders  of  the  cod-fish,  cured  and  packed 
for  the  market;  the  palates  also  of  the  fish  are  included  as  '^  tongues 
and  sounds." 

COEHORN.  A  brass  mortar, 'named  afler  the  Dutch  engineer  who 
invented  it.  It  is  the  smallest  piece  of  ordnance  in  the  service,  Lav- 
ing a  bore  of  4j  inches  diameter,  a  length  of  1  foot^  and  a  weight  of 
I  cwt  They  throw  their  12-pounder  shells  with  much  precision  to 
moderate  distances,  and  being  fixed  to  wooden  beds,  are  very  handy 
for  ships'  gangways,  launches,  &c.,  afloat^  and  for  advanced  trenches, 
the  attack  of  stockades,  <&c.,  ashore. 

COFFER,  OR  CoFFRE.  A  depth  sunk  in  the  bottom  of  a  dry  ditch,  to 
baffle  besiegers  when  they  attempt  to  cross  it 

COFFER-DAM.  A  cofier-dam  consists  of  two  rows  of  piles,  each  row 
boarded  strongly  inside,  and  being  filled  with  clay  within  well 
rammed,  thereby  resists  outward  pressure,  and  is  impenetrable  by  the 
surrounding  water.     {See  Caisson.) 

COGGK  An  Anglo-Saxon  word  for  a  cock-boat  or  light  yawl,  being 
thus  mentioned  in  Morte  Arthure — 

*'  Then  he  coven  his  cogge,  and  caches  one  ankere.** 
But  coggo,  as  enumerated  in  an  ordinance  of  parliament  {temp.  Rich. 
IL),  seems  to  have  been  a  vessel  of  burden  used  to  carry  troops. 

COGGE-WARE.     Goods  carried  in  a  cogge. 

COGGLE,  OR  Coo.  A  small  fishing-boat  upon  the  coasts  of  Yorkshire, 
and  in  the  rivers  Ouse  and  Humber.  Hence  the  cogmen^  who  after 
shipwreck  or  losses  by  sea,  wandered  about  to  defraud  people  by 
begging  and  stealing,  until  they  were  restrained  by  proper  laws. 

COGGS.     The  same  with  coaks  or  dowels  (which  see). 

COGS  OF  A  Wheel;  applies  to  all  wheel  machinery  now  used  at  sea  or 
on  shore:  thus  vnndlctss-cogs,  capstan-cogSf  &c, 

COGUING  THE  NOSK     Making  comfortable  over  hot  negus  or  grog. 

COIGN.    See  Quoin. 


200  COIL OOLLIEES 

COIL.  A  certain  quantity  of  rope  laid  up  in  ring  fashion.  The  manner 
in  which  all  ropes  are  disposed  of  on  board  ship  for  convenience  of 
stowage.  Thej  are  laid  up  round,  one  fake  over  another,  or  by  con- 
centric twms,  termed  Flemish  eoUy  forming  but  one  tier,  and  lying  flat 
on  the  deck,  the  end  being  in  the  middle  of  it,  as  a  snake  or  worm 
coils  itsel£ 

COILING.  A  sort  of  serpentine  winding  of  a  cable  or  other  rope,  that 
it  may  occupy  a  small  space  in  the  ship.  Each  of  the  windings  of  this 
sort  is  called  tk/akey  and  one  range  of/akes  upon  the  same  line  is  called 
a  tier»  There  are  generally  from  five  to  seven  fakes  in  a  tier,  and 
three  or  four  tiers  in  the  whole  length  of  the  cable.  The  smaller  ropes 
employed  about  the  sails  are  coiled  upon  cleats  at  sea,  to  prevent  their 
being  entangled 

COIR.  Cordage  made  from  the  fibrous  husks  of  the  cocoa-nut;  though 
cables  made  of  it  are  disgreeable  to  handle  and  coil  away,  they  have 
the  advantage  of  floating  in  water,  so  that  vessels  ride  easily  by  them; 
they  are  still  used  by  the  Calcutta  pilot-brigs.  True  coir  is  from  the 
Bora88U8  gomutus,  the  long  fibrous  black  cloth-like  covering  of  the 
stem.  It  is  from  this  that  the  black  cables  in  the  East  are  made;  the 
cocoa-nut  fibre  being  of  a  reddish  hue.  It  is  used  for  strong  brushes, 
being  cylindrical  and  smooth,  with  a  natural  gloss. 

COKERS.     The  old  name  for  cocoa-nut  trees. 

CO-LATITUDE.  The  abbreviation  for  complement  of  latitude,  or 
what  it  is  short  of  90^ 

COLD-CHISEL.  A  stout  chisel  made  of  steel,  used  for  cutting  iron 
when  it  is  cold. 

COLD-EEL.     The  Gymnotua  dectrtcus. 

COLE  [from  the  German  kohI\.  Colewort  or  sea-kale;  a  plant  in  its 
wild  state  pecidiar  to  the  sea-coast. 

COLE-GOOSR     A  name  for  the  cormoraDt  (Pludacrocorax  ca/rho). 

COLLAR.  An  eye  in  the  end  or  bight  of  a  shroud  or  stay,  to  go  over 
the  mast-head.  The  upper  part  of  a  stay.  Also,  a  rope  formed  into 
a  wreath,  with  a  heart  or  dead-eye  seized  in  the  bight^  to  which  the 
stay  is  confined  at  the  lower  part     Also,  the  neck  of  a  bolt. 

COLLAR-BEAM.  The  beam  upon  which  the  stanchions  of  the  beak- 
head  bulk-head  stand. 

COLLECTOR  OF  CUSTOMS.  An  officer  who  takes  the  general 
superintendence  of  the  customs  at  any  port. 

COLLIERS.  Vessels  employed  exclusively  to  carry  coals  from  the 
northern  ports  of  England.  This  trade  has  immemorially  been  an 
excellent  nursery  for  seamen.  But  Shakspeare,  in  Twdfth  Night,  makes 
Sir  Toby  exclaim,  "Hang  him,  foul  collier!"  The  evil  genius  has 
lately  introduced  steam  screw-vessels  into  this  invaluable  school 


COLLIMATION COMB  20 1 

COLLIMATION,  Line  of.  The  optical  axis  of  a  telescope,  or  an 
imaginary  line  passing  through  the  centre  of  the  tube. 

COLLISION.  The  case  of  one  ship  running  foul  of  another;  the 
injuries  arising  from  which,  where  no  blame  is  imputable  to  the 
master  of  either,  is  generally  borne  by  the  owners  of  both  in  equal 
parts.     {See  Allision.) 

COLLISION-CLAUSE.    See  Ruwning-down  Clause. 

COLLOP.     A  cut  from  a  joint  of  meat     "Scotch  collops.'* 

COLMIE.     A  fifth-year  or  full-grown  coal-fishj  sometimes  called  comb, 

COLMOW.  An  old  word  for  the  sea-mew,  derived  from  the  Anglo- 
Saxon. 

COLONEL.     The  commander  of  a  regiment,  either  of  horse  or  foot 

COLONNATL     The  Spanish  pQlared  dollar. 

COLOURABLE.  Ships'  papers  so  drawn  up  as  to  be  available  for 
more  purposes  than  one.     In  admiralty  law,  a  probable  plea. 

COLOUR-CHESTS.  Chests  appropriated  to  the  reception  of  flags  for 
making  signals. 

COLOURS.  The  flags  or  banners  which  distinguish  the  ships  of  different 
nations.  Also,  the  regimental  flags  of  the  army.  Hauling  down 
colours  in  token  of  submission,  and  the  use  of  signals,  are  mentioned 
by  Plutarch  in  Themistocles, 

COLOUR-SERGEANT.  The  senior  sergeant  of  a  company  of  infantry; 
he  acts  as  a  kind  of  sergeant-major,  and  generally  as  pay-sergeant  also 
to  the  company.  From  amongst  these  trustworthy  men,  the  sergeants 
for  attendance  on  the  colours  in  the  field  were  originally  detailed. 

COLT.  A  short  piece  of  rope  with  a  large  knot  at  one  end,  kept  in  the 
pocket  for  starting  skulkers. 

COLUMBIAD.  A  name  given  in  the  United  States  to  a  peculiar 
pattern  of  gun  in  their  service,  principally  adapted  to  the  firing  of 
heavy  shells:  its  external  form  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the 
result  of  much  science,  and  it  is  now  generally  superseded  by  the 
Dahlgren  pattern. 

COLUMN.  A  body  of  troops  in  deep  files  and  naiTow  front,  so  dis- 
posed as  to  move  in  regular  succession. 

COLURES.  Great  circles  passing  through  the  equinoctial  and  solstitial 
points,  and  the  poles  of  the  eartL 

COMR  A  small  piece  of  timber  under  the  lower  part  of  the  beak- 
head,  for  the  fore-tack  to  be  hauled  to,  in  some  vessels,  instead  of 
a  bumkin:  it  has  the  same  use  in  bringing  the  fore-tack  on  board  that 
the  chess-tree  has  to  the  main-tack.  Also,  the  notched  scale  of  a  wire- 
micrometer.  Also,  that  projecting  piece  on  the  top  of  the  cock  of  a 
gun-lock,  which  affords  the  thumb  a  convenient  hold  for  drawing  it 
back. 


202  COMBATANTS COMMANDANT 

COMBATANTS.  Men,  or  bodies  of  troops,  engaged  in  battle  witb  each 
other. 

COMBK     See  Cooicb  and  Cwm. 

COMBERS.     Heavy  surges  breaking  on  a  beach. 

COMBERS,  Grass.  Men  who  volunteer  from  the  plough-tail,  and 
often  prove  valuable  seamen. 

COMBING  THE  GAT.  The  boatswain,  or  other  operator,  running 
his  lingers  through  the  cat-o*-nine  tails,  to  separate  them. 

COMBINGS.     See  Coamino& 

COMBING  SEA.     A  rolling  and  crested  wave. 

COMBUSTION.     Burning,  <kc.     {See  Spontaneous  Combustion.) 

COME  NO  NEAR!  The  order  to  the  helmsman  to  steer  the  ship  on 
the  course  indicated,  and  not  closer  to  the  wind,  while  going  "full  and 
by." — Come  on  hoard,  sir.  An  officer  reporting  himself  to  his  superior 
on  returning  from  duty  or  leave. — Come  to.  To  bring  the  ship  close 
to  the  wind. — Come  to  an  anchor.  To  let  go  the  anchor. — Come  up! 
with  a  rope  or  tackle,  is  to  slack  it  off. — Comes  up,  with  the  helm. 
A  close-hauled  ship  comes  up  (to  her  course)  as  the  wind  changes  in 
her  favour.  To  eam^  up  with  or  overhaul  a  vessel  chased. — Com.e  up 
the  capstan*  Is  to  turn  it  the  contrary  way  to  that  which  it  was 
heaving,  so  as  to  take  the  strain  off,  or  slacken  or  let  out  some  of  the 
cablet  or  rope  which  is  about  it. — Come  up  the  tacMe-faU.  Is  to  let 
go.  —  To  come  up,  in  ship-building,  is  to  cast  loose  the  fore-locks  or 
lashings  of  a  sett,  in  order  to  take  in  closer  to  the  plank. 

COMING-HOME.  Said  of  the  anchor  when  it  has  been  dropped  on 
bad  holding  ground,  or  is  dislodged  from  its  bed  by  the  violence  of  the 
wind  and  sea,  and  is  dragged  along  by  the  vessel,  or  is  tripped  by 
insufficient  length  of  cable. — Coming  round  on  her  heel.  Turning  in 
the  same  spot. — Coming  the  old  soldier.  Petty  manoeuvring. — Coming- 
up  glass.     {See  Double-image  Micrometer.) 

COMITY.  A  certain  comitas  gentium,  or  judgment  of  tribunals,  having 
competent  jurisdiction  in  any  one  state,  are  regarded  in  the  courts  of 
all  other  civilized  powers  as  conclusive.  Especially  binding  in  all 
prize  matters,  however  manifestly  unjust  may  be  the  decision.  {See 
Judgment.) 

COMMAND.  The  words  of  command  are  the  terms  used  by  officers  in 
exercise  or  upon  service.  All  commands  belong  to  the  senior  officer. 
Also,  in  fortification,  the  height  of  the  top  of  the  parapet  of  a  work 
above  the  level  of  the  country,  or  above  that  of  another  work.  Gene- 
rally, one  position  is  said  to  be  commanded  by  another  when  it  can 
be  seen  into  from  the  latter. 

COMMANDANT.  The  officer  in  command  of  a  squadron,  ship,  garri- 
son, fort,  or  regiment. 


COMMAKDEB COMMISSIONEBS  203 

COMMANDER.  An  officer  in  the  royal  navy,  commanding  a  ship  of 
war  of  under  twenty  guns,  a  sloop  of  war,  armed  ship,  or  bomb-vessel. 
He  was  entitled  master  and  commander,  and  ranked  with  a  major 
of  the  army:  now  simply  termed  commander,  and  ranking  with 
lieutenant-colonel,  but  junior  of  that  rank.  The  act  of  the  com- 
mander is  binding  upon  the  interests  of  all  under  him,  and  he  is  alone 
responsible  for  costs  and  damages:  he  may  act  enx)neously,  and  abandon 
what  might  have  turned  out  good  prize  to  himself  and  crew. — Com- 
mander is  also  the  name  of  a  large  wooden  mallet  used  specially  in 
the  sail  and  rigging  lofls,  as  anything  of  metal  would  injure  the  ropes 
or  canvas. 

COMMANDEE-IN-CHIEF.  The  senior  officer  in  any  port  or  station 
appointed  to  hold  command  over  all  other  vessels  within  the  limits 
assigned  to  him.  Thus  the  commodore  on  the  coast  of  Africa  is,  de 
facto,  commander-in-chief,  free  from  the  interference  of  any  other 
authority  afloat. 

COMMAND-OF-MIND  MEN.     Steady  officers,  who  command  coolly. 

COMMEATUS,  or  Provisions,  going  to  the  enemy's  ports,  subject 
only  to  j!>r6-emption,  a  right  of  purchase  upon  reasonable  terms,  but 
previously  liable  to  confiscation  (Robinson).  Commeatits,  in  admiralty 
law,  is  a  general  term,  signifying  drink  as  well  as  eatables. 

COMMERCE.  Was  not  much  practised  by  the  Romans.  The  principal 
objects  of  their  water-carriage  were  the  supply  of  com,  still  termed 
annona,  and  the  tribute  and  spoils  of  conquered  countries. 

COMMERCIAL  CODE  OF  SIGNALS.     As  Marryat's  and  othere. 

COMMISSARIAT.     The  department  of  supplies  to  the  army. 

COMMISSARY.     The  principal  officer  in  charge  of  the  commissariat. 

COMMISSION.  The  authority  by  which  an  officer  officiates  in  his 
post.  Also,  an  allowance  paid  to  agents  or  factors  for  transacting  the 
business  of  others. 

COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS.  Those  appointed  by  commissions. 
Such  are  admirals,  down  to  lieutenants,  in  the  royal  navy;  and  in  tbe 
army,  all  from  the  general  to  the  ensign  inclusive 

COMMISSIONERS,  Lords,  of  the  Admiralty.  In  general  the 
crown  appoints  five  or  seven  commissioners  for  executing  the  office  of 
lord  high- admiral,  &c.;  for  this  important  and  high  office  has  seldom 
been  intrusted  to  any  single  person.  The  admiralty  jurisdiction 
extends  to  all  offences  mentioned  in  the  articles  of  war,  or  new  naval 
code,  as  regards  places  beyond  the  powers  of  the  law  courts,  or  outside 
the  bounds  of  a  county.  But  all  criminal  acts  committed  within  the 
limits  of  a  county,  or  within  a  line  drawn  from  one  headland  to  the 
next,  are  specially  liable  to  be  tried  by  the  common  law  courts.  The 
high  court  of  admiralty  civil  court  takes  cognizance  of  salvage,  prize- 


204-  COMMISSIONEES CKDMPANION 

derelict,  collision,  <!bc,  at  sea  beyond  the  count j  limits,  even  as  relates 
to  ships  of  war  if  in  fault 

COMMISSIONERS  OF  CUSTOMS.  The  Jboaid  of  management  of 
the  customs  department  of  the  public  revenue. 

COMMISSIONERS  OP  THE  NAVY.  Certain  officers  formerly 
appointed  to  superintend  the  affairs  of  the  navy,  under  the  direction  of 
the  lords-commissioners  of  the  Admiralty.  Their  duty  was  more  im- 
mediately concerned  in  the  building,  docking,  and  repairing  of  ships 
in  the  dock-yards;  they  had  also  the  appointment  of  some  of  the 
officers,  as  surgeons,  masters,  &c.,  and  the  transport,  victualling,  and 
medical  departments  were  controlled  by  that  board.  It  was  abolished 
in  1831, 

COMMIT  ONE'S  SELF,  To.  To  break  through  regulations.  To 
incur  responsibility  without  regard  to  results. 

COMMODORE.  A  senior  officer  in  command  of  a  detached  squadron. 
A  captain  finding  five  or  six  ships  assembled,  was  formerly  permitted 
to  hoist  his  pennant,  and  command  as  commodore;  and  a  necessity 
arising  for  holding  a  court-martial,  he  ordered  the  said  court  to 
assemble.  Again,  where  au  admiral  dies  in  command,  the  senior  cap- 
tain hoists  a  first-class  broad  pennant,  and  appoints  a  captain,  secre- 
tary, and  fiag-lieutenant,  fulfils  the  duties  of  a  rear-admiral,  and  wears 
the  uniform.  Commodores  of  the  second  class  have  no  captain  or  pen- 
nant-lieutenant. A  commodore  rates  with  brigadier-generals,  accord- 
ing to  dates  of  commission  (being  of  full  colonel's  rank).  He  is  next 
in  command  to  a  rear-admiral,  but  cannot  hoist  his  broad  pennant  in 
the  presence  of  an  admiral,  or  superior  captain,  without  permission. 
The  broad  pennant  is  a  swallow-tailed  tapered  burgee.  The  second- 
class  commodore  is  to  hoist  his  broad  pennant,  white  at  the  fore.  It 
is  a  title  given  by  courtesy  to  the  senior  captain,  where  three  or  more 
ships  of  war  are  cruising  in  company.  It  was  also  imported  into  the 
East  India  Company's  vesseb,  the  senior  being  so  termed,  inter  se.  It 
moreover  denotes  the  convoy  ship,  which  carries  a  light  in  her  top. 
The  epithet  is  corrupted  from  the  Spanish  eomendador. 

COMMUNICATION.  Corresponding  by  letter,  hail,  or  signal.  (See 
Line  op  Communication  and  Boyaux.) 

COMMUTE,  To.  To  lighten  the  sentence  of  a  court-martial,  on  a 
recommendation  of  the  court  to  the  commander-in-chief. 

COMPANION.  The  framing  and  sash-lights  upon  the  quarter-deck  or 
round-house,  through  which  light  passes  to  the  cabins  and  decks 
below;  and  a  sort  of  wooden  hood  placed  over  the  entrance  or  stair- 
case of  the  master's  cabin  in  small  ships.  Flush-decked  vessels  are 
generally  fitted  with  movable  companions,  to  keep  the  rain  or  water 
from  descending,  which  are  unshipped  when  the  capstan  is  required. 


CX)MPANION.LADDEE COMPASSING  |^05 

COMPANION-LADDER  Denotes  the  ladder  by  which  the  officers 
ascend  to,  and  descend  from,  the  quarter-deck. 

COMPANION-WAY.  The  staircase,  porch,  or  berthing  of  the  kdder- 
way  to  the  cabin. 

COMPANY.  The  whole  crew  of  any  ship,  including  her  officers,  men, 
and  boys.  In  the  army,  a  small  body  of  foot^  or  subdivision  of  a 
regiment,  commanded  by  a  captain. 

COMPARATIVE  RANK.    See  Rakk. 

COMPARISON  WATCH.  The  job-watch  for  taking  an  observation, 
compared  before  and  after  with  the  chronometer. 

COMPARTMENT  BULKHEADS.  Some  of  the  iron  ships  have 
adopted  the  admirable  Chinese  plan  of  dividing  the  hold  athwart-ship 
by  strong  water-tight  bulk-heads,  into  compartments,  so  that  a  leak  in 
any  one  of  them  does  not  communicate  with  the  others — thus  strength- 
ening a  vessel,  besides  adding  to  its  security.  Compartment  bulk- 
heads were  first  directed  to  be  fitted  under  the  superintendence  of 
Commander  Belcher  in  H.M.  ships  Erebus  and  Terror  at  Chatham, 
for  Arctic  service  in  1835.  H.M.S.  TerroTy  Commander  Back,  was 
saved  entirely  owing  to  this  fitment,  the  after  section  being  full  of 
water  all  the  passage  home;  and  lately  the  mail  packet  Samphire  was 
similarly  saved. 

COMPASANT.  A  corruption  of  corpo  santOy  a  ball  of  electric  light 
observed  ffickering  about  the  masts,  yard-arms,  and  rigging,  during 
heavy  rain,  thunder,  and  lightning. 

COMPASS.  An  instrument  employed  by  navigators  to  guide  the  ship's 
course  at  sea.  It  consists  of  a  circular  box,  containing  a  fly  or  paper 
card,  which  represents  the  horizon,  and  is  suspended  by  two  concentric 
rings  called  gimbals.  The  fly  is  divided  into  thirty-two  equal  parts, 
by  lines  drawn  from  the  centre  to  the  circumference,  called  points  or 
rhumbs;  the  interval  between  the  points  is  subdivided  into  360  de- 
grees— consequently,  the  distance  or  angle  comprehended  between  any 
two  rhumbs  is  equal  to  11  degrees  and  15  minutes.  The  four  cardinal 
points  lie  opposite  to  each  other;  the  north  and  south  points  form  top 
and  bottom,  leaving  the  east  on  the  right  hand,  and  the  west  on  the 
left;  the  names  of  all  the  inferior  points  are  compounded  of  these 
according  to  their  situation.  This  card  is  attached  to  a  magnetic 
needle,  which,  carrying  the  card  round  with  it,  points  north,  excepting 
for  the  local  annual  variation  and  the  deviation  caused  by  the  iron  in 
the  ship;  the  angle  which  the  course  makes  with  that  meridian  is 
shown  by  the  lubbei^s  point,  a  dark  line  inside  the  box.     {See  Adjust- 

MBNT  OF  THE  COMPABS.) 

COMPASS,  To.     To  curve;  also  to  obtain  one's  object. 
COMPASSING.    {See  Compass  Timbers.) 


20G  COMPASSIONATE COMPEESSOB 

COMPASSIONATE  ALLOWANCES.  Grants  are  made  on  the  com- 
passionate  fund  to  the  legitimate  children  of  deceased  officers,  on  its 
being  shown  to  the  Admiralty  that  they  deserve  them« 

COMPASS-SAW.  A  narrow  saw,  which,  inserted  in  a  hole  bored  by  a 
centrck-bit,  follows  out  required  curves. 

COMPASS-TIMBERS.  Such  as  are  curved,  crooked,  or  arched,  for 
ship-building. 

COMPENSATION.  If  a  detained  vessel  is  lost  by  the  negligence  and 
misconduct  of  the  prizemaster,  compensation  must  be  rendered,  and 
the  actual  captors  are  responsible.  The  principal  being  answerable  in 
law  for  the  agent's  acts. 

COMPENSATOR  OF  THE  COMPASS.    See  MAONEric  Compensator. 

COMPLAIN,  To.  The  creaking  of  masts,  or  timbers,  when  over- 
pressed,  without  any  apparent  external  defect  One  man  threatening 
to  complain  of  another,  is  saying  that  he  will  report  misconduct  to  the 
officer  in  charge  of  the  quarter-deck. 

COMPLEMENT.  The  proper  number  of  men  employed  in  any  ship, 
either  for  navigation  or  battle.  In  navigation  the  complement  of  the 
course  is  what  it  wants  of  eight  points;  of  latitude,  what  it  is  short  of 
90^     (See  Co-latitude.) 

COMPLEMENT  OF  LONGITUDE.    See  Supplement  op  Longitude. 

COMPLETE  BOOK.  A  book  which  contains  the  names  and  parti- 
culars of  every  person  borne  for  wages  on  board,  as  age,  place  of  birth, 
rating,  times  of  entry  and  discharge,  &c. 

COMPLIMENT,  To.     To  render  naval  or  military  honour  where  due. 

COMPO.     The  monthly  portion  of  wages  paid  to  the  ship's  company. 

COMPOSITION  NAILS.  Those  which  are  made  of  mixed  metal, 
and  which,  being  largely  used  for  nailing  on  copper  sheathiug,  are 
erroneously  called  copper  nails, 

COMPOUND.  A  term  used  in  India  for  a  lawn  garden,  or  inclosed 
ground  round  a  house. 

COMPRADOR  [Sp],  A  Chinese  contractor  in  shipping  concerns,  or  in 
purchasing  present  supplies. 

COMPRESS.  A  pad  of  soft  linen  used  by  the  surgeon  for  the  dressing 
of  a  wound. 

COMPRESSION  OF  THE  POLES.  The  amount  of  flattening  at  the 
polar  regions  of  a  planet,  by  which  the  polar  diameter  is  less  than  the 
equatorial 

COMPRESSOR.  A  mechanism  generally  adopted  afloat  for  facilitating 
the  working  of  the  large  guns  recently  introduced;  the  gun-carriage  is 
thus  compressed  to  its  slide  or  platform  during  the  recoil,  and  set  free 
again  by  the  turn  of  a  handle  for  running  up.  It  is  of  various  forms; 
one  of  the  simpler  kind  used  to  be  always  applied  to  carronade  slides. 


COMPEBSSOR CX)NDTJCT-LIST  gO? 

COMPRESSOR-STOPPER  A  contrivance  for  holding  the  cLain-cable 
bj  compression. 

COMPROMISK  The  mutual  agreement  of  a  partj  or  parties  at  differ- 
ence, to  refer  to  arbitration,  or  make  an  end  of  the  matter. 

COMPTROLLER  OF  THE  CUSTOMS.  The  officer  who  controls 
and  has  a  check  on  the  collectors  of  customs.     {See  Controlleb.) 

COMPTROLLER  OF  THE  NAVY.  Formerly  the  chief  commis- 
sioner of  the  navy  board,  at  which  he  presided. 

COMRADE.  A  barrack  term  for  a  fellow-soldier,  serving  in  the  same 
company. 

CONCEALMENT,  ob  Suppressio  Yeri.  Consists  in  the  suppression 
of  any  fact  or  circumstance  as  to  the  state  of  the  ship,  the  nature  of 
her  employ,  and  the  time  of  sailing  or  expected  arrival,  material  to 
the  risk  of  insurance,  and  is  fatal  to  the  insured.  But  it  is  held 
immaterial  to  disclose  the  secret  destination  of  privateers^  the  usages 
of  trade,  or  matters  equally  open  to  both  parties. 

CONCENTRATED  FIRE.  The  bringing  the  whole  or  several  guns  to 
bear  on  a  single  point. 

CONCH,  A  large  univalve,  used  as  a  horn  by  pilots,  fishermen,  <fec.,  in 
fogs:  a  8tromlm8f  tritony  or  sometimes  a  mureoc 

CONCHS.  A  name  for  the  wreckers  of  the  Bahama  reefs,  in  allusion 
to  the  shells  on  those  shores.  Though  plunder  is  their  object,  the 
Conchs  are  very  serviceable  to  humanity,  and  evince  both  courage  and 
address  in  saving  the  lives  of  the  wrecked. 

CONCLUDING-LINE.  A  small  rope  hitched  to  the  middle  of  the 
steps  of  the  stern-ladders.  Also,  a  small  line  leading  through  the  centre 
of  the  steps  of  a  Jacob's  ladder. 

CONDEMNATION.  A  captured  ship  declared  by  sentence  of  the 
admiralty  court  to  be  lawful  prize.  But  the  transfer  of  a  prize  vessel 
carried  into  a  neutral  port,  and  sold  without  a  condemnation,  or  the 
authority  of  any  judicial  proceedings,  is  null  and  void. 

CONDEMNED.     Unserviceable,  as  bad  provisions,  old  stores,  <fec. 

CONDENSER  The  chamber  of  a  marine  engine,  where  the  steam, 
afler  having  performed  its  duty,  is  instantly  reduced  to  water.  Sailing 
ships  frequently  carry  condensers,  for  the  purpose  of  making  fresh 
from  salt  water. 

CONDER.  A  watcher  of  fishes,  the  same  as  balker,  huer,  and  olpis. 
See  statute  (1  Jac.  cap.  23)  relating  to  his  employment,  which  was  to 
give  notice  to  the  fishermen  from  an  eminence  which  way  the  herring 
shoals  were  going. 

CONDITIONS.     The  terms  of  surrender. 

CONDUCT-LIST.  A  roll  to  accompany  the  tickets  of  all  persons  sent 
to  a  hospital  for  medical  treatment;  it  details  their  names,  numbers 


208  CONDUCT-MONEY OONJUNCHON 

on  the  sliip^s  booka^  the  date  of  their  being  sent,  and  the  nature  of 

their  ailment. 
CONDUCT-MONEY.      A  sum  advanced    to   defray  the  tiavelling 

expenses  of  volunteers,  and  of  soldiers  and  sailors  to  their  quarters 

and  ships.     {See  Safe-conduct.) 
CONDUCTOR     A  thick  metal  wire,  generallj  of  copper,  extending 

from  above  the  main  truck  downwards  into  the  water,  or  in  the  form 

of  a  chain  with  long  links.     Its  use  is  to  defend  the  ship  from  the 

effects  of  lightning  by  conyejing  the  electric  fluid  into  the  sea. 
CONE.     A  solid  figure  having  a  circle  for  its  base,  and  produced  by  the 

entire  revolution  of  a  right-angled  triangle  about  its  perpendicular 

side,  which  is  termed  the  axis  of  the  cona 
CONE-BUOY.     See  Cau-buot. 
CONEY-FISH.     A  name  of  the  burbot 
CONFIGURATION.     The  reUtive  positions  of  celestial  bodies,  as  for 

instance  those  of  Jupiter's  satellites,  with  respect  to  the  primary  at  any 

one  time. 
CONFINEMENT.     Inflicted  restraint;  an  arrest 
CONFIRMED  RANK.     When  an  officer  is  placed  in  a  vacancy  by 

^acting  order,**  he  only  holds  temporary  rank  until  '^ confirmed" 

therein  by  the  Admiralty.     An  acting  order  given  by  competent 

authority  is  not  disturbed  by  any  casual  superior. 
CONFLICT.     An  indecisive  action. 
CONFLUENTS.     Those  streams  which  join  and  flow  together.     The 

confluence  is  the  point  of  junction  of  an  affluent  river  with  its  recipient 
CONGER     A  large  species  of  sea-eel,  furnishing  a  somewhat  vile  viand, 

but  eatable  when  strongly  curried.     Not  at  all  despised  by  the  people 

of  Cornwall  in  "fishy  pie." 
CONGREVE-ROCKET.     A  very  powerful  form  of  rocket,  invented  by 

the  late  Sir  William  Congreve,  R  A,  and  intended  to  do  the  work  of 

artillery  without  the  inconvenience  of  its  weight     In  its  present 

form,  however,  the  rocket  is  so  uncertain,  that  it  is  in  little  frivonr 

save  for  exceptional  occasionsL 
CONICAL  Tops  of  Mountadts  not  unfi^uently  indicate  their  nature: 

the  truncated  sugar-loaf  form  is  generally  assumed  by  volcanoes^  though 

the  same  is  occasionally  met  with  in  other  mountains. 
CONIC  SECTIONSl     The  curved  lines  and  plane  figures  which  are 

produced  by  the  intersection  of  a  plane  with  a  cone. 
CON  JEK     Gruel  made  of  rice. 
CONJUGATE  AXIS.     The  secondary  diameter  of  an  ellipse,  peqien- 

dicular  to  the  transverse  axis. 
CONJUNCTION,  in  nautical  astronomy,  is  when  two  bodies  have  the 

same  longitude  or  right  ascension. 


CONN  —  CONSUL  209 

CONN,  Con,  or  Cun,  au  pronounced  by  seamen.  This  word  is  derived 
from  the  Anglo-Saxon  conne,  eonnan,  to  know,  or  be  skilfuL  The 
pilot  of  old  was  skilful,  and  later  the  master  was  selected  to  conn  the 
ship  in  action,  that  is,  direct  the  helmsman.  The  quarter^master 
during  ordinary  watches  conns  the  ship,  and  stands  beside  the  wheel 
at  the  conn,  unless  close-hauled,  when  his  station  is  at  the  weather- 
side,  where  he  can  see  the  weather-leeches  of  the  sails. 

CONNECTING-ROD.  In  the  marine  engine,  the  part  which  con- 
nects the  side-levers  and  the  crank  together. 

CONNINGS.     Reckonings. 

CONQUER,  To.     To  overcome  decidedly. 

CONSCRIPTION.  Not  only  furnishes  conscripts  for  the  French  army, 
but  also  levies  a  number  of  men  who  are  compelled  to  serve  afloat. 

CONSECRATION  OF  COLOURS.  A  rite  practised  in  the  army, 
but  not  in  the  navy. 

CONSIGN,  To.  To  send  a  consignment  of  goods  to  an  agent  or  factor 
for  sale  or  disposal. 

CONSIGNEE.  The  party  to  whose  care  a  ship  or  a  consignment  of 
goods  is  intrusted. 

CONSIGNMENT.  Goods  assigned  from  beyond  sea,  or  elsewhere,  to  a 
factor. 

CONSOLE-BRACKET.  A  light  piece  of  ornament  at  the  fore-part 
of  the  quarter-gallery,  otherwise  called  a  canting-livre. 

CONSORT.  Any  vessel  keeping  company  with  another. — In  eonsorty 
ships  sailing  together  in  partnership. 

CONSORTSHIP.  The  practice  of  two  or  more  ships  agreeing  to  join 
in  adventure,  under  which  a  strict  division  of  all  prizes  must  be  made. 
{See  Ton  for  Ton.) 

CONSTRUCTION.  In  naval  architecture,  is  to  give  the  ship  such  a 
form  as  may  be  most  suitable  for  the  service  for  which  she  is  de- 
signed. In  navigation,  it  is  the  method  of  ascertaining  a  ship's  course 
by  trigonometrical  diagrams.     (See  Inspection.) 

CONSTRUCTIVE  TOTAL  LOSS.  When  the  repair  of  damage  sus- 
tained by  the  penis  of  the  sea  would  cost  more  than  the  ship  would 
be  worth  after  being  repaired. 

CONSUL.  An  officer  established  by  a  commission  from  the  crown,  in 
all  foreign  countries  of  any  considerable  trade,  to  facilitate  business, 
and  represent  the  merchants  of  his  nation.  They  take  rank  with 
captains,  but  are  to  wait  on  them  if  a  boat  be  sent.  Commanders 
wait  on  consuls^  but  vice-consuls  wait  on  commanders  (in  Etiquette). 
Ministers  and  cluxrgh  d'affaires  retire  in  case  of  hostilities,  but  consuls 
are  permitted  to  remain  to  watch  the  interests  of  their  countxymen. 
When  commerce  began  to  flourish  in  modem  Euroi)e,  occasion  soon 

0 


210  CONTACT CONTRACT  TICKET 

arose  for  the  institution  of  a  kind  of  court-merchant,  to  determine 
commercial  afisdrs  in  a  summary  way.  Their  authority  depends  very 
much  on  their  commission,  and  on  the  words  of  the  treaty  on  which 
it  is  founded.  The  consuls  are  to  take  care  of  the  affairs  of  the  trade, 
and  of  the  rights,  interests,  and  privileges  of  their  countrymen  in  foreign 
ports.  Not  heing  public  ministers,  they  are  liable  to  the  lex  loci  both 
civil  and  crimintd,  and  their  exemption  from  certain  taxes  depends  upon 
treaty  and  custom. 

CONTACT.  Brought  in  contact  with,  as  touching  the  sides  of  a  ship.  In 
astronomy,  bringing  a  reflected  body,  as  the  sun,  in  contact  with  the  moon 
or  with  a  star.     {See  Lunak  Distances,  Measurement  by  Sextant,  <fec.) 

CONTENTS.  A  document  which  the  master  of  a  merchantman  must 
deliver  to  the  custom-house  searcher,  before  he  can  clear  outwards;  it 
describes  the  vessel's  destination,  cargo,  and  all  necessary  particulars. 

CONTINENT.  In  geography,  a  large  extent  of  land  which  is  not  entirely 
surrounded  by  water,  or  separated  from  other  lands  by  the  sea,  as  Europe, 
Asia,  and  Africa.  It  is  also  used  in  contradistinction  to  island,  though 
America  seems  insulated. 

CONTINGENT.  The  quota  of  armed  men,  or  pecuniary  subsidy,  which 
one  state  gives  to  another.  Also,  certain  allowances  made  to  commanding 
officers  to  defray  necessaiy  expenses. 

CONTINUED  LINES.  In  field-works,  means  a  succession  of  fronts 
without  any  interruption,  save  the  necessary  passages;  differing  thus 
from  interrupted  lines. 

CONTINUOUS  SERVICE  MEN.  Those  seamen  who,  having  entered 
for  a  period,  on  being  paid  off,  are  permitted  to  have  leave,  and  return  to 
the  flag-ship  at  the  port  for  general  service. 

CONT-LINE.  The  space  between  the  bilges  of  two  casks  stowed  side 
by  side. 

CONTOUR     The  sweep  of  a  ship's  shape. 

CONTRABAND.  The  ship  is  involved  in  the  legal  fate  of  the  cargo;  the 
master  should  therefore  be  careful  not  to  take  any  goods  on  board  with- 
out all  custom-house  duties  being  paid  up,  and  see  that  they  be  not 
prohibited  by  parliament  or  public  proclamation.  Contraband  is  simply 
defined,  ^  merchandise  forbidden  by  the  law  of  nations  to  be  supplied  to 
an  enemy;"  but  it  affords  fat  dodges  to  the  admiralty  court  sharks. 

CONTRABAND  OF  WAR.  Arms,  ammunition,  and  all  stores  which 
may  aid  hostilities;  masts,  ship-timber  going  to  an  enemy's  port^  hemp, 
provisions,  and  even  money  under  stipulations,  pitch  and  tar,  sail-cloth. 
They  must,  however,  be  taken  in  delicio,  in  the  actual  prosecution  of  a 
voyage  to  the  enemy's  port 

CONTRACT  OF  AFFREIGHTMENT.  The  agreement  for  the  letting  to 
freight  the  whole  or  any  part  of  a  vessel  for  one  or  more  voyages;  the 
charter-party, 

CONTRACT  TICKET.  A  printed  form  of  agreement  with  every  pas- 
senger in  a  passenger-ship,  prescribed  by  the  legislature. 


OONTRAEY COOK  21 1 

CONTRARY.     The  wind  when  opposed  to  a  vessers  course. 

'*  Cruel  was  the  stately  ship  tliat  bore  her  love  from  Mary, 
And  cruel  was  the  fair  wind  that  wouldn't  blow  contrary.  ** 

CONTRA VALLATION,  Lines  op.  Continuous  lines  of  intrenchment 
round  the  besieged  fortress,  and  fronting  towards  it,  to  guard  against  any 
sorties  from  the  place.     (See  Circumvallation.) 

CONTRIBUTION.  Money  paid  in  order  to  save  a  place  from  being 
plundered  by  a  hostile  forc&  (See  Ransom.)  Also,  a  sum  raised  among 
merchants,  where  goods  have  been  thrown  overboard  in  stress  of  weather, 
towards  the  loss  of  the  owners  thereof. 

CONTROLLER.  Differs  from  comptroller,  which  applies  chiefly  to  the 
duties  of  an  accompL  But  the  controller  of  the  navy  controls  naval 
matters  in  ship-building,  fitting,  &c.  There  is  also  the  controller  of 
victualling,  and  the  controller-general  of  the  coast-guard. 

CONTUMACY.  The  not  appearing  to  the  three  calls  of  the  admiralty 
court,  after  the  allegation  has  been  presented  to  the  judge,  with  a  sche- 
dule of  expenses  to  be  taxed,  and  an  oath  of  their  necessity. 

CONVALESCENT.  Those  men  who  are  recovering  health,  but  not  suffi- 
ciently recovered  to  perform  their  duties,  are  reported  by  the  surgeon 
*' convalescent.''    Convalescents  are  amused  by  picking  oakum! 

CONVENIENT  PORT.  A  general  law-term  in  cases  of  capture,  within 
a  certain  latitude  of  discretion;  a  place  where  a  vessel  can  lie  in  safety, 
and  holding  ready  communication  with  the  tribunals  which  have  to 
decide  the  question  of  capture. 

CONVENTION.  An  agreement  made  between  hostile  troops,  for  the 
evacuation  of  a  post,  or  the  suspension  of  hostilities. 

CONVERGENT.  In  geography,  a  stream  which  comes  into  another 
stream,  but  whose  course  is  unknown,  is  simply  a  convergent. 

CONVERSION.  Reducing  a  vessel  by  a  deck,  thereby  converting  a  line- 
of-battle  ship  into  a  frigate,  or  a  crank  three-decker  into  a  good  two- 
decker;  or  a  serviceable  vessel  into  a  hulk,  resembling  a  prison  or 
dungeon,  internally  and  externally,  as  much  as  possible. 

CONVERSION  OF  STORES.  Adapting  the  sails,  ropes,  or  timbers 
from  one  purpose  to  another,  with  the  least  possible  waste. 

CONVEXITY.     The  curved  limb  of  the  moon;  an  outward  curve. 

CONVICT-SHIP.  A  vessel  appropriated  to  the  convicts  of  a  dock-yard; 
also  one  hired  to  carry  out  convicts  to  their  destination. 

CONVOY.  A  fleet  of  merchant  ships  similarly  bound,  protected  by  an 
armed  force.  Also,  the  ship  or  ships  appointed  to  conduct  and  defend 
them  on  their  passaga  Also,  a  guard  of  troops  to  escort  a  supply  of 
stores  to  a  detached  force. 

CONVOY-INSTRUCTIONS.  The  printed  regulations  suppUed  by  the 
senior  officer  to  each  ship  of  the  convoy. 

CONVOY-LIST.  A  return  of  the  merchantmen  placed  under  the  protec- 
tion of  men-of-war,  for  safe  conduct  to  their  destination. 

COOK.     A  man  of  each  mess  who  is  caterer  for  the  day,  and  answerable 


212  COOBINO   A  DAfS  WORK COPPEE-FASTENED 

too,  wherefore  he  is  allowed  the  surplus  gcog,  termed  pltuh  (which  see). 
The  cook,  par  excellencey  in  the  navy,  was  a  man  of  importance,  respon- 
sible for  the  proper  cooking  of  the  food,  yet  not  oyerboiling  the  meat  to 
extract  the  fat — ^his  perquisite.  The  coppers  were  closely  inspected 
daily  by  the  captain,  and  if  they  soiled  a  cambric  handkerchief  the  cook*s 
allowance  was  stopped.  Now,  the  ship's  cook  is  a  first-class  petty  officer, 
and  cannot  be  punished  as  heretofore.  In  a  merchant-man  the  cook  is, 
ex  offieioy  the  hero  of  the  fore-sheet,  as  the  steward  is  of  the  main  one. 

COOKING  A  DAY'S  WORK.  To  save  the  officer  in  charge.  Reck- 
oning too  is  cooked,  as  in  a  certain  Antarctic  discovery  of  land,  which 
James  Ross  afterwards  sailed  over. 

COOK-ROOM,  OB  Cook-house.  The  galley  or  caboose  containing  the 
cooking  apparatus,  and  where  victuals  are  dressed. 

COOLIE,  CouLET,  Kouu,  ob  Chuliah.  A  person  who  carries  a  load;  a 
porter  or  day-labourer  in  India  and  China. 

COOMB.  The  Anglo-Saxon  eomh;  a  low  place  inclosed  with  hills;  a 
valley.    {See  Cwm.) 

COOMINGS,  OB  CovBiKGS.     The  rim  of  the  hatchways.     {See  Coamihos.) 

COOM  OF  A  WA  VK  The  comb  or  crest  The  white  summit  when  it 
breaks. 

CQON-TRAIE.     A  Manx  and  Erse  term  for  the  neap-tide. 

COOP,  OB  FiSH-coop.  A  hollow  vessel  made  with  twigs,  with  which  fish 
are  taken  in  the  Humber.     {See  Hen-ooop.) 

COOPER.     A  rating  for  a  first-class  petty  officer,  who  repairs  casks,  ko. 

COOT.  A  water-fowl  common  on  lakes  and  rivers  {Ftdiea  atra).  The  toes 
are  long  and  not  webbed,  but  bordered  by  a  scalloped  membrane.  The 
name  is  sometimes  used  for  the  guUlemot  {Uria  troile)^  and  often  applied 
to  a  stupid  person* 

COOTH.    See  Cuth. 

COP,  OB  Copt.     The  top  of  a  conical  hill. 

COPE.     An  old  English  word  for  cape. 

COPECK.    See  Kopek. 

COPERNICAN  SYSTEM.  The  Pythagorean  system  of  the  universe, 
revived  by  Copernicus  in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  now  confirmed;  in 
which  the  sun  occupies  the  central  space,  and  the  planets  with  their 
attendant  satellites  revolve  about  him. 

COPILLl     An  old  term  for  a  variety  of  the  coble. 

COPING.  In  ship-building,  turning  the  ends  of  iron  lodging-knees,  so 
that  they  may  hook  into  the  beams. 

COPPER,  To.     To  cover  the  ship's  bottom  with  prepared  copper. 

COPPER-BOLTS.    See  Coppeb-pabtened. 

COPPERED,  OR  Copper-bottomed.  Sheathed  with  thin  sheets  of  copper, 
which  prevents  the  teredo  eating  into  the  planks,  or  shell  and  weed  accu- 
mulating on  the  surface,  whereby  a  ship  is  retarded  in  her  sailing. 

COPPER-FASTENED.  The  bolts  and  other  metal  work  in  the  bottom  of 
ships,  made  of  copper  instead  of  iron,  so  that  the  vessel  may  afterwards  be 


CJOPPEB-NAII^ CORDON  213 

coppered  without  danger  of  its  corroding  the  heads  of  the  bolts  by  gal- 
vanic action,  as  ensues  when  copper  and  iron  are  in  contact  with  sea-water. 

COPPER-NAILS.  These  are  chiefly  used  in  boat-building,  and  for  plank 
nails  in  the  vicinity  of  the  binnacle,  as  iron  affects  the  compass-needle. 
They  are  not  to  be  confounded  with  composition  Tiails,  which  are  cast 
(See  Roof,  or  Rove  and  Clinch.) 

COPPERS.  The  ship^s  boilers  for  cooking;  the  name  is  generally  used, 
even  where  the  apparatus  may  be  made  of  iron. 

COQTJILLAGE.  Shell-fish  in  general  It  applies  to  anchorages  where 
oysters  abound,  or  where  fish  are  plentiful,  and  shell-fish  for  bait  easily 
obtainable.  It  is  specially  a  term  belonging  to  French  and  Spanish 
fishermen. 

CORAB.     A  sort  of  boat,  otherwise  called  coracle, 

CORACLE,  An  ancient  British  truckle  or  boat,  constructed  of  wicker- 
work,  and  still  in  use  amongst  Welsh  fishermen  and  on  the  Irish  lakes. 
It  is  covered  by  skins,  oil-cloth,  dec.,  which  are  removed  when  out  of  use; 
it  is  of  an  oval  form;  contains  one  man,  who,  on  reaching  the  shore, 
shoulders  his  coracle,  deposits  it  in  safety,  and  covers  it  with  dried  rushes 
or  heather.  The  Arctic  baidar  is  of  similar  construction.  It  is  probably 
of  the  like  primitive  fabric  with  the  cyiriba  eutilea  of  Herodotus. 

CORACORA.    See  KoRAcoaA. 

CORAL.  A  name  applied  to  the  hard  calcareous  support  or  skeleton  of 
many  species  of  marine  zoophytes.  The  coral-producing  animals  abound 
chiefly  in  tropical  seas,  sometimes  forming,  by  the  aggregated  growth  of 
countless  generations,  ree&,  barriers,  and  islands  of  vast  extent.  The 
"red  coral"  {GorcUlium  rubru/nC)  of  the  Mediterranean  is  highly  prized  for 
ornamental  purposes. 

CORALAN.     A  small  open  boat  for  the  Mediterranean  coral  fishery. 

CORAL-BAND.    See  Sand  and  Coral  Bank  or  Islets. 

CORBEILLE  [Fr.  basket].  Miner's  basket;  small  gabion  used  tempo- 
rarily for  shelter  to  riflemen,  and  placed  on  the  parapet,  either  to  fire 
through,  or  for  protection  from  a  force  placed  on  a  higher  level. 

CORBILLARD  [Fr.]    A  large  boat  of  transport.  • 

CORD.     Small  rope;  that  of  an  inch  or  less  in  circumference. 

CORD  OR  Chitrd  of  Wood;  as  firewood.  A  statute  stack  is  8  feet  long, 
4  feet  broad,  and  4  feet  high. 

CORDAGE.  A  general  term  for  the  running-rigging  of  a  ship,  as  also  for 
rope  of  any  size  which  is  kept  in  reserve,  and  for  all  stuff  to  make  ropes. 
— Cable-laid  cordage.  Ropes,  the  three  strands  of  which  are  composed 
of  three  other  strands,  as  are  cables  and  cablets.     (See  Rope.) 

CORDILLA^     The  coarse  German  hemp,  otherwise  called  torse, 

CORDLIE.     A  name  for  the  tunny  fish. 

CORDON.  In  fortification,  the  horizontal  moulding  of  masonry  along  the 
top  of  the  true  escarp.  Also,  sometimes  used  for  lines  of  circumvallation 
or  blockade,  or  any  connected  chain  of  troops  or  even  sentries.  Also,  the 
riband  of  an  order  of  knighthood  or  honour,  and  hence  used  by  the 


214  CORDOVAN OOROWNEL 

French  as  signifying  a  member  thereof  as  Cordon  bleu,  Elnight  of  the 
order  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Ac. 

CORDOVAN.  Leather  made  froih  seal-skin;  the  term  is  derived  from  the 
superior  leather  prepared  at  Cordova  in  Spain. 

COBDUROY.  Applied  to  roads  formed  in  new  settlements,  of  trees  laid 
roughly  on  sleepers  transverse  to  the  direction  of  the  road:  as  suddenly 
for  artillery. 

CORKIRy  OB  CuDBEAB.  The  Lecanora  tartarea,  a  lichen  producing  a 
purple  dye,  growing  on  the  stones  of  the  Western  Isles,  and  in  Norway. 

CORMORANT.  A  well-known  sea-bird  (Phalacrocarax  carho)  of  the 
family  Pdeca/nidcB. 

CORN,  To.  A  remainder  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  ge-cymed,  salted.  To  pre- 
serve meat  for  a  time  by  salting  it  slightly. 

CORNED.  Slightly  intoxicated.  In  Chaucer's  Canterbury  TdUsy  men- 
tion is  made  of  '*  corny  ale." 

CORNED  POWDER.     Powder  granulated  from  the  mill-cakes  and  sifted. 

CORNET.  A  commissioned  officer  who  carries  the  colours  belonging  to  a 
cavalry  troop,  equivalent  to  an  ensign  in  the  in£Etntry;  the  junior  subal- 
tern rank  in  the  horse. 

CORNISH  RING.  The  astragal  of  the  muzzle  or  neck  of  a  gun;  it  is  the 
next  ring  from  the  mouth  backwards.     (Now  disused.) 

CORN-SALAD.  A  species  of  Yalerianella.  The  top-leaves  are  used  for 
salad,  a  good  anti-scorbutic  with  vinegar. 

CORNS  OF  POWDER.  The  small  grains  that  gunpowder  consists  of 
The  powder  reduced  for  fire- works,  quill-tubes,  &c.;  sometimes  by  alcohol. 

COROMONTINES.  A  peculiar  race  of  n^roes,  brought  from  the  interior 
of  Africa,  and  sold;  but  so  ferocious  as  to  be  greatly  dreaded  in  the  West 
Indies. 

CORONA.  In  timber,  consists  of  rows  of  microscopic  cylinders,  situated 
between  the  wood  and  the  pith;  it  is  that  part  from  which  all  the 
branches  take  their  rise,  and  from  it  all  the  wood-threads  grow. — Corona 
astronomically  means  the  luminous  ring  or  glory  which  surrounds  the 
sun  or  moon  during  an  eclipse,  or  the  intervention  of  a  thin  cloud. 
They  are  generally  faintly  coloured  at  their  edges.  Frequently  when 
there  is  a  halo  encircling  the  moon,  there  is  a  small  corona  more  imme- 
diately around  it.  Coronse,  as  well  as  halos,  have  been  observed  to  prog- 
nosticate rain,  hail,  or  snow,  being  the  result  of  snow  or  dense  vapours 
nearer  the  earth,  through  which  the  object  becomes  has^. 

CORONER.  An  important  officer.  Seamen  should  understand  that  his 
duties  embrace  all  acts  within  a  line  drawn  from  one  headland  to 
another;  or  within  the  body  of  the  county.  His  duty  is  to  investigate, 
on  the  part  of  the  crown,  all  accidents,  deaths,  wrecks,  &c.;  and  his  war- 
rant is  not  to  be  contemned  or  avoided. 

COROUSR  The  ancient  weapon  invented  by  Duilius  for  boarding.  An 
attempt  was  made  in  1798  to  re-introduce  it  in  French  privateers. 

COROWNEL.    The  old  word  for  colonel 


CORPHOUN COSTS  AND  DAMAGE  215 

CORPHOXJN.     An  out-of-the-way  name  for  a  herring. 

CORPORAL,  Ship's.  In  a  ship  of  war  was,  under  the  master-at-arms, 
employed  to  teach  the  sailors  the  use  of  small  arms;  to  attend  at  the  gang- 
ways when  entering  ports,  and  see  that  no  spirituous  liquors  were  brought 
on  board  without  leave.  Also,  to  extinguish  the  fire  and  candles  at  eight 
o'clock  in  winter,  and  nine  o'clock  in  summer,  when  the  evening  gun 
was  fired;  and  to  see  that  there  were  no  lights  below,  but  such  as  were 
under  the  charge  of  the  proper  sentinels.  In  the  marines  or  army  in 
general  the  corporal  is  a  non-commissioned  officer  next  below  the  ser- 
geant in  the  scale  of  authority|  The  ship's  corporal  of  the  present  day  is 
the  superior  of  the  first-class  working  petty  officers,  and  solely  attends  to 
police  matters  under  the  master-at-arms  or  superintendent-in-chief. 

CORPORAL  OATH.  So  called  because  the  witness  when  he  swears  lays 
his  right  hand  on  the  holy  evangelists,  or  New  Testament. 

CORPOSANT.     [Corpo  santo,  Ital.]     See  Compasant. 

CORPS.    Any  body  of  troops  acting  under  one  commander. 

CORPSK     Jack's  term  for  the  party  of  marines  embarked;  the  corps. 

CORRECTIONS.     Reductions  of  observations  of  the  sun,  moon^  or  stars. 

CORRIDOR    See  Covert-way. 

CORRYNE  POWDER.     Corn-powder,  a  fine  kind  of  gunpowder. 

CORSAIR.  A  name  commonly  given  to  the  piratical  cruisers  of  Barbary, 
who  frequently  plundered  the  merchant  ships  indiscriminately. 

CORSELET,  The  old  name  for  a  piece  of  armour  used  to  cover  the  body 
of  a  fighting-man. 

CORTEGE.     The  official  staff;  civil  or  military. 

CORUSCATIONS.     Atmospheric  flashes  of  light,  as  in  auroras. 

CORVETTES.  Flush-decked  ships,  equipped  with  one  tier  of  guns :  fine 
vessels  for  warm  climates,  from  admitting  a  free  circulation  of  air.  The 
Bermuda-built  corvettes  were  deemed  superior  vessels,  swifb,  weatherly, 
"  lie  to  "  well,  and  carry  sail  in  a  stiff"  breeze.  The  cedar  of  which  they 
are  chiefly  built  is  very  buoyant,  but  also  brittle. 

CORVORANT.     An  old  mode  of  spelling  cormorant, 

COSIER.     A  lubber,  a  botcher,  a  tailoring  fellow  [cosery  Sp.  to  sewl] 

COSMICAL  RISING  and  SETTING  op  the  Heavenly  Bodie&  Their 
rising  and  setting  with  the  sun. 

COSMOGRAPHER.  Formeriy  applied  to  "too  clever  by  half."  Now, 
one  who  describes  the  world  or  universe  in  all  its  parts. 

COSS.  A  measure  of  distance  in  India,  varying  in  different  districts  from 
one  mile  and  a  half  to  two  miles. 

COSTAL.     Relating  to  the  coast. 

COSTEIE.     An  old  English  word  for  going  by  the  coast 

COSTERA     A  law  archaism  for  the  sea-coast. 

COSTS  AND  DAMAGE.  Demurrage  is  generally  given  against  a  captor 
for  unjustifiable  detention.  Where  English  merchants  provoke  expense 
by  using  false  papers,  the  court  decrees  the  captors  their  expenses  on 
restitution.    {See  Expenses.) 


216  ^^ COTJNTEEFOKTS 

COT.  A  wooden  bed-frame  suspended  from  the  beams  of  a  ship  for  the 
officers^  between  decks.  It  is  inclosed  in  canvas,  sewed  in  the  form  of 
a  chest,  about  6  feet  long,  1  foot  deep,  and  2  or  3  feet  wide^  in  which  the 
mattress  is  laid. 

COTT.     An  old  term  for  a  little  boat. 

COTTON,  Gun.     ^ee  Guk-cotton. 

COTTONINA.     The  thick  sail-cloth  of  the  Levant. 

COUBAIS.     An  ornamented  Japanese  barge  of  forty  oars. 

COUD.     An  old  term  used  for  conn  or  cunn. 

COU  LTER-NEB.     A  name  of  the  puffin  {FrcUercula  arctica). 

OOUNCIL-OF-WAR.  The  assemblage  of  officers  for  concerting  measures 
of  moment,  too  often  deemed  the  symbol  of  irresolution  in  the  com- 
niander-in-chie£ 

COUNTER.  A  term  which  enters  into  the  composition  of  divers  words  of 
our  langui^e,  and  genei'ally  implies  opposition,  as  counter-brace,  counter- 
current,  (kc. — Counter  of  a  ship,  refers  to  her  after-seat  on  the  water:  the 
counter  above  extends  £ix)m  the  gun-deck  line,  or  lower  ribbon  moulding 
of  the  cabin  windows,  to  the  water-line  (or  seat  of  water);  the  lower 
counter  is  arched  below  that  line,  and  constitutes  the  hollow  run«  It  is 
formed  on  the  transom-buttock& 

COUNTER-APPROACHES.  Works  effected  outside  the  place  by  the 
garrison  during  a  siege,  to  enfilade,  command,  or  otherwise  check  the 
approaches  of  the  besieger. 

COUNTER-BALANCE  WEIGHT,  in  the  marine  engine.  {See  Lever.) 
Also  in  mauy  marine  barometers,  where  it  slides  and  is  fixed  by  adjust- 
ing screws,  so  as  to  produce  an  even-balanced  swing,  free  from  jerk. 

COUNTERrBRACE,  To.  Is  bracing  the  head-yards  one  way,  and  the 
afber-yards  another.  The  counter-brace  is  the  lee-brace  of  the  fore- 
topsail-yard,  but  is  only  distinguished  by  this  name  at  the  time  of  the 
ship's  going  about  (called  tacking),  when  the  sail  begins  to  shiver  in  the 
wind,  this  brace  is  hauled  in  to  flatten  the  sail  against  the  lee-side  of  the 
top-mast,  and  increase  the  effect  of  the  wind  in  forcing  her  round. 
Counter-bracing  becomes  necessary  to  render  the  vessel  stationary  when 
sounding,  lowering  a  boat,  or  speaking  a  stranger.  It  Ls  now  an  obsolete 
term,  and  the  manceuvre  is  called  heaving-to, 

COUNTER-CURRENT.  That  portion  of  water  diverted  from  the  main 
stream  of  a  current  by  the  particular  formation  of  the  coast  or  other  ob- 
struction, and  which  therefore  runs  in  a  contrary  direction.  There- is 
also  a  current  formed  under  the  lee-counter  of  a  ship  when  going  through 
the  water,  which  retains  floating  objects  there,  and  is  fatal  to  a  man,  by 
sucking  him  under. 

COUNTERFORTS.  Masonry  adjuncts,  advantageous  to  all  retaining 
walls,  but  especially  to  those  which,  like  the  escarps  of  fortresses,  are 
liable  to  be  battered.  They  are  attached  at  regular  intervals  to  the 
hinder  face  of  the  wall,  and  perpendicular  to  it;  having  various  propor- 
tions, but  generally  the  same  height  as  the  wall;  they  hold  it  from  being 


COUNTERGUABD COURSE  217 

throBt  forward  from  behind,  and,  even  when  it  is  battered  away,  retain 
the  earth  at  the  back  at  such  a  steep  slope  that  the  formation  of  a  prac- 
ticable breach  remains  very  difficult  When  arches  are  turned  between 
the  counterforts,  the  strength  of  the  whole  structure  is  much  increased: 
it  is  then  called  a  caurUer-arcJied  revetement, 

COTJNTERGUARD.  In  fortification,  a  smaller  rampart  raised  in  front 
of  a  larger  one,  principally  with  the  intention  of  delaying  for  a  period 
the  besieger's  attack.  Other  means,  however,  are  generally  preferred  in 
modem  times,  except  when  a  rapid  faU  in  the  ground  renders  it  difficult 
to  cover  the  main  escarp  by  ordinary  resources. 

COUNTER-LINE.     A  word  often  used  for  contravallatlon, 

COUNTERMARCH.  To  change  the  direction  of  a  march  to  its  exact 
opposite.  In  some  military  movements  this  involves  the  changing  of 
front  and  wings. 

COUNTERMINES.  Military  defensive  mines:  they  may  be  arranged  on 
a  system  for  the  protection  of  the  whole  of  a  front  of  fortification  by  the 
discovering  and  blowing  iip  not  only  the  subterranean  approaches  of  the 
besieger,  but  also  his  more  important  lodgments  above. 

COUNTER-MOULD.     The  converse  of  mould  (which  see). 

COUNTER-RAILS.  The  balustrade  work,  or  ornamental  moulding  across 
a  square  stem,  where  the  counter  terminates. 

COUNTERSCARP.  In  fortification,  the  outer  side  of  the  ditch  next  the 
country;  it  is  usually  of  less  height,  and  less  strongly  revetted  than  the 
escarp,  the  side  which  forms  the  face  of  the  rampart. 

COUNTER-SEA  The  disturbed  state  of  the  sea  after  a  gale,  when,  the 
wind  having  changed,  the  sea  still  runs  in  its  old  direction. 

COUNTERSIGN.  A  particular  word  or  number  which  is  exchanged 
between  sentinels,  and  intrusted  to  those  on  duty.     (See  Parole.) 

COUNTER-SUNK.  Those  holes  which  are  made  for  the  heads  of  bolts  or 
nails  to  be  sunk  in,  so  as  to  be  even  with  the  general  surface. 

COUNTER -TIMBERS.  Short  right-affc  timbers  for  the  purpose  of 
strengthening  the  counter,  and  forming  the  stem. 

COUNTER-TRENCHES.    See  Counter-approaches. 

COUNTRY.  A  term  synonymous  with  station.  The  place  whither  a 
ship  happens  to  be  ordered. 

COUP  DE  GRACE.  The  finishing  shot  which  brings  an  enemy  to  sur- 
render; or  the  wound  which  deprives  an  adversary  of  life  or  resistance. 

CO  UP  DE  MAIN.     A  sudden  and  vigorous  attack. 

COUP  D'CEIK  The  skill  of  distinguishing,  at  first  sight,  the  weakness  of 
an  enemy's  position,  as  Nelson  did  at  the  Nile. 

COUPLE,  To.  To  bend  two  hawsers  together;  coupling  links  of  a  cable; 
coupling  shackles. 

COUREAU.  A  small  yawl  of  the  Garonne.  Also,  a  narrow  strait  or 
channel. 

COURSE.  The  direction  taken  by  anything  in  motion,  shown  by  the  point 
of  the  compass  towards  which  they  run,  as  water  in  a  river,  tides,  and  our- 


^18  COURSES COVER 

rents;  but  of  the  wind,  as  similarly  indicated  hj  the  compass-point  /rem 
which  it  blows.  Course  is  also  the  ship's  way.  In  common  parlance, 
it  is  the  point  of  the  compass  upon  which  the  ship  sails,  the  direction  in 
which  she  proceeds,  or  is  intended  to  go.  When  the  wind  is  foul,  she 
cannot  "lie  her  course;"  if  free,  she  "steers  her  course." 

COURSES.  A  name  by  which  the  sails  hanging  from  the  lower  yards  of 
a  ship  are  usually  distinguished,  viz,  the  main-sail,  fore-sail,  and  mizen: 
the  stay-sails  upon  the  lower  masts  are  sometimes  also  comprehended  in 
this  denomination,  as  are  the  main  stay-sails  of  all  brigs  and  schooners. 
A  ship  is  under  her  courses  when  she  has  no  sail  set  but  the  fore-sail, 
main-sail,  and  mizen.  Try-sails  are  courses  (which  see),  sometimes  termed 
hentincks. 

COURSET.  The  paper  on  which  the  night's  course  is  set  for  the  officer  in 
charge  of  the  watch. 

COURT-MARTIAL.  A  tribunal  held  under  an  act  of  parliament,  of  the 
year  1749,  and  not,  like  the  mutiny  act,  requiring  yearly  re-enactment. 
It  has  lately,  6th  August,  1861,  been  changed  to  the  "Naval  Discipline 
Act."  At  present  a  court  may  be  composed  of  five,  but  must  not  exceed 
nine,  members.  No  officer  shall  sit  who  is  under  twenty-one  years  of 
aga  No  flag-officer  can  be  tried  unless  the  president  also  be  a  flag-officer, 
and  the  others  flag,  or  captains.  No  captain  shall  be  tried  unless  the 
president  be  of  higher  rank,  and  the  others  captains  and  commanders. 
No  court  for  the  trial  of  any  officer,  or  person  below  the  rank  of  captain, 
shall  be  legal,  unless  the  president  is  a  captain,  or  of  higher  rank,  nor 
unless,  in  addition,  there  be  two  other  officers  of  the  rank  of  com- 
mander, or  of  higher  rank.  Any  witness  summoned — civil,  naval,  or 
military — by  the  judge-advocate,  refusing  to  attend  or  give  evidence,  to 
be  punished  as  for  same  in  civil  courts.  The  admiralty  can  issue  commis- 
sions to  officers  to  hold  courts-martial  on  foreign  stations,  without  which 
they  cannot  be  convened.  A  commander-in-chief  on  a  foreign  station, 
holding  such  a  commission,  may  under  his  hand  authorize  an  officer  in 
command  of  a  detached  portion  to  hold  courts-martial.  Formerly  all 
officers  composing  the  court,  attendants,  witnesses,  &c,  were  compelled  to 
appear  in  their  full-dress  uniforms;  but  by  recent  orders,  the  undress 
uniform,  with  cocked  hat  and  sword,  is  to  be  worn. 

COUTEL.  A  military  implement  which  served  both  for  a  knife  and  a 
dagger. 

COUTERE.     A  piece  of  armour  which  covered  the  elbow. 

COVE.  An  inlet  in  a  coast,  sometimes  extensive,  as  the  Cove  of  Cork.  In 
naval  architecture,  the  arched  moulding  sunk  in  at  the  foot  or  lower 
part  of  the  taflrail. — Afy  cove,  a  familiar  friendly  term. 

COVER.  Security  from  attack  or  interruption,  as  under  cover  of  the  ship's 
guns,  under  cover  of  the  parapet.  In  the  field  exercise  and  drill  of 
troops,  one  body  is  said  to  cover  another  exactly  in  rear  of  it.  Covers 
for  sails  when  furled  (to  protect  them  from  the  weather  when  loosing  and 
airing  them  is  precluded),  are  made  of  strong  canvas  painted. 


COVERED  WAY CKACKER  219 

COVERED  WAY.  In  fortification,  a  space  running  along  the  outside  of 
the  ditch  for  the  convenient  passage  of  troops  and  guns,  covered  from  the 
country  by  a  palisading  and  the  parapet  of  the  glacis.  It  is  of  importance 
to  an  active  defence,  as  besides  enabling  a  powerful  musketry  fire  to  be 
poured  on  the  near  approaches  of  the  besieger,  it  affords  to  the  garrison 
a  secure  base  from  which  to  sally  in  force  at  any  hour  of  the  day  or  night. 

COVERING-BOARD.    See  Plank-sheers. 

COVERING-PARTY.  A  force  detached  to  protect  a  party  sent  on  espe- 
cial duty. 

COVERT-WAY.    See  Covebed  Way. 

COW.  Applied  by  whalers  to  the  female  whale. — To  cow.  To  depress 
with  fear. 

COWARDICE,  AND  Desertion  op  Duty  in  Fight.  .Are  criminal  by  law, 
even  in  the  crew  of  a  merchant-ship.     Such  poltroonery  is  very  rare. 

COWD,     To  float  slowly.   A  Scotch  term,  as  "  the  boat  cowds  braely  awa.*' 

COW-HITCH.     A  slippery  or  lubberly  hitch. 

COWHORN.     The  seaman's  appellation  of  the  coehom. 

COWIK     A  name  among  Scotch  fishermen  for  the  porpoise. 

COWL.     The  cover  of  a  funneL 

COWRIK  Small  shells,  Cyproea  moneta,  used  for  money  or  barter  in 
Africa  and  the  East  Indie& 

COXSON,  OR  CoxoN.    See  Cockswain. 

COX'S  TRAVERSE.  Up  one  hatchway  and  down  another,  to  elude  duty. 
{See  Tom  Cox.) 

C.P.     Mark  for  men  sent  by  civil  power. 

CRAB.  A  wooden  pillar,  the  lower  end  of  which  being  let  down  through  a 
ship's  decks,  rests  upon  a  socket  like  the  capstan,  and  having  in  its  upper 
end  three  or  four  holes  at  different  heights,  long  oars  are  thrust  through 
them,  each  acting  like  two  levers.  It  is  employed  to  wind  in  the  cable, 
or  any  other  weighty  matter.  Also,  a  portable  wooden  or  cast-iron 
machine,  fitted  with  wheels  and  pinions  similar  to  those  of  a  winch,  of 
use  in  loading  and  discharging  timber-vessels,  <&c. — The  crab  loith  three 
claw8f  is  used  to  launch  ships,  and  to  heave  them  into  the  dock,  or  off  the 
key. — To  catch  a  crab.  To  pull  an  oar  too  light  or  too  deep  in  the  water; 
to  miss  time  in  rowing.  This  derisive  phrase  for  a  false  stroke  may  have 
been  derived  from  the  Italian  chiappar  un  gragno,  to  express  the  same 
action. 

CRABBING  TO  IT.  Carrying  an  overpress  of  sail  in  a  fresh  gale,  by 
which  a  ship  crabs  or  drills  sideways  to  leeward. 

CRABBLER.     See  Krabla. 

CRAB-BOAT.     Resembles  a  large  jolly-boat. 

CRAB-CAPSTAN.     See  Crar 

CRAB-WINDLASS.    A  light  windlass  for  barges. 

CRAB-YAWS.     SeeYAWH. 

CRACK.     "  In  a  crack,"  immediately. 

CRACKER.     So  named  from  the  noise  it  makes  in  exploding;  it  is  applied 


220  CRACKNEL CRAHPOON 

to  a  small  pistoL     Also,  to  a  little  hard  cabin  biscuit,  so  called  from  its 
noise  in  breaking. 
CRACKNEL.     A  small  bark.     Also,  biscuits  (see  1  Eli.  xiv.  3). 

CRACK  OFFICER.     One  of  the  best  claaa 

CRACK  ON,  To.     To  carry  all  sail 

CRACK-ORDER.     High  regularity. 

CRACK-SHIP.  One  uncommonly  smart  in  her  evolutions  and  discipline, 
perhaps  from  the  old  English  word  for  a  fine  boy.  Crack  is  generally 
used  for  first-rate  or  excellent. 

CRADLE.  A  frame  consisting  of  bilgeways,  poppets,  &c.,  on  the  principle 
of  the  wedge,  placed  under  the  bottom  of  a  ship,  and  resting  on  the 
ways  on  which  it  slips,  thus  launching  her  steadily  into  the  water,  at 
which  time  it  supports  her  weight  while  she  slides  down  the  greased  ways. 
The  cradle  being  the  support  of  the  ship,  she  carries  it  with  her  into  the 
water,  when,  becoming  buoyant,  the  frame  separates  from  the  hull,  floats 
'  on  the  surface,  and  is  again  collected  for  similar  purposes. 

CRADLES.  Standing  bedsteads  made  up  for  wounded  seamen,  that  they 
may  be  more  comfortable  than  is  possible  in  a  hammock.  Boats*  chocks 
are  sometimes  called  cradles. 

CRAFT  [from  the  Anglo-Sfiuton  word  ctcbJI,  a  trading  vessel].  It  is  now  a 
general  name  for  lighters,  hoys,  baiges,  &c,  employed  to  load  or  land 
any  goods  or  stores. — SmuU  crafU  The  small  vessels  of  war  attendant 
on  a  fleet,  such  as  cutters,  schooners,  gun-boats,  drc.,  generally  commanded 
by  lieutenants.  Craft  is  also  a  term  in  sea-phraseology  for  every  kind 
of  vessel,  especiaUy  for  a  favourite  ship.  Also,  aU  manner  of  nets,  lines, 
hooks,  d^.,  used  in  fishing. 

CRAG.  A  precipitous  cliff  whose  strata  if  vertical,  or  nearly  so,  subdivide 
into  points. 

CRAGER     A  small  river  lighter,  mentioned  in  our  early  statutes. 

CRAGSMAN.  One  who  climbs  clifis  overhanging  the  sea  to  procure  sea- 
fowls,  or  their  eggs. 

CRAIG-FLOOK     The  smear-dab,  or  rock-flounder. 

CRAIK,  OR  Crake.     A  ship;  a  diminutive  corrupted  from  carrack. 

CRAIL.     See  Kreel. 

CRAIL-CAPON.     A  haddock  dried  without  being  split 

CRAKERS.  Choice  soldiers  if^em/p,  Henry  VIII.)  Perhaps  managers  of 
the  crakys,  and  therefore  early  artillery. 

CRAKYS.     An  old  term  for  great  guns. 

CRAMP.  A  machine  to  facilitate  the  screwing  of  two  pieces  of  timber 
together. 

CRAMPER.  A  yam  or  twine  worn  round  the  leg  as  a  remedy  against 
cramp. 

CRAMPETS.     The  cramp  rings  of  a  sword  scabbard.   Ferrule  to  a  staff. 

CRAMPINGS.  A  nautical  phrase  to  express  the  fetters  and  bolts  for 
offenders. 

CRAMPOON.    See  Creeper. 


CRANAGE CRATEE  OF  A  MINE  g21 

CRANAGE.  The  money  paid  for  the  use  of  a  wharf  crane.  Also,  the 
permission  to  use  a  crane  at  any  wharf  or  pier. 

CRANOK  A  sort  of  iron  cap  on  the  outer  end  of  the  bowsprit,  through 
which  the  jib-boom  traverses;  The  name  is  not  unfrequently  applied  to 
any  boom-iron. 

CRANE.  A  machine  for  raising  and  lowering  great  weights,  by  which 
timber  and  stores  are  hoisted  upon  wharfs,  &c.  Also,  a  kind  of  catapult 
for  casting  stones  in  ancient  warfare.  Also,  pieces  of  iron  or  timber  at 
a  vesseFs  sides,  used  to  stow  boats  or  spars  upon.  Also,  as  many  fresh 
or  green  unsalted  herrings  as  would  fill  a  barrel 

CRANE-BARGK  A  low  flat-floored  lump,  fitted  for  the  purpose  of  car- 
rying a  crane,  in  aid  of  marine  works. 

CRANE-LINES.  Those  which  formerly  went  from  the  spritsail-topmast  to 
the  middle  of  the  forestay,  serving  to  steady  the  former.  Also,  small 
lines  for  keeping  the  lee  backstays  £rom  chafing  against  the  yards. 

CRANG.  The  carcass  of  a  whale  after  being  flinched  or  the  blubber 
stripped  ofL 

CRANK,  OR  Crank-sided.  A  vessel,  by  her  construction  or  her  stowage, 
inclined  to  lean  over  a  great  deal,  or  from  insufficient  ballast  or  cargo 
incapable  of  carrying  sail,  without  danger  of  overturning.  The  opposite 
term  is  stiffl  or  tJie  quality  of  standing  well  up  to  her  canvas. — Cranky 
expresses  a  foolish  capriciousness.  Ships  built  too  deep  in  proportion  to 
their  breadth  are  notoriously  crank. — Crank  by  the  ground,  is  a  ship 
whose  floor  is  so  narrow  that  she  cannot  be  brought  on  the  groimd 
without  danger. 

CRANK-HATCHES.  Are  raised  coamings  on  a  steamer's  deck,  to  form 
coverings  for  the  cranks  of  the  engines  below. 

CRANK-PIN.  In  steam  machinery,  it  goes  through  both  arms  of  the 
crank  at  their  extremities;  to  this  pin  the  connecting-rod  is  attached. 

CRANKS  OF  A  Marine  Engine;  eccentric,  as  in  a  turning-lathe.  The 
bend  or  knee  pinned  on  the  shafts,  by  which  they  are  moved  round  with 
a  circular  motion.  Also,  iron  handles  for  working  pumps,  windlasses,  &c. 
Also,  erect  iron  forks  on  the  quarter-deck  for  the  capstan-bars,  or  other 
things,  to  be  stowed  thereon.  Also,  the  axis  and  handle  of  a  grindstone. 
Also,  an  old  term  for  the  sudden  or  frequent  involutions  of  the  planets  in 
their  orbits. 

CRANK-SHAFT.     In  a  steamer.    {See  Intermediate  Shaft.) 

CRAPPO,  OR  General  Crapaud.  Jack's  name  for  a  Fijanchman,  one 
whom  he  thinks  would  be  a  better  sailor  if  he  would  but  talk  Engli»h 
instead  of  French. 

CRARE,  OR  Crater.  A  slow  unwieldy  trading  vessel  of  olden  time& 
Thus  Shakspeare,  in  Ct/mbdine,  with  hydrographic  parlance : — 

"  Wlio  ever  yet  coold  sound  thj  bottom?    Find 
The  ooE/B,  to  show  what  coast  thy  sluggish  crare 
Might  easiliest  harbour  in?" 

CRATER  OF  A  Mine.     Synonymous  with  funnel  (which  see). 


222  CRAVAISE CRIMPS 

•  

CRAVAISK     An  Anglo-Norman  word  for  cray-fisk 

CRAVEN.     An  old  term  synonymons  witli  recreant  (which  see). 

CRAWL.  A  sort  of  pen,  formed  by  a  barrier  of  stakes  and  hurdles  on 
the  searcoast)  to  contain  fish  or  turtle.  On  the  coast  of  Africa,  a  pen  for 
slaves  awaiting  shipment. 

CRAWLING  OFF.     Working  off  a  lee-shore  by  slow  degrees. 

CRAY-FISH.  A  lobster-like  crustacean  {Aatacua  JlumatUia)  found  in 
fresh-water. 

CRAZY.     Said  of  a  ship  in  a  bad  state, 

CREAK.  The  straining  noise  made  by  timbers,  cabin  bulk-heads^  and 
spars  in  rolling. 

CREAR     A  kind  of  Scotch  lighter.     {See  Crare.) 

CREEK.  A  narrow  inlet  of  the  sea  shoaling  suddenly.  Also,  the  chan- 
nels connecting  the  several  branches  of  a  river  and  lake  islands,  and  one 
lake  or  lagoon  with  another.  It  differs  from  a  cove,  in  being  proportion- 
ately deeper  and  narrower.  In  law,  it  is  part  of  a  haven  where  anything 
is  landed  from  the  sea. 

CREEL,  OR  Crue,  for  fishing.     See  Kreel. 

CREENGAL.     See  Cringle. 

CREEPER.  A  small  grapnel  (iron  instrument  with  four  claws)  for 
dragging  for  articles  dropped  overboard  in  harbour.  When  anything 
falls,  a  dish  or  other  white  object  thrown  immediately  after  it  will 
greatly  guide  the  creeping. 

CREES.     See  Kris. 

CREMAILLER  More  commonly  called  indented  (which  see),  with 
regard  to  lines  or  parapets. 

CRENELLE.     A  loop-hole  in  a  fortress. 

CRENG.     See  Krang. 

CREOLE.  This  term  applies  in  the  West  Indies  and  Spanish  America, 
&Cf  to  a  person  of  European  and  unmixed  origin,  but  colonial  bom. 

CREPUSCULUM.    &e  Twilight. 

CRESPIR     A  northern  term  for  a  small  whale  or  a  grampus. 

CRESSET.     A  beacon  light  set  on  a  watch-tower. 

CRESSIT.     A  small  crease  or  dagger. 

(5!REST.  The  highest  part  of  a  mountain,  or  range  of  mountains,  and  the 
summit  of  a  sea-wave. 

CREW.  Comprehends  every  officer  and  man  on  board-ship,  borne  as  com- 
plement on  the  books.  There  are  in  ships  of  war  several  particular  crews 
or  gangs,  as  the  gunner's,  carpenter's,  sailmaker's^  blacksmith*s,  armourer's, 
and  cooper's  crews, 

CRIB.     A  small  berth  in  a  packet. 

CRICK.     A  small  jack-screw. 

CRIMPS.  Detested  agents  who  trepan  seamen,  by  treating,  advancing 
money,  <fec.,  by  which  the  dupes  become  indebted,  and  when  well  plied 
with  liquor  are  induced  to  sign  articles,  and  are  shipped  off,  only  discov- 
ering their  mistake  on  finding  themselves  at  sea  robbed  of  all  they  possessed. 


CRINGLE CROSS-FISH  223 

CRINGLK  A  short  piece  of  rope  worked  grommet  fashion  into  the  bolt- 
rope  of  a  sail,  and  containing  a  metal  ring  or  thimble.  The  use  of  the 
cringle  is  generally  to  hold  the  end  of  some  rope,  which  is  fastened 
thereto  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  up  the  sail  to  its  yard,  or  extending 
the  skirts  or  leech  by  means  of  bowline  bridles,  to  stand  upon  a  side-wind. 
The  word  seems  to  be  derived  from  the  old  English  crencled,  or  circu- 
larly formed.  Cringles  should  be  made  of  the  strands  of  new  bolt-rope. 
Those  for  the  reef  and  reef-tackle  pendant  are  stuck  through  holes  made 
in  the  tablings. 

CRINKYL.     The  cringle  or  loop  in  the  leech  of  a  sail. 

CRIPPLE,  To.  To  disable  an  enemy's  ship  by  wounding  his  masts,  yards, 
and  steerage  gear,  thereby  placing  him  hora  de  combat. 

CRISS-CROSS.     The  mark  of  a  man  who  cannot  write  his  name. 

CROAKER.     A  tropical  fish  which  makes  a  cris-cris  noise. 

CROAKY.    A  term  applied  to  plank  when  it  curves  much  in  short  lengths. 

CROCHERT.     A  hagbut  or  hand  cannon,  anciently  in  use. 

CROCK  [Anglo-Saxon,  croca].     An  earthen  mess-vessel,  and  the  usual 

vegetables  were  called  crock-herbs.     In  the  Faerie  Queene  Spenser  cites 

the  utensil : — 

"  Therefore  the  vulgar  did  aboute  him  flocke, 
Like  foolish  flies  about  an  honey-crocke." 

CROCODILES.     A  designation  for  those  who  served  in  Egypt  under  Lord 

Keith. 
CROJEK.     The  mode  of  pronouncing  croas-jack  (which  see). 
CRONNAG.     In  the  Manx  and  Erse,  signifies  a  rock  that  can  be  seen 

before  low-water. 
CROOKED-CATCH.      An  iron  implement  bent  in  the  form  of  the 

letter  S. 
CROOKS.     Crooked  timbers.     Short  arms  or  branches  of  trees. 
CROONER.     The  gray  gurnard  {Trigla  guma/rdus),  so  called  on  account  of 

the  creaking  noise  it  makes  after  being  taken. 
CROSS-BARS.     Round  bars  of  iron,  bent  at  each  end,  used  as  levers  to 

turn  the  shank  of  an  anchor. 
CROSS-BAR-SHOT.     The  famed  cross-bar-shot,  or  properly  bar-skoty  used 

by  the  Americans :  when  folded  it  presented  a  bar  or  complete  shot,  and 

could  thus  be  placed  in  the  gun.     But  as  it  left  the  muzzle  it  expanded 

to  a  cross,  with  four  quarters  of  a  shot  at  its  radial  points.      It  was  used 

to  destroy  the  rigging  as  well  as  do  execution  amongst  men. 
CROSS-BITT.     The  same  as  cross-piece  (which  see). 
CROSS-BORED.     Bored  with  holes  alternately  on  the  edges  of  planks,  to 

separate  the  fastenings,  so  as  to  avoid  splitting  the  timbers  or  beam& 
CROSS-BOW.     An  ancient  weapon  of  our  fleet,  when  also  in  use  on  shore. 
CROSS-CHOCKS.      Large  pieces  of  timber  fayed  across  the  dead-wood 

amidships,  to  make  good  the  deficiency  of  the  heels  of  the  lower  futtocks. 
CROSS-FISH.     A  northern  name  for  the  asterias  or  star-fish;  so  called 

from  the  Norwegian  kors-fisk.    Also,  the  Uraster  rubens. 


224  CROSS-GRAINED CROSS-TAIL 

CROSS-GRAINED.      Not  straight-grained  as  in  good  wood;   hence  the 

perverse  and  vexatious  disposition  of  the  ne'er-do-wella      As  Cotton's 

JuTw — 

"That  cnNU-grained,  peevlBh,  scolding  queen." 

CROSS-HEAD.  In  a  steamer's  engine,  is  on  the  top  of  the  piston-rod 
athwart  the  cylinder;  and  there  is  another  fitted  to  the  air-pump^  both 
having  side-rods,     (^ee  Cylinder  Cross-head.) 

CROSSING  A  SHIPS  WAKE.  When  a  ship  sails  over  the  transient 
track  which  another  has  just  passed,  t.e.  passes  close  astern  of  her. 

CROSSING  THE  CABLES  IN  THE  HATCHWAY.  A  method  by 
which  the  operation  of  coiling  is  facilitated;  it  alludes  to  hempen  cables, 
which  are  now  seldom  used. 

CROSS  IN  THE  HAWSK  Is  when  a  ship  moored  with  two  anchors  from 
the  bows  has  swung  the  wrong  way  once,  whereby  the  two  cables  lie 
across  each  other. — To  cross  a  vessd's  hawse  is  to  sail  across  the  line  of 
her  course,  a  little  ahead  of  her. 

CROSSJACK-YARD  [pronounced  crojeck-yard],  The  lower  yard  on  the 
mizen-mast,  to  the  arms  of  which  the  clues  of  the  mizen  top-sail  are 
extended.  The  term  is  applied  to  any  fore-and-aft  vessels  setting  a 
square-sail,  flying,  below  the  lower  cross-trees.  It  is  now  very  common  in 
merchant  ships  to  set  a  sail  called  a  cross-jack  upon  this  yard. 

CROSS-PAWLS.    See  Cross-spales. 

CROSS-PIECR  The  transverse  timber  of  the  bitts.  Also,  a  rail  of 
timber  extending  over  the  windlass  of  some  merchant-ships  from  the 
knight-heads  to  the  belfiy.  It  is  furnished  with  wooden  pins  to  fasten 
the  running-rigging  to,  as  occasion  requires. — Cross-pieces.  Short  pieces 
laid  across  the  keel  of  a  Une-of-battle  ship,  and  scarphed  to  the  lower 
ends  of  the  first  futtocks,  as  strengtheners. 

CROSS-SEA.  A  sea  not  caused  by  the  wind  then  blowing.  During  a 
heavy  gale  which  changes  quickly  (a  cyclone,  for  instance)^  each  change 
of  wind  produces  a  direction  of  the  sea,  which  lasts  for  some  hours  after 
the  wind  which  caused  it  has  changed,  so  that  in  a  part  of  the  sea  which 
has  experienced  all  the  changes  of  one  of  these  gales,  the  sea  runs  up  in 
pyramids,  sending  the  tops  of  the  waves  perpendicularly  into  the  air, 
which  are  then  spread  by  the  prevailing  wind;  the  effect  is  awfully  grand 
and  dangerous,  for  it  generally  renders  a  ship  ungovernable  until  it  abatea 

CROSS-SOMER    A  beam  of  timber. 

CROSS-SPALES  or  Spalls.  Temporary  beams  nailed  across  a  vessel  to 
keep  the  sides  together,  and  support  the  ship  in  frame,  until  the  deck- 
knees  are  fastened. 

CROSS-STAFF.    See  Fore-staff. 

CROSS-SWELL.  This  is  similar  to  a  cross-sea,  except  that  it  imdulates 
without  breaking  violently. 

CROSS-TAIL.  In  a  steam-engine,  is  of  the  same  form  as  the  cylinder 
cross-head :  it  has  iron  straps  catching  the  pins  in  the  ends  of  the  side- 
levers. 


CROSS-TIDE CROWN- WORK  223 

CROSS-TIDE.  The  varying  directions  of  tlio  flow  amongst  shoals  that  arc 
under  water.     (See  Current.) 

CROSS-TIMBERS.    See  Cross-pieces. 

CROSS-TREES.      Certain  timbers  supported  by  the  cheeks  and  trestle- 
trees  at  the  upper  ends  of  the  lower  and  top  masts,  athwart  which  they 
-   are  laid  to  sustain  the  fmroe  of  the  tops  on  the  one,  and  to  extend  the 
top-gallant  shrouds  on  the  other. 

CROTCHED-YARD.  The  old  orthography  for  cross- jack-yard  (which 
see). 

CROTCHES.    See  Crutches. 

CROW,  OR  Crow-bar.  An  iron  lever  furnished  with  a  sharp  point  at  one 
end,  and  two  claws  on  a  slight  bevel  bend  at  the  other,  to  prize  or  remove 
weighty  bodieSj  like  pieces  of  timber,  to  draw  spike-nails,  <fec.  Also,  to 
direct  and  manage  the  great  guns. 

OROWDIE.  Meal  and  milk  mixed  in  a  cold  state;  but  sometimes  a  mere 
composition  of  oatmeal  and  boiled  water,  eaten  with  treacle,  or  butter 
and  sugar,  as  condiment. 

CROWD  SAIL,  To.  To  carry  an  extraordinary  press  of  canvas  on  a  ship, 
as  in  pursuit  of,  or  flight  from,  an  enemy,  <fec. 

CROW-FOOT.  A  number  of  small  lines  spreading  out  from  an  uvrow  or 
long  block,  used  to  suspend  the  awnings  by,  or  to  keep  the  top-sails  from 
striking  violently,  and  fretting  against  the  top-rims.  (See  Euphroe.) 
Also,  a  kind  of  stand,  attached  to  the  end  of  mess-tables,  and  hooked  to  a 
beam  above. — Crow-foot  or  hea/m-arin  is  also  a  crooked  timber,  extended 
from  the  side  of  a  beam  to  the  ship's  side,  in  the  wake  of  the  hatchway, 
supplying  the  place  of  a  beam. — Crow's-foot  is  the  name  of  the  four- 
pointed  irons  thrown  in  front  of  a  position,  to  hamper  the  advance  of 
cavalry,  and  other  assailants,  for  in  whatsoever  way  they  fall  one  point  is 
upwards.  The  phrase  of  crow's-feet  is  also  jocularly  applied  to  the 
wrinkles  spreading  from  the  outer  comer  of  the  eyes — a  joke  used  both 
by  Chaucer  and  Spenser. 

CROWN.  A  common  denomination  in  most  parts  of  Europe  for  a  silver 
coin,  varying  in  local  value  from  2&  6d.  sterling  to  8s.  (See  also  Pre- 
rogative)— Crown  of  an,  anclior.  The  place  where  the  arms  are  joined 
to  the  shank,  and  unite  at  the  throat. — Crown  of  a  gale.  Its  extreme 
violence. — In  fortification,  to  crown  is  to  efiect  a  lodgment  on  the  top 
of;  thus,  the  besieger  crowns  the  covered  way  when  he  occupies  with  his 
trenches  the  crest  of  the  glacis. 

CROWN,  OR  Double  Crowk.  A  knot;  is  to  pass  the  strands  of  a  rope 
over  and  under  each  other  above  the  knot  by  way  of  finish.  (See  Knot.) 
CROWNING.  The  finishing  part  of  some  knots  on  the  end  of  a  rope,  to 
prevent  the  ends  of  the  strands  becoming  loose.  They  are  more  par- 
ticularly useful  in  all  kinds  of  stoppers.  (See  Wall  anp  Crown.) 
CROWN- WORK.  In  fortification,  the  largest  definite  form  of  out-work, 
having  for  its  head  two  contiguous  bastioned  fronts,  and  for  its  sides  two 
long  strait  faces,  flanked  by  the  artillery  fire  of  the  place.     Or  a  detached 


226  CEOW-PUBSE CUBBBAB 

work,  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  ground,  requiring  sncli 

advanced  occupation. 
CROW-PURSK     The  egg-capsole  of  a  skate. 
CROW-SHELLi     A  fjresh-water  nrasseL 
CROW'S  NEST.     A  small  shelter  for  the  look-out  man :  sometimes  made 

with  a  cask,  at  the  top-gallant  mast-head  of  whalers,  whence  fish  are 

espied.     Also,  for  the  ice-master  to  note  the  lanes  or  open  spaces  in  the  ica 
CROT.      An  inclosuie  on  the  sea-beach  in  the  north  fen:  catching  fish. 

When  the  tide  flows  the  fishes  swim  over  the  wattles^  but  are  left  by  the 

ebbing  of  the  water. 
CRUE.     See  Kbeou 

CRTJE-HERRING.     The  shad  {Clupea  alosa). 
CRUER.    See  Crabel 
CRUISE,  OB  Cruize.     A  voyage  in  quest  of  an  enemy  expected  to  sail 

through  any  particular  tract  of  the  sea  at  a  certain  season, — the  seeker 

traversing  the  cruising  latitude  under  easy  sail,  backward  and  forward. 

The  parts  of  seas  frequented  by  whales  are  called  the  cruising  grounds  of 

whalers. 

CRUISERS.  Small  men-of-war,  made  use  of  in  the  Channel  and  elsewhere 
to  secure  our  merchant  ships  from  the  enemy's  small  frigates  and  pri- 
vateers.    They  were  generally  such  as  sailed  well,  and  were  well  manned. 

CRUIYES.     Inclosed  spaces  in  a  dam  or  weir  for  taking  salmon. 

CRUMMY.     Jleshy  or  corpulent 

CRUPPER.     The  train  tackle  ring-bolt  in  a  gun-carriage. 

CRUSADO.    See  Cruzado. 

CRUTCH,  OB  Cbotch.  A  support  fixed  upon  the  taffinail  for  the  main 
boom  of  a  sloop,  brig,  cutter,  i&c.,  and  a  chock  for  the  driver-boom  of  a 
ship  when  their  respective  sails  are  furled.  Also,  crooked  timber 
inside  the  after-peak  of  a  ressel,  for  securing  the  heels  of  the  cant  or 
half-timbers:  they  are  fayed  and  bolted  on  the  foot-scaling.  Also, 
stanchions  of  wood  or  iron  whose  upper  parts  are  forked  to  receive 
masts,  yardfl^  and  other  spars,  and  which  are  fixed  along  the  sides  and 
gangways.  Cnitches  are  used  instead  of  rowlocks,  and  also  on  the  sides 
of  large  boats  to  support  the  oars  and  spars. 

CRUZADO.  A  Portuguese  coin  of  480  reis,  value  28.  71<L  sterling  in 
Portugal;  in  England,  2s.  to  2s.  2d. 

C*UBBRIDGE  HEADS.  The  oM  bulkheads  of  the  forecastle  and  half- 
decksy  wherein  were  placed  the  '^  murderers,"  or  guns  for  clearing  the 
decks  in  emergency. 

CUBR  A  solid  body  inclosed  by  six  square  sides  or  faces.  A  cubical  foot 
is  12  inches  square  every  way,  of  any  solid  substance. 

CUB-HOUSE,  OB  CuBBOOS.    See  Caboose. 

CUBICULATiE.     Roman  ships  furnished  with  cabins. 

CCCKOLD'S-KNOT  ob  Neck.  A  knot  by  which  a  rope  is  secured  to  a 
spar — the  two  parts  of  the  rope  crossing  each  other,  and  seized  together. 

CUDBEAR     {See  Cobkib.)    A  violet  dye-archil,  a  test 


CUDBERDUCE CXTMULO-STRATUS  227 

CUDBERDUCE.      The    cuthbert-duck,   a  bird   of  tlie  Fam   Isles,   off 

Northumberland. 
CUDDIC,  Cuddy,  or  Cudle.    All  derived  from  cuttle-fish  varieties  of  sepia 

used  for  baits. 
CUDDIE,  OR  CuDDiK.     One  of  the  many  names  for  the  coal-fish,  a  staple 

article  of  the  coast  of  Scotland.     The  Crodua  carbonariua  is  taken  nearly 

all  the  year  round  by  fishing  from  the  rocks,  and  by  means  of  landing 

nets.     If  this  fish  be  not  delicate,  it  is  at  least  nutritious,  and  as  it  con- 
tains much  oil,  it  furnishes  light  as  well  as  food. 
CUDDING.     A  northern  name  for  the  char, 
CUDDY.     A  sort  of  cabin  or  cook-room,  generally  in  the  fore-part,  but 

sometimes  near  the  stern  of  lighters  and  barges  of  burden.      In  the 

oceanic  traders  it  is  a  cabin  abaft,  under  the  round-house  or  poop-deck,  for 

the  commander  and  his  passengers.     Also,  the  little  cabin  of  a  boat. 
CUDDY-LEGS.     A  name  in  the  north  for  large  herrings. 
CUIBASS.     Armour  or  covering  for  the  breast,  anciently  made  of  hide. 
CUIRASSIERS.     Horse  soldiers  who  wear  the  cuirass,  a  piece  of  defensive 

armour,  covering  the  body  from  the  neck  to  the  waist. 
CUISSES.     Armour  to  protect  the  thighs. 
CULAGIUM.     An  archaic  law-term  for  the  laying  up  of  a  ship  in  tlic 

dock  to  be  repaired. 
CULCH.    See  Oyster-bed. 
CULLOCK.     A  species  of  bivalvod  mollusc  on  our  northern  shores,  the 

Tellina  rluyniboides. 
CULMINATION,  in  nautical  astronomy,  is  the  transit  or  passage  of  any 

celestial  body  over  the  meridian  of  a  place. 
CULRING.     An  old  corruption  of  cidverin. 
CULTELLUS.    ^C6  Coutel. 
CULYER.     A  Saxon  word  for  pigeon,  whence  Culver-cliffy  Reculvers,  <fec., 

from  being  resorted  to  by  those  birds.      [Latin,  columba;  b  and  v  are 

often  interchanged.] 
CULYERIN.     An  ancient  cannon  of  about  5^  inches  bore,  and  from  9  to 

12  feet  long,  carrying  a  ball  of  18  pounds,  with  a  first  graze  at  180  paces. 

Formerly  a  favourite  sea-gun,  its  random  range  being  2500  paces.     The 

name  is  derived  from  a  snake  (coluber),  or  a  dragcMi,  being  sculptured 

upon  it,  thus  forming  handles. 
CULYER-TAIL.     The  &stenings  of  a  ship's  carlings  into  the  beams. 
CULYER-T AILED.      Fastened   by  dove-tailing— a  way  of  letting  one 

timber  into  another,  so  that  they  cannot  slip  asunder. 
CULWARD.     The  archaic  term  for  a  coward 
CUMULO-CIRRUS-STRATUS.   A  horizontal  sheet  of  cloud,  with  cirrus 

above  and  cumulus  beneath;  it  is  better  known  as  the  nimbus  or  rain- 

doud, 
CUMULO-STRATUS.      This  is  the  twain-cloud,  so  called  because  the 

stratus  blends  with  the  cumulus;  it  is  most  frequent  during  a  changeable 

state  of  the  barometer. 


228  CUMULUS CUfiVKD  FIRE 

CUMULUS.  A  doud  indicative  of  fair  weather,  when  it  is  small :  it  is 
sometimes  seen  in  dense  heapsy  whence  it  obtained  the  name  of  siaeke^i 
doud.     It  is  then  a  foreninner  of  change. 

CUND,  To.    To  give  notice  which  wa j  a  shoal  of  fish  is  gone. 

CUNETTK    See  Cuvetpe. 

CUKS,  OR  Cox    See  Cohh. 

CUNNENG.     A  northern  name  for  the  laraprej. 

C*UP.  A  solid  piece  of  cast-iron  let  into  the  step  of  the  capstan,  and  in 
which  the  iron  spindle  at  the  heel  of  the  capstan  worka  Also^  oollo- 
qnially  nsed  for  come,  as,  *^  Cup,  let  me  alone." 

CUPOLA-SHIP.  Captain  Coles's;  the  cupola  being  discontinued,  now 
called  turret-ship  (which  see). 

CUR.     An  east-countiy  term  for  the  bull-head. 

CURE,  To.     To  salt  meat  or  fish. 

CUR-FISH.     A  small  kind  of  dog-fish. 

CURIET.     A  breast-plate  made  of  leather. 

CURL.  The  bending  over  or  disruption  of  the  ice,  causing  it  to  pile. 
Also,  the  curl  of  the  surf  on  the  shore. 

CURL-CLOUD.     The  same  as  eirrtu  (which  see). 

CURLEW.  A  well-known  coast  bird,  with  a  long  cur\'cd  bill,  the 
Numenius  arquattu, 

CURRACH.     A  skifi^  formerly  used  on  the  Scottish  coasts. 

CURRA-CURRA.     A  peculiarly  fast  boat  among  the  Malay  IsLmds. 

CURRENT.  A  certain  progressive  flowing  of  the  sea  in  one  direction,  by 
which  all  bodies  floating  therein  are  compelled  more  or  less  to  submit  to 
the  stream.  The  setting  of  the  current^  is  that  point  of  the  compass 
towards  which  the  waters  run;  and  the  drift  of  the  current  is  the  rate  it 
runs  at  in  an  hour.  Currents  are  general  and  {jarticular,  the  former 
depending  on  causes  in  constant  action,  the  latter  on  occasional  circum- 
stances.    {See  DiBECTiOK.) 

CURRENT  SAILING.  The  method  of  determining  the  true  motion  of  a 
ship,  when,  besides  being  acted  upon  by  the  wind,  she  is  drifting  by  the 
effect  of  a  current.  A  due  allowance  must  therefore  be  made  by  the 
navigator. 

CURRIER.     A  small  musketoon  with  a  swivel  mounting. 

CURSOR     The  moving  wire  in  a  reading  microscope. 

CURTAIN.  In  fortification,  that  part  of  the  rampart  which  is  between 
the  flanks  of  two  opposite  bastions,  which  are  thereby  connected. 

CURTALL,  OR  CuBTALD.  An  ancient  piece  of  oixlnance  used  in  our  early 
fleets,  apparently  a  short  one. 

CURTATE  DISTANCE.  An  astronomical  term,  denoting  the  distance  of 
a  body  from  the  sun  or  earth  projected  upon  the  ecliptic. 

CURTLE-AXE.     The  old  term  for  cutlass  or  cutlace. 

CURVED  FIRK  A  name  coming  into  use  with  the  increasing  application 
of  the  fire  of  heavy  and  elongated  shells  to  long-range  bombardment  and 
cannonade.     It  is  intermediate  between  horizontal  and  vertical  fire,  pos- 


CURVE  OF  THE  COAST CUTTER  099 

sesslng  much  of  the  accuracy  and  direct  force  of  the  former,  as  well  as  of 

the  searching  properties  of  the  latter. 
CURVE  OF  THE  COAST.      When  the  shore  alternately  recedes  and 

projects  gradually,  so  as  to  trend  towards  a  curve  shape. 
CUSEFORNK     A  long  open  whale-boat  of  Japan. 
CU  SHIES.     Armour  for  the  thighs.     The  same  as  cuisses, 
CUSK.     A  fine  table-fish  taken  in  cod-schools.     See  Tusk  or  Torsk. 
CUSPS.     The  extremities  of  a  crescent  moon,  or  inferior  planet. 
CUSSELS.     The  green-bone,  or  viviparous  blenny. 
CUSTOM.     The  toll  paid  by  merchants  to  the  crown  for  goods  exported  or 

imported;  otherwise  called  duty. — Custom  of  the  country^  a  small  present 

to  certain  authorities  in  the  less  frequented  ports,  being  equally  gift 

and  bribe. 
CUSTOM-HOUSE.     An  office  established  on  the  frontiers  of  a  state,  or  in 

some  chief  city  or  port^  for  the  receipt  of  customs  and  duties  imposed 

by  authority  of  the  sovereign,  and  regulated  by  writs  or  books  of  rates. 
CUSTOM-HOUSE  AGENT.     He  who  transacts  the  relative  business  of 

passing  goods,  as  to  the  entries  required  for  the  ship's  clearance. 
CUSTOM-HOUSE  OFFICERS.     A  term  comprehending  all  the  officials 

employed  in  enforcing  the  customs. 
CUT.     A  narrow  boat  channel;  a  canal. — To  cut,  to  renounce  acquaintance 

with  any  one. 
CUT  AND  RUN,  To.     To  cut  the  cable  for  an  escape.     Also,  to  move  off 

quickly;  to  quit  occupation;  to  be  gone. 
CUT  AND  THRUST.     To  give  point  with  a  sword  after  striking  a  slash. 
CUT  A  STICK,  To.     To  make  off  clandestinely.— CV«  your  sticky  be  off, 

or  go  away. 
CUTE.     Sharp,  crafty,  apparently  from  acute;  but  some  insist  that  it  is  the 

Anglo-Saxon  word  cuth,  rather  meaning  certain,  known,  or  familiar. 
CUTH.     A  name  given  in  Orkney  and  Shetland  to  the  coal-fish  before  it  is 

fully  grown;  perhaps  the  same  as  piltock  (which  see). 
CUTLAS,  OR  CouTELAS.     A  sabre  which  was  slightly  curved,  but  recently 

applied  to  the  small-handled  swords  supplied  to  the  navy — the  cutUtsh  of 

Jack.     By  Shakspeare  called  a  curtle-axe;  thus  Rosalind,  preparing  to 

disguise  herself  as  a  man,  is  made  to  say 

'*  A  gallant  curtle-ax  upon  my  tliigh.*' 

CUT-LINE.     The  space  between  the  bilges  of  two  casks  stowed  end  to 

end. 
CUT  OFF.     A  term  used  to  denote  a  vessel's  being  seized  by  stratagem  by 

the  natives,  and  the  crew  being  murdered.    .  Also,  to  intercept  a  retreat. 
COT  OF  THE  JIB.     A  phrase  for  the  asj)ect  of  a  vessel,  or  person. 
CUT  OUT,  To.     To  attack  and  carry  a  vessel  by  a  boat  force;  one  of  the 

most  dashing  and  desperate  services  practised  by  Nelson  and  Cochrane, 

of  which  latter  that  of  cutting  out  the  Esmeralda  at  Callao  stands 

unequalled. 
CUTTER.      A  small  single-masted,  sliai'p-built  broad  vessel,  commonly 


230  CUTTEB.BRIG CUTTING  IN 

navigated  in  the  English  Channel,  furnished  with  a  straight  running 
bowsprit,  occasionally  run  in  horizontally  on  the  deck;  except  for  which, 
and  the  largeness  of  the  sails,  they  are  rigged  much  like  sloops.  Either 
clincher  or  carvel-built,  no  jib-stay,  the  jib  hoisting  and  hanging  by  the 
halliards  alone.  She  carries  a  fore-and-afl  main-sail,  gaff-topsail,  stay- 
foresail,  and  jib.  The  name  is  derived  from  their  fiist  sailing.  The 
cutter  (as  H.M.S.  Dwa/rf)  has  been  made  to  set  every  sail,  even  royal 
studding-sails,  sky-scrapers,  moon-rakers,  star-gazers,  water  and  below- 
water  sails,  that  could  be  set  by  any  vessel  on  one  mast  One  of  the 
laigest  which  has  answered  effectually,  was  the  VipeVj  of  460  tons  and  28 
guns ;  this  vessel  was  very  useful  during  the  American  war,  particularly 
by  getting  into  Gibraltar  at  a  critical  period  of  th«  siege. 

CUTTER-BRIG.  A  vessel  with  square  sails,  a  fore-and-aft  main-sail,  and 
a  jiggor-mast  with  a  smaller  one.  (See  Ketch.) 

CUTTERS  of  a  ship  are  broader  for  their  length,  deeper  and  shorter  in 
proportion  than  the  barge  •or  pinnace;  are  fitter  for  sailing,  and  com- 
monly employed  in  carrying  light  stores,  passengers,  <ka,  to  and  from 
the  ships;  some  are  clench-built.  T?hey  generally  row  ten  oars ;  others 
of  similar  build  only  four,  which  last  are  termed  jolly-boats.  The  cutters 
for  ships  of  the  line  are  carvel-built  of  25  feet,  and  fit  for  anchor  work. 

CUTTER-STAY  FASHIOK  The  tuming-in  of  a  dead-eye  with  the  end 
of  the  shroud  down. 

CUT  THE  CABLE,  To.  A  manoeuvre  sometimes  necessary  for  making  a 
ship  cast  the  right  way,  or  when  the  anchor  cannot  be  weighed. 

CUTTIE.  A  name  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  black  guillemot  (Uria 
grille), 

CUTTING.     The  adjusting  of  a  cask  or  spar,  or  turning  it  round. 

CUTTING  A  FEATHER.  It  is  common  when  a  ship  has  too  broad  a 
bow  to  say.  "She  will  not  cut  a  feather,"  meaning  that  she  will  not  pass 
through  the  water  so  swift  as  to  make  less  foam  or  froth. 

CUTTING  DOWN.  Taking  a  deck  off  a  ship;  as  ships  of  the  line  are 
converted  into  frigates,  the  Roycd  Sovereign  into  a  turret  ship,  <fec, — 
Cutting  down  is  also  a  dangerous  midshipman's  trick,  and  sometimes 
practised  by  the  men :  it  consists  in  cutting  the  laniard  of  a  cot  or 
hammock  in  which  a  person  is  then  asleep,  and  letting  him  fall — lumpus 
— either  by  the  head  or  the  feet. 

CUTTING-DOWN  LINE.  An  elliptical  curve  line  used  by  ship- 
wrights in  the  delineation  of  ships;  it  determines  the  depth  of  all  the 
floor  timbers,  and  likewise  the  height  of  the  dead-wood  fore  and  aft.  It  is 
limited  in  the  middle  of  the  ship  by  the  thickness  of  J^he  floor  timbers,  and 
abaft  by  the  breadth  of  the  keelson,  and  must  be  carried  up  so  high 
ujjon  the  stem  as  to  leave  sufficient  substance  for  the  breeches  of  the 
rising  timbers. 
/  CUTTING  HIS  PAINTER  Making  off  suddenly  or  clandestinely,  or 
"departed  this  life." 

CUTTING  IN.     Making  the  special  directions  for  taking  the  blubber  off 


CUTTING-OUT CYLINDEB  231 

a  whale^  which  is  flinched  by  taking  off  circularly  ribbons  of  the  skiu 
with  blabber  attached;  the  animal  being  made  to  turn  in  the  water 
as  the  purchases  at  the  mast-heads  heave  it  upwai*ds. 

CUTTING-OUT.     A  night-meal  or  forage  in  the  officer's  pantry. 

CUTTING  OUT  or  In.  In  polar  phraseology,  is  performed  by  pawing 
canals  in  a  floe  of  ice,  to  enable  a  ship  to  regain  open  water. 

CUTTING  RIGGING.     This  includes  the  act  of  measuring  it. 

CUTTLE-FISH.  A  common  marine  animal  of  the  genus  Sepia,  and  class 
CepIuUopocUL  It  has  ten  tentacles  or  arms  ranged  around  the  mouth, 
two  being  of  much  greater  length  than  the  others.  When  in  danger  it 
ejects  a  black  inky  substance,  darkening  the  water  for  some  distance 
around.  The  oval  internal  calcareous  shell,  '^cuttle-bone,*'  often  found 
lying  on  the  beach,  was  formerly  much  used  in  pharmacy. 

CUTTS.     Flat-bottomed  horse-ferry  boats  of  a  former  day. 

CUTTY-GUN.     A  northern  term  for  a  short  pipe. 

CUT-WATER.  The  foremost  part  of  a  vessel's  prow,  or  the  sharp  part  of 
the  knee  of  a  ship^s  head  below  the  beak.  It  cuts  or  divides  the  water 
before  reaching  the  bow,  which  would  retard  progress.  It  is  fayed  to 
the  fore-part  of  the  main  steuL     {See  Knee  of  the  Head.) 

CUVETTE,  called  also  Cunette.  A  deeper  trench  cut  along  the  middle  of 
a  dry  moat;  a  ditch  within  a  ditch,  generally  carried  down  till  there 
be  water  to  fill  it. 

CWM,  OH  Comb.  A  British  word  signifying  an  inlet,  valley,  or  low 
place,  where  the  hilly  sides  round  together  in  a  concave  form;  the  sides 
of  a  glj/n  being,  on  the  contrary,  convex. 

CYCLR  A  term  generally  applied  to  an  interval  of  time  in  which  the 
same  phenomena  recur. 

CYCLE  OF  ECLIPSES.  A  period  of  about  6586  days,  which  is  the 
time  of  a  revolution  of  the  moon's  node;  after  the  lapse  of  this  period  the 
eclipses  recur  in  the  same  order  as  before,  with  few  exceptions.  This 
cycle  was  known  to  the  ancients  under  the  name  of  Saros. 

CYCLOID.     A  geometrical  curve  of  the  higher  kind. 

CYCLONR     See  Typhoon. 

CYLINDER.  The  body  of  a  pump;  any  tubular  part  of  an  engine. — 
Gliarge  cylinder  of  a  gun,  is  the  part  which  receives  the  powder  and  ball, 
the  remaining  portion  being  styled  the  vacant  cylinder.  Especially  in 
marine  steam-engines,  the  cylindrical  metal  tube,  with  a  diameter  propor- 
tionate to  the  power  of  the  engine,  of  which  it  may  be  termed  the  chiet 
part,  since  it  contains  the  active  steam.  Also,  a  cartridge  box  for  the 
service  of  artillery.     {See  Cartridge-box.) 

CYLINDER-COVER.  In  the  steam-engine,  is  a  metal  lid  with  a  hole  \\i 
the  centre  for  the  piston-rod  to  work  through. 

CYLINDER  CROSS-HEAD.  An  adaptation  on  the  top  of  the  piston-rod, 
stretching  out  athwart  the  cylinder,  from  the  ends  of  which  the  side- 
rods  hang. 

CYLINDER  ESCAPE-VALVES.     Small  conical  valves  at  each  end  of 


CniSDER DALE 

the  ejlf  nder,  ir>r  the  poriMMe  of  leUii^  off  an  J  water  tbat  i^ 

«r  bdUyir  the  pwtoiL 
CYLINDER  POWDER.      Thai  made  upon  tike  improred   metbod  <if 

ebatriikg  the  wood  to  be  lued  aa  diarcoal  in  irtm  crliiiden.      All 

Britiah  gvyrenunent  gnnpowder  ia  now  made  thna. 
CTFHERING.     A  term  in  carpeotrTr.     (See  HrrBEaac,) 


D. 


D.  In  the  Complete  Bookf  D  means  dead  or  deserted;  Dsq.,  di)schar]ged  from 
the  aenrieey  or  into  another  ship. 

DAB.  The  sea-floander.  An  old  general  term  for  a  pleoronect  or  flat  fish 
of  any  kind,  bat  nsnallj  appropriated  to  the  PlaUesa  limanda.  The 
word  is  fftmiliariy  applied  to  one  who  is  expert  in  anything, 

DABBERLACK,     A  kind  of  long  sea^weed  on  onr  northern  coasts. 

DAB-CHICIL  The  little  grebe,  Podieepe  minor.  A  small  diving  bird 
common  in  lakes  and  rivenf. 

DAC0IT8.    SeeJynQfm. 

.UADDICK.     A  west-coontry  term  for  rotten-wood,  touch-wood,  d:c. 

DAOEN.     A  peculiar  diiic  or  poignanL 

DAGOAR.     An  old  term  for  a  dog-fisL 

DAOOERrKNEE  A  substitute  for  the  hanging-knee^  applied  to  the 
under  side  of  the  lodging-knee;  it  is  placed  out  of  the  perpendicular  to 
avoid  a  port-hole.  Anything  placed  aslant  or  obliquely,  now  generally 
termed  diagonal,  of  which,  indeed,  it  is  a  corruption. 

DAGGER-PIECE,  on  Daggeh-wood.  A  timber  or  plank  that  faces  on  to 
the  poppets  of  the  bilge-ways,  and  crosses  them  diagonally,  to  keep  them 
together.     The  plank  securing  the  head  is  called  the  daggeq>lank. 

DAGGE8.     An  old  term  for  pistols  or  hand-guns. 

DAJII/iREN  GUN.  A  modification  of  the  Paixhan  gun,  introduced  into 
the  United  Btates  service  by  Lieut,  now  Admiral,  Dahlgren,  of  that 
navy;  having,  in  obedience  to  the  results  of  ingenious  experiment  on  the 
varying  force  of  explosion  on  different  parts  of  a  gun,  what  has  been  called 
the  soda-water  bottle  or  pear-shaped  form. 

DAIIM.     An  Arab  or  Indian  decked  boat. 

DAILY  PROGRESS.  "^A  daily  return  when  in  port  of  all  particulars 
relative  to  the  progress  of  a  ship's  equipment. 

DAI  RS.     Small  unsaleable  fish. 

DALE.  A  trough  or  spout  to  carry  off  water,  usually  named  from  the 
office  it  has  to  perform,  as  a  pump-dale,  kc.  Also,  a  place  forward,  to 
save  the  decks  from  being  wetted,  now  almost  abolished. 


DALLOP DABNING  THE  WATER  233 

DALLOP.      A  heap  or  lump  in  a  clumsy  state.     A  large  quantity  of 

anything. 
DAM.     A  barrier  of  stones,  stakes,  or  rubble,  constructed  to  stop  or  im- 
pede the  course  of  a  stream.    {See  Jnundatiok  and  Floating  Dah.) 
DAMASCENED.     The  mixing  of  various  metals  in  the  Damascus  blades, 

the  kris,  or  other  weapons;   sometimes  by  adding  silver,  to  produce  a 

watered  effect. 
DAMASCUS  BLADE.     Swords  famed  for  the  quality  and  temper  of  the 

metal,  as  well  as  the  beauty  of  the  jowhivy  or  watering  of  the  blades. 
DAMASEL      Steel  worked   in  the   Damascus   style,  showing  the  wavy 

lines  of  the  different  metals;  usually  termed  watered  or  twisted. 
DAMBER.     An  old  word  for  lubberly  rogue. 
DAMELOPEE.     An  ancient  flat-floored  vessel  belonging  to  Holland,  and 

intended  to  carry  heavy  cargoes  over  their  shallow  waters. 
DAMMAH.     A  kind  of  turpentine  or  resin  from  a  species  of  pine,  which 

is  used  in  the  East  Indies  for  the  same  purposes  to  which  turpentine  and 

pitch  are  applied.     It  is  exported  in  large  quantities  from  Sumatra  to 

Bengal  and  other  places,  where  it  is  much  used  for  paying  seams  and  the 

bottoms  of  vessels,  for  which  latter  purpose  it  is  often  mixed  with  sulphur, 

and  answers  admirably  in  warm  climates. 
DAMPER.     The  means  by  which  the  furnace  of  each  boiler  in  a  steamer 

can  be  regulated  independently,  by  increasing  or  diminishing  the  draught 

to  the  Are. 
DAMSEL.     A  coast  name  for  the  skate-fish. 

DANCERS.     The  coruscations  of  the  aurora.     (See  Merbt  Danc£B&) 
DANDIES.     Rowers  of  the  budgerow  boats  on  the  Ganges. 
DANDY.      A  sloop  or  cutter  with  a  jigger-mast  abaft,  on  which  a  mizen- 

lug-sail  is  set. 
DANGER.      Perils  and  hazard  of  the  sea.      Any  rock  or  shoal  which 

interferes  with  navigation. 
DANK.     Moist^  mouldy:  a  sense  in  which  Shakspeare  uses  it;  also  Tusser — 

t 

**Dank  ling  forgot  will  quickly  rot.** 

DANKER.     A  north-country  term  for  a  dark  cloud. 

DANSKERS.     Natives  of  Denmark. 

DARBIES.     An  old  cant  word  for  irons  or  hand-cuffs;  it  is  still  retained. 

DARE.  An  old  word  for  to  challenge,  or  incite  to  emulation;  still  in  full 
use. 

DARE-DEVIL.     One  who  fears  nothing,  and  will  attempt  anything. 

DARKENING.     Closing  of  the  evening  twilight 

DARK  GLASSES.  Shades  fitted  to  instruments  of  reflection  for  prevent- 
ing the  bright  rays  of  the  sun  from  hurting  the  eye  of  the  observer. 

DARKS.  Nights  on  which  the  moon  does  not  shine, — much  looked  to  by 
smugglers. 

DARKY.     A  common  term  for  a  negro. 

DARNING  THE  WATER.  A  term  applied  to  the  action  of  a  fleet 
cruising  to  and  fro  before  a  blockaded  port 


234  DABBAG DAY-BOOK 

DAKRAG.  A  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  a  strong  fishing-line  made  ot 
black  hair  snoods. 

DARSENA.     An  inner  harbour  or  wet  dock  in  the  Mediterranean. 

DARTS.     Weapons  used  in  our  early  fleets  from  the  round-tops. 

DASH.  The  present  with  which  bargains  are  sealed  on  the  coast  of 
Africa. 

DASHING.     The  rolling  and  breaking  of  the  sea. 

DATOO.  West  wind  in  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar:  very  healthy.  Also,  a 
Malay  term  of  rank,  and  four  of  whom  form  the  council  of  the  sultan  of 
the  Malayu  Islands. 

DATUM.     The  base  level. 

DAVID'S-STAFF.     A  kind  of  quadrant  formerly  used  in  navigation. 

DAVIK     An  old  term  for  davit. 

DAVIT.  A  piece  of  timber  or  iron,  with  sheaves  or  blocks  at  its  end, 
projecting  over  a  vessel's  quarter  or  stem,  to  hoist  up  and  suspend  one 
end  of  a  boat. — Fialirdavity  is  a  beam  of  timber,  with  a  roller  or  sheave  at 
its  end,  used  as  a  crane,  whereby  to  hoist  the  flukes  of  the  anchor  to  the 
top  of  the  bow,  without  injuring  the  planks  of  the  ship's  side  as  it  ascends, 
and  called  Ashing  the  anchor;  the  lower  end  of  this  davit  rests  on  the 
fore-chains,  the  upper  end  being  properly  secured  by  a  tackle  from  the 
mast-head;  to  which  end  is  hung  a  large  block,  and  throiigh  it  a 
strong  rope  is  rove,  called  the  fish-pendant^  to  the  outer  end  of  which  is 
fitted  a  lai^e  hook,  and  to  its  inner  end  a  tackle;  the  former  is  called  the 
fish-hook,  the  latter  the  fish-tackle.  There  is  also  a  davit  of  a  smaller 
kind,  occasionally  fixed  in  the  long-boat,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a 
small  windlass,  used  to  weigh  the  anchor  by  the  buoy-rope,  kc, 

DAVIT-GUYS.     Ropes  used  to  steady  boats'  davits. 

DAVIT-ROPE.  The  lashing  which  secures  the  davit  to  the  shrouds 
when  out  of  use. 

DAVIT-TOPPING-LIFT.  A  rope  made  fast  to  the  outer  end  of  a 
davit,  and  rove  through  a  block  made  fast  to  a  vessel's  mast  alofl,  with 
a  tackle  attached.     Usually  employed  for  bringing  the  anchor  inboard. 

DAVY  JONES.     The  spirit  of  the  sea;  a  nikker;  a  seardevil. 

DAVY  JONES'S  LOCKER  The  ocean;  the  common  receptacle  for  all 
things  thrown  overboard;  it  is  a  phrase  for  death  or  the  other  world, 
when  speaking  of  a  person  who  has  been  buried  at  sea. 

DAW-FISH.     The  ScyUium  catiUuSf  a  small  dog-fish. 

DAWK-BOAT.  A  boat  for  the  conveyance  of  letters  in  India;  datoh 
being  the  Hindostanee  for  mail, 

DAY.  The  astronomical  day  is  reckoned  from  noon  to  noon,  continuously 
through  the  twenty-four  hours,  like  the  other  days.  It  commences  at 
noon,  twelve  hours  after  the  civil  day,  which  itself  begins  twelve  hours 
after  the  nautical  day,  so  that  the  noon  of  the  civil  day,  the  beginning  of 
the  astronomical  day,  and  the  end  of  the  nautical  day,  occur  at  the  same 
moment.     {See  the  words  Solar  and  Sidebeal.) 

DAY-BOOK    An  old  and  better  name  for  the  log-book;  a  journal  [Fr.] 


DAT-UATEB DEAD-HOBSE  235 

t)AY-MATES.  Formerly  the  mates  of  the  several  decks — now  abolished. 

(See  SUB-UEUTENAMT.) 

DAY-SKY.     The  aspect  of  the  sky  at  day-break,  or  at  twilight 

DAY  *S  WORK,  In  navigation,  the  reckoning  or  reduction  of  the  ship's 
courses  and  distances  made  good  during  twenty-four  hours,  or  from  noon 
to  noon,  according  to  the  rules  of  trigonometry,  and  thence  ascertaining 
her  latitude  and  longitude  by  dead  reckoning  (which  see). 

D-BLOCK.  A  lump  of  oak  in  the  shape  of  a  D,  bolted  to  the  ship's  side  in 
the  channels  to  reeve  the  lifts  through. 

DEAD-ANGLK  In  fortification,  is  an  angle  receiving  no  defence,  either 
by  its  own  fire  or  that  of  any  other  works. 

DEAD-CALM.     A  total  cessation  of  wind;  the  same  Mjlat-ccdm, 

DEAD-DOORS.  Those  fitted  in  a  rabbet  to  the  outside  of  the  quarter- 
gallery  doors,  with  the  object  of  keeping  out  the  sea,  in  case  of  the 
gallery  being  carried  away. 

DEADEN  A  SHIP'S  WAY,  To.  To  retard  a  vessel's  progress  by  brac- 
ing in  the  yards,  so  as  to  reduce  the  efiect  of  the  sails,  or  by  backing 
minor  sails.  Also,  wh«n  sounding  to  luff  up  and  shake  all,  to  obttiin  a 
cast  of  the  deep-sea  lead. 

DEAD-EYE,  or  Dead  Man's  Eye.  A  sort  of  i-ound  flattish  wooden  block, 
or  oblate  piece  of  elm,  encircled,  and  fixed  to  the  channels  by  the  chain- 
plate:  it  is  pierced  with  three  holes  through  the  flat  part,  in  order  to 
receive  a  rope  called  the  laniard,  which,  corresponding  with  three  holes 
in  another  dead-eye  on  the  shroud  end,  creates  a  purchase  to  set  up  and 
extend  the  shrouds  and  stays,  backstays,  <&c.,  of  the  standing  and  toj>- 
mast  rigging.  The  term  dead  seems  to  have  been  used  because  there 
is  no  revolving  sheave  to  lessen  the  fnction.  In  merchant-ships  they 
are  generally  fitted  with  iron-plates,  in  the  room  of  chains,  extending 
from  the  vessel's  side  to  the  top  of  the  rail,  where  they  are  connected  with 
the  rigging.  The  dead-eyes  used  for  the  stays  have  only  one  hole,  which, 
however,  is  large  enough  to  receive  ten  or  twelve  turns  of  the  laniard — 
these  are  generally  termed  hearts,  on  account  of  their  shape.  The  crowfeet 
dead-eyes  are  long  cylindrical  blocks  with  a  number  of  small  holes  in  them, 
to  receive  the  legs  or  lines  composing  the  crowfoot     Also  called  uvrows, 

DEAD-FLAT.  The  timber  or  frame  possessing  the  greatest  breadth  and 
capacity  in  the  ship:  where  several  timbers  are  thrown  in,  of  the  same 
area,  the  middle  one  is  reckoned  a  dead-flat,  about  one  third  of  the  length 
of  the  ship  from  the  head.  It  is  generally  distinguished  as  the  midship- 
bend. 

DEAD-FREIGHT.  The  sum  to  which  a  merchant  is  liable  for  goods 
which  he  has  failed  to  ship. 

DEAD-HEAD.  A  kind  of  dolphin  (which  see).  Also,  a  rough  block  of 
wood  used  as  an  anchor-buoy. 

DEAD-HEADED.     Timber  trees  which  have  ceased  growing. 

DEAD-HORSE.  A  term  applied  by  seamen  to  labour  which  has  been 
paid  for  in  advance.     When  they  commence  earning  money  again,  there 


23G  DBAD-LIFT DEAD-WATER 

is  in  some  roercbant  ships  a  ceremony  performed  of  dragging  round  the 
decks  an  effigy  of  their  fruitless  labour  in  the  shape  of  a  horse,  running 
him  up  to  the  yard-arm,  and  cutting  him  adrift  to  fall  into  the  sea  amidst 
loud  cheers. 

DEAD-LIFT.     The  moving  of  a  very  inert  body. 

DEAD-LIGHTS.  Strong  wooden  shutters  made  exactly  to  fit  the  cabin 
windows  externally;  they  are  fixed  on  the  approach  of  bad  weather.  Also, 
luminous  appearances  sometimes  seen  over  putrescent  bodies. 

DEAD-LOWN.     A  completely  still  atmosphera 

DELAD-MEN.  The  reef  or  gasket-ends  carelessly  lefl  dangling  under  the 
yard  when  the  sail  is  furled,  instead  of  being  tucked  in. 

DEAD-MEN'S  EFFECTS.     When  a  seaman  dies  on  board,  or  is  drowned, 
his  effects  are  sold  at  the  mast  by  auction,  and  the  produce  charged 
against  the  purchasers'  names  on  the  ship's  books. 
•  DEAD-MONTHS.     A  term  for  winter. 

DEAD-ON-END.  The  wind  blowing  directly  adverse  to  the  vessel's 
intended  course. 

DEAD-PAY.  That  given  formerly  in  shares,  or  for  names  borne,  but  for 
which 'no  one  appears,  as  was  formerly  practised  with  widows*  men. 

DEAD-RECKONING.  The  estimation  of  the  ship's  place  without  any 
observation  of  the  heavenly  bodies;  it  is  discovered  from  the  distance  she' 
has  run  by  the  log,  and  the  courses. steered  by  the  compass,  then  rectify- 
ing these  data  by  the  usual  allowance  for  current^  leeway,  &c.,  according 
to  the  ship's  known  trim.  This  reckoning,  however,  should  be  corrected 
by  astronomical  observations  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  whenever  avail- 
able, proving  the  importance  of  practical  astronomy. 

DEAD-RISING.  In  ship-building,  is  that  part  of  a  ship  which  lies  aft 
between  the  keel  and  her  floor-timbers  towards  the  stem-post;  generally  it 
is  applied  to  those  parts  of  the  bottom,  throughout  the  ship's  length,  where 
the  sweep  or  curve  at  the  head  of  the  floor-timber  terminates,  or  inflects 
to  join  the  keel.     {See  Risino-line.) 

DEAD-ROPES.     Those  which  do  not  run  in  any  block. 

DEAD-SHARES.  An  allowance  formerly  made  to  officers  of  the  fleet, 
from  fictitious  numbers  borne  on  the  complement  (temp.  Henry  VIII.), 
varjdng  from  fifty  shares  for  an  admiral,  to  half  a  share  for  the  cook's  mate. 

DEAD-SHEAYR  A  scored  aperture  in  the  heel  of  a  top-mast,  through 
which  a  second  top-tackle  pendant  can  be  rove.  It  is  usually  a  section  of 
a  lignum-vitaB  sheave  let  in,  so  as  to  avoid  chafe. 

DEAD-TICKET.  Persons  d3ring  on  board,  those  discharged  from  the 
service,  and  all  officers  promoted,  are  cleared  from  the  ship's  books  by  a 
dead-ticket,  which  must  be  filled  up  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  sick- 
ticket  (which  see). 

DEAD  UPON  A  WIND.     Braced  sharp  up  and  bowlines  hauled. 

DEAD-WATER  The  eddy-water  under  the  counter  of  a  ship  under 
way;  so  called  because  passing  away  slower  than  the  water  alongside.  A 
ship  is  said  to  maJce  much  dead-wcUer  when  she  has  a  great  eddy  follow- 


'. 


DEAD-WEIGHT DECAGON  937 

ing  her  stem,  often  occasioned  by  her  having  a  square  tuck.  A  vessel 
with  a  round  buttock  at  her  line  of  floatation  can  have  but  little  dead- 
water,  the  rounding  abaft  allowing  the  fluid  soon  to  recover  its  state  of  rest. 

DEAD  WEIGHT.  A  vessel's  lading  when  it  consists  of  heavy  goods,  but 
particularly  such  as  pay  freight  according  to  their  weight  and  not  their 
stauHJtge. 

DEAD  WOOD.  Certain  blocks  of  timber,  generally  oak,  fayed  on  the 
upper  side  of  the  keel,  particularly  at  the  extremities  before  and  abaft, 
where  these  pieces  are  placed  upon  each  other  to  a  considerable  height, 
because  the  ship  is  there  so  narrow  as  not  to  admit  of  the  two  half 
timbers,  which  are  therefore  scored  into  this  dead  wood,  where  the  angle 
of  the  floor-timbers  gradually  diminishes  on  approaching  the  stem  and 
stem-post.  In  the  fore-part  of  the  ship  the  dead  wood  generally  extends 
from  the  stemson,  upon  which  it  is  scarphed,  to  the  loof-frame ;  and  in 
the  afler-end,  from  the  stern-post^  whei*e  it  is  confined  by  the  knee,  to  the 
after  balance  frame.  It  is  connected  to  the  keel  by  strong  spike  nails. 
The  dead  wood  afore  and  abaft  is  equal  in  depth  to  two-thirds  of  the 
depth  of  the  keel,  and  as  broad  as  can  be  procured,  not  exceeding  the 
breadth  of  the  keel,  t.e.  continued  as  high  as  the  cutting-down  line  in  both 
bodies,  to  afford  a  stepping  for  the  heels  of  the  cant  timbers. 

DEAD-WOOD  KNEES.  The  upper  foremost  and  aftermost  pieces  of 
dead  wood;  being  crooked  pieces  of  timber,  the  bolting  of  which  connectH 
the  keel  with  the  stem  and  stem  posts. 

DEAD  WORKS.  All  that  part  of  the  ship  which  is  above  water  when  she 
is  laden.     The  same  as  upper  work,  or  supernatant  (which  see). 

DEAL  BEACH.  This  coast  consists  of  gravelly  shiugle;  aud  a  man  who 
is  pock-marked^  or  in  galley-cant  cribbage-faced,  is  figuratively  said  to 
have  been  rolled  on  Deal  beach. 

DEAL-ENDS.     Applied  to  deal-planks  when  under  G  feet  in  lengtL 

DEATH  OB  Monet  Boats.  So  termed  from  the  risk  in  such  frail  craft. 
They  were  very  long,  very  narrow,  and  as  thin  as  the  skifls  of  our  rivers. 
During  the  war  of  1800-14  they  carried  gold  between  Dover  and 
Calais,  and  defied  the  custom-house  officers. 

DEATH-WOUND.  A  law-term  for  the  starting  of  a  butt  end,  or  spring- 
iug  a  fatal  leak.  A  ship  had  received  her  death-wound,  but  by  pumping 
was  kept  afloat  till  three  days  after  the  time  she  was  insured  for :  it  was 
determined  that  the  risk  was  at  an  end  before  the  loss  happened,  and 
that  the  insurer  was  not  liable. 

DEBARK,  To.     To  land;  to  go  on  shore. 

DEBENTURE.  A  custom-house  certificate  given  to  the  exjiorter  of  goods, 
on  which  a  bounty  or  drawback  is  allowed.  Also,  a  general  term  for 
a  bill  or  bond. 

DEBOUCHE.  The  mouth  of  a  river,  outlet  of  a  wood,  defile,  or  narrow 
pass.     In  military  language,  troops  defile  or  march  out  from. 

DECAGON.  A  plane  geometrical  figure  that  has  ten  equal  sides,  and  as 
many  equal  angles. 


238  DECAJfP DECKS 

DECAMP,  To.  To  rake  the  camp;  the  breaking  up  from  a  place  where 
an  armj  haa.been  encamped. 

DECEPTIO  YISUS.  Any  extraordinaiy  instance  of  deception  to  the 
sight,  occasioned  bj  the  effects  of  atmospheric  media.  (See  Terres- 
trial REFRAcnox  and  Mirage.) 

DECIMATION.  The  punishing  every  tenth  soldier  bj  lot^  was  tmlj 
decimalio  legianU. 

DECIMK  A  small  copper  coin  of  France^  eqnal  to  two  sons,  or  one- 
tenth  of  a  franc. 

DECK,  To.    A  word  formerly  in  nse  for  to  trim,  as  '^  we  deckt  up  our  sails.'* 

DECK-BEAM  KNEES.     The  same  as  lodging-knees. 

DECK-BEAMS.     See  Beams. 

DECK-CARGO,  otherwise  deck-load  (which  see). 

DECK-CLEATS.  Pieces  of  wood  temporarily  nailed  to  the  deck  to  secure 
objects  in  bad  weather,  as  guns,  deck-load,  Ac 

DECK-HOOK,  The  compass  timber  bolted  horizontally  athwart  a  ship's 
bow,  connecting  the  stem,  timbers,  and  deck-planks  of  the  fore-part;  it  is 
part  and  parcel  of  the  breaet-hooke, 

DECK-HOUSE.  An  oblong-house  on  the  deck  of  some  merchantmen, 
especially  east-country  vessels,  and  latterly  in  passenger  steamers,  with  a 
gangway  on  each  side  of  it.     (Sometimes  termed  round-house.) 

DECK-LOAD.  Timber,  casks,  or  other  cargo  not  liable  to  damage  from 
wet,  stowed  on  the  deck  of  merchant  vessels.  This,  with  the  exception 
of  carboys  of  vitriol,  is  not  included  in  a  general  policy  of  insurance 
on  goods,  unless  it  be  specially  stipulated. 

DECK- NAILS.  A  kind  of  spike  with  a  snug  head,  commonly  made  in  a 
diamond  form;  they  are  single  or  double  deck-nails,  and  from  4  to  12 
inches  long. 

DECK-PIPE.  An  iron  pipe  through  which  the  chain  cable  is  paid  into  the 
chain-locker. 

DECK-PUMPS.  In  a  steamer,  are  at  the  side  of  the  vessel,  worked  with 
a  lever  by  manual  power,  to  supply  additional  water.  In  a  ship-of-war, 
used  for  washing  decks  (one  of  the  mid-ship  pumps). 

DECKS.  The  platforms  laid  longitudinally  over  the  transverse  beams; 
in  ships  of  war  they  support  the  guns.  The  terms  in  use  for  these  decks 
are,  assuming  the  laigest  ship  of  the  line: — Poop,  the  deck  which  includes 
from  the  mizen-mast  to  the  taffrail.  The  upper  or  spar-deck,  from  stem 
to  stem,  having  conventional  divisions;  as,  quarter-decky  which  is,  when 
clear  for  action,  the  space  abafl  the  mainmast,  including  the  cabin;  next, 
tlie  waist,  between  the  fore  and  main  masts,  on  which  the  spars  and  booms 
are  secured.  In  some  ships  guns  are  continued  (always  in  flush-decked 
ships)  along  the  gangway;  then  the  forecastle,  which  commences  on  the 
gangway,  from  the  main-tack  chock  forward  to  the  bows.  Small  craft,  as 
brigs  and  corvettes,  are  sometimes  fitted  with  top-gallant  forecastles,  to 
shelter  the  men  from  heavy  seas  which  wash  over.  Next,  the  main  or 
yun-deckf  the  entire  length  of  the  ship.      It  is  also  divided  conven- 


DECK-SEAM DECLINATION  239 

tionallj  into  the  yarious  cabins,  the  "waist  (under  the  gangway),  the  galley, 
from  the  fore-hatchway  to  the  sick  bay,  and  bows.  N«xt  below,  is  the 
middle  deck  of  a  three-decker,  or  lower  of  a  two-decker,  succeeded  by  lower 
deck  and  the  orlop-deck,  which  carries  no  guns.  The  guns  on  these  seyeral 
decks  increase  in  size  and  number  from  the  poop  downwards.  Thus, 
although  a  vessel  termed  a  three-decker  was  rated  120  guns,  the  fact  stood 
thus: — 


Gam. 

PoundecBb 

lbs. 

Poop,  .... 

10 

24 

240 

Quarter-deck.     . 

.        22 

24  long 

}      .848 

Forecastle, . 

10 

32canai. 

Main-deck, 

34 

24 

816 

Middle,        .        .        . 

.        3S 

24 

864 

Lower, 

.       36 

32 

1152 

148 

3860 

Broadside  of    1980 

But  latterly,  50  and  84  pounders  on  the  lower,,  and  32  on  the  middle, 
afforded  a  heavier  weight  of  broadside.  The  Santissima  Trinidadoj  taken 
from  the  Spaniards,  carried  four  whole  tiers  of  guns.  Now,  the  tonnage 
of  the  largest  of  these  would  be  insignificant  '^Deckers"  are  exploded, 
and  a  Pallas  of  the  same  tonnage  (2372)  carries  8  guns,  a  Bdlerophon 
(4272)  carries  18  guns,  ranging  in  size,  however,  from  the  G4-pounder  up 
to  the  300-pounder. — FlusJi-deck,  or  deck  flush  fore  and  aft,  implies  a  con- 
tinued floor  laid  from  stem  to  stern,  upon  one  line,  without  any  stops 
or  intervals. — Half-deck,  In  the  Northumberland  colliers  the  steerage 
itself  is  called  the  half-deck,  and  is  usually  the  habitation  of  the  ship^s 
crew. 

DECK-SEAM.     The  interstices  between  the  planks. 

DECK-SHEET.  That  sheet  of  a  studding-sail  which  leads  directly  to 
the  deck,  by  which  it  is  steadied  until  set;  it  is  also  useful  in  taking  it 
in,  should  the  downhaul  be  carried  away. 

DECK-STANDARD-KNEES.  Iron  knees  having  two  tails,  the  one 
going  on  the  bottom  of  a  deck-beam,  the  other  on  the  top  of  a  hold- 
beam,  while  the  middle  part  is  bolted  to  the  ship's  side. 

DECK-STOPPER  (See  Stopper.)  A  strong  stopper  used  for  securing  the 
cable  forward  of  the  capstan  or  windlass  while  it  is  overhauled.  Also 
abaft  the  windlass  or  bitts  to  prevent  more  cable  from  running  out. 

DECK-TACKLE.     A  purchase  led  along  the  decks. 

DECLARATION  OF  WAR  A  ceremonial  frequently  omitted,  and 
esteemed  by  the  greatest  authorities  rather  a  proof  of  magnanimity  than 
a  duty.  The  Romans  proclaimed  it;  but  except  Achaia,  none  of  the 
Grecian  states  did.  It  would  be  to  the  interests  of  humanity  and  cour- 
tesy were  it  made  indispensable.  It  has  been  held  (especially  in  the 
case  of  the  Leopard  and  Chesapeake)  that  without  a  declaration  of  war, 
no  hostile  act  at  the  order  of  an  admiral  is  legaL 

DECLINATION,  of  a  celestial  object,  is  the  arc  between  its  centre  and  the 


2  40  DECLINATION DEFLECTION. 

equinoctial :  with  the  sun,  it  is  its  angular  distance  from  the  equator, 
either  north  or  south,  and  is  named  accordingly. 
DECLINATION,  To  Correct.     A  cant  phrase  for  taking  a  glass  of  grog 

at  noon,  when  the  da7*s  works  are  being  reduced. 
DECOY.     So  to  change  the  aspect  of  a  ship-of-war  by  striking  a  top- 
gallant-mast^ setting  ragged  sails,  disfiguring  the  sides  by  whitewash  or 
gunpowder,  yellow,  <&c.,  as  to  induce  a  vessel  of  inferior  force  to  chase; 
when,  getting   within  gunshot  range,   she   becomes  an   easy  capture. 
Similar  manoeuvres  are  sometimes  used  by  a  single  ship  to  induce  an 
enemy's  squadron  to  follow  her  into  the  view  of  her  own  fleet 
DEEP.      A  word  figuratively  applied  to  the  ocean.      On  the  coast   of 
Germany,  to  the  northward  of  Friesland,  it  is  of  the  same  import  as 
gulf  on  the  coasts  of  France,  Spain,  Italy,  (S:c.     Also,  any  depth  over  20 
fathoms. — Deep-sea  fishing.     In  contradistinction  to  coast^  or  when  the 
hand-lead  reaches  bottom  at  20  fathoms. — Hand  deeps.     Out  of  ordinary 
leadsman's  sounding. — A  vessel  is  deep  as  regards  her  lading,  and  is  also 
said  to  sail  deep  when  her  expenses  run  high. 
DEEPENING.     Running  from  shoal  water  by  the  lead. 
DEEPSEA-LINE.     Usually  a  strong  and  water-laid  line.     It  is  used  with 
a  lead  of  28  lbs.,  and  adapted  to  find  bottom  in  200  fathoms  or  more. 
It  is  marked  by  knots  every  ten  fathoms,  and  by  a  small  knot  every  ^vq. 
The   marks  are  now  nearly  superseded  by  Masse^s  patent  sounding- 
machine. — Marks  and  Deeps,  <lbc.,  see  Lead  and  Line. 
DEEP-WAIST.     That  part  of  the  open  skids  between  the  main  and  fore 
drifts  in  men-of-war.     It  also  relates  to  the  remaining  part  of  a  ship  s 
deck,  when  the  quarter-deck  and  forecastle  are  much  elevated  above  the 
level  of  the  main-deck,  so  as  to  leave  a  vacant  space,  called  the  waist^  on 
the  middle  of  the  upper  deck,  as  in  many  packets. 
DEESK     An  east^country  term  for  a  place  where  herrings  are  dried. 
DEFAULTER'S  BOOK.      Where  men's  offences  are  registered  against 

them,  and  may  be  magnified  without  appeal 
DEFECTS.     An  official  return  of  the  state  of  a  ship  as  to  what  is  required 
for  her  hull  and  equipment,  and  what  repairs  she  stands  in  need  of. 
Upon  this  return  a  ship  is  ordered  to  sea,  into  harbour,  into  dock,  or 
paid  out  of  commission. 
DEFICIENCY.     What  is  wanting  of  a  ship's  cargo  at  the  time  of  de- 
livery. 
DEFILADE.     In  fortification,  is  the  art  of  so  disposing  defensive  works, 
on  irregular  or  commanded  sites,  that  the  troops  within  them  shall  be 
covered  from  the  direct  fire  of  the  enemy. 
DEFILK      A  narrow  pass  between  two  heights,  which  obliges  a  force 
marching  through  to  narrow  its  front      This  may  prove  disastrous  if 
attacked,  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of  receiving  aid  from  the  rear. 
DEFILING.     Filing  off;  marching  past. 
DEFINITIVR     Conclusive;  decisive. 
DEFLECTION.      The  tendency  of  a  ship  from   her  true  course;    the 


DEFORMED  BASTION DELTA  241 

departure  of  the  magDetic  needle  from  its  true  bearing,  when  influenced 
by  iron  or  the  local  attraction  of  the  mass.  In  artillery,  the  deviation 
of  a  shot  from  the  direction  in  which  it  is  fired.  The  term  is  usually 
reserved  to  lateral  deviations,  especially  those  resulting  from  irregular 
causes — those  constant  ones  due  to  the  regular  motion  of  rifled  pro- 
jectiles coming  under  either  of  the  designations  "constant  deflection," 
"derivation,"  borrowed  from  the  French,  or  "drift,"  from  the  Americans. 
These  latter,  according  to  the  direction  usually  given  to  the  rifling  in  the 
present  day,  all  tend  away  to  the  right,  though  they  include  some  sub- 
ordinate curves  not  yet  distinctly  deteimined. 

DEFORMED  BASTION.  One  out  of  shape  from  the  irregukrity  of  its 
lines  and  angles. 

DEGRADATION.  Debasement  and  disgrace.  The  suspension  of  a  petty 
officer  from  his  station;  and  also  the  depriving  an  officer  or  soldier  of  his 
arms  previous  to  his  being  delivered  over  to  the  civil  power  for  execution. 

DEGREE.  A  degree  of  longitude  is  the  1 -360th  part  of  the  great  equatorial 
circle,  or  any  circle  parallel  to  it.  A  degree  of  latitude  is  the  90th  part 
of  the  quadrant,  or  quarter  of  a  great  meridional  circle.  Each  degree  is 
divided  into  60  minutes,  and  each  minute  into  60  seconds,  according  to 
the  sexagesimal  division  of  the  circle.     Also,  rank  or  condition. 

DEKOYTS,  OR  Dacoits.  Robbers  in  India,  and  also  pirates  who  infested 
the  rivers  between  Calcutta  and  Burhampore,  but  now  suppressed  by  the 
improved  sjrstem  of  river  police,  and  the  establishment  of  fast  rowing 
boats  of  light  draught. 

DEL.  Saxon  for  part — Del  a  hity  not  a  bit,  a  phrase  much  altered  for  the 
worse  by  those  not  aware  of  its  antiquity. 

DEL  CREDERE.  A  percentage  on  a  cargo,  under  particular  circum- 
stances of  trust.  Also,  the  commission  under  which  brokers  sometimes 
guarantee  to  the  insured  the  solvency  of  the  underwriters. 

DELEGATES.     Not  heard  of  in  the  navy  since  the  mutiny  at  the  Nore. 

DELFYN.     The  old  form  of  spelling  dolphin. 

DELICTUM.     To  be  actual,  must  unite  intention  and  act. 

DELIVER.  To  yield,  to  rescue,  to  deliver  battle,  to  deliver  a  broadside, 
a  shot^  or  a  blow.  Also,  to  take  goods  from  the  ship  to  the  shore.  To 
discharge  a  cargo  from  a  vessel  into  the  keeping  of  its  consignees. 

DELIVERED.  The  state  of  the  harpoon  when  imbedded  in  the  body  of 
a  fish,  so  that  the  barbs  hold  fast. 

DELIVERERS.  Particular  artificers  employed  in  our  early  ships  of  war, 
in  constructing  the  castles. 

DELL.     A  narrow  valley,  ravine,  or  small  dale. 

DELTA.  A  name  given  by  the  Greeks  to  the  alluvial  tract  inclosed  be- 
tween the  bifurcating  branches  of  the  Nile  and  the  sea-line.  It  is  well 
known  that  rivers  which  deposit  great  quantities  of  matter,  do  also  very 
often  separate  into  two  or  more  branches,  previous  to  their  discharge  into 
the  sea;  thus  forming  triangular  spaces,  aptly  called  deltas  from  their 
resemblance  to  the  Greek  letter  A. 

Q 


242  DEMAND DENE 

All  deltas  appear  by  their  section  to  be  formed  of  matter  totally 
different  from  that  of  the  adjacent  country.  They  are  the  creation  of  the 
rivers  themselyes,  which,  having  brought  down  with  their  floods  vast 
quantities  of  mud  and  sand  from  the  upper  lands,  deposit  them  in  the 
lowest  place,  the  sea;  at  whose  margin,  the  current  which  has  hitherto 
impelled  them  ceasing,  they  are  deposited  by  the  mere  action  of  gravity. 
This  is  particularly  illustrated  oh  the  western  coast  of  Africa  by  the 
shoals  off  the  Rio  Grande,  Kio  Nunez,  and  others.  The  coast^  as  well  as 
the  embouchures  of  the  rivers,  exhibit  a  deposit  of  deep  mud,  and  yet  far 
at  sea  banks  of  clean  siliceous  sand  arise. 

DEMAND.  The  official  paper  by  which  stores  are  desired  for  a  ship,  the 
making  out  of  which  is  the  duty  of  the  officer  in  whose  charge  the  stores 
will  be  placed:  they  must  be  approved  by  the  captain  and  admiral  before 
being  presented  to  the  dockyard  authorities.  Also,  whence  from?  where 
bound) 

DEMI-BASTION.  In  fortification,  a  bastion  which  has  a  flank  on  one 
side  only. 

DEMI-CANNON.  An  ancient  name  for  a  gun  carrying  a  ball  of  33 
pounds  weight,  with  a  length  of  from  12  to  14  feet,  and  a  diameter  of 
bore  of  6^  inches;  its  point-blank  range  was  estimated  at  162  paces,  and 
its  random  one  at  2000. 

DEMI-CULVERIN.  An  ancient  cannon  which  threw  a  ball  of  9  pounds 
weight,  was  about  9  feet  long,  and  4  inches  in  diameter  of  bore;  its 
point-blank  range  was  called  174  paces,  and  its  random  one  about  1800. 

DEMIHAG.     A  long  pistol,  much  used  in  the  sixteenth  century. 

DEMILANCE.     A  light  horseman,  who  carried  a  light  lance. 

DEMILUNK  In  fortification,  the  outwork,  more  properly  called  a 
ravelin  (which  see). 

DEMI-REVETMENT.  In  fortification,  that  form  of  retaining  wall  for 
the  face  of  a  rampart  which  is  only  carried  up  as  high  as  cover  exists  in 
front  of  it,  leaving  above  it  the  remaining  height,  in  the  form  of  an 
earthen  mound  at  its  natural  slope,  exposed  to,  but  invulnerable  by  shot. 

DEMONSTRATION-SHIPS.  Those  kept  in  a  certain  state  of  prepara- 
tion for  war,  though  on  a  peace  establishment. 

DEMURRAGE.  The  compensation  due  to  a  ship-owner  from  a  freighter 
for  unduly  delaying  his  vessel  in  port  beyond  the  time  specified  in  the 
charter-party  or  bill  of  lading.  It  is  in  fact  an  extended  freight.  A 
ship  unjustly  detained,  as  a  prize,  is  entitled  to  demurrage.  Vessels 
chartered  to  convey  government  stores  have  a  term  given  for  discharge 
by  government  aid.  If  not  delivered  within  that  period,  demurrage,  as 
stated  in  the  document,  is  paid  per  diem  for  any  **  unavoidable  delay." 

DEN.     A  sandy  tract  near  the  sea,  as  at  Exmouth  and  other  places. 

DEN  AND  STROND.  A  liberty  for  ships  or  vessels  to  run  or  come  ashore. 
Edward  I.  granted  this  privilege  to  the  barons  of  the  Cinque  Ports. 

DE  NAUTICO  FCENORE.     Of  nautical  usury;  bottomry. 

DENE.     The  Anglo-Saxon  dcene;  implying  a  kind  of  hollow  or  ravine 


DENEB DEBBIOK  £43 

through  which  a  rivulet  runs,  the  ^banks  on  either  side  being  studded 
with  trees. 

DENEB.  The  bright  star  in  the  constellation  Cygnus,  weU  known  as  a 
standard  nautical  star. 

DENSITY.     The  weight  of  a  body  in  comparison  with  its  bulk. 

DENTICE.  An  excellent  fish,  so  named  from  being  well  furnished  with 
teetL     It  is  of  the  Sparida  family,  and  frequents  the  Adriatic. 

DEPARTMENT.  A  term  by  which  the  divisions  in  the  public  services 
are  distinguished,  as  the  civil,  the  commissariat,  the  military,  the  naval, 
the  victualling,  <&c. 

DEPARTURE.  The  bearing  of  an  object  on  the  coast  from  which  a 
vessel  commences  her  dead  reckoning  and  takes  her  departure.  The 
distance  of  any  two  places  lying  on  the  same  parallel  counted  in  miles  of 
the  equator. 

DEPOT.  A  magazine  in  which  military  stores  are  deposited.  Also,  a 
company  left  in  England  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting  when  .regiments 
are  ordered  abroad. 

DEPRESS.  The  order  to  adjust  the  quoin  in  great-gun  exercise;  to 
depress  the  muzzle  to  point  at  an  object  below  the  level,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  elevate. 

DEPRESSED  POLE.  That  end  of  the  earth's  axis  which  is  below  the 
horizon  of  the  spectator  according  to  his  being  in  the  northern  or  southern 
hemisphere.     Also  applied  to  the  stars.     (See  Polab  Distances.) 

DEPRESSION,  OP  the  Horizon.  (See  Dip.)  In  artillery,  the  angle 
below  the  horizon  at  which  the  axis  of  a  gun  is  laid  in  order  to  strike  an 
object  on  a  lower  level.  The  depression  required  in  batteries  of  very 
elevated  site  (those  of  Gibraltar  for  example),  for  the  laying  the  guns  on 
near  vessels,  is  so  great  as  to  necessitate  a  peculiar  carriage. 

DEPTH  OF  A  SAIL.  The  extent  of  the  square  sails  from  the  head-rope 
to  the  foot-rope,  or  the  length  of  the  after-leech  of  a  stay-sail  or  boom-sail; 
in  other  words,  it  is  the  extent  of  the  longest  cloth  of  canvas  in  any  sail. 

DEPTH  OF  HOLD.  The  height  between  the  floor  and  the  lower-deck; 
it  is  therefore  one  of  the  principal  dimensions  given  for  the  construction 
of  a  ship.  It  varies,  of  course,  according  to  'the  end  for  which  she  is 
designed,  trade  or  war. 

DERELICT  [Lat.  dereHctua^  abandoned].  Anything  abandoned  at  sea. 
A  ship  is  derelict  either  by  consent  or  by  compulsion,  stress  of  weather, 
<S^,  and  yet^  to  save  the  owner's  rights,  if  any  cat,  dog,  or  other  domestic 
animal  be  found  on  board  alive,  it  is  not  forfeited.  The  owner  may  yet 
recover,  on  payment  of  salvage,  within  a  year  and  a  day — otherwise  the 
whole  may  be  awarded.     (See  Salvage.) 

DERIVATION.     In  artillery,  the  constant  deflection  of  a  rifled  projectile. 

(See  Deflection.) 
DERRICK.     A  single  spar,  supported  by  stays  and  guys,  to  which  a  pur- 
chase is  attached,  used  in  loading  and  imloading  vessels.     Also,  a  small 
crane  either  inside  or  outside  of  a  ship. 


244?  DERRICK DETACHED  WORKS 

DEBRICK,  To.  A  cant  term  for  iiettiDg  out  on  a  small  not  over-creditable 
enterprise.     The  act  is  said  to  be  named  from  a  Tjbom  executioner. 

DERRING-DO.     A  Spenserian  term  for  deeds  of  arms. 

DESCENDING  NODK    See  Node. 

DESCENDING  SIGNS.  Those  in  which  the  sun  appears  to  descend 
from  the  north  pole,  or  in  which  his  motion  in  declination  is  towards  the 
south. 

DESCENDING  SQUALL.  A  fitful  gust  of  wind  issuing  from  clouds 
which  are  formed  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  atmosphere.  It  is  usually 
accompanied  with  heavy  showers,  and  the  weatherwise  observe  that  the 
squall  is  seldom  so  violent  when  it  is  followed  as  when  it  is  preceded  bj 
rain«    (See  Whtte  Squall  as  a  forerunner.) 

DESCENSION.     The  same  as  obUque  oscenHon  (which  see). 

DESCENT.  The  landing  of  troops  for  the  purpose  of  invading  a  country. 
The  passage  down  a  river. 

DESCRIPTION-BOOK  A  register  in  which  the  age,  place  of  birth,  and 
personal  description  of  the  crew  are  recorded. 

DESERT.  An  extensive  tracts  either  absolutely  sterile,  or  having  no  other 
v^etation  than  small  patches  of  grass  or  shrubs.  Many  portions  of  the 
present  deserts  seem  to  be  reclaimable. 

DESERTER.  One  that  quits  his  ship  or  the  service  without  leave.  He 
is  marked  R  (run)  on  the  books,  and  any  clothes  or  other  effects  he  may 
have  left  on  board  are  sold  by  auction  at  the  mast^  and  the  produce  borne 
to  account. 

DESERTION.  The  act  of  quitting  the  Army  or  Navy  without  leave, 
with  intention  not  to  return. 

DESERTION-MONEY.  The  sum  of  three  pounds  paid  to  him  who 
apprehends  a  deserter,  which  is  chaiged  against  the  offender's  growing 
pay — ^his  wages  for  previous  service  having  become  forfeited  from  his 
having  run. 

DESTROYING  PAPERS.  A  ground  of  condemnation  in  the  Admiralty 
court 

DETACHED.  On  detached  service.  A  squadron  may  be  detached  under 
a  commodore  or  senior  officer. 

DETACHED  BASTION.     A  bastion  cut  off  by  a  ditch  about  its  gorge . 
from  the  body  of  the  place,  which  latter  is  thus  rendered  in  a  d^^ree 
independent  of  the  fiill  of  the  former. 

DETACHED  ESCARP.  An  escarp  wall,  originally  invented  by  Camot, 
and  revived  by  the  Prussians,  removed  some  distance  to  the  front  of  the 
rampart;  which  latter,  being  finished  exteriorly  at  the  natural  slope  of  the 
earth,  remains  effective  after  the  destruction  of  the  wall  by  a  besieger. 
It  was  at  first  intended,  being  kept  low  and  covered  by  a  near  counter- 
guard,  to  offer  extraordinary  difficulties  to  the  besieger's  breaching  bat- 
teries; but  improved  artillery  has  nullified  that  supposed  advantage. 

DETACHED  WORKS.  Works  included  in  the  scheme  of  defence  of  a 
fortress,  but  separated  from  it^  and  beyond  the  glacis. 


DETACHMENT DEW-POINT  245 

DETACHMENT.  A  force  detached  from  the  main  body  for  employment 
on  any  particular  service. 

DETAIL  OF  DUTY.     The  captain's  night  orders. 

DETENTION  op  a  Vessel  :  on  just  ground,  as  supposed  war,  suspicious 
papers,  undue  number  of  men,  found  hovering,  or  cargo  not  in  conformity 
with  papers  or  law. 

DETONATING  HAMMER  A  modem  introduction  into  the  Royal 
Navy  for  firing  the  guns.  With  the  aid  of  an  attached  laniard,  it  is 
made  to  descend  forcibly  upon  the  percussion  arm  of  the  tube,  and  fires 
the  piece  instantaneously.  It  is,  however,  already  generally  superseded 
by  the  use  of  the /rietion  tube  (which  see). 

DEVIATION.  A  voluntary  departure  from  th«  usual  course  of  the  voy- 
age, without  any  necessary  or  justifiable  cause :  a  step  which  discharges 
the  insurers  from  further  responsibility.  Liberty  to  touch,  stay,  or  trade 
in  any  particular  place  not  in  the  usual  course  of  the  voyage  must  be 
expressly  specified  in  the  contract^  and  even  this  is  subordinate  to  the 
voyage.  The  cases  of  necessity  which  justify  deviation  are — 1,  stress  of 
weather;  2,  urgent  want  of  repairs;  3,  to  join  convoy;  4,  succouring 
ships  in  distress;  5,  avoiding  capture  or  detention;  6,  sickness;  7,  mntiny 
of  the  crew.  It  differs  from  a  ckcmge  of  voyage,  which  must  have  been 
resolved  upon  before  the  sailing  of  the  ship.  {See  Change.) — Deviation 
is  also  the  attraction  of  a  ship's  iron  on  the  needle.  It  is  a  term 
recently  introduced  to  distinguish  a  sort  of  second  variation  to  be  allowed 
for  in  iron  vessels. 

DEVIL.     A  sort  of  priming  made  by  damping  and  bruising  gunpowder. 

DEVIL-BOLTS.  Those  with  false  clenches,  often  introduced  into  con- 
tract-built ships. 

DEVIL-FISH.  The  Lophius  piscatorius,  a  hideous  creature,  which  has 
also  obtained  the  name  of  fish-frog,  monk-fish,  bellows-fish,  sea-devil,  and 
other  appellatives  significant  of  its  ugliness  and  bad  manners.  There  is 
also  a  powerful  Haia^  which  grows  to  an  immense  size  in  the  tropics, 
known  as  the  devil-fish,  the  terror  of  the  pearl-divers.    Manta  of  Spaniards. 

DEVILRY.     Spirited  roguery ;  wanton  mischief,  short  of  crime. 

DEVIL'S  CLAW.  A  very  strong  kind  of  split  hook  made  to  grasp  a  link 
of  a  chain  cable,  and  used  as  a  stopper. 

DEVIL'S  SMILES.  Gleams  of  sunshine  among  dark  clouds,  either  in 
the  heavens  or  captain's  iajCQ ! 

DEVIL'S  TABLE-CLOTH.    See  Tablb-cloth. 

DEVIL  TO  PAY  AND  NO  PITCH  HOT.  The  seam  which  margins 
the  water-wajrs  was  called  the  "devil,"  why  only  caulkers  can  tell,  who 
perhaps  found  it  sometimes  difficult  for  their  tools.  The  phrase,  how- 
ever,  means  service  expected,  and  no  one  ready  to  perform  it.  Impati- 
ence,  and  naught  to  satisfy  it. 

DEW-POINT.  A  meteorological  term  for  the  degree  of  temperature  at 
whicb  the  moisture  of  the  atmosphere  would  begin  to  precipitate;  it  may 
be  readily  ascertained  by  means  of  the  hygrometer. 


246  DHOLL DIAOOKAI.  TBUSSIKG 

DHOUL    A  kind  of  dried  split  pea  sapi^ied  in  India  to  the  narj. 

DHONY,  OB  Dhosxt.     A  conntiy  tnuMng-craft  of  India  from  50  to  150 
tons;  mostlj  flat-bottomed.    {See  Dobxt.) 

DHOW.  The  Arab  dhow  is  a  Teasel  of  about  150  to  250  tons  bmden  bj 
measurement — grab-builty  with  ten  or  twelve  ports;  abont  85  feet  long 
from  stem  to  stem,  20  feet  9  inches  broad,  and  1 1  feet  6  inches  deep. 
Of  late  years  this  description  of  yessel  has  been  well  bnilt  at  Cochin,  on 
the  Malabar  coast,  in  the  European  style.  They  have  a  great  rise  of 
floor;  are  calculated  for  sailing  with  small  cargoes;  and  are  fully  pre- 
pared, by  internal  equipment^  for  defence — ^many  of  them  are  sheathed 
on  2 i 'inch  plank  bottoms,  with  l-inch  board,  and  the  preparation  of 
chunam  and  oil,  called  galgal^  put  betweeu;  causing  the  vessel  to  be  very 
dry  and  durable,  and  preventing  the  encroachments  of  the  worm  or 
Teredo  navalis.  The  worm  is  one  of  the  greatest  enemies  in  India  to 
timber  in  the  water,  as  the  white  ant  (termites)  is  out  of  it.  On  the 
outside  of  the  sheathing  board  there  is  a  coat  of  whitewash,  made  from 
the  same  materials  as  that  between  the  sheathing  and  planks^  and  renewed 
every  season  they  put  to  sea.  They  have  generally  one  mast  and  a  lateen 
saiL  The  yard  is  the  length  of  the  vessel  alofl^  and  the  mast  rakes 
forward,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  this  ponderous  weight  dear  in  raising 
and  lowering.  The  tack  of  the  sail  is  brought  to  the  stem-head,  and 
sheets  aft  in  the  usual  way.  The  halyards  lead  to  the  taflrail,  having  a 
pendant  and  treble  purchase  block,  which  becomes  the  backstay,  to  sup- 
port the  mast  when  the  sail  is  set.  This,  with  three  pairs  of  shrouds, 
completes  the  rigging,  the  whole  made  of  coir  rope.  Several  of  these 
vessels  were  fitted  as  brigs,  after  their  arrival  in  Arabia,  and  armed  by 
the  Arabs  for  cruisiug  in  the  Bed  Sea  and  Arabian  Gulf,  as  piratical 
vessehk  It  was  of  this  class  of  vessel  that  Tippoo  Sultan's  navy  at  Onore 
consisted.  The  large  dhows  generally  make  one  voyage  in  the  season, 
to  the  southward  of  Arabia;  taking  advantage  of  the  north-east  monsoon 
to  come  down,  and  the  south-west  to  return  with  an  exchange  cargo. 
The  Arabs  who  man  them  are  a  powerful  well-grown  people,  and  very 
acute  and  intelligent  in  trade.  They  usually  navigate  their  ships  to 
Bengal  in  perfect  safety,  and  with  great  skiU.  This  was  well  known  to 
Captain  Collier  and  his  officers  of  the  Liverpool  frigate,  when  they  had 
the  trial  cruise  with  the  Imam  of  Muscat's  fine  frigate  in  1820. 

DIACLE.     An  old  term  for  a  boat-compass. 

DIAOONAL  BBACES,  knees,  planks,  drc.,  are  such  as  cross  a  vessel's 
timbers  obliquely.     {See  Tbussino.) 

DIAGONAL  RIBBAND.  A  narrow  plank  made  to  a  line  formed  on 
the  half-breadth  plan,  by  taking  the  intersections  of  the  diagonal  line 
with  the  timbers.     {See  Kibbaitps.) 

DIAGONALS.  A  line  cutting  the  body-plan  diagonally  from  the  timbers 
to  the  middle  line.  Diagonals  are  the  several  lines  on  the  draughts, 
delineating  the  station  of  the  harpings  and  ribs,  to  form  the  body  by. 

DIAGONAL  TRUSSING.   A  particular  method  of  binding  and  strength- 


DIAMETEB DIFFICULTY  247 

ening  a  vessel  internally  hj  a  series  of  riders  and  truss-pieces  placed 

diagonally. 
DIAMETER     In  geometry,  a  right  line  passing  through  the  centre  of 

any  circular  figure  from  one  point  of  its  cir(*Umference  to  another. 
DIAMETER,  Apparent.     The  angle  which  the  diameter  of  a  heavenly 

body  subtends  at  any  time,  varying  inversely  with  its  distance.     The 

true  is  the  real  diameter,  commonly  expressed  in  miles. 
DIAMOND-CUT.    See  Rhombus. 
DIAMOND-KNOT.     An  ornamental  knot  worked  with  the  strands  of  a 

rope,  sometimes  ased  for  bucket-strops,  on  the  foot-ropes  of  jib-booms, 

man-ropes,  &c, 
DIBBS.     A  galley  term  for  ready  money.     Also,  a  small  pool  of  water. 
DICE.     See  Dyce. 
DICHOTOMIZED.    A  term  applied  to  the  moon,  when  her  longitude  differs 

90°  from  that  of  the  sun,  in  which  position  only  half  her  disc  is  illuminated. 
DICEADEK     A  northern  name  for  the  sand-piper. 
DICK-A-DILYER.     A  name  for  the  periwinkle  on  our  eastern  coasts. 
DICKER-WORK.      The   timbering  of    tide-harbours  in  the   Channel. 

Wattling  between  piles. 
DICKEY.     An  officer  acting  in  commission. — It^s  all  dickey  with  him. 

It's  all  up  with  him. 
DIDDLE,  To.     To  deceive. 
DIEGO.     A  very  strong  and  heavy  sword. 
DIE  ON  THE  FIN,  To.     An  expression  applied  to  whales,  which  when 

d3dng  rise  to  the  surface,  after  the  final  dive,  with  one  side  uppermost 
DIET.     The  regulated  food  for  patients  in  sick-bays  and  hospitals. 
DIFFERENCE.     An  important  army  term,  meaning  firstly  the  sum  to 

be  paid  by  officers  when  exchanging  from  the  half  to  full  pay;  and, 

secondly,  the  price  or  difference  in  value  of  the  several  commissions. 
DIFFERENCE  OF  LATITUDE.     The  distance  between  any  two  places 

on  the  same  meridian,  or  the  difference  between  the  parallels  of  latitude 

of  any  two  places  expressed  in  miles  of  the  equator. 
DIFFERENCE  OF  LONGITUDE.     The  difference  of  any  place  fix)m 

another  eastward  or  westward,  counted  in  degrees  of  the  equator :  that 

is,  the  difference  between  two  places  is  an  arc  of  the  equator  contained 

between  their  meridians,  but  measured  in  space  on  the  parallel.     ThuH 

the  difference  of  a  degree  of  longitude  in  miles  of  the  meridian  would  be — 

At20*lat 56-4  miles 

„  40    , 38-6     „ 

„  60    „ 30-0    „ 

„  80    „     .         .        .         .         .  10-4    „ 

DIFFERENTIAL  OBSERVATION.  Taking  the  differences  of  right 
ascension  and  declination  between  a  comet  and  a  star,  the  position  of 
which  has  been  already  determined. 

DIFFICULTY.     A  word  unknown  to  true  salts. 


248  DIGHT DIPPING-NEBa[)LB 

DIGHT  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  diht,  arranging  or  disposing].    Now  applied 

to  dressing  or  preparing  for  muster;  setting  things  in  order. 
DIGIT.     A  twelfth  part  of  the  diameter;  a  term  employed  to  denote  the 

magnitude  of  an  eclipse;  &A,  so  many  digits  eclipsed. 
DIKE.    See  Dyke. 

DILL.     An  edible  dark  brown  sea-weed,  torn  from  the  rocks  at  low-water. 
DILLOSE.     The  dried  leaves  of  an  edible  sea-weed     {See  Dui^se  and 

Pepper  Dulse.) 
DILLY-WKECK.     A  common  corruption  of  derdiet  (which  see). 
DIME.     An  American  silver  coin,  in  value  the  tenth  of  a  dollar. 
DIMINISHED  ANGLE.     In  fortification,  that  formed  by  the  exterior 

side  and  the  line  of  defence. 
DIMINISHING  PLANK     The  same  as  diminishing  stuff  {wUch  see). 
DIMINISHING  STRAKES.    See  Black  Strake. 
DIMINISHING  STUFF.     In  ship-building,  the  planking  wrought  under 

the  wales,  where  it  is  thinned  progressively  to  the  thickness  of  the  bottom 

plank. 
DIMINUTION  OF  OBLIQUITY.     A  slow  approximation  of  the  planes 

of  the  ecliptic  and  the  equator,  at  the  present  rate  of  0*485"  annually. 
DIMSEL     A  piece  of  sti^nant  water,  larger  than  a  pond  and  less  than 

a  lake. 
DING,  To.     To  dash  down  or  throw  with  violence. 
DING-DONG.     Ships  firing  into  each  other  in  good  earnest 
DINGHEY.     A  small  boat  of  Bombay,  propelled  by  paddles,  and  fitted 

with  a  settee  sail,  the  mast  raking  forwards;  also,  the  boats  in  use  on  the 

Hooghly;  also,  a  small  extra  boat  in  men-of-war  and  merchant  ships. 
DINGLE.     A  hollow  vale-like  space  between  two  hills.     A  clough;  also, 

a  sort  of  boat  used  in  Ireland,  a  coracle. 
DINNAGR    See  Dunkage. 
DIP.     The  inclination  of  the  magnetic  needle  towards  the  earth.     (See 

Dipping-needle.)     Abo,  the  smallest  candle  formerly  issued  by  the 

purser. 
DIP,  To.   To  lower.    An  object  is  said  to  be  dipping  when  by  refraction  it 

is  visible  just  above  the  horizon.     Also,  to  quit  the  deck  suddenly. 
DIP  OF  THE  Horizon.     The  angle  contained  between  the  sensible  and  ' 

apparent  horizons,  the  angular  point  being  the  eye  of  the  observer;  or  it 

is  an  allowance  made  in  all  astronomical  observations  of  altitude  for  the 

height  of  the  eye  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
DIPPED.     The  limb  of  the  sun  or  moon  as  it  instantly  dips  below  the 

horizon. 
DIPPER.     A  name  for  the  water-ousel  {Cinclus  aqtiaticus).     A  bird  of 

the  Passerine  order,  but  an  expert  diver,  frequenting  running  streams  in 

mountainous  countries. 
DIPPING-LADLE.     A  metal  ladle  for  taking  boiling  pitch  from  the 

cauldron. 
DIPPING-NEEDLE,     An  instrument  for  ascertaining  the  amount  of  the 


DIPPING-NET DKCAECARE  24  9 

magnet's  inclination  towards  the  earth;  it  is  so  delicately  suspended,  that, 
instead  of  vibrating  horizontally,  one  end  dips  or  yields  to  the  vertical 
force.  This  instrument  has  been  so  perfected  by  Mr.  R  W.  Fox  of 
Falmouth,  that  even  at  sea  in  the  heaviest  gales  of  wind  the  dip  could 
instantly,  by  magnetic  deflectors,  be  ascertained  to  minutesy  far  beyond 
what  heretofore  could  be  elicited  froqx  the  most  expensive  instruments, 
observed  over  365  days  on  shore. 

DIPPING^NET.  A  small  net  used  for  taking  shad  and  other  fish  out  of 
the  water. 

DIPS.    See  Lead-line. 

DIP-SECTOR.  An  ingenious  instrument  for  measuring  the  true  dip  of  the 
horizon,  invented  by  Dr.  WoUaston,  and  very  important,  not  only  where 
the  nature  and  quantity  of  the  atmospherical  refraction  are  to  be  ex- 
amined, but  for  ascertaining  the  rates  of  chronometers,  and  the  exact 
latitude  in  those  particular  regions  Where  accidental  refractions  are  very 
great,  for  the  difference  between  the  calculated  dip  and  that  observed  by 
the  sector  may  exceed  three  minutes.  It  is  a  reflecting  instrument,  of 
small  compass,  but  requiring  patience  and  practice  in  its  use. 

DIPSY.     The  float  of  a  fishing-line. 

DIRECT- ACTING-  ENGINE.  A  steam  engine  in  which  the  connecting 
rod  is  led  at  once  from  the  head  of  the  piston  to  the  crank,  thus  com- 
municating the  rotatory  motion  without  the  intervention  of  side-levers. 

DIRECT  FIRR  One  of  the  five  varieties  into  which  artillerists  usually 
divide  horizontal  fire  (which  see). 

DIRECTION  OR  Set  op  the  Wind  and  Current.  These  are  opposite 
terms;  the  direction  of  the  winds  and  waves  being  named  from  the  point 
of  the  compass  whence  they  come;  but  the  direction  of  a  current  is  the 
point  towards  which  it  runs.  A  current  running  to  leeward  is  said  to 
have  a  leeward  set,  the  opposite  is  a  windward  set, 

DIRECTION.     See  Aro  op  Direction. 

DIRECT  MOTION.     See  Motion. 

DIRK.  A  small  do-little  sword  or  dagger,  formerly  worn  by  junior  naval 
officers  on  duty. 

DIRT-GABARD.     A  large  ballast-lighter. 

DIRTY  AXJLIN.  A  name  for  the  arctic  skua  {Cataractes  parasiticus)^  a 
sea-bird,  allied  to  the  gulls. 

DIE-TY  DOG  AND  NO  Sailor  or  Soldier.  A  mean,  spiritless,  and  utterly 
useless  rascal. 

DISABLED.     To  be  placed  hors  de  combat  by  the  weather  or  an  enemy. 

DISAPPOINT.     To  counterwork  an  enemy's  operations  in  mining. 

DISARM.     To  deprive  people  of  their  weapons  and  ammunition. 

DISBANDED.  When  the  officers  and  men  of  a  regiment  are  dismissed, 
on  a  reduction  of  the  army. 

DISC,  OR  Disk.  In  nautical  astronomy,  the  circular  visible  surface  pre- 
sented by  any  celestial  body  to  the  eye  of  the  observer. 

DISCARCARE.    [Ital.]    An  old  term  meaniug  to  unlade  a  vessel. 


250  DISCHAEGED DISMOUNT 

DISCHABGED.  When  applied  to  a  ship,  signifies  when  she  is  unladen. 
When  expressed  of  the  officers  or  crew,  it  implies  that  they  are  disbanded 
from  immediate  service;  and  in  individual  cases,  that  the  person  is  dismissed 
in  consequence  of  long  service,  disability,  or  at  his  own  request  When 
spoken  of  cannon,  it  means  that  it  is  fired  oK 

DISCHARGE-TICKET.     On  all  foreign  stations  men  are  discharged  by 
foreign  remove-tickets,  and  in  other  cases  by  dead,  sick,  or  unserviceaMe 
ticket,  whether  at  home  or  abroad. 

DISCHARGE- VALVE.  In  the  mariue  engine,  is  a  valve  covering  the 
top  of  the  barrel  of  the  air-pump,  opening  when  pressed  from  below. 

DISCIPLINARIAN.  An  officer  who  maintains  strict  dicipline  and 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  the  navy,  and  himself  setting  an  example. 

DISCOURSE,  To.  An  old  sea  term  to  traverse  to  and  fro  off  the  proper 
course. 

DISCOVERY  SHIP.  A  vessel  fitted  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  un- 
known seas  and  coasts.     Discovery  vessels  were  formerly  taken  from  the 

.  merchant  service;  they  have  latterly  been  replaced  by  ships  of  war, 
furnished  with  every  improved  instrument,  and  acting,  on  occasion,  as 
active  pilots  leading  in  war  service. 

DISCRETION.  To  surrender  at  discretion,  implies  an  unconditional 
yielding  to  the  mercy  of  the  conquerora 

DISEMBARK.  The  opposite  of  embark;  the  landing  of  troops  frY)m  any 
vessel  or  transport 

DISEMBAY.     To  work  clear  out  of  a  gulf  or  bay. 

DISEMBOGIJK  The  &11  of  a  river  into  the  sea;  it  has  also  been  used  for 
the  passage  of  vessels  across  the  mouth  of  a  river  and  out  of  one. 

DISGUISE.  Ships  in  all  times  have  been  permitted  to  assume  disguise  to 
impose  upon  enemies,  and  obtain  from  countries  in  their  possession  com- 
modities of  which  they  stand  in  need. 

DISH,  To.     To  supplant^  ruin,  or  frustrate. 

DISLODGR     To  drive  an  enemy  from  any  post  or  station. 

DI-SLYNG.     See  Slyno. 

DISMANTLED.  The  state  of  a  ship  unrigged,  and  all  her  stores,  guns, 
(&c.,  taken  out^  in  readiness  for  her  being  laid  up  in  ordinary,  or  going  into 
dock,  dfc  kc.  To  dismantle  a  gun  is  to  render  it  unfit  for  service.  The 
same  applies  to  a  fort. 

DISMASTED.     State  of  a  ship  deprived  of  her  masts,  by  gales  or  by  design. 

DISMISS.  Pipe  down  the  people.  To  dismiss  a  drill  from  parade  is  to 
break  the  rank& 

DISMISSION.  A  summaiy  discharge  from  the  service;  which  a  court- 
martial  is  empowered  to  inflict  on  any  officer  convicted  of  a  breach  of 
special  laws,  though  it  cannot  for  minor  offences  which  formerly  carried 
death! 

DISMOUNT,  To.  To  break  the  carriages  of  guns,  and  thereby  render 
them  unfit  for  service.  Also,  in  gun  exercise,  to  lift  a  gun  from  its 
carriage  and  deposit  it  elsewhere. 


wmm 


DISMOUNTED DISTANCE  251 

DISMOUNTED.  The  state  of  a  cannon  taken  off  a  carriage,  or  when,  by 
the  enemy's  shot,  it  is  rendered  unmanageable.  Also,  cavalry  on  foot 
acting  as  infantry. 

DISOBEDIENCK  An  infraction  of  the  orders  of  a  superior ;  punishable 
by  a  court-martial,  according  to  the  nature  and  degree  of  the  offence. 

DISORDER.     The  confusion  occasioned  by  a  heavy  fire  from  an  enemy. 

DISORGANIZE,  To.  To  degrade  a  man-of-war  to  a  privateer  by  irregu- 
larity. 

DISPART,  OR  Throw  op  the  Shot.  The  difference  between  the  semi- 
diameter  of  the  base-ring  at  the  breech  of  a  gun,  and  that  of  the  ring  at 
the  swell  of  the  muzzle.  On  account  of  the  dispart,  the  line  of  aim  makes 
a  small  angle  with  the  axis ;  so  that  the  elevation  of  the  latter  above  the 
horizon  is  greater  than  that  of  the  line  of  aim:  an  allowance  for  the 
dispart  is  consequently  necessary  in  determining  the  commencement  of 
the  graduations  on  the  tangent  scale,  by  which  the  required  elevation  is 
given  to  the  gun. 

DISPARTING  A  GUN.  To  bring  the  line  of  sight  and  line  of  metal  to 
be  parallel  by  setting  up  a  mark  on  the  muzzle-ring  of  a  cannon,  so  that 
a  sight-line,  taken  from  the  top  of  the  base-ring  behind  the  touch-hole,  to 
the  mark  set  near  the  muzzle,  may  be  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  bore. 
{See  Gun.) 

DISPART-SIGHT.  A  gun-sight  fixed  on  the  top  of  the  second  reinforce- 
ring — about  the  middle  of  the  piece — for  point-blank  or  horizontal  firing, 
to  eliminate  the  difference  of  the  diameters  between  the  breech  and 
the  mouth  of  the  cannon. 

DISPATCH.     All  duty  is  required  to  be  performed  with  diligence. 

DISPATCHES.  Not  simply  letters,  but  such  documents  as  demand  every 
effort  for  their  immediate  delivery.  "  Charged  with  dispatches"  overrides 
all  signals  of  hindrance  on  a  voyage. 

DISPLACEMENT.  The  centre  of  gravity  of  the  displacement  relates  to 
the  part  of  the  ship  under  water,  considered  as  homogeneous.  The  weight 
of  water  which  a  vessel  displaces  when  floating  is  the  same  as  the  weight 
of  the  ship.     {See  Centre  op  Cavity.) 

DISPOSED  QUARTERS.  The  distribution  when  the  camp  is  marked 
about  a  place  besieged. 

DISPOSITION.  A  draught  representing  the  several  timbers  that  compose 
a  ship*s  frame  properly  disposed  with  respect  to  ports  and  other  parts. 
Also,  the  arrangement  of  a  ship's  company  for  watches,  quarters,  reefing, 
furling,  and  other  duties.  In  a  military  sense  it  means  the  placing  of  a 
body  of  troops  upon  the  most  advantageous  ground. 
DISRANK,  OR  Disrate.  To  degrade  in  rank  or  station. 
DISREPAIR     A  bar  to  any  claim  on  account  of  sea-unworthiness  in  a 

warrantry. 
DISTANCE.     The  run  which  a  ship  has  made  upon  the  log-board.     In 
speaking  of  double  stars,  it  is  the  space  separating  the  centres  of  the  two 
stars,  expressed  in  seconds  of  arc.    {See  Lunar  Distance.) 


252  DISTILLING  SEA-WATER DIVERSION 

DISTILLING  SEA-WATER  Apparatus  for  the  conversion  of  sea-water 
into  potable  fresh  water  have  long  been  invented,  though  little  used ;  but 
of  late  the  larger  ships  are  efiectivelj  fitted  with  adaptations  for  the 
purpose. 

DISTINCTION.   Flags  of  distinction,  badges,  honourable  note  of  superiority. 

DISTINGUISHING  PENDANT.  In  fleets  and  squadrons,  instead  of 
hoisting  several  flags  to  denote  the  number  of  the  ship  on  the  list  of  the 
Navy,  pendants  are  used.  Thus  ten  ships  may  be  signalled  separately. 
If  more,  then,  as  one  answers,  her  pendant  is  hauled  down,  and  then  two 
pendants  succeed.     {See  Signalling.) 

DISTRESS.  A  term  used  when  a  ship  requires  immediate  assistance  from 
unlooked-for  damage  or  danger.     {See  Signal  of  Distress.) 

DISTRICT  ORDERS.     Those  issued  by  a  general  commanding  a  district. 

DISTURBANCR     See  Spanish  Disturbance. 

DITCH.  In  fortification  the  excavation  in  front  of  the  parapet  of  any 
work,  ranging  in  width  from  a  few  feet  in  field  fortification  to  thirty  or 
forty  yards  in  permanent  works,  having  its  steep  side  next  the  rampart 
called  the  escarp:  the  opposite  one  is  the  counterscarp.  Its  principal  use 
is  to  secure  the  escarp  as  long  as  possible.  There  are  wet  ditches  and 
dry  ones,  the  former  being  less  in  favour  than  the  latter,  since  a  dry 
ditch  so  much  facilitates  sorties,  counter-approaches,  and  the  like.  That 
kind  which  may  be  made  wet  or  dry  at  pleasure  is  most  useful 

DITTT-BAG.  Derives  its  name  from  the  dittia  or  Manchester  stuff  of 
which  it  was  once  made.  It  is  in  use  among  seamen  for  holding  their 
smaller  necessaries.  The  ditty-bag  of  old,  when  a  seaman  prided  himself 
on  his  rig,  as  the  result  of  his  own  ability  to  fit  himself  from  clue  to 
earing,  was  a  treasured  article,  probably  worked  in  exquisite  device  by 
his  lady-love.  Well  can  we  recollect  the  pride  exhibited  in  its  display 
when  ''  on  end  clothes"  was  a  joyful  sound  to  the  old  pig-tailed  tar. 

DITTT-BOX.     A  small  caddy  for  holding  a  seaman's  stock  of  valuables. 

DIURNAL  ARC.  That  part  of  a  circle,  parallel  to  the  equator,  which  is 
described  by  a  celestial  body  from  its  rising  to  its  setting. 

DIURNAL  PARALLAX.     See  Paballax. 

DIVE,  To.  To  descend  or  plunge  voluntarily  head -foremost  under  the 
water.  To  go  off  deck  in  the  watch.  A  ship  is  said  to  be  *'  diving  into 
it "  when  she  pitches  heavily  against  a  head-sea. 

DIVER.  One  versed  in  the  art  of  descending  under  water  to  considerable 
depths  and  abiding  there  a  competent  time  for  several  purposes,  as  to 
recover  wrecks  of  ships,  fish  for  pearls,  sponges,  corals,  &c.  The  diver  is 
now  a  rating  in  H.M.  ships;  he  may  be  of  any  rank  of  seaman,  but  he 
receives  £1,  10«.  5d,  per  annum  additional  pay — one  penny  a-day  for 
risking  life!    Also,  a  common  web-footed  sea-bird  of  the  genus  ColymJms. 

DIVERGENT.  A  stream  flowing  laterally  out  of  a  river,  contradistin- 
guished from  convergent. 

DIVERSION.  A  manoeuvre  to  attract,  wholly  or  partially,  the  enemy's 
attention  away  fvom  some  other  part  of  the  operations. 


DIVIE.GOO DOCK  253 

DIVIE-GOO.    A  northern  term  for  the  Laras  marintis  or  black-backed  gull. 

DIVINE  SERVICE.  Ordered  by  the  articles  of  war,  whenever  the 
weather  on  a  Sunday  will  allow  of  it 

DIVING-APPARATUS.  Supplied  to  the  flag-ship,  and  also  a  man  with 
the  title  of  diver,  to  examine  defects  below  water. 

DIVING-BELL.  Used  in  under-water  operations  for  recovering  treasure, 
raising  ships,  anchors,  Sic 

DIVING-DRESS.  India-rubber  habiliments,  the  head-piece  is  of  light 
metal  fitted  with  strong  glass  eyes,  and  an  attached  pliable  pipe  to  main- 
tain a  supply  of  air.     The  shoes  are  weighted. 

DIVISION.  A  select  number  of  ships  in  a  fleet  or  squadron  of  men-of- 
war,  distinguished  by  a  particular  flag,  pendant,  or  vane.  A  squadron 
may  be  ranged  into  two  or  three  divisions,  the  commanding  officer  of 
which  is  always  stationed  in  the  centre.  In  a  fleet  the  admiral  divides  it 
into  three  squadrons,  each  of  which  is  commanded  by  an  admiral,  and  is 
again  divided  into  divisions ;  each  squadron  had  its  proper  colours  (now 
distinguishing  mark)  according  to  the  rank  of  the  admiral  who  com- 
manded it,  and  each  division  its  proper  mast.  The  private  ships  carried 
pendants  of  the  same  colour  with  their  respective  squadrons  at  the  masts 
of  their  particular  divisions,  so  that  the  ships  in  the  last  division  of  the 
blue  squadron  carried  a  blue  pendant  at  their  main  top-gallant-mast 
head,  the  vane  at  the  mizen.  All  these  are  superseded  by  the  abolition 
of  the  Red  and  Blue.  The  St.  George's  white  ensign  flag  and  pendant 
alone  are  used. 

DIVISIONS.  The  sub-classification  of  a  ship's  company  under  the  lieu- 
tenants. Also,  a  muster  of  the  crew.  Also,  of  an  army,  a  force  generally 
complete  in  itself,  commanded  by  a  major-general,  of  an  average  strength 
of  eight  or  ten  thousand  men:  it  is  itself  composed  of  several  brigades, 
each  of  which  again  is  composed  of  several  battalions,  besides  the  comple- 
ment of  artillery,  transport-corps,  and  generally  also  of  cavalry,  for  the 
whole.  Of  a  battalion,  a  term  sometimes  used  in  exercise,  when  the  com- 
panies of  a  battalion  have  been  equalized  as  to  strength,  for  one  of  such 
companies. 

DJERMK    See  Jebhe. 

DOA     A  Persian  trading  vessel. 

DOASTA.  An  inferior  spirit^  often  drugged  or  doctored  for  unwary 
sailors  in  the  pestiferous  dens  of  filthy  Calcutta  and  other  sea-ports  in 
India. 

DOB.  The  animal  inhabiting  the  razor-shell  (solen),  used  as  a  bait  by 
fishermen. 

DOBBER     The  float  of  a  flshing-line. 

DOBBIN.     A  phrase  on  our  southern  coasts  for  sea-gravel  mixed  with  sand. 

DOCK.  An  artificial  receptacle  for  shipping,  in  which  they  can  discharge 
or  take  in  cargo,  and  refit. — ^A  dry  dock  is  a  broad  and  deep  trench, 
formed  on  the  side  of  a  harbour,  or  on  the  banks  of  a  river,  and  com- 
modiously  fitted  either  to  build  ships  in  or  to  receive  them  to  be  repaii*ed 


25  i  DOCK-DUES DOCK-YARDS 

or  breamed.  They  have  strong  flood-gates,  to  prevent  the  flux  of  the 
tide  from  entering  while  the  ship  is  under  repair.  There  are  likewise 
docks  where  a  ship  can  only  be  cleaned  during  the  recess  of  the  tide,  as 
she  floats  again  on  the  return  of  the  flood.  Docks  of  the  latter  kind  are 
not  furnished  with  the  usual  flood-gates;  but  the  term  is  also  used  for 
what  is  more  appropriately  called  a  float  (which  see).  Also,  in  polar 
parlance,  an  opening  cut  out  of  an  ice-floe,  into  which  a  ship  is  warped 
for  security. 

DOCK-DUES.     The  charges  made  upon  shipping  for  the  use  of  docks. 

DOCKERS.  Inhabitants  of  the  town  which  sprang  up  between  the  docks 
and  the  town  of  Plymouth.  Dock  solicited  and  obtained  the  royal 
license,  in  1823,  to  be  called  Devonport — ^a  very  inappropriate  name, 
Plymouth  being  wholly  within  the  county  of  Devon,  while  Hamoaze  is 
equally  in  Devon  and  Cornwall. 

DOCK  HERSELF,  To.  When  a  ship  is  on  the  ooze,  and  swaddles  a 
bed,  she  is  said  to  dock  herself. 

DOCKING  A  SHIP.  The  act  of  drawing  her  into  dock,  and  placing 
her  properly  on  blocks,  in  order  to  give  her  the  required  repair,  cleanse 
the  bottom,  and  cover  it  anew.     {Ste  Breamino.) 

DOCK  UP,  OE  DUCK  UP.  To  clue  up  a  comer  of  a  sail  that  hinders 
the  helmsman  from  seeing. 

DOCKYARD  DUTY.  The  attendance  of  a  lieutenant  and  party  in  the 
arsenal,  for  stowing,  procuring  stores,  <bc. 

DOCKYARD  MATIES.  The  artificers  in  a  dockyard.  In  former  times 
an  established  declaration  of  war  between  the  mates  and  midshipmen 
'oersuB  the  maties  was  hotly  kept  up.  Many  deaths  and  injuries  never 
disclosed  were  hushed  up  or  patiently  borne.      It  terminated  about  1830. 

DOCK- YARDS.  Arsenals  containing  all  sorts  of  naval  stores  and  timber 
for  ship-building.  In  England  the  royal  dock-yards  are  at  Deptford, 
Woolwich,  Chatham,  Sheemess,  Portsmouth,  Devonport,  Pembroke. 
Those  in  our  colonies  are  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Gibraltar,  Malta, 
Bermuda,  Halifax,  Jamaica,  Antigua,  Trincomalee,  and  Hong  Kong. 
There  Her  Majesty's  ships  and  vessels  of  war  are  generally  moored  during 
peace,  and  such  as  want  repairing  are  taken  into  the  docks,  examined, 
and  refitted  for  service.  These  yards  are  generally  supplied  from  the 
north  with  hemp,  pitch,  tar,  rosin,  canvas,  oak-plank,  and  several  other 
species  of  stores.  The  largest  masts  are  usually  imported  from  New 
England.  Until  1831  these  yards  were  governed  by  a  commissioner 
resident  at  the  port,  who  superintended  all  the  musters  of  the  officers, 
artificers,  and  labourers  employed  in  the  dockyard  and  ordinary;  he  also 
controlled  their  payment,  examined  their  accounts,  contracted  and  drew 
bills  on  the  Kavy  Office  to  supply  the  deficiency  of  stores,  and,  finally, 
regulated  whatever  belonged  to  the  dockyard.  In  1831  the  commissioners 
of  the  Navy  were  abolished,  and  admirals  and  captains  superintendent 
command  the  dockyards  under  the  controller  of  the  Navy  and  the 
Admiralty. 


DOCTOR DOGS  255 

DOCTOR.  A  name  which  seamen  apply  to  every  medical  officer.  Also, 
a  jocular  name  for  the  ship's  cook. 

DOCTOR'S  LIST.  The  roll  of  those  excused  from  duty  by  reason  of 
illness. 

DODD.  A  round-topped  hill,  generally  an  offshoot  from  a  higher  moun- 
tain. 

DODECAGON.  A  regular  polygon,  having  twelve  sides  and  as  many 
angles. 

DODECATIMORIA  The  anastrous  signs,  or  twelve  portions  of  the 
ecliptic  which  the  signs  anciently  occupied,  but  have  since  deserted  by 
the  precession  of  the  equinoxes. 

DODGE.  A  homely  but  expressive  phrase  for  shuffling  conduct^  or  cun- 
ning of  purpose.     Also,  to  watch  or  follow  a  ship  from  place  to  place. 

DODMAN.  A  shell-fish  with  a  hod-like  lump.  A  sea-snail,  otherwise 
called  hodmandod. 

DOFF,  To.     To  put  aside. 

DO  FOR,  To.  A  double-barrelled  expression,  meaning  alike  to  take  care 
of  or  provide  for  an  individual,  or  to  ruin  or  kill  him. 

DOG.  The  hammer  of  a  firelock  or  pistol;  that  which  holds  the  flint, 
called  also  dog-head.  Also,  a  sort  of  iron  hook  or  bar  with  a  sharp  fang 
at  one  end,  so  as  to  be  easily  driven  into  a  piece  of  timber,  and  drag  it 
along  by  means  of  a  rope  fastened  to  it,  upon  which  a  number  of  men 
can  pulL  Dog  is  also  an  iron  implement  with  a  fang  at  each  end,  to  be 
driven  into  two  pieces  of  timber,  to  support  and  steady  one  of  them 
while  being  dubbed,  hewn,  or  sawn. — Span-dogs.  Used  to  lift  timber. 
A  pair  of  dogs  linked  together,  and  being  hooked  at  an  extended  angle, 
press  home  with  greater  strain. 

DOG-BITCH-THIMBLE.  An  excdlent  contrivance  by  which  the  topsail- 
sheet-block  is  prevented  making  the  half  cant  or  turn  so  frequently  seen 
in  the  clue  when  the  block  is  secured  there. 

DOG-BOLT.     A  cap  square  bolt 

DOG-DRAYE.     A  kind  of  sea-fish  mentioned  in  early  charters. 

DOG-FISH.  A  name  commonly  applied  to  several  small  species  of  the 
shark  family. 

DOGG.  A  small  silver  coin  of  the  West  Indies,  six  of  which  make  a  bitt. 
Also,  in  meteorology,  see  Stubb. 

DOGGED.  A  mode  of  attaching  a  rope  to  a  spar  or  cable,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  racking,  by  which  slipping  is  prevented;  half-hitched  and  end 
stopped  back,  is  one  mode. 

DOGGER.  A  Dutch  smack  of  about  150  tons,  navigated  in  the  German 
Ocean.  It  is  mostly  equipped  with  a  main  and  a  mizen  mast,  and  some- 
what resembles  a  ketch  or  a  galliot  It  is  principally  used  for  fishing  on 
the  Dogger  Bank. 

DOGGER-FISH.     Fish  bought  out  of  the  Dutch  doggers. 

DOGGER-MEN.     The  seafaring  fishermen  belonging  to  doggers. 

DOGS.     The  last  supports  knocked  away  at  the  launching  of  a  ship. 


256  DOO'S-BODY DOLPHIN  1 

DOG'S-BODY.     Diied  pease  boiled  in  a  clotb. 

DOG-SHORES.  Two  long  square  blocks  of  timber,  resting  diagonally 
with  their  heads  to  the  cleats.  Thej  are  placed  forward  to  support  the 
bilge-ways  on  the  ground-ways,  thereby  preventing  the  ship  from  starting 
off  the  slips  while  the  keel-blocks  are  being  taken  out 

DOG-SLEEP.  The  uncomfortable  fitfiil  naps  taken  when  all  hands  are 
kept  up  by  stress. 

DOG'S  TAIL.     A  name  for  the  constellation  Ursa  Minor  or  Little  Bear. 

DOG-STOPPER  Put  on  before  all  to  enable  the  men  to  bit  the  cable, 
sometimes  to  fleet  the  messenger. 

DOG-TONGUK     A  name  assigned  to  a  kind  of  sole. 

DOG-YANE.  A  small  vane  made  of  thread,  cork,  and  feathers,  or  buntin, 
fastened  on  the  end  of  a  half-pike,  and  placed  on  the  weather  gunwale, 
so  as  to  be  readily  seen,  and  show  the  direction  of  the  wind.  The  term 
is  also  familiarly  applied  to  a  cockade. 

DOG-WATCH.     The  half-watches  of  two  hours  each,  from  4  to  6,  and 
I  from  6  to  8,  in  the  evening.     By  this  arrangement  an  uneven  number  of 

watches  is  made — seven  instead  of  six  in  ike  twenty-four  hours;  other- 
t  wise  there  would  be  a  succession  of  the  same  watches  at  the  same  hours 

throughout  the  voyage  or  cruise.     Theodore  Hook  explained  them  as 
cur-tailed.     {See  Watch.) 

DOIT.  A  small  Dutch  coin,  valued  at  about  half  a  farthing;  formerly 
current  on  our  eastern  shores. 

DOLDKUMS.  Those  parts  of  the  sea  where  calms  are  known  to  prevail. 
They  exist  between  and  on  the  polar  sides  of  the  trade- winds,  but  vary 
their  position  many  degrees  of  latitude  in  the  course  of  the  year,  depend- 
ing upon  the  sun's  declination.     Also  applied  to  a  person  in  low  spirita 

DOLE.     A  stated  allowance;  but  applied  to  a  scanty  share  or  portion. 

DOLE-FISH.  The  share  of  fish  that  was  given  to  our  northern  fishermen 
as  part  payment  for  their  labour. 

DOLING.  A  fishing-boat  with  two  masts,  on  the  coasts  of  Sussex  and 
Kent;  each  of  the  masts  carries  a  sprit-saiL 

DO-LITTLE,  OK  DO-LITTLE  SWORD.     The  old  term  for  a  dirk. 

DOLLAB.     For  this  universally  known  coin,  see  Piece  of  Eight. 

DOLLOP.  An  old  word  for  a  lump,  portion,  or  share.  From  the  Gaelic 
diolah. 

DOLPHIN.  Naturalists  understand  by  this  word  numerous  species  of 
small  cetaceous  animals  of  the  genus  DelphinuSj  found  in  nearly  all  seas. 
They  greatly  resemble  porpoises,  and  are  often  called  by  this  name  by 
sailors;  but  they  are  distinguished  by  having  a  longer  and  more  slender 
snout.  The  word  is  also  generally,  but  less  correctly,  applied  to  a  fish, 
the  dorado  {Coryphama  hippuris),  celebrated  for  the  changing  hues  of  its 
surface  when  dying.  Also,  a  small  light  ancient  boat^  which  gave  rise  to 
Pliny's  story  of  the  boy  going  daily  to  school  across  the  Lucrine  lake  on 
a  dolphin.  Also,  in  ordnance,  especially  brass  guns,  two  handles  nearly 
over  the  trunnions  for  lifting  the  guns  by.     Also,  a  French  gold  coin 


DOLPHIK DONNY  257 

(dauphine),  formerly  in  great  currency.  Also,  a  stout  post  on  a  quay- 
head,  or  in  a  beach,  to  make  hawsers  fast  to.  The  name  is  also  given  to 
a  spar  or  block  of  wood,  with  a  ring-bolt  at  each  end,  through  which  a 
hawser  can  be  rove,  for  vessels  to  ride  by;  the  same  as  wooden  buoys, 

DOLPHIN  OF  THE  MAST.  A  kind  of  wreath  or  strap  formed  of 
plaited  cordage,  to  be  fastened  occasionally  round  the  lower  yards  to 
prevent  nip,  or  as  a  support  to  the  puddening,  where  the  lower  yards  rest 
in  the  sling,  the  use  of  which  is  to  sustain  the  fore  and  main  yards  by 
the  jeers,  in  case  the  rigging  or  chains,  by  which  those  yards  are  sus- 
pended, should  be  shot  away  in  action.    (See  Puddening.) 

DOLPHIN-STEIKER  A  short  perpendicular  gaff  spar,  under  the  bow- 
sprit-end, for  guying  down  the  jib-boom,  of  which  indeed  it  is  the  chief 
support,  by  means  of  the  martingales.     {See  Mabtinoale.) 

DOLYER.     The  reclaimed  fen-grounds  of  our  eastern  coasts. 

DOMESTIC  NAVIGATION.     A  term  applied  to  coasting  trade. 

DOMINIONS.  It  is  a  settled  point  that  a  conquered  country  forms  im- 
mediately a  part  of  the  king's  dominions;  and  a  condemnation  of  ships 
within  its  harbours  as  droits  of  admiralty,  is  valid,  although  the  conquest 
may  not  yet  have  been  confirmed  by  treaty. 

DON.  A  general  name  for  Spaniards.  One  of  the  ''perfumed"  terms  of 
its  time.— To  don.     To  put  on. 

DONDEEBASS.    See  Bombabd. 

DONEY.  The  doney  of  the  Coromandel  coast  is  about  70  feet  long, 
20  feet  broad,  and  12  feet  deep;  with  a  flat  bottom  or  keel  part»  which  at 
the  broadest  place  is  7  feet,  and  diminishes  to  10  inches  in  the  siding  of  the 
stem  and  stern-post.  The  fore  and  after  bodies  are  similar  in  form  from 
midships.  Their  light  draught  of  water  is  about  4  feet^  and  when  loaded 
about  9  feet.  These  unshapely  vessels  in  the  fine  season  trade  from  Madras 
and  Ceylon,  and  many  of  them  to  the  Gulf  of  Manar,  as  the  water  is 
shoal  between  Ceylon  and  the  southern  part  of  the  continent.  They  have 
only  one  mast,  and  are  navigated  by  the  natives  in  the  rudest  way;  their 
means  for  finding  the  latitude  being  a  little  square  board,  with  a  string 
fast  to  the  centre,  at  the  other  end  of  which  are  certain  knots.  The 
upper  edge  of  the  board  is  held  by  one  hand  so  as  to  touch  the  north  star, 
and  the  lower  edge  the  horizon.  Then  the  string  is  brought  with  the 
other  hand  to  touch  the  tip  of  the  nose,  and  the  knot  which  comes  in 
contact  with  the  tip  of  the  nose  tells  the  latitude. 

DONJON.  The  keep,  or  place  of  retreat,  in  old  fortifications.  A  redoubt 
of  a  fortress;  the  highest  and  strongest  tower. 

DONKEY-ENGINK  An  auxiliary  steam-engine  for  feeding  the  boilers 
of  the  principal  engine  when  they  are  stopped;  or  for  any  other  duties  in- 
dependent of  the  ship's  propelling  engines. 

DONKEY-FKIGATK  Those  of  28  guns,  frigate-built;  that  is,  having 
guns  protected  by  an  upper  deck,  with  guns  on  the  quarter-deck  and 
forecastle;  ship-sloops,  in  contradistinction  to  corvettes  and  sloops. 

DONNY.     A  small  fishing-net 

B 


258  DOOLAH DOUBLE 

DOOLAH.     A  passage-boat  on  the  Canton  river. 

DOOTED.     Timber  rendered  unsound  by  fissures. 

DOBADO.  The  Goryphcena  hippuria,  an  oceanic  fish;  often  called 
"dolphin-" 

DOREY.  A  flat-floored  cargo-boat  in  the  West  Indies,  named  after  the 
fish  John  Dory. 

DORNICLR     A  northern  name  for  the  vivaparous  blenny. 

DORRA     From  the  Gaelic  dorga;  a  crab-net 

DORSAL  FIN.     The  median  fin  placed  upon  the  back  of  fishes. 

DORY.  A  fish,  ZeuBfaheTy  commonly  known  as  "John  Dory," or  truly 
jaune  doreCy  from  its  golden  hues. 

DOTTLK     The  small  portion  of  tobacco  remaining  unsmoked  in  the  pipe. 

DOUBLE,  To.  To  cover  a  ship  with  an  extra  planking,  usually  of 
4  inches,  either  internally  or  externally,  when  through  age  or  otherwise 
she  has  become  loosened;  the  process  strengthens  her  without  driving  out 
the  former  fasteninga  Doublidg,  however,  is  a  term  applied  only  where 
the  plank  thus  used  is  not  less  than  2  inches  thick. — To  double  a  cape. 
(See  DouBUKG  a  Capb.) 

DOUBLE-ACTING  ENGINE.  One  in  which  the  steam  acts  upon  the 
piston  against  a  vacuum,  both  in  the  upward  and  downward  movement 

DOUBLE-BANK  A  ROPE,  To.     To  clap  men  on  both  sides. 

DOUBLE-BANKED.  When  two  opposite  oars  are  pulled  by  rowers 
seated  on  the  same  thwart;  or  when  there  are  two  men  labouring  upon 
each  oar.  Also,  60-gun  frigates  which  carry  guns  along  the  gangway, 
as  was  the  custom  with  Indiamen,  are  usually  styled  dovMe-hankers. 

DOUBLE-BITTED.    Two  turns  of  the  cable  round  the  bitts  instead  of  one. 

DOUBLE-BLOCEL  One  fitted  with  a  couple  of  sheaves,  in  holes  side  by 
side. 

DOUBLE-BREECHING.  Additional  breeching  on  the  non-recoil  system, 
or  secuiity  for  guns  in  heavy  weather. 

DOUBLE-CAPSTAN.  One  shaft  so  constructed  as  to  be  worked  both  on 
an  upper  and  lower  deck,  as  in  ships  of  the  line,  or  in  Phillips'  patent 
capstan. 

DOUBLE-CROWN.  A  name  given  to  a  plait  made  with  the  strands  of  a 
repe,  which  forms  part  of  several  useful  and  ornamental  knota. 

DOUBLE  DECK-NAILS.     See  Deck-naim. 

DOUBLE  DUTCH  coiled  against  the  Sun.  Gibberish,  or  any  unin- 
telligible or  difficult  language. 

DOUBLE  EAGLK  A  gold  coin  of  the  United  States,  of  10  dollars;  value 
£2,  1&  8d.,  at  the  average  rate  of  exchange. 

DOUBLE-FUTTOCKS.  Timbers  in  the  cant-bodies,  extending  from  the 
dead-wood  to  the  run  of  the  second  futtock-head. 

DOUBLE-HEADED  MAUL.  One  with  double  faces;  top-mauls  in  con- 
tradistinction to  pin-mauls. 

DOUBLE-HEADED  SHOT.  Differing  from  bar-shot  by  being  similar 
to  dumb-bells,  only  the  shot  are  hemispherical. 


DOUBLE DOTJTER  259 

DOUBLE-IMAGE  MICROMETER.  Has  one  of  its  lenses  divided,  and 
separable  to  a  certain  distance  by  a  screw,  which  at  the  same  time  moves 
an  index  upon  a  graduated  scale.  When  fitted  to  a  telescope  for  sea  use, 
a3  in  chase,  it  is  called  a  coming-up  glass. 

DOUBLE  INSCTRANOE.  Where  the  insured  makes  two  insurances  on 
the  same  risks  and  the  same  interest. 

DOUBLE-IRONED.     Both  legs  shackled  to  the  bilboe-bolts. 

DOUBLEJACK.    See  Jack-scbew. 

DOUBLE-LAND.  That  appearance  of  a  coast  when  the  sea-line  is  bounded 
by  parallel  ranges  of  hills,  rising  inland  one  above  the  other. 

DOUBLE-SIDED.  A  line-of-battle  ship  painted  so  as  to  show  the  ports 
of  both  decks;  or  a  vessel  painted  to  resemble  one,  as  used  to  be  frequent 
in  the  Indian  marine. 

DOUBLE-STAR.  Two  stars  so  close  together  as  to  be  separable  only  with 
a  telescope.  They  are  either  optically  so  owing  to  their  accidental  situa- 
tion in  the  heavens,  or  physioEilly  near  each  other  in  space,  and  one  of 
them  revolving  round  the  other. 

DOUBLE-TIDE.  Working  double-tides  is  doing  extra  duty.  (See  Wokk 
DouBLE-TroEa) 

DOUBLE  UPON,  To.    See  Doublino  upon. 

DOUBLE  WALL-KNOT.  With  or  without  a  crown,  or  a  double  crown, 
is  made  by  intertwisting  the  unlaid  ends  of  a  rope  in  a  peculiar  manner. 

DOUBLE-WHIP.  A  whip  is  simply  a  rope  rove  through  a  single  block; 
a  double  whip  is  when  it  passes  through  a  lower  tail  or  hook-block,  and 
the  standing  end  is  secured  to  the  upper  block,  or  where  it  is  attached. 

DOUBLING.     {See  Rank.)    Putting  two  ranks  into  one, 

DOUBLING  A  CAPK  In  navigation,  is  to  sail  round  or  pass  beyond 
it,  so  that  the  point  of  land  separates  the  ship  from  her  former  situation. 

DOUBLING-NAILS.     The  nails  commonly  used  in  doubling. 

DOUBLING  UPON.  In  a  naval  engagement,  the  act  of  inclosing  any 
part  of  a  hostile  fleet  between  two  fires,  as  Nelson  did  at  the  Nile.  The 
van  or  rear  of  one  fleets  taking  advantage  of  the  wind  or  other  circum- 
stances, runs  round  the  van  or  rear  of  the  enemy,  who  will  thereby  be 
exposed  to  great  danger  and  confusion. 

DOUBLOON.  A  Spanish  gold  coin,  value  16  dollars:  ^3,  3*.  to  £3,  6«. 
English. 

DOUGH-BOYS.  Hard  dumplings  boiled  in  salt  water.  A  corruption  of 
douglirhalls, 

DOUSE,  To.  To  lower  or  slacken  down  suddenly;  expressed  of  a  sail  in 
a  squall  of  wind,  an  extended  hawser,  <fea  Douse  the  glim,  your  colours, 
&C.,  to  knock  down. 

DOUT,  To.     To  put  out  a  light ;  to  extinguish ;  do  out    Shakspeare  makes 

the  dauphin  of  France  say  in  "King  Henry  Y.:" — 

'*  That  their  hot  blood  may  ipin  in  English  eyes. 
And  dont  them." 

DOUTER,  OR  DouSER.     An  extinguisher. 


2(50  D'OUTBJS  MBE DOWNS 

D'OUTRE  MER     From  beyond  the  sea. 

DOVER  COURT  BEETLE.     A  heavy  mallet     There  ia  an  old  proverb: 

**  A  Dover  court;  all  speakers  and  no  hearers." 

"  A  Dover  court  beetle,  and  wedges  with  steel, 
Strong  lever  to  raise  up  the  block  from  the  wheel.  ^ — Tuster, 

DOVE-TAIL.  The  fastening  or  letting  in  of  one  timber  into  another  by 
a  dove-tailed  end  and  score,  so  that  they  hold  firmly  together,  and  cannot 
come  asunder  endwise.  The  operation  of  cutting  the  mortise  is  called 
dove-tailing. 

DOVE-TAIL  PLATES.  Metal  plates  resembling  dove-tails  in  form,  let 
into  the  heel  of  the  stem-post  and  the  keel,  to  bind  them  together;  and 
also  those  used  for  connecting  the  stem-foot  with  the  fore  end  of  the  keel. 

DOWAL.     A  coak  of  metal  in  a  sheave. 

DOWBREEL     A  northern  term  for  the  fish  also  called  sparling  x>r  smelt. 

DOWEL.  A  cylindrical  piece  of  hard  wood  about  three  inches  in  diameter, 
and  the  same  in  length,  used  as  an  additional  security  in  scarphing  two 
pieces  of  timber  together.  Dowels  are  also  used  to  secure  the  joinings  of 
the  felloes,  or  circumferential  parts  of  wheels;  and  by  coopers  in  joining 
together  the  contiguous  boards  forming  the  heads  of  casks. — Dotod,  or 
dowd-bUy  is  the  tool  used  to  cut  the  holes  for  the  dowel& 

DO  Welling.  The  method  of  uniting  the  butts  of  the  frame-timbers 
together  with  a  cylindrical  piece  or  tenon  let  in  at  each  end. 

DOWN  ALL  CHESTS !  The  order  to  get  all  the  officers'  and  seamen's 
chests  down  below  from  off  the  gun-decks  when  clearing  the  ship  for  an 
engagement 

DOWN  ALL  HAMMOCKS !  The  order  for  all  the  sailors  to  carry  their 
hammocks  down,  and  hang  them  up  in  their  respective  berths  in  readi- 
ness to  go  to  bed,  or  to  lessen  top-weight  and  resistance  to  wind  in  chase. 

DOWN  ALONG.     Sailing  coastways  down  Channel 

DOWN  EAST.  Far  away  in  that  bearing.  This  term,  as  down  west^  &c, 
is  an  Americanism,  recently  adopted  into  our  vernacular. 

DOWNFALLS.     The  descending  waters  of  rivers  and  creeks. 

DOWN-HAUL.  A  rope  passing  up  along  a  stay,  leading  through  cringles 
of  the  stay-sails  or  jib,  and  made  fast  to  the  upper  comer  of  the  sail  to 
pull  it  down  when  shortening  saiL  Also,  through  blocks  on  the  outer 
clues  to  the  outer  yard-arms  of  studding-sails,  to  take  them  in  securely. 
Also,  the  cock-pit  term  for  a  great-coat. 

DOWN-HAUL  TACKLES.  Employed  when  lower  yards  are  struck  in 
bad  weather  to  prevent  them  from  swaying  about  after  the  trusses  are 
unrove. 

DOWN  IN  THE  MOUTH.     Low-spirited  or  disheartened 

DOWN  KILLOCK !  Let  go  the  grapnel;  the  corruption  of  keel-hook  or 
anchor. 

DOWN  OARS!  The  order  on  shoving  off  a  boat  when  the  men  have  had 
them  "  tossed  up." 

DOWNS.     An  accumulation  of  drifted  sand,  which  the  sea  gathers  along 


DOWN  WIND DRAGOON  2G1 

its  shores.  The  name  is  also  applied  to  the  anchorage  or  sea-space  between 
the  eastern  coast  of  Kent  and  the  Goodwin  Sands,  the  well-known  road- 
stead for  ships,  stretching  irom  the  South  to  the  North  Foreland,  where 
both  outward  and  homeward-bound  ships  frequently  make  some  stay,  and 
squadrons  of  men-of-war  rendezvous  in  time  of  war.  It  is  defended  by 
the  castles  of  Sandwich,  Deal,  and  Dover. 

DOWN  WIND,  DOWN  SEA.  A  proverbial  expression  among  seamen 
between  the  tropics,  where  the  sea  is  soon  raised  by  the  wind,  and  when 
that  abates  is  soon  smooth  again. 

DOWN  WITH  THE  HELM!     An  order  to  put  the  helm  alee. 

DOWSING  CHOCK.  A  breast-hook  or  piece  fayed  athwart  the  apron 
and  lapped  on  the  knight-heads,  or  inside  stuff,  above  the  upper  deck; 
otherwise  termed  hawae-hook. 

DOYLT.     Lazy  or  stupid. 

DO  YOU  HEAK  THERE?  An  inquiry  following  an  order,  but  very 
often  needlessly. 

DBABLER.  A  piece  of  canvas  laced  on  the  bonnet  of  a  sail  to  give  it 
more  drop,  or  as  Caption  Boteler  says — ^  As  the  bonnet  is  to  the  course, 
so  in  all  respects  is  the  drabler  to  the  bonnet"  It  is  only  used  when  both 
course  and  bonnet  are  not  deep  enough  to  clothe  the  mast 

DRACHMA.  A  Greek  coin,  value  sevenpence  three  farthings  sterling; 
14  cents.  American  or  Spanish  real 

DRAFT,  OR  Draught.  A  small  allowance  for  waste  on  goods  sold  by 
weight 

DRAFT  OF  ELANDS.  A  certain  number  of  men  appointed  to  serve  on 
board  a  particular  man-of-*war,  who  are  then  said  to  be  drafted.  A 
transfer  of  hands  from  one  ship  to  complete  the  complement  of  another. 

DRAG.  A  machine  consisting  of  a  sharp  square  frame  of  iron  encircled 
with  a  net^  and  commonly  used  to  rake  the  mud  off  from  the  platform  or 
bottom  of  the  docks,  or  to  clean  rivers,  or  for  dragging  on  the  bottom  for 
anything  lost     Also,  a  creeper. 

DRAG  FOR  THE  ANCHOR,  To.     The  same  as  creep  or  sweep, 

DRAGGING.     An  old  word  for  dredging. 

DRAGGING  ON  HER  Said  of  a  vessel  in  chafle,  or  rounding  a  point, 
when  she  is  obliged  to  carry  more  canvas  to  a  fresh  wind  than  she  other- 
wise would. 

DRAG-NET.     A  trawl  or  net  to  draw  on  the  bottom  for  flat-fish. 

DRAGOMAN.  The  name  for  a  Turkish  interpreter;  it  is  corrupted  from 
tarij-mdn. 

DRAGON.     An  old  name  for  a  musketoon. 

DRAGON  BEAM  or  Piece.     A  strut  or  abutment 

DRAGONET.     A  sea-fish,  the  gowdie,  or  GoLlionymus  lyra, 

DRAGON-VOLANT.  The  old  name  for  a  gun  of  large  calibre  used  in  the 
French  navy,  whence  the  term  was  adopted  into  ours. 

DRAGOON.  Originally  a  soldier  trained  to  serve  alike  on  horse  or  foot, 
or  as  Dr.  Johnson  equivocally  explains  it,  "who  fights  indifferently  on 


262  DBAG-BOPBS DRAWN 

foot  or  on  horsebaclL"     (See  Tboopeb.)    The  term  is  now  applied  to  all 
cavalry  soldiers  who  have  no  other  special  designation. 

DBAGkROPES.  Those  used  in  the  artillery  by  the  men  in  palling  the 
gun  backwards  and  forwards  in  practice  and  in  action. 

DBAC^S.  Whatever  hangs  over  the  ship  into  the  sea,  as  shirts,  coats, 
or  the  like;  and  boats  when  towed,  or  whatever  else  that  after  this  manner 
may  hinder  the  ship's  way  when  she  sails,  are  called  drtigs. 

DBAG-SAIL.  Any  sail  with  its  clues  stopped  so  as  when  veered  away 
over  the  quarter  to  make  a  stop-water  when  veering  in  emergency.  The 
drag-saU  formed  by  the  sprit-sail  course  was  frequently  used  in  former 
wars  to  retard  the  ship  apparently  running  away  until  the  enemy  got 
within  gun-shot. 

DRAG-SAW.     A  cross-cut  saw. 

DRAG  THE  ANCHOR^  To.     The  act  of  the  anchors  coming  home. 

DR  AKK     An  early  piece  of  brass  ordnanca 

DRAKKAR.     A  Norman  pirate  boat  of  former  timea 

DRAUGHT,  OR  Draft.  The  depth  of  water  a  ship  displaces,  or  of  a  body 
of  fluid  necessary  to  float  a  vessel ;  hence  a  ship  is  said  to  draw  so  many 
feet  of  water  when  she  requires  that  depth  to  float  her,  which,  to  be  more 
readily  known,  are  marked  on  the  stem  and  stem-post  from  the  keel 
upwards.  Also,  the  old  name  for  a  chart.  Also,  the  delineation  of  a 
ship  designed  to  be  built,  drawn  on  a  given  scale,  generally  a  quarter-inch 
to  the  foot^  for  the  builders.     {See  Shrer-drauoht.) 

DRAUGHT-HOOKS.  Iron  hooks  fixed  on  the  cheeks  of  a  gun-carriage 
for  dragging  the  gun  along  by  draugJu^rapes, 

DRAUGHTSMAN.  The  artist  who  draws  plans  or  charts  from  instruc- 
tions or  surveys. 

DRAW.  A  sail  draws  when  it  is  filled  by  the  wind.  A  ship  drawe  so 
many  feet  of  water. — To  let  draw  a  jib  is  to  cease  from  flattening-in  the 
sheet — Drato  is  also  a  term  for  halliards  in  some  of  the  northern  fishing- 
boats. — To  draw.  To  procure  anything  by  official  demand  from  a  dock- 
yard, arsenal,  or  magazina — To  draw  up  the  courees.  To  take  in. — To 
draw  upon  a  ship  is  to  gain  upon  a  vessel  when  in  pursuit  of  her. 

DRAWBACK.  An  abatement  or  reduction  of  duties  allowed  by  the 
custom-house  in  certain  cases;  as  for  stores  to  naval  officers  in  commission. 

DRAW-BELLOWS.     A  northern  term  for  limber-holes  (which  see). 

DRAWING.  The  state  of  a  sail  when  there  is  sufficient  wind  to  inflate  it, 
so  as  to  advance  the  vessel  in  her  course. 

DRAWING  UP.  Adjusting^  a  ship's  station  in  the  line;  the  converse  of 
dropping  astern, 

DRAWING  WATER   The  number  of  feet  depth  which  a  ship  submeiges. 

DRAWN  BATTLE.  A  conflict  in  which  both  parties  claim  the  victory, 
or  retire  upon  equal  terms. 

DRAW-NET.     Erroneously  used  for  drag-net. 

DRAWN  FOR  THE  MILITIA.  When  men  are  selected  by  ballot  for 
the  defence  of  the  country. 


DBAW  THE  GUNS DRIFTS  2C3 

DRAW  THE  GUNS.  To  extract  the  charge  of  wad,  shot,  and  cartridge 
from  the  guns. 

DREDGR  An  iron  scraper-framed  triangle,  furnished  with  a  bottom  of 
hide  and  stout  cord  net  above,  used  for  taking  oysters  or  specimens  of 
shells  from  the  bottom. 

DREDGER-BOAT.  One  that  uses  the  net  so  called,  for  turbots,  soles, 
sandlings,  &c. 

DREDGING.     Fishing  by  dragging  the  dredge. 

DREDGING  MACHINE.  A  large  lighter,  or  other  flat-bottomed  vessel, 
equipped  with  a  steam-engine  and  machinery  for  removing  the  mud  and 
silt  from  the  bottom,  by  the  revolution  of  iron  buckets  in  an  endless  chain. 

DREDGY.     The  ghost  of  a  drowned  person. 

DREINT.     The  old  word  used  for  drowned,  from  the  Anglo-Saxon. 

DRESS,  To.  To  place  a  fleet  in  organized  order;  also,  to  arrange  men 
properly  in  ranks;  to  present  a  true  continuous  line  in  front. — To  dress  a 
ship.  To  ornament  her  with  a  variety  of  colours,  as  ensigns,  flags,  pen- 
dants, &c,  of  various  nations,  displayed  from  different  parts  of  her  masts, 
rigging,  <ka,  on  a  day  of  festivity. 

DREW.  A  name  in  our  northern  isles  for  the  Ftictis  lorcus,  a  narrow 
thong-shaped  sea-weed. 

DRIBBLE.     Drizzling  showers;  light  rain. 

DRIES.     A  term  opposed  to  rains  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa. 

DRIFT.  The  altered  position  of  a  vessel  by  current  or  falling  to  leeward 
when  hove-to  or  lying-to  in  a  gale,  when  but  little  headway  is  made  by  the 
action  of  sails.  In  artillery,  a  priming-iron  of  modem  introduction  used 
to  clear  the  vent  of  ordnance  from  burning  particles  after  each  discharge. 
Also,  a  term  sometimes  used  for  the  constant  deflection  of  a  rifled  pro- 
jectile.    {See  Deflection.) 

DRIFTAGE    The  amount  due  to  lee-way.     {See  Drift.) 

DRIFT-BOLTS.  Commonly  made  of  steel,  are  used  as  loDg  punches  for 
driving  out  other  bolts. 

DRIFT-ICE.     The  debris  of  the  main  pack.     {See  Ice.) 

DRIFTING-UP.  Is  used  as  relating  to  sands  which  are  driven  by  the 
winds.  As  at  Cape  Blanco,  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  off  the  tail  of  the 
Desert  of  Zahara,  where  the  houses  and  batteries  have  been  thus  ob- 
literated. 

DRIFT-MUD,  Consisting  chiefly  of  an  argillaceous  earth,  brought  down 
by  the  rivers,  floated  about^  and  successively  deposited  in  banks;  forming 
the  alluvial  and  fertile  European  settlements  of  Guiana. 

DRIFT-NET.    'A  large  net,  with  meshes  of  one  inch,  used  in  the  pilchard 

fishery  in  August;  also,  for  herrings  and  mackerel  in  March :    used  in 

drifting  in  the  Chops  of  the  Channel     Also,  of  strong  gauze,  for  molluscs. 

DRIFT-PIECES.     Solid  pieces  fitted  at  the  drifts,  forming  the  scrolls  on 

the  drifts :  they  are  commonly  mitred  into  the  gunwale. 
DRIFTS.     Detached  masses  of  soil  and  underwood  torn  off  the  shore  by 
floods  and  floating  about,  often  mistaken  for  rocks  and  dangers.     Also, 


264  DBiFT-fiAiL — DEorrs 

in  sliipbuildiDg,  those  parts  where  the  sheer  is  raised,  and  the  rails  are 
cut  oSf  eDdiog  with  a  scroll;  as  the  drift  of  the  quarter-deck,  poop-deck, 
and  forecastle. 

DRIFT-SAIL.  A  contrivance,  by  means  of  immersing  a  sail,  to  diminish 
the  drift  of  a  ship  daring  a  gale  of  wind.     {See  Drag.) 

DRIFT- WAY.     Synonymous  with  lee-way, 

DRILL.     Systematized  instruction  in  the  practice  of  all  military  exercises. 

DRILL-SHIPS.  A  recent  establishment  of  vessels  in  which  the  volunteers 
composing  the  Royal  Naval  Reserve  are  drilled  into  practice. 

DRINK-PENNY.     Earnest  money  at  rendezvous  houses,  &a 

DRIP-STONK  The  name  usually  given  to  filters  composed  of  porous 
stone. 

DRIVE,  To  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  dryfan\,  A  ship  drives  when  her 
anchor  trips  or  will  not  hold.  She  drives  to  leeward  when  beyond  con- 
trol of  sails  or  rudder;  and  if  under  bare  poles,  may  drive  before  the 
wind.     Also,  to  strike  home  bolts,  tree-nails,  <&c. 

DRIVER.  A  large  sail  formerly  used  with  the  wind  aft  or  quartering. 
It  was  a  square  sail  cut  like  a  studding-sail,  and  set  with  a  great  yard  on 
the  end  of  the  spanker-boom,  across  the  taffraiL  The  name  latterly  has 
been  officially  applied  to  the  spanker,  both  being  the  aftermost  sails  of  a 
ship,  the  ring-tail  being  only  an  addition,  as  a  studding  or  steering  sail. 
{See  Steering  Sail.)  Also,  the  foremost  spur  in  the  bilge-ways,  the  heel 
of  which  is  fayed  to  the  foreside  of  the  foremost  poppet^  and  the  sides  of 
it  look  fore  and  afL     Also,  a  sort  of  fishing-boat. 

DRIVER-BOOM.     The  boom  to  which  the  driver  is  hauled  out. 

DRIVING  A  CHARGK  Ramming  home  the  loading  of  a  piece  of 
ordnance. 

DRIVING  PILES.  The  motion  of  a  ship  bobbing  in  a  head  sea,  com- 
pared to  the  vertical  fall  of  monkeys  on  pile  heads. 

DROG.     A  Gaelic  term,  still  in  use,  to  express  the  agitation  of  the  se& 

DROGHER  A  small  craft  which  goes  round  the  bays  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  to  take  off  sugars,  rum,  iscc,  to  the  merchantmen. — Lumber- 
drogher  is  a  vessel  built  solely  for  burden,  and  for  transporting  cotton 
and  other  articles  coast-wise. 

DROGHING.     The  carrying  trade  of  the  West  India  coasts. 

DROITS  OF  ADMIRALTY.  Rights,  or  rather  perquisites,  which 
flowed  originally  from  the  king  by  grant  or  usage,  and  now  reserved  to 
the  crown  by  commission.  They  are  of  two  kinds — viz.  the  civil,  or 
those  arising  from  wrecks  of  the  sea,  flotsam,  jetsam,  and  lagan,  royal 
fishes,  derelicts,  and  deodands,  ejectamenta  maris,  and  the  goods  of  pirates, 
traitors,  felons,  suicides,  and  fugitives  within  the  admiralty  jurisdiction; 
and  the  prize  droits,  or  those  accruing  in  the  course  of  war,  comprehend- 
ing all  ships  and  goods  taken  without  commission,  all  vessels  improperly 
captured  before  hostilities  have  been  formally  declared,  or  found  or  by 
accident  brought  within  the  admiralty,  salvage  for  all  ships  rescued,  and 
all  ships  seized,  in  any  of  the  ports,  creeks,  or  roads  of  the  United  King- 


DEOM-FISH DRUMHEAD  265 

dom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  before  any  declaration  of  war  or 

reprisals  by  the  sovereign. 
DJEIOM-FISH.     A  large  fish  taken  and  cured  in  quantities  in  the  Portu- 
guese harbours  of  South  America,  as  well  for  ship's  stores  as  for  the  times 

of  fast. 
DROMON.      A  Saracen  term  denoting  the  large  king's  ships  from  the 

ninth  to  the  fifteenth  century. 
DBOP,  OB  Droop.     When  a  line  diverges  from  a  parallel  or  a  curve.     It 

is  also  a  name  generally  used  to  the  courses,  but  sometimes  given  to  the 

depth  of  the  square  sails  in  general;  as^  "  Her  main  top-sail  drops  seven- 
teen yards."     The  depth  of  a  sail  from  head  to  foot  amidships. — To  drop 

anchor  is  simply  to  anchor : — ^underfoot,  in  calms,  a  kedge  or  stream  is 

dropped  to  prevent  drift. 
DROP  ASTERN,  To.     To  slacken  a  ship's  way,  so  as  to  suffer  another 

one  to  pass  beyond  her.     Also,  distancing  a  competitor. 
DROP  DOWN  A  RIVER     Synonymous  with  falling  (which  see). 
DROP-DRY.     Completely  water-tight 

DROPPING.     An  old  mode  of  salute  by  lowering  flags  or  uppermost  sails. 
DROPS.     In  ship-building,  are  small  foliages  of  carved  work  in  the  stem 

munions  and  elsewhere.     The  term  also  means  the  fall  or  declivity  of  a 

deck,  which  is  generally  of  several  inche& 
DROIJD.     A  fish  of  the  cod  kind,  frequenting  the  west  coast  of  Scotland. 
DROXJGES.     Quadrilateral  pieces  of  board,  sometimes  attached  to  the 

harpoon  line,  for  the  purpose  of  checking  in  some  d^ree  the  speed  of  the 

whale. 
DROW.     An  old  northern  term  for  a  severe  gust  of  wind  accompanied 

with  rain.  , 

DROWNED  LAND.     Extensive  marshes  or  other  water-covered  districts 

which  were  once  dry  and  sound  land. 
DROWNING.      An  early  naval  punishment;  Richard  I.   enacted   that 

whoever  killed  a  man  on  shipboard,  ^  he  should  be  bound  to  the  corpse, 

and  thrown  into  the  sea." 
DROWNING-BRIDGR     A  sluice-gate  for  overflowing  meadows. 
DROWNING  THE  MILLER.      Adding  too   much  water  to  wine  or     I 

spirits;  from  the  term  when  too  much  water  has  been  put  into  a  bowl 

of  flour. 
DRUB.     To  beat     (Captain's  despatch.)     "We  have  drubbed  the  enemy." 
DRUDGE.     A  name  truly  applied  to  a  cabin-boy. 
DRUGGERS.     Small  vessels  which  formerly  exported  fish  from  Dieppe 

and  other  Channel  ports,  and  brought  back  from  the  Levant  spices  and 

drugs. 
DRUM.    See  Storm-drum. 
DRUM-CAPSTAN.     A  contrivance  for  weighing  heavy  anchors,  invented 

by  Sir  S.  Morland,  who  died  in  1695. 
DRUMHEAD  COURT-MARTIAL.     Sudden  court  held  in  the  field  for 

the  immediate  trial  of  thefts  or  misconduct.     (See  Provost  Martial.) 


266  DRUMHEAD DUCATOOK 

DRUMHEAD  OF  CAPSTAN.  A  broad  cylindrical  piece  of  elm,  re- 
sembling a  millBtone,  and  fixed  immediately  above  the  barrel  and  vhelps. 
On  its  circumference  a  number  of  square  holes  are  cut  parallel  to  the 
deck,  to  receive  the  bars. 

DEXJMLER.  An  ancient  transport.  (See  Dbokon.)  Also,  a  small 
piratical  vessel  of  var. 

DRUMMEE.  The  marine  who  beats  the  drum,  and  whoso  pay  is  equiva- 
lent to  that  of  a  private  of  fourteen  years'  standing.  Also,  a  singular  fish 
of  the  corvinas  kind,  which  has  the  faculty  of  emitting  musical  noises, 
whence  it  has  acquired  the  name  of  crocroa, 

DRUXY.  Timber  in  a  state  of  decay,  the  condition  of  which  is  manifested 
by  veins  or  spots  in  it  of  a  whitish  tint. 

DRY-BXJLB  THERMOMETER.  .  The  readings  of  this  instrument,  when 
compared  with  those  of  a  wet-bulb  thermometer,  indicate  the  amount  of 
moisture  in  the  air,  and  thence  the  probability  of  rain. 

DRY  DOCK.  An  artificial  receptacle  for  examining  and  repairing  vessels. 
{See  Graving  Docks.) 

DRY  DUCKING.  Suspending  a  person  by  a  rope  a  few  yards  above  the 
surface  of  the  water. 

DRY  FLOGGING.     Punishing  over  the  clothes  of  a  culprit. 

DRY  GALES.  Those  storms  which  are  accompanied  with  a  clear  sky,  as 
the  northers  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  harmattan  of  Africa,  <!2;c. 

DRY  HOLY-STONING.    See  Holystone. 

DRY-ROT.  .A  disease  destructive  of  timber,  occasioned  by  a  fungus,  the 
Mervlius  lackryrnans^  which  softens  wood  and  finally  destroys  it;  it  re- 
sembles a  dry  pithy  cottony  substance,  whence  the  name  dry-rot>  though 
when  in  a  perfect  state,  its  sinuses  contain  drops  of  clear  water,  which 
have  given  rise  to  its  specific  Latin  name.  Free  ventilation  and  cleanli- 
ness appear  to  be  the  best  preservatives  against  this  costly  evil 

DRY  ROWING.  "  Row  dry."  Not  to  dash  the  spray  with  the  blade  of 
the  oar  in  the  fiuses  of  those  in  the  stem-sheets. 

D.  S.  Q.     Means,  in  the  complete  book,  discharged  to  sick  quarters. 

DUB.  A  northern  term  for  a  pool  of  deep  and  smooth  water  in  a  rapid 
river. 

DXJ6B,  To.  To  smooth  and  cut  off  with  an  adze  the  superfluous  wood. — 
To  dubb  a  vessel  bright,  is  to  remove  the  outer  sur&ce  of  the  plank  com- 
pletely with  an  adze.  Spotting  to  examine  planks  with  the  adze  is  also 
dubbing. 

DUBBAH,  OB  DuBBEB.  A  coarse  leathern  vessel  for  holding  liquids  in 
India. 

DUBHE.     A  standard  nautical  star  in  the  Great  Bear. 

DUCAT.  A  well-known  coin  in  most  parts  of  Europe ;  the  average  gold 
ducat  being  nine  shillings  and  sixpence,  and  the  silver  three  shillings  and 
fourpence. 

DUCATOON.  A  coin  of  the  Dutch  Oriental  Isles,  of  seven  shillings. 
Also,  a  silver  coin  of  Venice,  value  four  shillings  and  eightpence. 


PUCK DTJLOB  267 

DUCK,  To.     To  dive,  or  immerBe  another  under  water;  or  to  avoid  a  shot. 

DIJCEL  The  finest  canvas  (No.  8)  foi^  small  sails,  is  sometimes  so  called; 
but  it  is  really  a  lighter  cloth  than  canvas,  and  is  greatly  used  by  seamen 
and  soldiers  on  tropical  stations  for  frocks  and  trousers. 

DUCKING.  A  penalty  which  veteran  sailors  inflict  on  those  who,  for  the 
first  time,  pass  the  tropics,  the  equator,  or  formerly  even  the  Straits  of 
Gibraltar;  and  is  usually  performed  in  the  grog-tub  or  half-butt,  with 
the  assistance  of  a  few  buckets  of  water;  the  usual  fine,  however,  always 
prevents  the  penalty  being  inflicted. 

DUCKING  AT  THE  YARD-ARM.  A  marine  punishment  unknown, 
except  by  name,  in  the  British  navy;  but  formerly  inflicted  by  the  French 
for  grave  ofifences,  thus:  the  criminal  was  placed  astride  a  short  thick 
batten,  fastened  to  the  end  of  a  rope  which  passed  through  a  block  hang- 
ing at  the  yard-arm.  Thus  fixed,  he  was  hoisted  suddenly  up  to  the 
yard,  and  the  rope  being  then  slackened  at  dnce,  he  was  plunged  into  the 
sea.  This  chastisement  was  repeated  several  times;  conformable  to  the 
sentence,  a  gun  advertised  the  other  ships  of  the  fleet  thereof  that  their 
crews  might  become  spectators.  If  the  offence  was  very  great,  he  was 
drawn  underneath  the  keel  of  the  ship,  which  was  called  keel-hauling. 
{See  Kebl-hauliko.) 

DUCKS.  The  general  name  for  a  sailor's  dress  in  warm  climates.  Also, 
the  military  English  of  Bombay.  See  also  Jemht  Ducks,  the  keeper  of 
the  poultry  on  board  ship.     Dried  herrings,  or  Digby  ducks  in  N.  S. 

DUCK-UP  1  A  term  used  by  the  steersman  when  the  main-sail,  fore-sail,  or 
sprit-sail  hinders  his  seeing  to  steer  by  a  landmark,  upon  which  he  calls 
out,  "  Duck-up  the  clue-lines  of  those  sails,"  that  is,  haul  the  sails  out  of 
the  way.  Also,  when  a  shot  is  made  by  a  chase-piece,  if  the  clue  of  the 
sprit-sail  hinders  the  sight,  they  call  out,  ''  Duck-up,"  &c. 

DUDGEON.  An  old  word  for  the  box-handle  of  a  dirk;  it  is  mentioned 
by  Shakspeare  with  the  blade  of  the  ideal  dagger  which  Macbeth  saw 
before  him.     It  also  means  offence,  anger. 

DUDS.  A  cant  term  for  clothes  or  personal  property.  The  term  is  old, 
but  still  in  common  use,  though  usually  applied  to  clothing  of  an  inferior 
quality,  and  even  rags  and  tatters.   » 

DUEL.  A  single  combat  at  a  time  and  place  appointed  in  consequence  of 
a  challenge;  a  practice  which  had  its  uses  and  abuses,  now  prohibited. 

DUELLO.  An  Italian  word  expressive  of  duelling,  long  appropriated  into 
our  languaga 

DUFF.     Pudding  or  dough. 

DUFFERS.  Low  pedlars;  also  those  women  who  assist  smugglers.  Also, 
cowardly  fellows. 

DUG-OUT.     A  canoa 

DUKE  OF  YORK.  A  nick-name  for  a  particular  storm  try-sail  used  in 
the  northern  seas. 

DULCE,  Dulse,  Delse.  Iridea  dtdce^  one  of  the  edible  fucL  It  is  an 
article  of  trade  in  America  and  Holland,  and  is  plentiful  on  the  rocky 


270  DYELLB EABINQS 

DTELLK  A  kind  of  mud-drag  used  for  cleaning  rivers  on  our  eastern 
coasts. 

DYING  MAN'S  DINNER.  A  snatch  of  refreshment  when  the  ship  is 
in  extreme  danger. 

DYKK  From  the  Anglo-Saxon  die,  a  mound  or  bank;  yet  in  some  parts 
of  England  the  word  means  a  ditch. 

DYKE-CAM.    A  ditch-bank. 

DYNAMOMETER  An  instrument  for  measuring  the  amount  of  force, 
and  used  for  indicating  the  thrust  or  force  of  a  screw-propeller,  or  any 
other  motor.  There  are  many,  varying  in  mode  according  to  the  express 
purpose  of  each,  but  all  founded  on  the  same  principle  as  the  name 
expresses— ^ou^er  and  mecuure,  so  that  a  steel-yard  Ib  the  simplest 
exponent 


E. 

R  The  second  class  of  rating  on  Lloyd*s  books  for  the  comparative  excel- 
lence of  merchant  ships.     {See  A) 

EAGER.     See  Eaobb. 

EAGLE  The  insignia  of  the  Romans,  borrowed  also  by  modems,  as  Fre- 
deric of  Prussia  and  Napoleon.  Also,  a  gold  coin  of  the  United  States,- 
of  the  value  of  five  dollars,  or  £1^  0«.  lOd,  sterling,  at  the  average  rate  of 
exchange. 

EAGLE,  OR  Spread-eagle.  A  punishment  inflicted  by  seizing  the 
offender  by  his  arms  and  legs  to  the  shrouds^  and  there  leaving  him  for  a 
specified  time. 

EAGRE,  OR  Hygre.  The  reciprocation  of  the  freshes  of  various  rivers, 
as  for  instance  the  Severn,  with  the  flowing  tide,  sometimes  presenting  a 
formidable  surge.  The  name  seems  to  be  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  edgor, 
water,  or  jEgiVy  the  Scandinavian  god  of  the  sea.  (See  Bore  and  Hygre.) 

EAR.  A  west-country  term  for  a  pllace  where  hatches  prevent  the  influx 
of  the  tide. 

EARING-CRINGLE,  at  the  Head  of  a  Sail.  In  sailmaking  it  is  an  eye 
spliced  in  the  bolt-rope,  to  which  the  much  smaller  head-rope  is  attached. 
The  earings  are  hauled  out,  or  lashed  to  cleats  on  the  yards  passing 
through  the  head  comers  or  cringles  of  the  sails. 

EARINGS.  Certain  small  ropes  employed  to  fasten  the  upper  comers  of 
a  sail  to  its  yard,  for  which  purpose  one  end  of  the  earing  is  passed 
through  itself,  and  the  other  end  is  passed  five  or  six  times  round  the 
yard-arm,  and  through  the  cringle;  the  two  first  turns,  which  are  intended 
to  stretch  the  head  of  the  sail  tight  along  the  yard,  are  passed  beyond 


KARNB EAST  271 

the  lift  and  rigging  on  the  jard-ann,  and  ai'e  called  outer  turns,  vbile  the 
rest,  wliich  draw  it  close  up  to  the  yard,  and  are  passed  within  the  lift, 
iiCf  are  called  inner  turns.  Below  the  above  are  the  reef-earingSj  which 
are  used  to  reef  the  sail  when  the  reef-tackles  have  stretched  it  to  take  off 
the  strain. 

EAKNK    See  £rne. 

EARNEST.     A  sum  paid  in  advance  to  secure  a  seaman's  service. 

EARS.  In  artillery  the  lugs  or  ear-shaped  rings  fashioned  on  the  larger 
bombs  or  mortar-shells  for  their  convenient  handling  with  shell-l^ooks. 
The  irregularity  of  surface  caused  by  the  ears  is  intended  to  be  modified 
in  future  construction  by  the  substitution  of  lewia-holes  (which  see). 

EAR-SHOT.     The  distance  or  range  of  hearing. 

EARS  OF  A  BOAT.  The  knee-pieces  at  the  fore-part  on  the  outside  at 
the  height  of  the  gunwale. 

EARS  OF  A  PUMP.     The  support  of  the  bolt  for  the  handle  or  break. 

EARTH.  One  of  the  primary  planets,  and  the  third  in  order  from  the 
sun. 

EARTH-BAGS.    See  Sand-bags. 

EAR- WIGGING.  Feeding  an  officer's  ear  with  scandal  against  an  absent 
individual. 

EASE,  To  Stand  at.     To  remain  at  rest. 

EASE  AWAY !     To  slacken  out  a  rope  or  tackle-fall. 

EASE  HER !  In  a  steamer,  is  the  command  to  reduce  the  speed  of  the 
engine,  preparatory  to  "stop  her,"  or  before  reversing  for  "turn  astern." 

EASE  OFF  I  Ease  off  handsomely,  or  Ease  awat  there!     To  slacken 

.  out  a  rope  or  tackle-fall  carefully. 

EASE  THE  HELM !  An  order  often  given  in  a  vessel  close-hauled,  to 
put  the  helm  down  a  few  spokes  in  a  head  sea,  with  the  idea  that  if  the 
ship's  way  be  deadened  by  her  coming  close  to  the  wind  she  will  not 
strike  the  opposing  sea  with  so  much  force.  It  is  thought  by  some  that 
extreme  rolling  as  well  as  pitching  are  checked  by  shilling  the  helm 
quickly,  thereby  changing  the  direction  of  the  ship's  head,  and  what  is 
technically  called  "giving  her  something  else  to  do." 

EASE  UP,  To.  To  come  up  handsomely  with  a  tackle-fall. 

EAST.  From  the  Anglo-Saxon,  ^at.  One  of  the  cardinal  points  of  the 
compass.  Where  the  sun  rises  due  east,  it  makes  equal  days  and  nights, 
as  on  the  equator. 

EAST-COUNTRY.  A  term  applied  to  the  regions  bordering  on  the. 
Baltic. 

EAST-COUNTRY  SHIPa     The  same  as  eaalerlings. 

EASTERLINGS.  Traders  of  the  Baltic  Sea.  Also,  natives  of  the  Hanse 
Towns,  or  of  the  east  country. 

EASTERN  AMPLITUDE.  An  arc  of  the  horizon,  intercepted  between 
the  point  of  the  sun's  rising  and  the  east  point  of  the  magnetic  compass. 

EAST  INDIA  HOY.  A  sloop  formerly  expressly  licensed  for  carrying 
stores  to  the  K  I.  Company's  ships. 


272  EASTING ECLIPTIC 

EASTING.     The  course  made  good,  or  gained,  to  ike  eastward. 
EASTINTXJS.     From  the  Saxon,  eaat-tyn^  an  easterly  coast  or  country. 

Leg,  Edward  L 
EAST  WIND.     This,  in  the  British  seas,  is  generally  attended  with  a 

hazy  atmosphere,  and  is  so  ungenial  as  to  countenance  the  couplet — 

''When  the  wind  is  io  the  east, 
'Tifl  good  for  neither  man  nor  beast." 

EAST.  Lower  gently.  A  ship  not  labouring  in  a  sea. — Taking  it  easy. 
Neglecting  the  duty.     "Not  so  violent." 

EASY  DRAUGHT.     The  same  as  light  draught  of  water  (which  see). 

EASY  BOLL.  A  vessel  is  said  to  "roll  deep  but  easy"  when  she  moves 
slowly,  and  not  with  quick  jerks. 

EATING  THE  WIND  OUT  OF  A  VESSEL.  Applies  to  very  keen 
seamanship,  by  which  the  vessel,  from  a  close  study  of  her  capabilities, 
steals  to  windward  of  her  opponent.  This  to  be  done  effectually  demands 
very  peculiar  trim  to  carry  weather  helm  to  a  nicety. 

EAVER.  A  provincial  term  for  the  direction  of  the  wind.  A  quarter  of 
the  heavens. 

EBB.  The  lineal  descendant  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  ep-flod,  meaning  the 
falling  reflux  of  the  tide,  or  its  return  back  from  the  highest  of  the  flood, 
full  sea,  or  high  water.  Also  termed  sce^ehbung,  sea-ebbing^  by  our  pro- 
genitors. 

EBB,  LiNB  OF.     The  sea-line  of  beach  left  dry  by  the  tide. 

EBBER,  OR  Ebber-shobe.     From  the  Anglo-Saxon  signifying  shallow. 

EBB-TIDE  The  receding  or  running  out  of  the  sea,  in  contradistinction 
to  flood. 

EBONY.     A  sobriquet  for  a  negro. 

ECHELON.  [Fr.]  Expressing  the  field-exercise 'of  soldiers,  when  the  divi- 
sions are  placed  in  a  situation  resembling  the  steps  of  a  ladder,  whence 
the  name. 

ECHINUS.     A  word  lugged  in  to  signify  the  sweep  of  the  tiller.     {See 

SsiL-EGO.) 

ECLIPSE  An  obscuration  of  a  heavenly  body  by  the  interposition  of 
another,  or  during  its  passage  through  the  shadow  of  a  larger  body.  An 
edipee  of  the  sun  is  caused  by  the  dark  body  of  the  moon  passing  between 
it  and  the  earth.  When  the  moon's  diameter  exceeds  the  sun's,  and 
their  centres  nearly  coincide,  a  total  eclipse  of  the  sun  takes  place;  but  if 
the  moon's  diameter  be  less,  then  the  eclipse  is  annular, 

ECLIPTIC.  The  great  circle  of  the  heavens  which  the  sun  appears  to  us 
to  describe  in  the  course  of  a  year,  in  consequence  of  the  earth's  motion 
round  that  luminary.  It  is  inclined  to  the  equinoctial  at  an  angle  of 
nearly  23*^  28',  called  the  obliquity  of  the  ecliptic,  and  cuts  it  in  two 
points  diametrically  opposite  to  each  other,  called  the  equinoctial  points. 
The  time  when  the  sun  enters  each  of  these  points  (which  occurs  about  the 
20th  of  March  and  23d  of  September,  respectively)  is  termed  the  equinox, 

^    day  and  night  being  then  equal;  at  these  periods,  especially  about  the 


ECLIPTIC KKLBB  273 

time  of  tbe  vernal  equinox,  storms,  called  the  equinoctiial  gales,  are  prevar 
lent  in  many  parts  of  the  globe.  The  two  points  of  the  ecliptic,  which 
are  each  90^  distant  from  the  equinoctial  points,  are  called  the 
solstitial  points.  That  great  circle  which  passes  through  the  equinoctial 
points  and  the  poles  of  the  earth,  is  called  the  equinoctial  colure;  and  that 
which  passes  through  the  solstitial  points  and  the  poles  of  the  earth,  the 
solstitial  colure. 

ECLIPTIC  CONJUNCTION.  Is  the  moon  in  conjunction  with  the  sun 
at  the  time  of  new  moon,  both  luminaries  having  then  the  same  longitude, 
or  right  ascension. 

ECLIPTIC  LIMITS.  Certain  limits  of  latitude  within  which  eclipses 
take  place,  and  beyond  which  they  cannot  occur. 

ECONOMY.  A  term  expressive  of  the  system  and  internal  arrangement 
pursued  in  a  ship. 

EDDY.  Sometimes  used  for  the  dead-water  under  a  ship's  counter.  Also, 
the  water  that  by  some  interruption  in  its  course,  runs  contraiy  to  the 
direction  of  the  tide  or  current^  and  appears  like  the  motion  of  a  whirl- 
pool Eddies  in  the  sea  not  unfrequently  extend  their  influence  to  a 
great  distance,  and  are  then  merely  regarded  as  contrary  or  revolving 
currents.  It  is  the  back-curl  of  the  water  to  fill  a  space  or  vacuum 
formed  sometimes  by  the  faulty  build  of  a  vessel,  having  the  afber-body 
fuller  than  the  fore,  which  therefore  impedes  her  motion.  It  also  occurs 
immediately  after  a  tide  passes  a  strait,  where  the  volume  of  water  spreads 
suddenly  out^  and  curves  back  to  the  edges.  The  Chinese  pUots  call 
eddies,  chow-chow  water. 

EDDY-TIDK  When  the  water  runs  back  from  some  obstacle  to  the  free 
passage  of  the  stream. 

EDDY-WIND.  That  which  is  beat  back,  or  returns,  from  a  sail,  bluff  hill, 
or  anything  which  impedes  its  passage;  in  other  words,  whenever  the  edges 
or  veins  of  two  currents  of  air,  coming  from  opposite  directions,  meet, 
they  form  an  eddy,  or  whirhvind  (which  see).  They  are  felt  generally 
near  high  coasts  intersected  by  ravines.  The  eddy- wind  of  a  sail  escapiog, 
in  a  curve,  makes  the  sail  abafl  shiver. 

EDGE  AWAY,  To.  To  decline  gradually  from  the  course  which  the  ship 
formerly  steered,  by  sailing  larger,  or  more  off,  or  more  away  from  before 
the  wind  than  she  had  done  before. 

EDGE  DOWN,  To.     To  approach  any  object  in  an  oblique  direction. 

EDGING  OF  PLANK.     Sawing  or  hewing  it  narrower. 

EDUCTION  PIPK  A  pipe  leading  from  the  bottom  of  a  steam-cylinder 
to  the  upper  part  of  the  condenser  in  a  steam-engine. 

EEAST.     The  Erse  term  for  a  fish,  still  used  in  the  Isle  of  Man. 

EEKING.    See  Eiking. 

EEL.  A  well-known  fish  (AnguiUa  vulgaris),  of  elongated  form,  common 
in  rivers  and  estuaries,  and  esteemed  for  food 

EELER.  An  adept  at  knowing  the  haunts  and  habits  of  eels,  and  the 
methods  of  taking  them. 

S 


2^4  EEL-FARES EKB 

EEL-FABES.     A  fry  or  brood  of  eels. 

EEL-GRASS.  A  name  for  the  sea-wrack  (Zostera  marina);  it  is  thrown 
ashore  by  the  sea  in  large  quantities. 

EEL-POUT.     A  name  fur  the  burbot  (Molva  lota),  a  fresh-water  fish. 

EEL-SKUYT.    See  Dutch  Eel-skuyt. 

EEL-SPEAR  A  sort  of  trident  with  ten  points  for  catching  eels,  called 
in  Lincolnshire  an  eelstang, 

EFFECTIVE.  Efficient^  fit  for  service;  it  also  means  the  being  present  and 
at  duty. 

EFFECTS.  Personal  property;  sale  of  effects;  or  the  auction  of  the  pro- 
perty of  deceased  officers  and  seamen : 

**  The  effects  of  that  mil 
Will  be  a  sale  of  e/ecte." 

EFFLUENT,  or  Divergent,  applied  to  any  stream  which  runs  out  of  a 
lake,  or  out  of  another  river.     All  tributaries  are  affluents. 

EGG,  To.  To  instigate,  incite,  provoke,  to  urge  on:  from  the  Anglo-Saxon 
eggion. 

EGGS.  These  nutritious  articles  of  food  might  be  used  longer  at  sea  than 
is  usual.  The  shell  of  the  egg  abounds  with  small  pores,  through  which 
the  aqueous  part  of  the  albumen  constantly  exhales,  and  the  egg  in  con> 
sequence  daily  becomes  lighter,  and  approaches  its  decomposition.  Reau- 
mur varnished  them  all  over,  and  thus  preserved  eggs  fresh  for  two  years; 
then  carefully  removing  the  varnish,  he  found  that  such  eggs  were  still 
capable  of  producing  chickens.  Some  employ,  with  the  same  intention, 
lard  or  other  fatty  substance  for  closing  the  pores,  and  others  simply 
immerse  the  egg  for  an  instant  in  boiling  water,  by  which  its  albumen 
is  in  part  coagulated,  and  the  power  of  exhalation  thereby  checked.  Eggs 
packed  in  lime-water  suffered  to  drain,  have  after  three  years'  absence  in 
the  West  Indies  been  found  gfyod;  this  does  not  destroy  vitality. 

EGMONT,  OB  Port  Egmont  Fowls.  The  large  Antarctic  gulls  with 
dark-brown  plumage,  called  shoemakers, 

EGRESS.  At  a  transit  of  an  inferior  planet  over  the  sun,  this  term  means 
the  passing  off  of  the  planet  from  his  disc. 

EGYPTIAN  HERRING.  A  northern  coast  name  for  the  gowdanook, 
saury-pike,  or  Scomberesox  saurus. 

EIDER  DUCK.  The  Somateria  moUissima,  A  large  species  of  duck, 
inhabiting  the  coasts  of  the  northern  seas.  The  down  of  the  breast,  with 
which  it  lines  its  nest»  is  particularly  valuable  on  account  of  its  soilness 
and  lightness. 

EIGHEN.     The  index  of  the  early  quadrant. 

EILET-HOLE  [Fr.  ceiUet].    Ee/er  to  Eyelet-hole. 

EJECTAMENTA  MARIS.  Sea  products  thrown  on  the  beach,  whence 
they  become  droits  of  admiralty.     (JSee  Jetsom.) 

EKE,  To.  [Anglo-Saxon  edcan,  to  prolong.]  To  make  anything  go  far  by 
reduction  and  moderation,  as  in  shortening  the  allowance  of  provisions  on 
a  voyage  unexpectedly  tedious. 


1 

i 


BKEING ELUPSB  275 

EKE  TNG.  A  piece  of  wood  fitted,  by  scarphing  o^r  butting,  to  mako  good 
a  deficiency  in  length,  as  the  end  of  a  knee  and  the  like.  The  ekeing  is 
also  the  carved  work  under  tlie  lower  part  of  the  quarter-piece,  at  the  aft 
part  of  the  quarter-gallery. 

ELBOW.  That  part  of  a  river  where  it  suddenly  changes  its  direction, 
forming  a  reach  to  the  next  angle  or  turn.  Also,  a  promontory.  Also, 
a  communication  in  a  steam -pipe. 

ELBOW-GREASK     Hard  labour  with  the  arms. 

ELBOW  IN  THE  HAWSE  Two  crosses  in  a  hawse.  When  a  ship, 
being  moored  in  a  tideway,  swings  twice  the  wrong  way,  thereby  causing 
the  cables  to  take  half  a  round  turn  on  each  other.     {See  Hawse.) 

ELDEST.     The  old  navy  term  for  first,  as  applied  to  the  senior  lieutenant. 

ELEMENTS.  The  first  principles  of  any  art  or  science. — The  elements  oj 
an  orbit  are  certain  proportions  which  define  the  path  of  a  heavenly  body 
in  space,  and  enable  the  astronomer  to  calculate  its  position  for  past  or 
future  times. 

ELEPHANTER     A  heavy  periodical  rain  of  Bombay. 

ELEPHANT-FISH.  The  ChimcBra  caUoryndivs,  named  from  the  pro- 
boscis-like process  on  its  nose.  Though  inferior  to  many  other  fish,  it  is 
yet  palatable  food. 

ELEVATE !  In  great-gun  exercise,  the  order  which  prepares  for  adjusting 
the  quoin. 

ELEVATED  POLE.  That  ten-estrial  pole  which  is  above  the  horizon  of 
a  spectator. 

ELEVATION,  in  Suipbuildiko.  A  vertical  and  longitudinal  view  of  a 
vessel,  synonymous  with  slieer-drauglu  and  slieer-plan.  In  other  words, 
it  is  the  orthographic  design  whereon  the  heights  and  lengths  are  ex- 
pressed. 

ELEVATION,  Akgle  op.  In  gunnery,  that  which  the  axis  of  the  bore 
makes  with  the  plane  of  the  horizon.  It  is  attained  by  sinking  the 
breech  of  the  gun  until  its  axis  points  above  the  object  to  be  fired  at,  so 
that  the  shot  may  describe  a  curve  somewhat  similar  to  a  parabola,  coun- 
teracting the  action  of  gravity  during  its  flighty  and  alighting  upon  the 
mark. 

ELGER.    An  eel-spear,  Promptarium  Parvulorum,  yielding  many  together. 
ELIGUGS.     Aquatic  birds  of  passage  of  the  auk  kind  on  our  western 

coasts;  called  also  razor-bills. 
ELITE.     The  61ite  of  naval  or  military  forces  is  the  choicest  selection  from 

them. 
ELLECK.     The  trivial  name  of  the  Trigla  cuculus. 
BLLIOT-EYK     Tlie  Elliot-eye,  introduced  by  the  Hon.  Admiral  Elliot, 

secretary  of  the  Admiralty,  is  an  eye  worked  over  an  iron  thimble  in  the 

end  of  a  hempen  bower-cable,  to  fticilitate  its  being  shackled  to  the  chain 

for  riding  in  very  deep  water. 
ELLIPSE     In  geometiy,  an  oval  figure,  formed  of  the  section  of  a  cone 

by  a  plane  cutting  through  both  its  sides  obliquely. 


276  ST.  ELMO'S  FIRE EMPTY 

ELMO'S  FIRE,  ST.     See  Compasant. 

ELONGATION.  The  angular  distance  of  a  heavenly  body  from  the  3un 
eastward  or  westward. 

ELYEHS.     The  name  of  eels  on  the  western  coasts  of  England, 

EMBARGO.  A  temporary  injunction  or  arrest  laid  on  ships  or  merchan- 
dise by  public  authority,  sometimes  general,  to  prevent  all  ships  depart- 
ing, and  sometimes  partial,  as  upon  foreign  ships  only,  or  to  prevent  their 
coming  in.  A  breach  of  embai^o,  under  the  knowledge  of  the  insured, 
discharges  the  underwriters  from  liability, 

EMBARK,  To.     To  go  on  board,  or  to  put  on  board  a  vessel* 

EMBAREIATION.  Applies  to  the  shipping  of  goods,  troops,  and  stores. 
Also,  the  peculiar  boats  of  a  country.     [Sp.  embarcation.] 

EMBARMENT.     An  old  term,  meaning  an  embargo. 

EMBARRAS.  An  American  term  for  places  where  the  navigation  of 
rivers  or  creeks  is  rendered  difficult  by  the  accumulation  of  drift-wood, 
trees,  <bc. 

EMBATTLE     To  arrange  forces  for  conflict. 

EMBATTLED.     In  buildings,  crenellated  or  pierced  with  loop-holes. 

EMBEDDED.     Firmly  fixed  in  the  mud  or  sand. 

EMBER-GOOSE  (ob  ImbeK]).  A  name  for  the  great  northern  diver  or  loon 
(Colymhus  glacialis). 

EMBEZZLEMENT,  or  simple  thefl,  by  persons  belonging  to  a  merchant 
ship,  is  not  deemed  a  peril  of  the  sea.  But  robbery  violently  committed 
by  persons  not  belonging  to  the  ship,  is  a  peril  for  which  the  insurer  is 
answerable. — To  embezzle  is  to  misappropriate  by  a  breach  of  trust. 

EMBOUCHURE.  A  French  word  adopted  as  signifying  the  mouth  of  a 
river,  by  which  its  waters  are  discharged,  or  by  which  it  is  entered.  The 
term  is  now  in  general  use. 

EMBRASURES.  The  cut  or  opening  made  through  the  parapet  of  a 
battery  for  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  and  the  passage  of  the  shot. 

EMERALDERS.  A  term  for  the  natives  of  Ireland,  from  its  evergreen 
verdure, 

EMERGENCY.     Imminent  want  in  difficult  circumstances. 

EMERSION.  The  prismatic  space  or  solid  raised  out  on  the  weather  side 
by  the  inclination  of  the  ship.  In  astronomy  it  signifies  the  re-appear- 
ance of  a  celestial  object  after  undergoing  occultation  or  eclipse. 

EMINENCE.     A  high  or  rising  ground  overlooking  the  country  around. 

EMISSARY.     A  culvert  or  drain. 

EMPRISE.     A  hazardous  attempt  upon  the  enemy. 

EMPTIONS.     Stores  purchased, 

EMPTY.     Cargo  discharged. 

EMPTY  BASTION.  In  fortification  is  a  bastion  whereof  the  terreplein, 
or  terrace  in  rear  of  the  parapet,  not  having  been  carried  farther  to  the 
rear  than  its  regular  distance,  leaves  a  large  space  within  it  of  a  lower 
level. 

EMPTY  BOTTLE    See  Mabink  Officer. 


ENCAMPMENT ENGLAND    .  277 

ENCAMPMENT.     See  Camp. 

ENCEINTE.  [Fr.]  A  dightly  bastioned  wall  or  rampart  line  of  defence, 
which  sometimes  surrounds  the  body  of  a  place ;  when  only  flanked  by 
turrets  it  is  called  a  Koman  walL 

ENCIRCLING  REEFS.  A  name  given  to  a  form  of  coral  reef,  the  archi- 
tecture of  myriads  of  zoophytes  in  tropical  seas. 

ENCOTJNTERm  The  hostile  meeting  of  two  ships  or  squadrons;  also,  a 
conflict  between  troops. 

ENDANGER,  To.     To  expose  to  peril. 

ENDECAGON.     In  geometry,  a  plane  figure  of  eleven  sides  and  angles, 

ENDELONG.     The  old  English  word  for  lengthways. 

END  FOR  END.  Reversing  cordage,  casks,  logs,  spars,  &c. — To  shift  a 
rope  end  for  end,  as  in  a  tackle,  the  fall  is  made  the  standing  part,  and 
the  standing  part  becomes  the  fall ;  or  when  a  rope  runs  out  all  a  block, 
and  is  unreeved;  or  in  coming  to  an  anchor,  if  the  stoppers  are  not  well 
put  on,  and  the  cable  runs  all  out  end  for  end.     {See  An-ekd.) 

End  of  a  trench.     The  place  where  the  trenches  are  opened. 

END-ON.  Said  particularly  of  a  ship  when  only  her  bows  and  head-sails 
are  to  be  seen,  but  generally  used  in  opposition  to  hroaddde-on. 

ENEMY.     The  power  or  people  against  whom  war  is  waged. 

ENFIELD  RIFLE.      The  name  of  the  present  regulation  mtisket  for  ^ 
infantry,  as  made  at  the  government  works  at  Enfield,  on  an  improve- 
ment of  the  Mini6  principle;  whether  the  breach-loading  rifle,  which  it  is 
intended  to  substitute  for  this  arm,  will  acquire  the  same  title,  remains 
to  be  determined. 

ENFILADE  FIRE.  Is  that  which  sweeps  a  line  of  works  or  men  from 
one  end  to  the  other;  it  is  on  land  nearly  the  equivalent  to  "raking  fire'' 
at  sea. 

ENGAGEMENT.  In  a  naval  sense,  implies  a  battle  at  sea,  or  an  action  of 
hostility  between  single  ships,  squadrons,  or  fleets  of  men-of-war.  Also, 
a  conflict  between  two  contending  armies. 

ENGINE,  Marine.  {See  Steam-engine.)  Engine  was  of  old  a  military 
machine  for  warfare. 

ENGINE-BEARERS.  Sleepers,  or  pieces  of  timber  placed  between  the 
keelson,  in  a  steamer,  and  the  boilers  of  the  steam-engine,  to  form  a  proper 
seat  for  the  boilers  and  machinery. 

ENGINEER.  A  duly  qualified  officer  appointed  to  plan  and  direct  the 
attack  or  defence  of  a  fortification,  as  well  as  the  construction  of  fortified 
works.  Engineers  are  also  persons  in  charge  of  the  machinery  of  steam- 
vessels.  In  government  steamers  they  are  in  three  classes,  under  warrant 
from  the  admiralty. 

ENGINE-ROOM  TELEGRAPH.  A  dial-contrivance  by  which  the 
officer  on  deck  can  communicate  with  the  engineer  below. 

ENGLAND  expects  every  man  will  do  his  duty.  This  is  intix)duced 
into'  a  naval  vocabulary,  not  as  wanting  explanation,  but  that  in  recording 
the  most  remarkable  signal  ever  made  to  a  fleet,  we  may  remind  the  tyro. 


278  ENGLISH ENTEY 

that  these  words  of  Nelson  are  admirably  adapted  for  all  the  varying 
changes  of  sea-life,  whether  in  times  of  war  or  peace. 

ENGLISH.  A  terra  applied  to  the  vessels  and  men  of  the  whole  empire, 
and  its  maritime  population.  '^  Indeed,"  says  Burke  in  a  letter  to 
Admiral  Keppel,  "I  am  perfectly  convinced  that  £nglishman  And  seaman 
are  names  that  must  live  and  die  together. '' 

ENLAEGE.  The  wind  is  said  to  enlarge  when  it  veers  from  the  side 
towards  the  stem. 

ENLISTMENT.     The  engaging  i-ecruits  for  the  army  or  marinea 

ENNEAGON.     A  £gure  that  has  nine  sides  and  as  many  angles. 

ENNIS,  OR  Innis.  a  term  for  island  on  the  west  coast  of  Ireland  and  in 
some  parts  of  Scotland. 

ENROL,  To.     To  enter  the  name  on  the  roll  of  a  corps. 

ENSCONCE,  To.     To  intrench;  to  protect  by  a  slight  fortification. 

ENSENADA  [Sp.  bay].  This  term  is  frequently  used  on  the  coasts  of 
Chili  and  PeriL 

ENSIGN.  [From  the  Anglo-Saxon  segn.]  A  large  flag  or  banner,  hoisted 
on  a  long  pole  erected  over  the  stern,  and  called  the  ensign -staff.  It  is 
used  to  distinguish  the  ships  of  different  nations  from  each  other,  as  also 
to  characterize  the  different  squadrons  of  the  navy;  it  was  formerly  written 
ancient.  Ensign  is  in  the  army  the  title  of  the  junior  rank  of  subaltern 
officers  of  infantry;  from  amongst  them  are  detailed  the  officers  who 
carry  the  colours. 

ENTERING  at  Custom-house.  The  forms  required  of  the  master  of  a 
merchant  ship  before  her  cargo  can  be  discharged. 

ENTERING-LADDERS.  Are  of  two  sorts;  one  of  them  being  used  by 
the  vessel's  side  in  harbour  or  in  fair  weather,  the  other  is  made  of  ropes, 
with  small  staves  for  steps,  and  is  hung  out  of  the  gallery  to  come  aboard 
by,  when  the  sea  runs  so  high  as  to  risk  staving  the  boat  if  brought  along- 
side; the  latter  are  termed  stem-ladders. 

ENTERING-PORTS.  Ports  cut  down  on  the  middle  gun-deck  of  three- 
deckers,  to  serve  as  door-ways  for  persons  going  in  and  out  of  the  ship. 

ENTERING-ROPES,  or  Side-Ropes.  Three  are  sometimes  used  to  aid 
in  climbing  the  ship's  side.  They  hang  from  the  upper  part  on  the  right, 
left,  and  middle  of  the  steps.  {See  Gangway.)  The  upper  end  of  an 
entering-rope  is  rove  through  an  eye  in  the  iron  stanchion  at  the  gangway; 
it  is  walled,  crowned,  and  otherwise  ornamentally  fitted. 

ENTERPRISE     An  undertaking  of  difficulty  and  danger. 

ENTRANCE.  A  term  for  the  bow  of  a  vessel,  or  form  of  the /ore-body 
under  the  load-water  line;  it  expresses  the  figure  of  that  which  encounters 
the  sea,  and  is  the  opposite  of  run.  Also,  the  first  appearance  of  a  person 
on  board  after  entry  on  the  ship's  books.  Also^  the  forefoot  of  a  ship. 
Also,  the  mouth  of  a  harbour. 

ENTRANCE  MONEY.     Payment  on  entering  a  mess. 

ENTRY.  In  the  ship's  books;  first  putting  down  the  appearance  or  day 
on  which  a  man  joina     Also,  the  forcing  into  an  enemy's  ship. 


ENVELOPB EQUATED  ANOMALY  279 

ENVELOPK  In  astronomy,  a  band  of  light  encircling  the  head  of  a 
comet  on  the  side  near  the  sun,  and  passing  round  it^  so  as  to  form  the 
commencement  of  the  tail — In  fortification,  a  work  of  single  lines  thrown 
up  to  inclose  a  weak  ground;  usually  a  mere  earth-work. 

EPAULE,  OB  Shoulder.  In  fortification,  that  part  of  a  bastion  adjacent 
to  the  junction  of  a  face  with  a  flank.  The  actual  meeting  of  these  two 
lines  forms  the  ^ angle  of  the  shoulder." 

EPAULEMENT.  In  fortification,  a  covering  ma^s  raised  to  protect  from 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  but  diifering  from  a  parapet  in  having  no  arrange- 
ment made  for  the  convenient  firing  over  it  by  defenders.  It  is  usually 
adopted  for  side-passages  to  batteries  and  the  like. 

EPAULET.  The  bullion  or  mark  of  distinction  worn  on  the  shoulders  by 
officers,  now  common  to  many  grades,  but  till  recently  worn  only  by 
captains  and  commanders,  whence  the  brackish  poet — 

"Hail,  mngic  power  that  fills  an  epaulei^ 
No  wonder  hundreds  for  thee  daily  fret  }** 

the  meaning  of  which  is  now  pointless. 

EPHEMERIS,  OR  Nautical  Almanac.  This  in  its  wide  sense,  and  re- 
cognizing its  value  to  navigators  and  astronomers,  must  be  pronounced 
one  of  the  most  useful  of  publications.  How  Drake  and  Magellan  got 
on  is  matter  of  marvel,  for  sailors  were  not  especially  administered  to  till 
1675,  when  the  XcUendarium  Nauticum,  by  Henry  Seaman,  Mariner,  ap- 
peared; it  comprised  the  usual  matter  of  annual  almanacs,  and  was  en- 
riched with  such  precepts  and  rules  in  the  pi'actice  of  navigation  and 
traffic  as  are  in  daily  use.  But  in  1767  our  nautical  almanac,  a  tabular 
statement  of  the  geocentric  planetary  positions,  which  may  be  said  to  have 
created  a  new  era  in  voyaging,  was  published;  and  this  book,  with  certain 
alterations,  was  in  force  up  to  1830,  when  a  commission  of  the  Royal 
Society  and  astronomers  established  the  present  Ephemerisy  now  so  much 
valued.  It  is  published  annually,  but  computed  to  four  years  in  advance, 
to  accommodate  those  proceeding  on  long  voyages.  Attempts  have  been 
made  in  other  countries  to  publish  The  NautioaX  Almanac,  improved  and 
corrected,  but  they  are  mere  copies,  corrected  by  the  errata  furnished 
annually  in  advance. 

EPICYCLOID.  A  geometrical  curve  generated  by  making  a  circle  roll 
upon  the  circumference  of  another  circle;  it  is  found  useful  in  determining 
the  figure  of  the  teeth  of  wheel- work,  and  other  purposes  in  mechanics.  If 
the  generating  circle  proceeds  along  the  convexity  of  the  periphery,  it  is 
called  an  upper  or  exterior  epicycloid;  if  along  the  concavity,  a  lower  or 
interior  epicycloid. 

EPOCH.     The  time  to  which  certain  given  numbers  or  quantities  apply. 

EPROUVETTE.  A  small  piece  of  ordnance  specially  fitted  for  testing  the 
projectile  force  of  samples  of  gunpowder. 

EQUATED  ANOMALY.  This'  is  also  called  the  true  anomaly,  and  is 
the  distance  of  the  sun  from  the  apogee,  or  a  planet  from  its  aphelion, 
seen  from  the  sun. 


280  EQUATION ESCALADE 

EQUATION,  Annual.    See  Annual  Equation. 

EQUATION  OF  EQUINOXES.     The  difference  between  the  mean  and 

apparent  places  of  the  equinox. 
EQUATION  OF  THE  CENTRK     The  difference  between  the  true  and 

mean  anomalies  of  a  planet. 
EQUATION  OF  TIME     The  difference   between  mean  and  apparent 

time,  or  the  acceleration  or  i*etardation  of  the   sun's   return  to  the 

meridian. 
EQUATOR     Called  also  the  equinoctial  line,  or  simply  the  line,  being  an 

imaginary  circle  round  the  earth,  dividing  the  globe  into  two  equal  parts, 

and  equally  distant  from  both  poles.     Extended  to  the  heavens,  it  forms 

a  circle  called  the  celestial  equator,  which  in  like  manner  divides  the 

heavens  into  two  equal  parts,  the  northern  and  southern  hemispheres. 
EQUATORIAL  CURRENT.     The  set,  chiefly  westerly,  so  frequently 

met  with  near  the  equator,  especially  in  the  Atlantic  Oceana. 
EQUATORIAL  DOLDRUMS.    See  Doldrums. 
EQUATORIAL  SECTOR.     An  instrument  of  large  i-adius  for  finding 

the  difference  in  the  right  ascension  and  declination  of  two  heavenly 

bodies. 
EQUATORIAL  TELESCOPK     A  glass   so  mounted  that  it  enables 

the  observer  to  follow  the  stars  as  they  move  equatorially. 
EQUES  AURATUS.     An  heraldic  term  for  a  knight. 
EQUILATERAL  TRIANGLE     A  figure  of  three  equal  straight  sides, 

and  therefore  of  three  equal  angles. 
EQUINOCTIAL.     Synonymous  with  equator  (which  see). 
EQUINOCTIAL  GALES.     Stonns  which  are  observed  to  prevail  about 

the  time  of  the  sun's  crossing  the  equator,  at  which  time  there  is  equal 

day  and  night  throughout  the  world. 
EQUINOCTIAL  POINTS.    See  Ecliptic. 
EQUINOXES.     The  two  points  of  intersection  of  the  ecliptic  and  the 

equator;  so  called,  because  on  the  sun's  arrival  at  either  of  them,  the 

night  is  everywhere  equal  in  length  to  the  day. 
EQUIP,  To.     A  term  frequently  applied  to  the  business  of  fitting  a  ship 

for  a  trading  voyage,  or  arming  her  for  war.     [See  Fitting.) 
EQUIPAGE     An  admiral's  retinue.     Camp  equipage  consists  of  tents, 

furniture,  cooking  utensils,  &c. 
EQUIPMENT.     The  complete  outfit  of  an  officer. 

EQUITABLE  TITLE.     Either  this,  or  a  legal  claim,  are  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  establish  an  insurable  interest  in  a  ship  or  cargo.     (See  Qualified 

Property.) 
ERIGONE.     A  name  sometimes  applied  to  the  constellation  Virgo. 
ERNE.     From  the  Anglo-Saxon  eame,  a  vulture,  a  bird  of  the  eagle  kind. 

Now  used  to  denote  the  sea-eagle. 
ERRATIC  WINDS.    See  Variable  Winds. 
ESCALADE.     The  forcing  a  way  over  a  rampart  or  other  defence^  properly 

by  means  of  ladders  or  other  contrivances  for  climbing. 


ESCAPE-VALVES EVECTION  281 

ESCAPE- VALVES.    In  marine  engines.    {See  Cylinder  Escape-valves.) 
ESCABP.     In  fortification,  that  steep  bank  or  wall  immediately  in  front 

of  and  below  the  rampart,  which  is  thus  secured  against  being  directly 

stormed  by  a  superior  force;  it  is  generally  the  inner  side  of  the  ditch. 
ESCHEATOR,  The  King'&     An  officer  at  the  excheqifer  of  very  ancient 

establishment,  under  the  lord-treasurer,  whose  business  it  is  to  inform 

of  escheats  and  casual  profits  of  the  crown,  and  to  seize  them  into  the 

king's  hands. 
ESCORT.     A  guard  of  troops  attending  an  individual  by  way  of  distinction. 

Also,  a  guard  placed  over  prisoners  on  a  march. 
ESCUTCHEON.     The  compartment  in  the  middle  of  the  ship*s  stern, 

where  her  name  is  written.     [Derived  from  ex-scutum.^ 
ESKIPPAMENTUM.     An  archaism  for  tackle  or  ship-furniture. 
ESKIPPER.     Anglo-Norman  to  ship,  and  eskipped  was  used  for  shipped. 
ESKIPPESON.     An  old  law  term  for  a  shipping  or  passage  by  sea. 
ESNECCA.    In  the  twelfth  century,  a  royal  yacht,  though  some  deem  it  to 

have  been  a  kind  of  transport 
ESPIALS.     Night  watches  afloat,  in  dockyards  and  harbours;  generally  a 

boat  named  by  the  ordinary. 
ESPLANADE.     Generally  that  space  of  level  ground  kept  vacant  between 

the  works  of  a  fortress  and  neighbouring  houses  or  other  obstructions; 

though  originally  applied  to  the  actual  surface  of  the  glacis. 
ESQUIMAUX.     A  name  derived  from  esquimantsic,  in  the  Albinaquis 

language,  eaters  of  raw  flesh.     Many  tribes  in  the  Arctic  regions  are 

still  ignorant  of  the  art  of  cookery. 
ESSARA     The  prickly  heat 
ESTABLISHMENT.     The  regulated  complement  or  quota  of  officers  and 

men  to  a  ship,  either  in  time  of  war  or  peace.     The  equipment     The 

regulated  dimensions  of  spars,  cabin,  rigging,  &c. — EsiahUshment  of  a  port. 

An  awkward  phrase  lately  lugged  in  to  denote  the  tide-hour  of  a  port 
ESTIVAL.     See  ^stival 
ESTOC.     A  small  stabbing  sword. 
ESTUARY.     An  inlet  or  shoaly  arm  of  the  sea  into  which  a  river  or 

rivers  empty,  and  subject  to  tidal  influence. 
ESTURE     An  old  word  for  the  rise  and  fall  of  water. 
ETESIAN  WINDS.     The  EtesicB  of  the  ancients;   winds  which  blow 

constantly  every  year  during  the  time  of  the  dog-days  in  the  Levant 
ETIQUETTE.     Naval  or  military  observances,  deemed  to  be  law. 
EUPHROE     See  Uvrou. 
EVACUATE     To  withdraw  from  a  town  or  fortress,  in  virtue  of  a  treaty 

or  capitulation;  or  in  compliance  with  superior  orders. 
EVECTION.     A  term  for  the  libration  of  the  moon,  or  that  apparent  oscil- 
latory inequality  in  her  motion,  caused  by  a  change  in  the  excentricity  of 

her  orbit,  whereby  her  mean  longitude  is  sometimes  increased  or  diminished 
-  to  the  amount  of  1**  20',  whereby  we  sometimes  see  a  little  frirther  round 

one  side  than  at  others. 


282  EVB-BKL EXEOUnON 

EVE-EEL.     A  northern  name  for  the  conger;  from  the  Danish  haiHia^ 

or  sea-eel. 
EVENING  GUN.     The   warning-piece,  after  the  firing  of  which   the 

sentries  challenge. 
EVEN  KEEL.     When  a  ship  is  so  trimmed  as  to  sit  evenly  upon  the 

water,  drawing  the  same  depth  forward  as  afl.     Some  vessels  sail  best 

when  brought  by  the  head,  others  by  the  stem. 
EVERY  INCH  OF  THAT !     An  exclamation  to  belay  a  rope  without 

rendering  it 
EVERY  MAN  TO  HIS  STATION.    See  Station. 
EVERY  ROPE  AN  END.     The  order  to  coil  down  the  running  rigging, 

or  braces  and  bowlines,  after  tacking,  or  other  evolution.     Also,  the  order, 

when  about  to  perform  an  evolution,  to  see  that  every  rope  is  clear  for 

running. 
EVERY  STITCH  SET.     All  possible  canvas  spread. 
EVOLUTION.     The  change  of  form  and  disposition  during  manoeuvres, 

whether  of  men  or  ships;  movements  which  should  combine  celerity  with 

precision  and  regularity. 
EWAGE.     An  old  law  term  meaning  the  toll  paid  for  water-passage. 
EXALTATION.     A  planet  being  in  that  sign  in  which  it  is  supposed  to 

exert  its  utmost  influence. 
EXAMINATION.      A  searching  by,  or  cognizance  of,  a  magistrate,  or 

other  authorized  officer.     Now  strict  in  navy  aud  army. 
EXCENTRIC.     In  a  steam-engine,  a  wheel  placed  on  the  crank-shafl, 

having  its  centre  on  one  side  of  the  axis  of  the  shafts  with  a  notch  for 

the  gab-lever, 
EXCENTRIC  ANOMALY.     An  auxiliary  angle  employed  to  abridge 

the  calculations  connected  with  the  motion  of  a  planet  or  comet  in  an 

elliptic  orbit 
EXCENTRICTTY.     In  astronomical  parlance,  implies  the  deviation  of  an 

elliptic  orbit  from  a  circle. 
EXCENTRIC  ROD,  by  its  action  on  the  gab-lever,  which  it  catches  either 

way,  puts  the  engine  into  gear. 
EXCHANGE     A  term  in  the  mercantile  world,  to  denote  the  bills  by 

which  remittances  are  made  from  one  country  to  another,  without  the 

transmission  of  money.     The  removal  of  officers  from  one  ship  to  another. 

Also,  a  mutual  agreement  between  contending  powers  for  exchange  of 

prisoners. 
EXCHEQ TIERED.    Seized  by  government  officers  as  contraband.    Marked 

with  the  broad  arrow.     It  also  refers  to  proceedings  on  the  part  of  the 

crown  against  an  individual  in  the  Exchequer  Court,  wh^re  suits  for 

debts  or  duties  due  to  the  crown  are  brought 
EXECUTION.     The  Lords  of  the  Admiralty  have  a  right  to  issue  their 

warrant,  and  direct  the  time  and  manner,  without  any  special  warrant 

from  the  crown  for  that  purpose. — Afilitaif/  execution  is  the  ravaging  and 

destroying  of  a  countiy  that  refuses  to  pay  contribution. 


EXEOUnVB  BRANCH BYE  283 

EXECUTIVE  BRANCH.     The  commissioiied  and  working  officers  of  the 

ship,  as  distingaishcd  from  the  civilian  branch. 
EXERCISE.     The  practice  of  all  those  motions,  actions,  and  management 

of  arms,  whereby  men  are  duly  trained  for  servica     Also,  the  practice  of 

loosing,  reefing,  and  fiirling  sails. — Hxercise,  in  naval  tactics,  may  be 

applied  to  the  forming  a  fleet  into  order  of  sailing,  line  of  battle,  &c. 

The  French  term  is  Solutions  or  tactiqties,  and  may  be  defined  as  the 

execution  of  the  movements  which  the  different  orders  and  disposition  of 

fleets  occasionally  require,  and  which  the  several  ships  are  directed  to 

perform  by  means  of  signals.     {See  Sigkal.) 
EX  LEX.     An  outlaw  (a  term  of  law). 
EXPANSION- VALVK     In  the  marine  engine,  a  valve  which  shuts  off 

the  steam  in  its  passage  to  the  slide-valves,  when  the  piston  has  travelled 

a  certain  distance  in  the  cylinder,  leaving  the  remaining  part  of  the  stroke 

to  be  performed  by  the  expansion  of  the  steam. 
EXPEDIENT.  A  stratagem  in  warfare. 
EXPEDITION.     An  enterprise  undertaken  either  by  sea  or  land,  or  both, 

against  an  enemy;  it  should  be  conducted  with  secrecy  and  rapidity  of 

movement. 
EXPENDED.     Used  up,  consumed,  or  asserted  to  be  so. 
EXPENSE  BOOKS.    Accounts  of  the  expenditure  of  the  warrant  ofllcer's 

stores,  attested  by  the  signing  officers. 
EXPLOITING.     Transporting  trees  or  timber  by  a  river.     Exploit  was 

an  old  verb  meaning  to  perform. 
EXPLORATOR.     An  examiner  of  a  country.     A  scout 
EXPORT,  To.     To  send  goods  or  commodities  out  of  a  country,  for  the 

purposes  of  traffic,  under  the  general  name  of  exports. 
EXPORTATION.     The  act  of  sending  exports  to  foreign  part& 
EXPORTER.     The  person  who  sends  the  exports  abroad. 
EXPOSED  ANCHORAGK     An  open  and  dangerous  place,  by  reason  of 

the  elements  or  the  enemy. 
EXTERIOR  SIDK     The  side  of  an  imaginary  polygon,  upon  which  the 

plan  of  a  fortification  is  constnicted. 
EXTERIOR  SLOPR     In  fortification,  that  slope  of  a  work  towards  the 

country  which  is  next  outward  beyond  its  superior  slope. 
EXTERNAL  CONTACT.     In  a  transit  of  Mercury  or  Venus  over  the 

sun's  disc,  this  expression  means  the  first  touch  of  the  planet's  and  sun's 

edges,  before  any  part  of  the  former  is  projected  on   the  disc  of  the 

luminary. 
EXTRAORDINARIES.     Contingent  expenses. 
EXTREME  BREADTH.     The  extent  of  the  midships,  or  dead  flat,  with 

the  thickness  of  the  bottom  plank  included. 
EXTREMITIES.     The  stem  and  stem  posts  of  a  ship. 
EY.     See  Eyoht. 
EYR     The  circular  loop  of  a  shroud  or  stay  where  it  goes  over  the  mast. 

— To  eye,  to  observe  minutely. — Flemieh  eye,  a  phrase  particularly  applied 


284  EYEBOLTS FACA 

to  the  eye  of  a  stay,  which  is  either  formed  at  the  making  of  the  rope;  of 
by  dividing  the  yams  into  two  equal  parts,  knotting  each  pair  separately, 
and  pointing  the  whole  over  after  parcelling.  This  eye  stopped  by  the 
mouse  forms  the  collar.  It  is  not  strong,  soon  rots,  and  seldom,  if  ever, 
used  now  whei*e  strength  is  of  more  importance  than  neatness. 

EYE-BOLTS.  Those  which  have  an  eye  or  opening  in  one  end,  for 
hooking  tackles  to,  or  fastening  ropes. 

EYELET-HOLES,  are  necessary  in  order  to  bend  a  sail  to  its  yard  or 
boom,  or  to  reef  it;  they  consist  of  ix)und  holes  worked  in  a  sdil  to  admit 
a  cringle  or  small  rope  through,  chiefly  the  robans  (or  rope-bands),  and 
the  points  of  the  reef-line.     (JSee  Sail.)  . 

EYE  OF  A  BLOCK-STROR  That  part  by  which  it  is  fastened  or  sus- 
pended to  any  particular  place  upon  the  sails,  masts,  or  rigging;  the  eye 
is  sometimes  formed  by  making  two  ^e-splices,  termed  lashing  eyes,  on 
the  ends  of  the  strop,  and  then  seizing  them  together  with  a  small  line,  so 
as  to  bind  both  round  a  mast^  yard,  or  boom,  as  is  deemed  necessary. 

EYE  OF  AN  ANCHOR  The  hole  in  the  shank  wherein  the  ring  is 
fixed. 

EYE  OF  A  STAY.  That  part  of  a  stay  which  is  formed  into  a  sort  of 
collar  to  go  round  the  mast-head;  the  eye  and  mouse  form  the  collar* 

EYE  OF  THE  WIND.  The  direction  to  windward  from  whence  it 
blows.     (See  Wind's-eye.) 

EYE-SHOT.     Within  sight 

EYES  OF  A  MESSENGER     Eyes  spliced  in  its  ends  to  lash  together. 

EYES  OF  A  SHIP.     {See  Eyes  of  her.) 

EYES  OF  HER  The  foremost  part  of  the  bay,  or  in  the  bows  of  a  ship. 
In  olden  times,  and  now  in  Spanish  and  Italian  boats,  as  well  as  Chinese 
junks,  an  eye  is  painted  on  each  bow.  The  hawse-holes  also  are  deemed 
the  "eyes  of  her." 

EYE-SORR     Any  disagreeable  object 

EYE-SPLICE  {See  Spliced-eye)  A  kind  of  splice  made  by  turning 
the  end  of  a  rope  back,  and  the  strands  passed  through  the  standing 
part — Eye  of  a  splice,  the  strand  turned  up,  by  the  fid  or  marline  spike, 
to  receive  the  opposite  strand. 

EYGHT.  An  alluvian  river-island,  where  osiers  usually  grow,  called  also 
ait,  ayt,  ey,  eyet,  or  eyot.  Also,  the  thickest  part  of  a  scule  of  herrings; 
when  this  is  scattered  by  the  fishermen,  it  is  termed  "breaking  the  ey.'* 


F. 

FACE  The  edge  of  a  sharp  instrument  Also,  the  word  of  command  to 
soldiers,  maidnes,  and  small-arm  men,  to  turn  upon  the  heel  a  quarter 
or  half  a  circle  round  in  the  direction  ordered. 


FACED FAIR  283 

FACED.     Turned  up  with  facings  on  the  cufis  and  collars  of  uniforms  and 

regimentals. 
FACE  OF  A  GUN.     The  surface  of  the  metal  at  the  extremity  of  the 

muzzle. 
FACE-PIECE.     A  piece  of  elm  tabled  on  to  the  knee  of  the  head,  in  the 

fore-part^  to  assist  the  conversion  of  the  main  piece ;  and  likewise  to 

shorten  the  upper  bolts,  and  prevent  the  cables  from  rubbing  against 

them  as  the  knee  gets  worn. 
FACES  OF  A  WORK     In  fortification,  are  the  two  lines  forming  its 

most  prominent  salient  angle. 
FACHON.     An  Anglo-Norman  term  for  a  sword  or  falchion. 
FACING.     Letting  one  piece  of  timber  into  another  with  a  rabbet  to  give 

additional  strength  or  finish.     Also,  a  movement  for  forming  soldiers  and 

small-arm  men. — Facings.     The  front  of  regimentals  and  uniforms. 
FACK    See  Fake. 
FACTOR.     A  commercial  superintendent,  or  agent  residing  beyond  sea, 

commissioned  by  merchants  to  buy  or  sell  goods  on  their  account  by  a 

letter  of  attorney. 
FACTORAGK     A  certain  percentage  paid  to  the  factor  by  the  merchant 

on  all  he  buys  or  sells. 
FACTORY.     A  place  where  a  considerable  number  of  factors  reside;  as 

Lisbon,  Leghorn,  Calcutta,  <&c.     Factory  comprehends  the  business  of  a 

firm  or  company,  as  that  of  the  India  Company  at  Canton,  or  the  Hudson^s 

Bay  Fur  Company  in  North  America. 
FACULi^     Luminous,  streaks  upon  the  disc  of  the  sun,  among  which  the 

maculie,  or  dark  spots,  usually  appear. 
FADOMK     The  old  form  used  iovfatJwm  (which  see). 
FAFF,  To.     To  blow  in  flaws. 
FAG,  To.     To  tire.— -4  fag,     A  deputy  labouring-man,  or  one  who  works 

hard  for  another. 
FAG-END.     Is  the  end  of  any  rope.     This  term  is  also  applied  to  the  end 

of  a  rope  when  it  has  become  untwisted* 
FAGGOTS.     Men  who  used  to  be  hired  to  answer  to  names  on  the  books, 

when  the  crew  were  mustered  by  the  clerk  of  the  cheque.     Such  cheating 

was  once  still  more  prevalent  in  the  aimy. 
FAGOT.     A  billet  for  stowing  casks.     A  fascine  (which  see). 
FAG-OUT,  To.     To  wear  out  the  end  of  a  rope  or  end  of  canvas. 
FAIK,  OR  Falk.      a  name  in  the  Hebrides  for  the  sea-fowl  razor-bill 

{Alca  tarda), 
FAIR.     A  general  term  for  the  wind  when  favourable  to  a  ship's  course,  in 

opposition  to  contrary  or  foul ;  fair  is  more  comprehensive  than  large, 

since  it  includes  about  16  points,  whereas  large  is  confined  to  the  beam 

or  quarter,  that  is,  to  a  wind  which  crosses  the  keel  at  right  angles,  or 

obliquely  from  the  stern,  but  never  to  one  right  astern.     {See  Laroe  and 

ScAirt.) — Fair^  in  shipbuilding,  denotes  the  evenness  or  regularity  of  a 

curve  or  line. — To  fair,  means  to  clip  the  timbers  fair. 


286  FAIR-CURVE FALL  ASTBRN" 

FAIJPCIJRVE.  In  delineating  ships,  is  a  winding  line  whose  shape  is 
varied  according  to  the  part  of  the  ship  it  is  intended  to  describe.  This 
curve  is  not  answerable  to  any  of  the  figures  of  conic  sections,  although  it 
occasionally  partakes  of  them  all. 

FAIRING.  Sheering  a  ship  in  construction.  Also,  the  draught  of  a  ship. 
To  run  off  a  great  number  of  different  lines  or  curves,  in  order  to  ascer- 
tain the  fairness  in  point  of  curvature  of  every  part^  and  the  beauty  of 
the  whole. 

FAIR-LEAD.  Is  applied  to  ropes  as  suffering  the  least  friction  in  a  block, 
when  they  are  said  to  lead  fair. 

FAIR-LEADER.  A  thimble  or  cringle  to  guide  a  rope.  A  strip  of  board 
with  holes  in  it,  for  running-rigging  to  lead  through,  and  be  kept  clear, 
so  as  to  be  easily  distinguished  at  night. 

FAIR-MAID.     A  west-country  term  for  a  dried  pilchard. 

FAIR-WAY.  The  navigable  channel  of  a  harbour  for  ships  passing  up  or 
down;  so  that  if  any  vessels  are  anchored  tlierein,  they  sve  said  to  lie  in 
the  fiiir-way.  (See  Pilot's  Fair-way.)  Also,  when  the  proper  course  is 
gained  out  of  a  channel 

FAIR-WEATHER.     That  to  which  a  ship  may  carry  the  small  sails. 

FAER  One  of  the  circles  or  windings  of  a  cable  or  hawser,  as  it  lies  dis- 
pased  in  a  coil.  {See  Coilino.)  The  fakes  are  greater  or  smaller  in 
proportion  to  the  space  which  a  cable  is  allowed  to  occupy. 

FALCON.  In  early  times  a  small  cannon,  having  a  length  of  about  7  feet, 
a  diameter  of  bore  of  3  inches,  and  throwing  a  ball  of  nearly  3^  lbs.  weight, 
with  a  point-blank  range  of  130  paces,  and  a  random  one  of  1500. 

FALCONET.  A  primitive  cannon  smaller  than  the  falcon;  it  threw  a  ball 
of  l^lb. 

FALK.    See  Fake. 

FALL.  A  vertical  descent  of  a  river  through  a  narrow  rocky  pass,  or  over 
a  ledge,  to  the  impediment  of  navigation.  Also,  the  loose  end  of  a  tackle, 
or  that  part  to  which  the  power  is  applied  in  hoisting,  and  on  which  the 
people  pulL  Also,  in  shipbuilding,  the  descent  of  a  deck  from  a  fair- 
curve  lengthwise,  as  frequently  seen  in  merchantmen  and  yachts,  to  give 
height  to  the  commander's  cabin,  and  sometimes  forward  at  the  hawse- 
holes.  Also,  a  large  cutting  down  of  timber.  Also,  North  American 
English  for  autumn,  when  the  navigation  of  northern  inland  waters  ia 
about  to  close  till  the  succeeding  spring. 

FALL,  To.  A  town  or  fortress  is  said  to  fall  when  it  is  compelled  to  sur- 
render to  besiegers. 

FALL  ABOARD  OF,  To.  To  strike  another  vessel,  or  have  a  collision 
with  it.  Usually  applied  to  the  motion  of  a  disabled  ship  coming  in  con- 
tact with  another. 

FALL !  A  FALL !  The  cry  to  denote  that  the  harpoon  has  been  effectively 
delivered  into  the  body  of  a  whale. 

FALL  ASTERN,  To.  To  lessen  a  ship's  way  so  as  to  allow  another  to 
get  ahead  of  her.     To  be  driven  backwards. 


PALL  BACK FALL3  287 

FALL  BACK,  To.     To  recede  from  any  position  previously  occupied. 

FALL  CALM,  To.  Speaking  of  the  weather,  implies  a  total  cessation  of 
the  wind.. 

FALL  CLOUD.    See  Stratus. 

FALL  DOWN,  To.  To  sail,  drift,  or  be  towed  to  some  lower  part  nearer  a 
river's  mouth  or  opening. 

FALLEN-STAR.  A  name  for  the  jelly-fish  or  7nediua,  frequently  thrown 
ashore  in  summer  and  autumn. 

FALL  FOUL  OF,  To.     To  reprimand  severely.     {See  Fall  aboard  or.) 

FALL  IN,  To.  The  order  to  form,  or  take  assigned  places  in  ranks.  {See 
Assembly.) 

FALLING  GLASS.  When  the  mercury  of  the  barometer  is  sinking  in 
the  tube. 

FALLING  HOMR  When  the  top-sides  are  inclined  within  the  perj)en- 
dicular;  opposite  of  vxill-eided,     {See  Tumbling  Home.) 

FALLING  OFF.  The  opposite  of  griping^  or  coming  up  to  live  wind;  it 
is  the  movement  or  direction  of  the  ship's  head  to  leeward  of  the  point 
whither  it  was  lately  directed,  particularly  when  she  sails  near  the  wind, 
or  lies  by.  Also,  the  angle  contained  between  her  nearest  approach  to 
the  direction  of  the  wind,  and  her  furthest  declination  from  it  when 
trying, 

FALLING  OUT.  When  the  top-sides  project  beyond  a  perpendicular,  as 
in  flairing. 

FALLING  STARS.     Meteors  which  have  very  much  the  appearance  of 
*real  stars.     They  were  falsely  regarded  as  foreboders  of  wind,  as  Seneca  in 
HippolytiLS,  '^Ocior  cursum   rapiente  flamma  Stella  cum  ventis  agitata 
longos  porrigit  ignes.*'     Some  are  earthy,  others  raetallia 

FALLING  TIDE,  or  Ebb  of  Tide.  This  phrase,  implying  a  previous 
flow  of  tide  towards  high-water,  requires  here  only  a  partial  explanation : 
the  sea,  after  swelling  for  about  six  hours,  and  thus  entering  the  mouths  of 
rivers,  and  rising  along  the  sea-shore  more  or  less,  according  to  the  moon's 
age  and  other  circumstances,  rests  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  then  re- 
treats or  ebbs  during  the  next  six  hours.  After  a  similar  pause  the 
phenomenon  recommences,— -occupying  altogether  about  twelve  hours 
and  fifty  minutes.  A  table  of  the  daily  time  of  high-water  at  each  port 
is  requisite  for  the  shipping.  There  are  curious  variations  to  this  law, 
as  when  strong  rivers  rise  and  fall,  and  yet  do  not  admit  salt  water. 
Their  currents,  indeed,  of  fresh  water,  are  found  far  off  the  land,  as  in  the 
Tiber,  and  off  several  in  the  West  Indies,  South  America,  &c,     {See  Tides.) 

FALL  IN  WITH,  To.  To  meet,  when  speaking  of  a  ship;  to  discover, 
when  speaking  of  the  land. 

FALL  OF  TIDR     An  ebb. 

FALL  OUT,  To.  To  increase  in  breadth.  Among  soldiers  and  small-arm 
men,  to  quit  the  ranks  of  a  company. 

FALLS.  When  a  ship  is  not  flush,  this  is  the  term  given  to  those  risings 
of  some  parts  of  her  decks  (which  she  may  have)  more  than  othei's. 


588  FALL-WIND FANKAG-VAERY 

FALL-WIND.     A  sudden  gust. 

FALMABAIK.     An  old  word  signifying  rudder,  or  a  pilot 

FALSE  ALARM.    See  Alarm. 

FALSE  ATTACK.  A  feigned  assault,  made  to  induce  a  diversion  or  dis- 
traction of  the  enemy's  forces,  in  order  that  the  true  object  elsewhere  may 
be  carried. 

FALSE  COLOURS.  To  sail  under  false  colours  and  chase  is  an  allowable 
stratagem  of  war,  but  firing  under  them  is  not  permitted  by  the  maritime 
law  of  England. 

FALSE  FIRE,  Blue  Flames.  A  composition  of  combustibles  filled  into 
a  wooden  tube,  which,  upon  being  set  fire  to,  bums  with  a  light  blue 
flame  from  a  half  to  several  minutes.  They  are  principally  used  as  night- 
signals,  but  oflen  to  deceive  an  enemy. 

FALSE  KEEL.  A  kind  of  supplemental  or  additional  keel  secured  under 
the  main  one,  to  protect  it  should  the  ship  happen  to  strike  the  ground. 

FALSE  KELSON,  ob  Kelson  Rider.  A  piece  of  timber  wrought  longi- 
tudinally above  the  main  kelson. 

FALSE  MUSTER.  An  incorrect  statement  of  the  crew  on  the  ship's 
books,  which  if  proved  subjects  the  captain  to  cashiering. 

FALSE  PAPERS.     Frequently  carried  by  slavers  and  smugglers. 

FALSE  POST.     See  False  Stern-post. 

FALSE  RAIL     A  thin  plank  fayed  at  the  head-rails  as  a  strengthener. 

FALSE  STEM.  A  hard  timber  fayed  to  the  fore-part  of  the  main  stem, 
its  tail  covering  the  fore-end  of  the  keel     {Se^  Cutwater.) 

FALSE  STERN.  An  additional  stem  fixed  on  the  main  one,  to  increase 
the  length  and  improve  the  appearance  of  a  vessel 

FALSE  STERN-POST.  A  piece  bolted  to  the  after-edge  of  the  main 
stem-post  to  improve  steerage,  and  protect  it  should  the  ship  tail  aground. 

FAMILY-HEAD.  When  the  stem  was  surmounted  with  several  full- 
length  figures,  as  was  the  custom  many  years  ago. 

FAMLAGH.  The  Erse  or  Manx  term  for  oar  or  ore  weed,  wrack,  or 
manure  of  sea-weed. 

FANAL  [Fr.]     A  lighthouse. 

FANCY-LINK  A  line  rove  through  a  block  at  the  jaws  of  a  gaff,  used 
as  a  down-haul  Also,  a  line  used  for  cross- hauling  the  lee  topping-lifb. 
Also,  a  cord  laid  up  neatly  for  sashed  cabin-windows.  Sometimes  used 
for  tracing4ine. 

FANE.     An  old  term  for  weather-cock :  "a  fayne  of  a  schipe."    (See  Vane.) 

FANG,  To.  To  pour  water  into  a  pump  in  order  to  fetch  it,  when  other- 
wise the  boxes  do  not  hold  the  water  left  on  them. 

FANGS.     The  valves  of  the  pump-boxes. 

FANIONS.  Small  flags  used  in  surveying  stations,  named  after  the  ban- 
nerets carried  by  horse  brigades,  and  corrupted  from  the  Italian  word 

gonfcUone,  a  standard. 
FANNAG-VARRY.     The  Erse  term  for  a  shag  or  cormorant,  still  in  use 

on  our  north-western  shores,  and  in  the  Isle  of  Man. 


FANNING  — FATHEELASHER  289 

FANNING.  The  technical  phrase  for  breadthening  the  afler-part  of  the 
tops.     Also,  widening  in  general. 

FANNING-BEEEZE.  One  so  gentle  that  the  saQ  alternately  swells  and 
collapses. 

FANTODS.  A  name  given  to  the  fidgets  of  officers,  who  are  styled  jib- 
and-staysail  Jacks. 

FARDAGE*     Dunnage;  when  a  ship  is  laden  in  bulk. 

FARE  [Anglo-Saxon, /ara].  A  voyage  or  passage  by  water,  or  the  money 
paid  for  such  passage.  Also,  a  fishing  season  for  cod;  and  likewise  the 
cargo  of  the  fishing  vessel     {See  How  Fabb  Ye?) 

FAEE-CKOFTS.  The  vessels  that  formerly  plied  between  England  and 
France. 

FABRANE.  The  Erse  term  for  a  gentle  breeze,  still  used  on  our  north- 
western shores. 

FARTHEL.  An  old  word  for  furling  sails.  Also,  a  burden,  according  to 
Shakspeare  in  Ha/mlet;  and  a  weight,  agreeably  to  the  depositions  of 
the  "Portingalls"  before  Sir  Francis  Drake,  in  re  the  great  carrack's 
caigo  in  1592;  there  were  '^j**  fardells  of  synamon:"  of  this  famous  prize 
the  queen  reserved  to  herself  the  lion's  share. 

FASCINES.  Faggots  of  brush  or  other  small  wood,  varying  according  to 
the  object  in  view  and  the  material  available,  from  about  6  to  9  inches  in 
diameter,  and  from  6  to  18  feet  in  length,  firmly  bound  with  withes  at 
about  every  18  inches.     They  are  of  vast  use  in  military  field-engineering. 

FASH.  An  irregular  seam.  The  mark  left  by  the  moulds  upon  cast 
bullets.     (Short  iov  fashion — ship-fashion,  soldier-fashion.) 

FASfllON-PIECES.  The  fashion  of  the  after-part  of  a  ship,  in  the  plane 
of  projection.  They  are  the  hindmost  timbers  in  the  run  of  a  ship, 
which  terminate  the  breadth,  and  form  the  shape  of  the  stem;  they  are 
united  to  the  stem-post,  and  to  the  end  of  the  wing-transom  by  a  rabbet. 

F  ASKIDAR     A  name  of  the  Caktractee  paraaiticuBy  or  Arctic  gull. 

FAST.  A  rope,  cablet,  or  chain  by  which  a  vessel  is  secured  to  a  wharf; 
and  termed  bow,  head,  breast,  quarter,  or  stem  &sts,  as  the  case  may  be. 

FAST  AGROUND.     Immovable,  or  high  and  dry. 

FAST  A2TD  LOOSE.     An  uncertain  and  shuffling  conduct 

FASTENINGS.  "Let  go  the  fests!"  throw  off  the  ropes  from  the  bollards 
or  cleats.  Also  used  for  the  bolts,  dxx,  which  hold  together  the  different 
parts  of  a  ship. 

FASTNESS.     A  strong  post^  fortified  by  nature  and  art 

FAST  SAILER.     A  ship  which,  in  nautical  parlance,  "has  legs." 

FAST  STAYING.     Quick  in  going  about 

FAT,  OR  Broad.  If  the  tressing  in  or  tuck  of  a  ship's  quarter  under  water 
hangs  deep,  or  is  overfull,  they  say  she  has  Afott  quaiter. 

FATHER.  The  dockyard  name  given  to  the  person  who  constructs  a 
ship  of  the  navy. 

FATHER-LASHER.  A  name  of  the  scorpius  or  scorpion,  Coitus  scorpivs, 
a  fish  about  9  inches  long,  common  near  rocky  coasts. 

T 


290  FATHOM FEAJZS 

FATHOM  [Anglo-Saxon,  fcudm].  The  space  of  both  arms  extended. 
A  measure  of  6  feet^  used  in  the  length  of  cables,  rigging;  &c.,  and  to  divide 
the  lead  (or  sounding)  lines,  for  showing  the  depth  of  water. — To/atkom,  is 
to  ascertain  the  depth  of  water  by  sounding.     To  conjecture  an  intention. 

FATHOM-WOOD.  Slab  and  other  offal  of  timber,  sold  at  the  yards,  by 
fathom  lots :  cubic  measurement. 

FATIGUE-PARTY.  A  party  of*  soldiers  told  off  to  any  labour-duty  not 
strictly  professional. 

FAULCON.     A  small  cannon,     (See  Falcon.) 

FAUN.     Anglo-Norman  for  a  flood-gate  or  water-gate. 

FAUSSEBR AYE.  In  fortification,  a  kind  of  counter-gard  or  low  rampart, 
intended  to  protect  the  lower  part  of  the  main  escarp  behind  it  from  being 
breached,  but  considered  in  modem  times  to  do  more  harm  than  good  to 
the  defence. 

FAVOUR,  To.  To  be  careful  of;  also  to  be  fair  for.—"  Favour  A«r "  is 
purely  a  seaman*s  term;  as  when  it  blows  in  squalls,  and  the  vessel  is  going 
rap- full,  with  a  stiff  weather-helm  and  bow-seas,  "  favour  her  boy  "  is 
'<  ease  the  helm,  let  the  sails  lift^  and  head  the  sea."  So,  in  hauling  in  a 
rope,  favour  means  to  trust  to  the  men's  force  and  elasticity,  and  not 
part  the  rope  by  taking  a  turn  on  a  cleat,  making  a  dead  nip.  A 
thorough  seaman  '^favours"  his  spars  and  rigging,  and  sails  his  ship  econo- 
mically as  well  as  expeditiously. 

FAY,  To.  To  fit  any  two  pieces  of  wood,  so  as  to  join  close  and  fair 
together;  the  plank  is  said  to  fay  to  the  timbers,  when  it  lies  so  close  to 
them  that  there  shall  be  no  perceptible  space  between  them. 

FAY  FEN  A.     A  kind  of  Japanese  galley,  of  30  oars. 

FEALTY.     Loyalty  and  due  devotion  to  the  queen's  service, 

FEARN.     A  small  windlass  for  a  lighter. 

FEAR-NOUGHT.  Stout  felt  woollen  cloth,  used  for  port-linings,  hatch- 
way fire-screens,  &c     The  same  as  dread-nought, 

FEATHER  {See  Swine's  or  Swedish  Feather.)  It  is  used  variously. 
{See  also  Full  Feather  and  White  Feather.) 

FEATHER,  To  Cut  a.  When  a  ship  has  so  sharp  a  bow  that  she 
makes  the  spray  feather  in  cleaving  it. 

FEATHER  AN  OAR,  To.  In  rowing,  is  to  turn  the  blade  horizontally, 
with  the  top  aft,  as  it  comes  out  of  the  water.  This  lessens  the  resist- 
ance of  the  air  upon  it. 

FEATHER-EDGED.  A  term  used  by  shipwrights  for  such  planks  as  are 
thicker  on  one  edge  than  the  other. 

FEATHERING-PADDLES.     (Morgan's  patent.) 

FEATHER-SPRAY,  Such  as  is  observed  at  the  cutwater  of  fast 
steamers,  forming  a  pair  of  wing  feathers. 

FEATHER-STAR  The  Comatula  rosacea,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 
British  star-fishes. 

FEAZE,  To.  To  untwist,  to  unlay  ropes;  to  teaze,  to  convert  it  into 
oakum. 


FBAZINGS FEND  291 

FEAZING^.  The  fagging  out  or  unrayelling  of  an  unwhipped  ropa 

FECKBT.     A  Guernsey  frock 

FECKLESa     Weak  and  silly. 

FEEDEBi  A  small  river  f^ng  into  a  large  one,  or  into  a  dock  or  float. 
Feeders,  in  pilot  slang,  are  the  passing  spurts  of  rain  which  feed  a  gale. 

FEEDINGr-GALR  A  storm  which  is  on  the  increase  sometimes  getting 
worse  at  each  succeeding  squalL  When  a  gale  freshens  after  rain,  it  is 
said  to  have  fed  the  gale. 

FEEDING-PAET  OF  A  TACKLE.  That  running  through  the  sheaves, 
in  opposition  to  the  standing  part 

FEED  OF  GRASS.     A  supply  of  any  kind  of  vegetables. 

FEED-PUMP.  The  contrivance  by  which  the  boilers  of  a  steamer  are 
supplied  with  water  from  the  hot-well,  while  the  engines  are  at  work, 

FEED-WATER.     In  steamers,  the  water  which  supplies  the  boiler. 

FEEL  THE  HELM,  To.  To  have  good  steerage  way,  carrying  taut 
weather-helm,  which  gives  command  of  steerage.  Also  said  of  a  ship 
when  she  has  gained  headway  after  standing  still,  and  begins  to  obey  the 
helm. 

FEINT.     A  mock  assault,  generally  made  to  conceal  a  true  one. 

FELL,  To.  To  cut  down  timber.  To  knock  down  by  a  heavy  blow. 
FeU  is  the  Anglo-Saxon  for  a  skin  or  hide. 

FELL-HEAD.     The  top  of  a  mountain  not  distinguished  by  a  peak, 

FELL  IN  WITtt     Met  by  chance. 

FELLOES  [from  fsUy^  The  arch-pieces  which  form  the  rim  or  circum- 
ference of  the  wheel,  into  which  the  spokes  and  handles  are  fitted. 

FELLOW.  A  sailor's  soubriquet  for  himself;  he  will  ask  if  you  "  have 
anything  for  a  fellow  to  do] " 

FELLS.     Upland  levels  and  mountainous  tracts. 

FELT.  Stuff  made  of  wool  and  hair.  Patent  felt  is  saturated  with  tar, 
and  used  to  place  inside  the  doubling  or  sheathing  of  a  vessel's  bottom. 
Employed  also  in  covering  the  boilers  and  cylinders  of  steam-engines. 

FELUCCA.  {See  LuimiA.)  A  little  vessel  with  six  or  eight  oars,' fre- 
quent in  the  Mediterranean;  its  helm  may  be  applied  in  the  head  or  stern, 
as  occasion  requires.  Also,  a  narrow  decked  galley-built  vessel  in  great 
use  there,  of  one  or  two  masts,  and  some  have  a  small  mizen;  they  carry 
lateen  sails. 

FEN.  Low  tracts  inundated  by  the  tides,  capable,  when  in  a  dry  state,  of 
bearing  the  weight  of  cattle  grazing  upon  them;  differing  therein  from 
bog  or  quagmire.  When  well  drained,  they  form  some  of  the  best  land 
in  the  countiy. 

FENCE.     A  palisade.     Also,  the  arm  of  the  hammer-spring  of  a  gun-lock. 

FENCIBLES.  Bodies  of  men  raised  for  limited  service,  and  for  a  definite 
period.  In  rank  they  are  junior  to  the  line  and  royal  marines,  but  senior 
to  yeomanry  or  volunteers. 

FENCING.     The  art  of  using  the  small-sword  with  skill  and  address, 

FEND.     An  apheereais  from  defend;  to  ward  off. 


292  Fmn) — fichant 

FEND  OB  FENDER  BOLTS.  Made  with  long  and  thick  heada,  struck 
into  the  outermost  bends  or  wales^of  a  ship,  to  save  her  sides  £rom  hurts 
and  bruises. 

FENDER-PILES.     In  a  dock,  Ac. 

FENDERS.  Two  pieces  of  oak-plank  &yed  edgeways  against  the  topsides, 
abreast  the  main  hatchway,  to  prevent  the  sides  being  chafed  by  the  hoist- 
ing of  things  on  board.  They  are  not  wanted  where  the  yard-tackles 
are  constantly  used.  Also,  pieces  of  old  cable,  or  other  materials,  hung 
over  the  side  to  prevent  it  from  chafing  against  a  wharf;  as  also  to  preserve 
a  small  vessel  from  being  damaged  by  a  large  one.  The  fenders  of  a  boat 
are  usually  made  of  canvas,  stuffed,  and  neatly  painted. 

FEND  OFF,  To.  In  order  to  avoid  violent  contact,  is,  by  the  application 
of  a  spar,  junk,  rattans,  Ac.,  to  prevent  one  vessel  running  against  another, 
or  against  a  wharf,  Ac.  Fend  ofE,  with  the  boat-hook  or  stretchers  in  a 
boat — Fend  the  booty  keep  her  from  beating  against  the  ship's  side. 

FERN  AN  BAG.  A  small  ditty-bag,  often  worn  by  sailors,  for  holding 
tobacco  and  other  things.  They  have  applied  the  term  to  the  pouches  in 
monkeys'  cheeks,  where  they  carry  spare  food. 

FERRARA.  A  species  of  broad-sword,  named  after  the  funous  Spanish 
sword-smith,  Andrea  Ferrara. 

FERRIAGK  An  old  right  of  the  admiralty  over  all  rivers  between  the 
sea  and  the  firat  bridges. 

FERRY.     A  passage  across  a  river  or  branch  of  the  sea  by  boat 

FERRY-BOATS.  Vessels  or  wherries  duly  licensed  for  conveying  pas- 
sengers across  a  river  or  creek. 

FETCH,  To.  To  reach,  or  arrive  at;  as,  "we  shall  fetch  to  windward  of 
the  light-house  this  tack." 

FETCH  HEADWAY  ob  Sternway.  Said  of  a  vessel  gathering  motion 
ahead  or  astern. 

FETCHING  THE  PUMP.  Pouring  water  into  the  upper  part  in  order 
to  expel  the  air  contained  between  the  lower  box  and  tiiat  of  the  pump- 
spear.     {See  Pump.) 

FETCH  OF  A  BAY  ob  Gulf.  The  whole  stretch  £rom  head  to  head, 
or  point  to  point. 

FETCH  WAY,  To.  Said  of  a  gun,  or  anything  which  escapes  from  its 
place  by  the  vessel's  motion  at  sea. 

FETTLE,  To.     To  fit>  repair,  or  put  in  order.    Also,  a  threat 

FETJ-DRJOIE.  A  salute  fired  by  musketry  on  occasions  of  public  rejoic- 
ing, so  that  it  should  pass  from  man  to  man  rapidly  and  steadily,  down 
one  rank  and  up  the  other,  giving  one  long  continuous  sound. 

FEZ.  A  red  cloth  skull-cap^  worn  by  the  people  of  Fez  and  Morocco,  and 
in  general  use  amongst  Mediterranean  sailors. 

F.  G.     The  initials  on  a  powder  cask,  denote  ^0  grain. 

FICHANT.  In  fortification,  said  of  flanking  fire  which  impinges  on  the 
face  it  defends;  that  is,  of  a  line  of  defence  where  the  angle  of  defence  is 
less  than  a  right  angle. 


FID FIELD.AKTILLERY  293 

FID.  A  square  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  with  a  shoulder  at  one  end,  used  to 
support  the  weight  of  the  topmast  when  erecfced  at  the  head  of  the  lower 
mast^  by  passing  through  a  mortise  or  hole  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
former,  and  resting  its  ends  on  the  trestle-trees,  which  are  sustained  by 
the  head  of  the  latter;  the  fid,  therefore,  must  be  withdrawn  every  time 
the  mast  is  lowered;  the  topgallant-mast  is  retained  at  the  head  of  the 
topmast  in  the  same  manner.  There  is  also  a  patent  screw  fid,  which 
can  be  removed  after  hauling  taut  the  mast  rope,  without  having  first 
to  lift  the  mast  {8ee  Mast.)  A  fid  is  also  a  conical  pin  of  hard  wood, 
of  any  size  from  10  inches  downwards,  tapering  to  a  pointy  used  to  open 
the  strands  of  a  rope  in  splicing :  of  these  some  are  large,  for  splicing 
cables,  and  some  small,  for  the  bolt-ropes  of  sails^  <&c.  Fid  is  improperly 
applied  to  metal  of  the  same  shape;  they  are  then  termed  marling-apikes 
(called  slabbers  by  sail-makers — which  see).  Also,  the  piece  of  oakum  with 
which  the  vent  of  a  gun  is  plugged.  Some  call  it  the  vent-plug  (which 
see).  Also,  colloquially  used  for  a  quid  or  chew  of  tobacco,  or  a  small 
but  thick  piece  of  anything,  as  of  meat  in  clumsy  carving. 

FIDDED.  When  a  mast  has  been  swayed  high  enough  the  fid  is  then 
inserted,  and  the  mast-rope  relieved  of  the  weight. 

FIDDLE.  A  contrivance  to  prevent  things  from  rolling  off  the  table  in 
bad  weather.  It  takes  its  name  from  its  resemblance  to  a  fiddle,  being 
made  of  small  cords  passed  through  wooden  bridges,  and  hauled  veiy  taut. 

FIDDLE-BLOCK.  A  long  shell,  having  one  sheave  over  the  other,  and 
the  lower  smaller  than  the  upper  (see  Lono-tackle  Blocks),  in  contra- 
distinction to  double  blocks,  which  also  have  two  sheaves,  but  one 
abreast  of  the  other.  They  lie  flatter  and  more  snugly  to  the  yards,  and 
are  chiefly  used  for  lower-yard  tackles. 

FIDDLE-FISH.  A  name  of  the  king-crab  {Limultis  polyphemus)^  from 
its  supposed  resemblance  to  that  instrument. 

FIDDLE-HEAD.  When  there  is  no  figure;  this  means  that  the  termina- 
tion of  the  head  is  formed  by  a  scroll  turning  afb  or  inward  like  a  violin: 
in  contradistinction  to  the  scroU-head  (which  see). 

FIDE  JUSSORS.     Bail  sureties  in  the  instance  court  of  the  admiralty. 

FIDLER.  A  small  crab,  with  one  large  claw  and  a  very  small  one.  It 
burrows  on  drowned  lands. 

FIDLER'S  GREEN.  A  sort  of  sensual  Elysium,  where  sailors  are  repre- 
sented as  enjoying,  for  '^a  full  due,"  those  amenities  for  which  Wapping, 
Castle  Rag,  and  the  back  of  Portsmouth  Point  were  once  noted. 

FIELD.  The  country  in  which  military  operations  are  being  carried  on; 
the  scene  of  a  conflict. — Taking  Hiefidd^  quitting  cantonments,  and  going 
on  active  service. 

FIELD-ALLOWANCK  A  small  extra  payment  made  to  officers,  and 
sometimes  to  privates,  on  active  service  in  the  field,  to  compensate  partly 
the  enhanced  price  of  all  necessaries. 

FIELD-ARTILLERY.  light  ordnance  fitted  for  travel  as  to  be  appli- 
cable  to  the  active  operations  of  the  field.     The  term  generally  includes 


294  FIELD-DAY FIGHTING-LANTEENS 

the  officers,  men,  and  horses,  also  the  service.     According  to  the  present 
excellent  establishment  of  rifled  field-guns  for  the  British  service,  the 
Armstrong  12-pounder  represents  the  average  type. 
FIELD-DAY.     A  day  of  exercise  and  evolutions. 

FIELD-FORTI^'ICATION.     Is  the  constructing  of  works  intended  to 

strengthen  the  position  of  forces  operating  in  the  field;  works  of  that 

temporary  and  limited  quality  which  may  be  easily  formed  with  the 

means  at  hand. 

FIELD-GLASS.     A  telescope,  frequently  so  termed.     Also,  the  binocular 

or  operarglaas,  used  for  field-work,  night- work,  and  at  races. 
FIELD-GUN.     See  Field-artillkhy. 

FIELD-ICK  A  sheet  of  smooth  frozen  water  of  a  general  thickness,  and 
of  an  extent  too  large  for  its  boundaries  to  be  seen  over  from  a  ship's 
mast-head.  Field-ice  may  be  all  adrift,  but  yet  pressed  together,  and 
when  any  masses  detach,  as  they  suddenly  do,  they  are  termed  floes. 
They  as  suddenly  become  pressed  home  again  and  cause  nips.     {See  Nip.) 

FIELD-MARSHAL.     The  highest  rank  in  the  British  army. 

FIELD-OFFICERS.  The  colonel,  lieutenant^lonels,  and  majors  of  a 
regiment;  so  called  because,  not  having  the  common  duties  in  quarters, 
they  are  mostly  seen  when  the  troops  are  in  the  field. 

FIELD  OF  VIEW.  That  space  which  is  visible  in  a  telescope  at  one 
view,  and  which  diminishes  under  augmenting  eye-pieces. 

FIELD-PIECES.  Light  guns  proper  to  be  taken  into  field  operations; 
one  or  more  of  them  is  now  carried  by  aU  ships  of  war  for  land  service. 

FIELD-WORKS.     The  constructions  of  field  fortification  (which  see). 

FIERY-FLAW,  or  Fire-flaibe.  A  northern  designation  of  the  sting-ray 
(JRaia  paetinaca), 

FIFE-RAILS.  Those  forming  the  upper  fence  of  the  bulwarks  on  each 
side  of  the  quarter-deck  and  poop  in  men-of-war.  Also,  the  rail  round 
the  mainmast,  and  encircling  both  it  and  the  pumps,  furnished  with  be- 
laying pins  for  the  running  rigging,  though  now  obsolete  under  the  iron 
rule. 

FIFER  AND  FIDLER.  Two  very  important  aids  in  eliciting  exact 
discipline;  for  hoisting,  warping,  and  heaving  at  the  capstan  in  proper 
time;  rated  a  second-class  petty  officer  styled  "  musician,"  pay  X30,  8s. 
per  annum. 

PIG,  OR  Full  Fig.     In  best  clothes.     Full  dress. 

FIGALA.  An  East  Indian  craft  with  one  mast,  generally  rowed  with 
paddles. 

FIGGER.     The  soubriquet  of  a  Smyrna  trader. 

FIGGIE-DOWDIR  A  west-country  pudding,  made  with  raisins,  and 
much  in  vogue  at  sea  among  the  Cornish  and  Devon  men.  Cant  west- 
country  term  for  plum-pudding — ^figs  and  dough. 

FIGHT,  Sea.     See  Battle,  Enoaoement,  Exercise,  &c. 

FIGHTING-LANTERNS.  Kept  in  their  respective  fire-buckets  at 
quarters,  in  readiness  for  night  action  only.    There  is  usually  one  attached 


FIGHTrirO-SAILS FILLET  295 

to  eacli  gun;  the  bucket  is  fragile,  but  intended  to  screen  the  light,  and 

furnished  with  a  fire-lanyard. 
FIGHTING-SAILS.     Those  to  which  a  ship  is  reduced  when  going  into 

action;  formerly  implying  the  courses  and  topsails  only. 
FIGHTING-WATER.     Casks  filled  and  placed  on  the  decks,  expressly 

for  use  in  action.     When  the  head  was  broken  in,  vinegar  was  added  to 

prevent  too  much  being  taken  by  one  man. 
FIGHTS.     Waste-cloths  formerly  hung  about  a  ship,  to  conceal  the  men 

from  the  enemy.     Shakspeare,  who  knew  everything,  makes  Pistol  bom- 
bastically exclaim — 

" Clap  on  more  sails :  pursue,  up  with  your  fights.** 

Close  fights^  synonymous  with  close  quarters. 

FIGURK  The  principal  piece  of  carved  work  or  ornament  at  the  head  of 
a  ship,  whether  scroll,  billet,  or  figure-head. 

FIGURE-HEAD.  A  carved  bust  or  full-length  figure  over  the  cut-water 
of  a  ship;  the  remains  of  an  ancient  superstition.  The  Carthaginians 
carried  small  images  to  sea  to  protect  their  ships,  as  the«Roman  Catholics 
do  still.     The  sign  or  head  of  St.  PauPs  ship  was  Castor  and  Pollux. 

FIGURE  OF  EIGHT.  A  knot  made  by  passing  the  end  of  a  rope  over 
and  round  the  standing  part,  up  over  its  own  part,  and  down  through 
the  bight. 

FIGURE  OF  THE  EARTH.  The  form  of  our  globe,  which  is  that  of 
an  oblate  spheroid  with  an  ellipticity  of  about  liv. 

FIKE.    See  Fyke. 

FILADIERK     A  small  flat-bottomed  boat  of  the  Garonne. 

FILE.  Originally  a  string  of  soldiers  one  behind  the  other,  though  in  the 
present  formation  of  British  troops,  the  length  of  the  string  has  been 
reduced  to  two. 

FILE.  An  old  jUe.  A  somewhat  contemptuous  epithet  for  a  deep  and 
cunning,  but  humorous  person. 

FILE  OFF,  To.     To  march  off  to  a  flank  by  files,  or  with  a  very  small  front. 

FILL.  To.  To  brace  the  yards  so  that  the  wind  strikes  the  after  side  of  the 
sails,  and  advances  the  ship  in  her  course,  after  the  sails  had  been  shiver- 
ing, or  braced  aback.  A  ship  may  be  forced .  backward  or  forward,  or 
made  to  remain  in  her  place,  with  the  same  wind,  by  '^ backing,  filling,'* 
or  shivering  the  sails.  {See  Brace,  Back,  and  Shiver.)  Colliers  generally 
tide  it,  *' backing  and  filling"  down  the  Thames  until  they  gain  the  reaches, 
where  there  is  room  for  tacking,  or  the  wind  is  fair  enough  for  them  to 
lay  their  course. — An  idle  skulker,  a  fellow  who  loiters,  trying  to  avoid 
being  seen  by  the  officer  of  the  watch,  is  said  to  be  '*  backing  and  filling;" 
otherwise,  doing  nothing  creditably. 

FILL  AND  STAND  ON.  A  signal  made  after  "lying  by"  to  direct  the 
fleet  to  resume  their  course. 

FILLER.     A  filling  piece  in  a  made  mast. 

FILLET.  An  ornamental  moulding.  Rings  on  the  muzzle  and  cascabel 
of  gun& 


296  FILLET-HOBSE FINE 

FILLET-H0R8K     The  hone  employed  in  the  shafts  of  the  limbers. 
FILLING.     In  ship-carpentry,  wood  fitted  on  a  timber  or  elsewhere  to 

make  up  a  defect  in  the  moulding  way.     This  name  is  sometimes  given 

to  a  chock, 
FILLING  A  SHIP'S  BOTTOM.     Implies  covering  the  bottom  of  a  ship 

with  broad-headed  nails,  so  as  to  give  her  a  sheathing  of  iron,  to  prevent 

the  worms  getting  into  the  wood;  sheathing  with  copper  is  found  superior, 

but  the  former  plan  la  still  used  for  piles  in  salt-water. 
FILLING  IN.     The  replacing  a  ship's  vacant  planks  opened  for  ventila- 
tion, when  preparing  her,  from  ordinary,  for  sea. 
FILLING  POWDER     Taking  gunpowder  from  the  casks  to  fill  cartridges, 

when  lights  and  fires  should  be  extinguished. 
FILLING  ROOM.     Formerly  a  small  place  parted  off  and  lined  with  lead, 

in  a  man-of-war  magazine,  wherein  powder  may  be  started  loosely,  in 

order  to  fill  cartridges. 
FILLINGS.     Fir  £Biyed  in  between  the  cheeks  of  the  head,  and  wherever 

solidity  is  required,  as  making  the  curve  fair  for  the  mouldings  between 

the  edges  of  the  fish- front  and  the  sides  of  the  mast»  or  making  the  spaces 

between  the  ribs  and  timbers  of  a  vessel's  frame  solid. 
FILLING-TIMBERS.     Blocks  of  wood  introduced  in  all  well-built  vessels 

between  the  frames^  where  the  bilge-water  may  wash. 
FILLING-TRANSOM,  is  just  above  the  deck-transom,  securing  the  ends 

of  the  gun-deck  plank  and  lower-transoms. 
FILL  THE  MAIN-YIrD.     An  order  well  understood  to  mean,  fill  the 

main-topsail,  after  it  has  been  aback,  or  the  ship  hove-ta 
FILTER     A  strainer  to  free  water  from  its  impurities,  usually  termed  by 

seamen  dripstone  (which  see). 
FILUM  AQU-^.     The  thread  or  middle  of  any  river  or  stream  which 

divides  countries,  manors,  kc. — FiU  du  mer,  the  high  tide  of  the  sea. 
FIMBLE  HEMP;  /emaie  hemp,  is  that  which  is  chiefly  used  for  domestic 

purposes,  and  therefore  falls  to  the  care  of  the  women,  as  carl  or  mcUe 

hempy  which  produces  the  flower,  does  to  the  maker  of  cordage. 

"  Wife,  pluck  fro  thy  seed  hemp,  the  JlmUe  hemp  dean, 
This  looketh  more  yellow,  the  other  more  green; 
Use  this  one  for  thy  spinning,  leave  Michael  the  t*other, 
For  ihoe-thread  and  halter,  for  rope  and  snoh  other." — Tuuer, 

FIN   [Anglo-Saxon,  Finn].      A  native  of  Finland;  those  are  Fins  who 

live  by  fishing.     We  use  the  whole  for  a  part,  and  thus  lose  the  clue  which 

the  Fin  aflbrds  of  a  race  of  fishermen. 
FIN-BACK    See  Finnbb. 
FIND,  To.     To  provide  with  or  furnish. 
FINDING.     The  verdict  of  a  court-martial. 
FIiroON  HADDOCK     The  Finnan  Haddie,  a  species  of  haddock  cured 

by  smoke-drying  at  Montrose  and  Aberdeen. 
FINK     A  term  of  comparison,  as  fine  ship,  <&&,  or  lean  (which  see).     Also, 

see  Fyeit. 


FINE  BREEZES FIRE-BALM  297 

FINE  BREEZES.  Said  of  the  wind  when  the  flying-kites  may  be  carried, 
but  requiring  a  sharp  look-out. 

FINISHINGS.  The  carved  ornaments  of  the  quarter-galleries :  uppe^*  and 
lower,  as  above  or  below  the  stools. 

FINNER*  Whales  of  the  genus  Balasnoptera  are  so  termed,  being  distin- 
guished from  the  right  whales  by  the  possession  of  a  smaU  triangular 
adipose  dorsal  fin.  There  are  several  species,  some  of  which  grow  to  a 
greater  length  than  any  other  animals  of  the  order,  viz.  80  or  perhaps 
90  feet.  They  are  very  active  and  difficult  to  harpoon,  yield  com- 
paratively little  oil,  and  their  baleen,  or  "whalebone,"  is  almost  worth- 
less; consequently,  they  suffer  much  less  than  the  right  whales  from  the 
persecutions  of  the  whalers.  The  flnner,  or  great  black  fish,  is  feared  by 
whalers  in  general  It  is  vicious,  and  can  only  be  attacked  by  large  boats 
in  shallow  water,  as  at  the  Bermudas,  where  the  whale-boats  are  about 
50  or  60  feet  long,  and  12  feet  beam.  The  fish  yields  one  barrel  of  oil 
for  every  foot  in  length  beyond  thirty.     {See  Razor-back  and  Rorqual.) 

FINNIE.     A  northern  name  for  salmon  under  a  year  old. 

FINNOCK«  A  white  kind  of  small  salmon  taken  on  the  west  coast  of 
Scotland. 

FINTRUM  SPELDIN.    A  small  dried  haddock. 

FIN-WHALE.    ^ccFiNNER. 

FIORD.  A  Norwegian  pilot  term  for  good  channels  among  islets,  and  deep 
inlets  of  the  sea. 

FIRBOME.  An  old  term  for  a  beacon,  and  appears  thus  in  the  Fromptarium 
FarviUorum, 

FIR-BUILT.     Constructed  of  fir. 

FIRE  I  The  order  to  put  the  match  to  the  priming,  or  pull  the  trigger  of  a 
cannon  or  other  fire-arm  so  as  to  discharge  it  The  act  of  dischaiging 
ordnance. 

FIRE,  Loss  BY.  Is  within  the  policy  of  insurance,  whether  it  be  by  acci- 
dent^ or  by  the  fault  of  the  master  or  mariners.  Also,  if  a  ship  be 
ordered  by  a  state  to  be  burnt  to  prevent  infection,  or  if  she  be  burnt  to 
prevent  her  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

FIRE-AND-LIGHTS.     Nickname  of  the  master-at-arms. 

FIRE-ARMS.  Every  description  of  arms  that  discharge  missiles  by  gun- 
powder, from  the  heaviest  cannon  to  a  pistoL 

FIRE-ARROWS.  Missiles  in  olden  times  carrying  combustibles;  much 
used  in  the  searfights  of  the  middle  ages. 

FIRE-AWAY.     Go  on  with  your  remarks. 

FIRE-BALL.  In  meteorology,  a  beautiful  phenomenon  seen  at  times,  the 
origin  of  which  is  as  yet  imperfectly  accounted  for.  It  is  also  the  popular 
name  for  aerolites  in  general,  because  in  their  descent  they  appear  to  be 
burning. 

FIRB^BALLS.  Are  used  for  destroying  vessels  run  aground,  and  firing 
buildings.  They  are  made  of  a  composition  of  meal-powder,  sulphur, 
saltpetre,  and  pitch,  moulded  into  a  mass  with  suet  and  tow. 


298  FIRE-BABE FIBE-SHIP 

FIRE-BABK     An  old  term  from  tlie  Anglo-Saxon  for  beacom 

FIRE-BAHS.     The  range  fronting  a  steam-boiler. 

FIRE-BILL.  The  distribution  of  the  officers  and  crew  in  case  of  the  alarm 
of  fii^  a  calamity  requiring  judicious  conduct. 

FIRE-BOOMS.  Long  spars  swung  out  from  a  ship's  side  to  prevent  the 
approach  of  fire-ships,  fire-stages,  or  vessels  accidentally  on  fire. 

FIRE-BOX.  A  space  crossing  the  whole  front  of  the  boiler  over  the 
furnace  doors,  opposite  the  smoke-box. 

FIRE-BUCKETS.  Canvas,  leather,  or  wood  buckets  for  quarters,  each 
fitted  ^th  a  sinnett  laniard  of  regulated  length,  for  reaching  the  watei* 
from  the  lower  yards.     {See  Fire-men.) 

FIRE-DOOR     An  access  to  the  fire-place  of  an  engine. 

FIRE-DRAKE.  A  meteor,  or  the  Corpo  Santo.  Also,  a  peculiar  fire- 
work,  which  Shakspeare  in  Henry  VIII,  thus  mentions:  ''That  fire-drake 
did  I  hit  three  times  on  the  head,  and  three  times  was  his  nose  discharged 
against  me;  he  stands  there  like  a  mortar-piece  to  blow  us." 

FIRE-EATER  One  notoriously  fond  of  being  in  action;  much  humbled 
by  iron-clads. 

FIRE-FLAXJGHTS.     The  aurora  borealis,  or  northern  lights. 

FIRE-HEARTH.  The  security  base  of  the  galley-range  and  all  its  con- 
veniences. 

FIRE- HEARTH -CARLINE.  The  timber  let  in  under  the  beams  on 
which  the  fire-hearth  stands,  with  pillars  underneath,  and  chocks 
thereon. 

FIRE-HOOPS.  A  combustible  invented  by  the  knights  of  Malta  to  throw 
among  their  besiegers,  and  afterwards  used  in  boarding  Turkish  galleys. 

FIRE-LOCK.  Formerly  the  common  name  for  a  musket;  the  fire-arm 
carried  by  a  foot-soldier,  marine,  or  small-arm  man,  until  the  general 
introduction  of  rifles.     It  carried  a  ball  of  about  an  ounce  in  weight 

FIREMEN.  A  first  and  second  man  is  stationed  to  each  gun,  in  readiness 
for  active  duty.  The  firemen,  when  called  with  the  first  and  second  divi- 
sion of  boarders,  were  an  effective  force.  If  for  duty  aloft,  each  bucket 
had  a  lanyard  which  reached  from  the  main-yard  to  the  sea^  so  as  to  keep 
the  lower  sails  well  wet.  The  ship's  engine  was  also  manned  by  the 
second  division  of  boarders,  while  the  first  division  and  carpenters  cut 
away  obstacles.     (For  firemen  in  a  steamer,  see  Stoker) 

FIRE-RAFTS.  Timber  constructions  bearing  combustible  matters,  used  by 
the  Chinese  to  destroy  an  enemy's  vesseL 

FIRE-RAILS.     See  Rails. 

FIRE-ROLL.  A  peculiar  beat  of  the  drum  to  order  people  to  their  stations 
on  an  alarm  of  fire.     Summons  to  quarters. 

FIRE-SCREENS.  Pieces  of  fear-nought,  a  thick  woollen  felt  put  round 
the  hatchways  in  action. 

FIRE-SHIP.  A  vessel  filled  with  combustible  materials,  and  fitted  with 
grappling-irons,  to  hook  and  set  fire  to  the  enemy's  ships.  Notwithstanding 
what  is  said  respecting  the  siege  of  Tyre,  perhaps  the  practice  of  using 


FIRE-SWAB FISHEEMAN'S  WALK  299 

regular  fire-sbips  ought  to  be  dated  from  the  destruction  of  the  fleet  of 
Basilicus  by  the  victorious  Grenseric  near  Carthage. 

FIRE-SWAB.  The  bunch  of  rope-yams  sometimes  secured  to  the  tompion, 
saturated  with  water  to  cool  the  gun  in  action,  and  swab  up  any  grains  of 
powder. 

FIRE-WORKS.     See  Ptbotechnt. 

FIRING-PARTT.  A  detachment  of  soldiers,  marines,  or  small-arm  men 
selected  to  fire  over  the  grave  of  an  individual  buried  with  military 
honours. 

FIRMAUN.     A  Turkish  passport 

FIRST.  The  appellation  of  the  senior  lieutenant;  also,  senior  lieutenant 
of  marines,  and  first  captain  of  a  gun. 

FIRST  FUTTOCKS.  Timbers  in  the  frame  of  a  ship  which  come  down 
between  the  floor-timbers  almost  to  the  keel  on  each  side. 

FIRST  POINT  OF  ARIES.    See  Aries. 

FIRST  QUARTER  OF  THE  MOON.    See  Quarter. 

FIRST  WATCH.     The  men  on  deck-duty  from  8  p.m.  till  midnight 

FIRTH.  A  corruption  of  frith,  in  Scotland  applied  to  arms  of  the  sea,  and 
estuaries  of  various  extent;  also  given  to  several  channels  amongst  the 
Orkneys. 

FISH,  OR  FiSH-PiECE.  A  long  piece  of  hard  wood,  convex  on  one  side  and 
concave  on  the  other;  two  are  bound  opposite  to  each  other  to  strengthen 
the  lower  masts  or  the  yards  when  they  are  sprung,  to  eflect  which  they 
are  well  secured  by  bolts  and  hoops,  or  stout  rope  called  woolding.  Ako, 
colloquially,  an  epithet  given  to  persons,  as  a  prime  fish,  a  queer  fish,  a  sJij/ 
fish,  a  loose  fish,  &o.  As  mute  as  a  fish,  when  a  man  is  very  silent.  Also, 
fi^h  among  whalers  is  expressly  applied  to  whales.  At  the  cry  of  "Fish ! 
fish  !*'  all  the  boats  are  instantly  manned. 

FISH,  RoTAL.  Whale  and  sturgeon,  to  which  the  sovereign  is  entitled 
when  either  thrown  on  shore  or  caught  near  the  coasts. 

FISH-DAVIT.  {See  Davit.)  That  which  steps  into  a  shoe  in  the  fore- 
chains,  and  is  used  for  fishing  an  anchor. 

FISHER-BOYS.     The  apprentices  in  fishing  vessels. 

FISHER^FISH.  A  species  of  Remora,  said  to  be  trained  by  the  Chinese 
to  catch  turtle.  When  a  turtle  is  perceived  basking  on  the  surface  of  the 
sea,  the  men,  avoiding  all  noise,  slip  one  of  their  remoras  overboard,  tied 
to  a  long  and  fine  cord.  As  soon  as  the  fish  perceives  the  floating  reptile 
he  swims  towards  it,  and  fixes  himself  on  it  so  firmly  that  the  fishermen 
easily  pull  in  both  together. 

FISHERMAN'S  BEND.  A  knot,  for  simplicity  called  the  king  of  all 
knots.  Its  main  use  is  for  bending  studding-halliards  to  the  yard,  by 
taking  two  turns  round  the  yard,  passing  the  end  between  them  and  the 
yard,  and  half  hitching  it  round  the  standing  part.  {See  Studding-sail 
Bend.) 

FISHERMAN'S  WALK.  An  extremely  confined  space;  "three  steps  and 
overboard,"  is  often  said  of  what  river  yachtsmen  term  their  quarter-decks. 


300  FISH-FAG FIT  EIGGINO 

FISH-FAG.     A  woman  who  fags  under  heavy  fish-baskets,  but  is  applied 

also  in  opprobrium  to  slatterns. 
FISH-FLAKE.    A  stage  covered  with  light  spars  for  the  purpose  of  drying 

fish  in  Newfoundland. 
FISH-FRONT.     The  strengthening  slab  on  a  made  mast 
FISH-GARTH.     The  water  shut  in  by  a  dam  or  weir  by  the  side  of  a  river 

for  securing  fisL 
FISH-GIG.     A  staff  with  three,  four,  or  more  barbed  prongs  of  steel  at  one 

end,  and  a  line  fastened  to  the  other;  used  for  striking  fish  at  sea.     Now 

more  generally  called  grains. 
FISH-HACK.    A  name  of  the  Gobius  niger, 

FISHICK     An  Orkney  name  for  the  brown  whistle-fish,  Gadua  mustda, 
FISHING.     In  taking  celestial  observations,  means  the  sweeping  to  find  a 

star  or  other  object  when  near  its  approximate  place. 
FISHING-BOAT.     A  stout  fishing-vessel  with  two  lug-sails. 
FISHING-FROG.     A  name  of  the  Lophiris  piscatorius,  angler  or  devil-fish, 

eaten  in  the  Mediterranean.* 
FISHING-GROUND.     Any  bank  or  shoal  frequented  by  fish. 
FISHING-SMACK.    A  sloop  having  in  the  hold  a  well  wherein  to  pre- 
serve the  fish,  particularly  lobsters,  alive. 
FISHING-TAXJM     A  northern  designation  of  an  angling  line,  or  angling 

gear. 
FISHING-YESSKLS.     A  general  term  for  those  employed  in  the  fisheries, 

from  the  catching  of  sprats  to  the  taking  of  whales. 
FISH-LEER     An  old  term  for  a  fish-basket. 
FISH-ROOM.     A  space  parted  off  by  bulkheads  in  the  afber-hold,  now 

uaed  for  waste  stores,  but  formerly  used  for  stowing  salt  fish-an  article  of 

food  long  discontinued.     In  line-of-battle  ships,  a  small  store-room  near 

the  bread-room,  in  which  spirits  or  wine,  and  sometimes  coals,  were  stowed, 

with  the  stock-fisL 
FISH-SPEAR     An  instrument  with  barbed  spikes. 
FISH-TACKLE.     A  tackle  employed  to  hook  and  draw  up  the  flukes  of  a 

ship's  anchor  towards  the  top  of  the  bow,  after  catting,  in  order  to  stow 

it;  formerly  composed  of  four  parts,  viz.  the  pendant^  the  block,  the  hook, 

and  the  tackle,  for  which  see  Davit. 
FISH  THE  ANCHOR,  To.     To  turn  up  the  flukes  of  an  anchor  to  the 

gunwale  for  stowage,  ai%er  being  catted. — Other  fish  to  fn/y  a  common 

colloquialism,  expressing  that  a  person  has  other  occupation  demanding 

his  attention. 
FISH-WIFE,  OE  FiSH-woMAK.     A  female  carrier  and  vendor  of  fish  in  our 

northern  cities. 
FIST,  To.     To  handle  a  rope  or  sail  promptly;  thus^^tn^  a  thing  is  readily 

getting  hold  of  it. 
FIT  FOR  DUTY.     In  an  effective  state  for  service. 
FIT  RIGGING,  To.     To  cut  or  fit  the  standing  and  running  rigging  to 

the  masts,  <bc. 


FIT-EOD FLAG  301 

FIT-ROD.  A  small  iron  rod  with  a  hook  at  the  end,  which  is  put  into 
the  holes  made*  in  a  vessel's  side,  to  ascertain  the  length  of  the  bolts  or 
treenails  required  to  be  driven  in. 

FITTED  FURNITURR  Rudder-chocks,  bucklers,  hawse-plugs,  dead- 
lights, pump-boxes,  and  other  articles  of  spare  supply,  sent  from  the 
dockyard. 

FITTERS.  Persons  in  the  north  who  vend  and  load  coals,  fitting  ships 
with  cargoes,  6cc, 

FITTING  OUT  A  SHIP.  The  act  of  providing  a  ship  with  sufficient 
masts,  sails,  yards,  ammunition,  artillery,  cordage,  anchors,  provisions, 
stores,  and  men,  so  that  she  is  in  proper  condition  for  the  voyage  or  pur- 
pose to  which  she  is  appointed. 

FIUMARA    A  term  common  to  the  Italian  coasts  for  a  mountain  torrent. 

FIVE-FINGERS.  The  name  given  to  the  Asteriaa,  or  star-fish,  found  on 
our  shore.  Cocker  in  1724  describes  it  thus :  '^Five-fijigers,  a  fish  like  a 
spur-rowel,  destructive  to  oysters,  to  be  destroyed  by  the  admiralty  law." 
They  destroy  the  spat  of  oysters. 

FIVE-SHARE  MEN.  In  vessels,  as  whalers,  where  the  men  enter  on  the 
chances  of  success,  &c,  in  shares. 

FIX  BAYONETS !     Ship  them  ready  for  use. 

FIXED  AMMUNITION.  Is,  complete  in  each  round,  the  cartridge  being 
attached  to  the  projectile,  to  facilitate  simultaneous  loading.  In  the 
British  service  it  is  only  used  for  small  mountain-pieces,  but  in  the  French 
for  field-artiUery  in  general     It  does  not  stow  conveniently. 

FIXED  BLOCKS.  Solid  pieces  of  oak  let  through  the  sides  of  the  ship, 
and  fitted  with  sheaves,  to  lead  the  tacks,  sheets,  <fea,  of  the  courses  inboard. 

FIXED  STAR.    See  Stabs  (Fixed). 

FIZZ.     The  burning  of  priming. 

FLABBERGAST,  To.  To  throw  a  person  aback  by  a  confounding  asser- 
tion; to  produce  a  state  of  extreme  surprisa 

FLADDERMUS.    A  base  silver  Crerman  coin  of  four  kreutzers'  value. 

FLAG.  A  general  name  for  the  distinguishing  coloiirs  of  any  nation.  Also, 
a  certain  banker  by  which  an  admiral  is  distinguished  at  sea  from  the 
inferior  ships  of  his  squadron.  The  flags  of  the  British  navy  were  severally 
on  a  red,  white,  or  blue  field,  and  were  displayed  from  the  top  of  the  royal 
pole  of  the  main,  fore,  or  mizen  mast,  according  to  the  rank  of  the  admiral, 
thus  indicating  nine  degrees.  This  diversity  of  colour  has  now  been  long 
done  away  with.  The  white  field,  with  the  red  St.  George's  cross,  and 
the  sinister  upper  oomer  occupied  by  the  union,  is  now  alone  used  in  the 
British  navy — the  blue  being  assigned  to  the  reserve,  and  the  red  to  the 
mercantile  navy.  An  admiral  still  displays  his  flag  exclusively  at  the 
main  truck;  a  vice-admiral  at  the  fore;  a  rear-admiral  at  the  mizen. 
The  first  flag  in  importance  is  the  royal  standard  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  hoisted  only  when  the  king  or  queen  is  on  board;  the  second  is 
the  anchor  of  hope,  for  the  lord  high-admiral,  or  the  lords-commissioners 
of  the  admiralty;  and  the  third  ia  the  union  flag,  for  the  admiral  of  the 


302  FLAG-OFFICER FLANK-DEFENCE 

fleet,  who  is  the  next  officer  under  the  lord  high-admiral.  The  varioiis 
other  departments,  such  as  the  navy  board,  custom-hotse,  &&,  have  each 
their  respective  flags.  Besides  the  national  flag,  merchant  ships  are  per- 
mitted to  bear  lesser  flags  on  any  mast^  with  the  arms  or  design  of  the 
firm  to  which  they  belong,  but  they  ''must  not  resemble  or  be  mistaken 
for  any  of  the  flags  or  signals  used  by  the  royal  navy,''  under  certain 
penalties.  When  a  council  of  war  is  held  at  sea,  if  it  be  on  board  the 
admiral's  ship,  a  flag  is  hung  on  the  main-shrouds;  if  the  yice-admiral's, 
on  the  fore-shrouds;  and  if  the  rear-admiral's,  on  the  mizen-shrouds.  The 
flags  borne  on  the  mizen  were  particularly  called  gallants.  There  are 
also  smaller  flags  used  for  signals.  The  word^o^  is  often  familiarly  used 
to  denote  the  admiral  himself  Also,  the  reply  from  the  boat  if  an 
admiral  is  on  board — Flag  I 

FLAGr-OFFICER.     A  term  synonymous  with  admiroL 

FLAG  OF  TRUCK  A  white  flag,  hoisted  to  denote  a  wish  to  parley 
between  the  belligerent  parties,  but  so  frequently  abused,  with  the  design 
of  obtaining  intelligence,  or  to  cover  stratagems,  &c.,  that  officers  are  very 
strict  in  its  admission.     It  is  held  sacred  by  civilized  nations. 

FLAG-SHARE.  The  admiral's  share  (one-eighth)  in  all  captures  made  by 
any  vessels  within  the  limits  of  his  command,  even  if  under  the  orders  of 
another  admiral;  but  in  cases  of  pirates,  he  has  no  claim  imless  he  par- 
ticipates in  the  action. 

FLAG-SHIP.     A  ship  bearing  an  admiral's  flag. 

FLAG-SIDE  OF  a  Split  Fish.     The  side  without  the  bone. 

FLAG-STAFF.  In  contradistinction  to  mast-head,  is  the  staff  on  a  battery, 
or  on  a  ship's  stern,  where  the  colours  are  displayed.     {See  Flase.) 

FLAKE.  A  small  shifting  stage,  hung  over  a  ship's  side  to  caulk  or  repair 
a  breach.     {See  Fish-flake.) 

FLAM.     Wedge-shaped.     Also,  a  sudden  puff  of  wind.     Also,  a  shallow. 

FLAM-FEW.     The  brilliant  reflection  of  the  moon  on  the  water. 

FLAN.  An  old  word,  equivalent  to  a  flaw,  or  sudden  gust  of  wind  from 
the  land. 

FLANCHING.     The  bellying  out;  synonymous  with  ^n«^. 

FLANGE  In  steamers,  is  the  projecting  rim  at  the  end  of  two  iron  pipes 
for  uniting  them.     {See  Poet-flange.) 

FLANK,  To.  To  defend  that  part;  incorrectly  used  sometimes  for  firing 
upon  a  flank. 

FLANK  OF  AN  Army.  The  right  or  left  side  or  end,  as  distinguished  from 
the  front  and  rear — a  yulnerable  point.  Also,  the  force  composing  or  cover- 
ing that  side.     In  fortification,  a  work  constructed  to  afford  flank  defence. 

FLANK-COMPANIES.  The  extreme  right  and  left  companies  of  a  bat- 
talion, formerly  called  the  grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  and  wearing 
distinctive  marks  in  their  dress;  now  the  title^  dress,  and  duties  of  all  the 
companies  of  a  battalion  are  the  same. 

FLANK-DEFENCK  A  Hue  of  fire  parallel,  or  nearly  so,  to  the  fix)nt  of 
another  work  or  position. 


FLANKED  ANGLE FLAT-NAILS  303 

FLANKED  ANGLE.  _  In  fortification,  a  salient  angle  formed  bj  two  lines 

of  flank  defence. 
FLAP.     The  cover  of  a  cartridge-box  or  scupper. 
FLAPPING.     The  agitation  of  a  sail  with  sheet  or  tack  carried  away,  or 

the  sndden  jerk  of  the  sails  in  light  winds  and  a  heavy  swell  on. 
FLAKE.     In  shipbuilding,  is  flanching  outwards,  as  at  the  bows  of  Ame- 
rican ships,  to  throw  off  the  bow-seas;  it  is  in  opposition  to  tumbling 

home  and  wall-sided. 
FLARE.     A  name  for  the  skate,  Baia  batia. 

FLARE,  To.     To  rake  back,  as  of  a  fashion-piece  or  knuckle-timber. 
FLASH.     The  laminae  and  grain-marks  in  timber,  when  cut  into  planks. 

Also,  a  pool.     Also,  in  the  west,  a  river  with  a  large  bey,  which  is  again 

separated  from  the  outer  sea  by  a  reef  of  rocks. — To  make  a  flashy  is  to  let 

boats  down  through  a  lock;   to  flash  loose  powder  at  night  to  show  position. 
FLASHING-BOARD.     To  raise  or  set  off! 
FLASHING-SIGNALS.     By  Captain  Colomb's  plan,  the  Hme  light  being 

used  on  shore,  and  a  plain  white  light  at  sea,  is  capable  of  transmitting 

messages  by  the  relative  positions  of  long  and  short  dashes  of  light  by 

night,  and  of  collapsing  cones  by  day. 
FLASH  IN  THE  PAN.     An  expressive  metaphor,  borrowed  from  the 

false  fire  of  a  musket,  meaning  to  fail  of  success  afber  presumption. 
FLASH  RIM.     In  carronades,  a  cup-shaped  enlargement  of  the  bore  at 

the  muzzle,  which  facilitates  the  loading,  and  protects  the  ports  or  rigging 

of  the  vessel  from  the  flash  of  explosion. 
FLASH  VESSELS.     All  paint  outside,  and  no  order  within. 
FLASK.     A  horn  or  other  implement  for  carrying  priming-powder.    Smaller 

ones  for  fire-arms  are  usually  frirnished  with  a  measure  of  the  charge  for 

the  piece  on  the  top. 
FLAT.     In  shipbuilding,  a  straight  part  in  a  curve.     In  hydrography,  a 

shallow  over  which  the  tide  flows,  and  over  the  whole  extent  of  which 

there  is  little  or  no  variation  of  soundings.     If  less  than  three  fathoms,  it 

is  called  ahooL  or  BhaUcw, 
FLAT- ABACK.     When  all  the  sails  are  blown  with  their  after-sui'face 

against  the  mast,  so  as  to  give  stem-way. 
FLAT- A  FT.     The  sheets  of  fore-and-afl  sails  may  be  hauled  flat-aft,  as  the 

jib-sheet  to  pay  her  head  off,  the  driver  or  try-sail  sheets  to  bring  her 

head  to  the  wind;  hence,  "flatten  in  the  head-sheets." 
FLAT-BOTTOMED.     When  a  vesseFs  lower  frame  has  but  little  upward 

inclination. 
FLAT  CALM.     When  there  is  no  perceptible  wind  at  sea. 
FLAT-FISH.     The  FleuronecttdcSy  a  family  of  fishes  containing  the  soles, 

flounders,  turbots,  (&c.,  remarkable  for  having  the  body  greatly  compressed 

laterally;  they  habitually  lie  on  one  side,  which  is  white,  the  uppermost 

being  coloured,  and  having  both  the  eyes  placed  on  it. 
FLAT-NAILS.     Small  sharp-pointed  nails  with  flat  thin  heads,  longer  than 

tacks,  for  nailing  the  scarphs  of  moulds  and  the  like. 


304  FLATS FLEET 

FLATS.  All  the  floor-timbers  that  have  no  bevelliDgs  in  mid-ships,  or 
pertaining  to  the  dead-JUU  (which  see).  Also,  lighters  used  in  river  navi- 
gation, and  very  flat-floored  boats  for  landing  troops. 

FLAT  SEAM.  The  two  edges  or  selvedges  of  canvas  laid  over  each  other 
and  sewed  down. 

FLAT  SEIZING.  This  is  passed  on  a  rope,  the  same  as  a  round  seizing, 
but  it  has  no  riding  turns. 

FLATTEN  IN,  To.  The  action  of  hauling  in  the  aftmost  clue  of  a  sail  to 
give  it  greater  power  of  turning  the  vessel;  thus,  if  the  mizen  or  after  sails 
are  flatted  in,  it  is  to  carry  the  stem  to  leeward,  and  the  head  to  wind- 
ward; and  if,  on  the  contrary,  the  head-sails  are  flatted  in,  the  intention 
is  to  make  the  ship  fall  off  when,  by  design  or  accident,  she  has  come  so 
near  as  to  make  the  sails  shiver;  hence  JlaMen  inforvoa/rd  is  the  order  to 
haul  in  the  jib  and  foretopmast-staysail-sheets  towards  the  middle  of  the 
ship,  and  haul  forward  the  fore-bowline;  this  operation  is  seldom  necessary 
except  when  the  helm  has  not  sufficient  government  of  the  ship,  as  in 
variable  winds  or  inattentive  steerage. 

FLAUT.    See  Flute. 

FLAVER.     An  east-country  term  for  froth  or  foam  of  surf 

FLAWS.  Sudden  gusts  of  wind,  sometimes  blowing  with  violence;  whence 
Shakspeare  in  Cariolanus: 

'*Like  a  great  sea-mark,  standing  every  flaw." 
But  flaws  also  imply  occasional  fickle  breezes  in  calm  weather.     Flaw  is 
also  used  to  express  any  crack  in  a  gun  or  its  carriage. 

FLEACHES.     Portions  into  which  timber  is  cut  by  the  saw. 

FLEAK.    See  Dutch  Plaice. 

FLEAM.     A  northern  name  for  a  water-course. 

FLEAT,  OE  Fliet.    See  Fleeting. 

FLEATE,  To.  To  skim  fresh  water  off  the  sea,  as  practised  at  the  mouths 
of  the  Rhone,  the  Nile,  &c.  The  word  is  derived  from  the  Dutch  vHieten^ 
to  skim  milk;  it  also  means  to  float.     (^See  Fleet.) 

FLECHR  The  simplest  form  of  field-work,  composed  of  two  faces  meeting 
in  a  salient  angle,  and  open  at  the  gorge.  It  differs  from  the  redan  only 
in  having  no  ditch. 

FLECHERBA.     A  swift-sailing  South  American  despatch  vessel 

FLECK.     An  east-country  term  for  lightning. 

FLEECH.     An  outside  portion  of  timber  cut  by  the  saw. 

FLEET  [Teut/ie^ew].     The  old  word  for  float:  as  "we  fleeted  down  the 

river  with  our  boats;''  and  Shakspeare  makes  Antony  say, 

"Our  severed  nayy  too 
Have  knit  again,  and  fleet,  threatening  moat  sea-like.*' 

Fleet  is  also  an  old  term  for  an  arm  of  the  sea,  or  running  water  subject 
to  the  tide.    Also,  a  bay  where  vessels  can  remain  afloat    {See  Float.)    A 
salt-water  tide^reek. 
FLEET.     A  general  name  given  to  the  royal  navy.     Also,  any  number  of 
ships,  whether  designed  for  war  or  commerce,  keeping  in  company.     A 


FLEET-DYKE FLIBOAT  305 

fleet  of  sUps  of  war  is  usually  divided  into  tliree  squadrons,  and  these,  if 
numerous,  are  again  separated  into  subdivisions.  The  admiral  commands 
the  centre,  the  second  in  command  superintends  the  vanguard,  and  the 
third  directs  the  rear.  The  term  in  the  navy  was  any  number  exceeding 
a  squadron,  or  rear-admiral's  command,  composed  of  five  sail-of-the-line, 
with  any  amount  of  smaller  vessels. 
FLEET-DYKE.  From  the  Teut.  vliet,  a  dyke  for  preventing  inundation. 
FLEETING.  To  come  up  a  rope,  so  as  to  haul  to  more  advantage;  espe- 
cially the  act  of  changing  the  situation  of  a  tackle  when  the  blocks  are 
drawn  together;  also,  changing  the  position  of  the  dead-eyes,  when  the 
shrouds  are  become  too  long,  which  is  done  by  shortening  the  bend  of  the 
shroud  and  turning  in  the  dead-eye  again  higher  up;  the  use  of  fleeting  is 
accordingly  to  regain  the  mechanical  powers,  when  destroyed  by  the 
meeting  of  the  blocks  or  dead-eyes. — Fleet  ho!  the  order  given  at  such 
times.     {See  Tackle.) 

FLEET  THE  MESSENGER.  When  about  to  weigh,  to  shift  the  eyes 
of  the  messenger  past  the  capstan  for  the  heavy  heave. 

FLEET-WATER.     Water  which  inundates. 

FLEMISH,  To.  To  coil  down  a  rope  concentrically  in  the  direction  of  the 
sun,  or  coil  of  a  watch-spring,  beginning  in  the  middle  without  riders; 
but  if  there  must  be  riding  fakes,  they  begin  outside,  and  that  is  the  true 
French  coil 

FLEMISH  ACCOUNT.     A  deficit  in  accounts. 

FLEMISH  EYE.  A  kind  of  eye-splice,  in  which  the  ends  are  scraped 
down,  tapered,  passed  oppositely,  marled,  and  served  over  with  spun  yam. 
Often  called  a  made-eye, 

FLEMISH  FAKE.  A  method  of  coiling  a  rope  that  runs  freely  when  let 
go;  diflering  from  the  French,  and  was  used  for  the  head-braces.  Each 
bend  is  slipped  under  the  last^  and  the  whole  rendered  flat  and  solid  to 
walk  on. 

FLEMISH  HORSE,  is  the  outer  short  foot-rope  for  the  man  at  the  earing; 
the  outer  end  is  spliced  round  a  thimble  on  the  goose-neck  of  the  studding- 
sail  boom-iron.  The  inner  end  is  seized  by  its  eye  within  the  brace-block- 
strop  and  head-earing-cleat. 

FLEMISHING.     A  forcing  or  scoring  of  the  planks. 

FLENCH-GUX.     The  blubber  of  a  whale  laid  out  in  long  slices. 

FLENSE,  To.  To  strip  the  fat  off  a  flayed  seal,  or  the  blubber  from  a 
whale. 

FLESHMENT.  Being  in  the  first  battle;  and  "fleshing  the  sword  "  alludes 
to  the  first  time  the  beginner  draws  blood  with  it. 

FLESH-TRAFFIC.     The  slave-trade. 

FLET.     A  name  of  the  halibut 

FLETCH,  To.     To  feather  an  arrow. 

FLEUZ.     A  north-country  term  for  the  &gged  end  of  a  rope. 

FLEXURE.     The  bending  or  curving  of  a  line  or  figure. 

FLIBOAT.    See  Fly-boat. 

U 


306  FUBUSTIER FLOATING  ANCHOR 

FLIBUSTIER  [Fr.]     A  freebooter,  pirate,  &a 

FLICKER^  To.     To  veer  about 

FLIDDER.     A  northern  name  for  the  limpet. 

FLIGHERS.     An  old  laV-term  meaning  masts  of  ships. 

FLIGHT.     A  Dutch  vessel  or  passage-boat  on  canals.     In  ship-building,  a 

sudden  rising,  or  a  greater  curve  than  sheer,  at  the  cheeks,  cat-heads,  &c. 
FLIGHT  OP  A  Shot.     The  trajectory  formed  between  the  muzzle  of  the 

gun  and  the  first  graze. 
FLIGHT  OF  THE  Transoms.     As  their  ends  gradually  close  downwards 

on  approaching  the  keel,  they  describe  a  curve  somewhat  similar  to  the 

rising  of  the  floors;  whence  i^e  name. 
FLINCH.     In  ship-building.     {See  Snape.) 
FLINCH-GXJT.    The  whale's  blubber;  as  well  as  the  part  of  the  hold  into 

which  it  is  thrown  before  being  barreUed  up. 
FLINCHING,  Flensing,  or  Flinsing.    See  Flense. 

FLINDERS.     An  old  word  for  splinters ;  thus  Walter  Scott's  Borderer— 

,  "  The  tough  ash-spear,  so  stoat  and  true. 

Into  a  thousand  flinders  flew." 

FLINT.  The  stone  of  a  gun-lock,  by  which  a  spark  was  elicited  for  the 
discharge  of  the  loaded  piece. 

FLIP.  A  once  celebrated  seardrink,  composed  of  beer,  spirits,  and  sugar, 
said  to  have  been  introduced  by  Sir  Cloudesley  ShoveL  Also,  a  smart 
blow. 

FLIPPER  The  fin-like  paw  or  paddle  of  marine  mammalia;  it  is  also 
applied  to  the  hand,  as  when  the  boatswain's  mate  exulted  in  having 
'^  taken  a  lord  by  the  flipper." 

FLITCH.     The  outside  cut  or  slab  of  a  tree. 

FLITTER.     The  Manx  name  for  limpet. 

FLITTERING.     An  old  English  word  for  floating. 

FLIZZING.     The  passage  of  a  splinter  [from  the  Dutch  Jliasen,  to  fly]. 

FLO.     An  old  English  word  for  arrow,  used  by  Chaucer. 

FLOAT  [Anglo-Saxon  JUot  or  fleet],  A  place  where  vessels  floaty  a^  at 
Northfleet.  Also,  the  inner  part  of  a  ship-canal.  In  wet-docks  ships 
are  kept  afloat  while  loading  and  discharging  cargo.  Two  double  gates, 
having  a  lock  between  them,  allow  the  entiy  and  departure  of  vessels 
without  disturbing  the  inner  level.  Also,  a  raft  or  quantity  of  timber 
fastened  together,  to  be  floated  along  a  river  by  a  tide  or  current. 

FLOATAGK  Synonymous  with  flotsam  (which  see).  Pieces  of  wreck 
floating  about. 

FLOAT-BOARDS.     The  same  ss  floats  of  a  paddle-wheel 

FLOATING  ANCHOR  A  simple  machine  consisting  of  a  fourfold 
canvas^  stretched  by  two  cross-bars  of  iron,  rivetted  in  the  centre,  and 
swifted  at  the  ends.  It  is  made  to  hang  perpendicularly  at  some  distance 
below  the  surface,  where  it  presents  great  resistance  to  being  dragged 
through  the  water,  diminishing  a  ship's  leeward  drift  in  a  gale  where 
there  is  no  anchorage. 


FLOATING  BATTERY FLOOR  307 

FLOATING  BATTERY.  A  vessel  expressly  fitted  for  action  in  harbours 
or  sheltered  waters^  having  heavier  offensive  and  defensive  dispositions 
(generally  including  much  iron-plating)  than  would  be  compatible  with  a 
sea-going  character.  Also,  a  vessel  used  as  a  battery  to  cover  troops 
landing  on  an  enemy's  coast.  Also,  one  expressly  fitted  for  harbour 
defenca 

FLOATING  BETHEL.  An  old  ship  fitted  up  in  a  commercial  port  for 
the  purpose  of  public  Worship. 

FLOATING  BRIDGE.  A  passage  formed  across  a  river  or  creek  by 
means  of  bridges  of  boats,  as  over  the  Douro,  Rhine,  &c. 

FLOATING  COFFIN.  {See  Frappikg  a  Ship.)  A  term  for  the  old  10- 
gun  brigs. 

FLOATING  DAM.     A  caisson  used  instead  of  gates  for  a  dry-dock. 

FLOATING  DOCK.    See  Caisson. 

FLOATING  GRAVING-DOCK.     A  modified  camel  (which  see). 

FLOATING  LIGHT.  A  vessel  moored  off  rocks  or  sand-banks,  hoisting 
lights  at  night. 

FLOATING  PIER     As  the  stage  at  Liverpool. 

FLOATING  STAGE.     For  caulkers,  painters,  <fec. 

FLOATS.  Large  flat-bottomed  boats,  for  carrying  blocks  of  stone.  Also, 
the  'thwart  boards  forming  the  circumference  and  force  of  the  paddle- 
wheels  of  steamers. 

FLOR  A  field  of  floating  ice  of  any  extent,  as  beyond  the  range  of 
vision,  fo^  notwithstanding  its  cracks  the  floes  pressed  together  are  assumed 
as  one;  hence,  if  ships  make  fast  to  the  floe-edge,  and  it  parts  from  the 
main  body,  sail  is  made,  and  the  ship  goes  to  the  next  available  floe-edge. 

FLOGGING  THE  GLASS.  Where  there  is  no  ship  time-piece  the  watches 
and  half-hour  bells  are  governed  by  a  half-hour  sand-glass.  The  nm  of 
the  sand  was  supposed  to  be  quickened  by  vibration,  hence  some  weary 
soul  towards  the  end  of  his  watch  was  said  to  flog  the  glass. 

FLOMK     An  old  word  for  a  river  or  flood. 

FLOOD  AND  FLOOD-TIDE.  The  flux  of  the  tide,  or  the  time  the 
water  continues  rising.  When  the  water  begins  to  rise,  it  is  called  a 
young  flood,  next  it  is  quarter-flood,  half-flood,  and  top  of  flood,  or  high 
water. 

FLOOD-ANCHOR     That  which  the  ship  rides  by  during  the  flood-tide. 

FLOOD-MARK.  The  line  made  by  the  tide  upon  the  shore  at  its  greatest 
height;  it  is  also  called  high-water  mark.  This  denotes  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty,  or  vice-admirals  of  counties. 

FLOOK,  OR  Fluck.  The  flounder;  but  the  name,  which  is  of  very  old 
standing,  is  also  applied  to  various  other  pleuronects  or  flat-fisL 

FLOOR.  The  bottom  of  a  vessel  on  each  side  of  the  kelson;  but  strictly 
taken,  it  is  only  so  much  of  her  bottom  as  she  rests  upon  when  aground. 
Such  ships  as  have  long  and  withal  broad  floors,  lie  on  the  ground  with 
most  security;  whereas  others  which  are  narrow  in  the  floor,  fall  over  on 
their  sides  and  break  their  timbers. 


308  FLOOR-GUIDE FLOW 

FLOOR-GUIDE.  In  ship-building,  is  a  ribband  placed  between  the  floor 
and  the  keeL 

FLOOR-HEAD.  This,  in  marine  architecture,  is  the  third  diagonal,  ter- 
minating the  length  of  the  floors  near  the  bilge  of  the  ship,  and  bevel- 
lings  are  taken  from  it  both  forward  and  abaft.  The  upper  extremities 
of  a  vessel's  floor-timbers,  plumb  to  the  quarter-beam. 

FLOOR-HOLLOW.  The  inflected  curve  of  the  floor,  extending  from  the 
keel  to  the  back  of  the  floor-sweep,  which  the  floor  does  not  taka 

FLOOR-PLANS.  In  naval  architecture,  are  longitudinal  sections,  whereon 
are  represented  the  water-lines  and  ribband-lines. 

FLOOR-RIBBAND.  This  is  an  important  fir-timber  which  runs  round  a 
little  below  the  floor-heads,  for  the  support  of  the  floors. 

FLOOR-RIDERS.  Knees  brought  in  from  side  to  side  over  the  floor 
ceiling  and  kelson,  to  support  the  bottom,  if  bilged  or  weak,  for  heavy- 
cargo. 

FLOORS,  OR  Floor-Timbebs.  Those  parts  of  the  ship's  timbers  which  are 
placed  immediately  across  the  keel,  and  upon  which  the  bottom  of  the 
ship  is  framed;  to  these  the  upper  parts  of  the  timbers  are  united,  being 
only  a  continuation  of  floor-timbers  upwards. 

FLOOR-SWEEPS.  The  radii  that  sweep  the  heads  of  the  floors.  The 
first  in  the  builder's  draught,  which  is  limited  by  a  line  in  the  body-plan, 
perpendicular  to  the  plane  of  elevation,  a  little  above  the  keel;  and  the 
height  of  this  line  above  the  keel  is  called  the  dead-rising, 

FLOP,  To.     To  fall  flat  down:  as  "  soused  flop  in  the  lee-scuppers." 

FLORY-BOATS.  A  local  term  for  boats  employed  in  carrying  passengers 
to  and  fro  from  steamers  which  cannot  get  alongside  of  a  quay  at  low- 
water. 

FLOSH.     A  swamp  overgrown  with  weeds. 

FLOSK.     The  Sejna  loligOj  sea-sleeve,  or  anker-fish. 

FLOTA.     A  Spanish  fleet.     {See  Galleon.) 

FLOTAGES.     Things  accidentally  floating  on  seas  or  rivers. 

FLOTA  NAVIUM.     An  old  statute  term  for  a  fleet  of  ships. 

FLOTE     An  old  English  term  for  wave :  thus  Ariel  tells  Prospero  that 

the  dispersed  ships — 

"  All  have  met  again, 
And  are  upon  the  Mediterranean  flote."  ' 

FLOTE-BOTE.     An  old  term  for  a  yawl— a  rough-built  river  boat. 

FLOTERY.     Floating,  used  by  Chaucer  and  others. 

FLOTILLA.     A  fleet  or  squadron  of  small  vessels. 

FLOT-MANN.     A  very  early  term  for  sailor. 

FLOTSAM.     In  legal  phraseology,  is  the  place  where  shipwrecked  goods 

continue  to  float  and  become  derelict  property.    Sometimes  spelled  ^toon. 
FLOUNDER.     A  well-known  pleuronect,  better  to  fish  for  than  to  eat. 

Called  diho  floun-ddb. 
FLOW.     In  tideology,  the  rising  of  the  tide;  the  opposite  of  ebb.     Also, 

the  course  or  direction  of  running  waters. 


FLOWER FLUMMERY  309 

FLOWER  OF  THE  Winds.     The  mariner's  compass  on  maps  and  charts. 

FLOWERING.  The  phenomenon  observed  usually  in  connection  with 
the  spawning  of  fish,  at  the  distance  of  four  leagues  from  shore.  The 
water  appears  to  be  saturated  with  a  thick  jelly,  filled  with  the  ova  of 
fish,  which  is  known  by  its  adhering  to  the  ropes  that  the  cobles  anchor 
with  while  fishing,  for  they  find  the  first  six  or  seven  fathom  of  rope  free 
from  spawn,  the  next  ten  or  twelve  covered  with  slimy  matter,  and  the 
remainder  again  free  to  the  bottom;  this  gelatinous  material  may  supply 
the  new-born  fry  with  food,  and  protect  them  by  clouding  the  water, 

FLOWING-HOPE.     See  Forlorn  Hope. 

FLOWING-SHEET.  In  sailing  free  or  large,  is  the  position  of  the  sheets 
or  lower  clues  of  the  principal  sails  when  they  are  eased  off  to  the  wind, 
so  as  to  receive  it  more  nearly  perpendicular  than  when  they  are  close- 
hauled,  although  more  obliquely  than  when  going  before  the  wind;  a  ship 
is  therefore  said  to  have  a  flowing-sheet^  when  the  wind  crosses  the  line  of 
her  course  nearly  at  right  angles;  that  is  to  say,  a  ship  steering  due  north 
with  the  wind  at  east,  or  directly  on  her  side,  will  have  a  flowing-sheet; 
whereas,  if  the  sheets  were  hauled  close  aft,  she  would  sail  two  points 
nearer  the  wind — viz.  N.N.E  This  explanation  will  probably  be  better 
imderstood  by  considering  the  yards  as  plane  faces  of  wedges — ^the  more 
oblique  fore  and  aft,  the  less  headway  force  is  given,  until  22°  before  the 
transverse  line  or  beam.  This  is  the  swiftest  line  of  sailing.  As  the 
wind  draws  afb  of  the  beam  the  speed  decreases  (unless  the  wind  increases), 
so  that  a  vessel  with  the  wind  abeam,  and  every  sail  drawing,  goes  much 
faster  than  she  would  with  the  same  wind  before  it. 

FLUCTUATION  of  the  Tide.     The  rising  and  falling  of  the  waters. 

FLUE.    See  Fluke  of  Anchor. 

FLUES.  In  a  steamer's  boiler,  are  a  series  of  oblong  passages  from  the 
furnaces  for  the  issue  of  heated  air.  Their  object  being,  that  the  air, 
before  escaping,  shall  impart  some  of  its  heat  to  the  water  in  the  boiler, 
thereby  economizing  fueL 

FLUFFIT.     The  movement  of  fishes'  fins. 

FLUID  COMPASS.  That  in  which  the  card  revolves  in  its  bowl  floated 
by  alcohol,  which  prevents  the  needle  from  undue  vibrations.  The  pin  is 
downwards  to  prevent  rising,  as  in  the  suspended  compass-card.  The 
body,  or  card,  on  which  the  points  of  the  compass  are  marked,  is  con- 
structed of  two  segments  of  a  globe,  having  a  diameter  of  7  inches  to  the 
(double)  depth  of  1  inch  at  the  poles. 

FLUKES.  The  two  parts  which  constitute  the  large  triangular  tail  of  the 
whale;  from  the  power  of  these  the  phrase  obtained  among  whalers  of 
flvMng  or  aUrO-flvJciTig,  when  running  with  a  fresh  free  wind.  Flukes, 
or  palms,  are  also  the  broad  triangular  plates  of  iron  on  each  arm  of  the 
anchor,  inside  the  bills  or  extreme  points,  which  having  entered  the 
ground,  hold  the  ship.  Seamen,  by  custom,  drop  the  k,  and  pronounce 
the  word,/^uc 

FLUMMERY.     A  dish  made  of  oat-meal,  or  oats  soured,  &c. 


310  FLURR Y —^  FLYING  DUTCfHMAN 

FLURRY.  The  convulsive  movements  of  a  dying  whale.  Also,  a  light 
breeze  of  wind  shifting  to  different  points,  and  causing  a  little  ruffling  on 
the  sea.     Also,  hurry  and  confusion. 

FLUSH.  An  old  word  for  even  or  level.  Anything  of  fair  surface,  or  in 
continuous  even  lines.  Colloquially  the  word  means  full  of,  or  abound- 
ing in  pay  or  prize-money. 

FLUSH-DECK.  A  continued  floor  laid  from  the  stem  to  the  stem,  upon 
one  range,  without  any  break. 

FLUSHED.     Excited  by  success;  flushed  with  victory. 

FLUSTERED.  Performing  duty  in  an  agitated  and  confused  manner. 
Also,  stupefied  by  drink. 

FLUTE,  OR  Fltjyt.  A  pink-rigged  fly-boat,  the  after-part  of  which  is 
round-ribbed.     Also,  vessels  only  partly  armed;  as  armed  enjlvie, 

FLUTTERING.     Used  in  the  same  sense  as  flapping, 

FLUVIAL,  OR  Fluviatile.     Of  or  belonging  to  a  river." 

FLUVIAL  LAGOONS.  Contradistinguished  from  marine  lagoons,  in 
being  formed  by  river  deposits. 

FLUX.     The  flowing  in  of  the  tide. 

FLY  OF  A  Flag.  The  breadth  from  the  staff  to  the  extreme  end  that 
flutters  loose  in  the  wind.  If  an  ensign,  the  part  which  extends  from  the 
union  to  the  outer  part;  the  vertical  height,  to  the  head-toggle  of  which 
the  halliards  are  bent^  or  which  is  next  to  the  staff,  is  called  the  hoiat; 
the  lower  (which  is  a  rope  rove  through  the  canvas  heading,  and  into 
which  the  head-toggle  is  spliced)  is  the  long  tack;  on  this  rope  the  whole 
strain  is  sustained. 

FLY,  OR  Compass-Card,  placed  on  the  magnetic-needle  and  supported  by 
a  pin,  whereon  it  turns  freely.     {See  Compass.) 

FLY-AWAY.  Fictitious  resemblance  of  land;  "Dutchman's  cape,"  Ac. 
{See  Cape  Fly-away.) 

FLY-BLOCK.  The  block  spliced  into  the  topsail-tye;  it  is  large  and  flat, 
and  sometimes  doubla 

FLY-BOAT.  A  large  flat-bottomed  Dutch  vessel,  whose  burden  is  gene- 
rally from  300  to  600  tons.  It  is  distinguished  by  a  remarkably  high 
stem,  resembling  a  Gothic  turret^  and  by  very  broad  buttocks  below. 
Also,  a  swift  canal  passage-boat 

FLY-BY-NIGHT.  A  sort  of  square-sail,  like  a  studding-sail,  used  in  sloops 
when  running  before  the  wind;  oflen  a  temporary  spare  jib  set  from  the 
topmast-head  to  the  yard-arm  of  the  square-sail 

FLYER     A  fast  sailer;  a  clipper. 

FLYING  ABOUT.     Synonymous  with  chop-about  (which  see). 

FLYING  COLUMN.  A  complete  and  mobile  force  kept  much  on  the 
move,  for  the  sake  of  covering  the  designs  of  its  own  army,  distracting 
those  of  the  enemy,  or  maintaining  supremacy  in  a  hostile  or  disaffected 
region. 

FLYING  DUTCHMAN.  A  famous  marine  spectre-ship,  formerly  sup- 
posed to  haunt  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.     The  tradition  of  seamen  was 


FLYING-JIB FOG-BANK  31 1 

that  a  Dutch  skipper,  irritated  with  a  foul  wind,  swore  hj  dormer  and 
blitzeuy  that  he  would  beat  into  Table  Bay  in  spite  of  God  or  man,  and 
that,  foundering  with  the  wicked  oath  on  his  lips,  he  has  ever  since  been 
working  off  and  on  near  the  Cape.  The  term  is  now  extended  to  false 
reports  of  vessels  seen. 

FLYING  JIB.  A  light  sail  set  before  the  jib,  on  the  flying  jib-boouL 
The  third  jib  in  large  ships,  as  the  inner  jib,  the  jib,  and  the  flying  jib, 
set  on  the  flying  jib-boom.     (See  Jib.) 

FLYING  JIB-BOOM.  A  spar  which  is  pointed  through  the  iron  at  the 
jib-boom  end.     It  lies  beside  it^  and  the  heel  steps  into  the  bowsprit  cap. 

FLYING-KITES.  The  very  lofty  sails,  which  are  only  set  in  fine  weather, 
such  as  sky-saUs,  royal  studding-sails,  and  all  above  them. 

FLYING-LIGHT.  The  state  of  a  ship  when  she  has  little*  cargo,  provi- 
sions, or  water  on  board,  and  is  very  crank. 

FLYING-TO.  Is  when  a  vessel,  from  sailing  free  or  having  tacked,  and 
her  head  thrown  much  to  leeward,  is  coming  to  the  wind  rapidly,  the 
warning  is  given  to  the  helmsman,  "Look  out,  she  is  flying-to.'' 

FLY  THE  SHEETS,  To  let.     To  let  them  go  suddenly. 

FLY-UP.  A  sudden  deviation  upwards  from  a  sheer  line;  the  term  is 
nearly  synonymous  with  flight. — To  fly  tip  in  the  wind,  is  when  a  ship's 
head  comes  suddenly  to  windward,  by  carelessness  of  the  helmsman. 

FLY-WHEEL,     The  regulator  of  a  machine. 

FOAM  [Anglo-Saxon,  yerfm].  The  white  froth  produced  by  the  collision  of 
the  waves,  or  by  the  bow  of  a  ship  when  acted  on  by  the  wind;  and  also 
by  their  striking  against  rocks,  vessels,  or  other  bodies. 

FOCAL  LENGTH.  The  distance  between  the  object-glass  and  the  eye- 
piece of  a  telescope. 

FOCUS.     A  point  where  converging  rays  or  lines  meet. 

FOEMAN.  An  enemy  in  war;  now  used  only  by  poets.  One  of  Falataff's 
recruits,  bight  Shadow,  presented  no  mark  to  the  enemy:  "The  foeman 
may  with  as  great  aim  level  at  the  edge  of  a  pen-knife." 

FCENUS  NAUTICUM.     Nautical  usury,  bottomry. 

FOG.  A  mist  at  sea,  consisting  of  the  grosser  vapours  floating  in  the  air 
near  the  surface  of  the  sea.  The  fog  of  the  great  bank  of  Newfoundland 
is  caused  by  the  near  proximity  of  warm  and  cold  waters.  The  air  over 
the  Gulf  Stream^  being  warmer  than  that  over  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land, is  capable  of  keeping  much  more  moisture  in  invisible  suspension; 
and  when  this  air  comes  in  contact  with  that  above  the  cold  water,  it 
parts  with  some  of  its  moisture,  or  rather  holds  it  in  visible  suspension. 
There  are  also  dry  fogs,  which  are  dust  held  in  suspension,  as  the  so-called 
African  dust,  which  often  partially  obscures  the  sun,  and  reddens  the  sails 
of  ships  as  they  pass  through  the  north-east  trades. 

FOG^BANK.  A  dense  haze,  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  thick  cloud 
resting  upon  the  horizon;  it  is  known  in  high  latitudes  as  the  precursor 
of  wind  from  the  quarter  in  which  it  appears.  From  its  frequent 
resemblance  to  land  it  has  obtained  the  name  of  Gape  Fly-away, 


312  FOG-BOW FOOT 

FOG-BOW.  A  beautiful  natural  phenomenon  incidental  to  higli  latitudes. 
It  appears  opposite  to  the  sun,  and  is  usually  broad  and  white,  but  some- 
times assumes  the  prismatic  colours.  Indicative  of  clearing  off  of  mists. 
(See  Fog-eater.) 

FOG-DOGS.  Those  transient  prismatic  breaks  which  occur  in  thick  mists^ 
and  considered  good  symptoms  of  the  weather  clearing. 

FOG-EiATER.  A  synonym  xyi  fog-dog  eLod/og-baw,  It  may  be  explained 
as  the  clearing  of  the  upper  stratum,  permitting  the  sun's  rays  to  exhibit 
at  the  horizon  prismatic  colours;  hence  "sun-gall." 

FOGEY.  An  old-fashioned  or  singular  person;  an  invalid  soldier  or  sailor. 
Often  means  a  stupid  but  irascible  fellow. 

FOGGY.     Not  quite  sober. 

FOGR AM.  Wine,  beer,  or  spirits  of  indifferent  quality;  in  feet,  any  kind 
of  liquor. 

FOG-SIGNALS.  The  naval  code  established  by  guns  to  keep  a  fleet 
together,  to  tack,  wear,  and  perform  sundry  evolutions.  Also,  certain 
sounds  made  in  fogs  as  warnings  to  other  vessels,  either  with  horns,  bells, 
gongs^  guns,  or  the  improved  fog-whistle. 

FOIL.  A  blunt,  elastic,  sword-like  implement  used  in  fencing. — To  /oU 
means  to  disconcert  or  defeat  an  enemy's  intention. 

FOILLAN.     The  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  a  gulL 

FOIN.     A  thrust  with  a  pike  or  sword. 

FOKE-SILL.  Among  old  salts  may  be  termed  a  curt  or  nicked  form  of 
/oreeastle, 

FOLDER.     The  movable  sight  of  a  fire-arm. 

FOLLIS.  A  net  with  very  large  meshes,  principally  for  catching  thorn- 
backs. 

FOLLOWERS.  A  certain  number  of  men  permitted  by  the  regulations  of 
the  service  to  be  taken  by  the  captain  when  he  removes  from  one  ship  to 
another.  Also,  the  young  gentlemen  introduced  into  the  service  by  the 
captain,  and  reared  with  a  father's  care,  moving  with  him  from  ship  to 
ship;  a  practice  which  produced  most  of  our  best  officers  formerly,  but 
innovation  has  broken  through  it,  t6  the  serious  detriment  of  the  service 
and  the  6ountry. 

FOLLOWING,  NoETH  or  South.    See  Quadraitt  of  Double-stabs. 

FOMALHAUT.     A  standard  nautical  star,  called  also  a  Piscis  atistralis, 

FOOL.  ^He*s  no  fool  on  a  march,*'  a  phrase  meaning  that  such  a  person  is 
equal  to  what  he  undertakes. 

FOOLEN.  The  space  between  the  usual  high-water  mark  in  a  river  and 
the  foot  of  the  wall  on  its  banks,  built  to  prevent  its  occasionally  over- 
flowing the  neighbouring  lands. 

FOOL-FISH.  A  name  of  the  long-finned  file-fish,  and  so  called  from  its 
apparently  whimsical  manner  of  swimming. 

FOOLISH  GUILLEMOT.  The  web-footed  diving-bird,  Uria  troile, 
common  on  our  coasts. 

FOOT.     The  lower  end  of  a  mast  or  sail.     Also,  the  general  name  of  in- 


FOOT-BANK FORCE  31 3 

fantry  soldiers.  Also,  the  measure  of  12  inches,  or  one-sixth  of  a  fathom. 
— To  foot.  To  push  with  the  feet;  as,  "foot  the  topsail  out  clear  of  the 
top-rim," 

FOOT-BANK.     Synonymous  with  hanqv^tte  (which  see). 

FOOT-BOARD.  The  same  as  gang-board,  but  not  so  sailor-like.  {See 
Stbetcher.) 

FOOT-BOAT.  A  west-country  term  for  a  boat  used  solely  to  convey  foot 
passengers. 

FOOT-CLUE  OF  A  Hammock.    See  Hammock. 

FOOT-HOOKS.     Synonymous  with/tt«ocA». 

FOOTING.  A  fine  paid  by  a  youngster  or  landsman  on  first  mounting  the 
top.  Also,  a  slight  payment  from  new  comers  on  crossing  the  line,  pass- 
ing through  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  entering  the  Arctic  Seas,  &c. 

FOOT  IT  IN.  An  order  to  stow  the  bunt  of  a  sail  snugly  in  furling, 
executed  by  the  bunt-men  dancing  it  in,  holding  on  by  the  topsail-tye. 
Frequently  when  a  bunt-jigger  has  parted  men  have  fallen  on  deck. 

FOOT-RAILS.     Narrow  mouldings  raised  on  a  vessel's  stem. 

FOOT-ROPE.     The  rope  to  which  the  lower  edge  of  a  sail  is  sewed.     (See 

BOLT-ROPE.) 

FOOT-ROPES.  Those  stretching  under  the  yards  and  jib-booms  for  the 
men  to  stand  on;  they  are  the  same  with  horses  of  the  yards  (which  see). 

FOOT-SPACE-RAIL.  The  rail  that  terminates  the  foot  of  the  balcony, 
in  which  the  balusters  step,  if  there  be  no  pedestal  rail. 

FOOT- VALVE.  A  flat  plate  of  metal  filling  up  the  passage  between  the 
air-pump  and  condenser.  The  lower  valve  of  a  steam-engine  situated 
anywhere  between  the  bottom  of  the  working  barrel  and  that  of  the 

condenser. 

FOOT-WALING.  The  inside  planking  or  lining  of  a  ship  over  the  floor- 
timbers;  it  is  intended  to  prevent  any  part  of  her  ballast  or  cargo  from 
falling  between  her  floor-timbers. 

FORAD.     An  old  corruption  oiforeward — ^in  the  fore-part  of  the  ship. 

FORAGE.  Food  for  horses  and  cattle  belonging  to  an  army.  Also,  the 
act  of  a  military  force  in  collecting  or  searching  for  such  forage,  or  for 
subsistence  or  stores  for  the  men;  or,  with  ill-disciplined  troops,  for  valu- 
ables in  general     Land-piracy. 

FORAGE-GUARD.  A  party  detached  to  cover  foragers,  those  wooding, 
watering,  <fec. 

FORAY.     A  plundering  incursion. 

FOR-BY.     Near  to;  adjacent. 

FORCAT.     A  rest  for  a  musket  in  olden  times. 

FORCE.  A  term  which  implies  the  sudden  rush  of  water  through  a  narrow 
rocky  channel,  and  accompanied  by  a  fall  of  the  surface  after  the  obstacle 
is  passed.  It  is  synonymous  with^oZ^.  Also,  the  force  of  each  ship  stated 
agreeably  to  the  old  usage  in  the  navy,  according  to  the  number  of  guns 
actually  carried.  In  these  days  of  iron-clads,  turret-ships,  and  heavy  guns, 
this  does  not  give  a  true  estimate  of  a  ship's  force.     Also,  the  general 


314!  FORCED  MAKCH FORECASTLE 

force,  ships,  men,  soldiers,  &c.,  engaged  in  any  expedition;  as  expeditionary 
force. — Also,  force  of  mnd,  now  described  by  nnmbers,  0  being  calm, 
12  the  heaviest  gale. — To  force,  is  to  take  by  storm;  to  force  a  passage  by 
driving  back  the  enemy. — Colloquially,  no  force— gently. 

FORCED  MARCEL  One  in  which  the  marching  power  of  the  troops  is 
forced  or  exerted  beyond  the  ordinary  limit. 

FORCED  MEN.  Those  sei*ving  in  pirate  vessels,  but  who  refused  to  sign 
articles. 

FORCER.     The  piston  of  Skforcing-ptimp. 

FORCES.     The  army  collectively,  or  naval  and  militaiy  forces  engaged. 

FORCING-PUMP.  Any  pump  used  to  force  water  beyond  that  force 
demanded  to  deliver  at  its  level,  as  fire-engines,  &c. 

FORD.  The  shallow  part  of  a  river,  where  troops  may  pass  without  injur- 
ing their  arms. 

FORE.  The  distinguishing  character  o'f  all  that  part  of  a  ship's  frame  and 
machinery  which  lies  near  the  stem,  or  in  that  direction,  in  opposition  to 
qft  or  afier.     Boarders  to  the  fore — ^advance ! 

FORE-AND-AFT.  From  head  to  stem  throughout  the  ship's  whole 
length,  or  from  end  to  end;  it  also  implies  in  a  line  with  the  keel;  and  is 
the  opposite  of  athwart-ahipsy  which  is  from  side  to  side. 

FORE-AND-AFTER  A  cocked  hat  worn  with  the  peak  in  front  instead 
of  athwart  Also,  a  very  usual  term  for  a  schooner  with  only  fore-and- 
afl  sails,  even  when  she  has  a  crossjack-yard  whereon  to  set  a  square- sail 
when  occasion  requires. 

FORE-AND-AFT  SAILS.  Jibs,  staysails,  and  gafisails;  in  fact,  all  sails 
which  are  not  set  to  yards.  They  extend  from  the  centre  line  to  the  lee 
side  of  a  ship  or  boat^  so  set  much  flatter  than  square-sails. 

FORE-BAY.  A  rising  at  a  lock-gate  flooring.  Also,  the  galley  or  the 
sick-bay. 

FORE-BODY.  An  imaginary  figure  of  that  part  of  the  ship  afore  the 
midships  or  dead-flat,  as  seen  from  ahead. 

FORE-BOWLINE.     The  bowHne  of  the  fore-sail. 

FORE-BRACES.  Ropes  applied  to  the  fore  yard-arms  to  change  the  posi- 
tion of  the  fore-sail  occasionally. 

FORECAST.  A  storm  warning,  or  reasonable  prediction  of  a  gale  from 
the  inferences  of  observed  meteorological  instruments  and  phenomena. 

FORECASTLE.  Once  a  short  deck  placed  in  the  fore-part  of  a  ship  above 
the  upper  deck;  it  was  usually  terminated,  both  before  and  behind,  in 
vessels  of  war  by  a  breastwork,  the  foremost  part  forming  the  top  of  the 
beak-head,  and  the  hind  part,  of  the  fore-chains.  It  is  now  applied  in 
men-of-war  to  that  part  of  the  upper  deck  forward  of  the  after  fore-shroud, 
or  maintack-block,  and  which  is  flush  with  the  quarter-deck  and  gang- 
ways. Also,  a  forward  part  of  a  merchantman  imder  the  deck,  where  the 
seamen  live  on  a  platform.  Some  vessels  have  a  short  raised  deck  for- 
ward, which  is  called  a  top-gaUant  forecastle;  it  extends  fix)m  the  bow  to 
abaft  the  foremast,  which  it  includes. 


FORECASTLE-DECK FOREIGN  31 5 

FORECASTLE-DECK.     The  fore-part  of  the  upper  deck  at  a  vesseFs  bows. 

FORECASTLE-JOKES.     Practical  tricks  played  upon  greenhorns. 

FORECASTLE-MEN.  Sailors  who  are  stationed  on  the  forecastle,  and 
are  generally,  or  ought  to  be,  prime  seamen. 

FORECASTLE-NETTINGS.    See  Hammock-nettings. 

FORECASTLE-RAIL.     The  rail  extended  on  stanchions  across  the  after- . 
part  pf  the  forecastle-deck  in  some  ships. 

FORE  CAT-HARPINGS.    See  Cat-harpings. 

FORE-COCKPIT.    5«e  Cockpit. 

FORE-COURSR     The  foresail  (which  see). 

FORE-DECK.     That  part  from  the  fore-mast  to  the  bows. 

FORE-FINGER,  or  Index-finger.  The  pointing  finger,  which  was  called 
shoot-finger  by  the  Anglo-Saxons,  from  its  use  in  archery,  and  is  now  the 
trigger-finger  from  its  duty  in  gunnery.     {See  Shoot-pinoer.) 

FORE-FOOT.  The  foremost  piece  of  the  keel,  or  a  timber  which  terminates 
the  keel  at  the  forward  extremity,  and  forms  a  rest  for  the  stem's  lower 
end;  it  is  connected  by  a  scarph  to  the  extremity  of  the  keel,  and  the  other 
end  of  it,  which  is  incurvated  upwards  into  a  sort  of  knee,  is  attached  to 
.the  lower  end  of  the  stem;  it  is  also  called  a  gripe.  As  the  lower  arm  of 
the  fore^foot  lies  on  the  same  level  with  the  keel,  so  the  upper  one  coin- 
cides with  the  middle  line  of  the  stem;  its  breadth  and  thickness  there- 
fore correspond  with  the  dimensions  of  those  pieces,  and  the  heel  of  the 
cut-water  is  scarphed  to  its  upper  end.  Also,  an  imaginary  line  of  the 
ship's  course  or  direction. 

FORE-GANGER  of  the  Chain  Bower  Cables.  Is  a  length  of  15  fathoms 
of  stouter  chain,  in  consequence  of  greater  wear  and  tear  near  the  anchor, 
and  exposure  to  weather.  Fore-ganger  is  also  the  short  piece  of  rope 
immediately  connecting  the  line  with  the  shank  of  the  harpoon,  when 
spanned  for  killing. 

FORE-GOER.     The  same  aa  fore-ganger. ' 

FORE-GRIPK     See  Gripe. 

FORE-GUY.     A  rope  to  the  swinging-boom  of  the  lower  studding-saiL 

FORE-HAMMER  The  sledge-hammer  which  strikes  the  iron  on  the 
anvil  first,  if  it  be  heavy  work,  but  the  hand-hammer  keeps  time. 

FORE-HOLD.     The  part  of  the  hold  before  the  fore  hatchway. 

FORE-HOODS.     The  foremost  of  the  outside  and  inside  planks  of  a  vessel. 

FORE-HOOKS.     The  same  as  breast-hooks  (which  see). 

FOREIGN.  Of  another  coimtry  or  society;  a  word  uaed  adjectively,  being 
joined  with  divers  substantives  in  several  senses. 

FOREIGN-GOING.  The  ships  bound  on  oceanic  voyages,  as  distinguished 
from  home-traders  and  coasters. 

FOREIGN  JUDGMENT.    See  Judgment. 

FOREIGN  REMITTANCK    See  Wages  Remitted  from  Abboad. 

FOREIGN  REMOVE-TICKET.  A  document  for  dischai^ng  men  from 
one  ship  to  another  on  foreign  stations:  it  is  drawn  up  in  the  same  form 
as  the  sick-ticket  (which  see). 


316  FOREIGN  SERVICE FORE-SHEETS 

FOREIGN  SERVICK  Vessels  or  forces  stationed  in  any  part  of  the 
world  out  of  the  United  Kingdom*     The  opposite  of  home  service, 

FORELAND.  A  cape  or  promontory  projecting  into  the  sea:  as  the 
North  and  South  Forelands.  It  is  nearly  the  same  with  headland,  only 
that  forelands  usually  form  the  extremes  of  certain  lines  of  sea-coast. 
Also,  a  space  lefl  between  the  base  of  a  canal  bank,  and  an  adjacent 
drainage  cut  or  river,  so  as  to  favour  the  stability  of  the  bank. 

FORE-LIGHTROOM.    See  Light-room. 

FORELOCK.  A  flat  pointing  wedge  of  iron,  used  to  drive  through  a 
mortise  hole  in  the  end  of  a  bolt^  to  retain  it  firmly  in  its  place.  The 
forelock  is  sometimes  twisted  round  the  bolt's  point  to  prevent  its  draw- 
ing.    Also,  spring-forelock,  which  expands  as  it  passes  through. 

FORELOCK-BOLTS.  Those  with  an  eye,  into  which  an  iron  forelock 
is  driven  to  retain  them  in  place.  When  secured  in  this  way,  the  bolt  is 
said  to  be  forelocked. 

FORELOCKS.  The  pins  by  which  the  cap-squares  of  gun-carriages  are 
secured. 

FORE-MAGAZINR    See  Magazine. 

FORE-MAN  AFLOAT.  The  dockyard  officer  in  charge  of  the  ship- 
wrights working  on  board  a  ship  not  in  dock. 

FORE-MAST.     The  forward  lower-mast  in  all  vessels.     {See  Mast.) 

FORE-MAST  MAN.  From  "before  the  mast.''  A  private  seaman  as 
distinguished  from  an  officer  of  a  ship. 

FOREMOST.  Anything  which  is  nearer  to  the  head  of  a  ship  than 
another. 

FORE-NESS.     An  old  term  for  a  promontory. 

FORE-PART  OF  a  Ship.     The  bay,  or  all  before  the  fore-hatches. 

FORE-PEAK.  The  contracted  part  of  a  vessel's  hold,  close  to  the  bow; 
close  forward  under  the  lower  deck. 

FORE-RAKE.  That  part  of  the  hull  which  rakes  beyond  the  fore-end  of 
the  keel. 

FORE-REACH,  To.  To  shoot  ahead,  or  go  past  another  vessel,  especially 
when  going  in  stays:  to  sail  faster,  reach  beyond,  to  gain  upon. 

FORERUNNER.     A  precursor,  an  avant-courier. 

FORERUNNERS  of  the  Loo-like.  A  small  piece  of  red  bunting  laid 
into  that  line  at  a  certain  distance  from  the  log,  the  space  between  them 
being  called  the  stray-line,  which  is  usually  from  12  to  15  fathoms,  and 
is  an  allowance  for  the  log  to  be  entirely  out  of  the  ship's  dead-water  be- 
fore they  begin  to  estimate  the  ship's  velocity,  consequently  the  knots 
begin  from  that  j)oint     {See  Loo.) 

FORE-SAIL.    The  principal  sail  set  on  the  foremast     {See  Sail.) 

FORE-SHEET  HORSE.  An  iron  bar  fastened  at  its  ends  athwart  the 
deck  before  the  mast  of  a  sloop,  for  the  foresail-sheet  to  traverse  upon  &om 
side  to  side. 

FORE-SHEETS  of  a  Boat.  The  inner  part  of  the  bows,  opposite  to  stem- 
sheets,  fitted  with  gratings  on  which  the  bow-man  stands. 


FOEESHEET  TRAVELLER FORK-BEAMS  317 

FORE-SHEET  TRAVELLER.  An  iron  ring  which  traverses  along  on 
the  fore-sheet  horse  of  a  fore-and-ait  rigged  vessel 

FORE-SHIP.  An  archaic  form  of  forecastle  of  a  ship;  it  means  the  fore- 
part of  a  vessel. 

FORE-SHROUDS.    See  Shrouds. 

FORE-STAFF.  An  instrument  formerly  used  at  sea  for  taking  the  alti- 
tudes of  heavenly  bodies.  The  fore-stafi^  called  also  croasstaffy  takes  its 
name  hence,  that  the  observer  in  using  it  turns  hia  &ice  towards  the 
object,  in  conti'adistinction  to  the  back-stafi^  where  he  turns  his  back  to 
the  object  The  fore  or  cross  staff  consists  of  a  straight  square  staff, 
graduated  like  a  line  of  tangents,  and  four  crosses  or  vanes  which  slide 
thereon.  The  first  and  shortest  of  these  vanes  is  called  the  ten  cross  or 
vane,  and  belongs  to  that  side  of  the  instrument  whereon  the  divisions 
begin  at  3°  and  end  at  10°.  The  next  longer  vane  is  called  the  thirty 
cross,  belonging  to  that  side  of  the  staff  on  which  the  divisions  begin  at 
lO"*  and  end  at  30°,  called  the  thirty  scale.  The  next  is  called  the  sixty 
cross,  and  belongs  to  that  side  where  the  divisions  begin  at  20°  and  end 
at  60°.  The  last  and  longest,  called  the  ninety  cross,  belongs  to  that  side 
whereon  the  divisions  begin  at  30°  and  end  at  90°. 

FORE-STAGE.     The  old  name  for  forecastle. 

FORE-STAY.    See^TAY. 

FORE-TACK.  Weather  tack  of  the  fore-sail  hauled  to  the  fore-boorakin 
when  on  a  wind. 

FOREi-TACKLE.  A  tackle  on  the  fore-mast^  similar  to  the  main-taclde 
(which  see).  It  is  used  for  similar  purposes,  and  also  in  stowing  tho 
anchor,  <&c. 

FORE-THWART.     The  seat  of  the  bow-man  in  a  boat. 

FORE-TOP.    See  Top. 

FORETOP-GALLANT-MAST.  See  Topgallant-mast,  to  which  may  be 
added  its  proper  sail,  yard,  and  studding-sail. 

FORETOP-MAST.    .S'ee  Top-mast. 

FORETOP-MEN.  Men  stationed  in  the  fore-top  in  readiness  to  set  or 
take  in  the  smaller  sails,  and  to  keep  the  upper  rigging  in  order. 

FORE-TYE.    See  Tye. 

FORE-YARD.  {See  Yard.)  For  the  yards,  sails,  rigging,  &c.,  of  the 
top-moat  and  topgcUlant-maat  see  those  two  articles. 

FORFEITURE.     The  effect  or  penalty  of  transgressing  the  laws. 

FORGE.  A  portable  forge  is  to  be  found  in  every  ship  which  bears  a 
rated  armourer;  and  it  can  be  used  either  on  board  or  ashora 

FORGE  AHEAD,  To.  To  shoot  ahead,  as  in  coming  to  an  anchor — a 
motion  or  moving  forwards.  A  vessel  forges  ahead  when  hove-to,  if  the 
tide  presses  her  to  windward  against  her  canvas. 

FORGING  OVER.  The  act  of  forcing  a  ship  violently  over  a  shoal,  by 
the  effort  of  a  great  quantity  of  sail,  steam,  or  other  manoeuvre. 

FORK-BEAMS.  Short  or  half  beams  to  support  the  deck  where  there  is 
no  framing,  as  in  the  intervention  of  hatchways.     The  abeam  arm  fork  is 


31 8  FORKERS FORT-MAJOR 

a  curved  timber  scarphed,  tabled,  and  bolted  for  additional  securitj  where 
the  openings  are  lai*ge. 

FORKERS.  Those  who  reside  in  seaports  for  the  sake  of  stealing  dock- 
yard stores,  or  buying  them,  knowing  them  to  be  stolen. 

FORLORN  HOPE.  Officers  and  men  detached  on  desperate  service  to 
make  a  first  attack,  or  to  be  the  first  in  mounting  a  breach,  or  foremost 
in  storming  a  fortress,  or  first  to  receive  the  whole  fire  of  the  enemy. 
Forlorn-hopes  was  a  term  formerly  applied  to  the  videttes  of  the  army. 
This  ominous  name  (the  enfants  perdus  of  the  French)  is  familiarized  into 
a  better  one  among  soldiers,  who  call  it  the  flotoingJwpe.  Promotion  is 
usually  bestowed  on  the  survivors. 

FORMATION.  The  drawing  up  or  arrangement  of  troops,  or  small-arm 
men,  in  certain  orders  prescribed  as  the  basis  of  manoeuvres  in  general. 
Also,  the  particulars  of  a  ship's  build. 

FORMER  The  gunner's  term  for  a  small  cylindrical  piece  of  wood,  on 
which  musket  or  pistol  cartridge-cases  are  rolled  and  formed  The  name 
is  also  applied  to  the  flat  piece  of  wood  with  a  hole  in  the  centre  used  for 
making  wads,  but  which  is  properly  ybrw*. 

FORMICAS.  Clusters  of  small  rocks  [from  the  Italian  for  ants].  Also, 
Hormigas  [Sp.] 

FORMING  THE  LINK    See  Line. 

FORMING  THE  ORDER  OF  SAILING.    See  Sailing. 

FORMS.     The  moulds  for  making  wads  by.     {See  Fobmer.) 

FORT.  In  fortification,  an  inclosed  work  of  which  every  part  is  flanked 
by  some  other  part;  though  the  term  is  loosely  applied  to  all  places  of 
strength  surrounded  by  a  rampart 

FORTALEZZA  [Sp.]     A  fort  on  the  coast  of  Brazil. 

FORTALICK     A  small  fortre&s  or  fortlet;  a  bulwark  or  castle. 

FORTH.     An  inlet  of  the  sea. 

FORTIFICATION.  The  art  by  which  a  place  is  so  fortified  that  a  given 
number  of  men  occupying  it  may  advantageously  oppose  a  superior  force. 
The  same  word  also  signifies  the  works  that  cover  and  defend  a  place. 
Fortification  is  defensive  when  surrounding  a  place  so  as  to  render  it  cap- 
able of  defence  against  besiegers;  and  offensive  when  comprehending  the 
various  works  for  conducting  a  siege.  It  is  ntUurcd  when  it  opposes 
rocks,  woods,  marshes,  ravines,  &c.,  to  impede  the  progress  of  an  enemy; 
and  ao'tificialy  when  raised  by  human  ingenuity  to  aid  the  advantages  of 
the  ground.  The  latter  is  again  subdivided  into  pemuinent  and  fM 
fortification :  the  one  being  constructed  at  leisure  and  of  permanent  < 
materials,  the  other  raised  only  for  temporary  purposes. 

FORTIFYING.  The  strengthening  a  ship  for  especial  emergency,  by 
doubling  planks,  chocks,  and  additional  timbers  and  knees,  strongly 
secured. 

FORT-MAJOR  An  officer  on  the  staff  of  a  garrison  or  fortress,  who  has, 
under  the  commanding  officer,  general  charge  of  the  routine  duties  and  of 
the  works. 


FORTUNE  OF  WAE FOUL  FISH  Q\Q 

FORTUNE  OF  WAR  The  usual  consolation  in  reverses—"  Fortune  de 
la  guerre,"  or  the  chances  of  war. 

FORTY-THIEVES.  A  name  given  to  forty  line-of-battle  ships  ordered 
by  the  Admiralty  at  one  fell  swoop,  to  be  built  by  contract,  towards  the 
end  of  the  Napoleon  war,  and  which  turned  out  badly.  The  writer 
served  in  one,  the  Rodney  74,  which  fully  exposed  her  weakness  in  the 
first  gale  she  experienced,  and  was  sent  home,  thereby  weakening  the 
blockading  fleet.  Many  never  went  to  sea  as  ships  of  the  line,  but  were 
converted  into  good  frigates. 

FORWARD.  In  the  fore-part  of  the  ship;  the  same  as  afore.  Also,  the 
word  of  command  when  troops  are  to  resume  their  mareh  after  a  tem- 
porary interruption. 

FORWARD  THERE !     The  hail  to  the  forecastle. 

FOSSE  fltaL]     Synonymous  with  Tooat  or  ditch. 

FOTHER  [Anglo-Saxon  foder].  A  burden;  a  weight  of  lead  equal  to 
19^  cwts.     Leaden  pigs  for  ballast. 

FOTHERING.  Is  usually  practised  to  stop  a  leak  at  sea.  A  heavy  sail, 
as  the  sprit-sail,  is  closely  thrummed  with  yam  and  oakum,  and  drawn 
under  the  bottom:  the  pressure  of  the  water  drives  the  thrumming  into 
the  apertures.  If  one  does  not  succeed  others  are  added,  using  all  the 
sails  rather  than  lose  the  ship. 

FOUGADE,  OR  FouoASS.  A  small  charged  mine,  from  6  to  8  feet  under  a 
post  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

FOUL.  Generally  used  in  opposition  to  clear^  and  implies  entangled,  em- 
barrassed, or  contrary  to:  as  '^a  ship  ran  foul  of  us,"  that  is,  entangled 
herself  among  our  rigging.    Also,  to  contaminate  in  any  way. 

FOUL  AIR.  May  be  generated  by  circumstances  beyond  control:  decom- 
posing fungi,  timber  injected  with  coal  tar,  hatches  battened  down,  and 
ashes  or  coal  washed  about  Whole  crews  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  in 
the  West  Indies,  have  been  thus  swept  away,  despite  every  precaution. 
But  generally  it  may  be  avoided  by  cleanliness. 

FOUL  ANCHOR.  An  anchor  is  said  to  be  fovX,  or  fouledy  either  when 
it  hooks  some  impediment  under  water,  or  when  the  ship,  by  the  wind 
shifting,  entangles  her  slack  cable  a  turn  reund  the  stock,  or  round  the 
upper  fluke  thereof.  The  last,  frem  its  being  avoidable  by  a  sharp  look- 
out, is  termed  the  seaman's  disgrace. 

FOUL  BERTH.  When  a  ship  anchors  in  the  hawse  of  another  she  gives 
the  latter  a  foul  berth;  or  she  may  anchor  on  one  tide  so  near  as  to  swing 
foul  on  the  change  either  of  wind  or  tide. 

FOUL  BILL.     See  Bill  of  Health. 

FOUL  BOTTOM.  A  ship  to  which  seaweed,  shells,  or  other  encumbrances 
adhere.  Also,  the  bottom  of  the  sea  if  rocky,  or  unsafe  from  wrecks,  and 
thence  a  danger  of  fouling  the  anchor. 

FOUL  COAST.  One  beset  with  reefs  and  breakers,  offering  dangerous 
impediments  to  navigation. 

FOUL  FISH.     Applied  to  salmon  in  the  spawning  state,  or  such  as  have 


320  ^OVL  GROUND FRAME 

not  for  the  current  year  made  their  way  to  the  sea  for  purification; 

sheddei's. 
FOUL  GROUND.     Synonymoua  with/otd  bottom, 
FOUL  HAWSE.     When  a  vessel  is  riding  with  two  anchors  out,  and  the 

cables  are  crossed  round  each  other  outside  the  stem  by  the  swinging  of 

the  ship  when  moored  in  a  tide-way.     (See  Elbow  and  Hawse.) 
FOUL  ROPE.     A  rope  entangled  or  unfit  for  immediate  use. 
FOUL  WEATHER.     That  which  reduces  a  ship  to  snug-saiL 
FOUL-WEATHER  BREEDER     A  name  given  to  the  Gulf  Stream  from 

such  a  volume  of  warm  water  occasioning  great  perturbations  in  the 

atmosphere  while  traversing  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 
FOUL-WEATHER  FLAG.     Denotes  danger  for  boats  leaving  the  shore; 

watermen's  fares  increase  with  these  signals. 
FOUL  WIND.     That  which  prevents  a  ship  from  laying  her  course. 
FOUNDER.     The  fall  of  portions  of  cliff,  as  along  the  coasts  of  Hampshire 

and  Dorsetshire,  occasioned  by  land-springs. 
FOUNDER,  To.     To  fill  with  water  and  go  down, 
FOUR-CANT.     A  rope  composed  of  four  strands. 
FOWAN.     The  Manx  term  for  a  dry  scorching  wind;  it  is  also  applied  by 

the  northern  fishermen  to  a  sudden  blast. 
FOX.     The  old  English  broadsword.     Also,  a  listening  formed  by  twisting 

several  rope-yarns  together  by  hand  and  rubbing  it  with  hard  tarred 

canvas;  it  is  used  for  a  seizing,  or  to  weave  a  paunch  or  mat^  &c.     (See 

Spanish  Fox.) 
FOXEY.     A  defect  in  timber  which  is  over-aged  or  has  been  indifferently 

seasoned,  and  gives  the  defective  part  a  reddish  hue.     The  word  is  very 

old,  and  meant  tainted  or  incipient  rot. 
FO Y.     A  local  term  for  the  charge  made  for  the  use  of  a  boat 
FOYING.     An  employment  of  fishermen  or  seamen,  who  go  off  to  ships 

with  provisions,  or  to  help  them  in  distress. 
FOYST.     An  old  name  for  a  brigantine.     The  early  voyagers  applied  the 

name  to  some  large  barks  of  India,  which  were  probably  grabs, 
FRACTURES.     Defects  in  spars  which  run  across  the  fibros,  being  short 

fracturos  marked  by  jagged  lines.    {See  Sprung.) 
FRAISES.     Principally  in  field  fortification,  palisades  placed  horizontally, 

or  nearly  so,  along  the  crest  of  the  escarp,  or  sometimes  of  the  counter- 
scarp;  being  generally  concealed  from   direct  artillery  fire  they  very 

materially  increase  the  difficulty  of  either  of  those  slopes  to  an  assailant. 

They  project  some  5  feet  above  the  surface,  and  are  buried  for  about  the 

same  length  in  the  ground. 
FRAME.     The  outer  frame  timbers  of  a  vessel  consist  of  the  keel,  stem, 

stem-posts,  and  ribs,  which  when  moulded  and  bolted  form  the  frame. 

{See  Timbers.) 
FRAME  OF  THE  Marine  Steah-enqike,  is  the  strong  supporter  of  the 
paddle-shafbs  and  intermediate  shafl;  it  rests  on  columns,  and  is  firmly 

bolted  to  the  engine  bottom. 


FRAMES FREE-BOAKD  321 

FRAMES.  The  bends  of  timbers  constituting  the  shape  of  the  ship's  body 
— ^when  completed  a  ship  is  said  to  be  in  frame, 

FRAME-TIMBERS.  These  consist  of  the  floor-timbera,  futtocks,  and  top- 
timbers;  they  are  placed  upon  the  keel  at  right  angles  to  it^  and  form  the 
bottom  and  sides  of  the  ship. 

FRAMING.  The  placing,  scarphing,  and  bolting  of  the  frame-timbers  of  a 
ship.     {See  Wabpino.) 

FRANC.  A  French  silver  coin  of  the  value  of  9Jd,  and  consisting  of 
100  centimes.  The  20 -franc  piece  in  gold,  formerly  called  Louis,  now 
Napolearhj  is  current  for  15«.  \^\d,  English. 

FRANCESCONI.  The  dollars  of  Tuscany,  in  value  is.  5\d.  sterling. 
They  each  consist  of  10  paolL 

FRANK.     The  large  fish-eating  herou  of  our  lakes  and  pools. 

FRAP.  A  boat  for  shipping  salt,  used  at  Mayo,  one  of  the  Cape  de  Yerde 
Islands. 

FRAP,  To.  To  bind  tightly  together.  To  pass  lines  round  a  sail  to  keep 
it  from  blowing  loose.  To  secure  the  falls  of  a  tackle  together  by  means 
of  spun  yam,  rope  yam,  or  any  lashing  wound  round  theuL  To  snap  the 
finger  and  thumb;  to  beat. 

FRAPPING.  The  act  of  crossing  and  drawing  together  the  several  parts 
of  a  tackle,  or  other  complication  of  ropes,  which  had  already  been  strained 
to  a  great  extent;  in  this  sense  it  exactly  resembles  the  operation  of  brac- 
ing up  a  drum.  The  frapping  increases  tension,  and  consequently  adds  to' 
the  security  acquired  by  the  purchase;  hence  the  cat-harpings  were  no 
other  than  frappings  to  the  shrouds. 

FRAPPING  A  SHIP.  The  act  of  passing  four  or  five  turns  of  a  laige 
cable-laid  rope  round  a  ship's  hull  when  it  is  apprehended  that  she  is  not 
strong  enough  to  resist  the  violence  of  the  sea.  This  expedient  is  only 
made  use  of  for  very  old  ships,  which  their  owners  venture  to  send  to  sea 
as  long  as  possible,  insuring  them  deeply.  Such  are  termed^  not  unaptly, 
floating  cofiins,  as  were  also  the  old  10-gun  brigs,  or  any  vessel  deemed 
doubtful  as  to  sea- worthiness.  St  Paul's  ship  was  ^^undergirded"  or 
frapped. 

FRAPPING  TURNS.  In  securing  the  booms  at  sea  the  several  turns 
of  the  lashings  are  frapped  in  preparation  for  the  succeeding  turns;  in 
emergency,  nailed. 

FRAUDS,  ACT  OF.  A  statute  of  Charles  II.,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  meet  and  prevent  certain  practices  by  which  the  navigation  laws  were 
eluded. 

FREDERIC.     A  Prassian  gold  coin,  value  16^.  6d  sterling. 

FREE,  To. — To  free  a  prisoner.  To  restore  him  to  liberty. — To  free  a 
pump.  To  disengage  or  clear  it. — To  free  a  boat  or  ship.  To  clear  it  of 
water. 

FREK  A  vessel  is  said  to  be  going  free  when  the  bowlines  are  slacked 
and  the  sheets  eased;  beyond  this  is  termed  larga     {See  Sailing  Large.) 

FREE-BOARD.    See  Plank-sheer. 

X 


322  FBBBING —1- FRENCH  FAKE 

FREEING.  The  act  of  pumping,  or  otherwise  throwing  out  the  water 
which  has  leaked  into  a  ship's  bottom.  When  all  the  water  is  pumped 
or  baled  out;  the  vessel  is  said  to  be  free.  •  Said  of  the  wind  when  it 
exceeds  67'  30'  from  right-ahead. 

FREE  PORT.  Ports  open  to  all  comers  free  of  entry-dues,  as  places  of 
call,  not  delivery. 

FREE  SHIP.  A  piratical  term  for  one  where  it  is  agreed  that  every  man 
shall  have  an  equal  share  in  all  prizes. 

FREE  TRADER  Ships  trading  formerly  under  license  to  India  inde- 
pendent of  the  old  East  India  Company's  charter.  Also,  a  common 
woman. 

FREEZE,  To.  To  congeal  water  or  any  fluid.  Thus  sea-water  freezes  at 
28°  6'  Fah.;  fresh  water  at  32*;  mercury  at  Sd""  5'  below  zero.  All  fluids 
change  their  degree  of  freezing  in  accordance  with  mixtures  of  alcohol 
or  solutions  of  salt  used  for  the  purpose.  Also,  according  to  the  atmos- 
pheric pressure;  and  by  this  law  heights  of  mountains  are  measured  by 
the  boiling  temperature  of  water. 

FREIGHT.  By  former  English  maritime  law  it  became  the  mother  of 
wages,  as  the  crew  were  obliged  to  moor  the  ship  on  her  return  in  the 
docks  or  forfeit  them.  So  severely  was  the  axiom  maintained,  that  if  a 
ship  was  lost  by  misfortune,  tempest,  enemy,  or  fire,  wages  also  were 
forfeited,  because  the  freight  out  of  which  they  were  to  arise  had  perished 
with  it.  This  harsh  measure  was  intended  to  augment  the  care  of  the 
seamen  for  the  welfare  of  the  ship,  but  no  longer  holds,  for  by  the  mer- 
chant shipping  act  it  is  enacted  that  no  right  of  wages  shall  be  dependent 
on  the  earning  of  freight;  in  cases  of  wreck,  however,  proof  that  a  man 
has  not  done  his  utmost  bars  his  claim.  Also,  for  the  burden  or  lading 
of  a  ship.  {See  Dead-fbeight.)  Also,  a  duty  of  50  sols  per  ton  formerly 
paid  to  the  government  of  France  by  the  masters  of  foreign  vessels  going 
in  or  out  of  the  several  ports  of  that  kingdom.  All  vessels  not  built  in 
France  were  accounted  foreign  unless  two-thirds  of  the  crew  were  French. 
The  Dutch  and  the  Hanse  towns  were  exempted  from  this  duty  of  freight. 
— To  freight  a  vessel,  meanB  to  employ  her  for  the  carriage  of  goods  and 
passengers. 

FREIGHT  OF  A  Ship.  The  hire,  or  part  thereof,  usually  paid  for  the 
carriage  and  conveyance  of  goods  by  sea;  or  the  sum  agreed  upon  between 
the  owner  and  the  merchant  for  the  hire  and  use  of  a  vessel,  at  the  rate 
of  so  much  for  the  voyage,  or  by  the  month,  or  per  ton. 

FREIGHTER  The  party  who  hires  a  vessel  or  part  of  a  vessel  for  the  car- 
riage of  goods. 

FREIGHTING.  A  letting  out  of  vessels  on  freight  or  hire;  one  of  the 
principal  practices  in  the  trade  of  the  Dutch. 

FRENCH  FAKE.  A  name  for  what  is  merely  a  modification  of  the 
Flemish  coil,  both  being  extremely  good  for  the  object,  that  is,  when  a 
rope  has  to  be  let  go  suddenly,  and  is  required  to  run  freely.  Fake,  in 
contradistinction  to  long  coil  is,  run  a  rope  backward  and  forward  in  one- 


FRENCH  LAKE FRESHES  323 

fathom  bends,  beside  each  other,  so  that  it  may  run  free,  as  in  rocket-lines, 
to  communicate  with  stranded  vessels.     {See  Flemish  Fake.) 

FRENCH  LAKE.     A  soubriquet  for  the  Mediterranean. 

FRENCH  LEAVE.     Being  absent  without  permission. 

FRENCHMAN.  Formerly  a  term  among  sailors  for  every  stranger  or 
outlandish  man. 

FRENCH  SHROUD-KNOT.  The  shroud-knot  with  three  strands  single 
walled  round  the  bights  of  the  other  three  and  the  standing  part.  (See 
Shroud-knot.) 

FRENCH  THE  BALLAST.     A  term  used  for  freshen  the  ballast 

FRESCA.     Fresh  water,  or  rain,  and  land  floods;  old  term. 

FRESH.  When  applied  to  the  wind,  siguifies  strong,  but  not  violent;  hence 
an  increasing  gale  is  said  to  freshen.  {See  Wind,  Force  of.)  Also  used 
for  sweet;  as,  fresh  water.  Also,  bordering  on  intoxication;  excited  with 
drinking.  Alao^  an  overflowing  or  flood  from  rivers  and  torrents  after 
heavy  rains  or  the  melting  of  mountain  snows.  Also,  an  increase  of  the 
stream  in  a  river.  Also,  the  stream  of  a  iiver  as  it  flows  into  the  sea. 
The  fresh  sometimes  extends  out  to  sea  for  several  miles,  as  off  Surinam, 
and  many  other  large  rivers. 

FRESH  BREEZK  A  brisk  wind,  to  which  a  ship,  according  to  its 
stability,  carries  double  or  treble  or  close-reefed  topsails,  &c  This  is  a 
very  peculiar  term,  dependent  on  the  stability  of  the  ship,  her  manage- 
ment, and  how  she  is  aflected  by  it,  on  a  wind  or  before  it.  It  is  num- 
bered 6.  Thus,  a  ship  running  down  the  trades,  with  studding-sails  set, 
had  registered  ''moderate  and  fine;"  she  met  with  a  superior  officer,  close- 
hauled  under  close-reefed  topsails  and  courses,  was  compelled  to  shorten 
sail,  and  lower  her  boat;  the  log  was  then  marked  ^ Afresh  breezes." 

FRESHEN,  To.  To  relieve  a  rope  of  its  strain,  or  danger  of  chafing,  by 
shifting  or  removing  its  place  of  nip. 

FRESHEN  HAWSE,  To.  To  relieve  that  part  of  the  cable  which  has 
for  some  time  been  exposed  to  friction  in  one  of  the  hawse-holes,  when 
the  ship  rolls  and  pitches  at  anchor  in  a  high  sea;  this  is  done  by  apply- 
ing fresh  service  to  the  cable  within  board,  and  then  veering  it  into  the 
hawse.     {See  Service,  Cackling,  or  Rounding.) 

FRESHEN  THE  BALLAST.  Divide  or  separate  it»  so  as  to  alter  its 
position. 

FRESHEN  THE  NIP,  To.     To  veer  a  small  portion  of  cable  through 
the  hawse-hole,  or  heave  a  little  in,  in  order  to  let  another  part  of  it  bear 
the  stress  and  friction.      A  common  term  with  tipplers,  especially  after     ^ 
taking  the  meridian  observation. 

FRESHEN  WAY.  When  the  ship  feels  the  increasing  influence  of  a 
breeze.     Also,  when  a  man  quickens  his  pace. 

FRESHES.  Imply  the  impetuosity  of  an  ebb  tide,  increased  by  heavy 
rains,  and  flowing  out  into  the  sea,  which  it  often  discolours  to  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  shore,  as  with  the  Nile,  the  Congo,  the  Mis- 
sissippi, the  InduS)  the  Granges,  the  Rhone,  Surinam,  &c 


324  FKESHET FRIDAY 

FRESHET.  A  word  long  used  for  pools  or  ponds,  when  swollen  after 
rain  or  temporary  inundations.  It  is  also  applied  to  a  pond  supplied  by 
a  spring. 

FRESH  GALE.     A  more  powerful  wind  than  9k  fresh  breeze  (which  see). 

FRESH  GRUB.     The  refreshments  obtained  in  harbour. 

FRESH  HAND  AT  THE  BELLOWS.  Said  when  a  gale  freshens 
suddenly. 

FRESH  SHOT.  A  river  swollen  by  rain  or  tributaries;  it  also  signifies 
the  falling  down  of  any  great  river  into  the  sea,  by  which  fresh  water  is 
often  to  be  found  on  the  surface  a  good  way  from  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

FRESH  SPELL.     Men  coming  to  relieve  a  gang  at  work. 

FRESH  WATER  Water  fit  to  drink,  in  opposition  to  sea  or  salt  water; 
now  frequently  obtained  at  sea  by  distillation.     {See  Ice.) 

FRESH-WATER  JACK.     The  same  SAfreshrVxU&r  sailor. 

FRESH-WATER  SAILOR.  An  epithet  for  a  green  hand,  of  whom  an 
old  saying  has  it,  "whose  shippe  was  drowned  in  the  playne  of  Salsbury." 

FRESH-WATER  SEAS.  A  name  given  to  the  extensive  inland  bodies 
of  fresh  water  in  the  Canadas.  Of  these,  Lake  Superior  is  upwards  of 
1500  miles  in  circuit,  with  a  depth  of  70  fisithoms  near  the  shores,  while 
Michigan  and  Huron  are  almost  as  prodigious;  even  Erie  is  600  miles 
round,  and  Ontario  near  500,  and  Nepigon,  the  head  of  the  system  geo- 
graphically, though  the  least  important  at  present  commercially,  but  just 
now  partially  explored,  is  fully  400.  Their  magnitude,  however,  appears 
likely  to  be  rivalled  geographically  by  the  lakes  lately  discovered  in 
Central  AMca,  the  Victoria  Nyanza  and  the  Albert  Nyanza. 

FRESH  WAY.  Increased  speed  through  the  water;  a  ship  is  said  to 
"gather  fresh  way"  when  she  has  tacked,  or  hove-to,  and  then  fills  her 
sails. 

FRET.     A  narrow  strait  of  the  sea,  from  /return, 

FRET,  To.     To  chafe. 

FRET  OF  Wind.     A  squally  flaw. 

FRETTUM,  OR  Frectum.     The  freight  of  a  ship,  or  freight-money. 

FRETUM  BRITANNICUM.  A  term  used  in  our  ancient  writings  for 
the  Straits  of  Dover. 

FRIAR-SKATE.     The  Raia  oxyrinckas^  or  sharp-nosed  ray. 

FRICTION-ROLLER.  A  cylinder  of  hard  wood,  or  metel,  with  a  con- 
cave surface,  revolving  on  an  axis,  used  to  lessen  the  friction  of  a  rope 
which  is  passed  over  it.  Friction-rollers  are  a  late  improvement  in  the 
sheaves  of  blocks,  &c,  by  which  the  pin  is  relieved  of  friction  by  three 
rollers  in  the  coak,  placed  equilaterally. 

FRICTION-TUBE.  The  means  of  firing  a  gun  most  in  favour  at  present 
in  the  British  service;  ignition  is  caused  by  the  friction  on  sudden  with- 
drawal of  a  small  horizontal  metal  bar  from  the  detonating  priming  in 
the  head  of  the  tube. 

FRIDAY.  The  dies  infaiLStua,  on  which  old  seamen  were  desirous  of  not 
getting  under  weigh,  as  ill-omened. 


FRIEZE-PANEL FRONTIER  32^ 

FRIEZE-PANEL.     The  lower  part  of  a  gun-port. 

FErlEZING.  The  ornamental  carving  or  painting  above  the  drift-rails,  and 
likewise  round  the  stem  or  the  bow. 

FRIGATE.  In  the  Royal  Navy,  the  next  class  vessel  to  a  ship  of  the  line; 
formerly  a  light  nimble  ship  built  for  the  purpose  of  sailing  swiftly.  The 
name  was  early  known  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  applied  to  a  long  kind 
of  vessel,  navigated  in  that  sea,  with  sails  and  oars.  The  English  were 
the  first  who  appeared  on  the  ocean  with  these  ships,  and  equipped  them 
for  war  as  well  as  for  commerce.  These  vessels  mounted  from  28  to  60 
guns,  and  made  excellent  cruisers.  Frigate  is  now  apocryphal,  being 
carried  up  to  7000  tons.  The  donkey-frigate  was  a  late  invention  to  . 
serve  patronage,  and  sprigs  of  certain  houses  were  educated  in  them.  / 
They  carried  28  guns,  carronades,  and  were  about  600  tons  burden,  com- 
manded by  captains  who  sometimes  found  a  commander  in  a  sloop  which 
could  blow  him  out  of  water. — Frigate  is  also  the  £^miliar  name  of  the 
membranous  zoophyte,  Physalia  pdagica,  or  Portuguese  man-of-war. 

FRIGATE-BIRD.  Tcbchypetea  aquUci,  a  searbird  generally  seen  in  the 
tropics.  It  seems  to  live  on  the  wing,  is  partially  web-footed,  and  only 
visits  the  land  at  breeding  time. 

FRIGATE-BUILT.  The  disposition  of  the  decks  of  such  merchant  ships 
as  have  a  descent  of  some  steps  from  the  quarter-deck  and  forecastle  into 
the  waist)  in  contradistinction  to  those  whose  decks  are  on  a  continued 
line  for  the  whole  length  of  the  ship,  which  are  called  galley-built.  (See 
Deck.) 

FRIGATOON.  A  Venetian  vessel,  commonly  used  in  the  Adriatic,  built 
with  a  square  stem,  and  with  only  a  main-mast,  jigger  mizen-mast,  and 
bowsprit.     Also  applied  to  a  ship  sloop-of-war. 

FRINGING-REEFS.  Narrow  fringes  of  coral  formation,  at  a  greater  or 
less  distance  from  the  shore,  according  to  the  slopes  of  the  land. 

FRISKING.     The  wind  freshening. 

FRITH.  Derived  from  /return  maris,  a  narrow  strait :  an  arm  of  the 
sea  into  which  a  river  flows.     Synonymous  wiih.  firth  (which  see). 

FRITTERS.  Tendinous  fibres  of  the  whale's  blubber,  running  in  various 
directions,  and  connecting  the  cellular  substance  which  contains  the  oil. 
They  are  what  remains  afler  the  oil  has  been  tried  out,  and  are  used  as 
fuel  to  try  out  the  next  whale. 

FROG.     An  old  term  for  a  seaman's  coat  or  frock. 

FROG-BELT.     A  Uldrick  (which  see). 

FROG-FISH.    See  Fishikg-fbog. 

FROG-LANDERa     Dutchmen  in  colloquial  language. 

FROG-PIKR  A  female  pike,  so  called  from  its  period  of  spawning  being 
late,  contemporary  with  the  frogs. 

FRONT.  The  foremost  rank  of  a  battalion,  squadron,  file,  or  other  body  of 
men. — To  front,  to  face. 

FRONTAGR     The  length  or  face  of  a  wharf. 

FRONTIER     The  limits  or  borders  of  a  country. 


326  FRONT  OF  FORTIFICATION FULL  BASTION 

FRONT  OF  FORTIFICATION.  The  whole  system  of  works  included 
between  the  salient  angles,  or  the  capitab  prolonged,  of  any  two  neigh- 
bouring bastions. 

FROSTED  STEEL.     The  damasked  sword-blades. 

FROST-FISH.  A  small  fiah,  called  also  tommy-cod;  in  North  America 
they  are  taken  in  large  quantities  in  the  depth  of  winter  by  fishing 
through  holes  cut  in  the  ice. 

FROST-RIME.     See  Frost-smoke. 

FROST-SMOKE.  A  thick  mist  in  high  latitudes,  arising  from  the  surface 
of  the  sea  when  exposed  to  a  temperature  much  below  freezing;  when  the 
vapours  as  they  rise  are  condensed  either  into  a  thick  fog,  or,  with  the 
thermometer  about  zero,  hug  the  water  in  eddying  white  wreaths.  The 
latter  beautiful  form  is  called  in  North  America  a  "  barber,"  probably 
from  its  resemblance  to  soap-suds. 

FROTH.     See  Foam. 

F.RS.     The  siglae  denoting  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society. 

FRUMENTARI-^  The  ancient  vessels  which  supplied  the  Roman 
markets  with  com. 

FRUSH.     A  northern  term  for  wood  that  is  apt  to  splinter  and  break. 

FRY.     Young  fishes. 

FUCUS  MAXIMUS.  An  enormous  sea-weed,  growing  abundantly  round 
the  coasts  of  Tristan  d'Acunha,  and  perhaps  the  most  exuberant  of  the 
vegetable  tribe.  Said  to  rise  frx>m  a  depth  of  many  fathoms,  and  to 
spread  over  a  surface  of  several  hundred  feet,  it  being  very  tenacious. 

FUDDLED.     Not  quite  drunk,  but  unfit  for  duty. 

FUELL.  An  old  nautical  word  signifying  an  opening  between  two  head- 
lands, having  no  bottom  in  sight. 

FU-FU.     A  well-known  sea-dish  of  barley  and  treacle,  in  merchant  ships. 

FUGITIVES  OVER  THE  Sea.  By  old  statutes,  now  obsolete,  to  depart  this 
realm  without  the  king's  license  incurred  forfeiture  of  goods ;  and 
masters  of  ships  carrying  such  persons  beyond  seas,  forfeited  their  vessels. 

FUGLEMAN,  or  more  properly  Flugelman.  A  corporal,  or  active  adept, 
who  exhibits  the  time  for  each  motion  at  the  word  of  command,  to  enal)le 
soldiers,  marines,  and  small-arm  men  to  act  simulteoieously. 

FULCRUM.  The  prop  or  support  of  a  lever  in  lifting  or  removing  a 
heavy  body. 

FULL.  The  state  of  the  sails  when  the  wind  fills  them  so  as  to  darry  the 
vessel  ahead. 

FULL  AND  BY.  Sailing  close-hauled  on  a  wind;  when  a  ship  is  as  close 
as  she  will  lie  to  the  wind,  without  suffering  the  sails  to  shiver;  hence 
keep  her  full  is  the  order  to  the  helmsman  not  to  incline  too  much  to 
windward,  and  thereby  shake  the  sails,  which  would  retard  the  ship's 
velocity. 

FULL  BASTION.  In  fortification,  is  a  bastion  whereof  the  terreplein,  or 
terrace  in  rear  of  the  parapet,  is  extended  at  nearly  the  same  level  over 
the  whole  of  its  interior  space. 


FULL-BOTTOMED FUNNEL  327 

FULL-BOTTOMED.  An  epithet  to  signify  such  vessels  as  are  designed 
to  carry  large  cargoes. 

FULL  DRIVE.     Fully  direct;  impetuous  violenca 

FULL  DUE.     For  good;  for  ever;  complete;  belay. 

FULLER     The  fluting  groove  of  a  bayonet. 

FULL  FEATHER.     Attired  in  best  dress  or  full  uniform. 

FUJiL  FOR  STAYS  1  The  order  to  keep  the  sails  full  to  preserve  the 
velocity,  assisting  the  action  of  the  rudder  in  tacking  ship. 

FULL  MAN.  A  rating  in  coasters  for  one  receiving  whole  pay,  as  being 
competent  to  all  his  duties;  able  seaman. 

FULL  MOON.  "When  her  whole  illuminated  surface  is  turned  towards 
us;  she  is  then  in  opposition,  or  diametrically  opposite,  to  the  sun. 

FULL  PAY.     The  stipend  allowed  when  on  actual  service. 

FULL  RETREAT.  When  an  army,  or  any  body  of  men,  retire  with  all 
expedition  before  a  conquering  enemy. 

FULL  REVETMENT.  In  fortification,  that  form  of  retaining  wall 
which  is  carried  right  up  to  the  top  of  the  mass  retained,  leaving 
no  exterior  slope  above  it;  the  term  is  principally  used  with  reference  to 
the  faces  of  ramparts. 

FULL  SAILS.     The  sails  well  set,  and  filled  by  the  wind. 

FULL  SEA.     High  water. 

FULL  SPEED !  A  self-explanatory  order  to  the  engineer  of  a  steamer  to 
get  his  engine  into  full  play. 

FULL  SPREAD.     AU  sail  set. 

FULL  SWING.     Having  full  power  delegated;  complete  control 

FULMAR.  A  web-footed  sea-bird,  ProceUaria  gtacicUiSy  of  the  petrel 
kind,  larger  than  the  common  gull;  its  eggs  are  taken  in  great  quantity 
at  St.  KUda  and  in  the  Shetlands. 

FUMADO.  A  commercial  name  of  the  pilchard,  when  garbaged,  salted, 
smoked,  pressed,  and  packed. 

FUMBLE-FISTED.  Awkward  in  catching  a  turn,  or  otherwise  handling 
a  rope. 

FUMIGATE,  To.  To  purify  confined  or  infectious  air  by  means  of  smoke, 
sulphuric  acid,  vinegar,  and  other  correctives. 

FUMIGATION-LAMP.  An  invention  for  purifying  the  air  in  hospital- 
ships  and  close  places. 

FUNERAL  HONOURS.     Obsequies  with  naval  or  military  ceremonies. 

FUNGL ,  An  almost  incalcidably  numerous  order  of  plants  growing  on 
dead  vegetable  matter,  and  often  produced  on  a  ship's  lining  by  long- 
continued  damp. 

FUNK,  Touch-wood.  Also  nervousness,  cowardice,  or  being  frightened. 
— To  Junk,     To  blow  the  smoke  of  tobacco. 

FUNNEL.  An  iron  tube  used  where  necessary  for  carrying  off  smoke. 
The  cylindrical  appendages  to  the  furnaces  of  a  steam-ship :  the  funnel  is 
fastened  on  the  top  of  the  steam-chesty  where  the  flues  for  both  boilers 
meet.     Also,  the  excavation  formed  by  the  explosion  of  a  mina     Also, 


328  FUNNEL-STAYS FtJKTHER  PROOF 

in  artillery,  a  cup-shaped  funnel  of  leather,  with  a  copper  spout,  for  filling 
powder  into  shells. 

FTJNNEL-STAYS.  The  ropes  or  chains  by  which  the  smoke-funnel  is 
secured  in  a  steam-ship. 

FUNNY.  A  light,  clinker-builtj  very  narrow  pleasure-boat  for  sculling,  Le. 
rowing  a  pair  of  sculls.  The  stem  and  stem  are  much  alike,  both  curved. 
The  dimensions  are  variable,  from  20  to  30  feet  in  length,  according  to 
the  boat  being  intended  for  racing  purposes  (for  which  they  are  mostly 
superseded  by  wager-boats),  or  for  carrying  one  or  more  sitters. 

FUR.  The  indurated  sediment  sometimes  found  in  neglected  ships'  boilers. 
{See  FuRKiNG.) 

FURL,  To.  To  roll  up  and  bind  a  sail  neatly  upon  its  respective  yard  or 
boom. 

FURLING.  "Wrapping  or  rolling  a  sail  close  up  to  the  yard,  stay,  or 
mast,  to  which  it  belongs,  by  hauling  on  the  clue-lines  and  bunt-lines, 
and  winding  a  gasket  or  cord  about  it,  to  fasten  it  thereto  and  secure  it 
snugly. 

FURLING  IN  A  BODY.  A  method  of  rolling  up  a  topsail  only  prac- 
tised in  harbour,  by  gathering  aU  the  loose  part  of  the  sail  into  the  top, 
about  the  heel  of  the  topmast,  whereby  the  yard  appears  much  thinner 
and  Ughter  than  when  the  sail  is  furled  in  the  usual  manner,  which  is 
sometimes  termed,  for  distinction  sake,  furling  in  the  burU.  It  is  often 
practised  to  point  the  yards,  the  earings  and  robins  let  go,  and  the  whole 
sail  bunted  in  the  top,  and  covered  with  tarpaulins. 

FURUNG-LINE.  Denotes  a  generally  flat  cord  called  a  gasket.  In  bad 
weather,  with  a  weak  crew,  the  topsail  is  brought  under  control  by  pass- 
ing the  topmast  studding-sail  halliards  round  and  round  all,  from  the 
yard-arm  to  the  bunt;  then  furling  is  less  dangerous. 

FURLOUGH.     A  granted  leave  of  absence. 

FURNACE.     The  fireplace  of  a  marine  boiler. 

FURNITURE.  The  rigging,  sails,  spars,  anchors,  cables,  boats,  tackle, 
provisions,  and  every  article  with  which  a  ship  is  fitted  out.  The  insur- 
ance risk  may  continue  on  them  when  put  on  shore,  during  a  repair. 

FUROLR     The  limiinous  appearance  called  the  corpo  santo  (which  see). 

FURRENS.  Fillings :  those  pieces  supplying  the  deficiency  of  the  timber 
in  the  moulding-way. 

FURRING.  Doubling  planks  on  a  ship.  Also,  a  furring  in  the  shipV 
frame. — Furring  ths  bailera,  in  a  steamer,  cleaning  off  the  incrustation 
or  sediment  which  forms  on  their  inner  surfaces. 

FURROW.  The  groove  or  rabbet  of  a  screw;  the  breech-sight  or  notch 
cut  on  the  base-ring  of  a  gun,  and  also  on  the  swell  of  the  muzzle,  by 
which  the  piece  is  laid. 

FURTHER  ORDERS.     These  are  often  impedimenta  to  active  service. 

FURTHER  PROOF.  In  prize  matters,  a  privilege,  where  the  court  is  not 
satisfied  with  that  originally  produced,  by  which  it  is  allowed  to  state 
circumstances  affecting  it. 


FURUBE  —  FtrzE  329 

FURUBE.  A  fisli  taken  in  the  Japanese  seas,  and  considered  to  be 
dangerously  poisonous.      ^ 

FURZE.     Brushwood,  prepared  for  breaming. 

FUSIL.  Formerly  a  light  musket  with  which  sergeants  of  infantry  and 
some  particular  regiments  were  armed. 

FUSILIERS.  Originally  those  regiments  armed  with  fusils,  by  whom, 
though  the  weapon  is  obsolete,  the  title  is  retained  as  a  distinction. 

FUST.  A  low  but  capacious  armed  vessel,  propelled  with  sails  and  oars, 
which  formerly  attended'  upon  galleys;  a  scampaviOf  barge,  or  pinnace. 

FUSTICK.  In  commerce,  a  dye-wood  brought  principally  from  the  West 
Indies  and  Spanish  Main. 

FUTTLING.     A  word  meaning /oo^wo^in^  (which  see). 

FUTTOOK-HEAD.  In  ship-building,  is  a  name  for  the  5th,  the  7th,  and 
the  9th  dmgonals,  the  intervening  bevellings  being  known  as  airtnarks. 

FUTTOCK-HOLES.     Places  through  the  top-rim  for  the  futtock-plates. 

FUTTOCK-PLANK.  The  first  plank  of  the  ceiling  next  the  kelson;  the 
limber-strake. 

FUTTOCK-PLATES.  Iron  plates  with  dead-eyes,  crossing  the  sides  of 
the  top-rim  perpendicularly.  The  dead-eyes  of  the  topmast  rigging  are 
set  up  to  their  upper  ends  or  dead-eyes,  and  the  futtock-shrouds  hook  to 
their  lower  ends. 

FUTTOCK-RIDERS.  When  a  rider  is  lengthened  by  means  of  pieces 
batted  or  scarphed  to  it  and  each  other,  the  first  piece  is  termed  the  first 
futtock-rider,  the  next  the  second  futtock-rider,  and  so  on. 

FUTTOCKS,  OR  FooT-HOOKS.  The  separate  pieces  of  timber  which  com- 
pose the  frame.  There  are  four  futtocks  (component  parts  of  the  rib),  and 
occasionally  five,  to  a  ship.  The  timbers  that  constitute  her  breadth — the 
middle  division  of  a  ship's  timbers,  or  those  parts  which  are  situated 
between  the  floor  and  the  top  timbers — separate  timbers  which  compose 
the  frame.  Those  next  the  keel  are  called  ground-futtocks  or  navel- 
timbers,  and  the  rest  upper  futtocks. 

FUTTOCK-SHROUDS,  or  Foot-hook  Shrouds.  Aie  short  pieces  of 
rope  or  chain  which  secure  the  lower  dead-eyes  and  futtock-plates  of  top- 
mast rigging  to  a  band  round  a  lower  mast 

FUTTOCK-STAFF.  A  short  piece  of  wood  or  iron,  seized  across  the 
upper  part  of  the  shrouds  at  equal  distances,  to  which  the  cat-harping  legs 
are  secured. 

FUTTOCK-TIMBERS.    See  Futtocks. 

FUZE.  Formerly  called  also  fuzee.  The  adjunct  employed  with  shells 
for  igniting  the  bursting  charge  at  the  required  moment.  Time-fuzes, 
prepared  with  some  composition  burning  at  a  known  rate,  are  cut  or  set 
to  a  length  proportionate  to  the  time  which  the  shell  is  destined  to  occupy 
in  its  flight ;  concussion  and  percussion  fuzes  ignite  the  charge  on  impact 
on  the  object:  the  former  by  the  dislocation  of  some  of  its  parts  throwing 
open  new  passages  for  its  flame,  and  the  latter  by  the  action  of  various 
mechanism  on  its  inner  priming  of  detonating  composition.     They  are 


330  FUZZY GAFF 

made  either  of  wood  or  of  metal,  and  of  varioas  form  and  size  accoixling 
to  the  kind  of  ordnance  they  are  intended  for.  Time-fuzes  of  special 
manufacture  are  also  applied  to  igniting  the  charges  of  mines,  subaqueous 
blasts,  (&C. 

FUZZY.     Not  firm  or  sound  in  substance. 

FYKE.  A  large  bow-net  used  on  the  American  coasts  for  taking  the 
shad;  hence  called  shad-fykes.     Also,  the  MediLsa  cmciata,  or  Medusa's 

head. 
FYRDUNG  [the  Anglo-Saxon  /yrd  ung,  military  service].     This  appears 
on  our  statutes  for  inflicting  a  penalty  on  those  who  evaded  going  to  war 
at  the  king's  command. 


G. 


GAB.  A  notch  on  the  eccentric  rod  of  a  steam-engine  for  fitting  a  pin  in 
the  gab-lever  to  break  the  connection  with  the  slide-valves.     {See  Gabbe.) 

GABARRK     Originally  a  river  lighter;  now  a  French  store-ship. 

GABART,  OB  Gabbebt.  A  flat  vessel  with  a  long  hatchway,  used  in 
canals  and  rivers. 

GABBR  An  old  but  vulgar  term  for  the  mouth. — Gi/t  of  the  gab,  or  glxb- 
gobbet,  facility  and  recklessness  of  assertion. 

GABBOK.  A  voracious  dog-fish  which  infests  the  herring  fisheries  in  St. 
George's  Channel 

GABELLE  [Fr.]    An  excise  tribute. 

GABERDINE     An  old  name  for  a  loose  felt  cloak  or  mantle. 

GABERT.     A  Scotch  lighter.     {See  Gababt.) 

GABIONADE.     A  parapet  of  gabions  hastily  thrown  up. 

GABIONS.  Cylindrical  baskets  open  at  both  ends,  about  3  feet  high  and 
2  feet  in  diameter,  which,  being  placed  on  end  and  filled  with  earth,  greatly 
facilitate  the  speedy  formation  of  cover  against  an  enemy's  ^xe.  They 
are  much  used  for  revetments  in  field-works  generally. 

GABLE,  OB  Gabulle.     A  tei*m  in  early  voyagera  for  cable,     TIius, 

"Softe,  ser,  seyd  the  gabulle-rope, 
Methinke  gode  ale  ia  in  your  tope.** 

GABLICK,  OB  Gafflock.     An  old  term  for  a  crow-bar. 
GABY.     A  conceited  simpleton. 

GACHUPINS.     The  name  given  in  South  America  to  European  Spaniards. 
GAD.     A  goad;  the  point  of  a  spear  or  pike. 
GAD- YANG.     A  coasting  vessel  of  Cochin-China. 

GAFF.  A  spar  used  in  ships  to  extend  the  heads  of  fore-and-aft  sails  which 
are  not  set  on  stays.     The  foremost  end  of  the  gaff  is  termed  the  jaw,  the 


GAFF-HALM  ARDS GALLED  33 1 

outer  part  is  called  the  peak.  The  jaw  forms  a  semicircle,  and  is  secured 
in  its  position  bj  a  jaw-rope  passing  round  the  mast;  on  it  are  stiiing 
several  small  wooden  balls  called  trticks,  to  lessen  the  friction  on  the 
mast  when  the  sail  is  hoisting  or  lowering. — To  blow  the  gaff,  said  of  the 
revealing  a  plot  or  giving  convicting  evidence. 

GAFF-HALLIARDS.     See  HALLiABDa 

GAFF-HOOK.  In  fishiug,  a  strong  iron  hook  set  on  a  handle,  supple- 
menting the  powers  of  the  line  and  fish-hook  with  heavy  fish,  in  the  same 
way  that  the  landing-net  does  with  those  of  moderate  size. 

GAFFLE.     A  lever  or  stirrup  for  bending  a  cross-bow. 

GAFF-NET.     A  peculiar  net  for  fishing. 

GAFF-TOPSAIL.  A  light  triangular  or  quadrilateral  sail,  the  head  being 
extended  on  a  small  gaff  which  hoists  on  the  topmast^  and  the  foot  on  the 
lower  gaff. 

GAGE.     The  quantity  of  water  a  ship  draws,  or  the  depth  she  is  immersed. 

GAGE,  Weatheb.  When  one  ship  is  to  windward  of  another  she  is  said 
to  have  the  weather-gage  of  her;  or  if  in  the  opposite  position,  the  lee- 
gage. 

GAGE-COCKS.  These  are  for  ascertaining  the  height  of  the  water  in 
the  boiler,  by  means  of  three  or  more  pipes,  having  a  cock  to  each. 

GAINED  DAY.  The  twenty-four  hours,  or  day  and  night,  gained  by  cir- 
cumnavigating the  globe  to  the  eastward.  It  is  the  result  of  sailing  in 
the  same  direction  as  the  earth  revolves,  which  shortens  each  day  by  four 
minutes  for  every  degree  sailed.  In  the  Royal  Navy  this  run  gives  an 
additional  day^s  pay  to  a  ship's  crew. 

GAIN  THE  WIND,  To.  To  arrive  on  the  weather-side  of  some  other 
vessel  in  sight,  when  both  are  plying  to  windward. 

GAIR-FISH.     A  name  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  porpoise. 

G AIR-FOWL.     A  name  of  the  great  auk,  Alca  impennis.     {See  Auk.) 

GAIRG.     A  Gaelic  name  for  the  cormorant 

GALAXY.     A  name  of  the  Milky  Way.     (See  Via  Lactea.) 

GALEAS.     See  Gallias. 

GALE  OF  WIND.  Implies  what  on  shore  is  called  a  storm,  more  par- 
ticularly termed  a  hard  gale  or  strong  gale;  number  of  force,  10. — A  stiff 
gale  is  the  diminutive  of  the  preceding,  but  stronger  than  a  breeze. — A 
fresh  gale  is  a  still  further  diminutive,  and  not  too  strong  for  a  ship  to 
carry  single-reefed  topsails  when  close-hauled. — A  top-gallant  gale,  if  a 
ship  can  carry  her  top-gallant  sails. — To  gale  away,  to  go  free. 

GALEOPIS.  An  ancient  war-ship  with  a  prow  resembling  the  beak  of  a 
sword-fish. 

GALITA.     See  Gueritk 

GALL.     See  Windgall. 

GALLANTS.     All  flags  borne  on  the  mizen-mast  were  so  designated. 

GALLAN  WHALE.     The  largest  whale  which  visits  the  Hebrides. 

GALLED.  The  result  of  friction,  to  prevent  which  it  is  usual  to  cover, 
with  skins,  mats,  or  canvas,  the  places  most  exposed  to  it.     {See  Service.) 


332  GALLEON GALLEY-FOIST 

GALLEON,  OB  Galion.  A  name  formerly  given  to  slups  of  war  furnished 
with  three  or  four  batteries  of  cannon.  It  is  now  retained  only  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  applied  to  the  largest  size  of  their  merchant  ships  employed 
in  West  India  and  Yera  Cruz  voyages.  The  Portuguese  also  have  ships 
trading  to  India  and  the  Brazils  nearly  resembing  the  galleons,  and  called 
caragues.     {See  Cakack.) 

GALLEOT,  OB  Galliot.  A  small  galley  designed  only  for  chase,  gene- 
rally carrying  but  one  mast,  with  sixteen  or  twenty  oars.  All  the  seamen 
on  board  act  as  soldiers,  and  each  has  a  musket  by  him  ready  for  use  on 
quitting  his  oar.  Also,  a  Dutch  or  Flemish  vessel  for  cargoes,  with  very 
rounded  ribs  and  flattish  bottom,  with  a  mizen-mast  stept  far  aft,  carrying 
a  square-mainsail  and  main- topsail,  a  fore-stay  to  the  main-mast  (there 
being  no  fore-mast),  with  fore-staysail  and  jibs.  Some  also  call  the  bomb- 
ketches  galliots.     {See  Scakpavia.) 

GALLERY.  A  balcony  projecting  from  the  admiral's  or  captain's  cabin; 
it  is  usually  decorated  with  a  balustrade,  and  extends  from  one  side  of  the 
ship  to  the  other;  lihe  roof  is  formed  by  a  sort  of  vault  termed  a  cove, 
which  is  frequently  ornamented  with  carving.     {See  "Stern;  also  Quarter- 

OALLERT.) 

GALLERY  of  a  Mine.  The  passage  of  horizontal  oommunicatioii,  as 
distinguished  from  the  shaft  or  vertical  descent,  made  underground  by 
military  miners  to  reach  the  required  position  for  lodging  the  charge,  <kc.; 
it  averages  4^  feet  high  by  3  feet  wide. 

GALLERY-LADDER.     Synonymous  with  stemrladder. 

GALLEY.  A  low,  flat-built  vessel  with  one  deck,  and  propelled  by  sails 
and  oars,  particularly  in  the  Mediterranean.  The  largest  sort,  called 
galleasses,  were  formerly  employed  by  the  Yenetians.  They  were  about 
160  feet  long  above,  and  130  by  the  keel,  30  wide,  and  20  length  of 
stern-post.  They  were  furnished  with  three  masts  and  thirty  banks 
of  oars,  each  bank  containing  two  oars,  and  every  oar  managed  by 
half-a-dozen  slaves,  chained  to  them.  There  are  also  half-gaUeys  and 
quarter^alleys,  but  found  by  experience  to  be  of  little  utility  except 
in  fine  weather.  They  generally  hug  the  shore,  only  sometimes  ven- 
turing out  to  sea  for  a  summer  cruise.  Also,  an  open  boat  rowing  six 
or  eight  oars,  and  used  on  the  river  Thames  by  custom-house  officers,  and 
formerly  by  press-gangs;  hence  the  names  ^^custom-house  galley,"  '^ press- 
galley,"  &c.  Also,  a  clincher-built  fast  rowing-boat,  rather  larger  than  a 
gig,  appropriated  in  a  man-of-war  for  the  use  of  the  captain.  The  gaUey 
or  gcMy  is  also  the  name  of  the  ship's  hearth  or  kitchen,  being  the  place 
where  the  grates  are  put  up  and  the  victuals  cooked.  In  small  merchant- 
men it  is  called  the  caboose;  and  is  generally  abaft  the  forecastle  or  fore- 
part of  the  ship. 

GALLEY- ARCHES.  Spacious  and  well-built  structures  in  many  of  the 
Mediterranean  ports  for  the  reception  and  security  of  galleys. 

GALLEY-FOIST  or  Fust.  The  lord-mayor's  barge,  and  other  vessels 
for  holidays.     {See  Fuste.) 


GALLEY-GROWLEKS GAMMONING  333 

GALLEY-GROWLERS.  Idle  grumblers  and  skulkers,  from  whom  dis- 
content and  mutiny  generally  derive  their  origin.  Hence,  "galley- 
packets,"  news  before  the  mail  arrives. 

GALLEY-NOSE.     The  figure-head. 

GALLEY-PACKET.     An  unfounded  rumour.     {See  GALLEY-aaowLERS.) 

GALLEY-PEPPER.  The  soot  or  ashes  which  accidentally  drop  into 
victuals  in  cooking. 

GALLEY-SLANG.     The  neological  barbarisms  foisted  into  sea-language. 

GALLEY-SLAVE.  A  person  condemned  to  work  at  the  oar  on  board  a 
galley,  and  chained  to  the  deck. 

GALLEY-STOKER     A  lazy  skulker. 

GALLEY-TROUGH.    ^ec  Gbeletroch. 

GALLIAS.     A  heavy,  low-built  vessel  of  burden.     Not  to  be  confounded 

with  galley,  for  even  Shakspeare,  in  the  Tamirtg  of  the  ShreWy  makes 

Tranio  say : — 

''  My  father  hath  no  leas 
Than  three  great  argosies;  besides  two  galeasses, 
And  twelve  tight  galleys." 

GALLIED.     The  state  of  a  whale  when  he  is  seriously  alarmed. 

GALLIGASKINS.  Wide  hose  or  breeches  formerly  worn  by  seamen 
also  called  peUicoat-trotisers.  P.  Penilesse,  in  his  Sap  to  the  DiveU,  says : 
''  Some  gaily  gascoynes  or  shipman's  hose,  like  the  Anabaptists,"  &c 

GALLING-FIRK  A  sustained  discharge  of  cannon,  or  small  arms,  which 
by  its  execution  greatly  annoys  the  enemy. 

GALLIVATS.  Armed  row-boats  of  India,  smaller  than  a  grab;  generally 
50  to  70  tons. 

GALLOON.     Gold  lace.     [Fr.  gahn;  Sp.  galon,] 

GALLOPER.     A  small  gun  used  by  the  Indians,  easily  drawn  by  one'  horse. 

G ALLOW-GLASSES.  Formerly  a  heavy-armed  body  of  foot;  more  recently 
applied  to  Irish  infantiy  soldiers. 

GALLOWS.  The  cross-pieces  on  the  small  bitts  at  the  main  and  fore  hatch- 
ways in  flush-decked  vessels,  for  stowing  away  the  booms  and  spars  over 
the  boats;  also  termed  gallowses,  gaUows-tops,  gcUlows-bitts,  and  gaUows- 
stanchions.  The  word  is  used  colloquially  for  archness,  as  well  as  for 
notoriously  bad  characters. 

GALLS.     Yeins  of  land  through  which  the  water  oozes. 

GALL-WIND.    See  Windgall. 

GALL  Y-GUN.     A  kind  of  culverin. 

GALOOT.  An  awkward  soldier,  from  the  Russian  golut,  or  slave.  A 
soubriquet  for  the  young  or  "green"  marine. 

GALORK     Plenty,  abundance. 

GAMBISON.  A  quilted  doublet  formerly  worn  under  armour,  to  prevent 
its  chafing. 

GAME-LEG.     A  lame  limb,  but  not  so  bad  as  to  unfit  for  duty. 

GAMMON,  To.     To  pass  the  lashings  of  the  bowsprit 

GAMMONING.     Seven  or  eight  turns  of  a  rope-lashing  passed  alternately 


334!  GAMMONING-HOLE GANNY-WEDGE 

over  the  bowsprit  and'  through  a  large  hole  in  the  cut-water,  the  better 
to  support  the  stays  of  the  foremast;  afler  all  the  turns  are  drawn  as 
firm  as  possible,  the  two  opposite  are.  braced  together  under  the  bowsprit 
by  a  frapping.  Gammoning  lashing,  fashion,  <&c.,  has  a  peculiar  seaman- 
like meaning.  The  gammoning  turns  are  passed  from  the  standing  part 
or  bolt  forward,  over  the  bowsprit,  aft  through  the  knee  forward,  making 
a  cross  lashing.  It  was  the  essence  of  a  seaman's  ability,  and  only  fore- 
castle men,  under  the  boatswain,  executed  it.  Now  galvanized  chain  is 
more  commonly  used  than  rope  for  gammoning. 

GAMMONING-HOLlEL  a.  mortifle-opeDing  cut  through  the  knee  of  the 
head,  between  the  cheeks,  through  which  the  gammoning'  is  ftumnA. 

GAMMON-KNEE.  A  knee-timber  fayed  and  bolted  to  the  stem,  a  little 
below  the  bowsprit. 

GAMMON-PLATE.  An  iron  plate  bolted  to  the  stem  of  some  vessels  for 
the  purpose  of  supporting  the  gammoning  of  the  bowsprit. 

GAMMON-SHACKLE.  A  sort  of  triangular  ring  formed  on  the  end  of 
a  gammon-plate,  for  the  gammoning  lashing  or  chain  to  be  made  &st  to. 

GAND-FLOOK.     A  name  of  the  saury-pike,  Scomberesox  saurtu, 

GANG.  A  detachment;  being  a  selected  number  of  a  ship's  crew  appointed 
on  any  particular  service,  and  commanded  by  an  officer  suitable  to  the 
occasion. 

GANG-BOARD.  The  narrow  platform  within  the  side  next  the  gunwale, 
connecting  the  quarter-deck  to  the  forecastle.  Also,  a  plank  with  several 
cleats  or  steps  nailed  to  it  to  prevent  slipping,  for  the  convenience  of 
walking  into  or  out  of  a  boat  upon  the  shore,  where  the  water  is  shallow. 

GANG-CASKS.  Small  barrels  used  for  bringing  water  on  board  in  boats; 
somewhat  larger  than  breakers,  and  usually  containing  32  gallons. 

GANGWAY.  The  platform  on  each  side  of  the  skid-beams  leading  from 
the  quarter-deck  to  the  forecastle,  and  peculiar  to  deep-waisted  ships,  for 
the  convenience  of  walking  expeditiously  fore  and  aft;  it  is  fenced  on  the 
outside  by  iron  stanchions  and  ropes,  or  rails,  and  in  vessels  of  war  with 
a  netting,  in  which  part  of  the  hammocks  are  stowed.  In  merchant 
ships  it  is  frequently  called  the  gang-board.  Also,  that  part  of  a  ship's 
side,  and  opening  in  her  bulwarks,  by  which  persons  enter  and  depart, 
provided  with  a  sufficient  number  of  steps  or  cleats,  nailed  upon  the  ship's 
side,  nearly  as  low  as  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  sometimes  furnished 
with  a  railed  accommodation-ladder  projecting  from  the  ship's  side,  and 
secured  by  iron  braces.  Also,  narrow  passages  left  in  the  hold,  when  a 
ship  is  laden,  in  order  to  enter  any  particular  place  as  occasion  may 
require,  or  stop  a  leak.  Also,  it  implies  a  thoroughfare  of  any  kind. — 
To  bring  to  the  gangway,  to  punish  a  seaman  by  seizing  him  up  to  a 
grating,  there  to  undergo  flogging. 

GANNERET.     A  sort  of  gull. 

GANNET.  The  Sula  bassana,  or  solan  goose:  a  large  sea  bird  of  the 
family  Pdecanidas,  common  on  the  Scottish  coasts. 

GANNY-WEDGR     A  thick  wooden  wedge,  used  in  splitting  timber. 


GANTAN GARNET  335 

GANTAN.     An  Indian  commercial  measure,  of  which  17  make  a  bamth. 

GANT-LTNK     Synonymous  with  girt-line  (which  see). 

GANT-LOPE,  OR  Gauntlopb  (commonly  pronounced  gantlet),  A  race 
which  a  criminal  was  sentenced  to  run^  in  the  navy  or  army,  for  any 
heinous  offence.  The  ship's  crew,  or  a  certain  division  of  soldiers,  were 
disposed  in  two  rows  face  to  face,  each  provided  with  a  knotted  cord,  or 
knitUe,  with  which  they  severely  struck  the  delinquent  as  he  ran  between 
them,  stripped  down  to  the  waist.  This  was  repeated  according  to  the 
sentence,  but  seldom  beyond  three  times,  and  constituted  **  running  the 
gauntlet." 

GANTREE,  or  Gantril.     A  wooden  stand  for  a  barrel. 

GANZEE.     Corrupted  from  Guernsey.     (See  Jersey.) 

GAP.  A  chasm  in  the  land,  which,  when  near,  is  useful  as  a  landmark. 

GAPK  The  principal  crevice  or  crack  in  shaken  timber. — The  seams  gape, 
or  let  in  water. 

GARAVANCES.     The  old  term  for  calavances  (which  see). 

GARBEL.     A  word  synonymous  with  garhoard  (which  see). 

GARBLING.     The  mixing  of  rubbish  with  a  cargo  stowed  in  bulk. 

GARBOARD-STRAKE,  or  Sand-streak.  The  first  range  of  planks  laid 
upon  a  ship's  bottom,  next  the  keel,  into  which  it  is  rabbeted,  and  into 
the  stem  and  stem-post  at  the  ends. 

GARDE-BRACE.     Anglo-Norman  for  armour  for  the  arm. 

GARE.     See  Gair-fowl.     Also,  the  Anglo-Saxon  for  ready.     (See  Yare.) 

GARETTE.     A  watch-tower. 

GARFANGLE.     An  archaic  term  for  an  eel-spear. 

GAR-FISH.  The  Behne  vulgaris,  or  bill-fish,  the  bones  of  which  are 
green.  Also  called  the  guard-fish,  but  it  is  from  the  Anglo-  Saxon  gar,  a 
weapon. 

GARGANEY.  The  Querquedula  circia,  a  small  species  of  duck,  allied 
to  the  teal 

GARLAND.  A  collar  of  ropes  formerly  wound  round  the  head  of  the 
mast,  to  keep  the  shrouds  from  chafing.  Also,  a  strap  lashed  to  a  spar 
when  hoisting  it  in.  Also,  a  large  rope  grommet,  to  place  shot  in  on  deck. 
Also,  in  shore-batteries,  a  band,  whether  of  iron  or  stone,  to  retain  shot 
together  in  their  appointed  place.  Also,  the  ring  in  a  target,  in  whicK 
the  mark  is  set.  Also,  a  wreath  made  by  crossing  three  small  hoops,  and 
covering  them  with  silk  and  ribbons,  hoisted  to  the  main-topgallant-stay 
of  a  ship  on  the  day  of  the  captain's  wedding;  but  on  a  seaman's  wedding, 
to  the  appropriate  mast  to  which  he  is  stationed.  Also,  a  sovt  of  cabbage- 
net,  whose  opening  is  extended  by  a  hoop,  and  used  by  sailors  to  contain 
their  day's  provisions,  being  hung  up  to  the  beams  within  their  berth, 
safe  from  cats,  rats,  ants,  and  cockroaches. 

GARNET,  A  sort  of  purchase  fixed  to  the  mainstay  of  a  merchant-ship, 
and  used  for  hoisting  the  cargo  in  and  out  at  the  time  of  loading  or 
delivering  her.  A  whip. — Clice-gameL  (See  Clue  and  Clue  Garnet- 
block.) 


336  GAENEY G  ATT 

GAKNEY.  A  term  in  the  fisheries  for  the  fins,  sounds,  and  tongues  of  the 
cod-fish. 

GARNISH.  Profuse  decoration  of  a  ship's  head,  stem,  and  quarters.  Also, 
money  which  pressed  men  in  tenders  and  receiving  ships  exacted  from 
each  other,  according  to  priority. 

GARR.     An  oozy  vegetable  substance  which  grows  on  ships'  bottoms. 

GARRET,  OB  Gakita.    A  watch-tower  in  a  fortification;  an  old  term. 

GARRISON.  A  military  force  guarding  a  town  or  fortress;  a  term  for 
the  place  itself;  also  for  the  state  of  guard  there  maintained. 

GARRISON  GUNS.  These  are  more  powerful  than  those  intended  for 
the  field;  and  formerly  nearly  coincided  with  naval  guns;  but  now,  the 
introduction  of  armour-plating  afloat  leads  to  furnishing  coast-batteries 
with  the  heaviest  guns  of  alL 

GARRISON  ORDERS.  Those  given  out  by  the  commandant  of  a  gar- 
rison. 

GARROOKA.     A  fishing-craft  of  the  Gulf  of  Persia. 

GARTERS.     A  slang  term  for  the  ship's  irons  or  bilboes. 

GARTHMAN.  One  who  plies  at  9i.  jhsk-garrih^  but  is  prohibited  by  statute 
from  destroying  the  fry  of  fish. 

GARVIK     A  name  on  our  northern  shores  for  the  sprat. 

GASKET.  A  cord,  or  piece  of  plaited  stuff,  to  secure  furled  sails  to  the 
yard,  by  wrapping  it  three  or  four  times  round  both,  the  turns  being  at  a 
competent  distance  from  each  other. — Bunt-gasket  ties  up  the  bunt  of  the 
sail,  and  should  consequently  be  the  strongest;  it  is  sometimes  made  in  a 
peculiar  net  form.  In  some  ships  they  have  given  place  to  beckets. — 
Double  gaskets.  Passing  additional  frapping-lines  round  the  yards  in 
very  stormy  weather. — Quarter-gasket.  Used  only  for  large  sails,  and  is 
fastened  about  half-way  out  upon  the  yard,  which  part  is  called  the 
quarter. — Yard-arm  gasket.  Used  for  smaller  sails;  the  end  is  made 
fast  to  the  yard-arm,  and  serves  to  bind  the  sail  as  far  as  the  quarter- 
gasket  on  large  yards,  but  extends  quite  into  the  bunt  of  small  sails. 

GAS-PIPE.  A  term  jocularly  applied  to  the  newly-introduced  breech- 
loading  rifle. 

GAT.     A  swash-way,  or  channel  amongst  shoals. 

GATE.  The  old  name  for  landing-places,  as  Dowgate  and  Billingsgate; 
also  in  clifls,  as  Elingsgate,  Margate,  and  Ramsgate;  those  in  Greece  and 
in  Italy  are  called  scala.     Also,  a  flood,  sluice,  or  water  gate. 

GATE,  OR  Sea-gate.  When  two  ships  are  thrown  on  board  one  another 
by  a  wave,  they  are  said  to  be  in  a  sea-gate. 

GATHER  AFT  A  SHEET,  To.    To  pull  it  in,  by  hauling  in  slack. 

GATHER  WAY,  To.  To  begin  to  feel  the  impulse  of  the  wind  on  the 
sails,  so  as  to  obey  the  helm. 

GATH-LINN.  A  name  of  the  north  polar  star;  two  Gaelic  worda,  signify- 
ing ray  and  moisture,  in  allusion  to  its  subdued  brightness.  , 

GATT.  A  gate  or  channel,  a  term  used  on  the  Flemish  coast  and  in  the 
Baltic.     The  Hellegat  of  New  York  has  become  Hell  Gate. 


OAUB-LINB  —  OBLLYWATTB  337 

GAIJB-LINE.    A  rope  leading  from  the  martingale  inboard.     The  same 

as  bctck^ope, 
GAUGE.    See  Gaojs. 
GAUGE-COCKS.     A  neat  apparatus  for  ascertaining  the  height  of  the 

water  in  a  steamer's  boiler. 
GAUGNET.     The  Sygnaihua  acita,  searneedle,  or  pipe-fisL 
GAUNTLET.     {See  Gibt-line.)    Also,  a  rope  round  the  ship  to  the  lower 

yard-arms,  for  dr3dng  scrubbed  hammocks.     Of  old  the  term  denoted  the 

armed  knight's  iron  glove.     (See  Gaittlope,  for  running  the  gaunUei.) 
GAUNTREK     The  stand  for  a  water  or  beer  cask. 
GAUNTS.     The  great  crested  grebe  in  Lincolnshire. 
GAUT,  OB  Ghaut.     In  the  East  Indies,  a  landing-place;  and  also  a  chain 

of  hills,  as  the  Western  G&uts,  on  the  Mysore  coast 

GAYELOCK.     An  iron  crow.    Of  old,  a  pike;  thus  in  Arthur  and 

Merlin — 

*'Gaveloke8  also  thioke  flowe 
So  gnattes,  ichil  avowe.*' 

GAYER.    A  Comish  name  for  the  sea  cray-fish. 

GAW.     A  southern  term  for  a  boat-pole. 

GAWJDNIR     The  dragonet,  or  yellow  gurnard;  CalUanymue  lyra, 

GAW-GAW.     A  lubberly  simpleton. 

GAWKY.  A  half-witted,  awkward  youth.  Also,  the  shell  called  horse- 
cockle. 

GAWLIN.  A  small  sea-fowl  which  the  natives  of  the  Western  Isles  of 
Scotland  trust  in,  as  a  prognosticator  of  the  weather. 

GAWN-TRER     See  Gantbbe. 

GAWPUS.    A  stupid,  idle  feUow. 

GAWRIK     A  name  for  the  red  gurnard;  Trigla  cucuIub. 

GAZONS  [Fr.]  Sods  of  earth  or  tarf,  cat  in  wedge-shaped  form,  to  line 
the  parapet  and  face  the  outside  of  works. 

GAZZETTA.  The  name  of  a  small  coin  in  the  Adriatic  and  Levant.  It 
was  the  price  of  the  first  Yenetian  newspaper,  and  thereby  gave  the  name 
to  those  publications.  In  the  Greek  islands  the  word  is  used  for  ancient 
coins. 

G.C.B.  The  initials  for  Grand  Cross  of  the  most  honourable  and  Mili- 
tary Order  of  the  Bath. 

GEAR  [the  Anglo-Saxon  gea/ra,  clothing].  A  general  name  for  the  rig- 
ging of  any  particular  spar  or  sail;  and  in  or  out  of  gear  implies  anything 
being  fit  or  unfit  for  use. 

GEARING.  A  complication  of  wheels  and  pinions,  or  of  shafts  and 
pulleys,  &c 

GEARS.    See  Jeers. 

GEE,  To.     To  suit  or  fit;  as,  « that  will  just  gee." 

GELLYWATTR  An  old  term  for  a  captain's  boat,  the  original  of  joUy- 
boat  (See  Captain  Downton's  voyage  to  India  in  1614,  where  '^she 
was  sent  to  take  soundings  within  the  sands.") 

Y 


338  GENERAL GBAXTT 

GENEEAL.  The  commander  of  an  armj:  the  military  rank  correspond- 
ing to  the  naval  one  of  admiral  The  title  includes  all  officers  above 
colonels,  ascending  with  qoalxfjing  prefixes,  as  brigadier-general,  major- 
general,  lieutenant-general,  to  general,  above  which  is  nothing  save  the 
exceptional  rank  of  field-marshal  and  of  captain-general  or  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  land  forces  of  the  United  Eangdom. 

GENERAL  AYERAGK  A  claim  made  upon  the  owners  of  a  ship  and 
her  cargo,  when  the  property  of  one  or  more  has  been  sacrificed  for  the 
good  of  the  whole. 

GENERAL  BREEZO.     See  Bbeezo. 

GENERALISSIMO.  The  supreme  commander  of  a  combined  force,  or  of 
several  armies  in  the  field. 

GENERAL  OFFICERS.     All  those  above  the  rank  of  a  colonel. 

GENERAL  ORDERS.  The  orders  issued  by  the  commander-in-chief  of 
the  forces. 

GENERAL  SHIP.  Where  persons  unconnected  with  each  other  load 
goods  on  board,  in  contradistinction  to  a  chaHered  ship. 

GENEVA  PRINT.     An  allusion  to  the  spirituous  liquor  so  called, — 

"  And  if  you  meet 
An  officer  preaching  of  sobriety, 
Unless  he  read  it  in  Geneva  print. 
Lay  him  by  the  heels." — Matainger. 

GENOUILLERE  [Fr.]     That  part  of  a  batteiy  which  remains  above  the 

platform,  and  under  the  gun  after  the  opening  of  the  embrasura      Of 

course  a  knee-step. 
GENTLE.     A  maggot  or  grub  used  as  a  bait  by  anglers. 
GENTLE  GALK     In  which  a  ship  carries  royals  and  flying-kites;  force  4. 
GENTLEMEN.     The  messmates  of  the  gunroom  or  cockpit — ^as  mates, 

midshipmen,  clerks,  and  cadets. 
GEOCENTRIC.     As  viewed  from  the  centre  of  the  earth. 
GEO-GRAFFY.     A  beverage  made  by  seamen  of  burnt  biscuit  boiled  ini 

water. 
GEOGRAPHICAL  POSITION.    See  Position. 
GEORGIUM    SIDUS.     The  planet  discovered  by  Sir  W.  Herschel  was 

so  named  at  first ;   but  astronomers  adopted  Uranus  instead,  as  safer  to 

keep  in  the  neutral  ground  of  mythology. 
GERLETROCH.     The  Salmo  Alpinus,  red  char,  or  galley-trough. 
GERRACK     A  coal-fish  in  its  first  year. 
GERRET.     A  samlet  or  parr. 
GERRICBL     A  Cornish  name  for  a  sea-pike. 
QERRON.     A  cant  name  for  the  sea-trout 
GESERNE.     Anglo-Norman  for  battle-axe. 

GESTLING.     A  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Cinque  Ports  at  Romney. 
GET  AFLOAT.     Pulling  out  a  grounded  boat. 
GET-A-PULL.     The  order  to  haul  in  more  of  a  rope  or  tackle. 
GHAUT.    See  Gaut. 


GHEE GIMMEL  339 

GHEE.     The  sabstitate  for  butter  served  out  to  ships'  companies  on  the 
Indian  station. 

GHOST.     A  false  image  in  the  lens  of  an  instrument. 

GHRIME-SAIL.     The  old  term  for  a  smoke-sail 

GIB.     A  forelock. 

GIBB.     The  beak,  or  hooked  upper  lip  of  a  male  salmon. 

GIBBOUS.  The  form  of  a  planet's  disc  exceeding  a  semicii*cle,  but  less 
than  a  circle. 

GIB-FISH.     A  northern  name  for  the  male  of  the  salmon. 

GIBRALTAR  GYN.  Originally  devised  there  for  working  guns  under  a 
low  roof.     {See  Gyn.) 

GIDDACK.  A  name  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  sand-launce  or  sand- 
eel,  Ammodytes  tohianus, 

GIFFOOT.  A  Jewish  corruption  of  the  Spanish  spoken  at  Gibraltar  and 
the  sea-ports. 

GIFT-ROPE  [synonymous  with  giiest^ope],  A  rope  for  boats  at  the 
guest-warp  boom. 

GIG.  A  light  narrow  galley  or  ship's  boat,  clincher-built,  and  adapted  for 
expedition  either  by  rowing  or  sailing;  the  latter  ticklish  at  times. 

GILDEK  A  name  in  the  Scottish  isles  for  the  Morhua  barbata,  or  whit- 
ing pout 

GILGTJY,  A  guy  for  tracing  up,  or  bearing  a  boom  or  derrick.  Often 
applied  to  inefficient  guys. 

GILL.  A  ravine  down  the  surface  of  a  cliff;  a  rivulet  through  a  ravine. 
The  name  is  often  applied  also  to  the  valley  itself. 

GILLER.     A  horse-hair  fishing  lina 

GILLS.     Small  hackles  for  drying  hemp. 

GILPY.     Between  a  man  and  boy. 

GILSE.    A  common  misnomer  of  griUe  (which  see). 

GILT.  A  cantj  but  old  term  for  money,  on  which  Shakspeare  (Jlenry  F. 
act  iL  scene  1)  committed  a  well-known  pun^ 

"  Have  for  the  gUt  of  France  (O  guilt  indeed  1)** 

GILT-HEAD,  oe  Gilt-poll.  The  Spwma  aurata,  a  fish  of  the  European 
and  American  seas,  with  a  golden  mark  between  the  eyes.     {See  Sedow.) 

GIMBALS.  The  two  concentric  brass  rings,  having  their  axles  at  right 
angles,  by  which  a  sea-compass  is  suspended  in  its  box,  so  as  to  counter^ 
act  the  effect  of  the  ship's  motion.  {See  CoHPAsa)  Also  used  for  the 
chronometers. 

GIMBLETING.  The  action  of  turning  the  anchor  round  on  its  fluke,  so 
that  the  motion  of  the  stock  appears  similar  to  that  of  the  handle  of  a 
gimlet  when  it  is  employed  to  bore  a  hole.  To  turn  anything  round  on 
its  end. 

GIMLET-EYE.     A  penetrating  gaze,  which  sees  through  a  deal  plank. 

GIMMART.    See  Gymmtrt. 

GIMMEL.     Any  disposition  of  rings,  as  links,  device  of  machinery.     {See 

GufBAL.) 


340  '  ^^ GI^^  ^^Y  TOGETHER 

GIN.     A  small  iron  cruciform  £rame,  haying  a  swivel-Hook,  furnislied  with 

an  iron  sheave,  to  serve  as  a  pullej  for  the  use  of  chain  in  discharging 

cargo  and  other  puipo8e& 
GINGADO.  See  Jebgado. 
GINGAL.     A  long  barrelled  fire-arm,  throwing  a  ball  of  from  ^  to  ^  lb., 

used  throughout  the  East^  especially  in  China;  made  to  load  at  the  breach 

with  a  movable  chamber.     (See  also  Jutgal.) 
GINGERBREAD-HATCHES.     Luxurious  quarters— 

'*  Gingerbread-hfttohes  on  ihore.** 

GINGERBREAD  WORK.     Profiiselj  carved  decorations  of  a  ship. 

GINGERLY.     Spruce  and  smart,  but  somewhat  affected  in  movement 

GINNELIN.     Catching  fish  by  the  hand;  tickling  them. 

GINNERS,  OB  GiNNLES.     The  gills  of  fisL 

GINSENG.  A  Chinese  root,  formerly  highly  prized  for  its  restorative 
virtues,  and  greatly  valued  among  the  items  of  a  cargo.  It  is  now 
almost  out  of  the  McUeria  Medioa, 

GIF,  To.     To  take  the  entrails  out  of  fishes. 

GIRANDOLE.     Any  whirling  firework. 

GIRD,  To.     To  bind;  used  formerly  for  striking  a  blow. 

GIRDLE.  An  additional  planking  over  the  wales  or  bends.  Also,  a  frap- 
ping  for  girding  a  ship. 

GIRT.  The  situation  of  a  ship  which  is  moored  so  taut  by  her  cables,  ex- 
tending from  the  hawse  to  two'  distant  anchors,  as  to  be  prevented  from 
swinging  to  the  wind  or  tida  Th^  ship  thus  circumstanced  endeavours 
to  swing,  but  her  side  bears  upon  one  of  the  cables^  which  catches  on  her 

•  heel,  and  interrupts  her  in  the  act  of  tiavereing.  In  this  position  she  must 
ride  with  her  broadside  or  stem  to  the  wind  or  current,  till  one  or  both 
of  the  cables  are  slackened,  so  as  to  sink  under  the  keel;  after  which  the 
ship  will  readily  yield  to  the  effort  of  the  wind  or  current,  and  turn  her 
head  thither.     (See  RmiKO.) 

GIRT-LINE.  A  whip  purchase,  consisting  of  a  rope  passing  through  a 
single  block  on  the  head  of  a  lower  mast  to  hoist  up  the  rigging  thereof, 
and  the  persons  employed  to  place  it;  the  girt-line  is  therefore  the  first 
rope  employed  to  rig  a  ship.     (Sometimes  mis-called  gantline.) 

GISARMS.     An  archaic  term  for  a  halbert  or  hand-axa 

GIVE  A  SPELL.     To  intermit  or  reUeve  work.     {See  Spku^O  !) 

GIVE  CBLASE,  To.     To  make  sail  in  pursuit  of  a  stranger. 

GIVE  HER  so  JLND  so.  The  direction  of  the  officer  of  the  watch  to  the 
midshipman,  reporting  the  rate  of  sailing  by  the  log,  and  which  requires 
correction  in  the  judgment  of  that  officer,  from  winds,  &c.,  before  marking 
on  the  log-board. 

GIVE  HER  SHEET.     The  order  to  ease  off;  give  her  rope. 

GIVE  "WAY.  The  order  to  a  boat's  crew  to  renew  rowing,  or  to  increase 
their  exertions  if  they  were  already  rowing.     To  hang  on  the  oars. 

GIVE  WAY  TOGETHER  So  that  the  oars  may  all  dip  and  rise 
together,  whereby  the  force  is  concentrated. 


GIVE  WAY  WITH  A  WILL GLOOM-STOVE  34I 

GIVE  WAY  WITH  A  WILL.     PuU  heartily  together. 

GIVING.     The  surging  of  a  seizing;  new  rope  stretching  to  the  strain. 

GLACIS.  In  fortification,  that  smooth  earthen  slope  outside  the  ditch 
which  descends  to  the  country,  affording  a  secure  parapet  to  the  covered 
way,  and  exposing  always  a  convenient  surface  to  the  fire  of  the  place. 

GLADENE.     A  very  early  designation  of  the  sea-onion. 

GLAIKK     A  broadsword  or  falchion  fixed  on  a  pike. 

GLANCE.     (See  Northebh  Glanoe.)    Also,  a  name  for  anthracite  coaL 

GLASAG.     The  Gaelic  name  of  an  edible  sea-weed  of  our  northern  isles. 

GLASS.  The  usua]  appellation  for  a  telescope  (see  the  old  sea  song  of  Lord 
Howard's  capture  of  Barton  the  pirate).  Also,  the  familiar  term  for  a 
barometer.  Gkua  is  also  used  in  the  plural  to  denote  time-glass  on  the 
duration  of  any  action;  as,  they  fought  yard-arm  and  yard-arm  three 
glasses,  t.6.  three  half-hours. — To  flog  or  sweat  the  half-hour  gktss.  To 
turn  the  sand-glass  before  the  sand  has  quite  run  out,  and  thus  gaining  a 
few  minutes  in  each  half-hour,  make  the  watch  too  short. — ffalf-^niniUe 
cmd  qtuxrier-mimtte  glasses^  used  to  ascertain  the  rate  of  the  ship's  velocity 
measured  by  the  log;  they  should  be  occasionally  compared  with  a  good 
stop  watch. — Night-gl<M8,  A  telescope  adapted  for  viewing  objects  at 
night. 

GLASS  CLEAR  I  Is  the  sand  out  of  the  upper  part)  asked  previously  to 
turning  it^  on  throwing  the  log. 

GLASSOK.     A  coast  name  for  the  say,  seath,  or  coal-fisL 

GLAVK  A  light  hand-dart  Also,  a  sword-blade  fixed  on  the  end  of  a 
pola 

GLAYMORK     A  two-handed  sword.    {See  CtAYMORE.) 

GLAZED  POWDER.  Gunpowder  of  which  the  grains,  by  friction  against 
one  another  in  a  barrel  worked  for  the  purpose,  have  acquired  a  fine 
polish,  sometimes  promoted  by  a  minute  application  of  black-lead;  reputed 
to  be  very  slightly  weaker  than  the  original,  and  somewhat  less  liable  to 
deterioration. 

GLEN.  An  Anglo-Saxon  term  denoting  a  dale  or  deep  valley;  still  in  use 
for  a  ravine. 

GLENT,  To.  To  turn  aside  or  quit  the  original  direction,  as  a  shot  does 
from  accidentally  impinging  on  a  hard  substance. 

GUB-GABBET.     Smooth  and  ready  speecL 

GLIM.  A  light;  familiarly  used  for  the  eyes. — Bowse  the  glim,  put  out 
the  light. 

GLOAMING.     The  twilight.     Also,  a  gloomy  dull  state  of  sky. 

GLOBE  RANGERS.     A  soubriquet  for  the  royal  marines. 

GLOBULAR  SAILING.  A  general  designation  for  all  the  methods  on 
which  the  rules  of  computation  are  founded,  on  the  hypothesis  that  the 
earth  is  a  sphere;  including  great  circle  sailing. 

GLOG.  The  Manx  or  Erse  term  which  denotes  the  swell  or  rolling  of  the 
sea  after  a  storm. 

GLOOM-STOVE.     Formerly  for  drying  powder,  at  a  temperature  of  about 


J42  OLOOT GODSEND 

140';  beiog  an  iron  Teasel  in  a  room  heated  from  oatade^  bat  steam-ptpeB 

are  now  substitated. 
GLOOT.    See  Gaioot. 
GLOWER,  To.     To  stare  or  look  intentlj. 
GLUE.    See  Mardt&olue. 
GLUM.     As  applied  to  the  weather,  overcast  and  gloomy.     Sodallj,  it  is  a 

grievous  look. 
GLUT.     A  piece  of  wood  applied  as  a  fulcrum  to  a  lever  power.     Also^  a 

bit  of  canvas  sewed  into  the  centre  of  a  sail  near  the  head,  with  an  e jelet- 

hole  in  the  middle  for  the  bunt-jigger  or  becket  to  go  through.     Glut 

used  to  prevent  slipping,  as  sand  and  nippers  glut  the  messenger;  the 

£sdl  of  a  tackle  drawn  across  the  sheaves^  bj  which  it  is  choked  or  glutted; 

junks  of  rope  interposed  between  the  messenger  and  the  whelps  of  the 

capstan. 
GLYN.     A  deep  vallej  with  convex  sides.     (See  Cwil) 
GNABLED.     Knotty;  said  of  timber. 
GNABRK     An  old  term  for  a  hard  knot  in  a  tree;  hence  Shakspeare's 

'^unwedgeable  and  gnarled  oak." 
GNOLL.     A  round  hillock.     {See  EirouL) 
GNOMON.     The  hand;  style  of  a  dial 
GO !     A  word  sometimes  given  when  all  is  ready  for  the  launch  of  a  vessel 

from  the  stocks. 
GO  AHEAD !  OR  Go  OK !     The  order  to  the  engineer  in  a  steamer. 
GO  ASHORE,  To.     To  land  on  leave. 
GO  ASHORES.     The  seamen's  best  dross. 
GOBARTO.     A  large  and  ravenous  fish  of  our  early  voyagers,  probably 

a  shark. 
GOBBAG.     A  Gaelic  name  for  the  dog-fish. 
GOB'DOO.     A  Manx  term  for  a  mussel 

GOBISSON.     Gambesson;  quilted  dress  worn  under  the  habetgeon. 
GOBLACHAN.     A  Gaelic  name  for  the  parr  or  samlet. 
GOB-LINK    See  Gaub-une. 
GOBON.     An  old  English  name  for  the  whitiDg. 
GOB-STICK.     A  horn  or  wooden  spoon. 

GO  BY.     Stratagem. — To  give  her  the  go  by,  is  io  escape  by  deceiving. 
GOBY.     A  name  of  the  gudgeon  (which  see).     It  was  erroneously  applied 

to  white-bait. 
GOD.     We  retain  the  Anglo-Saxon  word  to  designate  the  Almiohtt;  signi- 
fying good,  to  do  good,  doing  good,  and  to  benefit;  terms  such  as  our 

classic  borrowings  cannot  pretend  ta 
GODENDA.     An  offensive  weapon  of  our  early  times^  being  a  pole-axe 

with  a  spike  at  its  end. 
GO  DOWN.     The  name  given  to  store-houses  and  magazines  in  the  East 

Indies. 
GODSEND.     An  unexpected  relief  or  prize;  but  wreckers  denote  by  the 

term  vessels  and  goods  driven  on  shore. 


QOE QONE^OOSE  343 

GOR     A  creek,  smaller  than  a  voe. 

GOELETTE  [Fr.]     A  schooner.     Also,  a  sloop-of-war. 

GOGAR     A  serrated  worm  used  in  the  north  for  fishing-bait. 

GOGLET.     An  earthen  vase  or  bottle  for  holding  water. 

GOILLEAB.  The  Gaelic  for  a  sea-bird  of  the  Hebrides,  said  to  come 
ashore  only  in  January. 

GOING  ABOUT.     Tacking  ship. 

GOING  FREE.  When  the  bowlines  are  slackened,  or  sailing  with  the 
wind  abeam.  * 

GOING  LARGE.     Sailing  off  the  wind. 

GOING  THROUGH  THE  FLEET.  A  cruel  punishment^  long  happily 
abolished.  The  victim  was  sentenced  to  receive  a  certain  portion  of  the 
flogging  alongside  the  various  ships,  towed  in  a  launch  by  a  boat  supplied 
from  each  vessel,  the  drummers  beating  the  rogue's  march. 

GOLDENEY.  A  name  for  the  yellow  gurnard  among  the  northern  fisher- 
men. 

GOLD  FISH.  The  trivial  name  of  the  Gyprinus  aunUus,  one  of  the  most 
superb  of  the  finny  tribe.  It  was  originally  brought  from  China,  but  is 
now  generally  naturalized  in  Europe. 

GOLD  MOHUR  A  well  known  current  coin  in  the  East  Indies,  varying 
a  little  in  value  at  each  presidency,  but  averaging  fifteen  rupees,  or  thirty 
shillings. 

GOLK     An  old  northern  word  for  a  stream  or  sluice. 

GOLLETTK  The  shirt  of  mail  formerly  worn  by  foot  soldiers.  Also,  a 
French  sloop-of-war,  spelled  goelette. 

GOMER  A  particular  form  of  chamber  in  ordnance,  consisting  in  a  conical 
narrowing  of  the  bore  towards  its  inner  end.  It  was  first  devised  for  the 
service  of  mortars,  and  named  after  the  inventor,  €k)mer,  in  the  late  wars. 

GOMERE  [Fr.]     The  cable  of  a  galley. 

GONDOLA.  A  light  pleasure-barge  universally  used  on  the  canals  of 
Yenice,  generally  propelled  by  one  man  standing  on  the  stem  with  one 
powerful  oar,  though  the  larger  kinds  have  more  rowers.  The  middle- 
sized  gondolas  are  upwards  of  30  feet  long  and  4  broad,  with  a  well  fur- 
nished cabin  amidships,  though  exclusively  black  as  restricted  by  law. 
They  always  rise  at  each  end  to  a  very  sharp  point  of  about  the  height  of 
a  man's  breast.  The  stem  is  always  surmounted  by  the  ferro,  a  bright  iron 
beak  or  cleaver  of  one  uniform  shape,  seemingly  derived  from  the  ancient 
Romans,  being  the  "rostrique  tridentibus*'  of  Virgil,  as  may  be  seen  in 
many  of  Hadrian's  large  brass  medals.  The  form  of  the  gondola  in  the 
water  is  traced  back  till  its  origin  is  lost  in  antiquity,  yet  (like  that  of 
the  Turkish  caiques)  embodies  the  principles  of  the  wave-line  theory, 
the  latest  effort  of  modem  ship-building  science.  Also,  a  passage-boat  of 
six  or  eight  oars,  used  on  other  parts  of  the  coast  of  Italy. 

GONDOLIER     A  man  who  works  or  navigates  a  gondola. 

GONE.     Carried  away.     "The  hawser  or  cable  is  gone;"  parted,  broken. 

GONE-GOOSE.     A  ship  deserted  or  given  up  in  despair  {in  extremis). 


344  GONFANON GOBGET 

GONFANON  [Fr.]  Formerly  a  cavaliy  banneret;  oormpted  from  the 
ganfalone  of  the  Italians. 

GONG.     A  kind  of  Chinese  cymbal,  with  a  powerful  and  sonorons  tone 

produced  by  the  vibrations  of  its  metal,  consisting  mainly  of  copper  and 

tutenag  or  zinc;  it  is  used  by  some  vessels  instead  of  a  belL     A  companion 

of  Sir  James  Lancaster  in  1605  irreverently  states  that  it  makes  "a  most 

hellish  sound." 
(K)NGA.     A  general  name  for  a  river  in  India,  whence  comes  Gknges. 

GOOD-AT-ALL-POINTS.     Practical  in  every  particular.* 

GOOD-CONDUCT  BADGE.  Marked  by  a  chevron  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  sleeve,  granted  by  the  admiralty,  and  carrying  a  slight  increase  of  pay, 
to  petty  officers,  seamen,  and  marines.  One  of  a  similar  nature  is  in  use 
in  the  army. 

GOOD  MEN.  The  designation  of  the  able,  hard-working;  and  willing  seamen. 

GOOD  SHOALING.     An  approach  to  the  shore  by  very  gradual  soundings. 

GOOLK     An  old  term  for  a  breach  in  a  sea-bank. 

GOOSAl^ER.  The  MergiLS  merganaery  a  northern  sea-fowl,  allied  to  the 
duck,  with  a  straight,  narrow,  and  serrated  bill,  hooked  at  the  point. 

GOOSE-NECK.  A  curved  iron,  fitted  outside  the  after-chains  to  receive  a 
spare  spar,  properly  the  swinging  boom,  a  davit.  Also,  a  sort  of  iron- 
hook  fitted  on  the  inner  end  of  a  boom,  and  introduced  into  a  clamp  of 
iron  or  eye-bolt^  which  encircles  the  mast;  or  is  fitted  to  some  other  place 
in  the  ship,  so  that  it  may  be  unhooked  at  pleasure.  It  is  used  for 
various  purposes^  especially  for  guest-warps  and  swinging  booms  of  all 
descriptions. 

GOOSE-WINGS  OF  a  Sail.  The  situation  of  a  course  when  the  bunt- 
lines  and  lee-clue  are  hauled  up,  and  the  weather-clue  down.  The  dues, 
or  lower  comers  of  a  ship's  main-sail  or  fore-sail,  when  the  middle  part  is 
furled  or  tied  up  to  the  yard  The  term  is  also  applied  to  the  fore  and 
main  sails  of  a  schooner  or  other  two-masted  fore-and-afb  vessel;  when 
running  before  the  wind  she  has  these  sails  set  on  opposite  sides. 

GOOSE  WITHOUT  GRAVY.  A  severe  starting,  so  called  because  no 
blood  followed  its  infliction. 

GOR  AB.    See  Grar 

GORD.     An  archaism  denoting  a  deep  hole  in  a  river. 

GORES.  Angular  pieces  of  plank  inserted  to  fill  up  a  vesseFs  planking  at 
any  part  requiring  it.  Also,  the  angles  at  one  or  both  ends  of  such 
cloths  as  increase  the  breadth  or  depth  of  a  sail.     {See  Gorikg-cloth.) 

GORGE.  The  upper  and  narrowest  part  of  a  transverse  valley,  usoally 
containing  the  upper  bed  of  a  torrent.  Also,  in  fortification,  a  line  joining 
the  inner  extremities  of  a  work. 

GORGE-HOOK.  Two  hooks  separated  by  a  piece  of  lead,  for  the  taking 
of  pike  or  other  voracious  fish. 

GORGET.  In  former  times,  and  still  amongst  some  foreign  troops,  a  gilt 
badge  of  a  crescent  shape,  suspended  from  the  neck,  and  hanging  on  the 
breast,  worn  by  officers  on  duty. 


GOBING GRAIN  345 

GORING,  OE  GoRiNG-OLOTH.     That  part  of  the  skirts  of  a  sail  cut  on  the 

bias,  where  it  graduallj  widens  from  the  upper  part  down  to  the  clues. 

{See  Sail.) 
GOKMAW.     A  coast  name  for  the  cormorant. 
GORSE.     Heath  or  furze  for  breaming  a  yessel's  bottom. 
GO  SLOW.     The  order  to  the  engineer  to  cut  off  steam  without  stopping 

the  play  of  the  engine. 
GOSSOON.     A  siUy  awkward  lout 
GOTE.    See  Guttbk. 
GOUGING.     In  ship-building  {see  Snail-creeping).     Also,  a  cruel  practice 

in  one  or  two  American  states,  now  extremely  rare,  in  which  a  man's  eye 

was  squeezed  out  by  his  rival's  thumb-nail,  the  fingers  being  entangled  in 

the  hair  for  the  necessary  purchase. 
GOUGINGS.     A  synonym  of  ^uidgeorui  (which  see). 
GOXJKMEY.     One  of  the  names  in  the  north  for  the  gray  gurnard. 
GOULET.     Any  narrow  entrance  to  a  creek  or  harbour,  as  the  goleUa  at 

Tunis. 
GOUI^IES.     The  garbage  of  salmon. 
GOVERNMENT.     Generally  means  the  constitution  of  our  country  as 

exercised  under  the  l^slature  of  king  or  queen,  lords,  and  commons. 
GOVERNOR.     An  officer  placed  by  royal  commission  in  command  of  A 

fortress,  town,  or  colony.     Governors  are  also  appointed  to  institutions, 

hospitals,  and  other  establishments.    Also,  a  revolving  bifurcate  pendulum, 

with  two  iron  balls,  whose  centrifugal  divergence  equalizes  the  motion  of 

the  steam-engin& 
GOW.     An  old  northern  term  for  the  gulL 
GOWDIE.     The  CaUumymus  lyra^  dragonet^  or  chanticleer. 
GOWK.     The  cuckoo;  but  also  used  for  a  stupid,  good-natured  fellow. 
GOWK-STORM.     Late  vernal  equinoctial  gales  contemporary  with  the 

gowk  or  cuckoo. 
GOWT,  OB  GrOTE.     A  limited  passage  for  water. 
GOYLIR.     A  small  sea-bird  held  to  precede  a  storm;  hence  seamen  call 

them  mcilifiges,     Arctic  gulL 
GRAB.     The  large  coasting  vessel  of  India,  generally  with  two  masts,  and 

of  150  to  300  tons. — To  grah.     In  familiar  language,  to  catch  or  snatch 

at  anything  with  violence. 
GRABBLE,  To.     To  endeavour  to  hook  a  sunk  article.     To  catch  fish  by 

hand  in  a  brook. 
GRAB    SERVICE.     Country   vessels    first  employed    by  the   Bombay 

government  against  the  pirates;   afterwards  erected  into  the  Bombay 

Marina 
GRACE.    Se6  Act  of  Grace. 

GRADE.     A  degree  of  rank;  a  step  in  order  or  dignity. 
GR AITING.     An  ornamental  weaving  of  fine  yams,  Ac.,  over  the  strop  of 

a  block;  or  applied  to  the  tapered  ends  of  the  ropes,  and  termed  pointing. 
GRAIN  OF  TiicBEB.     In  a  transverse  section  of  a  tree,  two  different 


34G  GRAIN GBAPNEL 

grains  are  seen:  those  running  in  a  circular  manner  are  called  the  silver 
grain;  the  others  radiate,  and  are  called  bcutard  grain. — Grain  is  also  a 
whirlwind  not  unfrequent  in  Normandy,  mixed  with  rain,  but  seldom 
continues  above  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Thej  may  be  foreseen,  and  while 
they  last  the  sea  is  very  turbulent;  they  may  return  several  times  in  the 
same  day,  a  dead  calm  succeeding. 

GRAIN.  In  the  grain  of,  is  immediately  preceding  another  ship  in  the 
same  direction. — Bad-grain,  a  sea-lawyer;  a  nuisance. 

GRAIN-CUT  TIMBER  That  which  is  cut  athwart  the  grain  when  the 
grain  of  the  wood  does  not  partake  of  the  shape  required. 

GRAINED  POWDER.  That  corned  or  reduced  into  grains  from  the 
cakes,  and  distinguished  from  mealed  powder,  as  employed  in  certain  pre- 
parations. 

GRAINS.     A  five-pronged  fish^pear,  grains  signifying  branches. 

GRAIN  UPSET.  When  a  mast  suffers  by  buccles,  it  is  said  to  have  its 
grain  upset.  A  species  of  wrinkle  on  the  soft  outer  grain  which  will  be 
found  corresponding  to  a  defect  on  the  other  sida  It  is  frequently  pro- 
duced by  an  injudicious  setting  up  of  the  rigging. 

GRAM.  A  species  of  pulse  given  to  horses,  sheep,  and  oxen  in  the  East 
Indies,  and  supplied  to  ships  for  feeding  live-stock. 

GRAMPUS.  A  corruption  of  gran  piece.  An  animal  of  the  cetacean  or 
whale  tribe,  distinguished  by  the  large  pointed  teeth  with  which  both 
jaws  are  armed,  and  by  the  high  falcate  dorsal  fin.  It  generally  attains 
a  length  of  20  to  25  feet,  and  is  very  active  and  voracious. 

GRAMPUS,  Blowing  the.  Sluicing  a  person  with  water,  especially 
practised  on  him  who  skulks  or  sleeps  on  his  watch. 

GRAND  DIVISION.  A  division  of  a  battalion  composed  of  two  com- 
panies, or  ordinary  divisions,  in  line. 

GRANDSIRK  The  name  of  a  four-oared  boat  which  belonged  to  Peter 
the  Great>  now  carefully  preserved  at  St.  Petersburg  as  the  origin  of  the 
Russian  fleet. 

GRANNY'S  BEND.     The  sHppery  hitch  made  by  a  lubber. 

GRANNY'S  KNOT.  This  is  a  term  of  derision  when  a  reef-knot  is  crossed 
the  wrong  way,  so  as  to  be  insecure.  It  is  the  natural  knot  tied  by 
women  or  landsmen,  and  derided  by  seamen  because  it  cannot  be  untied 
when  it  is  jammed. 

GRAPESHOT.  A  missile  from  guns  intermediate  between  case-shot  and 
solid  shot,  having  much  of  the  destructive  spread  of  the  former  with 
somewhat  of  the  range  and  penetrative  force  of  the  latter.  A  round  of 
grapeshot  consists  of  three  tiers  of  cast-iron  balls  arranged,  generally  three 
in  a  tier,  between  four  parallel  iron  discs  connected  together  by  a  central 
wrought-iron  pin.  For  carronades,  the  grape,  not  being  liable  to  such  a 
violent  dispersive  shock,  they  are  simply  packed  in  canisters  with  wooden 
bottoms. 

GRAPNEL,  OR  Grapling.  A  sort  of  small  anchor  for  boats,  having  a 
ring  at  one  end,  and  four  palmed  claws  at  the  other. — Fire  grapnel 


GRAPNKL-ROPB GRAY-FISH  34.7 

Resembling  the  former,  but  its  flakes  are  furnished  with  strong  fish-hook 
barbs  on  their  points,  usually  fixed  bj  a  chain  on  the  yard-arms  of  a  ship, 
to  grapple  any  adversary  whom  she  intends  to  board,  and  particularly  re- 
quisite in  fire-ships.  Also,  used  to  grapple  ships  on  fire,  in  order  to  tow 
them  away  from  injuring  other  vessels. 

GRAPNEL-EOFR  That  which  is  bent  to  the  grapnel  by  which  a  boat 
rides,  now  substituted  by  chain. 

GRAPPLE,  To.  To  hook  with  a  grapnel;  to  lay  hold  of  First  used  by 
Duillius  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  Carthaginians. 

GRASP.  The  handle  of  a  sword,  and  of  an  oar.  Also,  the  small  of  the 
butt  of  a  musket 

GRASS.     A  term  applied  to  vegetables  in  general.     {See  Feed.) 

GRASS-COMBERS.  A  galley-term  for  all  those  landsmen  who  enter  the 
naval  service  from  firming  coimties.  Lord  Exmouth  found  many  of  them 
learn  their  duties  easily,  and  turn  out  valuable  seamen. 

GRATING-DECK  A  light  movable  deck,  similar  to  the  hatch-deck,  but 
with  open  gratings. 

GRATINGS.  An  open  wood-work  of  cross  battens  and  ledges  forming 
cover  for  the  hatchways,  serving  to  give  light  and  air  to  the  lower  decks. 
In  nautical  phrase,  he  ''who  can't  see  a  hole  through  a  grating''  is  ex- 
cessively drunk. 

GRATINGS  OF  THE  HEAD.    See  Head-gratings. 

GRATUITOUS  MONEY.  A  term  officially  used  for  bounty  granted  to 
volunteers  in  Lord  Exmouth's  expedition  against  Algiers. 

GRAVE,  To.     To  clean  a  vessel's  bottom,  and  pay  it  over. 

GRAVELIN.  A  small  migratory  fish,  commonly  reputed  to  be  the  spawn 
of  the  salmon. 

GRAVELLED.     Vexed,  mortified. 

GRAVING.  The  act  of  cleaning  a  ship's  bottom  by  burning  off  the  im- 
purities, and  paying  it  over  with  tar  or  other  substance,  while  she  is  laid 
aground  during  the  recess  of  the  tide.     {See  Breaking.) 

GRAVING  BEACH  or  Slip.  A  portion  of  the  dockyard  where  ships 
were  landed  for  a  tide. 

GRAVINGr-DOCK.  An  artificial  receptacle  used  for  the  inspecting,  re- 
pairing, and  cleaning  a  vessel's  bottom.  It  is  so  contrived  that  after  the 
ship  is  floated  in,  the  water  may  run  out  with  the  fsll  of  the  tide,  the 
shutting  of  the  gates  preventing  its  return. 

GRAVITATION.  The  natural  tendency  or  inclination  of  all  bodies  towards 
the  centre  of  the  earth;  and  which  was  established  by  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
as  the  great  law  of  nature. 

GRAVITY,  Centre  of.  The  centre  of  gravity  of  a  ship  is  that  point  about 
which  all  parts  of  the  body,  in  any  situation,  balance  each  other.  {See 
Specific  Gravity.) 

GRAWLS.     The  young  salmon,  probably  the  same  as  grilse. 

GRAY-FISH,  AND  Gray-lord.  Two  of  the  many  names  given  to  the 
Oadtu  carhonariua  or  coal-fish* 


348  ORATLE OBEEN-SLAKE 

GRA  YLE.     Small  sand.     Also,  an  old  term  for  thin  gravel. 
GRA.YLING.     A  fresh-water  fish  of  the  Salmo  triba     (See  Umbkr.) 
GRAYNING.     A  species  of  dace  found  on  our  northern  coaBt. 
GEAY-SCHOOL.     A  particular  shoal  of  lai^  salmon  in  the  Solwaj  about 

the  middle  of  July. 
GEAZE.     The  point  at  which  a  shot  strikes  and  rebounds  frt>m  earth  or 

water. 
GRAZING-FIRE.     That  which  sweeps  close  to  the  surface  it  defends. 
GREASY.     Sjmonymous  with  dirty  weather. 
GREAT  CIRCLE.     One  whose  assumed  plane  passes  through  the  centre  of 

the  sphere,  dividing  it  equally. 
GREAT-CIRCLE  SAILING.     Is  a  method  for  determining  a  series  of 

points  in  an  arc  of  a  great  circle  between  two  points  on  the  sur&ce  of  the 

earth,  for  the  purpose  of  directing  a  ship's  course  as  nearly  as  possible  on 

such  arc;  that  is,  on  the  curve  of  shortest  distance  between  the  place  from 

which  she  sets  out^  and  that  at  which  she  is  to  arrive. 
GREIAT  GUN.  The  general  sea-term  for  cannons,  or  officers  of  great  repute. 
GREAT  GUNS  asd  Small-arhs.     The  general  armament  of  a  ship. 

Also,  a  slang  term  for  the  blowing  and  raining  of  heavy  weather. 
GREAT-LINE  FISHING.     That  carried  on  over  the  deeper  banks  of  the 

ocean.     {See  Line-fishino.)     It  is  more  applicable  to  hand-fishing,  as  on 

the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  in  depths  over  60  fiithoms. 
GREAT  OCEAN.     The  Pacific,  so  called  from  its  superior  extent 
GREAT  SHAKES.    See  Shakes. 
GREAVES.     Armour  for  the  lega 

GREC ALE.   A  north-eastern  breeze  off  the  coast  of  Sicily,  Greece  lying  N.  E. 
GREEN.     Raw  and   untutored;    a  metaphor  frt>m  unripe  fruit — ^thus 

Shakspeare  makes  Pandulp  say  : 

"  How  green  are  yon  and  fresh  in  ihiB  old  world  !** 
GREEN-BONE.     The  trivial  name  of  the  viviparous  blenny,  or  guffer,  the 

backbone  of  which  is  green  when  boiled;  also  of  the  gar-fish. 
GREEN-FISH.     Cod,  hake,  haddock,  herrings,  <fec.,  unsalted. 
GREEN-ELA.NDS.     Those  embarked  for  the  first  time,  and  consequently 

inexperienced. 
GREEN-HORN.     A  lubberly,  iminitiated  fellow.     A  novice  of  marked 

gullibility. 
GREENLAND  DOVE.      The  puffinet;  called  scraber  in  the  Hebrides; 

about  the  size  of  a  pigeon. 
GREENLAND  WHALR     See  Right  Whale. 
GREEN-MEN.     The  five  supernumerary  seamen  who  had  not  been  before 

in  the  Arctic  Seas^  whom  vessels  in  the  whale-fishery  were  obliged  to  bear, 

to  get  the  tonnage  bounty. 
GREEN  SEA.     A  large  body  of  water  shipped  on  a  vessel's  deck;  it  derives 

its  name  from  the  green  colour  of  a  sheet  of  water  between  the  eye  and 

the  light  when  its  mass  is  too  large  to  be  broken  up  into  spray. 
GREEN-SLAKE.     The  seiv-weed  otherwise  called  leUuce-laver  (which  see). 


GBEEN  TUBTLE GRILSE  349 

GKEEN  TTTRTLR  The  common  name  for  the  edible  turtle,  which  does 
not  yield  tortoise-ahelL 

GBEENWICH  STABS.  Those  used  for  lunar  computations  in  the 
nautical  ephemeris. 

GREEP.     The  old  orthography  of  gripe, 

GREGO.  A  coarse  Levantine  jacket,  with  a  hood.  A  cant  term  for  a 
rough  great-coat. 

GRENADE.  Now  restricted  to  hand  grenade,  weighing  about  2  lbs.,  and 
the  fuze  being  previously  lit,  is  conveniently  thrown  by  hand  from  the 
tops  of  ships  on  to  an  enemy's  deck,  from  the  parapet  into  the  ditch,  or 
generally  against  an  enemy  otherwise  difficult  to  reach.  A  number  of 
grenades,  moreover,  being  quilted  together  with  their  frizes  outwards, 
called  a  ^bouquet,"  is  fired  short  distances  with  good  effect  from  mortars 
in  the  latter  stages  of  a  siege. 

GRENADIERS.  Formerly  the  right  company  of  each  battalion,  composed 
of  the  largest  men,  and  originally  equipped  for  using  hand-grenades. 
Now-a-days  the  companies  of  a  regiment  are  equalized  in  size  and  other 
matters;  and  the  title  in  the  British  army  remains  only  to  the  fine  regi- 
ment of  grenadier  guards. 

GRENADO.  The  old  name  for  a  live  shelL  Thuanus  says  that  they 
were  first  used  at  the  siege  of  Wacklindonck,  near  Gueldres;  and  that 
their  inventor,  in  an  experiment  in  Venice,  occasioned  the  burning  of  two- 
thirds  of  that  city. 

GREVE.     A  low  flat  sandy  shore;  whence  graving  is  derived. 

GREY-FRIARS.  A  name  given  to  the  oxen  of  Tuscany,  with  which  the 
Mediterranean  fleet  was  supplied. 

GREY-HEAD.  A  fish  of  the  haddock  kind,  taken  on  the  coast  of  Gal- 
loway. 

GREYHOUND.  A  hammock  with  so  little  bedding  as  to  be  unfit  for 
stowing  in  the  nettings. 

GRIAN.     A  Gaelic  term  for  the  bottom,  whether  of  river,  lake,  or  sea. 

GRIBAN.     A  small  two-masted  vessel  of  Normandy. 

GRID.     The  diminutive  of  gridiron. 

GRIDIRON.  A  solid  timber  stage  or  frame,  formed  of  cross-beams  of 
wood,  for  receiving  a  ship  with  a  falling  tide,  in  order  that  her  bottom 
may  be  examined.  The  Americans  also  use  for  a  similar  purpose  an  ap- 
paratus called  a  screw-dock,  and  another  known  as  the  hydravlic-dock. 

GRIFFIN,  OR  Gripp.  A  name  given  to  Europeans  during  the  first  year 
of  their  arrival  in  India;  it  has  become  a  general  term  for  an  inexperi- 
enced youngster. 

GRIG.     Small  eels. 

GRILL,  To.  To  broil  on  the  bars  of  the  galley-range,  as  implied  by  its 
French  derivation. 

GRILSE.  One  of  the  salmon  tribe,  generally  considered  to  be  a  young 
salmon  on  the  return  from  its  first  sojourn  at  the  sea;  though  by  some 
stUl  supposed  to  be  a  distinct  fish. 


350  ^^^^  ^^^'^  BEAR  IT GBOMAL 

GRIN  A2^D  BEAK  IT.  The  stoical  resignation  to  unavoidable  hardships 
whicli,  being  heard  on  board  ship  by  Lord  Byron,  produced  the  fine 
stanza  in  "  Childe  Harold,"  commencing  ''  Existence  might  be  boma'' 

GRIND.     A  half  kink  in  a  hempen  cabla 

GRIP.  The  Anglo-Saxon  grep.  The  handle  of  a  sword;  also  a  small  ditch 
or  drain.  To  hold,  as  ''the  anchor  grips."  Also,  a  peculiar  groove  in 
rifled  ordnance. 

GRIPE.  Is  generally  formed  by  the  scarph  of  the  stem  and  keeL  (See 
Forefoot.)  This  is  retained,  or  shaved  away,  according  to  the  object  of 
making  the  vessel  hold  a  better  wind,  or  have  greater  fsu^ility  in  wearing. 

J  — To  gripe.  To  carry  too  much  weather-helm.  A  vessel  gripes  when  she 
tends  to  come  up  into  the  wind  while  sailing  close-hauled.  She  gripes 
according  to  her  trim.  If  it  continues  it  is  remedied  by  lightening  for- 
ward, or  making  her  draw  deeper  afb. 

GRIPED-TO.     The  situation  of  a  boat  when  secured  by  gripes. 

GRIPES.  A  broad  plait  formed  by  an  assemblage  of  ropes,  woven  and 
fitted  with  thimbles  and  laniards,  used  to  steady  the  boats  upon  the  deck 
of  a  ship  at  sea.  The  gripes  are  fastened  at  their  ends  to  ring-bolts  in  the 
deck,  on  each  side  of  the  boat;  whence,  passing  over  her  middle  and  ex- 
tremities, they  are  set  up  by  means  of  the  laniards.  Gripes  for  a  quarter 
boat  are  similarly  used. 

GRITT.     An  east-country  term  for  the  sea-crab. 

GROATS.  An  allowance  for  each  man  per  mensem,  assigned  formerly  to 
the  chaplain  for  pay. 

GROBMAN.  A  west-country  term  for  a  sea-bream  about  two-thirds 
grown. 

GRODAN.     A  peculiar  boat  of  the  Orcades;  also  the  Erse  for  a  gurnard. 

GROG.  A  drink  issued  in  the  navy,  consisting  of  one  part  of  spirits 
diluted  with  three  of  water;  introduced  in  1740  by  Admiral  Vernon,  as 
a  check  to  intoxication  by  mere  rum,  and  said  to  have  been  named  from 
his  grogram  coat.  Pindar,  however,  alludes  to  the  Cyclops  diluting  their 
beverage  with  ten  waters.  As  the  water  on  board,  in  olden  times, 
became  very  unwholesome,  it  was  necessary  to  mix  it  with  spirits,  but 
iron  tanks  have  partly  remedied  this.  The  addition  of  sugar  and  lemon- 
juice  now  makes  grog  an  agreeable  anti-Bcorbutic. 

GROGr-BLOSSOM.  A  red  confluence  on  the  nose  and  face  of  an  excessive 
drinker  of  ardent  spirits;  though  sometimes  resulting  from  other  causes. 

GROG-GROG.     The  soft  cry  of  the  solan  goose. 

GROGGY,  OB  Gbogoified.  Rendered  stupid  by  drinking,  or  incapable  of 
performing  duty  by  illness;  as  also  a  ship  when  crank,  and  birds  when 
crippled. 

GROGRAM.  From  gros-grain,  A  coarse  stufi*  of  which  boat-cloaks  were 
made.     From  one  which  Admiral  Yemon  wore,  came  the  term  grog, 

GROINING.  A  peculiar  mode  of  submarine  embankment;  a  quay  run 
out  transversely  to  the  shore. 

GROMAL.    An  old  word  for  gromet^  or  appi*entice. 


QROMET GROUND-SWELL  351 

GROMET.  A  boy  of  the  crew  of  the  ships  formerly  furnished  by  the 
Cinque  Ports  (a  diminutive  from  the  Teutonic  groni,  a  youth);  his  duty 
was  to  keep  ship  in  harbour.     Now  applied  to  the  ship's  apprentices. 

GROMMET,  OB  Gbumhet.  A  ring  formed  of  a  single  strand  of  rope,  laid 
in  three  times  round;  used  to  fasten  the  upper  edge  of  a  sail  to  its  stay 
in  different  places,  and  by  means  of  which  the  sail  is  hoisted  or  lowered. 
Iron  or  wooden  hanks  have  now  been  substituted.  {See  Hanks.)  Grom- 
mets  are  also  used  with  pins  for  large  boats'  oars,  instead  of  rowlocks,  and 
for  many  other  purpose& 

GROMMET-WAD.  A  ring  made  of  1 }  or .  2  inch  rope,  having  attached 
to  it  two  cross-pieces  or  diameters  of  the  same  material;  it  acts  by  the 
ends  of  these  pieces  biting  on  the  interior  of  the  bore  of  the  gun. 

GROOVE-ROLLERS.  These  are  fixed  in  a  groove  of  the  tiller-sweep  in 
large  ships,  to  aid  the  tiller-ropes,  and  prevent  friction. 

GROPERS.     The  ships  stationed  in  the  Channel  and  North  Sea. 

GROPING.  An  old  mode  of  catching  trout  by  tickling  them  with  the 
hands  under  rocks  or  banks.  Shakspeare  makes  the  clown  in  '*  Measure 
for  Measure''  say  that  Claudio's  offence  was — 

"  Groping  for  troats  in  a  peculiar  river.** 

GROSETTA.     A  minute  coin  of  Ragusa,  somewhat  less  than  a  farthing. 

GROUND,  To.  To  take  the  bottom  or  shore;  to  be  run  aground  through 
ignorance,  violence,  or  accident. — To  strike  ground.  To  obtain  sound- 
ings. 

GROUND  AGE.  A  local  duty  charged  on  vessels  coming  to  anchor  in  a 
port  or  standing  in  a  roadstead,  as  anchorage. 

GROUND-BAIT,  or  Groxtndliko.    A  loach  or  locha 

GROUND-GRU.    See  Anchob-icb. 

GROUND-GUDGEON.     A  little  fish,  the  Gobitis  harbatula. 

GROUND-ICE.    See  Anchob-icb. 

GROUNDING.  The  act  of  laying  a  ship  on  shore,  in  order  to  bream  or 
repair  her;  it  is  also  applied  to  runnings  aground  accidentally  when  under 
sail 

GROUND-PLOT.    See  Ichnogbaphy. 

GROUND-SEA.  The  West  Indian  name  for  the  swell  called  rollers,  or 
in  Jamaica  the  north  sea.  It  occurs  in  a  calm,  and  with  no  other  indi- 
cation of  a  previous  gale;  the  sea  rises  in  huge  billows,  dashes  against  the 
shore  with  roarings  resembling  thunder,  probably  due  to  the  "  northers," 
which  suddenly  rage  off  the  capes  of  Virginia,  round  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  drive  off  the  sea  from  America,  affecting  the  Bahama  Banks, 
but  not  reaching  to  Jamaica  or  Cuba.  The  rollers  set  in  terrifically  in 
the  Gulf  of  California^  causing  vessels  to  founder  or  strike  in  7  fathoms, 
and  devastating  the  coast-line.  H.M.S.  Lily  foundered  off  Tristan 
d'Acunha  in  similar  weather.  In  all  the  latter  cases  no  satisfactory 
cause  is  yet  assigned.     (See  Rollebs.) 

GROUND-STRAKE.     A  name  sometimes  used  for  garboard-strake. 

GROUND-SWELL     A  sudden  swell  preceding  a  gale,  which  rises  along 


852  GROUNB-TACKLB GUAGE-BOD 

shore^  often  in  fine  weather,  and  when  the  sea  beyond  it  is  calm.     (See 

BOLLERS.) 

GROXJKD-TACEuLE.  A  general  name  given  to  all  sorts  of  ropes  and  fur- 
niture which  belong  to  the  anchors,  or  which  are  employed  in  securing  a 
ship  in  a  road  or  harbour. 

GROUND-TIER.  The  lowest  water-casks  in  the  hold  before  the  introduc- 
tion of  iron  tanks.     It  also  implies  anything  else  stowed  there. 

GROUND-TIMBERS.  Those  which  lie  on  the  keel,  and  are  fastened  to 
it  with  bolts  through  the  kelson. 

GROUND-WAYS.  The  large  blocks  and  thick  planks  which  support  the 
cradle  on  which  a  ship  is  launched.  Also,  the  foundation  whereon  a 
vessel  is  btdlt. 

GROUP.  A  set  of  islands  not  ranged  in  a  row  so  as  to  form  a  chain,  and 
the  word  is  oflen  used  synonymously  with  cluster. 

GROUPER.  A  variety  of  the  snapper,  which  forms  a  staple  article  of  food 
in  the  Bermudas,  and  in  the  West  Indies  generaUy. 

GROWEN.    See  Gbown-bra. 

GROWING.  Implies  the  direction  of  the  cable  from  the  ship  towards  the 
anchors;  as,  the  cable  grows  on  the  starboard-bow,  Le.  stretches  out  for- 
wards towards  the  starboard  or  right  sida 

GROWING  PAY.     That  which  succeeds  the  tibcKif-Aor^^  or  pay  in  prospect. 

GROWLERS.  Smart,  but  sometimes  all-jaw  seamen,  who  have  seen  some 
service,  but  indulge  in  invectives  against  restrictive  regulations,  rendering 
them  undesirable  men.  There  are  also  too  many  "civil  growlers''  of  the 
same  kidney. 

GRO WN-SE A     When  the  waves  have  felt  the  full  influence  of  a  gale. 

GRUANR     The  Erse  term  for  the  gills  of  a  fish. 

GRUB.     A  coarse  but  common  term  for  provisions  in  general — 

"In  other  words  they  toM*d  the  grab 
Out  of  their  own  provision  tab.*' 

GRUB-TRAP.     A  vulgarism  for  the  mouth. 

GRUFF-GOODS.     An  Indian  return  cargo  consisting  of  raw  materials — 

cotton,  rice,  pepper,  sugar,  hemp,  saltpetre,  &c. 
GRUMBLER.     A  discontented  yet  often  hard-working  seaman.     Also,  the 

gurnard,  a  fish  of  the  blenny  kind,  which  makes  a  rumbling  noise  when 

struggling  to  disengage  itself  on  reaching  the  surface. 
GRUMMET.    See  Grommbt. 
GRUNTER.     A  name  of  the  Pogonias  of  Cuvier  (a  fish  also  termed  the 

banded  drum  and  young  sheepskin);  and  several  other  fish. 
GRYPHON.     An  archaic  term  for  the  meteorological  phenomenon  now 

called  typhoon,     (See  Ttphoon.) 
GUAGE.     An  instrument  for  measuring  shot,  wads,  <&c     For  round  shot 

there  are  two  kinds,  viz.  the  high  guage,  a  cylinder  through  which  the 

shot  must  pass;  and  the  low  guage,  a  ring  through  which  it  must  not 

pass. 
GUAGE-ROD.     A  graduated  iron  for  sounding  the  pumpwelL 


GUANO GUBB  353 

GUANO.  The  excrement  of  sea-birds,  a  valuable  manure  found  in  thick 
beds  on  certain  islets  on  the  coast  of  Peru,  indeed,  in  all  tropical  climates. 
The  transport  of  it  occupies  a  number  of  vessels,  called  guaneroa,  .  It  is  of 
a  dingy  yellow  colour,  and  offensive  ammoniacal  effluvium.  Captain 
Shelvocke  mentions  it  in  1720,  having  taken  a  small  bark  laden  with  it. 

GUAKA.  The  singidar  and  ingenious  rudder  by  which  the  rafts  or  balzas 
of  Peru  are  enabled  to  work  to  windward.  It  consists  of  long  boards 
between  the  beams,  which  are  raised  or  sunk  according  to  the  reqiiired 
evolution.  ^A  device  not  unlike  the  slidiug-keels  or  centre-boards  lately 
introduced. 

GXJAEANTEE.  An  undertaking  to  secure  the  performance  of  articles 
stipulated  between  any  two  parties.  Also,  the  individual  who  so  under- 
takes. 

GTJAKD.  The  duty  performed  by  a  body  of  men  stationed  to  watch  and 
protect  any  post  against  surpiise.  A  division  of  marines  appointed  to 
take  the  duty  for  a  stated  portion  of  time.  ''Guard,  turn  out!''  the  order 
to  the  marines  on  the  captain's  approaching  the  ship.  Also,  the  bow  of 
a  trigger  and  the  hilt  of  a  sword. 

GUARDA-OOST  A  Vessels  of  war  of  various  sizes  which  formerly  cruised 
against  smugglers  on  the  South  American  coasts. 

GUARD-BOARDS.     Synonymous  with  chain-wdUs. 

GUARD-BOAT.  A  boat  appointed  to  row  the  rounds  amongst  the  ships 
of  war  in  any  harbour,  <!ba,  to  observe  that  their  officers  keep  a  good  look- 
out, calling  to  the  guard-boat  as  she  passes,  and  not  suffering  her  crew  to 
come  on  board  without  previously  having  communicated  the  watch-word 
of  the  night.     Also,  a  boat  employed  to  enforce  the  quarantine  regulations. 

GUARD-BOOK.  Report  of  guard;  a  copy  of  which  is  delivered  at  the 
admiral's  office  by  the  officer  of  the  last  guard.  Also,  a  full  set  of  his 
accounts  kept  by  a  warrant^fficer  for  the  purpose  of  passing  them. 

GUARD-FISH.     A  corruption  of  the  word  gar  fish 

GUARDIAN  OF  the  Cinque  Ports.     Otherwise  lord-warden  (which  see). 

GUARD-IRONS.  Curved  bars  of  iron  placed  over  the  ornaments  of  a 
ship  to  defend  them  from  damage. 

GUARD  0.  A  familiar  term  applied  equally  to  a  guard-ship  or  any  person 
belonging  to  her.     It  implies  ''harbour-going;"  an  easy  life. 

GUARDO-MOVE.  A  trick  upon  a  landsman,  generally  performed  in  a 
guard-ship. 

GUARD-SHIP.  A  vessel  of  war  apix>inted  to  superintend  the  marine 
affidrs  in  a  harbour,  and  to  visit  the  ships  which  are  not  commissioned 
every  night;  she  is  also  to  receive  seamen  who  are  impressed  in  time  of 
war.  In  the  great  ports  she  carries  the  flag  of  the  commander-in-chief. 
Each  ship  takes  the  guard  in  turn  at  9  a.il;  the  vessel  thus  on  duty 
hoists  the  union-jack  at  the  mizen,  and  performs  the  duties  afloat  for 
twenty-four  hours.  The  officer  of  the  guard  is  accountable  to  the  admiral 
for  all  transactions  on  the  water  during  his  guard. 

GUBB,  OR  GuBBEsr.     The  Erse  term  for  a  young  sea-gulL 

Z 


35^  OUBBER GULP 

GIJBBEIl.     One  who  gathers  oakum,  driflwood,  &c.,  along  a  beacb.     The 

word  also  means  black  mud. 
GUDDLE,  To.     To  catch  fish  with  the  hands  by  groping  along  a  stream's 

bank. 
GUDGE,  To.     To  poke  or  prod  for  fish  under  stones  and  baziks  of  a  river. 
GUDGEON.     The  Gobio  fluinatilis,  a  well-known  river-fish,  6  or  7  inches 

in  length. 
GUDGEONS.     The  metal  braces  with  eyes  bolted  upon  the  stem-post  for 

the  pintles  of  the  rudder  to  work  in,  as  upon  hinges.     Also,  the  notches 

made  in  the  carrick-bitts  for  receiving  the  metal  bushes  wherein  the 

spindle  of  a  windlass  works. 
GUEBRES.     Fire  worshippers.     {See  Parsees.) 
GUERDON.     A  reward  or  recompense  for  good  service. 
GUERILLA.     Originally  an  irregular  warfare,  but  now  used  mostly  for 

the  irresponsible  kind  of  partisan  who  carries  it  on. 
GUERITE,  OR  Gauta.     In  fortification,  a  projecting  turret  on  the  top  of 

the  escarp,  whence  a  sentry  may  observe  the  outside  of  the  rampart 
GUERNSEY-FROCK.    See  Jersey. 
GUESS- WARP,  OR  GuEST-ROPE.     A  rope  carried  to  a  distant  object,  in 

order  to  warp  a  vessel  towards  it^  or  to  make  fast  a  boat.     {See  Chest- 
rope.) 
GUESTLINGS.     The  name  of  certain  meetings  held  at  the  Cinque  Ports. 
GUE3ST-WARP  BOOM.     A  swinging  spar  (lower  studding-boom)  rigged 

from  the  ship's  side  with  a  warp  for  boats  to  ride  by. 
GUFFER.     A  British  sea-fish  of  the  blenny  tribe,  common  under  stones 

at  low-water  mark,  remarkable  as  being  ovo-viviparous. 
GUIDR     See  Floor-Guide. 

GUIDE-RODS.     The  regulators  of  the  cross-head  of  an  engine's  air-pump. 
GUIDES.     Men  supposed  to  know  the  country -and  its  roads  employed  to 

direct  a  body  of  men  on  their  march.     The  French  and  Belgians  have 

"corps  de  guides." 
GUIDON.     The  swallow-tailed  silk  flag  in  use  by  dragoon  regiments,  instead 

of  a  standard.     Also,  the  sergeant  bearing  the  same. 
GUIDOR.     A  name  in  our  old  statutes  synonymous  with  condor  (which  see). 
GUILLEM.     A  sea-fowL     {See  Lavy.) 

GUILLEMOT.     A  web-footed  diving  sea-bird  allied  to  the  auks. 
GUIM  AD.     A  small  fish  of  the  river  Dee. 
GUINEA-BOAT.     A  fast-rowing  galley,  of  former  times,  expressly  built 

for  smuggling  gold  across  the  Channel,  in  use  at  Deal 
GUINEA-MAN.     A  negro  slave-ship. 

GUINEA-PIGrS.     The  younger  midshipmen  of  an  Indiaman. 
GUIST.     The  same  as  guess  or  guest  (which  see). 
GULDEN.     A  name  for  a  water-fowL 
GULF,  OR  GuLPH.     A  capacious  bay,  and  sometimes  taking  the  name  of  a 

sea  when  it  is  very  extensive;  such  are  the  Euxine  or  Black  Sea,  otherwise 

called  the  Gulf  of  Constantinople;  the  Adriatic  Sea,  called  also  the  Gulf 


GULF-STREAM GUN  355 

of  Venice;  the  Mediterranean  is  itself  a  prodigious  specimen.  A  gulf 
is,  strictly  speaking,  distinguished  from  a  sea  in  being  smaller,  and  from 
a  bay  in  being  larger  and  deeper  than  it  is  broad.  It  is  observed  that  the 
sea  is  always  most  dangerous  near  gulfs,  from  the  currents  being  penned 
up  by  the  shores. 

GULF-STREAM.  Is  especially  referable  to  that  of  Mexico,  the  waters  of 
which  flow  in  a  warm  stream  at  various  velocities  over  the  banks  between 
Cuba  and  America,  past  the  Bermudas,  touch  the  tail  of  the  great  bank 
of  Newfoundland,  and  thence  in  a  sweep  to  Europe,  part  going  north,  and 
the  other  southerly  down  to  the  tropics  again. 

GULF-WEED.  The  Fugus  natans,  considered  to  belong  to  the  Gulf 
Stream,  and  found  floating  in  the  Sargasso  Sea  in  the  North  Atlantic. 
Many  small  cnistacefe  live  amongst  it,  and  assume  its  bright  orange- 
yellow  hue. 

GUL-GUL.  A  sort  of  chunam  or  cement  made  of  pounded  searshells  mixed 
with  oil,  which  hardens  like  a  stone,  and  is  put  over  a  ship's  bottom  in 
India,  so  that  wonos  caaaot  penetrate  even  when  the  copper  is  ofl*. 

GULL.     A  well-known  sea-bird  of  the  genus  Lcmis;  there  are  many  species. 

Also,  a  large  trout  in  the  north.     The  name  is,  moreover,  familiarly  used 

for  a  lout  easily  deceived  or  cheated;  thus  Butler  in  Uudihras — 

"The  paltry  story  ib  untrue, 
And  forg'd  to  cheat  such  gulla  as  you.*' 

It  is  also  applied  to  the  washing  away  of  earth  by  the  violent  flowing  of 
water;  the  origin  perhaps  of  the  Kentish  gull-stream. 

GULLET.     A  small  stream  in  a  water-worn  course. 

GULL-SHARPER     One  who  preys  upon  Johnny  Eaws. 

GULLY.  The  channels  worn  on  the  face  of  mountains  by  heavy  rains. 
Also,  a  rivulet  which  empties  itself  into  the  sea. 

GULLY  SQUALL.  Weil  known  off  tropical  America  in  the  Pacific,  par- 
ticularly abreast  of  the  lakes  of  Leon,  Nicaragua^  di^  Monte  Desolado 
gusts  have  dismantled  many  stout  ships. 

GULPIN.  An  awkward  soldier;  a  weak  credulous  fellow  [from  the  Craelic 
golben,  a  novice]. 

GUM.  ^  Shaking  the  gum  out  of  a  sail "  is  said  of  the  effect  of  bad  weather 
on  new  canvas. 

GUMPUS.     A  fish,  called  also  numscull,  for  allowing  itself  to  be  guddled. 

GUN.  The  usual  service  name  for  a  cannon  (which  see);  it  was  originally 
called  great  gun,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  small  or  hand  guns,  muskets, 
blunderbusses,  &c.  The  general  construction  for  guns  of  cast  metal  is  fairly 
represented  by  the  old  rule  that  the  circumference  at  the  breech  ought  to 
measure  eleven  calibres,  at  the  trunnions  nine,  and  at  the  muzzle  seven, 
for  iron;  and  in  each  instance  two  calibres  less  for  brass  guns.  But  the 
-  introduction  of  wrought-iron  guns,  built  up  with  outer  jackets  of  metal 
shrunk  on  one  above  another,  is  developing  other  names  and  proportions 
in  the  new  artillery.  (See  Built-up  Guns,)  The  weight  of  these  latter, 
though  differently  disposed,  and  required  not  so  much  for  strength  as  for 


356  OUN  AND  HEAD  MONET GUN-LADLE 

modifying  the  recoil  or  shock  to  the  carriage  on  discharge^  is  not  very 
much  less,  proportionally,  for  heavj  gona  of  fiill  power,  than  that  of  the 
old  ones,  being  about  1^  cwt.  of  gun  for  every  1  lb.  of  shot;  for  light  gnna 
for  field  puqxwes  it  is  about  }  cwt  for  every  1  lb.  of  shot.  Guns  are 
generally  designated  from  the  weight  of  the  shot  they  diacharge,  though 
some  few  natures,  introduced  principally  for  firing  shells,  were  distin- 
guished by  the  diameter  of  their  bore  in  inches;  with  the  larger  guns  of 
the  new  system,  in  addition  to  this  diameter,  the  weight  in  tons  is  also 
specified. — Gun,  in  north-country  cant,  meant  a  large  flagon  of  ale,  and 
son  of  a  gun  was  a  jovial  toper :  the  term  owed  its  derivation  to  lads 
bom  under  the  breast  of  the,  lower-deck  guns  in  olden  times,  when  women 
were  allowed  to  accompany  their  husbands.  Even  in  1820  the  best  petty 
officers  were  allowed  this  indulgence,  about  one  to  every  hundred  men. 
Gunners  also,  who  superintended  the  youngsters,  took  their  wives,  and 
many  living  admirals  can  revert  to  kindness  experienced  from  them. 
These  '^sons  of  a  gun"  were  tars,  and  no  mistake^ — Morning  gun^  a  signal 
fired  by  an  admiral  or  commodore  at  day-break  every  morning  for  the 
drums  or  bugles  to  sound  the  reveille  A  gun  of  like  name  and  nature 
is  generally  in  use  in  fortresses;  aa  is  also  the  evening  gun,  fired  by  an 
admiral  or  commodore  at  9  p.m.  in  summer,  and  8  p.m.  in  winter,  every 
night,  on  which  the  drums  or  bugles  sound  the  retreat. 

GUN  AND  HEAD  MONEY.  Given  to  the  captors  of  an  enemy's  ship 
of  wai;  destroyed,  or  deserted,  in  fight  It  was  formerly  assumed  to  be 
about  £1000  per  gun. 

GUNBOAT.  A  light^lraught  boat  fitted  to  carry  one  or  more  cannon  in 
the  bow,  so  as  to  cannonade  an  enemy  while  she  is  end-on.  They  are 
principally  useful  in  fine  weather,  to  cover  the  landing  of  troops,  or  such 
other  occasions.  They  were  formerly  impelled  by  sails  and  sweeps, 
but  now  by  steam -power,  which  has  generally  increased  their  size,  and 
much  developed  their  importance.  According  to  Froissart,  cannon  were 
fired  from  boats  in  the  fourteenth  century. 

GUN-CHAMBERS.  In  early  artillery,  a  movable  chamber  with  a  handle, 
like  a  paterero,  used  in  loading  at  the  breech.  In  more  recent  times 
the  name  has  been  used  for  the  small  portable  mortars  for  firing  salutes 
in  the  parks. 

GUN-COTTON.  An  explosive  compound,  having  some  advantages  over 
gunpowder,  but  so  irregular  hitherto  in  its  action  that  it  is  at  present 
used  only  for  mining  purposes.  It  consists  of  ordinary  cotton  treated 
with  nitric  and  sulphuric  acid  and  water,  and  has  been  named  by  chemists 
"pyroxylin,"  "nitro-celluloso,"  ifec. 

GUN-DECK    See  Deck. 

GUN-FIRE.  The  morning  or  evening  guns,  familiarly  termed  "the  admiral 
falling  down  the  hatchway." 

GUN-GEAR.     Everything  pertaining  to  its  handling. 

GUN-HARPOON.    See  Harpoon. 

GUN-LADLK    See  Ladle. 


GUNLOD GUNNING  357 

GUN-LOD.  A  vessel  filled  with  combustibles,  but  rather  for  explosion 
than  as  a  fire-ship. 

GUN-METAL.  The  alloy  from  which  brass  guns  are  cast  consists  of  100 
parts  of  copper  to  10  of  tin,  retaining  much  of  the  tenacity  of  the  former, 
and  much  harder  than  either  of  the  components;  but  the  late  improved 
working  of  wrought-iron  and  steel  has  nearly  superseded  its  application 
to  gun& 

GUNNADR  A  short  32-pounder  gun  of  6  feet,  introduced  in  1814; 
afterwards  termed  the  shell-gun. 

GUNNEL.    See  Gunwale. 

GUNNELL.  A  spotted  ribbon-bodied  fish,  living  under  stones  and  among 
rocks. 

GUNNER,  OP  A  Ship  op  War.  A  warrant-officer  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  the  ammunition  and  artillery  on  board;  to  keep  the  latter 
properly  fitted,  and  to  instruct  the  sailors  in  the  exercise  of  the  cannon. 
The  warrant  of  chief-gunner  is  now  given  to  first-class  gunners. — Quarter- 
ffunnera.  Men  formerly  placed  under  the  direction  of  the  gunner,  one 
quarter-gunner  being  allowed  to  every  four  guns.  In  the  army,  gunner 
is  the  proper  title  of  a  private  soldier  of  the  Ex)yal  Artillery,  with  the 
exception  of  those  styled  drivers. 

GUNNER-FLOOK.  A  name  among  our  northern  fishermen  for  the 
Pleuronectea  maximusy  or  turbot. 

GUNNER'S  DAUGHTER  The  name  of  the  gun  to  which  boys  were 
married,  or  lashed,  to  be  punished. 

GUNNER'S  HANDSPIKR  Is  shorter  and  flatter  than  the  ordinary 
handspike,  and  is  shod  with  iron  at  the  pointy  so  that  it  bites  with  greater 
certainty  against  the  trucks  of  guns. 

GUNNER'S  MATE.     A  petty  officer  appointed  to  assist  the  gunner, 

GUNNER'S  PIECE.  In  destroying  and  bursting  guns,  means  a  fragment 
of  the  breech,  which  generally  flies  upward. 

GUNNER'S  QUADRANT.    See  Quadrant. 

G  UNNER'S  TAILOR  An  old  rating  for  the  man  who  made  the  cartridge- 
bags. 

GUNNER'S  YEOMAN.     See  Yeoman. 

GUNNERY.  The  art  of  charging,  pointing,  firing,  and  managing  artillery 
of  all  kinds. 

GUNNERY-LIEUTENANT.  "One  who,  having  obtained  a  warrant  from 
a  gunnery  ship,  is  eligible  to  large  ships  to  assist  specially  in  supervising 
the  gunnery  duties;  he  draws  increased  pay." 

GUNNERY-SHIP.  A  ship  fitted  for  training  men  in  the  practice  of 
charging,  pointing,  and  firing  guns  and  mortars  for  the  Royal  Navy.  (See 
Seamen  Gunnebs.) 

GUNNING.  An  old  term  for  shooting;  it  is  now  adopted  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. After  the  wreck  of  the  Wager,  on  hearing  the  pistols  fired  at 
Cozens,  "it  was  rainy  weather,  and  not  fit  for  gunning,  so  that  we  could 
not  imagine  the  meaning  of  it." — Gunning  a  ship.     Fitting  her  with 


358  GUNNING-BOAT GUNTER'S  UNE 

ordnance. — Gunning,  in  mining,  is  wlien  the  blast  explodes  and  does  not 
rend  the  mass. — Gunning^  signals  enforced  bj  guns. 

GUNNING-BOAT,  or  Gunnino-shout.  A  light  and  narrow  boat  in 
which  the  fen-men  pursue  the  flocks  of  wild-fowL 

GUNNY.  Sackcloth  or  coarse  canvas,  made  of  fibres  used  in  India,  chiefly 
of  jute. 

GUNNT-BAGS.  The  sacks  used  on  the  India  station  for  holding  rice, 
biscuit,  &c;  often  as  sand-bags  in  fortification. 

GUN-PENDULUM.     See  Balustic  Pekduluh. 

GUN-PORTS.    See  Pobt-holes. 

GUNPOWDER  The  well-known  explosive  composition  which,  for  its 
regularity  of  effect  and  convenience  in  manufacture  and  use,  is  still  pre- 
ferred for  general  purposes  to  all  the  new  and  more  violent  but  more 
capricious  agents.  In  England  it  is  composed  of  75  parts  saltpetre  to  10 
sulphur  and  15  charcoal;  these  proportions  are  varied  slightly  in  different 
countries.  The  ingredients  are  mixed  together  with  great  mechanical 
nicety,  and  the  compound  is  then  pressed  and  granulated.  On  the  ap- 
*  plication  of  fire  it  is  converted  into  gas  with  vast  explosive  power,  but 
subject  to  tolerably  well-known  laws. 

GUN-ROOM.  A  compartment  on  the  afler-end  of  the  lower  gun-deck  of 
large  ships  of  war,  partly  occupied  by  the  junior  officers;  but  in  smaller 
vessels  it  is  below  the  gun-deck,  and  the  mess-room  of  the  lieutenants. 

GUNROOM-PORTS.     In  frigates,  stem-ports  cut  through  the  gun-room. 

GUN-SEARCHER  An  iron  instrument  with  several  sharp-pointed  prongs 
and  a  wooden  handle :  it  is  used  to  find  whether  the  bore  is  honey-combed. 

GUN-SHOT.  Formerly,  the  distance  up  to  which  a  gun  would  throw  a 
shot  direct  to  its  mark,  without  added  elevation;  as  the  ''line  of  metal " 
(which  see)  was  generally  used  in  laying,  this  range  was  about  800  yards. 
But  now  that  ranges  are  so  greatly  increased,  with  but  slight  additions  to 
the  elevation,  the  term  will  include  the  distances  of  ordinary  "horizontal 
fire  *'  (which  see);  as  between  ships,  with  rifled  guns,  it  will  not  quite 
reach  two  miles :  though  when  the  mark  is  laige,  as  a  town  or  dockyard, 
it  is  still  within  long  range  at  five  miles'  distance. 

GUN-SIGHT.    See  Dispabt,  or  Sights. 

GUN-SLINGS.  Long  rope  grommets  used  for  hoisting  in  and  mounting 
them. 

GUN-STONES.  An  old  term  for  cannon-balls,  from  stones  having  been 
first  supplied  to  the  ordnance  and  used  for  that  purpose.  Shakspeare 
makes  Henry  Y.  tell  the  French  ambassadors  that  their  master's  tennis- 
balls  shall  be  changed  to  gun-stones.  This  term  was  retained  for  a  bullet, 
after  the  introduction  of  iron  shot 

GUN-TACKLE  PURCHASE.  A  tackle  composed  of  a  rope  rove  through 
two  single  blocks,  the  standing  part  being  made  fast  to  the  strop  of  one 
of  the  blocks.     It  multiplies  the  power  applied  threefold. 

GUNTEN.     A  boat  of  burden  in  the  Moluccas. 

GUNTER'S  LINE.     Called  also  the  line  of  numbers,  and  the  line  of  lines. 


OUNTER'S  QUADRANT GUY  359 

is  placed  upon  scales  and  sectors,  and  named  from  its  inventor,  Edmund 
Gunter.  It  is  a  logarithmic  scale  of  proportionals,  wherein  the  distance 
between  each  division  is  equal  to  the  number  of  mean  proportionals  con- 
tained between  the  two  terms,  in  such  parts  as  the  distance  between  1 
and  10  is  10,000,  &c. 

GUNTER'S  QUADRANT.  A  kind  of  stereographic  projection  on  the 
plane  of  the  equinoctial;  the  eye  is  supposed  in  one  of  the  poles,  so  that 
the  tropic,  ecliptic,  and  horizon  form  the  arches  of  the  circles,  but  the 
hour-circles  are  all  curves,  drawn  by  means  of  several  altitudes  of  the  sun, 
for  some  particular  latitude,  for  every  day  in  the  year.  The  use  of  this 
instrument  is  to  find  the  hour  of  the  day,  the  sun's  azimuth,  and  other 
common  problems  of  the  globe;  as  also  to  take  the  altitude  of  an  object  in 
degrees. 

GUNWALE,  OR  Gunnel.  Nearly  synonymous  with  plarik-sheer  (which 
see);  but  its  strict  application  is  that  horizontal  plank  which  covers  the 
heads  of  the  timbers  between  the  main  and  fore  drifts.  The  gunwale  of 
a  boat  is  a  piece  of  timber  going  round  the  upper  sheer-strake  as  a  binder 
for  its  top-work. — Gunwale-to,  Vessels  heeling  over,  so  that  the  gunwale 
is  even  with  the  water.  When  a  boat  sails  with  a  free  wind,  and  rolk 
each  side,  or  gunwale,  to  the  water's  edge,  she  rolls  gunwale-to. 

GURGK     A  gulf  or  whirlpool. 

GURNARD.  A  fish  of  the  genus  Trigla,  so  called  from  its  peculiar 
grunt  when  removed  from  the  water.  Falstaff  uses  the  term  '*  soused 
gurnet"  in  a  most  contemptuous  view,  owing  to  its  poorness;  and  its  head 
being  all  skin  and  bone  gave  rise  to  the  saying  that  the  fiesh  on  a  gurnard's 
head  is  rank  poison. 

GURNET-PENDANT.  A  rope,  the  thimble  of  which  is  hooked  to  the 
quarter-tackle  of  the  main-yard;  it  is  led  through  a  hole  in  the  deck,  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  the  breech  of  a  gun,  when  hoisting  in,  to  the  level 
required  to  place  it  on  its  carriage. 

GUSSOCK.     An  east-country  term  for  a  strong  and  sudden  gust  of  wind. 

GUST,  OR  Gush.  A  sudden  violent  wind  experienced  near  mountainous 
lands;  it  is  of  short  duration,  and  generally  succeeded  by  fine  breezes. 

GUT.  A  somewhat  coarse  term  for  the  main  part  of  a  strait  or  channel, 
as  the  Gut  of  Gibraltar,  Gut  of  Canso. 

GUTTER  [Anglo-Saxon  gSotan,  to  pour  out  or  shedj.  A  ditch,  sluice,  or  gote. 

GUTTER-LEDGK  A  crossbar  laid  along  the  middle  of  a  large  hatchway 
in  some  vessels,  to  support  the  covers  and  enable  them  the  better  to  sus- 
tain any  weighty  body. 

GUY.  A  rope  used  to  steady  a  weighty  body  from  swinging  against  the 
ship's  side  while  it  is  hoisting  or  lowering,  particularly  when  there  is  a 
high  sea.  Also,  a  rope  extended  from  the  head  of  sheers,  and  made  fisist  at 
a  distance  on  each  side  to  steady  them.  The  jib-boom  is  supported  by  its 
guys.  Also,  the  name  of  a  tackle  used  to  confine  a  boom  forward,  when 
a  vessel  is  going  large,  and  so  prevent  the  sail  from  gybing^  which  would 
endanger  the  springing  of  the  boom,  or  perhaps  the  upsetting  of  the  vesseL 


SCO  GYBING HADDOBREEKS 

Also,  a  large  slack  rope,  extendiDg  from  tbe  bead  of  the  main-mast  to  tbe 
bead  of  tbe  fore-mast^  and  siistaining  a  temporary  tackle  to  load  or  unload 
a  sbip  witL 

GYBING.     Anotber  form  for  jibing  (wbicb  see). 

GYK     A  west-country  term  for  a  salt-water  ditcb. 

GYMMYRT.     Tbe  Erse  or  Manx  for  rowing  witb  oars. 

GYMNOTUS  ELECTRICU&  An  eel  fiom  tbe  Surinam  river,  several 
feet  in  lengtb,  wbicb  inflicts  electrical  sbocks. 

GYN.  A  tbree-legged  macbine  fitted  witb  a  windlass,  beaving  in  tbe  fall 
from  a  purcbase-block  at  tbe  summit,  mucb  used  on  sbore  for  mounting 
and  dismounting  guns,  driving  piles,  &c     {See  Gibraltar  Gyn.) 

GYP.     A  strong  gasp  for  breath,  like  a  fish  just  taken  out  of  the  water. 

GYVER.     An  old  term  for  blocks  or  pulleys. 

GYVES.     Fetters;  the  old  word  for  handcuffs. 


H. 


HAAF.     Cod,  ling,  or  tusk  deep-sea  fisheries  of  the  Shetland  and  Orkney 

islanders. 
HAAF-BOAT.     One  fitted  for  deep-water  fishing. 
HAAFURES.     A  northern  term  for  fishermen's  lines. 
HAAK.    See  Hake. 

HAAR.     A  chill  easterly  wind  on  our  northern  coasts.     (See  Harr.) 
HABERDDEN.     Cod  or  stock-fish  dried  and  cured  on  board;  that  cured 

at  Aberdeen  was  tbe  best. 
HABERGEON.     A  coat  of  mail  for  tbe  bead  and  shoulders. 
HABILIMENTS  op  War,     A  statute  term  for  arms  and  all  provisions 

for  maintaining  war. 
HABLE.     An  Anglo-Norman  term  for  a  seaport  or  haven;  it  is  used  in 

statute  27  Henry  VII.  cap.  3. 
HACKATEK     A  fresh-water  tortoise  in  tbe  West  Indies;  it  has  a  long 

neck  and  flat  feet,  and  weighs  10  to  15  lbs. 
HACKBXJSH.     A  heavy  band-gun.     {See  Haobut.) 
HACKLE,  Heckle,  or  Hetchel.     A  machine  for  teazing  flax.     Also,  a 

west-country  name  for  tbe  stickleback. 
HACK-SAW.     Used  for  cutting  off*  the  beads  of  bolts;  made  of  a  scythe 

fresh  serrated. 
HACK-WATCH,  or  Job-watch  (wbicb  see). 
HACOT.     From  the  Anglo-Saxon  hacod,  a  large  sort  of  pike. 
HADDIE.     A  north-coast  diminutive  of  haddock. 
H  ADDO-BREEKa     A  northern  term  for  the  roe  of  tbe  haddock. 


HADDOCK HALCfYON  PISCATOE  361 

r 

HADDOCK.  The  Gadu8  csgtlfiniLS,  a  species  of  cod  fabled  to  bear  tlie 
thumb-mark  of  St  Peter. 

H^VER.     See  Eaver. 

HAFNR     An  old  word  for  haven,  from  the  Danish. 

HAFT.     (See  Heft).     The  handle  of  a  knife  or  tool 

HAG-BOAT.    See  Heck-boat. 

HAGBUT.     A  wall-piece  placed  upon  a  tripod;  the  arquebusa 

HAGBUTAR.  The  bearer  of  a  firearm  formerly  used;  it  was  somewhat 
larger  than  a  musket. 

HAGG.     An  arquebuse  with  a  bent  butt     Also,  a  swampy  moss. 

HAG'S  TEETH.  {See  Hake's  Teeth.)  Those  parts  of  a  matting  or  pointing 
interwoven  with  the  rest  in  an  irregular  manner,  so  as  to  spoil  the  uni- 
formity.   {See  Pointing.)    In  soundings,  see  Hake's  Teeth. 

HAIK.    See  Hike  up. 

HAIL,  To.  To  hail  "firom  a  country,"  or  claim  it  as  a  birthplace.  A 
ship  is  said  to  hail  from  the  port  where  she  is  registered,  and  therefore 
properly  belongs  to.  When  hailed  at  sea  it  is,  "From  whence  do  you 
come?"  and  "where  bound?" — "Pass  within  hail,"  a  special  signal  to  ap- 
proach and  receive  orders  or  intelligence,  when  boats  cannot  be  lowered 
or  time  is  precious.  One  vessel,  the  senior,  lies  to;  the  other  passes  the 
stem  under  the  lea — HaU-feUowa,  messmates  well  matched. 

HAILING.  To  call  to  another  vessel;  the  salutation  or  accosting  of  a  ship 
at  a  distanca 

HA  ILIKG- ALOFT.  To  call  to  men  in  the  tops  and  at  the  masthead  to 
'4ook  out,"  too  often  an  inconsistent  bluster  from  the  deck. 

HAIL-SHOT.     Small  shot  for  cannon. 

HAILSHOT-PIECE.  A  sort  of  gun  supplied  of  old  to  our  ships,  with 
dice  of  iron  as  the  missile. 

HAIR     The  cold  nipping  wind  called  hoar  in  the  north :  as  in  Beaumont 

and  Fletcher, 

"Here  all  is  cold  as  the  hairs  in  winter.'* 

HAIR-BRACKET,     The  moulding  at  the  back  of  the  figure-head. 
HAIR-TRIGGER.     A  trigger  to  a  gun-lock,  so  delicately  adjusted  that 

the  slightest  touch  will  discharge  the  piece. 
HAKR     An  old  term  for  a  hand-gun.     Also,  the  fish  Gadus  merlt^ics,  a 

well-known  gregarious  and  voracious  fish  of  the  cod  family,  often  termed 

sea-pike. 
HAKE'S  TEETH.     A  phrase  applied  to  some  part  of  the  deep  soundings  in 

the  British  Channel;  but  it  is  a  distinct  shell-fish,  being  the  i^^nto^zitm,  the 

presence  of  which  is  a  valuable  guide  to  the  Channel  pilot  in  foggy 

weather. 
HALBAZ.     See  Kalbaz. 
HALBERT.     A  sort  of  spear  formerly  carried  by  sergeants  of  infantry, 

that  they,  standing  in  the  ranks  behind  the  officers  or  the  colours,  should 

afford  additional  defence  at  those  important  point& 
HALCYON  PISCATOR,  or  King-pisheb,     This  beautiful  bird's  floating 


362  H^^E HALFTIMBEBS 

nest  was  fabled  to  calm,  the  winds  and  seas  while  the  bird  sat  This 
occurring  in  winter  gave  rise  to  the  expression  '* halcyon  days." 

HALE.     An  old  word  for  IiaiU  (which  see). 

HALF  AN  EYE,  Seeinq  with.     Discerning  instantly  and  clearly. 

HALF-BEAMS.  Short  timbers,  from  the  side  to  the  hatchways,  to  support 
the  deck  where  there  is  no  framing.     {See  Fohk-beams.) 

HALF-BREADTH  op  the  Eising.  A  ship-builder's  term  for  a  curve  in 
the  floor-plan,  which  limits  the  distances  of  the  centres  of  the  floor- 
sweeps  from  the  middle  line  of  the  body-plan. 

HALF-BREADTH  PLAN.     In  ship-building,  the  same  eisjloor-plan. 

HALF-COCK.  To  go  off  at  half-cock  is  an  unexpected  discharge  of  a  fire- 
arm ;  hurried  conduct  without  due  preparation,  and  consequently  failure. 

HALF-DAVIT.     Otherwise  ^A^<iain«  (which  see). 

HALF-DECK.  A  space  between  the  foremost  bulkhead  of  the  steerage 
and  the  fore-part  of  the  quarter-deck.  In  the  Northumberland  colliers 
the  steerage  itself  is  called  the  half-deck,  and  is  usually  the  habitation  of 
the  crew. 

HALF-DROWNED  LAND.  Shores  which  are  rather  more  elevated  and 
bear  more  verdure  than  drowned  land  (which  see). 

HALF-FLOOD.     See  Flood. 

HALF-GALLEY.    See  Galley. 

HALF-HITCH.  Pass  the  end  of  a  rope  round  its  standing  part^  and  bring 
it  up  through  the  bight.     {See  Three  Half-hitch£&) 

HALF-LAUGHS  akd  Pubseb's  Grins.     Hypocritical  and  satirical  sneers. 

HALF-MAN.  A  landsman  or  boy  in  a  coaster,  undeserving  the  pay  of  a 
/lUl-man. 

HALF-MAST.     The  lowering  a  flag  in  respect  for  the  death  of  an  officer. 

HALF-MINUTE  GLASS.    See  Glass. 

HALF-MOON.  An  old  form  of  outwork  somewhat  similar  to  the  ravelin, 
originally  placed  before  the  salients  of  bastions. 

HALF-PIKK  An  iron  spike  fixed  on  a  short  ashen  staff,  used  to  repel 
the  assault  of  boarders,  and  hence  frequently  termed  a  boarding-pike. 

HALF-POINT.  A  subdivision  of  the  compass  card,  equal  to  5*  37'  of  the 
circle. 

HALF-PORTS.  A  sort  of  one-inch  deal  shutter  for  the  upper  half  of 
those  ports  which  have  no  hanging  lids;  the  lower  half-port  is  solid  and 
hinged,  having  a  semicircle  cut  out  for  the  gun  when  level,  and  falling 
down  outwards  when  ready  for  action;  the  upper  half-port  fits  loosely 
into  rabbets,  and  is  secured  only  by  laniards. 

HALF-SEA.     The  old  term  for  mid-channeL 

HALF  SEAS  OVER.     Nearly  intoxicated     This  term  was  used  by  Swift. 

HALF.SPEED !     An  order  in  steam  navigation  to  reduce  the  speed.     {See 

FULIrSPEED !) 

HALF-TIDE  ROCKa      Those  showing  their  heads  at  half-ebb.      {See 

Tide.) 
HALF-TIMBERS.      The  short  timbers  or  futtocks  in  the  cant-bodies, 


i 


HALF-TOP HAMMER-HEADED  SHAUK  3g3 

answering  to  the  lower  futtocks  in  the  square-body;  thej  are  placed  so  as 
to  give  good  shiftings. 

HALF-TOP.  The  mode  of  making  ships'  tops  in  two  pieces,  which  are 
afterwards  secured  as  a  whole  by  what  are  termed  sleepers. 

HALF-TOPSAILS,  Under.  Said  of  a  chase  about  12  miles  distant,  the 
rest  being  below  the  horizon. 

HALF-TURN  AHEAD  1  An  order  in  steam  navigation.  {See  Tukn- 
ahead!) 

HALF-WATCH  TACKLK     A  luff  purchase.     (See  Watch-tackle.) 

HALIBUT.  A  large  oceanic  bank  fish,  Uippogloasua  vtUgc^ns,  weighing 
from  300  to  500  lbs.  particularly  off  Newfoundland;  it  resembles  plaice, 
and  is  excellent  food,  nor  does  it  easily  putrefy. 

H  ALLEY'S  CHART.  The  name  given  to  the  protracted  curves  of  the 
variation  of  the  compass,  known  as  the  variation  chart 

HALLIARDS,  Halyabds,  or  Haulyabds.  The  ropes  or  tackles  usually 
employed  to  hoist  or  lower  any  sail  upon  its  respective  yards,  gaffs,  or 
stay,  except  the  cross-jack  and  spritsail-yard,  which  are  always  slung;  but 
in  small  craft  the  spritsail-yard  also  has  halliards.     (See  Jeebs.) 

HALO.  An  extensive  luminous  ring  including^  the  sun  or  moon,  whose 
light,  passing  through  the  intervening  vapour,  gives  rise  to  the  pheno- 
menon. Halos  are  called  lunar  or  solars  according  as  they  appear  round 
the  moon  or  sun.  Prismatically  coloured  halos  indicate  the  presence  of 
watery  vapour,  whereas  white  ones  show  that  the  vapour  is  frozen. 

HALSE,  OR  Halser.     Archaic  spelling  for  Iiawser. 

HALSTER.  A  west-country  term  for  a  man  who  draws  a  barge  along  by 
a  rope. 

HALT  I  The  military  word  of  command  to  stop  marching,  or  any  other 
evolution.     A  halt  includes  the  period  of  such  discontinuance. 

HALYE-NET.  A  standing  net  used  in  the  north  to  prevent  fishes  from 
returning  with  the  falling  tide. 

HALYARDS.    See  Halliards. 

HA  MACS.  Columbus  found  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Bahama  Islands 
had  for  beds  nets  of  cotton  suspended  at  each  end,  which  they  called 
hamac8f  a  name  since  adopted  universally  amongst  seamen.  (See  Ham- 
mocks AKD  Hammacs.) 

HAMBER,  OR  Hambro'-Like.     Small  line  used  for  seizings,  lashings,  ^. 

HAMMACOE.    Beam  battens.    (See  Hammock-battens.) 

HAMMER.  The  shipwright's  hammer  is  a  well-known  tool  for  driving 
nails  and  clenching  bolts,  differing  from  hammers  in  general. 

HAMMER,  OP  A  Gun-lock.  Formerly  the  steel  covering  of  the  pan  from 
which  the  flint  of  the  cook  struck  sparks  on  to  the  priming;  but  now  the 
cock  itself,  by  its  hammer  action  on  the  cap  or  other  percussion  priming, 
discharges  the  piece.  Whether  the  hammer  will  be  superseded  by  the 
needle  remains  to  be  determined. 

HAMMER-HEADED  SHARK.  The  Zygoma  maUeua,  a  strange,  ugly 
shark.     The  eyes  are  situated  at  the  extremities  of  the  hammer-shaped 


3G4i  HAMMERING HAND-GUN 

head  They  seldom  take  bait  or  annoy  human  beings.  Thej  are  for  the 
most  part  inert^  live  near  the  surf  edge,  and  are  frequently  found  washed 
up  on  sandy  beaches.     Chiefly  found  on  the  coasts  of  Barbary. 

HAMMERING.    A  heavy  camionade  at  close  quarters. 

HAMMOCK.  A  swinging  sea- bed,  the  undisputed  invention  of  Alci- 
blades;  but  the  modem  name  is  derived  from  the  Caribbs.  (See  Ham- 
ACS.)  At  present  the  hammock  consists  of  a  piece  of  canvas,  6  feet  long 
and  4  feet  wide,  gathered  together  at  the  two  ends  by  means  of  clews, 
formed  by  a  grommet  and  knittles,  whence  the  head-due  and  /oot-due: 
the  hammock  is  hung  horizontally  under  the  deck,  and  forms  a  receptacle 
for  the  bed  on  which  the  seamen  sleep.  There  are  usually  allowed  from 
14  to  20  inches  between  hammock  and  hammock  in  a  ship  of  war.  In 
preparing  for  action,  the  hammocks,  together  with  their  contents^  are  all 
firmly  corded,  taken  upon  deck,  and  fixed  in  various  nettings^  so  as  to 
form  a  barricade  against  musket-balLs.     {See  ENOAOEifENT.) 

HAMMOCK  BATTENS  or  Racks.  Cleats  or  battens  nailed  to  the  sides 
of  a  vessel's  beams,  from  which  to  suspend  the  seamen's  hammocks. 

HAMMOCK-BERTHING.  Forecastle-men  forward,  and  thence  passing 
afl,  foretop-men,  maintop-men,  mizentop-men,  waisters^  aftei^guard,  and 
boys.     Quartermasters  in  the  tiers. 

HAMMOCK-CLOTHS.  To  protect  them  firom  wet  while  stowed  in  the 
nettings  on  deck. 

HAMMOCK  GANT-LINEa  Lines  extended  from  the  jib-boom  end 
around  the  ship,  triced  up  to  the  lower  yard-arms,  for  drying  scrubbed 
hammocks. 

HAMMOCK-NETTINGS.  Take  their  distinguishing  names  according  to 
their  location  in  the  ship,  as  forecastle,  waist^  quarter-deck. 

HAMMOCK-RACKS.    See  HAMMOCK-BATTEafs. 

HAMPER.  Things  which,  though  necessary,  are  in  the  way  in  times  of 
gale  or  service.     {See  Top-hamper.) 

HAMPERED.     Perplexed  and  troubled. 

H  AMRON     An  archaic  term,  meaning  the  hold  of  a  ship. 

HANCES.  Spandrels;  the  falls  or  descents  of  fife-rails.  Also,  the  break- 
ings of  the  rudder  abaft.     (See  Haunch.) 

HAND.  A  phrase  often  used  for  the  word  man,  as,  '^  a  hand  to  the  lead," 
"  clap  more  hands  on,"  <&c. — To  hand  a  sail,  is  to  furl  it — To  lend  a 
Iiandf'  to  assist — Bear  a  hand,  make  haste. — Hand  in  the  leech,  a 
call  in  furling  sails.  To  comprehend  this  it  must  be  understood  that 
the  leech,  or  outer  border  df  the  sail,  if  lefb  to  belly  or  fill  with  wind, 
would  set  at  naught  all  the  powers  of  the  men.  It  is  therefore  neces- 
sary, as  Falconer  has  it,  'Hhe  tempest  to  disarm  ;**  so  by  handing  in  this 
leech-rope  before  the  yard,  the  canvas  is  easily  folded  in,  and  the  gasket 
passed  round. 

HAND-GRENADE.    A  small  shell  for  throwing  by  hand.    (&e  Geekade.) 

HAND-GUN.  An  old  term  for  small  arms  in  the  times  of  Henry  YII. 
and  VIII. 


HANDLASS HANG  366 

H ANDLASS.     A  west-country  term  for  a  small  kind  of  windlass. 

HANDLK  The  title  prefixed  to  a  person's  name. — To  handle  a  ship  welly 
is  to  work  her  in  a  seaman-like  manner. 

HAKD-LEAD.  A  small  lead  used  in  the  channels,  or  chains,  when 
approaching  land,  and  for  sounding  in  rivers  or  harbours  under  20 
fathoms.     {See  Lead.) 

HANDLES  OF  A  GUN.     The  dolphins. 

HAND-LINE.  A  line  bent  to  the  hand-lead,  measured  at  certain  intervals 
with  what  are  called  marks  and  deeps  from  2  and  3  fathoms  to  20, 

HAND  MAST-PIECK     The  smaller  hand  mast-spara 

HAND  MAST-SPAR  A  round  mast ;  those  from  Eiga  are  commonly 
over  70  feet  long  by  20  inches  diameter. 

HANDMAID.  An  old  denomination  for  a  tender;  thus,  in  Drake's  ex- 
pedition to  Cadiz,  two  of  her  Majesty's  pinnaces  were  appointed  to  attend 
his  squadron  as  handmaids. 

HAND-OVER-HAND.  Hauling  rapidly  upon  any  rope,  by  the  men  pass- 
ing their  hands  alternately  one  before  the  other,  or  one  above  the  other 
if  they  are  hoisting.  A  sailor  is  said  to  go  hand-over-hand  if  he  lifts  his 
own  weight  and  ascends  a  single  rope  without  the  help  of  his  legs.  Hand- 
over-hand also  implies  rapidly;  as,  we  are  coming  up  with  the  chase 
hand-over-hand. 

HAND-PUMP.  The  common  movable  pump  for  obtaining  fresh  water, 
&a,  from  tanks  or  casks. 

HAND-SAW.  The  smallest  of  the  saws  used  by  shipwrights,  and  used  by 
one  hand. 

HAND-SCREW.     A  handy  kind  of  single  jack-screw. 

HANDSOMELY.  Signifies  steadily  or  leisurely;  as^  "  lower  away  hand- 
somely,'' when  required  to  be  done  gradually  and  carefully.  The  tenn 
'*  handsomely"  repeated,  implies  *'  have  a  care;  not  so  fast;  tenderly." 

HAND-SPIKE.  A  lever  made  of  tough  ash,  and  used  to  heave  round  the 
windlass  in  order  to  draw  up  the  anchor  from  the  bottom,  or  move  any 
heavy  articles,  particularly  in  merchant  ships.  The  handle  is  round,  but 
the  other  end  is  square,  conforming  to  the  shape  of  the  holes  in  the  wind- 
lass.   (See  Guniteb's  Hand-spike.) 

HANDS  REEF  TOPSAILS !  The  order  to  reef  by  aU  hands,  instead  of 
the  watch,  or  watch  and  idlers. 

HAND-TIGHT.     A  rope  hauled  as  taut  as  it  can  be  by  hand  only. 

HAND-UNDER-HAND.  Descending  a  rope  by  the  converse  of  hand- 
over-hand ascent. 

HANDY-BILLY.  A  small  jigger  purchase,  used  particularly  in  tops  or 
the  holds,  for  assisting  in  hoisting  when  weak-handed.  A  watch-tackle. 
{See  Jiggers.) 

HANDY-SHIP.  One  that  steers  easily,  and  can  be  worked  with  the 
watch;  or  as  some  seamen  would  express  it,  "  work  herself" 

HANG.  In  timber,  opposed  to  sny  (which  see). — To  hang.  Said  of  a 
mast  that  inclines;  it  iMnga  forward^  if  too  much  stayed;  hangs  qft,  if  it 


356  HANGER HANKS 

reqaii«8  staying. — To  hang  tJie  mcuL  By  some  temporary  means,  nntil 
the  mast-rope  be  fleeted. — To  hang  on  a  rope  or  taMe-/aU,  is  to  hold  it 
fast  without  belaying ;  also  to  pull  forcibly  with  the  whole  weight. — To 
haTig  aback.     To  be  slack  on  duty. 

HANGER  The  old  word  for  the  Persian  dagger,  and  latterly  for  a  short 
curved  sword. 

HANG-FIRK  When  the  priming  bums  without  igniting  the  cartridge, 
or  the  charge  does  not  rapidly  ignite  after  pulling  the  trigger.  Figurat 
tively,  to  hang  firCy  is  to  hesitate  or  flinch. 

HANGING.  A  word  expressive  of  anything  declining  in  the  middle  part 
below  a  straight  line,  as  the  hanging  of  a  deck  or  a  sheer.  Also,  when 
a  ship  is  difficult  to  be  removed  from  the  stocks,  or  in  manoeuvre. 

HANGING-BLOCKS.  These  are  sometimes  fitted  with  a  long  and  short 
leg,  and  lash  over  the  eyes  of  the  topmast  rigging;  when  under,  they  are 
made  fast  to  a  strap.  The  topsail-tye  reeves  through  these  blocks,  the 
tye-block  on  the  yard,  and  the  standing  part  is  secured  to  the  mast-head. 

HANGING-OLAMP.  A  semicircular  iron,  with  a  foot  at  each  end  to 
receive  nails,  by  which  it  is  fixed  to  any  part  of  the  ship  to  hang  stages 
to,  kc 

HANGING-COMPASS.  A  compass  so  constructed  as  to  hang  with  its 
face  downwards,  the  point  which  supports  the  card  being  fixed  in  the 
centre  of  the  glass,  and  the  gimbals  are  attached  to  a  beam  over  the 
observer's  head.  There  is  usually  one  hung  in  the  cabin,  that,  by  looking 
up  to  it^  the  ship's  course  may  be  observed  at  any  moment;  whence  it  is 
also  termed  a  tell-tala 

HANGING  HOOK-POTS.  Tin  utensils  fitted  for  hanging  to  the  bars 
before  the  galley-grate. 

HANGING-KNEES.  Those  which  are  applied  under  the  loding-knees, 
and  are  fayed  vertically  to  the  sides. 

HANGING-STAGE.  Any  stage  hung  over  the  side,  bows,  or  stem,  for 
painting,  caulking,  or  temporary  repairs. 

HANGING  STANDARD-KNER  A  knee  fayed  verticaUy  beneath  a 
hold-beam,  with  one  arm  bolted  on  the  lower  side  of  the  beam. 

HANGING-STOVES.     Used  for  ventilating  or  drying  between  decks. 

HANGING  THE  RUDDER  So  as  to  allow  the  pintles  to  fall  into  their 
corresponding  braces,  constantly  in  boats,  and  frequently  also  in  whaling 
vessels,  but  seldom  in  other  ships:  the  rudder  after  being  shipped  is 
generally  secured  by  wood-locks  to  prevent  its  unshipping  at  sea. 

HANG  ON  HER !  In  rowing,  is  the  order  to  stretch  out  to  the  utmost 
to  preserve  or  increase  headway  on  the  boat. 

HANK  FOR  HANK.  In  beating  against  the  wind  each  board  is  thus 
sometimes  denoted.  Also,  expressive  of  two  ships  which  tack  simul- 
taneously and  make  progress  to  windward  together  in  racing,  &c. 

HANKS.  Hoops  or  rings  of  rope,  wood,  or  iron,  fixed  upon  the  stays,  to 
seize  the  luff  of  fore-and-afl  sails,  and  to  confine  the  stay-sails  thereto,  at 
different  distances.     Those  of  wood  are  used  in  lieu  of  grommets,  being 


HANSE-TOWNS HAEBOUE-WATCH  367 

mach  more  convenient,  and  of  a  later  invention.  They  are  framed  by  ihe 
bending  of  a  rough  piece  of  wood  into  the  form  of  a  wreath,  and  fastened 
at  the  two  ends  by  means  of  notches^  thereby  retaining  their  drcalar 
figure  and  elasticity;  whereas  the  grommets  which  are  formed  of  rope  are 
apt  to  relax  in  warm  weather,  and  adhere  to  the  stays,  so  as  to  prevent 
the  sails  from  being  readily  hoisted  or  lowered. — Iron  Jianka  are  mora 
generally  used  now  that  stays  are  made  of  wire. — Hank  is  also  a  skein  of 
line  or  twine. — Getting  into  a  hanky  irritated  by  jokes. 

kANSE-TOWNS.  Established  in  the  13th  century,  for  the  mutual  pro- 
tection of  mercantile  property.  Now  confined  to  Lubeck,  Hamburg,  and 
Bremen. 

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY.     A  reckless  indifference  as  to  danger. 

HAQUR     A  little  hand-gun  of  former  times. 

HAQUEBUT.  A  form  of  spelling  arquebuse,  A  bigger  sort  of  hand-* 
gun  than  the  haque, 

HARASS,  To.     To  torment  and  fatigue  men  with  needless  work. 

HARBOUB.  A  general  name  given  to  any  safe  sea-port  The  qualities 
requisite  in  a  good  harbour  are,  that  it  should  afford  security  from  the 
effects  of  the  wind  and  sea;  that  the  bottom  be  entirely  free  from  rocks 
and  shallows,  but  good  holding  ground;  that  the  opening  be  of  sufficient 
extent  to  admit  the  entrance  or  departure  of  large  ships  without  difficulty; 
that  it  should  have  convenience  to  receive  the  shipping  of  different 
nations,  especially  those  which  are  laden  with  merchandises;  and  that  it 
possess  establishments  for  refitting  vessels.  To  render  a  harbour  complete, 
there  ought  to  be  good  defences,  a  good  lighthouse,  and  a  number  of  moor- 
ing and  warping  buoys;  and  finally,  that  it  have  plenty  of  fuel,  water, 
provisions^  and  other  materials  for  sea  use.  Such  a  harbour,  if  used  as  a 
place  of  commercial  transactions,  is  called  a  port, 

HARBOUR-DUES.     See  Port-charges. 

HARBOUR-DUTY  MEN.  Riggers,  leading  men,  and  others,  ordered  to 
perform  the  dockyard  or  port  duties,  too  often  superannuated,  or  otherwise 
unfit. 

HARBOUR-GASKETS.  Broad,  but  short  and  well-blacked  gaskets, 
placed  at  equal  distances  on  the  yard,  for  showing  off  a  well-furled  sail  in 
port :  there  is  generally  one  upon  every  other  seam. 

HARBOUR-GUARDS.  Men  detached  from  the  ordinary,  as  a  working 
party. 

HARBOUR-LOG,  That  part  of  the  log-book  which  consists  solely  of 
remarks,  and  relates  only  to  transactions  while  the  ship  is  in  port. 

HARBOUR-MASTER.  An  officer  appointed  to  inspect  the  moorings,  and 
to  see  that  the  ships  are  properly  berthed,  and  the  regulations  of  the 
harbour  strictly  observed  by  the  different  ships  frequenting  it 

HARBOUR-REACH.  The  reach  or  stretch  of  a  winding  river  which 
leads  direct  to  the  harbour. 

HARBOUR-WATCH.  A  division  or  subdivision  of  the  watch  kept  on 
night-duty,  when  the  ship  rides  at  single  anchor,  to  meet  any  emergency. 


\ 


3G8  HABD HABNE8£U7ASK 

HARD.     A  road-path  made  through  mud  for  landing  at    {See  Abd.) 

HABD-A-LEK  The  situation  of  the  tiller  when  it  brings  the  rudder 
hard  over  to  windward.  Strictly  speaking,  it  only  relates  to  a  tiller  which 
extends /aruoard  from  the  rudder-head;  naw  manj  extend  q/2,  in  which 
case  the  order  remains  the  same^  but  the  tiller  and  rudder  are  both 
brought  over  to  windward.  Also,  the  order  to  put  the  tiller  in  this 
positiou. 

HARD  AND  FAST.     Said  of  a  ship  on  shore. 

HARD-A-PORT !  The  order  so  to  place  the  tUler  as  to  bring  the  rudder 
over  to  the  starboard-side  of  the  stem-post^  whichever  way  the  tiUer 
leads.     {See  Habd-a-lee.) 

HARD-A-STARBOARD.  The  order  so  to  place  the  tiller  as  to  bring  the 
rudder  over  to  the  port-side  of  the  stern-post,  whichever  waj  the  tiller 
leads.     {See  Habd-a-lee.) 

HARD-A- WEATHER !  The  order  so  to  place  the  tiller  as  to  bring  the 
rudder  on  the  lee-side  of  the  stem-post,  whichever  waj  the  tiller  leads,  in 
order  to  bear  away;  it  is  the  position  of  the  helm  as  opposed  to  hard-a-lee 
(which  see).     Also,  a  hardy  seaman* 

HARD  BARGAIN.     A  useless  fellow;  a  skulker. 

HARD  FISH.  A  term  indiscriminately  applied  to  cod,  ling,  haddock, 
torsk,  <fec.,  salted  and  dried. 

HARD  GALE.  When  the  violence  of  the  wind  reduces  a  ship  to  be 
under  her  storm  stay-sails,  No.  10  force. 

HARD-HEAD.  The  Clupea  menliaden,  or  Alosa  iyrannuSy  an  oily  fish 
taken  in  immense  quantities  on  the  American  coasts,  insomuch  that  they 
are  used  for  manuring  land.  Also,  on  our  coasts  the  father-lasher  or  sea- 
scorpion,  CoUus  ecorpius^  and  in  some  parts  the  grey  gurnard,  are  so  called. 

HARD-HORSK     A  tyrannical  officer. 

HARDING.     A  light  kind  of  duck  canvas  made  in  the  north. 

HARD  UP.  The  tiller  so  placed  as  to  carry  the  rudder  close  over  to  lee- 
ward of  the  stem-post.  Also,  used  figuratively  for  being  in  great  distress, 
or  poverty-struck;  obliged  to  bear  up  for  Poverty  Bay ;  cleared  out. 

HARD  UP  IN  A  CLINCH,  akd  no  Knife  to  cut  the  Seizino.  .  Over- 
taken by  misfortune,  and  no  means  of  evading  it 

HARDS.    See  Acumba. 

HARLK  Mists  or  thick  rolling  fogs  from  the  sea,  so  called  in  the  north. 
AIuo,  a  name  of  the  goosander  (which  see). 

HARMATTAN.  A  Fantee  name  for  a  singular  periodical  easterly  wind 
which  prevails  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  generally  in  December, 
January,  and  February;  it  is  dry,  though  always  accompanied  by  haze, 
the  result  of  fine  red  dust  suspended  in  the  atmosphere  and  obscuring  the 
sun;  this  wind  is  opposed  to  the  sea-breeze,  which  would  otherwise  blow 
fresh  from  the  west  on  to  the  land. 

HARNESS.     An  old  statute  term  for  the  tackling  or  furniture  of  a  ship. 

HARNESS-CASK.  A  large  conical  tub  for  containing  the  salt  provisions 
intended  for  present  consumption.     Alluding  to  the  junk,  which  is  often 


HARP-COCK HARPOON  369 

called  salt-borse,  it^  has  been  described  as  the  tub  where  the  horse,  and 
not  the  harness,  is  kept. 

HARP-COCK.    An  old  modification  of  the  harpoon. 

HARPENS.     See  HARPiNoa 

HARPEErCRAB.    See  Tommy  Harper. 

HARPINGS,  OR  Harpens.  The  fore-parts  of  the  wales  which  encompass 
the  bow  of  a  ship,  and  are  fastened  to  the  stem,  being  thicker  than  the  afler- 
part  of  the  wales,  in  order  to  strengthen  the  ship  in  that  place  where  she 
sustains  the  greatest  shock  of  resistance  in  plunging  into  the  sea,  or  divid- 
ing it,  under  a  great  pressure  of  sail.  Also,  the  pieces  of  oak,  similar  to 
ribbands,  but  trimmed  and  bolted  to  the  shape  of  the  body  of  the  ship^ 
which  hold  the  fore  and  after  cant  bodies  together,  until  the  ship  is 
planked.  But  this  term'  is  mostly  applicable  to  those  at  the  bow ;  hence 
arises  the  phrase  ^  clean  and  full  harpinga."  Harpings  in  the  bow  of  a 
vessel  are  decried  as  rendering  the  ship  uneasy. — CcU  Iiarpings,  The  legs 
which  cross  from  futtock-staff  to  futtock-staff,  below  the  tops,  to  girt  in 
the  rigging,  and  allow  the  lower  yards  to  brace  sharp  up. 

HARPOON,  OR  Habpaoo.  A  spear  or  javelin  with  a  barbed  point,  used 
to  strike  whales  and  other  fish.  The  harpoon  is  furnished  with  a  long 
shank,  and  has  at  one  end  a  broad  and  flat  triangular  head,  sharpened  at 
both  edges  so  as  to  penetrate  the  whale  with  fitcility,  but  blunt  behind 
to  prevent  its  cutting  out.  To  the  other  end  a  fore-ganger  is  bent,  to 
which  is  fastened  a  long  cord  called  the  whale-line,  which  lies  carefully 
coiled  in  the  boat  in  such  a  manner  as  to  run  out  without  being  inter- 
rupted or  entangled.  Several  coils,  each  130  fathoms  of  whale-line  (sofl 
laid  and  of  clean  sUky  fibre)  are  in  readiness;  the  instant  the  whale  is 
struck  the  men  cant  the  oars,  so  that  the  roll  may  not  immerse  them  in 
the  water.  The  line,  which  has  a  turn  round  the  boUard,  flies  like 
lightning  and  is  intensely  watched.  One  man  pours  water  on  the 
smoking  bollard,  another  is  ready  with  a  sharp  axe  to  cut^  and  the  others 
see  that  the  lines  run  frea  Seven  or  eight  coils  have  been  run  out 
before  the  whale  '^  sounds,"  or  strikes  bottom,  when  he  rises  again  to 
breathe,  and  probably  gets  a  similar  dose. — Gun  harpoon,  A  weapon 
used  for  the  same  purpose  as  the  preceding,  but  it  is  fired  out  of  a  gun, 
instead  of  being  thrown  by  hand ;  it  is  made  entirely  of  steel,  and  has  a 
chain  or  long  shackle  attached  to  it,  to  which  the  whale-line  is  fastened. 
Greener's  harpoon-gun  is  a  kind  of  wall-piece  fixed  in  a  crutch,  which 
steps  into  the  bow-bollard  of  the  whale-boat.  The  harpoon  projects 
about  four  inches  beyond  the  muzzla  It  consists  of  its  barbed  point 
attached  to  a  long  link,  with  a  solid  button  at  its  opposite  end  to  fit  the 
gun ;  on  one  rod  of  this  link  is  a  ring  which  runs  to  the  muzzle,  and  is 
there  attached  to  the  whale-line  by  a  thong  of  seal  or  walrus  hide,  wet. 
The  gun  being  fired,  the  harpoon  is  projected,  the  ring  sliding  up  to  the 
button,  when  the  line  follows.  Some  of  these  harpoons  or  other  engines 
have  grenades — glass  globules  with  prussio  acid  or  other  chemical»^ 
which  sicken  the  whale  instantly,  and  little  trouble  ensues. 

2a 


370  HAEPOONBB HATCHWAY 

HABPOONER,  Habponeeb,  or  Habpineeb.     The  expert  bowmau  in  a 

whale-boat^  whose  duty  it  is  to  throw  or  fiie  the  harpoon. 
HAB.P-SEAL.      The  Fhoca  grcsnlandica,   a  species  of  seal  from   the 

Arctic  seas;   so  called  from  the  form  of  a  dark-brown  mark  upon  its 

back. 
HARQUEBUSS,    or   Arquebuss.      Something   larger    than  a  musket 

Sometimes  called  caliver.    {See  ARQUEBUsa) 
HABR^  OR  Harl.     a  sea-storm,  from  a  northern  term  for  snarling,  in 

allusion  to  the  noisa     Also,  a  cold  thick  mist  or  fog  in  easterly  winds; 

the  hoar. 
HABBY-BANNIN6S.     A  north-country  name  for  sticklebacks. 
HAREY-NET.     A  net  with  such  small  meshes,  and  so  formed,  as  to  take 

even  the  young  and  small  fish. 
HAJIYEST-MOON.     The  full  moon  nearest  the  autumnal  equinox,  when 

for  several  successive  evenings  she  rises  at  the  same  hour;  and  this  name 

is  'given  in  consequence  of  the  supposed  advantage  of  the  additional 

length  of  moonlight  to  agricultur& 
HASEGA.     A  corruption  of  aaseguay  (which  see). 
ELA.sk.     An  archaism  for  a  fish-basket. 
HASLAB  HAGB.     The  nurses  of  the  naval  hospital  Haslar. 
HASLAB   HOSPITAL.     A  fine   establishment  near  Gosport,  for  the 

reception  and  cure  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  Boyal  Navy. 
HASP.     A  semi-circular  clamp  turning  in  an  eye-bolt  in  the  stem-head  of 

a  sloop  or  boat^  and  fiaatened  by  a  forelock  in  order  to  secure  the  bowsprit 

down  to  the  bow&     {See  Span  Shackle.) 
HASTAN.     The  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  a  large  eel  or  conger. 
HASTY-PUDDING.     A  batter  made  of  flour  or  oatmeal  stirred  in  boiling 

water,  and  eaten  with  treacle  or  sugar  at  sea.     This  dish  is  not  altogether 

to  be  despised  in  need,  although  Lord  Dorset — ^the  sailor  poet — speaks  of 

it  disparagingly : 

'*  Sure  hasty-pudding  is  thy  chief  est  dish, 
With  bullock's  liver,  or  some  stinkiug  fish.** 

HATCH.     A  half-door.     A  contrivance  for  trapping  salmon.     {See  Heck.) 
HATCH-BABS.     To  secure  the  hatches;  are  padlocked  and  sealed. 
HATCH-BOAT.     A  sort  of  small  vessel  known  as  a  pilot-boat,  having  a 

deck  composed  almost  entirely  of  hatches. 
HATCH-DECK.     Gun  brigs  had  hatches  instead  of  lower  decks. 
HATCHELLING.     The  combing  and  preparing  hemp  for  rope-making. 
HATCHES.      Flood-gates  set  in  a  river  to  stop  the  current  of  water. 

Also,  coverings  of  grating,  or  close  hatches  to  seal  the  holda — To  lie 

under  hatches,  stowed  in  the  hold.     Terms  used  figuratively  for  being  in 

distress  and  death. 
HATCHET-FASHION.     Cutting  at  the  heads  of  antagonists,  instead  of 

thrusting. 
HATCH-BINGa     Bings  to  lift  the  hatches  by,  or  replace  them. 
HATCHWAY.     A  square  or  oblong  opening  in  the  middle  of  the  deck 


HATOHWAY-NETTINQS HAULING  SHARP  371 

of  a  ahip,  of  which  there  are  generally  three — the  fore,  main,  and  after — 
affording  passages  up  and  down  from  one  deck  to  another,  and  again 
descending  into  the  hold  The  coverings  over  these  openings  are  called 
hatches.  Goods  of  bulk  are  let  down  into  the  hold  by  the  hatchways. 
To  lay  anything  in  the  hatchway,  is  to  put  it  so  that  the  hatches  cannot 
be  approached  or  opened.  The  hatches  of  a  smaller  kind  are  distin- 
guished by  the  name  of  sctUtlea. 

HATCHWAY-NETTINGa  Nettings  sometimes  placed  over  the  hatch- 
ways instead  of  gratings^  for  security  and  circulation  of  air.  They  arrest 
the  fall  of  any  one  from  a  deck  abova 

HATCHWAY-SCREENS.  Pieces  of  fear-nought,  or  thick  woollen  cloth, 
put  round  the  hatchways  of  a  man-of-war  in  time  of  action,  to  screen  the 
passages  to  the  magazine. 

HATCHWAY^TOPPERS.  Those  for  a  hempen  cable  are  fitted  as  a 
ring-stopper,  only  a  larger  rope.  They  are  rove  through  a  hole  on  each 
side  of  the  coamings,  in  the  comer  of  the  hatchway;  and  both  tails, 
made  selvagee-fEuhion,  are  dogged  along  the  cable.  When  a  chain-cable  is 
used,  the  stopper  works  from  a  beam  on  the  lower  deck. 

HAT-MONEY.  A  word  sometimeB  used  for  prinutge,  or  the  trifling  pay- 
ment received  by  the  master  of  a  ship  for  care  of  goods. 

HATJBEBK    See  Auberk. 

H ATJ6H.     Flat  or  marshy  ground  by  the  side  of  a  river. 

HAUL,  To.  An  expression  peculiar  to  seamen,  implying  to  pull  or  bowse 
at  a  single  rope^  without  the  assistance  of  blocks  or  other  mechanical 
powers  upon  it;  as  "haul  in,"  "haul  down,"  "haul  up,"  "haul  aft," 
"haul  together."  (See  Bowse,  Hoist,  and  Rowse.)  A  vessel  fiaula  her 
wind  by  trimming  the  yards  and  sails  so  as  to  lie  nearer  to,  or  close  to 
the  wind,  and  by  the  power  of  the  rudder  shaping  her  course  accordingly. 

HAUL  ABOARD  THE  FORE  AND  MAIN  TACKS.  This  is  to 
haul  them  forward,  and  down  to  the  chess-trees  on  the  weather-side. 

HAUL  AFT  A  SHEET.  To  pull  it  in  more  towards  the  stem,  so  as  to 
trim  the  sail  nearer  to  the  wind. 

HAULAGE.     A  traction-way. 

HAUL-BOWLINGS.     The  old  name  for  the  able-bodied  seamen. 

HAUL  HER  WIND.  Said  of  a  vessel  when  she  comes  close  upon  the 
wind. — Havl  your  unnd,  or  haul  to  the  wind,  signifies  that  the  ship's 
head  is  to  be  brought  nearer  to  the  wind — a  very  usual  phrase  when  she 
has  been  going  free. 

HAUL  IN,  To.  To  sail  close  to  the  wind,  in  order  to  approach  nearer  to 
an  object. 

HAULING  DO'VVTT  VACANCY.  The  colloquialism  expressive  of  the 
promotion  of  t^,  flag-lieutenant  and  midshipman  on  an  admiral's  hauling 
down  his  flag. 

HAULING-LINE.  A  line  made  fast  to  any  object^  to  be  hauled  nearer 
or  on  board,  as  a  hawser,  a  spar,  &c 

HAULING  SHARP.     Going  upon  half  allowance  of  food. 


372  HAUL  MY  WIND HAWSE 

HAUL  MY  WIND.     An  expression  when  an  individual  is  going  upon  a 

new  line  of  action.     To  avoid  a  quarrel  or  difficulty. 
HAUL  OF  ALL!      An  order  to  brace  round  all  the  jards  at  once — ^a 

manceuvre  sometimes  used  in  tacking,  or  on  a  sudden  change  of  wind;  it 

requires  a  strong  crew. 
HAUL  OFF,  To.     To  sail  closer  to  the  wind,  in  order  to  get  further  from 

any  object. 
HAUL  OUT  TO  LEEWARD !      In  reefing  topsails,  the  ciy  when  the 

weather  earing  is  passed. 
HAUL  ROUND.     Said  when  the  wind  is  gradually  shifting  towards  any 

particular  point  of  the  compass.     Edging  round  a  danger. 
HAULS  AFT,  or  Yeebs  aft.     Said  of  the  wind  when  it  draws  astern. 
HAULSER.     The  old  orthography  for  hawser. 

HAULS  FORWARD.     Said  of  the  wind  when  it  draws  before  the  beam. 
HAUL  UNDER  THE  CHAINS.     This  is  a  phrase  signifying  a  ship's 

working  and  straining  on  the  masts  and  shrouds,  so  as  to  make  the  seams 

open  and  shut  as  she  rolls. 
HAUL-YARDS.    See  Halliards. 
HAUNCES.     The  breakings  of  the  rudder  abaft 
HAUNCH.     A  sudden  fall  or  break,  as  from  the  drifts  forward  and  aft  to 

the  waist     The  same  as  hance. 
HA  YEN  [Anglo-Saxon,  hcp/en],     A  safe  refuge  from  the  violence  of  wind 

and  sea;  much  the  same  as  harbour,  though  of  less  importanca     A  good 

anchorage  rather  than  place  of  perfect  shelter.     Milford  Haven  is  an  ex- 
ception. 
HAYENET.     This  word  has  appeared  in  vocabularies  as  a  small  haven. 
HAYEN-SCREAMER     The  sea-gull,  called  has/en  by  the  Anglo-Saxons. 
HAYERS  ACK.     A  coarse  linen  bag  with  a  strap  fitting  over  the  shoulder 

w6m  by  soldiers  or  small-arm  men  in  marching  order,  for  carrying  their 

provision,  instead  of  the  knapsack. 

HAYILLER.    See  Hufpler. 

HA  YOC.     Formerly  a  war  cry,  and  the  signal  for  indiscriminate  slaughter. 

Thus  Shakspeare, 

''Cry  havoc !  and  let  slip  the  dogi  of  war." 

HAWK*S-BILL.  Chelone  imbricatOy  a  well-known  turtle  frequenting  the 
Atlantic  and  Indian  Oceans,  so  named  from  having  a  small  mouth  like 
the  beak  of  a  hawk;  it  produces  the  tortoise-shell  of  commerce.  The 
flesh  is  indifierent^  but  the  eggs  veiy  good. 

IIAWSR  This  is  a  term  of  great  meaning.  Strictly,  it  is  that  part  of  a 
vessel's  bow  where  holes  are  cut  for  her  cables  to  pass  through.  It  is 
also  generally  iinderstood  to  imply  the  situation  of  the  cables  before  the 
ship's  stem,  when  she  is  moored  with  two  anchors  out  from  forward,  one  on 
the  starboard,  and  the  other  on  the  port  bow.  It  also  denotes  any  small 
distance  between  her  head  and  the  anchors  employed  to  ride  her,  as  "he 
has  anchored  in  our  hawse,"  ''the  brig  fell  athwart  our  hawse,"  &c. 
Also,  said  of  a  vessel  a  little  in  advance  of  the  stem;  as,  she  sails  athwart 


HAWSB-BAGS HAWSE-PLUGS  373 

hawaCy  or  has  anchored  in  the  hawse.  If  a  vessel  drives  at  her  anchors 
into  the  hawse  of  another  she  is  said  to  *^/oiil  the  hawae^'  of  the  vessel 
riding  there;  hence  the  threat  of  a  man-of>war*s-man,  '^If  you  foul  mj 
hawse,  I'll  cut  your  cable,"  no  merchant  vessel  being  allowed  to  approach 
a  ship-of-war  within  certain  limits,  and  never  to  make  fast  to  the  govern- 
ment buoys. — A  bold  hawse  is  when  the  holes  are  high  above  the  water. 
"Freshen  hawse,"  or  "veer  out  more  cable,"  is  said  when  part  of  the  cable 
that  lies  in  the  hawse  is  fretted  or  chafed,  and  more  should  be  veered  out, 
so  that  another  part  of  it  may  rest  in  the  hawse.  "Freshen  hawse"  also 
means,  clap  a  service  on  or  round  the  cable  in  the  hawses  to  prevent  it 
from  fretUng;  hemp  cables  only  are  rounded  or  cackled.  Also,  a  dram 
after  fatiguing  duty.  "Clearing  hawse,"  is  untwisting  or  disentangling 
two  cables  that  come  through  different  holes,  and  make  a  foul  hawse. 

HAWSE-BAGS.  Canvas  bags  filled  with  oakum,  used  in  heavy  seas  to 
stop  the  hawse-holes  and  prevent  the  water  coming  in. 

HAWSE-BLOCKS.  Bucklers^  or  pieces  of  wood  made  to  fit  over  the 
hawse-holes  when  at  sea,  to  back  the  hawse-plugs. 

HAWSE-BOLSTERS.  Pknks  above  and  below  the  hawse-holes.  Also, 
pieces  of  canvas  stuffed  with  oakum  and  roped  round^  for  plugging  when 
the  cables  are  bent. 

HAWSE-BOX,  OR  Naval  Hood.  Pieces  of  plank  bolted  outside  round 
each  of  the  hawse-holes,  to  support  tbe  projecting  part  of  the  hawse-pipe. 

HAWSE-BUCKLERS.  Plugs  of  wood  to  fit  the  hawse-holesf,  and  hatches 
to  bolt  over,  to  keep  the  sea  from  spurting  in. 

HAWSE-FALLEN.  To  ride  hawse-fallen,  is  when  the  water  breaks  into 
the  hawse  in  a  rough  sea,  driving  all  before  it 

HAWSE-FULL.     Riding  hawse-full;  pitching  bows  under. 

HAWSE-HOLES.  Cylindrical  holes  cut  through  the  bows  of  a  ship  on 
each  side  of  the  stem,  through  which  the  cables  pass,  in  order  to  be  drawn 
into  or  let  out  of  the  vessel,  as  occasion  requires. 

HAWSE-HOOK.  A  compass  breast  timber  which  crosses  the  hawse- 
timber  above  the  ends  of  the  upper-deck  planking,  and  over  the  hawse- 
holes.     (See  Breast-hooks.) 

HAWSE-PIECES.  The  timbers  which  compose  the  bow  of  a  vessel, 
and  their  sides  look  fore  and  aft;  it  is  a  name  given  to  the  foremost 
timbers  of  a  ship,  whose  lower  ends  rest  upon  the  knuckle-timbers.  They 
are  generally  parallel  to  the  stem,  having  their  upper  ends  sometimes 
terminated  by  the  lower  part  of  the  beak-head  and  otherwise  by  the  top 
of  the  bow.     Also,  timbers  through  which  the  hawse-holes  are  cut. 

HAWSE-PIPE.  A  cast-iron  pipe  in  the  hawse-holes  to  prevent  the  cable 
from  cutting  the  wood. 

HAWSE-PLUGS.  Blocks  of  wood  made  to  fit  into  the  hawse-pipes,  and 
put  in  from  the  outside  to  stop  the  hawses,  and  thereby  prevent  the  water 
from  washing  into  the  manger.  The  plug,  coated  with  old  canvas,  is  first 
inserted,  then  a  mat  or  swab,  and  over  it  the  buckler  or  shield,  which 

,    bolts  upward  and  downward  into  the  breast-hooks. 


371  HAWSER IIEADEB 

HAWSER.  A  large  rope  or  cablet^  which  holds  the  middle  degree  between 
the  cable  and  towline,  being  a  size  smaller  than  the  former,  and  as  much 
larger  than  the  latter;  curiously,  it  is  not  hawser  but  cable  laid. 

HAWSER-LAID  ROPE.  Is  rope  made  in  the  usual  way,  being  three  or 
four  strands  of  yams  laid  up  right-handed,  or  with  the  sun;  it  is  used  for 
small  running  rigging,  as  well  as  for  standing  rigging,  shrouds^  &o.;  in  the 
latter  case  it  is  generally  tarred  to  keep  out  rain.  It  is  supposed  that 
this  style  of  rope  is  stronger  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  yams  than 
cable  or  water-laid  rope,  which  is  more  tightly  twisted,  each  strand  being 
a  small  rope.  This  latter  is  more  impervious  to  water,  and  therefore 
good  for  cables,  hawsers,  &c,;  it  is  laid  lefl-handed,  or  against  the  sun. 

HAWSE-TIMBERS.  The  upright  timbers  in  the  bow,  bolted  on  each 
side  of  the  stem,  in  which  the  hawse-holes  are  cut. 

HAWSE-WOOD.     A  general  name  for  the  hawse-timbers. 

HAY.     A  straight  rank  of  men  drawn  up  exactly  in  a  line. 

H AYE.     A  peculiar  ground-shark  on  the  coast  of  Guinea. 

HAYLER.     An  archaism  for  halliard. 

HAZK  A  grayish  vapour,  less  dense  than  a  fog,  and  therefore  does  not 
generally  exclude  objects  from  sight. 

HAZE,  To.     To  punish  a  man  by  making  him  do  unnecessary  work. 

HEAD.  The  upper  part  or  end  of  anything,  as  a  mast-head,  a  timber-head. 
Also,  an  ornamental  figure  on  a  ship's  stem  expressive  of  her  name,  or 
emblematical  of  her  object^  i&c.  (iSee  Billet-head,  Bust-head,  Familt- 
HEAD,  Fiddle-head,  Fiqure-head,  Soroll-head,  ike.)  Also,  in  a  more 
enlarged  sense,  the  whole  fore-part  of  a  ship,  including  the  bows  on  each 
side;  the  head  therefore  opens  the  column  of  water  through  which  the 
ship  passes  when  advancing ;  hence  we  say,  head-way^  head-sails,  head-sea, 
kc.  It  is  evident  that  the  fore-part  of  a  ship  is  called  its  head,  from  its 
analogy  to  that  of  a  fish,  or  any  animal  while  swimming.  Also,  in  a  con- 
fined sense,  to  that  part  on  each  side  of  the  stem  outside  the  bows  proper 
which  is  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  sailors  for  wringing  swabs,  or  any 
wet  jobs,  for  no  wet  is  permitted  inboard  after  the  decks  are  dried.  Also, 
hydrographically,  the  upper  part  of  a  gulf,  bay,  or  creek. — By  the  head, 
the  state  of  a  ship  which,  by  her  lading,  draws  more  water  forward  than 
aft.  This  may  be  remedied  without  reference  to  cargo  in  ships-of-war,  by 
shifting  shot,  guns,  d^c.  Vessels  hy  the  head  are  frequently  uneasy,  gripe 
and  pitch  more  than  when  hy  the  stem, 

HEAD  AND  GUN-MONEY.  An  encouragement  in  the  prize  acts  by 
which  £5  a  head  is  given  to  the  captors  for  every  person  on  board  a 
captured  vessel  of  war,  or  pirate. 

HEAD-BOARDS.     The  berthing  or  close-boarding  between  the  head-rails. 

HEAD-CLUE  of  a  Hammock.     Where  the  head  rests.     {See  Hammock.) 

HEAD-ORINGLES.  Earing-cringles  at  the  upper  clues  or  comers  of  a 
sail. 

HEAD-EARINQS.     The  laniards  to  haul  out  the  earings.     (See  Easings.) 

HEADER     The  person  in  the  Newfoundland  fishing  vessels  who  is  engaged 


HEAD-FAST nKAD-ROPB  375 

to  cut  open  the  fish,  tear  out  the  entraila,  break  off  the  head,  and  pass  it 

over  to  the  splitteTf  who  sita  opposite  to  him. 
IIEAD-FAST.     A  rope  or  chain  employed  to  fasten  the  head  of  a  ship  or 

boat  to  a  wharf  or  buoy,  or  to  some  other  vessel  alongside. — Head-fast  of 

a  boat,  the  tow-rope  or  painter. 
HEAD-HOLES.     The  eyelet-holes  where  the  rope-bands  of  a  sail  are  fitted ; 

they  are  worked  button-hole  fashion,  over  grommets  of  twine  of  several 

thicknesses;  sometimes  of  cod-line. 
HEADING.     As  to  ships  in  company,  one  advancing  by  sail  or  steam 

faster  than  another  heads  her. 
HEADING  UP  THE  LAND  WATER.     When  the  flood-tide  is  backed 

by  a  wind,  so  that  the  ebb  is  retarded,  causing  an  overflow. 
HEAD-KNEES.     Pieces  of  moulded  compass  timber  fayed  edgeways  to 

the  cut-water  and  stem,  to  steady  the  former.     These  are  also  called 

cheek-kriees. 
HEADLAND.     Wherever  the  coast  presents  a  high  clifly  salient  angle  to 

the  sea,  without  projecting  far  into  it,  it  is  caUed  a  head-land;  but  if  the 

point  be  low,  it  is  a  spit^  tongue,  or  point.    {See  Bluff.) 
HEADMOST.     The  situation  of  any  ship  or  ships  which  are  the  most 

advanced  in  a  fleet,  or  line  of  battle.     The  opposite  of  stemmoat. 
HEAD-NETTING.     An    ornamental    netting  used  in    merchant  shi|)s 

instead  of  the  fayed  planking  to  the  head-rails. 
HEAD  OF  A  COMET.     The  brighter  part  of  a  comet^  from  which  the 

tail  proceeds. 
HEAD  OF  A  MAST,  or  Mast-head.    The  upper  part  of  any  mast^  or 

that  whereon  the  caps  or  trucks  are  fitted. 
HEAD  OF  A  WOREL     In  fortification,  the  part  most  advanced  towards 

the  enemy.    In  progressive  works,  such  as  siege-approaches  and  saps,  it  is 

the  fiirthest  point  then  attained. 
HEAD  OF  WATER     Water  kept  to  a  height  by  winds,  or  by  artificial 

dams  and  sluice-gates.     The  vertical  column  which  dock-gates  have  to 

bear. 
HEAD-PIECE.     A  term  for  the  helmet. 
HEAD-PUMP.     A  small  pump  fixed  at  the  vesseFs  bow,  its  lower  end 

communicating  with  the  sea :  it  is  mostly  used  for  washing  decks. 
HEAD-QUABTEBS.     The  place  where  the  general,  or  commanding  officer, 

takes  up  his  quarters.     Also,  the  man-of-war,  or  transport^  which  carries 

the  staff  of  an  expedition. 
HEAD-BAILS.     The  short  rails  of  the  head,  extending  from  the  back  of 

the  figure  to  the  cat-head:  equally  useful  and  ornamental.     There  are 

two  on  each  side,  one  straight  and  the  other  curved.    {See  False-rail.) 

Also,  used  fiuniliarly  for  teeth. 
HEAD-BOPE.     That  part  of  the  bolt-rope  which  terminates  any  sail  on 

the  upper  edge,  and  to  which  it  is  accordingly  sewed.     {See  Bolt-bopb.) 

Also^  the  small  rope  to  which  a  flag  is  fastened,  to  hoist  it  to  the  mast- 

heady  or  head  of  the  ensign-staff. 


376  HEAD-SAILS HEAVE  AND  A-WEIGH 

HEAD-SAILS.  A  general  name  for  all  those  sails  wMch  may  be  set  on 
the  foremast  and  bowsprit,  jib^  and  fljring  jib-boom,  and  employed  to  in- 
fluence the  fore-pai*t  of  the  ship. 

HEAD-SEA.  A  name  given  to  the  waves  when  they  oppose  a  ship's  course, 
as  the  ship  must  rise  over,  or  cut  through  each.  Their  efiect  depends 
-upon  their  height,  form,  and  speed;  sometimes  they  are  steep,  quick,  and 
irregular,  so  that  a  ship  is  caught  by  a  second  before  she  has  recovered 
from  the  first;  these  render  her  wet  and  uneasy. 

HEAD-SHEETS.     Specially  jibs  and  staysail  sheets,  before  the  foremast. 

HEAD-STICEL  A  short  round  stick  with  a  hole  at  each  end,  through 
which  the  head-rope  of  some  triangular  sails  is  thrust,  before  it  is  sewed 
on.     Its  use  is  to  prevent  the  head  of  the  sail  from  twisting. 

HEAD  TO  WIND.  The  situation  of  a  ship  or  boat  when  her  head  is 
pointed  directly  to  windward.  The  term  is  particularly  applied  in  the 
act  of  tacking,  or  while  lying  at  anchor. 

HEAD-WAY.  A  ship  is  said  to  gather  headway  when  she  passes  any 
object  thrown  overboainl  at  the  bow,  and  it  passes  astern  into  her  wake. 
A  ship  may  also,  by  the  action  of  swell,  forge  ahead. 

HEAD-WIND.  A  breeze  blowing  from  the  direction  of  the  ship's  intended 
course.  Thus,  if  a  ship  is  bound  N.E.  a  N.E.  wind  is  a  head-wind  ''dead 
on  end,"  as  seamen  express  it. — The  wind  heads  tM,  that  is,  veers  to- 
wards the  direction  of  the  ship's  course. 

HEALD.     The  hed  over  of  a  grounded  ship. 

HEALTH-GUARD.  Officers  appointed  to  superintend  the  due  observance 
of  the  quarantine  regulations. 

HEAKT.  A  block  of  wood  forming  a  peculiar  sort  of  triangular  dead-eye, 
somewhat  resembling  the  shape  of  a  heart;  it  is  furnished  with  only  one 
large  hole  in  the  middle,  grooved  for  the  rope  instead  of  the  three  holes. 
It  is  principally  used  to  the  stays,  as  the  dead-eyes  are  to  the  shrouds. 
(See  Dead-ete.) 

HEARTH.     Applied  to  the  ship's  fire-place,  coppers,  and  galley  generally. 

HEARTY.  Open  and  free.  "My  hearties,"  a  cheerful  salute  to  ship- 
mates and  seamen  in  general  ''What  cheer,  my  hearties?"  how  fare  ye? 
what's  your  news? 

HEART- YARNS.  The  centre  yams  of  a  strand.  Also,  the  heart-yam  or 
centre,  on  which  four-stranded  rope  is  formed. 

HEATH.     Various  broom-stuffs  used  in  breaming. 

HEAVE,  To.  To  throw  anything  overboard.  To  cast,  as  heaving  the  log 
or  the  lead.     Also,  to  drag,  prize,  or  purchase,  as  heaving  up  the  anchor. 

HEAVE  ABOUT,  To.     To  go  upon  the  other  tack  suddenly. 

HEAVE  AND  A- WASH.  An  encouraging  call  when  the  ring  of  the 
anchor  rises  to  the  surface,  and  the  stock  stirs  the  water. 

HEAVE  AND  A-WEIGH.  Signifies  that  the  next  effort  will  start  the 
anchor  from  its  bed,  and  make  it  c^trip,  "  Heave  and  a-weigh,  sir,"  from 
the  forecastle,  denotes  that  the  anchor  is  a-weigh;  it  inspirits  the  men  to 
run  it  to  the  bows  rapidly. 


'. 


■ 

I 


HEAVE  A2«)  IN  SIGHT HEAVING  ASTEBN  377 

HEAVE  AND  IN  SIGHT.  A  notice  given  by  the  boatswain  to  the 
crew  when  the  anchor  is  drawn  up  so  near  the  surface  of  the  water  as  to 
be  seen  bj  its  muddy  water  surrounding  it. 

HEAYE  AND  PAUL.  Is  the  order  to  turn  the  capstan  or  windlsiss  till 
the  paul  may  be  put  in,  by  which  it  is  prevented  from  coming  up,  and 
is  something  similar  to  helayy  applied  to  a  running  rope. 

HEAVE  AND  RALLY!  An  encouraging  order  to  the  men  at  the 
capstan  to  heave  with  spirit,  with  a  rush,  and  thereby  force  the  anchor 
out  of  the  ground.  When  there  is  a  rising  sea  ''heave  and  rally''  im- 
plies, ''heave  and  stand  to  your  bars,"  the  pauls  taking  the  strain,  and 
the  next  wave  probably  lifting  the  anchor. 

HEAVE  AND  SET.  The  ship's  motion  in  rising  and  falling  to  the 
waves  when  at  anchor. 

HEAVE  HANDSOMELY.     Gently. 

HEAVE  HEARTY.     Heave  strong  and  with  a  will. 

HEAVE  OF  THE  SEA.  The  power  that  the  swell  of  the  sea  exerts 
upon  a^  ship  in  driving  her  out  o^  or  faster  on  in,  her  course,  and  for 
which  allowance  must  be  made  in  the  day's  work.  It  is  a  similar,  or  the 
same  action  in  force  as  in  a  head-sea. 

HEAVE  OUT  THERE  I     The  order  to  hasten  men  from  their  hammocks. 

HEAVER.  A  wooden  bar  or  staf^  sometimes  tapered  at  the  ends;  it  is 
employed  as  a  lever  or  purchase  on  many  occasions,  such  as  setting  up 
the  topmast  shrouds,  stropping  large  blocks,  seizing  the  standing  rigging, 
kc.     Also,  a  name  on  the  Kentish  shores  for  the  haviler  crab. 

HEAVE  SHORT,  To.  To  heave  in  on  the  cable  untU  the  vessel  is  nearly 
over  her  anchor,  or  sufficiently  near  it  for  sail  being  made  before  the 
anchor  is  tripped.     Short,  is  when  the  fore-stay  and  cable  are  in  line. 

HEAVE  THE  LEAD.  To  take  soimdings  with  the  hand  lead-line.  "Get 
a  cast  of  the  lead,"  with  the  deep-sea  lead  and  line. 

HEAVE  THE  LOG.  Determine  the  ship's  velocity  by  the  log  line  and 
glass. 

HEAVE-TO,  To.  To  put  a  vessel  in  the  position  of  lying-to,  by  adjusting 
her  sails  so  as  to  counteract  each  other,  and  thereby  check  her  way,  or 
keep  her  perfectly  still.  In  a  gale,  it  implies  to  set  merely  enough  saU  to 
steady  the  ship;  the  aim  being  to  keep  the  sea  on  the  weather  bow 
whilst  the  rudder  has  but  little  influence,  the  sail  is  chiefly  set  on  the 
main  and  mizen-mast;  as  hove-to  under  a  close-reefed  main-topsail,  or 
main-trysail,  or  driver.  It  is  customary  in  a  foul  wind  gale,  and  a  last 
resource  in  a  fair  one. 

HEAVING  AHEAD.  Is  the  act  of  advancing  or  drawing  a  ship  for- 
wards by  heaving  on  a  cable  or  rope  made  fast  to  some  fixed  point  before 
her. 

HEAVING  AND  SETTING.     Riding  hard,  pitching  and  sending. 

HEAVING  ASTERN.  Causing  a  ship  to  recede  or  go  backwards,  by 
heaving  on  a  cable  or  other  rope  fastened  to  some  fixed  point  behind  her. 
This  more  immediately  applies  to  drawing  a  vessel  off  a  shoaL 


S78  HKAVINO  A  STRAIN HBEL 

HEAYING  A  STRAIN.  Working  at  the  windlan  or  capstan  with 
more  than  xumal  exertion. 

HEAVING  DOWN.  {See  CABEDrnfo.)  The  bringing  one  of  a  ship's 
sides  down  into  the  water,  by  means  of  pnrchases  on  the  masts,  in  order 
to  repair  any  injury  which  is  below  her  water-line  on  the  other. 

HEAVING  IN.  Shortening  in  the  cabla  Also,  the  binding  a  block  and 
hook  by  a  seizing. 

HEAVING  IN  STAYS.  The  act  of  tacking^  when,  the  wind  being 
ahead,  great  pressure  is  thrown  upon  the  stays. 

HEAVING  KEEL  OUT.  The  utmost  effect  to  be  produced  by  careen- 
ing, viz.  to  raise  the  keel  out  of  the  water  in  order  to  repair  or  clean  it. 
{See  HEATisa  Down.) 

HEAVING  OUT.  The  act  of  loosing  or  unfurling  a  sail;  particularly  ap- 
plied to  the  staysails;  or  in  the  tops,  footing  the  «iil  out  of  the  top. 

HEAVING  TAUT.  The  act  of  turning  the  capstan,  dca,  till  the  rope 
applied  thereto  becomes  straight  and  ready  for  action. 

HEAVING  THROUGH  ALL.  The  surging  or  slipping  of  the  cable 
when  the  nippers  do  not  hold. 

HEAVY  DRIFT-ICK  Dense  ice,  which  has  a  great  depth  in  the  water 
in  proportion  to  its  size,  and  is  not  in  a  state  of  decay,  therefore  danger- 
ous to  shipping. 

HEAVY  GALK  A  strong  wind,  in  which  a  ship  is  reduced  to  storm- 
staysaik  and  close-reefed  maintopeaiL     Force  10. 

HEAVY  METAL,  or  Hkayt  Ordnance.    Ordnance  of  lazge  calibre. 

HEAVY  SEA     High  and  strong  waves. 

HEBBER-MAN.  An  old  name  for  a  fisherman  on  the  Thames  below 
London  Bridge,  who  took  whitings,  smelts,  &c.,  commonly  at  ebbing- 
water. 

HEBBING-WEIR.     Contrivances  for  taking  fish  at  ebbing-water. 

HECK-BOAT.  The  old  term  for  pinks.  Latterly  a  clincher-built  boat 
with  covered  fore-sheets,  and  one  mast  with  a  trysail. 

HECKLE.  Said  to  be  from  the  Teutonic  heckelen,  to  dress  flax  for  rope- 
making.     Also,  an  artificial  fly  for  fishing. 

HECKLE-BACK.  A  name  of  the  fifteen-spined  stickleback,  Gtuterosteus 
9pinachia, 

HED  A     An  early  term  for  a  small  haven,  wharf,  or  landing-place. 

HED  AGIUM.     A  toll  or  duty  paid  at  the  wharf  for  landing  goods,  &c. 

HEDGEHOGS.  A  name  formerly  applied  to  vessels  which  rowed  with 
many  oars.     Also,  small  stunted  trees  unfit  for  timber. 

HEEK  The  after  end  of  a  ship's  keel,  and  the  lower  end  of  the  stem-post 
to  which  it  is  connected.  Aiso,  the  lower  end  of  any  mast,  boom,  bow- 
sprit^ or  timber.  Also,  that  part  of  the  end  of  the  butt  of  a  musket 
which  is  uppermost  when  at  the  firing  position. — To  heel.  To  lie  over,  or 
incline  to  either  side  out  of  the  perpendicular :  usually  applied  to  a  ship 
when  canted  by  the  wind,  or  by  being  unequally  ballasted.  {See  Crank,  , 
Stiff,  and  Trim.) 


HEEL-BRACE HELM  379 

HEEL-BRACK  A  piece  of  iron-work  applicable  to  the  lower  part  of  a 
rudder,  in  case  of  casualty  to  the  lower  pintles. 

HEELING  GUNWALE  TO.  Pressing  down  sideways  to  her  upper 
works,  particularly  applied  to  boats  running  before  a  heavy  sea,  when 
they  may  roll  their  weather  gunwales  to. 

HEEL-KNEK  The  compass-piece  which  connects  the  keel  with  the  stem- 
post. 

HEEL-LASHING.  Tlie  rope  which  secures  the  inner  part  of  a  studding- 
sail-boom  to  the  yard;  also,  that  which  secures  the  jib-boom. 

HEEL  OF  A  MAST.  The  lower  end,  which  either  fits  into  the  step 
attached  to  the  keel,  or  in  topmasts  is  sustained  by  the  fid  upon  the 
trestle-trees.  Heeling  is  the  square  part  of  the  spar  through  which  the 
fid  hole  IB  cut. 

HEEL-ROPE.  That  which  hauls  out  the  bowsprit  in  cutters,  and  the  jib 
and  studding-sail  booms,  or  anything  else  where  it  passes  through  the 
heel  of  the  spar,  except  in  the  case  of  top-masts  and  topgallant-masts, 
where  it  becomes  a  mast-rope. 

HEEILS.     Having  the  heels  of  a  ship;  sailing  faster. 

HEEL-TACKLES.  The  luff  purchases  for  the  heels  of  each  sheer  previous 
to  taking  in  masts,  or  otherwise  using  them. 

HEEYIL.     An  old  northern  term  for  the  conger. 

HEFT.  The  Anglo-Saxon  hcRft;  the  handle  of  a  dirk,  knife,  or  any  edge- 
tool;  also,  the  handle  of  an  oar. 

HEIGHT.  Synonymous  with  hill,  and  meaning  generally  any  ground 
above  the  common  level  of  the  place.  Our  early  navigators  used  the 
word  as  a  synonym  of  latitude. 

HEIGHT  OP  THE  Hold.     Used  for  the  depth  of  the  hold. 

HEIGHT  OF  BREADTH.  In  ship-bmlding,  is  a  delineation  generally 
in  two  lines — :upper  and  lower — determining  the  height  of  the  broadest 
place  of  each  timber. 

HELIACAL.  A  star  rises  heliacally  when  it  first  becomes  visible  in  the 
morning,  after  having  been  hidden  in  the  sun's  rays;  and  it  sets  helia- 
cally when  it  is  first  lost  in  the  evening  twilight,  owing  to  the  sun's 
proximity. 

HELIER     A  cavern  into  which  the  tide  flows. 

HELIOCENTRIC.  As  seen  from,  or  having  reference  to,  the  centre  of 
the  sun. 

HELIOMETER.  An  instrument  designed  for  the  accurate  measurement 
of  the  diameters  of  the  sun  or  planets. 

HELIOSTAADT,  or  Heliotbope.  This  instrument  reflects  the  sun's 
rays  by  a  silvered  disc,  used  in  the  great  trigonometrical  surveys.  It  has 
been  visible  at  100  miles*  distance,  from  Cumberland  to  Ireland. 

HELL-AFLOAT.     A  vessel  with  a  bad  name  for  tyranny. 

HELM.  Properly  is  the  tiller,  but  sometimes  used  to  express  the  rudder, 
and  the  means  used  for  turning  it,  which,  in  small  vessels  and  boats,  is 
merely  a  tiller,  but  in  larger  vessels  a  wheel  is  added,  which  supplies  the 


UftfTHfiti  tiff  fffillirij;;  Um  Ull#fr  Mtw  way;  i\wy  urtt  (ifmmaUul  hy  r(f\ffm  ftr 
#flmi  riM.  4  Im  lU  /i^ltn,  ttr  Ihiwn  uMt  llui  lidrnl  Htt  |4ii/m  ilm  illlm' 
ib«ii  i\m  rM/|/l^f  U  hfttunUi  tm  Urn  wmiUiyr  nitUt  t/t  Um  nUn'u  \Hmi,  Tiuitm, 
liwi  iim  ffflhtwUiH  ffrtUtrnf  wttrn  minhWnUiut  wh^  iillmii  nxUituM  furwHrd 
tttftn  i\m  rw\tU^r  U^mA^  f/tit  mm  iht^y  iifUm  t^ximuX  nfi,  wlif<;h  rtu^\\\Tm  i\m 
tWfi.UfU  iff  iim  MUir  U$  )m  mvtirmul  WIUi  ilin  t»tU*r  niy\n  (rf  HWitr  ih^ 
tmUr  **ihtwu  wlUi  Umi  UaUti**  U  /wrH^^I  //fit  )iy  hrfri^iriy  iliA  tillitr  tt/;  i<» 
i\m  wtmih*ir  nU\tt  of  ilm  nh\\$;  whMt  Mtin  dtmt^,  i\m  (pnUtr  "lliilfit'ii  a 
\tm*'  foUown,  /hftr  iijf  IIia  lidm,  Tlmt  Ui  litt  tli^i  M\t  ^o  morn  Ur^o 
Mitrn  tJiA  wIimI,  /^/a«  i/tfi  Mm,  To  ktt  iliM  )w\m  tumm  uutrt^  timUMi\\mf 
wimri  it  IfM  tm^rt  jriii  Imrd  tip  //r  /|/;wii,-  ft  U  i^tutmtfU  Up  tnum  i\w  hnlrii 
}$49fnrtt  n  iMinvy  iNfit  iiik«fM  ilm  nU\\t  wUmt  chtm  hmU^l  -  //film  aniidMhipM, 
iff  rif/fU  iliA  M.m,  TImt  U^  kt^\t  \i  nvuri  wtili  ihn  riilddln  of  Uiii  whipi  In  n 
\\m  witJi  ilm  b^«l,  //a//m  ovtif,  Tim  |Kmitiori  of  ilm  illUr  Ui  mmblo  a 
viffMifl  nU^MuUi^  fihm<l  Ui  <lMM!rilm  n  /ftirvn.  -/V^  ^/ui  /ki/m.  i'liUMi  Urn 
illlMr  MO  MM  Ui  mrry  ilm  rmUhr  io  nUrb/ifinl.  (Hm  A  Im  iIia  Mm»y^ 
Hli^ft  ilin  Mm,  Vui  M  fi'otii  fHfri  Ut  MUrlioitnlf  himI  tfkn  mrMttt  or  It  rnny 
\m  iiffiMMli))N(,  Hifi^hon/rd  ihn  l^dm,  V\iuw  ilm  iillur  wi  im  io  (»irry  ilm 
niilfl4«r  i<f  port.  ////  f///i(A  ^/im9  Aa///(«  V\tusn  ilm  iillur  no  hm  io  mrry  ilm 
rii'Mor  t/o  liMtwut'fl,     (^V/)«  W  •/««  ^/m  Mm,) 

WVAMVAh  All  old  word  for  niimrnil;  li  in  irmiiiphorUsiilly  xmnX  )$y  Hlmk- 
Mpmrn  111  MmnHfn/ur  A/mMn^a* 

II  KliM  KTf     A  \iUu\ti  of  (l«friiiiNiv«i  nriitotir;  a  rfoviiriri((  for  ilm  Imiul. 

IIIOhM  ('OUT.  Tim  rotiiMi  holn  or  mvhy  in  n  NliipN  »ouni4ir,  ihrotigh 
wltl<tli  ilm  limtil  of  ilof  rtoldor  yiinm^H  liiUi  ilm  irtitik. 

IIICMM  I'OJIT  TUANHOM.  Tim  pliMiii  of  iltnUr  yhmA  luiroM  ilm  lownr 
noitnlur,  wliliitiNhln  ilm  iMtj^lii  of  iliit  iM^lrii  port,  fttni  iKiliitd  ihrotigh  ovnry 
iliiilMtr  for  ilut  MfuMii'liy  of  ilmi  pnri  of  ilm  Nlilp. 

IIKIiMHMAN.  1'lm  iliiioiimtrf  or  pftrNoo  who  gnhliiM  ilm  uhlp  or  boat  by 
Um  fftiMiHgofimiil  of  ilm  hnhii.     Tim  Mitrim  hm  nUtifuman, 

IIIChM  WIND.  A  MlngiiUr  oml^inrohiglnHl  |»limiotfimiori  whinh  oomim  In 
ilm  iioriJi  of  KtigliUMi.  llnNlitnM  MponUI  pliumN  In  (^nnburhiud  ittMl 
WitNMiiot'itliiiMl,  li  Mii(Mt<tily  iMiNlmN  from  m\  IriinmiiNn  nloiid  ihiii  giiUmni 
round  ilm  Miininili  oI'dniMM^Kultf  oifvurlng  li  llkn  it  Imliimi,  Itn  cin'ooiN 
rtiHoh  ('ho  MOH  bnttrd. 

IIKhM  Y.     nulny  |IVnto  nn  Anglo  HiiKon  phriiM4i  for  riUny  wnnUmrj. 

IIICI/rKII  HKKI/rKll.  Hurry  mid  onnhiNlon.  IMhimw  of  good  ordor. 
l*rlvHimtrlHtn. 

IIKhVIC.  TliM  hiindio  of  ilm  0Mrpiin(<itr'N  nmulM,  lixnN,  mid  MdKctN;  aIhu  of  an 
imr,  An. 

IIKLYICM.     S^^fi  llioMi4H. 

lltCMtHnilCini].  Hall'  ilm  Murftiim  of  n  ghdw.  Tim  otilonihil  ocpmior 
dlvldoM  ihMhtmvittm  lit(<o  iwo  hiMnUplmrdM     Mm  iinrMmrn  and  ilmNouilmrn. 

IIIOMI*.  TiMMMiA/ff  m%limt  A  iniinurHittnrlal  plaui  nfriiiual  Mtiilquliy  with 
fluii.  Tim  pniitunn  of  Iminp  In  librfi  viirlitM  (Vom  ihron  to  nix  hundrod 
wplght  pitr  ai<r«s  nnd  (urniM  ilm  biwt  of  nil  oordago  nnd  iiipcw,     It  In  inlxod 


IIKNDKCAOON nKIiKINQ-BUM  S^l 

with  opium  in  tho  prftpnmtlon  of  thono  rich  drugN  cfvllod  AamAm/m  In  CiUro 

And  Oountiuiilnoplo,    Thono  who  wore  In  tho  oonnUnt  uio  of  thorn  woro 

OAllod  hathitfUn  (liorb-oiitorfi};  and  boing  ofton  by  thoir  Htlmuktlvo  pro* 

imrtloN  oxoltod  abnoMt  to  A*oniy  and  to  murdori  tho  word  **  awiaiiMln  "  is 

Mvld  to  havo  boon  dorlvod  by  the  oruMadom  iVom  thin  louroo.     While 

tho  Ft*ono)i  army  wnH  in  Kgypt,  Napoloon  I.  wum  obligiul  to  prohibit, 

nndor  tho  HovoroNt  ponaltloN,  tho  Halo  and  umo  of  thono  ]>orniuiouii  iub- 

utanooi, 
H  KN  DKdAOON.    A  right-llnod  flguro  with  olovon  tldoii;  if  it  be  regular, 

tho  nidoii  and  augloM  am  all  equal. 
IIKN-KUIOATK.     A  iltip  wlioroln  the  oaptaln^i  wife  intorfurod  in  the 

duty  or  rogulatiouH, 
11  KN'H  WAllK,     A  nan\o  of  tho  odiblo  iioa*WQod  Fueu$  eioulmlui, 
llKPl'AII,  oa  UwvK,    A  Now  Ztmhuid  fort,  or  Mpaco  Nurroundod  with 

•tout  {MilUadoN;  thoHO  rudo  dofonooH  havo  gi von  our  aoldiorii  and  Railom 

much  trouble  to  roduoo,     (aVm  Taii.) 
II KPTAOON.     A  right  lined  flguro  with  men  Midon;  if  it  bo  regular,  Uio 

MidoN  and  angloN  an)  all  o<|ual. 
II KIUUJLKH,    Tho  largtt  maiw  of  \yo\\  by  tho  blowi  of  whiuh  anohoni  are 

woldod, 
MKKK-AWAY.     A  term  when  a  look-out  nuin  announooN  a  rhumb  or 

boaring  of  any  objout  in  UiIn  quarter. 
IIKUK-KAKK  [Anglo-Haxon].    An  ox|)edltion;  going  to  warfUre. 
II  KlUHHON.     A  balanced  barrier  to  a  {Mwagu  in  a  fort,  of  tho  natuixi  of  a 

turnHtile. 
IIIOIILINO.     A  oongener  of  tho  wilmon  iiitooioii  found  in  Hootland;  it  is 

Hmall,  and  •haiNul  like  a  iiea-ti*out. 
II KUMAPIIIIODITK  oh  Dhiu  Hiiiioonkr,  In  Hquare-rigged,  but  without  a 

top  forward,  and  Hohoonor-rlgged  aUvft;  oaiTying  only  fore-and-afb  MitU 

on  the  mainmaMt;  in  other  phraite,  Mho  in  a  vowiel  with  a  brig'M  fcu^emaat 

and  a  Kohooner*ii  mainniaiit 
II KUM  IT-(MIA  U,     A  name  applied  to  a  group  of  orabi  (fUmily  Paffuridm)^ 

of  which  the  hinder  ])art  of  tho  bculy  in  noil,  and  which  habitually  lodge 
'    thomiolvoi  in  tho  empty  nholl  of  iion\o  moUuHo,     AIho  called  «e/(/m'- 

crab*, 
II KKMO,     A  Mmliterranonn  term  for  the  meteor  called  carpO'Mnto, 
IIKIINR    A  bight  or  corner,  an  Heme  May,  bo  called  f^m  lying  in  an 

angle, 
II KIINHH AW  AND  IUrmn.     Old  wonU  for  tho  henm. 
II KKON.     A  large  blnl  of  the  genUN  Anleat  which  feedii  on  fliih. 
IlKIUUNO.     A  common  flnli^tho  Clu}>M  hanntyu$;  Anglo-Haxou  hwriny 

and  k0ring, 
II1CHUIN(M)0NIN(1.    A  moUuHl  of  Hewing  up  i*enU  in  a  lail  by  nmall 

ciHMH-Htitohea,  by  which  the  Ream  in  kept  flat* 
IIKRIilNU-lUIHa     A  iKH3uliar  boat  of  10  or  10  tonn,  for  the  herring 

flHhory.     (Sm  Uubh.) 


382  HEBBING-OOB HIKE 

HERRING-COB.     A  young  herring. 

HERRING-GUTTED.    See  Shottkn  HsRRiNa 

HERRING-HOG.     A  name  for  the  porpoise. 

HERRING-POND.     The  Atlantic  Ocean. 

HETERODROMOUS  LEVERS.     The  windlass,  capstan,  crank,  crane,  &a 

HETEROPLON.     A  kind  of  naval  insurance,  where  the  insurers  only  run 

the  risk  of  the  outward  voyage;  when  both  the  going  out  and  return  of 

a  vessel  is  insured,  it  is  called  amphoteroplon. 
HETTLK     A  rocky  fishing-ground  in  the  Firth  of  Forth,  which  gives 

name  to  the  fish  called  HettleKX>dling. 
HEUGH.     A  craggy  diy  dell;  a  ravine  without  water. 
HEXAGON.     A  right-lined  figure  with  six  sides;  if  it  be  r^;ulary  the 

sides  and  angles  are  all  equal 
HEYS-AND-HOW.     An  ancient  searcheer. 
HI!     Often  used  for  hay;  as,  ''Hi,  you  there!"     Also,  the  old  term  for 

they,  as  in  Sir  Ferumbras — 

"Coitroye  there  wm,  the  Admiral, 
With  vitaile  great  plente, 
And  the  standard  of  the  lowdon  royal. 
Toward  Mantrible  ridden  hi." 

HIDDEN  ELARBOUR     That  of  which  the  outer  points  so  overlap  as  to 

cause  the  coast  to  appear  to  be  continuous. 
HIDE,  To.     To  beat;  to  rope's-end  or  drub.     Also,  to  secrete. 
HIE,  To.     To  flow  quickly  in  a  tide-way. 
HIE  ALOFT.     Away  aloft. 
HIGH.     In  gunnery,  signifies  tightly  fitting  the  bore ;  said  of  shot,  wads, 

kc     Also,  a  gun  is  said  to  be  laid  high  when  too  much  elevated 
HIGH-AND-DRY.     The  situation  of  a  ship  or  other  vessel  which  is 

aground,  so  as  to  be  seen  dry  upon  the  strand  when  the  tide  ebbs  from  her. 
HIGH  ENOUGH.     Said  in  hoisting  in  goods,  water,  or  masts. 
HIGH  FLOOD.     See  Flood. 
HIGH   LATITUDES.      Those  regions  far  removed  from  the  equator 

towards  the  poles  of  the  earth  above  the  50th  degree. 
HIGH  TIDE,  OR  HiQH  Water.     Figuratively,  a  full  purse.     Constance, 

in  Shakspeare's  King  John,  uses  the  term  high  tides  as  denoting  the  gold- 
letter  days  or  holidays  of  the  calendar. 
HIGH-WATER.     The  greatest  height  of  the  flood-tid&     {See  Tide.) 
HIGH -WATER  MARK.     The  line  made  by  the  water  upon  the  shore, 

when  at  its  greatest  height ;   it  is  also  designated  the  flood-mark  and 

spring-tide  fnark.      This  constitutes   the  boundary  line  of  admiralty 

jurisdiction  as  to  the  soiL 
HIGH  WIND.    See  Heavy  Gale. 
HIGRE.    See  Bore  and  Eagre. 
HIKE.     A  brief  equivalent  to  ''Be  off,''  '^  Go  away.''     It  is  generally  used 

in  a  contemptuous  sense ;  as,  he  was  ^  hiked  oflT' — that  is,  dismissed  at 

once,  or  in  a  hurry.     To  swing. 


HIKB  UP HOBITS  383 

HIKE  UP,  To.     To  kidnap;  to  carry  off  by  force. 

HILL.     In  use  with  the  Anglo-Saxona     An  insulated  rise  of  the  ground, 

usually  applied  to  heights  below  1000  feet,  yet  higher  than  a  ?Ulloek  or 

hummock  (which  see). 
HILLOCK.     A  small  coast-hill,  differing  from  a  hummock  in  haying  a 

peaked  or  pointed  summit. 
HILT.     The  handle  and  guard  of  a  sword. 
HIND-CASTLE.     A  word  formerly  used  for  the  poop,  as  being  opposed 

HIPPAGINES^  OR  HiPPAOOGiB.     Ancient  transports  for  carrying  cavalry. 

HIPPER,  OB  Hipping-Stones.     Large  stones  placed  for  crossing  a  brook. 

HIPPOCAMPUS.  A  small  fish,  so  termed  from  the  head  resembling 
that  of  a  horse.  They  lire  among  reeds  and  long  fuci,  to  which  they 
cling  with  prehensile  tails. 

HIPPODAMES.     An  old  word  for  searhorses. 

HIPSY.     A  drink  compounded  of  wine,  water,  and  brandy. 

HIRE,  To.     To  take  vessel  or  men  on  service  at  a  stipulated  remuneration. 

HIRECANO.     An  old  word  for  hurricane. 

HIRST.     The  roughest  part  of  a  river-ford.     A  bank. 

HITCH.  A  species  of  knot  by  which  one  rope  is  connected  with  another, 
or  to  some  object.  They  are  various;  as,  clove-hitch,  racking-hitch, 
timber-hitch  (stopped),  rolling-hitch,  running-hitch,  half-hitch,  blackwall- 
hitch,  magnus-hitch,  marline-spike  hitch,  harness-hitch,  <fec.  {See  Bend 
and  Knot.)  It  also  signifies  motion  by  a  jerk.  Figuratively,  it  is  applied 
to  an  impediment.  A  seaman  oilen  hitchee  up  his  trowsers,  which  ''have 
no  lifts  or  braces." — To  hitch  is  to  make  fast  a  rope,  to,  to  catch  with  a 
hook.  Thus  of  old,  when  a  boat  was  to  be  hoisted  in,  they  said — "  Hitch 
the  tackles  into  the  rings  of  the  boat" 

HITCHER.     An  old  term  for  a  boat-hook. 

HO  I  OR  Hay  1  An  exchunation  derived  from  our  Danish  ancestors,  and 
literally  meaning  stop! 

HOAKY.     A  common  petty  oath — "By  the  hoaky!"  by  your  hearth  or  fire. 

HO  AM.     The  dried  fat  of  the  cod-fish. 

HOASTMEN.     An  ancient  guild  at  Newcastle  dealing  in  coals. 

HO  AY,  OB  Hot  !  a  word  frequently  added  to  an  exclamation  bespeaking 
attention,  as  <' Maintop,  hoay!''  and  is  chiefly  used  to  persons  aloft  or 
without  the  ship. 

HOB-A-NOB.  To  drink  cosily;  the  act  of  touching  glasses  in  pledging  a 
health.     An  early  and  extensive  custom  falling  into  disuse. 

HOBBLE.     A  perplexity  or  difficulty. — HobbleSf  irons  or  fetters. 

HOBBLER  A  coast-man  of  Kent,  a  bit  of  a  smuggler,  and  an  unlicensed 
pilot,  ever  ready  for  a  job  in  either  of  these  occupations.  Also,  a  man 
on  land  employed  in  towing  a  vessel  by  a  rope.  Also,  a  sentinel  who 
kept  watch  at  a  beacon. 

HOBITS.  Small  mortars  of  6  or  8  inches  bore  mounted  on  gun-carriages; 
in  use  before  the  howitzer. 


gg4  BOBBIN HOISTING  THE  PENDANT 

HOBBIN.     A  northern  designation  of  the  blue  shark,  SqucUtu  gktucus. 
HOC.     The  picked  dog-fish,  SqudLvs  {teanthicu, 

HOCK-SAW.  A  fermented  drink  along  the  coasts  of  China,  partaking 
more  of  the  nature  of  beer  than  of  spirit,  and  thei'efore  less  injurious  than 

8(im-tSt7h, 

HOD.     A  hole  under  a  bank  or  rock,  forming  a  retreat  for  fish. 

HODDY-DODDY.     A  west-country  name  for  a  revolving  light. 

HOBMADODS.    The  name  among  earlj  navigators  for  Hottentots. 

HODMANDODS.    See  Dodman. 

HODOMETKICAL.  A  method  of  finding  the  longitude  at  sea  bj  dead 
reckoning. 

HOE.     See  Howe. 

HOE-MOTHER,  or  Hoxeb.     The  basking-shark,  SquoLus  maximus, 

HOE-TUSK.     SqiuUtia  mtiatela,  smooth  hound-fish  of  the  Shetlanders. 

HOG.  A  kind  of  rough,  flat  scrubbing  broom,  serving  to  scrape  a  ship's 
bottom  under  water,  particularly  in  the  act  of  boot-topping  (which  see); 
formed  by  inclosing  a  multitude  of  short  twigs  of  birch,  or  the  like, 
between  two  pieces  of  plank,  which  are  firmly  attached  to  each  other; 
the  ends  of  the  twigs  are  then  cut  off  even,  so  as  to  form  a  brush  of  con- 
siderable extent.  To  this  is  fitted  a  long  staff,  together  with  two  ropes, 
the  former  of  which  is  used  to  thrust  the  hog  under  the  ship's  bottom, 
and  the  latter  to  guide  and  pull  it  up  again  close  to  the  planks,  so  as  to 
rub  off  all  the  dirt     This  work  is  usually  performed  in  the  ship*8  boat. 

HOG-BOAT.    See  Heck-boat. 

HOGGED.  A  significant  word  derived  from  the  animal;  it  implies  that 
the  two  ends  of  a  ship*s  decks  droop  lower  than  the  midship  part,  conse- 
quently, that  her  keel  and  bottom  are  so  strained  as  to  curve  upwards. 
The  term  is  therefore  in  opposition  to  that  of  sagging* 

HOG^IN-ABMOUB.     Soubriquet  for  an  iron-clad  ship. 

HOGO.  From  the  French  haut-goi^  a  disagreeable  smell,  but  rather  ap- 
plied to  ill-ventilated  berths  than  to  bilge-water, 

HOISE     The  old  word  for  hoist. 

HOIST.  The  perpendicular  height  of  a  sail  or  flag;  in  the  latter  it  is  op- 
posed to  the  fly,  which  implies  its  breadth  from  the  staff  to  the  outer 
edge :  or  that  part  to  which  the  halliards  are  bent 

HOIST,  oe  Hoise,  To.  To  raise  anything;  but  the  term  is  specially  ap- 
plied to  the  operation  of  swaying  up  a  body  by  the  assistance  of  tackles. 
It  is  also  invariably  used  for  the  hauling  up  the  sails  along  the  masts  or 
stays,  and  the  displaying  of  flags  and  pendants,  though  by  the  help  of  a 
single  block  only.     {See  Swayiko,  Tracino-up,  and  Whippikg.) 

HOISTING-TACKliE.  A  whip,  a  burton,  or  greater  purchase,  as  yard- 
arm  tackles,  Sic 

HOISTING  THE  FLAG.  An  admiral  assuming  his  command  <' hoists 
his  flag,"  and  is  saluted  with  a  definite  number  of  guns  by  all  vessels 
present 


HOLD HOLD  UP  385* 

HOLD.  The  whole  interior  cavity  of  a  ship,  or  all  that  part  comprehended 
between  the  floor  and  the  lower  deck  throughout  her  length. — The  after- 
hold  lies  abaft  the  main-mast,  and  is  usually  set  apart  for  the  provisions 
in  ships  of  war. — The  /ore-hold  is  situated  about  the  fore-hatchway,  in 
continuation  with  the  main-hold,  and  serves  the  same  purposes. — Tfie 
main-hold  is  just  before  the  main-mast,  and  generally  contains  the  fresh 
water  and  beer  for  the  use  of  the  ship's  company. — To  rummctge  the  hold 
is  to  examine  its  contents. — To  stow  the  hold  is  to  arrange  its  contents  in 
the  most  secure  and  commodious  manner  possible. — To  trim  the  hold  (see 
Tbim).  Also,  an  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  a  fort,  castle,  or  stronghold. 
— Sold  is  also  generally  understood  of  a  ship  with  regard  to  the  land  or 
to  another  ship;  hence  we  say,  "Keep  a  good  hold  of  the  land,'*  or  "Keep 
the  land  well  aboard,"  which  are  synonymous  phrases,  implying  to  keep 
near  the  land;  when  applied  to  a  ship,  we  say,  '*She  holds  her  own;"  i.e, 
goes  as  £Eist  as  the  other  ship;  holds  her  wind,  or  way. — To  hold.  To 
assemble  for  public  business;  as,  to  hold  a  court-martial,  a  survey,  kc — 
Hold  I  An  authoritative  way  of  separating  combatants,  according  to 
the  old  military  laws  at  tournaments,  &c.;  stand  fast ! 

HOLD  A  GOOD  WIND,  To.     To  have  weatherly  qualities. 

HOLD- ALL.  A  portable  case  for  holding  small  articles  required  by  soldiers, 
marines,  and  small-arm  men  on  service. 

HOLD-BEAMS.  The  lowest  range  of  beams  in  a  merchantman.  In  a 
man-of-war  they  support  the  orlop-deck,     {^ee  Orlop-beams.) 

HOLDERS.     The  people  employed  in  the  hold  duties  of  a  ship. 

HOLD-FAST.  A  rope;  also  the  order  to  the  people  aloffc^  when  shaking 
out  ree&,  <&c.,  to  suspend  the  operation.  In  ship-building,  it  means  a 
bolt  going  down  through  the  rough  tree  rail,  and  the  fore  or  after  part  of 
each  stanchion. 

HOLDING  ON.     The  act  of  pulling  back  the  hind  part  of  any  rope. 

HOLDING  ON  THE  SLACK.     Doing  nothing.     {See  Eyelids.) 

HOLDING  WATER  The  act  of  checking  the  progress  of  a  boat  by 
holding  the  oar-blades  in  the  water,  and  bearing  the  flat  part  strongly 
against  the  current  alongside,  so  as  to  meet  its  resistance,  {^ee  Back- 
ASTEBK,  Oab,  and  Rowing.) 

HOLD  OFF.  The  keeping  the  hove-in  part  of  a  cable  or  hawser  clear  of 
the  capstan. 

HOLD  ON.  Keep  all  you  have  got  in  pulling  a  rope. — HM  on  a  minute. 
Wait  or  stop. — Hold  on  with  your  nails  and  eyelids,  A  derisive  injunc- 
tion to  a  timid  climber. 

HOLD  ON,  GOOD  STICKS  I  ,An  apostrophe  oflen  made  when  the 
masts  complain  in  a  fresh  squall,  or  are  overpressed,  and  it  is  unadvisable 
to  shorten  sail 

HOLD-STANCHIONS.  Those  which  support  the  hold-beams  amidships, 
and  rest  on  the  kelson. 

HOLD  HP,  To.  In  meteorological  parlance,  for  the  weather  to  clear  up 
after  a  gale;  to  stop  raining. 

2b 


^  386  HOLE HOLSTEB 

HOLE.     A  dear  open  space  amongst  ice  in  the  Arctic  seas. 

HOLEBER.  A  kind  of  light  horseman,  who  rode  about  from  place  to 
place  in  the  night,  to  gain  intelligence  of  the  landing  of  boats,  men,  &c., 
on  the  Kentish  coast 

HOLES,  Eyelet  ob  CEillet.  The  holes  in  sails  for  points  and  rope-bands 
which  are  fenced  round  by  stitching  the  edge  to  a  small  log-line  grommet. 
In  the  drum-head  of  a  capstan,  the  holes  receive  the  capstan-bars. 

HOLIDAY.  Any  part  left  neglected  or  uncovered  in  paying  or  painting, 
blacking,  or  tarring. 

HOLLANDS.     The  spirit  principally  distilled  in  Holland. 

HOLLARDS.     The  dead  branches  and  loppings  of  trees. 

HOLLEBUT.     A  spelling  of  hcUUnU. 

HOLLOA,  OB  Holla.  An  answer  to  any  person  calling  from  a  distance, 
to  show  they  hear.  Thus,  if  the  master  intends  to  give  any  order  to  the 
people  in  the  main-top,  he  previously  calls,  ''Main-top,  hoay."  It  is  also 
the  first  answer  received  when  hailing  a  ship.     (See  Hailiko  and  Hoat.) 

HOLLOW.  The  bore  of  a  rocket  In  naval  architecture,  a  name  for  the 
fifth  or  top-timher'Sweep  (which  see).  Also,  hollow  or  curved  leeches  of 
sails,  in  contradistinction  to  straight. 

HOLLOW  BASTION.  In  fortification,  a  bastion  of  which  the  terre-plein 
or  interior  terrace  is  not  continued  beyond  a  certain  distance  to  the  rear 
of  the  parapet,  and  thus  leaves  a  central  area  at  a  lower  leveL 

HOLLOW-MOULD.     The  same  sa  floor-hoUow  (which  8ee> 

HOLLOWS  akd  rounds.     Plane-tools  used  for  making  mouldings. 

HOLLOW  SEA  The  imdulation  of  the  waves  after  a  gale;  long  hollow- 
jawed  sea;  ground-swelL 

HOLLOW  SHOT.  Introduced  principally  for  naval  use  before  the 
horizontal  firing  of  shells  from  guns  became  generaL  Their  weight  was 
about  two-thirds  that  of  the  solid  shot;  thus  they  required  less  charge  of 
powder  and  weight  of  gun  than  the  latter,  whilst  their  smashing  effect 
and  first  ranges  were  supposed  to  be  gi'eater.  It  is  clear,  however,  that 
if  filled  with  powder,  their  destructive  effect  must  be  immensely  increased. 

HOLLOW  SQUARR  The  square  generally  used  by  British  iufantry;  a 
formation  to  resist  cavalry.  Each  side  is  composed  of  four  ranks  of  men, 
the  two  foremost  kneeling  with  bayouets  forming  a  fence  breast  high; 
the  inclosed  central  space  affords  shelter  to  officers,  colours,  dzc.  With 
breech-loading  muskets  this  defence  will  become  less  necessary,  {See  also 
Rallyiko  Squabe.) 

HOLM.  {See  Clett.)  A  name  both  on  the  shores  of  Britain  and  Norway 
for  a  small  uninhabited  island  used  for  pasture;  yet  in  old  writers  it  some- 
times is  applied  to  the  sea,  or  a  deep  water.  Also,  an  ill-defined  name 
applied  to  a  low  islet  in  a  river,  as  well  as  the  flat  land  by  the  river  side. 

HOLOMETRUM  GEOMETRICUM.  A  nautical  instrument  of  brass, 
one  of  which,  price  £4,  was  supplied  to  Martin  Frobisher  in  157G. 

HOLSOM.     A  term  applied  to  a  ship  that  rides  without  rolling  or  labouring. 

HOLSTER.     A  case  or  cover  for  a  pistol,  worn  at  the  saddle-bow. 


HOLT HOODENDS  387 

HOLT  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon].     A  peaked  hill  covered  with  a  wood 

HOLIJS-BOLUS.     Altogether;  all  at  once. 

HOLY-STONE.  A  sandstone  for  scrubbing  decks,  so  called  from  being 
originally  used  for  Sunday  cleaning,  or  obtained  by  plundering  church- 
yards of  their  tombstones,  or  because  the  seamen  have  to  go  on  their  knees 
to  use  it 

HOME.  The  proper  situation  of  any  object,  when  it  retains  its  full  force 
of  action,  or  when  it  is  properly  lodged  for  convenience.  In  the  former 
sense  it  is  applied  to  the  sails;  in  the  latter  it  usually  refers  to  the  stowage 
of  the  hold.  The  anchor  is  said  to  come  home  when  it  loosens,  or  drags 
through  the  ground  by  the  effort  of  the  wind  or  current  {See  Anchor.) 
—Home  is  the  word  given  by  the  captain  of  the  gun  when,  by  the  sense 
of  his  thumb  on  the  touch-hole,  he  determines  that  the  charge  is  home,  and 
no  air  escapes  by  the  touch-hole.  It  is  the  word  given  to  denote  the  top- 
sail or  other  sheets  being  "home,"  or  butting. — Sheet  home  I  The  order  to 
extend  the  clues  of  sails  to  the  yard-arms. — The  wind  blows  home.  When 
it  sets  continuously  over  the  sea  and  land  with  equal  velocity.  When 
opposed  by  vertical  or  high  land,  the  breeze  loses  its  force  as  the  land  is 
neared :  then  it  does  not  blow  home,  as  about  Gibraltar  and  Toulon. 

HOME-SERVICK  The  Channel  service;  any  force,  either  naval  or 
military,  stationed  in  and  about  the  United  Kingdom. 

HOME-TRADERS.     The  contradistinction  of  foreign-going  ships. 

HOMEWARD-BOUND.  Said  of  a  ship  when  returning  from  a  voyage 
to  the  place  whence  she  was  fitted  out;  or  the  country  to  which  she  belongs. 

HOMEWARD-BOUNDER     A  ship  on  her  course  home. 

HOMMELIN.     The  Eaia  mhis,  or  rough  i*ay. 

HONEST-POUNDS.  Used  in  contradistinqfion  to  " purser^ e  pounds" 
(which  see). 

HONEYCOMB.  A  spongy  kind  of  flaw  in  the  metal  of  ordnance,  generally 
due  to  faulty  casting. 

HONG.  Mercantile  houses  in  China,  with  convenient  warehouses  adjoin- 
ing.    Also,  a  society  of  the  principal  merchants  of  the  place. 

HONOURS  OF  WAR.  Favourable  terms  granted  to  a  capitulating 
enemy  on  evacuating  a  fortress;  they  vary  in  degree,  according  to  circum- 
stances; generally  understood  to  mean,  to  march  out  armed,  colours  flying, 
&c,  but  to  pile  arms  at  a  given  point,  and  leave  them,  and  be  sent  home, 
or  give  parole  not  to  serve  until  duly  exchanged. 

HOO.     See  Howe. 

HOOD.  A  covering  for  a  companion-hatch,  skylight,  4&c.  Also,  the  piece 
of  tarred  or  painted  canvas  which  used  to  cover  the  eyes  of  rigging  to 
prevent  water  from  damaging  them;  now  seldom  used.  Also,  the  name 
given  to  the  upper  part  of  the  galley  chimney,  made  to  turn  round  with 
the  wind,  that  the  smoke  may  always  go  to  leeward. — Naval  hoods  or 
whood.     Large  thick  pieces  of  timber  which  encircle  the  hawse-holes. 

HOOD-ENDa  The  ends  of  the  planks  which  fit  into  the  rabbets  of  the 
stem  and  stem  posts. 


388  HOOD  OF  A  PUMP HOOPS 

HOOD  OF  A  PUMP.  A  frame  covering  the  upper  wheel  of  a  chain- 
pump. 

HOODS,  OR  HooDiXGS.  The  foremost  and  aftermost  planks  of  the  bottom, 
within  and  without.  Also,  coverings  to  shelter  the  mortar  in  bomb- 
vessels. 

HOOK.  There  are  several  kinds  used  at  sea,  as  boat-hooks,  can-hooks, 
cat-hooks,  fish-hooks,  and  the  like.  A  name  given  to  reaches,  or  angular 
points  in  rivers,  such  as  Sandy  Hook  at  New  York. — Laying-hooh,  A 
winch  used  in  rope-making. — Loof-tacMe  Iwoks,  termed  luffs.  A  tackle 
with  two  hooks,  one  to  hitch  into  a  cringle  of  the  main  or  fore  sail  in  the 
bolt-rope,  and  the  other  to  hitch  into  a  strap  spliced  to  the  chess-tree. 
They  pull  down  the  sail,  and  in  a  stiff  gale  help  to  hold  it  so  that  all 
the  stress  may  not  bear  upon  the  tack. 

HOOK  AND  BUTT.  The  scarphing  or  laying  two  ends  of  planks  over 
each  other.     {See  Butt  and  Butt  and  Hook-sgarph.) 

HOOK-BLOCK.     Any  block,  of  iron  or  wood,  strapped  with  a  hook. 

HOOK-BOLTS.     Those  used  to  secure  lower-deck  ports. 

HOOKEB.,  OR  HowKKR.  A  coast  or  fishing  vessel — a  small  hoy-built 
crafl  with  one  mast,  intended  for  fishing.  They  are  common  on  our 
coasts,  and  greatly  used  by  pilots,  especially  off  the  Irish  ports.  Also, 
Jack's  name  for  his  vessel,  the  favourite  ^  old  hooker.*'  Also,  a  term  for 
a  short  pipe,  probably  derived  from  hookah, 

HOOKEY.     See  Hoaky. 

HOOKING.  In  ship-carpentry  this  is  the  act  of  working  the  edge  of  one 
plank  into  that  of  another,  in  such  a  manner  that  they  cannot  be  drawn 
asunder. 

HOOK  OF  THE  DECK^.    See  Breast.hook& 

HOOK-POTS.     Tin  cans  fitted  to  hang  on  the  bars  of  the  galley  range. 

HOOK-ROPES.  A  rope  6  or  8  fathoms  long,  with  a  hook  and  thimble 
spliced  at  one  end,  and  whipped  at  the  other :  it  is  used  in  coiling  hempen 
cables  in  the  tiers,  dragging  chain,  &c, 

HOOK-SCARPH.  In  ship-carpentry,  the  joining  of  two  pieces  of  wood  by 
a  strong  method  of  hook-butting,  which  mode  of  connecting  is  termed 
hook  and  butt. 

HOOP.  The  principal  hoops  of  different  kinds  used  for  nautical  purposes, 
are  noticed  under  their  several  names,  as  mast-hoops,  clasp-hoops,  &c. 
In  wind-bound  ships  in  former  times  the  left  hands  of  several  boys  were 
tied  to  a  hoop,  and  their  right  armed  with  a  nettle,  they  being  naked 
down  to  the  waist.  On  the  boatswain  giving  one  a  cut  with  his  cat,  the 
boy  struck  the  one  before  him,  and  each  one  did  the  same,  beginning 
gently,  but,  becoming  irritated,  they  at  last  laid  on  in  earnest  Also,  a 
nautical  punishment  for  quarrelsome  fighters  was,  that  two  offenders, 
Bimikrly  fastened,  thrashed  each  other  until  one  gave  in.  The  craven 
was  usually  additionaUy  punished  by  the  commander. 

HOOPS.  The  strong  iron  bindings  of  the  anchor-stock  to  the  shank, 
though  square,  are  called  hoops. 


HOPE HORIZONTAL  389 

HOPR  A  small  bay;  it  was  an  early  term  for  valley,  and  is  still  used  in 
Kent  for  a  brook,  and  gives  name  to  the  adjacent  anchorages.  Johnson 
defines  it  to  be  any  sloping  plain  between  two  ridges  of  hills. 

HOPPER-PUNT.  A  flat-floored  lighter  for  carrying  soil  or  mud,  with  a 
Jiopper  or  receptacle  in  its  centre,  to  contain  the  lading. 

HOPPO.     The  chief  of  the  customs  in  China. 

HOPPO-MEK.     Chinese  custom-house  officers. 

HORARY  ANGLE.  The  apparent  time  by  the  sun,  or  the  sidereal  time 
of  the  moon,  or  planets,  or  stars,  fix>m  the  meridian. 

HORARY  MOTION.  The  march  or  movement  of  any  heavenly  body  in 
the  space  of  an  hour. 

HORARY  TABLES.  Tables  for  facilitating  the  determination  of  horary 
angles. 

HORIE-GOOSE.  A  northern  name  for  the  Anser  hemicla^  or  brent- 
goose. 

HORIOL2IL     Small  fishing-boats  of  the  ancients. 

HORIZON.  The  apparent  or  visible  circle  which  bounds  our  vision  at  sea; 
it  is  that  line  which  is  described  by  the  sky  and  water  appearing  to  meet. 
This  is  designated  as  the  sensible  horizon;  the  rcUionaly  or  true  one,  being 
a  great  circle  of  the  heavens,  parallel  to  the  sensible  horizon,  but  passing 
through  the  centre  of  the  earth. 

HORIZON-GLASSE&  Two  small  speculums  on  one  of  the  radii  of  a 
quadrant  or  sextant;  the  one  half  of  the  fore  horizon-glass  is  silvered, 
while  the  other  half  is  transparent,  in  order  that  an  object  may  be  seen 
directly  through  it:  the  back  horizon-glass  is  silvered  above  and  below, 
but  in  the  middle  there  is  a  transparent  stripe  through  which  the  horizon 
can  be  seen. 

HORIZONTAL.  A  direction  parallel  to  the  horizon,  or  what  is  oonmionly 
termed  lying  flat.  One  of  the  greatest  inconveniences  navigators  have  to 
struggle  with  is  the  frequent  want  of  a  distinct  sight  of  the  horizon.  To 
obviate  this  a  horizontal  spinning  speculum  was  adopted  by  Mr.  Lerson, 
who  was  lost  in  the  Victory  man-of-war,  in  which  ship  he  was  sent  out  to 
make  trial  of  his  instrument  This  was  afterwards  improved  by  Smeaton, 
and  consists  of  a  well-polished  metal    speculum    about    Z\   inches  in 

I  diameter,  inclosed  within  a  circular  rim  of  brass,  so  fitted  that  the  centre 
of  gravity  of  the  whole  shall  fall  near  the  point  on  which  it  spins.  This 
is  the  end  of  a  steel  asds  running  through  the  centre  of  the  speculum, 
above  which  it  finishes  in  a  square  for  the  convenience  of  fitting  a  roller 
on  it,  bearing  a  piece  of  tape  wound  round  it.  The  cup  in  which  it 
spins  is  made  of  agate  flint,  or  other  hard  substance.  Sextants,  with 
spirit-levels  attached,  have  latterly  been  used,  as  well  as  Becher's  horizon; 
but  great  dexterity  is  demanded  for  anything  like  an  approximation  to 
the  truth;  wherefore  this  continues  to  be  a  great  desideratum  in  naviga- 
tion. 

HORIZONTAL  FIRE.  From  artillery,  is  that  in  which  the  piece  is  laid 
either  direct  on  the  object,  or  with  but  small  elevation  above  it^  the  limit 


390  HORIZONTAL HORSE 

on  land  being  10^  and  afloat  still  less.  It  is  the^  most  telling  under  ordi- 
nary circumstances,  and  includes  all  other  yarieties,  with  the  exception 
of  vertical  fire,  which  has  elevations  of  from  30**  and  upwards;  and, 
according  to  some  few,  curved  fire,  an  intermediate  kind,  of  limited 
application. 

HORIZONTAL  PARALLAX.    See  Parallax. 

HORIZONTAL  PLAN.  In  ship-building,  the  draught  of  a  proposed 
ship,  showing  the  whole  as  if  seen  from  above. 

HORIZONTAL  RIBBAND  LINES.  A  term  given  by  ship-wrights  to 
those  lines,  or  occult  ribbands,  by  which  the  cant-timbers  are  laid  off,  and 
truly  bevelled. 

HORN.     The  arm  of  a  cleat  or  keveL 

HORN-CARD.  Transparent  graduated  horn-plates  to  use  on  charts,  either 
as  protractors  or  for  meteorological  purposes,  to  represent  the  direction 
of  tiie  wind  in  a  cyclone. 

HORNED  ANGLE  That  which  is  made  by  a  right  line,  whether  tan- 
gent or  secant,  with  the  circumference  of  a  circle. 

HORNEL  A  northern  term  for  the  lai^est  species  of  sand-launce  or  sand- 
eeL 

HORN-FISC.     Anglo-Saxon  for  the  sword-fish. 

HORN-FISTED.     Having  hands  inured  to  hauling  ropes. 

HORNING.  In  naval  architecture,  is  the  placing  or  proving  anything  to 
stand  square  from  the  middle  line  of  the  ship,  by  setting  an  equal  distance 
thereon. 

HORN-KECK.     An  old  term  for  the  greenAxick  fisL 

HORNOTINjE.     Ancient  vessels  which  were  built  in  a  year. 

HORNS.  The  points  of  the  jaws  of  the  booms.  Also,  the  outer  ends  of 
the  cross-treea     Also,  two  extreme  points  of  land  inclosing  a  bay. 

HORNS  OF  THE  MOON.  The  extremities  of  the  lunar  crescent,  in 
which  form  she  is  said  to  be  homed. 

HORNS  OF  THE  RUDDER    See  Ruddbr-horns. 

HORNS  OF  THE  TILLER     The  pins  at  the  extremity. 

HORN-WOREL  In  fortification,  a  form  of  outwork  having  for  its  head 
a  bastioned  fronts  and  for  its  sides  two  long  straight  faces,  which  are 
flanked  by  the  guns  of  the  body  of  the  place.  Sometimes  it  is  a  detached 
outwork. 

HOROLOGIUM  UNIVERSALE  An  old  brass  nautical  instrument, 
one  of  which  was  supplied  to  Martin  Frobisher,  at  an  expense  of  £2,  6s.  8d., 
when  fitting  out  on  his  first  voyage  for  the  discovery  of  a  north-west 
passage. 

HORS  DE  COMBAT.  A  term  adopted  from  the  French,  signifying  so 
far  disabled  as  to  be  incapable  of  taking  fii,rther  share  in  the  action. 

HORSE  A  foot-rope  reaching  from  the  opposite  quarter  of  a  yard  to  its 
arms  or  shoulders,  and  depending  about  two  or  three  feet  under  the  yard, 
for  the  sailors  to  tread  on  while  they  are  loosing,  reefing,  or  furling  the 
sails,  rigging  out  the  studding-sail  booms,  dfc.      In  order  to  keep  the 


HOBSEAETILLERY HOBSE-LATITUDES  39 1 

horse  more  parallel  to  the  yard,  it  is  usually  attached  thereto  at  proper 
distances,  by  certain  ropes  called  stirrups,  which  have  an  eye  spliced  into 
their  lower  ends,  through  which  the  horse  passes.  {See  Stirrup  and 
Foot-rope.)  Also,  a  rope  formerly  fast  to  the  foremast  fore-shrouds, 
with  a  dead-eye  to  receive  the  spritsail-sheet-pendant,  and  keep  the  sprit- 
sail-sheets  clear  of  the  flukes  of  the  anchor.  Also,  the  breast-rope  which 
is  made  fast  to  the  shrouds  to  protect  the  leadsman.  Also,  applied  to 
any  pendant  and  thimble  through  which  running-rigging  was  led,  now 
commonly  called  a  lizard.*  Also,  a  thick  rope,  extending  in  a  perpendi- 
cular direction  near  the  fore  or  after  side  of  a  mast^  for  the  purpose  of 
hoisting  some  yard,  or  extending  a  sail  thereon;  when  before  the  mast,  it 
is  used  for  the  square-sail,  whose  yard  is  attached  to  the  horse  by  means 
of  a  traveller  or  bull's-eye,  which  slides  up  and  down.  When  it  is  abafl 
the  mast,  it  is  intended  for  the  trysail  of  a  snow ;  but  is  seldom  used  in 
this  position,  except  in  those  sloops  of  war  which  occasionally  assume  the 
appearance  of  snows  to  deceive  the  enemy.  Also,  the  name  of  the 
sawyer's  frame  or  trestle.  Also,  the  round  iron  bar  formerly  fixed  to  the 
main-rail  at  the  head  with  stanchions ;  a  fir  rail  is  now  used,  and  the 
head  berthed  up.  Also,  in  cutters  or  schooners,  one  horse  is  a  stout  iron 
bar,  with  a  large  thimble,  which  spans  the  vessel  from  side  to  side  close 
to  the  deck  before  the  foremast.  To  this  the  forestaysail-sheet  is  hauled, 
and  traverses.  The  other  horse  is  a  similar  bar  abaft,  on  which  the  main- 
boom  sheet  traverses.  Also,  cross-pieces  on  the  tops  of  standards,  on 
which  the  booms  or  spare-spars  or  boats  are  lashed  between  the  fore  and 
main  masts.  Horses  are  also  termed  jackstays,  on  which  sails  are  hauled 
out,  as  gaff-sails.  Horse  is  a  term  of  derision  where  an  officer  assumes 
the  grandiose,  demanding  honour  where  honour  is  not  his  due.  Also,  a 
strict  disciplinarian,  in  nautical  parlance.  Also,  tough  salt  beef — scUt 
Iwrae, — Flemish  horse  is  the  horse  which  has  an  iron  thimble  in  one 
end,  which  goes  over  the  iron  point  of  the  yard-arm  before  the  studding- 
sail  boom-iron  is  put  on ;  in  the  other,  a  lashing  eye,  which  is  secured 
near  the  head  earing  of  the  topsail.  It  is  intended  for  the  men  at  the 
earing  in  reefing,  or  when  setting  the  top-gallant-studding-sails. 

HOESE-ARTILLERY.  A  branch  of  field  artillery  specially  equipped  to 
manoeuvre  with  cavalry,  having  lighter  guns,  and  all  its  gunners  mounted 
on  horseback.  Its  service  demands  a  rare  combination  of  soldierly 
qualities. 

HORSE-BUCKETS.     Covered  buckets  for  carrying  spirits  or  water  in. 

HORSE-BUCKIR     The  great  whelk. 

HORSE-COCKLE.    See  Gawky. 

HORSE-FOOT.  A  name  of  the  Limvhia  polyphemus  of  the  shores  of 
America,  where  from  its  shape  it  is  called  the  horse-shoe  or  lantern  crab. 

HORSE-LATITUDES.  A  space  between  the  westerly  winds  of  higher 
latitudes  and  the  trade-winds,  notorious  for  tedious  calms.  The  name 
arose  from  our  old  navigators  often  throwing  the  horses  overboard  which 
they  were  transporting  to  America  and  the  West  Indies. 


392  HORSE-MACKEREL HOST-MEN 

9 

HORSE-MA  CKEEEL.  A  large  and  coarse  member  of  tlie  Scomber 
family,  remarkably  greedy,  and  therefore  easily  taken,  but  imwbolesome. 

HORSE-MARINE.     An  awkward  lubberly  person.     One  out  of  placa 

HORSE-MUSSEL.    See  Duck-mussel. 

HORSE-POTATOES.     The  old  word  for  yam& 

HORSE-POWER.  A  comparative  estimate  of  the  capacity  of  steam- 
engines^  by  assuming  a  certain  average  effective  pressure  of  steam,  and  a 
certain  average  linear  velocity  of  the  piston.  The  pressure  multiplied 
by  the  velocity  gives  the  effective  force  of  the  engine  exerted  through  a 
given  number  of  feet  per  minute;  and  since  the  force  called  a  horse- 
power means  33,000  lbs.  acting  thus  one  foot  per  minute,  it  follows  that 
the  nominal  power  of  the  engine  will  be  found  by  dividing  the  effective 
force  exerted  by  the  piston,  multiplied  by  the  number  of  feet  per  minute 
through  which  it  acts  by  33,000. 

HORSES.    Blocks  in  whalers  for  cutting  blubber  on.    {See  White-horses.) 

HORSE-SHOE.  In  old  fortification,  a  low  work  of  this  plan  sometimes 
thrown  up  in  ditches. 

HORSE-SHOE  CLAMP.  The  iron  or  copper  straps  so  shaped,  used  as 
the  fastenings  which  connect  the  gripe  with  the  fore-foot  at  the  scarph  of 
the  keel  and  stem. 

HORSE-SHOE  HINGEa  Those  by  which  side-scuttles  or  ventilators  to 
the  cabins  are  hung. 

HORSE-SHOE  RACK.  A  sweep  curving  from  the  bitt-heads  abaft  the 
mainmast  carrying  a  set  of  nine-pin  swivel-blocks  as  the  fair  leaders  of 
the  light  running  gear,  staysail,  halliards,  dbc. 

HORSE-TONGUE.     A  name  applied  to  a  kind  of  sole. 

HORSE-UP.    See  Horshstg-ibon. 

HORSING-IRON.  An  iron  fixed  in  a  withy  handle,  sometimes  only  lashed 
to  a  stick  or  tree-nail,  and  used  with  a  beetle  by  caulkers. — To  horse-up, 
or  harden  in  the  oakum  of  a  vessel's  seams. 

HOSE  (for  watering,  &c)     An  elastic  pipe. 

HOSE-FISH.     A  name  for  a  kind  of  cuttle-fish. 

HOSPITAL.  A  place  appointed  for  the  reception  of  sick  and  wounded 
men,  with  a  regular  medical  establishment.     {See  Naval  Hospitals.) 

HOSPITAL-SHIP.  A  vessel  fitted  to  receive  the  sick,  either  remaining 
in  port,  or  accompanying  a  fleet,  as  circumstance  demands.  She  carries 
the  chief  surgeons,  &c.  The  Dreadnought,  off  Greenwich,  is  a  free 
hospital-ship  for  seamen  of  all  nations. 

HOSTAGK  A  person  given  up  to  an  enemy  as  a  pledge  or  security  for 
the  performance  of  the  articles  of  a  treaty. 

HOSTILE  CHARACTER  is  legally  constituted  by  having  landed  in  an 
enemy's  territory,  and  by  residing  there,  temporary  absence  being  im- 
material; by  permanent  trade  with  an  enemy;  and  by  sailing  under  an 
enemy's  flag. 

HOST-MEN.  An  ancient  guild  or  fraternity  at  Newcastle,  to  whom  we 
are  indebted  for  the  valuable  sea-coal  trade.     {See  Hoast-men.) 


-* ' 


HOT  COPPESS HOUSING-RINGS  S93 

HOT  COPPERS.  Dry  fauces ;  morning  thirstj  but  generally  applied  to 
those  who  were  drinking  hard  over-night 

HOT-PRESS.  When  the  press-gangs  were  instructed,  on  imminent 
emergency,  to  impress  seamen,  regardless  of  the  protections. 

HOT-SHOT.  Balls  made  red-hot  in  a  fumaca  Amongst  the  savages  in 
Bergou,  the  women  are  in  the  rear  of  the  combatants,  and  they  heat  the 
heads  of  the  spears,  exchanging  them  for  such  as  are  cooled  in  the  fight. 

HOT-WELL.  In  a  steamer,  a  reservoir  from  whence  to  feed  the  boiler 
with  the  warm  water  received  out  of  the  condenser;  it  also  forms  part  of 
the  discharge  passage  from  the  air-pump  into  the  sea. 

HOUND-FISH.     The  old  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  dog-^sh—Mnd-Jisc. 

HOUNDS.  Those  projections  at  the  mast-head  serving  as  supports  for 
the  tressel-trees  of  large  and  rigging  of  smaller  masts  to  rest  upon.  With 
lower  masts  they  are  termed  cheeks. 

HOXJNSID.     A  rope  bound  round  with  service. 

HOUR-ANGLE.  The  angular  distance  of  a  heavenly  body  east  or  west 
of  the  meridian. 

HOUR-GLASS.     The  sand-glass :  a  measure  of  the  hour. 

HOUSE,  To.  To  enter  within  board.  To  house  a  topgallant-mast^  is  to 
lower  it  so  as  to  prevent  the  rigging  resting  or  chafing  on  the  cap,  and 
securing  its  heel  to  the  mast  below  it  This  admits  of  double-reefed  top- 
sails being  set  beneath. 

HOUSE-BOAT.     One  with  a  cabin;  a  coche  d*eau. 

HOUSED.  The  situation  of  the  great  gitns  upon  the  lower  gun-decks 
when  they  are  run  in  clear  of  the  port,  and  secured.  The  breech  being 
let  down,  the  muzzle  rests  against  the  side  above  the  port ;  they  are  then 
secured  by  their  tackles,  mu2zle-lashings,  and  breechings.  Over  the  muzzle 
of  every  gun  are  two  strong  eye-bolts  for  the  muzzle-lashings,  which  are 
3^ -inch  rope.  When  this  operation  is  well  performed,  no  accident  is  feared, 
as  every  act  is  one  of  mechanical  skill.  A  gun  is  sometimes  housed  fore 
and  aft  to  make  room,  as  in  the  cabin,  <fec.  Ships  in  ordinary,  not  in 
commission,  are  housed  over  by  a  substantial  roofing. 

HOUSEHOLD  TROOPS.  A  designation  of  the  horse  and  foot  guards, 
who  enjoy  many  immunities  and  privileges  for  attending  the  sovereign. 

HOUSEWIFR     See  Huz-zip. 

HOUSING,  OR  House-line.  A  small  line  formed  of  three  fine  strands, 
smaller  than  rope  yam ;  principally  used  for  seizings  of  the  block-strops, 
fastening  the  clues  of  sails  to  their  bolt-ropes,  and  other  purposes.  {See 
Marline,  Thumb-line,  Irish  twine.) 

HOUSING  IN.  After  a  ship  in  building  is  past  the  breadth  of  her  bear- 
ing, and  that  she  is  brought  in  too  narrow  to  her  upper  works,  she  is 
said  to  be  housed  tn,  or  pinched.     (See  TuMBLiNa-HOME.) 

HOUSING  OF  A  LOWER  MAST.  That  part  of  a  mast  which  is  below 
deck  to  the  step  in  the  kelson;  of  a  bowsprit,  the  portion  within  the 
Jcnight'heads, 

HOUSINaRINGS.     Ring-bolts  over  the  lower  deck-ports,  through  the 


394}  HOUVARI HOT 

beam-clamps,  to  wMch  the  muzzle-lashings  of  the  guns  are  passed  when 
housed. 

HOUVAHI.  A  strong  land  -wind  of  the  West  Indies,  accompanied  with 
rain,  thunder,  and  lightning. 

HOUZING.     A  northern  term  for  lading  water. 

HOVE  DOWN",  properly  Iiove  out  or  careened.  The  situation  of  a  ship 
when  heeled  or  placed  thus  for  repairs. — ffove  off,  when  removed  from 
the  ground. — Hove  up,  when  brought  into  the  slips  or  docks  bj  cradles 
on  the  gridiron,  &c.  ^ 

HOVE-IN-SIGHT.     The  anchor  in  view.     Also,  a  sail  just  discovered. 

HOVE-IN-STA  YS.     The  position  of  a  ship  in  the  act  of  going  about 

HOVE  KEEL  OUT.  Hove  so  completely  over  the  beam-ends  that  the 
keel  is  above  the  water. 

IIOVELLERS.  A  Cinque-Port  term  for  pilots-  and  their  boatmen;  but 
colloquially,  it  is  also  applied  to  sturdy  vagrants  who  infest  the  sea-coast 
in  bad  weather,  in  expectation  of  wreck  and  plunder. 

HOVERING,  AND  Hovering  Acts.     Said  of  smugglers  of  old. 

HOVE-SHORT.  The  ship  with  her  cable  hove  taut  towards  her  anchor, 
when  the  sails  are  usually  loosed  and  braced  for  canting;  sheeted  homa. 
— How  well  shorty  the  position  of  the  ship  when  she  is  drawn  by  the  cap- 
stan nearly  over  her  anchor. 

HOVE-TO.  From  the  act  of  heaving-to;  the  motion  of  the  ship  stopped. 
It  is  curious  to  observe  that  seamen  have  retained  an  old  word  which 
has  otherwise  been  long  disused.  It  occurs  in  Grafton's  Chronicle, 
where  the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  London,  in  1256,  understanding  that 
Henry  III.  was  coming  to  Westminster  from  Windsor,  went  to  Knights- 
blridge,  ^and  hoved  there  to  salute  the  king." 

HOW.     An  ancient  term  for  the  carina  or  hold  of  a  ship. 

HOW,  Hoe,  or  Hoc.     A  knoll,  mound,  or  elevated  hillock. 

HOW  FARE  YE1  Are  you  all  hearty?  are  you  working  together?  a 
good  old  sea  phrase  not  yet  lost. 

HOWITZER.  A  piece  of  ordnance  specially  designed  for  the  horizontal 
firing  of  shells,  being  shorter  and  much  lighter  than  any  gun  of  the  same 
calibre.  The  rifled  gun,  however,  throwing  a  shell  of  the  same  capacity 
from  a  smaller  bore,  and  with  much  greater  power,  is  superseding  it  for 
general  purposes. 

HOWKER    See  Hooker. 

HOWLE.  An  old  English  word  for  the  hold  of  a  ship.  When  the  foot- 
hooks  or  futtocks  of  a  ship  are  scarphed  into  the  ground-timbers  and 
bolted,  and  the  plank  laid  up  to  the  orlop-deck,  then  they  say,  "the  ship 
begins  to  howle.'' 

HOY.  A  call  to  a  man.  Also,  a  small  vessel,  usually  rigged  as  a  sloop, 
and  employed  in  carrying  passengers  and  goods,  particularly  in  short  dis- 
tances on  the  sea-coast;  it  acquired  its  name  frx>m  stopping  when  called 
to  from  the  shore,  to  take  up  goods  or  passengers.  In  Holland  the  hoy 
has  two  masts,  in  England  but  one,  where  the  mainsail  is  sometimes  ex- 


IIOYSE HITLLY  395 

tended  by  a  boom,  and  sometimes  without  it  In  the  naval  service  there 
are  gunrhoy^  powder-hor/f  pravisionrhoy,  anchor-?ioy,  all  rigged  sloop-fashiou. 

HOYSK     The  old  word  for  hoist. 

HUBBLE-BUBBLE.  An  eastern  pipe  for  smoking  tobacco  through  water, 
which  makes  a  bubbling  noise. 

HUDDOCK.     The  cabin  of  a  keel  or  coal-barge. 


«»i 


TwaB  between  Ebbron  and  Yarrow, 

There  cam  on  a  varry  strong  gale; 
The  skipper  luicked  out  o*  th'  huddock, 

Crying,  'Smash,  man,  lower  the  sail!'" 

HUDDUM.     The  old  northern  term  for  a  kind  of  whale. 

HUEH.  A  man  posted  on  an  elevation  near  the  sea^  who,  bj  concerted 
signals,  directs  the  fishermen  when  a  shoal  of  fish  is  in  sight.  Synony- 
mous with  coThder  (which  see).  Also,  the  hot  fountains  in  the  sea  near 
Iceland,  where  many  of  them  issue  from  the  land. 

HUFFED.     Chagrined,  offended,  often  needlessly. 

HUFFLER.  One  who  carries  off  fresh  provisions  to  a  ship;  a  Kentish 
term. 

HUG,  To. — To  hug  the  land,  to  sail  as  near  it  as  possible,  the  land  how- 
ever being  to  windward. — To  hug  the  wind,  to  keep  the  ship  as  close- 
hauled  to  the  wind  as  possible. 

HUGGEK-MUGGEH.  In  its  Shakspearian  bearing  may  have  meant 
secretly,  or  in  a  clandestine  manner,  but  its  nautical  application  is  to 
express  anything  out  of  order  or  done  in  a  slovenly  way. 

HU ISSIERS.  The  flat-bottomed  transports  in  which  horses  were  embarked 
in  the  Crusades. 

HULCOCK.  A  northern  name  for  the  Squalua  galeus,  or  smooth  hound- 
fish. 

HULK.  Is  generally  applied  to  a  vessel  condemned  as  unfit  for  the  risks 
of  the  sea,  and  used  as  a  store-vessel  and  housing  for  crews  while  refitting 
the  vessels  they  belong  to.  There  are  also  hulks  for  convicts,  and  for 
masting,  as  aheer-hidh     (See  Sheebs.) 

HULL.  The  Gothic  hulga  meant  a  husk  or  external  covering,  and  hence 
the  body  of  a  ship,  independent  of  masts,  yards,  sails,  rigging,  and  other 
furniture,  is  so  called. — To  hvU,  signifies  to  hit  with  shot;  to  drive  to  and 
fro  without  rudder,  sail,  or  oar;  as  Milton — 

"He  looked  and  saw  the  ark  hull  on  the  flood.** 

— To  strike  huU  in  a  storm,  is  to  take  in  her  sails  and  lash  the  helm  on 

the  lee  side  of  the  ship,  which  is  termed  to  lie  a-huU. 
HULL-DOWN.     Is  said  of  a  ship  when  at  such  a  distance  that,  from  the 

convexity  of  the  globe,  only  her  masts  and  sails  are  to  be  seen. 
HULLING.  Lying  in  wait  at  sea  without  any  sails  set.  AJso^  to  hit  with  shot. 
HULLOCK  OF  A  Sail.    A  small  part  lowered  in  a  gale. 
HULL-TO.     The  situation  of  a  ship  when  she  is  lying  a-hull,  or  with  all 

her  sails  furled. 
HULLY.     A  long  wicker-trap  used  for  catching  eels. 


39G  UUMBER-EEEL HUZ-ZIF 

HUMBER-KEEL.     A  particular  clincher-built  croft  used  on  the  Humber. 
HUMLA-BAND.     A  northern  term  for  the  grommet  to  an  oar-pin  or 

thole. 
HUMMOCK.     A  hill  with  a  rounded  summit  or  conical  eminence  on  the 

sea-coast.     When  in  pairs  thej  are  termed  paps  by  navigators  (which 

see). 
HUMMOCKS  OF  ICE.     Protuberant  lumps  of  ice  thrown  up  by  some 

pressure  upon  a  field  or  fi^oe^  or  any  other  frozen  plane.     The  pieces 

which  rise  when  large  fragments  come  in  contact,  and  bits  of  pack  are 

frozen  together  and  covered  with  snow. 
HUMMUMS.     From  the  Arabic  word  hamma/m^  a  bagnio  or  bath. 
HUMP-BACKED  WHALE.     A  species  of  whalebone  whale,  the  Megap- 

tera  longimanOy  which  attains  to  45  or  50  feet  in  length,  and  is  distin- 
guished by  its  low  rounded  dorsal  fin. 
HURD.     The  strand  of  a  rope. 
HURDICES.     Ramparts,  scaffolds,  fortifications,  &c 
HURDIGERS.     Particular  artificers  employed  in  constructing  the  castles 

in  our  early  ships. 
HURLEBLAST.     An  archaic  term  for  hurricane. 
HURRICANK    See  Ttphook. 

HURRICANE-DECK.     A  light  deck  over  the  saloon  of  some  steamers. 
HURRICANEJ-HOUSE.     Any  building  run  up  for  temporary  purposes; 

the  name  is  occasionally  given  to  the  round-house  on  a  vessel's  deck. 
HURRICANO.     Shakspeare  evidently  makes  King  Lear  use  this  word  as 

a  waterspout. 
HURRY.     A  staith  or  wharf  where  coals  are  shipped  in  the  north. 
HURST.     Anglo-Saxon  to  express  a  wood. 

HURT.     A  wound  or  injuiy  for  which  a  compensation  can  be  claimed. 
HURTLE,  To.     To  send  bodily  on  by  a  swell  or  wind. 
HUSBAND,  OB  Ship*s  Husband.     An  agent  appointed  by  deed,  executed 

by  all  the  owners,  with  power  to  advance  and  lend,  to  make  all  payments, 

to  receive  the  prices  of  freights^  and  to  retain  all  claims     But  this  office 

gives  him  no  authority  to  insure  or  to  borrow  money;  and  he  is  to  render 

a  full  account  to  his  employers. 
HUSH.     A  name  of  the  lump-fish,  denoting  the  female. 
HUSSAR,  OB  HuzzAB.     A  Hungai*ian  term  signifying  'twentieth,"  as  the 

first  hussars  were  formed  by  selecting  from  various  regiments  the  ablest 

man  in  every  twenty;   now  generally  a  light-cavalry  soldier  equipped 

somewhat  after  the  original  Hungarian  fashion. 
HUT.     The  same  as  barrack  (which  see). 
HUTT,     The  breech-pin  of  a  gun. 
HUZZA !     This  was  originally  the  hudsa^  or  cry,  of  the  Hungarian  light 

horse,  but  is  now  also  the  national  shout  of  the  English  in  joy  and 

triumph. 
HUZ-ZIF.     A  general  corruption  of  housewife.     A  very  useful  contrivance 

for  holding  needles  and  thread,  and  the  like. 


HYDRAULIC  DOCK HYTHE  397 

HYDRAULIC  DOCK     See  Caisson. 

HYDRAULIC  PRESS.  The  simple  yet  powerful  water-press  invented 
by  Bramah,  without  which  it  would  have  been  a  puzzle  to  float  the 
enormous  Great  Eastern. 

HYDRAULIC  PURCHASE.  A  machine  for  drawing  up  vessels  on  a 
slip,  in  which  the  pumping  of  water  is  used  to  multiply  the  force  applied. 

HYDRAULICS.    See  Hydrology. 

HYDROGRAPHER  One  who  surveys  coasts,  <fec.,  and  constructs  true 
maps  and  charts  founded  on  astronomical  observations.  The  hydrographer 
to  the  admiralty  presides  over  the  hydrographical  office. 

HYDROGRAPHICAL  CHARTS  or  Maps.  Usually  caUed  8eci-6kart8y 
are  projections  of  some  part  of  the  sea  and  its  neighbouring  coast  for  the 
use  of  navigation,  and  therefore  the  depth  of  water  and  nature  of  the 
bottom  are  minutely  noted. 

H  YDROGRAPHIC AL  OFFICE.  A  department  of  the  admiralty  where 
the  labours  of  the  marine  surveyors  of  the  Royal  Navy  are  collected  and 
published. 

HYDROGRAPHY.  The  science  of  marine  surveying,  requiring  the  prin- 
cipal points  to  be  astronomically  fixed. 

HYDROLOGY.  That  part  of  physics  which  explains  the  properties  of 
water,  and  is  usually  divided  into  hydrostatics  and  hydraulics.  The 
former  treats  of  weighing  water  and  fluids  in  general^  and  of  ascertaining 
their  specific  gravities;  the  latter  shows  the  manner  of  conveying  water 
from  one  place  to  another. 

HYDROMETER.  An  instrument  constructed  to  measure  the  specific 
gravities  of  fluids.  That  used  at  sea  for  testing  the  amount  of  salt  in  the 
water  is  a  glass  tube  containing  a  scale,  the  bottom  of  the  tube  swelling 
out  into  two  bulbs,  of  which  the  lower  is  laden  with  shot,  which  causes 
the  instrument  to  float  perpendicularly,  and  as  it  displaces  its  own  weight 
of  water,  of  course  it  sinks  deeper  as  the  water  is  lighter,  which  is  recorded 
by  the  scale. 

H  YGRR     {See  Bore  and  Eagre.)    An  eflect  of  counter-currents. 

HYGROMETER  An  instrument  for  ascertaining  the  quantity  of  moisture 
in  the  atmosphere. 

HYPERBOLA.  One  of  the  conic  sections  formed  by  cutting  a  cone  by  a 
plane  which  is  so  inclined  to  the  axis,  that  when  produced  it  cuts  also  the 
opposite  cone,  or  the  cone  which  is  the  continuation  of  the  former,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  vertex. 

HYPOTHECA,  A  mortgage.  In  the  civil  law,  was  where  the  thing 
pledged  remained  with  the  debtor. 

HYPOTHECATION.  An  authority  to  the  master,  amounting  almost  to 
a  power  of  the  absolute  disposal  of  the  ship  in  a  foreign  country;  he  may 
hypothecate  not  only  the  hull,  but  his  freight  and  cargo,  for  necessary  and 
urgent  repairs. 

HYTHK  A  pier  or  wharf  to  lade  or  unlade  wares  at  [from  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  hyd^  coast  or  haven]. 


398  X IDLBB 


I. 

I.    The  third  class  of  rating  on  Lloyd's  books,  for  the  comparative  excellence 

of  merchant  ships.     {See  A.) 
ICE- ANCHOR     A  bar  of  round  iron  tapered  to  a  point,  and  bent  as  a 

pot-hook;  a  hole  is  cut  in  the  ice,  the  point  entered,  and  the  hawser 

bent  to  the  shorter  hook;  by  this  vessels  ride  safely  till  any  motion  of  the 

ice  capsizes  it,  and  then  it  is  hauled  in.     The  ice  is  usually  entered  by  a 

lance,  which  cuts  its  hole  easily. 
ICE-BEAMS.     Sfcrengtheners  for  whalers.     {See  Fobtifying.) 
ICEBERG.     An  insulated  mountain  of  ice,  whether  on  Arctic  lands  or 

floating  in  the  sea.     Some  have  been  known  to  be  agroimd  in  1 20  &thoms 

water,  and  rise  to  the  height  of  150  feet  above  it.     Cook's  obtaining  fresh 

water  from  floating  icebei^  was  not  a  new  discovery.     The  Hudson's 

Bay  ships  had  long  made  use  of  it;  and  in  July,  1585,  Captain  Davis  met 

with  ice  "which  melted  into  very  good  fresh  water." 
ICE-BIRDS.     Small  sea-fowl  in  the  polar  regions. 
ICE-BLINK.     A  streak  or  stratum  of  lucid  whiteness  which  appears  over 

the  ice  in  that  part  of  the  atmosphere  adjoining  the  horizon,  and  proceeds 

from  an  extensive  aggr^ation  of  ice  reflecting  the  rays  of  light  into  the 

circumambient  air. 
ICE-BOAT.     A  peculiar  track-schuyt  for  the  Dutch  canals  in  winter. 
ICE-BOUND.     A  vessel  so  surrounded  by  ice  as  to  be  prevented  from 

proceeding  on  her  voyage. 
ICE-CHISEL.     A  large  socket-chisel  into  which  a  pole  is  inserted,  used  to 

cut  holes  in  the  ice. 
ICE-CLAWS.     A  flat  claw  with  two  prongs  spread  like  a  can-hook;  the 

same  as  a  single  span  or  claw-dog.  , 

ICE-FENDERS.     Fenders  of  any  kind,  used  to  protect  a  vessel  from  injury 

by  ice;  usually  broken  spars  hanging  verticaUy  where  the  strain  is  expected. 
ICE  LANE  OR  Vein.     A  narrow  temporary  channel  of  water  in  the  packs 

or  other  large  collections  of  ice. 
ICE-MASTER.     A  pilot,  or  man  of  experience,  for  the  Arctic  Sea. 
ICE-PLANK.    See  Spike-plank. 
ICE-QUAKK     The  rending  crash  which  accompanies  the  breaking  of  floes 

of  ice. 
ICE-SAW.     A  huge  saw  for  cutting  through  ice;  it  is  made  of  I  to  i  inch 

plates  of  iron,  and  varies  in  length  from  10  to  24  feet. 
ICE-SLUDGR     Small  comminuted  ice,  or  bay-ice  broken  up  by  the  wind. 
ICE-TONGXJR    See  Tongue  op  Ice. 
ICHNOGRAPHY.     A  ground  plot  or  plan  of  a  fortification,  showing  the 

details  of  the  construction  as  if  cut  horizontally  through. 
ICK.     An  Erse  or  Manx  term  for  a  creek  or  gullet. 
IDLER.     A  general  designation  for  all  those  on  board  a  ship-of-war,  who, 


IDOLEEES IN  399 

from  being  liable  to  constant  day  duty,  are  not  subjected  to  keep  the 

night-watcb,  but  must  go  on  deck  if  all  hands  are  called  during  the  night. 

Surgeons,  marine-officers,  pay-masters,  and  the  civil  department,  are  also 

thus  denominated. 
IDOLEERS.     The  name  by  which  the  Dutch  authorities  are  known  in 

their  oriental  colonies,  the  designation  being  a  corruption  of  edle  herren, 
IGNORANCK     If  a  loss  happen  through  the  ignorance  of  the  master  of 

a  ship,  it  is  not  considered  as  a  peril  of  the  sea;  consequently  the  assurei^s 

are  not  liable.     Nor  is  his  ignorance  of  admiralty-law  admissible  as  an 

excuse. 
IGUANA-     A  large  lizard  used  for  food  in  tropical  climates. 
ILAND.     The  Saxon  ealand,     (See  Island.) 
ILDE,  AND  Ile.     Archaic  terms  for  ialcmd, 
I  LET.     Lacing  holea     {See  Eyelet.) 
ILLEGAL  VOYAGE.    (See  Voyage.) 
IMMER      A  water-fowl  (see  Ember-goose).      The  Colymlms  immer  of 

linn.,  the  great  plunger  of  Buffon. 
IMMERSION.     The  prismatic  solid  carried  under  water  on  the  lee-side  of 

a  ship  by  its  inclination. — Centre  of  immersion^  the  mean  centre  of  the 

part  immersed.     (See  Centbe  of  Cavity.)     Astronomically,  immersion 

means  the  disappearance  of  a  heavenly  body  when  undergoing  eclipse. 
IMP.     One  length  of  twisted  hair  in  a  fishing-line. 
IMPEDIMENTA.     The  ancient  term  for  the  baggage  of  an  army. 
IMPORT,  Importation,  and  Importer,  being  exactly  the  reverse  of  export, 

eocportation,  and  exporter,  refer  to  those  terms,  and  take  the  opposite 

meaning.     To  import  is  therefore  to  bring  commodities  into  a  country . 

for  the  purpose  of  traffic. 
IMPOSSIBLE.     A  hateful  word,  generally  supplanted  among  good  seamen 

by  "  we'll  try."     A  thing  which  is  impossible  in  law,  is  pronounced  to  be 

all  one  with  a  thing  impossible  in  nature. 
IMPOST.     The  tax  received  for  such  foreign  merchandises  as  are  brought 

into  any  haven  within  a  prince's  dominions. 
IMPREGNABLE.     Said  of  a  fortress  or  position  supposed  to  be  proof 

against  any  attack. 
IMPRESS,  To.     To  compel  to  serve. 
IMPRESSION.     The  effect  produced  upon  any  ship,  place,  or  body  of 

troops,  by  a  hostile  attack. 
IMPRESSMENT.     The  system  and  act  of  pressing  seamen,  and  compelling 

them — under  plea  of  state  necessity — ^to  serve  in  our  men-of-war. 
IMPREST.     Charge  on  the  pay  of  an  officer. 
IMPREST-MONEY.     That  paid  on  the  enHstment  of  soldiers. 
IN.     The  state  of  any  sails  in  a  ship  when  they  are  furled  or  stowed, 

in  opposition  to  out,  wliich  implies  that  they  are  set,  or  extended  to 

assist  the  ship's  course.     Hence,  in  is  also  used  as  an  order  to  shorten 

sail,    as    "In    topgaUant-sails."     It    was    moreover    an   old  word    for 

embanking   and   inclosing;    thus   Sir   Nicholas   L'Estrange    (Harleian 


400  IN  ^ND  OUT INDEX-ERROR 

MS.  6395)  speaks  of  him  who  had  "the  patent  for  inning  the  salt 
marshes.*' 

IN  AND  OUT.  A  term  sometimes  used  for  the  scantling  of  timbers,  the 
moulding  way,  and  particularly  for  those  bolts  that  are  driven  into  the 
hanging  and  lodging  knees,  drawn  through  the  ship^s  sides,  and  termed 
in-and-otU  boUs. 

IN-BOARD.    Within  the  ship;  the  opposite  of  atU-hoard. 

IN-BOATS !     The  order  to  hoist  the  boats  in-board. 

IN-BOW !  The  order  to  the  bow-man  to  throw  in  his  oar,  and  prepare  his 
boat-hook,  previous  to^etting  alongside. 

INCH.  The  smallest  lineal  measure  to  which  a  name  is  given;  but  it  has 
many  sub-divisions.  Also,  a  general  name  for  a  small  coast  islet  on  the 
northern  shores,  from  the  old  Gaelic  word. 

INCIDENCE,  AjfOLE  of.  That  which  the  direction  of  a  ray  of  light,  &c., 
makes  at  the  point  where  it  strikes  with  a  line  drawn  perpendicularly  to 
the  surface  of  that  body. 

INCLINATION.  In  geometry,  is  the  mutual  tendency  of  two  lines  or 
planes  towards  each  other,  so  as  to  form  an  angle. 

INCLINATION  OF  AN  ORBIT.  The  angle  which  the  path  of  a  comet 
or  planet  makes  with  the  plane  of  the  ecliptic. 

INCLINATORY  NEEDLK  An  old  term  for  the  dipping-needle  (which 
see). 

INCLINOMETER  An  invention  by  Wales  in  Cook's  second  voyage, 
where  particulars  are  given. 

INCOMPETENCY,  or  Insufficiency,  of  a  Merchantman's  Crew.  A 
bar  to  any  claim  on  warrantry;  as  it  is  an  implied  condition  in  the  sea- 
worthiness of  a  ship,  that  at  sailing  she  must  have  a  master  of  competent 
skill,  and  a  crew  sufficient  to  navigate  her  on  the  voyage. 

INDEMNIFICATION.     A  stipulated  compensation  for  damage  done. 

INDEMNITY.     Amnesty;  security  against  punishment 

INDENTED  LINE.  In  fortification,  a  connected  line  of  works  composed 
of  faces  which  offer  a  continued  series  of  alternate  salient  and  re-entering 
angles.  It  is  conveniently  applied  on  the  banks  of  a  river  entering  a 
town,  and  was  to  be  seen  on  the  James  river  in  Virginia,  near  Richmond, 
in  1864. 

INDENTED  PARAPET.  One  of  which  the  interior  slope  is  indented 
with  a  series  of  vertical  cavities,  enabUng  the  men  stationed  within  them 
to  fire  across  the  proper  front 

INDENTING  FOR  STORES.  An  indispensable  duty  to  show  that 
every  article  has  been  actually  received. 

INDENTURES,  Paib  of.     A  term  for  chaHer-parfy. 

INDEX.  The  flat  bar  which  carries  the  nonius  scale  and  index-glass  of  a 
quadrant,  octant,  quintant,  or  sextant 

INDEX-ERROR  The  reading  of  the  verniers  of  the  above-named  instru- 
ments. It  is  the  coirection  to  be  applied  to  the  +  or  —  reading  of  a 
vernier  when  the  horizon  and  index-glasses  are  parallel 


INDEX-GLASS INJECTION-PIPE  40I 

INDEX-GLASS.  A  plane  Bpeculum,  or  mirror  of  quick-silvered  glass, 
which  moves  with  the  index,  and  is  designed  to  reflect  the  image  of  the 
sun  or  other  object  upon  the  horizon  glass,  whence  it  is  again  reflected  to 
the.  eye  of  the  observer. 

INDEX-ROD.     A  graduated  indicator. 

INDIAMAN.  A  term  occasionally  applied  to  any  ship  in  the  East  India 
trade,  but  in  strict  parlance  the  large  ships  formerly  officered  by  the 
East  India  Company  for  that  trade,  and  generally  armed. 

INDIAN  INK.  Properly  Chinese;  compounded  of  a  peculiar  lamp-black 
and  gum.  • 

INDIAN  OCEAN.    The  great  Oriental  Ocean. 

INDRAUGHT.  A  particular  flowing  of  the  ocean  towards  any  contract- 
ing part  of  a  coast  or  coasts,  as  that  which  sets  from  the  Atlantic  into 
the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  and  on  other  coasts  of  Europe  and  Africa.  It 
usually  applies  to  a  strong  current^  apt  to  engender  a  sort  of  vortex. 

INDUCED  MAGNETISM.  The  magnetic  action  of  the  earth,  whereby 
every  particle  of  soft  iron  in  certain  positions  is  converted  into  a  magnet. 

INDULTO.  The  duty  formerly  exacted  by  the  crown  of  Spain  upon 
colonial  commodities. 

INEQUALITY,  Secular.  A  small  irregularity  in  the  motions  of  planets, 
which  becomes  important  only  after  a  long  lapse  of  years.  The  great 
inequality  of  Jupiter  and  Saturn  is  a  variation  of  their  orbital  positions, 
caused  by  the  disturbing  action  of  one  planet  on  the  other. 

INERTIA  The  passive  principle  by  which  bodies  persist  in  a  state  of 
motion  or  rest,  and  resist  as  much  as  they  are  resisted.    {See  Yis  iNEBTiiE.) 

INFANTRY.  Foot  soldiers  of  the  regular  army;  so  called  throughout 
Europe  after  the  original  Spanish  '^  in&nteria,"  or  troops  of  the  infanta 
or  queen  of  Spain,  who  first  developed  on  a  large  scale  the  importance  of 
the  arm. 

INFERIOR  CONJUNCTION.  Mercury  or  Venus  is  said  to  be  in 
inferior  conjunction,  when  it  is  situated  in  the  same  longitude  as  the  sun, 
and  between  that  luminary  and  the  earth. 

INFERIOR  PLANETS.  This  name,  the  opposite  of  superior,  is  applied 
to  Mercury  and  Venus,  because  they  revolve  in  orbits  interior  to  the 
earth's  path. 

INFORMATION.  In  admiralty  courts,  implies  a  clause  introduced  into 
a  citation,  intimating  that  in  the  event  of  a  party  cited  not  appearing, 
the  court  will  proceed  in  his  absence. 

INGS.  An  old  word  said  to  be  left  here  by  the  Danes;  it  signifies  low 
grounds  or  springy  meadows  near  a  river,  or  creek,  liable  to  occasional 
overflowings. 

IN-H  AULER.  The  rope  used  for  hauling  in  the  clue  of  a  boom-sail,  or  jib- 
traveller:  it  is  the  reverse  of  out-hauier, 

INITIAL  VELOCITY.  The  velocity  of  a  projectile  at  the  moment  of 
discharge  from  a  gun. 

INJECTION-PIPE.     This  is  flxed  in  the  interior  of  a  marine  steam-engine, 

2C 


402  INLAND  SEA INSTRUMENT 

is  fitted  with  a  cock,  and  communicates  with  the  water  outside :  it  is  for 
the  purpose  of  playing  into  the '  condenser  while  the  engine  is  working, 
and  creating  a  vacuum. 

INLAND  SEA.  Mediterranean.  Implies  a  very  large  gulf  surrounded 
by  land,  except  at  the  communication  with  the  ocean,  as  the  Baltic,  Red, 
and  Mediterranean  Seas. 

INLAND  TRADE.'  That  which  is  wholly  managed  at  home,  and  the 
term  is  in  contradistinction  to  commerce.  In  China  it  is  applied  to 
canal-trade. 

INLET.  A  term  in  some  cases  synonymous  with  cove  and  creek  (which 
see),  in  contradistinction  to  outlet,  when  speaking  of  the  supply  and  dis- 
charge of  lakes  and  broad  waters,  or  an  opening  in  the  land,  forming  a 
passage  to  any  inclosed  water. 

INNER  AND  OUTER  TURNS.  Terms  applied  to  the  passing  of  the 
reef-earings,  besides  its  over  and  under  turns. 

INNER  JIB-STAY.  A  temporary  stay  lashed  half-way  in,  on  the  jib- 
boom;  it  sets  up  with  lashing-eyes  at  the  fore  topmast  head. 

INNER  POST,  OB  Inner  Stern-post.  The  post  on  which  the  transoms 
are  seated.  An  oak  timber  brought  on  and  fayed  at  the  fore-edge  of  the 
main-post,  and  generally  continued  as  high  as  the  wing-transom,  to  seat 
the  other  transoms  upon,  and  strengthen  the  whole.  (See  Stern-post.) 
It  applies  to  the  main  stern-post  in  steamers,  the  screw  acting  between 
it  and  the  outer,  on  which  the  rudder  is  hung. 

INNINGS.     Coast  lauds  recovered  from  the  sea  by  draining. 

INNIS.     An  old  Gaelic  term  for  an  island,  still  in  use. 

INQUIRY,  Court  op,  is  assembled  by  order  of  a  commanding  officer 
to  inquire  into  matters  of  an  intricate  nature,  for  his  information;  but 
has  no  power  of  adjudication  whatever:  but  too  like  the  Star  Chamber. 

INSHORK  The  opposite  of  offing. — Inshore  tack.  Standing  in  from 
seaward  when  working  to  windward  on  a  coast. 

INSHORED.     Come  to  shore. 

INSIDE  MUSTER-PAPER  A  description  of  paper  supplied  from  the 
dock-yards,  ruled  and  headed,  for  making  ships'  books. 

INSPECTION.  The  mode  of  working  up  the  dead-reckoning  by  computed 
nautical  tables.  Also,  a  general  examination  or  survey  of  all  parts  of  a 
sea  or  land  force  by  an  officer  of  competent  authority. 

INSTA  LMENT.     A  partial  payment. 

INSTANCE  COURT.  A  department  of  the  admiralty  court,  governed 
by  the  civil  law,  the  laws  of  Oleron,  and  the  customs  of  the  admiralty, 
modified  by  statute  law. 

INSTITUTION.  An  establishment  founded  partly  with  a  view  to  in- 
struction; as  the  Royal  United  Service  Institution  in  London. 

INSTRUCTIONS.    See  Printed  Instructions. 

INSTRUMENT.  A  term  of  extensive  application  among  tools  and  wea- 
pons; but  it  is  here  introduced  as  an  official  conveyance  of  some  rights  or 
the  record  of  some  fact 


INSUFFICIENCY INUNDATIONS  403 

INSUFFICIENCY  of  a  Merchantman's  Chew.  This  bars  the  owner's 
claim  on  the  sea- worthy  warrant.     (See  Incompetency.) 

INSURANCE.     See  Marine  Insurance. 

INSURED.     The  party  who  obtains  the  policy  and  pays  the  premium. 

INSURER     The  party  taking  the  risk  of  a  policy.     {See  Underwriters.) 

INTACT.     Unhurt;  undamaged. 

INTENSITY  OF  LIGHT.  The  degree  of  brightness  of  a  planet  or  comet, 
expressed  as  a  number  varying  with  the  distance  of  the  body  from  the 
sun  and  earth. 

INTERCALARY.  Any  |)eriod  of  time  interpolated  in  the  calendar  for 
the  purpose  of  accommodating  the  mode  of  reckoning  with  the  course  of 
the  sun. 

INTEREST  POLICY.    See  Policy. 

INTERLOPER  A  smuggling  or  forced  trade  vessel.  As  a  nautical 
phrase  it  was  generally  applied  to  the  ^letters  of  marque"  on  the  coasts 
of  South  America,  or  a  cruiser  off  her  admiral's  limits  (poaching). 

INTERMEDIATE  SHAFT.  In  a  steamer,  is  the  iron  crank  common  to 
both  engines. 

INTERNAL  CONTACT.  This,  in  a  transit  of  Mercury  or  Venus  across 
the  solar  disc,  occurs  when  the  planet  is  just  within  the  sun's  margin. 

INTERNAL  PLANKING.     This  is  termed  ceiling  of  the  ship. 

INTERNAL  SAFETY-VALVE.  A  valve  opening  from  the  outside  of  a 
steamer's  boiler,  in  order  to  allow  air  to  enter  the  boiler  when  the  pres- 
sure becomes  too  weak  within. 

INTERROGATORIES.  The  practice  in  the  prize  court  is,  on  the  break- 
ing out  of  a  war,  to  prepare  standing  commissions  for  the  examination  of 
witnesses,  to  which  certain  interrogatories  are  annexed;  to  these  the 
examination  is  confined.  Private  interrogatories  are  inadmissible  as 
evidence. 

INTERSECTION.     The  point  in  which  one  line  crosses  another. 

INTERTROPICAL.  The  space  included  between  the  tropics  on  each  side 
of  the  equator,  making  a  zone  of  nearly  47°. 

INTERVAL.  In  military  affairs,  the  lateral  space  between  works  or  bodies 
of  troops,  as  distinguished  from  distance,  which  is  the  depth  or  measure- 
ment in  a  direction  from  front  to  rear. 

IN  THE  WIND.  The  state  of  a  vessel  when  thrown  with  her  head  into 
the  wind,  but  not  quite  all  in  tJie  wind  (see  All).  It  is  figuratively 
used  for  being  nearly  intoxicated. 

INTRENCHMENT.  Any  work  made  to  fortify  a  post  against  an  enemy, 
but  usually  implying  a  ditch  or  trench,  with  a  parapet. 

INUNDATIONS.  In  ancient  I^ypt  officers  estimated  the  case  of  sufferers 
from  the  inundations  of  the  Nile.  The  changes  of  property  in  Bengal,  by 
alluvion,  are  equally  attended  to.  Inundation  is  also  a  method  of  imped- 
ing the  approach  of  an  enemy,  by  damming  up  the  course  of  a  brook  or 
river,  so  as  to  intercept  the  water,  and  set  the  neighbourhood  afloat.     In 

',    Sgjpt  the  plan  was  diametrically  opposite;  for  by  flooding  Lake  Mareotis, 


404  INVALID IRONS 

our  gun-boats  were  enabled  greatly  to  annoy  the  French  garrison  at 

Alexandria. 
INVALID.     A  maimed  or  sick  soldier  or  sailor. — To  invalid  is  to  cause 

to  retire  from  active  service  from  inability. 
INTER.     A  Graelic  name,  still  retained  in  Scotland,  for  the  mouth  of  a 

river. 
INVESTMENT.     The  first  process  of  a  siege,  in  taking  measures  to  seize 
^    all  the  avenues,  blocking  up  the  garrison,  and  preventing  reUef  getting 

into  the  place  before  the  arrival  of  the  main  army  with  the  siege-train. 
INVINCIBLE.     A  name  boastfully  appUed  both  to  naval  and  military 

forces,  which  have  nevertheless  been  utterly  vanquished. 
INVOICK     An  accoimt  from  a  merchant  to  his  factor,  containing  the 

particulai*s  and  prices  of  each  parcel  of  goods  in  the  cargo,  with  the 

amount  of  the  freight,  duties,  and  other  charges  thereon. 
INWARD.     The  opposite  of  oviward  (which  see). 
INWARD  CHARGES.     Pilotage  and  other  expenses  incurred  in  entering 

any  port. 
lODINK     A  substance  chiefly  obtained  from  kelp  or  sea-weed,  extensively 

employed  in  medicine  and  the  arts.     Its  vapour  has  a  beautiful  violet 

colour. 
IRIS  EARS.     A  name  applied  to  the  shells  of  the  Haliotis — a  univalve 

mollusc  found  clinging  like  limpets  to  rocks;  very  abundant  in  Guernsey. 
IRISH  HORSE.     Old  salt  beef:   hence  the  sailor's  address  to  his  salt 

beef — 

"  Salt  hone,  salt  hone,  what  brought  you  here? 
YouVe  carried  turf  for  many  a  year. 
From  Dublin  quay  to  Ballyack 
YouVe  carried  tuif  upon  your  back,'*  &c. 

IRISH  PENNANTS.  Rope-yams  hanging  about  on  the  rigging.  Loose 
reef-points  or  gaskets  flying  about,  or  fag-ends  of  ropes. 

IRON-BOUND.  A  coast  where  the  shores  are  composed  of  rocks  which 
mostly  rise  perpendicularly  from  the  sea,  and  have  no  anchojage  near  to 
them,  therefore  dangerous  for  vessels  to  borrow  upon. 

IRON-BOUND  BLOCKS.     Those  which  are  fitted  with  iron  strops. 

IRON-CLAD,  CASED,  COATED,  or  PLATED  VESSEL.  One  covered 
entirely,  or  in  special  parts,  with  iron  plates  intended  to  resist  ordinary 
missiles.  Where  parts  only  are  so  protected,  of  course  it  may  be  done 
more  effectually. 

IRON  GARTERS.     A  cant  word  for  bilboes,  or  fetters. 

IRON-HORSE.  The  iron  rail  of  the  head;  the  horse  of  the  fore-sheet  or 
boom-^heet  traveller. 

IRON-PLATED  SHIPS.    See  Armour-clad. 

IRONS.  A  ship  is  said  to  be  in  irons  when,  by  mismanagement,  she  is 
permitted  to  come  up  in  the  wind  and  lose  her  way;  so  that^  having 
no  steerage,  she  must  either  be  boxed  off  on  the  former  tack,  or  isM 
off  on  the  other;  for  she  will  not  cast  one  way  or  the  other,  without 


IBON-SICK ISTHMUS  405 

bracing  in  the  yards.     Also,  bilboes  (which  see).     Also,  the  tools  used  by 
the  caulkers  for  driving  oakum  into  the  seams.     {See  cUso  Boom-irons.) 

IRON-SICK.  The  condition  of  vessels  when  the  iron  work  becomes  loose 
in  the  timbers  from  corrosion  by  gallic  acid,  and  the  specks  or  sheathing 
nails  are  eaten  away  by  rust. 

IRON-SIDES.  Formerly  a  sobriquet  for  favourite  veteran  men-of-war, 
but  latterly  applied  to  iron  and  iron-clad  ships. 

IRON  WEDGES.  Tapered  iron  wedges  on  the  well-known  mechanical 
principle,  for  splitting  out  blocks  and  for  other  similar  purposes. 

IRON-WORK.  A  general  name  for  all  pieces  of  iron,  of  whatever  figure 
or  size,  which  are  used  in  the  construction  and  equipment  of  ships. 

IRREGULAR  BASTION.  One  whose  opposite  faces  or  flanks  do  not 
correspond;  this,  as  well  as  the  constant  irregularity  of  most  real  fortifi- 
cation, is  generally  the  result  of  the  local  features  of  the  neighbourhood. 

ISLAND.  May  be  simply  described  as  a  tract  of  land  entirely  sur- 
rounded with  water ;  but  the  whole  continuous  land  of  the  Old  World 
forms  one  island,  and  the  New  World  another;  while  canals  across  the 
isthmuses  of  Suez  and  Panama  would  make  each  into  two.  The  term 
properly  only  applies  to  smaller  portions  of  land;  and  Australia,  Mada- 
gascar, Borneo,  and  Britain  are  among  the  larger  examples.  Their 
materials  and  form  are  equally  various,  and  so  is  their  origin;  some 
having  evidently  been  upheaved  by  volcanic  eruption,  others  are  the 
result  of  accretion,  and  still  more  revealing  by  their  strata  that  they 
were  formerly  attached  to  a  neighbouring  land.  The  sudden  emergence 
of  Sabrina,  in  the  Atlantic,  has  occasioned  wonder  in  our  own  day.  So 
has  that  of  Graham's  Island,  near  the  south  coast  of  Sicily;  and  the 
Archipelago  is  daily  at  work. 

ISLAND  HLARBOUR.  That  which  is  protected  from  the  violence  of  the 
sea  by  one  or  more  islands  or  islets  screening  its  mouth. 

ISLAND  OF  ICE.  A  name  given  to  a  great  quantity  of  ice  collected 
into  one  solid  mass  and  floating  upon  the  sea;  they  are  often  met  with 
on  the  coasts  of  Spitzbergen,  to  the  great  danger  of  the  shipping  employed 
in  the  Greenland  fishery. 

ISLE     A  colloquial  abbreviation  of  island. 

ISLE  OF  WIGHT  PARSON.     A  cormorant. 

ISLET,  OR  IsLOT.  Smaller  than  an  island,  yet  larger  than  a  key;  an  in- 
sular spot  about  a  couple  of  miles  in  circuit. 

ISOSCELES.     A  triangle  with  only  two  of  its  sides  equal 

ISSUE.  The  act  of  dispensing  slops,  tobacco,  beds,  &c.,  to  the  ship's  com- 
pany; a  distribution. 

ISSUE-BOOK.  That  which  contains  the  record  of  issues  to  the  crew,  and 
the  charges  made  against  them. 

ISTHMUS.  A  narrow  neck  of  land  which  joins  a  peninsula  to  its  conti- 
nenty  or  two  islands  together,  or  two  peninsulas,  without  reference  to 
size.  The  Isthmus  of  Suez  alone  prevents  Africa  from  being  an  island, 
as  that  of  Darien  connects  the  two  Americas. 


406  lURRAM JACKET 

IIJRRAM.     A  Gaelic  word  eigmfying  a  boat-song;  intended  to  regulate 

the  strokes  of  the  oars.     Also,  a  song  sung  during  anj  kind  of  work. 
lYIGAR     A  name  in  our  northern  isles  for  the  sea-urchin,  Echinus 

marinua. 
IVORY   GULL,  OR  Snow-bird.      The  Laru8  efmmeua  of  Arctic  seas. 
It  has  a  yellowish  beak,  jet  black  legs,  and  plumage  of  a  dazzling  white. 


J. 

JAB,  To.     To  pierce  fish  bj  prodding. 

JAB  ART.     A  northern  term  for  a  fish  out  of  season. 

J  ABB.     A  peculiar  net  used  for  catching  the  fry  of  the  coal-fisL 

JACK.  In  the  British  navj  the  jack  is  a  small  union  flag,  formed  by 
the  intersection  of  Si  George's  and  St  Andrew's  crosses  (which  see), 
usually  displayed  from  a  staff  erected  on  the  outer  end  of  a  ship's  bow- 
sprit. In  merchant  ships  the  union  is  bordered  with  white  or  red.  {See 
Union- JACK.)  Also,  a  common  term  for  the  jack  or  cross-tree&  Also,  a 
young  male  pike,  Eaox  hiciua,  under  a  foot  in  length.  Also,  a  drinking 
vessel  of  half-pint  contents.  (See  Black-jack.) — Jack,  or  Jack  Ta^y  a 
familiar  term  for  a  sailor.  A  fore-mast  man  and  an  able  seaman.  It 
was  an  early  term  for  short  coats,  jackets,  and  a  sort  of  coat-of-mail  or 
defensive  lorica,  or  upper  garment. 

JACK  ADAMS.     A  stubborn  fool. 

JACK  AFLOAT.  A  sailor.  Euripides  used  almost  the  same  term  in 
floater,  for  a  seaman. 

JACKASSES.     Heavy  rough  boats  used  in  Newfoundland. 

JACKASS  PENGUIN.  A  bird,  apt  while  on  shore  to  throw  its  head 
backwards,  and  make  a  strange  noise,  somewhat  resembling  the  braying 
of  an  ass. 

JACK-BARREL.     A  minnow. 

JACK-BLOCK.  A  block  occasionally  attached  to  the  topgallant-tie^  and 
through  which  the  top-gallant  top-rope  is  rove,  to  sway  up  or  strike  the 
yard. 

JACK-BOOTS.  Large  coverings  for  the  feet  and  legs,  outside  all,  worn  by 
fishermen. 

JACK  CROSS-TREES.  Single  iron  cross-trees  at  the  head  of  long  top- 
gallant masts,  to  support  royal  and  skysail  masts. 

JACKEE  JA     A  Greenland  canoe. 

JACKET.  A  doublet;  any  kind  of  outor  coat. — Cork  jacket,  is  lined  with 
cork  in  pieces,  in  order  to  give  it  buoyancy,  and  yet  a  degree  of  flexi- 
bility, that  the  activity  of  the  wearer  may  not  be  impeded  in  swimming. 


JACKETS JACK-STAFF  407 

JACKETS.     Tlie  casings  of  the  passages  bj  which  steam  is  delivered  into 

the  cylinders  of  steam-engines.     They  are  non-conductors  of  heat  to  check 

its  escape. 
JACKETTING.     A  starting,  or  infliction  of  the  rope's-end. 
JACK-HEKN.     A  name  on  our  southern  coasts  for  the  heron. 
JACKING.     Taking  the  skin  off  a  seal. 
JACK  IN  OFFICE.     An  insolent  fellow  in  authority. 
JACK  IN  THE  BASKET.     A  sort  of  wooden  cap  or  basket  on  the  top 

of  a  pole,  to  mark  a  sand-bank  or  hidden  danger. 
JACK  IN  THE  BOX.      A   very  handy  engine,  consisting  of  a  laige 

wooden  male  screw  turning  in  a  female  one,  which  forms  the  upper  part 

of  a  strong  wooden  box,  shaped  like  the  frustum  of  a  pjrramid.     It  is 

used  by  means  of  levers  passing  through  holes  in  it  as  a  press  in  packing, 

and  for  other  purposes. 
JACK  IN  THE  BREAD-ROOM,  or  Jack  in  the  Dust.     The  purser's 

steward's  assistant  in  the  bread  and  steward's  room. 
JACK-KNIFK      A  hom-haudled  clasp-knife  with  a  laniard,  worn  by 

seamen.  • 

JACKMAN.     A  musketeer  of  former  times,  wearing  a  short  mail  jack  or 

jacket. 
JACK  NASTY-FACE.     A  cook's  assistant 
JACK  OF  DOVER.     An  old  sea-dish,  the  composition  of  which  is  now 

lost     Chaucer's  host  in  rallying  the  cook  exclaims, 

"And  many  a  Jack  of  Dover  hast  thon  lold, 
That  hath  been  twies  hot  and  twies  cold.'* 

JACK  O'  LANTERN.  The  corpo  santo,  or  St  Elmo's  light,  is  some- 
times so  called. 

JACK-PINS.     A  name  applied  to  the  fife-rail  pins,  also  called  Tack8p%n$. 

JACK  ROBINSON. — Be/ore  you  could  nay  Jack  Bobinson,  is  a  very  old 

expression  for  a  short  time, — 

"A  wai'ke  it  ys  as  easie  to  be  doone, 
Ab  tys  to  saye  Jacke  Robyson." 

JACK'S  ALIVE.     A  once  popular  sea-port  dance. 

JACK-SCREW.  A  small  machine  used  to  cant  or  lifl  weighty  substances, 
and  in  stowing  cotton  or  other  elastic  goods.  It  consists  of  a  wooden 
frame  containing  cogged  iron  wheels  of  increasing  powers.  The  outer  one, 
which  moves  the  rest,  is  put  in  motion  by  a  winch  on  the  outside,  and  is 
called  either  single  or  double,  according  to  its  increasing  force.  The 
pinions  act  upon  an  iron  bar  called  the  spear. 

JACK-SHARK.     A  common  sobriquet  of  the  Squahis  triba 

JACK-SHARP.  A  small  fresh-water  fish,  otherwise  known  as  prickly- 
back. 

JACK'S  QUARTER-DECK  The  deck  elevation  forward  in  some  vessels, 
often  called  a  top-gallant  forecastla 

JACK-STAFF.  A  short  staff  raised  at  the  bowsprit-cap,  upon  which  the 
union -jack  is  hoisted. 


408  JACK-STAYS JANGAB 

JACK-STAYS.  Ropes,  battens,  or  iron  bars  placed  on  a  yard  or  spar  and 
set  taut^  eitber  for  bending  tbe  bead  of  a  sail  to,  or  acting  as  a  traveller. 
Frequently  resorted  to  for  the  staystails,  square-sail  yard,  &c 

JACOB'S  LADD^IB.  Tbe  assemblage  of  sbakes  and  sbort  fractures, 
rising  one  above  another,  in  a  defective  single-tree  spar.  Also,  short 
ladders  made  with  wooden  steps  and  rope  sides  for  ascending  the  rigging. 

JACOB'S  STAFF,  or  Cboss-staff.  A  mathematical  instrument  to  take 
altitudes,  consisting  of  a  brass  circle,  divided  into  four  equal  parts  by  two 
lines  cutting  each  other  in  the  centre;  at  each  extremity  of  either  line  is 
fixed  a  sight  perpendicularly  over  the  lines,  with  holes  below  each  slit 
for  the  better  discovery  of  distant  objects.  The  cross  is  mounted  on  a 
staff  or  stand  for  use.     Sometimes,  instead  of  four  sights,  there  are  eight. 

JACULATOR.  A  fish  whose  chief  sustenance  is  flies,  which  it  secures  by 
shooting  a  drop  of  water  at  them  from  its  mouth. 

JAG,  To.  To  notch  an  edge  irregularly. — Jagged,  a  term  applied  to  denti- 
culated edges,  as  in  jagged  bolts  to  prevent  their  coming  out. 

JAGARA,  OR  JooGAREE.     A  coarse  brown  sugar  of  India. 

JAGS.     Splinters  to  a  shot-hola 

JAIL-BIRD.  One  who  has  been  confined  in  prison,  from  the  old  term  of 
cage  for  a  prison;  a  felon  absurdly  (and  injuriously  to  the  country)  sen- 
tenced to  serve  in  the  navy. 

J  A  LIAS.     Small  craft  on  the  Arracan  and  Pegu  coasts. 

JAM,  To.  Anything  being  confined,  so  that  it  cannot  be  freed  without 
trouble  and  force;  the  term  is  also  applied  to  the  act  of  confining  it.  To 
squeeze,  to  wedge,  to  press  against.     (See  Jambing.) 

JAMAICA  DISCIPLINE.  The  buccaneer  regulations  respecting  prize 
shares,  insisting  that  all  prizes  be  divided  among  the  captors. 

JAMBEAXJX.     Armour  to  protect  the  legs. 

JAMBING,  OR  Jamming.  The  act  of  inclosing  any  object  between  two 
bodies,  so  as  to  render  it  immovable  while  they  continue  in  that  position; 
usually  applied  to  a  running  rope,  when,  from  pressure,  it  cannot  travel 
in  the  blocks;  the  opposite  of  rendering  (which  see). 

JAMBS.  Door-posts  in  general;  but  in  particular  thick  broad  pieces  of 
oak,  fixed  up  endways,  between  which  the  lights  of  the  powder  magazine 
are  fitted. 

JAMMED  IN  A  CLINCH.  The  same  as  hard  up  in  a  clinch  (which 
see). — Jammed  in  a  clinch  like  Jackson,  involved  in  difficulty  of  a 
secondary  degree,  as  when  Jackson,  afler  feeding  for  a  week  in  the 
bread-room,  could  not  escape  through  the  scuttle. 

JANGADA.  A  sort  of  fishing  float,  or  rather  rafl,  composed  of  three  or 
four  long  pieces  of  wood  lashed  together,  used  on  the  coasts  of  Peru  and 
Brazil.  The  owner  is  called  a  jangadevra,  but  the  term  is  evidently  an 
application  ofjergado  (which  see). 

JANGAR.  A  kind  of  pontoon  constructed  of  two  boats  with  a  platform 
laid  across  them,  used  by  the  natives  in  the  East  Indies  to  convey 
horses,  cattle,  &c.,  across  rivers. 


JANISSARY JELLY-FISH  409 

JANISSARY.  A  term  derived  from  jeni  eheri,  meaning  new  aoldiera^  in 
the  Turkish  service. 

JANTOOK,  OR  Chuntock.  A  Chinese  officer  with  vice-r^al  powers: 
he  of  Canton  was  called  John  Tuck  by  onr  seamen. 

JANTY,  OR  Jaunty.    A  vessel  in  showy  condition;  dressed  in  flags. 

JAPANESE  WHALE-BOAT.  A  long,  open,  and  sharp  rowing-boat  of 
Japan. 

JAUGANEE.  A  Manx  term  for  small  worms  on  the  sea-shore,  and  used 
as  bait. 

JARRING.  The  vibrations  and  tremblings  occasioned  in  some  steam- 
vessels  by  the  machinery. 

JAVA  POT.     A  kind  of  sponge  of  the  species  Alcyonum, 

JAYELS.  An  old  term  for  dirty,  idle  fellows,  wandering  about  quays  and 
docks. 

JAW.  The  inner,  hollowed,  semicircular  end  of  a  gaff  or  boom,  which 
presses  against  the  mast;  the  points  of  the  jaw  are  called  horns.  Also, 
coarse  and  often  petulant  loquacity. — Long-jawed  applies  to  a  rope  or 
cable,  when  by  great  strain  it  untwists,  and  exhibits  one  revolution  where 
four  were  before;  similar  to  long  and  short  threads  of  the  screw. 

JAW-BREAKERS.     Hard  and  infrequent  words. 

JA WING-TACKS.  When  a  person  speaks  with  vociferous  fluency,  he  ia 
said  to  have  hauled  his  jawing-tacks  on  board. 

JAW-ME-DOWN.     An  arrogant^  overbearing,  and  unsound  loud  arguer. 

JAW  OF  A  BLOCK.     The  space  in  the  shell  where  the  sheave  revolves. 

JAW-ROPK  A  line  attached  to  the  horns  of  the  jaws  to  prevent  the  gaff 
from  coming  off  the  mast  It  is  usually  furnished  with  bull's  eyes  (per- 
forated balls)  to  make  it  shift  easily  up  or  down  the  mast. 

J  A  YLS.     The  cracks  and  Assures  of  timber  in  seasoning. 

JEER-BITTS.     Those  to  which  the  jeers  are  fastened  and  belayed. 

JEER-BLOCKS.  Are  twofold  or  threefold  blocks,  through  which  the  jeer- 
falls  are  rove,  and  applied  to  hoist^  suspend,  or  lower  the  main  and  fore 
yards. 

JEER-CAPSTAN.  One  placed  between  the  fore  and  main  masts,  serv- 
ing to  stretch  a  rope,  heave  upon  the  jeers,  and  take  the  viol  to.  Yery 
seldom  used.  It  is  indeed  deemed  the  spare  capstan,  and  is  frequently 
housed  in  by  sheep-pens  and  fowl-racks. 

JEERS.  Answer  the  same  purpose  to  the  mainsail,  foresail,  and  mizen,  as 
halliards  do  to  all  inferior  sails.  The  tye,  a  sort  of  runner,  or  thick  rope, 
is  the  upper  part  of  the  jeers.  Also,  an  assemblage  of  strong  tackles  by 
which  the  lower  yards  are  hoisted  up  along  the  mast,  or  lowered  down,  as 
occasion  requires;  the  former  of  which  operations  is  called  swaying,  and 
the  latter  striking  (both  of  which  see). 

JEFFERY*S  GLUE.    See  Marine  Glue. 

JELB  A     A  large  coasting-boat  of  the  Red  Sea. 

JELLY-FISH.  A  common  name  for  the  Medv^cSy  soft  gelatinous  marine 
animals,  belonging  to  the  class  AcaHephae, 


410  JEMMY JIB 

JEMMT.  A  finical  fellow  in  the  usaal  sense,  bat  adopted  as  a  nautical 
term  bj  the  mutineers  of  '97,  to  express  the  no6«,  or  heads  of  officers. 
Also,  a  handy  crow-bar  or  lever. 

J£MMY  DUCKS.  The  ship's  poulterer.  A  sobriquet  which  has  uni- 
versally obtained  in  a  man-of-war. 

JERBR     See  Jelba. 

JEKGADO,  OB  GiNOADO.     An  early  term  for  a  light  skiff  (circa  1550). 

JERK.  A  sudden  snatch  or  drawing  pull;  particularly  applied  to  that 
given  to  the  trigger  of  a  lock.     {See  Saccadb.) 

JERKED  BEEF.  Charqui  Meat  cured  by  drying  in  the  open  air,  with 
or  without  salt     Also,  the  name  of  an  American  coin. 

JERKIN.     An  old  name  for  a  coatee,  or  skirted  jacket 

JERKING.     A  quick  break  in  a  heavy  roll  of  the  sea. 

JEROMR     A  trading  vessel  of  Egypt 

JERQUER.  A  customs  officer,  whose  duty  is  to  examine  the  landwaiters* 
books,  and  check  them. 

JERQUING  A  VESSEL.  A  search  performed  by  the  jerquer  of  the 
customs,  after  a  vessel  is  unloaded,  to  see  that  no  unentered  goods  have 
been  concealed. 

JERSEY.  Fine  wool,  formerly  called  geamsey,  ganzee,  or  guernsey. 
— Jersey /rocks,  woollen  frocks  supplied  to  seamen. 

JETSAM,  OR  Jetson.  In  legal  parlance,  is  the  place  where  goods  thrown 
overboard  sink,  and  remain  under  water.     Also,  the  goods  cast  into  the  sea. 

JETTISON,  OR  Jetsek.  The  act  of  throwing  goods  overboard  <to  lighten  a 
ship  in  stress  of  weather.     The  loss  forms  a  subject  for  general  average. 

JETTT,  Jettee,  or  Jutty.  A  name  given  in  the  royal  dockyards  to 
that  part  of  a  wharf  which  projects  beyond  the  rest^  but  more  particularly 
the  front  of  a  wharf,  the  side  of  which  forms  one  of  the  cheeks  of  a  dry 
or  wet  dock.  Such  a  projection,  whether  of  wood  or  stone,  from  the 
outer  end  of  a  whar^  is  called  a  jeUy-liead, 

JEW-BALANCE.  A  Mediterranean  name  of  the  Zygcena  malleus,  or 
hammer-headed  shark. 

JEWEL.  The  starting  of  a  wooden  bridge.  Also,  the  pivot  of  a  watch- 
wheeL 

JEWEL-BLOCKS.  Are  attached  to  eye-bolts  on  those  yards  where 
studding-sails  are  hoisted,  and  carry  these  sails  to  the  extreme  ends  of  the 
yards.  When  these  jewel-blocks  are  removed,  it  is  understood  that  there 
is  no  intention  to  proceed  to  sea,  and  vice  versa.  The  halliards,  by  which 
the  studding-sails  are  hoisted,  are  passed  through  the  jewel-block,  whence, 
communicating  with  a  block  on  the  several  mast-heads,  they  lead  down- 
wards to  the  top  or  decks,  where  they  may  be  conveniently  hoisted. 
{See  Sail.) 

JEWELa    See  Jocalia. 

JEWS-HARP.     The  shackle  for  joining  a  chain-cable  to  the  anchor-ring. 

JIB.  A  large  triangular  sail,  set  on  a  stay,  forward.  It  extends  from  the 
outer  end  of  the  jib-boom  towards  the  fore  top-mast  head;  in  cutters  and 


JIB JIB-TRAVBLLKE  411 

sloops  it  is  on  the  bowsprit,  and  extends  towards  the  lower  mast-head. 
{See  Sail.)  The  jib  is  a  sail  of  great  command  with  anj  side  wind,  in 
turning  her  head  to  leeward.  There  are  other  jibs,  as  inner  jib,  standing- 
jib,  fljing-jib,  spindle-jib,  jib  of  jibs,  jib-topsails,  &c — Jib  is  also  used  for 
the  expression  of  the  face,  as  the  cut  of  his  jib.  Also,  the  arm  of  a  crane. 
— To  jiby  is  when,  before  the  wind,  the  sail  takes  over  to  the  opposite 
quarter;  dangerous  in  strong  breezes.  {See  Gybe.) — Clear  away  the  jiJbl 
The  order  to  loose  it,  preparatory  to  its  being  set. — Flying-jib,  A  sail 
set  upon  the  flying  jib-boom. — Middle  or  inner  jib,  A  sail  sometimes 
set  on  a  stay  secured  to  the  middle  of  the  jib-boom. 

JIB  AND  STAYSAIL  JACK.  A  designation  of  inexperienced  officers, 
who  are  troublesome  to  the  watch  by  constantly  calling  it  unnecessarily 
to  trim,  make,  or  shorten  sail. 

JIBBER  THE  KIBBER.  A  cant  term  for  a  diabolical  trick  for  decoying 
vessels  on  shore  for  plunder,  by  tjring  a  lantern  to  a  horse's  neck,  one  of 
whose  legs  is  checked;  so  that  at  night  the  motion  has  somewhat  the 
appearance  of  a  ship's  light. — Jib  or  jibber  means  a  horse  that  starts  or 
shrinks;  and  Shakspeare  uses  it  in  the  sense  of  a  worn-out  horse. 

JIB-BOOM.  A  continuation  of  the  bowsprit  forward,  being  a  spar  run 
out  from  the  extremity  in  a  similar  manner  to  a  topmast  on  a  lower- 
mast,  and  serving  to  extend  the  foot  of  the  jib  and  the  stay  of  the  fore- 
top-gallant  mast,  the  tack  of  the  jib  being  lashed  to  it.  It  is  usually 
attached  to  the  bowsprit  by  means  of  the  cap  and  the  saddle,  where  a 
strong  lashing  conflues  it — Flying  jib-boom,  A  boom  extended  beyond 
the  preceding,  to  which  it  is  secured  by  a  boom-iron  and  heel-lashing;  to 
the  outer  end  of  this  boom  the  tack  of  the  flying-jib  is  hauled  out,  and 
the  fore-royal-stay  passes  through  it. 

JIB-FORESAIL.     In  cutters,  schooners,  <&c.,  it  is  the  stay -foresail 

JIB-GUYS.  Stout  ropes  which  act  as  backstays  do  to  a  mast,  by  support- 
ing the  jib-boom  against  the  pressure  of  its  sidl  and  the  ship's  motion. 

JIBING,  OR  Gybing.  A  corruption  of  jibbing.  The  act  of  shifting  over 
the  boom  of  a  fore^ind-aft  sail  from  one  side  of  the  vessel  to  the  other. 
By  a  boom-sail  is  meant  any  sail  the  bottom  of  which  is  extended  by  a 
boom,  which  has  its  fore-end  jawed  or  hooked  to  its  respective  mast,  so 

.  as  to  swing  occasionally  on  either  side  of  the  vessel,  describing  an  aix;,  of 
which  the  mast  will  be  the  centre.  As  the  wind  or  the  course  changes, 
the  boom  and  its  saU  are  jibed  to  the  other  side  of  the  vessel,  as  a  door 
turns  on  its  hinges. 

JIB  OF  JIBS.  A  sixth  jib  on  the  bowsprit,  only  known  to  flying-kite- 
men:  the  sequence  being — storm,  inner,  outer,  flying,  spindle,  jib  of  jibs. 

JIBtSTAY.     The  stay  on  which  the  jib  is  set. 

JIB-TOPSAIL.  A  light  sail  set  on  the  topmost  stay  of  a  fore-and-aft 
rigged  vesseL 

JIB-TRAYELLER.  An  iron  ring  fitted  to  run  out  and  in  on  the  jib- 
boom,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  outwards  or  inwards  the  tack,  or 
the  outer  corner  of  the  sail;  to  this  traveller  the  jib-guys  are  lashed. 


412  JIB-T7B JOB  CAPTAIN 

JIB-TYE.  A  rope  rore  tbitnigh  a  sheave  or  block  on  the  fore-topmast 
head,  for  hoisting  the  jib. 

JIFFY.  A  short  space  of  time^  a  momenta  Tn  a  jii9^/'  in  an  instant; 
equivalent  with  crack,  trice,  tc 

JIG.     The  weight  furnished  with  hooka^  used  in  jigging  (whicb  see): 

JI€(GAMARE£.  A  mongrel  makeshift  manoeuvre.  Any  absurd  attempt 
to  substitute  a  bad  contrivance  for  what  the  custom  of  the  sea  may  be. 

JIGrGER.  A  light  tackle  used  to  hold  on  the  cable  when  it  is  heaved  into 
the  ship.  (See  HoLDnro  oh.)  Also,  a  small  sail  rigged  out  on  a  mast  and 
boom  from  the  stem  of  a  cutter,  boat,  tc — Fleet-jigger,  A  term  used  by 
the  man  who  holds  on  the  jigger,  when  by  its  distance  from  the  windlass 
it  becomes  necessary  to  fleets  or  replace  it  in  a  proper  state  for  action. 
When  the  man  gives  the  above  notice,  another  at  the  windlaas  imme- 
diately fixes  his  handspike  between  the  deck  and  the  cable,  so  as  to  jam 
the  latter  to  the  windlass,  and  prevent  it  from  running  out  till  the  jigger 
is  replaced  on  the  cable  near  the  windlass. 

JIGGER,  Chiobe.  A  very  teazing  sand-flea,  which  penetrates  and  breeds 
under  the  skin  of  the  feet^  but  particularly  at  the  toes.  It  must  be  re- 
moved, or  it  occasions  dreadful  sores.  The  operation  is  effected  by  a 
needle;  but  the  sac  which  contains  the  brood  must  not  be  broken,  or 
the  whole  foot  would  be  infected,  if  any  remained  in  it 

JIGGERED-UP.     Done  up;  tired  out 

JIGGER-MAST.  In  large  vessels  it  is  an  additional  aftermost  mast;  thus 
any  sail  set  on  the  ensign-staff  would  be  a  jigger. 

JIGrGER-TACEXE.  A  small  tackle  consisting  of  a  double  and  a  single 
block,  and  used  by  seamen  on  sundry  occasions  about  the  decks  or  aloft. 

JIGGING.  A  mode  of  catching  fish  by  dropping  a  weighted  line  with 
several  hooks  set  back  to  back  amongst  them,  and  jerking  it  suddenly 
upwards ;  the  weight  is  frequently  cast  in  the  form  of  a  small  fish.  Also, 
short  pulls  at  a  tackle  &1L 

JILALO.     A  large  passage-boat  of  Manilla,  fitted  with  outriggers. 

JILL.  A  fourth  part  of  a  pint  measure;  a  seaman's  daily  allowance  of 
rum,  which  formerly  was  half  a  pint. 

JIMMAL,  OR  JiMBLE.    See  Gimbal. 

JINGAL.  A  kind  of  long  heavy  musket  supported  about  the  centre  of  its 
length  on  a  pivot,  carrying  a  ball  of  from  a  quarter  to  half  a  pound,  and 
generally  fired  by  a  matchlock;  much  used  in  China  and  the  Indias. 
It  is  charged  by  a  separate  chamber,  dropped  into  the  breech  and  keyed. 

JINNY-SPINNER     One  of  the  names  for  the  cockroach. 

JIRK,  To.  To  cut  or  score  the  flesh  of  the  wild  hog  on  the  inner  surfiice, 
as  practised  by  the  Maroons.  It  is  then  smoked  and  otherwise  prepared 
in  a  manner  that  gives  the  meat  a  fine  flavour. 

JOB.     A  stipulated  work 

JOBATION.     A  private  but  severe  lecture  and  reprimand. 

JOB  CAPTAIN.  One  who  gets  a  temporary  appointment  to  a  ship,  whose 
regular  commander  is  a  member  of  parliament,  kc 


JOB-WATCH JONATHAN  413 

JOB-WATCH,  OR  Hack-watch,  for  taking  astronomical  aightg,  which 

saves  taking  the  chronometer  on  deck  or  on  shore  to  note  the  time. 
JOCALIA.     An  Anglo-Norman  law-term  signifying  jewels,  which,  with 

gold  and  silyer,  were  exempted  in  our  smuggling  enactments. 
JOCKS.     Scotch  seamen. 
JOG.     The  shoulder  or  step  of  the  rudder. 
JOGGING.     A  protuberance  on  the  surface  of  sawn  wood. 
JOGGLE.     The  cubic  joints  of  stones  on  piers,  quays,  and  docks.     Also, 

notches  at  the  ends  of  paddle-beam  iron-knees  outside,  to  act  as  a  stop  to 

the  diagonal  iron-stay,  which  is  extended  between   the  arms  of  each 

knee.     {See  Juglel) 
JOG-THE-LOO I     A  command  in  small  vessels  to  work  the  pump-brake, 

or  to  pump  briskly. 
JOHN.     A  name  given  to  dried  fish.     {See  Poor  John.) 
JOHN  BULL.     The  origin  of  this  nickname  is  traced  to  a  satire  written 

in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  by  Dr.  Arbuthnot^  to  throw  ridicule  on  the 

politics  of  the  Spanish  succession. 
JOHN  COMPANY.     The  former  board  of  directors  for  East  India  afiairs. 
JOHN  DORY.     A  corruption  of  jaune  dori^  which  is  the  colour  of  this 

fish.     It  is  one  of  the  Scomberidie,  Zem  faher,    John  Dory  was  also  the 

name  of  a  celebrated  French  pirate. 
JOHNNY  RAW,  or  Johnny  Newcome.     An  inexperienced  youngster 

commencing  his  career;  also  applied  to  landsmen  in  general     {See  Raw.) 
JOHNNY  SHARK.     A  common  sobriquet  of  the  Squalus  tribe. 
JOHN-O'-GROAT'S  BUCKIE.     A  northern  name  for  the  Cypnxa  pedi- 

ciUiAS,  a  small  shell  found  on  our  searcoasts. 
JOHN  TUCK.    The  galley  corruption  of  chcmtuckf  or  jantookj  a  Chinese 

viceroy,  specially  meaning  the  viceroy  of  Canton. 
JOIN,  To.     To  repair  to  a  ship,  and  personally  to  enter  on  an  official 

position  on  board  her.     So  also  the  junction  of  one  or  more  ships  with 

each  other. 
JOINER.     One  who  is  a  cabinet-maker,  and  performs  neat  work  as  cap- 
tain's joiner. 
JOINT.     The  place  where  any  two  pieces  of  timber  or  plank  are  united 

It  is  also  used  to  express  the  lines  which  are  laid  down  in  the  mould-loft 

for  shaping  the  timbers. 
JOLLY.     This  term  is  usually  applied  to  a  comely  and  corpulent  person, 

but  afloat  it  is  a  familiar  name  for  a  soldier. — Tame  jolly,  a  militiaman; 

royal  joUy,  a  marine. 
JOLLY-BOAT.     A  smaller  boat  than  the  cutter,  but  likewise  clincher- 
built     It  is  generally  a  hack  boat  for  small  work,  being  about  4  feet 

beam  to  12  feet  length,  with  a  bluff  bow  and  very  wide  transom;  a  kind 

of  washing-tub.     {See  Gellywatte  and  Cutter.) 
JOLLY  JUMPERS.     Sails  above  the  moon-rakers. 
JOLLY  ROGER     A  pirate's  flag;  a  white  skuU  in  a  black  field. 
JONATHAN.     A  name  often  applied  to  Americans  in  general,  but  really 


4]  4  JONK — JUMP-jonrrED 

appropriate  to  the  Qnakera  in  America,  being  a  oomptioo  of  John 

Nathan. 

JONK.    See  Juotl 

JORUM,  OF  Gboo,  &a     A  foil  bowl  or  jog. 

JOURNAL.  Synonjnious  at  sea  with  log-hook;  it  is  a  daily  register  of 
the  ship's  cotmse  and  distance,  the  winds  and  weather,  and  a  general 
account  of  whatever  is  of  importance.  In  searjoumals,  the  day,  or  twenty- 
four  hours,  used  to  terminate  at  noon,  because  the  ship's  position  is  then 
generally  determined  by  observation;  but  the  shore  account  of  time  is 
now  adopted  afloat.  In  machinery,  journal  is  the  bearing  part  of  a 
shaft,  upon  which  it  rests  on  its  Y's  or  bearingSL 

JOURNEY-WORK.     Work  performed  by  the  day. 

JO VI ALL.     Relating  to  the  system  of  the  planet  Jupiter. 

JOY  1  CENTRIC.     As  seen  from,  or  having  relation  to,  the  centre  of  Jupiter. 

JOWDER.     A  term  on  our  western  coasts  to  denote  a  retaU  dealer  in  fish. 

JOWL  The  head  of  a  fish.  (Also,  see  ^U)CK.)^Cheek  by  jowL  Close 
together. 

JUAN-MOO AR     The  Manx  and  Erse  term  for  the  bkck-backed  guIL 

JUBALTARK     The  early  English  word  for  Gibraltar. 

JUDGE-ADYOCATE  op  the  Fleet,  or  to  the  Forces.  A  1^  officer 
whose  duty  it  is  to  investigate  offences  previous  to  determining  on 
sending  them  before  a  court-martial,  and  then  to  report  on  the  sentence 
awarded.  He  has  civil  deputies  in  Gr^t  Britain;  but  officers  (generally 
secretaries  to  admirals,  or  pursers)  are  appointed  by  the  courts  abroad. 

JUDGE-ADYOCATE,  DEPUTY.  An  officer  appointed  to  assist  the 
court  upon  some  general  courts-martial  for  the  trial  of  officers,  seamen, 
and  marines,  accused  of  a  breach  of  the  articles  of  war. 

JUDGMENT.  In  prize  matters,  the  sentences  of  foreign  courts,  even 
though  such  decisions  be  manifestly  unjust^  are  conclusive  in  ours  by 
comity.     The  tribunals  of  France  are  not  so  complacenL 

JUFFER     See  Upheb. 

JUGGLE-MEER.     A  west-country  word  for  a  coast  quagmire. 

JUGLEy  OR  JoGGLK  In  ship-building,  a  notch  in  the  edge  of  a  plank  to 
admit  the  narrow  butt  of  another,  as  of  the  narrow  end  of  a  steeling- 
strake. 

JULIAN  PERIOD.  A  period  of  7980  years,  dating  from  aa  4713; 
being  the  product  of  the  numbers  15,  19,  and  28  multiplied  into  each 
other,  they  being  respectively  the  lengths,  in  Julian  years,  of  the  Indic- 
tion,  Metonic  Cycle,  and  Solar  Cycle.  The  Julian  year  was  a  period  of 
365}  days,  which  was  adopted  as  the  length  of  the  year  after  the  reforma- 
tion of  the  calendar  bv  Julius  Csesar. 

JULIO.     An  Italian  coin,  worth  about  sixpence. 

JUMPERS.  The  short  external  duck-frock  worn  by  sail-makers^  artificers, 
riggers,  Ac.,  to  preserve  the  clothing  beneath. . 

JUMP-JOINTED.  When  the  plates  of  an  iron  vessd  are  flush,  as  in  those 
that  are  carvel-buOt 


JUNCO JURY-EUDDBE  41 5 

JUNCO.    See  Purr. 

JUNGADA.  A  balza,  or  simple  kind  of  rafb,  of  several  logs  of  wood,  fitted 
with  a  tilt,  and  used  on  the  coasts  of  Peru.  It  has  a  mast  and  sails, 
and  by  means  of  a  rudder,  not  unlike  a  sliding  keel  in  principle,  is 
capable  of  working  to  windward.     (See  Guara.) 

JUNGLE.  A  wilderness  of  wood;  in  Bengal  the  word  is  also  applied  to  a 
tract  covered  with  long  grass,  which  grows  to  an  extraordinary  height. 
Jungles  are  dreaded  for  the  fevers  they  engender. 

JUNK.  The  Chinese  junk  is  the  largest  vessel  built  by  that  nation,  and 
at  one  period  exceeding  in  tonnage  any  war-vessels  then  possessed  by 
England.  The  extreme  beam  is  one-third  from  the  stem;  it  shows  no 
stem,  it  being  chamfered  off.  The  bow  on  deck  is  square,  over  which 
the  anchors  slide  fore  and  aft.  Having  no  keel,  and  being  very  full  at 
the  stem,  a  huge  rudder  is  suspended,  which  at  sea  is  lowered  below  the 
depth  of  the  bottom.  The  masts  are  immense,  in  one  piece.  The  cane 
sails  are  lug  and  heavy.  The  hull  is  divided  into  water-tight  compart- 
ments, like  tanka — Junk  is  also  any  remnants  or  pieces  of  old  cable,  or 
condemned  rope,  cut  into  small  portions  for  the  purpose  of  making  points, 
mats,  stoabs,  gaskets,  sinnot,  oakum,  and  the  like  (which  see).  Abo,  a 
dense  cellular  tissue  in  the  head  of  the  sperm-whale,  infiltrated  with 
spermaceti.  Also,  salt  beef,  as  tough  to  the  teeth  as  bits  of  rope,  whence 
the  epithet 

JUNKET.  A  long  basket  for  catching  fisL — Junketting,  good  cheer  and 
hearty  jollification.  . 

JUPITER.  The  longest  known  of  the  superior  planets,  and  the  largest  in 
the  solar  system;  it  is  accompanied  by  four  satellites. 

JURATORY  CAUTION.  A  process  in  the  instance  court  of  the 
admiralty,  to  which  a  party  is  discretionally  admitted  on  making  oath 
that  he  is  unable  to  find  sureties. 

JUREBASSO.  A  rating  in  former  times  given  to  a  handy  man,  who 
was- partly  interpreter  and  partly  purchaser  of  stock. 

JURISDICTION.  Right,  power,  or  authority  which  magistrates  or 
courts  have  to  administer  justice. — Within  jurisdiction  of  civil  powers, 
as  regards  naval  matters,  is  within  a  line  drawn  from  headland  to  head- 
land in  sight  of  each  other,  and  forming  part  of  the  same  county.  The 
admiralty  jurisdiction  is  confined  to  three  miles  from  the  coast  in  civil 
matters,  but  exists  wherever  the  flag  flies  at  sea  in  criminal. 

JURY-MAST.  A  temporary  or  occasional  mast  erected  iu  a  ship  in  the 
place  of  one  which  has  been  canied  away  in  a  gale,  battle,  (be.  Jury- 
masts  are  sometimes  erected  in  a  new  ship  to  navigate  her  down  a  river, 
or  to  a  neighbouring  port^  where  her  proper  masts  are  prepared  for  her. 
Such  jury-masts  are  simply  less  in  dimension  for  a  light-trimmed  vessel; 
as  a  frigate  would  have  a  brig's  spars. 

J  [TRY-RUDDER.  A  contrivance,  of  which  there  are  several  kinds,  for 
supplying  a  vessel  with  the  means  of  steering  when  an  accident  has  be- 
fallen the  rudder. 


416  Jra  PISCANDI KAYAK 

JUS  PISCANDL     The  right  of  fishing. 

JUWAUR.     The  spdng-flood  of  the  Ganges  and  adjacent  rivera 


K. 

KAAG.     A  Manx  or  Gaelic  term  for  a  forelock,  stopper,  or  linch-pin. 
KABBELOW.     Codfish  which  has  been  salted  and  hung  for  a  few  days, 

but  not  thoroughly  dried.     Also,  a  dish  of  cod  mashed. 
KABOZIR.     A  chief  or  governor  on  the  African  coast 
KABURNS.     The  old  name  for  nippers. 
KAFILA.     A  well-known  Eastern  word,  meaning  a  party  with  camels 

travelling  or  sojourning;  but  it  was  also  applied  by  our  early  voyagers  to 

convoys  of  merchant  shipa 
KAIA«     An  old  term  for  a  quay  or  wharf. 
KAIQUE.     See  Caique. 
KALBAZ,   OB  Halbaz.      Pronounced  kalva;  one  of  the  best  Turkish 

delicacies,  composed  of  honey,  must,  and  almonds,  beat  up  together. 
KALENDAE.    Time  accommodated  to  the  uses  of  life.     {See  Auf  akag.) 
KALI.     ScUeola  kali,  a  marine  plant,  generally  burned  to  supply  soda 

for  the  glass  manufactories.     Sub-carbonate  of  potass. 
KAMSIN.     A  south-westerly  wind  which  blows  over  Egypt  in  March  and 

April,  generally  not  more  than  three  successive  days  at  a  time.     Its 

name  signifies  the  wind  of  fifty  days,  not  as  blowing  for  such  a  period, 

but  because  it  only  occurs  during  fiifty  days  of  March  and  April 
K ANJIA«     A  passage-boat  of  the  Nile. 
KANNA.     A  name  for  ginseng  (t^hich  see). 
KARA  VALLA.    See  Caravbl. 
KARBATZ.     A  common  boat  of  Lapland. 
K  AT.     A  timber  vessel  used  on  the  northern  coasts  of  England. 
KATABATHRA.     Subterraneous  passages  in  certain  mountains  in  Greece, 

through  which  the  superfluous  waters  are  discharged 
KATAN.     A  Japanese  sword,  otherwise  ccUtan. 
K  ATFAN.     A  corruption  of  yataghan  (which  see). 
KATTY.    &«  Catty. 
KAULE.     A  license  for  trade,  given  by  the  authorities  in  India  to  our 

early  voyagers. 
KAYA.     A  beverage,  in  the  South  Sea  Islands,  made  by  steeping  the 

Fiper  inthriams  in  water. 
KAYER.     A  word  used  in  the  Hebrides  for  a  gentle  breeze. 
KAY,  OR  Key  [probably  from  the  Dutch  kaayeny  to  haul].     A  place  to 

which  ships  are  hauled.     Knoll  or  head  of  a  shoal — hdyay  Malay. 
KAYAK.      A  fishing-boat  in  all  the  north  polar  countries;  most  likely  a 

corrupted  form  of  the  eastern  kaiqiie  by  our  early  voyagers. 


KATNABD KEEL  417 

KAYNARD.  A  tenn  of  reproach  amongst  our  early  voyagera,  probably 
from  canis. 

KAYU-PUTIH,  OR  Cajeputi  Oil.  From  the  Malay  words  kaytty  wood; 
and  pittih,  oil;  the  useful  oil  obtained  from  the  Melaleiu:a  leucadeTidron, 

KAZIE.     A  Shetland  fishing-boat 

K.O.B.  Siglse  of  Knight  Commander  of  the  most  honourable  military 
order  of  the  Bath. 

KEAYIE.  A  coast  name  for  a  species  of  crab  that  devours  cuttle-fish 
greedily. 

KEAVIE-CLEEIL  In  the  north  a  crooked  piece  of  iron  for  catching 
crabs. 

KECKLING,  OR  Cackling.  Is  covering  a  cable  spirally  (in  opposition  to 
rounding,  which  is  close)  with  three-inch  old  rope  to  protect  it  from  chafe 
in  the  hawse-hole. 

KEDELS.    See  Kiddles. 

KEDGE,  OR  Kedoer.  A  small  anchor  used  to  keep  a  ship  steady  and 
clear  from  her  bower-anchor  while  she  rides  in  harbour,  particularly  at 
the  turn  of  the  tide.  The  kedge-anchors  are  also  used  to  warp  a  ship 
from  one  part  of  a  harbour  to  another.  They  are  generally  furnished 
with  an  iron  stock,  which  is  easily  displaced  for  the  convenience  of  stow- 
ing. The  old  English  word  hedge  signified  brisk,  and  they  are  generally 
run  in  to  a  quick  step.  {See  Anchor,  Warp.) — To  hedge.  To  warp  a 
ship  a-head,  though  the  tide  be  contrary,  by  means  of  the  kedge-anchor 
and  hawser. 

KEDGER.  A  mean  fellow,  more  properly  cadger;  one  in  everybody's 
mess,  but  in  no  one's  watch.     An  old  term  for  a  fisherman. 

KEDGE-ROPE.  The  rope  which  belongs  to  the  kedge-anchor,  and  re- 
strains the  vessel  from  driving  over  her  bower-anchor. 

KEDGING.  The  operation  of  tide-working  in  a  narrow  channel  or  river, 
by  kedge-hauling. 

KEEL.  The  lowest  and  principal  timber  of  a  ship^  running  fore  and  aft 
its  whole  length,  and  supporting  the  frame  like  the  backbone  in  quad- 
rupeds; it  is  usually  first  laid  on  the  blocks  in  building,  being  the  base  of 
the  superstructure.  Accordingly,  the  stem  and  stem-posts  are,  in  some 
measure,  a  continuation  of  the  keel,  and  serve  to  connect  the  extremities 
of  the  sides  by  transoms,  as  the  keel  forms  and  unites  the  bottom  by 
timbers.  The  keel  is  generally  composed  of  several  thick  pieces  placed 
lengthways,  which,  after  being  scarphed  together,  are  bolted  and  clinched 
upon  the  upper  sida  In  iron  vessels  the  keel  is  formed  of  one  or  more 
plates  of  iron,  having  a  concave  curve,  or  limber  channel,  along  its  upper 
surface. — To  give  the  heel,  is  to  careen. — Keel  formerly  meant  a  vessel;  so 
many  "  keels  struck  the  sands."  Also,  a  low  flat-bottomed  vessel  used  on 
the  Tyne  to  cany  coals  (21  tons  4  cwt.)  down  from  Newcastle  for  loading 
the  coUiers;  hence  the  latter  are  said  to  carry  so  many  keels  of  coals. 
[Anglo-Saxon  ceol,  a  small  bark.] — False  heel,  A  fir  keel-piece  bolted 
to  the  bottom  of  the  keel,  to  assist  stability  and  make  a  ship  hold  a  better 

2d 


4]  3  KEELAGE KEEP 

wind.  It  is  temporary,  being  pinned  by  stake-bolts  with  spear-points; 
80  when  a  vessel  grounds,  this  frequently,  being  of  fir  or  Canada  elm, 
floats  and  comes  up  alongside. — Rabbets  of  the  keel.  The  furrow,  which 
is  continued  up  stem  and  stem -post)  into  which  the  garboard  and  other 
streaks  fay.  The  butts  take  into  the  gripe  ahead,  or  afber-deadwood  and 
stem-post  abaft — Bank  ked,  A  very  deep  keel,  one  calculated  to  keep 
the  ship  from  rolling  heavily. — Upon  an  even  keel.  The  position  of  a 
ship  when  her  keel  is  parallel  to  the  plane  of  the  horizon,  so  that  she  is 
equally  deep  in  the  water  at  both  ends. 

KEELAGE.     A  local  duty  charged  on  all  vessels  coming  into  a  harbour. 

KEEL-BLOCKS.  Short  log  ends  of  timbers  on  which  the  keel  of  a 
vessel  rests  while  building  or  repairing,  affording  access  to  work  beneath. 

KEEL-DEETERS.  The  wives  and  daughters  of  keel-men,  who  sweep  and 
clean  the  keels,  having  the  sweepings  of  small  coal  for  their  trouble. 

KEEL-HAULING.  A  severe  punishment  formerly  infiicted  for  various 
offences,  especially  in  the  Dutch  navy.  The  culprit  was  suspended  by  a 
rope  from  one  fore-yardarm  attached  to  his  back,  with  a  weight  upon 
his  legs,  and  having  another  rope  fastened  to  him,  leading  under  the 
ship's  bottom,  and  through  a  block  at  its  opposite  yard-arm;  he  was 
then  let  fall  into  the  sea,  when,  passing  under  the  ship's  bottom,  he  was 
hoisted  up  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  vessel  to  the  other  yardarm. 
Aptly  described  as  '^ under-going  a  great  hard-ship." 

KEELING.  Rolling  on  her  keel.  Also,  a  sort  of  cod-fish;  some  restrict 
the  term  to  the  Gadua  morhua^  or  large  cod. 

KEEL  LEG  ob  Hook.    Means  any  anchor;  as,  ^^she  has  come  to  a  keelock." 

KEELMEN.  A  rough  and  hardy  body  of  men,  who  work  the  keeU  of 
Newcastle  Sometimes  termed  keel-bullies.  They  are  recognized  as 
mariners  in  various  statute& 

KEEL-PIECEa     The  parts  of  the  keel  which  are  of  large  timber. 

KEEL-RAKE.     Synonymous  with  ked-JunU.    See  Keel-hauling. 

KEEL-ROPK     A  coarse  rope  formerly  used  for  cleaning  the  limber-holes. 

KEELS.  An  old  British  name  for  long  vessels — formerly  written  ceol 
and  cyvXie.  Yerstegan  informs  us  that  the  Saxons  came  over  in  three 
large  ships,  styled  by  themselves  kedea, 

KEELSON,  OR  Kelson.  An  internal  keel,  laid  upon  the  middle  of  the 
floor-timbers,  immediately  over  the  keel,  and  serving  to  bind  all  together 
by  means  of  long  bolts  driven  from  without,  and  clinched  on  the  upper 
side  of  the  keelson.  The  main  keelson,  in  order  to  fit  with  more  security 
upon  the  floor-timbers,  is  notched  opposite  to  each  of  them,  and  there 
secured  by  spike-nails.  The  pieces  of  which  it  is  formed  are  usually 
less  in  breadth  and  thickness  than  those  of  the  keel. 

KEELSON-RIDER     See  False  Kelson. 

KEEL-STAPLES.  Generally  made  of  copper,  from  six  to  twelve  inches 
long,  with  a  jagged  hook  to  each  end.  They  are  driven  into  the  sides  of 
the  main  and  false  keels  to  £Ei8ten  them. 

KEEP.     A  strong  donjon  or  tower  in  the  middle  of  a  castle,  usually  the 


KEEP KELTEB  419 

last  resort  of  its  garrison  in  a  siege.     Also,  a  reservoir  for  fish  by  the  side 

of  a  river. — To  keep,  a  term  used  on  several  occasions  in  navigation;  as, 

^^Keep  her  away^"*  alter  the  ship's  coarse  to  leeward,  by  sailing  further 

off  the  wind.     The  reverse  is,  ^Keep  your  wind^  keep  your  luff^^  close  to 

the  wind. 
KEEP  A  GOOD  HOLD  OF  THE  LAND.     Is  to  hug  it  as  near  as  it 

can  safely  be  done. 
KEEP  HER  OWN.     Not  to  fall  off ;  not  driven  back  by  tide. 
KEEPING  A  GOOD  OFFING.     To  keep  weU  off  shore  while  under 

sail,  so  as  to  be  clear  of  danger  should  the  wind  suddenly  shift  and  blow 

towards  the  shore. 
KEEPING  A  WATCH.     To  have  charge  of  the  deck.     Also,  the  act  of 

being  on  watch-duty. 
KEEPING  FULL  FOR  STAYS.     A  necessary  precaution  to  give  the 

sails  full  force,  in  aid  of  the  rudder  when  going  about 
KEEPING  HER  WAY.     The  force  of  steady  motion  through  th»  water, 

continued  afler  the  power  which  gave  it  has  varied  or  diminished. 
KEEPING  THE  SEA.     The  term  formerly  used  when  orders  were  issued 

for  the  array  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  sea-coasts. 
KEEP  OFF.     To  fall  to  a  distance  from  the  shore,  or  a  ship,  <bc.     {§ee 

Opfinq.) 
KEEP  THE  LAND  ABOARD.     Is  to  sail  along  it,  or  within  sight,  as 

much  as  possible,  or  as  close  as  danger  will  permit 
KEEP  YOUR  LUFF.     An  order  to  the  helmsman  to  keep  the  ship  close 

to  the  wind,  t.d.  sailing  with  a  course  as  near  as  possible  to  the  direction 

from  which  the  wind  is  coming.     (Ste  Close-Hauled.) 
KEG.     A  small  cask,  of  no  fixed  contents.     Used  fkmiHarly  for  taking 

offence,  as  to  keg,  is  to  irritate. — To  ca/rry  the  keg.     To  continue;  origi- 
nally a  smuggler's  phrase. 
KEGGED.     Feeling  affronted  or  jeered  at. 
KELDS.     The  still  parts  of  a  river,  which  have  an  oily  smoothness  while 

the  rest  of  the  water  is  ruffled. 

KELF.     The  incision  made  in  a  tree  by  the  axe  when  felling  it 

KELING.     A  large  kind  of  cod.     Thus  in  Havelok:— 

"Keling  he  tok,  and  tumberel, 
Hering,  and  the  makerel.'* 

KELKS.     The  milt  or  roe  of  fish. 

KELLAGH.     The  Erse  term  for  a  wooden  anchor  with  a  stone  in  it,  but 

in  later  times  is  applied  to  any  grapnel  or  small  anchor. 
KELP.     Salsola  kali;  the  ashes  produced  by  the  combustion  of  various 

marine  algse,  and  used  in  obtaining  iodine,  soda,  kc. 
KELPIE.     A  mischievous  sea-sprite,  supposed  to  haunt  the  fords  and 

ferries  of  the  northern  coasts  of  Great  Britain,  especially  in  storms. 
KELT.     A  salmon  that  has  been  spawning;  a  foul  fish. 
KELTER.     Ships  and  men  are  said  to  be  in  prime  kelter  when  in  fine 

order  and  well-rigged. 


420  KEMP KETCH 

KEMP.  An  old  term  for  a  soldier,  camper,  or  camp  man.  Also  a  kind 
of  eel. 

KEMSTOCK     An  old  term  for  capstan. 

KEN,  To,     Ang.-Sax.  descrying,  as  Shakspeare  in  Henry  VI,: — 

"  And  far  as  I  could  ken  thy  chalky  diffa." 
— Ken,  a  speck,  a  striking  object  or  mark. 

KENNETS.  Large  cleats.  {See  Kevels.)  Also,  a  coarse  Welsh  cloth  of 
commerce;  see  statute  33,  Henry  VIII.  c.  3. 

KENKLNG  BY  KENNING.  A  mode  of  increasing  wages  formerly, 
according  to  whaliDg  law,  by  seeing  how  a  man  performed  his  duty. 

KENNING-GLASS.     A  hand  spy-glass  or  telescope. 

KEN-SPECKLED.     Conspicuous;  havisg  distinct  marks. 

KENTLEDGK  Pigs  of  iron  cast  for  permanent  ballast,  laid  over  the 
kelson-plates,  or  if  in  the  limbers,  then  called  limber-kentledge. 

KENTLEDGE  GOODS.     In  lieu  of  ballast 

KENT-PUHCHASK  A  misspelling  of  con^purchase,  or  one  used  to  turn 
a  whale  round  during  the  operation  oijlenaing, 

KEPLER'S  LAWS.  Three  famous  laws  of  nature  detected  by  Kepler 
early  in  the  seventeenth  century: — 1.  The  primary  planets  revolve  about 
the  sun  in  ellipses,  having  that  luminary  in  one  of  the  foci  2.  The 
planets  describe  about  the  sun  equal  areas  in  equal  times.  3.  The  squares 
of  the  periodic  times  of  the  planets  are  to  each  other  as  the  cubes  of  their 
mean  distances  from  the  sun. 

KEPLING.    See  Capun. 

KEKFK     The  furrow  or  slit  made  by  the  saw  in  dividing  timber. 

KERLANGUISHES.  The  swift-sailing  boats  of  the  Bosphorus.  The 
name  signifies  swallows. 

KERMES.  A  little  red  gall,  occasioned  by  the  puncture  of  the  coccus 
ilicis  on  the  leaves  of  the  Quercus  coccifera,  or  Kermes  oak ;  an  article  of 
commerce  from  Spain,  used  in  dyeing. 

KERNEL  Corrupted  from  crenelle;  the  holes  in  a  battlement  made  for 
the  purpose  of  shooting  arrows  and  small  shot. 

KERNES.  Light-armed  Irish  foot  soldiers  of  low  degree,  who  cleared  the 
way  for  the  heavy  gaUow-glcuses, 

KERS.     An  Anglo-Saxon  word  for  water-cresses. 

KERT.     An  old  spelling  for  chart 

KERVEL    See  Cabvel. 

KETCH.  A  vessel  of  the  galliot  order,  equipped  with  two  masts — ^viz. 
the  main  and  mizen  masts — ^usually  from  100  to  250  tons  burden. 
Ketches  were  principally  used  as  yachts  for  conveying  great  personages 
from  one  place  to  another.  The  peculiarity  of  this  rig,  affording  so 
much  space  before  the  main-mast,  and  at  the  greatest  beam,  caused  them 
to  be  used  for  mortar-vessels,  hence — Bomb-ketches,  which  are  built  re- 
markably strong,  with  a  greater  number  of  riders  than  any  other  vessel  of 
war,  as  requisite  to  sustain  the  violent  shock  produced  by  the  dischaige 
of  their  mortars.     {See  Bomb-vessel,  Mortab,  and  Shell.) 


KETEEINS KICKSHAW  421 

KETERINS.  Marauders  who  formerly  infested  the  Irish  coast  aiid 
channel 

KETOS,  OB  Cetus.     An  ancient  ship  of  large  dimensions. 

KETTLK     The  brass  or  metal  box  of  a  compass. 

KETTLE-BOTTOM.     A  name  applied  to  a  ship  with  a  flat  floor. 

KETTLE-NET.     A  net  used  in  taking  mackerel 

KETTLE  OF  FISH.  To  have  made  a  pretty  kettle  of  fish  of  it^  implies  a 
perplexity  in  judgment 

KEVEL-HEADS,  The  ends  of  the  t<^  timbers,  which,  rising  above  the 
gunwale,  serve  to  belay  the  ropes,  or  to  be  used  as  kevels. 

KEYELING.     A  coast  name  for  the  skate. 

KEVELS,  OR  Cavils.  Large  cleats,  or  ako  pieces  of  oak  passing 
through  a  mortice  in  the  rail,  and  answer  the  purpose  of  timber-heads 
for  belaying  ropes  to. 

KEY.  In  ship-building,  means  a  dry  piece  of  oak  or  elm,  cut  tapering,  to 
drive  into  scarphs  that  have  hook-butts,  to  wedge  deck-planks,  or  to  join 
any  pieces  of  wood  tightly  to  each  other.     Iron  forelocks. 

KEY,  OE  Cay  [derived  from  the  Spanish  cayosy  rocks].  What  in  later 
years  have  been  so  termed  will  be  found  in  the  old  Spanish  n  charts  as 
cayoB.  The  term  was  introduced  to  us  by  the  buccaneers  as  small  insular 
spots  with  a  scant  vegetation;  without  the  latter  they  are  merely  termed 
sandbanks.  Key  is  especially  used  in  the  West  Indies,  aoid  often  applied 
to  the  smaller  coral  shoals  produced  by  zoophytes. 

KEY,  OR  Quay.  A  long  wharf,  usually  built  of  stone,  by  the  side  of  a 
harbour,  and  having  posts  and  rings,  cranes^  and  storehouses,  for  the  con- 
venience of  merchant  ships. 

KEYAGE,  OR  Quayage.  Money  paid  for  landing  goods  at  a  key  or 
quay.     The  same  as  wharfage, 

KEYLK     {See  Kebl.)    The  vessel  of  that  name. 

KEY-MODEL.  In  ship-building,  a  model  formed  by  pieces  of  board  laid 
on  each  other  horizontally.  These  boards,  being  all  shaped  from  the 
lines  on  the  paper,  when  put  together  and  fairly  adjusted,  present  the 
true  form  of  the  proposed  ship. 

KEY  OF  THE  RUDDER  {See  Woodlock)  In  machineiy,  applies  to 
wedges,  forelocks,  kc 

KHALISHEES.     Native  Indian  sailors. 

KHAVIAR.    See  Caviare. 

KHIZR.  The  patron  deity  of  the  sea  in  the  East  Indies,  to  whom  small 
boats,  called  heeroj  are  annually  sacrificed  on  the  shores  and  rivers. 

KIBE.     A  flaw  produced  in  the  bore  of  a  gun  by  a  shot  striking  against  it. 

KI6LINGS.  Parts  of  a  small  fish  used  for  bait  on  the  banks  of  New- 
foundland. 

KICK.  The  springing  back  of  a  musket  when  fired.  Also,  the  violent 
recoil  by  which  a  carronade  is  often  thrown  off  the  slide  of  its  carriage. 
A  comparison  of  excellence  or  novelty;  the  very  kick. 

KICKSHAW.     Applied  to  French  cookery,  or  unsubstantial  trifles. 


422  KICK  THE  BUCKET KINO*S  BABOAIN 

KICK  THE  BUCKET,  To.  To  expire ;  an  inoonsideTate  phrase  for 
dying. 

KICK  UP  A  DUST,  To.     To  create  a  row  or  disturbance. 

KID.  A  presuDiiog  man. — Kiddy  fdUnOj  neat  in  his  dress.  Also,  a  com- 
partment in  some  fishing-Yessels,  wherein  the  fish  are  thrown  as  they 
are  caught  Also,  a  smidl  wooden  tab  for  gro^  with  two  ears;  or  gene- 
rally for  a  mess  ntensii  of  that  kind.     {See  Kit.) 

KIDDLES.  Stakes  whereby  the  free  passage  of  boats  and  vessels  is  hin- 
dered.    Also,  temporary  open  weirs  for  catching  fisL 

KIDLE  Y  W  INK.     A  low  beershop  in  our  western  ports. 

KIDNAP,  To.     To  crimp  or  carry  off  by  artifice. 

KIDNET.     Men  of  the  same  kidney,  f.e.  of  a  similar  disposition. 

KIFTIS.  The  large  passage-boats  of  India,  fitted  with  cabins  on  each  side 
from  stem  to  stem. 

KIHAIA.  An  officer  of  Turkish  ports  in  soperintendence  of  customs,  kc; 
often  deputy-governor. 

KILDERKIN.     A  vessel  containing  the  eighth  part  of  a  hogshead. 

KILK     See  Ktle. 

KILL.     A  channel  or  stream,  as  Cats-kill,  Schuylkill,  kc. 

KILL-DEYIL     New  rum,  from  its  pernicious  effects. 

KILLER.  A  name  for  the  grampus,  Orca  gladiator^  given  on  account  of 
the  ferocity  with  which  it  attacks  and  destroys  whales,  seals,  and  other 
marine  animals.     {See  GRAMPua) 

KILLESK     The  groove  an  a  cross-bow. 

KILLINQ-OFF.  Striking  the  names  of  dead  officers  frt>m  the  navy  list  by 
a  coup  de  plume, 

KILLOCK.     A  small  anchor.     Flue  of  an  anchor.     {See  Kellaoh.) 

KILLY-LEEPIK  A  oame  on  our  northern  shores  for  the  Tringa  hypo- 
leucos  or  common  sand-piper. 

KILN.  The  dock3rard  building  wherein  planks  are  steamed  for  the  purpose 
of  bending  them  to  round  the  extremities  of  a  ship. 

KIN.     See  Kinv. 

KING  ARTHUR.  A  game  played  on  board  ship  in  warm  climates,  in 
which  a  person,  grotesquely  personating  King  Arthur,  is  drenched  with 
buckets  of  water  until  he  can,  by  making  one  of  his  persecutors  smile  or 
laugh,  change  places  with  him. 

KINGr-CRAB.     The  Limvlua  polypkemus  of  the  West  Indies. 

KING-FISH.  The  Zeus  tuna.  Carteret  took  one  at  Masafuero  5^  feet 
long,  and  weighing  87  lbs.  Also,  the  Scomber  maacimus  of  the  West 
Indies. 

KING-FISHER.  The  Alcedo  iepida;  a  small  bird  of  brilliant  plumage 
frequenting  rivers  and  brooks,  and  feeding  upon  fish,  which  it  catches 
with  great  dexterity.     {See  Halctok.) 

KING  JOHN'S  MEN.     The  Adullamites  of  the  navy. 

KINGS  BARGAIN:  Goon  or  Bad;  said  of  a  seaman  according  to  his 
activity  and  merit,  or  sloth  and  demerit 


KINO'S  BENCHER KITTY-WITCH  423 

KING'S  BENCHER      The  busiest  of  the  galley  orators;   also  galley- 

skulkera. 
KING'S  HARD  BARGAIN.    A  useless  fellow,  who  is  not  worth  his  hire. 
KING'S  LETTER  MEN.    An  extinct  class  of  officers,  of  similar  rank  with 

midshipmen.     The  royal  letter  was  a  kind  of  promise  that  if  they  con- 
ducted themselves  well,  they  should  be  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant. 
KING'S  OWN.     All  the  articles  supplied  from  the  royal  magazines,  and 

marked  with  the  broad  arrow.     Salt  beef  or  junk. 
KING'S  PARADE.     A  name  given  to  the  quarter-deck  of  a  man-of-war, 

which  is  customarily  saluted  by  touching  the  hat  when  stepping  on  it. 
KINK.     An  accidental  curling,  twist,  or  doubling  turn  in  a  cable  or  rope, 

occasioned  by  its  being  veiy  stiff,  or  close  laid,  or  by  being  drawu  too 

hastily  out  of  the  coil  or  tier  in  which  it  was  coiled.     {See  Coiling.) — 

To  Jdnk.     To  twist. 
KINKLINGS.     A  coast  name  for  periwinkles. 
KINN.     From  the  Gaelic  word  for  head;  meaning,  in  local  names,  a  hill 

or  promontory. 
KINTLK     A  dozen  of  anything.     Remotely  corrupted  from  quirUal, 
KINTLIDGK     A  term  for  iron-ballast.     (See  Kentlrdgb.) 
KIOOK,  OB  Blue-back.     An  alosa  fish,  used  by  the  American  and  other 

fishermen  bs  a  bait  for  mackereL 
KIOSEL     A  pavilion  on  the  poop  of  some  Turkish  vessels. 
KIPLIN.     The  more  perishable  jwirts  of  the  cod-fish,  cured  separately  from 

the  body. 
KIPPAGK     An  old  term  for  equipage,  or  ship's  company. 
KIPPER.     Salmon  in  the  act  of  spawning;  also,  the  male  fish,  and  espe- 
cially beaked  fish.     Kipper  is  also  applied  to  salmon  which  has  undergone 

the  process  of  kippering  (which  see). 
KIPPERING.     A  method  of  curing  fish  in  which  salt  is  little  used,  but 

mainly  sugar,  pepper,  and  drying  in  the  sun,  and  occasionally  some  smoke. 

Salmon  thus  treated  is  considered  a  dainty,  though  the  cure  is  far  less 

lasting  than  with  salt 
KIPPERrTIME.     The  time  during  which  the  statutes  prohibit  the  taking 

of  salmon. 
KISMISSES.     The  raisins  issued  in  India,  resembling  the  sultanas  of  the 

Levant    The  word  is  derived  from  the  Turkish.    They  seldom  have  seeds. 
KIST.     A  word  still  in  use  in  the  north  for  chest 
KIT.     A  small  wooden  pail  or  bucket,  wherewith  boats  are  baled  out; 

generally  with  an  ear.     (See  Kid.)    Also,  a  contemptuous  term  for  total; 

as,  the  whole  kit  of  them. 
KITT,  OB  Kit.     An  officer's  outfit     Also,  a  term  among  soldiers  and 

marines  to  express  the  complement  of  regimental  necessaries,  which  they 

are  obliged  to  keep  in  repair.     Also,  a  seaman's  ivatxlrobe. 
KITTIWAKE.     A  species  of  gull  of  the  northern  seas;  so  called  from  its 

peculiar  cry:  the  Lcbrus  tridactylua, 
KITTY-WITCH.     A  small  kind  of  crab  on  the  east  coast 


424  KLEO KNIFE 

KLEG.     The  fish  Gadtu  barbatus. 

KLEPTES.    The  pirates  of  the  Archipelago;  literally  the  Greek  for  robbers. 

KLICK-HOOKS.     Laige  hooks  for  catching  salmon  in  the  daytime. 

KLINKER     A  fiat-bottomed  lighter  or  praam  of  Sweden  and  Denmark. 

KLINKETS.     Small  grating-gates,  made  through  palisades  for  sallies. 

EUPPEN.  The  German  for  clifis;  in  nse  in  the  BsliUc—Blinde  Klippen, 
reefs  of  rocks  under  water. 

KLOSH.     Seamen  of  Denmark,  Norway,  and  Sweden. 

KNAGGY.     Crochetiy;  sour-tempered. 

KNAGS.     Points  of  rocks.     Also,  hard  knots  in  wood. 

KNAP  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  encep,  a  protuberance].  The  top  of  a  hilL 
Also,  a  blow  or  correction,  as  "you'll  knap  it,**  for  some  misdeed 

KNAPSACK  A  light  waterproof  case  fitted  to  the  back,  in  which  the 
foot-soldier  carries  his  necessaries  on  a  march. 

KNARRS.     Knots  in  spars.     {See  Gnabre.) 

KNECK.     The  twisting  of  rope  or  cable  as  it  is  veering  out. 

KNEE.  Naturally  grown  timber,  or  bars  of  iron,  bent  to  a  right  angle,  or 
to  fit  the  surfaces,  and  to  secure  bodies  firmly  together,  as  hanging  knees 
secure  the  deck-beams  to  the  sides.  They  are  divided  into  hanging-knees, 
diagonal  hanging-knees,  lodging -knees  or  deck-beam  knees,  transom- 
knees,  helm-post  transom-knees,  wing  transom-knees  (which  see). 

KNEE  OF  THE  HEAD.  A  large  flat  piece  of  timber,  fixed  edgeways, 
and'&yed  upon  the  fore-part  of  a  ship's  stem,  supporting  the  ornamental 
figure.  {See  Head.)  Besides  which,  this  piece  is  otherwise  useful  as 
serving  to  secure  the  boom  or  bumkin,  by  which  the  fore-tack  is  extended 
to  windward,  and  by  its  great  breadth  preventing  the  ship  from  falling 
to  leeward,  when  close-hauled,  so  much  as  she  would  otherwise  be  liable 
to  do.  It  also  aflbrds  security  to  the  bowsprit  by  increasing  the  angle  of 
the  bobstay,  so  as  to  make  it  act  more  perpendicularly  on  the  bowsprit. 
The  knee  of  the  head  is  a  phrase  peculiar  to  shipwrights;  by  seamen  it  is 
called  the  cut-wcUer  (which  see). 

KNEES.     Dagger-knees  are  those  which  are  fixed  rather  obliquely  to  avoid 
an  adjacent  gun-port,  or  where,  from  the  vicinity  of  the  next  beam,  there 
is  not  space  for  the  arms  of  two  lodging-knees. — Lodging-knees  are  fixed 
horizontally  in  the  ship's  frame,  having  one  arm  bolted  to  the  beam,  and 
the  other  across  two  or  three  of  the  timbers. — Standard-knees  are  those 
which,  being  upon  a  deck,  have  one  arm  bolted  down  to  it,  and  the  other 
pointing  upwards  secured  to  the  ship's  side;  such  also,  are  the  bits  and 
channels. 
KNEE-TIMBER     That  sort  of  crooked  timber  which  forms  at  its  back 
or  elbow  an  angle  of  from  24"*  to  45°;  but  the  more  acute  this  angle  is, 
the  more  valuable  is  the  timber  on  that  account.     Used  for  knees,  rising 
floors,  and  crutches.     Same  as  raking-knees, 
KNETTAB.     A  string  used  to  tie  the  mouth  of  a  sack. 
KNIFE.     An  old  name  for  a  dagger :  thus  Lady  Macbeth — 

"That  my  keen  knife  see  not  the  wound  it  makes.** 


KNIGHT-HEADS KNOT  425 

KNIOHT-HEADS.  Two  laige  oak  timbers,  one  ou  each  side  of  the  stem, 
rising  up  sufficiently  above  it  to  support  the  bowsprit^  which  is  fixed  be- 
tween them.  The  term  is  synonymous  with  bollard  timbers, — Knight- 
heads  also  formerly  denoted  in  many  merchant  ships,  two  strong  frames 
of  timber  fixed  on  the  main-deck,  a  little  behind  the  fore-mast,  which  sup- 
ported the  ends  of  the  windlass.  They  were  frequently  called  the  biits, 
and  then  their  upper  parts  only  were  denominated  the  knight-heads, 
from  having  been  embellished  with  a  carved  head.  (See  Windlass.) 
Also,  a  name  formerly  given  to  the  lower  jear-blocks,  which  were  then 
no  other  than  bitts,  containing  several  sheaves,  and  nearly  resembling 
our  present  topsedl-sheet  bitts. 

KNIGHTHOOD.  An  institution  by  princes,  either  for  the  defence  of 
religion,  or  as  marks  of  honour  on  officers  who  have  distinguished  them- 
selves by  their  valour  and  address.  This  dignity  being  personal,  dies 
with  the  individual  so  honoured.  The  initials  of  our  own  orders  are : — 
KG.,  Knight  of  the  Garter;  KT.,  Knight  of  the  Thistle;  K.S.P.,  Knight 
of  St  Patrick;  G.C.B.,  Grand  Cross  of  the  Bath;  KC.R,  Knight  Com- 
mander of  the  Bath;  G.C.H.,  Knight  Grand  Cross  of  the  Hanoverian 
Guelphic  Order;  K.H.,  Knight  of  the  Hanoverian  Guelphic  Order; 
G.C.M.G.,  Grand  Cross  of  St  Michael  and  Geoige;  E.S.I,  Most 
Exalted  Star  of  India.  The  principal  foreign  orders  worn  by  our  navy 
are  those  of  Hanover,  St  Ferdinand  and  Merit,  the  Tower  and  Sword, 
Legion  of  Honour,  Maria  Theresa,  St  Bento  d'Avis,  Cross  of  Charles  III., 
San  Fernando,  St  Louis,  St  Vladimir,  St  Anne  of  Russia,  Red  Eagle  of 
Prussia,  Redeemer  of  Greece,  Medjidie  of  Turkey,  Leopold  of  Austria, 
Iron  Crown  of  Austria,  William  of  the  Netherlands. 

KNIGHTS.  Two  short  thick  pieces  of  wood,  formerly  carved  like  a  man's 
head,  having  four  sheaves  in  each,  one  of  them  abaft  the  foremast, 
called  /ore-knight,  and  the  other  abaft  the  main-mast,  called  main- 
knight. 

KNITTLE.    See  Nettle. 

KNOB,  OR  Knobbe.  An  officer;  perhaps  from  the  Scotch  term  knabbie, 
the  lower  class  of  gentry. 

KNOCKER  A  peculiar  and  fetid  species  of  West  Indian  cockroach,  so 
called  on  account  of  the  knocking  noise  they  make  in  the  night 

KNOCK  OFF  WORK  and  Carry  Deals.  A  term  used  to  deride  the 
idea  of  any  work,  however  light,  being  relaxation;  just  as  giving  up 
taking  in  heavy  beams  of  timber  and  being  set  to  carry  deals,  is  not 
really  knocking  off  work. 

KNOLL.  The  top  of  a  rounded  hill;  the  head  of  a  bank,  or  the  most  ele- 
vated part  of  a  submarine  shoal  [Perhaps  derived  from  nowly  a  pro- 
vincialism for  head.] 

KNOPP.     See  Knap. 

KNOT.  A  large  knob  formed  on  the  extremity  of  a  rope,  generally  by 
untwisting  its  ends,  and  interweaving  them  regularly  among  each  other; 
of  these  there  are  several  sorts,  differing  in  form,  size,  and  name,  as 


42C  KNOWL ERABLA 

diamond  knot^  kop  knot,  overhand  knot^  reef  knot^  shroud  knot,  stof^r 
knot^  flODgle  wall  knot,  doaUe  wall  knot.  The  bowline  knot  is  so  firmly 
made^  and  fastened  to  the  cringles  of  the  sails^  that  thej  mnst  break,  or 
the  sails  splits  before  it  wiU  slipu  (See  RcBsnro  Bowuhs.)  The  sheep- 
shank knot  serv^es  to  shorten  a  rope  without  cutting  it^  and  may  be  pre- 
sently loosened.  The  wall-knot  is  so  made  with  the  lays  of  a  rope  that 
it  cannot  slip,  and  serves  for  sheets^  tacks,  and  stoppers.  Elnots  are 
generally  used  to  act  as  a  button,  in  preventing  the  end  of  a  rope  from 
slipping  through  the  hole  of  a  dead-eye,  or  through  the  turns  of  a  laniard, 
by  which  they  are  sometimes  made  fiist  to  other  ropes. — Knai  also  im- 
plies a  diYidon  on  the  log  line^  bearing  a  similar  proportion  to  a  mile, 
which  half  a  minnte  does  to  an  hour;  that  is,  it  is  ttt  of  a  mile;  hence 
we  say,  the  ship  was  going  8  knots^  signifying  8  miles  per  hour.  Indeed, 
in  nautical  parlance,  the  words  knot  and  mile  are  synonyms^  o^llnding  to 
the  geographical  mile  of  GO'  to  a  d^ree  of  latitude. 

KNOWL.  A  term  commonly  giyen  to  the  summits  of  elevated  lands  iu 
the  west  of  England,  therefore  probably  the  same  as  knolL 

KNOWLEDGE.  Li  admiralty  law,  opposed  to  ignorance,  and  the  want 
of  which  is  liable  to  heavy  penalty. 

KNUCKLK  A  sudden  angle  made  on  some  timbers  by  a  qnick  reverse 
of  shape,  such  as  the  knuckles  of  the  counter-timbers. 

KNUCKLE-RAILS.  Those  mouldings  which  are  placed  at  the  knuckles 
of  the  stem  timbera 

KNUCKLE-TIMBEBS.  The  top-timbers  in  the  fore-body,  the  heads  of 
which  stand  perpendicular,  and  form  an  angle  with  the  flair  or  hollow  of 
the  topside. 

KNUCKLRUNDER.  Obey  your  superior's  order;  give  way  to  ciroum- 
stanceSb 

KNTJBRT.     Stunted;  not  freely  grown. 

KOFF.  A  large  Dutch  coasting  trader,  fitted  with  two  masts,  and  sails 
set  with  sprits. 

KOMETA  A  captain  formerly  elected  in  the  Spanish  navy  by  twelve  ex- 
perienced navigatora. 

KOOLIE,  OR  Coolie.     An  Indian  day-labourer  and  porter. 

KOOND.     A  large  cistern  at  a  watering-place  in  India. 

KOPEK  A  Russian  copper  coin,  100  of  which  make  a  rouble;  in  value 
nearly  a  halQ>enny,  and  named  frx>m  kopeoy  a  spear,  because  formerly 
stamped  with  St  George  spearing  the  dragon. 

KOROCORA  A  broad-beamed  Molucca  vessel,  with  high  stem  and  stem, 
and  an  outrigger.     It  is  common  among  the  Malay  islands, 

KOTA.     An  excellent  turpentine  procured  in  India. 

KOIJPANG.  A  gold  coin  of  Japan  and  the  Moluccas,  of  various  value, 
from  25  to  44  shillings. 

KOWDIE.     The  New  Zealand  pine  spars. 

KRABLA.  A  Russian  vessel,  usually  frx)m  Archangel,  fitted  for  killing 
the  whale,  walrus,  and  other  Arctic  quarry. 


KRAKKN LABOURING  4.27 

KKAKEN.     The  fictitious  sea-monster  of  Norway. 

KRANG.  The  body  of  a  whale  when  divested  of  its  blubber,  and  there- 
fore abandoned  bj  the  whalers. 

KRAYER.  A  small  vessel,  but  perhaps  larger  than  the  oogge,  being  thus 
mentioned  in  the  Morte  Arthure — 

"  Be  thanne  cogge  appone  cogge,  krayen  and  other." 

KREE,  To.     A  north  country  word:  to  beat^  or  bruise. 

KREEL.  A  framework  of  timber  for  the  catching  of  fish,  especially 
salmon.  Also  a  crab-pot,  made  of  osiers,  on  the  principal  of  a  wire 
mouse-trap.     Also,  a  sportsman's  fishing  basket. 

KRENNEL.     The  smaller  cringle  for  bowline  bridles,  &c. 

KRINGLE,  To.  To  dry  and  shrivel  up.  Also  a  form  of  cringle  (which 
see). 

KRIS.     The  formidable  dagger  used  by  the  Malays. 

KROO-MEN,  OE  Crew-men.  Fishmen.  A  tribe  of  African  negroes  in- 
habiting Cape  Palmas,  Krou-settra,  and  Settra-krou,  subjects  of  Great 
Britain,  and  cannot  be  made  slaves;  they  are  specially  employed  iu 
wooding  and  watering  where  hazardous  to  European  constitutions. 

KUB-HOUSE,  OR  tCuBBOOS.    See  Caboose. 

KYAR  Cordage  made  in  India  from  the  fibres  which  envelope  the  cocoa 
nut,  and  having  the  advantage  of  elasticity  and  buoyancy,  makes  capital 
cables  for  country  ships.     {See  CoiR.) 

KYDLK     A  dam  in  a  river  for  taking  fish — 

"  Fishes  love  soote  smell;  also  it  is  trewe 
Thei  love  not  old  kydles  as  thei  doe  the  newe.** 

K YLK     A  bay,  or  arm  of  the  sea,  on  our  northeiai  shores,  as  the  Kyles  of 

Bute,  ko, 

K YNTALL.     An  old  form  of  quintal  (which  see). 


L. 

L.     The  three  L's  were  formerly  vaunted  by  seamen  who  despised  the  use 

of  nautical  astronomy;  viz.   lead,   latitude,  and  look-out,   all  of  them 

admirable  in  their  way.  Dr.  or  Captain  Halley  added  the  fourth  L — the 
greatly  desired  longitude. 

LAAS.     An  obsolete  term  for  an  illegal  net  or  snare. 

LABARUM.     A  standard  in  early  days. 

LABBER,  To.     To  struggle  in  water,  as  a  fish  when  caught     To  splask 

LABOUR.  In  the  relative  mechanical  efibrts  of  the  human  body  labour- 
ing in  various  posture,  682^  have  been  given  for  the  rowing  effort^  476 
for  the  effort  at  a  winch,  and  209  J  for  the  effort  at  a  pump. 

LABOURING.     The  act  of  a  ship's  working,  pitching,  or  rolling  heavily, 


LABODBSOUE- 


a  turbulent  sea,  by  which  the  maste,  and  even  the  hull,  are  greatly 


LA.BOnRSOME.  Said  of  a  ship  which  is  subject  to  roll  and  pitch  vio- 
lently in  a  heavy  sea,  either  from  some  defect  in  her  construction,  or 
impro[)er  stowage  of  her  hold. 

LACE,  To.  To  apply  a  bonnet  by  lacing  it  to  a  sail  AIso^  to  beat  or 
punish  with  a  rattan  or  rope's-end.     Also,  the  trimmings  of  nniforma 

LACHES,  In  law,  loose  practice,  or  where  parties  let  matters  sleep  for 
above  seven  years,  when  by  applying  to  the  admiralty  court  they  might 
have  oompolled  the  production  of  an  account. 

LACINO-.  Rope  or  cord  used  to  lace  a  sail  to  a  gaff,  or  a  bonnet  to  a  soiL 
Also,  one  of  the  principal  pieces  that  compose  the  knee  of  the  head,  run- 
ning up  as  high  as  the  top  of  the  hair-bracket.  Also,  a  piece  of  compass 
or  knee  timber,  fayed  to  the  back  of  the  figure-head  and  the  knee  of  the 
head,  and  bolted  to  each. 

LACUSTRIITE.     Belonging  or  referiing  to  a  lake. 

LADDER  The  accomnwdation  ladder  is  a  sort  of  light  staircase  04XA- 
sionally  fixed  on  the  gangway.  It  is  fiirnished  with  rails  and  man-ropes; 
the  lower  end  of  it  is  kept  at  a  proper  distance  from  the  ship's  side  by 
iron  bare  or  braces  to  render  it  more  convenient  (See  Gangway.^ 
Foreeastle-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. — Quarts  or  stem  ladders.  Two  ladders  of  rope,  suspended 
from  the  right  and  left  side  of  a  ship's  stem,  whereby  to  get  into  the 
boats  which  are  mooi'ed  astern. 

LADDER-WAYS.  The  hatchways,  scuttles,  or  other  openings  in  the 
decks,  wherein  the  ladders  are  placed. 

LADE.  Anglo-Saxon  Imdan,  to  pour  out.  The  mouth  of  a  channel  or 
drain.     To  lade  a  boat,  is  to  tlirow  water  out. 

LADE-GORN,  ob  Lxde-fail.  A  bucket  with  a  long  handle  to  lade 
water  with. 

LADEN.     The  state  of  a  ship  when  charged  with  materials  equal  to  her 

capacity.     If  the  goods  be  heavy,  her  burden  is  determined  by  weight; 

but  if  light,  she  carries  as  much  as  she  can  conveniently  stow.    A  ton  in 

measure  is  estimated  at  2000  lbs.  in  weight;  a  vessel  of  200  tons  ought 

therefore  to  carry  a  weight  equal  to  400,000  lbs;  but  if  she  cannot  float 

high  enough  with  as  great  a  quantity  of  it  as  her  hold  will  contain,  then  a 

-Kmi^otion  of  it  becomes  necessary.    Vessels  carry  heavy  goods  by  the  ton 

cwt.,  but  lighter  goods  by  a  ton  of  cubic  feet,  which  varies  according 

>  cuetom  of  the  port;  in  London  it  is  40,  in  India  from  50  to  52, 

ding  on  the  goods.    Vessels  can  carry  (not  safely)  twice  their  tonnage. 

f  IN  BULK.    A  caigo  neither  in  casks,  bales,  nor  cases,  but  lying 

in  the  hold,  only  defended  from  wet  by  mats  and  dunnage.     Such 

loally  cargoes  of  salt,  com,  &c 

An  unwieldy  boat  in  Russia,  for  transporting  the  produce  of  the 


LADI£*S  LADDER LAKE  429 

LADIE'S  LADDER.     Shrouds  rattled  too  closelj. 

LADING.     A  veaseFs  cargo. 

LADLE,  FOB  A  Gun.  An  instrument  for  charging  with  loose  powder; 
formed  of  a  cylindrical  sheet  of  copper-tube  fitted  to  the  end  of  a  long 
staff. — Payvng-ladle,  An  iron  ladle  with  a  loug  channelled  spout  opposite 
to  the  handle;  it  is  used  to  pour  melted  pitch  into  the  seams. 

LADB.ON.     A  term  for  thief,  adopted  from  the  SpanisL 

LADRONE  SHIP.  Literally  a  pirate,  but  it  is  the  usual  epithet  applied 
by  the  Chinese  to  a  man-of-war. 

LADY  OF  THE  GUN-ROOM.  A  gunner's  mate,  who  takes  chaise 
of  the  afler-scuttle,  where  gunners'  stores  are  kept. 

LAGAN,  OR  Laoam.  Anglo-Saxon  liggan.  A  term  in  derelict  law  for 
goods  which  are  sunk,  with  a  buoy  attached,  that  they  may  be  recovered. 
Also,  things  found  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Ponderous  articles  which 
sink  with  the  ship  in  wreck. 

LAGGERS.  On  canals,  men  who  lie  on  their  backs  on  the  top  of  the 
lading,  and  pushing  against  the  bridges  and  tunnels  pass  the  boats 
througL    Also,  a  transported  convict;  a  lazy  fellow. — To  lag.    To  loiter. 

LAGGIN.     The  end  of  the  stave  outside  a  cask  or  tub. 

LAGOON.  An  inland  broad  expanse  of  salt  water,  usually  shallow,  and 
connected  with  the  sea  by  one  or  more  channels,  or  washes  over  the  reef. 

LAGOON  ISLANDS.  Those  produced  by  coral  animals;  they  are  of 
various  shapes,  belted  with  coral,  frequently  with  channels  by  which 
ships  may  enter,  and  lie  safely  inside.  They  are  often  studded  with  the 
cocoa-nut  palm.     {See  Atolls.) 

LAGUNES.  The  shallows  which  extend  round  Venice;  their  depth  be- 
tween the  city  and  the  mainland  is  3  to  6  feet  in  general;  they  are  occa- 
sioned by  the  quantities  of  sand  carried  down  by  the  rivers  which  descend 
from  the  Alps,  and  fall  into  the  Adriatic  along  its  north-western  shoreSb 

LAG- WOOD.     The  larger  sticks  from  the  head  of  an  oak-tree  when  felled. 

LAID.  A  fisherman's  name  for  the  pollack.  Also,  a  term  in  rope-making, 
the  twist  being  the  lay;'  single-laid,  is  one  strand;  hawser-laid,  three 
strands  twisted  into  a  rope;  cablet-laid,  three  ropes  laid  together;  this  is 
also  termed  water-laid. 

LAID  ABACK.    See  Aback. 

LAID  TO.  A  term  used  sometimes  for  hove  to^  but  when  a  vessel  lays  to 
the  sails  are  kept  full  As  in  a  gale  of  wind,  under  staysails,  or  close 
reefs,  &c. 

LAID  UP.  A  vessel  dismantled  and  moored  in  a  harbour,  either  for  want 
of  employment,  or  as  unfit  for  further  service. 

LAKK  A  large  inland  expanse  of  water,  with  or  without  communication 
with  the  sea.  A  lake^  strictly  considered,  has  no  visible  affluent  or  efflu- 
ent; but  many  of  the  loughs  of  Ireland,  and  lochs  of  Scotland,  partake 
of  the  nature  of  havens  or  gulfs.  Moreover,  some  lakes  have  affluents 
without  outlets,  and  others  have  an  outlet  without  any  visible  affluent; 
therein  differing  from  lagoons  and  ponds.    The  water  of  lakes  entirely 


430  LAKE-LAWYER LANDINOSURVEYOR 

encompassed  by  land  is  sometimes  salt;  that  communicating  with  the  sea 
by  means  of  rivers  is  fresh. 

LAKE-LAWYER.  A  voracious  fish  in  the  lakes  of  America,  called  also 
the  mud-fish, 

LAMANTIN.     A  name  used  by  the  early  voyagers  for  the  manatee. 

LAMB'S-WOOL  SKY.     A  collection  of  white  orbicular  masses  of  doud. 

LAMBUSTING.     A  starting  with  a  rope's-end. 

LAMPER-EEL.     A  common  corruption  of  lamprey. 

LAMPREY.  An  eel-like  cyclostomous  fish,  belonging  to  the  genus 
Petromyzon,     There  are  several  species,  some  marine,  others  fluviatile. 

LAMPRON.     The  old  name  for  the  lamprey. 

LAMP-SHELLS.     A  name  applied  to  the  Terebratulce  of  zoologists. 

LANCE-KNIGHT.     A  foot^ldier  of  old. 

LANCEPESADO.  From  ItaL  lancia  spezzatct,  or  broken  lance;  origi- 
nally a  soldier  who,  having  broken  his  lance  on  the  enemy,  and  lost  his 
horse  in  fight,  was  entertained  as  a  volunteer  till  he  could  remount  him- 
self; hence  lance-corporal,  one  doing  corporal*s  duty,  on  the  pay  of  a 
private. 

LANCHANG.     A  Malay  proa,  carrying  twenty-five  or  thirty  men. 

LAND.  In  a  general  sense  denotes  terra  firma,  as  distinguished  from  sea; 
but^  also,  land-laid,  or  to  lay  the  land,  is  just  to  lose  sight,  of  it — Land- 
locked is  when  land  lies  all  round  the  ship. — Land  is  shtU  in,  signifies 
that  another  point  of  land  hides  that  from  which  the  ship  came. — The  ship 
lies  land  to,  implies  so  fiir  from  shore  that  it  can  only  just  be  discerned. 
— To  set  the  land,  is  to  see  by  compass  how  it  bears. — To  make  the  land. 
To  sight  it  after  an  absence.— To  land  on  deck  A  nautical  anomaly, 
meaning  to  lower  casks  or  weighty  goods  on  deck  from  the  tackles. 

LAND-BLINK.  On  Arctic  voyages,  a  peculiar  atmospheric  brightness  on 
approaching  land  covered  with  snow;  usually  more  yellow  than  ice-blink. 

LAND-BREEZE.  A  current  of  air  which,  in  the  temperate  zones,  and 
still  more  within  the  tropics,  regularly  sets  from  the  land  towards  the 
sea  during  the  night,  and  this  even  on  opposite  .points  of  the  coast.  It 
results  from  land  losing  its  heat  quicker  than  water;  hence  the  air  above 
it  becomes  heavier,  and  rushes  towards  the  sea  to  establish  equilibrium. 

LANDES.  The  heathy  track  between  Bordeaux  and  the  Basses  Pyrenees; 
but  also  denoting  uncultivated  or  unreclaimable  spots. 

LAND-FALL.  Making  the  land.  **A  good  land-fall"  signifies  making 
the  land  at  or  near  the  place  to  which  the  course  was  intended,  while  ''a 
bad  land-fall"  implies  the  contrary. 

LAND-FEATHER     A  sea-cove. 

LAND  HO !     The  cry  when  land  is  first  seen. 

LAND-ICE  Flat  ice  connected  with  the  shore,  within  which  there  is  nu 
channeL 

LANDING-STRAKE.     In  boats,  the  upper  strake  of  plank  but  one. 

LANDING-SURVEYOR  The  custom-house  officer  who  appoints  and 
superintends  the  landing-waiters. 


LANDINGWAITERS LAPLAND  WITCHES  431 

LANDING-WAITERS.  Persons  appointed  from  the  custom-house  to 
inspect  goods  discharged  from  foreign  parts. 

LAND-LOUPER  [Dutch.]  Meaning  he  who  flies  from  this  country  for 
crime  or  debt,  but  not  to  be  confounded  with  land-lvhher  (which  see). 

LAlND-LUBBER  a  useless  long-shorer;  a  vagrant  stroller.  Applied  by 
sailors  to  the  mass  of  landsmen,  especially  those  without  employment. 

LANDMARK.  Any  steeple,  tree,  windmill,  or  other  object,  serving  to 
guide  the  seaman  into  port,  or  through  a  channel 

LAND-SHAHKS.  Crimps,  pettifogging  attorneys,  slopmongers,  and  the 
canaille  infesting  the  slums  of  seaport  towns. 

LAND-SLIP.  The  fall  of  a  quantity  of  land  from  a  cliff  or  declivity;  the 
land  sliding  away  so  as  oflen  to  carry  trees  with  it  still  standing  upright. 

LANDSMEN.  The  rating  formerly  of  those  on  board  a  ship  who  had 
never  been  at  sea,  and  who  were  usually  stationed  among  the  waisters  or 
after-guard.  Some  of  those  used  to  small  craft  are  more  ready  about  the 
decks  than  in  going  aloft.    The  rating  is  now  Second-class  Ordinary. 

LAND-TURN.  A  wind  that  blows  in  the  night,  at  certain  times,  in  most 
hot  countries. 

LAND-WAITERS.    See  Landing-waiters. 

LANE.  "  Make  a  lane  there !"  An  order  for  men  to  open  a  passage  and 
allow  a  person  to  pass  through. 

LANE  OR  Vein  op  Ice.  A  narrow  channel  between  two  fields.  Any 
open  cracks  or  separations  of  floe  offering  navigation. 

LANGBEL,  or  Lanoraoe.  A  villanous  kind  of  shot^  consisting  of  various 
fragments  of  iron  bound  together,  so  as  to  fit  the  bore  of  the  cannon  from 
which  it  is  to  be  discharged.     It  is  seldom  used  but  by  privateers. 

L ANGUET.  .  A  small  slip  of  metal  on  the  hilt  of  a  sword,  which  overhangs 
the  scabbard;  the  ear  of  a  sword. 

LANIARD,  OR  Lanniebs.  A  short  piece  of  rope  or  line  made  &st  to 
anything  to  secure  it,  or  as  a  handle.  Such  are  the  laniards  of  the  gun- 
locks,  of  the  gun-ports,  of  the  buoy,  of  the  cat-hook,  kc.  The  principal 
laniards  are  those  which  secure  the  shrouds  and  stays,  termed  laniards  of 
lower,  topmast^  or  other  rigging.     (See  Dead-ete  and  Heart.) 

LANTCELA     A  large  Malay  craH  of  the  Indian  Archipelago. 

LANTERN.  Ships  of  war  had  formerly  three  poop-lanterns,  and  one  in 
the  main-top,  to  designate  the  admirars  ship;  also  deck-lanterns,  fighting- 
lanterns,  magazine-lanterns,  <fec.  The  signal-lanterns  are  peculiar.  The 
great  ship  lantern,  hanging  to  the  poop,  appears  on  the  Trajan  Column. 

LANTERN-BRACES.     Iron  bars  to  secure  the  lanterns. 

LANTERN-FISH.     A  west-country  name  for  the  smooth  sole. 

LANTIONE.     A  Chinese  rowing-boat. 

LANYARDS.    See  Laniard. 

LAP-JOINTED.  The  plates  of  an  iron  vessel  overlapping  each  othen  as 
in  diruiher  work,  t 

LAPLAND  WITCHES.  People  in  Lapland  who  profess  to  sell  fair 
winds,  thus  retaining  a  remnant  of  ancient  classical  superstition. 


t 


432  LAP  OYEB LASHEB 

LAP  OVER  OR  Upon.  The  mast  carlings  are  said  to  lap  upon  the  beams 
bj  reason  of  their  great  depth,  and  head-ledges  at  the  ends  lap  over  the 
coamings. 

LAPPELLE,  OR  Lapel.  The  fiicing  of  uniform  coats.  Until  the  introduc- 
tion of  epaulettes  in  1812,  the  tohite  lapeUe  was  used  as  synonymous  with 
lieutenant's  commission.  Hence  the  brackish  poet^  in  the  craven  mid- 
shipman's lament— 

'*If  I  had  in  my  country  staid, 
I  then  had  learnt  some  nsefcd  trade, 
And  Boomed  the  white  Upelle." 

LAPPINQ.  The  undulations  occasioned  in  the  waves  by  the  paddle-wheels 
of  a  steam-boat.  In  the  polar  seas,  lapping  applies  to  the  young  or  thin 
ice,  one  plate  overlapping  another,  so  dangerous  to  boats  and  their  crews. 
Also,  the  overlaying  of  plank  edges  in  working. 

LAPS.  The  remaining  part  of  the  ends  of  carlings,  <ka,  which  are  to  bear 
a  great  weight  or  pressure;  such,  for  instance,  as  the  capstan-step. 

LAP'S  COUHSK  One  of  the  oldest  and  most  savoury  of  the  regular 
forecastle  dishes.     {See  Lobs-scouse.) 

LARBOABD.  The-  left  side  of  a  ship,  when  the  spectator's  face  is  towards 
the  bow.  The  Italians  derive  starboard  from  questa  hordok,  'Hhis  side," 
and  larboard  from  queUa  borda,  **  that  side ;"  abbreviated  into  sta  horda 
and  la  hordes  Their  resemblance  caused  so  many  mistakes  that,  by  order 
of  the  admiralty,  larboard  is  now  thrown  overboard,  and  port  substituted. 
"  Port  the  helm"  is  even  mentioned  in  Arthur  Pit's  voyage  in  1580, 

LARBOABD-WATCH.  The  old  term  for  port-watcL  The  division  of  a 
ship's  company  called  for  duty,  while  the  other,  the  starboard,  is  relieved 
from  it     {See  Watch.) 

LAEBOLINS,  or  Larboliaks.  A  cant  term  implying  the  larboard- 
watch,  the  opposite  of  starboard : — 

**LarbolinB  stout,  you  mnat  turn  out. 
And  sleep  no  more  within; 
For  if  you  do,  we'll  cut  your  due. 
And  let  starholins  in." 

LARGE.     Sailing  large  :   going  with  the  wind  free  when  studding-sails 

will  draw. 
LARK.     A  small  boat     Also,  frolicsome  merriment.     {See  Skylarking.) 
LARRUP,  To.     An  old  word  meaning  to  beat  with  a  rope's-end,  strap, 

or  colt. 
LASCAR.     A  native  sailor  in  the  East  Indies ;  also,  in  a  military  sense, 

natives  of  India  employed  in  pitching  tents,  or  dragging  artillery,  as  gun- 

lascars. 
LASK.     A  string,  or  small  cord,  forming  the  boatswain's  cat — To  laah  or 

lotce.     To  bind  anything  with  a  rope  or  line. 
LASH  AND  CARRY.     The  order  given  by  the  boatswain  and  his  mates 

dh  piping  up  the  hammocks,  to  accelerate  the  duty. 
LASH  AWAY.    A  phrase  to  hasten  the  lashing  of  hammocks* 
LASHER    Ste  Father  Lasher. 


LASHBR  BULt-HEAD LATITUDE  433 

LASHER  BULL-HEAD.     A  name  for  the  fisb  Cottus  scorpius. 

LASHING.  A  rope  used  to  fasten  any  movable  bodj  in  a  ship,  or  about 
her  masts,  sails,  and  rigging. 

LASHING-EYES.  Fittings  for  lower  stays,  block-strops,  Ac.,  by  loops 
made  in  the  ends  of  ropes,  for  a  lashing  to  be  rove  through  to  secure 
them. 

LASK,  To.  To  go  large.— Za«^'n^  along.  Sailing  away  with  a  quartering 
wind. 

LASKETS.  Small  lines  like  hoops,  sewed  to  the  bonnets  and  drablers  of 
a  sail,  to  secure  the  bonnets  to  the  courses,  or  the  drablers  to  the  bonnets. 

LAST.  A  dry  measure  containing  80  bushels  of  com.  A  cargo.  A 
weight  of  4000  lbs.  A  last  of  cod  or  white  herrings  is  12  barrels.  Last» 
or  ship-last,  a  Swedish  weight  of  2  tons. 

LA  STAGE.  This  is  a  commercial  term  for  the  general  lading  of  a  ship. 
It  is  also  applied  to  that  custom  which  is  paid  for  wares  sold  by  the  last, 
as  herrings,  pitch,  &c, 

LASTER     The  coming  in  of  the  tide. 

LAST  QUARTER.    See  Quarter,  Last. 

LATCH.  An  old  term  for  a  cross-bow;  temp.  Henry  VII. — Lee-latch, 
Dropping  to  leeward  of  the  course. 

LATCHES.     The  same  as  lasketa  (which  see;  also  keT/a). 

LATCHINGS  KEYS.  Loops  on  the  head-rope  of  a  bonnet,  by  which  it 
is  laced  to  the  foot  of  the  sail. 

LATEEN  SAIL  AND  YARD.  A  long  tiiangular  sail,  bent  by  its 
foremost  leech  to  a  lateen  yard,  which  hoists  obliquely  to  the  mast;  it  is 
mostly  used  by  xebecs,  feluccas,  &c,  in  the  Mediterranean.  A  gaff-top- 
sail, if  triangular  and  set  on  a  yard,  is  lateen.  The  term  lateen-rigged, 
where  sails  have  short  tacks,  is  wrong.  These  latter  are  nothing  more 
or  less  than  clumsy  lugs  or  quadrilaterals.  The  lateen  tack  is  the  yard- 
arm  bowsed  amidships. 

LATHE.     A  term  for  a  sort  of  a  cross-bow  once  used  in  the  fleet. 

LATHER,  To.     To  beat  or  drub  soundly. 

LATITUDE.  In  wide  terms,  the  extent  of  the  earth  from  one  pole  to 
the  other;  but  strictly  it  is  the  distance  of  any  place  from  the  equator  in 
degrees  and  their  parts;  or  an  arc  of  the  meridian  intercepted  between 
the  zenith  of  the  place  and  the  equinoctial  Geographical  latitude  is 
either  northern  or  southern,  according  as  the  place  spoken  of  is  on  this  or 
that  side  of  the  equator.  Geocentric  latitude  is  the  angular  distance  of  a 
place  &om  the  equator,  as  corrected  for  the  oblateness  of  the  earth's  form; 
in  other  words,  it  is  the  geographical  latitude  diminished  by  the  angle  of 
the  vertical. 

LATITUDE  BY  ACCOUNT.  That  estimated  by  the  log-board,  and  the 
last  determined  by  observation. 

LATITUDE  BY  OBSERVATION.  The  latitude  determined  by  ob- 
servations  of  the  sun,  star,  or  moon,  by  meridional,  as  also  by  double 
altitudes. 

.     2£ 


434  LATITUDE LAX-FISHSR 

LATITUDE  OF  A  CELESTIAL  OBJECTT.  An  are  of  a  cirele  of 
longitude  between  the  centre  of  that  object  and  the  ecliptic,  and  is  north 
or  south  according  to  its  position. 

LAUNCK  A  term  when  the  pump  sucks — from  the  Danish  kens^  ex- 
hausted. Also,  a  west-country  term  for  the  sand-eel,  a  capital  bait  for 
mackerel 

LAUNCE-GAY.  An  offensive  weapon  used  of  old,  but  prohibited  by 
statute  so  far  back  as  7  Richard  IL  a  13. 

LAUNCH.  The  largest  or  long  boat  of  a  ship  of  war.  Others  of  greater 
size  for  gun-boats  are  used  by  the  French,  Spaniards,  Italians,  ibc.,  in  tlie 
Mediterranean.  A  launch  being  proportionably  longer,  lower,  and  more 
flat-bottomed  than  the  merehantman's  long-boat,  is  in  consequence  less 
fit  for  sailing,  but  better  calculated  for  rowing  and  approaching  a  flat 
shore.  Its  principal  superiority  consists  in  being  much  fitter  to  under- 
run  the  cable,  lay  out  anchors,  &c,,  which  is  a  very  necessary  employment 
in  the  harbours  of  the  Levant,  where  the  cables  of  different  ships  are 
fastened  across  each  other,  and  frequently  render  such  operations  neces- 
saiy. 

LAUNCH,  To.  To  send  a  ship,  craft,  or  boat  off  the  slip  on  shore  into 
the  water,  ''her  native  element^"  as  newspapers  say.  Also^  to  move 
things;  as,  launch  forward,  or  launch  aft.  Launch  is  also  the  movement 
by  which  the  ship  or  boat  descends  into  the  water. 

LAUNCH-HO !  The  order  to  let  go  the  top-rope  after  the  top-mast  has 
been  swayed  up  and  fidded.  It  is  literally  "high  enough."  So  in  pump- 
ing, "when  the  spear  sucks,  this  term  is  ''  Cease." 

LAUNCHING-WAYa  In  ship-building,  the  bed  of  timber  placed  on 
the  incline  imder  the  bottom  of  a  ship;  otherwise  called  bilgewat/s.  On 
this  the  cradles,  which  are  movable  vertical  shores,  to  keep  the  ship 
upright,  slide.     Sometimes  also  termed  bilgeways. 

LAYjBEIt,  To.     An  old  sea-term  for  beating  a  ship  to  windward;  to  tack. 

LAYER.  An  edible  searweed  —  the  Ulva  lactuca,  anciently  Ihavan, 
From  this  a  food  is  made,  called  laver-bread,  on  the  shores  of  S.  WaJea 

LAYY.  A  sea-bird  nearly  as  large  as  a  duck,  held  by  the  people  of  the 
Hebrides  as  a  prognosticator  of  weather. 

LAW  OF  NATIONS.  It  was  originally  merely  the  necessary  law  of 
nature  applied  to  nations,  as  in  the  instance  of  receiving  distressed  ships 
with  humanity.  By  various  conventional  compacts,  the  Law  of  Nations 
became  positive;  thus  flags  of  truce  are  respected,  and  prisoners  are  not 
put  to  death.  One  independent  state  is  declared  incompetent  to  prescribe 
to  another,  so  long  as  that  state  is  innoxious  to  its  neighbours.  The  Law 
of  Natio)^  consists  of  those  principles  and  regulations,  founded  in  reason 
and  general  convenience,  by  which  the  mutual  intercourse  between  inde- 
pendent states  is  everywhere  conducted. 

LAX.  A  term  for  salmon  when  ascending  a  river,  on  the  north  coast  of 
Scotiand. 

LAX-FISHER     A  taker  of  salmon  in  their  passage  from  the  sea. 


LAY LAZARETTO  435 

LAY,  Bt  the.     When  a  man  is  paid  in  proportion  to  the  success  of  the 

voyage,  instead  of  by  the  month.     This  is  common  in  -whalers. 
LAY,  To.     To  come  or  go ;  as,  lay  alq/l,  lay  forward,  lay  aft,  lay  out. 

This  is  not  the  neater  verb  lie  mispronounced,  but  the  active  verb  lay. 

(See  Lib  out.) 
LAY  A  GUN,  To.     So  to  direct  it  as  that  its  shot  may  be  expected  to 

strike  a  given  object;  for  which  purpose  its  axis  must  be  pointed  above 

the  latter,  at  an  angle  of  elevation  increasing  according  to  its  distance. 
LAY-DAYS.     The  time  allowed  for  shipping  or  discharging  a  cargo;  and 

if  not  done  within  the  term,  fair  weather  permitting,  the  vessel  comes  on 

demurrage.     Thus  Captain  Cuttle — 

"  A  rough  hardy  ■eaman,  unused  to  shore  ways, 
Knew  little  of  ladies,  but  much  of  lay-days.*' 

LAY  HER  COURSE,  To.     To  be  able  to  sail  in  the  direction  wished 

for,  however  barely  the  wind  permits  it. 
LAY  IN.     The  opposite  of  lay  otU,     The  order  for  men  to  come  in  from 

the  yards  after  reefing  or  furling.     It  also  applies  to  manning,  or  laying 

tn,  to  the  capstan-bars. 
LAYING  OB  Ltiko  out  on  a  yard.     To  go  out  towards  the  yard-arms, 
LAYING  OR  LYING  ALONG.     Pressed  down  sideways  by  a  stiff  gale. 
LAYING  A  ROPE.     Arranging  the  yams  for  the  strands,  and  then  the 

strands  for  making  a  rope,  or  cable. 
LAYING  DOWN,  ob  Laying  opp.     The  act  of  delineating  the  various 

lines  of  a  ship  to  the  full  size  on  the  mould-loft  floor,  from  the  draught 

given. 
LAYINGS.     A  sort  of  pavement  of  culch,  on  the  mud  of  estuaries,  for 

forming  a  bed  for  oysters. 
LAYING-TOP.     A  conical  piece  of  wood,  having  three  or  four  scores  or 

notches  on  its  surface,  used  in  rope-making  to  guide  the  lay. 
LAY  IN  SEA-STOCK,  To.     To  make  provision  for  the  voyage. 
LAY  IN  THE  OARS.     Unship  them  from  the  rowlocks,  and  place  them 

fore  and  aft  in  the  boat. 
LAY  LORDS.     The  civil  members  of  the  admiralty  board. 
LAY  OF  A  ROPE.      The  direction  in  which  its  strands  are  twisted; 

hawser  is  right-handed;  cablet  left-handed. 
LAY  OR  LIE  ON  YOUR  OARS!     The  order  to  desist  rowing,  without 

laying  the  oars  in. — Lay  out  on  your  oars/  is  the  order  to  give  way,  or 

pull  with  greater  force. 
LAY  OUT.     See  Lie  out. 

LAY  THE  LAND,  To.     Barely  to  lose  sight  of  it 
LAY-TO.     To  bring  the  weather-bow  to  the  sea,  with  one  sail  set,  and  the 

helm  lashed  a-lee.     (See  Lie-to.) 
LAY  UP  A  SHIP,  To.     To  dismantle  her. 
LAZARESTTO.     A  building  or  vessel  appointed  for  the  performance  of 

quarantine,  in  which  all  persons  are  confined  coming  from  places  infected 

with  the  plague  or  other  infectious  diseases.     Also,  a  place  parted  off  at 


43G  LAZABQS LEAKAGE 

the  fore  part  of  the  'tween  decks,  in  some  merchantmen,  for  stowing 
provisions  and  stores  in* 

LAZARUS.     The  game  at  cards,  called  also  hlind-liookey  and  snogo, 

LAZY  GUY.  A  small  tackle  or  rope  to  prevent  the  spanker-boom  from 
swaying  about  in  fine  weather. 

LAZY  PAINTER    A  small  temporary  rope  to  hold  a  boat  in  fine  weather. 

LEAD,  Sounding.  An  instrument  for  discovering  the  depth  of  water;  it  is 
a  tapered  cylinder  of  lead,  of  7,  14,  or  28  lbs.  weight,  and  attached,  by 
means  of  a  strop,  to  the  lead-line,  which  is  marked  at  certain  distances  to 
ascertain  the  fathoms.  (See  Hand  Lead-line.) — Deep-sea  lead,  A  lead 
of  a  larger  size,  being  from  28  to  56  lbs.  in  weight,  and  attached  to  a  much 
longer  line.  {See  Deep-sea  Lead-line.)^!^)  heave  the  lead.  To  throw  it 
into  the  sea  as  far  ahead  as  possible,  if  the  ship  is  under  way. 

LEAD.  The  direction  in  which  running  ropes  lead  fair,  and  come  down  to 
the  deck.  Also,  in  Arctic  seas,  a  channel  through  the  ice;  synonymous 
with  larie.     To  lead  into  battle,  or  into  harbour. 

LEADER  A  chief.  Also,  the  conducting  ship,  boat,  or  man  in  an  enter- 
prise.    Also,  the  guide  in  firing  rockets. 

LEADING-BLOCKS.  The  several  blocks  used  for  guiding  the  direction 
of  any  purchase,  as  hook,  snatch,  or  tail  blocks. 

LEADING-MARKS.  Those  objects  which,  kept  in  line  or  in  transit, 
guide  the  pilot  while  working  into  port)  as  trees,  spii'es,  buoys,  ^. 

LEADING-PART.  The  rope  of  a  tackle  which  runs  between  the  fall  and 
the  standing  part.  Generally  confused  with  the  fall  It  is  that  part  of 
the  fall  which  is  to  be  hauled  on,  or  over-hauled,  to  ease  the  purchase. 

LEADING-STRINGS.     The  yoke-lines  for  steering  a  boat 

LEADING-WIND.  Wind  abeam  or  quartering;  more  particularly  a  free 
or  fair  wind,  and  is  used  in  contradistinction  to  a  scant  wind.    {See  Wind.) 

L^^IAD-LINE.  A  line  attached  to  the  upper  end  of  the  sounding-lead. 
{See  Hand-line  and  Deep-sea  Line.) 

LEAD-NAILS.     Small  round-headed  composition  nails  for  nailing  lead. 

LEADSMAN.  The  man  who  heaves  the  hand-lead  in  the  channels.  In 
Calcutta  the  young  gentlemen  learning  to  be  pilots  are  called  leadsmen. 

LEAF.     The  side  of  a  lock-gate. 

LEAGUE.  A  confederacy;  an  alliance.  Also,  a  measure  of  length  con- 
sisting of  three  nautical  miles,  much  used  in  estimating  sea^istances; 
=  3041  fathoms. 

LEAGUER  An  old  term  for  a  camp.  Also,  leagtiers^  the  longest  water- 
casks,  stowed  next  the  kelson,  of  159  English  imperial  gallons  each. 
Before  the  invention  of  water-tanks,  leaguers  composed  the  whole  ground 
tier  of  casks  in  men-of-war. 

LEAK  [Anglo-Saxon  Icccinc],  A  chink  in  the  deck,  sides,  or  bottom  of  a 
ship,  trough  which  the  water  gets  into  her  hulL  When  a  leak  begins, 
a  vessel  is  said  to  have  sprung  a  leak. 

LEAKAGR  Loss  by  the  act  of  leaking  out  of  a  cask.  Also,  an  allow- 
ance of  12  per  cent,  to  merchants  importing  wine,  by  the  customa 


LEAKIES LEECHES  437 

LEAKIES.     Certain  irregularities  of  tide  in  the  Firth  of  Forth. 

LEAKY.     The  state  of  a  ship  admitting  water,  and  a  cask  or  other  vessel  ■ 
letting  out  its  contents. 

LEAN.  Used  in  the  same  sense  as  dean  or  sharp;  the  reverse  of  /uU  or 
bluff  in  the  form  of  a  ship. 

LEAN-BOW.  Having  a  sharp  entrance;  a  thin  narrow  bow  being  op- 
posed to  bold  bow.     Fine/ortoarcl,  very  fine  is  lean  as  a  lizard, 

LEAP.  The  sudden  fall  of  a  river  in  one  sheet.  Also,  a  weel,  made  of 
twigs,  to  catch  fish  in. 

LEAPER.    See  Lippkr. 

LEA.T.     A  canal  leading  from  a  pool  to  a  mill-course. 

LEATH AG.     A  Celtic  name  for  the  plaice  or  flounder. 

LEATHER    See  Lather 

LEATHER-JACKET.     A  tropical  fish  with  a  very  thick  skin. 

LEAVE.  Permission  to  be  absent  from  the  ship  for  the  day.  {See  Ab- 
sence, Liberty.)— -French  leave.  Going  on  shoro  without  permission. — 
Long  le(we.     Permission  to  be  absent  for  a  number  of  days. 

LEAVE-BREAKING.     A  Uberty  man  not  being  back  to  his  time. 

LEAVE-TICKET.     See  Liberty  Ticket. 

LEAK.     See  Lex. 

LEDGK  A  compact  line  of  rocks  running  parallel  to  the  coast,  and  which 
is  not  unfrequent  opposite  sandy  beaches.  The  north  coast  of  Africa, 
between  the  Nile  and  the  Lesser  Syrtis,  is  replete  with  them. 

LEDGES.  The  'thwart-ship  pieces  from  the  waste-trees  to  the  roof-trees  in 
the  framing  of  the  decks,  let  into  the  carlings,  to  bear  gratings,  &c.  Any 
cross-pieces  of  fir  or  scantling. 

LEDO.  A  barbarous  Latin  law-term  (ledo  -ania)  for  the  rising  water,  or 
increase  of  the  sea. 

LEE.  From  the  Scandinavian  word  Ice  or  laa,  the  sea;  it  is  the  side  opposite 
to  that  firom  which  the  wind  is  blowing;  as,  if  a  vessel  has  the  wind  on  her 
port  side,  that  side  will  be  the  weather,  and  the  starboard  will  be  the  lee 
side. — Under  the  lee,  expresses  the  situation  of  a  vessel  anchored  or  sailing 
near  the  weather-shoro,  where  there  is  always  smoother  water  than  at  a 
great  distance  from  it. — To  lay  a  ship  by  the  he,  or  to  come  up  by  the 
^  is  to  let  her  run  off  until  the  wind  is  brought  on  the  lee-quarter,  so 
that  all  her  sails  lie  fiat  against  the  masts  and  shrouds. 

LEE- ANCHOR.  The  leeward  one,  if  under  weigh;  or  that  to  leeward  to 
which  a  ship,  when  moored,  is  riding. 

LEE-BEAM.     On  the  lee-side  of  the  ship,  at  right  angles  with  the  keeL 

LEE-BOARDS.  Wooden  wings  or  strong  frames  of  plank  affixed  to  the 
sides  of  flat-bottomed  vessels,  such  as  Dutch  schuyts,  &c.;  these  travers- 
ing on  a  stout  bolt^  by  being  let  down  into  the  water,  when  the  vessel  is 
close-hauled,  decrease  her  drifting  to  leeward. 

LEECHES.  The  borders  or  edges  of  a  sail,  which  are  either  sloping  or 
perpendicular;  those  of  the  square  sails  are  denominated  from  the  ship's 
side,  as  the  starboard-leech  of  the  mainsail,  kc,  but  the  sails  which  are 


438  LEBCH-LINBS —  LEE-WAY 

fixed  obliquely  on  the  masts  have  their  leeches  named  from  their  situation 
.     with  regard  to  the  ship's  length,  as  the  hoist  or  luff,  or  fore-leech  of  the 
mizen,  the  after-leech  of  the  jib,  &c, 

LEECH-LTNES.  Ropes  fastened  to  the  leeches  of  the  mainsail,  foresail, 
and  cross-jack,  communicating  with  blocks  under  the  tops,  and  serving  to 
tniss  those  sails  up  to  the  yards.  {See  Brails.) — Harbour  leech-lines, 
Hopes  made  fiast  at  the  middle  of  the  topsail-yards,  then  passing  round 
the  leeches  of  the  topsails,  and  through  blocks  upon  the  topsail-tye,  serv- 
ing to  truss  the  sails  very  close  up  to  the  yard,  previous  to  their  being 
furled  in  a  body. 

LEECH-ROPE.  A  name  given  to  that  vertical  part  of  the  bolt-rope  to  which 
the  border  or  edge  of  a  sail  is  sewed.  In  all  sails  whose  opposite  leeches 
are  of  the  same  length,  it  is  terminated  above  by  the  earing,  and  below  by 
the  clue.    {See  Bolt-bope,  Clue,  and  Earino.) 

LEE-FANG.  A  rope  rove  through  the  cringle  of  a  sail,  for  hauling  in,  so 
as  to  lace  on  a  bonnet 

LEE-FANGE.  The  iron  bar  upon  which  the  sheets  of  fore-and-aft  sails 
traverse,  in  small  vessels.    {See  Horse) 

LEE-GUAGK  Implies  being  farther  from  the  point  whence  the  wind 
blows,  than  another  vessel  in  company. 

LEE-GUNWALE  UNDER  A  colloquial  phiaae  for  being  sorely 
over-pressed,  by  canvas  or  other  cause. 

LEE-HATCH,  Take  care  of  the  !  A  word  of  caution  to  the  helmsman, 
not  to  let  the  ship  &1II  to  leeward  of  her  course. 

LEE-HITCH.     The  helmsman  getting  to  leeward  of  the  course. 

LEE-LURCHES.  The  sudden  and  violent  rolls  which  a  ship  often  takes 
to  leeward  when  a  large  wave  strikes  her  on  the  weather-side. 

LEE-SHORK  A  ship  is  said  to  be  on  a  lee-shore,  when  she  is  near  it, 
with  the  wind  blowing  right  on  to  it. 

LEE-SIDR     All  that  part  of  a  ship  or  boat  which  lies  between  the  mast 
and  the  side  farthest  from  the  wind,  the  other  half  being  the  weather- 
!  sida 

I  LEE-SIDE  OF  THE  Quarter-deck.     Colloquially  called  the  midshipman's 

parade. 

LEE-TIDE.  A  tide  running  in  the  same  direction  as  the  wind,  and  forc- 
ing a  ship  to  leeward  of  the  line  upon  which  she  appeal's  to  sail 

LEEWARD.  The  lee-side.  {See  Lee)  The  opposite  of  lee  is  weather^  and 
of  leeward,  toindward. 

LEEWARDLY.  Said  of  a  ship  or  vessel  which  presents  so  little  resist- 
ance to  the  water,  when  on  a  wind,  as  to  bag  away  to  leeward.  It  is  the 
contrary  to  weatfierly. 

LEE-WAY.  What  a  vessel  loses  by  drifting  to  leeward  in  her  course. 
When  she  is  sailing  close-hauled  in  a  smooth  sea  with  all  sail  set,  she 
should  make  little  or  no  lee-way;  but  a  proportionate  allowance  must  be 
made  under  every  reduction  of  sail  or  increase  of  sea^  the  amount  depend- 
iug  on  the  seaman's  skill,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  vessel's  qualities. 


LEE- WHEEL LEPPO  439 

LEE-WHEEL.     The  assistant  to  the  helmsman. 

LEG.  The  run  made  on  a  single  tack.  Long  and  short  legs  {see  Tack 
and  Half-tack). 

LEG  ALONG.     Ropes  laid  on  end,  ready  for  manning. 

LEG-BAIL.  Dishonest  desertion  from  dutj.  The  phiuse  is  not  confined  to 
its  nautical  bearing. 

LEGGERS.    See  Leaguers. 

LEGS.  (See  Akole.)  A  fast-sailing  vessel  is  said  to  have  legs. — Legs  are 
used  in  cutters,  yachts,  &c.,  to  shore  them  up  in  dry  harbours  when  the 
tide  leaves  them.  The  leech-line  cringles  have  also  been  called  legs. 
Also,  the  parts  of  a  point  which  hang  on  each  side  of  the  saiL 

LEGS  OF  THE  Martinets.  Small  lines  through  the  bolt-ropes  of  the 
courses,  above  a  foot  in  length,  and  spliced  at  either  end  into  them- 
selves, making  a  small  eye  into  which  the  martinets  are  hitched. 

LEGS  AND  WINGS.    See  Overmasted. 

LEISTER  A  three-pronged  dart  for  striking  fish,  used  in  the  north  of 
England. 

LEIT.     A  northern  term  for  a  snood  or  link  of  horse-hair  for  a  fishing-line. 

LEITH.  A  channel  on  the  coast  of  Sweden,  like  that  round  the  point  of 
Landfoort  to  Stockholm. 

LEMBUS.     A  light  undecked  vessel,  used  by  ancient  pirates. 

LEMING-STAB.     An  old  name  for  a  comet 

LEMON-BOB.  The  inspissated  juice  of  limes  or  lemons,  a  powerful  anti- 
scorbutic. 

LEND  A  FIST  or  a  Haih).     A  request  to  another  to  help. 

LEND  US  YOUR  POUND  HERE !  A  phrase  demanding  assistance 
in  man-weight;  alluding  to  the  daily  allowance  of  beefl 

LENGTHENING.  The  operation  of  cutting  a  ship  down  across  the  middle, 
and  adding  a  certain  portion  to  her  length.  This  is  done  by  sawing  her 
planks  asunder  in  different  parts  of  her  length,  on  each  side  of  the  mid- 
ship-frame, to  prevent  her  from  being  weakened  too  much  in  one  place. 
One  end  is  then  drawn  apart  to  the  required  distance.  An  intermediate 
piece  of  timber  is  next  added  to  the  keel,  and  the  vacancy  filled  up.  The 
two  parts  of  the  keelson  are  afterwards  united.  Finally,  the  planks  of 
the  side  are  prolonged,  so  as  to  unite  with  each  other,  and  those  of  the 
ceiling  re-fitted. 

LENGTHENING-PIECE.     The  same  as  short  top-timber  (which  see). 

LENS.  The  glass  of  a  telescope,  or  of  a  microscope,  with  curved  surfaces 
like  a  lentil,  whence  the  name. 

LENT.  The  spring  fast,  during  which  butchers  were  prohibited  to  kill 
flesh  unless  for  victualling  ships,  except  by  special  license. 

LENTRI.^     Ancient  small  vessels,  used  on  rivers. 

LENUNCULL     Ancient  fishing-boats. 

LEO.  The  fifth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the  2 2d  of 
July.     It  is  one  of  the  ancient  constellations 

LEPPO.     A  sort  of  chunam,  used  on  the  China  station,  for  paying  vessels. 


440  LERBICK LEVEB 

LEKRICK.  A  name  of  ike  water-bird  also  called  sand-lark  or  sand- 
piper. 

LESSER  CIRCLE.  One  whose  plane  does  not  pass  through  the  centre  of 
the  sphere,  and  therefore  divides  it  unequallj.     {See  Gkeat  Cibcle.) 

LET  DRAW !  The  order  to  let  the  wind  take  the  after-leeches  of  the  jibs, 
<S:c.,  over  to  the  lee-side,  while  tacking. 

LET  DRIVE,  To     To  slip  or  let  fly.     To  discharge,  as  a  shot  from  a  gun. 

LET  FALL !  The  order  to  drop  a  sail  loosed  from  its  gaskets,  in  order 
to  set  it 

LET  FLY,  To.     To  let  go  a  i-ope  at  once,  suddenly. 

LET  GO  AND  HAUL!  or  Apore  haul!  The  order  to  haul  the  head- 
yards  round  by  the  braces  when  the  ship  casts  on  the  other  tack.  "  Let 
go,"  alluding  to  the  fore-bowline  and  lee  head-braces. 

LET  GO  UNDER  FOOT.     See  Anchor  uitoer  poot. 

LET  IN,  To.  To  flx  or  flt  a  diminished  pait  of  one  plank  or  piece  of 
timber  into  a  score  formed  in  another  to  receive  it,  as  the  ends  of  the 
carlings  into  the  beams. 

LET  OUT,  OR  Shake  out,  a  Reef,  To.  To  increase  the  dimensions  of 
a  sail,  by  untying  the  points  confining  a  reef  in  it. 

LET-PASS.  Permission  given  by  superior  authority  to  a  vessel,  to  be 
shown  to  ships  of  war,  to  allow  it  to  proceed  on  its  voyage. 

LET  RUN,  OR  LET  GO  BY  THE  RuN.     Cast  off  at  once. 

LETTERrBO ARD.     Another  term  for  name-board  (which  see). 

LETTER-BOOK.  A  book  wherein  is  preserved  a  copy  of  all  letters  and 
orders  written  by  the  captain  of  a  ship  on  public  service. 

LETTER  MEN.     See  King's  Letter  Men. 

LETTERS.    See  Circulars  and  Official  Letters. 

LETTERS  OF  MART  or  Marque.  A  commission  formerly  granted  by 
the  lords  of  the  admiralty,  or  by  the  admiral  of  any  distant  station,  to 
a  merchant-ship  or  privateer,  to  cruize  against  and  make  prizes  of  the 
enemy's  ships.  The  ship  so  commissioned  is  also  called  a  letter  of  marque. 
The  act  of  parliament  requires  that  on  granting  letters  of  marque  and 
reprisal,  the  captain  and  two  sureties  shall  appear  and  give  security.  In 
1778  it  was  decided  that  all  the  ships  taken  from  France  by  vessels  hav- 
ing letters  of  marque  only  against  the  Americans,  became  droits  of 
admiralty.  This  commission  was  forfeitable  for  acts  of  cruelty  or  mis- 
conduct 

LETTERS  OF  REPRISAL.     The  same  as  letters  ofmmqvA, 

LETTUCE-LA  VER.     The  edible  sea-weed  Ulva  lactuca, 

LEVANT.  A  wind  coming  from  the  east,  which  freshens  as  the  sun  rises, 
and  subsides  as  it  declines — To  levanty  to  desert. 

LEVANTER     A  strong  and  raw  easterly  wind  in  the  Mediterranean. 

LEVANTS.     Land-springs  on  the  coasts  of  Sussex  and  Hampshire. 

LEVEE.  A  French  word  for  a  mole  or  causeway,  adopted  of  late  for  river 
embankments  of  magnitude,  as  those  of  the  Po,  the  Thames,  and  the 
Mississippi. 


LEVEL-BKROR  -—r-  LICEK8E  44 1 

LEYEL-ERROB.  The  microscopic  deviation  of  the  axis  of  a  transit  in- 
stmment  from  the  horizontal  position. 

LEVELING.  The  art  of  finding  how  much  higher  or  lower  horizontally 
any  given  point  on  the  earth's  surface  is^  than  another  point  on  the  same; 
practised  in  various  ways. 

LEVELLED  OUT.  Any  line  continued  out  from  a  given  point,  or  inter- 
section of  an  angle,  in  a  horizontal  direction. 

LEVEL-LINES.  lines  determining  the  shape  of  a  ship's  body  horizon- 
tally, or  square  from  the  middle  line  of  the  ship. 

LEVELS.     Horizontal  lines;  or  as  a  base  square  to  a  perpendicular  bob. 

LEVER.  In  the  marine  steam-engine,  the  lever  and  counter-balance 
weight  are  fixed  upon  the  wiper-shaft,  to  form  an  equipoise  to  the  valves. 
There  is  one  on  each  side  of  the  cylinder.  {See  Spanner.) — Also,  an  in- 
flexible bar  of  iron  or  wood  to  raise  weights,  which  takes  rank  as  the  first 
and  most  simple  of  the  mechanical  powers. — To  lever.  An  old  word  for 
unloading  a  ship. 

LEVERAGE.     The  amount  of  a  lever  power. 

LE  VES.     Very  light  open  boats  of  the  ancients. 

LEVET.'    The  blast  of  a  trumpet  or  horn. 

LEVIN.     The  old  term  for  lightning. 

LEVY.     An  enrolment  or  conscription. — To  levy.     To  raise  recruits. 

LEWER     A  provincialism  for  hand-spike;  a  corrupt  fbrm  of  lever, 

LEWIS-HOLES.     Two  holes  in  the  surface  of  a  mortar,  superseding  ears. 

LEWTH  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  lytod\   A  place  of  shelter  from  the  wind. 

LEX,  OB  Leax.     The  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  salmon. 

L.  G.     These  uncials  on  a  powder-barrel  mean  large-grain  powder. 

LIBERA  PISCARIA.     A  law-term  denoting  a  fishery  free  to  any  one. 

LIBERTY.     Permission  to  go  on  shore  or  ship-visiting. 

LIBERTY-DAY.  A  day  announced  for  permitting  a  part  of  the  crew  to 
go  ashore. 

LIBERTY-LIQUOR  Spirits  formerly  allowed  to  be  purchased  when  sea- 
men had  visitors;  now  forbidden. 

LIBERTY-MEN.     Those  on  leave  of  absence. 

LIBERTY-TICKET.  A  document  specifying  the  date  and  extent  of  the 
leave  granted  to  a  seaman  or  marine  proceeding  on  his  private  affairs. 

LIBRA.  The  seventh  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the 
21st  of  September;  the  commencement  of  this  constellation,  where  the 
equator  intersects  the  ecliptic,  is  called  the  autumnal  equinox^  from  night 
and  day  being  equal. 

LIBRATION  OF  THE  MOON.     See  Evection. 

LIBURNA,  OR  LiBURNiGA.  Light  ancient  galliots,  both  for  sails  and  oars; 
of  the  latter  from  one  rank  to  five;  so  called  from  the  liburni,  pirates  of 
the  Adriatic. 

LICENSE.  An  official  permission  from  the  Board  of  Trade,  to  such  persons 
as  it  thinks  fit  to  supply  seamen  or  apprentices  for  merchant-ships  in 
the  United  Kingdom.     {See  Runnsr,  Licensed.) 


442  I^CK LIEUTENANT-AT-AKMS 

LICEL  In  common  parlance  is  a  blow.  To  do  anything  partially,  is  to 
give  it  a  lick  and  a  promise,  as  in  painting  or  blacking. — To  lick,  to  sur- 
pass a  rival,  or  excel  him  in  anything. — Lick  of  the  tar-brush,  a  seaman. 

UCORN.  An  old  name  for  the  howitzer  of  the  last  century,  then  but  a 
kind  of  mortar  fitted  on  a  field-carriage  to  fire  shells  at  low  angles. 

LIDO.     A  borrowed  term  signifying  the  shore  or  margin  of  the  sea. 

LIE  A  HULL.     Synonymous  with  huU  to,  or  hulling. 

LIE  ALONG,  To.  (See  Along.)  A  ship  is  said  to  lie  along  when  she 
leans  over  with  a  side  wind. — To  lie  along  ike  land,  is  to  keep  a  course 
parallel  with  it. 

LIE  ATHWART,  To.  When  the  tide  slackens,  and  the  wind  is  across 
tide,  it  makes  a  vessel  ride  athwart. 

LIE  BY,  To.     Dodging  under  small  sail  under  the  land. 

LIE  IN!  The  order  to  come  in  from  the  yards  when  reefing,  furling,  or 
other  duty  is  performed. 

LIEN.  A  claim  to  property,  and  a  consequent  right  of  retention.  But 
ships  cannot  be  the  subjects  of  a  specific  lien  to  the  creditors  who  supply 
them  with  necessaries,  because  a  lien  presumes  possession  by  the  creditor, 
and  therein  the  power  of  holding  it  till  his  demands  are  satisfied.  To 
prevent  manifest  impediment  to  commerce,  the  law  of  England  rejects 
almost  wholly  the  doctrine  of  lien  as  regards  ships. 

LIE  OFF !  An  order  given  to  a  boat  to  remain  off  on  her  oars  till  permis- 
sion is  given  for  her  to  come  alongside. 

LIE  OUT !  The  order  to  the  men  alofl  to  distribute  themselves  on  the 
yards  for  loosing,  reefing,  or  furling  sails. 

LIE  OYER.     A  ship  heeling  to  it  with  the  wind  abeam. 

LIESTER     See  Lister. 

LIE  THE  COURSE,  To.  When  the  vessel's  head  is  in  the  direction 
wished. 

LIE  TO,  To.  To  cause  a  vessel  to  keep  her  head  steady  as  regards  a  gale, 
so  that  a  heavy  sea  may  not  tumble  into  her.  She  has  perhaps  a  main- 
topsail  or  trysails,  and  comes  up  to  within  six  points,  and  falls  off  to  wind 
abeam,  forging  rather  ahead,  but  should  not  altogether  fall  too  much  to 
leeward. 

LIE  UNDER  ARMS,  To.  To  remain  in  a  state  of  preparation  for  imme- 
diate action. 

LIEUTENANT,  in  the  Royal  Navy.  The  officer  next  in  rank  and 
power  below  the  commander.  There  are  several  lieutenants  in  a  large 
ship,  and  they  take  precedence  according  to  the  dates  of  their  commissions. 
The  senior  lieutenant,  during  the  absence  of  the  commander,  is  charged 
with  the  command  of  the  ship,  as  also  with  the  execution  of  whatever 
orders  he  may  have  received  from  the  commander  relating  to  the  queen's 
service;  holding  another's  place,  as  the  name  implies  in  French. — Lieutenant 
in  Hie  army.     The  subaltern  officer  next  in  rank  below  the  captain. 

LIEUTENANT-AT-ARMS.  Formerly  the  junior  Ueutenant,  who,  with 
the  master-atnarmS)  was  charged  with  the  drilling  of  the  small-arm  men. 


LIBUTBNANTXJOLONEL LIFTS  443 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.  The  next  below  the  colonel,  generally 
having  the  active  command  in  the  regiment,  whether  in  cavalry,  infantry, 
or  artillery,  the  full  colonels  being  mostly  on  staff  employ,  or  even  in 
retirement. 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL  The  officer  taking  the  next  place  to  a 
general,  ranking  with  vice-admiraL 

LIEUTENANTS  STORE-ROOM.  More  commonly  called  the  wardroom 
storeroom  (which  see). 

LIFE-BELT.  An  india-rubber  or  cork  girdle  round  a  person's  waist  to 
buoy  him  up  in  the  water. 

LIFE-BOAT.  One  of  such  peculiar  construction  that  it  cannot  sink  or  be 
swamped  It  is  equipped  for  attending  wherever  a  wreck  may  happen, 
and  saving  the  lives  of  the  ci'ew:  really  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  con- 
ferred by  civilization  and  humanity  on  mariners.  Life-boats  were  invented 
by  Admiral  Samuel  Graves,  who  died  in  1787.  The  Royal  National 
Life-boat  Institution  has  saved  by  its  boats,  or  by  special  exertions  for 
which  it  has  granted  rewards,  14,980  lives,  from  the  year  of  its  establish- 
ment, 1824,  to  the  end  of  1865. 

LIFE-BUOYS.  Are  of  various  descriptions.  A  very  useful  one,  patented 
by  Cook,  is  supplied  to  all  Her  Majesty's  ships.  It  is  composed  of  two 
copper  cylinders,  and  has  a  balanced  stem  carrying  a  fuse,  burning  twenty 
minutes.  It  is  kept  suspended  on  the  quarter,  can  be  let  go,  and  ignited 
instantaneously,  and  will  support  two  men  for  a  considerable  time. 

LIFE-GUARDS.  A  greatly-privileged  body  of  cavalry,  specially  assigned 
to  the  guarding  of  the  sovereign's  person. 

LIFE-KITR  A  contrivance  for  saving  the  lives  of  shipwrecked  persons 
by  forming  a  communication  between  the  wreck  and  a  lee-shore. 

LIFE-LINES.  Stretched  from  gun  to  gun,  and  about  the  upper  deck  in 
bad  weather,  to  prevent  the  men  being  washed  away.  The  life-lines  aloft 
are  stretched  from  the  lifts  to  the  masts  to  enable  seamen  to  stand  securely 
when  manning  yards,  as  in  a  salute  to  admirals,  &c, 

LIFE-PRESERVER  An  air-tight  apparatus  for  saving  people  in  cases 
of  wreck. 

LIFT.  A  term  applied  to  the  sails  when  the  wind  catches  them  on  the 
leeches  and  causes  them  to  ruffle  slightly.  Also  implies  help  in  work  in 
hand,  as  ''give  us  a  lift." 

LIFT  AN  ANCHOR,  To.  Either  by  the  purchase;  or  a  ship  if  she  has 
not  sufficient  cable  on  a  steep  bank  lifts,  or  shoulders,  her  anchor. 

LIFTED.     Promoted  somewhat  unexpectedly. 

LIFTER.    See  Wiper. 

LIFTING.     The  rising  of  fog  or  haze  from  the  surface  of  the  water. 

LIFTING-JACEl.  A  portable  machine  for  lifting  heavy  objects,  acting  by 
the  power  either  of  the  lever,  the  tooth  and  pinion,  or  the  screw. 

LIFTS.  Ropes  which  reach  from  each  mast-head  to  their  respective  yard- 
arms  to  steady  and  suspend  the  ends.  Their  use  is  to  keep  the  yard  in 
equilibrium,  or  to  raise  one  of  its  extremities  higher  than  the  other  if 


414  ^^ LIGHT  INFANTRY 

necessary,  but  particularlj  to  support  the  weight  when  a  number  of  men 
are  employed  on  it,  furling  or  reefing  the  saiL  The  yards  are  said  to  be 
squared  by  the  lifts  when  they  hang  at  right  angles  with  the  masts. 
— Topping  lifts,    {See  Topping.) 

LIG.     A  fish-hook,  with  lead  cast  round  its  upper  part  in  order  to  sink  it. 

LIGAN.    See  Lagan. 

UCrGER.  A  line  with  a  float  and  bait,  used  for  catching  pike.  A  night- 
hook  laid  for  a  pike  or  eeL 

LIGHT,  To.  To  move  or  lift  anything  along;  as  "light  over  to  windward,** 
the  cry  for  helping  the  man  at  the  weather-earing  when  taking  in  a  reef 
Each  man  holding  by  a  reef-point  helps  it  over,  as  the  lee-earing  cannot 
be  passed  until  the  man  to  windward  calls  out^  "Haul  out  to  leeward.*' 

LIGHT  AIRS.     Unsteady  and  faint  flaws  of  wind. 

LIGHT  ALONG !  Lend  assistance  in  hauling  cables,  hawsers,  or  large 
ropes  along,  and  lifting  some  parts  in  a  required  direction. 

LIGHT-BALLS.  Are  thrown  from  mortars  at  night  to  discover  the 
enemy's  working  parties,  &c  They  are  composed  of  saltpetre,  sulphur, 
resin,  and  linseed-oil,  and  bum  with  great  brilliancy.  The  parciehtUe  lighi- 
haU,  which  suspends  itself  in  the  air  by  the  action  of  the  heated  gas  &om 
the  light  against  the  parachute,  is  most  convenient 

LIGHT  BOBS.     The  old  soubriquet  for  light  ii\fa/ntry  (which  see). 

LIGHT  BREEZES.     When  light  airs  have  become  steady. 

LIGHTEN,  To.  To  throw  ballast,  stores,  cargo,  or  other  things,  overboard 
in  stress  of  weather,  to  render  the  vessel  more  buoyant. 

LIGHTER  A  large,  open,  flat-bottomed  boat^  with  heavy  bearings,  em- 
ployed to  carry  goods  to  or  from  ships. — BaUast  lighter.  A  vessel  fitted 
up  to  raise  ballast  from  the  bottom  of  a  harbour. — Covered  or  close  lighter. 
One  furnished  with  a  deck  throughout  her  whole  length,  in  order  to  secure 
such  merchandise  as  might  be  damaged  by  wet,  and  to  prevent  pillage. 

LIGHTERAGK     The  charge  made  for  the  hire  of  a  lighter. 

LIGHTERMAN.     A  man  employed  in  a  lighter. 

LIGHT-HANDED.     Short  of  the  complement  of  men. 

LIGHT-HORSE.  A  name  formerly  given  to  all  mounted  men  who  were 
not  encumbered  with  armour. 

LIGHT-HORSEMAN.  An  old  name  for  the  light  boat,  since  called  a  gig. 
{See  Wallmia.) 

LIGHTHOUSE.  A  sort  of  tower,  erected  upon  a  headland,  islet^  or  rock, 
whose  lights  may  be  seen  at  a  great  distance  from  the  land  to  warn  ship- 
ping  of  their  approach  to  these  dangers. — A  fioating  light,  or  ligJU  vessel, 
strongly  moored,  is  used  to  mark  dangers  under  water.  Lights  are 
variously  distinguished,  as  by  the  number,  colour,  and  continuity  of  their 
lights,  whether  flashing,  revolving,  &o. 

LIGHT  ICE.  That  which  haji  but  little  depth  in  the  water;  it  is  not  con- 
sidered dangerous  to  shipping,  as  not  being  heavy. 

LIGHT  INFANTRY.  Troops  specially  trained  to  the  extended  and 
rapid  movements  necessary  to  cover  the  manoeuvres  of  the  main  body. 


I 
1 


UGHTNING-CONBUCTOR LIMBER-CJLEABEE  44.5 

LIGHTNINaCONDUCTOR  The  Hghtning^nductor  (introduced  by 
Sir  Snow  Hams)  is  a  plate  connected  from  the  royal  mast-head  down  to 
the  deck,  thence  by  the  beams  to  the  ship's  copper  into  the  sea.  Another 
kind  is  a  copper-wire  chain  or  rope  hoisted  to  the  truck,  then  passing 
down  by  the  backstays  over  the  channels  into  the  sea. 

LIGHT-PORT.  A  scuttle  made  for  showing  a  light  through.  Also,  a  port 
in  timber  ships  kept  open  until  brought  deep  by  cargo.  It  is  then  secured 
and  caulked  in.     (See  Raft-port.) 

LIGHT-ROOM.  In  a  ship-of-war,  a  small  space  parted  off  from  the  maga- 
zine, having  double-glass  windows  for  more  safely  transmitting  the  light 
by  which  the  gunner  and  his  assistants  fill  their  cartridges.  Laxge  ships 
generally  have  two  light-rooms,  the  after  and  the  fore. 

LIGHTS.  In  men-of-war,  all  the  seamen's  lights  are  extinguished  by  8  p.m., 
the  officers*  at  10,  unless  the  commanding  officer  gives  his  permission, 
through  the  master-at-arms,  for  a  longer  time,  as  occasion  may  require. 

LIGHT  SAILS.  All  above  the  topgallant-sails ;  also  the  studding-sails 
and  flying  jib.     Men-of-war  carry  topgallant-sails  over  double  reef. 

LIGHT  SHIP.  In  contradistinction  to  laden;  a  ship  is  said  to  be  light 
when  she  has  no  caigo,  or  merely  in  ballast.  When  very  crank,  she  is 
said  to  he  flying  light.  Also,  a  vessel  bearing  a  light  as  a  guide  to  navi- 
gators. 

LIGHT  WATER-DRAUGHT.  The  depth  of  water  which  a  vessel  draws 
when  she  is  empty,  or  nearly  so. 

LIGHT  WATER-LINE.  The  line  showing  the  depression  of  the  ship's 
body  in  the  water  when  just  launched,  or  quite  unladen.  {See  Water- 
line.) 

LIGNAMINA.     Timber  fit  for  buUding. 

LIGNUM  VIT^  Guaiacum  officinale.  A  West  Indian  tree,  of  the  wood 
of  which  sheaves  of  blocks  are  made.  It  was  allowed  to  be  imported  free 
of  all  duties. 

LIMR  The  graduated  arc  of  an  astronomical  or  surveying  instrument  In 
astronomy,  it  is  the  edge  or  border  of  the  disc  of  the  sun,  moon,  or  one 
of  the  planets;  in  which  sense  '^e  say  the  upper  limb,  the  lower  limb, 
the  sun  or  moon's  nearest  limb,  <&c. 

LIMBER.  In  artillery,  the  two-wheeled  carriage  to  which  the  trail  of  a 
field  gun-carriage  is  attached  for  travel — Limber-boxes  are  the  chests  fitted 
above  the  axletree  of  the  limber  for  ammunition. — Limber  up!  is  the 
command  so  to  raise  and  attach. 

LIMBER  BOARDS  ob  Plates.  Short  movable  pieces  of  plank;  a  part 
of  the  lining  of  a  ship's  floor,  close  to  the  keelson,  and  immediately  above 
the  limbers.  They  are  occasionally  removed  to  clear  them  of  any  rubbish 
by  which  they  may  be  clogged,  so  as  to  interrupt  the  passage  of  water  to 
the  pump- well. 

LIMBER-BOX.     Synonymous  with  limber-trunk, 

LIMBER-CLEARER.  A  small  chain  rove  fore-and-aft  through  the  limber- 
passage  to  clear  it  when  necessaiy,  by  hauling  backwards  and  forwards. 


44C  IJMBBR.PASSAOB  —  UNB 

LIMBER-PASSAGK  The  line  of  limber-holes  throughout  the  whole 
length  of  the  floor,  on  each  side  of  the  keelson,  for  the  water  to  have  free 
access  to  the  pumps. 

LIMBER-PLATEa    See  Lihber-boards. 

LIMBEErSTKEAK.  The  streak  of  foot-waling  nearest  the  keelson, 
wrought  over  the  lower  ends  of  the  first  futtocks. 

LIMBO.  Restraint^  durance,  confinement  under  arrest^  or  in  the  bilboes. 
Dante  uses  this  term  for  a  division  of  the  infernal  regions. 

LIMB-TAKGENT.  The  accurate  touch  of  the  edge  of  a  celestial  bodj  to 
the  horizon, 

LIME  OR  LEMON  JUICE  A  valuable  anti-scorbutic,  included  by  act 
of  parliament  in  the  scale  of  provisions  for  seamen.  It  has  latterly  been 
so  much  adulterated  that  scurvy  has  increased  threefold  in  a  few  years. 

LIME-POTS.     Formerly  supplied  among  the  munitions  of  war  to  ships. 

LIMITING  PARALLELS.  The  parallels  of  latitude  upon  the  earth's  sur- 
face, within  which  occultations  of  stars  or  planets  by  the  moon  are  possible. 
They  are  given  in  the  Nautical  Almanac  for  each  occultation. 

LIMMER.     The  side-rope  to  a  poop  or  other  ladder. 

LIMPET.  A  well-known  shell-fish,  giving  rise  to  the  brackish  proverb, 
"  Sticking  fast  like  a  limpet  to  a  rock." 

LINCH  OR  LINS  PIN.  The  iron  pin  which  keeps  the  trucks  of  a  gun-car- 
riage confined  to  the  axle-tree. 

LINE,  To.  To  cover  one  piece  with  another.  Also,  to  mark  out  the 
work  on  a  floor  for  determining  the  shape  of  a  vessel's  body. — To  line  a 
ship,  is  to  strike  off  with  a  batten,  or  otherwise,  the  directional  lines  for 
painting  her.     (See  Toe  a  Line.) 

LllSfE.  The  general  appellation  of  a  number  of  small  ropes  in  a  ship,  as 
buntKnes,  cluelines,  bowlines,  &c  Also,  the  term  in  common  parlance 
for  the  equator.  Also,  in  the  army,  distinguishes  the  regular  numbered 
regiments  of  cavalry  and  infantry  from  the  artillery  and  guards,  to  whom 
exceptional  functions  are  assigned.  In  fortification,  it  means  a  trench, 
approaches,  (be.  In  a  geometrical  sense,  it  signifies  length  without 
breadth;  and  in  military  parlance,  it  is  drawing  up  a  front  of  soldiers. 
— Candvding  line,  A  small  rope^  which  is  hitched  to  the  middle  of 
every  step  of  a  stem-ladder.  Deep-sea  line.  A  long  line,  marked  at 
every  five  fathoms  with  small  strands  of  line,  knotted,  and  used  with  the 
deep-sea  lead.  The  first  20  fJEithoms  are  marked  as  follows:  2  and  3 
fathoms  with  black  leather;  5  with  white  bunting;  7  with  red;  10  with 
leather  and  a  hole  in  it  Then  13,  15,  and  17  repeat  the  previous  marks 
of  3,  5,  and  7.  Two  knots  indicate  20,  three  knots  30,  four  knots  40 
fathoms,  and  so  on,  with  an  additional  knot  for  every  ten.  Meanwhile 
a  single  knot  indicates  the  intermediate  fives.  Besides  this  system  some 
pilots  prefer  their  own  marks,  as  in  the  Hooghly,  where  they  always 
measure  the  line  for  themselves.  The  term  ^deep-sea  line''  must  not 
now  be  confined  to  the  use  of  the  lead  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  safe 
navigation;   deep-sea  soundings  for  scientific  purposes  are  recorded  in 


UNB-BREADTH UNE  OF  LINE  447 

thousands  of  fathoms,  in  which  case  the  line  is  sometimes  made  of  silk, 
the  object  being  to  obtain  the  largest  amount  of  strength  with  a  small 
weight — Fi8hing4vM8,  Particular  kinds  of  lines,  generally  used  for  fishing 
snood,  mackerel,  whiting,  cod,  albacore,  &c. — Hand-line,  A  line  about 
20  fathoms  long,  marked  like  the  first  20  fathoms  of  the  deep-sea  line. 
It  is  made  fast  to  a  hand-lead  of  from  7  to  14  lbs.,  and  used  to  determine 
the  depth  of  water  in  going  in  ov  out  of  a  harbour,  river,  channel,  &c. — 
Hatding^ine,  Any  rope  let  down  out  of  a  top,  <kc.,  to  haul  up  some  light 
body  by  hand. — Knave-line,  A  rope  fastened  to  the  cross-trees,  under  the 
main  or  fore  top  whence  it  comes  down  by  the  ties  to  the  ram-head,  and 
there  it  is  rove  through  a  piece  of  wood  about  2  feet  long,  and  so  is  brought 
to  the  ship's  side,  and  there  hauled  up  taut  to  the  rails. — Life-line,  A  rope 
occasionally  extended  in  several  situations  for  persons  to  lay  hold  of,  to  pre- 
vent their  falling. — Mar-line,  A  particular  kind  of  small  line,  composed  of 
two  strands  veiy  little  twisted;  there  is  both  tarred  and  white  mar-line. 
That  supplied  for  the  gunner  and  for  bending  light  sails  is  untarred. — 
Navel-line,  A  rope  depending  from  the  heads  of  the  main  and  fore  masts, 
and  passed  round  to  the  bight  of  the  truss  to  keep  it  up,  whilst  the  yard  is 
being  swayed  up  or  when  the  truss,  in  bracing  sharp  up  is  overhauled 
to  the  full. — Spilling4ine8,  Ropes  fixed  occasionally  to  the  square  sails, 
particularly  the  main  and  fore  courses  in  bad  weather,  for  reefing  or  furling 
them  more  conveniently;  they  are  rove  through  blocks  upon  the  yard, 
whence  leading  round  the  sail  they  are  fastened  abaft  the  yard,  so  that 
the  sail  is  very  closely  confined. —  White-line,  That  which  has  not  been 
tarred,  in  contradistinction  to  tarred  line. 

LINE-BREADTH.    See  Brkadth-line. 

LINE  OF  BATTLE.  A  disposition  of  the  fleet  at  the  moment  of  engage- 
ment, by  signal  or  previous  order,  on  which  occasion  the  vessels  are  usually 
drawn  up  as  much  as  possible  in  a  specified  bearing,  as  well  to  gain  and 
keep  the  advantage  of  the  wind,  as  to  run  the  same  board,  about  1  cable,  or 
100  fathoms  distant  from  each  other.  The  line-of-battle  in  sea-fights 
occurs  both  in  Plutarch  (Themistocles)  and  Froissart. 

LINE-OF-BATTLE  SHIPS.  Formerly  those  of  74  guns  and  upwards; 
or  in  these  iron  days,  any  vessel  capable  of  giving  and  taking  the  tre- 
mendous blows  of  the  larger  ordnance. 

LINE  OF  BEARING.  A  previously  determined  bearing  given  out  by  a 
commander-in-chief,  as  well  as  line-of-battle.  ^'From  line  of  battle  form 
line  of  bearing,"  or  reverse.  The  line  of  bearing  must  be  that  point  of  the 
compass  on  which  the  ships  bear  from  each  other,  and  from  which  the 
line  of  battle  can  readily  be  formed  without  losing  speed  or  ground. 

LINE  OF  COLLIMATION,     See  Collimation,  Line  of. 

LINE  OF  DEFENCE.  In  fortification,  the  face  of  a  work  receiving  flank 
defence,  together  with  its  prolongation  to  the  flanking  work. 

LINE  OF  DEMARCATION.  A  Une  which  is  drawn  by  consent,  to 
ascertain  the  limits  of  territories  belonging  to  different  powers. 

LINE  OF  LINE.    See  Gunter'b  Line, 


4  i8  LINEUP-METAL LINBTOCX 

LINE-OF-METAL  ELEVATION.  That  which  the  axis  of  a  gun  has 
above  the  object  whea  its  line  of  metal  is  pointed  on  the  latter;  it  aver- 
ages l^"*  in  guns  of  the  old  construction. 

LINE  OF  NODES.  The  imaginary  line  joining  the  ascending  and  de- 
scending nodes  of  the  orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet 

LINE  OF  OPERATIONa  In  strategy,  the  line  an  army  follows  to 
attain  its  objective  point. 

LINE  OUT  STUFF.     To  mark  timber  for  dressing  to  shape. 

LINERS.  Line-of-battle  ships.  Also,  a  designation  of  such  packet  or 
passenger  ships  as  trade  periodicaUy  and  regularly  to  and  from  ports 
beyond  sea,  in  contradistinction  to  chance  vessels.  Also,  a  term  applied 
by  seamen  to  men-of-war  and  to  their  crews. 

LINES.  With  shipwrights,  are  the  various  plans  for  determining  the 
shape  and  form  of  the  ship's  body  on  the  mould-lofl  floor.  Also,  a  species 
of  field-works,  consisting  of  a  series  of  fronts,  constructed  in  order  to  cover 
the  front  and  form  the  immediate  defence  of  an  army  or  the  frontiers  of 
a  state. 

LINES  OF  FLOTATION.  Those  horizontal  marks  supposed  to  be  de- 
scribed  by  the  surface  of  the  water  on  the  bottom  of  a  ship,  and  which 
are  exhibited  at  certain  depths  upon  the  sheer-draught.  (See  Light 
WatrbtLIKe,  and  Load  WatebtLINb.) 

LING.  A  biTish-wood  useful  in  breaming.  Also,  a  fish,  the  Lota  molva; 
it  invaiiably  inhabits  the  deep  valleys  of  the  sea,  while  the  cod  is  always 
found  on  the  banks.     When  sun-dried  it  is  called  stock-fish. 

LINGET.     Small  langridge;  slugs. 

LINGO.  A  veiy  old  word  for  tongue  or  dialect^  rather  than  language  or 
speech. 

LININGS.  The  reef-bands,  leech  and  top  linings,  bunt-line  cloths,  and 
other  applied  pieces,  to  prevent  the  chafing  of  the  sails.  In  ship-building, 
the  term  means  thin  dressed  board  nailed  over  any  rough  surface  to  give 
it  a  finish 

LINKISTEH.     An  interpreter;  linguist. 

LINKS.  A  northern  phrase  for  the  windings  of  a  river;  also  for  flat  sands 
on  the  sea-shore,  and  low  lands  overflowed  at  spring  tides. 

LINK  WORMING.  Guarding  a  cable  from  friction,  by  worming  it  with 
chains. 

LINNE.     A  Gaelic  term  for  pool,  pond,  lake,  or  sea. 

LINSEY-WOLSEY.  A  stuff  in  extensive  use  commerciallv:  it  is  a  mix- 
ture  of  flax  and  wooL 

LINSTOCK.  In  olden  times  it  was  a  stafl*  about  3  feet  long,  having  a 
sharp  point  at  the  foot  to  stick  in  the  deck,  and  a  forked  head  to  hold  a 
lighted  matcL  It  gave  way  to  the  less  dangerous  match-tub,  and  since 
that  to  gun-locks,  friction  tubes,  dfc.     Shakspeare  in  Henry  V.  says: 

"  And  the  nimble  gannar 
TVith  Unttock  now  the  deviliih  cannon  tonchM, 
And  down  goes  all  before  them.** 


LINTRES UZARD  449 

LINTRES.     Ancient  canoes  capable  of  carrying  three  lintrarii. 

LIP.     Insolence  and  bounce. 

LIPPER.  A  sea  which  washes  over  the  weather  chess-tree,  perhaps  leaper. 
Also,  the  spray  from  small  waves  breaking  against  a  ship's  bows. 

LIPPING.     Making  notches  on  the  edge  of  a  cutlass  or  sword. 

LIPS  OF  SCARPHS.  The  substance  left  at  the  ends,  which  would  other- 
wise become  sharp,  and  be  liable  to  split. 

LIQUORS.  A  term  applicable  to  all  fluids,  but  at  sea  it  is  expressly  ap- 
plied to  alcoholic  spirits. 

LIRA.     An  Italian  coin.     A  silver  coin  of  about  tenpence  sterling. 

LISBONINR     A  national  denomination  for  the  moidore. 

LISSOM.     Active,  supple. 

LIST,  To.  To  incline  to  one  side;  as  "the  ship  has  a  list  to  port^"  t.^. 
leans  over  to  that  side. 

LIST.  A  roll  of  names,  as  the  army  and  navy  lists;  but  usually  at  sea 
it  means  the  doctors  list.  Also,  the  abbreviation  for  erdist,  '*Why  did 
you  listl"  said  when  a  man  is  grumbling  who  has  entered  a  service 
voluntarily. 

LIST  AND  RECEIPT.  The  official  document  sent  with  officers  or  men 
of  any  description,  discharged  from  one  ship  to  another;  it  merely  states 
the  names  and  qualities,  with  the  date  of  discharge. 

LISTER.  A  sort  of  three-pronged  harpoon  used  in  the  salmon  fisheries; 
also,  a  light  spear  for  killing  fish  in  general. 

LISTING.  A  narrow  strip  cut  off  the  edge  of  a  plank,  in  order  to  expose 
for  examination,  and  get  at,  a  vessel's  timbers. 

LITTER.  A  sort  of  hurdle  bed,  on  which  to  carry  wounded  men  from  the 
field  to  the  boats. 

LITTORAL.  Relating  to  a  coast;  often  used  as  synonymous  with  sea- 
board. 

LITTORARI-^     Ancient  coasting  vessels. 

LIVE,  To.  To  be  able  to  withstand  the  fury  of  the  elements;  said  of  a 
boat  or  ship,  &c. 

LIVE-LUMBER.  Passengers,  ladieSf  landsmen,  cattle,  sheep,  pigs,  and 
poultry. 

LIVELY.     To  lift  lightly  to  the  sea;  as  a  boat,  <kc. 

LIVER-FACED.     Mean  and  cowardly,  independent  of  complexion. 

LI  VERY -ARROW.     A  missile  formerly  supplied  to  our  ships  of  war. 

LIVE-SHELL.  One  filled  with  its  charge  of  powder  or  other  combustibla 
It  is  also  called  a  loaded  shell, 

LIVID  SKY.  That  blackish  red  and  blue  which  pervade  the  sky,  pre- 
vious to  an  easterly  gale,  at  sea : — 

"Deep  midnight  now  involves  the  livid  skies 
Where  eastern  breezes,  yet  enervate,  rise.*' — Falconer, 

LIZARD.  A  piece  of  rope,  sometimes  with  two  legs,  and  one  or  more 
iron  thimbles  spliced  into  it.  It  is  used  for  various  purposes;  one  is 
often  made  fast  to  the  topsail-tye,  for  the  bunt-lines  to  reeve  through,  to 

2  P 


450  LIZIBRB LOB 

confine  them  to  the  centre  of  the  yard.  A  lizards  with  a  tail  and  thimble 
is  used  as  a  fair  lead,  to  lead  out  where  the  liil  runs  in  a  line  with  the 
object.  The  lo^er  boom  topping-lift  is  thus  helped  by  carrying  the 
lizard  out  to  the  fore-brace  block.  In  yards  sent  aloft  ready  for  crossing, 
the  lizard  confines  the  yard  rope  until  the  order  is  given^  ''Sway  across,'* 
when,  letting  the  lizard  run,  all  cross  simultaneously. 

LIZIERE.  In  fortification,  a  word  sometimes  used  for  berm  (which  see). 
A  narrow  bank  of  earth  supporting  the  parapet  when  deformed  by  fire. 

LLANOS  [Sp.  plains].  Immense  plains  in  S.  America,  with  alternate 
arid  patches  and  verdure. 

LLOYD'S.  An  establishment  which,  from  a  subscription  cofiee-house,  has 
grown  to  a  society  which  has  transacted  the  bulk  of  the  British  insurance 
business  regularly  since  1601;  and  even  before  that  period  assurers  had 
met  there  "  time  out  of  mind."  A  register  is  kept  of  every  ship,  whether 
foreign  or  English,  with  the  place  whore  it  was  built,  the  materials  used 
in  its  construction,  its  age,  state  of  repair,  and  general  character. 

LLOYD'S  AGENTS.  Persons  appointed  in  all  parts  of  the  commercial 
world,  to  forward  accounts  of  the  arrivals  and  departures  of  vessels,  or 
any  information  interesting  to  the  underwriters.  • 

LLOYD'S  LIST.  A  gazette,  published  formerly  twice  a  week,  but  lat- 
terly daily,  under  the  superintendence  of  a  committee  chosen  by  the 
subscribers,  and  transmitted  over  the  whole  world* 

LLOYD'S  EEOISTEH.  An  annual  list  of  British  and  foreign  shipping, 
ranked  by  letter  and  number  in  different  classes. 

LLOYD'S  SURVEYORS.  Practical  persons  specially  appointed  in  Lon- 
don,  and  most  of  the  outports  of  the  United  Kingdom,  to  investigate  the 
state  and  condition  of  merchant-ships  for  the  underwriters. 

LOADED-SHELL.  A  shell  filled  with  lead,  to  be  thrown  from  a  mortar. 
The  term  is  also  used  for  live-slieUs, 

LOADING -CHAMBER  The  paterero,  or  inserting  piece  in  breech- 
loading. 

LOADING  OF  A  SHIP.    See  Cargo  and  Lading. 

LOADSMAN.     A  pilot,  or  person  who  conducts  into  or  out  of  harbours. 

LOADSTONE.    See  Magnet  and  Dipping-needle. 

LOAD  WATER-LINE.  The  draught  of  water  exhibited  when  the  ship 
is  properly  loaded;  in  a  word,  her  proper  displacement^  not  always  suffi- 
ciently considered. 

LOAD  WATER-SECTION.  A  horizontal  section  at  the  load  water-line 
in  the  shipbuilder's  draught. 

LOAFER.  One  who  hangs  about  a  dook,  ready  for  every  job  except  a 
hard  one. 

LOATH  TO  DEPART.  Probably  the  first  lino  of  some  favourite  song; 
formerly  the  air  was  sounded  in  men-of-war,  when  going  foreign,  for  the 
women  and  children  to  quit  the  ship. 

LOB.  A  sluggish  booby;  whence  Ivbber,  Also,  that  part  of  a  tree  where 
it  first  divides  into  branches. 


LOBBY LbCKET  451 

LOBBY.  A  name  sometimes  given  to  an  apartment  close  before  the  groat 
cabin  bulkhead. 

LOBCOCK.     A  lubber;  an  old  term  of  utter  contempt. 

LOBLOLLY.     A  name  formerly  applied  to  pottage,  burgoo,  or  gmeL 

LOBLOLLY-BOY.  A  man  who  attended  the  surgeon  and  his  assistants, 
to  summon  the  sick,  and  attend  on  them.  A  man  is  no^  stationed  in 
the  bay,  under  the  designation  of  sick-herth  attendant 

LOBSCOUSK  An  oUa-podrida  of  salt-meat,  biscuit^  potatoes,  onions, 
spices,  &C.,  minced  small  and  stewed  together.     (See  Laps-coubse.) 

LOBSTER  A  well-known  marine  crustacean,  Astacus  mariniM.  Also, 
red-coats  of  old;  whence  lobster-box^  a  colloquialism  for  barracks. 

LOBSTEErBOAT.  A  bluff,  clincher-built  vessel,  fitted  with  a  well,  to 
preserve  the  lobsters  alive. 

LOBSTERrTOAD.    See  Debp-sea  Crab. 

LOB-TAILING.  The  act  of  the  sperm  whale  in  violently  beating  the 
water  with  its  tail 

LOB-WOBM.     A  worm  found  at  low-water  in  sand,  esteemed  for  bait. 

LOCAL  ATTRACTION.  The  effect  of  the  iron  in  a  ship  on  her  com- 
passes; it  varies  with  the  position  of  a  compass  in  a  ship,  also  with  that 
of  a  ship  on  the  earth's  surface,  and  with  the  direction  of  the  ship's  head. 
In  iron  ships  it  is  affected  by  the  line  of  direction  in  which  they  are' 
built  Its  detection  and  remedies  are  amongst  the  most  important  studies 
of  navigators  of  iron  ships  and  steamers. 

LOCAL  MARINE-BOARD.    See  Marine  Boards. 

LOCH.     Graelic  for  lake,  in  Scotland  and  Ireland.     In  Scotland  also  an 
arm  of  the  sea,  where  the  tides  ebb  and  flow;  on  the  east  coast  called  a 
Jlrthy  though  on  the  west  mostly  termed  a  loch, 

LOCHABER  AXK     A  formidable  weapon  once  used  by  the  Highlanders. 

LOCK.  The  striking  instrument  by  which  fire  is  produced  for  the  dis- 
chai^e  of  a  gun,  containing  the  cock,  the  hammer,  the  pan,  &c.  It  was 
first  introduced  in  naval  ordnance  by  Sir  Charles  Douglas,  and  has  now 
given  way  to  the  detonating  hammer  and  friction  tube,  as  the  old  match 
and  the  salamander  did  to  the  lock. 

LOCK.  A  spelling  of  loch  (which  see).  Also,  the  general  name  for  any 
works  made  to  confine  or  raise  the  water  of  a  river;  a  canal  inclosed 
between  the  sluice-gate  above  and  the  flood-gate  below. 

LOCK,  To.     To  entangle  the  lower  yards  when  tacking. 

LOCKAGE.     The  cost  of  passing  vessels  through  canal-locks. 

LOCKER  Divisions  in  cabins  and  store-rooms. — Boatswain's  locker,  A 
chest  in  small  craft  wherein  material  for  working  upon  rigging  is  kept. 
— Chain-locker  or  chain-wed,  where  the  chain-cables  are  kept;  best  abreast 
the  main-mast^  as  central  weight,  but  often  before  the  fore-mast — Davy 
Joned  locker.  The  bottom  of  the  sea,  where  nothing  is  lost,  because  you 
know  where  it  ia — Sliot-lockers,  near  the  pump-well  in  the  hold.  Also, 
the  receptacle  round  the  coamings  of  hatchways 

LOCKET.     The  chape  of  a  sword-scabbard. 


432  LOCKFAST LOGCANOE 

LOCK-FAST.     A  modified  principle  in  the  breech-loading  of  fire-arms. 
LOCKING-IN.      The  alternate  clues  and  bodies  of  the  hammocks  when 

hung  up. 
LOCK,  STOCK,  AND  BARREL.     An  expression  derived  from  fire-arms, 

and  meaning  the  whole. 
IvOC-MEN,  OR  Looo-MEN.     An  old  term  for  pilots. 
LOCOMOTIVE-POWER.     The  force  of  sails  and  wind,  or  steam. 
LODE-MANAGE,  or  Lodehanship.     The  hire  of  a  pilot     It  also  meant 

both  pilotage  and  seamanship;  whence  Chaucer — 

"His  herborough,  his  moone,  and  hu  lodemanage. 
There  was  none  such  from  Hull  to  Cartage." 

LODE-MEREGK  In  the  laws  of  Oleron,  seems  identical  with  lode- 
manage, 

LODE-SHIP.  A  pilot  boat,  which  was  also  employed  in  fishing ;  it  is 
mentioned  in  statute  31  Edward  IIL  c  2. 

LODESMEN.     An  Anglo-Saxon  word  for  pilots. 

LODE-STAR.  The  north  star.  But  Spenser  alludes  to  any  star  as  a 
guide  to  mariners : — 

"Like  as  a  ship,  whose  lode-star,  suddenly 
Cover'd  with  clouds,  her  pilot  hath  dismay'd.*' 

Shakspeare  coincides  with  this,  in  comparing  Hermia's  eyes  to  lode-stars. 
LODGE  ARMS.     The  word  of  command  to  an  armed  party  preparatory 

to  their  breaking  off. 
LODGEMENT.     In  fortification,  an  established  footing,  such  as  a  besieger 

makes  by  throwing  up  hasty  cover,  against  the  fire  of  the  defenders,  on 

any  freshly  gained  post. 
LODGING  KNEES,  or  Deck-beam  Knees.     Tliose  riding  on  the  hanging 

or  dagger-knees,  and  fixed  horizontally  in  the  ship's  frame. 
LODIA.     A  large  trading  boat  of  the  White  Sea. 
LOE,  OR  Lawe.     An  eminence,  whether  natural  or  artificial. 
LOFTY  SHIPS.     Once  a  general  name  for  square-rigged  vessels : — 

"  A  mackerel  sky  and  mares'  tails 
Make  lofty  ships  carry  low  sails.*' 

LOG-BOARD.  Two  boards  shutting  together  like  a  book,  and  divided 
into  several  columns,  in  which  to  record,  through  the  hours  of  the  day 
and  night,  the  direction  of  the  wind  and  the  oourae  of  the  ship,  with  all 
the  material  occurrences,  together  with  the  latitude  by  observation.  From 
this  table  the  officers  work  the  ship's  way,  and  compile  their  journals. 
The  whole  being  written  by  the  mate  of  the  watch  with  chalk,  is  rubbed 
out  every  day  at  noon.     Now  a  slate  is  more  generally  used. 

LOG-BOOK.  Mostly  called  the  log,  is  a  journal  into  which  the  log-board 
is  daily  transcribed,  together  with  any  other  circumstance  deserving 
notice.  The  intermediate  divisions  or  watches  are  usually  signed  by  the 
commanding  officer.     It  is  also  divided  into  harbour-log  and  sea-log. 

LOG-CANOK     One  hollowed  out  of  a  single  log.     {See  Cai^oe.) 


LOGGED LONDAGE  453 

LOGGED.  Entered  in  the  log.  A  very  serious  punishment,  not  long 
disused,  as  a  mark  of  disgrace,  by  recording  the  omissions  of  an  officer.  It 
may  yet  be  demanded  if  arrest  ensues. 

LOGGED.  When  a  ship  is  on  her  beam  ends,  or  in  that  state  in  which 
she  is  unmanageable  at  sea.     {See  Water-logged.) 

LOGGERHEAD,  or  Logger-Heat.  A  round  ball  of  iron  attached  to  a 
long  handle  with  a  hook  at  the  end  of  it.  It  heats  tar  by  being  made 
hot  in  the  fire,  and  then  plunged  into  the  tar-bucket.  It  was  also  used 
to  pound  cocoa  before  chocolate  was  supplied.  Also,  an  upright  rounded 
piece  of  wood,  near  the  stem  of  a  whale-boat,  for  catching  a  turn  of  the 
line  to.  Also,  a  name  given  to  a  well-known  turtle,  Ghdonia  caoziana, 
from  its  having  a  great  head;  it  is  sometimes  called  the  whooper  or 
whopper.     (See  Turtle) 

LOG-GLASS.  The  sand-glass  used  at  heaving  the  log  to  obtain  the  rate  of 
sailing.  It  is  a  28  seconds  glass  for  slow  sailing,  and  14  seconds  for  fast 
sailing. 

LOG-LINE  AND  LOGfSHIR  A  small  line  about  100  fathoms  long,  fas- 
tened to  the  log-ship  by  means  of  two  legs,  one  of  which  passes  through  a 
hole  at  the  comer,  and  is  knotted  on  the  opposite  side,  while  the  other 
leg  is  attached  by  a  pin  fixed  into  another  hole  so  as  to  draw  out  when 
stop  is  called,  i.e.  when  the  glass  has  run  out.  This  line,  from  the  distance 
of  10,  12,  or  15  fathoms  of  the  log-ship,  has  certain  knots  or  divisions, 
which  ought  to  be  47  feet  4  inches  from  each  other,  though  it  was  the 
common  practice  at  sea  not  to  have  them  above  42  feet.  The  estimate  of 
the  ship's  way  or  distance  run  is  done  by  observing  the  length  of  the  line 
imwound  whilst  the  glass  is  running;  for  so  many  knots  as  run  out  in 
that  time,  so  many  miles  the  ship  sails  in  an  hour. — To  Jieave  the  log  is  to 
throw  it  into  the  water  on  the  lee-side,  well  out  of  the  wake,  letting  it 
run  until  it  gets  beyond  the  eddies,  then  a  person  holding  the  glass  turns 
it  up  just  as  the  first  mark,  or  stray-line,  goes  out,  from  which  the  knots 
begin  to  be  reckoned.  The  log  is,  however,  at  best,  a  precarious  way 
of  computing,  and  must  be  corrected  by  experience.  The  inventor  of  it 
is  not  known,  and  no  mention  is  made  of  it  till  the  year  1607,  in  an  East 
India  voyage,  published  by  Purchas.  The  mode  before,  and  even  now  in 
some  colliers,  and  in  native  crafl  in  the  East  Indies,  is  to  throw  a  log  or 
chip  overboard  at  the  foremost  channel-plate,  and  to  walk  aft,  keeping  up 
with  it  until  it  passes  the  stem,  thus  estimating  (and  closely  too  by  prac- 
tice) the  rate  of  motion.  Other  methods  have  been  invented  by  various 
people,  but  Masaei/s  Patent  Log  gives  the  most  accurate  measurement. 
The  same  principle  is  also  applied  to  the  deep-sea  sounding-lead. 

LOGWOOD.  Dyewood,  Hcemaioxylon  campechianum.  It  occurs  on  both 
sides  of  the  American  coasts  near  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  is  a  great 
article  of  trade,  varying  fix>m  £5  to  £10  per  ton.  Kecent  discoveries  of 
the  products  of  coal  have  reduced  the  price. 

LOIOH.     A  statute  term,  comprehending  the  fishes  lobbe,  ling,  and  cod. 

LONDAGE.     An  old  term  for  landing  from  a  boat 


45  i  LONTX)N  TVAOGON LONG^AWED 

LONDON  WAGGON.  The  tender  which  carried  the  impressed  men  from 
off  the  tower  to  the  receiving-ship  at  the  Nore. 

LONG-^.     Roman  row-boats  built  to  carry  a  large  number  of  men. 

LONG  AND  SHORT  BOARDS.     See  Tack  and  Halp-Tack. 

LONG  BALLS.     Engaging  beyond  the  reach  of  carronades. 

LONG  BOAT.  Ja  carvel-built,  full,  jBat^  and  high,  and  is  usually  the  lai^gest 
boat  belonging  to  a  ship,  furnished  with  spars  and  sails,  and  may  be  armed 
and  equipped  for  cruizing  short  distances ;  her  principal  employ,  however, 
is  to  bring  heavy  stores  on  board,  and  also  to  go  up  small  rivers  to  fetch 
water,  wood,  <fec.  At  sea  it  is  stowed  between  the  foi*e  and  main  masts. 
Not  used  in  the  navy.     {See  Launch.) 

LONG-BOW.     A  noted  weapon  formerly  supplied  to  our  men-of-war. 

LONG  CHALKS.     Great  strides.     {See  Chalk.) 

LONGER.  Each  row  of  casks  in  the  hold,  athwart.  Also,  the  fore  and 
aft  space  allotted  to  a  hammock;  the  longers  reckoned  similarly  to  last. 

LONG-GASKETS.  Those  used  for  sea  service;  the  opposite  of  liarhour 
gaskets  (which  see). 

LONGIR     A  name  of  the  foolish  guillemot,  Uria  troile,  in  the  north. 

LONGITUDE.  Is  an  arc  of  the  equator,  or  any  parallel  of  latitude,  con- 
tained between  the  meridian  of  a  place  and  that  of  Greenwich,  or  any 
other  first  meridian.  These  arcs  being  similar,  are  expressed  by  the 
same  number  of  d^rees  and  miles,  though  the  absolute  distance  on  the 
earth's  surface  decreases  as  the  latitude  increases,  for  which  see  Depar- 
ture. East  longitude  extends  180  degrees  to  the  rights  when  looking 
north,  and  west  longitude  as  many  to  the  left  of  the  first  meridian. 

LONGITUDE,  Geocentric.  The  .angular  distance  of  a  heavenly  body 
from  the  first  point  of  Aries^  measured  upon  the  ecliptic,  as  viewed  from 
the  earth. 

LONGITUDE,  Heliocentric.  The  angular  distance*  of  a  body  from  the 
first  point  of  Aries,  measured  upon  the  ecliptic,  as  viewed  from  the  sun. 

LONGITUDE  BY  ACCOUNT.  The  distance  east  and  west,  as  computed 
from  the  ship's  course  and  distance  run,  carried  forward  from  the  last 
astronomical  determination. 

LONGITUDE  BY  CHRONOMETER  Is  estimated  by  the  difference 
between  the  time  at  the  place,  and  the  time  indicated  by  chronometer. 

LONGITUDE  BY  LUNAR  OBSERVATION.  The  longitude  calcu- 
lated  by  observing  the  moon's  angular  distance  from  the  sun  or  a  fixed  star. 
It  is  the  only  check  on  chronometers,  and  very  valiiable  in  long  voyages, 
though  now  much  neglected,  since  the  establishment  of  compulsory  ex- 
amination in  the  merchant  service,  which  does  not  require  lunars. 

LONGITUDE  OF  A  CELESTIAL  BODY.  An  arc  of  the  ecliptic, 
contained  between  the  first  point  of  Aries  and  a  circle  of  longitude  pass- 
ing through  the  centre  of  the  body. 

LONGITUDINAL  SECTION.  In  ship-building,  a  Une  which  cuts  the 
draught  of  a  vessel  lengthwise. 

LONG-JAWED.     The  state  of  rope  when  its  strands  are  straightened  by 


LONG-LEAVE LOOM  ,  455 

being  much  strained  and  untwisted,  and  from  its  pliability  will  coil  both 

ways. 
LONGJ-LEAVR     Permission  to  visit  friends  at  a  distance. 
LONG-LEGGED.     Said  of  a  vessel  drawing  much  water. — Long  leggerSy 

lean  schoonei's.     Longer  than  ordinary  proportion  to  breadtL     Swift. 
LONG  OYSTER     A  name  of  the  sea  cray-iish. 
LONG-SERVICE.      A  cable  properly  served  to  prevent  chafing  under 

particular  use. 
'LONG-SHORK     A  word  used  rather  contemptuously  for  (dong-ahore; 

land    usage. — ^Long-shore  feUows,    landsmen    pretenders. — ^Long-shore 

otonet's,  those  merchants  who  become  notorious  for  sending  their  ships  to 

sea  scantily  provided  with  stores  and  provisions. 
LONG-SHOT.     A  distant  range.     It  is  also  used  to  express  a  long  way;  a- 

far-fetched  explanation;  something  incredible. 
LONG  STERN-TIMBERS.    iSee  Stern-timbers. 

LONG  STROKK    The  order  to  a  boat's  crew  to  stretch  out  and  hang  on  her. 
LONG-TACKLES.     Those  overhauled  down  for  hoisting  up  topsails  to  be 

bent.     Long-tackle  blocks  have  two  slieaves  of  different  sizes  placed  one 

above  the  other,  as  in  fiddle-blocks. 
LONG-TAILS.     A  sobriquet  for  th^  Chinese. 
LONG   TIMBERS,   or   Long   Top-timers.     Synonymous  with  dottble 

futtocks.     Timbers  in  the  cant-bodies,  reaching  from  the  dead-wood  to  the 

head  of  the  second  futtock,  and  forming  a  floor. 
LONG  TOGS.     Landsman's  clothes. 
LONG  TOM,  or  Long  Tom  Turks.      Pieces  of  lengthy  ordnance  for 

chasers,  ko, 
LONG  VOYAGE.     One  in  which  the  Atlantic  Ocean  is  crossed. 
LONG-WINDED  WHISTLERS.     Chase-guns. 
LOO,  or  LoE.     A  little  round  hill  or  heap  of  stones. — Under  the  loo,  is 

shelter  from  the  wind;  to  leeward. 
LOOF.     The  after  part  of  a  ship's  bow,  before  the  chess-tree,  or  that  where 

the  planks  begin  to  be  incurvated  as  they  approach  the  stem.     Hence, 

the  guns  which  lie  here  are  called  loqf-piecee, 
LOOF.     Usually  pronounced  and  spelled  luff  (which  see). 
LOOE^  To.     The  bearing  or  direction,  as,  she  looks  up,  is  approaching  her 

course. — A  plank  looks /ore  and  aft,  means,  is  placed  in  that  direction. 
LOOK-OUT.     Watchful  attention;  there  is  always  a  look-but  kept  from 

the  forecastle,  foretopsail-yard,  or  above,  to  watch  for  any  dangerous 

object  lying  near  a  ship's  track,  for  any  strange  sail  heaving  in  sights  <fec.; 

the  officer  of  the  watch  accordingly  calls  frequently  from  the  quarter-deck 

to  the  masthead-man  appointed  for  this  service,  ''Look  out  afore  there." 
LOOK  OUT  FOR  SQUALLS.     Beware;  cautionary. 
LOOM.     The  handle  of  an  oar.     Also,  the  track  of  a  flsh. 
LOOM,  To.     An  indistinct  enlarged  appearance  of  any  distant  object  in 

light  fogs,  as  the  coast^  ships,  dbc;  ''that  land  looms  high,"  "that  ship 

looms  large.*'     The  effect  of  refraction. 


456  LOOM-GALE LOSS 

LOOM-GALR     An  easy  gale  of  wind,  in  which  a  ship  can  cany  her 

whole  topsails  atrip. 
LOON,  OR  LuNDS.      The  great   northern  diver,  Colf/mbus  ^fctcialis,     A 

bird  about  the  size  of  a  goose,  which  frequents  the  northern  seas,  where 

''as  straight  as  a  loon's  leg,"  is  a  common  comparison. 
LOOP.     A  bight  or  bend.     The  winding  of  a  river. 
LOOP-HOLES.     Small  openings  made  in  the  walls  of  a  castle,  or  a  forti- 

cation,  for  musketry  to  fire  through.     Also,  certain  apertures  formed  in 

the  bulk-heads,  hatches,  and  other  parts  of  a  merchant-ship,  through  which 

small  arms  might  be  fired  on  an  enemy  who  boarded  her,  and  for  dose 

fight     They  were  formerly  called  meurhieres,  and  were  introduced  in 

British  slave-vessels. 
LOOPS  OF  A  Gun-carriage.     The  iron  eye-bolts  to  which  the  tackles  are 

hooked. 
LOOSE,  To.     To  unfurl  or  cast  loose  any  sail,  in  order  to  its  being  set^  or 

dried  after  rain. 
LOOSE  A  ROPE,  To.     To  cast  it  off,  or  let  it  ga 
LOOSE  FALL.     The  losing  of  a  whale  after  an  apparently  good  op{)or- 

tunity  for  striking  it 
LOOSE  ICK     A  number  of  pieces  near  each  other,  but  through  which 

the  ship  can  make  her  way. 
LOOSERS.     Men  appointed  to  loose  the  sails. 
LOOSING  FOR  SEA.     Weighing  the  anchor. 
LOOT.     Plunder,  or  pillage;  a  term  adopted  from  China. 
LOOVERED  BATTENS.     The  battens  that  inclose  the  upper  part  of  the 

welL    {See  Loover-ways.) 
LOOVER-WAYS.     Battens  or  boards  placed  at  a  certain  angle,  so  as  to 

admit  air,  but  not  wet;  a  kind  of  Yenetian-blind. 
LOP  AND  TOP.     The  top  and  branches  of  a  felled  tree. 
LOP-SIDED.     Uneven;  one  side  larger  than  the  other. 
LORCHA.     A  swill  Chinese  sailing  vessel  carrying  guns. 
LORD  OF  MISRULE.     See  Master  op  Misrule. 
LORDS  COMMISSIONERS.     See  Commissioners. 
LORD  WARDEN  op  the  Cinque  Ports.    A  magistrate  who  has  the 

jurisdiction  of  the  ports  or  havens  so  called.     Generally  held  by  one  high 

in  office,  or  an  old  minister. 
LORICA     A  defensive  coat-armour  made  of  leather;  when  iron  plates 

were  applied,  it  became  a  jack. 
LORN.     A  northern  name  for  the  crested  cormorant,  Phalacroeorax  cris- 

iatus, 
LORRELL.     An  old  term  for  a  lubberly  fellow. 
LOSE  WAY,  To.     When  a  ship  slackens  her  progress  in  the  water. 
LOSING  THE  Number  op  the  Mess.     Dead,  drowned,  or  killed.     {See 

Number.) 
LOSING  GROUND.     Dropping  to  leeward  while  working;  the  driftage. 
LOSS.     Total  loss  is  the  insurance  recovered  under  peril,  according  to  the 


LOSSAN LOWBH-HOPB  437 

invoice  price  of  the  goods  when  embarked,  togothor  with  the  premium  of 

insurance.     Partial  loss  upon  either  ship  or  goods,  is  that  proportion  of 

the  prime  cost  which  is  equal  to  the  diminution  in  value  occasioned  by 

the  damage.    {See  Insurance.) 
«  LOSSAN.     A  Manx  or  £r8e  term  for  the  luminosity  of  the  sea. 
LOST.     The  state  of  being  foundered  or  cast  away;  said  of  a  ship  when  she 

has  either  sunk,  or  been  beat  to  pieces  by  the  violence  of  the  sea. 
LOST  DAY.     The  day  which  is  lost  in  circumnavigating  the  globe  to  the 

westward,  by  making  each  day  a  little  more  than  twenty-four  hours  long. 

{See  Gained  Day.) 
LOST  HER  WAY.     Wlien  the  buoy  is  streamed,  and  all  is  ready  for 

dropping  the  anchor. 
LOSTl  LOST!     When  a  whfde Jlukea,  dives,  or  takes  tail  up  to  ^'running" 

and  the  boats  have  no  chance  in  chasing. 
LOST  OR  NOT  LOST.    A  phrase  originally  inserted  in  English  policies  of 

insurance,  in  cases  where  a  loss  was  already  apprehended.     It  is  now 

continued  by  usage,  and  is  held  not  to  make  the  contract  a  wager,  nor 

more  hazardous. 
LOT.     The  abbreviation  of  allotment,  or  allowance  to  wife  or  mother.     {See 

Allotment.) 
LOTMAN.     An  old  term  for  pirate. 
LOUGH.    See  Loch. 
LOUND.     Calm,  out  of  wind. 
LOW.     An  old  term  for  a  small  hill  or  eminence. 
LOW  AND  ALOFT.     Sail  from  deck  to  truck :  "every  stitch  on  her." 
LOWE.     A  flame,  blaze.     The  torch  used  in  the  north  by  fish-poachers. 
LOWER,  To.     The  atmosphere  to  become  cloudy.     Also,  to  ease  down 

gradually,  expressed  of  some  weighty  body  suspended  by  tackles  or  ropes, 

which,  being  slackened,  sufler  the  said  body  to  descend  as  slowly,  or 

expeditiously,  as  occasion  roquiro& 
LOWER-BREADTH-SWEEP.      The  second  on  the  builder's  draught, 

representing  the  lower  height  of  breadth,  on  which  line  is  sot  off  the 

main  half-breadth  of  the  ship  at  its  corresponding  timber. 
LOWER  COUNTER     The  counter  betwe^i  the  upper  counter  and  the 

rail  under  the  lights. 
LOWER-DECKERS.     The  heaviest  armament,  usually  on  the  lower  dock. 
LOWER-FINISHING.    See  Finishings. 
LOWER  HANDSOMELY,  Lower  Cheerly.      Are  opposed   to  each 

other;  the  former  being  the  order  to  lower  gradually,  and  the  latter  to 

lower  expeditiously. 
LOWER-HEIGHT.     See  Main-breadtu. 
LOWER-HOLD.     The  space  for  cargo  in  a  merchant-vessel,  fitted  with 

'tween-decks. 
LOWER-HOLD-BEAMS.     The  lowest  range  of  beams  in  a  merchantman. 
LOWER-HOPE.     A  well-known  reach  in  the  Thames  whore  ships  wait 

for  the  turn  of  the  tide. 


458  LOWER-UFTS LUFF 

LOWER-LIFTS.     The  lifts  of  the  fore,  main,  and  cross-jack  yards, 

LOWER  MASTS.    See  Masts. 

LOWER  TRANSIT.  The  opposite  to  the  upper  transit  of  a  circumpolar 
star :  the  passage  svb  polo. 

LOW  LATITUDES.  Those  regions  far  removed  from  the  poles  of  the 
earth  towards  the  equator,  10^  south  or  north  of  it. 

LOW  SAILS.     The  courses  and  close-reefed  topsails. 

LOW  WATER  The  lowest  point  to  which  the  tide  ebbs.  (See  Tide.) 
Also,  used  figuratively  for  being  in  distress,  without  money. 

LOXODROMIO.  The  line  of  a  ship's  way  when  sailing  oblique  to  the 
meridian. 

LOXODRONITJS.     The  traverse  table, 

LOZENGE.     The  diamond-cut  figure.     {See  Rhombus.) 

LUBBER,  OB  LuBBART.  An  awkward  unseamanlike  fellow;  from  a 
northern  word  implying  a  clownish  dolt.  A  boatswain  defined  them  as 
''fellows  fitted  with  teeth  longer  than  their  hair,''  alluding  to  their  appe- 
tites. 

LUBBER-LAND.  A  kind  of  El  Dorado  in  sea-story,  or  country  of  plea- 
sure without  work,  all  sharing  alike. 

LUBBER'S  HOLE.  The  vacant  space  between  the  head  of  a  lower-mast 
and  the  edge  of  the  top,  so  termed  from  timid  climbers  preferring  that  as 
an  easier  way  for  getting  into  the  top  than  trusting  themselves  to  the 
futtock-shrouds.  The  term  has  been  used  for  any  cowardly  evasion  of 
duty. 

LUBBER'S  POINT.  A  black  vertical  line  or  mark  in  the  compass-bowl 
in  the  direction  of  the  ship's  head,  by  which  the  angle  between  the 
magnetic  meridian  and  the  ship's  line  of  course  is  shown. 

LUBRICATOR.  The  oil  or  similar  material  applied  to  the  bearings  of 
machinery  to  obviate  friction.  Also,  special  preparations  of  the  same 
included  in  cartridges  for  rifled  fireams,  to  prevent  the  fouling  from  the 
burnt  powder  adhering  to  the  interior  of  the  bore. 

LUCE.  The  old  word  for  a  full-grown  pike  or  jack,  immortalized  by 
Shakspeare. 

LUCID  A.     The  bright  star  •r  a  of  each  constellation. 

LUCKEN.     An  unsplit  haddock  half-dry. 

LUCKY  MINIE'S  LINES.     The  long  stems  of  the  sea-plant  Chorda  JUum. 

LUCKY-PRO ACBL     A  northern  term  for  father-lasher,  Cottus  scorpius. 

LUFF,  OR  LooFE.  The  order  to  the  helmsman,  so  as  to 'bring  the  ship's 
head  up  more  to  windward.  Sometimes  called  springing  a  lufL  Also, 
the  air  or  wind.  Also,  an  old  familiar  term  for  lieutenant.  Also,  the 
fullest  or  roundest  part  of  a  ship's  bows.  Also,  the  weather-leech  of  a 
sail. 

LUFF  AND  LIE.     A  very  old  sea-term  for  hugging  the  wind  closely. 

LUFF  AND  TOUCH  HER!  Try  how  near  the  wind  she  will  come. 
{See  Touch.) 

LUFF  INTO  A  HARBOUR,  To.     To  saU  into  it^  shooting  head  to  wind, 


LUFF LUMBER  459 

gradually.  A  ship  is  accordingly  said  to  spring  her  luff  when  she  yields 
to  the  effort  of  the  helm,  by  sailing  nearer  to  the  wind,  or  coming  to,  and 
does  not  shake  the  wind  out  of  her  sails  until,  by  shortening  all,  she 
reaches  her  anchorage. 

LUFF  ROUND,  or  Luff  A-leb.  The  extreme  of  the  movement,  by 
which  it  is  intended  to  throw  the  ship's  head  up  suddenly  into  the  wind, 
in  order  to  go  about,  or  to  lessen  her  way  to  avoid  danger. 

LUFF  TACKLE.  A  purchase  composed  of  a  double  and  single  block,  the 
standing  end  of  the  rope  being  fast  to  the  single  block,  and  the  fall  coming 
from  the  double.  This  name  is  given  to  any  large  tackle  not  destined  for 
any  particular  place,  but  to  be  variously  used  as  occasion  may  require. 
It  is  larger  than  the  jigger-tackle,  but  smaller  than  the  fore  and  main 
yard-tackles  or  the  stay-tackles.     {See  Luff  upon  Luff.) 

LUFF  UPON  LUFF.  One  luff-tackle  applied  to  the  fall  of  another,  to 
afford  an  increase  of  purchase. 

LUG.  The  Arenicola  piscatorum,  a  sand-worm  much  used  for  bait  Also, 
of  old,  the  term  for  a  perch  or  rod  used  in  land-measuring,  containing 
16i  feet,  and  which  may  have  originated  the  word  log. 

LUGABr  [Sp.]    A  name  for  watering-places  on  the  Spanish  coast 

LUGr-BOAT.  The  fine  Deal  boats  which  brave  the  severest  weather;  they 
are  rigged  as  luggers,  and  dip  the  yards  in  tacking.  They  really  consti- 
tute a  large  description  of  life-boat. 

LUGGEB.  A  small  ve^l  with  quadrilateral  or  four-cornered  cut  sails,  set 
fore-and-aft,  and  may  have  two  or  three  masts.  French  coasters  usually 
rig  thus,  and  are  called  chasse  marges;  but  with  us  it  is  confined  to  fishing 
craft  and  ships'  boats;  some  carry  topsails.  During  the  war  of  1810  to 
1814  French  luggers,  as  well  as  Guernsey  piivateers,  were  as  large  as  300 
tons,  and  carried  18-  guns.  One  captured  inside  the  Needles  in  1814, 
carried  a  mizen-topsaiL  The  Lang  Bet  of  Plymouth,  a  well-known 
smuggler,  long  defied  the  Channel  gropers^  but  was  taken  in  1816. 

LUGS.  The  ears  of  a  bombshell,  to  which  the  hooks  are  applied  in  lift- 
ing it. 

LUG-SAIL.  A  sail  used  in  boats  and  small  vessels.  It  is  in  form  like 
a  gaff-sail,  but  depends  entirely  on  the  rope  of  the  luff  for  its  stability. 
The  yard  is  two-thirds  of  the  breadth  at  foot,  and  is  slung  at  one-fourth 
from  the  luff.  On  the  mast  is  an  iron  hoop  or  ti*aveller,  to  which  it  is 
hoisted  The  tack  may  be  to  windward,  or  at  the  heel  of  the  mast  amid- 
ships. It  is  powerful,  but  has  the  inconvenience  of  requiring  to  be 
lowered  and  shifted  on  the  mast  at  every  tack,  unless  the  tack  be  secured 
amidships.     Much  used  in  the  barca-longa,  navigated  by  the  Spaniards. 

LULL.  The  brief  interval  of  moderate  weather  between  the  gusts  of  wind 
in  a  gale.     Also,  an  abatement  in  the  violence  of  surf. 

LULL-BAG.  A  wide  canvas  hose  in  whalers  for  conducting  blubber  into 
the  casks,  as  it  is  ''made  off.'' 

LUMBER.  Logs  as  they  arrive  at  the  mills.  Also,  timber  of  any  size, 
sawed  or  split  for  use.     Also,  things  stowed  without  order. 


^ 


4(JQ  LUMBERER LUNI-SOLAR 

LUMBERER.  One  who  cuts  timber  (generally  in  gangs)  in  the  forests  of 
North  America  during  the  winter,  and,  on  the  melting  of  the  snow,  navi- 
gates it,  first  by  stream-driving  the  separate  logs  down  the  spring  torrents, 
then  in  bays  or  small  rafls  down  the  wider  streams,  and  finally  in  rafts  of 
thousands  of  square  yards  of  sur&ce  down  the  navigable  rivers,  to  the 
mills  or  to  the  port  of  shipment. 

LUMIERE  CENDREE.  A  term  adopted  from  the  French  to  signify  the 
ash-coloured  faint  illumination  of  the  dark  part  of  the  moon's  surface 
about  the  time  of  new  moon,  caused  by  sunlight  reflected  from  the  earth. 

LUMP.  A  stout  heavy  lighter  used  in  our  dockyards  for  carrying  anchors, 
chains,  or  heavy  stores  to  or  from  vessels.  Also,  the  trivial  name  of  the 
baggety,  an  ugly  fish,  likewise  called  the  sea-owl,  Cyclopterua  lumpus. 
Also,  undertaking  any  work  by  the  lump  or  whole. — By  the  lump,  a 
sudden  fall  out  of  the  slings  or  out  of  a  top;  altogether. 

LUMPERS.  So  named  from  labouring  at  lump  or  task  work.  Labourers 
employed  to  load  and  unload  a  merchant  ship  when  in  harbour.  In  the 
north  the  term  is  applied  to  those  who  furnish  ballast  to  ships. 

LUMP  SUM.  A  full  payment  of  arrears,  and  not  by  periodical  instal- 
ments of  money. 

LUNAR.  The  brief  epithet  for  the  method  of  finding  the  longitude  by  the 
moon  and  sun  or  moon  and  stars.     {See  Working  a  Lunar.) 

LUNAR  DAY.  The  interval  between  a  departure  and  return  of  the 
moon  to  the  meridian. 

LUNAR  DISTANCES.  An  important  element  in  finding  the  longitude 
at  sea,  by  what  is  termed  nautical  astronomy.  It  is  effected  by  measuring 
the  apparent  distance  of  the  moon  from  the  sun,  planet^  or  certain  bright 
stars,  and  comparing  it  with  that  given  in  the  nautical  almanac,  for  every 
third  hour  of  Greenwich  time. 

LUNAR  INEQUALITY.     See  Variation  of  the  Moon. 

LUNAR  OBSERVATIONS.  The  method  of  observing  the  apparent 
distances  between  given  celestial  objects,  and  then  clearing  the  angles 
from  the  effects  of  parallax  and  refraction. 

LUNAR  TABLES.  The  tabulated  logarithmic  aid  for  correcting  the 
apparent  distance,  and  facilitating  the  reduction  of  the  observations. 

LUNATION.  The  period  in  which  the  moon  goes  through  every  variety 
of  phase;  that  is,  one  synodical  revolution. 

LUNETTE.  In  fortification,  a  work  composed  of  two  faces  meeting  in  a 
salient  angle,  from  the  inner  extremities  of  which  two  short  flanks  run 
towards  the  rear,  leaving  an  open  gorge;  it  is  generally  applied  only  in 
connection  with  other  works.  Prize-masters  will  recollect  that  lunette  is 
also  the  French  name  for  a  spy-glass  or  telescope. 

LUNGE  [a  corruption  of  allonge].  A  pass  or  thrust  with  a  sword;  a  shove 
with  a  boarding-pike. 

LUNI-SOLAR.  A  chronological  term;  it  is  the  moon's  cycle  multiplied 
into  that  of  the  sun. 

LUNI-SOLAR  PRECESSION.    See  Precession. 


LUNT MACKEREL-BOAT  461 

LTJNT.     A  match-cord  to  fire  great  guns — a  matcli  for  a  linstock. 

LUNTRA.     See  Felucca. 

LURCA.     An  old  term  for  a  small  Mediterranean  coaster. 

LURCH.     A  heavy  roll,  weather  or  lee,  as  occasioned  bj  a  sea  suddenly 

striking  or  receding  from  the  weather-bilge  of  the  vessel. — To  be  left  in 

the  lurch  is  to  be  left  behind  in  a  case  where  others  make  their  escape. 
LUSH.     Intoxicating  fluids  of  any  kind.     Also,  a  northern  term  for  splash- 
ing in  water. 
LUSORIiE.     Ancient  vessels  of  observation  or  pleasure. 
LUST.    An  archaism  of  list    {See  List.) 
LUTE-STERN.     Synonymous  with  pink-stem. 
LUTINGS.     The  dough  stoppages  to  the  seams  of  the  coppers,  &a,  when 

distilling  sea  water. 
LYING.     The  situation  of  a  whale  when  favourable  for  sticking — the  "lie*' 

usually  occurs  after  feeding. 
LYING  ALONG.    See  Laying  Along. 
LYING  ON  HIS  OARS.     Taking  a  rest;  at  ease. 
LYING-TO.    ^ee  Lie-to. 

LYM.     From  the  Celtic  leiTn,  a  port;  as  Lyme  and  Lymington. 
LYMPHAD.     The  heraldic  term  for  an  old-fiashioned  ship  or  galley. 
LYNCH-LAW.      A  word    recently  imported  into   our    parlance    from 

America,  signifying  illegal  and  revengeful  execution  at  the  wish  of  a 

tumultuous  mob. 
LYRA     One  of  the  ancient  northern  constellations.     Also,  a  name  of  the 

gray  gurnard,  or  crooner  (which  see). 
LYRIK     The  name  in  the  Firth  of  Forth  for  the  Cottibs  cataphractua,  or 

armed  bull-head. 
LYTER.     The  old  orthography  for  lighter  (which  see). 
LYTHE.     A  name  for  the  pollack,  Gadus  polUichiua,     Also,  the  coal-fish 

in  its  fourth  year. 


M. 

MAASH.     A  laige  trading  vessel  of  the  Nile. 

MACK     A  war-club  of  old. 

MACHICOULIS.  A  projecting  gallery  over  gateways,  or  walls  insuf- 
ficiently flanked :  being  open  at  the  bottom  between  its  supporting  corbels, 
it  allows  of  defending  the  foot  of  the  walL 

MACKEREL.     The  Scomber  mUgaris,  a  well-known  sea-fish. 

MACKEREL-BOAT.  A  stout  clinch-worked  vessel,  with  a  large  foresail, 
spritsail,  and  mizen. 


462  MACKEREL-SKY MAGNETIC 

MACKEREL-SKY.    See  Cirro-cumulus. 

M ACKEREL-STURE.   A  northern  name  for  the  tunny,  Seomher  ifhynnu9. 

MACUL-/E.     Dark  temporary  spots  which  are  very  frequently  observed 

upon  the  sun*s  disc :  they  are  of  various  forms,  surrounded  by  a  lighter 

shade  or  penumbra. 
MAD.     The  state  of  a  compass  needle,  the  polarity  of  which  has  been  in- 
jured. 
MADDY,  OR  Maddie.     A  large  species  of  mussel  abundant  among  the 

rocks  of  the  western  islands  of  Scotland  and  Wales. 
MADE.     A  professional  term  for  having  obtained  a  commission,  or  being 

promoted.    Also,  in  some  points  synonymous  with  huiU,    {See  Masts,  &c) 
MADE-EYR     Synonymous  witli  Jlemish^eye  (which  see). 
MADE  MASTS.     The  large  masts  made  in  several  pieces.     A  ship's  lower 

mast  is  a  made  spar;  her  topmast  is  a  whole  spar. — Made  block  is  one 

having  its  shell  composed  of  different  pieces. 
MADRIERS.     Long  and  broad  planks,  used  for  supporting  the  earth  in 

mining.     Also,  an  old  term  for  sheathing. 
MAGAZINE.     A  place  built  for  the  safe-keeping  of  ammunition;  afloat  it 

is  confined  to  a  close  room,  in  the  fore  or  after  part,  or  both,  of  a  ship's 

hold,  as  low  down  as  possible;  it  is  lighted  occasionally  by  means  of 

candles  fixed  in  the  light-room  adjoining  it,  and  no  person  is  allowed  to 

enter  it  with  a  lamp  or  candle.     (See  Light-room.) 
MAGELLANIC   CLOUDS.     A  popukr  term  for  the  two  Jl^ebieulce,  or 

great  cloudy-looking  spots  in  the  southern  heavens,  which  are  found  to 

consist  of  a  vast  number  of  nebulae  and  clusters  of  stars. 
MAGELLAN  JACKET.     A  name  given  to  a  watch-coat  with  a  hood, 

worn  in  high  latitudes — ^first  used  by  Cook's  people. 
MAGGED.     Worn,  fretted,  and  stretched  rope,  as  a  magged  brace.     Also, 

reproved. 
MAGNET.     See  Compass. 
MAGNETIC  AMPLITUDK     The  angle  between  the  east  or  west  point 

of  a  compass  and  any  heavenly  body  at  its  rising  or  setting. 
MAGNETIC  AZIMUTH.     An  arc  of  the  horizon  intercepted  between 

the  azimuth  circle  of  a  celestial  object  and  the  magnetic  meridian. 
MAGNETIC  COMPENSATOR.     An  iron  plate  fixed  near  the  compass, 

to  neutralize  the  effect  of  local  attraction  upon  the  needle. 
MAGNETIC  NEEDLR     Applied  to  theodoUtes,  ships'  compasses,  &c 

A  balanced  needle,  highly  magnetized,  which  points  to  the  magnetic  pole, 

when  not  influenced  by  the  local  attraction  of  neighbouring  iron.     The 

magnetism  may  be  discharged  by  blows,  or  a  fall;  hence,  after  an  action 

at  sea,  the  needles  are  often  found  to  be  useless,  until  re-magnetized. 
MAGNETIC  STORM.     An  extraordinary  magnetic  action  indicated  by 

delicate  magnetometers  in  a   magnetic  observatory,  not  perceptible  on 

ordinary  magnets. 
MAGNETIC  TELEGRAPH.     An  instrument  for  communicating  mes- 

Eages  by  means  of  magnetism. 


^ 


MAaNITUBE MAIN-SAIL  463 

MAGNITUDE  OF  AN  ECLIPSR  The  proportion  which  the  eclipsed 
part  of  the  surface  of  the  sun  or  moon  bears  to  the  diameter;  it  is  some- 
times expressed  in  digits,  but  more  frequently  as  a  decimal,  the  diameter 
being  taken  as  unity. 

MAGNITUDES  OF  STARS.  Tlie  relative  degrees  of  apparent  size  in 
which  the  fixed  stars  are  arranged,  and  classed  according  to  the  intensity 
of  their  light.  The  first  six  classes,  designated  by  Greek  letters,  include 
all  those  which  are  distinctly  visible  to  the  naked  eya 

MAHONE,  Mahonna,  or  Maon.  A  former  Turkish  flat-bottomed  vessel 
of  burden,  mentioned  among  the  ships  of  Soliman  Pasha,  in  the  siege  of 
Diu. 

MAID.     A  coast  name  of  the  skate. 

MAIDEN.     A  fortress  which  has  never  been  taken. 

MAIL.  A  coat  of  armour.  Also,  a  number  of  rings  interwoven  net-wise, 
and  used  for  rubbing  off  the  loose  hemp  from  white  cordage  after  it  in 
made. 

MAIL-SHELL.     A  name  for  the  chiton. 

MAIN.     A  continent  or  mainland.     Also,  figuratively,  the  ocean. 

MAIN-BODY.  The  body  of  troops  that  marches  between  the  advance- 
guard  and  the  rear-guard  of  an  army. 

MAIN-BOOM.  The  sjiar  which  stretches  the  foot  of  the  boom-mainaail  in 
a  fore-and-aft  rigged  vessel. 

MAIN-BEAGR  A  purchase  attached  to  the  main-yard  for  trimming  it  to 
the  wind. 

MAIN-BKEADTH.  The  broadest  par|^  of  a  ship  at  any  particular  timber 
or  frame,  distinguished  by  upper  and  lower  heights  of  breadth  lines. 

MAIN-CAPSTAN.     The  after  one,  as  distinguished  from  the  jeer-capstan. 

MAIN-COURSE.     The  main-saiL 

MAIN-GUARD.  The  principal  guard  of  a  garrison  town,  usually  posted 
in  the  place-of-arms,  or  the  market-place. 

MAIN-HOLD.  *  That  part  of  a  ship's  hold  which  lies  near  the  main-hatch. 

MAIN-ICR  A  body  of  impenetrable  ice  apparently  detached  from  the 
land,  but  immovable;  between  which  and  the  land  are  lanes  of  water. 

MAIN-JEERS.     Jeers  for  swaying  up  the  main-yard. 

MAIN-KEEL.  The  principal  keel,  as  distinguished  from  the  false-keel 
and  the  keelson. 

MAIN-PIECE.  The  strong  horizontal  beam  of  the  windlass,  supported  at 
the  ends  by  iron  spindles  in  the  wincUasa-hitU. 

MAIN-PIECE  OP  THE  Rudder.  The  rudder-stock,  or  piece  which  is 
connected  by  the  rudder-handa  to  the  stem-post. 

MAIN-POST.  The  stem-post^  as  distinguished  from  the  false-post  and 
inner-post. 

MAIN  ROYAL-MAST.     That  above  the  main  topgallant-mast. 

MAIN-SAIL.  This,  in  a  square-rigged  vessel,  is  distinguished  by  the  so- 
termed  square  mainrsail;  in  a-  fore-and-aft  rigged  vessel  it  obtains  the 
name  of  boom  inain'SaxL     Brigs  carry  both. 


404.  MAINSAIL  HAUL MAKE  FAST 

MAINSAIL  HAUL!     The  order  given  to  haul  the  ailer-yards  round 

when  the  ahip  is  nearly  head  to  wind  in  tacking. 
MAIN-SHAFT.     The  principal  shaft  in  machinery. 
MAINSHEET-HORSR     A  kind  of  iron  dog  fixed  at  the  middle  of  a 

wooden  beam,  stretching  across  a  craft's  stem,  from  one  quarter  stanchion 

to  the  other;  on  it  the  mainsheet-block  travels. 
MAIN -SPRING.     The   source  of  continuous  motion  in  a  time-keeper. 

Also,  that  part  of  a  musket-lock  which  is  sunk  into  the  stock. 
MAIN-STAYSAIL.     A  storm -sail  set  between  the  fore  and  main  masts. 
MAIN-TACK  BLOCK.     A  block  forming  part  of  the  purchase  used  for 

haiding  the  main-tack  down  to. 
MAIN-TACKLE.      A  large  and  strong  tackle,  hooked  occasionally  upon 

the  main  pendant,  and  used  for  various  purposes,  particularly  in  securing 

the  mast,  by  setting  up  the  rigging,  stays,  <kc. 
MAIN-TACKLE  PENDANT.     A  stout  piece  of  rope  with  a  hook  in  one 

end,  and  a  thimble  in  the  other,  sometimes  used  for  hauling  the  main- 
tackle  down. 
MAIN-TOP  BOWLINK     The  bowline  of  the  main-topsaU.     It  is  used 

to  haul  the  weather-leech  forward  when  on  a  wind,  which  makes  the  sail 

stand  better. 
MAIN-TOPSAIL  HAUL!      The  order  used  instead  of  mainsail  haul, 

when  the  mainsail  is  not  set. 
MAIN-TEANSOM.     A  term  often  applied  to  the  toing-transom  (which 

see). 
MAIN-WALES.     The  lower  wales,  which  are  generally  placed  on  the 

lower  breadth,  and  so  that  the  main-deck  knee-bolts  may  come  into  them. 
MAIN-YARD  MEN.     Those  in  the  doctor's  list. 
MAISTER.    See  Master. 
MAIZK     Indian  corn,  an  article  of  extensive  commerce  in  many  countries. 

In  Italy  it  is  called  Turkey  grain  and  grano  d* India;  in  America  simply 

corny  all  other  grains  retaining  their  distinctive  names. 
MAJOR.     The  next  rank  below  that  of  lieutenant-colonel;   the  junior 

field-officer. 
MAJOR  AXIS.     In  the   orbit  of  a  planet,   means  the   line  joining  its 

aphelion  and  perihelion. 
MAJOR-GENERAL.     The  next  in  rank  below  the  lieutenant-general. 
MAJOR  OF  BRIGADE.    See  Brigade-major 
MAKE,  To.     Is  variously  applied  in  sea-language. 
MAKE  A  GOOD  BOARD.    See  Board. 
MAKE  A  LANE  THERE !     The  order  of  the  boatswain  for  the  crew  to 

separate  at  muster,  to  facilitate  the  approach  of  any  one  whose  name  is 

called.     {See  Lane.) 
MAKE  BAD  WEATHER,  To.      A  ship  rolling,  pitching,  or  leaking 

violently  in  a  gale. 
MAKE  FAST.     A  word  generally  used  for  tying  or  securiug  ropes.     To 

fasten. 


MAXB  FREE MANACLE  465 

MAKE  FREE  WITH  THE  LAND,  To.  To  approach  the  shore 
closely. 

MAKE  HEADWAY.  A  ship  makes  headway  when  she  advances  through 
the  water. 

MAKE  IT  SO.  The  order  of  a  commander  to  confirm  the  time,  sunrise, 
noon,  or  sunset,  reported  to  him  by  the  officer  of  the  watch. 

MAKE  LEEWAY,  To.     To  drift  to  leeward  of  the  course. 

MAKE  READY !     Be  prepared. 

MAKES.     This  expresses  coming  on ;  as,  tlie  tide  makes,  ix, 

MAKE  SAIL,  To.  To  increase  the  quantity  of  sail  already  set^  either  by 
letting  out  reefs,  or  by  setting  additional  sails. 

MAKE  STERNWAY,  Tc^    To  retreat,  or  move  stem  foremost. 

MAKE  THE  LAND,  To.     To  see  it  from  a  distance  after  a  voyage. 

MAKE  WATER,  To.  Usually  signifies  the  act  of  a  ship  leakhig,  unless 
the  epithet /omZ  be  added.     (See  Foul  Water.) 

MAKING  IRON.  One  of  the  caulker^s  tools;  it  has  a  groove  in  it,  and 
is  used  after  the  caulking  iron  to  finish  off  the  seam.     (6'<0«  Meakikg.) 

MAKING  OFF.  Catting  the  flensed  blubber  of  a  whale  into  pieces, 
fitted  to  pass  in  at  the  bilge-holes  of  the  butts  which  receive  it. 

MALA  FIDES.  In  admiralty  law,  not  to  be  presumed,  even  under  con- 
cealment of  letters,  or  deviation  from  truth  in  formal  papers. 

MALDUCK.     One  of  the  names  given  to  the  fulmar,  ProceUaria  glctcialia. 

MALKIN.     A  joint-staff  sponge,  for  cleaning  out  a  piece  of  ordnance. 

MALINGERER  [Fr.  malingre\  One  who  counterfeits  illness  for  the 
purpose  of  avoiding  duty. 

MALLARD.     The  male  of  the  wild  duck  {Anas  hoachas). 

MALLEMAK,  or  Molltmauk.  A  sea-bird ;  the  FroceUa/ria  gktdcUUf 
called  alao/xdmar  (which  sec). 

MALLEMAROKING.  The  visiting  and  carousing  of  seamen  in  the 
Greenland  ships. 

MALLET.  A  wooden  hammer,  of  which  there  are  several  sorts. — A 
caulking  maUet  is  employed  to  drive  the  oakum  into  the  seams  of  a  ship. 
The  head  of  this  mallet  is  long,  cylindrical,  and  hooped  with  iron. — 
Serving  maUet,  A  cylindrical  piece  of  wood  with  a  groove  on  one  side 
and  a  handle  on  the  other.  It  is  used  in  serving  the  rigging,  binding 
the  spun  yam  more  firmly  about  it  than  could  be  done  by  hand. 

MALLOW.     A  Dorthem  name  for  the  sea-plant  Zoatera  maHna. 

MALTHA.     Mineral  pitch. 

MAN.  A  ship  is  frequently  spoken  of  as  man;  as  man-of-war,  merchant- 
man, Guineaman,  East  or  West  Indiaman,  Greenlandman,  &c. 

MAN,  To.  To  provide  a  competent  number  of  hands  for  working  and 
fighting  a  ship;  to  place  people  for  duty,  as  ''Man  the  barge;"  '*Man 
the  capstan;''  ''Man  the  yards,*'  &c 

MAN,  Isle  of,  Batteat.  A  name  given  to  the  three  guns  mounted  on 
ships'  turrets. 

MANACLE.     A  handcuff 

2a 


466  KANABYBL MANILLA  BOPE 

MANARVEL,  To.     To  pilfer  small  stores. 

MANATEE,  Manati,  or  Sea-cow  (AfanoUits  ameriecmiu).  A  herbivorous 
aquatic  animal  of  the  order  Sirenia,  found  in  the  West  Indies  and  South 
American  rivers.  Another  species  (IfaTicUtu  senegalensis)  inhabits  the 
west  coast  of  Africa. 

MAN-BOUND.  Detained  in  port  in  consequence  of  being  short  of  com- 
plement. 

MAN-BROKER     Synonymous  with  crimp  (which  see). 

MANBY'S  MORTAR.  An  efficient  apparatus  for  throwing  a  shell  with 
a  line  and  chain  attached  to  it,  over  a  stranded  vessel,  and  thereby  open- 
ing a  communication  between  the  wreck  and  the  shore. 

MANGHE  OF  Makqalore.  A  flat-bottomed  boat  of  burden,  about  25  to 
3d  feet  long,  6  or  7  feet  broad,  and  4  or  5  feet  deep,  for  landing  the 
cargoes  of  the  patamirs,  which  are  discharged  and  loaded  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river.  These  boats  are  sewed  together  like  the  Masulah  boats  of 
Madras. — The  MaiuikS  cf  GcUictU  is  very  similar  to  the  foregoing^  with 
the  exception  of  a  raking  stem  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  beach. 

MANCHINEEL.  Hippomane  mancineUay  a  tree  which  grows  to  a  vast 
size  on  the  coasts  of  the  Caribbee  Isles  and  neighbouring  continent.  The 
fruit  and  sap  are  highly  poisonous;  but  sleeping  beneath  the  branches 
does  not  cause  death,  as  was  erroneously  supposed. 

MANDARIN.  A  Portuguese  word  derived  from  mandarey  "to  com- 
mand." It  is  unknown  to  the  Chinese  and  Tonquinese,  who  style  their 
dignitaries  "quahn." 

MANDILION.     A  loose  boat^loak  of  former  times. 

MANDRIL.     A  wooden  cylinder  for  forming  paper  cartridges. 

MANGER  A  small  berthing  in  the  bows,  extending  athwart  the  deck  of 
a  ship-of-war  immediately  within  the  hawse-holes,  and  separated  on  the 
after-part  from  the  rest  of  the  deck  by  the  manger-board^  a  strong  coaming 
rather  higher  than  the  hawse-holes,  serving  to  prevent  the  ingress  of  the 
sea  when  the  cables  are  bent;  this  water  is  returned  to  the  sea  through 
the  manger-scuppers,  which  are  made  large  for  that  purpose. 

MANGONEL.  An  ancient  military  engine  in  the  form  of  a  gigantic  cross- 
bow, discharging  large  darts  and  stones,  used  in  battering  fortified  places: 
a  kind  of  balista. 

MANGONIZE,  To.     To  traffic  in  slaves. 

MAN-HANDLE,  To.     To  move  by  force  of  men,  without  levers  or  tackles. 

MAN-HOLE.  The  aperture,  secured  by  a  door,  in  the  upper  part  of  a 
steam-boiler,  which  allows  a  person  to  enter  for  repairing  it  or  removing 
the  deposit  or  crust  of  salt. 

MAN-HUNTING.     The  impress  service. 

MANIFEST.  An  official  inventory  of  the  cargo  of  a  merchant  ship, 
specifying  the  name  and  tonnage  of  the  vessel,  the  description  of  goods, 
the  names  of  shippers  and  consignees,  and  the  marks  of  each  package. 

MANILLA  ROPK  A  valuable  cordage  made  in  the  Philippines,  which, 
not  being  subject  to  rot,  does  not  require  to  be  tarred. 


maniple: MABGIN  LIKE  467 

MANIPLE.  A  small  armed  party;  a  term  derived  firom  the  subdivision 
of  a  Roman  cohoi*t. 

MANCBUVRK  A  dexterous  management  of  anything  connected  with 
the  ship. 

MAN-OF-WAR.     Any  vessel  in  the  royal  navy. 

MAN-OF-WAR  BIRD,  or  Frigate  Bird.  Frigata  aquUa,  a  sea-bird  of 
the  family  PdicanidoRy  found  in  the  tropics,  remarkable  for  the  length  of 
its  wings  and  rapidity  of  its  flight. 

MAN-OF-WAR  FASHION.  A  state  of  order,  tidiness,  and  good  dis- 
cipline. 

MAN-OF-WAR*S  MAN.     A  seaman  belonging  to  the  royal  navy. 

MANOMETER     A  steam-gauge. 

MAN  OVERBOARD  !  A  cry  which  excites  greater  activity  in  a  ship 
than  any  other,  from  the  anxious  desire  to  render  assistance. 

MAN  SHIP  !  Is  to  range  the  people  on  the  yards  and  rigging  in  readi- 
ness to  give  three  cheers,  as  a  salute  on  meeting,  parting  company,  or 
other  occasions;  a  good  old  custom  now  slackening.  In  war,  as  instanced 
by  the  Nymphe  and  Cleopatra,  the  meeting  of  enemies  was  truly 
c^valrousj  though  there  was  a  case  where  the  response  was  so  moderated 
as  to  be  laughed  at  as  ''a  cheer  with  the  chill  on." 

MANSIONS  OF  THE  MOON.    See  Lunar  Mansions. 

MANTILLIS.  A  kind  of  shield  anciently  fixed  upon  the  tops  of  ships  as 
a  cover  for  archers. 

MANTLETS.  Large  movable  musket-proof  blinds  used  by  besiegers  at 
the  head  of  a  sap,  now  mostly  fitted  to  embrasures  to  protect  the  gunners 
from  sharpshooters:  they  are  best  when  made  of  plaited  rope. 

MANUAL-EXERCISE  The  regulated  series  of  motions  for  handling 
and  carrying  the  musket,  except  what  is  connected  with  firing  it. 

MANUBALIST.     A  stout  cross-bow. 

MANXMAN.     A  seaman  or  native  of  the-  Isle  of  Man. 

MANZERA.     A  vessel  used  in  the  Adriatic  for  carrying  cattle. 

MAON.    See  Mahone,  Port  of. 

MAR     Latin  mwrey  the  sea:  a  prefix,  as  Margate,  the  sea-way,  &c. 

MAR  ABUT.  A  sail  which  galleys  hoisted  in  bad  weather.  Also^  small 
edifices  on  Barbary  headlands,  occupied  by  a  priest. 

MARCHES.  Borders  or  confines  of  a  country,  as  the  marches  of 
Ancona,  <fec. 

MARCHING  ORDER  A  soldier  fully  equipped  with  arms,  ammunition, 
and  a  portion  of  his  kit,  carries  firom  30  to  35  lbs.  In  sermce  nuirching 
order,  by  the  addition  of  provisions  and  some  campaigning  necessaries,  he 
carries  nearly  50  Iba  But  heavy  marching  order,  which  was  yet  heavier, 
is  now  happily  abolished. 

MARCO-BANCO.  An  imaginary  coin  of  Hamburg  conmierce,  equal  to 
1*.  5  jd  sterling. 

MARE'S  TAILS.     A  peculiar  modification  of  the  cirrus,  indicating  wind. 

MARGIN  LINK     A  line  or  edge  parallel  to  the  upper  side  of  the  wing 


468  MABINARinS MAKIKES 

transom,  and  just  below  it,  where  the  butts  of  the  after  bottom  pknks 
terminate. 

MAE.INARITJS.     An  old  statute  term  for  a  mariner  or  seaman. 

MARINATE,  To.  To  salt  fish,  and  afterwards  preserve  it  in  oil  or 
vinegar, 

MARINE.  Belonging  to  the  sea.  It  is  a  general  name  for  the  royal  or 
mercantile  navy  of  any  state;  also  the  whole  economy  of  nautical  afCedrs. 

MARINE  BAROMETER.  A  barometer,  the  tube  of  which  is  contracted 
in  one  part  to  prevent  the  sudden  oscillations  of  the  mercury  by  the 
ship's  motion* 

MARINE  BOARDS.  Establishments  at  our  different  ports  for  carrying 
into  effect  the  provisions  of  the  Merchant  Shipping  Act. 

MARINE  BUILDINGS.  Those  constructed  for  making  or  preserving 
ships,  as  docks,  arsenals,  store-houses,  &c 

MARINE  CLOTHING-ROOM.  A  compartment  of  the  after-platform, 
to  receive  the  clothes  and  stores  of  the  royal  marines. 

MARINE  ENGINES.  Those  steam  engines  which  are  used  to  propel 
ships,  whether  on  the  ocean  or  in  rivers,  in  contradistinction  to  locomo- 
tives on  shore. 

MARINE  GLUE,  or  Jeffrey's  Glue.  A  well-known  adhesive  composi- 
tion of  great  importance  in  ship  carpentry,  and  in  various  nautical  uses. 
The  substance  is  said  to  consist  of  caoutchouc,  gum,  and  mineral  oil 

MARINE  INSURANCR  A  contract  by  which  an  individual  or  a  com- 
pany agree  to  indemnify  the  losses  or  damages  happening  to  a  ship  or 
cai^o  during  a  voyage.  For  this  agreement  the  shipowner  pays  a  sum 
in  advance,  called  the  premium,  which  falls  to  the  insurer  in  case  the  ship 
arrives  safe  in  a  specified  harbour.  If  the  ship  or  cargo,  however,  be  lost 
by  de&ult  of  tbe  person  insured,  the  insurer  shall  not  be  accountable. 
Among  the  Romans,  the  state  made  good  losses  by  shipwreck,  which 
occasioned  many  frauds.  It  is  mentioned  in  the  laws  of  Oleron,  but  was 
regulated  under  its  present  bearings  in  England  in  1601. 

MARINE  LAGOON.  A  lake  or  inlet  formed  by  the  encroachments  of 
the  sea,  and  the  deposits  of  fluviatile  action. 

MARINE  OFFICER.  An  officer  of  the  Royal  Marines.  Jocularly  and 
witlessly  applied  to  an  empty  bottle,  as  being  ''useless;**  but  better 
rendered  as  having  "  done  its  duty,  and  ready  to  do  it  again.'* 

MARINER.  One  who  obtains  his  living  on  the  sea,  in  whatever  rank. 
But  with  our  old  voyagers  mariners  were  able  seamen,  and  sailors  only 
ordinary/  seamen.  Thus,  Middleton's  ship  sailed  from  Bantam  in  1605, 
leaving  18  men  behind,  ''of  whom  5  were  mariners,  and  13  sailors." 

MARINE  RAILWAY.  A  term  which  has  been  applied  to  a  slip  for 
hauling  vessels  on  to  repair. 

MARINER'S  COMPASS.    See  Compass. 

MARINER'S  NEEDLR     The  magnetized  bar  of  a  mariner's  compass. 

MARINES,  THE  ROYAL.  A  body  of  officers  and  soldiers  raised  to 
serve  on  board  men-of-war,  and  trained  to  fight  either,  at  sea  or  on  shore: 


MARINE  STORES MARLINE  469 

their  chosen  body  of  artillery  waa  esteemed  one  of  the  best  under  the 
crown.  (^66  Artillery.)  ''Tell  that  to  the  marines"  was  a  common 
rejoinder  to  any  improbable  assertion,  when  those  fine  fellows  had  not 
acquired  their  present  high  estimation. 

MARINE  STORES.  A  general  term  for  the  ironwork,  cordage,  sails, 
provisions,  and  other  outfit^  with  which  a  vessel  is  supplied. 

MARITIMA  ANGLLE.  The  profit  and  emolument  formerly  arising  to 
the  king  firom  the  sea,  but  which  was  afterwards  granted  to  the  lord  high 
admiral. 

^lARITIMK  Pertaining  to  sea  affidrs:  all  but  synonymous  with  marine 
(which  see.) 

MARITIME  COUNTRY.  A  country  which  has  its  shores  washed  by 
the  sea. 

MARITIME  INTEREST.     See  Bottomrtt. 

MARITIME  LAW.  That  branch  of  international  law,  or  the  law  of 
nations,  which  consists  of  general  principlecf,  chiefly  derived  from  ancient 
codes  of  law,  and  admitted  by  civilized  nations,  as  to  commercial  inter- 
course with  enemies  and  neutrals. 

MARITIME  LIEN.  A  privileged  claim  in  respect  of  service  done  to,  or 
injury  caused  by,  a  ship,  to  be  carried  into  effect  by  legal  process. 

MARITIME  POSITIONS.  The  intersection  of  the  geographical  co-ordi- 
nates of  the  latitudes  and  longitudes  of  places  on  the  globe. 

MARITIME  POWERS.  Those  states  which  possess  harbours,  <fec.,  on 
the  coasts,  and  a  powerful  navy  to  defend  them. 

MARK.  A  certain  regulated  length  for  Spanish  sword-blades,  under 
penalty  of  fine,  and  the  weapon  to  seizure.  Also,  any  object  serving  for 
the  guidance  of  ships,  as  sea-marks,  land-marks,  leading-marks,  <kc. 
Also,  a  piece  of  twine  on  a  running  rope,  as  a  brace,  <&c.,  to  show  when, 
by  being  near  the  belaying  pin  or  the  bitts,  it  has  been  sufficiently  hauled 
in.     "  Mark  of  the  fore-brace  down,  sir;" — answer,  "  Belay,  oh. " 

MARKAB.     The  lucida,  or  chief  star,  in  the  ancient  constellation  Pegasus, 

MARKS  AKD  DEEPS.  Marks  are  the  measured  notifications  on  the 
hand  lead-line,  with  white,  blue,  and  red  bunting,  leather,  and  knots; 
deeps  are  the  estimated  fathoms  between  these  marks.  They  are  thus 
noted:  mark  2  leather;  mark  3  blue;  deep  4;  mark  5  white;  deep  6;  mark 
7  red;  deep  8;  deep  9;  mark  10  leather;  deep  11;  deep  12;  mark  13  blue; 
deep  14;  mark  15  white;  deep  16;  mark  17  red;  deep  18;  deep  19; 
mark  20  two  knots. 

MARL,  To.     To  souse  fish  in  vinegar  to  be  eaten  cold.     See  Souse. 

MARLE,  To.  To  wind  marline,  spun-yam,  twine,  <&c.,  about  a  rope,  so 
that  every  tarn  is  secured  by  a  kind  of  knot,  and  remains  fixed,  in  case 
the  rest  should  be  cut  through  by  friction.  It  is  commonly  used  to  fasten 
slips  of  canvas,  called  parsling,  upon  the  surface  of  a  rope,  to  prevent  its 
being  galled,  or  to  attach  the  foot  of  a  sail  to  its  bolt-rope,  &c.,  with 
marling  hitches,  instead  of  sewing  it. 

MARLINK    See  Line. 


470  MABLINE-HOLES MABTIAL  LAW 

MARLINE-HOLES.  Holes  made  for  marling,  or  lacing  the  foot-rope 
and  clues  in  courses  and  topsails. 

MARLINE-SPIKK  An  iron  pin  tapering  to  a  point,  and  principallj 
used  to  separate  the  strands  of  a  rope,  in  order  to  introduce  the 
ends  of  some  other  through  the  intervals  in  the  act  of  knotting  or  splicing; 
it  is  also  used  as  a  lever  in  marling,  .fixing  seizings,  Ac    {See  Fn>.) 

MARLINE^PIEE  HITCH.  A  peculiar  hitch  in  marling  made  bj  kying 
the  marline-spike  upon  the  seizing  stuff,  and  then  bringing  the  end  of 
that  seizing  over  the  standing  part,  so  as  to  form  a  jamming  bighl 

M  ARMIT.  A  ^t  fitted  with  a  hook  for  hanging  it  to  the  bars  of  the 
galley-range. 

MAROON.  A  name  for  a  bright  light  of  that  colour  used  for  signals;  and 
also  for  an  explosive  ball  of  prepared  paste-board. 

MAROONING.  A  custom  among  former  pirates,  of  putting  an  offender 
on  shore  on  some  desolate  cape  or  island,  with  a  gun,  a  few  shot^  a  flask 
of  powder,  and  a  bottle  of  water. 

MARQUE.    See  Lettebs  of  Mabque. 

MARQUEE.  An  officer^s  oblong  tent;  has  two  poles,  and  curtains  all 
round;  it  is  oflen  assigned  to  various  staff  purposes. 

MARROT.     A  name  for  the  guillemot 

MARRT,  To,  THE  Ropes,  Braces^  or  Falus.  To  hold  both  together,  and 
by  pressure  haul  in  both  equally.  Also  so  to  join  the  ends  of  two  ropes, 
that  they  will  pass  through  a  block. 

MARS.  One  of  the  ancient  superior  planetfl^  the  next  to  the  earth  in 
order  of  distance  firom  the  sun. 

MARSH  r  [Anglo-Saxon  mersc^  a  fen].  Low  land  ^often  under  water,  and 
.producing  aquatic  vegetation.  Those  levels  .near  the  sea  coast  are  usually 
saturated  with  salt  water. 

MARSI LIANA.     A  Venetian  ship  of  burden,  square-stemed. 

MART.  A  commercial  market.  Also  a  colloquialism  for  marque,  as  a 
letter  of  mart  or  marque. 

MARTELLO  TOWER  So  named  from  a  tower  in  the  Bay  of  Mortella, 
in.  Corsica,  which,  in  1794,  maintained  a  very  determined  resistance 
against  the  English.  A  martello  tower  at  the  entrance  of  the  bay  of 
•Gaeta  beat  off  H.M.S.  Pomp/e,  of  80  guns.  A  martello  is  built  ciroular, 
and  thus  difficult  to  hit,  with  walls  of  vast  thickness,  pierced  by  loop- 
holes, and  the  bomb-proof  roof  is  armed  with  one  Jieavy  traversing  gun. 
They  are  30  to  40  feet  high,  surrounded  by  a  dry  fosse,  and  the  entrance 
is  by  a  ladder  at  a  door  several  feet  from  the  ground. 

MARTIAL  LAW.  The  law  of  war,  obtaining  between  hostile  foroes,  or 
proclaimed  in  rebellious  districts;  it  rests  mainly  on  necessity,  custom  in 
like  cases,  and  the  will  of  the  commander  of  the  forces;  thus  differing 
from  military  law  (which  see).  Martial  law  is  proclaimed  when  the  civil 
law  is  found  to  be  insufficient  to  preserve  the  peace;  in  the  case  of  insur- 
rection, mutiny,  <fec.,  the  will  and  judgment  of  the  officer  in  command 
becomes  law. 


MARTIN MASTEK  47X 

MARTIN.  A  cat-sized  creature  with  a  valuable  fur  imported  from  Hud- 
son's Bay  and  Canada  in  prodigious  numbers. — ''  My  eye  and  Betty  Mar- 
iXTi^^  is  a  common  expression  implying  disbelief;  a  corruption  of  the 
Bomish  m%hi^  becUe  Martine! 

MAKTINET.  A  rigid  disciplinarian;  but  one  who,  in  matters  of  inferior 
moment,  harasses  all  under  him. 

MARTINGALK  A  rope  extending  downwards  from  the  jib-boom  end  to 
a  kind  of  short  gaff-shaped  spar,  fixed  perpendicularly  under  the  cap  of  the 
bowsprit;  its  use  is  to  guy  the  jib-boom  down  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
bobstays  retain  the  bowsprit.  The  spar  is  usually  termed  the  dolphin- 
striker  J  from  its  handy  position  whence  to  strike  fisL 

MARTNETS.  The  leech-lines  of  a  sail — they  were  said  to  be  topped  when 
the  leech  was  hauled  by  them  close  to  the  yard. 

MARYN  [Anglo-Nor.]     The  sea-coast 

MARYNAL.     An  ancient  term  for  mariner. 

MASCARET.  A  peculiar  movement  of  the  sea  near  Bordeaux  in  sum- 
mer, at  low  water. 

MASK.  A  cruive  or  crib  for  catching  fish.  A  battery  is  said  to  be 
masked  when  its  external  appearance  misleads  the  enemy. 

MAST  [Anglo-Saxon  mcest^  also  meant  chief  or  greatest].  A  long  cylindri- 
cal piece  of  timber  elevated  perpendicularly  upon  the  keel  of  a  ship,  to 
which  are  attached  the  yards,  the  rigging,  and  the  sails.  It  is  either  formed 
of  one  piece,  and  called  a  pole-mast^  or  composed  of  several  pieces  joined 
together  and  termed  a  made  mast.  A  lower  mast  is  fixed  in  the  ship  by 
sheers  (which  see),  and  the  foot  or  keel  of  it  rests  in  a  block  of  timber  called 
the  step,  which  is  fixed  upon  the  keelson. — Expending  a  mcut,  or  canying 
it  away,  is  said,  when  it  is  broken  by  foul  weather. — Fore-mast,  That 
which  stands  near  the  stem,  and  is  next  in  size  to  the  main-mast — Jury- 
mast  (See  JuBY.) — Main-mast.  The  largest  mast  in  a  ship. — Mizen- 
mast.  The  smallest  mast,  standing  between  the  main-mast  and  the  stem. 
— Over-mastedy  or  taunt-masted.  The  state  of  a  ship  whose  masts  are  too 
tall  or  too  heavy. — Bough-mast,  or  rough-tree.  A  spar  fit  for  making  a 
mast  {See  Bowsprit  and  Jib-booh.) — Springing  a  mast.  When  it  is 
cracked  horizontally  in  any  place. — Top-mast.  A  top-mast  is  raised  at  the 
head  or  top  of  the  lower-mast  through  a  cap,  and  supported  by  the  trestle- 
trees. — TopgdUant-mast.  A  mast  smaller  than  the  preceding,  raised  and 
secured  to  its  head  in  the  same  manner. — Boycd-mast.  A  yet  smaller 
mast,  elevated  through  irons  at  the  head  of  the  topgallant-mast;  but 
more  generally  the  two  are  formed  of  one  spar. — Under-masted  or  low- 
masted  ships.  Vessels  whose  masts  are  small  and  short  for  their  ^ze. — 
To  mast  a  ship.     The  act  of  placing  a  ship's  masts. 

MAST-CARLINGS.  Those  large  carlings  which  are  placed  at  the  sides  of 
the  masts  from  beam  to  beam,  to  frame  the  partners  and  give  support 

MAST-COAT.  A  conical  canvas  fitted  over  the  wedges  round  the  mast, 
to  prevent  water  oozing  down  from  4>he  decks. 

MASTER     The  epithet  for  the  captain  or  commander  of  a  merchant 


472  MASTER MASTER  OF  THE  FLEET 

vessel  When  England  first  became  a  maritime  power,  sliips  with  sailors, 
and  a  master  to  navigate,  were  famished  by  the  Cinque  Ports,  &c.,  and 
the  fighting  part  of  the  men-  was  composed  of  soldiers  sent  on  board, 
commanded  by  generals,  <bc.  Among  the  early  voyagers  there  was  a  dis- 
tinction between  mcLster  and  maister,  the  latter  being  the  office;  as,  "we 
spoke  the  Dragon,  whereof  Master  Ivie  was  maister,"  in  Welsh's  Voyctge 
to  Benin,  a«d.  1590.  In  most  applications,  master  denotes  chief;  as 
master  boat-builder,  master  caidker,  master  sailmaker,  &c 

MASTER  OF  A  Ship-of-Wab.  An  officer  appointed  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  navy  to  attend  to  the  navigating  a  ship  under  the  direction 
of  the  captain,  the  working  of  a  ship  into  her  station  in  the  order  of  battle, 
and  in  other  circumstances  of  danger,  but  he  reports  to  the  first  lieutenant, 
who  carries  out  any  necessary  evolution.  It  is  likewise  his  duty,  in  concert 
with  lieutenants  on  surveys,  to  examine  and  report  on  the  provisions. 
He  is  moreover  charged  with  their  stowage.  For  the  performance  of 
these  services  he  is  allowed  several  assistants,  who  are  termed  second- 
masters,  master's  assistants,  dsc.  This  officer's  station  has  been  termed 
the  meridional  altitude  of  the  lower  order  of  midshipmen,  but  it  is  requisite 
that  he  be  both  a  good  officer  and  a  seaman.  He  ranks  after  lieutenants 
according  to  date,  but  is  subordinate  in  command  to  all  lieutenants. 

MASTER  AND  COMMANDER.  A  title  which,  in  1814,  was  simpli- 
fied to  commander,  the  next  degree  above  lieutenant;  he  ranks  with,  but 
after,  a  lieutenant-coloueL 

MASTER-AT-ARMS.  In  former  times  was  an  officer  appointed  to  com- 
mand the  police-duty  of  a  ship,  to  teach  the  crew  the  exercise  of  small 
arms,  to  confine  by  order  of  superiors  any  prisoners,  and  to  superintend 
their  confinement.  Also,  to  take  care  that  fires  and  lights  were  put  out 
at  the  proper  hour,  and  no  spirituous  liquors  brought  on  board.  He  was 
assisted  by  ship^s  corporals,  who  also  attended  the  gangway  with  the  sen- 
tinels. Until  1816,  the  junior  lieutenant  was  nominally  lieutenant-at- 
arms,  and  drilled  the  seamen,  assisted  by  the  serjeant  of  marinea 

MASTER-ATTENDANT.  An  officer  in  the  royal  dockyards  appointed 
to  assist  in  the  fitting  or  dismantling,  removing  or  securing  vessels  of 
war,  &c,  at  the  port  where  he  resides;  to  inspect  the  moorings  in  the 
harbour,  to  visit  all  the  ships  in  ordinary,  and  to  attend  at  the  general 
musters  in  the  dockyard,  taking  care  that  all  the  individuals  registered 
in  the  navy-book  are  present  at  their  duty. 

MASTER  MARINER     Shipmaster  or  captain  of  a  merchant  vessel. 

MASTER  OF  MISRULE.  An  officer  of  an  hour  or  two,  when  the  hands 
were  piped  "to  mischief"  The  lord  or  abbot  of  misrule  on  shore  has  im- 
memorially  been  a  person  selected  to  superintend  the  diversions  of  Christ- 
mas.    In  these  larks,  however,  malicious  mischief  was  unknown. 

MASTER  OF  THE  FLEET.  A  master  on  board  the  commander-in- 
chiefs  ship,  who  has  a  general  superintendence  of  the  stores  issued  to  the 
fleet,  and  reports  to  the  flag-captain  any  deviations  from  rule  which  he 
may  observe. 


MASTER-SHIPWBIGHT MATE  473 

MASTER-SHIPWklGHT.  The  oliief  superintendent  in  the  building 
and  repairing  of  ships  in  the  royal  dockyards. 

MAST-HEAD.     The  upper  part  of  a  mast  above  the  rigging. 

MAST-HELADING.  A  well-known  marine  punishment^  said  to  give  mid- 
shipmen the  best  time  for  reading.  A  court-martial,  as  a  substitute,  pun- 
ishes the  parents  as  well  as  the  thoughtless  youth. 

MAST-HEAD  MEN.     The  men  stationed  aloft  to  keep  a  look-out 

MAST-HEAD  PENDANTS.    See  Pendaot. 

MAST- HIGH.     A  figurative  expression  of  height 

MAST-HOLES.    The  apertures  in  the  deck-partners  for  stepping  the  masts. 

MAST-HOOPS.     The  iron  hoops  on  made  or  built  masts. 

MAST-HOIJSEi.     In  dockyards,  where  masts  are  made.  . 

MASTIC.  An  excellent  cement  latterly  introduced  into  ship-building,  in- 
stead of  putty  and  other  appliances,  to  protect  the  heads  of  bolts. 

MAST-ROPE  [Anglo-Saxon  mcR8i-rap\  That  which  is  used  for  sending 
masts  up  or  down. 

MASULAH  OB  Massoolah  Boats.  Madras  boats,  of  which  the  planks 
are  sewed  together  with  coir  yam,  crossing  the  stitches  over  a  wadding  of 
coir  or  straw,  which  presses  on  the  joints,  and  prevents  much  leakage. 
The  vessel  is  thus  rendered  pliable,  and  yields  to  the  shock  on  taking  the 
ground  in  the  siuf,  which  at  times  runs  fi*om  10  to  16  feet  high.  They  are 
rowed  by  twelve  men,  in  double  banks,  with  oars  formed  by  an  oval  piece 
of  board  lashed  to  the  end  of  a  rough  piece  of  wood.  They  are  guided  by 
one  man  with  a  long  steer-oar,  who  stamps  and  yells  with  excitement  as 
he  ui^^es  the  men  to  pull  when  a  rolling  surf  is  coming  up  astern.  These 
boats  are  from  30  to  35  feet  in  length,  10  to  11  feet  in  breadth,  and  7  to 
8  feet  in  depth. 

MAT.  To  prevent  chafing,  a  thick  mat  is  woven  from  strands  of  old  rope, 
spun  yam,  or  foxes,  containing  each  a  greater  or  lesser  number  of  rope- 
yams,  in  proportion  to  the  intended  mat  to  be  made.  The  largest  and 
strongest  kinds  are  called  paunch-mata.  The  thrumrmat  is  precisely 
similar  to  the  present  cocoa-nut  fibre  door-mats.  Where  it  is  possible, 
rounding  is  now  used  instead  of  mats,  it  being  neater  and  holding  less 
water. 

MATCH.  A  wager  of  emulation  by  rowing,  sailing,  manoeuvring,  ko, 
{See  Quick  Match.) — Slow  match,  used  by  artillerjrmen,  is  a  very  loose 
rope  steeped  in  a  solution  of  nitre,  and  bums  at  the  rate  of  about  one 
inch  an  hour,  and  is  either  used  alone,  or  for  lighting  the  port-fires^  by 
which  guns  are  yet  fired  for  salutes  on  shore. 

MATCHLOCK.  A  musket  fired  with  a  match  fixed  on  the  cock  opening 
the  pan;  long  out  of  use,  except  in  China  and  some  parts  of  India. 

MATCH-TUBS.  Conical  tubs  about  18  inches  in  height,  which  have  a 
sunken  head  perforated  with  holes,  to  admit  the  slow  match  to  hang  with 
the  lighted  end  downwards. 

MATR     Generally  implies  adjunct  or  assistant 

MATE  OF  A  Merchaitt-ship.     The  ofiicer  who  commands  in  the  absence 


474  MATE MAYHEM 

of  the  master,  and  shares  the  duty  with  him  at  sea.     {See  Chief  Mats 

or  Offices.)    There  are  firsts  second,  third,  and  fourth  mates. 
MATE  OF  A  Watch.     The  senior  or  passed  midshipman  is  responsible  to 

the  officer  of  the  watch.     He  heaves  the  log,  inserts  on  the  log-board  all 

incidents  occurring  during  his  watch,  musters  the  men  of  the  watch,  and 

reports  to  the  officer  in  charge,  who,  when  he  is  relieved,  writes  his 

initials  on  the  log-board. 
MATE  OF  the  Loweb-deck.     An  officer  of  considerable  importance  in 

former  times  in  ships  of  the  line;  he  was  responsible  for  the  state  and 

condition  of  the  lower  deck,  and  the  residents  there. 
MATE  OF  THE  Main-deck.     The  officer  appointed  to  superintend  all  the 

duties  to  be  executed  upon  the  main-deck  during  ihe  daj. 
MATEEIAL  MEN.     The  persons  who  furnish  all  tackles  and  stores,  4S^., 

to  repair  or  fit  out  ships.     The  high  court  of  Admiralty  allows  material 

men  to  sue  against  remaining  proceeds  in  the  registry,  notwithstanding 

past  prohibitions. 
MATERIEL.     A  French  word  that  has  been  naturalized  in  speaking  of 

naval  or  military  stores: 
MATHEMATICS.     The  science  which  treats  of  every  kind  of  quantity 

that  can  be  numbered  or  measured. 
MATIES,  OB  Matets.     Dockyard  artificers,  shipwrights,  carpenters,  dec. 
MATO.     A  shell  formerly  of  some  commercial  value  on  the  west  coast  of 

Africa. 
MATBASS.     The  square  head  of  an  arrow  called  quarriL     In  chemistry 

it  ia  the  Florence  oil  flask  used  for  evaporation.     From  its  thinness  it 

will  stand  great  gradual  heat. 
MATROSS.     Formerly  an  assistant  gunner  in  the  artillery. 
MATTHEW  WALKER.     A  knot^  so  termed  from  the  originator.     It  is 

formed  by  a  half  hitch  on  each  strand  in  the  direction  of  the  lay,  so  that 

the  rope  can  be  continued  after  the  knot  is  formed,  which  shows  as  a 

transverse  collar  of  three  strands.     It  is  the  knot  used  on  the  end  of  the 

laniards  of  rigging,  where  dead-eyes  'are  employed. 
MAUD.     A  salmon-net  fixed  in  a  square  form  by  four  stakes. 
MAUL.     A  heavy  iron  hammer,  used  for  driving  trenails  or  bolts;  it  has 

one  end  faced,  and  the  opposite  pointed,  whence  it  is  oflen  called  a  pin- 

mauL — Tap-niaul  is  distinguished  by  having  an  iron  handle,  with  an  eye 

at  the  end,  by  which  it  is  tied  fast  to  the  mast-head.     It  is  kept  aloft  for 

driving  the  iron  fid  in  or  out  of  the  topmast. 
MAUND.     An  Indian  weight,  which  varies  in  amount  depending  on  the 

part  of  the  country.     Also,  a  basket  used  by  fishermen;  a  measure  of 

small  fish. 
MAUNJEE     The  native  boatmen  of  the  river  Hooghly. 
MAVIS-SKATK     The  sharp-nosed  ray.     {See  Friar-skate.) 
MAW,  OR  Sea-maw.     The  common  gull,  Lanu  oantu. 
MAY.    See  Yendabale& 
MAYHEM,  OR  Mahih.     The  law-term  for  maim. 


MAZE MEDICINE-CHEST  475 

MAZK     In  tlie  herring  trade,  500  fishes. 

MAZOLET.     An  Indian  bark  boat,  caulked  with  moss. 

MEAKER.     A  west-country  term  for  a  minnow. 

MEAKING  IRON.  The  tool  used  by  caulkers  to  run  old  oakum  out  of 
the  seams  before  inserting  new. 

MEALED.  Mixed  or  compounded. — Mealed  powder,  gunpowder  pulverized 
by  treating  with  spirits  of  wina 

MEALES,  OR  MiOLS.  Immense  sandbanks  thrown  up  by  the  sea  on  the 
coasts  of  Norfolk,  Lancashire,  &c 

MEAN.  As  a  general  term  implies  the  medium,  but  a  mean  of  bad  observa- 
tions can  never  make  a  good  one. 

MEAN  ANOMALY.     See  Akomaly. 

MEAN  DISTANCE.  The  average  distance  of  a  planet  from  the  sun;  it  is 
equal  to  half  the  longer  axis  of  the  ellipse,  and  hence  is  frequently  termed 
the  semi-axis-major. 

MEAN  EQUINOX.  The  position  of  the  equinox  independent  of  the 
effects  of  nutation. 

MEAN  MOTION.  The  rate  at  which  a  body  moving  in  an  elliptic  orbit 
would  proceed  at  an  equal  velocity  throughout. 

MEAN  NOON.  The  noon  of  a  mean  day  supposing  the  year  to  be  divided 
into  days  of  equal  length.  It  differs  from  apparent  noon  by  the  amount 
of  the  equation  of  time  for  that  date. 

MEAN  OBLIQUITY.  The  obliquity  of  the  ecliptic,  unaffected  with 
nutation. 

MEAN  PLACE  OF  A  STAR.  Its  position  at  a  given  time,  independent 
of  aberration  and  nutation. 

MEAN  SUN.     See  Tim«. 

MEAN  TIME.     See  Time. 

MEASURE.  A  comprehensive  term  mcluding  length,  surface,  time, 
weight,  solidity,  capacity,  and  force  of  gravity. 

MEASURING  LINE.  The  old  term  for  .the  first  meridian  reckoned  off 
from  a  ship's  longitude.  Also,  the  five-fathom  line  used  by  the  boat- 
swain. 

MECHANICS.  The  science  which  explains  the  properties  of  moving 
bodies,  and  of  the  machines  from  whioh  they  receive  their  impetus.  The 
mechanical  powers  consist  of  six  primary  instruments,  the  lever,  the 
balance,  the  pulley,  the  wheel,  the  screw,  and  the  wedge :  to  which  is 
sometimes  added  the  inclined  f^ane-;  and  of  some,  or  all  of  these,  every 
compound  machine  consists. 

MECK.     A  notched  staff  in  a  <whale-boat  on  which  the  harpoon  rests. 

MEDICAL  BOARD.  A  number  of  medical  officers  convened  to  examine 
sick  and  wounded  officers  and  men,  for  invaliding  or  discharge. 

MEDICINE-CHEST.  A  large  chest  containing  the  medical  necessaries 
that  may  be  required  for  100  men  during  the  cruize.  Several  chests  are 
thus  fitted  and  supplied  in  proportion  to  the  ship's  crew,  ready  for  detached 
service. 


470  MEDICINES MERCHANT- VENTUREKS 

MEDICINES.  Merchantmen  are  legally  bound  to  carry  medicines  in  pro- 
portion to  their  crew,  with  instructions  for  their  use  if  there  be  no  surgeon 
on  board. 

MEDICO.     A  familiar  appellation  for  the  ship's  sui^eon. 

MEDITERRANEAN  or  INLAND  SEA  A  term  applied  to  a  sea  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides,  except  its  immediate  entrance,  by  land;  as  the 
Mediterranean,  so  styled  par  excellence;  also,  the  Baltic,  the  Red  Sea,  &c 

MEDITERRANEAN"  PASS.  A  document  formerly  granted  by  the  Lords 
of  the  Admiralty  to  registered  vessels,  which  was  valuable  when  the  Bar- 
bary  powers  were  unchecked.     (See  Pa8&) 

MEDIUM.    See  Resisting  Medium. 

MEERM  AID.  A  name  given  by  our  northern  fishermen  to  the  Lophitis 
jnseatorittSf  or  frog-fish,  without  reference  to  the  mermaid  (which  see). 

MEIER-SWINE.     The  porpoise  [from  the  German  meerscltweinl. 

MEET  HER !  The  order  to  adjust  the  helm,  so  as  to  check  any  further 
movement  of  the  ship's  head  in  a  given  direction. 

MEGANESE  [Gr.]  A  large  portion  of  land,  inferior  in  extent  to  a  conti- 
nent»  but  which,  though  insular,  is  too  large  to  be  termed  an  island,  as 
New  Holland. 

MEMORIAL.     An  official  petition  on  account  of  services  performed. 

MEN.     The  ship's  company  in  generaL 

MEND  SAILS,  To.     To  loose  and  skin  them  afresh  on  the  yards. 

MEND  THE  SERVICE.  Put  on  more  service  to  the  cable,  or  any  part 
of  the  rigging  chafed. 

MERCANTILE  MARINE.    See  Marine. 

MERCANTILE  MARINE  FUND.  A  pubHc  fund  accumulated  by  fees 
payable  to  the  Board  of  Trade  on  account  of  the  merchant  shipping. 

MERCATOR'S  CHART  or  Projection.  Introduced  by  Gerard  Mercator, 
circa  1556 :  it  is  a  projection  of  the  surface  of  the  earth  in  the  plane, 
with  all  the  meridians  made  parallel  with  each  other,  consequently  the 
degrees  of  longitude  all  equal,  the  degrees  of  latitude  increasing  in  a  cor- 
responding ratio  towards  the  poles.  This  is  the  chart  most  commonly 
used  in  navigation;  and  its  use  appears  to  have  obtained  quickly,  for  in 
1576,  among  the  items  of  Martin  Frobisher's  outfit,  we  find,  "For  a  greate 
Mappe  XJniversall  of  Mercator,  in  prente,  £1,  6*.  8<i." 

MERCATOR'S  SAILING.  Performed  loxodromically,  by  means  of 
Mercator's  charts. 

MERCHANTMAN.  A  trading  vessel  employed  in  importing  and  ex- 
porting goods  to  and  from  any  quarter  of  the  globe. 

MERCHANT  SERVICK     The  mercantile  marine. 

MERCHANT- VENT  [JRERS.  A  company  of  merchants  who  traded  with 
Russia,  Turkey,  and  other  distant  parts.  In  the  Affectionate  Shepheard^ 
1594,  we  find— 

"Well  is  he  tearm'd  a  mercluuit  venturer, 

Since  he  doth  venter  lands,  and  goods,  and  all; 
When  he  doth  trayell  for  his  traffique  far, 
,  Little  he  knowes  what  fortune  may  befall.*' 


MERCURIAL  GAUGE MESSENGER  477 

MERCURIAL  GAUGK  A  curved  tube  partly  filled  with  mercury,  to 
show  the  pressure  of  steam  in  an  engine. 

MERCURY.  One  of  the  ancient  inferior  planets,  and  the  nearest  to  the 
sun,  as  far  as  we  yet  know.  (See  Transit  of.)  Also,  a  name  for  quick- 
silver; the  fluid  metal  so  useful  in  the  construction  of  the  marine  barometer, 
thermometer,  and  artificial  horizon. 

MERK  An  Anglo-Saxon  word  still  in  use,  sometimes  meaning  a  lake, 
and  generally  the  sea  itself. 

MERIDIAN,  OF  THE  Earth.  Is  an  imaginary  great  circle  passing  through 
the  zenith  and  the  poles,  and  cutting  the  equator  at  right  angles.  When 
the  sun  is  on  the  meridian  of  any  place,  it  is  mid-day  there,  and  at  all 
places  situated  under  the  same  meridian. — First  meridian  is  that  from 
which  the  longitude  is  reckoned.  Magnetic  meridian  is  not  a  great  circle 
but  a  wavy  line  uniting  those  poles.  In  common  acceptation,  a  meridian 
is  any  line  supposed  to  be  drawn  from  the  north  to  the  south  pole;  there- 
fore a  place  being  under  the  same  meridian  as  another  place,  is  either 
due  north  or  south  of  it — Plane  oftlie  meridian  is  the  plane  of  this  great 
circle,  and  its  intersection  with  the  sensible  horizon  is  called  the  meridian 
line. — The  meridian  transit  of  a  heavenly  body  is  the  act  of  passing  over 
the  said  plane,  when  it  is  either  due  north  or  south  of  the  spectator. — 
Ante  meridiem,  or  A.M.,  before  noon. — Post  meridiem^  or  P.M.,  after 
noon. 

MERIDIAN  ERROR.  The  deviation  of  a  transit-instrument  from  the 
plane  of  the  meridian  at  the  horizon;  it  is  also  termed  the  azimutkal  error. 

MERLON.  That  part  of  the  parapet  of  a  battery  between  two  adjacent 
embrasures,  15  or  20  feet  long  in  general. 

MERMAID.  A  fabulous  sea-creature  of  which  the  upper  half  was  said  to 
resemble  a  woman,  the  lower  half  a  fish. 

MERMAID'S  GLOVE.  The  name  of  a  peculiar  sponge,  Sjxmgia  palmatay 
abundant  at  Bermuda. 

MERMAID'S  PURSE.  The  oblong  homy  cases  with  long  filiform 
appendages  developed  from  each  of  the  four  comers,  found  on  the  sea- 
shore, being  the  outer  covering  of  the  eggs  of  several  species  of  rays  and 
sharks.     Also,  the  hoUow  root  of  the  sea- weed  Fv,cus  poli/schides. 

MERRY  DANCERS.  The  glancings  and  coruscations  of  the  aurora 
borealis,  or  northern  lights. 

MERRY  MEN  OF  MAY.     Dangerous  currents  formed  by  the  ebb-tides. 

MESON.     A  very  old  form  of  spelling  mizen. 

MESS.  Any  company  of  the  officers  or  crew  of  a  ship,  who  eat,  drink,  and 
associate  together.  {See  Number.)  Also,  the  sta^e  of  a  ship  in  a  suddeu 
squall,  when  everything  is  let  go  and  flying,  and  nothing  hauled  in. 

MESS-DECEL     The  place  where  a  ship's  crew  mess. 

MESSENGER.  A  large  cable-laid  rope,  used  to  unmoor  or  heave  up  the 
anchor  of  a  ship,  by  the  aid  of  the  capstan.  This  is  done  by  binding  a 
part  of  the  messenger  to  the  cable  by  which  the  ship  rides^  in  several 
places,  with  pliant  nippers,  and  by  winding  another  part  of  it  about  the 


478  HESSENOEBS MICROMETER 

capstan.  The  messenger  has  an  eye-splice  at  each  end,  through  which 
several  turns  of  a  strong  lashing  are  passed,  forming  an  endless  rope. 
So  that  by  putting  on  fresh  nippers  forward,  and  taking  them  off  as  they 
are  hove  aft,  the  capstan  may  be  kept  constantly  going,  and  the  cable  is 
walked  in  without  stopping.  {See  Viol.)  A  superior  plan  is  now 
adopted,  in  which  the  messenger,  consisting  of  a  pitch  chain  which  has  a 
double  and  single  link  alternately,  works  in  iron  spurs  fastened  above 
the  lower  rim  of  the  capstan.  This  avoids  the  trouble  of  shifting  or 
fleeting  the  messenger  while  heaving  in.  Again,  the  cable  itself  is  com- 
monly brought  to  the  capstan. — Light  forvyard  the  meseengerl  is  the 
order  to  pull  the  slack  of  it  towards  the  hawse  holes,  on  the  slack  or 
opposite  side,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  fasten  upon  the  cable  which  is  being 
hove  in,  as  it  comes  off  the  manger-roller  at  the  bows. 

MESSENGERS.  Boys  appointed  to  carry  orders  from  the  quarter-deck. 
In  some  ships  they  wore  winged  caps  of  the  Mercury  type. 

MESS-KID.     A  wooden  tub  for  holding  cooked  victuals  or  cocoa. 

MESSMATK  A  companion  of  the  same  mess-table,  hence  comrades  in 
many  ways;  whence  the  saw:  ^'Messmate  before  a  shipmate,  shipmate 
before  a  stranger,  stranger  before  a  dog.'' 

MESS-TRAPS.  The  kids,  crockery,  bowls,  spoons,  and  other  articles  of 
mess  service. 

META-CENTRK  That  point  in  a  ship  where  a  vertical  line  drawn  from 
the  centre  of  cavity  cuts  a  line  perpendicular  to  the  keel,  passing  through 
the  centre  of  gravity.  As  this  depends  upon  the  situation  of  the  centre 
of  cavity,  the  meta-centre  is  often  called  the  shifting  centre.  Safety 
requires  this  point  to  be  above  the  centre  of  gravity. 

METAL.  A  word  comprehending  the  great  guns,  or  ordnance  generally, 
of  a  ship  or  battery. 

METEINGS.     The  measurement  and  estimate  of  timber. 

METEOR    See  Compasant,  Waterspout,  &c. 

METEORITES.  Meteoric  stones  which  fall  from  the  atmosphere,  com- 
posed of  earthy  and  metallic  substances,  in  which  iron,  nickel,  &&,  enter 
largely. 

METEOROLOGIC  TELEGRAPHY.  The  sending  of  telegrams  to  vari- 
ous stations  at  home  and  abroad,  with  the  object  of  improving  the 
science  of  meteorology,  and  issuing  storm  warnings,  <S:c. 

METONIC  CYOLK  A  cycle  of  19  years,  which  contains  235  lunations, 
and  results  in  a  correspondence  of  the  solar  and  lunar  years.  The  dis- 
covery of  this  astronomical  period  may  be  safely  assigned  to  Meton  in 
432  B.a 

MEW  [Anglo-Saxon  ttukw],     A  name  for  the  sea-gull. 

MIASMA  An  impure  effluvium  in  the  air — ^proceeding  from  marshes  or 
moist  ground  acted  upon  by  solar  heat — by  which  malaria  fevers,  parti- 
cularly intermittents,  are  produced. 

MICROMETER.  An  instrument  used  to  measure  small  angles,  diameters, 
and  distances  of  heavenly  bodies. 


MID MILITIA  479 

MID.  Tke  intermediate  or  middle  part  of  anything.  Also,  per  eontrac- 
tianem,  a  midshipman. 

MID-CHANNEL.     Implies  halfway  across  any  river,  channel,  &c. 

MIDDLE  BAND.     One  of  the  bands  of  a  sail,  to  give  additional  strength. 

MIDDLE-LATITUDE  SAILING.  A  method  of  converting  departure 
in  difference  of  longitude,  and  vice  versa,  by  using  the  middle  latitude 
instead  of  the  meridional  parts,  as  in  Mercator's  sailing. 

MIDDLE-TIMBER     That  timber  in  the  stem  which  is  placed  amidships. 

MIDDLE-TOPSAIL.  A  deep-roached  sail,  set  in  some  schooners  and 
sloops  on  the  heel  of  their  topmasts  between  the  top  and  the  cap.  A 
modification  of  this,  under  the  name  of  a  lower  topsail,  is  now  very  com- 
mon in  double-topsail-yarded  ships.     (Cunningham's  topsails.) 

MIDDLE-WALES.  The  three  or  four  thick  strakes  worked  along  each 
side  between  the  lower  and  middle-deck-ports  in  three-deckers. 

MIDDLE-WATCH.  The  portion  of  the  crew  on  deck-duty  from  mid- 
night to  4  A.M. 

MIDDLE-WATCHER.  The  slight  meal  snatched  by  officers  of  the 
middle-watch  about  five  bells  (or  2 '30  a.m.) 

MIDDLING  A  SAIL.     Arranging  it  for  bending  to  the  yard, 

MIDDY.  An  abbreviation  for  the  younger  midshipmen,  synonymous  with 
micL 

MIDKIB.     A  narrow  canal  or  culvert. 

MIDSHIPMAN.  A  naval  cadet  appointed  by  the  admiralty,  with  the 
exception  of  one  in  each  ship  appointed  by  the  captain.  No  person  can 
be  appointed  midshipman  until  he  has  served  one  year,  and  passed  his 
examinations;  nor  a  lieutenant  without  having  previously  served  six 
years  in  the  royal  navy  as  midshipman,  and  having  further  passed  two 
severe  examinations — one  in  seamanship  and  one  in  gunnery.  A  mid- 
shipman is  then  the  station  in  which  a  young  volunteer  is  trained  in  the 
several  exercises  necessary  to  attain  a  knowledge  of  steam,  machinery, 
discipline,  the  general  movements  and  operations  of  a  ship,  and  qualify 
him  to  command. 

MIDSHIPMAN'S  NUTS.     Broken  pieces  of  biscuit  as  dessert. 

MIDSHIPMAN'S  ROLL.  A  slovenly  method  of  rolling  up  a  hammock 
transversely,  and  lashing  it  endways  by  one  clue. 

MIDSHIPS.  The  middle  part  of  the  vessel,  either  with  regard  to  her 
length  or  breadth.     {See  Amidships.) 

MILDERNIX.  A  sti*ong  canvas  of  which  courses  were  fonnerly  made;  it 
appears  in  old  statutes. 

MILR  The  statute  mile  is  5280  feet;  but  that  used  at  sea,  termed  the 
mean  nautic  mile,  consists  of  6075*6  feet,  or  60  to  a  degree. 

MILITARY  EXECUTION.  The  levying  contributions  from  a  country 
by  military  occupation  and  force. 

MILITARY  LAW.  That  under  which  soldiers  and  sailors  are  governed, 
founded  on  the  acts  of  parliament  passed  to  that  end. 

MILITIA,     A  military  force  raised  by  ballot 


450  MILKY  WAY HISCHIZF 

MILKY  WAY.    See  Via  Lactea. 

MILL.     A  boxing  match,  whether  standing  up  or  nailed  to  a  chest 

MILLAR'S  SIGHT.  General  Millar's  simple  dispart^a  sUding  pillar 
bearing  a  scale  graduated  to  tangents  of  degnea  for  setting  the  gun  bj. 

MILLED  LEAD.     Sheet  lead. 

MILLER,  To  Drown  the.     To  put  an  overdose  of  water  to  grog. 

MILLER'S  THUMB.     A  freshwater  fish,  the  Cottus  eataphracius. 

MILT.     The  soft  roe,  or  sjjerraatic  part^  of  the  male  fish. 

MINK  A  passage  made  under  ground,  with  a  chamber  at  the  end,  under 
the  place  intended  to  be  blown  up;  it  is  entered  by  the  shaft,  which 
leads  through  the  galleiy  to  the  chamber. 

MINERAL  OIL.    See  Petroleum. 

MINIE  RIFLE.  This  has  acquired  a  great  name,  though  not  jet  in 
general  use. 

MINION.  An  old  four-pounder  gun  about  7  feet  long.  Its  point-blank 
range  was  120  paces,  with  a  random  one  of  1500.  Bourne,  in  1578, 
mentions  the  minion  as  requiring  shot  3  inches  in  diameter. 

MINISTER  A  minister,  though  termed  plenipotentiary,  has  no  power  to 
grant  protection  to  vessels  or  cargoes  otherwise  subject  to  the  operations 
and  laws  of  hostilities. 

MINNIS.     An  old  British  word  for  a  rock  or  piece  of  rising  ground. 

MINNOW.  A  small  fresh-water  fish — the  Leuciecua  phoscinus.  The 
term  was  used  in  contempt  by  Shakspeare  and  the  elders. 

MINOR  AXIS.  In  a  planetary  orbit^  signifies  the  line  perpendicular  to 
the  major  axis,  and  passing  through  the  centre  of  the  ellipse. 

lillNOR  PLANETS.     See  Abteroid& 

MINUTE  MILE.  The  sixtieth  part  of  a  degree  of  longitude  or  latitude; 
in  the  latter  case  it  is  the  sixtieth  part  of  a  degree  of  a  great  circle,  in 
the  former  it  decreases  in  length  as  the  latitude  increases. 

MINUTE  AND  HALF-MINUTE  GLASSES.    See  Glass. 

MINUTE-GUNS.  Fired  at  intervals  of  a  minute  each  during  the  pro- 
gress of  important  funerals. 

MINUTES.     Short  notices  taken  in  writing  of  any  important  proceedings. 

MIRA.     A  remarkable  variable  star  in  Cetus. 

MIRACH.     One  of  the  bright  stars  in  Andromeda. 

MIRAGE,  OR  Loom.  A  word,  which  has  crept  into  use  since  the  French 
expedition  to  Egypt,  to  express  the  extraordinary  refraction  which  light 
undergoes  when  strata  of  air,  of  different  densities,  extend  above  each 
other.  The  mirage,  reflecting  objects  at  a  great  height,  inverts  and 
doubles  the  image. 

MIRE-BUMPER  and  Mire-Drum.     North-country  names  of  tlie  bittern. 

MIRKIiES.  The  radicle  leaves  of  the  Ftunu  eaculerUu^f  a  sea-weed  eaten 
on  our  northern  coasts. 

MIRROR.  The  speculum  of  a  quadrant,  or  any  silvered  or  polished  re- 
flecting surface. 

MISCHIEF.    See  Master  of  Mescuiej. 


MISREPRESENTATION MOIST  DAUGHTERS  4gnL 

MISEEPRESENTATION  to  the  Underwriters,  of  any  fact  or  cir- 
cumstance material  to  the  risk  of  insuring,  whether  by  the  insured  or  his 
agent,  and  whether  fraudulent  or  innocent,  renders  the  contract  null  and 
void.     (See  Eepresentation.) 

MISSILES.     Projectiles  of  every  kind  propelled  by  force. 

MISSING.  If  a  vessel  is  not  heard  of  within  six  months  afler  her  de- 
parture (or  after  the  last  intelligence  of  her)  from  any  port  in  Europe, 
and  within  twelve  months  from  other  parts  of  the  world,  she  is  deemed 
to  be  lost.     Presumptive  proof  will  suffice  if  none  of  her  crew  appear. 

MISSING  STAYS.  To  fail  in  going  about  from  one  tack  to  another; 
when,  after  a  ship  gets  her  head  to  the  wind,  she  comes  to  a  stand,  and 
begins  to  fall  off  on  the  same  tack. 

MIST  [Anglo-Saxon].  A  thin  vapour,  between  a  fog  and  lioze,  and  is 
generally  wet 

MISTICO.  Equivalent  to  our  hermaphrodite,  being  a  small  Mediterranean 
vessel,  between  a  xebec  and  a  felucca.     {See  XEBEa) 

MISTRAL.  A  cold  N.W.  wind  experienced  on  the  Mediterranean  shores 
of  France;     [Corrupted  from  niaesirale.'] 

MITTS.  A  protection  for  the  hand,  covering  the  thumb  in  one  space  and 
the  fingers  in  another,  so  that  men  wearing  them  can  still  handle  ropes. 

MIXED  MATHEMATICS.  Pure  mathematics  when  applied  to  prac- 
tical subjects,  aa  astronomy,  optics,  hydrography,  gunnery,  engineering, 
and  the  like. 

MIZAR.     The  star  (  in  Ui'sa  Major;  the  middle  one  in  the  tail 

MIZEN.     The  spanker  or  driver  is  often  so  named. 

MIZEN-MAST.  The  aftermost  mast  of  a  ship  (see  Shroud,  Stat, 
Yard,  <bc.),  observing  only  that  the  epithet  of  fore,  main,  or  mizen,  is 
added  to  each  term,  to  distinguish  them  from  each  other.     (See  Boxa- 

VENTURE.) 

MIZEN  MAST-HEAT).     Eear-admirals  carry  their  flag  at  their  mizen. 

MIZEN  STAY-SAIL.  A  fore-and-afb  sail  of  various  shapes  set  on  the 
mizen  stay. 

MOAT.     Synonymous  with  ditch  (which  see). 

MOBILIZATION.  The  organizing  a  body  of  men  for  active  service. 
Also,  a  term  in  naval  tactics,  applied  to  the  movement  of  fleets. 

MOCCASSIN.  A  slipper  made  of  green  hide,  and  worn  in  cases  of  neces- 
sity; a  term  derived  from  the  North  American  Indians. 

MODERATE  BREEZK  When  all  the  flying  kites  may  be  pleasantly 
carried. 

MODERATE  GALK     In  which  a  ship  carries  double  reefs  in  her  topsails. 

MOHUR.     A  gold  coin  in  the  East  Indies,  value  30s.  to  32s. 

MOIDORK     A  Portuguese  gold  coin,  the  sterling  value  of  which  is  £1,  7s. 

MOINEAXJ.  A  little  flat  bastion  formerly  raised  before  a  cuirtain,  other- 
wise too  long. 

MOIST  DAUGHTERS.  Spenser's  term  for  the  Hyades,  a  group  of 
seven  stars  in  the  head  of  the  Bull. 

2  H 


i 


482'  MOKES MONMOUTH  CAP 

MOKES.     The  meshes  of  a  fishing-net 

MOLK  A  long  pier  of  massy  masoniy,  covering  the  entrance  of  a  harbour. 
Also  applied  to  the  harbours  formed  by  them,  as  those  of  Genoa,  Mar- 
seilles, Naples,  &c, 

MOLLY-MAWKL  A  bird  which  follows  in  the  wake  of  a  ship  rounding 
the  Cape.     It  is  a  small  kind  of  albatross. 

MOMENTUM.  Is  the  product  of  a  weight  multiplied  by  its  velocity; 
that  is,  in  marine  dynamics,  by  its  distance  from  a  point  determined  as 
the  centre  of  momentum;  or  from  a  line  called  the  axis  of  the  momentum. 

MONERES,  OR  MoNOCRATA.     Galleys  with  only  one  rank  of  oars. 

MONEY-BOUND.  A  phrase  expressive  of  such  passengers  as  are  detained 
on  board  till  a  remittance  arrives  for  paying  the  passage  made. 

MONGER     A  trader.    (*Sctf  Monkey.) 

MONITION.     Legal  notice  or  warning. 

MONITOR.  A  very  shallow,  semi-submerged,  heavily-armoured  steamer, 
carrying  on  her  open  deck  either  one  or  two  plated  revolving  turretSj 
each  containing  either  one  or  two  enormous  guns:  originally  designed  by 
Ericson  in  the  United  States  during  the  recent  war,  to  combine  the 
maximum  of  gun  power  with  the  minimum  of  exposure;  they  have  been 
very  formidable  in  sheltered  and  intricate  waters,  but  it  remains  yet  to 
be  shown  that  they  would  be  effective  on  the  open  sea, 

MONKEY.  A  machine  composed  of  a  long  pig  of  iron,  traversing  in  a 
groove,  which  13  raised  by  a  pulley,  and  let  fall  suddenly  on  the  head  of 
large  bolts  for  driving  them.  A  larger  kind  is  used  in  pile-driving. 
Also,  a  kind  of  wooden  kid  for  grog.  Also,  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign, 
a  small  trading  vesseL  Also,  passion;  as  a  man's  ''monkey  is  up." 
Also,  a  machine  with  which  the  hercules  facilitates  the  welding  of  anchors. 

MONKEY-BLOCK.  A  small  single  block  strapped  with  a  swivel  Also, 
those  nailed  on  the  topsail-yards  of  some  merchantmen,  to  lead  the  bunt- 
lines  through. 

MONKEY-BOAT.     A  half-decked  boat  above-bridge  on  the  Thames. 

MONKEY-JACKET.     A  warm  jacket  for  night-watches,  Ac. 

MONKEY-PUMP.  Straws  or  quills  for  sucking  the  liquid  from  a  cask, 
through  a  gimlet-hole  made  for  the  purpose — a  practice  as  old  as  the  time 
of  Xenophon,  who  describes  this  mode  of  drinking  from  the  prize  jars  of 
Armenia. 

MONKEY-SPARS.  Reduced  masts  and  yards  for  a  vessel  devoted  to  the 
instruction  and  exercise  of  boys. 

MONKEY-TAIL.     A  lever  for  training  a  carronade. 

MONK-FISH.     The  Squatina  angdua.    (See  Devil-fish.) 

MONK'S  SEAM.  That  made  after  sewing  the  edges  of  sails  together,  one 
over  the  other,  by  stitching  through  the  centre  of  the  seam.  Also,  the 
fash  left  at  the  junction  of  the  moulds  when  a  ball  is  cast 

MONMOUTH  CAP.  A  flat  worsted  cap  formerly  worn  by  soldiers  and 
sailors.  In  the  old  play  Eastward  //o,  it  is  said,  "  Hurl  away  a  dozen  of 
Monmouth  caps  or  so,  in  sea  ceremony  to  your  bon  voyage." 


MONOXYLON MOOR  483 

MONOXYLON  [Or.]     Boats  in  the  Ionian  Isles  propelled  with  one  oar. 

MONSOON  [from  the  Persian  montum,  season].  The  periodical  winds 
in  certain  latitudes  of  India  and  the  Indian  Ocean.  They  continue  five 
or  six  months  from  one  direction,  and  then  alter  their  course,  and  blow 
(after  the  tempestuous  tumult  of  their  shifting  has  subsided)  during  an 
equal  space  of  time  from  an  opposite  point  of  the  compass,  with  the  same 
uniformity.  They  are  caused  by  the  unequal  heating  <>f  land  and  water, 
and  occur  in  the  tropics,  where  the  ''trade"  would  constantly  blow  if  it 
were  not  for  the  presence  of  land.  {See  Wind).  The  south-west  mon- 
soon is  called  by  the  Arabs  hlhUTMeen,  denoting  fifty,  as  they  suppose  it 
to  precede  the  overflowing  of  the  Nile  by  fifty  days.     {See  Kamsin.) 

MONTE  PAGNOTE.  In  former  days  an  eminence  out  of  cannon  shot  of 
operations,  where  spectators  were  not  exposed  to  danger. 

MONTERO.     A  military  cap  and  hood  formerly  worn  in  camp. 

MONTHLY  ALLOWANCE  A  sum  paid  monthly  to  warrant  and  petty 
officers  not  allowed  to  draw  bills;  and  to  seamen,  marines,  and  boys 
serving  on  board.     Wages  are  now  paid  regularly. 

MONTHLY  NOTES.     See  Allotmeot. 

MOON.  Our  satellite;  she  performs  her  revolution  in  27  days,  7  hours, 
43  minutes.  {See  Full  Moon  and  New  Moon.)  A  hazy  or  pale  colour  of 
the  moon,  revealing  the  state  of  our  atmosphere,  is  supposed  to  forebode 
rain,  and  a  i*ed  or  copper  colour  to  forebode  wind. 

MOON-BLINK.  A  temporary  evening  blindness  occasioned  by  sleeping 
in  the  moonshine  in  tropical  climates;  it  is  technically  designated 
nyctalopia, 

MOON-CULMINATORS.  Certain  stars  near  the  same  parallel  of  declina- 
tion as  the  moon,  and  not  differing  greatly  from  her  in  right  ascension, 
given  in  the  Ephemeris  as  proper  objects  for  comparison  with  her,  to 
determine  the  longitudes  of  placea 

MOONEY.     Not  quite  intoxicated,  but  unfitted  for  duty. 

MOON  IN  DISTANCE  When  the  angle  between  her  and  the  sun,  or  a 
star,  admits  of  measurement  for  lunar  observation. 

MOONISH.     Variable,  as  with  Shakspeare's  Rosalind. 

MOON-RAKERS.  Sails  above  the  sky-sails.  They  are  usually  desig- 
nated moon-sails. 

MOON-SHEERED.  A  ship  the  upper  works  of  which  rise  very  high,  fore 
and  aft. 

MOONSHINE.  Illicit  hollands,  schiedam,  and  indeed  smuggling  in 
general;  excused  as  a  matter  of  moonshine.     A  mere  nothing. 

MOON-STRUCK.  An  influence  imputed  to  the  moon  in  the  tropics,  by 
which  fish,  particularly  of  the  Scomber  class,  though  recently  taken, 
become  intenerated,  and  even  spoiled;  while  some  attribute  poisonous 
qualities  to  them  in  this  state.  Human  beings  are  also  said  to  be  injured 
by  sleeping  in  the  moon's  rays. 

MOOR.  An  upland  swamp,  boggy,  with  fresh  water.  Also,  an  open 
common. 


484  MOOR MORASS 

MOOB,  To.  To  secure  a  ship  -with  aBchors,  or  to  oonfine  her  in  a  parti- 
cular station  hy  two  chains  or  cables,  either  fastened  to  the  mooring 
chains  or  to  the  bottom;  a  ship  is  moored  when  she  rides  by  two  anchors. 

MOOR  A  CABLE  EACH  WAY,  To.  Is  dropping  one  anchor,  veering 
out  two  cables'  lengths,  and  letting  go  another  anchor  from  the  opposite 
bow;  the  first  is  then  hove  in  to  one  cable,  or  less  according  to  circum- 
stances, while  the  latter  is  veered  out  as  much,  whereby  the  ship  rides 
between  the  two  anchors,  equally  distant  from  both.  This  is  usually 
practised  in  a  tide-way,  in  such  manner  that  the  ship  rides  by  one  during 
the  flood,  and  by  the  other  during  the  ebb. 

MOOR  ACROSS,  To.     To  lay  out  one  of  the  anchors  across  stream. 

MOOR  ALONG,  To.  To  anchor  in  a  river  with  a  hawser  on  shore  to 
steady  her. 

MOOR-GALLOP.  A  west-country  term  for  a  sudden  squall  coming 
across  the  moors. 

MOORING-BRIDLE.  The  fasts  attached  to  moorings,  one  taken  into  each 
hawse-hole,  or  bridle-port. 

MOORING-CHOCKS.  Large  pieces  of  hard  wood  with  a  hole  in  the 
centre,  shod  with  iron  collars,  and  fastened  between  two  stanchions  in 
large  ships,  for  the  moorings  to  pass  through. 

MOORING  POSTS  OR  PALLS.  Strong  upright  poets  fixed  into  the 
ground,  for  securing  vessels  to  the  landing-place  by  hawsers  or  chains. 
Also,  strong  pieces  of  oak  inserted  into  the  deck  of  a  laige  ship  for 
fastening  the  moorings  to  when  alongside  a  quay. 

MOORING-RINGS.  Iron  swivel  rings  fixed  on  piers  or  buoys,  &a,  for 
securing  vessels  to. 

MOORINGS.  Indicated  by  buoys  to  which  ships  are  fastened;  they  are 
attached  by  bridles  to  heavy  anchors  and  cables  laid  down  in  the  most 
convenient  parts  of  rivers  and  harbours.  They  are  termed  **8unnging"  or 
"all  fours,"  depending  on  whether  the  ship  is  secured  by  the  bow  only,  or 
by  bow  and  stern.  By  their  means  many  more  ships  are  secured  in  a 
certain  space  than  would  be  possible  if  they  used  their  own  anchors. 

MOOR  QUARTER-SHOT,  To.  To  moor  quartering,  between  the  two 
ways  of  across  and  along. 

MOOR  THE  BOAT,  To.  To  fasten  her  with  two  ropes,  so  that  the  one 
shall  counteract  the  other,  and  keep  her  in  a  steady  position. 

MOOR  WITH  A  SPRING  ON  THE  CABLE,  To.    See  Spring. 

MOOTER     A  spike,  bolt,  treenail. 

MOOTING.  In  ship-building,  making  a  treenail  exactly  cylindrical  to  a 
given  size  or  diameter,  called  the  moot 

MOP.     A  young  whiting. 

MOPPAT.     An  early  name  for  the  sponge  of  a  cannon. 

MOPUSSES.     A  cant  term  for  money  in  general. 

MORASS.  Nearly  the  same  thing  as  a  marsh  or  swamp.  In  tropical 
regions  they  are  often  overflowed  with  salt  water,  yet  covered  with 
mangrove  and  many  aquatic  plants. 


MORGLAY MOSS-BONKER  485 

MORGLAY.     A  great  sword,  alluded  to  formerly. 

MOmON.  An  ancient  steel  casque  or  helmet,  without  beaver  or  visor. 
According  to  Chancer  it  was  of  more  uses  than  one: — 

"Their  beef  they  often  in  their  morion  stewed." 

MORNING  GUN.  The  gun  fired  from  the  admiral's  or  senior  officer's 
ship,  to  announce  daybreak,  which  is  answered  by  the  muskets  of  the 
sentries  in  the  other  ships. 

MORNING  STAR.  An  offensive  weapon  of  the  mediaeval  times,  con- 
sisting of  a  staff,  to  which  was  attached  an  iron  ball  covered  with  spikes. 
Also,  the  planet  which  is  near  the  meridian  at  day-dawn. 

MORNING  WATCH.     Those  of  the  crew  on  watch  from  4  to  8  a.m. 

MORRA.  An  ancient  game  still  played  in  Italy  with  extraordinary  zest, 
by  two  persons  raising  the  right  hand,  and  suddenly  and  contemporane- 
ously throwing  it  down  with  only  some  of  the  fingers  extended,  when  the 
aim  is  to  guess  what  they  unitedly  amount  to.  Also,  a  term  for  a  head- 
land or  promontory  on  the  coasts  of  Chili  and  Peru.  Also,  a  round  tower 
or  fort^  as  at  Havana  [from  the  Spanish  morroy  round} 

MORRIS-PIKK  A  formidable  Moorish  weapon,  the  precursor  of  the 
boarding-pike. 

MORSK    See  Walrus. 

MORSING  POWDER     An  old  term  for  priming  powder. 

MORTAR.  A  short  piece  of  ordnance  used  for  throwing  shells,  so  that 
they  may  fall  nearly  vertical;  they  thus  acquire  force  for  breaking  through 
roofs,  decks,  <&c.  It  is  fired  at  a  fixed  angle  of  elevation,  generally  at 
45',  the  charge  of  powder  varying  according  to  the  range  required. 

MORTAR-BED  and  Bed-beams.    See  Bomb-bed,  kc. 

MORTAR^VESSEL.     See  Bomb- vessel. 

MORTGAGE.  A  registered  ship,  or  share  therein,  which  has  been  made 
a  security  for  a  money-loan,  or  other  valuable  consideration,  is  termed  a 
mortgage  in  the  Merchant  Shipping  Act. 

MORTICK  A  morticed  block  is  one  made  out  of  a  single  block  of  wood, 
chiselled  for  one  or  more  sheaves;  in  distinction  from  a  made  block.  The 
chisel  used  for  morticing  is  peculiar  to  that  purpose. 

MORXJACH.  A  peculiar  seal,  which  has  been  frequently  mistaken  on  our 
northern  shores  for  a  mermaid. 

MOSES.  A  flat-bottomed  boat  used  in  the  West  Indies  for  bringing  off 
hogsheads  of  sugar;  it  is  termed  single  or  double,  according  to  its  size. 

MOSES'  LAW.  The  term  among  pirates  for  inflicting  thirty-nine  lashes 
on  the  bare  back — forty  save  one. 

MOSQUITO.  A  term  applied  to  a  gnat-like  species  of  stinging  insects, 
found  chiefly  in  low  marshy  places  and  the  neighbourhood  of  rivers. 

MOSQUITO  FLEET.     An  assemblage  of  small  craft. 

MOSQUITO  NET.  A  light  curtain  spread  over  a  cot  or  bed  in  warm 
climates,  to  protect  the  sleeper  from  mosquitoes. 

MOSS-BONKER.  The  name  given  by  American  fishermen  to  the  hard- 
Iiead  (which  see). 


486  MOTHER  CARrS  CHICKEN MOURNING 

MOTHER  GARY'S  CHICKEN.     The  stormy  petrel,  ProceUaria  pdagiea. 

MOTHER  CARD'S  GOOSK  The  name  given  by  Captain  Cook's  people 
to  an  oceanic  brown  bird,  ProceUaria  gigantea,  which  Pemety  calls 
Quehrantorhuessos  (bone-breaker). 

MOTHER-OF-PEARL.  The  iridescent  nacreous  inner  layer  of  several 
species  of  shells,  especially  the  ''pearl-oyster"  {MeUobgrina  nwrgaritifero^ 

MOTHERY  [probably  from  the  Dutch  madery  mud}  Thick  and  mouldy; 
generaUy  applied  to  decomposing  liquors. 

MOTION.  Change  of  place;  it  is  termed  direct^  in  the  sky,  when  it  is  in 
the  direction  of  the  earth's  annual  revolution;  retrograde^  when  it  pro- 
ceeds contrary  to  these  conditions;  by  sidereal  is  meant  the  motion  of  a 
body  with  respect  to  the  fixed  stars. — Tropical  motion  is  the  movement 
of  a  body  in  respect  to  the  equinox  or  tropic,  which  has  itself  a  slow 
motion  among  the  stars,  as  shown  under  precession.   {See  Propeb  Motiok.) 

>  — Motioriy  in  mechanics,  is  either  simple  or  compound,  as  one  or  more 
powers  are  used  The  motnentum  of  a  moving  body,  or  quantity  of 
motion,  arises  from  its  velocity  multiplied  into  the  quantity  of  matter  it 
containa 

MOTION,  Centre  of.  That  point  of  a  body  which  remains  at  rest  whilst 
all  the  other  parts  are  in  motion  about  it :  as  the  mathematical  centre  of 
a  revolving  sphere. 

MOTOR     The  prime  mover  in  machinery. 

MOULDED.  The  size  of  the  timber,  the  way  the  mould  is  laid;  cut  to 
the  mould. 

MOULDED  BREADTH.  The  measure  of  beam  frx>m  outside  to  outside 
of  the  timbers,  without  the  thickness  of  the  plank. 

MOULDING  DIMENSION.  In  ship-building,  implies  the  depth  or 
thickness  of  any  piece  of  timber. 

MOULDING  EDGE.  That  edge  of  a  timber  to  which,  in  shaping  it,  the 
mould  is  applied. 

MOULDING^  OF  A  Gun.     The  several  rings  and  ornaments. 

MOULD-LOFT.  A  long  building,  on  the  floor  of  which  the  intended 
vessel  is  laid  off  fr*om  the  several  draughts  in  frill  dimensions. 

MOULDS.  In  naval  architecture,  are  thin  flexible  pieces  of  board  used  on 
the  mould-loft  floors  as  patterns. 

MOUNT,  OR  Mountain.  An  Anglo-Saxon  term  still  in  use,  usually  held 
to  mean  eminences  above  1000  feet  in  height.  In  a  fort  it  means  the 
cavalier  (which  see). 

MOUNT,  To.  When  said  of  a  shipof-war,  implies  the  number  of  guns  she 
carries. — To  mount,  in  a  military  sense,  is  also  to  furnish  with  horses. 

MOUNT  A  GUN,  To.     To  place  it  on  its  carriage. 

MOUNT  AREEVO !  [Sp.  mowtor  arriba].     Mount  aloft;  jump  up  quickly. 

MOUNTEBANEL     The  Gammanis  arctumsy  or  arctic  shrimp. 

MOURNING.  A  ship  is  in  mourning  with  her  ensign  and  pennant  half- 
mast,  her  yards  topped  awry,  or  apeek,  or  alternately  topped  an-end  If 
the  sides  are  painted  blue  instead  of  white,  it  denotes  deep  mourning; 


MOUSE MUD-LAEKS  487 

this  latter,  however,  is  only  done  on  the  ship  where  the  admiral  or  cap- 
tain was  borne,  and  in  the  case  of  merchant  ships  on  the  death  of  the 
owner. 

MOUSE.  A  kind  of  ball  or  knob,  wrought  on  the  collars  of  stays  by  means 
of  spiin-yam,  higher  parcelling,  &Q.  The  mouse  prevents  the  running 
eye  from  slipping.  (See  Puddeninq.)  Also,  a  match  used  in  firing  a 
mine.  Also,  a  mark  made  upon  braces  and  other  ropes,  to  show  their 
squaring  or  tallying  home. — To  mouse  a  hook,  to  put  a  turn  or  two  of 
rope-yam  round  the  point  of  a  tackle-hook  and  its  neck  to  prevent  its 
unhooking. — To  raise  a  mouse,  to  strike  a  blow  which  produces  a  lump. 

MOUTH  [the  Anglo-Saxon  mtuia].  The  embouchure  opening  of  a  port 
or  outlet  of  a  river,  as  Yarmouth,  Tynemouth,  Exmouth,  &c. 

MOVE  OFF,  To.     To  defila 

MOVER.     Synonymous  with  motor. 

MOVING  SANDS.     Synonymous  with  quicksands. 

MO  WELL.     The  old  English  name  for  muUeL 

MOYAN.     A  species  of  early  artillery. 

MOYLE,  To.     To  defile;  an  old  term. 

MUCK     See  Amock. 

MUD-DRAGS.     Implements  and  machines  for  clearing  rivers  and  docks. 

MUD  OR  BALLAST  DREDGER  A  vessel  of  300  tons  or  more,  fitted 
with  steam-engine  beamQ  and  metal  buckets.  By  this  powerful  machine 
for  cutting  or  scraping,  loose  gravel  banks,  Sec,  are  removed  from  the 
entrances  to  docks  and  rivers. 

MUD-FISH.  The  Lepidosiren,  a  very  remarkable  fish  of  the  Gambia  and 
other  African  rivers. 

MUD-HOLE.  An  orifice  with  steam-tight  doors  in  a  marine  engine, 
through  which  the  deposit  is  removed  from  the  boilers. 

'MUD  IAN,  'MuQiAK,  o&  Bermudian.  A  boat  special  to  the  Bermuda 
Islands,  usually  decked,  with  the  exception  of  a  hatch;  from  two  to 
twenty  tons  burden;  it  is  short,  of  good  beam,  and  great  draft  of  water 
abafb^  the  stem  and  keel  forming  a  curved  line.  It  carries  an  immense 
quantity  of  iron,  or  even  lead,  ballast.  Besides  a  long  main  and  short 
jib-boom,  it  has  a  long,  tapering,  raking  mast»  stepped  just  over  the  fore- 
foot^ generally  unsupported  by  shrouds  or  stays;  on  it  a  jib-headed  main- 
sail is  hoisted  to  a  height  of  twice,  and  sometimes  three  times,  the  length 
of  the  keeL  This  sail  is  triangular,  stretched  at  its  foot  by  a  long  boom. 
The  only  other  sail  is  a  small  foresail  or  jib.  They  claim  to  be  the  fiststest 
craft  in  the  world  for  working  to  windward  in  smooth  water,  it  being 
recorded  of  one  that  she  made  five  miles  dead  to  windward  in  the  hour 
during  a  race;  and  though  they  may  be  laid  over  until  they  fill  with 
water,  .they  will  not  capsize. 

MUD-LANDS.  The  extensive  marshes  left  dry  by  the  retiring  tide  in 
estuaries  and  river  mouths. 

MUD-LARKS.  People  who  grovel  about  bays  and  harbours  at  low  water 
for  anything  they  can  find. 


488  MCTD-LIGHTER MUNDUC 

MUD-LIGHTER.     Large  heavy  punts  wbicli  receive  the  mud  or  other 

matter  from  a  dredging '  vessel.     It  is  the  Marie  Salope  of  the  French. 

{See  Hopper-punt.) 
MUD-PATTENS.     Broad  clogs  used  for  crossing  mud-lands  in  the  south 

of  England  hy  those  who  take  sea-fowl. 
MUD-SHORES.     Are  not  unfrequent  on  an  open  coast.     The  moat  re- 
markable instance,  perhaps,  is  that  of  the  Guiyana;  the  mud  brought 

down  by  the  river  being  thrown  up  by  the  current,  and  silted,  with  belts 

of  mangroves  in  patches. 
MUFFLED  DRUM.     The  sound  is  thus  damped  at  funerals :  passing  the 

spare  cord,  which  is  made  of  drummer's  plait  (to  carry  the  drum  over  the 

shoulder),  twice  through  the  snares  or  cords  which  cross  the  lower 

diameter  of  the  drum. 
MUFFLE  THE  OARS,  To.     To  put  some  matting  or  canvas  round  the 

loom  when  rowing,  to  prevent  its  makiug  a  noise  against  the  tholes,  or  in 

the  rowlocks.     For  this  service  thole-pins  are  best.     In  war  time,  rowing 

guard  near  the  ships  or  batteries  of  the  enemy,  or  cutting  out,  many  a 

pea-jacket  has  been  sacrificed  for  this  purpose.     Whale-boats  have  their 

oars  mu£B[ed  to  prevent  frightening  the  whales. 
MUFTI.     Plain  clothes.     The  civilian  dress  of  a  naval  or  military  officer 

when  off  duty.     This,  though  not  quite  commendable,  is  better  than  the 

half  and  half  system,  for  a  good  officer  should  be  either  in  uniform  or 

out  of  it. 
MUGGY.     Half  intoxicated.     A  sheet  in  the  wind.     Also  used  to  express 

damp,  oppressive  weather. 
MULCT.     A  fine  in  money  for  some  fault  or  misdemeanour.     Also,  fines 

formerly  laid  on  ships  by  a  trading  company,  to  raise  money  for  the 

maintenance  of  consuls,  &c, 
MULET.     A  Portuguese  crafl,  with  three  lateen  sails. 
MULL.     Derived  from  the  Gaelic  mtdlach,  a  promontory  or  island;  as 

Mull  of  Galloway,  Mull  of  Cantyre,  Isle  of  MulL     Also,  when  things  are 

mismanaged;  <'we  have  made  a  mull  of  it" 
MULLET.     A  well-known  fish,  of  which  there  are  several  species.     The 

gray  mullet,  Mugil  capitOf  and  the  red  mullet,  Mtdlica  surmtdetuSy  are 

the  most  common  on  the  British  coast. 
MULLS.     The  nickname  of  the  English  in  Madras,  from  muUigatawney 

having  been  a  standard  dish  amongst  them. 
MULREIN.     A  name  in  the  Firth  of  Forth  for  the  frog-fish,  Lophiua 

piscatoriuB. 
MULTIPLE  STARS.     When  several  stars  appear  in  close  proximity  to 

each  other,  they  are  spoken  of,  collectively,  as  a  multiple  star. 
MUMBO  JUMBO.     A  strange  minister  of  so-called  justice  on  the  Gold 

Coasts  who  is  usually  dressed  up  for  the  purpose  of  frightening  women 

and  children.     He  is  the  arbiter  of  domestic  strife. 
MUNDUC.     A  sailor  employed  at  the  pearl-fishery,  to  haul  up  the  diver 

and  oysters. 


MUNDUNGUS MUSTER-ROLL  489 

MUNDUNGTJS  [from  the  Spanish  mondongoj  refuse,  offal].  Bad,  rank, 
and  dirty  tobacco. 

MUN-FISH.     Eotten  fish,  used  in  Cornwall  for  manure. 

MUNITION  BREAD.     Contract  or  commissariat  bread;  Brown  George, 

MUNITIONS.     Provisions;  naval  and  military  stores. 

MUNITION  SHIPS.  Those  which  carry  the  naval  stores  for  a  fleet,  as 
distinguished  from  the  victuallers. 

IVIUN  J  AK.  A  kind  of  pitch  used  in  the  Bay  of  Honduras  for  vessels'  bottoms. 

MUNNIONS,  OR  MuNTiNS.  The  divisional  pieces  of  the  stem-lights; 
the  pieces  that  separate  the  lights  in  the  galleries. 

MUR-^NA.     An  eel-like  fish,  very  highly  esteemed  by  the  ancient  Romans. 

MURDERER.  The  name  formerly  used  for  large  blunderbusses,  as  well 
as  for  those  small  pieces  of  ordnance  which  were  loaded  by  shifting  metal 
chambers  placed  in  the  breech. 

MURLOCH.     The  young  pickled  dog-fish. 

MURRK     The  Cornish  name  for  the  razor-bill,  Alca,  tarda. 

MURROCH.   A  term  for  shell-fish  in  general  on  the  west  coast  of  Scotland. 

MUSKET.  The  regulation  fire-arm  for  in&ntry  and  small-arm  men. 
That  of  the  English  service,  when  a  smooth  bore,  threw  its  bullet  of  about 
an  ounce  250  yards  with  good  effect;  now,  rifling  has  trebled  its  range, 
whilst  breech-loading  has  done  at  least  as  much  by  its  rapidity  of  fire. 

MUSKET-ARROWS.  Used  in  our  early  fleets,  and  for  conveying  notices 
in  1815. 

MUSKETEERS.  An  early  name  for  those  soldiers  who  were  armed  with 
muskets. 

MUSKETOON.  A  short  kind  of  blunderbuss  with  a  large  bore,  to  carry 
several  musket  or  pistol  bullets;  it  was  much  used  on  boat  service. 
They  were  mounted  on  swivel  crutches,  and  termed  top-pieces;  quarter 
pieces  in  barges  and  pinnaces,  where  timbers  were  especially  fitted  for  them. 

MUSKJET-PROOF.  Any  bulk-head,  parapet,  or  substance  which  effectu- 
ally resists  the  force  of  a  musket-balL 

MUSKET-SHOT.  Was  the  computed  distance  of  400  yards,  now  under- 
going change. 

MUSLIN,  OR  Dimity.  The  flying  kites  of  a  ship.  "  Give  her  the  muslin," 
or  "Spare  not  the  dimity,"  frequently  used  in  tropical  chase  of  slavers. 

MUSTER,  To.  To  assemble  in  order  that  the  state  and  condition  of  the 
men  may  be  seen,  and  also  at  times  to  inspect  their  arms  and  clothing. 

MUSTER-BOOK.  A  copy  of  a  ship  of  war's  open  list,  drawn  up  for  the 
use  of  the  clerk  of ,  the  check,  in  calling  over  the  crew.  A  copy  of  the 
muster-book  is  to  be  transmitted  every  two  months  to  the  admiralty. 

MUSTER-PAPER  A  description  of  paper  supplied  from  the  dockyards, 
ruled  and  headed,  for  making  ships'  books. 

MUSTER-ROLL.  A  document  kept  by  the  master  of  every  British  ves- 
sel, specifying  the  name,  age,  quality,  and  country  of  every  person  of  the 
ship's  company;  even  neutrals  are  compelled  to  produce  such  a  paper  in 
time  of  war. 


490  •  MUSTBB NADIR 

MUSTER  THE  WATCH.  A  duty  performed  Dightlj  at  8  p.m.,  and 
repeated  when  the  watch  is  relieved  up  to  4  am. 

MUTCHKIN.     A  pint  measure. 

MUTILATION.     The  crime  of  self-maiming  to  avoid  serving. 

MUTINOUS.     Showing  symptoms  of  sedition. 

MUTINY.  Revolt  or  determined  disobedience  of  regular  authority  by 
soldiers  or  sailors,  and  punishable  with  death.  Shakspeare  makes  Ham- 
let sleep 

'*  Wone  than  the  muHnei  in  the  bilboes.  ** 

MUTINY-ACT.     On  this  document  the  Articles  of  War  are  founded. 

MUTTON-SNAPPER  A  large  fish  of  the  Mesoprian  genus,  frequenting 
tropical  seas,  and  prized  in  the  Jamaica  markets.     {See  Snappeb.) 

MUZZLE  OF  A  Piece  of  Ordnance.  The  forward  extremity  pf  the  cylin- 
der, and  the  metal  which  surrounds  it,  extending  back  to  the  neck,  where 
it  meets  the  chase,  marked  hj  a  moulded  ring  in  old  guns. 

MUZZLE-LASHINGrS.  The  ropes  which  confine  the  muzzles  of  lower- 
deck  guns  to  the  housing  bolts. 

MUZZLE-BIN G.  That  which  encompassed  and  strengthened  the  muzzle 
or  mouth  of  a  cannon;  now  disused. 

MUZZLE  TO  THE  RIGHT,  or  Muzzle  to  the  Left  !  The  order  given 
to  trim  the  gun  to  the  object 

MUZZY.     Half-drunk. 

MYLKEEE.     The  old  English  name  for  the  milt  of  a  fish. 

MYOPABA.     An  ancient  corsair's  vessel. 

MYBMIDON  [from  mtiT'Tnedonf  a  sea-captain].  The  Mjrmidons  were  a 
people  of  Th^salj,  said  to  have  first  constructed  ships. 

MYSEBECOBD.  A  thin-bladed  dagger  with  which  a  grievously  wounded 
warrior  was  despatched  as  an  act  of  mercy, 

MYTH.     Obelisk,  tower,  land,  or  anything  for  directing  the  course  by  sight. 


NAB.     The  bolt-toe,  or  cock  of  a  gun-lock. 

NABB.     A  cant  term  for  the  head.     Also,  a  protuberance  on  the  rocky 

summit  of  a  hill;  a  rocky  ledge  below  water. 
NACA,  OR  Nacelle.     A  French  boat  without  mast  or  sail,  used  as  early  as 

the  twelfth  century. 
NACBE.     The  mother-of-pearl  which  lines  some  shells,  both  univalve  and 

bivalve. 
NACTA.     A  small  transport  vessel  of  early  times. 
NADIB.     The  lower  pole  of  the  rational  horizon,  the  other  being  the 

zenith. 


NAID  — NABWHAL  49I 

NAID.     A  northern  term  for  a  lamprey,  or  large  eeL 

NAIL^  To.  Is  oolloquiallj  used  for  binding  a  person  to  a  bargain.  In 
weigbiDg  articles  of  food,  a  nail  is  8  lbs. 

NAILING  A  GUN.  Synonymous  witb  doying  or  spiking.  When 
necessary  to  abandon  cannon,  or  when  the  enemy's  artillery,  though 
seized,  cannot  be  taken  away,  it  is  proper  to  spike  it,  which  is  done  by 
driving  a  steel  or  other  spike  into  the  vent.  The  best  method  sometimes 
to  render  a  gun  serviceable  again  is  to  drill  a  new  vent.     {See  Spike.) 

NAILS  OF  SORTS.  Nails  used  in  carpentry  under,  the  denominations  of 
4,  6,  8,  10,  24,  30,  and  40  penny-nails,  all  of  different  lengths. 

NAKE !     The  old  word  to  unsheath  swords,  or  make  them  naked. 

NAKED.  State  of  a  ship's  bottom  without  sheathing,  Also,  a  place  with- 
out means  of  defence. 

NAKHADAH,  or  Nacodah.     An  Arab  sea-captain. 

NAME.  The  name  of  a  merchant  ship,  as  well  as  the  port  to  which  she 
belongs,  must  be  painted  in  a  conspicuous  manner  on  her  stem.  If  changed, 
she  must  be  r^^tered  de  navo,  and  the  old  certificate  cancelled. 

NAME-BOARD.  The  arch-board,  or  part  whereon  the  ship's  name  and 
porb  are  painted. 

NAM&BOOK.     The  Anglo-Saxon  nonvM:,  a  mustering  list 

NANCY.     An  east-country  term  for  a  small  lobster. 

NANCT  DAWSON.     A  popular  air  by  which  seamen  were  summoned  to 

grog. 

NANKIN.  A  light  fawn-coloured  or  white  cotton  cloth,  almost  exclu- 
sively worn  at  one  time  in  our  ships  on  the  India  station.  It  was  sup- 
plied from  China,  but  is  now  manufactured  in  England,  Malta,  and  the 
United  States. 

NANT.     A  brook,  or  small  river,  on  the  coasts  of  Wales. 

NAPHTHA.  A  very  infammable,  fiercely  burning  fluid,  which  oozes  from 
the  ground  or  rock  in  many  different  localities,  and  may  be  obtained  by 
the  distillation  of  coal,  cannel,  and  other  substances.  It  is  nearly  related 
to  petroleum  (which  see),  and  is  used  for  lighting,  combustible,  and  vari- 
ous other  purposes. 

NAPIER'S  BONES.     Small  rods,  arranged  by  Lord  Napier  to  expedite 

arithmetical  calculations.     In  Hudibrcts: 

"A  moon-dia],  with  Napier's  bones, 
And  seyeral  oonstellation  stones." 

NARKR     A  ray  of  very  wonderful  electric  powers. 

NARROWING   op  the    Floor-sweep.      For    this  peculiar  curve,   see 

Rising  Half-bkeai>th. 
NARROWS.     The  most  confined  part  of  a  channel  between  two  lands,  or 

any  contracted  part  of  a  navigable  river. 
NARWHAL.      The  Monodon  monoceros,   an   animal    of   the  cetacean 

order,  found  in  the  Arctic  seas,  and  distinguished  by  the  single  long 

pointed  tusk  projecting  straight  forward  from  its  upper  jaw,  whence  it  is 

also  termed  sea-unicorn. 


492  NATURAL NAVAL 

NATURAL  FORTIFICATION.  Those  obstacles,  in  the  form  or  nature 
of  tlie  country,  which  impede  the  approaches  of  an  enemy. 

NATURAL  MOTION.  A  term  applied  to  the  descending  parabolic  curve 
of  a  shot  or  shell  in  falling. 

NAUFRAGIATE,  To.  An  old  expression,  meaning  to  suffer  shipwreck. 
It  occurs  in  Lithgow's  FUgrime*8  FareweUy  1618. 

NAULAGK     A  freight  or  fara 

NAUMACHIA.  An  artificial  piece  of  water  whereon  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans represented  a  sea-fight,  supposed  to  have  originated  in  the  first 
Punic  war. 

NAUROPOMETER.  An  instrument  for  measuring  the  amount  of  a 
ship's  heel  or  inclination  at  sea. 

NAUSCOPY.  The  tact  of  discovering  ships  or  land  at  considerable  dis- 
tances. 

NAUTICAL.  Relating  to  navigation,  saUors,  or  maritime  affairs  in 
general 

NAUTICAL  ALMANAC.  A  book  of  the  first  necessity  to  navigators. 
(See  EpHEHEBia) 

NAUTICAL  ASSESSORS.  Persons  of  nautical  experience  appointed  to 
assist  the  judge  of  the  admiralty  and  other  courts  in  technical  difiSlculties. 

NAUTICAL  ASTRONOMY.  That  part  of  the  celestial  science  which 
treats  of  the  planets  and  stars  so  far  as  relates  to  the  purposes  of  naviga- 
tion. 

NAUTICAL  DAY.  This  day  commences  at  noon,  twelve  hours  before 
the  civil  day,  and  ends  at  noon  of  the  day  following.     (See  Day.) 

NAUTICAL  MILE  (Mean)  =  6075-6  feet 

NAUTICAL  STARS.  About  72  of  the  brightest,  which  have  been 
selected  for  determining  the  latitude  or  the  longitude,  by  lunar  distances, 
and  inserted,  corrected  to  the  year,  in  the  Nautical  Ephemeris. 

NAUTICAL  TABLES.  Those  especially  computed  for  resolution  of 
matters  dependent  on  nautical  astronomy,  and  navigation  generally. 

NAUTICUM  FCENUS.     Marine  usury;  bottomry. 

NAUTILUS.  The  pearly  nautilus,  iV^.  pompilius,  is  a  marine  animal,  be- 
longing to  the  same  class  (Cephalopoda)  as  the  cuttle-fish,  but  protected 
by  a  beautiful,  chambered,  discoid  shell.  The  paper-nautilus  (Argonauta 
argo)  belongs  to  a  different  family  of  the  same  class,  and  has  a  simple, 
delicate,  boat-like  shelL 

NAYAL.  Of  or  belonging  to  a  ship,  or,  as  now  commonly  adopted,  to 
the  royal  navy;  hence,  naval  stores,  naval  officers,  <&c. 

NAVAL  ARCHITECTURE.  The  construction,  or  art  and  science,  of 
building  ships. 

NAYAL  ARMAMENT.  A  fleet  or  squadron  of  ships  of  war,  fitted  out 
for  a  particular  service. 

NAYAL  CADET.    See  Cadet. 

NAYAL  HOSPITALS.  Greenwich  is  styled  by  eminence  the  Royal  Hoa- 
piud,  yet  the  naval  medical  establishments  in  England  and  the  colonies 


L 


NAVAL NAVIGATION  493 

are  all  royal  At  home  they  are  Haslar,  Plymouth,  Yarmouth,  Haul- 
bowline,  Chatham,  and  Woolwich  ;  abroad,  Malta,  Jamaica,  Halifax, 
Bermuda,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  Hong  Kong.  Besides  these  useful 
hospitals,  there  are  other  stations  of  relief  around  the  coasts. 

NAVAL  OFFICER.  One  belonging  to  the  royal  navy.  Also,  the  person 
in  charge  of  the  stores  in  a  royal  dockyard  abroad. 

NAVAL  RESERVR  A  body  of  volunteers,  consisting  of  coasters  and 
able  merchant  seamen,  who  are  drilled  for  serving  on  board  our  ships  of 
war  in  case  of  need.  They  receive  a  fixed  rate  of  compensation,  become 
entitled  to  a  pension,  and  enjoy  other  privileges.  They  are  largely 
officered  from  their  own  body. 

NAVAL  SCIENCK  A  knowledge  of  the  theory  of  ship-building,  seaman- 
ship, navigation,  nautical  astronomy,  and  tactics. 

NAVAL  STORES.  All  those  particulars  which  are  made  use  of,  not 
only  in  the  royal  navy,  but  in  every  other  kind  of  navigation.  There 
are  various  statutes  against  stealing  or  embezzling  them. 

NAVAL  STORE-SHIP.  A  government  vessel,  appropriated  to  carrying 
stores  and  munitions  of  war  to  dilSerent  stations. 

NAVAL  TACTICS.  The  warlike  evolutions  of  fleets,  including  such 
manoeuvres  as  may  be  judged  most  suitable  for  attack,  defence,  or  retreat, 
with  precision.  The  science  of  tactics  happens  never  to  have  proceeded 
from  naval  men.  Thus  P^re  la  Hoste  among  the  French,  and  a  lawyer 
among  the  English,  are  the  prime  authorities.  Moreover,  it  is  a  fact  well 
known  to  those  who  served  half  a  century  back,  when  Lord  Keith,  Sir  P. 
Durham,  Sir  P.  Malcolm,  and  B.  Hallowell  practised  their  squadrons, 
that  questions  remained  in  dispute  and  undecided  for  at  least  sixteen 
years. 

NAVE-HOLE.  The  hole  in  the  centre  of  a  gun-truck  for  receiving  the  end 
of  the  axle-tree. 

NAVEL  HOODS.  Those  hoods  wrought  above  and  below  the  hawse- 
holes,  outside  a  ship,  where  there  are  no  cheeks  to  support  a  bolster. 

NAVEL  LAVER.     The  sea-weed  Ulva  umbUictis. 

NAVEL  LINK     See  Line. 

NAVIGABLE.     Any  channel  capable  of  being  passed  by  ships  or  boats. 

NAVIGANT.     An  old  word  for  sailor. 

NAVIGATION.  The  art  of  conducting  vessels  on  the  sea,  not  only  by 
the  peculiar  knowledge  of  seamanship  in  all  its  intricate  details,  but  also 
by  such  a  knowledge  of  the  higher  branches  of  nautical  astronomy  as 
enables  the  commander  to  hit  his  port,  after  a  long  succession  of  bad 
weather,  and  an  absence  of  three  or  four  months  from  all  land.  Any 
man  without  science  may  navigate  the  entire  canals  of  Great  Britain,  biit 
may  be  unable  to  pass  from  Plymouth  to  Guernsey. 

NAVIGATION  ACTS.  Various  statutes  by  which  the  legislature  of 
Great  Britain  has  in  a  certain  degree  restricted  the  intercourse  of  foreign 
vessels  with  her  own  ports,  or  those  of  her  dependent  possessions;  the 
object  being  to  promote  the  increase  of  British  shipping. 


494?  NAVIGATOR NEBULA 

NAVIGATOR  A  person  skilled  in  the  art  of  navigation.  In  old  times, 
the  ship's  artist  Also,  one  who  plies  merely  on  canala  Also,  the  na/twy 
who  works  on  embankments,  cuttings,  Sic 

NAVITHALAMUS.     A  word  in  Law-Latin  signifying  a  yacht. 

NAYVIES.  The  vigorous  labourers  employed  in  cutting  canals,  railroads, 
or  river  works  in  temporary  gangs. 

NAVY.  Any  assembly  of  ships,  whether  for  commerce  or  war.  More  par- 
ticularly the  vessels  of  war  which,  belonging  to  the  government  of  any 
state,  constitute  its  maritime  force.  The  Royal  Navy  of  Great  Britain  is 
conducted  under  the  direction  of  the  lords-commissioners  for  executing 
the  office  of  lord  high-admiral,  and  by  the  following  principal  officers 
under  them: — the  controller  of  the  navy,  controlling  dockyards,  building, 
<&c.,  with  his  staff;  the  accountant-general,  store-keeper  general,  and 
controller  of  victualling.  These  several  lords  meet  as  a  board  at  Somerset 
House  on  special  days  to  give  the  affairs  the  force  of  the  board  of 
admiralty. 

NAVY  AGENTS.  Selected  mercantile  houses,  about  fourteen,  who 
manage  the  affairs  of  officers'  pay,  prizes,  &c,  for  which  the  law  authorizes 
a  certain  percentage.  They  hold  powers  of  attorney  to  watch  the  interests 
of  their  clients. 

NAVY  BILLS.  Bills  of  removal,  transfer,  <fec.,  are  not  negotiable,  nor 
can  they  be  made  other  use  of. 

NAVY  BOARD.  The  commissioners  of  the  navy  collectively  considered, 
but  long  since  abolished. 

NAVY  TKANSPORT.     See  Transport. 

NAVY- YARD.     A  royal  arsenal  for  the  navy. 

NAY- WORD.     The  old  term  for  the  watchword,  parole,  or  counter-sign. 

NAZK    See  Ness. 

NEALED.    See  Arming. 

NEALED-TO.     A  shore,  with  deep  soundings  close  in. 

NEAPED.  The  situation  of  a  ship  which,  within  a  bar-harbour,  is  left 
aground  on  the  spring-tides  so  that  she  cannot  go  to  sea  or  be  floated  off 
till  the  return  of  the  next  spring-tides. 

NEAP-TIDES.  A  term  from  the  Ang.-Sax.  nepjlods.  They  are  but 
medium  tides,  in  respect  to  their  opposites,  the  springs,  being  neither  so 
high,  so  low,  nor  so  rapid.  The  phenomenon  is  owing  to  the  attractions 
of  the  sun  and  moon  then  pai  tly  counteracting  each  other. 

NEAR,  AND  NO  NEAR  Synonymous  terms  used  as  a  warning  to  the 
helmsman  when  too  near  the  wind,  not  to  come  closer  to  it,  but  to  keep 
the  weather-helm  in  hand. 

NEAT.     See  Net,  as  commercial  weight. 

NEB.  This  word,  the  Ang.-Sax.  nebbj  face  as  well  as  nose,  is  sometimes 
used  for  ness  (which  see).     Also,  a  bird's  beak. 

NEBULA  An  old  term  for  a  cluster  of  stars  looking  like  a  cloudy  spot 
till  separated  by  telescopic  power;  but  the  term  is  also  now  correctly 
applied  to  masses  of  nebulous  matter  only. 


NECESSABIES MEOLIGENCE  495 

NECESSARIES.     Minor  articles  of  clotbiDg  or  eqtiipment,  prescribed  by 

regulation,  but  proyided  by  the  men  out  of  their  own  pay. 
NECESSARY  MONEY.     An  extra  allowance  formerly  allowed  to  pursers 

for  the  coalsy  wood,  turnery-ware,  candles,  and  other  necessaries  provided 

by  them. 
NECESSITY.     If  a  ship  be  compelled  by  necessity  to  change  the  order  of 

the  places  to  which  she  is  insured,  this  is  not  deemed  deviation,  and  the 

underwriters  are  still  liable. 
NECK.     The  elbow  or  part  connecting  the  blade  and  socket  of  a  bayonet. 

Goose-necky  at  the  ends  of  booms,  to  connect  them  with  the  sides,  or  at 

the  yard-arm  for  the  studding-sail  boom-iron. 
NECK  OF  A  Gun.     The  narrow  part  where  the  chase  meets  the  swell  of 

the  muzzle. 
NECKED.     Treenails  are  said  to  be  necked  where  they  are  cracked,  bent, 

or  nipped  between  the  outside  skin  and  the  timbers  of  a  vessel,  whether 

from  bad  driving  or  severe  straining. 
NECKING.     A  small  neat  moulding  at  the  foot  of  the  taffrail  over  the 

light 
NECKLACE.     A  ring  of  wads  placed  round  a  gun,  as  sometimes  prac- 
tised, for  readiness  and  stowage.   Also,  a  strop  round  a  lower  mast  carrying 

leading-blocks.     Also,  the  chain  necklace,  to  which  the  futtock-shrouds 

are  secured  in  some  vessels. 
NECK  OP  LAND.      Dividing  two  portions  of  water,  or  it  may  be  the 

neck  of  a  peninsula. 
NECK  OF  THE  CASCABLE.     The  part  between  the  swell  of  the  breech 

of  a  gun  and  the  button.     Its  narrowest  part  within  the  button. 
NECKUR.     A  Scandinavian  sea-sprite,    whence  some  derive  our  "Old 

Nick  '*  in  preference  to  St.  Nicholas,  the  modem  patron  of  sailors. 
NEEDLE.     The  Ang.-Sax.  ncecU.    {See  also  Magnetic  Needle.) 
NEEDLE-FISH.     The  shorter  pipe-fish,  stang,  or  sting,  Sygnathus  acu^, 
NEEDLE-GUN.  One  wherein  the  ignition  for  the  cartridge  is  produced  by 

the  penetration  of  the  detonating  priming  by  a  steel  spike  working  in  the 

lock.     It  is  the  Prussian  musket. 
NEEDLES.     Used  by  sailmakers,  are  seaming^  holt-rope^  or  roping  needles, 

all  three-sided,  and  of  very  fine  steeL — The  Needles  of  the  Isle  of  "Wight 

are  the  result  of  cracks  in  the  rocks,  through  which  the  sea  has  worn  its 

way,  as  also  at  Old  Harry,  Swanage  Bay.  As  the  chalk  formation  stretches 

westward,  the  structure  changes  in  hardness  until  at  Portland  we  meet 

with  Portland  stone.     In  California  many  of  the  needle  rocks  are  of 

volcanic  origin;  others  again  are  basaltic  columns. 
NEGLECT.     A  charge  not  exceeding  £3,  from  the  wages  of  a  seaman,  in 

the  Complete  Book,  for  any  part  of  the  ship's  stores  lost  overboard,  or 

damaged,  from  his  gross  carelessness. 
NEGLIGENCEL     If  agent  or  broker  engages  to  do  an  act  for  another,  and 

he  either  wholly  neglects  it,  or  does  it  unskilfully,  an  action  on  the  case 

will  lie  against  him. 


1 


496  NEGOTIATE NEUTRALS 

NEGOTIATE,  To.  The  duty  of  a  diplomatist;  tlie  last  resource  and  best 
argument  being  now  12-ton  guns. 

NEGRO-BOAT.  .  See  Almodie. 

NEGROHEAD.     Hard-rolled  tobacco. 

NEGRO-HEADS.     The  brown  loaves  issued  to  sbips  in  ordinary. 

NELLY.  Diomedea  spadicea,  a  sea-bird  of  the  family  ProceUaridcp, 
which  follows  in  the  wake  of  a  ship  when  rounding  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope :  it  is  very  voracious  of  fat  blubber. 

NEPTUNR  A  superior  planet,  recently  discovered;  it  is  the  most  distant 
member  of  the  solar  system  yet  known,  and  was  revealed  by  the  effect 
which  its  attraction  had  produced  upon  the  movements  of  Uranus;  this 
was  one  of  the  most  admirable  solutions  in  modem  mathematical  science. 
Neptune,  so  fieir  as  is  yet  known,  has  no  satellites. 

NEPTUNES.  Large  brass  pans  used  in  the  Bight  of  Biafra  for  obtaining 
salt. 

NEPTUNE'S  GOBLETS.  The  large  cup-shaped  sponges  found  in  the 
eastern  seas;  Baphynu  patera, 

NEPTUNE'S  SHEEP.     Waves  breaking  into  foam,  called  white  horses. 

NESS  [Ang.  Sax.  nces].  A  projection  of  land,  as  Dungeness,  Sheemess,  &c. 
It  is  common  in  other  European  languages,  as  the  French  nez,  Italian 
naso,  Russian  noss,  Norwegian  naze,  ^     Our  Dunnose  is  an  example. 

NEST.    See  Ckow's  Nest. 

NET.  In  commerce,  is  the  weight  of  a  commodity  alone,  without  the 
package. 

NET  AND  COBLE.  The  means  by  which  sassine  or  flood-gates  are  allowed 
in  fishings  on  navigable  rivers. 

NETTING.  Network  of  rope  or  small  line  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
hammocks,  sails,  &o. — Boarding  netting,  A  stout  netting  formerly  ex- 
tended fore  and  aft  from  the  gunwale  to  a  proper  height  up  the  rigging. 
Its  use  was  to  prevent  an  enemy  from  jumping  on  board. — Splinter 
netting.  Is  stretched  from  the  main-mast  aft  to  the  mizen-mast^  in  a 
horizontal  position,  about  12  feet  above  the  quarter-deck.  It  secures 
those  engaged  there  from  injury  by  the  fall  of  any  objects  from  the  mast- 
heads during  an  action : 

*'  And  has  saved  the  lires  of  many  men 
Who  have  fallen  from  aloft." 

NETTLES.  Small  line  used  for  seizings,  and  for  hammock-clues.  (See 
Knittle.) — To  netUe,  is  to  provoke. 

NEUTRALS.  Those  who  do  not  by  treaty  owe  anything  to  either  party 
in  war;  for  if  they  do  they  are  confederates.  They  are  not  to  interfere 
between  contending  powers;  and  the  right  of  security  justifies  a  belligerent 
in  enforcing  the  conditions.  They  are  not  allowed  to  trade  from  one  port 
of  the  enemy  to  another,  nor  to  be  habitually  employed  in  his  coasting 
trade.  Indeed  the  simple  conveyance  of  any  article  to  the  opponent  of 
the  blockading  squadron,  at  once  settles  the  non-admission,  or  even 
hovering. 


NEVER  SAY  DIE NIPPER  497 

NEVER  SAY  DIE !     An  expressive  phrase,  meaning  do  not  despair,  there 

is  hope  yet. — Nil  desperandum  !  As  Cowper  says, 

"  Beware  of  desperate  steps.    The  darkest  daj. 
Wait  tm  to-morrow,  will  have  passed  away." 

NEW  ACT.     The  going  on  shore  without  leave,  and  which  though  thus 

termed  new,  is  an  old  trick. 
NEWCOMK     An  officer  commencing  his  career.     Any  stranger  or  firesh 

hand  newly  arrived. 
NEWELL.     An  upright  piece  of  timber  to  receive  the  tenon  of  the  rails 

that  lead  from  the  breast-hook  to  the  gangway. 
NEWGATE  BIRDS.     The  men  sent  on  board  ship  from  prisons;  but  the 

term  has  also  been  immemoriaJly  used,  as  applied  to  some  of  the  DragorCa 

men  in  the  voyage  of  Sir  Thomas  Roe  to  Surat,  1615. 
NEW  MOON.     The  moon  is  said  to  be  new  when  she  is  in  conjunction 

with  the  sun,  or  between  that  luminary  and  the  earth. 
NEWS.     **  Do  you  hear  the  news  ] "     A  formula  used  in  turning  up  the 

relief  watch. 
NICE  STEERAGR     That  which  is  required  in  tideways  and  intricate 

channels,  chasing  or  chased. 
NID6ET.     A  coward.     A  term  used  in  old  times  for  those  who  refused  to 

join  the  royal  standard. 
NIGHT-CAP.     Warm  grog  taken  just  before  turning  in. 
NIGHTINGALES.    See  Spithead-kightingales. 
NIGHT  ORDER-BOOK.     A  document  of  some  moment,  as  it  contains 

the  captain's  behests  about  change  of  course,  <&c.,  and  ought  to  be  legibly 

written. 
NIGHT-WALKER     A  fish  of  a  reddish  colour,  about  the  size  of  a  had- 
dock, so  named  by  Cook's  people  from  the  greatest  number  being  caught 

in  the  night;  probably  red-snapper. 
NIGHT  WARD.  The  nighl^watch. 
NILL.     Scales  of  hot  iron  at  the  armourer's  forge.     Also,  the  stars  of 

rockets. 
NIMBUS.     Ragged  and  hanging  clouds  resolving  into  rain,     {^ee  Cumulo- 

CIRR0-8TRATUS.) 

NINE-PIN  BLOCK.  A  block  in  that  form,  mostly  used  for  s.  fair-lectcler 
nnder  the  cross-pieces  of  the  forecastle  and  quarter-deck  bitts. 

NINES,  To  THE.    An  expression  to  denote  complete. 

NINGIM.     A  corruption  of  ginseng  (which  see). 

NIP.  A  short  turn  in  a  rope.  Also,  a  fishing  term  for  a  bite.  In  Arctic 
parlance,  a  nip  is  when  two  floes  in  motion  crush  by  their  opposite  edges 
a  vessel  imhappily  entrapped.  Also,  the  parts  of  a  rope  at  the  place  bound 
by  the  seizing;  or  caught  by  jambing.  Also,  Nip  in  the  hawse;  hence 
"freshen  the  nip,"  by  veering  a  few  feet  of  the  service  into  the  hawse. 

NIPCHEESE.     The  sailor's  name  for  a  purser's  steward. 

NIPPER  The  armourer's  pincers  or  tongs.  Also,  a  hammock  with  so 
little  bedding  as  to  be  unfit  for  stowing  in  the  nettings. 

2l 


498  NIPPBRING NODES 

NIPPERING.  Fasteniug  nippers  hy  taking  turns  crosswise  between  the 
parts  to  jam  them;  and  sometimes  with  a  round  turn  before  each  cross. 
These  are  called  racking  turns. 

NIPPER-MEN.  Foretop-men  employed  to  bind  the  nippers  about  the 
cables  and  messenger,  and  to  whom  the  bojs  return  them  when  they  are 
taken  off. 

NIPPERS.  Are  formed  of  clean,  unchafed  yams,  drawn  from  condemned 
rope,  unlaid.  The  yams  are  stretched  either  over  two  bolts,  or  cleats, 
and  a  fair  strain  brought  on  each  part  They  are  then  "marled"  6t>m 
end  to  end,  and  used  in  various  ways,  viz.  to  bind  the  messenger  to  the 
cable,  and  to  form  slings  for  wet  spars,  &c  The  nipper  is  passed  at  the 
manger-board,  the  fore-end  pressing  itself  against  the  cable;  after  passing 
it  round  cable  and  messenger  spirally,  the  end  is  passed  twice  round  the 
messenger,  and  a  foretop-man  holds  the  end  until  it  reaches  the  fore- 
hatchway,  when  a  maintop-man  takes  it  up,  and  at  the  main-hatchway  it  is 
taken  off,  a  boy  carrying  it  forward  ready  coiled  for  further  use. — Sdvctgee 
nippers  are  used  when  from  a  very  great  strain  the  common  nippers  are 
not  found  sufficiently  secure;  selvagees  are  then  put  on,  and  held  fast  by 
means  of  tree-nails.  {See  Selvagee  and  TRES-NAiLa) — Buoy  and  nipper. 
Burt*s  patent  for  sounding.  By  this  contrivance  any  amount  of  line  is 
loosely  veered.  So  long  as  the  lead  descends,  the  line  runs  through  the 
nipper  attached  to  a  canvas  inflated  buoy.  The  instant  it  is  checked  or 
the  lead  touches  bottom,  the  back  strain  nips  the  line,  and-  indicates  the 
vertical  depth  that  the  lead  has  descended. 

NIPPLR  In  ship-building.  Another  name  for  JewucJde  (which  see). 
Also,  the  nipple  of  a  gun  or  musket  lock;  the  perforated  projection  which 
receives  the  percussion-cap. 

NISSAK.     The  Shetland  name  for  a  small  porpoise. 

NITRE.  Pota880R  nitraSf  a  salt  formed  by  the  union  of  nitric  acid  with 
potash;  the  main  agent  in  gunpowder. 

NITTY.     A  troublesome  noise;  a  squabble. 

NOAH'S  ARK.  Certain  clouds  elliptically  parted,  considered  a  sign  of 
fine  weather  after  rain. 

NOB.  The  head;  therefore  applied  to  a  person  in  a  high  station  of  life. 
(See  Knob.) 

NOCK.  The  forward  upper  end  of  a  sail  that  sets  with  a  boom.  Also,  a 
term  used  for  notch. 

NOCTURNAL,  Nocturlabium.  An  instrament  chiefly  used  at  sea,  to 
take  the  altitude  or  depression  of  some  of  the  stars  about  the  pole,  in 
order  to  find  the  latitude  and  the  hour  of  the  night. 

NOCTURNAL  ARC.  That  part  of  a  circle,  parallel  to  the  equator,  which 
is  described  by  a  celestial  object,  between  its  setting  and  rising. 

NODDY.  The  Sterna  soliday  a  dark  web-footed  sea-bird,  common  about 
the  West  Indies.  Also,  a  simpleton;  so  used  by  Shakspeare  in  the  Tioo 
Gentlemen  of  Verona^ 

NODES.     Those  points  in  the  orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet  where  it  intersects 


NOO NORMAN  499 

the  ecliptic.  The  ascending  node  ia  the  point  where  it  passes  from  the 
south  to  the  north  side  of  the  ecliptic;  the  descending  node  is  the  opposite 
point,  where  the  latitude  changes  from  north  to  south.  (See  Luns  of 
Nodes.) 

NOG.     A  tree-nail  driven  through  the  heels  of  the  shores,  to  secure  them. 

NOCrGIN.     A  small  cup  or  spirit-measure,  holding  about  ^  of  a  pint. 

NOGrGING.  The  act  of  securing  the  shores  by  tree-nails.  Also,  warming 
b^r  at  the  galley-fire. 

NO  HIGHER !    See  Near. 

NO-HOWlSH.  Qualmy;  feeling  an  approaching  ailment  without  being 
able  to  describe  the  symptoms. 

NO-MAN'S  LAND.  A  space  in  mid-ships  between  the  after-part  of  the 
belfry  and  the  fore-part  of  a  boat  when  it  is  stowed  upon  the  booms,  as 
is  often  done  in  a  deep-waisted  vessel;  this  space  is  used  to  contain  any 
blocks,  ropes,  tackles,  dec.,  which  may  be  necessary  on  the  forecastle,  and 
probably  derives  its  name  from  being  neither  on  the  starboard  nor  port 
side,  neither  in  the  waist^  nor  on  the  foi'ecastle. 

NONAGESIMAL  DEGREE.  The  point  of  the  ecliptic  which  is  at  the 
greatest  altitude  above  the  horizon. 

NON-COMBATANTS.  A  term  applied  erroneously  to  the  purser,  master 
surgeon,  <ka,  of  a  man-of-war,  for  all  men  on  board  may  be  called  on, 
more  or  less,  to  fight. 

NON-COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS.  In  familiar  parlance,  non-coms. 
are  the  sergeants,  corporals,  and  others,  appointed  under  special  regula- 
tions, by  the  orders  of  the  commanding  officer. 

NON-CONDENSING  ENGINK     A  high-pressure  steam-engine. 

NONIUS  SCALE,  or  Yerniek  That  fixed  to  the  oblong  opening  near 
the  lower  end  of  the  index-bar  of  a  sextant  or  quadrant;  it  divides  de- 
grees into  minutes,  and  these  again  into  parts  of  seconds. 

NO !  NO !  The  answer  to  the  night-hail  by  which  it  is  known  that  a  mid- 
shipman or  warrant  officer  is  in  the  boat  hailed. 

NON-RECOIL.  This  was  effected  by  securing  the  breeching  while  the 
gun  was  run  out :  oft^n  practised  in  small  vessels. 

NOOK.  A  small  indentation  of  the  land;  a  little  cove  in  the  inner  parts 
of  bays  and  harbours. 

NOOK-SHOTTEN.  A  Shakspearian  expression  for  a  coast  indented  with 
bays;  as  in  Henry  V,  Bourbon  speaks  contemptuously  of  ''that  nook- 
shotten  isle  of  Albion." 

NOON.     Mid-day. 

NOOSE.     A  slip  or  running  knot. 

NORE.     The  old  word  for  north.     Also,  a  canal  or  channel. 

NORIE'S  EPITOMR     A  treatise  on  navigation  not  to  be  easily  cast  aside. 

NORLAND.     0^  or  belonging  to,  the  north  land. 

NORMAL  LEVEL  op  a  Barometer.  A  term  reckoned  synonymous 
with  par-line  (which  see). 

NORMAN.     A  short  wooden  bar  thrust  into  one  of  the  holes  of  the  wind- 


600  NORBIE NORTH  WIND 

lass  or  capstan  in  a  merchantman,  whereon  to  yeer  a  rope  or  fasten  the 
cable,  if  there  be  little  strain  upon  it.  Also  fixed  through  the  head  of 
the  rudder,  in  some  ships,  to  prevent  the  loss  of  the  rudder.  Also,  a  pin 
placed  in  the  bitt-cross-piece  to  confine  the  cable  from  falling  off. 

NORRIE,  AND  TAMMIE  NORRIE.     The  Scotch  name  for  the  puffin. 

NORTH.     From  the  Anglo-Saxon  nord, 

NORTH-AWAY  YAWL.     The  old  term  for  Norway  yawl  (which  see).    ' 

NORTH-EAST  PASSAGR  To  the  Pacific,  or  round  the  north  of  Europe, 
has  been  divided  into  three  parts,  thus :  1.  From  Archangel  to  the  river 
Lena;  2.  from  the  Lena,  round  Tschukotskoi-ness  to  E^mtschatka;  and 
3.  from  Kamtschatka  to  Japan.  They  have  been  accomplished  at  various 
times,  but  not  successively. 

NORTHERN  DIVER     Tlie  Colymbus  gladalis,  a  large  diving-bird. 

NORTHERN-GLANCK  The  old  sea-name  of  the  aurora  borealis  (which 
see). 

NORTHERN  LIGHTS.    See  Northern-glance. 

NORTHERS.  Those  winds  so  well  known  to  all  seamen  who  have  fre- 
quented the  West  Indies,  and  which  are  preceded  by  the  appearance  of  a 
vast  quantity  of  fine  cobwebs  or  gossamer  in  the  atmosphere,  which  clings 
to  all  parts  of  a  vessel's  rigging,  thus  serving  as  a  warning  of  an  approach- 
ing gale.  Northers  alternate  with  the  seasons  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the 
Florida  Channel,  Jamaica,  Cuba,  <l^c.     Their  cold  is  intense. 

NORTH  FOLLOWING.     For  this  and  north  preceding,  see  Quadrant. 

NORTH  PASSAGE  to  the  Indies.  The  grand  object  of  our  maritime 
expeditions  at  a  remote  period,  prosecuted  with  a  boldness,  dexterity,  and 
perseverance  which,  although  since  equalled  in  the  same  pursuit^  have 
not  yet  been  surpassed: — 

"I  will  undertake 
To  find  the  north  passage  to  the  Indies  sooner. 
Than  plongh  with  your  proud  heifer." — Mauinffer, 

NORTH  SEA.  The  Jamaica  name  for  the  north  swell  {See  Ground- 
sea.) 

NORTH-WESTER.  This  wind  in  India  usually  commences  or  terminates 
with  a  violent  gust  from  that  quarter,  with  loud  thunder  and  vivid  light- 
ning. Also,  gales  which  blow  from  the  eastern  coast  of  North  America 
in  the  Atlantic  during  the  autumn  and  winter. 

NORTH-WEST  PASSAGE.  By  Hudson's  Bay  into  the  Pacific  Ocean 
has  been  more  than  once  attempted  of  late  years,  but  hitherto  without 
success.  Some  greatly  doubted  the  practicability  of  such  an  enterprise; 
but  the  north-west  passage,  as  far  as  relates  to  the  flow  of  the  sea  beneath 
the  ice,  was  satisfiictorily  solved  by  H.M.S.  Investigator,  Sir  R.  Maclure, 
reaching  the  western  end  of  Barrow's  Straits.  The  former  question,  up 
to  Melville  Island,  which  Sir  R.  Maclure  reached  and  left  his  notice  at 
in  1852,  having  been  already  thoroughly  established  by  Sir  K  Parry  in 
1820. 

NORTH  WIND.     This  wind  in  the  British  seas  is  dry  and  cold,  and 


NORWAY  SKIFF NUMBER  501 

generally  ushers  in  fair  weather  and  clear  skies.  The  barometer  rises 
with  the  wind  at  north,  and  is  highest  at  N.N.E.;  the  air  forming  this 
wind  comes  from  colder  latitudes,  and  has  therefore  lost  most  of  its  mois- 
ture. 

NORWAY  SKIFF.  A  particularly  light  and  buoyant  boat,  which  is 
both  swift  and  safe  in  the  worst  weather. 

NORWAY  YAWL.  This,  of  aU  small  boats,  is  said  to  be  the  best  cal- 
culated for  a  high  sea;  it  is  often  met  with  at  a  distance  from  land,  when 
a  stout  ship  can  hardly  carry  any  sail     The  parent  of  the  peter-boaL 

NOSE.  Often  used  to  denote  the  stem  of  a  ship.  Also,  a  neck  of  land: 
ncies,  or  nesa, 

NOTARY.  The  person  legally  empowered  to  attest  deeds,  protests,  or 
other  documents,  in  order  to  render  them  binding. 

NOTCH.     The  gaffle  of  a  cross-bow. 

NOTCH-BLOCK.    See  Snatch-block. 

NOTCH-SIGHT  of  a  Guk.  A  sight  having  a  V-shaped  notch,  wherein 
the  eye  easily  finds  the  lowest  or  central  point. 

NOTHING  OFF !  A  term  used  by  the  man  at  the  conn  to  the  steers- 
man, directing  him  to  keep  her  dose  to  the  wind;  or  '' nothing  o%  and 
very  well  thus !"     {See  Thus.) 

NOTIONS.  An  American  sea-term  for  a  cargo  in  sorts;  thus  a  notion- 
vessel  on  the  west  coast  of  America  is  a  perfect  bazaar;  but  one,  which 
sold  a  mixture — ^logwood,  bad  claret,  and  sugar — ^to  the  priests  for  sacra- 
ment wine  had  to  run  for  it. 

NOUD.     A  term  in  the  north  for  fishes  that  are  accounted  of  little  value. 

NOUP,     A  round-headed  eminence. 

NOUS.  An  old  and  very  general  term  for  intelligent  perception,  evidently 
from  the  Greek. 

NOUST.  A  landing-place  or  indent  into  the  shore  for  a  boat  to  be  moored 
in;  a  term  of  the  Orkney  Isles. 

NOZZLE-FACES.  Square  plates  of  brass  raised  upon  the  cylinder;  one 
round  each  of  the  steam-ports,  for  the  valve-plates  to  slide  upon. 

NOZZLES.  In'  steamers,  the  same  as  steam-ports;  they  are  oblong  pas- 
sages from  the  nozzle-faces  to  the  inside  of  the  cylinder;  by  them  the 
steam  enters  and  returns  above  and  below  the  piston.    Also  pump  nozzles. 

NUBECUL-^,  Major  and  Minor.     The  Magellanic  douda  (which  see). 

NUCLEUS  OF  A  Comet.     The  condensed  or  star-like  part  of  the  head. 

NUDDEE.     A  Hindostanee  word  for  a  river. 

NUGGAR.     A  term  in  the  East  Indies  for  a  fort,  and  also  for  an  alligator. 

NULLAH.     A  ravine  or  creek  of  a  stream  in  India. 

NUMBER  The  number  on  the  ship's  books  is  marked  on  the  clothing  of 
seamen;  that  on  a  man's  hammock  or  bag  corresponds  with  his  number 
on  the  watch  and  station  bill  The  ships  of  the  royal  navy  are  denoted 
by  flags  expressing  letters,  and  when  passing  or  nearing  each  other  the 
names  are  exchanged  by  signals. — Losing  the  nvmber  of  the  meae,  is  a 
phraise  for  dying  suddenly;  being  killed  or  drowned. 


502  NXTBiBRABY OAK 

NUMERARY  ok  MARRYAT'S  SIGNALS.     A  useful  code  used  bj 

the  mercantile  marine,  by  an  arrangement  of  flags  from  a  cypher  to  units, 

and  thence  to  thousands.     (See  Siokaia) 
NUN-BUOY.     A  buoy  made  of  staves,  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  double 

cone;  lai^e  in  the  middle,  and  tapering  rapidly  to  the  ends;  the  slinging 

of  which  is  a  good  specimen  of  practical  rigging  tact 
NURAVEE  YAWL.     A  corruption  of  Norway  yawl  (which  see). 
NURSE.     An  able  first  lieutenant^  who  in  former  times  had  charge  of  a 

young  boy-captain  of  interest,  but  possessing  no  knowledge  for  command. 

Also,  a  small  kind  of  shark  with  a  very  rough  skin;  a  dog-fish. 
NUT.     A  small  piece  of  iron  with  a  female  screw  cut  through  the  middle 

of  it,  for  screwing  on  to  the  end  of  a  bolt. 
NUTATION.     An  oscillatory  motion  of  the  earth's  axis,  due  chiefly  to  the 

action  of  the  moon  upon  the  spheroidal  figure  of  oiir  globe. 
NUTS  OP  AN  Anchor.     Two  projections  either  raised  or  welded  on  the 

square  part  of  the  shank,  for  securing  the  stock  to  its  place. 
NYCTALOPIA.     See  Moon-bunk. 


0. 

0.  The  fourth  class  of  rating  on  Lloyd's  books  for  the  comparative  ex- 
cellence of  merchant  ships.      But  insured  vessels  are  rarely  so  low 

{See  A.) 

O !  OR  Ho !  An  interjection  commanding  attention  or  possibly  the  cessa- 
tion of  any  action. 

OAK.  Qv^cu8y  the  valuable  monarch  of  the  woods.  '< Hearts  of  oak  are 
our  ships,"  as  the  old  song  says. 

OAKUM  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  cecwmhel,  The  state  into  wliich  old  ropes 
are  reduced  when  they  are  untwisted  and  picked  to  pieces.  It  is  prin- 
cipally used  in  caulking  the  seams,  for  stopping  leaks,  and  for  making 
into  twice-laid  ropes.  Very  well  known  in  workhousea — White  Oakum, 
That  which  is  formed  from  untarred  ropes. 

OAKUM-BOY.  The  caulker's  apprentice,  who  attends  to  bring  oakum, 
pitch,  ko, 

OAR  A  slender  piece  of  timber  used  as  a  lever  to  propel  a  boat  through 
the  water.  The  blade  is  dipped  into  the  water,  while  the  other  end 
within  board,  termed  the  loom,  is  ^mall  enough  to  be  grasped  by  the 
rower.  The  silver  oar  is  a  badge  of  office,  similar  to  the  staff  of  a  peace- 
officer,  which  on  presentation,  enables  a  person  intrusted  with  a  warrant 
to  serve  it  on  board  any  ship  he  may  set  foot  upon. — To  hoot  the  oa/rSy  is 
to  cease  rowing  and  lay  the  oars  in  the  boat. — Get  yowr  oa/ra  to  pass ! 
The  order  to  prepare  them  for  rowing,  or  shipping  them. 


OAR OBLIQUITY  OF  THE  ECLIFnC  503 

OAJl,  To  SHOVE  IN  AK.     To  intermeddle,  or  give  an  opinion  unasked. 

OAR-PROPULSION.  The  earliest  motive  power  for  vessels;  it  may  be  by 
tbe  broadside  in  rowlocks  abeam,  by  sweeps  on  tbe  quarters  tore  and  aft, 
or  by  sculling  with  one  oar  in  the  notch  of  the  transom  amidships.  {See 
Stern-oab.) 

OARS !  The  order  to  cease  rowing,  by  lifling  the  oars  from  the  water, 
and  poising  them  on  their  looms  hoidzontally  in  their  rowlocks. — Look  to 
your  oars  1  Passing  any  object  or  among  sea-weed. — Double-banked  oars 
(which  see). 

OASIS.     A  fertile  spot  in  the  midst  of  a  sandy  desert 

OATH.  A  solemn  a£&rmation  or  denial  of  anything,  before  a  person 
authorized  to  administer  the  same,  for  discovery  of  truth  and  right.  (See 
CoEPORAL  Oath.)  Hesiod  ascribes  the  invention  of  oaths  to  discord. 
The  oath  of  supremacy  and  of  the  Protestant  faith  was  formerly  taken 
by  an  officer  before  he  could  hqld  a  commission  in  the  royal  navy. 

OAZK  Synonymous  with  the  Ang.-Sax.  wase  when  applied  to  mud. 
{See  Ooze.) 

OBEY.     A  word  forming  the  fulcrum  of  naval  discipline. 

OBL  A  horrible  sorcery  practised  among  the  negroes  in  the  West  Indies, 
the  infliction  of  which  by  a  threat  from  the  juggler  is  sufficient  to  lead 
the  denounced  victim  to  mental  disease,  despondency,  and  death.  Still 
the  wretched  trash  gathered  together  for  the  obi-spell  is  not  more  ridicu- 
lous than  the  amulets  of  civilized  Europe. 

OBLATE.     Compressed  or  flattened 

OBLIGATION.  A  bond  containing  a  penalty,  with  a  condition  annexed 
for  payment  of  money  or  performance  of  covenants. 

OBLIM  ATION.     The  deposit  of  mud  and  silt  by  water. 

OBLIQUE-ANGLED  TRIANGLE.  Any  other  than  aright-angled  triangle. 

OBLIQUE  ASCENSION.  An  arc  between  the  first  point  of  Aries  and 
that  point  of  the  equator  which  comes  to  the  horizon  with  a  star,  or 
other  heavenly  body,  reckoned  according  to  the  order  of  signs.  It  is  the 
sum  or  difference  of  the  right  ascension  and  ascensional  diflerenca 

OBLIQUE  BEARINGS.  Consist  in  determining  the  position  of  a  ship, 
by  observing  with  a  compass  the  bearings  of  two  or  more  objects  on  the 
shore  whose  places  are  given  on  a  chart,  and  drawing  lines  from  those 
places,  so  as  to  make  angles  with  their  meridians  equal  to  the  observed 
bearings;  the  intersection  of  the  line  gives  on  the  chart  the  position  of 
the  ship.     This  is  sometimes  called  the  method  of  cross-bearings. 

OBLIQUE  SAILING.  Is  the  reduction  of  the  position  of  the  ship  from 
the  various  courses  made  good,  oblique  to  the  meridian  or  parallel  of 
latitude.  If  a  vessel  sails  north  or  south,  it  is  simply  a  distance  on  the 
meridian.  If  east  or  west,  on  the  parallel,  and  refers  to  parallel  sailing. 
If  oblique,  it  is  solved  by  middle  latitude,  or  Mercator  sailing. 

OBLIQUE  STEP.  A  movement  in  marching,  in  which  the  men,  while 
advancing,  gradually  take  ground  to  the  right  or  left. 

OBLIQUITY  OF  THE  ECLIPTIC.    The  angle  between  the  planes  of  the 


604  OBLONG  SQUARE OFF  AND  ON 

ecliptic  aod  the  equator,  or  the  inclination  of  tlie  earth's  equator  to  the 

plane  of  her  annual  path,  upon  which  the  seasons  depend:  this  amounts 

at  present  to  about  23^  27^ 
OBLONG  SQUARK    A  name  improperly  given  to  a  parallelogram.     (See 

Three  Square.) 
OBSEBYATION.      In  nautical  astronomy,  denotes  the  taking  the  sun, 

moon,  or  stars'  altitude  with  a  quadrant  or  sextant,  in  order  thereby  to 

find  the  latitude  or  time;  also,  the  lunar  distances. 
OBSERVE,  To.     To  take  a  bearing  or  a  celestial  observation. 
OBSIDIONAL  CROWN*     The  highest  ancient  Roman  military  honour; 

the  decoration  of  the  chief  who  raised  a  siege. 
OBSTACLES*    Chains,  booms,  abattis,  snags,  palisades,  or  anything  placed 

to  impede  an  enemy's  progress.     Unforeseen  hindrances. 
OBTURATOR     A  cover  or  valve  in  steam  machinery. 
OBTUSE  ANGLE.     One  measuring  above  90°,  and  therefore  beyond  a 

right  angle;  called  by  shipwrights  standing  beveilings. 
OBTUSE-ANGLED  TRIANGLK     That  which  has  one  obtuse  angla 
OCCIDENT.     The  west' 
OCCULT ATION.     One  heavenly  body  eclipsing  another;  but  in  nautical 

astronomy  it  is  particularly  used  to  denote  the  eclipses  of  stars  and  planets 

by  the  moon.. 
OCCUPY,  To.     To  take  military  possessioa 
OCEAN.     This  term,  in  its  largest  sense,  is  the  whole  body  of  salt  water 

which  encompasses  the  globe,  except  the  collection  of  inland  seas,  lakes, 

and  rivers:  in  a  word,  that  glorious  type  of  omnipotent  power,  whether 

in  calm  or  tempest: — 

"  Dark,  heaving,  bonndleu,  endless,  and  sublime, 
The  image  of  Eternity." 

In  a  more  limited  sense  it  is  divided  into — 1.  The  Atlantic  Ocean.    2. 

The  Pacific  Ocean.     3.  The  Indian  Ocean.     4.  The  Southern  Ocean. 
OCEAN-GOING  SHIP.     In  contradistinction  to  a  coaster. 
OCHRAS.     A  Gaelic  term  for  the  gills  of  a  fish. 

OCTAGON.     A  geometrical  figure  which  has  eight  equal  sides  and  angles. 
ODHARAG,     The  name  of  the  young  cormorant  in  our  northern  isles. 
OE.     An  island  [from  the  Ang.-Sax.]     Oes  are  violent  whirlwinds  off  the 

Ferroe  Islands,  said  at  times  to  raise  the  water  in  syphons. 
OFERL ANDERS.     Small  vessels  on  the  Rhine  and  the  Meuse. 
OFF.     The  opposite  to  near.     Also  applied  to  a  ship  sailing  from  the  shore 

into  the  open  sea.     Also,  implies  abreast  of,  or  near,  as  "We  were  off 

Cape  Finisterre.** — Nothing  off!     The  order  to  the  helmsman  not  to  suffer 

the  ship  to  fall  off  from  the  wind. 
OFFAL.     Slabs,  chips,  and  refuse  of  timber,  sold  in  fiithom  lots  at  the 

dockyards. 
OFF  AND  ON.     When  a  ship  beating  to  windward  approaches  the  shore 

by  one  board,  and  recedes  from  it  when  on  the  other.     Also  used  to 

denote  an  undecided  person.     Dodging  off  a  port. 


OFF  AT  A  TANGENT OKE  605 

OFF  AT  A  TANGENT.     Going  in  a  hurry,  or  in  a  testy  humour. 
OFF  DUTY.     An  officer,  marine,  or  seaman  in  his  watch  below,  <kc.     An 

officer  is  sometimes  put  ^  off  duty"  as  a  punishment. 
OFFENCES.     Crimes  which  are  not  capital,  but  by  the  custom  of  the 

service  come  under  the  articles  of  war. 
OFFICER.     A  person  haying  some  command.     A  term  applied  both  in 

the  royal  and  mercantile  navies  to  any  one  of  a  ship's  company  who  ranks 

above  the  foremast-men. 
OFFICER  OF  THE  DAY.     A  military  officer  whose  immediate  duty  is 

to  attend  to  the  interior  economy  of  the  corps  to  which  he  belongs,  or  of 

those  with  which  he  may  be  doing  duty. 
OFFICER  OF  THE  WATCH.     The  Heutenant  or  other  officer  who  has 

chaise  of,  and  commands,  the  watch. 
OFFICERS'  EFFECTS.     The  effects  of  officers  who  die  on  board  are  not 

generally  sold;  but  should  they  be  submitted  to  auction,  the  sale  is  to  be 

confined  entirely  amongst  the  officers. 
OFFICIAL  LETTERS.     All  official  letters  which  are  intended  to  be  laid 

before  the  commander-in-chie^  must  be  signed  by  the  officers  themselves, 

specifying  their  rank  under  their  signatures.     All  applications  from  petty 

officers,  seamen,  and  marines,  relative  to  transfer,  discharge,  or  other 

subjects  of  a  similar  nature,  are  to  be  made  through  the  captain  or  com- 
manding officer.     They  ought  to  be  written  on  foolscap  paper,  leaving  a 

margin^  to  the  left  hand,  of  one-fourth  of  the  breadth,  and  superscribed 

on  the  cover  "On  H.  M.  Service." 
OFFING.     Implies  to  seaward;  beyond  anchoring  ground. — To  keep  a  good 
.  offing,  is  to  keep  well  off  the  land,  while  under  sail. 
OFF-RECKONING.     A  proportion  of  the  full  pay  of  troops  retained  from 

them,  in  special  cases,  until  the  period  of  final  settlement^  to  cover  various 

expected  charges  (for  ship-rations  and  the  like). 
OFF  SHE  GOES !     Means  run  away  with  the  purchase  fall     Move  to 

the  tune  of  the  fifer.     The  first  move  when  a  vessel  is  launched. 
OFF  THE  REEL.     At  once;  without  stopping.     In  allusion  to  the  way 

in  which  the  log-line  flies  off  the  reel  when  a  ship  is  sailing  fast. 
OFFWARD.     The  situation  of  a  ship  which  lies  aground  and  leans  from 

the  shore;  "the  ship  heels  offward,*'  and  ''the  ship  lies  with  her  stem  to 

the  offward,''  is  when  her  stem  is  towards  the  sea. 
OGEE.     In  old-pattern  guns,  the  doubly  curved  moulding  added,  by  way 

of  finish,  to  several  of  the  rings. 
OGGIDENT.     Jack's  corruption  of  agitardiente  [Sp.],  a  fiery  and  very 

unwholesome  spirit 
OIL-BUTT.     A  name  for  the  black  whale. 

OILLETS,  OR  CEiLLETB.    Apertures  for  firing  through,  in  the  walls  of  a  fort. 
OITER.     A  Gaelic  word  still  in  use  for  a  sand-banL 
OJANCO  SNAPPER.     A  tropical  fish  of  the  Mesoprion  family,  frequent- 

ing  the  deep-water  banks  of  the  West  Indies. 
OKK     A  Levant  weight  of  2  j  lbs.,  common  in  Mediterranean  commerce. 


606  OLD  COUNTRY OKE,  TWO,  THREE 

OLD  COUNTRY.  A  very  general  dedgnation  for  Great  Britain  among 
the  Americans.  The  term  is  never  applied  to  any  part  of  the  continent 
of  Europa 

OLD  ELAl^D.     A  knowing  and  expert  person. 

OLD  HORSE.     Tough  salt-beef. 

OLD  ICK     In  polar  parlance,  that  of  previous  seasons. 

OLD-STAGER     One  well  initiated  in  anything. 

OLD-STAGERISM.  An  adherence  to  established  customs;  sea  con- 
servatism. 

OLDSTERS.  In  the  old  days  of  cock-pit  tyranny,  mids  of  four  years' 
standings  and  master's-mates,  <Sk^,  who  sadly  bullied  the  youngsters. 

OLD  WIEK  A  fish  about  2  feet  long,  and  9  inches  high  in  the  back, 
having  a  small  mouth,  a  large  eye,  a  broad  dorsal  fin,  and  a  blue  body. 
Also,  the  brown  long-tailed  duck  of  Pennant. 

OLD  WOMAN'S  TOOTH.     A  peculiar  chisel  for  stub  morticing. 

OLERON  CODE.  A  celebrated  collection  of  maritime  laws,  compiled 
and  promulgated  by  Richard  Coeur-de-Iion,  at  the  island  of  Oleron,  near 
the  coast  of  Poitou,  the  inhabitants  of  which  have  been  deemed  able 
mariners  ever  since.  It  is  reckoned  the  best  code  of  sesrlaws  in  the 
world,  and  is  recorded  in  the  black  book  of  the  admiralty. 

OLICK.     The  torsk  or  tusk,  Gadnu  eallaris. 

OLIVER.     A  west-country  term  for  a  young  eeL 

OLPIS.  A  classic  term  for  one  who,  from  a  shore  eminence,  watched  die 
course  which  shoals  of  fish  took,  and  communicated  the  result  to  the 
fishers.     {See  Condor  ) 

OMBRK     A  fish,  more  commonly  called  grayling,  or  umber, 

ON.     The  sea  is  said  to  be  "on"  when  boisterous;  as,  there  is  a  high  sea  on. 

ON  A  BOWLINE.  Close  to  the  wind,  when  the  sail  will  not  stand  with- 
out hauling  the  bowlines. 

ONAGER.     An  offensive  weapon  of  the  middle  ages. 

ON  A  WIND.     Synonymous  with  on  a  bowline. 

ON  BOARD.     Within  a  ship;  the  same  as  aboard. 

ONCIA.     A  gold  coin  of  Sicily;  value  three  ducats,  or  lOs.  lOd.  sterling. 

ONCIN.  An  offensive  weapon  of  roedisBval  times,  consisting  of  a  staff 
with  a  hooked  iron  head. 

ON  DECK  THERE !     The  cry  to  call  attention  from  aloft  or  below. 

ONE-AND-ALL.  A  mutinous  sea-cry  used  in  the  Dutch  wars.  Also,  a 
rallyiDg  call  to  put  the  whole  collective  force  on  together. 

ON  EITHER  TACK.     Any  way  or  every  way;  a  colloquialism. 

ON  END.  The  same  as  an-end  (which  see).  Top-masts  and  topgallant- 
masts  are  on  end,  when  they  are  in  their  places,  and  sail  can  be  set 
on  them. 

ONE  O'CLOCK     Like  one  o'clock.     With  speed;  rapidly. 

ONERARIiS.     Ancient  ships  of  burden,  with  both  sails  and  oars. 

ONE,  TWO,  THREE  1  The  song  with  which  the  seamen  bowse  out  the 
bowlines;  the  last  haul  being  completed  by  belay  O ! 


ONION-FISH OPOSSUM-SHMMP  507 

ONION-FISH.     The  Cepola  rvhescens^  whose  body  peels  into  flakes  like 

that  vegetable.     It  is  of  a  pale  red  colour. 
ON  SERVICE.     On  duty. 
ON-SHORE  WINDS.     Those  which  blow  from  the  offing,  and  render 

bays  uncomfortable  and  insecure. 
ON  THE  BEAM.     Implies  any  distance  from  a  ship  on  a  line  with  her 

beams,  or  at  right  angles  with  the  keeL 
ON  THE  BOW.     At  any  angle  on  either  side  of  the  stem  up  to  45';  then 

it  is  either  four  points  on  the  bow,  or  four  points  before  the  beam. 
ON  THE  QUARTER     Being  in  that  position  with  regard  to  a  ship,  as 

to  be  included  in  the  angles  which  diverge  from  right  astern,  to  four 

points  towards  either  quarter. 
OOMIAK.     A  light  seal-skin  Greenland  boat»  generally  worked  in  fine 

weather  by  the  women,  but  in  bad  weather  by  the  men. 
OPEN.     The  situation  of  a  place  which  is  exposed  to  the  wind  and  sea. 

Also,  applied  in  meteorology,  to  mild  weather.     Also,  open  to  attack,  not 

protected.     Also,  said  of  any  distant  visible  object. 
OPEN  HAWSR     When  a  vessel  rides  by  two  anchors,  without  any  cross 

in  her  cables. 
OPEN  ICK     Fragments  of  ice  sufficiently  separate  to  admit  of  a  ship 

forcing  or  boring  through  them  under  sail 
OPENING  TRENCHES.     The  first  breaking  of  ground  by  besiegers,  in 

order  to  carry  on  their  approaches  towards  a  besieged  place. 
OPEN  LIST.     One  of  a  ship's  books,  which  contains  the  whole  of  the 

names  of  the  actual  officers  and  crew,  in  order  to  regulate  their  victual- 
ling.    The  crew  are  mustered  by  the  open  list. 
OPEN  LOWER  DECKERS,  To.     To  fire  the  lower  tier  of  guns.     Also 

said  of  a  person  using  violent  language. 
OPEN   ORDER.     Any  distance  ordered  to  be  preserved  among  ships, 

exceeding  a  cable's  length. 
OPEN  PACK.     A  body  of  drift  ice,  the  pieces  of  which,  though  very  near 

each  other,  do  not  generally  touch.     It  is  opposed  to  close  pack. 
OPEN  POLICY.     Where  the  amount  of  the  interest  of  the  insured  is  not 

fixed  by  the  policy,  but  is  left  to  be  ascertained  by  the  insured,  in  case  a 

loss  shall  happen. 
OPEN  ROADSTEAD.     A  place  of  hazard,  as  affording  no  protection 

either  from  sea  or  wind 
OPERATIONS.     Field  movements,  whether  offensive  or  defensive. 
OPHIXJCHXJS.     One  of  the  ancient  constellations,  of  ^hich  the  lucida  is 

Raa-alragvSy  one  of  the  selected  nautical  objects  at  Greenwich.     This 

asterism  is  sometimes  called  SerpentariuSy  its  Latin  name,  instead  of  its 

Greek. 
OPINION.     An  experienced  witness,  who  never  saw  the  ship,  yet  may 

legally  prove  that  &om  the  description  of  her  by  another  witness  she  was 

not  sea-worthy. 
OPOSSUM-SHRIMP.      A  crustacean,  so  named  from  its  young  being 


508  OPPIGNORATION ORDINAEY 

carried  about  in  a  sort  of  poncli  for  some  little  time  after  being  batcbed; 

tbe  Mysis  Jlexuosus  of  naturalists. 
OPPIGNORATION.     The  pawning  of  port  of  tbe  cargo  to  get  money  for 

tbe  payment  of  tbe  duty  on  tbe  remainder. 
OPPOSITE  TACKS.     Making  contrary  boards.     Also,  a  colloquialism  for 

cross  purposes. 
OPPOSITION.     A  celestial  body  is  said  to  be  in  opposition  to  tbe  sun 

wben  tbeir  longitudes  differ  180°,  or  balf  tbe  circumference  of  tbe  beavens. 

OPTICK.     An  old  term  for  a  magnifying-glass. 

ORAGIOXJS.     An  old  term  for  stormy  or  tempestuous  weatber: — 

"Hie  itorme  wu  so  outrageous, 
And  with  rumlings  oragious. 
That  I  did  feare.*' 

ORAMBY.     A  sort  of  state-barge  used  in  tbe  Moluccas;  some  of  tbem  are 

rowed  by  40,  80,  or  even,  it  is  said,  100  paddles  eacb. 
ORARLE.     Ancient  coasting  vessels 
ORB.     Tbe  circular  figure  made  by  a  body  of  troops. 
ORBIT.     Tbe  patb  described  by  a  planet  or  comet  round  tbe  sun. 
ORBITAL.     Relating  to  tbe  orbit  of  a  beavenly  body. 
ORG.    Wrack  or  sea- weed,  used  as  manure  on  some  of  tbe  coasts  of  England. 
ORCA     A  classical  name  for  a  large  voracious  sea-animal,  probably  a 

grampua     Anglicized  as  ork  or  ore;  tbus  in  tbe  second  song  of  Drayton's 

strange  PolyoUnon — 

"The  ugly  orks,  that  for  their  lord  the  ocean  woo.*' 

And  Milton  afterwards  introduces  tbem — 

"  An  island  salt  and  bare, 
The  haunt  of  seals  and  ores,  and  sea-mews  dang.*' 

ORDER  ARMS !  Tbe  word  of  command,  witb  muskets  or  carbines,  to 
bring  tbe  butt  to  tbe  ground,  tbe  piece  vertical  against  tbe  rigbt  side, 
trigger-guard  to  tbe  fi:ont. — Open  order  and  dose  order,  are  terms  for 
keeping  tbe  fleet  prepared  for  any  particular  manoeuvr& 

ORDER-BOOK.  A  book  kept  for  tbe  purpose  of  copying  sucb  occasional 
successive  orders  as  tbe  admiral,  or  senior  officer,  may  find  it  necessary  to 
give. 

ORDERLY.  Tbe  bearer  of  official  messages,  and  appointed  to  wait  upon 
superior  officers  witb  communications. 

ORDERLY  OFFICER     In  tbe  army.     See  Officer  of  the  Day. 

ORDER  OF  BATTLE.  Tbe  arranging  of  sbips  or  troops  so  as  to  engage 
tbe  enemy  to  tbe  best  advantage. 

ORDER  OF  SAILING.     See  Sailikg. 

ORDERS.     Societies  of  knigbts.     {See  KyiOHTHOOD.) 

ORDERS  IN  COUNCIL.  Decrees  given  by  the  privy  council,  signed 
by  tbe  sovereign,  for  important  state  necessities,  independently  of  any 
act  of  parliament;  but  covered  by  an  act  of  indemnity  wben  it  is  assembled. 

ORDINARY.  Tbe  establisbment  of  tbe  persons  formerly  employed  to 
take  cbarge  of  tbe  sbips  of  war  wbicb  are  laid  up  in  ordinary  at  several 


ORDINARY  SEAMAN ORTIVE  AMPLITUDE  §09 

harbours  adjacent  to  the  royal  dock-yards.  These  duties  are  now  under 
the  superintendent  of  the  dockyard.  Also,  the  state  of  such  men-of-war 
and  vessels  as  are  out  of  commission  and  laid  up. 

ORDINARY  SEAMAN.  The  rating  for  one  who  can  make  himself 
useful  on  board,  even  to  going  aloft,  and  taking  his  part  on  a  top-sail  or 
topgallant-yard,  but  is  not  a  complete  sailor,  the  latter  being  termed  an 
able  seaman.  It  would  be  well  if  our  merchant  seamen  consisted  of 
apprentices  and  A.£.'s. 

ORDINARY  STEP.     The  common  march  of  110  paces  in  a  minute. 

ORDNANCE.  A  general  name  for  all  sorts  of  great  guns  which  are  used 
in  war.     Also,  all  that  relates  to  the  artillery  and  engineer  service. 

ORDNANCE-HOY.  A  sloop  expressly  fitted  for  transporting  ordnance 
stores  to  ships,  and  from  port  to  port. 

OREILLET.     The  ear-piece  of  a  helmet. 

OREMBI,     A  small  korocara  (which  see). 

ORGUES.  Long-pointed  beams  shod  with  iron,  hanging  vertically  over  a 
gateway,  to  answer  as  a  portcullis  in  emei^ency. 

ORIENT.     The  east  point  of  the  compass. 

ORIFLAMME.  The  banner  of  St.  Dennis;  but  the  term  is  often  applied 
to  the  flags  of  any  French  commander-in-chief. 

ORIGIN.  Merchant  ships  claiming  benefit  for  importation,  must  obtain 
and  produce  certificates  of  origin,  in  respect  to  the  goods  they  claim  for. 
(See  Production.  ) 

ORIGINAL  ENTRY.  Tlie  date  at  which  men  enter  for  the  navy,  and 
repair  on  board  a  guardship,  or  tender,  where  bedding  or  slops  may  be 
supplied  to  them,  and  are  forwarded  with  them  to  their  proper  ships. 

ORILLON.  In  fortification,  a  curved  projection  formed  by  the  face  of  a 
bastion  overlapping  the  end  of  the  flank;  intended  to  protect  the  latter 
from  oblique  fire;  modem  ricochet  fire  renders  it  of  little  consequence. 

ORION.  One  of  the  ancient  constellations,  of  which  the  lucida  is  the  well- 
known  nautical  star  Betdgeuze, 

ORISONT.     The  horizon;  thus  spelled  by  our  early  navigators. 

ORLOP,  The  lowest  deck,  formerly  called  "over-lop,"  consisting  of  a 
platform  laid  over  the  beams  in  the  hold  of  ships  of  war,  whereon  the 
cables  were  usually  coiled,  and  containing  some  cabins  as  well  as  the  chief 
store-rooms.     In  trading  vessels  it  is  often  a  temporary  deck. 

ORLOP-BEAMS,  or  Hold-beahs.  Those  which  support  the  orlop-deck, 
but  are  chiefly  intended  to  fortify  the  hold 

ORNAMENTS.  The  carvings  of  the  head,  stem,  and  quarters  of  the  old 
ships. 

ORNITHi^     An  ancient  term  for  the  periodical  winds  by  which  migra- 
tory birds  were  transported. 
ORTHODROMIC.     The  course  which  lies  on  a  meridian  or  parallel 
ORTHOGRAPHIC  PROJECTION.     The  profile,  or  representation  of  a 

vertical  section,  of  a  work  in  fortification. 
ORTIVE  AMPLITUDE.    The  eastern  one. 


510  OSCILLATING  MAKINE-BNGINB OUTLANDISH 

OSCILLATING  M  ARINE-ENGINR  A  steam^ngine  where  the  top  of 
the  piston-rod  is  coupled  with  the  crank,  and  the  piston-rod  moves  back- 
ward and  forward  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  of  the  cylinder,  while  its 
extremity  revolves  in  a  circle  with  the  crank. 

OSCILLATING  PUMP-SPEAR.  A  contrivance  by  which  the  pumps  of 
a  large  vessel  are  worked,  connected  with  a  crauk-shafl  and  fly-wheel, 
driven  by  handles  in  the  same  way  as  a  winch. 

OSMOND.     The  old  term  for  pig-iron;  a  great  article  of  lading. 

OSNABURG.  In  commerce,  a  coarse  linen  cloth  manu£Etctured  in  Scot- 
land, but  resembling  that  made  at  Osnaburg  in  Germany. 

OSPREY.     The  fish-hawk,  Pandion  halioBtus;  Shakspeare,  in  Cariolamufy 

says — 

"  I  think  hell  be  to  Rome 
As  is  the  osprey  to  the  fish." 

OS  SEPI^     The  commercial  term  for  the  sepia,  or  cuttle-fish  bones. 
OSTMEN.     A  corrupted  form  of  Hoaatmen. 

OTSEGO  BASS.     Corregonua  otsegOy  a  fish  of  the  American  lakea 
OTTERrPIKE.      The   lesser  weever,  Trackinu8  draco;  also  called  sea- 
stranger. 
OTTOMITES.     An  old  term  for  Turks.     See  Shakspeare  in  Othdlo. 
OUNDING.      Resembling    or  imitating  waves;   used  by  Chaucer  and 

others. 
OUSTER  LE  MER.      The  legal  term  for  excuse,  when  a  man  did  not 

appear  in  court  on  summons,  for  that  he  was  then  beyond  the  seas. 
OUT-AND-OUTER      An  old  phrase  signifying  thorough  excellence;  a 

man  up  to  his  duty,  and  able  to  perform  it  in  style. 
OUT-BOARD.     The  outside  of  the  ship:  the  reverse  of  irhboard, 
OUT-BOATS.     The  order  to  hoist  out  the  boats. 
OUT-EARING  CLEAT.     This  is  placed  on  the  upper  side  of  the  gafl^  to 

pass  the  outer  earing  round  from  the  cringle. 
OUTERrJIB.     In  sloops,  where  the  head-sails  ai*e  termed  foresail-jib  and 

outer-jib,  if  set  from  the  foremast-head.     It  is  now  very  common  for  sidps 

to  set  two  standing  jibs,  the  stay  and  tack  of  the  inner  one  being  secured 

at  the  middle  of  the  jib-boom. 
OUTER  TURNS  Airo  Inner  Turns.     The  outer  turns  of  the  earing  serve 

to  extend  the  sail  outwards  along  its  yard.    The  inner  turns  are  employed 

to  bind  the  sail  close  to  the  yard. 
OUT-FIT.     The  stores  with  which  a  merchant  vessel  is  fitted  out  for  any 

voyage.     Also,  the  providing  an  individual  with  clothes,  &a 
OUT-FLANK,  To.     By  a  longer  fronts  to  overlap  the  enemy's  opposite 

line,  and  thus  gain  a  chance  to  turn  his  flank. 
OUT-HAUL,  OR  OuT-HAULER.     A  rope  used  for  hauling  out  the  tack  of  a 

jib  lower  studding-sail,  or  the  clue  of  a  boom-saiL    The  reverse  of  in-ha/ul, 
OUT-HOLLING.     Clearing  tide-ports,  canals,  and  channels  of  mud. 
OUTLANDISH.     Foreign;  but  means  with  Jack  a  place  where  he  does 

not  feel  at  home,  or  a  language  which  he  does  not  understand. 


OUT-LET OUTWOEKS  511 

OUT-LET.  The  effluent  or  stream  by  which  a  lake  discharges  its  water. 
Also  applied  to  the  spot  where  the  efflux  commences. 

OXJT-LICKER     A  corruption  of  out-rigger  (which  see). 

OUT-LIER.  A  word  which  has  been  often  used  for  out-rigger^  but  applies 
to  out-lying  rocks,  visible  above  water. 

OUT-OARS.  The  order  to  take  to  rowing  when  the  sails  give  but  little 
way  on  a  boat. 

OUT  OF  COMMISSION.  A  ship  where  officers  and  men  are  paid  off, 
and  pennant  hauled  down. 

OUT  OF  TRIM.  A  ship  not  properly  balanced  for  fast  sailing,  which  may 
be  by  a  defect  in  the  rigging  or  in  the  stowage  of  the  hold. 

OUT  OF  WINDING.  Said  of  a  plank  or  piece  of  timber  which  has  a 
fair  and  even  surface  without  any  twists:  the  opposite  of  winding. 

OUT  OR  DOWN.  An  exclamation  of  the  boatswain,  &c.,  in  ordering 
men  out  of  their  hammocks,  i,e.  turn  out,  or  your  laniard  will  be  cut. 

OUT-PENSIONERS.  Those  entitled  to  pensions  from  Greenwich  Hospital, 
but  not  admitted  to  "the  house.'* 

OUT-PORTS.  Those  commercial  harbours  which  lie  on  the  coasts;  all 
ports  in  the  United  Kingdom  out  of  London.     (See  CiiOSE-ports.) 

OUTREGANS.     Canals  or  ditches  navigable  by  boata 

OUT-RIGGER.  A  strong  beam,  of  which  there  are  several,  passed 
through  the  ports  of  a  ship,  and  firmly  lashed  at  the  gunwale,  also 
assisted  by  guys  from  bolts  at  the  water-line,  to  secni*e  the  masts  in  the 
act  of  careening,  by  counteracting  the  strain  they  suffer  from  the  tackles 
on  the  opposite  side.  Also,  any  boom  rigged  out  fi'om  a  vessel  to  hang 
boats  by,  clear  of  the  ship,  when  at  anchor.  Also,  any  spar,  as  the 
boomkin,  for  the  fore-tack,  or  the  jigger  abaft  to  haul  out  the  mizen-sheet, 
or  extend  the  leading  blocks  of  the  main  braces.  Also,  a  small  spar  used 
in  the  tops  and  cross-trees,  to  thrust  out  and  spread  the  breast  back-stays 
to  windward.  Also,  a  counterpoising  log  of  wood,  rigged  out  from  the 
side  of  a  narrow  boat  or  canoe,  to  prevent  it  from  being  upset. 

OUT-SAIIi,  To.  To  sail  faster  than  another  ship,  or  to  make  a  particular 
voyage  with  greater  despatch. 

OUTSIDE  MUSTER.PAPER  A  paper  with  the  outer  part  blank,  but 
the  inner  portion  ruled  and  headed;  supplied  from  the  dock  yards  to  form 
the  cover  of  ships'  books. 

OUTSIDE  PLANKING.  Such  are  the  wales,  the  plank-sheer,  the 
garboard-strakes,  and  the  like. 

OUTWARD.  A  vessel  is  said  to  be  entered  outwards  or  inwards  accord- 
ing as  she  is  entered  at  the  custom-house  to  depart  for,  or  as  having 
arrived  from,  foreign  parts. 

OUTWARD  CHARGES.  Pilotage  and  other  dues  incurred  from  any 
port:  the  reverse  of  inwctrd  charges. 

OUTWORKS.  Works  included  in  the  scheme  of  defence  of  a  place,  but 
outside  the  main  rampart;  if  ''detached,"  they  are  moreover  outside  the 
glacis. 


612  OUVBE  VCETL OVER-RUNNING 

OXJVRE  L'CEIL.     A  mark  on  French  charts  over  supposed  dangers. 

OVER  AND  UNDER  TURNS.  Terms  applied  to  the  passing  of  an 
earing,  besides  its  inner  and  outer  turns, 

OVER-ANENT.     Opposite  to. 

OYER-BEAR  One  ship  overbears  another  if  she  can  carry  more  sail  in 
a  fresh  wind 

OVERBOARD.  The  state  of  any  person  or  thing  in  the  sea  which  had 
been  in  a  ship. — Throum  <yoerboard  also  means  cast  adrift  by  the  captain; 
withdrawal  of  countenance  and  support. 

OVERrBOYED.  Said  of  a  ship  when  the  captain  and  majority  of  the 
quarter-deck  officers  are  very  young. 

OVERFALL.  A  rippling  or  race  in  the  sea,  where,  by  the  peculiarities  of 
bottom,  the  water  is  propeUed  with  immense  force,  especially  when  the 
wind  and  tide,  or  current,  set  strongly  together.     {See  Ripps.) 

OVER-GUNNED.  Where  the  weight  of  metal  is  disproportioned  to  the 
ship,  and  the  quarters  insufficient  for  the  guns  being  duly  worked. 

OVERHAND  KNOT.  Is  made  by  passing  the  end  of  a  rope  over  its 
standing  part,  and  through  the  bight. 

OVERHAUL.  Has  many  applications.  A  tackle  when  released  is  over- 
hauled. To  get  a  fresh  purchase,  ropes  are  overhauled.  To  reach  an 
object^  or  take  off  strain,  weather-braces  are  overhauled.  A  ship  over- 
hauls another  in  chase  when  she  evidently  gains  upon  her.  Also,  over- 
hauls a  stranger  and  examines  her  papers.  Also,  is  overhauled,  or 
examined,  to  determine  the  refit  demanded. 

OVERrlNSURANCE.    See  Re-Insurance,  and  Double  Insurance. 

OVERLAP.  A  designation  of  the  hatches  of  a  ship  \  planks  in  clinch-built 
boats.  Points  of  land  overlap  a  harbour's  mouth  at  a  particular  bearing. 
— To  overlap,  to  fay  upon. 

OVERLAY  DAYS.     Days  for  which  demurrage  can  be  charged. 

OVER-LOFT.     An  old  term  for  the  upper  deck  of  a  ship. 

OVER-LOOKER.  Grenerally  an  old  master  appointed  by  owners  of  ships 
to  look  after  everything  connected  with  the  fitting  out  of  their  vessels 
when  in  harbour  in  England. 

OVER -MASTED.  The  state  of  a  ship  whose  masts  are  too  high  or  too 
heavy  for  her  weight  to  counterbalance. 

OVER-PRESS,  To.     To  carry  too  much  sail  on  a  ship. 

OVER-RAKE.  When  a  ship  rides  at  anchor  in  a  head-sea,  the  waves  of 
which  frequently  break  in  upon  her,  they  are  said  to  over-rake  her. 

OVER-RIGGED.  A  ship  with  more  and  heavier  gear  than  necessary,  so 
as  to  be  top-hampered. 

OVER-RISEN.  "When  a  ship  is  too  high  out  of  the  water  for  her  length 
and  breadth,  so  as  to  make  a  trouble  of  lee-lurches  and  weather-rolls. 
Such  were  our  80-gun  three-deckers  and  44's  on  two  decks,  happily  now 
no  more. 

OVER-RUNNING,  (See  Under-run.)  Applied  to  ice,  when  the  young 
ice  overlaps,  and  is  driven  over. 


OVKB-SEA  VESSELS PACIFIC  OCEAN  51 3 

OYEB-SEA  VESSELS.     Ships  from  foreign  parts,  as  distinguished  from 

coasters. 
OVER-SETTING.     Tlie  state  of  a  ship  turning  upside  down,  either  by 

carrying  too  much  sail  or  by  grounding,  so  that  she  falls  on  one  side.  {See 

Upset.) 

OVERSHOOT,  To.     To  give  a  ship  too  much  way. 

OVERSLAUGH.  From  tl&e  Dutch  overalag,  meaning  the  bar  of  a  river 
or  port  Also,  in  military  parlance,  the  being  passed  over  in  the  roaster 
for  some  recurring  duty  without  being  assigned  to  it  in  turn. 

OVER-SWACK.  An  old  word,  signifying  the  reflux  of  the  waves  by  the 
force  of  the  wind. 

OVERWHELM.  A  comprehensive  word  derived  from  the  Ang.-Saxon 
wykny  a  wave.     Thus  the  old  song — 

'*  Luh'd  to  the  helm,  ihould  seas  o'erwhelm.** 

OWLER  An  old  term  on  our  southern  coast  for  smuggler.  Particularly 
persons  who  carried  wool  by  night,  in  order  to  ship  it  contrary  to  law. 

OWN,  To.     To  be  a  proprietor  in  a  ship. 

OWNERS.  The  proprietors  of  ships.  They  are  bound  to  perform  con- 
tracts made  by  their  roasters,  who  are  legally  their  agents. 

OXBOWS.     Bends  or  reaches  of  a  river. 

OX-EYK  A  small  cloud,  or  weather-gall,  seen  on  the  coast  of  Africa, 
which  presages  a  severe  storm.     It  appears  at  first  in  the  form  of  an  ox- 

.  eye,  but  soon  overspreads  the  whole  hemisphere,  accompanied  by  a  violent 
wind  which  scatters  ships  in  all  directions,  and  many  are  sunk  down- 
right.    Also,  a  water-fowl.     Also,  the  smaller  glass  bulFs  eyes. 

OXYGON.     A  triangle  which  has  three  sharp  or  acute  angles. 

OXYRHINCUS.     A  large  species  of  the  skate  family. 

OYSE.     An  inlet  of  the  sea,  among  the  Shetlands  and  Orkneys. 

OYSTER-BED.  A  'laying"  of  culch,  that  is,  stones,  old  shells,  or  other 
hard  substances,  so  as  to  form  a  bed  for  oysters,  which  would  be  choked 
in  soil  mud. 

OYSTER -CATCHER,  or  Sea-pye.  The  black  and  white  coast-binl, 
HcRnuUopua  ostrcUegua. 

OZELLA.  A  Venetian  coin  both  in  gold  and  silver;  the  former  being 
£1,  17s.  4d.,  and  the  latter  Is.  7d.,  in  sterling  value. 


P. 

PACK  A  measure,  often  used  for  reconnoitring  objects.  The  common  pace 
is  2^  feet^  or  half  the  geometrical  pace.  The  pace  is  also  often  roughly 
assumed  as  a  yard. 

PACIFIC  OCEAN.   A  name  given  by  the  Spaniards  to  the  <' Great  Ocean/' 

2  K 


'•^V. 


5  ]  4,  PACK-ICE PAINTER 

from  the  fine  weatber  they  experienced  on  the  coast  of  Peru.     Other  parts, 

however,  prove  this  a  misnomer. 
PACK-ICE.     A  large  collection  of  broken  floe  huddled  together,  but  con- 
stantly varying  its  position;  said  to  be  open  when  the  fragments  do  not 

touch,  and  close  when  the  pieces  are  in  contact. 
PACKING-BOXES.     Eecesses  in  the  casing  of  a  steamer,  directly  facing 

the  steam-ports,  filled  with  hemp-packing  and  tallow,  in  order  to  form* 

steam-tight  partitions. 
PACKS.     Heavy  thunder  clouds. 
PAD,  OR  Pad-piece.     In  ship-building,  a  piece  of  timber  placed  on  the  top 

of  a  beam  at  its  middle  part,  in  order  to  make  up  the  curve  or  round  of 

the  deck. 
PADDLK     A  kind  of  oar,  used  by  the  natives  of  India,  Africa,  America, 

and  by  most  savages;  it  is  shorter  and  broader  in  the  blade  than  the 

common  oar. — To  ptiddUj  is  to  propel  a  boat  more  purely  by  hand,  that 

is,  without  a  fulcrum  or  rowlock. 
PADDLE-BEAMS.   Two  large  beams  projecting  over  the  sides  of  a  steamer, 

between  which  the  paddle-wheels  revolve.     (See  Spoksons.) 
PADDLE-BOX.     The  frame  of  wood  which  encircles  the  upper  part  of  the 

paddle-wheeL 
PADDLE-BOX  BOATS.     Boats  made  to  fit  the  paddle-box  rim,  stowed 

bottom  upwards  on  each  box. 
PADDLE-SHAFT.     The  stout  iron  axis  carrying  the  paddle-wheels,  which 

revolves  with  them  when  keyed. 
PADDLE-STEAMER.      A  steam-ship  propelled  through  the  water  by 

paddle-wheels. 
PADDLE-WHEELS.     The  wheels  on  each  side  of  a  steamer,  suspended 

externally  by  a  shafts  and  driven  by  steam,  to  propel  her  by  the  action  of 

the  floats. 
PADDY,  OR  Padl     Rice  in  the  husk,  so  called  by  the  Malays,  from  whose 

language  the  word  has  found  its  way  to  all  the  coasts  of  India. 
PADDY-BOATS.     A  peculiar  Ceylon  boat>  for  the  conveyance  of  rice  and 

other  necessaries. 
PADDY'S  HURRICANK     Not  wind  enough  to  float  the  pennant. 
PADRONR     {See  Patron  or  Master.)     This  word  is  not  tised  in  larger 

vessels  than  coasters. 
PADXJAN.     A  small  Malay  vessel,  armed  with  two  guns,  one  aft  and  the 

other  forward,  for  piratical  purposes. 
PAGODA     Tall  tapering  buildings  erected  by  the  Chinese  and  other 

eastern  nations,  to  note  certain  events,  or  as  places  for  worship,  of  which 

the  great  pagoda  of  Pekin  may  be  taken  as  an  example.     They  are  rather 

numerous  on  the  banks  of  the  Canton  River.     (See  Star-paooda.) 
PAH.     A  New  Zealand  stronghold.     (See  Hep-pah.) 
PAHI.     The  large  war-canoe  of  the  Society  Islands. 
PAID  OFF.     See  Paying-off. 
PAINTER.     A  rope  attached  to  the  bows  of  a  boat^  used  for  making  her 


PAIE-OAB PANDEL  *    515 

fasfc:  it  is  spliced  with  a  thimble  to  a  ring-bolt  inside  the  stem.     '^Cut 

your  painter/'  make  off. 
FAIErOAR.     A  name  of  the  London  wherry  of  a  larger  size  than  the 

sculL 
PAIXHAN  GUN.     Introduced  by  the  French  General  Paixhan  about 

11B30,  for  the  horizontal  firing  of  heavy  shells;   having  much  greater 

calibre,  but  proportionally  less  metal,  than  the  then  current  solid-shot 

guns. 
PALABRAS.     Sp.  words;  hence  palaver  amongst  natives  of  new  countries 

where  the  Spaniards  have  landed. 
PALADIN,     A  knight-errant. 
PALANQUIN.     The  covered  litter  of  India. 
PALAVER     See  Palabras. 
PALES  AND  Cboss-pales.     The  interior  shores  by  which  the  timbers  of  a 

ship  are  kept  to  the  proper  breadth  while  in  frame. 
PALISADES.     [Sp.]     Palings  for  defensive  purposes,  formed  of  timber  or 

stout  stakes  fixed  vertically  and  sharpened  at  the  head. 
PALLET.     A  ballast-locker  formerly  used,  to  give  room  in  the  hold  for 

other  stowage. 
PALLETTING.  A  slight  platform  made  above  the  bottom  of  the  magazines, 

to  keep  the  powder  from  moisture. 
PALM.     The  triangular  face  of  the  fluke  of  an  anchor.     Also,  a  shield- 
thimble  used  in  sewing  canvas,  rope,  &c.     It  consists  of  a  flat  thimble  to 
^  receive  the  head  of  the  needle,  and  is  fixed  upon  a  piece  of  canvas  or 

leather,  across  the  pcUm  of  the  hand,  hence  the  name. 
PALMAIR.     An  old  northern  word  for  rudder.     Also,  a  pilot 
PALMETTO.     One  of  the  palm  tribe,  from  the  sheath  of  which  sennit  is 

worked  for  seamen's  (straw)  hat& 
PALM- WINK     A  sub-ckcid  and  pleasant  fermented  tropical  drink.     (See 

Toddy.) 
PAMBAN  MANCHE,  ob  Snake-boat  op  Cochin.      A  canoe  used  on 

the  numerous  rivers  and  back-waters,  from  30  to  60  feet  long,  and  cut 

out  of  the  solid  trea     The  largest  are  paddled  by  about  twenty  men, 

double-banked,  and,  when  pressed,  they  will  go  as  much  as  12  miles  an 

hour. 
PAMPAS.     The  Savannah  plains  of  South  America,  so  extensive  that,  as 

Humboldt  observes,  whilst  their  northern  extremity  is  bounded  by  palm- 
trees,  their  southern  limits  are  the  eternal  snows  of  the  Magellanic  straits. 
PAMPERO.     A  violent  squall  of  wind  from  the  S.  W.,  attended  with  rain, 

thunder,  and  lightning,  over  the  immense  plains  or  pampas  of  the  Kio  de 

la  Plata,  where  it  rages  like  a  hurricane. 
PAN.     In  fire-arms,  is  a  small  iron  cavity  of  the  old  flint  lock,  adjacent  to 

the  touch-hole  of  the  barrel,  to  contain  the  priming  powder. 
PANCAKES.     Thin  floating  rounded  spots  of  snow  ice,  in  the  Arctic  seas, 

and  reckoned  the  first  indication  of  the  approach  of  winter,  in  August. 
PANDEL.     A  Kentish  name  for  the  shrimp. 


516  PANDOOR PARALLEL  OF  LATITUDE 

PANDOOR  A  northern  name  for  a  large  oyster,  usually  taken  at  the 
entrance  of  the  pans. 

PANGAIA.  A  country  vessel  of  East  Africa,  like  a  barge,  with  one  mat- 
sail  of  cocoa-nut  leaves,  the  planks  being  pinned  with  wooden  pins,  and 
sewed  with  twine. 

PANNIKIN.     A  smaU  tin  pot 

PANN YAH.     Kidnapping  negroes  on  the  coast  of  Africa. 

PANSHWAY.     A  fast-puUing  passenger-boat  used  on  the  Hooghly. 

PANTOGRAPH.     An  instrument  to  copy  or  reduce  drawings. 

PANTOMETER.  An  instrument  for  taking  angles  and  elevations,  and 
measuring  distances. 

PAOLO.     A  Papal  silver  coin,  value  5  Jd.;  ten  paoli  make  a  crown. 

PAPS.  Coast  hills,  with  rounded  or  conical  summits;  the  lofty  paps  of 
Jura  are  three  in  number. 

PAR,  OB  Parb.  In  ichthyology,  the  samlet,  brannock,  or  branling.  Also, 
a  commercial  term  of  exchange,  where  the  moneys  are  equalized. 

PARA.     A  small  Turkish  coin  of  3  aspers,  1^  farthing. 

PARABOLA.  A  geometrical  figure  formed  by  the  section  of  a  cone  when 
cut  by  a  plane  parallel  to  its  side. 

PAR  ADR  An  assembling  of  troops  in  due  military  order.  Also,  the  open 
space  where  they  parade  or  are  paraded.  The  quarter-deck  of  a  man-of- 
war  is  often  termed  the  sovereign's  parade. 

PARALLACTIC  ANGLK  The  angle  made  at  a  star  by  arcs  passing 
through  the  zenith  and  pole  respectively. 

PARALLAX.  An  apparent  change  in  the  position  of  an  object,  arising 
from  a  change  of  the  observer's  station,  and  which  diminishes  with  the 
altitude  of  an  object  in  the  vertical  cii'cla  Its  effect  is  greatest  in  the 
horizon,  where  it  is  termed  the  horizontal  paraUaXy  and  vanishes  entirely 
in  the  zenitli.  The  positions  of  the  planets  and  comets,  as  viewed  from 
the  surface  of  the  earth,  differ  from  those  they  would  occupy  if  observed 
from  its  centre  by  the  amount  of  parallax,  the  due  application  of  which 
is  an  important  element.  The  stars  are  so  distant  that  their  positions 
are  the  same  from  whatever  part  of  the  earth  they  are  seen;  but  attempts 
have  been  made  to  detect  the  amount  of  variation  in  their  places,  when 
observed  from  opposite  points  of  the  earth's  orbit,  the  minute  result  of 
wliich  is  termed  the  annvxd  parallax;  and  the  former  effect,  due  to  the 
observer's  station  on  our  globe,  is  called  the  diurnal  parallax. 
PARALLEL.  A  term  for  those  lines  that  preserve  an  equal  distance  from 
each  other.  It  is  sometimes  used  instead  of  latitude,  as,  ^'Our  orders 
were  to  cruise  in  the  parallel  of  Madeira."  More  definitely,  they  are 
imaginary  circles  parallel  with  the  equator,  ninety  in  the  northern,  and 
ninety  in  the  southern  hemispheres. 
PARALLEL-BAR.     In  the  marine  steam-engine,  forms  a  connection  with 

the  pump-rods  and  studs  along  the  centre  line  of  the  levers. 
PARALLEL  OF  LATITUDR     Is  a  circle  parallel  to  the  equator  passing 
through  any  place.     A  Imucantar  is  the  Arabic  name. 


PARALLELOGRAM PARLIAMENT-HEEL  5  ]  7 

PARALLELOGBAM.  A  right-lined  quadrilateral  figure,  the  opposite 
sides  of  which  are  parallel  and  equal 

PAEALLELOPIPED.  A  prism  or  solid  figure  contained  under  six  paral- 
lelograms, the  opposite  sides  of  which  are  equal  and  parallel. 

PARALLELS.  The  trenches  or  lines  made  by  a  besieger  parallel  to  the 
general  defence  of  a  place,  for  the  purpose  of  connecting  and  supporting 
his  several  approaches. 

PARALLEL  SAILING.     Sailing  nearly  on  a  given  parallel  of  latitude. 

PARALLELS  OF  DECLINATION.  Secondary  circles  parallel  to  the 
celestial  equator. 

PARANZELLO.  A  small  Mediterranean  vessel,  pink-stemed,  with  a 
lateen  mainsail  and  mizen,  and  a  lai^e  jib. 

PARAPET.  A  breast-high  defence  against  nussiles;  its  top  is  usually 
sloped  away  to  the  fronts  that  the  defenders  may  conveniently  fire  over 
it;  and  it  is  preferred  of  earth,  of  a  thickness  proportionate  to  the  kind  of 
fire  it  is  intended  to  resist;  its  height  also  is  often  much  increased. 

PARASANG.  A  Persian  military  measure,  sometimes  assumed  as  a 
league,  but  equal  to  about  4  English  miles. 

PARBUCKLE.  A  method  of  hauling  up  or  lowering  down  a  cask,  or 
any  cylindrical  object,  where  there  is  no  crane  or  tackle;  the  middle  of  a 
rope  is  passed  round  a  post,  the  two  ends  are  then  passed  under  the  two 
quarters  of  the  cask,  bringing  the  ends  back  again  over  it^  and  they  being 
both  hauled  or  slackened  together,  either  raise  or  lower  the  cask,  <&c.,  as 
may  be  required.  The  parbuckle  is  frequently  used  in  public-house 
vaults.  Guns  are  parbuckled  up  steep  cliffs  without  their  carriages,  and 
spars  in  timber-yards  are  so  dealt  with. 

PARCEL,  To.     To  wind  tarred  canvas  round  a  rope. 

PARCELLING.  Narrow  strips  of  old  canvas  daubed  with  tar  and  fre- 
quently wound  about  a  rope  Uke  bandages,  previous  to  its  being  served. 

PARCLOSE.     A  name  of  the  limber-hole. 

PARDON.  The  gazetted  amnesty  or  remission  of  penalty  for  deserters 
who  return  to  their  duty;  the  same  as  (zct  of  grace, 

PARGOS.  A  fish  resembling  a  large  bream,  from  which  the  crews  of 
Quiros  and  Cook  suffered  violent  pains  and  bad  efiects.  The  porgy  of 
Africa  and  the  West  Indies. 

PARHELION.     A  mock  or  false  sun;  sometimes  more  than  one. 

PARIAH.  The  low-caste  people  of  Hindustan;  outcasts. — Pa/i^h-doga; 
also  outcasts  of  no  known  breed. 

PARK.  A  piece  of  ground  (other  than  a  battery)  appointed  for  the 
ranging  of  guns  or  of  ordnance  stores. 

PARLEY.  That  beat  of  drum  by  which  a  conference  with  the  enemy  is 
desired.     Synonymous  with  chamade. — To  parley.     To  bandy  words. 

PARLIAMENT-HEEL.  The  situation  of  a  ship  when  careened  by  shift 
of  ballast,  &c.;  or  the  causing  her  to  incline  a  little  on  one  side,  so  as  to 
clean  the  side  turned  out  of  water,  and  cover  it  with  fresh  composition, 
termed  hoot-topping  (which  see). 


518  PARLINB PARTNBBSHIP 

PAR-LINE.  A  term  signifying  the  normal  level  of  a  barometer  for  a 
given  station,  or  the  mean  pressure  between  32*  and  the  sea-level,  to  which 
last  the  observations  are  all  to  be  corrected  and  reduced. 

PAROLR  The  word  of  honour  given  by  a  prisoner  of  war  until  ex- 
changed.    Also,  synonymous  with  word  (which  see). 

PAROLE-EVIDENCK  In  insurance  cases  it  is  a  general  rule,  that  the 
policy  alone  shall  be  conclusive  evidence  of  the  contract,  and  that  no 
parole-evidence  shall  be  received  to  vary  the  terms  of  it. 

PARRALS,  OB  Parrels.  Those  bands  of  rope,  or  sometimes  iron  collars, 
by  which  the  centres  of  yards  are  fastened  at  the  slings  to  the  masts^  so 
as  to  slide  up  and  down  freely  when  requisite. 

PARREL-ROPK  Is  formed  of  a  single  rope  well  served,  and  fitted  with 
an  eye  at  each  end;  this  being  passed  round  the  yard  is  seized  fast 
on,  the  two  ends  are  then  passed  round  the  afber-part  of  the  mast^  and 
ona  of  them  being  brought  under,  and  the  other  over  the  yard,  the  two 
eyes  are  lashed  together;  this  is  seldom  used  but  for  the  top-gallant  and 
smaller  yards. 

PARREL. WITH  RIBS  AND  TRUCKS,  or  Jaw  parrels.  This  is 
formed  by  passing  the  two  parts  of  the  parrel-rope  through  the  two  holes 
in  the  ribs,  observing  that  between  every  two  ribs  is  strung  a  truck  on 
each  part  of  the  rope.  {See  Rib  and  Truck.)  The  ends  of  the  parrel- 
rope  are  made  fast  with  seizings;  these  were  chiefly  used  on  the  top- 
sail-yards. 

PARREL  WITH  TRUCKS.  Is  composed  of  a  single  rope  passing 
through  a  number  of  bull's-eye  trucks,  sufficient  to  embrace  the  mast; 
these  are  principally  used  for  the  cheeks  of  a  gaff. 

PARSEES.  The  great  native  merchants  of  Bombay,  &c.,  and  a  very 
useful  class  as  merchants  and  shopkeepers  all  along  the  Malabar  coast. 
They  are  the  remains  of  the  ancient  Persians,  and  are  Guebres,  or  fire- 

.    worshippers. 

PART,  To.  To  break  a  rope.  To  part  from  an  anchor  is  in  consequence 
of  the  cable  parting. 

PARTAN.     A  name  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  common  sea-crab. 

PARTING.  The  state  of  being  driven  from  the  anchors  by  breaking  the 
cables.     The  rupture  or  stranding  of  any  tackle-fall  or  hawser. 

PARTIZAN,  OR  Pertuisan.  A  halbert  formerly  much  used.  Thus  in 
Shakspeare  {Antony  and  Cleopatra)^  '*I  had  as  lief  have  a  reed  that  will 
do  me  no  service,  as  a  partizan  I  could  not  heave."  Also,  a  useful  stir- 
ring man,  fit  for  all  sorts  of  desultory  dutiea 

PARTIZAN  WARFARE.  Insurrectionary,  factional,  and  irregular 
hostilities. 

PARTNERS.  A  frame-work  of  thick  plank,  fitted  round  the  several 
scuttles  or  holes  in  a  ship's  decks,  through  which  the  masts,  capstans,  4bc., 
pass;  but  particularly  to  support  it  when  the  mast  leans  against  it. 

PARTNERSHIP  with  a  neutral  cannot  legalize  commerce  with  a  belli- 
gerent. 


■^^ 


PART  OWNERS PATAXLAH  619 

PART  OWNERS.  Unlike  any  other  partnership,  they  may  be  imposed 
upon  each  other  without  mutual  consent^  whence  arises  a  frequent  appeal 
to  both  civil  and  common  law.     (See  Shipowner.) 

PARTRIDGES.     Grenades  thrown  from  a  mortar. 

PARTY.  The  detachment  of  marines  serving  on  board  a  man-of-war. 
Also,  a  gang  of  hands  sent  away  on  particular  duties. 

PASHA.     Viceroy.     A  Turkish  title  of  honour  and  command. 

PASS.  A  geographical  term  abbreviated  frt)m  passage,  and  applied  to  any 
defile  for  crossing  a  mountain  chain.  AUo,  any  difficult  strait  which 
commands  the  entrance  into  a  country.  AJso,  a  certificate  of  leave  of 
absence  for  a  short  period  only.     Also,  a  thrust  with  a  sword. 

PASS,  OR  Passport.  A  permission  granted  by  any  state  to  a  vessel,  to 
navigate  in  some  particular  sea  without  molestation;  it  contains  all  par- 
ticulars concerning  her,  and  is  binding  on  all  persons  at  peace  with  that 
state.  It  is  also  a  letter  of  licence  given  by  authority,  granting  permis- 
sion to  enter,  travel  in,  and  quit  certain  territories. 

PASS,  To.  To  give  from  one  to  another,  and  also  to  take  certain  turns  of 
a  rope  round  a  yard,  &c.,  as  ^'Pass  the  line  along;"  "pass  the  gasket;" 
"pass  a  seizing;"  "pass  the  word  there,"  inc. 

PASSAGK  A  voyage  is  generally  supposed  to  comprise  the  outward  and 
homeward  passages.     Ako,  a  west  country  term  for  ferry.    (See  Voyage) 

PASSAGE-BOAT.  A  small  vessel  employed  in  carrying  persons  or  luggage 
from  one  port  to  another.     Also,  a  ferry-boat. 

PASSAGE-BROKER  One  who  is  licensed  to  act  in  the  procuring  of 
passages  by  ships  from  one  port  to  another. 

PASSAGE-MONEY.  The  allowance  made  for  carrying  official  personages 
in  a  royal  ship.  Also,  the  charge  made  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers 
in  a  packet  or  merchant-vesseL 

PASSAGES.  Cuts  in  the  parapet  of  the  covered  way  to  continue  the  com- 
mimication  throughout. 

PASSANDEAU.     An  ancient  8-pounder  gun  of  15  feet. 

PASSAREE,  OR  Passarado.  A  rope  in  use  when  before  the  wind  with 
lower  studding-sail-booms  out,  to  haul  out  the  clues  of  the  fore-sail  to 
tail-blocks  on  the  booms,  so  as  to  full-spread  the  foot  of  that  sail. 

PASSED.     The  having  undergone  a  regular  examination  for  preferment. 

PASSED  BOYS.  Those  who  have  gone  through  the  round  of  instruction 
given  in  a  training-ship. 

PASSE- VOLANT.  A  name  applied  by  the  French  to  a  Qtuiker  or  wooden 
gun  on  board  ship;  but  it  was  adopted  by  our  early  voyagers  as  also 
expressing  a  movable  piece  of  ordnance. 

PASSPORT.    See  Pass. 

PASS-WORD.     The  countersign  for  answering  the  sentinels. 

PATACHE.  A  Portuguese  tender,  from  200  to  300  tons,  for  carrying 
treasiure:  well  armed  and  swifb. 

PATACOON.     A  Spanish  piece  of  eight,  worth  4».  6c?. 

PATALLAH.     A  large  and  clumsy  Indian  boat,  for  baggage,  cattle,  &o. 


520  PATAMAB PAWL 

PATAMAR.  An  excellent  old  class  of  advice-boats  in  India,  especially  on 
the  Bombay  coast^  both  swifb  and  roomy.  They  are  grab-built^  that  is, 
with  a  prow-stem,  about  76  feet  long,  21  feet  broad,  11  feet  deep,  and 
200  tons  burden.  They  are  navigated  with  much  skill  by  men  of  the 
Mopila  caste  and  other  Mussulmans. 

PATAMOMETER.     An  instrument  for  measuring  the  force  of  currents. 

PATAXOS.  A  small  vessel  formerly  used  by  the  Spaniards  as  an  advice- 
boat. 

PATCH.  The  envelope  used  with  the  bullet  in  old  rifles. — Muzde-patch 
is  a  projection  on  the  top  of  the  muzzle  of  some  guns,  doing  away  with 
the  effect  of  dispart  in  laying. 

PATELLA.     The  limpet^  of  which  there  are  250  known  species. 

PATERERO.  A  kind  of  small  mortar  sometimes  fired  for  salutes  or 
rejoicing,  especially  in  Roman  Catholic  countries  on  holidays. 

PATERNOSTERrWORK.     The  framing  of  a  chain-pump. 

PATH.     The  trajectory  of  a  shell 

PATOO-PATOO.  A  formidable  weapon  with  sharp  edges,  used  by  the 
Polynesian  Islanders  and  New  Zealanders  as  a  sort  of  battle-axe  to  cleave 
the  skulls  of  their  enemies. 

PATROL.  The  night-rounds,  to  see  that  all  is  right,  and  to  insure  regu- 
larity and  order. 

PATRON,  OR  Padrone.  The  master  of  a  merchant  vessel  or  coaster  in 
the  Mediterranean.     Also,  a  cartridge-box,  temp,  Elizabeth. 

PAUL  BITT.  A  strong  timber  fixed  perpendicularly  at  the  back  of  the 
windlass  in  the  middle,  serving  to  support  the  system  of  pauls  which  are 
pinned  into  it,  as  well  as  to  add  security  to  the  machine. 

PAULER,  That  is  a.  A  closer  or  stopper;  an  unanswerable  or  puzzling 
decision. 

PAUL  RIM.  A  notched  cast-iron  capstan-ring  let  into  the  ship's  deck  for 
the  pauls  to  act  on. 

PAULS,  OR  Pawls.  A  stout  but  short  set  of  bars  of  iron  fixed  close  to 
the  capstan-whelps,  or  windlass  of  a  ship,  to  prevent  them  from  recoiling 
and  overpowering  the  men.  Iron  or  wood  brackets  suspended  to  the 
paul-bitts  of  a  windlass,  and  dropping  into  appropriate  scores,  act  as  a 
security  to  the  purchase.  To  the  windlass  it  is  vertical;  for  capstans, 
horizontal,  bolted  to  the  whelps,  and  butting  to  the  deck-rim. 

PAUL  THERE,  MY  HEARTY.  TeU  us  no  more  of  that.  Discontinue 
your  discourse. 

PAUNCH-MAT.  A  thick  and  strong  mat  formed  by  interweaving  sinnet 
or  strands  of  rope  as  close  as  possible;  it  is  fastened  on  the  outside  of  the 
yards  or  rigging,  to  prevent  their  chafing. 

PAVILION.     A  state  tent. 

PAVILLON  [Fr.]     Colours;  flag;  standard. 

PAVISER     Formerly  a  soldier  who  was  armed  with  a  pavise  or  buckler. 

PAWK.     A  young  lobster. 

PAWL.    See  Paul. 


PAY PEAEL  521 

PAY.     A  buccaneering  principle  of  hire,  under  the  notion  of  plunder  and 

sharing  in  prizes,  was,  no  purchase  no  pay. 
PAY,  To  [from  Fr.  poixCj  pitch}     To  pay  a  seam  is  to  pour  hot  pitch  and 

tar  into  it  after  caulking,  to  defend  the  oakum  from  the  wet.     Also,  to 

beat  or  drub  a  person,  a  sense  known  to  Shakspeare  as  well  as  to  seamen. 
PAY  A  MAST  OR  YARD,  To.    To  anoint  it  with  tar,  turpentine,  rosin, 

tallow,  or  varnish;  tallow  is  particularly  useful  for  those  masts  upon 

which  the  sails  are  frequently  hoisted  and  lowered,  such  as  topmasts  and 

the  lower  masts  of  sloops,  schooners,  <&c. 
PAY  A  VESSEL'S  BOTTOM,  To.     To  co^er  it  with  taUow,  sulphur, 

rosin,  kc.     {See  Breaming.) 
PAY  AWAY.     The  same  as  paying  out  (which  see).     To  pass  out  the 

slack  of  a  cable  or  rope. — Fay  doum.    Send  chests  or  heavy  articles  below. 
PAYING  OFF.     The  movement  by  which  a  ship's  head  falls  off  from  the 

wind,  and  drops  to  leeward.     AJso,  the  paying  off  the  ship's  officers  and 

crew,  and  the  removal  of  the  ship  from  active  service  to  ordinary. 
PAYING  OUT.     The  act  of  slackening  a  cable  or  rope,  so  as  to  let  it  run 

freely.     When  a  man  talks  grandiloquently,  he  is  said  to  be  ''  paying 

it  out'* 
PAY-MASTER     The  present  designation  of  the  station  formerly  held  by 

the  purser;  the  officer  superintending  the  provisioning  and  making  pay- 
ments to  the  crew. 
PAY  ROUND,  To.     To  turn  the  ship's  head. 
PAY-SERJEANT,  in  the   Asht.     A  steady  non-commissioned  officer, 

selected  by  the  captain  of  each  company,  to  pay  the  subsistence  daily  to 

the  men,  after  the  proper  deductiona 
PEA-BALLAST.     A  coarse  fresh-water  sand  used  by  ships  in  the  China 

trade  for  stowing  tea-chests  upon. 
PEA  OB  P. -JACKET.     A  skirtless  loose  rough  coat,  made  of  Flushing  or 

pilot  cloth. 
PEAK.     The  more  or  less  conical  summit  of  a  mountain  whether  isolated 

or  forming  part  of  a  chain,     Also,  the  upper  outer  comer  of  those  sails 

which  are  extended  by  a  gaff. 
PEAK,  To.     To  raise  a  gaff  or  lateen  yard  more  obliquely  to  the  mast. 

To  stay  peak,  or  ride  a  short  stay  peak,  is  when  the  cable  and  fore-stay 

form  a  line:  a  long  peak  is  when  the  cable  is  in  line  with  the  main-stay. 
PEAK  DOWNHAUL.     A  rope  rove  through  a  block  at  the  outer  end  oi 

the  gaff  to  haul  it  down  by. 
PEAK  HALLIARDS.     The  ropes  or  tackles  by  which  the  outer  end  of  a 

gaff  is  hoisted,  as  opposed  to  the  tliroat-halliards  (which  see). 
PEAK  OF  AN  ANCHOR     The  bill  or  extremity  of  the  palm,  which,  as 

seamen  by  custom  drop  the  k,  is  pronounced  pea ;  it  is  tapered  nearly  to 

a  point  in  order  to  penetrate  the  bottom. 
PEAK  PURCHASE.     A  purchase  fitted  in  cutters  to  the  standing  peak- 
halliards  to  sway  it  up  taut. 
PEARL.     A  beautiful  concretion  found  in  the  interior  of  the  shells  of 


622  PECTOEAL  FINS PEN 

many  species  of  moUusca^  resulting  from  the  deposit  of  nacreous  sub- 
stance round  some  nucleus,  mostly  of  foreign  origin.  The  AfeUagrina  mar- 
garitifera,  or  pearl  oyster  of  the  Indian  seas,  yields  the  most  numerous 
and  finest  specimens. 

PECTORAL  FINS.  The  pair  situated  behind  the  gills  of  fishes,  corre- 
sponding homologically  to  the  fore  limbs  of  quadrupeds  and  the  wings  of 
birds. 

PEDESTAL-BLOCKS.     Synonymous  with  plumber-blocks  (which  see). 

PEDESTAL-RAIL.  A  rail  about  two  inches  thick,  wrought  over  the 
foot-space  rail,  and  in  which  there  is  a  groove  to  steady  the  heel  of  the 
balusters  of  the  galleries. 

PEDRO.     An  early  gun  of  large  calibre  for  throwing  stone-balls. 

PEDRO- A-PIED  [Pedro-pee],  The  balance  on  one  leg  in  walking  a  plank 
as  a  proof  of  sobriety.  A  man  placed  one  foot  on  a  seam  and  flourished 
the  other  before  and  behind,  singing,  ''How  can  a  man  be  drunk  when  he 
can  dance  Pedro-pee,"  at  which  word  he  placed  the  foot  precisely  before 
the  other  on  the  seam,  till  he  proved  at  least  he  had  not  lost  his  equili- 
brium.    This  was  an  old  custom. 

PEECK     An  old  term  for  a  fortified  position. 

PEEGAGH.     The  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  a  large  skate. 

PEEK.     See  Peak. 

PEEL.  A  stronghold  of  earth  and  timber  for  defence.  Also,  the  wash  of 
an  oar. 

PEGASUS.  One  of  the  ancient  northern  constellations,  of  which  the 
lucida  is  Markab. 

PEKUL.     A  Chinese  commercial  weight  of  about  130  or  132  lbs. 

PELAGIANS.     Fishes  of  the  open  sea. 

PELICAN.  A  well-known  water-bird.  Also,  the  old  six-pounder  cul- 
verin. 

PELL  [from  the  British  pwlt].  A  deep  hole  of  water,  generally  beneath 
a  cataract  or  any  abrupt  waterfall.     Also,  a  large  pond.     * 

PELLET.     An  old  word  for  shot  or  bullet. 

PELLET-POWDER  Has  its  grains  much  larger  and  smoother,  and  is 
intended  to  act  more  gradually  than  service  gunpowder,  but  by  the  English 
it  is  at  present  considered  rather  weak. 

PELTA.     An  ancient  shield  or  buckler,  formed  of  scales  sewed  on  skins. 

PEMBLICO.  A  small  bird  whose  cry  was  deemed  ominous  at  sea  as  pre- 
saging wind. 

PEMMICAN.  Condensed  venison,  or  beef,  used  by  the  hunters  around 
Hudson's  Bay,  and  largely  provided  for  the  Arctic  voyages,  as  containing 
much  nutriment  in  a  small  compass.  Thin  slices  of  lean  meat  are  dried 
over  the  smoke  of  wood  fires;  they  are  then  pounded  and  mixed  with  an 
equal  weight  of  their  own  &t.  It  is  generally  boiled  and  eaten  hot  where 
fire  is  available. 

PEN.  A  cape  or  conical  summit  Also,  the  Creole  name  for  houses  and 
plantations  in  the  country.     Also,  an  inclosure  for  fishing  on  the  coast. 


PENA FENNOCK  523 

PEN  A,  OR  PENON.     High  rocks  on  the  Spanish  coasts. 

PENANG  LAWYER  A  cane,  with  the  administration  of  which  debts 
were  wont  to  be  settled  at  Pulo-Penang. 

PENCEL.     A  small  streamer  or  pennon. 

PENDANT.    See  Pennant. 

PENDANT.  A  strop  or  short  piece  of  rope  fixed  on  each  side,  under  the 
shrouds,  upon  the  heads  of  the  main  and  fore  masts,  from  which  it  hangs 
as  low  as  the  cat-harpings,  having  an  iron  thimble  spliced  into  an  eye  at 
the  lower  end  to  receive  the  hooks  of  the  main  and  fore  tacklea  There 
are  besides  many  other  pendants,  single  or  double  ropes,  to  the  lower 
extremity  of  which  is  attached  a  block  or  tackle;  such  are  the  fish- 
pendant^  stay-tackle-pendant,  brace-pendant,  yard-tackle-pendant^  reef- 
tackle-pendant^  &c.,  all  of  which  are  employed  to  transmit  the  efforts  of 
theii*  respective  tackles  to  some  distant  object. — Rudder-pendants,  Strong 
ropes  made  fast  to  a  rudder  by  means  of  chaina  Their  use  is  to  prevent 
the  loss  of  the  rudder  if  by  any  accident  it  should  get  unshipped. 

PENDULUM.  A  gravitating  instrument  for  measuring  the  motion  of  a 
ship  and  thereby  assisting  the  accuracy  of  her  gunnery  in  regulating 
horizontal  fire. 

PENGUIN.  A  web-footed  bird,  of  the  genus  Aptenodytes,  unable  to  fly 
on  account  of  the  small  size  of  its  wings,  but  with  great  powers  of  swim- 
ming and  diving:  generally  met  with  in  high  southern  latitudes. 

PENINSULA.  A  tract  of  land  joined  to  a  continent  by  a  comparatively 
narrow  neck  termed  an  isthmus. 

PENINSULAR  WAR.  A  designation  assigned  to  the  Duke  of  WelHng- 
ton's  campaigns  in  Portugal  and  Spain. 

PENKNIFE  ICE.  A  name  given  by  Parry  to  ice,  the  surfiice  of  which 
is  composed  of  numberless  irregular  vertical  crystals,  nearly  close  together, 
from  five  to  ten  inches  long,  about  half  an  inch  broad,  and  pointed  at 
both  ends.  Supposed  to  be  produced  by  heavy  drops  of  rain  piercing 
their  way  through  the  ice  rather  than  by  any  peculiar  crystallization 
while  fireezing. 

PENNANT.  A  long  narrow  banner  with  St.  George's  cross  in  the  head, 
and  hoisted  at  the  main.  It  is  the  badge  of  a  ship-of-war.  Signal  pen- 
nants are  9  feet  long,  tapering  from  2  feet  at  the  mast  to  1  foot  They 
denote  the  vessels  of  a  fleet;  there  are  ten  pennants,  which  can  be  varied 
beyond  any  number  of  ships  present.  When  the  pennant  is  half  mast, 
it  denotes  the  death  of  the  captain.  When  hauled  down  the  ship  is  out 
of  commission.  Broad  pennant  denotes  a  commodore,  and  is  a  swallow- 
tailed  flag,  the  tails  tapering,  and  would  meet^  if  the  exterior  lines  were 
prolonged*  those  of  a  comet  could  not. 

PENNANT-SHIP.  Generally  means  the  commodore,  and  vessels  in  the 
employ  of  government.  It  is  also  an  authority  delegated  by  the  com- 
mander of  convoy  to  some  smart  merchant  ship  to  assist  in  the  charge, 
and  collect  stragglers. 

PENNOCK.     A  little  bridge  thrown  over  a  water-course. 


624  PENNY-WIDDIE PERMANENT  MAGNETISM 

PENNY-WIDDIR     A  haddock  dried  without  being  spUt. 
PENSIONERS.     Disabled  soldiers  or  sailors  reoeiv^  into  the  superb 

institutions  of  Chelsea  and  Greenwich,  or,  "recently  if  they  choose," 

receiving  out-pensions. 
PENSTOCK.     A  flood-gate  to  a  mill-pond.     Also  used  iu  fortification,  for 

the  purpose  of  inundating  certain  works. 
PENTAGON.     A  right-lined  figure  of  ^ve  equal  sides  and  angles. 
PENUMBRA     The  lighter  shade  which  surrounds  the  dark  shadow  of 

the  earth  in  an  eclipse  of  the  moon.     Also,  the  light  shade  which  usually 

encircles  the  black  spots  upon  the  sun*s  disc. 
PEON-WOOD.     See  Poon-wood. 
PEOTTA.     A  craffc  of  the  Adriatic,  of  light  burden,  propelled  by  oars  and 

canvas. 
PEIPPER-DULSK     Hdlymenia  eduLU;  a  pungent  sea-weed,   which,   as 

well  as  H,  palmcUa,  common  dulse,  is  eaten  in  Scotland. 
PER-CENTAGK      A  proportional  sum  by  which  insurance,  brokerage, 

freight,  del  credere,  <kc,  are  paid. 
PERCER.     A  rapier;  a  short  sword. 
PERCH.     A  pole  stuck  up  on  a  shoal  as  a  beacon;  or  a  spar  erected  on  or 

projected  from  a  cliff  whence  to  watch  fish. 
PERCUSSION.     The  striking  of  one  body  by  another. 
PERDEWS.     A  corruption  from  en/ans  perdus,  to  designate  those  soldiers 

who  are  selected  for  i^iQ  forlorn  hope  (which  see). 
PERIGEK     That  point  in  the  moon's  orbit  where  she  is  nearest  to  the 

earth;  or  the  point  in  the  earth's  orbit  where  we  are  nearest  to  the  sun. 
PERIHELION.      That  point  in  the  orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet  which  is 

nearest  to  the  sun. 
PERIKO.     An  undecked  boat  of  burden  in  Bengal. 

PERIL,  OR  Pebil  of  the  Sea.     Does  not  mean  danger  or  hazard,  but  com- 
prises such  accidents  as  arise  from  the  elements,  and  which  could  not  be 

prevented  by  any  care  or  skill  of  the  master  and  crew.     {See  Act  of 

God.) 
PERIMETER     The  sum  of  all  the  sides  of  a  geometrical  figiire  taken 

together. 
PERIODICAL  WINDS.    See  Monsoons  and  Trade-winds. 
PERIODIC  INEQUALITIES.      Those   disturbances  in  the    planetary 

motions,  caused  by  their  reciprocal  attraction  in  definite  periods. 
PERIODIC  TIME     The  interval  of  time  which  elapses  from  the  moment 

when  a  planet  or  comet  leaves  any  point  in  its  orbit^  until  it  returns  to  it 

again. 
PERIPHERY.     The  circumference  of  any  curved  figure. 
PERISHABLE  MONITION.     The  pubUc  notice  by  the  court  of  admiralty 

for  the  sale  of  a  ship  in  a  perishable  condition,  whose  owners  have  proved 

contumacious. 
PERMANENT  MAGNETISM.     The  property  of  attraction  and  repulsion 

belonging  to  magnetized  iron.     {See  Induced  Maqnetism.) 


PEBMANENT  RANK PETREL  525 

PERMANENT  RANK.  That  given  by  commission,  and  which  does  not 
cease  with  any  particular  service. 

PERMIT.     A  license  to  sell  goods  that  have  paid  the  duties  or  excise. 

PERPENDICLE.     The  plumb-line  of  the  old  quadrant. 

PERPENDICULAR  A  right  line  falling  from  or  standing  upon  another 
vertically,  and  making  the  angle  of  90^  on  both  sides. 

PERRIWINKLE.  The  unn-tmncle  of  the  Ang.-Sax.,  a  favourite  little 
shell-fish,  the  pin-patch,  or  Turbo  littareus, 

PERRY.     An  old  term  for  a  sudden  squall. 

PERSONNEL.  A  word  adopted  from  the  French,  and  expressive  of  all 
the  officers  and  men,  civil  and  military,  composing  an  army  or  a  naval 
force. 

PERSPECTIVE.  The  old  term  for  a  hand  telescope.  Also,  the  science 
by  which  objects  are  delineated  according  to  their  natural  ap|)earance  and 
situation. 

PERSUADER.  A  rattan,  colt,  or  rope's  end  in  the  hands  of  a  boatswain^s 
mate.     Also,  a  revolver. 

PERTURBATIONS.  The  effects  of  the  attractions  of  the  heavenly 
bodies  upon  each  other,  whereby  they  are  sometimes  drawn  out  of  their 
elliptic  paths  about  the  central  body,  as  instanced  by  the  wondrous  dis- 
covery of  Neptime. 

PESAGR  A  custom  or  duty  paid  for  weighing  merchandise,  or  other 
goods. 

PESETA,  OR  PiSTOREEN.     A  Spanish  silver  coin :  one-fifth  of  a  piastre. 

PESSURABLE,  or  Pestarable,  of  our  old  statutes,  implied  such  mer- 
chandise as  take  up  much  room  in  a  ship. 

PETARD.  A  hat-shaped  metal  machine,  holding  from  6  to  9  lbs  of  gun- 
powder; it  is  firmly  fixed  to  a  stout  plank,  and  being  applied  to  a  gate  or 
barricade,  is  fired  by  a  fuse,  to  break  or  blow  it  open.    {See  Powder-Bags.) 

PETARDIER.  The  man  who  fixes  and  fires  a  petard,  a  service  of  great 
danger. 

PET-COCK.     A  tap,  or  valve  on  a  pump. 

PETER     See  Blue  Peter. 

PETER-BOAT.  A  fishing-boat  of  the  Thames  and  Medway,  so  named 
after  St  Peter,  as  the  patron  of  fishermen,  whose  cross-keys  form  part  of 
the  armorial  bearings  of  the  Fishmongers'  Company  of  London.  These 
boats  were  first  brought  irom  Norway  and  the  Baltic;  they  are  generally 
short,  shallow,  and  sharp  at  both  ends,  with  a  well  for  fish  in  the  centre, 
25  f(^t  over  all,  and  6  feet  beam,  yet  in  such  craft  boys  were  wont  to 
serve  out  seven  years'  apprenticeship,  scarcely  ever  going  on  shore. 

PETER-MAN,  or  Petcrer.  A  fisherman.  Also,  the  Dutch  fishing 
vessels  that  frequented  our  eastern  coast. 

PETITORY  SUITS.  Causes  of  property,  formerly  cognizable  in  the 
admiralty  court. 

PETREL.  The  CypseUi  of  the  ancients,  and  Mother  Cory  a  chickens  of 
sailors;  of  the  genus  ProceUaria.    They  collect  in  numbers  at  the  approach 


526  PBTBOLEUM PICKETS 

of  a  gale,  running  along  the  waves  in  the  wake  of  a  ship;  whence  the 

name  peterd,  in  reference  to  St  Peter's  attempt  to  walk  on  the  water. 

They  are  seen  in  all  parts  of  the  ocean.     The  largest  of  the  petrels,  Fro- 

cellaria /vliginosa,  is  known  by  seamen  as  Mother  Gary's  goose. 
PETROLEUM.     Called  also  rock,  mineral,  or  coal,  oiL     A  natural  oil 

widely  distributed  over  the  globe,  consisting  of  carbon  and  hydrogen,  in 

the  proportion  of  about  88  and  12  per  cent.     It  bums  fiercely  with  a 

thick  black  smoke;  and  attempts,  not  yet  successful,  have  been  made 

to  adapt  it  as  a  fuel  for  steamers. 
PETRONEL.     An  old  term  for  a  horse-pistol;  also  for  a  kind  of  carbine.' 
PETTAH.     A  town  adjoining  the  esplanade  of  a  fort 
PETTICOAT  TROWSERS.     A  kind  of  kilt  formerly  worn  by  seamen 

in  general,  but  latterly  principally  by  fishermen.     {See  Galligaskins.) 
PETTY  AVERAGE.     Small  charges  borne  partly  by  a  ship,  and  partly 

by  a  cargo,  such  as  expenses  of  towing,  <bc. 
PETTY  OFFICER     A  divisional  seaman  of  the  first  class,  ranking  with  a 

sergeant  or  corporal 
PHALANX.     An  ancient  Macedonian  legion  of  varying  numbers,  formed 

into  a  square  compact  body  of  pikemen  with  their  shields  joined. 
PHA  RONOLOGY.      Denotes  the  study  of,  and  acquaintance  with,  light- 
houses. 
PHAROS.     A  lighthouse;  a  watch-tower. 

PHASELIJS.     An  ancient  small  vessel,  equipped  with  sails  and  oars. 
PHASES.     The  varying  appearances  of  the  moon's  disc  during  a  lunation; 

also  those  of  the  inferior  planets  Venus  and  Mercury,  as  they  revolve 

round  the  sun. 
PHILADELPHIA    LAWYER      "Enough    to  puzzle   a    Philadelphia 

lawyer''  is  a  common  nautical  phrase  for  an  inconsistent  story. 
PHINAK     A  species  of  trout     {See  FnwocK.) 
PHYSICAL    ASTRONOMY.      That  department  of  the  science  which 

treats  of  the  causes  of  the  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies. 
PHYSICAL  DOUBLE-STAR    See  Double-otae  and  Binaky  System. 
PIASTRE.     A  Spanish  silver  coin,  value  4s.  3d.  sterling.     Also,  a  Turkish 

coin  of  40  paras,  or  1&  7d. 
PICARD.     a  boat  of  burden   on  the   Severn,   mentioned  in  our  old 

statutes. 
PICCANINNY.     A  negro  or  mulatto  infant 
PICCAROON.     A  swindler  or  thie£     Also,  a  piratical  vessel. 
PICCARY.     Piratical  thefb  on  a  small  scale. 
PICKERIE.     An  old  word  for  stealing;  under  which  name  the  crime  was 

punishable  by  severe  duckings. 
PICKET.     A  pointed  staff  or  stake  driven  into  the  ground  for  various 

military  purposes,  as  the  marking  out  plans  of  works,  the  securing  horses 

to,  &0,     {See  cUso  Piquet,  an  outguard.) 
PICKETS.     Two  pointers  for  a  mortar,  showing  the  direction  of  the  object 

to  be  fired  at^  though  it  be  invisible  /rom  the  piece. 


PICKJLE-HAMN PILL  6  27 

PICKLE-HAEIN.     A  sea-sprite,  borrowed  from  the  Teutonic. 
PICKLING.     A  mode  of  salting  naval  timber  in  our  dockyards,  to  insure 

its  durability.     {See  Burnetize.) 
PICK  UP  A  WIND,  To.     Traverses  made  by  oceanic  voyagers;  to  run 

from  one  trade  or  prevalent  wind  to  another,  with  as  little  interveniug 

calm  as  possible 
PICTABNIK     A  name  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  Sterna  hirundo^  the 

tern,  or  sea-swallow. 
PICUL.  See  Pekul. 
PIR     The  beam  or  pole  that  is  erected  to  support  the  gun  for  loading  and 

unloading  timber.     Also  called  pie-tree, 
PIECE  OF  EIGHT.     The  early  name  for  the  coin  of  the  value  of  8  reals, 

the  well-known  Spanish  dollar. 
PIER.     A  quay;  also  a  strong  mound  projecting  into  the  sea,  to  break  the 

violence  of  the  waves. 
PIEECER     Used  by  sailmakers  to  form  eyelet-holes. 
'PIGGIN.     A  little  pail  having  a  long  stave  for  a  handle;  used  to  bale  water 

out  of  a  boat. 
PIG-IRON.    {See  Sow.)  An  oblong  mass  of  cast-iron  used  for  ballast;  there 

are  also  pigs  of  lead. 

**  A  nodding  beam  or  pig  of  lead 
May  hurt  the  very  ablest  head." 

PIG-TAIL.     The  common  twisted  tobacco  for  chewing. 

PIGr-YOKK     The  name  given  to  the  old  Davis  quadrant. 

PIKE.  {See  Half-pike.)  A  long,  slender,  round  stafi^  armed  at  the  end 
with  iron.  {See  Boabdinq-Pikb  and  Ptkb.)  Formerly  in  general  use, 
but  which  gave  way  to  the  bayonet*  Also,  the  x>eak  of  a  hilL  Also,  a  fish, 
the  JSsax  Indus,  nicknamed  the  freshwater-shark. 

PIKE-TURN.     See  Chbvaux  db  Frisb. 

PIL,  OR  Pyll.     a  creek  subject  to  the  tide. 

PILCHARD.  The  Clupea  piloardus,  a  fish  allied  to  the  herring,  which 
appears  in  vast  shoals  off  the  Cornish  coast  about  July. 

PILE.  A  pyramid  of  shot  or  sheU. — To  pile  arms,  is  to  plant  three  fire- 
locks together,  and  unite  the  ramrods,  to  steady  the  outspread  butt-ends  of 
the  pieces  resting  on  the  ground.  A  pile  is  also  a  beam  of  wood  driven 
into  the  ground  to  form  by  a  number  a  solid  foundation  for  building  upon. 
A  slieeting-pile  has  more  breadth  than  thickness,  and  is  much  used  in  con- 
structing coffer-dams. 

PILE-DKIYER.  A  machine  adapted  for  driving  piles.  Also,  applied  to 
a  ship  given  to  pitch  heavily  in  a  sea-way. 

PILGER.     An  east-country  term  for  a  fish-spear. 

PILING  ICR  In  Arctic  parlance,  where  from  pressure  the  ice  is  raised, 
slab  over  slab,  into  a  high  mass,  which  consolidates,  and  is  often  mistaken 
for  a  berg. 

PILL.  {See  Pil.)  A  term  on  the  western  coast  for  a  draining  rivulet^  as 
well  as  the  creek  into  which  it  falla 


528  PILLAGE PINNACB 

PILLAGK  Wanton  and  mostly  iniquitous  plunder.  But  an  allowed 
ancient  pitustice,  both  in  thiB  and  other  countries,  as  shown  by  the  sea 
ordinances  of  France,  and  our  black  book  of  the  admiralty. 

PILLAN.     A  northern  coast  name  for  the  shear-crab. 

PILLAR  OF  THE  HOLD.     A  main  stanchion  with  notches  for  descent 

PILLAW.  A  dish  composed  at  sea  of  junk,  rice,  onions,  and  fowls;  it 
%ured  at  the  marriage  feast  of  Commodore  Trunnion.  It  is  derived  from 
the  Levantine  pUlaf, 

PILLOW.  A  block  of  timber  whereon  the  inner  end  of  the  bowsprit  is 
supported. 

PILMEE.     Tlie  fine  small  rain  so  frequent  on  our 'western  coasts. 

PILOT.  An  experienced  person  charged  with  the  ship's  course  near  the 
coasts,  into  roads,  rivers,  dec.,  and  through  all  intricate  channels,  in  his  own 
particular  district. — Branch  pilot.  One  who  is  duly  authorized  by  the 
Trinity  board  to  pilot  ships  of  the  largest  draft 

PILOTAGE  The  money  paid  to  a  pilot  for  taking  a  ship  in  or  out  of 
port^  &^ 

PILOT  CUTTER.     A  very  handy  sharp  buUt  sea-boat  used  by  pilots. 

PILOT-FISH.  Naucr<Ue8  ductor,  a  member  of  the  Scomber  family,  the 
attendant  on  the  shark. 

PI  LOT'S- ANCHOR  A  kedge  used  for  dropping  a  vessel  in  a  stream  or 
tide-way. 

PILOT'S  FAIRWAY,  or  Pilot's  Water.  A  channel  wherein,  accord- 
ing to  usage,  a  pilot  must  be  employed. 

PINCH-GUT.     A  miserly  purser. 

PINCH-GUT  PAY.     The  short  allowance  money. 

PINE.  A  genus  of  lofty  coniferous  trees,  abounding  in  temperate  climates, 
and  valuable  for  its  timber  and  resin.  The  masts  and  yards  of  ships  are 
generally  of  pine.  {See  Pitch-pine.) — Pine  is  also  a  northern  term  for 
drying  fish  by  exposure  to  the  weather. 

PING.     The  whistle  of  a  shot,  especially  the  rifle-bullets  in  their  flight 

PINGLR     A  small  north-country  coaster. 

PINK.  A  ship  with  a  very  narrow  stem,  having  a  small  square  part 
above.  The  shape  is  of  old  date,  but  continued,  especially  by  the  Danes, 
for  the  advantage  of  the  quarter-guns,  by  the  ship's  being  contracted 
abaft.  Also,  one  of  the  many  names  for  the  minnow. — To  pink,  to  stab, 
as,  between  casks,  to  detect  men  stowed  away. 

PINKSTERN.     A  very  narrow  boat  on  the  Severn. 

PIN-MAUL.     See  Maul. 

PINNACK  A  small  vessel  propelled  with  oars  and  sails,  of  two,  and  even 
three  masts,  schooner-rigged.  In  size,  as  a  ship's  boat,  smaller  than  the 
barge,  and,  like  it^  carvel-built.  The  armed  pinnace  of  the  French  coasts 
was  of  GO  or  80  tons  burden,  carrying  one  long  24-pounder  and  100  men. 
In  Henry  VI.  Shakspeare  makes  the  pinnace  an  independent  vessel, 
though  Falstaff  uses  it  as  a  small  vessel  attending  on  a  laiger.  Also, 
metaphorically,  an  indifierent  character. 


PINNOLD PIBATB  529 

PINNOLD.     A  term  on  our  southern  shores  for  a  small  bridge. 

PINS. — Belaying  pins.  Short  cylindrical  pieces  of  wood  or  iron  fixed  into 
the  fife-rail  and  other  parts  of  a  vessel,  for  making  fast  the  running- 
riggijag. 

PINTADOS.  Coloured  or  printed  chintzes,  formerly  in  great  demand  from 
India,  and  among  the  fine  goods  of  a  cargo. 

PIN-TAIL.  The  Anaa  acuta,  a  species  of  duck  with  a  long  pointed  tail. 
Also,  in  artillery,  the  iron  pin  on  the  axletree  of  the  limber,  to  which  the 
trail-eye  of  the  gun-carriage  is  attached  for  travel. 

PINTLES.  The  rudder  is  hung  on  to  a  ship  by  pint}es  and  braces.  The 
braces  are  secured  firmly  to  the  stem-post  by  jaws,  which  spread  and  are 
bolted  on  each  side.  The  pintles  are  hooks  which  enter  the  braces,  and 
the  rudder  is  then  wood-locked;  a  dumb  pintle  on  the  heel  finally  takes 
the  strain  off  the  hinging  portions. 

PIONEERS.  A  proportion  of  troops  specially  assigned  to  the  clearing 
(from  natural  impediments)  the  way  for  the  main  body;  hence,  used 
generally  in  the  works  of  an  army,  its  scavenging,  &c.  Labourers  of  the 
country  also  are  sometimes  so  used. 

PIPE.  A  measure  of  wine  contaixiing  two  hogsheads,  or  125  gallons,  equal 
to  half  a  tun.  Also,  a  peculiar  whistle  for  summoning  the  men  to  duty, 
and  directing  their  attention  by  its  varied  sounds.     {See  Call.)    - 

PIPE-CLAY.  Known  to  the  ancients  under  the  name  of  paretonium; 
formerly  indispensable  to  soldiers  as  well  as  the  jolly  marines. 

PIPE  DOWN !  The  order  to  dismiss  the  men  from  the  deck  when  a  duty 
has  been  performed  on  board  ship. 

PIPE-FISH.  A  fish  of  the  genus  Syngnathus,  with  an  "elongated  slender 
body  and  long  tubular  mouth. 

PIPER.  A  half-dried  haddock.  Also,  the  shell  Echinus  cidaria.  Also, 
the  fish  Trigla  lyra. 

PIQUET.  A  proportion  of  a  force  set  apart  and  kept  on  the  alert  for  the 
security  of  the  whole. — The  outlying  piquet,  some  distance  from  the  main 
body,  watches  all  hostile  approach. — ^The  inlying  piquet  is  ready  to  act  in 
case  of  internal  disorder,  or  of  alariA. 

PIRACY.  Depredation  without  authority,  or  transgression  of  authority 
given,  by  despoiling  beyond  its  warrant  Fixed  domain,  public  revenue, 
and  a  certain  form  of  government,  are  exempt  from  that  character,  there- 
fore the  Barbary  States  were  not  treated  by  Europe  as  such.  The  Court 
of  Admiralty  is  empowered  to  grant  warrants  to  commit  any  person  for 
piracy,  only  on  regular  information  upon  oath.  By  common  law,  piracy 
consists  in  committing  those  acts  of  robbery  and  depredation  upon  the 
high  seas,  which,  if  committed  on  land,  would  have  amounted  to  felony, 
and  the  pirate  is  deemed  hoatis  huTnani  generis, 

PIRAGUA  [Sp.  per  agua].    See  Pirogue. 

PIRATE.  A  sea-robber,  yet  the  word  pirata  has  been  formerly  taken  for 
a  sea-captain.  Also,  an  armed  ship  that  roams  the  seas  without  any  legal 
commission,  and  seizes  or  plunders  every  vessel  she  meets;  their  colours 

2  L 


530  TIBIE PITCHING 

are  said  to  be  a  black  field  with  a  skull,  a  battle-axe,  and  an  hour-glass. 
{See  Prahu.) 

PIRIE.     An  old  term  for  a  sudden  gust  of  wind. 

PIRLK     An  archaic  word  signifying  a  brook  or  stream. 

PIROGUE,  OR  PiBAGUA.  A  canoe  formed  from  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree, 
generally  cedar  or  balsa  wood.  It  was  the  native  vessel  which  the  Span- 
iards found  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  on  the  west  coasts  of  South 
America;  called  also  a  dug-boat  in  North  America. 

PISCARY.  A  legal  term  for  a  fishery.  Also,  a  right  of  fishing  in  the 
waters  belonging  to  another  person. 

PISCES.  The  twelfth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the 
21st  of  February. 

PISCIS  AUSTRALIS.  One  of  the  ancient  southern  constellations,  the 
lucida  of  which  is  Fomalhaut. 

PISTOL.  An  old  word  for  a  swaggering  rogue;  hence  Shakspeare^s  char- 
acter in  Henry  V. 

PISTOL  A     A  Papal  gold  coin  of  the  sterling  value  of  1 3s.  lid. 

PISTOLR     A  Spanish  gold  coin,  value  16s.  6d.  sterling. 

PISTOLET.  This  name  was  applied  both  to  a  small  pistol  and  a  Spanish 
pistole. 

PISTOLIERS.     A  name  for  the  heavy  cavalry,  temp.  Jac.  I. 

PISTOL-PROOF.  A  term  for  the  point  of  courage  for  which  a  man  was 
elected  captain  by  pirates. 

PISTON.  In  the  marine  steam-engine,  a  metal  disc  fitting  the  bore  of 
the  cylinder,  and  made  to  slide  up  and  down  within  it  easily,  in  order,  by 
its  reciprocating  movement^  to  communicate  motion  to  the  engine. 

PISTON-ROD.  A  rod  which  is  firmly  fixed  in  the  piston  by  a  key  driven 
through  both. 

PIT.     In  the  dockyards.     See  Saw-pit. 

PITCH.  Tar  and  coarse  resin  boiled  to  a  fluid  yet  tenacious  consistence. 
It  is  used  in  a  hot  state  with  oakum  in  caulking  the  ship  to  fill  the  chinks 
or  intervals  between  her  planks.  Also,  in  steam  navigatioi^  the  distance 
between  two  contiguous  threads  of  the  screw-propeller,  is  termed  the  pitch. 
Also,  in  gunnery,  the  throw  of  the  shot. — To  pitch,  to  plant  or  set>  as 
tents,  pavements,  pitched  battles,  <kc. 

PITCH-BOAT.  A  vessel  fitted  for  boiling  pitch  in,  which  should  be  veered 
astern  of  the  one  being  caulked. 

PITCHED.  A  word  formerly  used  for  stepped,  as  of  a  mast,  and  also  for 
thrauim. 

PITCH-HOUSE.  A  place  set  apart  for  the  boiling  of  pitch  for  the  seams 
and  bottoms  of  vessels. 

PITCH  IN,  To.  To  set  to  work  earnestly;  to  beat  a  person  violently.  (A 
colloquialism.) 

PITCHING.  The  plunging  of  a  ship's  head  in  a  sea-way;  the  vertical  vibra- 
tion which  her  length  makes  about  her  centre  of  gi*avity;  a  very  straining 
motion. 


PITCH-KETTLE PLANK  531 

PITCH-KETTLE.  That  in  which  the  pitch  is  heated,  or  in  which  it  is 
carried  from  the  pitch^t, 

PITCH-LADLE.     Is  used  for  paying  decks  and  horizontal  work. 

PITCH-MOP.  The  implement  with  which  the  hot  pitch  is  laid  on  to  ships' 
sides  and  perpendicular  work. 

PITCH-PINE.  Pinua  reainosoy  commonly  called  Norway  or  red  pine. 
{See  PiNB.) 

PITH.  Well  known  as  the  medullary  part  of  the  stem  of  a  plant;  but 
figuratively,  it  is  used  to  express  strength  and  courage. 

PIT-PAN.  A  flat-bottomed,  trough-like  canoe,  used  in  the  Spanish  Main 
and  in  the  West  Indies. 

PIT-POWDER  That  made  with  charcoal  which  has  been  burned  in  pits, 
not  in  cylinders. 

PIVOT.  A  cylinder  of  iron  or  other  metal,  that  may  turn  easily  in  a 
socket.  Also,  in  a  /column  of  troops,  that  flank  by  which  the  dressing 
and  distance  are  regulated;  in  a  line,  that  on  which  it  wheels. 

PIVOT-GUN.  Mounted  on  a  frame  carriage  which  can  be  turned  radially, 
so  as  to  point  the  piece  in  any  direction. 

PIVOT-SHIP.  In  ceiifidn  fleet  evolutions,  the  stemmost  ship  remains  sta- 
tionary, as  a  pivot  upon  which  the  other  vessels  are  to  form  the  line  anew. 

PLACE.     A  fortress,  especially  its  main  body. 

PLACE  FOR  Everything,  and  Everything  in  its  Place.  One  of  the 
golden  maxims  of  propriety  on  board  ship. 

PLACE  OF  ARMS.  In  fortification,  a  space  contrived  for  the  convenient 
assembling  of  troops  for  ulterior  purposes;  the  most  usual  are  those  at 
the  salient  and  re-entering  angles  of  the  covered-way. 

PLACEK.  A  Spanish  nautical  term  for  shoal  or  deposit.  Also,  for  de- 
posits of  precious  minerals. 

PLACES  OF  CALL.  Merchantmen  must  here  attend  to  two  general 
rules: — If  these  places  of  call  are  enumerated  in  the  charter-party,  then 
such  must  be  taken  in  the  order  laid  down;  but  if  leave  be  given  to  call 
at  all,  or  any,  then  they  must  be  taken  in  their  geographical  sequence. 

PLAGES  [Lat.]  An  old  word  for  the  divisions  of  the  globe;  as,  plages  of 
the  north,  the  northern  regions. 

PLAIN.  A  term  used  in  contradistinction  to  mountain,  though  far  from 
implying  a  level  surface,  and  it  may  be  either  elevated  or  low. 

PLAN.  The  area  or  imaginary  surface  defined  by,  or  within  any  described 
lines.  In  ship-building,  the  plan  0/ elevation,  commonly  called  the  sheer- 
draught,  is  a  side-plan  of  the  ship.  (See  Horizontal  Plan  and  Body- 
plan,  or  plan  of  projection.) 

PLANE.  In  a  general  sense,  a  perfectly  level  surface;  but  it  is  a  term  used 
by  shipwrights,  implying  the  area  or  imaginary  surface  contained  within 
any  particular  outlines,  as  the  plane  of  elevation,  or  sheer-draught,  <fec. 

PLANE-CHART.  One  constructed  on  the  supposition  of  the  earth's  being 
an  extended  plane,  and  therefore  but  little  in  request. 

PLANE  OF  THE  MERIDIAN.    See  Meridian. 


532  PLANE-SAILING PLATFORM 

PLANE-SAILING.  That  part  of  navigation  wHcli  treats  a  ship's  course 
as  an  angle,  and  the  distance,  difference  of  latitude,  and  easting  or  west- 
ing, as  the  sides  of  a  right-angled  triangle.  The  easting  or  westing  is 
called  departure.  To  convert  this  into  difference  of  longitude,  parallel, 
middle  latitude,  or  Mercator's  sailing  is  needed,  depending  on  circum- 
stance&  Plane-sailing  is  so  simple  that  it  is  colloquially  used  to  express 
anything  so  easy  that  it  is  impossible  to  make  a  mistake. 

PLANE  TRIANGLK     One  contained  by  three  right  lines. 

PLANETS,  Pbimabt.  Those  beautiful  opaque  bodies  which  revolve  about 
the  sun  as  a  cemtre,  in  nearly  circular  orbits.  (See  Inferiob,  Minob,  and 
Superior.) 

PLANETS,  Secondart.  The  satellites,  or  moons,  revolving  about  some  of 
the  primary  planets — ^the  moon  being  our  satellite. 

PLANIMETRY.     The  mensuration  of  plane  surfieuses. 

PLANK.  Thick  boards,  18  feet  long  at  least,  from  1^  to  4  inches  thick, 
and  9  or  10  inches  broad;  of  less  dimensions,  it  is  called  bocird  or  deal 
(which  see),  the  latter  being  8  or  9  inches  wide,  by  14  feet  long. 

PLANKING.     The  outside  and  inside  casing  of  the  vessel 

PLANK  IT,  To.  To  sleep  on  the  bare  decks,  choosing,  as  the  galley 
saying  has  it,  the  softest  plank. 

PLANK-SHEER  Pieces  of  plank  covering  the  timber-heads  round  the 
ship;  also,  the  gunwale  or  covering-board.  The  space  between  this  and 
the  line  of  flotation  has  latterly  been  termed  the  free-board 

PLAN  OF  THE  TRANSOMS.  The  horizontal  appearance  of  them,  to 
which  the  moulds  are  made,  and  the  bevellings  taken. 

PLANT.  A  stock  of  tools,  &c.  Also,  the  fixtures,  machinery,  &c.,  required 
to  cany  on  a  business. 

PLANTER  In  Newfoundland  it  means  a  person  engaged  in  the  fishery; 
and  in  the  United  States  the  naked  trunk  of  a  tree,  which,  imbedded  in 
a  river,  becomes  one  of  the  very  dangerous  snag  tribe. 

PLASH,  To.     To  wattle  or  interweave  branches. 

PLASTRON.  A  pad  used  by  fencers.  Also,  the  shield  on  the  under 
surface  of  a  turtle. 

PLATK  In  marine  law,  refers  to  jewels,  plate,  or  treasure,  for  which 
freight  is  due.     Thus,  pkUe-ship  is  a  galleon  so  laden. 

PLATK  Backstay-plate,  A  piece  of  iron  used  instead  of  a  chain  to  con- 
fine the  dead-eye  of  the  backstay  to  the  after-channel. — Foot-hook  or 
fiUtock  plates.  Iron  bands  fitted  to  the  lower  dead-eyes  of  the  topmast- 
shrouds,  which,  passing  through  holes  in  the  rim  of  the  top,  are  attached 
to  the  upper  ends  of  the  futtock-shrouds. 

PLATE-ARMOUR  Thick  coverings  or  coatings  for  ships  on  the  new 
principle,  to  render  them  impervious  to  shot  and  shell,  if  kept  just  outside 
of  breaMng^late  distance. 

PLATEAU.     An  upland  flat-topped  elevation. 

PLATFORM.  A  kind  of  deck  for  any  temporary  or  particular  purpose: 
the  orlop-deck,  having  store*rooms  and  cabins  forward  and  aft^  and  the 


PULTOON PLUMMET  533 

middle  part  allotted  to  the  stowage  of  cables.  Also,  the  flooring  elevation 
of  stone  or  timber  on  which  the  carriage  of  a  gun  is  placed  for  action. 
Hence,  in  early  voyages,  a  fort  or  battery,  with  well-mounted  ordnance, 
is  called  ''the  platform." 

PLATOON.  Originally  a  small  square  body  or  subdivision  of  musketeers; 
hence,  platoon  exercise,  that  which  relates  to  the  loading  and  firing  of 
muskets  in  the  ranks;  and  pkUoon  firing,  i.e,  by  subdivisions. 

PLAY.  Motion  in  the  fraxae,  masts,  &c.  Also  said  of  the  marine  steam- 
engine  when  it  is  in  action  or  in  play.  Also,  in  long  voyages  or  tedious 
blockades,  play-acting  may  be  encouraged  with  benefit;  for  the  excite- 
ment and  employment  thus  afforded  are  not  only  good  anti-scorbutics, 
but  also  promoters  of  content  and  good  fellowship :  in  such — 

"Jack  18  not  bound  by  critics*  crabbed  laws, 
Bat  gives  to  all  his  unresexred  applause: 
He  laughs  aloud  when  jokes  his  fancy  please — 
Such  are  the  honest  manners  of  the  seas. 
And  never — never  may  he  ape  those  fools 
Who,  lost  to  reason,  laugh  or  cry  by  rules." 

PLAYTE.     An  old  term  for  a  river-boat. 

PLEDGET.  The  string  of  oakum  used  in  caulking.  Also,  in  surgery,  a 
small  plug  of  lint. 

PLEIADES.  The  celebrated  cluster  of  stars  in  Taurus,  of  which  seven  or 
eight  are  visible  to  the  naked  eye;  the  assisted  vision  numbers  over  200. 

PLENY  TIDES.     Full  tides. 

PLICATILES.  Ancient  vessels  built  of  wood  and  leather,  which  could  be 
taken  to  pieces  and  carried  by  land. 

PLONKETS.  Coarse  woollen  cloths  of  former  commerce.  {See  statute 
1  R IIL  c.  8.) 

PLOT,  OR  Plott.    a  plan  or  chart     {See  Ichnography.) 

PLOTTING.  The  making  of  the  plan  after  an  actual  survey  of  the  place 
has  been  obtained. 

PLOUGH.  An  instrument  formerly  used  for  taking  the  sun's  altitude, 
and  possessed  of  large  graduations.  When  a  ship  cuts  briskly  through 
the  sea  she  is  said  to  plough  it. 

PLUCKER.     The  fishing  frog,  Lophius  piscatoritis. 

PLUG.  A  conical  piece  of  wood  to  let  in  or  keep  out  water,  when  fitted 
to  a  hole  in  (he  bottom  of  a  boat. — Hatose-pluga.  To  stop  the  hawse- 
holes  when  the  cables  are  unbent,  and  the  ship  plunges  in  a  head<sea. — 
Shot-plugs,  Covered  with  oakum  and  tallow,  to  stop  shot-holes  in  the 
sides  of  a  ship  near  the  water-line;  being  conical,  they  adapt  themselves 
to  any  sized  shot-holes. 

PLUMB.  Right  up  and  down,  opposed  to  parallel. — To  plumb.  To  form 
the  vertical  line.     Also,  to  sound  the  depiii  of  water. 

PLUMBER-3L00KS.  These,  in  a  marine  steam-engine,  are  Y's,  wherein 
are  fixed  the  bushes,  in  which  the  shafts  or  pinions  revolve. 

PLUMMET.  A  name  sometimes  given  to  the  hand-lead,  or  any  lead  or 
iron  weight  suspended  by  a  string,  as  used  by  carpenters,  &c. 


534  PLUNDER POINT 

PLUNDER.  A  name  given  to  tbe  effects  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  a 
prize,  when  pillaged  by  the  captors,  though  the  act  directs  that  ''nothing 
shall  be  taken  out  of  a  prize-ship  till  condemned."     {See  Pillage.) 

PLUNGING  FIRR  A  pitching  discharge  of  shot  from  a  higher  level,  at 
such  an  angle  that  the  shot  do  not  ricochet. 

PLUNGING  SPLASH.  The  descent  of  the  anchor  into  the  water  when 
let  go. 

PLUSH  [evidently  from  pkbs].  The  overplus  of  the  grog,  arising  firom 
being  distributed  in  a  smaller  measure  thim  the  true  one,  and  assigned  to 
the  cook  of  each  mess,  becomes  a  cause  of  irr^ularity.     (See  Tor.) 

PLUVIOMETER,  on  Rain-gauge.  A  measurer  of  the  quantity  of  rain 
which  falls  on  a  square  foot.     There  are  various  kinds. 

PLY,  To.  To  carry  cargoes  or  passengers  for  short  trips.  Also,  to  work 
to  vyindwa/rdj  to  beat.     Also,  to  ply  cm  oar,  to  use  it  in  pulling. 

PLYMOUTH  CLIMATR 

''  The  west  wind  always  brings  wet  weather. 
The  east  wind  wet  and  cold  together; 
The  south  wind  sorely  brings  ns  rain. 
The  north  wind  blows  it  bock  again." 

PLYMOUTH  CLOAK.     An  old  term  for  a  cane  or  walking  stick. 

P.M.  [Lat.  post  meridiem,]    Post  meridian,  or  after  mid-day. 

P.O.     Mark  for  a  petty  officer. 

POCHARD.     A  kind  of  wild  duck. 

POCKET.  A  commercial  quantity  of  wool,  containing  half  a  sack.  Also, 
the  frog  of  a  belt 

POD.     A  company  of  seals  or  sea-elephants. 

POGGE.     The  miller's  thumb,  Cottua  ecUaphraettu. 

POHAGEN.     A  fish  of  the  herring  kind,  called  also  hard-head  (which  see). 

POINT.  A  low  spit  of  land  projecting  firom  the  main  into  the  sea,  almost  syn- 
onymous with  promontory  or  head.   Also,  the  rhumb  the  winds  blow  &om. 

POINT  A  GUN,  To.     To  direct  it  on  a  given  object. 

POINT  A  SAIL^  To.  To  affix  pointa  through  the  eyelet-holes  of  the 
reefs,    {See  Points.) 

POINT-BEACHER.     A  low  woman  of  Portsmouth. 

POINT-BLANK  Direct  on  the  object;  "blank"  being  the  old  word  for 
the  mark  on  the  practice-butt. 

POINT-BLANK  FIRING.  That  wherein  no  elevation  is  given  to  the 
gun,  its  axis  being  pointed  for  the  object. 

POINT-BLANK  RANGE.  The  distance  to  which  a  shot  was  reckoned 
to  range  straight,  without  appreciable  drooping  from  the  force  of  gravity. 
It  varied  from  300  to  400  yards,  according  to  the  nature  of  gun;  and  was 
measured  by  the  first  graze  of  the  shot  fired  horizontally  from  a  gun  on 
its  carriage  on  a  horizontal  plane.  The  finer  practice  of  rifled  guns  is 
much  abating  the  use  of  the  term,  minute  elevations  being  added  to  the 
point-blank  direction  for  even  the  very  smallest  ranges. 

POINT  BRASS  OR  IRON.  A  large  sort  of  plumb  for  the  nice  adjustment 
of  perpendicularity  for  a  given  line. 


POINT-DE-GALLB  CANOE POLDAVK  535 

POINT-DE-GALLE  CANOE.  Consists  of  a  single  stem  of  Mp  wood, 
IS  to  30  feet  long,  from  1^  to  2^  feet  broad,  and  from  2  to  3  feet  deep. 
It  is  fitted  with  a  balance  log  at  the  ends  of  two  bamboo  outriggers,  having 
the  mast,  yard,  and  sail  secured  together;  and,  when  sailing,  is  managed 
in  a  similar  way  to  the  catamaran.  They  sail  very  well  in  strong  winds, 
and  are  also  used  by  the  natives  of  the  Eastern  Archipelago,  especially  at 
the  Feejee  group,  where  they  are  very  large. 

POINTER.  The  index  or  indicator  of  an  instrument. — StcUion  pointer. 
A  brass  graduated  circle  with  one  fixed  and  two  radial  legs;  by  placing 
them  at  two  adjoining  angles  taken  by  a  sextant  between  three  known 
objects,  the  position  of  the  observer  is  fixed  on  the  chart 

POINTER-BOARD.     A  simple  contrivance  for  duly  training  a  ship's  guns. 

POINTERS.  Stout  props,  placed  obliquely  to  the  timbers  of  whalers,  to 
sustain  the  shock  of  icebergs.  All  braces  placed  diagonally  across  the 
hold  of  any  vessel,  to  support  the  bilge  and  prevent  loose-working,  are 
called  pointers.  Also,  the  general  designation  for  the  stars  a  and  /3  in 
the  Great  Bear,  a  line  through  which  points  nearly  upon  the  pole-star. 

POINT-HOLES.     The  eyelet-holes  for  the  points. 

POINTING.  The  operation  of  unlaying  and  tapering  the  end  of  a  rope, 
and  weaving  some  of  its  yarns  about  the  diminished  part,  which  is  very 
neat  to  the  eye,  prevents  it  from  being  fagged  out^  and  makes  it  handy 
for  reeving  in  a  block,  &c. 

POINT  OF  THE  COMPASS.  The  32d  part  of  the  circumference,  or 
ir  15'. 

POINTS.  See  Reef-points. — Armed  at  aU  points,  is  when  a  man  is  de- 
fended by  armour  cap-^pie. 

POINTS  OF  SERVICE.  The  principal  details  of  duty,  which  ought  to 
be  executed  with  zeal  and  alacrity. 

POL  ACRE.  A  ship  or  brig  of  the  Mediterranean;  the  masts  are  commonly 
formed  of  one  spar  from  tinick  to  heel,  so  that  they  have  neither  tops  nor 
cross-trees,  neither  have  they  any  foot-ropes  to  their  upper  yards,  because 
the  men  stand  upon  the  topsail-yards  to  loose  and  furl  the  top-gallant 
sails,  and  upon  the  lower  yards  to  loose,  reef,  or  furl  the  topsails,  all  the 
yards  being  lowered  sufficiently  for  that  purpose. 

POLANS.     Knee-pieces  in  armour. 

POLAR  CIRCLES.  The  Arctic  and  the  Antarctic;  23°  28'  from  either 
pole. 

POLAR  COMPRESSION.     See  Compression  of  the  Poles. 

POLAR  DISTANCE.  The  complement  of  the  declination.  The  angular 
distance  of  a  heavenly  body  from  one  of  the  poles,  counted  on  from 
0°  to  180^ 

POLARIS.     See  Pole-star. 

POLAR  REGIONS.  Those  parts  of  the  world  which  lie  within  the 
Arctic  and  Antarctic  circles. 

POLDAVIS,  OR  PoLDAVY.  A  canvas  from  Dantzic,  formerly  much  used 
in  our  navy.     A  kind  of  sail-cloth  thus  named  was  also  manufactured  in 


530  POLE FOMFRET 

Laacashire  from  about  the  year  1500,  and  regalated  by  statute  1  Jac. 

'      cap.  24. 

POLE.  The  upper  end  of  the  highest  masts,  when  they  rise  above  the 
rigging. 

POLEAXE,  OR  PoLLAX.  A  sort  of  hatchet,  resembling  a  battle-axe,  which 
was  used  on  board  ship  to  cut  away  the  rigging  of  an  adversary.  Also  in 
boarding  an  enemy  whose  hull  was  more  lofty  than  that  of  the  boarders, 
by  driving  the  points  of  several  into  her  side,  one  above  another,  and  thus 
forming  a  kind  of  scaling-ladder;  hence  were  called  boarding-axes. 

POLEMARCH.     The  commander-in-chief  of  an  ancient  Greek  army. 

POLE-MASTS.  Single  spar  masts,  also  applied  where  the  top-gaUant  and 
royal  masts  are  in  one.     (^^e  Masts.) 

POLES.  Two  points  on  the  surface  of  the  earth,  each  90**  distant  from  all 
parts  of  the  equator,  forming  the  extremities  of  the  imaginary  line  called 
the  earth's  axis.  The  term  applies  also  to  those  points  in  the  heavens 
towards  which  the  terrestrial  axis  is  always  directed. — Under  hare  poles. 
The  situation  of  a  ship  at  sea  when  all  her  sails  are  furled.  {See  Scud- 
ding and  Trying.) 

POLE-STAR,  a  Ursos  minoris.  This  most  useful  star  is  the  lucida  of  the 
Little  Bear,  round  which  the  other  components  of  the  constellation  and  the 
rest  of  the  heavens  appear  to  revolve  in  the  course  of  the  astronomical  day. 

POLICY.  A  written  contract,  by  which  the  insurers  oblige  themselves  to 
indemnify  sea-risks  under  various  conditions.  An  interest  policy,  is  where 
the  insurer  has  a  real  assignable  interest  in  the  thing  insured;  a  vmger 
policy,  is  where  the  insurer  has  no  substantial  interest  in  the  thing  insured; 
an  open  policy,  is  where  the  amount  of  interest  is  not  fixed,  but  left  to 
be  ascertained  in  case  of  loss;  a  valued  policy,  is  where  an  actual  value 
has  been  set  on  the  ship  or  goods. 

POLLACK.  The  Merlangus  pollachiuSy  a  well-known  member  of  the  cod 
family. 

POLLUX.  j3  Geviinorum,  A  bright  and  well-known  star  in  the  ancient 
constellation  Gremini,  of  which  it  is  the  second  in  brightness. 

POLRON.     That  part  of  the  armour  which  covered  the  neck  and  shoulders. 

POLTROON.     Not  known  in  the  navy. 

POLYGON.  A  geometrical  figure  of  any  number  of  sides  more  than  four; 
regular  or  irregular.  In  fortification  the  term  is  applied  to  the  plan  of  a 
piece  of  ground  fortified  or  about  to  be  fortified;  and  hence,  in  some 
countries,  to  a  fort  appropriated  as  an  artillery  and  engineering  school 

POLYMETER.     An  instrument  for  measuring  angles. 

POLYNESIA.  A  group  of  islands:  a  name  generally  applied  to  the  islands 
of  the  Pacific  Ocean  collectively,  whether  in  clusters  or  straggling. 

POMELO,  OR  PuMELO.  Citrus  decumana.  A  large  fruit  known  by  this 
name  in  the  East  Indies,  but  in  the  West  by  that  of  shaddock,  after 
Captain  Shaddock,  who  introduced  it  there. 

POMFRET.  A  delicate  sea-fish,  taken  in  great  quantities  in  Bombay  and 
Madras. 


POMMELION POOB  JOHN  537 

POMMELION.  A  name  given  by  seamen  to  tlie  cascable  or  hindmost 
knob  on  tbe  breech  of  a  cannon. 

PONCHES.     Small  bulk-heads  made  in  the  hold  to  stow  com,  goods,  &c. 

PONCHO.  A  blanket  with  a  hole  in  the  centre,  large  enough  for  the 
head  to  pass  through,  worn  by  natives  of  South  and  Western  America. 

POND.  A  word  often  used  for  a  small  lagoon,  but  improperly,  for  ponds 
are  formed  exclusively  from  springs  and  surface-drainage,  and  have  no 
affluent.  Also,  a  cant  name  for  the  Mediterranean.  Also,  the  summit- 
level  of  a  canal. 

PONENT.     Western. 

PONIARD.     A  short  dagger  with  a  sharp  edge. 

PONTAGE.     A  duty  or  toll  collected  for  the  repair  and  keeping  of  bridges. 

PONTONES.  Ancient  square-built  ferry-boats  for  passing  rivers,  as 
described  by  Csesar  and  Aulus  Gellius. 

PONTOON.  A  large  low  flat  vessel  resembling  a  barge  of  burden,  and 
furnished  with  cranes,  capstans,  tackles,  and  other  machinery  necessary 
for  careening  ships;  they  are  principally  used  in  the  Mediterranean. 
Also,  a  kind  of  portable  boat  specially  adapted  for  the  formation  of  the 
floating  bridges  required  by  armies:  they  are  constructed  of  various 
figures,  and  of  wood,  metal,  or  prepared  canvas  (the  latter  being  most  in 
favour  at  present),  and  have  the  necessary  superstructure  and  gear  packed 
with  them  for  transport 

POO.     A  small  crab  on  the  Scottish  coast. 

POOD.     A  Russian  commercial  weighty  equal  to  36  lbs.  English. 

POODLE.  An  old  Cornish  name  for  the  English  Channel.  Also,  a  slang 
term  for  the  aide-de-camp  of  a  garrison  general. 

POOL.  Is  distinguished  from  a  pond,  in  being  filled  by  springs  or  running 
water.     Also,  a  pwU  or  port. 

POOP.  [From  the  Latin  puppis,]  The  aftermost  and  highest  part  of  a  large 
ship's  hull.  Also,  a  deck  raised  over  the  after-part  of  a  spar-deck,  some- 
times called  the  round-Jhoitae.  A  frigate  has  no  poop,  but  is  said  to  be 
pooped  when  a  wave  strikes  the  stem  and  washes  on  board. 

POOPING,  OB  BEING  Pooped.  The  breaking  of  a  heavy  sea  over  the  stern 
or  quarter  of  a  boat  or  vessel  when  she  scuds  before  the  wind  in  a  gale, 
which  is  extremely  dangerous,  especially  if  deeply  laden. 

POOP-LANTERN.  A  Hght  carried  by  admirals  to  denote  the  flag-ship 
by  night 

POOP-NETTING.    See  Hammock-netting. 

POOP-RAILS.  The  stanchions  and  rail- work  in  front  of  the  poop.  {See 
Breast-wobk  and  Fife-raius.) 

POOP-ROYAL.  A  short  deck  or  platform  placed  over  the  aftmost  part 
of  the  poop  in  the  largest  of  the  French  and  Spanish  men-of-war,  and 
serving  as  a  cabin  for  their  masters  and  pilots.  This  is  the  topgallant- 
poop  of  our  ship-wrights,  and  the  former  round-house  cabin  of  our  mer- 
chant vessels.  "^ 

POOR  JOHN.     Hake-fish  salted  and  dried,  as  well  as  dried  stock-fish,  and 


538  POPLAR POBTBAES 

bad  haccalaoy  or  cod,  equally  cheap  and  coarse.    Shakspeare  mentions  it  in 
Romeo  and  JvUet, 

POPLAR.  The  tree  which  furnishes  charcoal  for  the  manu^ture  of  gun- 
powder. 

POPLER.     An  old  name  for  a  sea-gidL 

POPPETS.  Upright  pieces  of  stout  square  timber,  mostly  fir,  between  the 
bottom  and  bilge-ways,  at  the  run  and  entrance  of  a  ship  about  to  be 
launched,  for  giving  her  further  support.  Also,  poppets  on  the  gunwale 
of  a  boat  support  the  wash-strake,  and  form  the  rowlocks. 

POPPLING  SEA.     Waves  in  irregular  agitation. 

PORBEAGLE.     A  kind  of  shark. 

PORPESSE,  Porpoise,  or  Porpubs.  The  Phocasna  communis.  One  of 
the  smallest  of  the  cetacean  or  whale  order,  common  in  the  British  seas. 

PORT.  A  n  old  Anglo-Saxon  word  still  in  full  use.  It  strictly  means  a 
place  of  resort  for  vessels,  adjacent  to  an  emporium  of  conmierce,  where 
cargoes  are  bought  and  sold,  or  laid  up  in  warehouses,  and  where  there 
are  docks  for  shipping.  It  is  not  quite  a  synonym  of  harbour,  since  the 
latter  does  not  imply  traffic.  Yessels  hail  from  the  port  they  have  quitted, 
but  they  are  compelled  to  have  the  name  of  the  vessel  and  of  the  port  to 
which  they  belong  painted  on  the  bow  or  stem. — Fort  is  also  in  a  legal 
sense  a  refuge  more  or  less  protected  by  points  and  headlands,  marked 
out  by  limits,  and  may  be  resorted  to  as  a  place  of  safety,  though  there 
are  many  ports  but  rarely  entered.  The  lefb  side  of  the  ship  is  called 
port,  by  admiralty  order,  in  preference  to  larboard,  as  less  mistakeable  in 
sound  for  starboard. — To  port  the  hdm.  So  to  move  the  tiller  as  to  carry 
the  rudder  to  the  starboard  side  of  the  stem-post. — Bar-port.  One  which 
can  only  be  entered  when  the  tide  rises  sufficiently  to  afford  depth  over 
a  bar;  this  in  many  cases  only  occurs  at  spring-tides. — Close-port,  One 
within  the  body  of  a  city,  as  that  of  Rhodes,  Venice,  Amsterdam,  dec. — 
Free-port.  One  open  and  free  of  all  duties  for  merchants  of  all  nations 
to  load  and  unload  their  vessels,  as  the  ports  of  Genoa  and  Leghorn. 
Also,  a  term  used  for  a  total  exemption  of  duties  which  any  set  of 

.  merchants  enjoy,  for  goods  imported  into  a  state,  or  those  exported  of 
the  growth  of  the  coimtry.  Such  was  the  privilege  the  English  enjoyed 
for  several  years  after  their  discovery  of  the  port  of  Archangel,  and  which 
was  taken  from  them  on  account  of  the  regicide  in  1648. 

PORTABLE  SOUP,  and  other  preparations  of  meat  Of  late  years  a  very 
valuable  part  of  naval  provision. 

PORTAGE.  Tonnage.  Also,  the  land  carriage  between  two  harbours,  often 
high  and  difficult  for  transport.  Also,  in  Canadian  river  navigation 
means  the  carrying  canoes  or  boats  and  their  cargo  across  the  land,  where 
the  stream  is  interrupted  by  rocks  or  rapids. 

PORT  ARMS!  The  military  word  of  command  to  bring  the  firelock  across 
the  front  of  the  body,  muzzle  slanting  upwards;  a  motion  preparatory  for 
the  "  charge  bayonets ! "  or  for  inspecting  the  condition  of  the  locks. 

PORT-BARS.     Strong  pieces  of  oak,  furnished  with  two  laniards,  by 


POET-CHAfiGES PORTS  539 

which  the  ports  are  secured  from  flying  open  in  a  gale  of  wind,  the  bars 
resting  against  the  inside  of  the  ship;  the  port  is  flrst  tightly  closed  by 
its  hooks  and  ring-bolts. 

PORT-CHARGES,  oa  Habboub-dues.  Charges  levied  on  vessels  resort- 
ing to  a  port 

PORTCULLIS.  A  heavy  frame  of  wooden  or  iron  bars,  sliding  in  ver- 
tical grooves  within  the  masonry  over  the  gateway  of  a  fortified  town,  to 
be  lowered  for  barring  the  passage.  When  hastily  made,  it  was  termed  a 
sarrazine. 

PORTK    See  Sublime  Pobte. 

PORT-FIRK  A  stick  of  composition,  generally  burning  an  inch  a  minute, 
used  to  convey  fire  from  the  slow-match  or  the  like  to  the  priming  of  ord- 
nance, though  superseded  with  most  guns  by  locks  or  friction-tubes. 
With  a  slightly  altered  composition  it  is  used  for  signals;  also  for  firing 
charges  of  mines. 

PORT-FLANGK  In  ship-carpentry,  is  a  batten  of  wood  fixed  on  the 
ship's  side  over  a  port>  to  prevent  water  or  dirt  going  into  the  port. 

PORT-GLAIVE.     A  sword-bearer. 

PORT-LAST,  OB  PoBTOiSE.     Synonymous  with  gunwale, 

PORT-MEN.  A  name  in  old  times  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  Cinque  Ports; 
the  burgesses  of  Ipswich  are  also  so  called. 

PORT-MOTK     A  court  held  in  haven  towns  or  ports. 

PORT-NAILS.  These  are  classed  double  and  siugle:  they  are  similar  to 
clamp-nails,  and  like  them  are  used  for  fastening  iron  work. 

PORT-PENDANTS.  Ropes  spliced  into  rings  on  the  outside  of  the  port- 
lids,  and  rove  through  leaden  pipes  in  the  ship's  sides,  to  work  the  port- 
lids  up  or  down  by  the  tackles. 

PORT-PIECE.     An  ancient  piece  of  ordnance  used  in  our  early  fleets. 

PORT-PIECE  CHAMBER.  A  paterero  for  loading  a  port-piece  at  the 
breech. 

PORT-REEYK     A  magistrate  of  certain  seaport  towns  in  olden  times. 

PORT-ROPES.     Those  by  which  the  ports  are  hauled  up  and  suspended. 

PORTS,  OB  PoBT-HOLES.  The  square  apertures  in  the  sides  of  a  ship 
through  which  to  point  and  fire  the  ordnance.  Also,  afl  and  forward, 
as  the  bridle-port  in  the  bows,  the  quarter-port  in  round-stem  vessels,  and 
atem-porta  between  the  stem-timbers.  Also,  square  holes  cut  in  the  sides, 
bow,  or  stem  of  a  merchant  ship,  for  taking  in  and  discharging  timber 
cargoes,  and  for  other  purposes. — Gunroom-ports.  Are  situated  in  the 
ship's  counter,  and  are  used  for  stem-chasers,  and  also  for  passing  a  small 
cable  or  a  hawser  out,  either  to  moor  head  and  stem,  or  to  spring  upon 
the  cable,  &c.  {See  Moob  and  Spbino.) — Ucdf-port,  A  kind  of  shutter 
which  hinges  on  the  lower  side  of  a  port,  and  falls  down  outside  when 
clear  for  action;  when  closed  it  half  covers  the  port  to  the  line  of  metal 
of  the  gun,  and  is  firmly  secured  by  iron  hooks.  The  upper  half-port  is 
temporary  and  loose,  will  not  stand  a  heavy  sea,  and  is  merely  secured  by 
two  light  inch-rope  laniards. 


640  PORT^ALE POW 

PORT-SALE.     A  public  sale  of  fish  on  its  arrival  in  the  harbour. 
POET-SASHES.     Half-ports  fitted  with  glsjss  for  the  admission  of  light 

into  cabins. 
PORT-SHACKLES.     The  rings  to  the  porta. 
PORT-SILLS.     In  ship-building,  pieces  of  timber  put  horizontally  between 

the  framing  to  form  the  top  and  bottom  of  a  port 
PORT-TACKLES.     Those  falls  which  haul  up  and  suspend  the  lower-deck 

poi'ts,  so  that  since  the  admiralty  order  for  using  the  word  por^  instead  of 

larhoardf  we  have  port  port-tacMe  faUa. 
PORTUGUESE.     A  gold  coin,  value  £1,  16s.,  called  also  moiadobras. 
PORTUGUESE  MAN-OF-WAR     A  beautiful  floating  acalephan  of  the 

tropical  seas;  the  Phyaalia  pelagiecL 
POSITION.     Ground  (or  water)  occupied,  or  that  may  be  advantageously 

occupied,  in  fighting  order. 
POSITION,  GEOGRAPHICAL,  of  any  place  on  the  surface  of  the  earth, 

is  the  determination  of  its  latitude  and  longitude,  and  its  height  above  the 

level  of  the  sea. 
POSSESSORY.     A  suit  entered  in  the  admiralty  court  by  owners  for  the 

seizing  of  their  ship. 
POST.     Any  ground,  fortified  or  not,  where  a  body  of  men  can  be  in  a 

condition  for  defence,  or  fighting  an  enemy.     Also,  the  limits  of  a  sen- 
tinel's charge. 
POST-CAPTAIN.     Formerly  a  captain  of  three  years'  standing,  now  simply 

captain,  but  equal  to  colonel  in  the  army,  by  date  of  commission. 
POSTED.     Promoted  from  commander  to  captain  in  the  navy;  a  word  no 

longer  officially  used. 
POSTERN.     A  small  passage  constructed  through  some  retired  part  of  a 

bastion,  or  other  portion  of  a  work,  for  the  garrison's  minor  communi- 
cations with  the  town,  unperceived  by  the  enemy. 
POSTING.     Placing  people  for  special  duty.     Also,  publicly  handing  out 

a  bad  character. 
POST  OF  HONOUR.    The  advance,  and  the  right  of  the  lines  of  any  army. 
POUCH.     A  case  of  strong  leather  for  carrying  ammunition,  used  by 

soldiers,  marines,  and  small-arm  men.     Also,  the  crop  of  a  shark. 
POUCHES.     "Wooden  bulk-heads  across  the  hold  of  cai^o  vessels,  to  pre- 
vent grain  or  light  shingle  from  shifting. 
POULDRON.     A  shoulder-piece  in  armour.     Corrupted  &om  epauldron. 
POULTERER.     CaUed  "Jemmy  Ducks"  on  board  ship;  he  assists  the 

butcher  in  the  feeding  and  care  of  the  live  stock,  <fec. 
POUND.     A  lagoon,  or  space  of  water,  surrounded  by  reefs  and  shoals, 

wherein  fish  are  kept,  as  at  Bermuda. 
POUND-AND-PINT-IDLER.     A  sobriquet  applied  to  the  purser. 
POUNDER.     A  denominatioDL  applied  to  guns  according  to  the  weight  of 

the  shot  they  carry;  at  present  everything  larger  than  the  100  pounder 

is  described  by  the  diameter  of  its  bore,  coupled  with  ite  total  weight. 
POW.     A  name  on  the  Scotch  shores  for  a  small  creek     Also,  a  mole. 


POWDER PRAWN  64,1 

POWDER    See  Gitnpowdkb, 

POWDER,  To.  To  salt  meat  slightly;  as  Falstaflf  says,  "  If  thou  embowel 
me  to-day,  I'll  give  you  leave  to  powder  me,  and  eat  me  too,  to-morrow." 
— Powdering-tvh,     A  vessel  used  for  pickling  beef,  pork,  &c. 

POWDER-BAGS.  Leathern  bags  containing  from  20  to  40  lbs.  of  powder; 
substituted  for  petards  at  the  instance  of  Lord  Cochrane,  as  being  more 
easily  placed.     They  have  lately  been  called  Ghuznee  bags. 

POWDER-HOY.  An  ordnance  vessel  expressly  fitted  to  convey  powder 
from  the  land  magazine  to  a  ship;  it  invariably  carries  a  red  distinguish- 
ing flag,  and  warns  the  ship  for  which  the  powder  is  intended,  to  put  out 
all  fires  before  she  comes  alongside. 

POWDER-MAGAZINE  The  prepared  space  allotted  for  the  powder  on 
board  ship. 

POWDER-MONKEY.  Formerly  the  boy  of  the  gun,  who  had  charge  of 
the  cartridge;  now  powder-man. 

POWDER-VESSEL.     A  ship  used  as  a  floating  magazina 

POWER.  Mechanical  force;  in  the  steam-engine  it  is  esteemed  .effective, 
expansive,  or  full     (See  Hobse-poweb.) 

POZZOLANA.  Yolcanic  ashes,  used  in  cement,  especially  if  required 
under  water. 

PRACTICABLE.  Said  of  a  breach  in  a  rampart  when  its  slope  offers  a 
fair  means  of  ascent  to  an  assaulting  column. 

PRACTICAL  ASTRONOMY.  A  branch  of  science  which  includes  the 
determination  of  the  magnitude,  distance,  and  phenomena  of  the  heavenly 
bodies;  the  ready  reduction  of  observations  for  tangible  use  in  navigation 
and  geography;  and  the  expert  manipulation  of  astronomical  instruments. 

PR^CXJRSORI^.     Ancient  vessels  which  led  or  preceded  the  fleets. 

PRiSDATORI^  OR  PiLfiDATiCiG.     Long,  swifl,  light  ancient  piratea 

PRAHIJ.  [Malay  for  boat.]  The  larger  war-vessels  among  the  Malays, 
range  from  55  to  156  feet  in  length,  and  carry  76  to  96  rowers,  with 
about  40  to  60  fighting  men.  The  guns  range  horn  2  inches  to  6  inches 
bore,  are  of  brass,  and  mounted  on  stock-pieces,  four  to  ten  being  the 
average.     These  boats  are  remarkable  for  their  swiftness. 

PRAIA  [Sp.  playa].    The  beach  or  strand  on  Portuguese  coasts. 

PRAIRIE.  The  natural  meadows  or  tracts  of  gently  undulating,  wonder- 
fully fertile  land,  occupying  so  vast  an  extent  of  the  great  river-basins  of 
North  America. 

PRAM,  OR  Pbaah.  a  lighter  used  in  Holland,  and  the  ports  of  the 
Baltic,  for  loading  and  unloading  merchant  ships.  Some  were  fitted  by 
the  French  with  heavy  guns,  for  defending  the  smaller  ports. 

PRANKLK     A  Channel  term  for  the  pra/um. 

PRATIQUE.  A  Mediterranean  term,  implying  the  license  to  trade  and 
communicate  with  any  place  after  having  performed  the  required  quar- 
antine, or  upon  the  production  of  a  clean  bill  of  health. 

PRAWN.  A  marine  crustacean  larger  than  a  shrimp,  much  esteemed  as 
an  article  of  food. 


542  PRAYER-BOOK PRESS  OF  SAIL 

PRAYER-BOOK.  A  smaller  hand-stone  than  that  which  sailors  call 
"bible;"  it  is  used  to  scrub  in  narrow  crevices  where  a  large  holy-stone 
cannot  be  used.     (See  Holy-stone.) 

PRECEDENCR  The  order  and  degree  of  rank  among  officers  of  the  two 
services.     {See  Rank.) 

PRECESSION  OF  THE  EQUINOXES.  A  slow  motion  of  the  equi- 
noctial points  in  the  heavens,  whereby  the  longitudes  of  the  fijced  stars 
are  increased  at  the  present  rate  of  about  50^''  annually,  the  equinox 
having  a  retrograde  motion  to  this  amount.  This  effect  is  produced  by 
the  attraction  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  planets  upon  the  spheroidal  figure  of 
the  earth;  the  luni-solar  precession  is  the  joint  effect  of  the  sun  and 
moon  only. 

PREDY,  OR  Priddy.  A  word  formerly  used  in  our  ships  for  "get 
ready;"  as,   "Predy  the  main-deck,"  or  get  it  clear. 

PRE-EMPTION.  A  right  of  purchasing  necessary  cargoes  upon  reasonable 
compensation  to  the  individual  whose  property  is  thus  diverted.  This 
claim  is  usually  restricted  to  neutrals  avowedly  bound  to  the  enemy's  ports, 
and  is  a  mitigation  of  the  former  practice  of  seizing  them.   (See  Commeatus.) 

PREMIUM.  Simply  a  reward;  but  in  commerce  it  implies  the  sum  of 
money  paid  to  the  underwriters  on  ship  or  cargo,  or  parts  thereof  as  the 
price  of  the  insurance  risk. 

PREROGATIVE.  A  word  of  large  extent  By  the  constitution  of 
England  the  sovereign  alone  has  the  power  of  declaring  war  and  peace. 
The  crown  is  not  precluded  by  the  Prize  Act  from  superseding  prize  pro- 
ceedings by  directing  restitution  of  property  seized,  before  adjudication, 
and  against  the  will  of  the  captors. 

PRESENT!  The  military  word  of  command  to  raise  the  musket^  take  aim, 
aud  fire. 

PRESENT  ARMS!  The  military  word  of  command  to  salute  with  the 
musket. 

PRESENT  USK  Stores  to  be  immediately  applied  in  the  fitting  of  a  ship, 
as  distinguished  from  the  supply  for  future  sea  use. 

PRESERVED  MEAT  AND  VEGETABLES.  The  occasional  use  of 
such  food  and  lime-juice  at  sea,  is  not  only  a  great  luxury,  but  in  many 
cases  essential  to  the  health  of  the  crew,  as  especially  instanced  by  the 
increase  of  scurvy  in  ships  where  this  precaution  is  neglected. 

PRESIDENT.  At  a  general  court-martial  it  is  usual  for  the  authority 
ordering  it  to  name  the  president^  and  the  office  usually  falls  upon  the 
second  in  command. 

PRESS,  To.     To  reduce  an  enemy  to  straits.     (See  Impressment.) 

PRESS-GANG.  A  partj  of  seamen  who  (under  the  command  of  a  lieu- 
tenant) were  formerly  empowered,  in  time  of  war,  to  take  any  seafaring 
men — on  shore  or  afloat — and  compel  them  to  serve  on  board  men-of-war. 
Those  who  were  thus  taken  were  called  pressed  men, 

PRESS  OF  SAIL.  As  much  sail  as  the  state  of  the  wind,  &c.,  will  permit 
a  ship  to  carry. 


PBESSUREGAUGE PBIME  54,3 

PRESSXJEE-GAXJGK     The  manometer  of  a  steam-engine. 
PREST.     Formerly  signified  quick  or  ready,  and  a  prest  man  was  one 
willing  to  enlist  for  a  stipulated  sum — ^the  very  reverse  of  the  pressed  man 
of  later  times.     (See  Pkess-gano.) 
PRESTER     An  old  name  for  a  meteor. 

PRESUMPTIVE  EVIDENCE.  Is  such  as  by  a  fair  and  reasonable 
interpretation  is  deducible  from  the  facts  of  a  case. 

PREVENTER.  Applied  to  ropes,  <kc.,  when  used  as  additional  securities 
to  aid  other  ropes  in  supporting  spars,  &c.,  during  a  strong  gale;  as  pre- 
venter-backstays, braces,  shrouds,  stays,  &c. 

PREVENTER-PLATES.  Stout  plates  of  iron  for  securing  the  chains  to 
the  ship's  side;  one  end  is  on  the  chain-plate  bolt^  the  other  is  bolted  to 
the  ship's  side  below  it. 

PREVENTER-STOPPERS.  Short  pieces  of  rope,  knotted  at  each  end,  for 
securing  the  clues  of  sails  or  rigging  during  action,  or  when  strained. 

PREVENTIVE  SERVICE.  The  establishment  ofcoast^guards  at  numerous 
stations  along  the  shores  of  the  United  Kingdom  for  the  prevention  of 
srauggHng. 

PRICKER.  A  small  marline-spike  for  making  and  stretching  the  holes 
for  points  and  roperbands  in  sails.  Also,  the  priming- wire  of  a  gun. 
Also,  a  northern  name  for  the  basking-shark. 

PRICKING  A  SAIL.  The  running  a  middle  seam  between  the  two 
seams  which  unite  every  cloth  of  a  sail  to  the  next  adjoining.  This  is 
rarely  done  till  the  sails  have  been  worn  some  time,  or  in  the  case  of  heavy 
canvas,  storm-sails,  &c.     It  is  also  called  middle-stitching. 

PRICKING  FOR  A  SOFT  PLANK.  Selecting  a  place  on  the  deck  for 
sleeping  upon. 

PRICKING  HER  OFF.  Marking  a  ship's  position  upon  a  chart  by  the 
help  of  a  scale  and  compasses,  so  as  to  show  her  situation  as  to  latitude, 
longitude,  and  bearings  of  the  place  bound  to. 

PRIDE  OF  THE  MORNING.  A  misty  dew  at  sunrise;  a  light  shower; 
the  end  of  the  land  breeze  followed  by  a  dead  calm  in  the  tropics. 

PRIESTS-CAP.  An  outwork  which  has  three  salient  angles  at  the  head 
and  two  inwards. 

PRIMAGE.  Premium  of  insurance.  Also,  a  small  allowance  at  the  water 
side  to  master  and  mariner  for  each  pack  or  bale  of  cai^o  landed  by  them: 
otherwise  called  hat-money, 

PRIMARY  PLANET.    {See  Planets,  Primary.) 

PRIME.  The  fore  part  of  the  artificial  day;  that  is,  the  first  quarter  after 
sunrise. 

PRIME,  To.  To  make  ready  a  gun,  mine,  &c.,  for  instantaneous  firing. 
Also,  to  pierce  the  cartridge  with  the  priming-wire,  and  apply  the  quill- 
tube  in  readiness  for  firing  the  cannon. — To  prime  a  fire-ship.  To  lay 
the  train  for  being  set  on  fire. — To  prime  a  match.  Put  a  little  wet 
bruised  powder  made  into  the  paste  called  devil,  upon  the  end  of  the  rope 
slow-match,  with  a  piece  of  paper  wrapped  round  it. 


^Tl 


51.4.  PRIME  VERTICAL PRIZE 

PRIME  VERTICAL.  That  great  circle  which  passes  through  the  zenith 
and  the  east  and  west  points  of  the  horizon. 

PRIMING-IRONS.  Consist  of  a  pointed  wire  used  through  the  vent  to 
prick  the  cartridge  when  it  is  ''home/'  and  of  a  flat-headed  one  similarly 
inserted  after  discharge  to  insure  its  not  retaining  any  ignited  particles. 

PRIMING-VALVES.     The  same  with  escape-valves. 

PRINTED  INSTRUCTIONS.  The  name  of  the  volume  formerly  issued 
by  the  admiralty  to  all  commanders  of  ships  and  vessels  for  their  guidance; 
now  superseded  by  Queen's  Regulations. 

PRISE,  To.  To  raise,  or  slue,  weighty  bodies  by  means  of  a  lever  purchase 
or  power.     (See  Prizino.) 

PRISE-BOLTS.  Knobs  of  iron  on  the  cheeks  of  a  gun-carriage  to  keep 
the  handspike  from  slipping  when  prising  up  the  breech. 

PRISM.  In  dioptrics,  is  a  geometrical  solid  bounded  by  three  parallelo- 
grams, whose  bases  are  equal  triangles. 

PRISMATIC  COMPASS.  One  so  fitted  with  a  glass  prism  for  reading 
by  reflection^  that  the  eye  can  simultaneously  observe  an  object  and  read 
its  compass  bearing. 

PRISONER  AT  LARGK     Free  to  take  exercise  within  bounds. 

PRISONERS  OF  WAR.  Men  who  aro  captured  after  an  engagement, 
who  are  deprived  of  their  liberty  until  rogularly  exchanged,  or  dismissed 
on  their  parole. 

PRISONER  UNDER  RESTRAINT.  Suspended  from  duty;  deprived 
of  command. 

PRISON-SHIP.    One  fitted  up  for  receiving  and  detaining  prisoners  of  war. 

PRITCH.     A  dentated  weapon  for  striking  and  holding  eels. 

PRIVATR  The  proper  designation  of  a  soldier  serving  in  the  ranks  of 
the  army,  holding  no  special  position. 

PRIVATEER  PRACTICE,  or  Privateerism.  Disorderly  conduct,  or 
anything  out  of  man-of-war  rules. 

PRIVATEERS,  or  men-of-war  equipped  by  individuals  for  cruising  against 
the  enemy;  their  commission  {see  Letters  of  Marque)  is  given  by  the 
admiralty,  and  revocable  by  the  same  authority.  They  have  no  property 
in  any  prize  until  it  is  legally  condemned  by  a  competent  court  The 
admiral  on  the  station  is  entitled  to  a  tenth  of  their  booty.  This  infam- 
ous species  of  warfare  is  unhappily  not  yet  abolished  among  civilized 
nations. 

PRIVATE  PROPERTY.  Commissions  of  privateers  do  not  extend  to 
the  capture  of  private  property  on  land;  a  right  not  even  granted  to  men- 
of-war.  Private  armed  ships  aro  not  within  the  terms  of  a  capitulation 
protecting  private  property  generally. 

PRIVATE  SIGNAL.  Understood  by  captains  having  the  key,  but 
totally  incomprehensible  to  other  persons. 

PRIVY-COAT.  A  light  coat  or  defence  of  mail,  concealed  under  the 
ordinary  dress.  . 

PRIZE.     A  vessel  captured  at  sea  from  the  enemies  of  a  state,  or  from 


PBIZE  ACT PROCESSION  545 

pirates,  either  by  a  man-of-war  or  privateer.  Vessels  are  also  looked 
upon  as  prize^  if  they  fight  under  any  other  standard  than  that  of  the 
state  from  which  they  have  their  commission,  if  they  have  no  charter- 
party,  and  if  loaded  with  effects  belonging  to  the  enemy,  or  with  contra- 
band goods.  In  ships  of  war,  the  prizes  are  to  be  divided  among  the 
officers,  seamen,  &c.,  according  to  the  act;  but  in  privateers,  according  to 
the  agreement  between  the  owners.  By  statute  13  Geo.  11.  c.  4,  judges 
and  officers  failing  in  their  duty  in  respect  to  the  condemnation  of  prizes, 
forfeit  £500,  with  full  costs  of  suit,  one  moiety  to  the  crown,  and  the 
other  to  the  informer.  Prize,  according  to  jurists,  is  altogether  a  creature 
of  the  crown;  and  no  man  can  have  any  interest  but  what  he  takes  as 
the  mere  gift  of  the  crown.  Partial  interest  has  been  granted  away  at 
different  times,  but  the  statute  of  Queen  Anne  (a.d.  1708)  is  the  first 
which  gave  to  the  captors  the  whole  of  the  benefit. 

PRIZE  ACT  OF  1793.  Ordained  that  the  officers  and  sailors  on  board 
every  ship  and  vessel  of  war  shall  have  the  sole  property  in  all  captures, 
being  first  adjudged  lawful  prize,  to  be  divided  in  such  proportions  and 
manner  as  his  Majesty  should  order  by  proclamation.  In  1746  a  man, 
though  involuntarily  kept  abroad  above  three  years  in  the  service  of  hia 
country,  was  deemed  to  have  forfeited  his  share  to  Greenwich. 

PRIZE- ACTS.  Though  expiring  with  each  war,  are  usually  revived  nearly 
in  the  same  form. 

PRIZEAGR  The  tenth  share  belonging  to  the  crown  out  of  a  lawful 
prize  taken  at  sea. 

PRIZE-COURT.  A  department  of  the  admiralty  court;  (oyer  et  terminer) 
to  hear  and  determine  according  to  the  law  of  nations. 

PRIZE-GOODS.  Those  taken  upon  the  high  seas,  jure  hdli,  from  the 
enemy. 

PRIZE^LIST.  A  return  of  all  the  persons  on  board,  whether  belonging  to 
the  ship,  or  supei'numeraries,  at  the  time  a  capture  is  made;  those  who 
may  be  absent  on  duty  are  included. 

PRIZE-MASTER.  The  officer  to  whom  a  prize  is  given  in  charge  to 
carry  her  into  port. 

PRIZE-MONEY.  The  profits  arising  from  the  sale  of  prizes.  It  was 
divided  equally  by  chart  5  Hen.  IV. 

PRIZING.  The  application  of  a  lever  to  lift  or  move  any  weighty  body. 
Also,  the  act  of  pressing  or  squeezing  an  article  into  its  package,  so  that 
its  size  may  be  reduced  in  stowage. 

PROA,  OR  Flying  Prow.     See  Prahu. 

PROBATION.  The  noviciate  period  of  cadets,  midshipmen,  apprentices, 
&c. 

PROBK  A  surgical  sounder. — To  probe.  To  inquire  thoroughly  into  a 
matter. 

PROCEEDS.     The  product  or  produce  of  prizes^  &c. 

PROCESSION.  A  march  in  official  order^  At  a  naval  or  military 
funeral,  the  officers  are  classed  according  to  seniority,  the  chie&  last 

2  M 


54j6  procubation  —  propobtion 

PROCURATION,  LETTERS  OF.  Are  required  to  be  exhibited  in  the 
purchase  of  ships  bj  agents  in  the  enemy's  country. 

PROCYON.     a  Canis  minoris,  the  principal  star  of  the  Lesser  Dog. 

PROD.     A  poke  or  slight  thrust;  as  in  persuading  with  a  bayonet 

PRODD.     A  cross-bow  for  throwing  bullets,  temp.  Hen.  VIL 

PRODUCTION.  For  obtaining  the  benefits  of  trading  with  our  colonies, 
it  is  necessary  that  the  goods  be  accompanied  by  a  ^'  certificate  of  produc- 
tion" in  the  manner  required  by  marine  law.     {See  Obigik.) 

PROFILE  DRAUGHTS.  In  naval  architecture,  a  name  applied  to  two 
drawings  from  the  sheer  draught:  one  represents  the  entire  construction 
and  disposition  of  the  ship;  the  other,  her  whole  interior  work  and  fittings. 

PROFILE  OF  A  FORT.    See  Orthography. 

PROG.  A  quaint  word  for  victuals.  Swift  says,  "  In  town  you  may  find 
better  prog."     It  is  also  a  spike. 

PROGRESSION.    See  Arc  op  Direction. 

PROJECTILES.  Bodies  which  are  driven  by  any  one  effort  of  force  from 
the  spot  where  it  was  applied. 

PROJECTION.  A  method  of  representing  geometrically  on  a  plane  sur- 
fisuje  varied  points,  lines,  and  surfaces  not  lying  in  any  one  plane:  used  in 
charts  and  maps,  where  it  is  of  various  kinds,  as  globular,  orthographic, 
Mercator's,  &c.  In  ship-building,  sin  elevation  taken  amidship.  (See 
Body-plan.) 

PROKING-SPIT.     A  long  Spanish  rapier. 

PROMISCUI  USUS.  A  law  term  for  those  articles  which  are  equally 
applicable  to  peace  or  war. 

PROMONTORY.  A  high  point  of  land  or  rock  projecting  into  a  sea  or 
lake,  tapering  into  a  neck  inland,  and  the  extremity  of  which,  towards 
the  water,  is  called  a  cape,  or  headland,  as  Gibraltar,  Ceuta,  Actium,  &c. 

PROMOVENT.     The  plaintiff  in  the  instance-court  of  the  admiralty. 

PRONG.     Synonymous  with  beam-arm  or  crowfoot  (which  see). 

PROOF,  The  trial  of  the  quality  of  arms,  ammunition,  Ac.,  before  their 
reception  for  service.  Guns  are  proved  by  various  examinations,  and  by 
the  firing  of  prescribed  charges;  powder  by  examinations,  and  by  carefully 
measured  firings  ^m  each  batch. 

PROOFS  OF  PROPERTY.  Attestations,  letters  of  advice,  invoices,  to 
show  that  a  ship  really  belongs  to  the  subjects  of  a  neutral  state. 

PROOF  TIMBER.  In  naval  architecture,  an  imaginary  timber,  ex- 
pressed by  vertical  lines  in  the  sheer-draught,  to  prove  the  fairness  of  the 
body. 

PROPELLER  This  term  generally  alludes  to  the  Archimedean  screw,  or 
screw-propeller. 

PROPER  MOTION  OF  THE  STARS.  A  movement  which  some  stars 
are  found  to  possess,  independent  of  the  apparent  change  of  place  due  to 
the  precession  of  the  equinoxes,  the  accounting  for  which  is  as  yet  only 
ingenious  conjecture. 

PROPORTION.     In  naval  architecture,  the  length,  breadth,  and  height  of 


PBOPPETS: PUDDENING  54,7 

a  vessel,  having  a  due  consideration  to  her  rate,  and  the  object  she  is 
intended  for. 

PROPPETS.     Those  shores  that  stand  nearly  vertical. 

PROSPECTIVE,  OB  Prospbct  Glass.  An  old  term  for  a  deck  or  hand 
telescope,  with  a  terrestrial  eye-pieca     {See  Spy-olass.) 

PROTECTIONS,  on  Papeb,  against  impressment,  were  but  little  r^arded 
Yet  seafaring  men  above  55,  and  under  18,  were  by  statute  exempted,  as 
were  all  for  the  first  two  years  of  their  going  to  sea,  foreigners  serving  in 
merchant  ships  or  privateers,  and  all  apprentices  for  three  years. 

PROTEST.  A  formal  declaration  drawn  up  in  writing,  and  attested  before 
a  notary-public,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  or  a  consul  in  foreign  parts,  by  the 
master  of  a  merchant-ship,  his  mate,  and  a  part  of  the  ship's  crew,  after 
the  expiration  of  a  voyage  in  which  the  ship  has  suffered  in  her  hull, 
rigging,  or  cargo,  to  show  that  such  damage  did  not  happen  through 
neglect  or  misconduct  on  their  part 

PROTRACTOR.  An  instrument  for  laying  off  angles  on  paper,  having 
an  open  mark  at  the  centre  of  the  circle,  with  a  radial  leg,  and  vernier^ 
which  is  divided  into  degrees  (generally  90). 

PROVE,  To.  To  test  the  soundness  of  fire-arms,  by  trying  them  with 
greater  charges  than  those  used  on  service. 

PI^OVEDORE  [Sp.]     One  who  provided  victuals  for  ships. 

PROVENDER  Though  strictly  forage,  is  often  applied  to  provisions  in 
general 

PROVISIONS.  All  sorts  of  food  necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  the  army 
and  navy.  Those  shipped  on  board  for  the  officers  and  crew  of  any  vessel, 
including  merchant-ships,  are  held  in  a.  policy  of  insurance,  as  part  of  her 
outfit. 

PROVISO.  A  stem-fast  or  hawser  carried  to  the  shore  to  steady  by.  A 
ship  with  one  anchor  down  and  a  shore-fast  is  moored  a  proviso.  Also, 
a  saving  clause  in  a  contract. 

PROVOST-MARSHAL.  The  head  of  the  military  poHca  An  officer 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  prisoners  at  a  court-martial,  and  to  carry  the 
sentences  into  execution.     The  executive  and  summary  police  in  war. 

PROW.  Generally  means  the  foremost  end  of  a  vessel  Also,  a  name  for 
the  beak  of  a  xebec  or  felucca. 

PUCKA.  A  word  in  frequent  use  amongst  the  English  in  the  East  Indies, 
signifying  sterling,  of  good  quality. 

PUCKER.  A  wrinkled  seam  in  sail-making.  Also,  anything  in  a  state  of 
confusion. 

PUDDENING,  OE  Pudding.  A  thick  wreath  of  yams,  matting,  or  oakum 
(called  a  dolphin),  tapering  &om  the  middle  towards  the  ends,  grafted  all 
over,  and  fiistened  about  the  main  or  fore  masts  of  a  ship,  directly  below 
the  trusses,  to  prevent  the  yards  firom  falling  down,  in  case  of  the  ropes 
by  which  they  are  suspended  being  shot  away.  Puddings  are  also  placed 
on  a  boat's  stem  as  a  kind  of  fender;  and  also  laid  round  the  rings  of 
anchors  to  prevent  hempen  cables  or  hawsers  from  chafing. 


548  '  PUDDING  AND  DOLPHIN PUMP-BRAKE 

PUDDING  AND  DOLPHIN.  A  larger  and  leaser  pad,  made  of  ropes, 
and  put  round  the  masts  under  the  lower  yards. 

PUDDLE-DOCK.  An  ancient  pool  of  the  Thames,  the  dirtiness  of  which 
afforded  Jack  some  pointed  sarcasms. 

PUDDLING.  A  technical  term  for  working  clay  to  a  plastic  state  in  an 
inclosed  space,  until  it  is  of  the  requisite  consistence  for  arresting  the 
flow  of  water.     A  term  in  iron  fiimace  work. 

PUFF.     A  sudden  gust  of  wind.     A  whistle  of  steam. 

PUFFIN.  The  FraterctUa  arctica,  a  sea-bird  with  a  singular  bill,  formerly 
supposed  to  be  a  bird  in  show,  but  a  fish  in  substance,  in  consequence  of 
which  notion  the  pope  permitted  its  being  eaten  in  Lent. 

PULAS.  An  excellent  twine,  made  by  the  Malays  from  the  kalwwiy  a 
species  of  nettle. 

PULL-A WAY-BOYS.  A  name  given  on  the  West  Coast  of  Africa  to  the 
native  Kroomen,  who  are  engaged  by  the  shipping  to  row  boats  and  do 
other  work  not  suited  to  Europeans  in  that  climate. 

PULL  FOOT,  To.     To  hasten  along;  to  run. 

PULLING.  The  act  of  rowing  with  oars;  as,  "Pull  the  starboard  oars," 
"Pull  together." 

PULL-OVER.     An  east  country  term  for  a  carriage-way. 

PULO.  The  Malay  word  for  island,  and  frequently  met  with  in  the  islands 
of  the  Eastern  seas. 

PULWAIt.     A  commodious  kind  of  passage-boat  on  the  Ganges. 

PUMMEL  The  hilt  of  a  sword,  the  end  of  a  gun,  &c. — To  pummel.  To 
drub  or  beat. 

PUMP.  A  well-known  machine  used  for  drawing  water  from  the  sea,  or 
discharging  it  from  the  ship's  pump-well. — Chain-pump,  consists  of  a  long 
chain,  equipped  with  a  sufficient  number  of  metal  discs  armed  with  leather, 
fitting  the  cylinders  closely,  and  placed  at  proper  distances,  which,  work- 
ing upon  two  wheels,  one  above  deck  and  the  other  below,  in  the  bottom 
of  the  hold,  passes  downward  through  a  copper  or  wooden  tube,  and 
returning  upward  through  another,  continuously  lifts  portions  of  water. 
It  is  worked  by  a  long  winch-handle,  at  which  several  men  may  be 
employed  at  once;  and  it  thus  discharges  more  water  in  a  given  time 
than  the  common  pump,  and  with  less  labour. — Main  pumps.  The 
largest  pumps  in  a  ship,  close  to  the  mainmast,  in  contradistinction  to 
bilge  pumpSf  which  are  smaller,  and  intended  to  raise  the  water  from  the 
bilges  when  a  ship  is  laying  over  so  that  it  cannot  run  to  the  main  pump- 
welL — Hand-pump,  is  the  distinctive  appellation  of  the  common  small 
pump.     Superseded  by  Downton  and  others. 

PUMP-BARREL  The  wooden  tube  which  forms  the  body  of  the  machine, 
and  wherein  the  piston  moves. 

PUMP-BOLTS.  Saucer-headed  bolts  to  attach  the  brake  to  the  pump- 
standard  and  pump-spear. 

PUMP-BRAKE.  The  handle  or  lever  of  the  old  and  simplest  form  of 
pump. 


PUMP-CARLINES PURCHASE  549 

PUMP-CARLINES.  The  framing  or  partners  on  the  upper  deck,  between 
which  the  pumps  pass  into  the  wells. 

FUMF-CHAINS.  The 'chains  to  which  the  discs,  <kc,  are  attached  in 
the  chain-pump. 

FTJMP-CISTEKNS.  Are  used  to  prevent  chips  and  other  matters  getting 
to,  and  fouling  the  action  of,  the  chain-pumps. 

PUMP-COAT.  A  piece  of  stout  canvas  nailed  to  the  pump-partners 
where  it  enters  the  upper  deck,  and  lashed  to  the  pump,  to  prevent  the 
water  from  ininning  down  when  washing  decks,  <ba 

PUMP-DALES.  Pipes  or  long  wooden  spouts  extending  from  the  chain- 
pumps  across  the  ship^  and  through  eadi  side,  serving  to  discharge  the 
water  without  wetting  the  decks. 

PUMP-FOOT.     The  lower  part,  or  well-end,  of  a'pumpi 

PUMP-GEAR  A  term  implying  any  materials  requisite  for  fitting  or 
repairing  the  pumps,  as  boxes,  leather,  <fec. 

PUMP-HOOEL  An  iron  rod  with  an  eye  and  a  hockf  used  for  drawing 
out  the  lower  pump-box  when  requisite* 

PUMPKTN,  OR  PoMPiOK.     Ciicurbita  pepo,  a  useful  vegetable  for  sea  use. 

PUMP  SHIP  1  The  order  to  the  crew  to  work  the  pumps  to  clear  the 
hold  of  water. 

PUMP-SPEAR.  The  rod  of  iron  to  which  the  upper  box  is  attached — 
and  to  the  upper  end  of  which  the  brake  is  pinned — whereby  the  pump 
is  put  in  motion. 

PUMP  SUCKS.  The  pump  atLcka  is  said  when,  all  the  water  being  drawn 
out  of  the  well,  and  air  admitted,  there  comes  up  nothing  but  froth  and 
wind,  with  a  whistling  noise,  which  is  music  to  the  fagged  seaman. 

PUMP-TACKS.  Small  iron  or  copper  tacks,  used  for  nailing  the  leather 
on  the  pump-boxes. 

PUNCH.  Aji  iron  implement  for  starting  bolts  in  a  little,  or  for  driving 
them  out)  called  a  starting  or  teeming  punch.  Also,  a  well-known  sea- 
drink,  now  adopted  in  all  countries.  It  was  introduced  from  the  East 
Indies,  and  is  said  to  derive  its  name  from  pcmck^  the  Hindostanee  word 
for  Jive,  in  allusion  to  the  number  of  its  ingredients.     (See  Boulepokoes.) 

PUNISHMENT.  The  execution  of  the  sentence  against  an  offender,  as 
awarded  by  a  court-martial,  or  adjudged  by  a  superior  officer. 

PUNISHMENT  DRILL.  Fatiguing  exercise  or  extra  drill  for  petty 
delinquencies. 

PUNK.  The  interior  of  an  excrescence  on  the  oak-tree;  used  as  tinder, 
and  better  known  as  touch-wood.     {See  Spunk.) 

PUNT.  An  Anglo-Saxon  term  still  in  use  for  a  flat-bottomed  boat,  used 
by  fishermen,  or  for  ballast  lumps,  &c, 

PUOYS.     Spiked  poles  used  in  propelling  barges  or  keels. 

PURCHASE.  Any  mechanical  power  which  increases  the  force  applied. 
It  is  of  large  importance  to  nautical  men  in  the  combinations  of  pulleys, 
as  whip,  gun-tackle,  luff-tackle,  jeer,  viol,  luff  upon  luff,  runner,  double- 
runner,  capstan,  windlass,  <lbc 


550  PURCHASE  A  C50MMISSI0N PUTHAG 

PURCHASE  A  COMMISSION,  To.  A  practice  in  our  army,  which 
has  been  aptly  termed  the  "buying  of  fetters  f  it  is  the  obtaining  prefer- 
ment at  regulated  prices.  At  present  the  total  value  of  a  commission  in 
a  regiment  of  infantry  of  the  line  ranges  from  £450  for  an  ensigncy, 
up  to  J&4540  for  a  lieutenant-colonelcy,  and  higher  in  the  other  branches 
of  the  service. 

PURCHASE-BLOCKS.  All  blocks  virtually  deserve  this  name,  but  it  is 
distinctively  given  to  those  used  in  moving  heavy  weights. 

PURCHASE-FALLS.     The  rope  rove  through  purchase-blocks. 

PURRE.  A  name  for  the  dunlin,  Tringa  alpinct,  a  species  of  sand-piper 
frequenting  our  shores  and  the  banks  of  rivers  in  winter. 

PURSE-NET.  A  peculiar  landing-net  in  fishing.  It  is  used  in  the  seine 
and  trawl  to  bewilder  the  fish,  and  prevent  their  swimming  out  when 
fairly  inside;  like  a  wire  mouse-trap. 

PURSER.  An  officer  appointed  by  the  lords  of  the  admiralty  to  take 
charge  of  the  provisions  and  slops  of  a  ship  of  war,  and  to  see  that  they 
were  carefully  distributed  to  the  officers  and  crew,  according  to  the  printed 
naval  instruction.  He  had  very  little  to  do  with  money  matters  beyond 
paying  for  short  allowance.  He  was  allowed  one-eighth  for  waste  on  all 
provisions  embarked,  and  additional  on  all  provisions  saved;  for  which  he 
paid  the  crew.     The  designation  is  now  discarded  for  that  of  pay-master. 

PURSER'S  DIP.     The  smallest  dip^jandle. 

PURSER'S  GRINS.     Sneers. 

PURSER'S  NAME.  An  assumed  one.  During  the  war,  when  pressed 
men  caught  at  every  opportunity  to  desert^  they  adopted  aliases  to  avoid 
discovery  if  retaken,  which  alias  was  handed  to  the  purser  for  entry  upon 
the  ship's  books. 

PURSER'S  POUND.  The  weight  formerly  used  in  the  navy,  by  which 
the  purser  retained  an  eighth  for  waste,  and  the  men  received  only  seven- 
eighths  of  what  was  supplied  by  government  One  of  the  complaints  of 
the  mutiny  was,  having  the  purser's  instead  of  an  honest  poimd.  This 
allowance  was  reduced  to  one-tenth. 

PURSER'S  SHIRT.  "Like  a  purser's  shirt  on  a  hand-spike;"  a  com- 
parison for  clothes  fitting  loosely. 

PURSER'S  STEWARD.  The  official  who  superintended  and  noted  down 
the  eicact  quantity  and  species  of  provisions  issued  to  the  respective  messes 
both  of  officers  and  men. 

PURSER'S  STOCKING.  A  slop  article,  which  stretched  to  any  amount 
put  into  it.     (See  Shew  a  Leg.) 

PURSUE,  To.     To  make  all  sail  in  chasa 

PUSH,  To.     To  move  a  vessel  by  poles. 

PUSHING  FOR  A  PORT.     Carrying  all  sail  to  arrive  quickly. 

PUT  ABOUT.     Go  on  the  other  tack. 

PUT  BACK,  To.     To  return  to  port— generally  the  last  left. 

PUTHAG.  A  name  on  the  Scottish  shores  for  the  porpoise;  it  is  a  Gaelic 
word  signifying  the  blower. 


PUT  INTO  PORT QUADRANT  551 

PUT  INTO  PORT,  To.      To  enter  an  intermediate  or  any  port  in  the 

course  of  a  voyage^  usually  from  stress  of  weather. 
PUT  OFF!  OR  Push  ofp.     The  order  to  boats  to  quit  the  ship  or  the 

shore. 
PUTTING  A  SHIP  IN  COMMISSION.     The  formal  ceremony  of  hoist- 

ing  the  pennant  on  the  ship  to  be  fitted.     This  act  brought  the  crew 

under  martial  law. 
PUTTING  A  STEAM-ENGINE  IN  GEAR      This  is  said  when  the 

gab  of  the  eccentric  rod  is  allowed  to  &11  upon  its  stud  on  the  gab-lever. 
PUTTOCEL     A  cormorant;  a  ravenous  fellow. 
PUTTOCK-SHROUDS.     Synonymous  with  fuUock;  a  word  in  use,  but 

not  warranted. 
PUT  TO  SEA,  To.     To  quit  a  port  or  roadstead,  and  proceed  to  the 

destination. 
PYKAR     A  herring-boat)  or  small  vessel,  treated  of  in  statute  31  Ed- 
ward III.  c.  2. 
PYKE,  To.     A  old  word  signifying  to  haul  on  a  wind. 
PYKE-MAW.     The  great  tern,  Lama  ridibundua;  a  species  of  sea-gull. 
PYKE  OFF,  To.     To  go  away  silently. 
PYPERI.     A  sort  of  vessel  made  of  several  pieces  of  wood  merely  lashed 

together;  hardly  superior  to  a  raft,  but  sharp  forward  to  cut  the  water. 
PYRAMID.     A  solid,  the  base  of  which  is  any  right-lin^d  plane  figure, 

and  its  sides  are  triangles,  having  their  vertices  meeting  in  one  point, 

named  its  vertex. 
PYROTECHNY.     The  science  of  artificial  fire-works,  including  not  only 

such  as  are  used  in  war,  but  also  those  intended  for  amusement. 


Q. 

QUADE.     An  old  word  for  unsteady. — Quade  tDind,  a  veering  one. 

QUADRANT.  A  reflecting  instrument  used  to  take  the  altitude  above 
the  horizon  of  the  sun,  moon,  or  stars  at  sea,  and  thereby  to  determine 
the  latitude  and  longitude  of  the  place,  &c.  &a  It  was  invented  by 
Hadley.  Also,  in  speaking  of  double  stars,  or  of  two  objects  near  each 
other,  the  position  of  one  component  in  reference  to  the  other  is  indicated 
by  the  terms,  north  following,  north  preceding,  south  following,  or  south 
preceding,  the  word  quadrant  being  understood — A  gunner's  quadrant, 
for  determining  the  gun's  angle  of  elevation.  The  long  arm  is  inserted 
into  the  bore,  while  the  short  one  remains  outside,  with  a  graduated  arc 
and  plummet,  showing  the  inclination.  For  depression,  on  the  contrary, 
the  long  arm  must  be  applied  to  the  &ce  of  the  piece.  Also,  a  graduated 
arc  on  the  carriage  showing,  by  an  index  on  the  trunnion,  the  gun's 


552  QUADRATE QUABTER 

elevation  above  the  plane  of  its  platform;  first  applied  by  tbe  gallant 
Captain  Brok& — ^The  mural  quadroM,  was  framed  and  fitted  with  tele- 
scope, divisions,  and  plumb-line,  firmly  attached  to  the  side  of  a  wall  built 
in  the  plane  of  the  meridian;  only  used  in  large  observatories. — SeniccU 
quadranty  consists  of  several  concentric  quadratic  arcs,  divided  into  eight 
equal  parts  by  radii,  with  parallel  right  lines  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles.  It  was  made  of  brass,  or  wood,  with  lines  drawn  from  each  side 
intersecting  one  another,  and  an  index  divided  by  sines  also,  with  90°  on 
the  limb,  and  two  sights  on  the  edge,  to  take  the  altitude  of  the  sun. 
Sometimes,  instead  of  sines,  they  were  divided  into  equal  parts.  It  was 
in  great  use  among  the  French  navigators,  from  its  solving  the  problems 
of  plane  sailing. 

QCADEATE,  To.  To  trim  a  gun  on  its  carriage  and  its  trucks;  to  adjust 
it  for  firing  on  a  level  range. 

QUADRATUIIE.  The  moon  is  said  to  be  in  quadrature  at  the  first  and 
last  quarter,  when  her  longitude  differs  90**  from  that  of  the  sun. 

QUADROON  [from  L.  quatuor^  four}  The  offspring  of  a  mulatto  woman 
and  a  white  man. 

QUAGMIRE.  A  marsh  in  which,  from  its  concave  and  impermeable 
bottom,  the  waters  remain  stagnant,  rendering  the  surface  a  quaking  bog. 

QUAKER.  A  false  or  wooden  gun;  so  called  in  allusion  to  the  '* Friends" 
not  fighting. 

QUALIFIED  PROPERTY.  Not  only  those  who  have  an  absolute  pro- 
perty in  ships  and  goods,  but  those  also  who  have  but  a  qualified  pro- 
perty therein,  may  insure  them.     {See  Equitable  Title.) 

QUALITIES.  The  register  of  the  ship's  trim,  sailing,  stowage,  &c.,  all  of 
which  are  necessary  to  her  hehaviov/r, 

QUAMINO.     A  negro. 

QUANT.  An  old  term  for  a  long  pole  used  by  the  bargemen  on  our  east 
coast;  it  is  capped  to  prevent  the  immerged  end  from  sticking  in  the  mud. 

QUARANTINE.  Is,  at  most^  a  seclusion  of  forty  days,  from  a  free  com- 
munication with  the  inhabitants  of  any  country,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
importation  of  the  plague,  or  any  other  infectious  disorder,  either  by 
persons  or  goods.  The  quarantine  laws  originated  in  the  Council  of 
Health  at  Venice  in  the  fourteenth  or  fifteenth  century.    {See  Lazabetto.) 

QUARRIL.  The  short  dart  or  arrow  shot  from  a  cross-bow;  or  the  bri- 
colle  of  the  middle  ages. 

QUARRY.     The  prey  taken  by  whalers;  a  term  borrowed  from  falconers. 

QUARTE.  In  sword  defence  was  one  of  the  four  guards,  and  also  a 
position  in  fencing. 

QUARTER.  This  term  literally  implies  one  quarter  of  the  ship,  but  in 
common  parlance  applies  to  45**  abaft  the  beam.  Thus  the  log  is  hove 
over  the  lee-quarter;  quarter  boats  hang  abafl  the  mizen-mast,  <kc. 
Again,  the  quarters  apply  to  the  divisional  batteries,  as  forward,  main, 
middle,  or  lower-decks,  forecastle,  and  quarter-deck,  and  yet  these  com- 
prise both  sides.     Close-quarters  may  be  on  any  pointy  and  the  seaman 


QUARTER QUARTERLY  ACCOUNT  553 

rather  delights  in  the  bow  attack,  using  the  bowsprit  as  his  bridge. — 

Giving  quarter.     The  custom  of  asking  and  giving  quarter  in  warfare 

originated,  it  is  said,  between  the  Dutch  and  Spaniards,  that  the  ransom 

of  an  officer  or  soldier  should  be  a  quarter  of  his  yearns  pay.     No  quarter 

is  given  to  pirates,  but  it  is  always  given  to  a  vanquished  honourable 

opponent. — Orh  the  quarter,  45**  abaft  the  beam. 
QUARTER,  F1K8T.     When  the  moon  appears  exactly  as  a  half-moon,  90® 

from  the  sun  towards  the  east,  she  is  in  the  first  quarter,  with  her 

western  half  illuminated. 
QUARTER,  Last.     When  the  moon  appears  exactly  as  a  half-moon,  and 

her  angular  distance  from  the  sun  90"*,  but  towards  the  west^  she  is  said 

to  be  in  the  last  quarter,  with  her  eastern  half  illuminated. 
QUARTER-BADGK     Artificial  galleries;  a  carved  ornament  near  the 

stem  of  those  vessels  which  have  no  quarter-galleries. 
QUARTER-BILL.     A  list  containing  the  different  stations  to  which  the 

officers  and  crew  are  quartered  in  time  of  action,  with  their  names. 
QUARTER-BLOCKS.     Blocks  fitted  under  the  quarters  of  a  yard,  on  each 

side  the  slings,  for  the  topsail-sheets,  topsail-cluelines,  and  topgallant-sheets 

to  reeve  through. 
QUARTER-BOAT.     Any  boat  is  thus  designated  which  is  hung  to  davits 

over  the  ship's  quarter. 
QUARTER-CASK.     One-half  of  a  hogshead,  or  28  imperial  gallons. 
QUARTER-CLOTHS.     Long  pieces  of  painted  canvas,  extended  on  the 

outside  of  the  quarter-netting,  from  the  upper  part  of  the  gallery  to  the 

gangway. 
QUARTER-DAVITS.     Pieces  of  iron  or  timber  with  sheaves  or  blocks  at 

their  outer  ends,  projecting  from  a  vessel's  quarters,  to  hoist  boats  up  to. 
QUARTER-DECK.     That  part  of  the  upper  deck  which  is  abaft  the 

main-mast.     {See  Deck,  and  Jack's  Quarteb-deck.) 
QUARTER-DECKERS.     Those  officera  more   remarkable  for  etiquette 

than  for  a  knowledge  of  seamanship. 
QUARTER-DECKISH.     Punctilious,  severe. 
QUARTER-DECK  NETTINGS.     See  Nettinos. 
QUARTER-DECK  OFFICERS.     A  term  implying  the   executive  in 

general;  officers  whose  places  in  action  are  there,  in  command. 
QUARTER-FAST.     See  Fast. 
QUARTER-FLOOD.    See  Flood. 
QUARTER-GALLERY.     A  sort  of  balcony  with  windows  on  the  quarters 

of  large  ships.     {See  Gallery.) 
QUARTER-GALLEY.     A  Barbary  cruiser. 
QUARTER-GUARD.     A  small  guard  posted  in  front  of  each  battalion 

in  camp. 
QUARTER-GUNNER     See  Gukner. 
QUARTER-LADDEK     From  the  quarter-deck  to  the  poop. 
QUARTERLY  ACCOUNT  OF  PROVISIONS.     A  return  sent  to  the 

Admiral  and  Yictualling  Boaixl,  at  the  expiration  of  every  three  month& 


554  QUAETBELY  BILL QUABTES-TIMBEBS 

QUARTERLY   BILL.      The  document  hj  which  officers  draw  three 

months'  personal  pay. 
QUARTERLY  RETURNS.     Those  made  eveiy  three  months  to  the 

admiral,  or  senior  officer,  of  the  offences  and  punishments,  the  officers 

serving  on  board,  <bc. 
QUARTER-MAN.     A  dockyard  officer  employed  to  superintend  a  certain 

number  of  workmen. 
QUARTER-MASTER.     A  petty  officer,  appointed  to  assist  the  master 

and  mates  in  their  several  duties,  as  stowing  the  hold,  coiling  the  cables, 

attending  the  binnacle  and  steerage,  keeping  time  by  the  watch-glasses, 

assisting  in  hoisting  the  signals,  and  keeping  his  eye  on  general  quarter- 
deck movements.     Li  the  army,  a  commissioned  officer,  ranking  with 

subalterns,  chained  with  the  more  immediate  supervision  of  quarters, 

camps,  and  the  issue  of  arms,  ammunition,  rations,  stores,  &c,  for  his 

own  regiment. 
QUARTER-MASTER  GENERAL.     Is  the  head  of  that  department  of 

the  army  which  has  charge  of  the  quartering,  encamping,  embarking, 

and  moving  of  troops,  and  of  the  supply  of  stores  connected  therewitL 
QUARTER-NETTINGS.     The  places  allotted  on  the  quarters  for  the 

stowage  of  hammocks,  which,  in  action,  serve  to  arrest  musket-balls. 
QUARTER-PIECES.    Projections  at  the  after-part  of  the  quarter,  forming 

the  boundaries  of  the  galleries. 
QUARTER-POINT.     A  subdivision  of  the  compass-card,  equal  to  T  48' 

45''  of  the  circla 
QUARTER-PORTS.     Those  made  in  the  after  side-timbers,  and  especially 

in  round-stem  vessels.     They  are  inconvenient  for  warping,  and  generally 

fitted  with  rollers. 
QUARTER-RAILS.     Narrow  moulded  planks,  reaching  from  the  stem  to 

the  gangway,  and  serving  as  a  fence  to  the  quarter-deck,  where  there  are 

no  ports  or  bulwarks. 
QUARTERS.     The  several  stations  where  the  officers  and  crew  of  a  ship 

of  war  are  posted  in  time  of  action.     (See  Battle,  Engagement,  &c.) 

But  this  term  differs  in  the  army,  for  the  soldier's  quarters  are  his  place 

of  rest    {See  Head-quarters,  Winter-quarters,  &c) 
QUARTER-SIGHTS.     The  engraved  index  on  the  base-rings  of  cannon 

in  quarter  degrees  from  point-blank  to  two  or  three  degrees  of  elevation. 
QUARTER-SLINGS.     Are  supports  attached  to  a  yard  or  other  spar  at 

one  or  both  sides  of  (but  not  in)  its  centre. 
QUARTERS  OF  THE  YARDS.     The  space  comprehended  between  the 

slings,  or  middle  and  half-way  out  on  the  yard-arms. 
QUARTER-STANCHIONS.     Strong  iron  stanchions  in  a  square-stemed 

vessel,  connecting  the  main-rail  with  the  taff-rail;  used  for  ridge-ropes  to 

extend  the  awnings. 
QUARTER-TACKLE.      A  strong  tackle  fixed  occasionally  upon   the 

quarter  of  the  main-yard,  to  hoist  heavy  bodies  in  or  out  of  the  ship. 
QUARTER-TIMBERS.     The  ^ming  timbers  in  a  vessel's  quarter. 


QUARTER-WATCH QUICK-STEP  555 

QUARTER-WATCH.     A  division  of  one-fourtli  of  the  crew  into  watches, 

which  in  light  winds  and  well-conducted  ships  is  enough;  but  the  officers 

are  in  three,  and  they  must  not  be  found  nodding. 
QUARTER-WIND.     Blowing  upon  a  vessePs  quarter,  abaft  the  main- 
shrouds. 
QUASHER     The  familiar  designation  of  a  West  India  negro. 
QUATUOR  MARIA,  or  British  Seas,  are  those  four  which  surround 

Great  Britain. 
QUAY.    See  Key. 

QUEBRADA.     From  the  Spanish  for  ravine,  or  broken  ground. 
QUEBRANTA   HUESOS    [Sp.]      Literally,  hone-hreaker.      The    great 

petrel,  ProceUaria  gigantea, 
QUECHR     A  small  Portuguese  smack. 
QUEEN  ANNE'S  FREE  GIFT.     A  sum  of  money  formerly  granted  to 

surgeons  annually,  in  addition  to  their  monthly  twopences  -  from  each 

man,  or  as  often  as  they  passed  their  accounts. 
QUEEN'S  COCKPIT.     A  mess  of  dissolute  mates  and  midshipmen  of  the 

old  Queeny  98,  who  held  a  sort  of  examination  of  ribaldry  for  a  rank 

below  that  of  gentleman. 
QUEEN'S  OWN.     Sea  provision  (when  a  queen  reigns);  similar  to  king*$ 

own, 
QUEEN'S  PARADR     The  quarter-deck. 
QUERCITRON.     Qvarcua  tinctoria,  the  name  of  a  North  American  oak, 

which  affords  a  valuable  yellow  dye. 
QUERIMAN.     A  mullet  of  Guiana,  found  in  turbid  waters^  where  it  lives 

by  suction. 
QUERPO  [Sp.  cuerpOy  body].     A  close  short  jacket : 

*' Long-quartered  pumps,  with  irowBerfe  blue, 
And  queipo  jacket,  which  last  was  new.". 

QUICKEN,  To.  In  ship-building,  to  give  anything  a  greater  curve;  as, 
to  quicken  the  sheer,  opposed  to  straightening  it. 

QUICKLIMK  That  which  is  unslacked,  good  for  cleaning  and  white- 
washing ships*  holds. 

QUICK-MARCH,  ob  Quick-step.  The  ordinary  pace  is  3^  miles  to  the 
hour,  or  110  paces  (275)  feet  to  the  minute. 

QUICKMATCH.  Used  as  a  train  to  any  charge  to  be  iBred  rapidly,  is 
made  of  cotton  threads  treated  with  a  composition  of  gunpowder,  gum, 
and  water;  and  bums  nearly  as  would  a  train  of  loose  powder. 

QUICK  RELIEF.  One  who  turns  out  speedily  to  relieve  the  watch 
before  the  sound  is  out  of  the  belL 

QUICK-SAND.  A  fine-grained  loose  sand,  into  which  a  ship  sinks  by  her 
own  weight  as  soon  as  the  water  retreats  from  her  bottom. 

QUICK  SAVER  A  span  formerly  used  to  prevent  the  courses  from 
bellying  too  much  when  o£f  the  wind. 

QUICK-STEP.    See  Quick-mabch. 


556  QUICK-WOBK QUOTA-MEN 

QUICK-WORK.  Generally  signifies  all  that  part  of  a  ship  which  is 
under  water  when  she  is  laden;  it  is  also  applied  to  that  part  of  the  inner 
upper-works  of  a  ship  above  the  covering  board.  Also,  the  short  planks 
worked  inside  between  the  ports.  In  ship-building  the  term  strictly 
applies  to  that  part  of  a  vessel's  side  which  is  above  the  chain-wales  and 
decks,  as  well  as  to  the  strakes  which  shut  in  between  the  spirkettings 
and  clamps.  In  general  parlance  quick-work  is  synonymous  with 
spirketting, 

QUID.  The  chaw  or  dose  of  tobacco  put  into  the  mouth  at  a  time.  Quid 
est  hoc  ?  asked  one,  tapping  the  swelled  cheek  of  his  messmate ;  Hoc  est 
quidj  promptly  replied  the  other. 

QUIETUS.     A  severe  blow,  a  settler. 

QUIHI.  The  sobriquet  of  the  English  stationed  or  resident  in  Bengal, 
the  literal  meaning  being,  "Who  is  there?"  It  is  the  customary  call  for 
a  servant;  one  always  being  in  attendance,  though  not  in  the  roouL 

QUILKIN.     A  west- country  term  for  a  frog. 

QUILL-DRIVER     Captain  s  clerk,  purser's  secretary,  et  hoc  genua  omne. 

QUILL-TUBES.  Those  in  use  with  port-fires  for  firing  guns  before  the 
introduction  of  detonating  and  friction  tubes.     {See  Tubes.) 

QUILTING.  A  kind  of  coating  formed  of  sinnet,  strands  of  rope,  ix., 
outside  any  vessel  containing  water.  Also,  the  giving  a  man  a  beating 
with  a  rope's  end. 

QUINCUNX.  Forming  a  body  of  men  chequerwise.  A  method  of  sur- 
veying a  coast  by  five  vessels  in  quincunx  was  proposed  by  A  Dalrymple 
to  the  admiralty,  when  that  board  would  not  have  allowed  of  the  employ- 
ment of  one. 

QUINK.  A  name  in  the  Orkneys  for  the  golden-eyed  duck.  Anas 
cUmgvUa, 

QUINTAL.     A  commercial  weight  of  a  hundred  pounds. 

QUINTANR  An  early  military  sporty  to  try  the  agility  of  our  country 
youth. 

QUINTK     The  fifth  guard  in  fencing. 

QUISCHENS.  The  old  term  for  cuisses,  the  pieces  of  armour  which  pro- 
tected the  thighs. 

QUITTANCE.  A  release  or  dischai^  in  writing  for  a  sum  of  money  or 
other  duty,  which  ought  to  be  paid  or  done  on  the  ship's  account. 

QUOD.     Durance,  prison. 

QUOIN.  A  wooden  wedge  adjusted  to  support  the  breech  of  a  gun,  so  as 
to  give  the  muzzle  the  required  elevation  or  depression.  Also,  one  of  the 
mechanical  powers. 

QUOINS.  Are  employed  to  wedge  off  casks  of  liquids  from  each  other, 
and  steady  them,  in  order  that  their  bilges  may  not  rub  at  sea,  and 
occasion  leaks. 

QUOST.     The  old  spelling  of  coast.     See  Eliot's  Dictioncme,  1559. 

QUOTA-MEN.  Those  raised  for  the  navy  at  enormous  expense  by  Pitt's 
quota-bill,  in  1795,  under  bounties  of  from  £20  to  £60. 


RACKING  A  TACKLE  557 


R. 

R.  In  the  muster-book  means  rurif  and  is  placed  against  thoee  who  have 
deserted,  or  missed  three  musters. 

II.A.     See  Right  Ascension. 

RABANET,  or  Rabinet.  A  small  slender  piece  of  ordnance,  formerly  used 
for  ships'  barricadoes.  It  had  a  one-inch  bore,  which  carried  about  a 
half-pound  ball. 

RABBET,  OR  Rebatk  An  angular  incision  cut  longitudinally  in  a  piece  of 
timber,  to  receive  the  ends  of  a  number  of  planks,  to  be  securely  fastened 
therein.  Thus  the  ends  of  the  lower  planks  of  a  ship's  bottom  terminate 
upon  the  stem  afore,  and  on  the  stern-post  abaft.  The  surface  of  the 
garboard  streak,  whose  edge  is  let  into  the  keel,  is  in  the  same  manner 
level  with  the  side  of  the  keel  at  the  extremities  of  the  vessel.  They  are 
therefore  termed  stem,  stem,  or  keel  rabbets. 

RACK  Strong  currents  producing  overfalls,  dangerous  to  small  craft. 
They  may  be  produced  by  narrow  channels,  crossing  of  tides,  or  uneven 
bottoms.  Such  are  the  races  of  Portland,  Alderney,  <kc.  Also,  a  mill- 
race,  or  tail-course. 

RACE,  To.     Applies  to  marking  timber  with  the  race-tool. 

RACE-HORSK  {Alca  ?)  A  duck  of  the  South  Seas;  thus  named,  says 
Cook,  for  "the  great  swiftness  with  which  they  run  on  the  water."  Now 
called  a  steamer. 

RACK.  The  superior  stratum  of  clouds,  or  that  moving  rapidly  above  the 
scud.  The  line  in  which  the  clouds  are  driven  by  the  wind,  is  called  the 
rack  of  the  weather.  In  Shakspeare's  beautiful  thirty-third  sonnet  the 
sun  rises  in  splendour,  but — 

**  Anon  permits  the  basest  clonds  to  ride 
With  ugly  rack  on  his  celestial  face. 
And  from  the  forlorn  world  his  visage  hide, 
Stealing  unseen  to  west  with  this  disgrace.'' 

Also,  a  frame  of  timber  containing  several  sheaves,  as  a  fair  leader.     Also, 

various  rails  for  belaying  pins. — To  rack.     To  seize  two  ropes  together, 

with  racking  or  cross-turns. 
RACK-BAR.     A  billet  of  wood  used  for  twisting  the  bight  of  a  swifter 

round,  in  order  to  bind  a  raft  firmly  together. 
RACK-BLOCK.     A  range  of  sheaves  cut  in  one  piece  of  wood,  for  running 

ropes  to  lead  through. 
RACK-HURRY.     The  tram-way  on  which  coal-waggons  run  to  a  hurry, 
RACKING.     Spun-yam  or  other  stuff  used  to  rack  two  parts  of  a  rope 

together. 
RACKING  A  TACKLE  or  LANNIARD.     The  fastening  two  running 

parts  together  with  a  seizing;  so  as  to  prevent  it  from  rendering  through 

the  blocks. 


558  RACKING-TURNS RAINS 

RACKING-TURNS.    See  Nipperino. 

RACK-RIDER.  The  name  of  the  samlet  in  northern  fisheiies,  so  called 
because  it  generally  appears  in  bad  weather. 

RADDLE,  To.     To  interlace;  as  in  making  boats'  gripes  and  flat  gaskets. 

RADE  [Fr.]     An  old  spelling  of  the  sea-term  road.     {See  Road.) 

RADIUS.     The  semi-diameter  of  a  circle^  limb  of  a  sextant^  <fec 

RADIUS-BAR  op  Parallel  Motion.  An  intervening  lever  for  guiding 
the  side-rods  of  a  steam-engine. 

RADIUS-VECTOR  An  imaginary  line  joining  the  centres  of  the  sun 
and  a  planet  or  comet  in  any  point  of  its  orbit. 

RADUS.     A  term  used  for  the  constellation  Eridanus. 

RAFT.  A  sort  of  float  formed  by  an  assemblage  of  casks,  planks,  or  pieces 
of  timber,  fastened  together  with  swifters  and  rafb-dogs  side  by  side,  as 
well  as  tier  upon  tier.  The  timber  and  plank  with  which  merchant 
ships  are  laden  in  the  different  ports  of  the  Baltic,  are  attached  together 
in  this  manner,  in  order  to  float  them  off  to  the  shipping;  but  the  rails 
of  North  America  are  the  most  gigantic  in  the  world.  Also,  a  kind  of 
floating  bridge  of  easy  construction  for  the  passage  of  rivers  by  troops,  &c, 

RAFT-DOG.  A  broad  flat  piece  of  iron,  having  a  sharp  point  at  each 
end,  with  the  extremities  bent  at  right  angles.  There  are  also  dog- 
hooks,  having  the  shoulder  bent  into  a  hook,  by  which  the  rafl-chains  are 
secured,  or  suddenly  thrown  off  and  released. 

RAFTING.     Conveying  goods  by  floating,  as  by  rafl-chains,  lashings,  &c 

RAFT-FORT.  A  large  square  hole,  framed  and  cut  through  the  buttocks 
of  some  ships,  immediately  under  the  counter — or  forward  between  the 
breast-hooks  of  the  bow — to  load  or  unload  timber. 

RAG-BOLTS.  Those  which  are  jagged  or  barbed,  to  prevent  working  in 
their  holes,  and  to  make  them  hold  more  securely.     The  same  as  barb-holts. 

RAILS.  Narrow  pieces  of  wood,  with  mouldings  as  ornaments,  mortised 
into  the  heads  of  stanchions,  or  nailed  for  ornament  on  several  parts  of  a 
ship's  upper  works. 

RAILS  OF  THE  HEAD.  Curved  pieces  of  timber  extending  from  the 
bows  on  each  side  to  the  continuation  of  the  ship's  stem,  to  support  the 
knee  of  the  head,  &c. 

RAILS  OF  THE  STERN.     (See  Stern-rails.) 

RAINBOW. 

"  A  rainbow  towards  night, 
Fair  weather  in  Bight. 
Rainbow  at  night, 
Sailor's  delight; 
Rainbow  in  morning, 
Sailors,  take  warning." 

RAIN-CLOUD.     See  Nimbus. 

RAINS.  Belts  or  zones  of  calms,  where  heavy  rain  prevails;  they  exist 
between  the  north-east  and  south-east  trade-winds,  changing  their  latitude 
several  degrees,  depending  on  the  sun's  declination.  In  India  ^< the  rains" 
come  in  with  the  S.W.  monsoon. 


RAISE RAMP  559 

RAISE,  To.  To  make  an  object  subtend  a  larger  angle  by  approacbiog  it^ 
which  is  the  foundation  of  perspective,  and  an  effect  increased  by  the 
sphericity  of  our  globe :  the  opposite  of  laying  (which  see). 

EAISE  A  SIEGE,  To.     To  abandon  or  cause  the  abandonment  of  a  siege. 

RAISED  UPON.     When  a  vessel  is  heightened  in  her  upper  works. 

RAISE-NET.  A  kind  of  staked  net  on  our  northern  shores,  so  called 
from  rising  and  falling  with  the  tide. 

RAISE  OB  RISE  TACKS  AND  SHEETS.  The  lifting  the  clues  of 
the  courses,  previously  to  bracing  round  the  yards  in  tacking  or  wearing. 

RAISE  THE  METAL,  To.  To  elevate  the  breech,  and  depress  thereby 
the  muzzle  of  a  gun. 

RAISE  THE  WIND,  To.  To  make  an  exertion;  to  cast  about  for 
funds. 

RAISING  A  MOUSE.  The  process  of  making  a  lump  on  a  stay.  {See 
Mouse.) 

RAISING  A  PURCHASE.  The  act  of  disposing  certain  machines,  so 
that,  by  their  mutual  effects,  they  may  produce  sufficient  force  to  over- 
come the  weight  or  resistance  of  the  object  to  which  this  machinery  is 
applied. 

RAKE.  The  projection  of  the  upper  parts  of  a  ship,  at  both  ends,  beyond 
the  extremities  of  the  keel.  Also,  the  deviation  of  the  masts  from  the 
vertical  line  ofposition^  reckoned  from  the  keel  forward  or  aft. 

RAKING.  Cannonading  a  ship,  so  that  the  shot  shall  range  in  the 
direction  of  her  whole  length  between  decks,  called  a  raking  fire;  and  is 
similar  to  military  enfilading. 

RAKISH.  Said  of  a  ship  when  she  has  the  appearance  of  force  and  fast 
sailing. 

RALLYING  SQUARR  That  formed  by  skirmishers  or  dispersed  troops 
when  suddenly  menaced  by  cavalry,  each  man  as  he  runs  in  successively 
placing  himself  with  his  back  close  against  those  already  formed. 

RAM.  A  long  spar,  iron-hooped  at  the  ends,  used  for  driving  out  blocks 
from  beneath  a  vessel's  keel,  and  for  driving  planks  an  end  while  only 
wedged  to  the  ship's  side.  Also,  a  new  rating  in  the  navy.  {See  Steam- 
ram.) 

RAM  BADE.  The  elevated  platform  built  across  the  prow  of  a  galley,  for 
boarding,  <fec. 

RAMED.  The  state  of  a  ship  on  the  stocks,  when  all  the  frames  are  set 
upon  the  keel,  the  stem  and  stem-post  put  up,  and  the  whole  adjusted  by 
the  ram-line. 

RAM-HEAD.     An  old  word  for  halliard-block. 

RAM  HOME,  To.     To  drive  home  the  ammunition  in  a  gun. 

RAMMER  A  cylindrical  block  of  wood  nearly  fitting  the  bore  of  a 
cannon,  and  fastened  on  a  wooden  staff;  used  in  loading  to  drive  home 
the  charge  of  a  cannon. 

RAMP.  An  oblique  or  sloping  interior  road  to  mount  the  terre-plein  of 
the  rampart. 


560 


BAMPABT 


BANK 


RAMPART.  An  artificial  embankment  surrounding  a  fortified  place, 
capable  of  covering  the  buildings  from  view,  and  of  resisting  the  cannon  of 
an  enemy.    Generally  having  a  parapet  on  its  top,  and  a  wall  for  its  front. 

RAMPER-EEL.     A  name  of  the  lamprey,  Petromyzon  marinus, 

RAM-REEL.     Synonymous  with  btdl-dance. 

RAMROD.  In  muzzle-loading,  is  the  implement  used  in  charging  a  piece, 
to  drive  home  the  powder  and  shot. 

RAMSHACKLE.     Out  of  repair  and  ungainly;  disorderly. 

RAN.     Yams  coiled  on  a  spun-yam  winch. 

R  ANCK     The  strut  or  support  of  a  Congreve  rocket 

RANDAN.     A  mode  of  rowing  with  alternate  long  and  short  oars. 

RANDOM  SHOT.  A  shot,  or  coup  perdt^  made  when  the  muzzle  is 
highly  elevated;  the  utmost  range  may  be  at  an  angle  of  45*,  which  is  sup- 
posed to  carry  about  ten  times  as  far  as  the  point  blank;  but  improved 
gunnery  has  now  put  the  term  out  of  use. 

RANGE,  Placed  in  a  line  or  row;  a  term  hydrographically  applied  to 
hills,  as  "  the  coast-range."     Also,  galley-range,  or  fire-grate. 

RANGE,  To..  To  sail  in  a  parallel  direction,  and  near  to;  as  "we  ranged 
the  coast;"  "  the  enemy  came  ranging  up  alongside  of  us." 

RANGE-HEADS.     The  vnndlass-biUa  (which  see). 

RANGE  OF  A  GUN.  The  horizontal  distance  which  it  will  send  a  shot, 
at  a  stated  elevation,  to  the  point  of  its  first  graze.  Also,  a  place  where 
gim-practice  is  carried  on.  Also,  a  level  range  implies  the  gun  lying 
horizontal.  The  various  positions  between  this  and  45°  are  called  inter- 
mediate ranges. 

RANGE  OF  CABLE.  A  sufficient  quantity  of  cable  left  slack  to  allow 
the  anchor  to  reach  the  ground  before  the  cable  is  checked  by  the  double 
turns  round  the  bitts,  the  object  being  to  let  the  anchor  hook  the 
bottom  quickly,  and  to  prevent  the  heavy  shock  which  would  be  caused 
if  its  weight  were  suddenly  brought  upon  the  bitts. 

RANGES,  Horned.  Pieces  of  timber  containing  belaying  pins,  inside  a 
ship.     Also,  pieces  of  oak  placed  round  the  hatchways  to  contain  shot. 

RAN  EL  Degree  of  dignity;  officers  of  the  navy  rank  with  those  of  the 
army  according  to  the  following  table : — 

1.  The  Admirals  of  the  Fleet 

2.  Admirals 

3.  Yice-admiralB 

4.  Bear-admirals 
6.  Captains  of  the  Fleet ) 

6.  Commodores  ) 

7.  Captains  of  3  years 

8.  Captains  under  3  years 

9.  Commanders 

10.  Lieutenants,  8  years 

11.  Lieutenants,  under  8  years 

12.  Suh-lieutenants 

13.  Midshipmen 

Also,  the  order  or  straight  line  made  by  men  drawn  up  side  by  side. 


rank  with  . 

Field-marshals. 

•                »♦ 

.    Generals. 

»» 

.    Lieutenant-generals. 

»» 

.     Major-generals. 

»» 

.    Brigadier-generals. 

»i 

.    Colonels. 

»> 

.     Lieutenant-colonels. 

next  to 

Do. 

rank  with    . 

Majors. 

•                »» 

.     Captains. 

»» 

Lieutenants. 

•                i»        • 

Ensigns. 

RANK  AND  FILE RATE  561 

RANK  AND  FILE.  This  word  includes  corporals  as  well  as  privates, 
all  below  sergeants.     (See  File.) 

RANSACK,  To.  To  pillage;  but  to  ransack  the  hold  is  merely  to  overhaul 
its  contents. 

RANSOM.  Money  paid  for  the  liberty  of  a  war-prisoner,  a  city,  or  for  the 
restoration  of  a  captured  vessel:  formerly  much  practised  at  sea.  It  then 
fell  into  disuse,  but  was  revived  for  a  time  in  the  seventeenth  century. 
At  length  the  greater  maritime  powers  prohibited  the  offering  or  accepting 
such  ransoms.  By  English  law,  all  such  securities  shall  be  absolutely 
void;  and  he  who  enters  into  any  such  contract  shall  forfeit  £500  on  con- 
viction. A  privateer  taking  ransom  forfeits  her  letters  of  marque,  and 
her  commander  is  pujiishable  with  a  heavy  penalty  and  imprisonment. 

RAPER.     An  old  term  for  a  rope-maker. 

RAP-FULL.  Applies  to  a  ship  on  a  wind,  when  "keep  her  rap  full ! " 
meansy  do  not  come  too  close  to  the  wind,  or  lift  a  wrinkle  of  the  sail. 

RAPID.  A  slope,  down  which  water  runs  with  more  than  ordinary 
rapidity,  but  not  enough  to  be  called  a  "fall;"  and  sometimes  navigable 
by  boats. 

RAPPAREE.     A  smuggler,  or  one  who  lives  on  forced  hospitality. 

RASK  An  archaism  for  a  channel  of  the  sea^  and  not  a  mispronunciation 
of  rctce  (which  see). 

RASEE.  A  line-of-battle  ship  with  her  upper  works  taken  off,  or  reduced 
a  deck,  to  lighten  her;  some  of  the  old  contract-built  ships  of  the  line, 
yclept  "  Forty  Thieves,"  were  thus  converted  into  heavy  frigates,  as  the 
Duncan,  America,  War  spite,  &q, 

RASH.     A  disease  which  attacks  trees  that  have  ceased  to  grow. 

RASING.  Marking  timber  by  the  ra^dng-hnife,  which  has  a  peculiar  blade 
hooked  at  its  pointy  as  well  as  a  centre-pin  to  describe  circles. 

RASING-IRON.  A  tool  for  clearing  the  pitch  and  oakum  out  of  the 
seams,  previous  to  their  being  caulked  afresh. 

RAT.  A  term  for  one  who  changes  his  party  for  interest:  from  rats  desert- 
ing vessels  about  to  sink.  These  mischievous  vermin  are  said  to  have 
increased  after  the  economical  expulsion  of  cats  from  our  dockyards. 
Thus,  in  the  petition  from  the  ships-in-ordinary,  to  be  allowed  to  go  to  sea, 
even  to  carry  passengers,  we  read : — 

"  Tho*  it  was  hemigrants  or  sodgers — 
Anything  afore  them  rata, 
Which  now  they  is  our  only  lodgers; 
For  well  they  knows,  the  artful  dodgers, 
The  Board  won^t  stand  th*  expense  of  cats." 

Injury  done  by  rats  is  not  included  in  a  policy  of  insurance.   Also,  a  rapid 

stream  or  race,  derived  from  sharp  rocks  beneath,  which  injure  the  cable. 
RATCHER.     An  old  term  for  a  rock. 
RATCHET.     A  saw-toothed  wheel  in  machinery,  as  the  winch,  windlass, 

kc,  in  which  the  paul  catches. 
RATE.     A  tariff  or  customs  rolL     Also,  the  six  orders  into  which  the  ships 

of  war  were  divided  in  the  navy,  according  to  their  force  and  magnitude. 

2n 


562  I^TB RAVELIN 

Thus  thejirat  rate  comprelien<led  all  ships  of  110  guns  and  upwards,  having 
42-pounders  on  the  lower  deck,  diminishing  to  6-pounders  on  the  quarter- 
deck and  forecastle.  They  were  manned  with  850  to  875  men,  including 
officers,  seamen,  marines,  servants,  &a — Second  rate.  Ships  carrying  from 
90  to  100  guns. — Third  rate.  Ships  from  80  to  84  guns. — Fourth  rate. 
Ships  from  60  to  74  guns;  these  were  comprehended  under  the  general 
names  of  frigates,  and  never  appeared  in  the  line  of  battle. — Fifth  rate. 
Mounting  from  32  to  40,  or  even  60  guns. — ^And  Sixth  rate.  Mounting 
frx)m  any  number,  or  no  guns,  if  commanded  by  captains;  those  com- 
manded by  commanders  were  deemed  sloops.  Since  the  late  introduction 
of  massive  iron,  a  captain  may  command  but  one  gun. 

RATE  A  CHRONOMETEE,  To.  To  determine  its  daily  gaining  or  losing 
rate  on  mean  time. 

RATED  SHIP.  Synonymous  with  post^hip  in  former  times;  the  term 
ship  alone  now  infers  that  it  is  a  captain's  command,  whilst  sloop  means 
a  commander's. 

RATEL  A  (Gaelic  term  in  use  for  rajt — a  timber  raft;  it  is  also  an  ancient 
earthen  fort. 

RATING.     The  station  a  person  holds  on  the  ship's  books. 

RATION.  Each  man's  daily  allowance  of  provisions:  including,  in  the 
army,  fuel  and  forage  to  man  and  horse.  ^ 

RATIONAL  HORIZON.    See  Horizon. 

RATLINES,  OB  Ratlixos.  Small  lines  which  traverse  the  shrouds  of  a 
ship  (at  distances  of  15  or  16  inches)  horizontally  from  the  deck  upwards, 
and  are  made  firm  by  jamming  clove-hitches;  they  form  a  series  of  steps, 
like  the  rounds  of  a  ladder. 

RAT'S-TAIL.  The  tapering  end  of  a  rope.  Also,  the  round  tapered  file 
for  enlarging  holes  in  metal 

RATTAN  [Malay,  rotan].  One  of  the  genus  Calamtis,  used  for  wicker- 
work,  seats  of  chairs,  ^a  In  the  eastern  seaa  they  constitute  the  chief 
cables,  even  to  42  inches  circumference,  infinitely  stronger  than  hemp, 
light,  and  not  easily  chafed  by  rocks;  very  useful  also  to  seamen  for 
brooms,  hoops,  hanks  for  sails,  &e, 

RATTLE  DOWN  RIGGING,  To;  ob,  To  Rattle  the  Shbouds.  To 
fix  the  ratlines  in  a  line  parallel  to  the  vessel's  set  on  the  water. 

RAUN.  An  old  Manx  term  for  a  seal  In  the  north  it  implies  the  roe  of 
salmon,  used  as  a  bait. 

RAUNER.  A  northern  term  for  the  female  salmon,  aa  having  the  raun 
or  roe. 

RAVE-HOOK.  In  ship  carpentry,  a  hooked  iron  tool  used  when  enlarging 
the  butts  for  receiving  a  sufficient  quantity  of  oakum. 

RAYELIN.  In  fortification,  an  outwork  consisting  of  two  long  faces 
meeting  in  a  salient  angle,  covering  the  curtain,  and,  generally,  the 
shoulders  of  the  bastions ;  it  affords  a  powerful  defence  to  the  ground  in 
fr^nt  of  the  latter,  which  may  rarely  be  approached  till  after  the  fidl  of 
the  ravelin. 


BAYINE BEBELS  563 

EAYINE.     A  deep  chasm  through  which  the  rains  ore  carried  off  elevated 

lands. 
RAY.     A  line  of  sight     Also,  a  flat  rhomboidal  flsh  with  a  rough  skin; 

genus,  J^aict. 
BAZE,  To.     To  level  or  demolish  (applicable  to  works  or  buildings). 
BAZED.     Fortifications  are  said  to  be  razed  when  totally  demolished. 
BAZOB-BACK.     The  fin-whale  (BcUcmoptera),  so  called  firom  its  prominent 

dorsal  fin.     It  usually  attains  the  length  of  70  feet. 
BAZOB-BILL.     A  sea-fowl  allied  to  the  auks,  Alca  torda. 
BEACH^  OB  Batch.     A  straight  part  of  a  navigable  river;  the  distance 

between  any  two  elbows  on  the  banks,  wherein  the  current  flows  in  unin- 
terrupted course. 
BEACHINCr.     Sometimes  used  for  standing  ofl*  and  on :  a  vessel  is  also 

said  to  be  on  a  reach,  when  she  is  sailing  by  the  wind  upon  any  tack.    A 

vessel  also  reaches  ahead  of  her  adversary. 
BEADY  ABOUT!  ob  Bkady  OhI     The  order  to  prepare  for  tacking, 

each  man  to  his  station.     (See  About.) 
BEADY  WITH  THE  LEAD !     A  caution  when  the  vessel  is  luffed  up 

to  deaden  her  way,  followed  by  "  heave." 
BEAL.     A  silver  coin  of  Spain,  value  5d.  sterling.      One-eighth  of  a 

dollar. 
BEALILLO.     A  small  Spanish  silver  coin,  value  half  a  real 
BEAM^OB  Beeh  Out,  To.     To  enlarge  the  bore  of  a  cannon  with  a 

special  tool,  so  that  it  may  take  a  larger  projectile. 
BEAMING.     Fishing  vessels  shifting  their  quarters  while  fishing.     This 

word  is  often  used  for  reeming  (which  see). 
BEAB.     An  epithet  for  anything  situated  behind  another,  as  the  hindmost 

portion  of  a  fleet  or  army.     {See  Division.)    To  rea/r  an  object  in  view, 

is  to  rise  or  approach  it. 
BEAB-ADMIBAL.     The  officer  in  command  of  the  third  division  of  a 

fleet,  whose  flag  is  at  the  mizen. 
BEAB-GUABD.     That  part  of  the  army  which  brings  up  and  protects 

the  rear. 
BEABING.     The  upper-works  tumbling  home,  or  being  wall-sided. 
BEAB-BANK.    The  last  rank  of  a  body  of  men  drawn  up  in  simple  line. 
BEAB-SHIP.     The  stemmost  ship  of  a  fleet 
BE-ASSEMBLE.     To  gather  together  a  fleet,  or  convoy,  after  having  been 

scattered. 
BE  A  STY.     Bancid  or  rusty  pork  or  butter,  &c. 
BEAYEL,  OB  Baffle.     To  entangle;  to  knot  confusedly  together. 
BEBALLING.     The  catching  of  eels  with  earth-worms  attached  to  a  ball 

of  lead  suspended  by  a  string  from  a  pole. 
BEBATE.    See  Discount. 
BEBATES.     The  grooves  formed  on  each  side  of  the  keel,  stem,  or  stem- 

post)  to  receive  the  planks.     {See  Babbet.) 
BEBELS.    Bevolters  and  mutineers;  in  admiralty  law  the  same  as  enemies. 


564  BECEIYEBS BED-HOT  BALI3 

RECEIYEBS  of  Droits  of  Admibaltt.  Now  termed  rtodven  of  wreck 
(which  see). 

EECEIVERS  OF  WEECK  Penons  speciaUj  chaiged  with  wrecked 
property  for  the  benefit  of  the  shipping  interests. 

RECEIVING-SHIP.  At  any  port,  to  receive  supernumerary  seamen,  or 
entered  or  impressed  men  for  the  royal  navy. 

RECIPROCAl^     The  alternate  motion  balancing  a  steam-engine. 

RECIPROCITY.  The  enlarging  or  contracting  particular  admii'alty 
statutes,  to  meet  the  usages  of  foreign  powers. 

RECKONING,  Ship's.  The  ship's  position  resulting  from  the  courses 
steered,  and  distances  run  by  log,  brought  up  from  the  last  astronomical 
observations.  If  unaccompanied  by  corrections  for  longitude  by  chro- 
nometer, and  for  latitude,  it  is  termed  only  the  dead  reckoning. 

RECOIL.  The  running  in  of  a  gun  when  discharged,  which  backward 
motion  is  caused  by  the  force  of  l^e  fire. 

RECONNAISSANCE.  A  word  adopted  from  the  French,  as  meaning  a 
nulitaiy  or  nautical  examination  of  a  place. 

RECONNOITRING.  Sailing  within  gunshot  of  an  enemy's  port  to  ascer- 
tain his  strength  and  capabilities  for  offence  and  defence.  Also,  a  rapid 
examination  of  coasts  and  countries,  for  correcting  the  defects  of  many 
previous  maps  and  charts. 

RECREANT.     This  term  was  for  him  who  had  yielded  in  single  combat. 

RECTA  PRISA  REGIS.  In  law,  the  sovereign's  right  to  prisage,  or  one 
pipe  of  wine  before,  and  another  behind  the  masts,  as  customary  in  every 
cargo  of  wine. 

RECTIFIER.  An  instrument  used  for  determining  the  variation  of  the 
compass^  in  order  to  rectify  the  ship's  course,  &c  It  consists  of  two 
circles,  either  laid  upon  or  let  into  one  another,  and  so  fastened  together 
in  their  centres  that  they  represent  two  compasses,  the  one  fixed,  the 
other  movable;  each  is  divided  into  32  points  of  the  compass,  and  360*', 
and  numbered  both  ways  from  the  north  and  the  south,  ending  at  the 
east  and  west  in  90°.  The  fixed  compass  represents  the  horizon,  in  which 
the  north  and  all  the  other  points  are  liable  to  variation. 

REI>AN.  The  simplest  form  of  regular  fortification,  consisting  of  two 
faces  meeting  in  a  salient  angle;  generally  applied  in  connection  with 
other  works. 

REDD.  The  spawn  of  fish.  Also,  the  burrow  scooped  out  by  salmon  in 
which  to  deposit  their  ova. 

REDD-FISH.  A  northern  general  term  for  fishes  in  the  spawning  state, 
but  particularly  applied  t«  salmon. 

REDEMPTIONER.  One  who  purchases  his  release  from  obligation  to 
the  master  of  a  ship^  by  his  services;  or  one  whose  services  are  sold  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  his  passage  to  America  or  elsewhere. 

REDHIBITION.     An  action  to  annul  or  set  aside  a  contract  of  sale. 

RED-HOT  BALLS.  Shot  made  red-hot  in  a  furnace,  and  in  that  state 
discharged  at  the  enemy.     The  loading  is  managed  with  wet  wads. 


REDOUBT EEEF-POINTS  5C5 

KEDOUBT.  An  inclosed  work,  differing  from  a  fort,  in  that  its  parts  do 
not  flank  one  another. 

RED  PINE.  Pinvs  rvhrc^  the  red  spruce;  the  timber  of  which  is  pre- 
ferred throughout  the  United  States  for  yards,  and  imported  for  that 
purpose  into  Liverpool  from  Nova  Scotia. 

HEDUCE,  To.  To  degrade  to  a  lower  rank;  or  to  shorten  the  allowance 
of  water  or  provisions. 

REDUCE  A  CHARGE,  To.  To  diminish  the  contents  of  a  cartridge, 
sometimes  requisite  during  heavy  firing. 

REDUCE  A  PLACE,  To.  To  compel  its  commander  to  surrender,  or 
vacate  it  by  capitulation. 

REDUCTION  OF  Celestial  Observations.  The  process  of  calculation, 
by  which  observations  are  rendered  subservient  to  utility. 

REEF.  A  certain  portion  of  a  sail  comprehended  between  the  head  of 
a  sail  and  any  of  the  reef-bands.  The  intention  of  each  reef  is  to  reduce 
the  sail  in  proportion  to  the  increase  of  the  wind ;  there  are  also  reefs 
parallel  to  the  foot  or  bottom  of  large  sails,  extended  upon  booms. — 
Close-reefed  is  when  all  the  reefs  of  the  top-sails  are  taken  in. — Reef  is 
also  a  group  or  continuous  chain  of  rocks,  sufficiently  near  the  surface 
of  the  water  to  occasion  its  breaking  over  them.  {See  Fringinq-beefs 
and  Barrier-reefs.) 

REEF-BAND.  A  narrow  band  of  canvas  sewed  on  the  reef-line  to  support 
the  strain  of  the  reef-points.  It  is  pierced  with  eyelet-holes,  through 
which  the  points  are  passed  each  way  with  a  running  eye. 

REEF-CRINGLES.    See  Cringles. 

REEF-EARINGS.     See  Earings. 

REEFED  TOPMAST.  When  a  topmast  is  sprung  in  or  near  the  cap, 
the  lower  piece  is  cut  off,  and  a  new  fid-hole  cut,  by  which  the  mast  is 
reefed  or  shortened. 

REEFERS.  A  ^miliar  term  for  midshipmen,  because  they  have  to  attend 
in  the  tops  during  the  operation  of  taking  in  reefs. 

REEF-KNOT.  Is  one  in  which  the  ends  fall  always  in  a  line  with  the 
outer  parts;  in  fact,  two  loops,  easy  to  untie,  never  jamming.  That  with 
the  second  tie  across,  is  teimed  a  granny's  knot. 

REEF-LINK  Casual  aids  in  bad  weather  to  help  the  men  at  the  earings. 
When  the  vessel  was  going  fi-ee,  and  the  sail  could  not  be  "spilled,"  the 
men  were,  if  blowing  hard,  often  aided  by  passing  the  studding-sail  hal- 
yards loosely  round  the  sail,  clewed  up  spirally  from  yard-arm  to  bunt. 

REEF-PENDANT.  A  rope  going  through  a  cringle  in  the  after-leech  of 
a  boom  mainsail,  and  through  a  check  sheave-hole  in  the  boom,  with  a 
tackle  attached  to  its  end  to  bowse  the  afber-leech  down  to  the  boom  by 
which  the  sail  is  held  reefed.  On  the  lower  yards  it  is  a  pendant  for  a 
similar  purpose  as  the  reef-tackle. 

REEF-POINTS.  Small  flat  pieces  of  plaited  cordage  or  soft  rope,  tapering 
from  the  middle  towards  each  end,  whose  length  is  nearly  double  the 
circumference  of  the  yard,  and  used  for  the  purpose  of  tying  up  the  sail 


566  KEEF-TACKLES REFRACTION 

in  the  act  of  reefing;  they  are  made  fast  by  their  eyes  on  each  side  of 
the  eyelet-holes. 

BEEF-TACKLES,  are  indeed  pendants  and  tackle&  The  pendant  is  rove 
through  the  sister-block,  then  a  sheave  in  the  yard-arm,  and  secured  to 
a  strong  cringle  beneath  the  close  ree^  sometimes  through  a  block,  and 
the  end  secured  to  the  yard-arm.  Within  the  sister-block  it  becomes  a 
gun-tackle  purchase,  with  the  fall  leading  on  deck.  The  reef-tackles  are 
hauled  out,  and  the  other  aids  complete,  before  the  men  are  sent  aloft 

REEF-TACKLE  SPAN.  Two  cringles  in  the  bolt-rope,  about  a  couple  of 
feet  apart^  when  a  block  is  used. 

KEELS.  Well-known  wheels  moving  round  an  axis,  and  serving  to 
wind  various  lines  upon,  as  the  log-reel  for  the  log-line,  deep-sea  reel 
(which  contains  the  deep-sea  line,  amounting  to  150  or  200  &thoms)^  spun- 
yam  reel,  <fec.     "  She  went  10  knots  off  the  reel" — i,e.  by  the  log-line. 

REEMING.  A  term  used  by  caulkers  for  opening  the  seams  of  the  plank 
with  reeming-irons,  that  the  oakum  may  be  more  readily  admitted.  This 
may  be  a  corruption  of  riTner,  for  opening  circular  holes  in  metaL 

KEEMINQ-BEETLE.    A  caulker's  largest  mallet 

BEEMING-IE.ON.    The  lai^er  iron  used  by  caulkers  in  opening  the  seams. 

RE-ENTERING  ANGLR  In  fortification,  is  an  angle  whose  vertex 
points  inward,  or  towards  the  placa 

REEVE,  To.  To  pass  the  end  of  a  rope  through  any  cavity  or  aperture, 
as  the  channel  of  a  block;  to  unreeve  is  the  opposite. 

REEVING.  In  polar  voyaging,  following  up  serpentine  channels  in  the 
ice,  till  the  vessel  reaches  open  water,  or  reeves  the  pack. 

REFITTING.     Repairing  any  damages  which  a  ship  may  have  sustained. 

REFLECTING  CIRCLE.  An  instrument  used  instead  of  a  sextant, 
quintant^  or  quadrant;  but  the  quintant  embraces  as  much — viz.  152 
degrees.  The  instrument  reflects  a  celestial  or  any  distant  object  so  as 
to  bring  the  image  into  contact  with  any  object  seen  direct^  by  which 
their  angular  distance  is  measured,  as  in  lunar  distances. 

REFLECTION,  Angle  of.  Whether  the  instance  be  a  ray  of  light  or 
a  cannon-ball,  the  angle  of  reflection  will  always  be  found  equal  to  the 
angle  of  incidence. 

REFLUX.  The  ebbing  of  the  tide,  or  reflow  of  the  waters,  which  have 
been  pressed  back. 

REFORMADES.  The  sons  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  who  served  in  the 
navy  under  letters  from  Charles  IL,  and  were  allowed  table-money  and 
other  encouragements  to  raise  the  character  of  the  service. 

REFRACTING  TELESCOPE.  That  through  which  objects  sre  seen 
directly  through  its  double  object-glass. 

REFRACTION.  An  inflection  of  the  rays  of  light :  that  property  of  the 
atmosphere  which  bends  the  rays  of  light  in  their  passage  to  the  eye 
from  a  diflerent  density,  and  causes  the  altitude  of  heavenly  bodies  to 
appear  greater  than  it  really  is,  especially  near  the  horizon.     (See  Teb- 

KE8TBIAL  RefBACTIOK.) 


EEFUSAL  OF  A  PILE KKIOTOEOE  667 

BEFTJSAL  OF  A  PILK  Its  stoppage  or  obstruction,  when  it  cannot  be 
driyen  farther  in. 

BEGAL  FISHES.     In  statute  law,  these  are  whales  and  sturgeons. 

REGAEDERS.     Inspectors  of  the  felling  of  timber. 

REGATTA.  A  rowing-match  formerly  peculiar  to  the  republic  of  Venice; 
but  now  the  term  is  applied  to  yacht  and  boat  races  in  general. 

REGIMENT.  A  body  of  men  commanded  by  a  colonel,  complete  in  its  own 
organization,  and  divided  into  companies  of  infantry  or  troops  of  cavalry. 

REGIMENTAL  ORDERS.  Such  as  the  commanding  officer  may  deem 
it  necessary  to  issue  for  the  discipline  of  the  regiment 

REGIMENTALS.     The  regulation  dress  for  the  individuals  of  a  r^ment. 

REGIMENTAL  STAFF-OFFICERS.  The  surgeon,  adjutant,  pay- 
master, assistant-surgeon,  and  quarter-master  of  each  regiment. 

REGION.  Any  laige  tract  of  land  or  water  on  the  earth's  surface,  having 
some  feature  common  to  every  part  of  itself  and  different  from  what 
exists  elsewhere;  as  northern,  southern,  or  intertropical  region;  moun- 
tainous region;  region  of  perpetual  congelation,  &a 

REGISTER  A  purchaser  has  no  title  to  a  ship,  either  at  law  or  in  equity, 
unless  he  be  mentioned  in  the  roister.  If  a  vessel,  not  duly  registered, 
exercise  any  of  the  privileges  of  a  British  ship,  she  is  liable  to  forfeiture. 

REGISTER  ANEW.  When  any  registered  ship  is  so  altered  as  not  to 
correspond '  with  the  ''particulars"  relating  to  the  description  in  her 
register-book,  either  a  new  certificate  of  registry,  or  an  official  indorse- 
ment of  the  old  one,  is  necessary. 

REGISTER  OF  VICE-ADMIRALTY  COURT.  Not  responsible  for 
money  transmitted  under  proper  precautions,  and  in  the  usual  course  of 
business,  but  afterwards  lost  by  the  failure  of  the  consignee. 

REGISTER  SHIP.     A  Spanish  plate-ship  or  galleon. 

REGISTRY  OF  SEAMEN.  A  record  of  merchant  seamen  kept  by  the 
r^istrar-general  of  seamen. 

REGNI  POPULI.  An  old  law-term  given  to  the  people  of  Surrey  and 
Sussex,  and  on  the  sea-coasts  of  Hampshire. 

REGULATOR.  A  name  for  the  governor  of  a  steam-engine.  Also,  a 
valve-cock.  The  regulator  of  a  clock  is  the  shortening  or  lengthening 
pendulum  or  escapement 

REGULUS.     a  Leonis;  the  principal  star  in  the  old  constellation  Leo. 

REIGNING  WINDS.  The  prevalent  winds  on  any  particular  coast  or 
region.     (See  Wind.) 

REIN.     A  crack  or  vein  in  a  musket-barreL 

REINFORCE,  To.  To  strengthen  a  fleet,  squadron,  army,  or  detachment^ 
by  additional  means  and  munitions. 

REINFORCE.  In  artillery,  that  increase,  beyond  its  general  conical  out- 
line, of  the  metal  towards  the  breech,  which  was  marked  on  old  pattern 
guns  by  rings.  They  are  generally  in  cast  guns  omitted  now,  though  the 
principle  of  the  reinforce  remains,  yet  less  defined  in  nature  and  number, 
in  the  recent  wrought  and  built-up  guns. 


568  BE-INSUBANGE REPSAT  SIGNALS 

E>&INSnitANCK  To  insure  tHe  same  property  a  second  time  by  other 
imderwriters.  If  an  imderwriter  find  that  he  has  incautionslj  bound 
himself  to  a  greater  amount  than  he  can  discharge,  he  may  shift  it»  or 
part  of  it^  from  himself  to  others,  by  a  reinsurance  policy  made  on  the 
same  risk. 

KEIS.     Small  coins  of  Portugal,  of  which  4800  go  to  the  moidore. 

RELIEF.  The  change  of  -watches.  AIso^  the  person  relieving  a  particular 
station.  Also,  a  fresh  detachment  of  troops,  ordered  to  replace  those 
already  on  duty.  In  fortification,  the  total  height  of  the  crest  of  the 
parapet  above  the  bottom  of  the  ditcL 

RELIEVE,  To.     To  put  fresh  men  or  ships  upon  a  stipulated  duty. 

RELIEVING  TACKLES.  Those  which  are  occasionally  hooked  to  the 
tiller,  in  order  to  steer  by  in  bad  weather  or  in  action,  when  any  accident 
has  happened  to  the  wheel  or  tiller-rope. 

REMA,  OR  Reume.     The  tide. 

REMAIN.    The  quantity  of  stores  left  on  chaige  for  survey,  after  a  voyage. 

REMARK-BOOK.  This  contains  hydrographical  observations  of  every 
port  visited,  and  is  sent  annually  to  the  admiralty,  together  with  any 
charts,  plans,  or  views  which  have  been  taken.  Often  a  very  dull  mis- 
cellany, though  kept  by  intelligent  masters. 

REMBERGE.  A  long  narrow  rowing  vessel  of  war,  formerly  used  by  the 
EnglisL  Its  name  is  derived  from  remo  and  harccb,  and  it  seems  to  have 
been  the  precursor  of  the  Deal  luggers. 

REMBLAI.  The  mass  of  earth  requisite  for  the  construction  of  the  ram- 
part    An  embankment 

REMORA.  The  sucher-JUh,  It  has  a  long  oval  plate  on  the  top  of  the 
head,  by  which,  having  exhausted  the  air  in  it^  it  clings  to  a  ship's 
bottom,  to  the  sides  of  a  shark,  or  to  turtla 

REMOVAL  FROM  THE  LIST.  Dismission,  or  dropping  an  officer  out 
of  the  service. 

RENDERING.  The  act  of  yielding  to  any  force  applied.  For  instance, 
the  rope  of  a  laniard  or  tackle  is  said  to  render  when,  by  pulling  upon  one 
part^  each  other  part  takes  its  share  of  the  strain.  Any  rope,  hawser,  or 
cable  is  ''rendered "  by  easing  it  round  the  bitts,  particularly  in  riding 
with  a  strain  to  freshen  the  nip. 

RENDEZVOUS.  The  port  or  place  of  destination  where  the  several  ships 
of  a  fleet  are  appointed  to  join  company. 

REPEATING  FIRE-ARM  One  by  which  a  number  of  chaises,  previ- 
ously  inserted,  may  be  fired  off  in  rapid  succession,  or  after  various 
pauses.     The  principle  is  very  old,  but  the  effective  working  of  it  is  new. 

REPEAT  SIGNALS,  To.  Is  to  make  the  same  signal  exhibited  by  the 
admiral,  in  order  to  its  being  moro  readily  distinguished  at  a  distance,  or 
through  smoke,  <bc.  Frigates  and  small  vessels  out  of  the  line  wero 
deemed  repeating  ships,  and  enforced  signals  by  guns.  The  repeat  from 
a  superior  intended  to  convey  rebuke  for  inattention,  is  usually  accom- 
panied by  one  gun,  or  several 


REPLENISH BESI8TING  HEDmM  569 

REPLENISH,  To.  To  obtain  supplies  of  water  and  provisions  up  to  the 
original  amount 

REPORT  OF  GUARD.  The  document  rendered  in  by  the  guard-boat, 
of  eveiy  vessel  boarded  during  her  horn's  of  duty,  with  their  arrivals, 
sailings,  and  other  occurrences. 

REPORT  OF  SURVEY.  The  opinion  of  surveys  officially  signed  by 
surveying  officers. 

REPORT  ONE'S  SELF,  To.  When  an  officer  returns  on  board  fix)m 
duty,  or  from  leave  of  absence. 

REPRESENTATION.  A  collateral  statement  of  such  facts  not  inserted 
on  the  policy  of  insurance,  as  may  give  the  underwriters  a  just  estimate  of 
the  risk  of  the  adventure.     {See  Wabranty.) 

REPRIMAND.  A  formal  reproof  for  error  or  misconduct,  conveyed 
sometimes  publicly,  sometimes  confidentially,  sometimes  by  sentence  of 
court-martial,  or  on  the  judgment,  mature  or  otherwise,  of  a  superior. 

REPRISAL.  The  taking  one  thing  in  satisfaction  for  another,  as  the 
seizing  of  ships  and  goods  for  injury  inflicted;  a  right  exerted,  though  no 
actual  war  be  commenced.  It  is  authorized  by  the  law  of  nations  if  justice 
has  been  solemnly  called  for  and  denied.  ^Die  wOrd  is  synonymous  with 
marque  in  our  admiralty  courts. 

REPRISE,  OR  Refbisal.  Is  the  retaking  a  vessel  from  the  enemy  before 
she  has  arrived  in  any  neutral  or  hostile  port  If  a  vessel  thus  retaken 
has  been  24  hours  in  the  possession  of  an  enemy,  she  is  deemed  a  lawful 
recapture;  but  if  within  that  time,  she  is  merely  detenu^  and  must  be 
wholly  restored  to  the  owner.  An  amount  of  salvage  is  sometimes  awarded 
to  the  re-captors.  Also,  if  a  vessel  has  from  any  cause  been  abandoned 
by  the  enemy,  before  he  has  taken  her  into  any  port^  she  is  to  be  restored 
to  the  original  proprietor.     (See  Salvage.) 

REQUISITION.     An  official  demand  for  stores,  <&c. 

RESCUK  Any  vessel  recovered  by  the  insurrection  of  prisoners  on  board 
of  her,  or  by  her  being  forced  by  stress  of  weather  into  our  ports,  she  is 
restored  on  salvage.  There  is  no  rule  prescribed  by  the  law  of  England 
in  the  case  of  foreign  property  rescued;  with  British  subjects  the  court 
usually  adopts  the  proportion  of  re-capture.  Iq  respect  to  foreigners  the 
only  guide  is  that  of  '' quantum  meruit'' 

RESERYR  A  portion  drawn  out  from  the  main  body,  and  stationed  in 
the  rear  for  a  special  object. 

RE-SHIP.  To  ship  again,  or  ship  goods  that  have  been  impoii/ed  or  con- 
veyed by  water. 

RESIDENT.  A  British  subject  residing  in  an  enemy's  country  may 
trade  generally  with  the  natives,  but  not  in  contraband. 

RESISTING  MEDIUM.  An  assumed  thin  ethereal  fluid,  which,  from  the 
retardation  of  Encke's  comet>  may  be  supposed  to  pervade  the  planetary 
space— perhaps  the  spiritua  suhtUiasimua  of  Newton — in  virtue  of  which 
periodical  comets  seem  to  have  their  velocity  diminished,  and  their  orbits 
contracted  at  every  revolution. 


570  BESOLVE BEVENUE 

RESOLVE,  Ta     To  reduce  a  traverae,  or  day's  work,  to  its  exact  limits. 

RESOURCEu     Expedient.    A  good  seaman  is  ever  a  man  of  resonrces. 

RESPONDENTIA.  A  loan  made  upon  goods  laden  in  a  skip,  for  which 
the  borrower  is  personallj  responsible;  differing  therein  from  bottomry, 
where  the  ship  and  tackle  are  liable.  In  bottomry  the  lender  runs  no 
risk,  though  the  goods  should  be  lost;  and  upon  respondentia  the  Wder 
must  be  paid  his  principal  and  interest^  though  the  ship  perish,  provided 
the  goods  be  safa 

RESPONSIBILITY.  Often  a  wholesome  restraint;  but  the  bugbear  of 
an  inefficient  officer. 

REST.  A  pole  with  an  iron  fork  at  the  top  for  the  support  of  the  old 
heavy  musket. 

RET,  To.     To  soak  in  water,  as  in  seasoning  timber,  hemp,  &o. 

RETINUE.  Applied  strictly  to  the  admiral's  suite  or  followers,  though 
it  means  an  accompanying  train  in  general 

RETIRE.  The  old  war-term  for  retreat  Thus  Shatefpeare  makes  Richard 
Plantagenet  exclaim — 

*'  Ne'er  may  he  live  to  see  ft  randune  day, 
That  dies  Retire,  if  Warwick  bid  him  stay." 

RETIRED  LIST.  A  roll  whereon  deserving  officers  are  placed  whose 
health,  age^  or  want  of  interest  justifies  their  retirement  from  active  service. 

RETIRED  PAY.  A  graduated  pension  for  retired  officers;  but  the  term, 
is  nearly  synonymous  with  half  pay. 

RETRAOTUS  AQU^E.    An  old  law-term  for  the  ebb  or  return  of  tide. 

RETREAT.  The  order  in  which  a  fleet  or  squadron  declines  engagement 
Or  the  retrograde  movement  of  any  body  of  men  who  retire  from  a 
hostile  force.  Also,  that  beat  of  drum  about  sunset  which  orders  the 
guards  and  piquets  to  take  up  their  night  duties. 

RETRENCHMENT.  A  defence  with  a  ditch  and  breastwork  behind 
another  post  or  defence,  whereby  the  besieger,  on  forcing  the  original 
work,  is  confronted  by  a  fresh  one. 

RETROQRADATION.  An  apparent  motion  of  the  planets  contrary  to 
the  order  of  the  signs,  and  to  their  orbital  march.  The  arc  of  retrograda- 
tion  is  the  angular  distance  thus  apparently  traversed.  Mars  may  be 
watched  as  an  instance. 

RETROGRADE  MOTION.    See  Motion. 

RETURN.  A  ship  on  a  return  voyage  is  not  generally  liable;  but  if  she 
sailed  on  the  outward  voyage  under  Mae  papers,  the  liability  to  confisca- 
tion continues. 

RETURN  A  SALUTE,  To.  Admirals  are  saluted,  but  return  two  guns 
less  for  each  rank  that  the  saluting  officer  is  below  the  admiral 

RETURNS.  All  the  various  reports  and  statements  required  by  officers 
in  command  to  be  made  periodically.    (See  Supplies  aitd  Retuknb.) 

REVEILLE.     The  beat  of  drum  at  break  of  day,  when  night  duties  cease. 

REYENUK  In  cases  of  revenue  proceedings,  the  law  harshly  provides 
that  the  omu  proha/ndi  ia  to  be  on  the  claimant,  however  injured. 


REVBNUE-C  U  TTKKS RIBBONS  57 1 

REVENUE-CUTTERS.  Sharp-built  single-masted  vessels  armed,  for  the 
purpose  of  preventing  smuggling,  and  enforcing  the  custom-house  regula- 
tions.    They  are  usually  styled  revemie-cruisers. 

REVERSE.  A  change ;  a  vicissitude.  Also,  the  flank  at  the  other  ex- 
tremity from  the  pivot  of  a  division  is  termed  the  reverse,  flank. 

REVETMENT.  A  sloping  wall  of  brick-work,  or  any  other  attainable 
material,  supporting  the  outer  face  of  the  rampart^  and  lining  the  side  of 
the  ditcL 

REVIEW.  The  inspection  of  a  fleet  or  army,  or  of  any  body  of  men 
under  arms. 

REVOLUTION,  Time  of.  In  relation  to  a  planet  or  comet,  this  is  the 
time  occupied  in  completing  a  circuit  round  the  sun,  and  is  synonymous 
with  periodic  time. 

RHR     A  veiy  old  word  signifying  an  overflow  of  water. 

RHILAND-ROD.  A  Dutch  measure  of  12  English  feet,  formerly  in  use 
with  us :  it  is  more  properly  Bhine^and  rod. 

RHODIAN  LAWS.  A  maritime  code,  asserted,  but  without  sufficient 
proo^  to  be  the  basis  of  the  Roman  sea-laws.  The  code  published  by 
Leundavius  and  others,  as  a  body  of  Rhodian  laws,  is  a  mere  forgery  of 
modem  times. 

RHODINQS.     The  brass  cleats  on  which  the  axles  of  the  pumps  work. 

RHOMBOID.  An  oblique  parallelogram,  having  its  opposite  sides  equal 
and  parallel,  but  its  angles  not  right  angles. 

RHOMBUS.  A  lozenge-shaped  figure,,  having  four  equal  sides,  but  its 
angles  not  right  angles. 

RHUMB,  OB  Rhomb.  A  vertical  circle  of  any  given  place,  or  the  intersec- 
tion of  a  part  of  such  a  circle  with  the  horizoiL  Rhumbs,  therefore,  coincide 
with  points  of  the  world,  or  of  the  horizon;  and  hence  seamen  distinguish 
the  rhumbs  by  the  same  names  as  the  points  and  winds,  as  marked  on  the 
fly  or  card  of  the  compass.  The  rhumb4iney  therefore,  is  a  line  prolonged, 
from  any  point  of  the  compass  in  a  nautical  chart,  except  the  four  cardinal 
points;  or  it  is  a  line  which  a  ship,  keeping  in  the  same  collateral  point 
or  rhumb,  describes  throughout  its  whole  course. 

RHYDAL  [from  the  Celtic  rhydle\ .  A  ford  or  channel  joining  lakes  or 
broad  waters. 

RIBADOQUIN.  A  powerful  cross-bow  for  throwing  long  darts.  Also, 
an  old  piece  of  ordnance  throwing  a  ball  of  one  or  two  pounds. 

RIBBANDS.  In  naval  architecture,  long  narrow  flexible  pieces  of  flr 
nailed  upon  the  outside  of  the  ribs,  from  the  stem  to  the  stem-post  of  a 
ship,  so  as  to  encompass  the  body  lengthways,  and  hold  the  timbers 
together  while  in  frttme. 

RIBBINQ-NAILS.  Similar  to  deck-nails,  but  not  so  fine;  they  have  large 
round  heads  with  rings,  so  as  to  prevent  their  heads  from  splitting  the 
timbers,  or  being  drawn  through. 

RIBBONS.  The  painted  mouldings  along  a  ship's  side.  Also,  the  tatters 
of  a  sail  in  blowing  away. 


572  ^IBS RIDGE-EOPES 

KIBS.  The  frame  tiinberB  which  rise  from  the  bottom  to  the  top  of  a  ship's 
hull :  the  hull  being  as  the  body,  the  keel  as  the  backbone,  and  the  plank- 
ing as  the  skin. 

RIBS  AND  TRUCKS.     Used  figuratively  for  fragmenta 

RIBS  OF  A  PARREL.  An  old  species  of  parrel  haying  alternate  ribs 
and  bull's-eyes;  the  ribs  were  pieces  of  wood,  each  about  one  foot  in 
length,  having  two  holes  in  them  through  which  the  two  parts  of  the 
parrel-rope  are  reeved  with  a  bull's-eye  between;  the  inner  smooth  edge 
of  the  rib  rests  against^  and  slides  readily  up  and  down,  the  mast 

RICEIERS.  Lengths  of  stout  poles  cut  up  for  the  purpose  of  stowing  flax, 
hemp,  and  the  lika  Spars  supplied  for  boats'  masts  and  yards,  boat-hook 
staves,  &c 

RICOCHET.  The  bound  of  a  shot  Ricochet  fire,  that  whereby,  a  less 
charge  and  a  greater  elevation  being  used,  the  shot  or  shell  is  made  to 
just  clear  a  parapet^  and  bound  along  the  interior  of  a  work. 

RIDDLE.  A  sort  of  weir  in  rivers, — To  riddle.  To  fire  through  and 
through  a  vessel,  and  reduce  her  to  a  sieve-like  condition. 

RIDE,  To.  To  ride  at  anchor.  A  vessel  rides  easily,  apeak,  athwart,  head 
to  wind,  out  a  gale,  open  hawse,  to  the  tide,  to  the  wind,  &c  A  rope 
rides,  as  when  round  the  capstan  or  windlass  the  strain  part  overlies  and 
jams  the  preceding  turn. — To  ride  between  toind  cmd  tide.  Said  of  a  ship 
at  anchor  when  she  is  acted  upon  by  wind  and  tide  from  different  direc- 
tions, and  takes  up  a  position  which  is  the  result  of  both  force& 

RIDEAU.  A  rising  ground  running  along  a  plain,  nearly  parallel  to  the 
works  of  a  place,  and  therefore  prejudicial. 

RIDERS,  lumbers  laid  as  required,  reaching  from  the  keelson  to  the  orlop- 
beams,  to  bind  a  ship  and  give  additional  strength.  They  are  variously 
termed,  as  lower /tUtochriders  and  middle  /uttock^ridera.  When  a  vessel 
is  weak,  or  has  broken  her  floors  or  timbers,  riders  are  introduced  to 
secure  the  ship,  and  enable  her  to  reach  a  port  where  she  can  be  properly 
repaired.  Stringers  are  also  used,  but  these  run  horizontally. — Riders 
are  also  upper  tiers  of  casks,  or  any  stowed  above  the  ground  tier  in  the 
hold. 

RIDING  A  PORT-LAST.     With  lower  yards  on  the  gunwales. 

RIDING-BITTS.     Those  to  which  the  cable  is  made  fast. 

RIDING-DOWN.  The  act  of  the  men  who  throw  their  weight  on  the 
head  of  a  sail  to  stretch  it  Also,  of  the  man  who  comes  down  a  stay,  &c., 
to  tar  it;  or  foots  the  bunt  in. 

RIDGE.  Hydrographically  means  a  long  narrow  stretch  of  shingle  or 
rocks,  near  the  surface  of  the  sea.  {See  R^ef  and  Shallow.)  C^graphi- 
cally,  the  intersection  of  two  opposite  slopes,  or  a  range  of  hiUs,  or  the 
highest  line  of  mountains. 

RIDGE-ROPES,  are  of  various  kinds.  Thus  the  centre-rope  of  an  awning, 
and  those  along  the  rigging  to  which  it  is  stretched,  the  man-ropes  to  the 
bowsprit,  safety  lines  from  gun  to  gun  in  bad  weather — ^all  obtain  this 
name. 


BIFE RIGHT  AWAY  573 

BIFK     An  old  provincial  term  for  a  salt-water  pond. 

RIFLED  ORDNANCR  That  which  is  provided  with  spiral  grooves  in 
the  interior  of  the  bore,  to  give  rotatory  motion  to  the  projectile,  thereby 
much  increasing  its  accuracy  of  flight,  and  permitting  the  use  of  elongated 
shot  and  shelL 

RIFLE-PIT.  Cover  hastily  thrown  up  by  one  or  two  skirmishers,  but  con- 
tributing, when  a  line  of  them  is  joined  together,  to  form  works  sometimes 
of  much  importance. 

RIO.     Colloquially,  mischievous  frolic  not  carried  to  excess. 

RIG,  To.  To  fit  the  shrouds,  stays^  braces,  and  running-rigging  to  their 
respective  masts,  yards,  and  sails.  Colloquially,  it  means  to  dress. — To 
rig  in  a  booni,  is  to  draw  it  in. — To  rig  out  a  boom,  is  to  run  it  out  from 
a  yard,  in  order  to  extend  the  foot  of  a  sail  upon  it,  as  with  studding-sail 
booms,  <fec. 

RIGEL.     /3  OrioniSf  one  of  the  bright  stars  in  Orion. 

RIGGED.     Completely  equipped. 

RIGGERS.  Men  employed  on  board  ships  to  fit  the  standing  and  running 
rigging,  or  to  dismantle  them.  The  riggers  in  the  naval  yards,  who  rig 
ships  previous  to  their  being  commissioned,  are  under  the  master-atten- 
dant, and  perform  all  anchor,  mooring,  and  harbour  duties  also. 

RIGGING.  A  general  name  given  to  all  the  ropes  or  chains  employed  to 
support  the  masts,  and  arrange  the  sails  according  to  the  direction  of  the 
wind.  Those  are  termed  ^standing"  which  are  comparative  fixtures^  and 
support  the  masts,  &c,;  and  those  ''running,"  which  are  in  constant  use, 
to  trim  the  yards,  and  make  or  shorten  sail,  <bc. 

RICrGING-LOFT.  A  long  room  or  gallery  in  a  dockyard,  where  rigging  is 
fitted  by  stretching,  serving,  splicing^  seizing,  &Cy  to  be  in  readiness  for 
the  ship. 

RIGGING-MATS.  Those  which  are  seized  upon  a  vessel's  standing  rigging, 
to  prevent  its  being  chafed. 

RIGGING  OUT.  A  term  for  outfitting.  Also,  a  word  used  familiarly  to 
express  clothing  of  ship  or  tar. 

RIGGING-STOPPER    See  Stoppers. 

RIGHT.  As  to  direction,  fully  or  directly;  thus,  right  ahead,  or  right 
away,  &c 

RIGHT  ANGLK  An  angle  formed  by  a  line  rising  or  fidling  perpendi- 
cularly upon  another,  and  measuring  90*",  or  the  quadrant  of  a  circle. 

RIGHT-ANGLED  TRIANGLE.     That  which  has  one  right  angle. 

RIGHT  ASCENSION.  An  arc  of  the  equator  between  the  first  point  of 
Aries,  and  the  hour  circle  which  passes  through  any  planet  or  star;  or 
that  point  of  the  equinoctial,  which  comes  to  the  meridian  with  any 
heavenly  object,  and  is  therefore  similar  to  terrestrial  longitude. 

RIGHT  ATHWART.     Square,  or  at  right  angles  with  the  keel 

RIGHT  AWAY!  It  is  a  habit  of  seamen  answering  when  a  sail  is 
discovered  from  the  mast-head;  ^Right  away  on  the  beam,  sir,"  or  ''on 
the  bow,"  Ac. 


574«  BIGHT-HAND  EOPB RING-BOLT 

RIGHT-HAND  ROPE.  That  whicli  is  laid  up  and  twisted  with  the  sun, 
that  is  to  the  right  hand;  the  term  is  opposed  to  toater-laid  rope,  which 
is  left-handed.  i. 

RIGHTING.  The  act  of  a  ship  recovering  her  upright  position  after  she 
has  been  laid  upon  a  careen,  which  is  effected  by  casting  loose  the  careen- 
ing tackles,  and,  if  necessary,  heaving  upon  the  relieving  tackles.  A  ship 
is  also  said  to  right  at  sea,  when  she  rises  with  her  masts  erect,  after 
having  been  listed  over  on  one  side  by  grounding,  or  force  of  wind. 

RIGHT  THE  HELM !  The  order  to  put  it  amidships,  that  is,  in  a  line 
with  the  keeL 

RIGHT  ON  END.     In  a  continuous  line;  as  the  masts  should  be. 

RIGHT  SAILING.  Running  a  course  on  one  of  the  four  cardinal  points, 
so  as  to  alter  only  a  ship's  latitude,  or  longitude. 

RIGHT  UP  AND  DOWN.  Said  in  a  dead  cahn,  when  the  wind  is  no 
way  at  alL  Or,  in  anchor  work,  when  the  cable  is  in  that  condition,  the 
boatswain  calls,  ''Up  and  down,  sir,"  whereupon  ''Thick  and  dry 
(nippers)  for  weighing''  are  ordered. 

RIGHT  WAY.  When  the  ship's  head  casts  in  the  desired  direction. 
Also,  when  she  swings  clear  at  single  anchor. 

RIGHT  WHALE.  A  name  applied  to  the  whale  with  a  very  large  head 
and  no  dorsal  fin,  which  yields  the  whalebone  and  train-oil  of  commerce, 
in  opposition  to  the  finbacks  or  rorquals,  which  are  scarcely  worth 
oatching.  There  are  several  species  found  both  in  the  Arctic  and  Southern 
seas,  but  never  within  the  tropics. 

RIG  OF  A  SHIP.  The  disposition  of  the  masts,  cut  of  sails,  <kc.,  whether 
square  or  fore-and-aft  rigs.  In  fact,  the  rig  denotes  the  character  of  the 
vessel 

RIG  THE  CAPSTAN,  To.  To  fix  the  bars  in  the  drum-head  in  readi- 
ness for  heaving ;  not  forgetting  to  pin  and  swift.     (See  Capstan.) 

RIG  THE  GRATINGS.     Prepare  them  for  punishment 

RILK     An  old  corruption  of  rail     To  ruffle  the  temper;  to  vex. 

RILL.     A  very  small  run  of  fresh  water,  less  than  a  rivulet. 

RIM,  OB  Brim.     A  name  given  to  the  circular  edge  of  a  top.     (See  Top.) 

RIM-BASE.     The  shoulder  on  the  stock  of  a  musket. 

RIMK     Hoar-frost;  condensed  vapour. 

RIMER.  A  palisade  in  fortification;  but  for  its  naval  application,  see 
Reemer.     Also,  a  tool  for  enlarging  holes  in  metal  plates,  <fec. 

RIMS.  Those  pieces  which  form  the  quarter-galleries  between  the  stools. 
Also,  the  cast-iron  frame  in  which  the  dropping  pauls  of  a  capstan 
traverse,  and  bring  up  the  capstan. 

RING.  A  commercial  measure  of  staves,  or  wood  prepared  for  casks,  and 
containing  four  shocks.  Also,  the  iron  ring  to  which  the  cable  is  bent 
to  the  anchor  in  the  summit  of  the  shank. 

RING-BOLT.  An  iron  bolt  with  an  eye  at  one  end,  wherein  is  fitted  a 
circular  ring.  They  are  more  particularly  used  for  managing  cannon, 
and  are  for  this  purpose  fixed  on  each  side  of  the  port-holes.     They  are 


EINa-DOaS RISINGS   OF  BOATS  675 

driven  tlirougli  tHe  plank  and  the  corresponding  timber,  and  retained  in 

this  position  by  a  clinching  ring. 
BING-DOGS.     Iron  implements  for  hanling  timber  along :  made  by  con- 
necting two  common  dogs  by  a  ring  through  the  eyes.     When  united 

with  cordage  they  form  a  ding-dog  (which  see). 
RING-ROPES.     Ropes  rove  through  the  ring  of  the  anchor,  to  haul  the 

cable  through  it,  in  order  to  bend  or  make  it  fast  in  bad  weather;  they 

are  first  rove  through  t)ie  ring,  and  then  through  the  hawse-holes,  when 

the  end  of  the  cable  is  secured  to  them. 
RINGS.     The  annual  circular  layers  in  timber.     Also,  grommets,  or  circles 

of  metal  for  liflincr  thimra  by  hand,  or  securing  the  points  of  bolts,  <&c.,  as 

hatch  or  port  rin^     ^    '       ^ 
RING^STOPPER.     A  long  piece  of  rope  secured  to  an  after  ring-bolt^  and 

the  loop  embracing  the  cable  through  the  next^  and  others  in  succession 

nip  the  cable  home  to  each  ring-bolt  in  succession.     It  is  a  precaution  in 

veering  cable  in  bad  weather. 
RING-TAIL.     A  kind  of  studding-sail  hoisted  beyond  the  after  edge  of 

those  sails  which  are  extended  by  a  gaff  and  a  boom  over  the  stem.    The 

two  lower  comers  of  this  sail  are  stretched  to  a  boom,  called  a  ring-tail 

boom,  which  rigs  in  and  out  upon  the  main  or  driver  boom. 
RINK.     A  space  of  ice  devoted  to  certain  recreations,  as  a  skating  or  a 

curling  rink:  generally  roofed  in -from  the  snow  in  Canada. 
RIONNACK.     A  name  of  the  horse-mackerel  among  the  Scottish  islands. 
RIP.     A  pannier  or  basket  used  for  carrying  fisL — To  rip,  to  strip  off  a 

ship's  planks. 
RIPARIA.     A  law-term  for  the  water  running  between  the  banks  of  a 

river. 
RIPARY.     Inhabiting  the  sea-shore. 
RIPE  [from  the  Latin,  ripa].    The  banks  of  a  tide-river,  and  the  sea-shore: 

a  term  in  use  on  our  southern  coasts. 
RIPPERS,  OR  RiFiERS.     Men  from  the  sea-shores,  who  sell  fish  to  the 

inland  towns  and  villages. 
RIPPING^IRON.     A  caulker's  tool  for  tearing  oakum  out  of  a  seam,  or 

stripping  copper  or  sheathing  from  a  ship's  bottom.     (See  Reemeb.) 
RIPPLE.     The  small  waves  raised  on  the  surface  of  the  water  by  the 

passage  of  a  slight  breeze,  or  current,  caused  by  foul  bottom. 
RIPPLE-MARKS.     The  ripply  appearance  left  at  low  water  on  the  flat 

part  of  a  sandy  beach. 
RIPPS.     See  Tide-bipps.     Also,  strange  overfalls,  the  waves  of  which, 

even  in  calm  weather,  will  throw  their  crests  over  the  bulwarks. 
RISBERM.     Fascines  placed  to  oppose  the  violence  of  the  surC 
RISING-FLOORS.      The  floor-timbers,  which  rise  gradually  from  the 

plane  of  the  midship  floor,  so  as  to  sharpen  the  form  of  a  vessel  towards 

the  bow  and  stem. 
RISINGS  OF  BOATS.     A  narrow  strake  of  board  &stened  withinside  to 

support  the  thwarts. 


67G  EISINO-SQUAKB BOCK 

RISINC^SQTJABK     In  sbip-earpentry,  a  square  used  in  tbe  whole  monld- 

ing,  upon  which  is  marked  the  height  of  the  riidng  line  above  the  keeL 
RISK  A  RUN,  To.     To  take  chance  without  convoy. 
RISKS.     The  casualties  against  which  insurances  are  made  on  ships  and 

cai^oes. 
RITTOCH.    An  Orkney  name  for  the  tern,  Sterna  himtido. 
RIYAGE.     An  old  term,  from  the  French,  for  a  coast  or  shore  of  the  sea, 

or  a  river. 
RIYAQIUM.     A  law-t^m  for  a  duty  paid  to  the  sovereign  on  some 

rivers  for  the  passage  of  boats  or  vessels. 
RIYAILK     An  Anglo-Norman  term  for  a  harbour. 
RIYE.     The  sea-shore.     Also,  as  a  verb,  to  split  wood 
RIYER-BOATS.     Wherries,  and  the  like,  which  ply  in  harbours  and 

rivers  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers. 
RIYER-HARBOUR     That  which  is  situated  in  the  channel  of  a  river, 

especially  such  as  are  at  the  embouchure  with  a  bar  in  front 
RI YER-LAKES.     Large  pools  of  water  occupying  a  portion  of  the  valleys 

or  hollows  through  which  the  courses  of  rivers  lie. 
RIYERr-RISK.     A  policy  of  insurance  from  the  docks  to  the  sea,  at  any 

port 
RIYET.     The  roe  of  a  fish.     Also,  a  hinge-pin,  or  any  piece  of  riveted 

work.     The  soft  iron  pin  by  which  the  ends  of  a  cask  hoop,  or  the  plates 

of  a  boiler,  <bc.,  are  secured  by  clinching. 
RIYIERA.     An  Italian  term  for  a  coast,  as  the  Biviera  di  Genoa, 
RIX-DOLLAR.     A  silver  coin  common  in  northern  Europe,  of  the  aver- 
age value  of  48.  6d. 
ROACBL     The  hollow  curvature  of  the  lower  parts  of  upper  square-sails, 

to  clear  the  stays  when  the  yards  are  braced  up. 
ROAD,  OR  Roadstead.     An  off-shore  well-known  anchorage,  where  ships 

may  await  orders,  as  St.  Helen's  at  Portsmouth,  Oowes,  Leith,  Basque 

Roads,  Saugor,  and  others,  where  a  well-foimd  vessel  may  ride  out  a  gale. 
ROADSTER,  or  Roader.     Applied  chiefly  to  those  vessels  which  work  by 

tides,  and  seek  some  known  road  to  await  turn  of  tide  or  change  of  wind. 

If  a  vessel  under  sail  strike  against  any  roader  and  damage  her,  the 

former  is  obliged  by  law  to  make  good  the  damages. 
ROAST-BEEF  DRESS.     Full  uniform;  ^probably  from  its  resemblance 

to  that  of  the  royal  beef-eaters. 
ROAST  BEEF  OF  OLD  ENGLAND.     A  popular  air,  by  which  officers 

are  summoned  to  the  dinner-table. 
ROBANDS,  OR  RoEBENS.    (See  Rope-bands.) 
ROBINET.     An  ancient  military  machine  for  throwing  darts  and  stones; 

now  the  name  of  some  useful  cocks  in  the  steam-engine,  as  for  gauge, 

brine,  trial,  and  steam-regulator. 
ROCK.      An  extensive  geological  term,  but  limited  in  hydrographical  par- 
lance to  hard  and  solid  masses  of  the  earth's  surface;  when  these  rise  in 

insulated  masses  nearly  to  the  surface  of  the  sea,  they  render  navigation 


\ 


ROCK-COD ROGUE'S  YARN  577 

especially  dangerous. — Half -tide  rock,      A  rock  which  appears  above 
water  at  half-ebb. 

ROCK-COD.     A  species  of  cod  found  on  a  rocky  bottom. 

ROCKET.  The  well-known  pyrotechnical  preparation,  but  modified  to 
suit  various  purposes.  A  cylindrical  case  charged  with  a  fiercely  burn- 
ing composition,  the  gases  of  which,  rushing  out  from  the  after-end 
against  the  resisting  atmosphere,  propel  the  whole  forward  at  a  rate  con- 
tinually-increasing, until  the  composition  be  expended.  It  is  generally 
kept  in  balance  by  a  long  light  stick  or  tail  attached.  The  case  is  made  of 
metal  or  paper,  and  variously  headed  to  the  amount  of  32  lbs.  if  its  pur- 
pose be  war  {see  Conqrevb  Rockets);  life-saving  (by  conveying  a  line 
over  a  stranded  vessel);  even  the  killing  of  whales,  when  reduced  to  1,  2, 
or  3  lbs.;  or,  lastly,  signals,  for  which  it  is  fired  straight  upwards. 

ROCKET-BOAT.  Flat-bottomed  boats>  fitted  with  rocket-frames  to  fire 
Congreve  rockets  from,  in  naval  bombardment. 

ROCKET-BRIGADE.   A  body  of  horse-artillery  assigned  to  rocket  service. 

ROCKET-FRAME     The  stand  from  which  Congreve  rockets  are  fired. 

ROCK-HIND.     A  large  fish  of  tropical  regions,  Serranua  catus. 

ROCK-SCORPION.     A  name  applied  to  persons  bom  at  Gibraltar. 

ROD.  The  connecting  and  coupling  bars  of  the  steam-engine.  {See 
Sounding-bod.) 

RODD.     A  sort  of  cross-bow  formerly  in  use  in  our  navy. 

RODDEN-FLEUK.     A  northern  name  for  the  turbot. 

RODDING  TIMK     The  season  for  fish^pawning. 

RODE  OF  ALL.  Improperly  so  written  for  rowed  of  all  (which  see). 
The  order  to  throw  in  and  boat  the  oars. 

RODGERS'  ANCHOR     The  excellent  small-palmed,   very  strong  and 
good-holding  anchor.      It  is  the  result  of  many  years'  study  and  experi-' 
ment  by  Lieutenant  Rodgers,  RN. 

RODMAN  GUN.  One  cast  on  the  excellent  method  of  Captain  Rodman, 
formerly  of  the  United  States  Ordnance — viz.  on  a  core  artificially  kept 
cool ;  whereby  the  outer  metal,  cooling  last^  shrinks  on  to  and  compresses 
the  inner,  instead  of  drawing  outwards  and  weakening  it^  as  it  must  do 
when  cooled  first  in  a  solid  casting. 

ROGER     The  black  flag  hoisted  by  pirates.     {See  Jollt  Roger.) 

ROGER'S  BLAST.  A  provincialism  denoting  a  sudden  and  local  motion 
of  the  air,  resembling  a  miniature  whirlwind. 

ROGUE'S  MARCH.  The  tune  appropriated  to  drumming  a  bad  character 
out  of  a  ship  or  out  of  a  regiment 

ROGUE'S  YARN.  A  yam  twisted  the  contrary  way  to  the  rest  of  a 
rope,  for  detecting  theft  or  embezzlement.  Being  tarred  if  in  a  white  rope, 
but  white  in  a  tarred  rope,  it  is  easily  discovered.  It  is  placed  in  the 
middle  of  each  strand  in  all  the  cordage  made  for  the  royal  navy. 
Lately  the  rogue's  yam  has  been  superseded  by  a  thread  of  worsted:  pk 
different  coloured  worsted  being  used  in  each  dockyard,  so  that  any 
defective  rope  may  be  traced  to  the  place  where  ic  was  mada 

2  0 


/ 


578  »0I^  D'EQUIPAGE EOOBLB 

BOLE  D'EQUIPAGE.  An  important  document  in  admiralty  law.  (/See 
Mustek-Roll.) 

PiOLL.  A  uniform  beat  of  the  drum,  without  variatioD,  for  a  considerable 
time.  The  divisions  are  summoned  by  roll  of  drum,  one  roll  for  each.. 
(^ee  MusTER-RoLL.) 

HOLLER.  .  A  mighty  oceanic  swell  said  to  precurse  the  northers  of  the 
Atlantic,  and  felt  in  great  violence  at  Tristan  d'Acunha,  where  H.M.S. 
IMy  foundered  with  all  hands  in  consequence,  and  several  vessels  at  St 
Helena  have  been  driven  from  their  anchors  and  wrecked.  These  waves 
roll  in  from  the  north,  and  do  not  break  till  they  reach  soundings,  when 
they  evince  terrific  power,  rising  from  5  to  15  feet  above  the  usual  level  of 
the  waters.     A  connection  with  volcanoes  has  been  suggested  as  a  cause. 

ROLLERS.  Cylindrical  pieces  of  timber,  fixed  either  horizontally  or  ver- 
tically in  different  parts  of  a  ship  above  the  deck,  so  as  to  revolve  on  an 
axis,  and  prevent  the  cables,  hawsers,  and  running  rigging  from  being 
chafed,  by  lessening  their  friction.  The  same  as  friction  roller.  Also, 
movable  pieces  of  wood  of  the  same  figure,  which  are  occasionally  placed 
under  boats,  pieces  of  heavy  timber,  &c, 

ROLLING.  That  oscillatory  motion  by  which  the  waves  rock  a  ship  from 
side  to  side.  The  lai^er  part  of  this  disturbance  is  owing  to  the  depth  of 
the  centre  of  gravity  below  the  centre  of  figure,  the  former  exercising  a 
violent  re-action  when  disturbed  from  its  rest  by  passing  seas;  therefore 
it  is  diminished  by  raising  the  weights,  and  must  by  no  means  be  con- 
founded with  heeling. 

ROLLING-CHOCK,  or  Jaw-piece.  Similar  to  that  of  a  gaff,  fastened 
to  the  middle  of  an  upper  yard,  to  steady  it. 

ROLLING-CLEAT.     Synonymous  with  roUing-cfhoek, 

ROLLING  DOWN  TO  ST.  HELENA.  Running  with  a  flowing  sheet 
by  the  trade- wind. 

ROLLING-HITCH.  Pass  the  end  of  a  rope  round  a  spar  or  rope;  take  it 
round  a  second  time,  riding  the  standing  part;  then  carry  it  across,  and 
up  through  the  bight. 

ROLLING-SWELL.  That  heaving  of  the  sea  where  the  waves  are  very 
distant,  forming  deep  troughs  between. 

ROLLING-TACKLES.  Used  to  prevent  the  yards  from  swaying  to  and 
fro  under  heavy  rolling  motion. 

ROLLSTER,  or  Roster.     A  rotation  list  of  officers. 

ROLL  UP  A  SAIL,  To.     To  hand  it  quickly. 

ROMAN  CEMENT.  A  cement  which  hardens  under  water;  used  for 
piers,  docks,  <&c.,  as  pozzolana,  Aberthaw  limestone,  ko. 

ROMBOWLINE,  or  Rumeowline.  Condemned  canvas,  rope,  and  the 
like.     Also  the  coarse  rope  used  to  secure  new  coils. 

RONDEL.     An  old  term  for  a  light,  round  shield. 

RONK     A  northern  term  for  the  roe  of  a  fisL 

RONNAL.     A  northern  term  for  a  female  fish,  as  kipper  is  for  the  male. 

ROOBLE.    A  Russian  coin.     {See  Ruble.) 


BOOD-GOOSE ROPES  579 

ROOD-GOOSR     A  name  for  the  brent-goose. 

ROOF-TREK    See  Rough-tree. 

ROOKE,  OR  RouKE.     A  mist,  dampness,  or  fog. 

ROOM.  A  name  given  to  some  reserved  apartment  in  a  ship,  as — The 
bread-room.  In  the  aftermost  part  of  the  hold:  properly  lined  to  receive 
the  bread,  and  keep  it  dry. — The  cook^oom,  (See  Galley.) — The  gun- 
room. On  the  afler  gun-deck  of  ships  of  the  line,  or  steerage  of  frigates ;  . 
devoted  to  the  gun-room  officers. — Light-room,  Attached  to  the 
magazine. — SaU-rooms,  devoted  to  the  sails,  are  on  the  orlop  deck, 
and  are  inclosed  for  the  reception  of  the  spare  sails. — Slop-room,  De- 
voted to  slop-clothing. — SpirUproom,  A  secure  space  in  the  afler-part  of 
a  ship's  hold,  for  the  stores  of  wine,  brandy,  &c. — Steward* s-room.  The 
office  devoted  to  the  purser^s  steward  of  former  times,  now  paymaster's 
steward,  whence  he  issues  most  of  the  light  provisions  to  the  ship's  com- 
pany.—  Ward-room.  A  room  over  the  gun-room  in  ships  of  the  line,  where 
the  lieutenants  and  other  principal  officers  sleep  and  mess.  The  term 
aea^oom  is  applied  when  a  ship  obtains  a  good  offing,  is  clear  of  the  coast 
dangers,  and  is  free  to  stand  on  a  long  course  without  nearing  danger. 

ROOM,  Roomer,  or  Going  room.  The  old  term  for  going  large,  or  from, 
the  wind.     (See  Lask  and  Large.)     It  is  mentioned  by  Bourne  in  1578. 

ROOMING.  An  old  word  to  signify  running  to  leeward. — To  go  room. 
To  bear  down. 

ROOST.  A  phrase  applied  to  races  of  strong  and  furious  tides,  which  set  in 
between  the  Orkney  and  Shetland  Islands,  as  those  of  Sumburgh  and  the 
Start 

ROPE.     Is  composed  of  hemp,  hide,  wire,  or  other  stuff,  spun  into  yarns 
and  strands,  which  twisted  together  forms  the  desired  cordage.     The. 
word  is  very  old,  being  the  actual  representative  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
rdp, — To  rope  a  sail     To  sew  the  bolt-rope  round  its  edges,  to  strengthen 
it  and  prevent  it  from  rending. 

ROPE-BANDS.  Small  plaited  lines  rove  through  the  eyelet  holes  with  a 
running  eye,  by  which  the  head  of  a  sail,  after  the  earings  are  secured, 
is  brought  to  the  yard  or  jackstay. 

ROPE-HOUSK     A  long  building  in  a  dock-yard,  where  ropes  are  made. 

ROPE-LADDER.  Such  as  hangs  over  the  stem,  to  enable  men  to  go  into 
boats,  &c. 

ROPE-MAKER     A  first-class  petty  officer  in  the  navy. 

ROPE  OF  SAND.  A  term  borrowed  from  a  Greek  proverb  signifying 
attempting  impossibilities ;  without  cohesion.  Said  of  people  who  ought, 
but  will  not  combine  to  effect  a  necessary  object 

ROPES.  A  general  name  given  to  all  the  cordage  above  one  inch  in 
circumference  used  in  rigging  a  ship;  but  the  name  is  severally  applied 
to  the  awning,  bell,  boat,  bolt,  breast,  bucket,  buoy,  davit,  entering,  grapnel, 
guest  or  guist,  guy,  heel,  keel,  man,  parral,  pcussing,  ring,  rudder,  slip, 
swab,  tiller,  top,  and  yard :  all  which  see  under  their  respective  heads. 
Ropes  are  of  several   descriptions,   viz.: — Cable-laid,   consists  of  three 


580  BOPES ROUGH  MUSIC 

strands  of  already  formed  hawser-laid  or  twisted  left-hand,  laid  up  into  one 
opposite  making  nine  strands. — Haw8er4aid,  is  merely  three  strands  of 
simple  yams  twisted  rights  but  laid  up  left. — Four-stravd  is  similarly  laid 
with  four  strands,  and  a  core  scarcely  twisted. — Sa8h4ine  is  plaited  and 
used  for  signal  halliards. — Bope-yam  is  understood  to  be  the  selected 
serviceable  yams  from  condemned  rope,  and  is  worked  into  twice-laid. 
The  refuse,  again,  into  nimbowline  for  temporary  purposes,  not  demand- 
ing strength. 

HOPES,  High.  On  the  high  rapes.  To  be  ceremonious,  upstart^  invested 
with  brief  authority. 

EOPE'S  END.  The  termination  of  a  fall,  and  should  be  pointed  or 
whipped.     Formerly  much  used  for  illegal  punishment. 

ROPE-YARN.  The  smallest  and  simplest  part  of  any  rope,  being  one  of 
the  laige  threads  of  hemp  or  other  stuff,  several  of  which  being  twisted 
together  form  a  strand. 

ROPING-NEEDLES.     Those  used  for  roping,  being  strong  accordingly. 

RORQUAL,  •  OB  Furrowed  Whale.  A  name  of  Scandinavian  origin 
applied  to  the  finback  whales,  distinguished  from  the  right  whales  by 
the  small  size  of  their  heads,  shortness  of  their  whalebone,  the  presence 
of  a  dorsal  fin,  and  of  a  series  of  conspicuous  longitudinal  folds  or  furrows 
in  the  skin  of  the  throat  and  chest. 

ROSE,  OR  Strainer.  A  plate  of  copper  or  lead  perforated  with  small 
holes,  placed  on  the  heel  of  a  pump  to  prevent  choking  substances  from 
being  sucked  in.  Roses  are  also  nailed,  for  the  like  purpose,  upon  the 
holes  which  are  made  on  a  steamer's  bottom  for  the  admission  of  water 
to  the  boilers  and  condensers. 

ROSE-LASniNG.  This  lashing  is  middled,  and  passed  opposite  ways; 
when  finished,  the  ends  appear  as  if  coiled  round  the  crossings. 

ROSIN  A.     A  Tuscan  gold  coin,  value  17s.  Id.  sterling. 

ROSS.     A  term  from  the  Celtic,  signifying  a  promontory. 

ROSTER,  OR  RoLLSTER.  A  list  for  routine  on  any  particular  duty.  {See 
Rollsteb.) 

ROSTRAL-CROWN.  The  naval  crown  anciently  awarded  to  the  individual 
who  first  boarded  an  enemy's  ship. 

ROSTRUM.     A  prow;  also  a  stand  for  a  public  speaker. 

ROTATION.     The  motion  of  a  body  about  its  axis. 

ROTHER.  This  lineal  descendant  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  rdter  is  still  in  use 
for  rvdder  (which  see). 

ROTTEN  ROW.     A  line  of  old  ships-in-ordinary  in  routine  order. 

ROXJBLR     See  Ruble. 

ROUGH  BOOKS.  Those  in  which  the  warrant  officers  make  their 
immediate  entries  of  expenditure. 

ROUGH-KNOTS,  or  Rough  Nauts.     Unsophisticated  seamen. 

ROUGH  MUSIC.  Rolling  shot  about  on  the  lower  deck,  and  other 
discordant  noises,  when  seamen  are  discontented,  but  without  being 
mutinous. 


ROUGH-SPARS ROUND  SEIZING  531 

ROUGH-SPARS.     Cut  timber  before  being  worked  into  masts,  &c. 

ROUGH-TREE.  An  unfinished  spar:  also  a  name  given  in  merchant 
ships  to  any  mast,  or  other  spar  above  the  ship's  side;  it  is,  however, 
with  more  propriety  applied  to  any  mast,  <kc.,  which,  remaining  rough 
and  unfinished,  is  placed  in  that  situation. 

ROUGH-TREE  TIMBER  Upright  pieces  of  timber  placed  at  intervals 
along  the  side  of  a  vessel,  to  support  the  rough-tree.  They  are  also 
called  stanchions. 

ROUND.  To  bear  round  up*  To  go  before  the  wind. — To  round  a  point, 
is  to  steer  clear  of  and  go  round  it. 

ROUND -AFT.  The  outward  curve  or  segment  of  a  circle,  that  the  stern 
paiiiakes  of  from  the  wing  transom  upwards. 

ROUND  AND  GRAPK  A  phrase  used  when  a  gun  is  charged  at  close 
quarters  with  round  shot^  gi^p^  and  canister;  termed  a  belly-full. 

ROUND  DOZEN.     A  punishment  term  for  thirteen  lashes. 

ROUND-HOUSE.  A  name  given  in  East  Indiamen  and  other  large 
merchant  ships,  to  square  cabins  built  on  the  afler-part  of  the  quarter- 
deck, and  having  the  poop  for  its  roof;  such  an  apartment  is  frequently 
called  the  cocich  in  ships  of  war.  Round,  because  one  can  walk  round  it. 
In  some  trading  vessels  the  round-house  is  built  on  the  deck,  generally 
abafb  the  main-mast. 

ROUND-IN,  To.  To  haul  in  on  a  fall;  the  act  of  pulling  upon  any  slack 
rope  which  passes  through  one  or  more  blocks  in  a  direction  nearly  hori- 
zontal, and  is  particularly  applied  to  the  braces,  as  '^Round-in  the  weather- 
braces."  It  is  apparently  derived  from  the  circular  motion  of  the  rope 
about  the  sheave  or  pulley,  through  which  it  passes. 

ROUNDING.  A  service  wrapped  roimd  a  spar  or  hawser.  Also,  old 
ropes  wound  firmly  and  closely  about  the  layers  of  that  part  of  a  cable 
which  lies  in  the  hawse,  or  athwart  the  stem,  <S:c.  It  is  used  to  prevent 
the  cable  from  being  chafed.     (See  Kegkling  and  Servigk) 

ROUNDING-UP.  Is  to  haul  through  the  slack  of  a  tackle  which  hangs  in  a 
perpendicular  direction,  without  sustaining  or  hoisting  any  weighty  body. 

ROUNDLY.     Quickly. 

ROUND-RIBBED.  A  vessel  of  burden  with  very  little  run,  and  a  flattish 
bottom,  the  ribs  sometimes  almost  joining  the  keel  horizontally. 

ROUND  ROBBIN  [from  the  French  ruban  rond],  A  mode  of  signing 
names  in  a  circular  form,  after  a  complaint  or  remonstrance,  so  that  no 
one  can  tell  who  signed  first. 

ROUNDS.  General  discharges  of  the  guns.  Cartridges  are  usually 
reckoned  by  rounds,  including  all  the  artillery  to  be  used;  as,  fifty 
rounds  of  ammimition.  Also,  going  round  to  inspect  sentinels.  The 
general  visiting  of  the  decks  made  by  officers,  to  see  that  all  is  going  on 
right.     Also,  the  steps  of  a  ladder. 

ROUND  SEAM.     The  edges  or  selvedges  sewed  together,  without  lapping. 

ROUND  SEIZING.  This  is  made  by  a  series  of  turns,  with  the  end 
passed  through  the  riders,  and  made  fast  snugly. 


582  ROUND  SEIZING ROUTINE 

ROUND  SEIZING,  In  applying  this  the  rope  does  not  cross,  but  both 
parts  are  brought  close  together,  and  the  seizing  crossed. 

ROUND  SHOT.  The  cast-iron  balls  fitting  the  bores  of  their  respective 
guns,  as  distinguished  from  grape  or  other  shot. 

ROUNDS  OF  THE  GALLEY.  The  opposite  of  what  is  termed  Coventry; 
for  it  is  figurative  of  a  man  incurring  the  expressed  scorn  of  his  shipmates. 

ROUND  SPLICE.  One  which  hardly  shows  itself,  from  the  neatness  of 
the  rope  and  the  skill  of  the  splicer.     Properly  a  long  splice. 

ROUND  STERN.  The  segmmtal  stem,  the  bottom  and  wales  of  which 
are  wrought  quite  aft,  and  unite  in  the  stem-post :  it  is  now  used  in  our 
navy,  thus  securing  an  after  battery  for  the  ship.  It  had  long  obtained 
in  the  Danish  marine. 

ROUND  THE  FLEET.  A  diabolical  punishment,  by  which  a  man, 
lashed  to  a  frame  on  a  long-boat,  was  towed  alongside  of  every  ship  in  a 
fleet,  to  receive  a  certain  number  of  lashes  by  sentence  of  court-martial. 

ROUND-TO,  To.  To  bring  to,  or  haul  to  the  wind  by  means  of  the  helm. 
To  go  round,  ia  to  tack  or  wear. 

ROUND-TOP.  A  name  which  has  obtained  for  modem  tops,  from  the 
shape  of  the  ancient  ones.     {See  Top.) 

ROUND-TURN  in  the  Hawse.  A  term  implying  the  situation  of  the 
two  cables  of  a  ship,  which,  when  moored,  has  swung  the  wrong  way 
three  times  successively;  if  after  this  she  come  round  till  her  head  is 
directed  the  same  way  as  at  first,  this  makes  a  round  turn  and  Mow.  A 
round  turn  is  also  the  passing  a  rope  completely  round  a  timber-head,  or 
any  proper  thing,  in  order  to  hold  on.  (See  Holding  on.)  Also,  to  pass 
a  rope  over  a  belaying  pin.  Also,  the  bending  of  any  timber  or  plank 
upwards,  but  especially  the  beams  which  support  the  deck,  and  curve 
upwards  towards  the  middle  of  the  deck.  This  is  for  the  purpose  of 
strength,  and  for  the  convenience  of  the  run  of  water  to  the  scuppers. — 
To  rownd  up  a  fall  or  tackle,  is  to  gather  in  the  slack;  the  reverse  of 
overhaid. 

ROUND  UP  OF  THE  TRANSOMS.  That  segment  of  a  circle  to  which 
they  are  sided,  or  of  beams  to  which  they  are  moulded. 

ROUNDURE.     An  old  English  word  for  circle. 

ROUSE,  To.  To  man-handle.  "Rouse  in  the  cable,"  haul  it  in,  and 
make  it  taut. 

ROUSE  AND  BIT.     The  order  to  turn  out  of  the  hammocks. 

ROUST.  A  word  used  in  the  north  of  Scotland  to  signify  a  tumultuous 
current  or  tide,  occasioned  by  the  meeting  of  rapid  waters.     {See  Roost.) 

ROUT.  The  concision  and  disorder  created  in  any  body  of  men  when 
defeated  and  dispersed  / 

ROUTE.  The  order  for  the  movement  of  a  body  of  men,  specifying  its 
various  stages  and  dates  of  march. 

ROUTINE.  Unchanging  adherence  to  official  system,  which,  if  carried 
too  far  in  matters  of  service,  often  bars  celerity,  spirit,  and  consequently 
success. 


EOVE ROYAL  YACHT  CLUB  583 

ROVE.     A  rope  when  passed  through  a  block  or-  sheeve-hole. 

ROVENS.     A  corruption  of  rope-bands  (which  see).     Also,  the  ravellings 

of  canvas  or  buntin. 
ROVER.     A  pirate  or  freebooter.     (See  Pirate.)    Also,  a  kind  of  piratical 

galley  of  the  Barbary  States. 
ROVING  COMMISSION.     An  authority  granted  by  the  Admiralty  to 
a  select  officer  in  command  of  a  vessel,  to  cruise  wherever  he  may  see  fit. 
[From  the  Anglo-Saxon  rlnven,] 
ROW,  To.     To  propel  a  boat  or  vessel  by  oars  or  sweeps,  which  are 

managed  in  a  direction  nearly  horizontal.     {See  Oab.) 
ROW  DRY!     The  order  to  tiiose  who  row,  not  to  splash  water  into  the 

boat. 
ROWED  OF  ALL!     The  orders  for  the  rowers  to  cease,  and  toss  their 

oars  into  the  boat  simultaneously,  in  naval  styla 
ROW  IN  THE  SAME  BOAT,  To.     To  be  of  similar  principles. 
ROWL.     The  iron  or  wooden  shiver,  or  wheel,  for  a  whip-tackla 
ROWLK     A  light  crane,  formerly  much  used  in  clearing  boats  and  holds. 
ROWLOCKS.     Those  spaces  in  the  gunwale,  or  upper  edge  of  a  boat's 

side,  wherein  the  oars  work  in  the  act  of  rowing. 
ROW-PORTS.     Certain  scutties  or  square  holes,  formerly  cut  through  the 
sides  of  the  smaller  vessels  of  war,  near  the  surface  of  the  water,  for  the 
purpose  of  rowing  them  along  in  a  calm  or  light  wind,  by  heavy  sweeps, 
each  worked  by  several  men.     {See  Sweep.) 
ROYAL.     The  name  of  a  light  sail  spread  immediately  next  above  the 
top-gallant  sail,  to  whose  yard-arms  the  lower  comers  of  it  are  attached; 
it  used  to  be  termed  top-gallant  royal,  and  is  never  used  but  in  fine 
weather.     Also,  the  name  of  a  small  mortar. 
ROYAL  FISH.     Whales,  porpoises,  sturgeons,  &c.,  which,  when  driven  on 

shore,  become  droits  of  admiralty. 
ROYAL  MARINE  ARTILLERY.     Originally  selected  from  the  royal 

marines,  now  specially  enlisted     {See  Artilleky,  Rotal  Marine.) 
ROYAL  MARINES.    See  Marines. 
ROYAL  MERCHANT.     A  title  of  the  Mediterranean  traders  of  the 

thirteenth  century,  when  the  Venetians  were  masters  of  the  sea. 
ROYAL  MORTAR.     A  brass  one  of  5}  inches  diameter  of  bore,  and 
150  lbs.  weighty  throwing  a  24-pounder  shell  up  to  600  yards;  most 
convenient  for  advanced  trenches  and  boat  work. 
ROYAL  NAVAL  RESERVK    See  Naval  Reserve. 
ROYALS.     A  familiar  appellation  for  the  marines  since  the  mutiny  of 
1797,  when  they  were  so  distinguished  for  the  loyalty  and  steadiness  they 
displayed.     Also  called  royodjoUys,     {See  Jolly.) 
ROYAL  STANDARD.    See  Standard. 
ROYAL  YACHT.     A  vessel  built  and  equipped  expressly  for  the  use  of 

the  sovereign. 
ROYAL  YACHT  CLUB.     A  very  useful  and  honourable  association. 
{See  Yacht  Club.) 


584  EOYAL  YARD EUDDER-IRONS 

ROYAL  YARD.  The  fourdi  yard  £ix)m  the  deck,  on  which  the  royal 
is  set. 

ROYNES.  An  archaic  term  for  streams,  currents,  or  other  usual  passages 
of  rivers  and  running  waters. 

RUBBER  A  small  instrument  used  to  rub  or  flatten  down  the  seams  of 
a  sail,  in  sail-making. 

RUBBLE- WORK.  A  mass  of  masonry,  formed  of  irregular  stones  and 
pebbles  imbedded  in  mortar.  It  is  used  in  the  interior  of  docks,  piers, 
and  other  erections,  and  is  opposed  to  ashlar- work. 

RUBLK  A  Russian  silver  coin  of  100  kopeks,  in  value  about  3«.  2d. 
sterling,  so  called  from  rubliy  a  notch;  derived  from  the  time  when  bars 
of  silver,  marked  with  notches  at  different  distances  to  represent  different 
values,  were  used  in  Russia  instead  of  coin,  portions  of  the  bar  being  cut 
off  as  required. 

RUDDER.  The  appendage  attached  by  pintles  and  braces  to  the  stem- 
post  of  a  vessel,  by  which  its  course  through  the  water  is  governed.  It 
is  formed  of  several  pieces  of  timber,  of  which  the  main  one  is  generally 
of  oak,  extending  the  whole  length.  Tiphys  is  said  to  have  been  its 
inventor.     The  Anglo-Saxon  name  was  steor-roper. 

RUDDER  BANDS  or  BRACES.  The  iron  or  composition  hinges  on 
which  a  rudder  tum& 

RUDDER-CASE.     The  same  as  rudder-trunk  (which  see). 

RUDDER-CHAINS.  Strong  copper  chains  connected  with  the  aft  side  of 
the  rudder  by  a  span  clamp  and  shackles.  They  are  about  6  feet  in 
length;  a  hempen  pendant  is  then  spliced  into  the  outer  link,  and  allowing 
for  slack  to  permit  the  rudder  free  motion,  they  are  stopped  to  eye-bolts 
along  the  stem-moulding,  terminating  on  the  fore-side  of  the  stools  of  the 
quarter  galleries.  They  are,  when  the  rudder  or  tiller  is  damaged,  worked 
by  tackles  hooked  to  the  after-channel  bolts.  But  their  principal  use 
in  Uter  times  is  to  save  the  rudder  if  unshipped  by  striking  on  a  reef  or 
shoaL 

RDDDER-CHALDER.     The  same  as  gvdgeon  (which  see)  and  chalder, 

RUDDER-CHOCKS.    See  Chocks. 

RUDDER-COAT.  A  canvas  coat  affixed  to  the  rudder,  encasing  the  open- 
ing in  the  counter,  to  prevent  the  sea  from  rushing  in  through  the  tiller- 
hole. 

RUDDER-GUDGEON.  Those  secured  to  a  ship  are  termed  braces; 
gudgeon  is  more  applicable  to  boats  or  small  vessels. 

RUDDER-HEAD.  The  upper  end  of  the  mdder-stock.  Also,  the  flat 
surface  of  the  trunk,  which  in  cabins  and  ward-rooms  forms  a  very  con- 
venient table. 

RUDDER-HORN.  A  kind  of  iron  cmtch  bolted  to  the  back  of  the  mdder, 
for  attaching  the  rudder  chains  to  in  case  of  necessity. 

RUDDER-HOUSE.     Synonymous  with  wheel-house. 

RUDDER-IRONS.  The  pintles,  gudgeons,  and  braces  of  the  rudder  are 
frequently  so  called,  though  they  were  usually  of  copper. 


RUDDEE-PENDANTS RUN  AWAY  585 

RUDDER-PENDANTS.  (See  Ruddee-chains.)  Hempen  pendants  fas- 
tened to  the  rudder-chains,  for  steering  in  cases  of  accident,  and  towing 
the  rudder  to  prevent  its  being  lost  if  it  gets  unshipped. 

RUDDER-PINTLES.  The  hooks  attached  to  the  rudder,  which  enter  the 
braces,  and  hang  it. 

RUDDER-RAKR     The  aftermost  part  of  the  rudder. 

RUDDER-STOCK     The  main  piece  of  a  rudder. 

RUDDER-TACKLES.     Attached  to  the  rudder-pendants. 

RUDDER-TRUNK.  A  casing  of  wood  fitted  or  boxed  firmly  into  a  cavity 
in  the  vesseFs  counter,  called  the  helm-port^  through  which  the  rudder- 
stock  is  introduced. 

RUFFLR  A  low  vibrating  sound  of  the  drum,  continuous  like  the  roll, 
but  not  so  loud :  it  is  used  in  complimenting  officers  of  rank. 

RUFFLERS.  Certain  fellows  who  begged  about  formerly,  under  pretext 
of  having  served  in  the  wars. 

RULE  OF  THUMB.  That  rule  suggested  by  a  practical  rather  than  a 
scientific  knowledge.  In  common  matters  it  means  to  estimate  by  guess, 
not  by  weight  or  measure. 

RULES  OF  THE  SEA.  Certain  practices  and  regulations  as  to  steerage, 
which  are  recognized  by  seamen  as  well  as  by  law,  in  order  to  prevent 
the  collision  of  ships,  or  to  determine  who  has  contravened  them;  prece- 
dents in  one  sense,  custom  in  another. 

RULE-STAFF.  A  lath  about  4  inches  in  breadth,  used  for  curves  in  ship- 
building. 

RUMBELOW.  A  very  favourite  burden  to  an  old  sea-song,  of  which 
vestiges  still  remain. 

RUMBO.     Rope  stolen  from  a  royal  dockyard. 

RUM-GAGGER  A  cheat  who  tells  wonderful  stories  of  his  sufferings  at 
sea  to  obtain  money. 

RUMMAGE.     The  search  by  custom-house  officers  for  smiiggled  goods. 

RUN.  The  distance  sailed  by  a  ship.  Also,  used  among  sailors  to  imply 
the  agreement  to  work  a  single  passage  from  one  place  to  another,  as  from 
Jamaica  to  England,  and  so  fortL — To  make  a  run.  To  sway  with 
alacrity. 

RUN,  Clean.  When  the  after  part  of  a  ship's  form  exhibits  a  long  clean 
curvature  approaching  to  a  wedge — FvM  run.     When  it  is  otherwise. 

RUN  OF  THE  Ice.  In  Arctic  parlance,  implies  that  the  ice  is  suddenly 
impelled  by  a  rushing  motion,  arising  from  currents  at  a  distance. 

RUN,  To  Lower  by  the.  To  let  go  altogether,  instead  of  lowering  with 
a  turn  on  a  cleat  or  bitt-head. 

RUN  ATHWART  A  SHIP'S  COURSE,  To.     To  cross  her  path. 

RUN  AWAY  WITH  HER  ANCHOR.  Said  of  a  ship  when  she  drags 
or  "shoulders"  her  anchor;  drifting  away  owing  to  the  anchor  not  holding, 
for  want,  perhaps,  of  sufficient  range  of  cable. 

RUN  AWAY  WITH  IT !  The  order  to  men  on  a  tackle  fall,  when  light 
goods  are  being  hoisted  in,  or  in  hoisting  topsails,  jib,  or  studding-sails. 


586  KUNDLB BtTNTONG  GOODS 

HXJNDLK  That  part  of  a  capstan  loand  which  the  messenger  is  wound, 
including  the  drum-head.     (See  Wh£LF&) 

RUN  DOWN  A  COAST,  To.  To  sail  along  it,  keeping  parallel  to  or 
skirting  its  dangers. 

RUN  DOWN  A  VESSEL,  To.  To  pass  over,  into,  or  foul  her  by  run- 
ning against  her  end-on,  so  as  to  jeopardize  her. 

RUNE  [from  the  Teutonic  renneiiy  to  flow}     A  water-course. 

RUNGSu  The  same  as  the  floor  or  ground  timbers,  and  whose  ends  are 
the  rung-heads.     Also,  a  spoke,  and  the  step  or  round  of  a  ladder. 

RUNLET.  A  measure  of  wine^  oil,  ^,  containing  eighteen  gallons  and  a 
half. 

RUN-MONEY.  The  money  paid  for  apprehending  a  deserter,  and  charged 
against  his  wages.  Also,  the  sum  given  to  seamen  for  bringing  a  ship 
home  from  the  West  Indies,  or  other  places,  in  time  of  war.  Coasters 
are  sometimes  paid  by  the  run  instead  of  by  the  month. 

RUNNER-PURCHASE.  The  addition  of  a  tackle  to  a  single  rope,  then 
termed  a  pendant,  passing  through  a  block  applied  to  the  object  to  be 
moved;  as  it  might  be  the  laniard  of  a  shroud,  the  end  of  the  runner-pen- 
dant being  £Btst  to  some  secure  fixed  object;  as  in  backstays,  dca 

RUNNERS.  Ships  which  risk  every  impediment  as  to  privateers  or 
blockade,  to  get  a  profitable  market. 

RUNNERS  OF  Foreign  Goods.     Organized  smugglers. 

RUNNING  AGREEMENT.  In  the  case  of  foreign-going  ships  making 
voyages  averaging  less  than  six  months  in  duration,  running  agreements 
can  legally  be  made  with  the  crew  to  extend  over  two  or  more  voyages. 

RUNNING-BLOCKS.  Those  which  are  made  fast  to  the  running  rigging 
or  tacklea 

RUNNING-BOWLINE-KNOT.  Is  made  by  taking  the  end  round  the 
standing  part,  and  making  a  bowline  upon  its  own  part. 

RUNNING  BOWSPRIT.  One  which  is  used  in  revenue  cutters  and 
smacks;  it  can  be  reefed  by  sliding  in,  and  has  fid  holes  for  that  purpose. 
(See  Sloop.) 

RUNNING-DOWN  CLAUSE.  A  special  admission  into  policies  of 
marine  insurance,  to  include  the  risk  of  loss  or  damage  in  consequence  of 
the  collision  of  the  ship  insured  with  other  vessels. 

RUNNING-DOWN  THE  PORT.  A  method  practised  in  the  ruder 
state  of  navigation,  when  the  longitude  was  very  doubtful,  by  sailing  into 
its  parallel  of  latitude,  and  then  working  for  it  on  its  parallel 

RUNNING  FOUL.  A  vessel,  by  accident  or  bad  steerage,  falling  in  con- 
tact with  another  under  sail  {See  Athwabt  Hawse.)  The  law  and 
custom  of  the  sea  requires  that  the  ship  on  the  port  tack  shall  bear  up 
and  give  way  to  that  on  the  starboard  tack.  Foreigners  observe  this 
general  custom.  Steamers  however  are  always  bound  to  give  way  to 
vessels  under  canvas,  having  the  power  to  alter  course  without  altering 
sails,  or  endangering  the  vessel 

RUNNING  GOODS.     Landing  a  cargo  of  contraband  articles. 


RUNNING  OUT SACKS  OF  C0AI5  587 

RUNNING  OUT,  and  Running  in,  the  Lower  Deck  Guns.  The 
old  practice  of  morning  and  evening  evolutions  in  a  line-of-battle  ship, 
wind  and  weather  permitting. 

RUNNING  PART  OF  A  TACKLE.  Synonymous  with  the  fall,  or 
that  part  on  which  the  man  power  is  applied  to  produce  the  intended 
effect. 

RUNNING  THE  GANTLET.     See  Gant-lope  (pronounced  gantlet). 

RUN  OUT  A  WARP,  To.  To  carry  a  hawser  out  from  the  ship  by  a 
boat,  and  fasten  it  to  some  distant  place  to  remove  the  ship  towards  that 
place,  or  to  keep  her  steady  whilst  her  anchors  are  lifted,  &c. 

RUPEE.  The  well-known  coin  of  the  East  Indies.  There  are  gold  rupees 
of  nearly  30  shillings  in  value;  but  the  current  rupee  is- of  silver,  varying 
a  little  from  2  shillings,  according  to  its  being  named  Bombay,  Arcot,  or 
Sicca. 

RUSPONR     A  gold  Tuscan  coin  of  the  value  of  £1,  8».  Id.  'sterling. 

RUT  OF  THE  SEA  The  point  of  impact  where  it  dashes  against  any- 
thing. 

RUT  OF  THE  SHORR     The  sea  breaking  along  the  coast. 

RUTTER,  OE  Routier.  The  old  word  for  an  outline  chart  for  ships' 
tracks  [from  route].  It  was  also  applied  to  a  journal  or  log-book;  or  to  a 
set  of  sailing  instructions,  as  a  directory. 

RYDE.     A  small  stream. 

RYNE.  An  Anglo-Saxon  word  still  in  use  for  a  water-course,  or  streamlet 
which  rises  high  with  floods. 


S. 

S.     A  bent  iron,  called  a  crooked  catch,  or  pot-hook,  in  anchors,  &c. 

SA  BANDER.     The  feimiliar  of  shah-bandei',  an  eastern  title  for  captain  or 

governor  of  a  port 
SABATINES.     Steel  coverings  for  the  feet;  sometimes  slippers  or  cloga 
SABRE.     A  sword  with  a  broad  and  rather  heavy  blade,  thick  at  the  back, 

and  curved  towards  the  point,  intended  for  cutting  more  than  for  thrusting. 
SABRETACHK     A  flat  leathern  case  or  pocket  suspended  at  the  left  side 

of  a  cavalry  officer's  sword-belt. 
SACCADE.     The  sudden  jerk  of  the  sails  in  light  winds  and  a  heavy  swell. 
SACCOLEVA,  OR  Sacoleoe.     A  Levantine  small  craft  of  great  sheer, 

carrying  a  sail  with  an  enormous  sprit,  so  called. 
SAGE,  To  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  scbc].     To  pillage  a  place  which  has 

been  taken  by  storuL 
SACKS  OF  COALS.     The  seaman's  name  for  the  black  Magdlanic  clouds, 

or  patches  of  deep  blue  sky  in  the  milky-way  near  the  south  pole. 


588  SADDLE  HILL SAIL  HO! 

SADDLE  HILL.  A  high  land  visible  from  the  coast,  having  a  centre  less 
elevated  than  its  ends,  somewhat  like  a  riding-saddla 

SADDLES.  Chocks  of  notched  wood  embracing  sparse  to  support  others  at- 
tached to  them;  thus  we  have  a  saddle-crutch  for  the  main  or  driver  boom 
on  the  taffarel;  another  on  the  bowsprit  to  support  the  heel  of  the  jib-boom. 

SAFE-CONDUCT.  A  security  passport  granted  to  an  enemy  for  his  safe 
entry  and  passage  through  the  realm. 

SAFEGUARD.  Protection  given  to  secure  a  people  from  oppression  in 
time  of  trouble. 

SA^TY-KEEL.  A  construction  of  keel  for  further  security,  by  Oliver 
Lang. 

SAFETY-PIN.     To  secure  the  head  of  the  capstan  bar. 

SAFETY- VALVR  A  conical  valve  on  the  top  of  the  steam-chesty  com- 
municating with  the  boiler  of  a  steam-engine,  and  opening  outwardly;  it 
is  so  adapted  and  loaded,  that  when  the  steam  in  the  boiler  exceeds  its 
proper  pressure,  it  I'aises  the  valve^  and  escapes  by  a  pipe  called  the  waste 
steam-pipe. 

SAGG,  To.  To  bend  or  give  way  from  heavy  weight;  to  press  down 
towards  the  middle;  the  opposite  of  hogging.  In  Macbeth  the  word  is 
figuratively  applied — 

'*  The  mind  I  sway  by,  and  the  heart  I  bear, 
Shall  neyer  sagg  with  doubt,  nor  shake  with  fear.'* 

SAGGING  TO  LEEWARD.  To  drift  off  bodily  to  leeward.  The  move- 
ment by  which  a  ship  makes  a  considerable  leeway. 

SAGITTA.     One  of  the  ancient  northern  constellations. 

SAGITTARII.  The  name  in  our  records  for  some  small  vessels  with  oars 
and  sails,  used  in  the  twelfth  century. 

SAGITTARIUS.  The  ninth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters 
about  the  21st  of  November. 

SAGUM.     An  ancient  military  cloak. 

SAIC.  A  sort  of  Greek  ketch,  which  has  no  top-gallant  nor  mizen  sails, 
but  still  spreads  much  canvas. 

SAIL.  The  terms  applicable  to  the  parts  of  a  sail  comprise: — Seaming  the 
cloths  together;  cutting  the  gores;  tabling  and  sewing  on  the  reef,  belly, 
lining,  and  buntliue  bands,  roping,  and  marling  on  the  clues  and  foot-rope. 
The  square  sails  comprise  courses,  topsails,  topgallant  sails,  royals,  skysails 
on  each  mast.  The  fore  and  aft,  are  jibs,  staysails,  trysails,  boom  mainsails 
and  foresails,  gaff  topsails,  to  which  may  be  added  the  studding-sails  and 
the  flying  kit^s.     Also,  a  distant  ship  is  called  a  sail. 

SAIL  BURTON.  A  purchase  extending  from  topmast-head  to  deck,  for 
sending  sails  alofb  ready  for  bending;  it  usually  consists  of  two  single  blocks, 
having  thimbles  and  a  hook;  a  leading  block  on  the  slings  through  which 
the  fall  leads  to  bear  the  topsail  clear  of  the  top-rim. 

SAIL  HO!  The  exclamation  used  when  a  strange  ship  is  firat  discerned 
at  sea— either  from  the  deck  or  from  the  mast-head. 


SAIL-HOOK SAILOR'S  PLEASURE  689 

SAIL-HOOEL  A  small  hook  used  for  holding  the  seams  of  a  sail  -while  in 
the  act  of  sewing. 

SAILING.  The  movement  of  a  vessel  by  means  of  her  sails  along  the 
surface  of  the  water.  Sailing^  or  the  sailings,  is  a  term  applied  to  the 
different  ways  in  which  the  path  of  a  ship  at  sea,  and  the  variations  of  its 
geographical  position,  are  represented  on  paper,  all  which  are  explained 
under  the  various  heads  of  great  circle  sailing,  Mercator's  sailing,  middle 
latitude  sailing,  oblique  sailing,  parallel  sailing,  plane  sailing. 

SAILING,  Order  of.  The  general  disposition  of  a  fleet  of  ships  when 
proceeding  on  a  vojrage  or  an  expedition.  It  ia  generally  found  most 
convenient  for  fleets  of  ships  of  war  to  be  formed  in  three  parallel  lines  or 
columns.  But  squadrons  of  less  than  ten  sail  of  the  line  are  placed  in 
two  lines. 

SAILING  CAPTAIN.  An  officer  in  some  navies,  whose  duties  are 
similar  to  those  of  our  masters  in  the  royal  navy. 

SAILING  DIEECTIONS.  Works  supplied  by  the  admiralty  to  Her 
Majesty's  ships,  which  advise  the  navigator  as  to  the  pilotage  of  coasts  and 
islands  throughout  the  world. 

SAILING  ICE.  A  number  of  loose  pieces  floating  at  a  sufficient  distance 
from  each  other,  for  a  ship  to  be  able  to  pick  her  way  among  them. 
Otherwise  termed  open  ice;  when  she  forces  her  way,  pushing  the  ice 
aside,  it  \a  termed  boring. 

SAILING  LAEGE.     With  a  quartering  wind.     {See  Large.) 

SAILING  ORDERS.  Written  instructions  for  the  performance  of  any 
proposed  duty. 

SAIL-LOFT.  A  large  apartment  in  dockyards  where  the  sails  are  cut  out 
and  made. 

SAIL-LOOSERS.  Men  specially  appointed  to  loose  the  sails  when  getting 
under  weigh,  or  loosing  them  to  dry. 

SAIL-MAKER.  A  qualified  person  who  (with  his  mates)  is  employed  on 
board  ship  in  making,  repairing,  or  altering  the  sails;  whence  he  usually 
derives  the  familiar  sobriquet  of  sails. 

SAIL-NETTING.  The  fore-topmast  staysail,  main-topmast  staysail,  and 
main  staysail  are  generally  stowed  in  the  nettings. 

SAILOR.  A  man  trained  in  managing  a  ship,  either  at  sea  or  in  harbour. 
A  thorough  sailor  is  the  same  with  mariner  and  seaman,  but  as  every  one 
of  the  crew  is  dubbed  a  sailor,  there  is  much  difierence  in  the  absolute 
meaning  of  the  term.     {See  Mariner  and  Seaman.) 

SAILORS*  HOME.  A  house  built  by  subscription,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  seamen  on  moderate  terms,  and  to  rescue  them  from 
swindlers,  crimps,  &c.  Sailors'  homes  are  a  great  boon  also  to  ship- 
wrecked mariners.  Homes  for  married  seamen  and  their  families  are 
now  contemplated,  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  admiralty  will  set  the  example, 
by  building  them  for  the  royal  na^y,  and  letting  them  at  moderate  rents. 

SAILOR'S  PLEASURK  A  rather  hyperbolic  phrase  for  a  sailor's  over- 
hauling his  ditty-bag  at  a  leisure  moment,  and  restowing  his  little  hoard. 


690  SAII5 SALLY-POKT 

SAILS,  To  Loose.  To  unfurl  them,  and  let  them  hang  loose  to  dry;  or 
the  movement  preparatory  to  '' making  saiL" — To  make  saily  to  spread 
the  sails  to  the  wind  in  order  to  b^n  the  action  of  saiUng,  or  to  increase 
a  ship's  speed. — To  shorten  sail,  to  take  in  part  of  or  all  the  sails,  either 
by  reefing  or  furling,  or  botL — To  strike  sail,  to  lower  the  upper  sails. 
A  gracious  mode  of  salute  on  passing  a  foreigner  at  sea,  especially  a 
superior. 

SAINT  CXJTHBERT'S  DUCK.  The  Anas  moUissima;  the  eider,  or 
great  black  and  white  duck  of  the  Feroe  Islands. 

SAINT  ELMO'S  LIGHT.     See  Compasant. 

SAINT  SWITHIN.  The  old  notion  is,  that  if  it  should  rain  on  this 
bishop's  day,  the  6th  of  July,  not  one  of  forty  days  following  will  be 
without  a  shower. 

SAKER.  A  very  old  gun,  8  or  9  feet  long,  and  of  about  5  lbs.  calibre: 
immortalized  in  Hudibras: — 

"The  cannon,  blunderbuss,  and  saker, 
He  was  th'  inventer  of,  and  maker." 

The  name  is  thought  to  have  been  derived  from  the  French  oath  sacre, 

SALADR     An  Anglo-Norman  term  for  a  light  helmet  or  head-piece. 

SALADIN.  The  first  coat-of-arms;  so  called  because  the  crusaders  assumed 
it  in  imitation  of  the  Saracens,  whose  chief  at  that  time  was  the  redoubt- 
able Saladin. 

SALAM,  To.  To  salute  a  superior;  a  very  common  term,  borrowed  from 
India.  Overdoing  it  does  not  please  Jack,  for  he  dislikes  to  see  his  com- 
mander "  salamming  like  a  captured  Frenchman." 

SALAMANDER.  The  heated  iron  formerly  used  for  firing  guns^  especially 
in  salutes,  as  it  ensures  regidarity. 

SALE  OF  COMMISSIONS.  The  regulated  disposal  of  full-pay,  unat- 
tached, retired,  and  half-pay  commissions  in  the  army. 

SALE  OF  EFFECTS.  See  Epfbcts,  of  dead  men  sold  by  auction  "at  the 
mast" 

SALIENT  ANGLE.  In  fortification,  one  of  which  the  point  projects 
outwards. 

SALINAS,  or  Salines.     Salt-ponds,  natural  or  artificial,  near  the  sea-coast. 

SALINOMETEK.  A  brine-gauge  for  indicating  the  density  of  brine  in 
the  boilers  of  marine  steam-engines,  to  show  when  it  ia  necessary  to 
blow  ofl^ 

SALLY.  A  sudden  expedition  out  of  a  besieged  place  against  the  besiegers 
or  some  part  of  their  works;  also  called  a  sortie, — To  sally.  To  move 
a  body  by  jerks  or  rushes;  a  sudden  heave  or  set.  Thus,  when  a  vessel 
grounds  by  the  bow  or  stern,  and  the  hawsers  are  severely  taut,  the  sally 
is  practised.  This  is  done  by  collecting  all  hands  at  the  point  aground, 
and  then  by  a  simultaneous  rush  reaching  the  part  afloat. 

SALLY-PORT.  An  opening  cut  in  the  glacis  of  a  place  to  afford  free 
egress  to  the  troops  in  case  of  a  sortie.    Also,  a  large  port  on  each  quarter 


( 

\ 


SALMAGUNDI aA^LVOR  591 

of  a  fire-ship,  out  of  which  the  officers  and  crew  make  their  escape  into 
the  boats  as  soon  as  the  train  is  fired.     Also,  a  place  at  Portsmouth  ex- 
clusively set  apart  for  the  use  of  men-of-war's  boats.     Also,  the  entering 
port  of  a  three-decker. 
SALMAGUNDI.     A  savoury  sea  dish,  made  of  slices  of  cured  fish  and 

onions. 
SALMON.     The 'well-known  fish,  Scdmo  solar.     It  ia  partly  oceanic  and 

partly  fluviatile,  ascending  rivers  in  the  breeding  season. 
SALMON-LADDER.     A  short  trough  placed  suitably  in  any  fall  w^ere 
the  water  is  tolerably  deep,  leaving  a  narrow  trough  at  intervals  for  the 
fish  to  pass  through,  with  barriers  to  break  the  force  of  the  water. 
SALOON.     A  name  for  the  main  cabin  of  a  steamer  or  passenger  ship. 
SALT,  OB  Old  Salt.     A  weather-beaten  sailor.     One  of  the  old  seamen 

who  not  only  have  known  but  have  felt  what  war  was. 
SALT-BOX.     A  case  for  keeping  a  temporary  supply  of  cartridges  for  the 
immediate  use  of  the  great  guns;  it  is  under  the  charge  of  the  cabin-door 
sentry. 
SALT-EEL.     A  rope's-end  cut  from  the  piece  for  starting  the  homo  delin- 

quena, 
SALT- JUNK.     Navy  salt  beef.     (See  Junk.) 
SALTPETRK     The  neutral  salt;  also  called  nitre  (which  see). 
SALT-PITS.   Reservoirs  to  contain  sea-water  for  the  purpose  of  making  salt. 
SALUTE.     A  discharge  of  cannon  or  small  arms,  display  of  flags,  or  cheer- 
ing of  men,  in  deference,  by  the  ships  of  one  nation  to  those  of  another, 
or  by  ships  of  the  same  nation  to  a  superior  or  an  equal.    Also,  the  proper 
compliment  paid  by  troops,  on  similar  occasions,  whether  with  the  sword, 
musket,  or  hand. 
SALVAGR     Oiiginally  meant  the  thing  or  goods  saved  from  wreck,  fire, 
or  enemies.     It  now  signifies  an  allowance  made  to  those  by  whose  means 
the  ship  or  goods  have  been  saved.     These  cases,  when  fairly  made  out, 
are  received  with  the  most  liberal  encouragement      Goods  of  British 
subjects,  retaken  from  the  enemy,  are  restored  to  the  owners,  paying  for 
salvage  one-eighth  of  the  value  to  ships-of-war;  one-sixth  to  privateers. 
When  a  ship  is  in  danger  of  being  stranded,  justices  of  the  peace  are  to 
command  the  constables  to  assemble  as  many  persons  as  are  necessary  to 
preserve  it;  and  on  its  being  thus  preserved,  the  persons  assisting  therein 
shall,  in  thirty  days  after,  be  paid  a  reasonable  reward  for  the  salvage; 
otherwise  the  ship  or  goods  shall  remain  in  the  custody  of  the  officers  of 
the  customs  as  a  security  for  the  same. 
SALVAGE  LOSS.     A  term  in  marine  insurance  implying  that  the  under- 
writers are  liable  to  pay  the  amount  insured  on  the  property  lost  in  the 
ship,  but  taking  credit  for  what  is  saved. 
SALVAGER     One  employed  on  the  sea-coast  to  look  to  the  rights  of 

salvage,  wreck,  or  waif 
SALVO.     A  dischai^e  from  several  pieces  simultaneously,  as  a  salute. 
SALVOR.     The  person  claiming  and  receiving  salvage  for  having  saved  a 


692  SABfAKEEN SAND-SHOT 

ship  and  cargo,  or  any  part  thereof  from  impending  peril,  or  recovered 

after  actual  loss. 
SAMAKEEN.     A  Turkish  coasting  trader. 
SAMBUCCO.     A  pinnace  common  among  the  Arabs  on  the  east  coast  of 

Africa,   as  at   Mombaze,  Melinda,  <bc.      The  name  is   remarkable,  as 

Athenseus  describes  the  musical  instrument  sambuca  as  resembling  a  ship 

with  a  ladder  placed  over  it 
SAMPAAN,  OR  Sampan.     A  neatly-adjusted  kind  of  hatch-boat^  used  bj 

the  Chinese  for  passengers,  and  also  as  a  dwelling  for  Tartar  £sunilies,  with 

a  comfortable  cabin. 
SAMPHIRE.     CrUhmum  nuxritimum,  a  plant  found  on  sea-shores  and  salt 

marshes,  which  forms  an  excellent  anti-scorbutic  pickle. 
SAMS-CHOO.     A  Chinese  spirit  distilled  from  rice;  it  is  fierj,  fetid,  and 

very  injurious  to  European  health. 
SAMSON'S  POST.     A  movable  pillar  which  rests  on  its  upper  shoulder 

against  a  beam,  with  the  lower  tenons  into  the  deck,  and  standing  at  an 

angle  of  15°  forward.     To  this  post^  at  4  feet  above  the  deck,  a  leading  or 

snatch-block  is  hooked,  and  any  fore-and-afl  purchase  is  led  by  it  across 

the  deck  to  one  similar,  so  that,  from  the  starboard  bow  to  the  starboard 

afb  Samson-post,  across  to  the  port-post  and  forward,  the  whole  crew  can 

apply  their  foixse  for  catting  and  fishing  the  anchor,  or  hoisting  in  or  out 

boats;  top-tackle  falls,  <Sca,  are  usually  so  treated. 
SANDAL.     A  long  narrow  Barbary  boat,  of  from  15  to  50  tons;  open, 

and  fitted  with  two  masts. 
SAND-BAGS.     Small  square  cushions  made  of  canvas  and  painted,  for 

boats'  ballast.     Also,  bags  containing  about  a  cubical  foot  of  earth  or  sand, 

used  for  raising  a  parapet  in  haste,  and  making  temporary  loop-holes  for 

musketry;  also,  to  repair  any  part  beaten  down  or  damaged  by  the 

enemy's  fire. 
SAND  AND  CORAL  BANK.     An  accumulation  of  sand  and  fragments  of 

coral  above  the  surface  of  the  sea,  without  any  vegetation;  when  it 

becomes  verdant  it  is  called  a  key  (which  see). 
S  AN D-DRIFTS.     Billocks  of  shifting  sands,  as  on  the  deserts  of  Sahara,  &c. 
SANDERLING.     A  small  wading  bird,  CaUdris  a/renaria, 
SAND-HILLS.     Mounds  of  sand  thrown  up  on  the  sea-shore  by  winds  and 

eddies.     They  are  mostly  destitute  of  verdure. 
SAND -HOPPER.    A  small  creature  (TcUitra),  resembling  a  shrimp,  which 

abounds  on  some  beaches. 
SAND-LAUNCE.     Ammodytea  tobianuSj  a  small  eel-like  fish,  which  buries 

itself  in  the  sand. 
SAND-PIPER.     A  name  applied  to  many  species  of  small  wading  birds 

found  on  the  sea-shore  and  banks  of  lakes  and  rivers,  feeding  on  insects, 

crustaceans,  and  worms. 
SAND -SHOT.     Those  cast  in  moulds  of  sand,  when  economy  is  of  more 

importance  than  form  or  hardness;  the  small  balls  used  in  case;,  grape, 

^.,  are  thus  produced. 


J 


SAND-STRAXB SATITEN  693 

SAND-STEAKE.     A  name  sometimes  given  to  the  garboard-strake. 

SAND-WARPT.  Left  by  the  tide  on  a  shoal.  Also,  striking  on  a  shoal 
at  half-flood. 

SANGAREE.  A  well  known  beverage  in  both  the  Indies,  composed  of 
port  or  madeira,  water,  lime-juice,  sugar,  and  nutmeg,  with  an  occasional 
corrective  of  spirits.  The  name  is  derived  from  its  being  blood-red.  Also, 
arrack-punch. 

SAJNGIAC.  A  Turkish  governor;  the  name  is  also  applied  to  the  banner 
which  he  is  authorized  to  display,  and  has  been  mistaken  for  St.  Jacques. 

SAP.  That  peculiar  method  by  which  a  besieger's  zig-zag  approaches  are 
continuously  advanced  in  spite  of  the  musketry  of  the  defenders;  gabions 
are  successively  placed  in  position,  filled,  and  covered  with  earth,  by  men 
working  &om  behind  the  last  completed  portion  of  the  trench,  the  head 
of  which  is  protected  by  a  moving  defence  called  a  sap-roUer,  Its  pro- 
gress is  necessarily  slow  and  arduous.  There  is  also  the  fiying  sap,  used 
at  greater  distances,  and  by  night,  when  a  line  of  gabions  is  planted  and 
filled  by  a  line  of  men  working  simultaneously;  and  the  dovhle  Boup^  used 
when  zig-zags  are  no  longer  efficient^  consisting  of  two  contiguous  single 
saps,  back  to  back,  carried  direct  towards  the  place,  with  frequent  returns, 
which  form  traverses  against  enfilade;  the  Judf-doMe  sap  has  its  reverse 
side  less  complete  than  the  last. 

SARABAND.     A  forecastle  dance,  borrowed  from  the  Moors  of  AMca. 

SARACEN.  A  term  applied  in  the  middle  ages  indiscriminately  to  all 
Pagans  and  Mahometans. 

SARDINR  Engravlua  maletta^  a  fish  closely  allied  to  the  anchovy; 
found  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Atlantic. 

SARGASSO.  Fucus  TuUans,  or  gulf-weed,  the  sea-weed  always  to  be  found 
floating  in  large  quantities  in  that  part  of  the  Atlantic  south  of  the  Azores, 
which  is  nyt  subject  to  currents,  and  which  is  called  the  Sargasso  Sea. 

SARKELLIJS.  An  unlawful  net  or  engine  for  destroying  fisL  (Inquidt, 
Justic  cmno  1254.) 

SARDS.    See  Cycle  of  Eclipses. 

SARRAZINE     A  rough  portcullis. 

S  ARRR  An  early  name  for  a  long  gan,  but  of  smaller  dimensions  than  a 
bombard. 

SASH.  A  useful  mark  of  distinction  worn  by  infantry  and  marine  officers; 
it  is  made  of  crimson  silk,  and  intended  as  a  waist-band,  but  latterly 
thrown  over  the  left  shoulder  and  across  the  body.  Also,  now  worn  by 
the  naval  equerries  to  the  queen.  Serjeants  of  infantry  wear  it  of  the 
same  colour  in  cotton. 

S  ASSR     A  kind  of  weir  with  flood-gate,  or  a  navigable  sluice. 

SATELLITES.  Secondary  planets  or  moons,  which  revolve  about  some 
of  the  primary  planets.     The  moon  is  a  satellite  to  the  eartL 

SATURN.  One  of  the  ancient  superior  planets  remarkable  for  the  luminous 
rings  with  which  his  globe  is  surrounded,  and  for  his  being  accompanied 
by  no  fewer  than  eight  moons. 

2p 


594  SAUCEB SCAMPAVIA 

« 

SAUCEB,  OR  Spindle  of  the  Cafstak.  A  socket  of  iron  let  into  a 
wooden  stock  or  standard,  called  the  step,  resting  upon,  and  bolted  to,  the 
beams.  Its  use  is  to  receive  the  spindle  or  foot  on  which  the  capstan 
rests  and  turns  round. 

SAUCER-HEADED  BOLTS.     Those  with  very  flat  heads. 

SAUCISSON,  OR  Saucissb.  A  word  formerly  used  for  the  powder-hose^ 
a  linen  tube  containing  the  train  of  powder  to  a  mine  or  flre-ship,  the  slow 
match  being  attached  to  the  extremity  to  afford  time  for  the  parties  to 
reach  positions  of  safety. 

SAUCISSONS.  Faggots,  differing  from  fascines  only  in  that  they  are 
longer,  and  made  of  stouter  branches  of  trees  or  underwood. 

SAUVE-TETE.    See  Splinter-netting. 

SAVANNAH  [Sp.  Sahana\  A  name  given  to  the  wonderfully  fertile 
natural  meadows  of  tropical  America;  the  vast  plains  clear  of  wood,  and 
covered  in  general  with  waving  herbage,  in  the  interior  of  North  America, 
are  called  prairies  (which  see). 

SAYE-ALL,  OR  Water-sail.  A  small  sail  sometimes  set  under  the  foot 
of  a  lower  studding-saiL 

SAW-BILL.     A  name  for  the  goosander,  Mergus  merganser, 

SAW-BONES.     A  sobriquet  for  the  surgeon  and  his  assistants. 

SAW-FISH.  A  species  of  shark  {Pritis  antiquoruni)  with  the  bones  of  the 
face  produced  Into  a  long  flat  rostrum,  with  a  row  of  pointed  teeth  placed 
along  each  edge. 

SAY-NAY.     A  Lancashire  name  for  a  lamprey. 

SAYTH.     A  coal-fish  in  its  third  year. 

SCAFFLING.     A  northern  term  for  an  eel 

SCALA.  Ports  and  landing^laces  in  the  Levant,  so  named  from  the  old 
custom  of  placing  a  ladder  to  a  boat  to  land  from.  Gang-boards  are  now 
used  for  that  purpose. 

SCALDINGS !  Notice  to  get  out  of  the  way;  it  is  used  when  a  man  with 
a  load  wishes  to  pass,  and  would  lead  those  in  his  way  to  think  that  he 
was  carrying  hot  water. 

SCALE.  An  old  word  for  commercial  emporium,  derived  from  scala. 
Also,  the  graduated  divisions  by  which  the  proportions  of  a  chart  or  plan 
are  regulated.  Also,  the  common  measures  of  the  sheer-draught,  d^c. 
{See  Gunter's  Scale.) 

SCALENE  TRIANGLE     That  which  haa  all  three  sides  unequal 

SCALING.  The  act  of  cleaning  the  inside  of  a  ship's  cannon  by  the  ex- 
plosion of  a  reduced  quantity  of  powder.  Also,  attacking  a  place  by 
getting  over  its  defences. 

SCALING-LADDERS.  Those  made  in  lengths  which  may  be  carried 
easily,  and  quickly  fitted  together  to  any  length  required. 

SCAMPAYIA.  A  fast  rowing  war  boat  of  Naples  and  Sicily;  in  1814-15 
they  ranged  to  150  feet,  pulled  by  forty  sweeps  or  oars,  each  man  having 
his  bunk  under  his  sweep.  They  were  rigged  with  one  huge  lateen  at 
one-third  from  the  stem;  no  forward  bulwark  or  stem  above  deck;  a  long 


SCAl^ SCHOONER  595 

brass  6-pounder  gun  worked  before  the  mast,  only  two  feet  above  water; 

the  jib,  set  on  a  gaff-like  boom,  veered  abeam  when  firing  the  gun.     Abaft 

a  lateen  mizen  with  topsail,  <kc. 
SCANT.     A  term  applied  to  >the  wind  when  it  heads  a  ship  off,  so  that  she 

will  barely  lay  her  course  when  the  yards  are  very  sharp  up. 
SCANTLING.     The  dimensions  of  a  timber  when  reduced  to  its  standard 

size. 
SCAIL     In  hydrography  applies  to  a  cliff;  whence  are  derived  the  names 

Scarborough,  Scamose,  &c     Also,  to  rocks  bare  only  at  low  water,  as  on 

the  coasts  of  Lancashire.     Also,  beds  of  gravel  or  stone  in  estuaries. 
SCARBRO'  WARNING.     Letting  anything  go  by  the  run,  without  due 

notice.     Heywood  in  his  account  of  Stafford's  surprise  of  Scarborough 

castle,  in  1557,  says: — 

*'  This  term  Scarborow  tDoming  grew  (some  say), 
By  hasty  hanging  for  rank  robbery  theare, 
Who  that  was  met,  but  suspected  in  that  way, 
Straight  he  was  tross't,  whatever  he  were." 

SCARFED.     An  old  word  for  "decorated  with  flags." 

SCARP.     A  precipitous  steep ;  as  either  the  escarp  or  counterscarp  of  a 

fort:  but  a  bank  or  the  face  of  a  hill  may  also  be  sca/rped. 
SCARPH,  OR  Scarping.     Is  the  jimction  of  wood  or  metal  by  sloping 

off  the  edges,  and  maintaining  the  same  thickness  throughout  the  joint. 

The  stem  and  stem  posts  are  scarfed  to  the  keeL 
SCARPHS  OF  THE  KEEL.     The  joints,  when  a  keel  is  made  of  several 

pieces.     (See  Scarph.) 
SCARRAG.     Manx  or  Erse  for  a  skate  or  ray-fish. 
SCAT.     A  west  of  England  term  for  a  passing  shower. 
SCAUR    See  Scar. 
SCAW.     A  promontory  or  isthmus. 
SCAWBERK.     An  archaism  for  scabbard 
SCEITHMAN.     An  old  statute  term  signifying  pirate. 
'SCENDING  [from  ascend],     The  contrary  motion  to  pitching.    (See  Send). 
SCHEDAR.     The  lucida  of  the  ancient  constellation  Cassiopeea,  and  one 

of  the  nautical  stars. 
SCHEMER     One  who  has  charge  of  the  hold  of  a  North  Sea  ship. 
SCHENOGRAPHY.     Representation  of  ships  or  forts  in  some  kind  of 

perspective. 
SCHKAPS.     An  ardent  spirit^  like  Schiedam  hollands,  impregnated  with 

narcotic  ingredients;  a  destructive  drink  in  common  use  along  the  shores 

of  the  northern  sea& 
SCHOCK.     A  commercial  measure  of  60  cask  staves.     (See  Ring.) 
SCHOOL.     A  term  applied  to  a  shoal  of  any  of  the  cetacean  animals. 
SCHOONER.     Strictly,  a  small  craft  with  two  masts  and  no  tops,  but  the 

name  is  also  appUed  to  fore-and-aft  vessels  of  various  classes.     There  are 

two-topsail  schooners  both  fore  and  aft,  main-topsail  schooners,  with  two 

square  topsails;  fore-topsail  schooners  with  one  square  topsail.     Ballahou 


596  SCHOUT SCOUR 

schooners,  whose  foremast  rakes  forward;  arid  we  also  have  three-masted 
vessels  called  schooners. 

SCHOUT.  A  water-bailiff  in  many  northern  European  ports,  who  super- 
intends the  police  for  seamen. 

SCHRIVAN.     An  old  term  for  a  ship's  clerk. 

SCHULL.    See  School. 

SCHUYT.  A  Dutch  vessel,  galliot  rigged,  used  in  the  river  trade  of  Hol- 
land. 

SCIMETAR.     An  eastern  sabre,  with  a  broad,  very  re-curved  blade. 

SCOBS.     The  scoria  made  at  the  armourer*s  forge. 

SCONCE.  A  petty  fort  Also,  the  head;  whence  Shakspeare's  pun  in 
making  Dromio  talk  of  having  his  sconce  ensconced.  Also,  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  for  a  dangerous  candle-holder,  made  to  let  into  the  sides  or  posts 
in  a  ship's  hold.     Also,  sconce  of  the  nuigazine,  a  close  safe  lantern. 

SCOODYN.  An  old  word  to  express  the  burring  which  forms  on  vessels' 
bottoms,  when  foul. 

SCOOP.  A  long  spoon-shaped  piece  of  wood  to  throw  water,  when  wash- 
ing a  ship's  sides  in  the  morning.     Scooping  is  the  same  as  baling  a  boat. 

SCOPE.  The  riding  scope  of  a  vessel's  cable  should  be  at  least  three  times 
the  depth  of  water  under  her,  but  it  must  vary  with  the  amount  of  wind 
and  nature  of  the  bottom. 

SCOBK  Twenty;  commercially,  in  the  case  of  certain  articles,  six  score 
went  to  the  hundred — a  usage  thus  regulated : 

"Five  score's  a  hundred  of  men,  money,  and  pins : 
Six  score *8  a  hundred  of  all  other  things.'* 

Also  an  angular  piece  cut  out  of  a  solid.     Also,  an  account  or  reckoning. 
SCORE  OF  A  BLOCK,  or  op  a  Dead  Eye.     The  groove  round  which 

the  rope  passes. 
SCORPIO.     The  eighth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the 

22d  of  October,     a  Scorpii,  Antares;  a  nautical  star. 
SCOT,  OR  Shot.     Anglo-Saxon  scecU,     A  share  of  anything;  a  contribution 

in  £Edr  proportion, 
SCOTCHMAN.     A  piece  of  stiflF  hide,  or  batten  of  wood,  placed  over  the 

backstays  fore-swifter  of  the    Crouds,  &c.,  so  as  to  secure  the  standing 

rigging  from  being  chafed.     Perhaps  so  called  from  the  sketch  or  notch 

where  the  seizing  is  passed. 
SCOTCH  MIST.     Mizzle,  or  small  soaking  raia 
SCOTCH  PRIZE.     A  mistake;   worse  than  no  prize,   or  one  liable  to 

hamper  the  captors  with  heavy  law  expenses. 
SCOTIA.     Carved  mouldings  and  grooves. 
SCOUR  A  BEACH,  To,     To  pour  a  quick  flanking  fire  along  it,  in  order 

to  dislodge  an  enemy. 
SCOURER,  OR  SoouRiKG-STiCK.    Spring-searcher.    An  implement  to  clean 

the  interior  of  musket  barrels. 
SCOURGE.     A  name  of  the  boatswain's  cat. 
SCOUR  THE  SEAS,  To.     To  infest  the  ocean  as  a  pirate. 


SCOUSE SCROVIES  697 

SCOXJSE.  A  dish  made  of  pounded  biscuit  and  salt  beef  cut  into  small 
pieces,  boiled  up  with  seasoning.     {See  Lob-scouse.) 

SCOUTS.  Small  vessels  of  war  for  especial  service.  (See  Skouts.)  Also, 
intelligent  men  sent  in  advance  to  discover  the  enemy,  and  give  an 
account  of  his  force. 

SCOW.     A  large  flat-bottomed  boat,  used  either  as  a  lighter,  or  for  ferrying. 

SCOW-BANEIER.  A  manager  of  a  scow.  Also,  a  contemptuous  term 
for  a  lubberly  fellow. 

SCOWRING.  The  cleansing  and  clearing  a  harbour  by  back-water,  or 
otherwise.     Also  an  old  term  for  tropical  flux  or  dysentery. 

SCRABBLK  A  badly  written  log.  This  term  is  used  by  the  translators 
of  the  Bible  at  David's  feigned  madness^  when  he  ^scrabbled  on  the  doors 
of  the  gate." 

SCBABER     The  puffinet^  Colymhus  grille.     {See  Greenland  Dove.) 

SCEAFER  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  acreope],  A  small  triangular  iron 
instrument^  having  two  or  three  sharp  edges.  It  is  used  to  scrape  the 
ship's  side  or  decks  after  caulking,  or  to  clean  the  top-masts,  <&c.  This 
is  usually  followed  by  a  varnish  of  turpentine,  or  a  mixture  of  tar  and  oil, 
to  protect  the  wood  from  the  weather.  Also,  metaphorically,  a  cocked 
hat,  whether  shipped  fore-and-aft  or  worn  athwart-ships. 

SCRATCH-RACE.     A  boat-race  where  the  crews  are  drawn  by  lot. 

SCRAWL.     The  young  of  the  dog-crab,  or  a  poor  sort  of  crab  itself. 

SCREEN-BERTH.  Pieces  of  canvaa  temporarily  hung  round  a  berth,  for 
warmth  and  privacy.     (See  Bebth.) 

SCREW-DOCK.    See  Gridiron. 

SCREW-GAMMONING  for  the  Bowsprit.  A  chain  or  plate  festened 
by  a  screw,  to  secure  a  vessel's  bowsprit  to  the  stem-head,  allowing  for 
the  tricing  up  of  the  bowsprit  when  required. 

SCREW-PROPELLER  A  valuable  substitute  for  the  cumbersome  paddle- 
wheels  as  a  motive-power  for  steam-vessels:  the  Archimedean  screw 
plying  under  water,  and  hidden  by  the  counter,  communicates  motion  in 
the  direction  of  its  axis  to  a  vessel,  by  working  against  the  resisting 
medium  of  water.     (See  Twin-screw.) 

SCREWS.  Powerful  machines  for  lifting  large  bodies.  {See  Bed,  Barrel, 
and  Jack  Screws.) 

SCREW-WELL.  A  hollow  trunk  over  the  screw  of  a  steamer,  for  allow- 
ing the  propeller  to  be  disconnected  and  lifted  when  required 

SCRIMP.  Scant.  A  word  used  in  the  north;  as,  a  scrimp  wind,  a  veiy 
light  breeza 

SCRIYANO.  A  clerk  or  writer;  a  name  adopted  in  our  early  ships  from 
the  Portuguese  or  Spanish. 

SCROLL-HEAD.  A  slightly  curved  piece  of  timber  bolted  to  the  knees 
of  the  head,  in  place  of  a  figure :  finished  off  by  a  volute  turning  out- 
wards, contrary  to  the  fidcUe-heacL 

SCROVIES.  An  old  name  given  to  the  worthless  men  picked  up  by 
crimps,  and  sent  on  board  as  A.B's. 


5G6  EEEF-TACKLES REFRACTION 

in  the  act  of  reefing;  they  are  made  fast  by  their  eyes  on  each  side  of 
the  eyelet-holes. 

KEEF-TACKLES,  are  indeed  pendants  and  tackles.  The  pendant  is  rove 
through  the  sister-block,  then  a  sheave  in  the  yard-arm,  and  secured  to 
a  strong  cringle  beneath  the  close  ree^  sometimes  through  a  block,  and 
the  end  secured  to  the  yard-arm.  Within  the  sister-block  it  becomes  a 
gun-tackle  purchase,  with  the  fall  leading  on  deck.  The  reef-tackles  are 
hauled  out^  and  the  other  aids  complete,  before  the  men  are  sent  aloft. 

REEF-TACKLE  SPAN.  Two  cringles  in  the  bolt-rope,  about  a  couple  of 
feet  aparty  when  a  block  is  used. 

KEELS.  Well-known  wheels  moving  round  an  axis,  and  serving  to 
wind  various  lines  upon,  as  the  log-reel  for  the  log-line^  deep-sea  reel 
(which  contains  the  deep-sea  line,  amounting  to  150  or  200  fii>thoms)^  spun- 
yam  reel,  &a     "  She  went  10  knots  off  the  reel" — i,e,  by  the  log-line. 

EEEMING.  A  term  used  by  caulkers  for  opening  the  seams  of  the  plank 
with  reeming-irons,  that  the  oakum  may  be  more  readily  admitted.  This 
may  be  a  corruption  of  rimer,  for  opening  circular  holes  in  metaL 

KEEMING-BEETLE.    A  caulker's  largest  mallet 

KEEMING-IEON.    The  larger  iron  used  by  caulkers  in  opening  the  seams. 

RE-ENTERING  ANGLK  In  fortification,  is  an  angle  whose  vertex 
points  inward,  or  towards  the  place. 

REEVE,  To.  To  pass  the  end  of  a  rope  through  any  cavity  or  aperture, 
as  the  channel  of  a  block;  to  unreeve  is  the  opposite. 

REEVING.  In  polar  voyaging,  following  up  serpentine  channels  in  the 
ice,  till  the  vessel  reaches  open  water,  or  reeves  the  pack. 

REFITTING.     Repairing  any  damages  which  a  ship  may  have  sustained. 

REFLECTING  CIRCLK  An  instrument  used  instead  of  a  sextant^ 
quintant^  or  quadrant;  but  the  quintant  embraces  as  much — viz.  152 
degrees.  The  instrument  reflects  a  celestial  or  any  distant  object  so  as 
to  bring  the  image  into  contact  with  any  object  seen  direct^  by  which 
their  angular  distance  is  measured,  as  in  lunar  distances. 

REFLECTION,  Angle  op.  Whether  the  instance  be  a  ray  of  light  or 
a  cannon-ball,  the  angle  of  reflection  will  always  be  found  equal  to  the 
angle  of  incidence. 

REFLUX.  The  ebbing  of  the  tide,  or  reflow  of  the  waters,  which  have 
been  pressed  back. 

REFORMADES.  The  sons  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  who  served  in  the 
navy  under  letters  from  Charles  II.,  and  were  allowed  table-money  and 
other  encouragements  to  raise  the  character  of  the  service. 

REFRACTING  TELESCOPE.  That  through  which  objects  are  seen 
directly  through  its  double  object-glasa 

REFRACTION.  An  inflection  of  the  rays  of  light :  that  property  of  the 
atmosphere  which  bends  the  rays  of  light  in  their  passage  to  the  eye 
from  a  different  density,  and  causes  the  altitude  of  heavenly  bodies  to 
appear  greater  than  it  really  is»  especially  near  the  horizon.  {See  Ter- 
restrial Refraction.) 


SCUBEY SEA-BEANS  599 

SCURRY.  PerliapB  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  scur,  a  hesLVj  shower,  a  sudden 
squalL  It  now  means  a  hurried  movement;  it  is  more  especially  applied 
to  seals  or  penguins  taking  to  the  water  in  fright. 

SCUTTLE.  A  small  hole  or  port  cut  either  in  the  deck  or  side  of  a  ship, 
generally  for  ventilation.     That  in  the  deck  is  a  small  hatch-way. 

SCUTTLE,  To.  To  cut  or  bore  holes  through  part  of  a  ship  when  she  is 
stranded  or  overset,  and  continues  to  float,  in  order  to  save  any  part  of 
her  contents.  Also,  a  trick  too  often  practised  by  boring  holes  below 
water,  to  sink  a  ship,  where  fictitious  cargo  is  embarked  and  the  vessel 
insured  beyond  her  value.     (See  Barratby.) 

SCUTTLE  OR  SCUTTLED  BUTT.  A  cask  having  a  square  piece  sawn 
out  of  its  bilge  and  lashed  in  a  convenient  place  to  hold  water  for  present 
use. 

SCUTTLE-HATCH.  A  lid  or  hatch  for  covering  and  closing  the  scuttles 
when  necessary. 

SEA  Strictly  speaking,  sea  is  the  next  large  division  of  water  after  ocean, 
but  in  its  special  sense  signifies  only  any  large  portion  of  the  great  mass 
of  waters  almost  surrounded  by  land,  as  the  Black,  the  White,  the  Baltic, 
the  China,  and  the  Mediterranean  seas,  and  in  a  general  sense  in  contra- 
distinction to  land.  By  sailors  the  word  is  also  variously  applied.  Thus 
they  say — "We  shipped  a  heavy  sea."  "There  ia  a  great  sea  on  in  the 
oiiing."  ''The  sea  sets  to  the  southward,"  <!^c.  Hence  a  ship  is  said  to  head 
the  sea  when  her  course  is  opposed  to  the  direction  of  the  waves. — A  long 
sea  implies  a  uniform  motion  of  long  waves,  the  result  of  a  steady 
continuance  of  the  wind  from  nearly  the  same  quarter. — A  short  sea  is  a 
confused  motion  of  the  waves  when  they  run  irregularly  so  as  frequently 
to  break  over  a  vessel,  caused  by  sudden  changes  of  wind.  The  law  claims 
for  the  crown  wherever  the  sea  flowi^  to,  and  there  the  admiralty  has 
jurisdiction;  accordingly,  no  act  can  be  done,  no  bridge  can  span  a  river 
so  circumstanced  without  the  sanction  of  the  admiralty.  It  claims  the 
fore-shore  unless  specially  granted  by  charter  otherwise,  and  the  court  of 
vice-admiralty  has  jurisdiction  as  to  flotsom  and  jetsom  on  the  fore-shore. 
But  all  crimes  are  subject  to  the  laws,  and  are  tried  by  the  ordinary  courts 
as  within  the  body  of  a  county,  comprehended  by  the  chord  between  two 
headlands  where  the  distance  does  not  exceed  three  miles  from  the  shore. 
Beyond  that  limit  is  "the  sea,  where  high  court  of  admiralty  has  juris- 
diction, but  where  civil  process  cannot  follow," 

SEA-ADDER.  The  west-country  term  for  the  pipe-fish  Syngnathus.  The 
name  is  also  given  to  the  nest-making  stickle-back. 

SEA-ANCHOR  That  which  lies  towards  the  offing  when  a  ship  is 
moored. 

SEA-ATTORNEY.     The  ordinary  brown  and  rapacious  shark. 

SEA-BANK.  A  work  so  important  that  our  statutes  make  it  felony, 
without  benefit  of  clergy,  maliciously  to  cut  down  any  sea-bank  whereby 
lands  may  be  overflowed. 

SEIA-BEANS.     Pods  of  the  acacia  tribe  shed  into  the  rivers  about  the 


600  SEA-BEAB SEAtCUCKOO 

Gulf  of  Mexico^  and  borne  by  the  stream  to  tbe  coasts  of  Great  Britain, 
and  even  further  north. 

SEA-BEAR  A  name  applied  to  several  species  of  large  seals  of  the  genus 
Otarioj  found  both  in  the  northern  and  southern  hemispheres.  Thej 
differ  from  the  true  seals,  especially  in  the  mode  in  which  they  use  their 
hind  limbs  in  walking  on  land. 

SEA-BOARD.  The  line  along  which  the  land  and  water  meet,  indicating 
the  limit  conAnon  to  both. 

SEA-BOAT.  A  good  sea-boat  implies  any  vessel  adapted  to  bear  the  sea 
firmly  and  lively  without  labouring  heavily  or  straining  her  masts  or 
rigging.     The  contrary  is  called  a  had  sea-boat. 

SEA-BORNK     Arrived  from  a  voyage:  said  of  freighted  ships  also  afloat. 

SEA-BOTTLK  The  pod  or  vesicle  of  some  species  of  seawrack  or  Fitcus 
ffigantea  of  Cape  Horn  and  the  Straits  of  ]!d!agellan. 

SEA-BREEZK  A  wind  hxtm  the  sea  towards  the  land.  In  tropical 
climates  (and  sometimes  during  summer  in  the  temperate  zone)  as  the 
day  advances  the  land  becomes  extremely  heated  by  the  sun,  which 
causes  an  ascending  current  of  air,  and  a  wind  from  the  sea  rushes  in  to 
restore  equilibrium.  Above  the  sea-breeze  is  a  counter  current,  which 
was  clearly  shown  in  Madras,  where  an  aeronaut  waited  until  the  sea- 
breeze  had  set  in  to  make  his  ascent^  expecting  to  be  blown  inland,  but 
after  rising  to  a  certain  height  found  himself  going  out  to  sea,  and  in  his 
haste  to  descend  he  disordered  the  machinery,  and  could  not  close  the 
valve  which  allowed  the  gas  to  escape,  so  fell  into  the  sea  about  three 
miles  £rom  the  land,  but  climg  to  his  balloon  and  was  saved.  Also,  a 
cool  sea  drink. 

SEA -BRIEF.  A  specification  of  the  nature  and  quantity  of  the  cargo  of 
a  ship,  the  place  whence  it  comes,  and  its  destination.     {See  Passport.) 

SEA-CALF.     A  seal,  Fhoea  vUulina. 

SEA-CAP.     The  white  drifl  or  breaks  of  a  wave.     White  horses  of  trade& 

SEA-CARDS.     The  old  name  for  charts. 

SEA-CAT.     A  name  of  the  wolf-fish,  Anarrhicas  lupus. 

SEA-CATGUT.     The  FucusJUum,  or  sea-thread. 

SEA-COAST,  OR  Sea-bord.  The  shore  of  any  country,  or  that  part  which 
is  washed  by  the  sea. 

SEA  COCOA-NUT,  or  Double  Cocoa-nut.  The  fruit  of  the  Lodoiced 
SeycheUarum,  a  handsome  palm  growing  in  the  Seychelles  Islands.  It 
was  once  supposed  to  be  produced  by  a  sea-weed,  because  so  oflen  found 
floating  on  the  sea  around. 

SEA-COULTER     The  puffin  or  coulter-neb,  Fratercula  arctioa. 

SEA-COW.     One  of  the  names  given  to  the  manatee  (which  see)i 

SEA-CRAFTS.  In  ship-building,  a  term  for  the  scarphed  strakes  otherwise 
called  clamps.     For  boats,  see  THWART-CLAMPa 

SEA-CROW.     A  name  on  our  southern  coast  for  the  cormorant. 

SEA-CUCKOO.  The  Trigla  cucuLuSj  or  red  gurnard,  so  called  from  the 
unmusical  grunt  which  it  emits. 


SBACUNNY SEAL  (501 

SEA-CUNNY.  A  steersman  in  vessels  manned  witb  lascars  in  the  East 
India  country  trade. 

SEA-DEYIL.  A  name  for  the  Lophvas  piscatorius,  or  angler,  a  fish  with 
a  large  head  and  thick  short  body. 

SEA-DOG.     A  name  of  the  common  seal. 

SEA-DOG  G.     The  meteor  called  also  stvhb  (which  see). 

SEA-DRAGON.     An  early  designation  of  the  stinging-weever, 

SEA-EAGLR  A  large  ray-fish  with  a  pair  of  enormous  fins  stretching  out 
from  either  side  of  the  body,  and  a  long  switch  tail,  armed  with  a  barbed 
bone,  which  forms  a  dangerous  weapon.     Manta  of  the  Spaniards. 

SEA-EDGE.  The  boundary  between  the  icy  regions  of  the  "north  water" 
and  the  unfrozen  portion  of  the  Arctic  Sea. 

SEA-EEL.     The  conger  (which  see). 

SEA-EGG.  A  general  name  for  the  echirvus,  better  known  to  seamen  as 
the  seorurchin  (which  see). 

SEA-FARDINGEE,     An  archaic  expression  for  a  seafaring  man. 

SEA-FISHER     An  officer  in  the  household  of  Edward  III. 

SEA -FRET.  A  word  used  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  thick  heavy 
mist  generated  on  the  ocean,  and  rolled  by  the  wind  upon  the  land. 

S£A-FR0G.     a  name  for  the  Lopkius  pisccUorius,  or  angler. 

SEA  GATE  OB  GAIT.  A  long  rolling  swell :  when  two  s]iips  are  thrown 
aboard  one  another  by  its  means,  they  are  said  to  be  in  a  sea-gate. 

SEA-GAUGE.  An  instrument  used  by  Drs.  Hale  and  Desaguliers  to 
investigate  the  depth  of  the  sea,  by  the  pressure  of  air  into  a  tube  prepared 
for  the  purpose,  showing  by  a  mark  left  by  a  thin  surface  of  treacle  carried 
on  mercury  forced  up  it  during  the  descent  into  what  space  the  whole  air 
is  compressed,  and,  consequently,  the  depth  of  water  by  which  its  weight 
produced  that  compression.  It  is,  however,  an  uncertain  and  difficult 
instrument,  and  superseded  by  Ericson's  patent,  working  on  the  same 
principle,  but  passing  over  into  another  tube  the  volume  of  water  thus 
forced  in.     {See  Water-bottle.) 

SEA-GOING.     Fit  for  searservice  abroad. 

SEA-GREEN.     The  colour  which  in  ancient  chivalry  denoted  inconstancy. 

SEA-GROCER     A  sobriquet  for  the  purser. 

SEA-GULL.  A  well-known  bird.  When  they  come  in  numbers  to  shore, 
and  make  a  noise  about  the  coast^  or  when  at  sea  they  alight  on  ships, 
sailors  consider  it  a  prognostic  of  a  storm.  This  is  an  old  idea;  see  Virg. 
Geoig.  lib.  i.,  and  Plin.  lib.  xviii.  c  35. 

SEA-HARR     Aplf/aia,  a  molluscous  animaL 

SEA-HEN.     A  name  of  the  fish  Trigla  lyra^  or  crooner  (which  see). 

SEA-HOG.     A  common  name  for  the  porpoise,  Fhoccena  communis, 

SEA-HORSE.  A  name  for  the  walrus,  Tricliecus  rosmarua.  Also,  the 
hippoetvmpus  (which  see). 

SEA-ICE.     Ice  within  which  there  is  a  separation  from  the  land. 

SEAL  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  8e6Ui\,  The  well-known  marine  piscivorous 
animaL 


g02  SEA-LAKE SEA-MABK 

SEA-LAKE.     Synonymous  with  lagoon  (which  see). 

SEA-LAWS.  The  codes  relating  to  the  sea;  as,  the  laws  of  Bhodes,  Oleron, 
Wisboy,  <kc. 

SEA-LAWYER  An  idle  litigious  'long-shorer,  more  given  to  question 
orders  than  to  obey  them.  One  of  the  pests  of  the  navy  as  well  as  of  the 
mercantile  marine.     Also,  a  name  given  to  the  tiger-shark. 

SEALED  OBDEBB.  Secret  and  sealed  until  the  circumstances  arise 
which  authorize  their  being  opened  and  acted  on.  Often  given  to  prevent 
officers  from  divxdging  the  point  to  which  they  are  ordered. 

SEA-LEGS.  Implies  the  power  to  walk  steadily  on  a  ship's  decks,  not- 
withstanding her  pitching  or  rolling. 

SEA-LETTER    See  Passport. 

SEA-LION.  A  large  seal  of  the  genus  Otaria,  distinguished  from  the  sea- 
bear,  to  which  it  otherwise  has  a  great  resemblance,  by  the  shaggy  mane 
on  its  neck  and  shoulders. 

SEA -LOG.  That  part  of  the  log-book  relating  to  whatever  happens  while 
the  ship  is  at  sea. 

SEA-LUMP.    See  Lump. 

SEAM.  The  sewing  together  of  two  edges  of  canvas,  which  should  have 
about  110  stitches  in  every  yard  of  length.  Also,  the  identical  Anglo- 
Saxon  word  for  a  horse-load  of  8  bushels,  and  much  looked  to  in  carrying 
fresh  fish  from  the  coast.  Also,  the  opening  between  the  edges  of  the 
planks  in  the  decks  and  sides  of  a  ship;  these  are  filled  with  a  quantity 
of  oakum  and  pitch,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  water.     (See  Caulking.) 

SEA-MALL.     A  name  for  a  sea-gulL 

SEAMAN.  This  is  a  term  seldom  bestowed  among  seafaring  men  upon 
their  associates,  unless  they  are  known  to  be  pre-eminent  in  every  duty 
of  the  thorough-paced  tar;  one  who  never  issues  a  command  which  he  is 
not  competent  to  execute  himself^  and  is  deemed  an  authority  on  Wery 
matter  relating  to  sea-craft. — ^The  cAle  seaman  is  the  seafaring  man  who 
knows  all  the  duties  of  common  seamanship,  as  to  rig,  steer,  reef,  furl, 
take  the  lead,  and  implicitly  carry  out  the  orders  given,  in  a  seamanlike 
manner.  His  rating  is  A.B.;  pay  in  the  navy,  2^8,  to  278.  per  montL — 
The  ordinary  eeaman  is  less  qualified;  does  not  take  the  weather-helm, 
the  earing,  or  lead;  pay  about  21^.  to  23«.  per  month. — ^The  lancUman  is 
still  less  qualified. 

SEAMAN^S  DISGBACR     A  foul  anchor. 

SEAMANSHIP.  The  noble  practical  art  of  rigging  and  working  a  ship, 
and  performing  with  effect  all  her  various  evolutions  at  sea. 

SEAMAN'S  WAGES.     A  proper  object  of  the  admiralty  jurisdiction. 

SEA-MABK.  A  point  or  object  distinguishable  at  sea,  as  promontories, 
steeples,  rivers,  trees,  &c.,  forming  important  beacons,  and  noted  on  charts. 
By  keeping  two  in  a  line,  channels  can  be  entered  with  safety,  and  thus 
the  errors  of  steerage,  effect  of  tide,  <!^c.,  obviated.  These  erections  are 
a  branch  of  the  royal  prerogative,  and  by  statute  8  Eliz.  cap.  13,  the 
corporation  of  the  Trinity  House  are  empowered  to  set  up  any  beacons 


SEAMEN-GUKNEBS SEABGHEB  g03 

or  sea-marks  whereyer  tbey  shall  think  them  necessary;  and,  if  any  person 
shall  destroy  them,  he  shsJl  forfeit  JSIOO,  or,  in  case  of  inability  to  pay, 
he  shall  be,  ipso/acto,  outlawed. 

SEAMEN-GUNNERS.  Men  who  have  been  trained  in  a  gunnery  ship, 
and  thereby  become  qualified  to  instruct  others  in  that  duty. 

SEA-MEW.     A  sea-gull. 

SEA-MOUSE.  The  Aphrodita  aciUeata,  a  marine  annelid,  remarkable  for 
the  brilliant  iridescence  of  the  long  silky  hairs  with  which  its  sides  are 
covered. 

SEA-NETTLE.  An  immemorial  name  of  several  zoophytes  and  marine 
creatures  of  the  class  Acalephas,  which  have  the  power  of  stinging,  particu- 
larly the  Medasm, 

SEA-OWL.     A  name  of  the  lump-fish,  Cyclopterua  lumptut, 

SEA-PAY.     That  due  for  actual  service  in  a  duly-commissioned  ship. 

SEA-PERIL.     Synonymous  with  sea-risL 

SEA-PIE.  The  pied  oyster-catcher,  Hcematopus  ostralegus.  Also,  a 
favourite  sea-dish  in  rough  weather,  consisting  of  an  olla  of  fish,  meat, 
and  vegetables,  in  layers  between  crusts,  the  number  of  which  denominate 
it  a  two  or  three  decker. 

SEA-PINOUSHION.  The  name  among  northern  fishermen  for  a  kind  of 
star-fish  of  the  genus  Goniaster, 

SEA-POACHER.     A  name  of  the  pogge,  Cataphraetus  achonveldii, 

SEA-PORCUPINE.  Several  fish  of  the  genera  Diodon  and  Tetraodon, 
beset  with  sharp  spines,  which  they  can  erect  by  inflating  themselves 
with  air. 

SEA-PORK.  The  flesh  of  young  whales  in  the  western  isles  of  Scotland; 
the  whale-beef  of  the  Bermudas,  &c     It  is  also  called  sea-beef. 

SEA-PORT.     A  haven  near  the  sea,  not  situated  up  a  river. 

SEA-PURSK    See  Mebmaid's  Pubse. 

SEA-QUADRANT.     The  old  name  of  Jacob's  cross-staff*. 

SEA-QUAKE.  The  tremulous  motion  and  shock  of  an  earthquake  felt 
through  the  waves. 

SEA-RATR  The  going  of  a  chronometer  as  established  on  board,  instead 
of  that  supplied  from  the  shore.  This  may  be  done  by  lunars.  From 
motion  and  other  causes  their  rates  after  embarkation  are  frequently  use- 
less, and  rates  for  their  new  ever-changing  position  are  indispensable. 
This  rate  is  sometimes  loosely  deduced  between  two  ports;  but  as  the 
meridian  distances  are  never  satisfactorily  known,  even  as  to  the  spots 
of  observation,  they  cannot  be  relied  on  but  as  comparative. 

SEARCH.  If  the  act  of  submitting  to  search  is  to  subject  neutral  vessels 
to  confiscation  by  the  enemy,  the  parties  must  look  to  that  enemy  whose  the 
injustice  is  for  redress,  but  they  are  not  to  shelter  themselves  by  com- 
mitting a  fraud  upon  the  undoubted  rights  of  the  other  country. 

SEARCH,  Right  of.    See  Visitation. 

SEARCHER.  A  custom-house  officer  employed  in  taking  an  account  of 
goods  to  be  exported.     Also,  (see  Gun-seabcher). 


552  QUADRATE QUABTER 

elevation  above  the  plane  of  its  platform;  first  applied  by  the  gallant 
Captain  Broke. — ^The  mured  quadraril,  was  framed  and  fitted  with  tele- 
scope,  diyiuons,  and  plumb-line,  firmly  attached  to  the  side  of  a  wall  built 
in  the  plane  of  the  meridian;  only  used  in  large  observatoriea — Senical 
quadrant,  consists  of  several  concentric  quadratic  arcs^  divided  into  eight 
equal  parts  by  radii,  with  parallel  right  lines  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles.  It  was  made  of  brass,  or  wood,  with  lines  drawn  from  each  side 
intersecting  one  another,  and  an  index  divided  by  sines  also,  with  90*"  on 
the  limb,  and  two  sights  on  the  edge,  to  take  the  altitude  of  the  sun. 
Sometimes,  instead  of  sines,  they  were  divided  into  equal  part&  It  was 
in  great  use  among  the  French  navigators,  from  its  solving  the  problems 
of  plane  sailing. 

QCTADBATE,  To.  To  trim  a  gun  on  its  carriage  and  its  trucks;  to  adjust 
it  for  firing  on  a  level  range. 

QUADRATURE.  The  moon  is  said  to  be  in  quadrature  at  the  first  and 
last  quarter,  when  her  longitude  differs  90°  from  that  of  the  sun. 

QUADROON  [from  L.  quattwr,  four].  The  of&pring  of  a  mulatto  woman 
and  a  white  man. 

QUAGMIRE.  A  marsh  in  which,  from  its  concave  and  impermeable 
bottom,  the  waters  remain  stagnant^  rendering  the  surfiice  a  quaking  bog. 

QUAKER.  A  false  or  wooden  gun;  so  called  in  allusion  to  the  ^Friends" 
not  fighting. 

QUALIFIED  PROPERTY.  Not  only  those  who  have  an  absolute  pro- 
perty in  ships  and  goods,  but  those  also  who  have  but  a  qualified  pro- 
perty therein,  may  insure  them.     {See  Equitable  Title.) 

QUALITIES.  The  register  of  the  ship's  trim,  sailing,  stowage,  &c.,  all  of 
which  are  necessary  to  her  behatnau/r. 

QUAMINO.     A  negro. 

QUANT.  An  old  term  for  a  long  pole  used  by  the  bargemen  on  our  east 
coast;  it  is  capped  to  prevent  the  immerged  end  from  sticking  in  the  mud. 

QUARANTINK  Is,  at  most,  a  seclusion  of  forty  days,  from  a  free  com- 
munication with  the  inhabitants  of  any  country,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
importation  of  the  plague,  or  any  other  infectious  disorder,  either  by 
persons  or  goods.  The  quarantine  laws  originated  in  the  Council  of 
Health  at  Venice  in  the  fourteenth  or  fifteenth  century.    (See  Lazaretto.) 

QUARRIL.  The  short  dart  or  arrow  shot  from  a  cross-bow;  or  the  bri- 
colle  of  the  middle  ages. 

QUARRY.     The  prey  taken  by  whalers;  a  term  borrowed  from  falconers. 

QUARTK  In  sword  defence  was  one  of  the  four  guards,  and  also  a 
position  in  fencing. 

QUARTER  This  term  literally  implies  one  quarter  of  the  ship,  but  in 
common  parlance  applies  to  45**  abaft  the  beam.  Thus  the  log  is  hove 
over  the  lee-quarter;  quarter  boats  hang  abaft  the  mizen-mast^  &c. 
Again,  the  quarters  apply  to  the  divisional  batteries,  as  forward,  main, 
middle,  or  lower-decks,  forecastle,  and  quarter-deck,  and  yet  these  com- 
prise both  sides.     Close-quarters  may  be  on  any  pointy  and  the  seaman 


QUARTER QUARTERLY  ACCOUNT  553 

rather  delights  in  the  bow  attack,  using  the  bowsprit  as  his  bridge. — 

Giving  qiuirter.     The  custom  of  asking  and  giving  quarter  in  warfare 

originated,  it  is  said,  between  the  Dutch  and  Spaniards,  that  the  ransom 

of  an  officer  or  soldier  should  be  a  quarter  of  his  yeai^s  pay.     No  quarter 

is  given  to  pirates,  but  it  is  always  given  to  a  vanquished  honourable 

opponent. — On  the  quarter,  45*  abaft  the  beam. 
QUARTER,  First.     When  the  moon  appears  exactly  as  a  half-moon,  90® 

from  the  sun  towards  the  east^  she  is  in  the  first  quarter,  with  her 

western  half  illuminated. 
QUARTER,  Last.     When  the  moon  appears  exactly  as  a  half-moon,  and 

her  angular  distance  from  the  sun  90°,  but  towards  the  west^  she  is  said 

to  be  in  the  last  quarter,  with  her  eastern  half  illuminated. 
QUARTER-BADGE.     Artificial  galleries;  a  carved  ornament  near  the 

stern  of  those  vessels  which  have  no  quarter-galleries. 
QUARTER-BILL.     A  list  containing  the  different  stations  to  which  the 

officers  and  crew  are  quartered  in  time  of  action,  with  their  names. 
QUARTER-BLOCKS.     Blocks  fitted  under  the  quarters  of  a  yard,  on  each 

side  the  slings,  for  the  topsail-sheets,  topsail-cluelines,  and  topgallant-sheets 

to  reeve  through. 
QUARTER-BOAT.     Any  boat  is  thus  designated  which  is  hung  to  davits 

over  the  ship's  quarter. 
QUARTER-CASK.     One-half  of  a  hogshead,  or  28  imperial  gallons. 
QUARTER-CLOTHS.     Long  pieces  of  painted  canvas,  extended  on  the 

outside  of  the  quarter-netting,  from  the  upper  part  of  the  gallery  to  the 

gangway. 
QUARTER-DAVITS.     Pieces  of  iron  or  timber  with  sheaves  or  blocks  at 

their  outer  ends,  projecting  from  a  vessel's  quarters,  to  hoist  boats  up  to. 
QUARTER-DECK.     That  part  of  the  upper  deck  which  is  abaft  the 

main-mast.     {See  Deck,  and  Jack's  Quarter-deck.) 
QUARTER-DECKERS.     Those  officei-s  more  remarkable  for  etiquette 

than  for  a  knowledge  of  seamanship. 
QUARTER-DECKISH.     Punctilious,  severe. 
QUARTER-DECK  NETTINGS.     See  Nettings. 
QUARTER-DECK  OFFICERS.     A  term  implying  the   executive  in 

general;  officers  whose  places  in  action  are  there,  in  command. 
QUARTER-FAST.     See  Fast. 
QUARTERrFLOOD.    See  Flood. 
QUARTER-GALLERY.     A  sort  of  balcony  with  windows  on  the  quarters 

of  large  ships.     {See  Gallery.) 
QUARTER-GALLEY.     A  Barbary  cruiser. 
QUARTER-GUARD.     A  small  guard  posted  in  front  of  each  battalion 

in  camp. 
QUARTER-GUNNER    See  Gunner. 
QUARTER-LADDER.     From  the  quarter-deck  to  the  poop> 
QUARTERLY  ACCOUNT  OF  PROVISIONS.     A  return  sent  to  the 

Admiral  and  Victualling  Board,  at  the  expiration  of  every  three  months. 


654  QUAETERLY  BILL QUAETEE-TIMBEBS 

QUARTERLY   BILL.     The  document   by  which  officers  draw  three 

months'  personal  pay. 
QUARTERLY  RETURNS.     Those  made  every  three  months  to  the 

admiral,  or  senior  officer,  of  the  offences  and  punishments,  the  officers 

serving  on  board,  &c. 
QUARTER-MAN".     A  dockyard  officer  employed  to  superintend  a  certain 

number  of  workmen. 
QUARTER-MASTER     A  petty  officer,  appointed  to  assist  the  master 

and  mates  in  their  several  duties,  as  stowing  the  hold,  coiling  the  cables, 

attending  the  binnacle  and  steerage,  keeping  time  by  the  watch-glasses, 

assisting  in  hoisting  the  signals,  and  keeping  his  eye  on  general  quarter- 
deck movements.     Li  the  army,  a  commissioned  officer,  ranking  with 

subalterns,  charged  with  the  more  immediate  supervision  of  quarters, 

camps,  and  the  issue  of  arms,  ammunition,  rations,  stores,  &a,  for  his 

own  regiment. 
QUARTER-MASTER  GENERAL.     Is  the  head  of  that  department  of 

the  army  which  has  chaige  of  the  quartering,  encamping,  embarking, 

and  moving  of  troops,  and  of  the  supply  of  stores  connected  therewitL 
QUARTER-NETTINGS.     The  places  allotted  on  the  quarters  for  the 

stowage  of  hammocks,  which,  in  action,  serve  to  arrest  musket-balls. 
QUARTER-PIECES.    Projections  at  the  after-part  of  the  quarter,  forming 

the  boundaries  of  the  galleries. 
QUARTER-POINT.     A  subdivision  of  the  compass<5ard,  equal  to  2**  48' 

4:5"  of  the  cirele, 
QUARTER-PORTS.     Those  made  in  the  after  side-timbers,  and  especially 

in  round-stem  vessels.     They  are  inconvenient  for  warping,  and  generally 

fitted  with  rollers. 
QUARTER-RAILS.     Narrow  moulded  planks,  reaching  from  the  stem  to 

the  gangway,  and  serving  as  a  fence  to  the  quarter-deck,  where  there  are 

no  ports  or  bulwarks. 
QUARTERS.     The  several  stations  where  the  officers  and  crew  of  a  ship 

of  war  are  posted  in  time  of  action.     (See  Battler  Engagekent,  &c.) 

But  this  term  differs  in  the  army,  for  the  soldier's  quarters  are  his  place 

of  rest.    {See  Head-quarters,  Wikter-qtjarters,  <&c.) 
QUARTER-SIGHTS.     The  engraved  index  on  the  base-rings  of  cannon 

in  quarter  degrees  from  point-blank  to  two  or  three  degrees  of  elevation. 
QUARTER-SLINGS.     Are  supports  attached  to  a  yard  or  other  spai  at 

one  or  both  sides  of  (but  not  in)  its  centre. 
QUARTERS  OF  THE  YARDS.     The  space  comprehended  between  the 

slings,  or  middle  and  half-way  out  on  the  yard-arms. 
QUARTER-STANCHIONS.     Strong  iron  stanchions  in  a  squar^«temed 

vessel,  connecting  the  main-rail  with  the  taff-rail;  used  for  ridge-ropes  to 

extend  the  awnings. 
QUARTER-TACKLE.      A  strong  tackle  fixed  occasionally  upon    the 

quarter  of  the  main-yard,  to  hoist  heavy  bodies  in  or  out  of  the  ship. 
QUARTER-TIMBERS.     The  framing  timbers  in  a  vessel^s  quarter. 


QUARTER-WATCH QUICK-STEP  555 

QUARTER-WATCH.     A  division  of  one-fourth  of  the  crew  into  watches, 

which  in  light  winds  and  well-conducted  ships  is  enough;  but  the  officers 

are  in  three,  and  they  must  not  be  found  nodding. 
QUARTER-WIND.     Blowing  upon  a  vessers  quarter,  abafb  the  main- 
shrouds, 
QUASHER     The  familiar  designation  of  a  West  India  negro. 
QUATUOR   MARIA,  or  British  Seas,  are  those  four  which  surround 

Great  Britain. 
QUAY.    See  Key. 

QUEBRADA.     From  the  Spanish  for  ravine,  or  broken  ground. 
QUEBRANTA   HUESOS    [Sp.]      Literally,  hone-hreaker.      The    great 

petrel,  Frocellaria  gigantea. 
QUECHK     A  small  Portuguese  smack. 
QUEEN  ANNE'S  FREE  GIFT.     A  sum  of  money  formerly  granted  to 

surgeons  annually,  in  addition  to  their  monthly  twopences  •  from  each 

man,  or  as  often  as  they  passed  their  accounts. 
QUEEN'S  COCKPIT.     A  mess  of  dissolute  mates  and  midshipmen  of  the 

old  QuAen,  98,  who  held  a  sort  of  examination  of  ribaldry  for  a  rank 

below  that  of  gentleman. 
QUEEN'S  OWN.     Sea  provision  (when  a  queen  reigns);  similar  to  king^s 

own. 
QUEEN'S  PARADK     The  quarter-deck. 
QUERCITRON.     QvsrciLS  tinctoria,  the  name  of  a  North  American  oak, 

which  affords  a  valuable  yellow  dye. 
QUERIMAN.     A  mullet  of  Guiana,  found  in  turbid  waters,  where  it  lives 

by  suction. 
QUERPO  [Sp.  cuerpoy  body].     A  close  short  jacket : 

*' Long-quartered  pumps,  with  trowsers  blue, 
And  queipo  jacket,  which  last  was  new.". 

QUICKEN,  To.  In  ship-building,  to  give  anything  a  greater  curve;  as, 
to  quicken  the  sheer,  opposed  to  straightening  it. 

QUICKLIMK  That  which  is  unslacked,  good  for  cleaning  and  white- 
washing ships'  holds. 

QUICK  MARCH,  or  Quick-stkp.  The  ordinary  pace  is  3^  miles  to  the 
hour,  or  110  paces  (275)  feet  to  the  minute. 

QUICKMATCH.  Used  as  a  train  to  any  charge  to  be  fired  rapidly,  is 
made  of  cotton  threads  treated  with  a  composition  of  gunpowder,  gum, 
and  water;  and  bums  nearly  as  would  a  train  of  loose  powder. 

QUICK  RELIEF.  One  who  turns  out  speedily  to  relieve  the  watch 
before  the  sound  is  out  of  the  belL 

QUICK-SAND.  A  fine-grained  loose  sand,  into  which  a  ship  sinks  by  her 
own  weight  as  soon  as  the  water  retreats  from  her  bottom. 

QUICK  SAVER.  A  span  formerly  used  to  prevent  the  courses  from 
bellying  too  much  when  off  the  wind. 

QUICK-STEP.    See  Quick-march. 


656  QUICK-WORK QUOTA-MEN 

QUICK-WORK.  Generally  signifies  all  that  part  of  a  ship  which  is 
under  water  when  she  is  laden;  it  is  also  applied  to  that  part  of  the  inner 
upper-works  of  a  ship  above  the  covering  board.  Also,  the  short  planks 
worked  inside  between  the  ports.  In  ship-building  the  term  strictly 
applies  to  that  part  of  a  vessel's  side  which  is  above  the  chain-wales  and 
decks,  as  well  as  to  the  strokes  which  shut  in  between  the  spirkettings 
and  clamps.  In  general  parlance  quick-work  is  synonymous  with 
spirhetting. 

QUID.  The  chaw  or  dose  of  tobacco  put  into  the  mouth  at  a  time.  Quid 
eat  hoc?  asked  one,  tapping  the  swelled  cheek  of  his  messmate;  Hoc  est 
quid,  promptly  replied  the  other. 

QUIETUS.     A  severe  blow,  a  settler. 

QUIHI.  The  sobriquet  of  the  English  stationed  or  resident  in  Bengal, 
the  literal  meaning  being,  "Who  is  there f'  It  is  the  customary  call  for 
a  servant;  one  always  being  in  attendance,  though  not  in  the  room. 

QUILKIN.     A  west- country  term  for  a  frog. 

QUILL-DHIYER     Captains  clerk,  purser's  secretary,  et  hoc  genua  omne, 

QUILL-TUBES.  Those  in  use  with  port-fires  for  firing  guns  before  the 
introduction  of  detonating  and  friction  tubea     {See  Tubes.) 

QUILTING.  A  kind  of  coating  formed  of  sinnet,  strands  of  rope,  <&c., 
outside  any  vessel  containing  water.  Also,  the  giving  a  man  a  beating 
with  a  rope's  end. 

QUINCUNX.  Forming  a  body  of  men  chequerwise.  A  method  of  sur- 
veying a  coast  by  five  vessels  in  quincunx  was  proposed  by  A.  Dalrymple 
to  the  admiralty,  when  that  board  would  not  have  allowed  of  the  employ- 
ment of  one. 

QUINK.  A  name  in  the  Orkneys  for  the  golden-eyed  duck,  Anas 
dcmgtda. 

QUINTAL.     A  commercial  weight  of  a  hundred  pounds. 

QUINTANE.  An  early  military  sporty  to  try  the  agility  of  our  country 
youth. 

QUINTK     The  fifth  guard  in  fencing. 

QUISCHENS.  The  old  term  for  cuisses,  the  pieces  of  armour  which  pro- 
tected the  thigh& 

QUITTANCR  A  release  or  discharge  in  writing  for  a  sum  of  money  or 
other  duty,  which  ought  to  be  paid  or  done  on  the  ship's  account. 

QUOD.     Durance,  prison. 

QUOIN.  A  wooden  wedge  adjusted  to  support  the  breech  of  a  gun,  so  as 
to  give  the  muzzle  the  required  elevation  or  depression.  Also,  one  of  the 
mechanical  powers. 

QUOINS.  Are  employed  to  wedge  off  casks  of  liquids  from  each  other, 
and  steady  them,  in  order  that  their  bilges  may  not  rub  at  sea,  and 
occasion  leaks. 

QUOST.     The  old  spelling  of  coast.     See  Eliot's  Dictionarie,  1559. 

QUOTA-MEN.  Those  raised  for  the  navy  at  enormous  expense  by  Pitt's 
quota-bill,  in  1795,  under  bounties  of  from  £20  to  £60. 


K RACKING  A  TACKLE  557 


R. 

R.  In  the  muster-book  means  rurif  and  is  placed  against  those  who  have 
deserted,  or  missed  three  musters. 

RA.    See  Eight  Asceksion. 

RABANET,  or  Rabinet.  A  small  slender  piece  of  ordnance,  formerly  used 
for  ships'  barricadoes.  It  had  a  one-inch  bore,  which  carried  about  a 
half-pound  balL 

RABBET,  OR  Rebate.  An  angular  incision  cut  longitudinally  in  a  piece  of 
timber,  to  receive  the  ends  of  a  number  of  planks,  to  be  securely  fastened 
therein.  Thus  the  ends  of  the  lower  planks  of  a  ship's  bottom  terminate 
upon  the  stem  afore,  and  on  the  steru-post  abaft.  The  surface  of  the 
garboard  streak,  whose  edge  is  let  into  the  keel,  is  in  the  same  manner 
level  with  the  side  of  the  keel  at  the  extremities  of  the  vessel.  They  are 
therefore  termed  stem,  stem,  or  keel  rabbets. 

RACK  Strong  currents  producing  overfalls,  dangerous  to  small  craft. 
They  may  be  produced  by  narrow  channels,  crossing  of  tides,  or  uneven 
bottoms.  Such  are  the  races  of  Portland,  Alderaey,  &c.  Also,  a  mill- 
race,  or  tail-course. 

RACE,  To.     Applies  to  marking  timber  with  the  i*ace-tool. 

RACE-HORSE.  {Aka?)  A  duck  of  the  South  Seas;  thus  named,  says 
Cook,  for  "the  great  swiftness  with  which  they  run  on  the  water."  Now 
called  a  steamer. 

RACK.  The  superior  stratum  of  clouds,  or  that  moving  rapidly  above  the 
scud.  The  line  in  which  the  clouds  are  driven  by  the  wind,  is  called  the 
rack  of  the  weather.  In  Shakspeare's  beautiful  thirty-third  sonnet  the 
sun  rises  in  splendour,  but — 

'*  Anon  permits  the  basest  clouds  to  ride 
With  ugly  rack  on  his  celestial  face. 
And  from  the  forlorn  world  his  visage  hide, 
Stealing  unseen  to  west  with  this  disgrace." 

Also,  a  frame  of  timber  containing  several  sheaves,  as  a  fair  leader.     Also, 

various  rails  for  belaying  pins. — To  rack.     To  seize  two  ropes  together, 

with  racking  or  cross-turns. 
RACK-BAR.     A  billet  of  wood  used  for  twisting  the  bight  of  a  swifter 

round,  in  order  to  bind  a  raft  firmly  together. 
RACK-BLOCK,     A  range  of  sheaves  cut  in  one  piece  of  wood,  for  running 

ropes  to  lead  through. 
RACK-HURRY.     The  tram-way  on  which  coal-waggons  run  to  a  hurry, 
RACKING.     Spun-yam  or  other  stuff  used  to  rack  two  parts  of  a  rope 

together. 
RACKING  A  TACKLE  or  LANNIARD.     The  fastening  two  running 

parts  together  with  a  seizing,  so  as  to  prevent  it  from  rendering  through 

the  blocks. 


590  SAIIA SALLY-POUT 

SAILS,  To  Loose.  To  nufarl  them,  and  let  them  haog  loose  to  diy;  or 
the  movement  preparatorj  to  "making  saiL" — To  make  saU,  to  spread 
the  sails  to  the  wind  in  order  to  b^n  the  action  of  sailing,  or  to  increase 
a  ship's  speed — To  shorten  saU,  to  take  in  part  of  or  all  the  sails,  either 
by  reefing  or  farling,  or  both. — To  strike  sail,  to  lower  the  npper  sails. 
A  gracious  mode  of  salute  on  passing  a  foreigner  at  sea,  especially  a 
superior. 

SAINT  CTJTHBERT'S  DUCK.  The  Anas  moUissitna;  the  eider,  or 
great  black  and  white  duck  of  the  Feroe  Islands. 

SAINT  ELMO'S  LIGHT.     See  Compasant. 

SAINT  SWITHIN.  The  old  notion  is,  that  if  it  should  rain  on  this 
bishop's  day,  the  6th  of  July,  not  one  of  forty  days  following  will  be 
without  a  shower. 

SAKER.  A  very  old  gun,  8  or  9  feet  long,  and  of  about  5  lb&  calibre: 
immortalized  in  Hudibras:— 

"The  cannon,  blunderbuss,  and  saker, 
He  was  th'  inTenter  of,  and  maker." 

The  name  is  thought  to  have  been  derived  from  the  French  oath  sacre. 

SALADK     An  Anglo-Norman  term  for  a  light  helmet  or  head-piece. 

S ALA  DIN.  The  first  coat-of-arms;  so  called  because  the  crusaders  assumed 
it  in  imitation  of  the  Saracens,  whose  chief  at  that  time  was  the  redoubt- 
able Saladin. 

SALAM,  To.  To  salute  a  superior;  a  very  common  term,  borrowed  from 
India.  Overdoing  it  does  not  please  Jack,  for  he  dislikes  to  see  his  com- 
mander **  salamming  like  a  captured  Frenchman." 

SALAMANDEK.  The  heated  iron  formerly  used  for  firing  guns^  especially 
in  salutes,  as  it  ensures  r^ularity. 

SALE  OF  COMMISSIONS.  The  regulated  disposal  of  full-pay,  unat- 
tached, retired,  and  half-pay  commissions  in  the  army. 

SALE  OF  EFFECTS.  See  Effects,  of  dead  men  sold  by  auction  ''at  the 
mast.'' 

SALIENT  ANGLR  In  fortification,  one  of  which  the  point  projects 
outwards. 

SALINAS,  or  Salikes.     Salt-ponds,  natural  or  artificial,  near  the  sea-coast. 

SALINOMETER  A  brine-gauge  for  indicating  the  denfdty  of  brine  in 
the  boilers  of  marine  steam-engines,  to  show  when  it  is  necessary  to 
blow  off: 

SALLY.  A  sudden  expedition  out  of  a  besieged  place  against  the  besiegers 
or  some  part  of  their  works;  also  called  a  sortie, — To  sally.  To  move 
a  body  by  jerks  or  rushes;  a  sudden  heave  or  set.  Thus,  when  a  vessel 
grounds  by  the  bow  or  stem,  and  the  hawsers  are  severely  taut,  the  sally 
is  practised.  This  is  done  by  collecting  all  hands  at  the  point  aground, 
and  then  by  a  simultaneous  rush  reaching  the  part  afloat 

SALLY-PORT.  An  opening  cut  in  the  glacis  of  a  place  to  afford  free 
egress  to  the  troops  in  case  of  a  sortie.    Also,  a  laige  port  on  each  quarter 


L 


SALMAGUNDI SALVOK  591 

of  a  fire-ship,  out  of  which  the  officers  and  crew  make  their  escape  into 
the  boats  as  soon  as  the  train  is  fired.     Also,  a  plaee  at  Portsmouth  ex- 
clusively set  apart  for  the  use  of  men-of-war*s  boats.     Also,  the  entering 
port  of  a  three-decker. 
SALMAGUNDI.     A  savoury  sea  dish,  made  of  slices  of  cured  fish  and 

oniona 
SALMON".     The  well-known  fish,  Salmo  solar.     It  is  partly  oceanic  and 

partly  fluviatile,  ascending  rivers  in  the  breeding  season. 
SALMON-LADDER.     A  short  trough  placed  suitably  in  any  fall  wjiere 
the  water  is  tolerably  deep,  leaving  a  narrow  trough  at  intervals  for  the 
fish  to  pass  through,  with  barriers  to  break  the  force  of  the  water. 
SALOON.     A  name  for  the  main  cabin  of  a  steamer  or  passenger  ship. 
SALT,  OR  Old  Salt.     A  weather-beaten  sailor.     One  of  the  old  seamen 

who  not  only  have  known  but  have  felt  what  war  waa 
SALT-BOX.     A  case  for  keeping  a  temporary  supply  of  cartridges  for  the 
immediate  use  of  the  great  gims;  it  is  under  the  charge  of  the  cabin-door 
sentry. 
SALT-EEL.     A  rope's-end  cut  from  the  piece  for  starting  the  homo  delin- 

quens. 
SALT- JUNK.     Navy  salt  beef.     (See  Junk.) 
SALTPETER     The  neutral  salt;  also  called  nitre  (which  see). 
SALT-PITS.    Reservoirs  to  contain  sea-water  for  the  purpose  of  making  salt. 
SALUTE.     A  discharge  of  cannon  or  small  arms,  display  of  flags,  or  cheer- 
ing of  men,  in  deference,  by  the  ships  of  one  nation  to  those  of  another, 
or  by  ships  of  the  same  nation  to  a  superior  or  an  eqiial.    Also,  the  proper 
compliment  paid  by  troops,  on  similar  occasions,  whether  with  the  sword, 
musket,  or  hand. 
SALVAGE.     Originally  meant  the  thing  or  goods  saved  from  wreck,  fire, 
or  enemies.     It  now  signifies  an  allowance  made  to  those  by  whose  means 
the  ship  or  goods  have  been  saved.     These  cases,  when  fairly  made  out, 
are  received  with  the  most  liberal  encouragement.      Goods  of  British 
subjects,  retaken  from  the  enemy,  are  restored  to  the  owners,  paying  for 
salvage  one-eighth  of  the  value  to  ships-of-war;  one-sixth  to  privateers. 
When  a  ship  is  in  danger  of  being  stranded,  justices  of  the  peace  are  to 
command  the  constables  to  assemble  as  many  persons  as  are  necessary  to 
preserve  it;  and  on  its  being  thus  preserved,  the  persons  assisting  therein 
shall,  in  thirty  days  after,  be  paid  a  reasonable  reward  for  the  salvage; 
otherwise  the  ship  or  goods  shall  remain  in  the  custody  of  the  officers  of 
the  customs  as  a  security  for  the  same. 
SALVAGE  LOSS.     A  term  in  marine  insurance  implying  that  the  under- 
writers are  liable  to  pay  the  amount  insured  on  the  property  lost  in  the 
ship,  but  taking  credit  for  what  is  saved. 
SALVAGER    .One  employed  on  the  sea-coast  to  look  to  the  rights  of 

salvage,  wreck,  or  waif. 
SALVO.     A  discharge  from  several  pieces  simultaneously,  as  a  salute. 
SALVOR.     The  person  claiming  and  receiving  salvage  for  having  saved  a 


592  SAMAEEEN SAND-SHOT 

ship  and  cargo,  or  any  part  thereof,  from  impending  peril,  or  recovered 

after  actual  loss. 
SAMAKEEN.     A  Turkish  coasting  trader. 
SAMBUCCO.     A  pinnace  common  among  the  Arabs  on  the  east  coast  of 

Africa,   as  at   Mombaze,  Melinda,  &c.      The  name  is  remarkable,  as 

Athenseus  describes  the  musical  instrument  sambuca  as  resembling  a  ship 

with  a  ladder  placed  over  it 
SAMPAAN,  OE  Sampan.     A  neatly-adjusted  kind  of  hatch-boat,  used  by 

the  Chinese  for  passengers,  and  also  as  a  dwelling  for  Tartar  fiunilies,  with 

a  comfortable  cabin. 
SAMPHIRK     Crithmum  marUimuTn,  a  plant  found  on  sea-shores  and  salt 

marshes,  which  forms  an  excellent  anti-scorbutic  pickle. 
SAMS-CHOO.     A  Chinese  spirit  distilled  from  rice;  it  is  fiery,  fetid,  and 

very  injurious  to  European  health. 
SAMSON'S  POST.     A  movable  pillar  which  rests  on  it«  upper  shoulder 

against  a  beam,  with  the  lower  tenons  into  the  deck,  and  standing  at  an 

angle  of  15°  forward.     To  this  post^  at  4  feet  above  the  deck,  a  leading  or 

snatch-block  is  hooked,  and  any  fore-and-aft  purchase  is  led  by  it  across 

the  deck  to  one  similar,  so  that,  from  the  starboard  bow  to  the  starboard 

aft  Samson-post,  across  to  the  port-post  and  forward,  the  whole  crew  can 

apply  their  force  for  catting  and  fishing  the  anchor,  or  hoisting  in  or  out 

boats;  top-tackle  falls,  &c.,  are  usually  so  treated. 
SANDAL.     A  long  narrow  Barbary  boat,  of  from  15  to  50  tons;  open, 

and  fitted  with  two  masts. 
SAND-BAGS.     Small  square  cushions  made  of  canvas  and  painted,  for 

boats'  ballast     Also,  bags  containing  about  a  cubical  foot  of  earth  or  sand, 

used  for  raising  a  parapet  in  haste,  and  making  temporary  loop-holes  for 

musketry;  also,  to  repair  any  part  beaten  down  or  damaged  by  the 

enemy's  fire. 
SAND  AND  COBAL  BANK.     An  accumulation  of  sand  and  fragments  of 

coral  above  the  surface  of  the  sea,  without  any  vegetation;  when  it 

becomes  verdant  it  is  called  a  hey  (which  see). 
S  AND-DBIFTS.     Hillocks  of  shifting  sands,  as  on  the  deserts  of  Sahara,  &c 
SANDERLING.     A  small  wading  bird,  Galidris  arenaria. 
SAND-HILLS.     Mounds  of  sand  thrown  up  on  the  sea-shore  by  winds  and 

eddies.     They  are  mostly  destitute  of  verdure. 
SAND -HOPPER.    A  small  creature  {TalUra\  resembling  a  shrimp,  which 

abounds  on  some  beaches. 
SAND-LAUNCE.     Ammodytea  toUantia,  a  small  eel-like  fish,  which  buries 

itself  in  the  sand. 
SAND-PIPER.     A  name  applied  to  many  species  of  small  wading  birds 

found  on  the  seashore  and  banks  of  lakes  and  rivers,  feeding  on  insects, 

crustaceans,  and  worms. 
SAND-SHOT.     Those  cast  in  moulds  of  sand,  when  economy  is  of  more 

importance  than  form  or  hardness;  the  small  balls  used  in  case,  grape, 

&c.,  are  thus  produced. 


SAND-STRAKE SATUEN  693 

SAND-STBAKE.     A  name  sometimes  given  to  the  garboard-strake. 

SAND-WARPT.  Left  by  the  tide  on  a  shoaL  Also,  striking  on  a  shoal 
at  half-flood. 

SANGAREK  A  well  known  beverage  in  both  the  Indies,  composed  of 
port  or  madeira,  water,  lime-juice,  sugar,  and  nutmeg,  with  an  occasional 
corrective  of  spirits.  The  name  is  derived  from  its  being  blood-red.  Also, 
arrack-punch. 

SANGIAC.  A  Turkish  governor;  the  name  is  also  applied  to  the  banner 
which  he  is  authorized  to  display,  and  has  been  mistaken  for  St.  Jacques. 

SAP.  That  peculiar  method  by  which  a  besieger's  zig-zag  approaches  are 
continuously  advanced  in  spite  of  the  musketry  of  the  defenders;  gabions 
are  successively  placed  in  position,  filled,  and  covered  with  earth,  by  men 
working  from  behind  the  last  completed  portion  of  the  trench,  the  head 
of  which  is  protected  by  a  moving  defence  called  a  sap-roUer,  Its  pro- 
gress is  necessarily  slow  and  arduous.  There  is  also  the  fiying  sap,  used 
at  greater  distances,  and  by  night,  when  a  line  of  gabions  is  planted  and 
filled  by  a  line  of  men  working  simultaneously;  and  the  chubU  sap,  used 
when  zig-zags  are  no  longer  efficient,  consisting  of  two  contiguous  single 
saps,  back  to  back,  carried  direct  towards  the  place,  with  frequent  returns, 
which  form  traverses  against  enfilade;  the  half-<iovMe  sap  has  its  reverse 
side  less  complete  than  the  last. 

SARABAND.     A  forecastle  dance,  borrowed  from  the  Moors  of  Africa. 

SARACEN.  A  term  applied  in  the  middle  ages  indiscriminately  to  all 
Pagans  and  Mahometans. 

SARDINK  Engrcmlua  maletta,  a  fish  closely  allied  to  the  anchovy; 
found  in  the  Mediterranean  and  Atlantic. 

SARGASSO.  Fucus  natans,  or  gulf-weed,  the  sea-weed  always  to  be  found 
floating  in  large  quantities  in  that  part  of  the  Atlantic  south  of  the  Azores, 
which  is  jxift  subject  to  currents,  and  which  is  called  the  Sargasso  Sea. 

SARKELLXJS.  An  unlawful  net  or  engine  for  destroying  fisL  (Inquiait, 
Justic  anno  1254.) 

SARDS.    See  Cycle  of  Eclipses. 

SARRAZINE     A  rough  portcullis. 

SARRK  An  early 'name  for  a  long  gun,  but  of  smaller  dimensions  than  a 
bombard. 

SASH.  A  useful  mark  of  distinction  worn  by  infantry  and  marine  officers; 
it  is  made  of  crimson  silk,  and  intended  as  a  waist-band,  but  latterly 
thrown  over  the  left  shoulder  and  across  the  body.  Also,  now  worn  by 
the  naval  equerries  to  the  queen.  Serjeants  of  infantry  wear  it  of  the 
same  colour  in  cotton. 

S  ASSR     A  kind  of  weir  with  flood-gate,  or  a  navigable  slidce. 

SATELLITES.  Secoudary  planets  or  moons,  which  revolve  about  some 
of  the  primary  planets.     The  moon  is  a  satellite  to  the  earth. 

SATURN.  One  of  the  ancient  superior  planets  remarkable  for  the  luminous 
rings  with  which  his  globe  is  surrounded,  and  for  his  being  accompanied 
by  no  fewer  than  eight  moons. 

2p 


594  SAUCEB SCAMPAVIA 

SAUCEIl,  OR  Spindle  of  the  Capstan.  A  socket  of  iron  let  into  a 
wooden  stock  or  standard,  called  the  step,  resting  upon,  and  bolted  to,  the 
beams.  Its  use  is  to  receive  the  spindle  or  foot  on  which  the  capstan 
rests  and  tarns  round. 

SAUCER-HEADED  BOLTS.     Those  with  very  flat  heads. 

SAXJCISSON,  on  Sadcisse.  A  word  formerly  used  for  the  powder-hose^ 
a  linen  tube  containing  the  train  of  powder  to  a  mine  or  fire-ship,  the  slow 
match  being  attached  to  the  extremity  to  afford  time  for  the  parties  to 
reach  positions  of  safety. 

SAXJCISSONS.  Faggots,  differing  from  fascines  only  in  that  they  are 
longer,  and  made  of  stouter  branches  of  trees  or  underwood. 

SATJVE-TETE.     See  SPLiNTEB-NErriNO. 

SAVANNAH  [Sp.  Sahand\,  A  name  given  to  the  wonderfully  fertile 
natural  meadows  of  tropical  America;  the  vast  plains  clear  of  wood,  and 
covered  in  general  with  waving  herbage,  in  the  interior  of  North  America, 
are  called  prairies  (which  see). 

SAVE- ALL,  OB  Water-sail.  A  small  sail  sometimes  set  under  the  foot 
of  a  lower  studding-saiL 

SAW-BILL.     A  name  for  the  goosander,  Mergus  merganser. 

SAW-BONES.     A  sobriquet  for  the  surgeon  and  his  assistants. 

SAW-FISH.  A  species  of  shark  {Pritis  antiquorum)  with  the  bones  of  the 
face  produced  into  a  long  flat  rostrum,  with  a  row  of  pointed  teeth  placed 
along  each  edge. 

SAY-NAY.     A  Lancashire  name  for  a  lamprey. 

S AYTH.     A  coal-fish  in  its  third  year. 

SCAFFLING.     A  northern  term  for  an  eeL 

SCALA.  Forts  and  landing-places  in  the  Levant,  so  named  from  the  old 
custom  of  placing  a  ladder  to  a  boat  to  land  from.  Gang-boards  are  now 
used  for  that  purpose. 

SCALDINGS !  Notice  to  get  out  of  the  way;  it  is  used  when  a  man  with 
a  load  wishes  to  pass,  and  would  lead  those  in  his  way  to  think  that  he 
was  carrying  hot  water. 

SCALE.  An  old  word  for  commercial  emporium,  derived  from  scala. 
Also,  the  graduated  divisions  by  which  the  proportions  of  a  chart  or  plan 
are  regulated.  Also,  the  common  measures  of  the  sheer-draughty  &c. 
(See  Gunter's  Scale.) 

SCALENE  TRIANGLE     That  which  has  all  three  sides  unequal 

SCALING.  The  act  of  cleaning  the  inside  of  a  ship's  cannon  by  the  ex- 
plosion of  a  reduced  quantity  of  powder.  Also,  attacking  a  place  by 
getting  over  its  defences. 

SCALING-LADDERS.  Those  made  in  lengths  which  may  be  carried 
easily,  and  quickly  fitted  together  to  any  length  required. 

SCAMFAVIA.  A  fast  rowing  war  boat  of  Naples  and  Sicily;  in  1814-15 
they  ranged  to  150  feet,  pulled  by  forty  sweeps  or  oars,  each  man  having 
his  bunk  under  lus  sweep.  They  were  rigged  with  one  huge  lateen  at 
one-third  irom  the  stem;  no  forward  bulwark  or  stem  above  deck;  a  long 


i 


SCANT SCHOONER  595 

brass  6-pounder  gun  worked  before  the  mast,  only  two  feet  above  water; 

the  jib,  set  on  a  gaff-like  boom,  veered  abeam  when  firing  the  gun.     Abaft 

a  lateen  mizen  with  topsail,  <kc. 
SCANT.     A  term  applied  to  the  wind  when  it  heads  a  ship  off,  so  that  she 

will  barely  lay  her  course  when  the  yards  are  very  sharp  up. 
SCANTLING.     The  dimensions  of  a  timber  when  reduced  to  its  standard 

size. 
SCAR.     In  hydrography  applies  to  a  cliff;  whence  are  derived  the  names 

Scarborough,  Scamose,  kc     Also,  to  rocks  bare  only  at  low  water,  as  on 

the  coasts  of  Lancashire.     Also,  beds  of  gravel  or  stone  in  estuaries. 
SCARBRO'  WARNING.     Letting  anything  go  by  the  run,  without  due 

notice.     Heywood  in  his  account  of  Stafford's  surprise  of  Scarborough 

castle^  in  1557,  says: — 

"  This  term  Scarhorow  warning  grew  (some  say), 
By  hasty  hanging  for  rank  robbery  theare, 
Who  that  was  met,  but  suspected  in  that  way, 
Straight  he  was  truss' t,  whateyer  he  were." 

SCARFED.     An  old  word  for  "decorated  with  flags." 

SCARP.     A  precipitous  steep ;  as  either  the  escarp  or  counterscarp  of  a 

fort:  but  a  bank  or  the  face  of  a  hill  may  also  be  scarped, 
SCARPH,  OR  Scarping.     Is  the  junction  of  wood  or  metal   by  sloping 

off  the  edges,  and  maintaining  the  same  thickness  throughout  the  joint. 

The  stem  and  stem  posts  are  scarfed  to  the  keel. 
SCARPHS  OF  THE  KEEL.     The  joints,  when  a  keel  is  made  of  several 

pieces.     {See  Scarph.) 
SCARRAG.     Manx  or  Erse  for  a  skate  or  ray-fish. 
SCAT.     A  west  of  England  term  for  a  passing  shower. 
SCAUR.     See  Scar. 
SCAW.     A  promontory  or  isthmus. 
SCAWBERK.     An  archaism  for  scabbard. 
SCEITHMAN.     An  old  statute  term  signifying  pirate, 
'SCENDING  [from  ascend\     The  contrary  motion  to  pitching.    {See  Send). 
SCHEDAR     The  lucida  of  the  ancient  constellation  Cassiopsea^  and  one 

of  the  nautical  stars. 
SCHEMER     One  who  has  charge  of  the  hold  of  a  North  Sea  ship. 
SCHENOGRAPHY.     Representation  of  ships  or  forts  in  some  kind  of 

perspective. 
SCHNAPS.     An  ardent  spirit,  like  Schiedam  hollands,  impregnated  with 

narcotic  ingredients;  a  destructive  drink  in  common  use  along  the  shores 

of  the  northern  seas. 
SCHOCK.     A  commercial  measure  of  60  cask  staves.     {See  Ring.) 
SCHOOL.     A  term  applied  to  a  shoal  of  any  of  the  cetacean  animals. 
SCHOONER.     Strictly,  a  small  craft  with  two  masts  and  no  tops,  but  the 

name  is  also  applied  to  fore-and-afl  vessels  of  various  classes.     There  are 

two-topsail  schooners  both  fore  and  aft,  main-topsail  schooners^  with  two 

square  topsails;  fore-topsail  schooners  with  one  square  topsail.     Ballahou 


696  SCHOUT SCOUR 

schooners,  whose  foremast  rakes  forward;  aiid  we  also  have  three-masted 
vessels  called  schooners. 

SCHOXJT.  A  water-hailiff  in  many  northern  European  ports^  who  super- 
intends the  police  for  seamen. 

SCHRIVAN.     An  old  term  for  a  ship's  clerk. 

SCHTJLL.    See  School. 

SCHTJTT.  A  Dutch  vessel,  galliot  ri^;ed,  used  in  the  river  trade  of  Hol- 
land. 

SCIMETAR.     An  eastern  sabre,  with  a  hroad,  very  re-curved  blade. 

SCOBS.     The  scoria  made  at  the  armourer's  forge. 

SCONCR  A  petty  fort  Also,  the  head;  whence  Shakspeare's  pun  in 
making  Dromio  talk  of  having  his  sconce  ensconced  Also,  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  for  a  dangerous  candle-holder,  made  to  let  into  the  sides  or  posts 
in  a  ship's  hold.     Also,  sconce  of  the  magaaine,  a  close  safe  lantern. 

SCOODYN.  An  old  word  to  express  the  burring  which  forms  on  vessels' 
bottoms,  when  fouL 

SCOOP.  A  long  spoon-shaped  piece  of  wood  to  throw  water,  when  wash- 
ing a  ship's  sides  in  the  morning.     Scooping  is  the  same  as  holing  a  boat. 

SCOPE.  The  riding  scope  of  a  vessel's  cable  should  be  at  least  three  times 
the  depth  of  water  under  her,  but  it  must  vary  with  the  amount  of  wind 
and  nature  of  the  bottom. 

SCOKE.  Twenty;  commercially,  in  the  case  of  certain  articles,  six  score 
went  to  the  hundred — a  usage  thus  regulated : 

"Five  score's  a  hundred  of  men,  money,  and  pins : 
Six  score's  a  hundred  of  all  other  things.'* 

Also  an  angular  piece  cut  out  of  a  solid.     AJso,  an  account  or  reckoning. 
SCORE  OF  A  BLOCK,  or  of  a  Dead  Eyk     The  groove  round  which 

the  rope  passes. 
SCORPIO.     The  eighth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the 

22d  of  October,     a  Scorpii,  Anta/res;  a  nautical  star. 
SCOT,  OR  Shot.     Anglo-Saxon  sceat     A  share  of  anything;  a  contribution 

in  feir  proportion. 
SCOTCHMAN.     A  piece  of  stiff  hide,  or  batten  of  wood,  placed  over  the 

backstays  fore-swifter  of  the  :  Crouds,  <fec.,  so  as  to  secure  the  standing 

rigging  irom  being  chafed.     Perhaps  so  called  from  the  sketch  or  notch 

where  the  seizing  is  passed. 
SCOTCH  MIST.     Mizzle,  or  small  soaking  raia 
SCOTCH  PRIZE.     A  mistake;   worse  than  no  prize,  or  one  liable  to 

hamper  the  captors  with  heavy  law  expenses. 
SCOTIA.     Carved  mouldings  and  grooves. 
SCOUR  A  BEACH,  To,     To  pour  a  quick  flanking  fire  along  it,  in  order 

to  dislodge  an  enemy. 
SCOURER,  OR  ScouRiNO-STiCK.    Spring-searcher.    An  implement  to  clean 

the  interior  of  musket  barrels. 
SCOURGE.     A  name  of  the  boatswain's  cat. 
SCOUR  THE  SEAS,  To.     To  infest  the  ocean  as  a  pirate. 


I 


SCOUSE SCROVIES  597 

SCOXJSE.  A  dish  made  of  pounded  biscuit  and  salt  beef  cut  into  small 
pieces,  boiled  up  with  seasoning.     (See  Lob-soouse.) 

SCOUTS.  Small  vessels  of  war  for  especial  service.  (See  Skouts.)  Also, 
intelligent  men  sent  in  advance  to  discover  the  enemj,  and  give  an 
account  of  his  force. 

SCOW.     A  large  flat-bottomed  boat^  used  either  as  a  lighter,  or  for  ferrying. 

SCOW-BANEIER  A  manager  of  a  scow.  Also,  a  contemptuous  term 
for  a  lubberly  fellow. 

SCO  WRING.  The  cleansing  and  clearing  a  harbour  by  back-water,  or 
otherwise.     Also  an  old  term  for  tropical  flux  or  dysenteiy. 

SCRABBLK  A  badly  written  log.  This  term  is  used  by  the  translators 
of  the  Bible  at  David's  feigned  madness^  when  he  ''scrabbled  on  the  doors 
of  the  gate." 

SCRABER.     The  puffinet,  Colymbua  grille,     (See  Greenland  Dove) 

SCRAPER  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  screope],  A  small  triangular  iron 
instrument,  having  two  or  three  sharp  edge&  It  is  used  to  scrape  the 
ship's  side  or  decks  after  caulking,  or  to  clean  the  top-masts,  &c.  This 
is  usually  followed  by  a  varnish  of  turpentine,  or  a  mixture  of  tar  and  oil, 
to  protect  the  wood  from  the  weather.  Also,  metaphorically,  a  cocked 
hat^  whether  shipped  fore-and-afb  or  worn  athwart-ships. 

SCRATCH-RACE.     A  boat-race  where  the  crews  are  drawn  by  lot. 

SCRAWL.     The  young  of  the  dog-crab,  or  a  poor  sort  of  crab  itself 

SCRE^^N-BERTH.  Pieces  of  canvas  temporarily  hung  round  a  berth,  for 
warmth  and  privacy.     (See  Berth.) 

SCREW-DOCK.     See  Gridiron. 

SCREW-GAMMONING  for  the  Bowsprit.  A  chain  or  plate  fostened 
by  a  screw,  to  secure  a  vessel's  bowsprit  to  the  stem-head,  allowing  for 
the  tricing  up  of  the  bowsprit  when  required. 

SCREW-PROPELLER  A  valuable  substitute  for  the  cumbersome  paddle- 
wheels  as  a  motive-power  for  steam-vessels:  the  Archimedean  screw 
plying  under  water,  and  hidden  by  the  counter,  communicates  motion  in 
the  direction  of  its  axis  to  a  vessel,  by  working  against  the  resisting 
medium  of  water.     (See  Twin-screw.) 

SCREWS.  Powerful  machines  for  lifting  large  bodies.  (See  Bed,  Barrel, 
and  Jack  Screws.) 

SCREW-WELL.  A  hollow  trunk  over  the  screw  of  a  steamer,  for  allow- 
ing the  propeller  to  be  disconnected  and  lifled  when  required. 

SCRIMP.  Scant.  A  word  used  in  the  north;  as,  a  scrimp  wind,  a  very 
light  breeze. 

SCRIVANO.  A  clerk  or  writer;  a  name  adopted  in  our  early  ships  from 
the  Portuguese  or  Spanish. 

SCROLL-HEAD.  A  slightly  curved  piece  of  timber  bolted  to  the  knees 
of  the  head,  in  place  of  a  figure :  finished  ofl  by  a  volute  turning  out- 
wards, contrary  to  ihe  fiddle-head. 

SCROVIES.  An  old  name  given  to  the  worthless  men  picked  up  by 
crimps,  and  sent  on  board  as  A.B'8. 


598  SCRUFF SCUPPER-SHOOTS 

SCRUFF.     The  matter  adhering  to  the  bottoms  of  foul  vessels. 

SCUD.  The  low  misty  cloud.  It  appears  to  fly  faster  than  others  because 
it  is  very  near  the  earth's  surface.  When  scud  is  abundant,  showers  may 
be  expected. — To  scud.  To  run  before  a  gale  under  canvas  enough  to 
keep  the  vessel  ahead  of  the  sea:  as,  for  instance,  a  close-reefed  main 
topsail  and  foresail ;  without  canvas  she  is  said  to  scud  under  bare  poles, 
and  is  very  likely  to  be  pooped.  When  a  vessel  makes  a  sudden  and 
precipitate  flight,  she  is  said  to  scud  away. — Scud  like  a  *Mvdian,  Be 
off  in  a  hurry. 

SCUDO.     A  coin  of  Italy,  varying  in  value  in  the  different  provinces. 

SCUFFLK     A  confused  and  disorderly  contention — 

"  Then  friends  and  foes  to  battle  they  goes; 
But  what  they  all  fights  about — nobody  knows.'* 

SCULL.  A  short  oar  of  such  length  that  a  pair  of  them,  one  on  each  side, 
are  conveniently  managed  by  a  single  rower  sitting  in  the  middle  of  the 
boat.  Also,  a  light  metal-helmet  worn  in  our  early  fleet. — To  scidL  To 
row  a  boit  with  a  pair  of  sculls.  Also,  to  propel  a  boat  by  a  particular 
method  of  managing  a  single  oar  over  the  boat's  stem,  and  reversing  the 
blade  each  time.  It  is  in  fact  the  half-stroke  of  the  screw  rapidly  reversed, 
and  closely  resembles  the  propelling  power  of  the  horizontal  tail  of  the 
whale. 

SCULPTURES.  The  carved  decorations  of  the  head,  stem,  and  quarter  of 
an  old  ship-of-war.  Also,  the  copper  plates  which  "  adorned  "  the  former 
books  of  voyages  and  travels. 

SCUM  OF  THE  Sea.  The  refuse  seen  on  the  line  of  tidal  change;  the  drift 
sent  off  by  the  ebbing  tide.  Or  (in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  rains),  the 
fresh  water  running^on  the  sur&ce  of  the  salt  and  carrying  with  it  a  line 
of  foam  bearing  numerous  sickly  gelatinous  marine  animals,  and 
physalise,  commonly  called  Portuguese  men-of-war,  affected  by  the  fresh 
water  and  other  small  things  often  met  with  on  the  surface  sea. 

SCUM-O'-THE-SKY.     Thin  atmospheric  vapours. 

SCUPPER-HOSE.  A  canvas  leathern  pipe  or  tube  nailed  roimd  the 
outside  of  the  scuppers  of  the  lower  decks,  which  prevents  the  water  from 
discolouring  the  ship's  sides. 

SCUPPER-LEATHER.  A  flap-valve  nailed  over  a  scupper-hole,  serving 
to  keep  water  from  getting  in,  yet  letting  it  out. 

SCUPPER-NAILS.  Short  nails  with  very  broad  flat  heads,  used  to  nail 
the  flaps  of  the  scuppers,  so  as  to  retain  the  hose  under  them:  they  are 
also  used  for  battening  tarpaulins  and  other  general  purposes. 

SCUPPER-PLUGS.     Are  used  to  close  the  scuppers  inboard. 

SCUPPERS.  Round  apertures  cut  through  the  water  ways  and  sides  of  a 
ship  at  proper  distances,  and  lined  with  metal,  in  order  to  carry  the  water 
off  the  deck  into  the  sea. 

SCUPPER-SHOOTS.  Metal  or  wooden  tubes  which  cany  the  water  from 
the  decks  of  frigates  to  the  sea-leveL 


SCUBEY SEA-BEANS  599 

SCURRY.  Perhaps  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  scuVj  a  hea'vy  shower,  a  sadden 
squalL  It  now  means  a  hurried  movement;  it  is  more  especially  applied 
to  seals  or  penguins  taking  to  the  water  in  fright 

SCUTTLE.  A  small  hole  or  port  cut  either  in  the  deck  or  side  of  a  ship, 
generally  for  ventilation.     That  in  the  deck  is  a  small  hatch-way. 

SCUTTLE,  To.  To  cut  or  bore  holes  through  part  of  a  ship  when  she  is 
stranded  or  overset,  and  continues  to  float,  in  order  to  save  any  part  of 
her  contents.  Also,  a  trick  too  oflben  practised  by  boring  holes  below 
water,  to  sink  a  ship,  where  fictitious  cargo  is  embarked  and  the  vessel 
insured  beyond  her  value.     {See  Barratbt.) 

SCUTTLE  OR  SCUTTLED  BUTT.  A  cask  having  a  square  piece  sawn 
out  of  its  bilge  and  lashed  in  a  convenient  place  to  hold  water  for  present 
use. 

SCUTTLE-HATCH.  A  lid  or  hatch  for  covering  and  closing  the  scuttles 
when  necessary. 

SEA  Strictly  speaking,  sea  is  the  next  large  division  of  water  after  ocean^ 
but  in  its  special  sense  signifies  only  any  large  portion  of  the  great  mass 
of  waters  almost  surrounded  by  land,  aj9  the  Black,  the  White,  the  Baltic, 
the  China,  and  the  Mediterranean  seas,  and  in  a  general  sense  in  contra- 
distinction to  land.  By  sailors  the  word  is  also  variously  applied.  Thus 
they  say — "We  shipped  a  heavy  sea."  "There  is  a  great  sea  on  in  the 
oifing."  '^The  sea  sets  to  the  southward,"  &c.  Hence  a  ship  is  said  to  head 
the  sea  when  her  course  is  opposed  to  the  direction  of  the  waves. — A  long 
sea  implies  a  uniform  motion  of  long  waves,  the  result  of  a  steady 
continuance  of  the  wind  from  nearly  the  same  quarter. — A  short  sea  is  a 
confused  motion  of  the  waves  when  they  run  irregularly  so  as  frequently 
to  break  over  a  vessel,  caused  by  sudden  changes  of  wind.  The  law  claims 
for  the  crown  wherever  the  sea  flow^  to,  and  there  the  admiralty  has 
jurisdiction;  accordingly,  no  act  can  be  done,  no  bridge  can  span  a  river 
so  circumstanced  without  the  sanction  of  the  admiralty.  It  claims  the 
fore-shore  unless  specially  granted  by  charter  otherwise,  and  the  court  of 
vice-admiralty  has  jurisdiction  as  to  flotsom  and  jetsom  on  the  fore-shore. 
But  all  crimes  are  subject  to  the  lawB,  and  are  tried  by  the  ordinary  courts 
as  within  the  body  of  a  county,  comprehended  by  the  chord  between  two 
headlands  where  the  distance  does  not  exceed  three  miles  from  the  shore. 
Beyond  that  limit  m  'Hhe  sea,  where  high  court  of  admiralty  has  juris- 
diction, but  where  civil  process  cannot  follow," 

SEA-ADDER.  The  west-country  term  for  the  pipe-fish  Syngnathtts,  The 
name  is  also  given  to  the  nest-making  stickle-back. 

SEA-ANCHOR  That  which  Ues  towards  the  ofiing  when  a  ship  is 
moored. 

SEA-ATTORNEY.     The  ordinary  brown  and  rapacious  shark. 

SEA'BANK.  A  work  so  important  that  our  statutes  make  it  felony, 
without  benefit  of  clergy,  maliciously  to  cut  down  any  sea-bank  whereby 
lands  may  be  overflowed. 

SEA-BEANS.     Pods  of  the  acacia  tribe  shed  into  the  rivers  about  the 


600  SEA-BEAB SEArCUCKOO 

Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  borne  by  the  stream  to  the  coasts  of  Great  Britain, 
and  even  further  north. 

SEA-£E^  R  A  name  applied  to  several  species  of  large  seals  of  the  genus 
Otaria,  found  both  in  the  northern  and  southern  hemispheres.  Thej 
diiSer  from  the  true  seals,  especially  in  the  mode  in  which  they  use  their 
hind  limbs  in  walking  on  land. 

SEA-BOARD.  The  line  along  which  the  land  and  water  meet,  indicating 
the  limit  conAnon  to  both. 

SEA-BOAT.  A  good  sea-boat  implies  any  vessel  adapted  to  bear  the  sea 
firmly  and  lively  without  labouring  heavily  or  straining  her  masts  or 
rigging.     The  contrary  is  called  a  had  sea-boat, 

SEA-BORNK     Arrived  from  a  voyage:  said  of  freighted  ships  also  afloat. 

SEA-BOTTLE.  The  pod  or  vesicle  of  some  species  of  sea-torack  or  Fucua 
gigantea  of  Cape  Horn  and  the  Straits  of  ]\(l!agellan. 

SEA-BREEZE.  A  wind  from  the  sea  towards  the  land.  In  tropical 
climates  (and  sometimes  during  summer  in  the  temperate  zone)  as  the 
day  advances  the  land  becomes  extremely  heated  by  the  sun,  which 
causes  an  ascending  current  of  air,  and  a  wind  from  the  sea  rushes  in  to 
restore  equilibrium.  Above  the  sea-breeze  is  a  counter  current,  which 
was  clearly  shown  in  Madras,  where  an  seronaut  waited  until  the  sea- 
breeze  had  set  in  to  make  his  ascent^  expecting  to  be  blown  inland,  but 
afler  rising  to  a  certain  height  found  himself  going  out  to  sea,  and  in  his 
haste  to  descend  he  disordered  the  machinery,  and  could  not  close  the 
valve  which  allowed  the  gas  to  escape,  so  fell  into  the  sea  about  three 
miles  from  the  land,  but  climg  to  his  balloon  and  was  saved.  Also,  a 
cool  sea  drink. 

SEA-BRIEF.  A  specification  of  the  nature  and  quantity  of  the  cargo  of 
a  ship,  the  place  whence  it  comes,  and  its  destination.     {See  Passport.) 

SEA-CALF.     A  seal,  Phoca  vittUina, 

SEA-CAP.     The  white  drift  or  breaks  of  a  wave.     White  horses  of  trade& 

SEA-CARDS.     The  old  name  for  charts. 

SEA-CAT.     A  name  of  the  wolf-fish,  Anarrhieas  lupus. 

SEA-CATGUT.     The  FumsJUum,  or  sea-thread. 

SEA-COAST,  OR  Sea-bord.  The  shore  of  any  country,  or  that  part  which 
is  washed  by  the  sea. 

SEA  COCOA-NUT,  or  Double  Cocoa-nut.  The  fruit  of  the  Lodoicea 
Seychellarumy  a  handsome  palm  growing  in  the  Seychelles  Islands.  It 
was  once  supposed  to  be  produced  by  a  sea-weed,  because  so  often  found 
floating  on  the  sea  around. 

SEA-COULTER     The  puffin  or  coulter-neb,  Frat&rcula  arctica. 

SEA-COW.     One  of  the  names  given  to  the  manatee  (which  see). 

SEA-CRAFTS.  In  ship-building,  a  term  for  the  scarphed  strakes  otherwise 
called  clamps.     For  boats,  see  Thwart-clamps. 

SEA-CROW.     A  name  on  our  southern  coast  for  the  cormorant. 

SEA-CUCKOO.  The  Trigla  cucuXus,  or  red  gurnard,  so  called  from  the 
unmusical  grunt  which  it  emits. 


SEA-CUNNY SEAL  601 

SEA-CXJNNY.  A  steersman  in  vessels  manned  with  lascars  in  the  East 
India  country  trade. 

SEA-DEYIL.  A  name  for  the  Lophius  piscatoriuSy  or  angler,  a  fish  with 
a  large  head  and  thick  short  body. 

SEA-DOG.     A  name  of  the  common  seal. 

SEA-DOQG.     The  meteor  called  also  atvhb  (which  see). 

SEA-DKAGrON.     An  early  designation  of  the  stinging-weever. 

SEA-EAGLK  A  large  ray-fish  with  a  pair  of  enormous  fins  stretching  out 
from  either  side  of  the  body,  and  a  long  switch  tail,  armed  with  a  barbed 
bone,  which  forms  a  dangerous  weapon.     Manta  of  the  Spaniards. 

SEA-EDGE.  The  boundary  between  the  icy  regions  of  the  "  north  water" 
and  the  unfrozen  portion  of  the  Arctic  Sea. 

SEA-EEL.     The  conger  (which  see). 

SEA-EGG.  A  general  name  for  the  echirms^  better  known  to  seamen  as 
the  sea-v/rchin  (which  see). 

SEA-FAKDINGER.     An  archaic  expression  for  a  seafaring  man. 

SEA-FISHER     An  officer  in  the  household  of  Edward  III. 

SEA-FRET.  A  word  used  on  our  northern  coasts  for  the  thick  heavy 
mist  generated  on  the  ocean,  and  rolled  by  the  wind  upon  the  land. 

SEA-FROG.     A  name  for  the  Lophms  piscatoHua^  or  angler. 

SEA  GATE  OR  GAIT.  A  long  rolling  swell :  when  two  sliips  are  thrown 
aboard  one  another  by  its  means,  they  are  said  ^  be  in  a  sea-gate. 

SEA-GAXJGK  An  instrument  used  by  Drs.  Hale  and  Desaguliers  to 
investigate  the  depth  of  the  sea,  by  the  pressure  of  air  into  a  tube  prepared 
for  the  purpose,  showing  by  a  mark  left  by  a  thin  surface  of  treacle  carried 
on  mercury  forced  up  it  during  the  descent  into  what  space  the  whole  air 
is  compressed,  and,  consequently,  the  depth  of  water  by  which  its  weight 
produced  that  compression.  It  is,  however,  an  uncertain  and  difficult 
instrument^  and  superseded  by  Ericson's  patent,  working  on  the  same 
principle,  but  passing  over  into  another  tube  the  volume  of  water  thus 
forced  in.     {See  Water-bottle.) 

SEA-GOING.     Fit  for  seanservice  abroad. 

SEA-GREEN.     The  colour  which  in  ancient  chivalry  denoted  inconstancy. 

SEA-GROCER     A  sobriquet  for  the  purser. 

SEA-GULL.  A  well-known  bird.  When  they  come  in  numbers  to  shore, 
and  make  a  noise  about  the  coast^  or  when  at  sea  they  alight  on  ships, 
sailors  consider  it  a  prognostic  of  a  storm.  This  is  an  old  idea;  see  Virg. 
Georg.  lib.  i.,  and  Flin.  lib.  xviii.  c  35. 

SEA-HARK     Apl^aioy  a  molluscous  animaL 

SEA-HEN.     A  name  of  the  fish  Trigla  li/ra,  or  crooner  (which  see). 

SEA-HOG.     A  common  name  for  the  porpoise,  Phoccena  communis, 

SEA-HORSE.  A  name  for  the  walrus,  Trichecua  rosmanu.  Also,  the 
hippocmnpus  (which  see). 

SEA-ICK     Ice  within  which  there  is  a  separation  from  the  land. 

SEAL  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  seolh].  The  well-known  marine  piscivorous 
animal. 


QQ2  SEA-LAKE SEA-MAfiK 

SEA'LAKE.     Synonymoas  with  lagoon  (which  aee). 

SEA-LAWS.  The  codes  lelatiiig  to  the  sea;  a^^  the  hiwB  of  Rhodes,  Oleron, 
Wisboj,  Aa 

SEA-LA WTER.  An  idle  litigious  long-shorer,  more  given  to  question 
orders  than  to  obey  them.  One  of  the  pests  of  the  navy  as  well  as  of  the 
mercantile  marine.     Also,  a  name  given  to  the  tiger-shark. 

SEALED  OBDERS.  Secret  and  sealed  until  the  circumstances  arise 
which  authorize  their  being  opened  and  acted  on.  Often  given  to  prevent 
officers  from  divulging  the  point  to  which  they  are  ordered. 

SEA-LEGS.  Implies  the  power  to  walk  steadily  on  a  ship's  decks,  not- 
withstanding her  pitching  or  rolling. 

SEA-LETTER    See  Fasspobt. 

SEA-LION.  A  large  seal  of  the  genus  Otaria,  distinguished  from  the  sea- 
bear,  to  which  it  otherwise  has  a  great  resemblance,  by  the  shaggy  mane 
on  its  neck  and  shoulders. 

SEA -LOG.  That  part  of  the  log-book  relating  to  whatever  happens  while 
the  ship  is  at  sea. 

SEA-LUMP.    See  Lump. 

SEAM.  The  sewing  together  of  two  edges  of  canvas,  which  should  have 
about  110  stitches  in  every  yard  of  length.  Also,  the  identical  Anglo- 
Saxon  word  for  a  horse-load  of  8  bushels,  and  much  looked  to  in  carrying 
fresh  fish  from  the  coast.  Also,  the  opening  between  the  edges  of  the 
planks  in  the  decks  and  sides  of  a  ship;  these  are  filled  with  a  quantity 
of  oakum  and  pitch,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  water.     (See  CAULKDra.) 

SEA-MALL.    A  name  for  a  sea-gulL 

SEAMAN.  This  is  a  term  seldom  bestowed  among  seaflEiring  men  upon 
their  associates,  unless  they  are  known  to  be  pre-eminent  in  every  duty 
of  the  thorough-paced  tar;  one  who  never  issues  a  command  which  he  is 
not  competent  to  execute  himself^  and  is  deemed  an  authority  on  'every 
matter  relating  to  sea-craft. — ^The  able  seaman  is  the  seafaring  man  who 
knows  all  the  duties  of  common  seamanship,  as  to  rig,  steer,  reef,  furl, 
take  the  lead,  and  implicitly  carry  out  the  orders  given,  in  a  seamanlike 
manner.  His  rating  is  A.B.;  pay  in  the  navy,  24«.  to  21 8.  per  montL — 
The  ordinary  seaman  is  less  qualified;  does  not  take  the  weather-helm, 
the  earing,  or  lead;  pay  about  2ls.  to  23«.  per  month. — ^The  landsinan  is 
still  less  qualified. 

SEAMAN'S  DISGRACR    A  foul  anchor. 

SEAMANSHIP.  The  noble  practical  art  of  rigging  and  working  a  ship, 
and  performing  with  e£fect  all  her  various  evolutions  at  sea. 

SEAMAN'S  WAGES.     A  proper  object  of  the  admiralty  jurisdiction. 

SEA-MARK.  A  point  or  object  distinguishable  at  sea,  as  promontories, 
steeples,  rivers,  trees,  ^.,  forming  important  beacons,  and  noted  on  charts. 
By  keeping  two  in  a  line,  channels  can  be  entered  with  safety,  and  thus 
the  errors  of  steerage,  effect  of  tide,  &c.,  obviated.  These  erections  are 
a  branch  of  the  royal  prerogative,  and  by  statute  8  Eliz.  cap.  13,  the 
corporation  of  the  Trinity  House  are  empowered  to  set  up  any  beacons 


SEAMEN-GUNKEBS SEABGHEB  603 

or  sea-marks  wherever  they  sliall  tbink  them  necessary;  and,  if  anj  person 
shall  destroy  them,  he  sh^l  forfeit  £100,  or,  in  case  of  inability  to  pay, 
he  shall  be,  ipso  facto,  outlawed. 

SEAMEN-GUNNERS.  Men  who  have  been  trained  in  a  gunnery  ship, 
and  thereby  become  qualified  to  instruct  others  in  that  duty. 

SEA-MEW.     A  sea-guU. 

SEA-MOXJSK  The  Aphrodita  aculeata,  a  marine  annelid,  remarkable  for 
the  brilliant  iridescence  of  the  long  silky  hairs  with  which  its  sides  are 
covered. 

SEA-NETTLE.  An  immemorial  name  of  several  zoophytes  and  marine 
creatures  of  the  class  AcdUphos,  which  have  the  power  of  stinging,  particu- 
larly the  MeduscB, 

SEA-OWL.     A  name  of  the  lump-fish,  Gyclopterus  lumpus, 

SEA-PAY.     That  due  for  actual  service  in  a  duly-commissioned  ship. 

SEA-PERIL.     Synonymous  with  sea-risk, 

SEA-PIK  The  pied  oyster-catcher,  HcBmoUopus  ostrdlegus.  Also,  a 
favourite  sea-dish  in  rough  weather,  consisting  of  an  olla  of  fish,  meat, 
and  vegetables,  in  layers  between  crusts,  the  number  of  which  denominate 
it  a  two  or  three  decker. 

SEA-PINCUSHION.  The  name  among  northern  fishermen  for  a  kind  of 
star-fish  of  the  genus  Goniaster. 

SEA-POACHER.     A  name  of  the  pogge,  Cataphractus  sckonveldii, 

SEA-PORCUPINE.  Several  fish  of  the  genera  Diodon  and  Tetraodon, 
beset  with  sharp  spines,  which  they  can  erect  by  inflating  themselves 
with  air. 

SEA-PORK.  The  flesh  of  young  whales  in  the  western  isles  of  Scotland; 
the  whale-beef  of  the  Bermudas,  &c     It  is  also  called  sea-beef. 

SEA-PORT.     A  haven  near  the  sea,  not  situated  up  a  river. 

SEA-PURSE.    See  Mermaid's  Pubse. 

SEA-QUADRANT.     The  old  name  of  Jacob's  cross-staff. 

SEA-QUAKK  The  tremulous  motion  and  shock  of  an  earthquake  felt 
through  the  waves. 

SEA-RATK  The  going  of  a  chronometer  as  established  on  board,  instead 
of  that  supplied  from  the  shore.  This  may  be  done  by  lunars.  From 
motion  and  other  causes  their  rates  after  embarkation  are  frequently  use- 
less, and  rates  for  their  new  ever-changing  position  are  indispensable. 
This  rate  is  sometimes  loosely  deduced  between  two  ports;  but  as  the 
meridian  distances  are  never  satisfactorily  known,  even  as  to  the  spots 
of  observation,  they  cannot  be  relied  on  but  as  comparative. 

SEARCH.  If  the  act  of  submitting  to  search  is  to  subject  neutral  vessels 
to  confiscation  by  the  enemy,  the  parties  must  look  to  that  enemy  whose  the 
iDJustice  is  for  redress,  but  they  are  not  to  shelter  themselves  by  com- 
mitting a  fraud  upon  the  undoubted  rights  of  the  other  country. 

SEARCH,  Right  of.    See  Visitation. 

SBIARCHER.  A  custom-house  officer  employed  in  taking  an  account  of 
goods  to  be  exported     Also,  {see  Gun-seabcher). 


>~ 


N 


604.  SEA-REACH :  SEA-TRANSOM 

SEA-REACH.  The  straight  coarse  or  reach  of  a  winding  river  which 
stretches  out  to  sea-ward. 

SEA-RISK.     Liability  to  losses  by  jtwri^  (j/"^  ««o  (which  see). 

SEA-ROKK  A  cold  fog  or  mist  which  suddenly  approaches  from  the  sea, 
and  rapidly  spreads  over  the  vicinity  of  our  eastern  shores^  to  a  distance 
of  8  or  10  miles  inland. 

SEA-ROOM.  Implies  a  sufficient  distance  from  land,  rocks,  or  shoals 
wherein  a  ship  may  drive  or  scud  without  danger. 

SEA-ROVERS.     Pirates  and  robbers  at  sea. 

SEA-SERGEANTS.  A  society  of  gentlemen,  belonging  to  the  four  mari- 
time counties  of  South  Wales,  holding  their  anniversaries  at  sea-port 
towns,  or  one  within  the  reach  of  tidal  influenca  It  was  a  secret  associa- 
tion of  early  date,  revived  in  1726,  and  dissolved  about  1765. 

SEA-SLATER.     The  Ligia  oceanica,  a  small  crustacean. 

SE  A-SLEEYK     A  name  of  the  flosk  or  squid,  Loligo  vulgaris. 

SEA-SLETCH.     See  Sletch. 

SEA-SLUG.  The  Holothuria.  An  animal  of  the  class  Echinodermata^ 
with  elongated  body,  and  flexible  outer  covering. 

SEASONED  TIMBER.  Such  as  has  been  cut  down,  squared,  and  stocked 
for  one  seajson  at  least. 

SEASONING.  The  keeping  a  vessel  standing  a  certain  time  after  she  is 
completely  framed,  and  dubbed  out  for  planking.  A  great  prince  of  this 
maritime  country  in  passing  a  dockyard,  inquired  what  those  basket^hipa 
were  for ! 

SEA-SPOUT.  The  jetting  of  sea-water  over  the  adjacent  lands,  when 
forced  through  a  perforation  in  a  rocky  shore;  both  its  egress  and  ingress 
are  attended  with  a  rumbling  noise,  and  the  spray  is  often  very  injurious 
to  the  surrounding  vegetation. 

SEA-STAR.  A  common  rayed  or  star-like  animal,  belonging  to  the  class 
Echinodermata,     Also  called  star-^h  (Asteria), 

SEA-STREAM.  In  polar  parlance,  is  when  a  collection  of  bay-ice  is  ex- 
posed on  one  side  to  the  ocean,  and  affords  shelter  from  the  sea  to  what- 
ever is  within  it. 

SEA-SWABBER.     A  reproachful  term  for  an  idle  sailor. 

SEA-SWALLOW.  The  tern,  a  bird  resembling  the  gull,  but  more  slender 
and  swift. 

SEA-SWINE.     The  porpoise. 

SEAT.  A  term  often  applied  to  the  peculiar  summit  of  a  mountain,  as  the 
Queen  of  Spain's  Seat  near  Gibraltar,  the  Bibi  of  Mahratta's  Seat  near 
Bombay,  Arthur's  Seat  at  Edinburgh,  iic. 

SEA-TANG.     Tangle,  a  sea-weed. 

SEAT-LOCKERS.  Accommodations  fitted  in  the  cabins  of  merchantmen 
for  sitting  upon,  and  stowing  cabin-stores  in. 

SEAT  OF  WATER.     Applies  to  the  line  on  which  a  vessel  sits.   " 

SEA-TRANSOM.  That  which  is  bolted  to  the  counter-timbers,  above  the 
upper,  at  the  height  of  the  port-sills. 


SEA-TUEN SBCONIMJAPTAIN  605 

SEA-TURN.     A  tack  into  the  offing. 

S£A-T7R0HIN.  The  EckinuSy  an  animal  of  the  class  Echinodermata^  of 
globular  form,  and  a  hard  calcareous  outer  covering,  beset  with  movable 
spines,  on  the  ends  of  which  it  crawls  about. 

SEA-WALLS.  Elevations  of  stones^  stakes,  and  other  material,  to  prevent 
inundations. 

SEA-WARD.     Towards  the  sea,  or  offing. 

SEA-WARK     The  sea-weed  thrown  up  by  surges  on  a  beach. 

SEA-WATER.  "The  quantity  of  solid  matter  varies  considerably  in 
different  seas,  but  we  may  assume  that  the  average  quantity  of  saline 
matter  is  3i  per  cent.,  and  the  density  about  1  *0274  "  (Pereira).  The  com- 
position of  the  water  of  the  English  Channel  according  to  Schweitzer  is — 

Grains. 

Water 96474372 

Chloride  of  Sodium 27*05948 

„         Potassium 076652 

„         Magnesium 3*66658 

Bromide  of  Magnesium 0'02S2d 

Sulphate  of  MflNSnesia 2*29578 


Lime 1*40662 

Carbonate  of  Lime 0*03301 


»f 


1000*00000 

SEA-WAY.  The  progress  of  a  ship  through  the  waves.  AJso,  said  when 
a  vessel  is  in  an  open  place  where  the  sea  is  rolling  heavily. 

SEA-WAY  MEASURER.  A  kind  of  self-registering  log  invented  by 
Smeaton,  the  architect  of  the  Eddystone  lighthouse. 

SEA-WEASEL.     An  old  name  of  the  lamprey. 

SEA-WOLF.     The  wolf-fish,  Anarrhicas  lupus, 

SEA-WOLVES.     A  name  for  privateers. 

SEA-WORTHY.  The  state  of  a  ship  in  everyway  fitted  for  her  voyage. 
It  is  the  first  stipulation  in  every  policy  of  insurance,  or  other  contract, 
connected  with  a  vessel:  "for  she  shall  be  tight,  staunch,  and  strong, 
sufficiently  manned,  and  her  commander  competent  to  his  duty.'*  {See 
Opinion.) 

SEA-WRACK  GRASS.  Zoatera  marina;  used  in  Sweden  and  Holland 
for  manuring  land.  At  Yarmouth  it  is  thrown  on  shore  in  such  abund- 
ance that  mounds  are  made  with  it  to  arrest  the  encroachments  of  the  sea. 
It  is  also  used  as  thatch. 

SECANT.     A  line  drawn  from  the  centre  of  a  circle  to  the  extremity  of 

^  the  tangent 

SECCA.     A  shoal  on  Italian  shores  and  charts. 

SECOND,  The  sixtieth  part  of  a  minute.  A  division  of  a  degree  of  a 
circle.  A  term  applied  both  to  time  and  to  space.  Also,  second  in  a 
duel;  a  very  important  part  to  play,  since  many  a  life  may  be  saved 
without  implicating  honour. 

SECONDARY  PLANET.     See  Satellite. 

SECOND-CAPTAIN.     Commanders  under  captains  in  the  navy,  of  late. 


606  SECOND-COUNTER SELENOGRAPHY 

SECOND-COUNTER.     See  Counter. 

SECOND-FUTTOCKS.     The  frame-timbers  scarphed  on  the  end  of  the 

futtock-timbers. 
SECOND-HAND.     A  term  in  fishing-boats  to  distinguish  the  second  in 

charge. 
SECOND  OFFICER.     Second  mate  in  merchantmen. 
SECOND-RATE.     Vessels  of  seventy-four  guns  (on  the  old  scale). 
SECTION.     A  draught  or  figure  representing  the  internal  parts  of  a  ship 

cut  by  a  plane  at  any  particular  place  athwart  ships  or  logitudinally. 
SECTOR    See  Dip-sector. 

SECULAR  ACCELERATION.    See  Acceleration  of  the  Moon. 
SECULAR  INEQUALITY.     See  Inequality. 
SECURE  ARMS !     Place  them  under  the  left  arm,  to  guard  the  lock  from 

the  weather  or  rain. 
SEDITION.     Mutinous  commotion   against  the   constituted   authorities, 

especially  dangerous  at  sea. 
SEDOW.     The  old  English  name  for  the  fish  called  gilt-head;  Sparas 

auratvs, 
SEDUCE,  To.     To  inveigle  a  man  to  desertion. 
SEELING.     A  sudden  heeling  over,  and  quick  return. 
SEER     The  tumbler  of  a  gun-lock. 
SEE-SAW.     Reciprocating  motion. 

SEGE.     An  old  law-term  for  the  seat  or  berth  in  which  a  ship  lies. 
SEGMENT.     In  geometry,  any  part  of  a  circle  which  is  bounded  by  an 

arc  and  its  chord,  or  so  much  of  the  circle  as  is  cut  off  by  that  chord. 
SEGMENTAL  STERN.     See  Round  Stern. 
SEGMENT-SHELL.     For  use  with  rifled  guns;  an  elongated  iron  shell 

having  very  thin  sides,  and  built  up  internally  with  segment-shaped  pieces 

of  iron,  which,  offering  the  resistance  of  an  arch  against  pressure  from 

without,  are  easily  separated  by  the  very  slight  bursting  charge  within ; 

thereby  retaining  most  of  their  original  direction   and  velocity  after 

explosion. 
SEIN,  OR  Seine.     The  name  of  a  large  fishing-net.     Also,  a  flat  seam. 
SEIN-FISH.     By  statute  (3  Jaa  I.  c.  12)  includes  that  sort  taken  with  a 

sein. 
SEIZING.     Fastening  any  two  ropes,  or  different  parts  of  one  rope  together, 

with  turns  of  small  stuff. 
SEIZINGS.     The  cords  with  which  the  act  of  seizing  is  performed;  they 

vary  in  size  in  proportion  to  the  rope  on  which  they  are  used. 
SEIZUNG.     A  young  carp. 
SEIZURE.     The  right  of  naval  officers  to  seize  anywhere  afloat,  is  legally 

established:  a  ship,  therefore,  although  incapable  of  cruising,  may  still 

make  a  seizure  in  port 
SELCHIR     The  northern  name  for  the  seal,  Phoca  vitulina. 
SELENOCENTRIC.     Having  relation  to  the  centre  of  the  moon. 
SELENOGRAPHY.    The  delineation  of  the  moon's  surface. 


SELLING  OUT SERASKIBR  607 

SELLING  OUT.     An  officer  in  the  army  wishing  to  retire  from  the 

service,  may  do  so  by  disposing  of  his  commission. 
SELLOOK.     See  Silluk. 
SELVAGE.     The  woven  edge  of  canvas  formed  by  web  and  woof.     See 

Boke  ofCurtasye  (14th  century): — 


'The  ovemape  shal  donbulle  be  layde. 
To  the  utter  aide  the  selvage  brade.** 


SELVAGEE.  A  strong  and  pliant  hank,  or  untwisted  skein  of  rope-yam 
marled  together,  and  used  as  a  strap  to  fasten  round  a  shroud  or  stay,  or 
slings  to  which  to  hook  a  tackle  to  hoist  in  any  heavy  articles. 

SEMAPHORE.  An  expeditious  mode  of  communication  by  signal;  it 
consists  of  upright  posts  and  movable  arms,  now  chiefly  used  for  railway 
signals,  electric  telegraphs  being  found  better  for  great  distances. 

SEMEBOLK     An  old  term  for  a  pipe,  or  half  a  tun  of  wine. 

SEMI-AXIS  MAJOR.    See  Mean  Distance. 

SEMICIRCLR  A  figure  comprehended  between  the  diameter  of  a  circle 
and  half  the  circumference. 

SEMI-DIAMETER.  The  angle  subtended  by  half  the  diameter  of  a 
heavenly  body;  in  the  cases  of  the  sun  and  moon  it  is  much  used  in 
navigation. 

SEMI-DIURNAL  ARC.  Half  the  arc  described  by  a  heavenly  body 
between  its  rising  and  setting. 

SEMI-ISLET.     An  old  term  for  bridge-islet  (which  see). 

SEND,  To.  To  rise  after  pitching  heavily  and  suddenly  between  two 
waves,  or  out  of  the  trough  of  the  sea. 

SENDING,  OB  'ScENDiNG.  The  act  of  being  thrown  about  violently  when 
adrift. 

SENIORITY.  The  difference  of  rank,  or  standing  in  priority,  according 
to  dates  of  commissions;  or  if  on  the  same  day,  the  order  in  which  they 
stand  on  the  official  printed  lists. 

SENIOR  OFFICER.     The  commanding  officer  for  the  time  being. 

SENNIT.  A  flat  cordage  formed  by  plaiting  five  or  seven  rope-yams 
together.  Straw,  plaited  in  the  same  way  for  hats,  is  called  plat-sennit; 
it  is  made  by  sailors  in  India  from  the  leaf  of  the  palm,  for  that  well- 
known  straw-hat,  adorned  with  flowing  ribbons,  which  formerly  distin- 
guished the  man-of-war's  man. 

SENSIBLE  HORIZON.    See  Horizon. 

SENTINEL,  OR  Sentry.  A  soldier,  marine,  or  seaman  placed  upon  any 
post,  to  watch  and  enforce  any  specific  order  with  which  he  may  be 
intrusted. 

SENTRY  GO!  The  order  to  the  new  sentry  to  proceed  to  the  relief  of 
the  previous  one. 

SEQUIN.  A  Turkish  and  Venetian  gold  coin  of  the  current  value  of 
68.  lid. 

SERANG.     A  boatswain  of  Lascars. 

SERASKIER     A  Turkish  g^eraL 


(J28  SIZE SKEWBKPIBCES 

ness,  instead  of  the  usuai/our'toater,  which  is  one  part  mm,  and  four  parts 

water,  lime-juice,  and  sugar. 
SIZE,  To.     To  range  soldiers,  marines,  and  small-arm  men,  so  that  the 

tallest  may  be  on  the  flanks  of  a  party. 
SIZE-FISH.     A  whale,  of  which  the  whale-bone  blades  are  six  feet  or 

upwards  in  length;  the  harpooner  gets  a  bonus  for  striking  a  <<size-fish." 
SIZES.     A  corruption  for  aix-upoTi'/aur  (which  see). 
SKARKALLA.     An  old  machine  for  catching  fish. 
SKART.     A  name  of  the  cormorant  in  the  Hebrides. 
SKATK     A  well-known  cartilaginous  fish  of  the  ray  family,  Baia  b<Ui8. 
SKATE-LTJIIKER     A  cant  word  for  a  begging  impostor  dressed  ^as  a 

sailor. 
SKEDADDLE,  To.     To  stray  wilfully  from  a  watenng  or  a  working  party. 

An  archaism  retained  by  the  Americans. 
SKEDDAN.     The  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  herrings. 
SKEEL.     A  cylindrical  wooden  bucket.     A  large  water-kid. 
SKEER,  OB  Scab.     A  place  where  cockles  are  gathered.     (See  Scab.) 
SKEET.     A  long  scoop  used  to  wet  the  sides  of  the  ship,  to  prevent  their 

splitting  by  the  heat  of  the  sun.     It  is  also  employed  in  small  vessels  for 

wetting  the  sails,  to  render  them  more  efficacious  in  light  breezes;  this  in 

large  ships  is  done  by  the  fire  engine. 
SKEE-TACK.     A  northern  name  for  the  cuttle-fish. 
SKEGG.     A  small  and  slender  part  of  the  keel  of  a  ship,  cut  slanting,  and 

left  a  little  without  the  stem-post;  not  much  used  now,  owing  to  its 

catching  hawsers,  and  occasioning  dead  water.     The  after-part  of  the  keel 

itself  is  also  called  the  skegg. 
SKEGG-SHORES.     Stout  pieces  of  plank  put  up  end-ways  under  the  skegg 

of  the  ship,  to  steady  the  afler-part  when  in  the  act  of  being  launched. 
SKELDRYKK     An  old  term  for  a  small  passage-boat  in  the  north. 
SKELETON  OF  A  REGIMENT.     Its  principal  officers  and  staff. 
SKELLY.     The  Leucisctis  cephalua^  or  chub.     In  the  northern  lakes  it  is 

oflen  called  the  fresh- water  heiTing. 
SKELP,  To.     To  slap  with  the  open  hand :  an  old  word,  said  to  have  been 

imported  from  Iceland: — 

"Icanno'teUa; 
Some  gat  a  skelp,  and  some  gat  a  claw." 

SKENE,  OB  Skain.     A  crooked  sword  formerly  used  by  the  IrisL 

SKENY.     A  northern  term  to  express  an  insulated  rock. 

SKER,  OB  Skebby.  A  flat  insulated  rock,  but  not  subject  to  the  over- 
flowing of  the  sea:  thus  we  have  "the  Skerries"  in  Wales,  the  Channel 
Islands^  kc, 

SKEW.  Awry,  oblique;  as  a  skew  bridge,  skew  angle,  <fec.  Also,  in 
Cornwall,  drizzling  rain.     Also,  a  rude-fashioned  boat 

SKEWER-PIECES.  Wlien  the  salt  meat  is  cut  up  on  board  ship  by  the 
petty  officers,  the  captain  and  lieutenants  are  permitted  to  select  wl^le 


SET  THE  CHASE SEXTANT  QQQ 

prow,  without  topmasts,  and  [  carrying  lateen  sails.  They  were  mostly 
used  as  transports  to  galleys. 

SET  THE  CHASE,  To.  To  mark  well  the  position  of  the  vessel  chased 
by  bearing,  so  that  by  standing  away  from  her  on  one  tack,  she  may  be 
cut  off  on  the  other. 

SETTING.  The  operation  of  moving  a  boat  or  raft  by  means  of  poles. 
Also,  arranging  the  sights  of  a  gun,  or  pointing  it. 

SETTING  POLK  A  pole,  generally  pointed  with  iron,  forced  into  the 
mud,  by  which  boats  and  barges  are  moored  in  shallow  water. 

SETTING  THE  WATCH.  The  military  night  guard  or  watch  at  the 
evening  gun-fire.     Naval  watches  are  not  interfered  with  by  time. 

SETTING-UP.  Baising  a  ship  from  her  blocks,  shores,  &c.,  by  wedges 
driven  between  the  heels  of  the  shore  and  the  dock  foundation. 

SETTLK  Now  termed  the  stem-sheets  [derived  from  the  Anglo-Saxon 
settl,  a  seat]. — To  settle.  To  lower;  also  to  sink, as  'Hhe  deck  has  settled;*' 
"we  settled  the  land."  {See  Laying.)  "Settle  the  main  topsail  halliards," 
i,e.  ease  them  off  a  little,  so  as  to  lower  the  yard,  as  on  shaking  out  a  reef. 

SETTLING.     Sinking  in  the  water. 

SET  UP.  Soldiers,  mariners,  and  small-arm  men,  well  drilled,  and  in- 
structed to  be  upright  and  soldierlike  in  their  carriage,  are  "well  set  up." 

SET  UP  RIGGING,  To.  To  take  in  the  slack  of  the  shrouds,  stays,  and 
backstays,  to  bring  the  same  strain  as  before,  and  thus  secure  the  masts. 

SEVERALTY.  The  denomination  under  which  disagreements  respecting 
accounts  amongst  the  part-owners  of  a  ship  are  referred,  either  to  equity 
courts,  or  the  common  law. 

SEVERE.     Effectual;  as,  a  severe  turn  in  belaying  a  rope. 

SEW,  OR  Sub.     Pronounced  site.     {See  Sewed.) 

SEW  ANT.     A  north-country  name  for  the  plaice. 

SEWARD,  OR  Sea-ward.  An  early  name  for  the  custos  marisy  or  he  who 
guards  the  sea-coast. 

SEWED.  A  ship  resting  upon  the  ground,  where  the  water  has  fallen,  so 
as  to  afford  no  hope  of  floating  until  lightened,  or  the  return  tide  floats 
her,  is  said  to  be  sewed,  by  as  much  as  the  difference  between  the  sur- 
face of  the  water,  and  the  ship's  floating-mark.  If  not  left  quite  dry, 
she  sews  to  such  a  point;  if  the  water  leaves  her  a  couple  of  feet,  she  is 
sewed  two  feet. 

SEW  IN.  A  white  kind  of  salmon  taken  on  the  coast  of  Wales.  Some- 
times this  word  is  used  for  the  dish  called  sowens. 

SEXAGESIMAL  DIVISIONS.  The  circumference  of  the  circle  is 
divided  into  360  degrees,  each  degree  into  60  minutes,  and  each  minute 
into  60  seconds.  The  Americans  afterwards  used  60  thirds,  but  Euro- 
pean astronomers  prefer  decimals. 

SEXTANT.  A  mathematical  instrument  for  taking  altitudes  o^  and 
measuring  the  angular  distances  between,  the  heavenly  bodies.  It  is 
constructed  on  a  principle  similar  to  Hadley's  quadrant;  but  the  arc 
contains  a  sixth  part  of  a  circle,  and  measures  angles  up  to  1 20"^. 

2Q 


610  SHACKLE SHALLOWS 

SHACKLE  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  aceacul],  A  span  with  two  eyes  and 
a  bolt,  attached  to  open  links  in  a  chain-cable^  at  every  15  &thoms;  they 
are  fitted  with  a  movable  bolt,  so  that  the  chain  can  there  be  separated 
or  coupled,  as  circumstances  require.  Also,  an  iron  loop-hooked  bolt 
moving  on  a  pin,  used  for  fastening  the  lower-deck  port-bars. 

SHACKLE-BREECHING.  Two  shackles  are  turned  into  the  breeching, 
by  which  it  is  instantly  disconnected  from  the  port-ringbolts.  Also,  the 
lug  of  the  cascable  is  cut  open  to  admit  of  the  bight  of  the  breeching 
falling  into  it,  thus  obviating  the  loss  of  time  by  unreeving. 

SHACKLE-CROW.  A  bar  of  iron  slightly  bent  at  one  end  like  the  com- 
mon crow,  but  with  a  shackle  instead  of  a  claw  at  the  bent  end.  It  is 
used  for  drawing  bolts  or  deck-nails.     (See  also  SPAN-SHACKLsa) 

SHACKLE-NET.     The  northern  term  for  flue-net 

SHACKLES.  Semicircular  clumps  of  iron  sliding  upon  a  round  bar,  in 
which  the  legs  of  prisoners  are  occasionally  confined  to  the  deck.  Maii- 
adea  when  applied  to  the  wrists.     (See  Bilboes.) 

SHAD.  The  Clupea  cUoscty  a  well-known  fish,  of  very  disputed  culinary 
merit,  owing  perhaps  to  its  own  dietetic  habits. 

SHADES.  Coloured  glasses  for  quadrants,  sextants,  and  circles.  {See 
Dark  Qlasses,  or  Scbeems.) 

SHAFT  OF  A  MINE.  The  narrow  perpendicular  pit  by  which  the 
gallery  is  entered,  and  from  which  the  branches  of  the  mine  diverge. 

SHAG.     A  small  species  of  cormorant^  Phcdcusrocorax  gractihts, 

SHAG-BUSH.     An  old  term  for  a  harquebus,  or  hand-gun. 

SHAKE,  To.  To  cast  off  fastenings,  as — To  ehake  otU  a  reef.  To  let  out 
a  reef,  and  enlarge  the  sail — To  shake  off  a  bonnet  of  a  fore-and-afl  saiL 
— To  shake  a  cask  To  take  it  to  pieces,  and  pack  up  the  parts,  then 
termed  <' shakes."  Thus  the  term  expressing  little  value,  "No  great 
shakes." 

SHAKE  IN  THE  WIND,  To.  To  bring  a  vessePs  head  so  near  the 
wind,  when  close-hauled,  as  to  shiver  the  sails. 

SHAKES.  A  name  given  by  shipwrights  to  the  cracks  or  rents  in  any 
piece  of  timber,  occasioned  by  the  sun  or  weather.  The  same  as  rends 
or  shans  (which  see). 

SHAKING  A  CLOTH  IN  THE  WIND.  In  galley  parlance,  expresses 
the  being  slightly  intoxicated. 

SHAKINGS.  Refuse  of  cordage,  canvas,  &c,,  used  for  making  oakum, 
paper,  6x, 

SHALLOP,  Shalloop,  ob  Sloop.  A  small  light  fishing  vessel,  with  only 
a  small  mainmast  and*  foremast  for  lug-sails.  They  are  commonly  good 
sailers,  and  are  therefore  often  used  as  tenders  to  men-of-war.  Also,  a 
large  heavy  imdecked  boat^  with  one  mast^  fore-and-aft  mainsail,  and 
jib-foresail.  The  gun-boats  on  the  French  coasts  were  frequently  termed 
chaloupes,  and  carried  one  heavy  gun,  with  a  crew  of  40  men.  Also,  a 
small  boat  rowed  by  one  or  two  men. 

SHALLOWS.     A  continuation  of  shoal  water. 


SHALLOW-WAISTED SHEATHING-NAILS  61 1 

SHALLOW- WAISTED.     Flush-decked  vessels  are  thus  termed,  in  con- 

tradistinction  to  the  deep-waisted. 
SHAN.     A  defect  in  spars,  most  commonly  from  bad  collared  knots;  an 
injurious  compression  of  fibres  in  timber :  the  turning  out  of  the  cortical 

layers  when  the  plank  has  been  sawed  obliquely  to  the  central  axis  of  the 

tree. 
SHANK.     An  arrangement  of  deep-water  fishing  lines.     Also,  a  handle  or 

shaft.     Also  the  bar  or  shaft  of  an  anchor,  constituting  its  main  piece,  at 

one  end  of  which  the  stock  is  fixed,  and  at  the  other  the  arma 
SHANK-PAINTER     The  stopper  which  confines  the  shank  of  the  anchor 

to  the  ship's  side,  and  prevents  the  fiukes  from  flying  off  the  bill-board. 

Where  the  bill-board  is  not  used,  it  bears  the  weight  of  the  fluke  end  of 

the  anchor. 
SHANTY.     A  small  hut  on  or  near  a  beach. 
SHAPE.     The  lines  and  form  of  a  vessel — To  shape  a  course.     To  assign 

the  route  to  be  steered  in  order  to  prosecute  a  voyage. 
SHARE  AND  SHARE  ALIKE,     The  golden  rule  of  all  messes  at  sea. 
SHARK.     A  name  applied  to  many  species  of  large  cartilaginous  fish  of 

the  family  Squalidce.     Their  ferocity  and  voracity  are  proverbial.     Also, 

applied  to  crimps,  sharpers,  and  low  attorneys. 
SHARP.     Prompt  and  attentive. — Be  sha/rp  !     Make  haste. — Look  sharp  ! 

Lose  no  time.     Also,  an  old  term  for  a  sword. 
SHARP  BOTTOM.     Synonymous  with  a  sharp  floor;  used  in  contradis- 
tinction to  a  flat  floor :   the  epithet  denotes  vessels  intended  for  quick 

sailing. 
SHARP  LOOK-OUT  BEFORE !      The  hail  for  the  forecastle  look-out 

men  to  be  extremely  vigilant 
SHARP  UP.     Trimmed  as  near  as  possible  to  the  wind,  with  the  yards 

braced  up  nearly  fore  and  aft. 
SHAVE.     A  close  run;  a  narrow  escape  from  a  coUision. 
SHEAF.     A  bundle  of  arrows,  as  formerly  supplied  to  our  royal  ships. 
SHEAL.     A  northern  term  for  a  fisherman's  hut,  whence  several  of  them 

together  became  sheals  or  shields, 
SHEAR.     An  iron  spear,  of  three  or  more  points,  for  catching  eels. 
SHEARHOOKS.     A  kind  of  sickle  formerly  applied  to  the  yard-arms, 

for  cutting  the  rigging  of  a  vessel  running  on  board. 
SHEARS.    See  Sheers. 

SHEAR-WATER     A  sea-fowl,  Pujinus  wnglorum. 
SHEATHING.     Thin  boards  formerly  placed  between  the  ship's  body  and 

the  sheets  of  copper,  to  protect  the  planks  from  the  pernicious  eflects  of 

the  worm.     Tar  and  hair,  or  brown  paper  dipped  in  tar  and  oil,  is  laid 

between  the  sheathing  and  the  bottom.     In  1613  a  junk  of  800  or  1000 

tons  was  seen   in  Japan  all  sheeted  with  iron ;    and  yet  it  was  not 

attempted  in  Europe  till  more  than  a  hundred  years  afterwards.     But  by 

1783  ships  of  every  class  were  coppered. 
SHEATHING-NAILS.     These  are  used  to  fasten  wood-sheathing,  and 


C  ]  2  SHEAVE SHBEE-HULK 

prevent  the  filliug-nails  from  tearing  it  too  much.  Those  used  for  copper- 
sheathing  are  of  mixed  metal,  cast  in  moulds  about  one  inch  and  a 
quarter  long.  The  heads  are  flat  on  the  upper  side,  and  counter-sunk 
below,  with  the  upper  side  polished  to  prevent  the  adhesion  of  weeds. 

SHEAVE.  The  wheel  on  which  the  rope  works  in  a  block;  it  is  generally 
formed  of  lignum  vitae,  sometimes  of  brass,  and  frequently  of  both ;  the 
interior  part,  or  that  which  sustains  the  friction  against  the  pin,  being  of 
brass,  let  into  the  exterior,  which  is  of  lignum  vitse,  and  is  then  termed  a 
sheave  with  a  brass  coak,  botiche,  or  bush.  The  name  also  applies  to  a 
cylindrical  wheel  made  of  hard  wood,  movable  round  a  stout  pin  as  its 
axis;  it  is  let  through  the  side  and  chess-trees  for  leading  the  tacks  and 
sheets.     Also,  the  number  of  tiers  in  coiling  cables  and  hawsers. 

SHEAVE-HOLE.  A  channel  cut  in  masts,  yards,  or  timber,  in  which  to 
fix  a  sheave,  and  answering  the  place  of  a  block.  It  is  also  the  groove 
cut  in  a  block  for  the  ropes  to  reeve  through. 

SHEBEEN.     A  low  public-house,  yet  a  sort  of  sailor  trap. 

SHED.     A  penthouse  or  cover  for  the  ship's  artificers  to  work  under. 

SHEDDE.     An  archaic  term  for  the  slope  of  a  hilL 

SHEDDERS.     Female  salmon.     {See  Foul  Fish.) 

SHEDELE.     A  channel  of  water. 

SHEEN-NET.     A  large  drag-net. 

SHEEPSHANK.  A  hitch  or  bend  made  on  a  rope  to  shorten  it  tem- 
porarily; and  particularly  used  on  runners,  to  prevent  the  tackle  from 
coming  block  and  block.  It  consists  in  making  two  long  bights  in  a  rope, 
which  shall  overlay  one  another;  then  taking  a  half  hitch  over  the  end  of 
each  bight,  with  the  standing  part,  which  is  next  to  it. 

SHEER.  The  longitudinal  curve  of  a  ship's  decks  or  sides;  the  hanging  of 
the  vessel's  side  in  a  fore-and-afb  direction.  Also,  a  fishing-spear  in  use 
on  the  south  coast.  {See  Shear.)  Also,  the  position  in  which  a  ship  is 
sometimes  kept  when  at  single  anchor,  in  order  to  keep  her  clear  of  it 
[evidently  from  the  Erse  sheebh,  to  drift]. 

SHEER,  To  Break.  To  deviate  from  that  position,  and  thereby  risk 
fouling  the  anchor.  Thus  a  vessel  riding  with  short  scope  of  cable  breaks 
her  sheer,  and  bringing  the  force  of  the  whole  length  of  the  ship  at  right 
angles,  tears  the  anchor  out  of  the  ground,  and  drifts  into  deep  water. 

SHEER-BATTEN.  A  batten  stretched  horizontally  along  the  shrouds, 
and  seized  firmly  above  each  of  their  dead-eyes,  serving  to  prevent  the 
dead-eyes  from  turning  at  that  part.     This  is  also  termed  a  atretcf^er. 

SHEER-DR A  CJGHT.  In  ship-building,  a  section  supposed  to  be  cut  by 
a  plane  passing  through  the  middle  line  of  the  keel,  the  stem,  and  the 
stem-post:  it  is  also  called  the  plan  of  elevation,  and  it  exhibits  the  out- 
board works,  as  the  wales,  sheer-rails,  ports,  drifts,  height  of  water- 
line,  &c 

SHEERED.     Built  with  a  curved  sheer.     {See  Mook-sheered.) 

SHEER-HULK.  An  old  ship  fitted  with  sheers,  &c.,  and  used  for  taking 
out  and  putting  in  the  masts  of  other  vessels. 


i 


SHEERING SHEE  g|3 

SHEERING.  The  act  of  deviating  from  the  line  of  the  course,  so  as  to 
form  a  crooked  and  irregular  path  through  the  water;  this  may  be  occa- 
sioned by  the  ship's  being  difficult  to  steer,  but  more  frequently  arises  from 
the  negligence  or  incapacity  of  the  helmsman.  For  sheeririg  or  sJiearing 
in  polar  seas,  see  Lapping. 

SHEER-LASHING.     Middle  the  rope,  and  pass  a  good  turn  round  both 

legs  at  the  cross.     Then  take  one  end  up  and  the  other  down,  around  and 

over  the  cross,  until  half  of  the  lashing  is  thus  expended;  then  ride  both 

'ends  back  again  on  their  own  parts,  and  knot  them  in  the  middle.     Frap 

the  first  and  riding  turns  together  on  each  side  with  sennit. 

SHEER-MAST.  The  peculiar  rig  of  the  rafts  on  the  Guayaquil  river;  also 
of  the  piratical  prahus  of  the  eastern  seas,  and  which  might  be  imitated 
in  some  of  onr  small  craft  with  advantage:  having  a  pair  of  sheers 
(instead  of  a  single  mast)  within  which  the  fore-and-afb  mainsail  works,  or 
is  hoisted  or  slung. 

SHEER-MOULD.     Synonymous  with  ram4ine  (which  see). 

SHEER  OFF,  To.  To  move  to  a  greater  distance,  or  to  steer  so  as  to 
keep  clear  of  a  vessel  or  other  object. 

SHEER-PLAN.  The  draught  of  the  side  of  a  proposed  ship,  showing  th« 
length,  depth,  rake,  water-lines,  kc, 

SHEER-RAIL.  The  wrought-rail  generally  placed  well  with  the  sheer  or 
top-timber  line;  the  narrow  ornamental  moulding  along  the  topside, 
parallel  to  the  sheer. 

SHEERS.  Two  or  more  spars,  raised  at  angles,  lashed  together  near  their 
upper  ends,  and  supported  by  guys;  used  for  raising  or  taking  in  heavy 
weights.  Also,  to  hoist  in  or  get  out  the  lower  masts  of  a  ship;  they  are 
either  placed  on  the  side  of  a  quay  or  wharf,  on  board  of  an  old  ship  cut 
down  {see  Sheer-hulk),  or  ei*ected  in  the  vessel  wherein  the  mast  is  to  be 
planted  or  displaced,  the  lower  ends  of  the  props  resting  on  the  opposite 
sides  of  the  deck,  and  the  upper  parts  being  fastened  together  across, 
from  which  a  tackle  depends;  this  sort  of  sheers  is  secured  by  stages 
extending  to  the  stem  and  stem  of  the  vessel. 

SHEER-SAIL.     A  drift-saiL 

SHEER  TO  THE  ANCHOR,  To.  To  direct  the  ship's  bows  by  the 
helm  to  the  place  where  the  anchor  lies,  while  the  cable  is  being  hove  in. 

SHEER  UP  ALONGSIDE,  To.  To  approach  a  ship  or  other  object  in 
an  oblique  direction. 

SHEER-WALES.  Strakes  of  thick  stuff  in  the  topsides  of  three-decked 
ships,  between  the  middle  and  upper  deck-ports.  Synonymous  with 
middle^wales. 

SHEET.  A  rope  or  chain  fastened  to  one  or  both  the  lower  corners  of  a 
sail,  to  extend  and  retain  the  clue  down  to  its  place.  When  a  ship  sails 
with  a  side  wind,  the  lower  comers  of  the  main  and  fore  sails  are  fastened 
by  a  tack  and  a  sheet,  the  former  being  to  windward,  and  the  latter  to 
leeward;  the  tack  is,  however,  only  disused  with  a  stem  wind,  whereas 
the  sail  is  never  spread  without  the  assistance  of  one  or  both  of  the 


g  1 4,  SHEET-ANCHOR SHELL 

sheets;  the  stay-sails  and  studding-sails  have  only  one  tack  and  one  sheet 
each;  the  staysail-tacks  are  fastened  forward,  and  the  sheets  drawn  aft; 
but  the  studding-sail  tacks  draw  to  the  extremity  of  the  boom,  while  the 
sheet  is  employed  to  extend  the  inner  comer. 

SHEET-ANCHOR.  One  of  four  bower  anchors  supplied,  two  at  the  bows, 
and  one  at  either  chest-tree  abaft  the  fore-rigging;  one  is  termed  the 
sheet,  the  other  the  spare  anchor;  usually  got  ready  in  a  gale  to  let  go  on 
the  parting  of  a  bower.  To  a  sheet  anchor  a  stout  hempen  cable  is 
generally  bent,  as  lightening  the  strain  at  the  bow,  and  being  more  elastic. 

SHEET-BEND.  A  sort  of  double/  hitch,  made  by  passing  the  end  of  one 
rope  through  the  bight  of  another,  round  both  parts  of  the  other,  and 
under  its  own  part 

SHEET-CABLE.  A  hempen  cable  used  when  riding  in  deep  water,  where 
the  weight  of  a  chain  cable  would  oppress  a  ship. 

SHEET-COPPER.  Copper  rolled  out  into  sheets,  for  the  sheathing  of 
ships'  bottoms,  drc. 

SHEET-FISH.  The  SUurus  giants,  a  large  fiah  found  in  many  European 
rivers  and  lakes. 

SHEET  HOME!  The  order,  after  the  sails  are  loosed,  to  extend  the  sheets 
to  the  oiiter  extremities  of  the  yards,  till  the  clue  is  close  to  the  sheet- 
block.     Also,  when  driving  anything  home,  as  a  blow,  ka. 

SHEET  IN  THE  WIND.  Half  intoxicated;  as  the  sail  trembles  and  is 
imsteady,  so  is  a  drunken  man. 

SHELDRAKE.     The  Anas  tadoma,  a  large  species  of  wild  duck. 

SHELF.  A  dangerous  beach  bounded  by  a  ledge  of  flat  rocks  awash. 
In  icy  regions,  (see  Tongue). 

SHELF-PIECES.  Strakes  of  plank  nmning  internally  in  a  line  with  the 
decks,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  ends  of  the  beams.  They  are 
also  called  stringers. 

SHELKY.     A  name  for  the  seal  in  the  Shetland  Isles. 

SHELL.  In  artillery,  a  hollow  iron  shot  containing  explosive  materials, 
whether  spherical,  elongated,  eccentric,  <kc.,  and  destined  to  burst  at  the 
required  instant  by  the  action  of  its  fuse  (which  see). — Common  shells 
are  filled  with  powder  only,  those  fired  from  mortars  being  spherical,  and 
having  a  thickness  of  about  one-sixth  of  their  diameter.  {See  also  Seg- 
ment-shell and  Shrapnel-shell)  Also,  the  hard  calcareous  external 
covering  of  the  mollusca,  Crustacea,  and  echinoderms. 

SHELL-FISH.  A  general  term  applied  to  aquatic  animals  having  a  hard 
external  covering  or  shell,  as  whelks,  oysters,  lobsters,  <&c.  These  are  not, 
however,  properly  speaking,  fish. 

SHELLING.     The  act  of  bombarding  a  fort,  town,  or  position. 

SHELL  OF  A  BLOCK.  The  outer  frame  or  case  wherein  the  sheave  or 
wheel  is  contained  and  traverses  about  its  axis. 

SHELL-ROOM.  An  important  compartment  in  ships  of  war,  fitted  up 
with  strong  shelves  to  receive  the  shells  when  chained. 

SHELL,  SHRAPNEL.     aScc  Shrapnel-shell. 


SHELVES SHIFTING  615 

SHELVES.  A  general  name  given  to  any  dangerous  shallows,  sand-banks, 
or  rocks,  lying  immediately  under  the  surface  of  the  water. 

SHELYING.  A  term  expressive  of  step-like  rocks  lying  in  nearly  hori- 
zontal strata,  or  inclining  very  gradually;  as  a  ^'shelving  bottom,"  or  a 
<<  shelving  land."  Applied  to  the  shore,  it  means  that  it  ascends  from  the 
sea,  and  passes  under  it  at  an  extremely  low  angle,  so  that  vessels  of 
draught  cannot  approach. 

SHERK     An  archaic  sea-term  for  running  aground. 

SHEYO.  An  entertainment^  thought  by  some  to  be  derive^  from  the 
gaiety  of  the  chevaux,  or  horse-guards;  more  probably  from  chez-vous, 

SHIBAH.     A  small  Indian  vessel. 

SHIELD-SHIP.  A  vessel  fitted  with  one  or  more  massive  iron  shields, 
each  protecting  a  heavy  gun  or  guns.  The  name  was  applied  to  an  im- 
provement on  the  "  cupola-ship,''  before  the  latter  was  perfected  into  the 
"turret-ship." 

SHIELD  TOWER  or  TURRET.     A  revolving  armoured  cover  for  guns. 

SHIEVE,  To.  To  have  head-way.  To  row  the  yrrong  way,  in  order  to 
assist  the  steersman  in  a  narrow  channel. 

SHIFT.  In  ship-building,  when  one  butt  of  a  piece  of  timber  or  plank 
overlaunches  the  butt  of  another,  without  either  being  reduced  in  length, 
for  the  purpose  of  strength  and  stability. — To  shi/i  [thought  to  be  from 
the  Anglo-Saxon  BcyfiaUy  to  divide].  To  change  or  alter  the  position  of; 
as,  to  shift  a  sail,  top-mast,  or  spar;  to  shifl  the  helm,  d:c.  Also,  to 
change  one's  dothes. 

SHIFT  A  BERTH,  To.     To  move  from  one  anchorage  to  another. 

SHIFTED.  The  state  of  a  ship's  ballast  or  cargo  when  it  is  shaken  from 
one  side  to  the  other,  either  by  the  violence  of  her  rolling,  or  by  her  too 
great  inclination  to  one  side  under  a  great  press  of  sail;  this  accident, 
however,  rarely  happens,  unless  the  cargo  is  stowed  in  bulk,  as  com, 
salt,  <kc. 

SHIFTER.  A  person  formerly  appointed  to  assist  the  ship's  cook  in 
washing,  steeping,  and  shifting  the  salt  provisions;  so  called  from  having 
to  change  the  water  in  the  steep-tub. 

SHIFTING  A  TACKLE.  The  act  of  removing  the  blocks  of  a  tackle  to 
a  greater  distance  from  each  other,  in  order  to  extend  their  purchase; 
this  operation  is  otherwise  called  ^^e^m^  (which  see). 

SHIFTING  BACKSTAYS,  auso  Preventer.  Those  which  can  be 
changed  from  one  side  of  a  ship  to  the  other,  as  the  occasion  demands. 

SHIFTING  BALLAST.     Pigs  of  iron,  bags  of  sand,  ckc,  used  for  ballast, 
and  capable  of  being  moved  to  trim  the  vessel     Also,  a  term  applied  to 
messengers,  soldiers, 'and  live-stock. 
SHIFTING-BOARDS.     One  or  more  wooden  bulk-heads  in  a  vessel's  hold, 
put  up  fore-and-aft,  and  firmly  supported,  for  preventing  a  cargo  which 
is  stowed  in  bulk  from  shifting. 
SHIFTING-CENTRK    &ee  Meta-centre. 
SHIFTING  SAND.     A  bank,  of  which  the  sand,  being  incoherent,  is  sub- 


616  SHIFTING SHIP 

ject  to  removal  or  being  driven  about  by  the  violence  of  the  sea  or  the 
power  of  under-currents.  Very  accurate  experiments  have  proved  that 
the  sands  at  the  mouths  of  rivers  are  differently  acted  on  during  every 
hour  of  tide  (or  wind  together);  hence  sands  shift,  and  even  stop  up  or 
render  some  channels  unsafe. 

SHIFTING  THE  MESSENGER  Changing  its  position  on  the  capstan 
jfrom  right  to  left,  or  vice  versd. 

SHIFTING-WINDS.     Variable  breezes,  mostly  Ught 

SHIFT  OF  WIND.    Implies  that  it  varies,  or  has  changed  in  its  direction. 

SHIFT  THE  HEI^M!  The  order  for  an  alteration  of  its  position,  by 
moving  it  towards  the  opposite  side  of  the  ship;  that  is,  from  port  to 
starboard,  or  viee  versd, 

SHIM  AL.  A  severe  gale  of  wind  fipom  the  N.  W.  in  the  Gulf  of  Persia 
and  its  vicinity;  it  is  accompanied  by  a  cloudless  sky,  thus  differing  from 
the  shurgee, 

SHINDY.  A  kind  of  dance  among  seamen;  but  also  a  row.  Apparently 
modernized  from  the  old  Erse  sheean^  clamour. 

SHINE.  To  take  the  shine  out  of.  To  excel  another  vessel  in  a  manoeuvre. 
To  surpass  in  any  way. 

SHINER.  The  familiar  name  for  a  lighthouse.  Also,  a  name  for  the 
dace  (which  see).     Also,  money;  Jack's  '^  shiners  in  my  sack." 

SHINGLE.  Coarse  gravel,  or  stones  rounded  by  the  action  of  water;  it  is 
used  as  ballast. 

SHINGLES.  Thin  slips  of  wood,  used  principally  in  America,  in  lieu  of 
slate  or  tiles  in  roofing.  In  very  old  times  a  planked  vessel  was  termed 
a  "  shyngled  or  clap-boarded  ship." 

SHINGLE-TRAMPER     A  coast-guard  man. 

SHIN  UP,  To.  To  climb  up  a  rope  or  spar  without  the  aid  of  any  kind 
of  steps. 

SHIP  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  8cip\.  Any  craft  intended  for  the  purposes 
of  navigation;  but  in  a  nautical  sense  it  is  a  general  term  for  all  large 
square-rigged  vessels  carrying  three  masts  and  a  bowsprit — the  masts 
being  composed  of  a  lower-mast,  top-mast,  and  topgallant-mast,  each  of 
these  being  provided  with  tops  and  yards. — Flagship,      The  ship  in 

^  which  the  admiral  hoists  his  flag;  whatever  the  rank  of  the  commander 
be;  all  the  lieutenants  take  rank  before  their  class  in  other  ships. — 
Line-of-haUle  ship.  Carrying  upwards  of  74  guns. — Ship  of  war.  One 
which,  being  duly  commissioned  under  a  commissioned  officer  by  the 
admiralty,  wears  a  pendant.  The  authority  of  a  gun-boat,  no  superior 
being  present,  is  equal  to  that  of  an  admiral. — Receiving  ship.  The 
port,  guard,  or  admiral's  flag-ship,  stationed  at  any  place  to  receive  volun- 
teers, and  bear  them  pro,  tern,  in  readiness  to  join  any  ship  of  war  which 
may  want  hands. — Store-ship.  A  vessel  employed  to  carry  stores,  artil- 
lery, and  provisions,  for  the  use  of  a  fleet,  fortress,  or  garrison. — Troop-ship. 
One  appointed  to  carry  troops,  formerly  called  a  transport — ffospital- 
ship,     A  vessel  fitted  up  to  attend  a  fleet,  and  receive  the  sick  and 


SHIPBOY SHIP-MAN  (Jl  7 

wounded.  Scuttles  are  cut  in  the  sides  for  ventilation.  The  sick  are 
under  the  charge  of  an  experienced  surgeon,  aided  by  a  staff  of  assistant- 
surgeons,  a  proportional  number  of  assistants,  cook,  baker,  and  nurses. — 
Merchant  ship* — A  vessel  employed  in  commerce  to  carry  commodities  of 
various  sorts  from  one  port  to  another.  {See  Merchai7T.) — Private  ship 
ofwa/r,  {See  Privateer,  and  Letters  of  Marque.) — Slaver,  or  slave- 
ship,  A  vessel  employed  in  carrying  negro  slaves. — To  ship.  To  embark 
men  or  merchandise.  It  also  implies  to  fix  anything  in  its  place,  as 
"  Ship  the  oars,"  i,e,  place  them  in  their  rowlocks;  "  Ship  capstan-bars." 
Also,  to  enter  on  bo^rd,  or  engage  to  join  a  ship. — To  ship  a  sea.  A  wave 
breaking  over  all  in  a  gale.     Hence  the  old  saying — 

'*  Sometimes  we  ship  a  Bea, 
Sometimes  we  see  a  ship." 

To  ship  a  stoab.   A  colloquialism  for  mounting  an  epaulette,  or  receiving  a 

commission. 
SHIP-BOY.     Boys  apprenticed   to  learn  their  sea-duties,  but  generally 

appointed  as  servants. 
SHIP-BREAKER.     A  person  who  purchases  old  vessels  to  break  them  to 

pieces  for  sale. 
SHIP-BROKER.      One  who  manages   business  matters  between  ship- 
owners and  merchants,  in  procuring  cargoes,  <&c.,  for  vessels. 
SHIP-BUILDER.     Synonymous  with  naval  constructor. 
SHIP-BUILDING,  or  Naval  Architecture.     The  art  of  constructing  a 

ship  so  as  to  answer  a  particular  purpose  either  for  war  or  commerce.     It 

is  now  expanding  into  a  science. 
SHIP-CHANDLER.     A  tradesman  who  supplies  ships  with  their  miscel- 
laneous marine  stores.     {See  Material  Men.) 
SHIP-CONTRACTOR.     The  charterer  or  freighter  of  a  vessel. 
SHIP-CRAFT.     Nearly  the  same  as  the  Anglo-Saxon  scyp-crcejl,  an  early 

word  for  navigation. 
SHIP  CUT  DOWN.     One  which  has  had  a  deck  cut  off  from  her,  whereby 

a  three-decker  is  converted  into  a  two-decker,  and  a  two-decker  becomes 

a  frigate.     They  are  then  termed  raz6es. 
SHIP-GUNS.     Those  cast  expressly  for  sea-service. 
SHIP-KEEPER.     An 'officer  not  much  given  to  going  on  shore.     Also, 

the  man  who  has  charge  of  a  ship  whilst  she  is  without  any  part  of  her 

crew. 
SHIP-LANGUAGE.     The  shibboleth  of  nautic  diction,  as  tau'sle,  foUsle, 

for  topsail,  forecastle,  and  the  like. 
SHIP-LAST.     See  Last. 
SHIP-LAUNCH.    See  Launch. 

SHIP-LOAD.     The  estimated  lading  or  cargo  of  a  vessel. 
SHIP-LOG.    See  Log. 

SHIP-LORD.     A  once  recognized  term  for  the  owner  of  a  ship. 
SHIP-MAN  [Anglo-Saxon  ^cy^-mann].     The  master  of  a  barge,  who  in 


^ 


618  SHIPMAN'S  CARD SHIFS  LUNGS 

the  days  of  Chaucer  had  but  ^'litel  Latin  in  his  mawe,"  and  who,  though 
^  of  nice  conscience  toke  he  no  kepe,"  was  certainly  a  good  fellow. 
SHIPMAN'S  CARD.     A  chart;  thus  Shakspeare's  first  witch  in  Macbeth 
had  winds — 

"  And  the  very  ports  they  blow, 
AVL  the  quarters  that  they  know 
I'  the  shipman's  card.*' 

SHIP-MASTER.     The  captain,  commander,  or  padrone  of  a  vessel     (See 

Master.) 
SHIP-MATE.     A  term  once  dearer  than  brother,  but  the  habit  of  short 

cruises  is  weakening  it. 
SHIPMENT.     The  act  of  shipping  goods,  or  any  other  thing,  on  board  a 

ship  or  vesseL 
SHIP-MONEY.     An  imposition  chained  throughout  this  realm  in  the  time 

of  Charles  I.,  but  which  was  declared  ill^aL 
SHIP-OWNER.     A  person  who  has  a  right  of  property  in  a  ship.     The 

interest  of  part-owners  is  quite  distinct,  so  that  one  cannot  dispose  of  the 

share  of  the  other,   or  effect  any  insurance  for  him,  without  special 

authority. 
SHIPPER.     He  who  embarks  goods;   also  mentioned  in  some  of  our 

statutes  as  the  master  of  a  ship.     (See  Sghipper.) 
SHIPPING  AFFAIRS.     All  business  of  a  maritime  bearing. 
SHIPPING  GOODS.     Receiving  and  stowing  them  on  board. 
SHIPPING  GREEN  SEAS.     When  heavy  seas  tumble  over  the  gunwale 

either  to  windward  or  leeward;  sometimes  resulting  from  bad  Elteerage  and 

seamanship,  or  overpressing  the  vessel. 
SHIPPING  MANIFEST.    See  Manifest. 
SHIPPING  MASTERS.     Persons  officially  appointed  and   licensed   to 

attend  to  the  entering  and  discharging  of  merchant  seamen. 
SHIP-PROPELLER.     See  Screw-propellee. 
SHIP  RAISED  UPON.     One   of  which   the  upper   works  have  been 

heightened  by  additional  timbers.     About  the  year  1816  several  credit- 
able corvettes  of  600  tons  were  constructed;  after  three  had  been  tried, 

the  mistaken  order  was  issued  to  make  them  into  frigates.     Hence  the 

term  donkey  and  jackass  frigates,  Atkol  and  Niemen  to  wit. 
SHIP'S  BOOKS.     The  roll  of  the  crew,  containing  every  particular  in 

relation  to  entry,  former  ships,  <Jbc. 
SHIP-SHAPE.     In  colloquial  phrase  implies,  in  a  seamanlike  manner;  as, 

"That  mast  is  not  rigged  ship-shape;"  "Put  her  about  ship-shape,"  &c. 

(See  Bristol-fashion.) 
SHIP'S  HUSBAND.     The  agent  or  broker  who  manages  her  accounts 

with  regard  to  work  performed,  repairs,  &c.,  under  refit  or  loading. 
SHIP-SLOOP.     Commanders  were  appointed  to  24-gun  sloops,  but  when 

the  same  sloops  were  commanded  by  captains,  they  were  rated  ships. 
SHIP'S  LUNGS.     Dr.  Hall's  name  for  the  bellows  with  which  he  forced 

the  foul  air  out  of  ships. 


SHIP'S  PAPERS SHOLES  619 

SHIPS  PAPERS.  Documents  descriptive  of  a  vessel,  her  owners,  cargo, 
destination,  and  other  particulars  necessary  for  the  instance  court.  Also, 
those  documents  required  for  a  neutral  ship  to  prove  her  such. 

SHIP'S  REGISTRY  AND  CERTIFICATE.  An  official  record  of  a 
ship's  size,  the  bills  of  lading,  ownership,  &c, 

SHIP'S  STEWARD.  The  person  who  manages  the  victualling  or  mess 
departments.     In  the  navy,  paymaster's  steward. 

SHIP-STAR.  The  Anglo-Saxon  sq/p-steora,  an  early  name  for  the  pole- 
star,  once  of  the  utmost  importance  in  navigation. 

SHIP-TIMBER.     Contraband  in  time  of  war. 

SHIPWRECK.  The  destruction  of  a  vessel  by  her  beating  against  rocks, 
the  shore,  (fee. — too  often  including  loss  of  life.  In  early  times  the  seizure 
of  goods,  and  even  the  murder  of  the  mariners,  was  apt  to  be  the  conse- 
quence. 

SHIPWRIGHT.  A  builder  of  ships.  The  art  of  bending  planks  by  fire 
is  attributed  to  Pyri'hon,  the  Lydian,  who  made  boats  of  several  configu- 
rations. 

SHIPYARD.     Synonymous  with  dockyard, 

SHIVER.     Synonymous  with  shoave, 

SHIVERING.  To  trim  a  ship's  yards  so  that  the  wind  strikes  on  the 
edges  or  leaches  of  the  sails,  making  them  flutter  in  the  wind.  The  same 
effect  may  be  intentionally  produced  by  means  of  the  helm. 

SHOAL.  A  danger  formed  by  sunken  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  does  not 
break;  but  generally  applied  to  every  place  where  the  water  is  shallow, 
whatever  be  the  ground.  (Bee  Flat  Shoal,  Shole,  or  Schole)  Also, 
denotes  a  great  quantity  of  fishes  swimming  in  company — 8(pjtjamo8(z 
cohorteB,  Also,  a  vessel  is  said  to  shoalen,  or  shoal  her  water,  when  she 
comes  from  a  greater  into  a  less  deptL 

SHOALED-HARBOUR.  That  which  is  secured  from  the  violence  of  the 
sea,  by  banks,  bars,  or  shoals  to  seaward. 

SHOD,  OR  Shode.  An  anchor  is  said  to  be  shod  when,  in  breaking  it  from 
its  bed,  a  quantity  of  clayey  or  oozy  soil  adheres  to  the  fluke  and  shank. 

SHOK     The  iron  arming  to  a  handspike,  polar-pile,  &c. 

SHOE  OF  THE  ANCHOR.  A  flat  block  of  hard  wood,  convex  on  the 
back,  and  having  a  hole  sufficiently  large  to  contain  the  biU  of  the  anchor- 
fluke  on  the  fore-side;  used  to  prevent  the  anchor  from  tearing  the  planks 
on  the  ship's  bow  when  fishing  it,  for  which  purpose  the  shoe  slides  up 
and  down  along  the  bow.  Where  vessels  ease  the  anchor  down  to  '*  a 
cock-bilV'  iti  is  also  sometimes  used. — To  shoe  or  clamp  an  anchor.  To 
cover  the  palms  with  broad  triangular  pieces  of  thick  plank,  secured  by 
iron  hoops  and  nails.  Its  use  is  to  give  the  anchor  a  greater  resisting 
surface  when  the  mud  is  very  soft.     Also,  for  transporting  on  shore. 

SHOE  OF  THE  FOREFOOT.    See  Forefoot,  Gripe,  Horse. 

SHOE-FIECK  A  board  placed  under  the  heel  of  a  spar,  or  other  weighty 
mass,  to  save  the  deck.     In  some  cases  intended  to  slip  with  it. 

SHOLES.    See  Soles. 


620  SHOOT  — 

SHOOT,  To.  To  more  soddenlj;  as  ''tbe  faalksi  shooto  on  mie  aide.**  Also, 
a  ship  shoots  ahead  in  stajL  Also,  to  posh  off  in  a  boat  from  the  shore 
into  a  current;  to  descend  a  rapid.  The  term  is  wdl  oaed  thos  amongst 
the  powerful  rirers  of  N.  America,  of  which  perhaps  the  finest  example  is 
giren  by  the  Stu  Lawrence  at  La  Chine,  there  reported  to  rush  in  spring- 
time at  the  rate  of  40  miles  an  hour.  Thus  the  shooting  Old  London 
Bridge  was  the  cause  of  many  deaths,  and  gave  occasion  to  the  admirable 
description  in  the  Lova  of  the  Triangles  (anti-Jacobin)^  when  aU  were 
agreed: 

** '  flfhoni  we  the  bridge,*  the  Tenfroiu  hoelannt  ay; 
'  Shoot  we  the  bri<^*  th'  exulting  fan  zeply.  * 

SHOOT-FINGER  This  was  a  term  in  use  with  the  Anglo^^ons  from 
its  necessitj  in  archerj,  and  is  now  called  the  trigger-finger  from  its  equal 
importance  in  modem  firearms.  The  mutilation  of  this  member  was 
always  a  most  punishable  offence;  for  which  the  laws  of  King  Alfred  in- 
flicted a  penalty  of  fifteen  shillings,  which  at  that  time  j»obably  was 
a  sum  beyond  the  bowman's  means. 

SHOOTING-GLOVES.  These  were  furnished  to  the  navy  when  cross- 
bows, long-bows^  and  slur-bows  were  used. 

SHOOTING  OF  NETS.  The  running  out  of  nets  in  the  water,  as  aeins, 
drift-nets,  herring-nets,  &c;  but  it  does  not  apply  to  trawla 

SHOOTS,  OR  Shuts.  A  large  pipe  or  channel  to  lead  away  water,  dirt^ 
ballast,  shot,  dec,  b  called  a  shoot  The  oYerlalls  of  a  river,  where  the 
stream  is  narrowed  by  its  bank^  whether  naturally  or  artificially,  especi- 
ally the  arches  of  a  bridge,  constitute  a  shoot. 

SHOOT  THE  COMPASS,  To.     To  shoot  wide  of  the  mark. 

SHOOT  THE  SUN,  To.  To  take  its  meridional  altitude;  literally  aim- 
ing  at  the  reflected  sun  through  the  telescope  of  the  instrument  '^  Have 
you  obtained  a  shot?*'  applied  to  altitudes  of  the  meridian,  as  for  time, 
lunar  distances,  Sic 

SHORE.  A  prop  fixed  under  a  ship's  sides  or  bottom,  to  support  her  when 
laid  aground  or  on  the  stocks.  Shores  are  also  termed  legs  when  used  by 
a  cutter  or  yacht,  to  keep  the  vessel  upright  when  the  water  leaves  her. 
(See  Legs.)  Also,  the  general  name  for  the  littoral  of  any  country  against 
which  the  waves  impinge,  while  the  word  coast  is  applied  to  that  part  of 
the  land  which  only  lies  contiguous  to  the  sea. — Bold  shore.  A  coast 
which  is  steep-to,  permitting  the  near  approach  of  shipping  without  danger;, 
it  is  used  in  contradistinction  to  a  shelmng-shore. 

SHORE-ANCHOR.  That  which  lies  between  the  shore  and  the  ship 
when  moored. 

SHORE-BOATS.     Small  boats  or  wherries  plying  for  hire  at  seaports. 

BIIORE-CLEATS.  Heavy  cleats  bolted  on  to  the  sides  of  vessels  to  sup- 
port the  shore-head,  and  sustain  the  ship  upright 

SHORE-FAST.  A  hawser  carried  out  to  secure  a  vessel  to  a  quay,  mole, 
or  anchor  buried  on  shore. 

SHORE-REEF.     The  same  as  fringing-reef. 


n 


SHORT SHOT  621 

SHORT,  Short  stay,  Short  apeek.  "  Heave  short,"  means  to  heave  in 
the  cable  till  it  is  nearly  up  and  down,  and  would  hold  the  vessel  securely 
until  she  had  set  all  common  sail,  and  would  not  drag  or  upset  the  anchor. 
If,  however,  the  wind  be  free,  and  the  making  sail  unimportant,  short 
would  probably  be  short  apeeky  or  up  and  down,  the  last  move  of  weigh- 
ing awaiting  perhaps  signal  or  permission  to  part 

SHORT  ALLOWANCE.  When  the  provisions  will  not  last  the  period 
expected,  they  may  be  reduced  in  part,  as  two-thirds,  half-allowance,  &c., 
and  thus  short-aUowance  money  becomes  due,  which  is  the  nominal  value 
of  the  provisions  stopped,  and  paid  in  compensation. 

SHORT  BOARDS.  Frequent  tacking,  where  there  is  not  room  for  long 
boards,  or  from  some  other  cause,  as  weather  or  tide,  it  is  required  to 
work  to  windward  on  short  tacks  in  a  narrow  space. 

SHORTEN,  To.  Said  of  a  ship's  sails  when  requisite  to  reduce  those 
that  are  set.  And  shorten  in,  when  alluding  to  the  anchor,  by  heaving 
in  cable. 

SHORT-HANDED.  A  deficient  complement  of  men,  or  short-handed  by 
many  being  on  the  sick-list. 

SHORT-LINKED  CHAIN.  A  cable  without  studs,  and  therefore  with 
shorter  links  than  those  of  stud-chains;  such  are  slings  and  chains  gene- 
rally used  in  rigging  bobstays,  anchor-work,  (fee.     Cables  only  have  studs. 

SHORT-SEA.  A  confused  cross  sea  where  the  waves  assume  a  jerking 
rippling  action,  and  set  home  to  the  bows  or  sides;  especially  tiresome  to 
boats,  hampering  the  oars,  and  tumbling  in-board.     Also,  a  race. 

SHORT-SERVICK     Chafing  geer  put  on  a  hemp  cable  for  a  short  range. 

SHORT-SHEETS.     Belong  to  shifting  sails,  such  as  studding-sails,  <&c. 

SHORT-TACKS.    See  Short  Boards. 

SHORT-TIME  or  SAND  GLASS.  One  of  U  seconds,  used  in  heaving 
the  log  when  the  ship  is  going  fast. 

SHOT.     All  sorts  of  missiles  to  be  discharged  from  firearms,  those  for  great 

guns  being  mainly  of  iron;  for  small-arms,  of  lead.     When  used  without 

prefix,  the  term  generally  means  the  solid  shot  only,  as  fired  for  a  heavy 

blow,  or  for  penetration.     Also,  a  synonym  of  scot,  a  reckoning  at  an 

inn,  and  has  immemorially  been  thus  understood.     Ben  Jonson's  rules 

are 

'*  As  the  fond  of  our  pleasure,  let  each  pay  his  shot." 

Also,  a  lot  or  quantity.  Also,  the  particular  spot  where  fishermen  take 
a  draught  with  their  nets,  and  also  the  draught  of  fishes  made  by  a  net. 
Also,  the  stemmost  division  of  a  fishing-boat.  Also,  arrows,  darts,  or 
anything  that  was  shot.  Also,  a  kind  of  trout.  Also,  a  foot-soldier  who 
carried  a  fire-lock. — To  be  shot  of,  signifies  to  get  rid  of,  turned  out — To 
shot  the  guns.  In  active  service  the  guns  were  generally  loaded,  but  not 
shotted,  as,  from  corrosion,  it  was  found  difficult  to  draw  the  shot;  and 
the  working  and  concussion  not  unfrequently  started  it,  and  consequently, 
if  the  gun  was  fired  before  re-driving  it  "home,''  it  was  in  danger  of 
bursting. 


622  .  SHOT-LOCKEE SHBAPNEL  SHIXL 

SnOT-LOCKEK  A  compartment  built  up  in  the  hold  to  contain  the 
shot. 

SHOT-NET.     A  mackerel-net 

SHOT-PLUGS.     Tapered  cones  to  stop  any  sized  shot-hole. 

SHOT-HACKS.  Wooden  frames  fixed  at  convenient  distances  to  contain 
shot.  There  are  also,  of  recent  introduction,  iron  rods  so  fitted  as  to 
confine  the  shot. 

SHOTTEN-HERRING.  A  gutted  herring  dried  for  keeping.  Meta- 
phorically, a  term  of  contempt  for  a  lean  lazy  fellow. 

SHOULDER  OF  a  Bastion.  The  part  of  it  adjacent  to  the  junction  of  a 
face  with  a  flank.  The  angle  of  the  shoulder  is  that  formed  by  these 
two  line& 

SHOULDER  ARMS !  The  military  word  of  command  to  carry  the  mus- 
ket vertically  at  the  side  of  the  body,  and  resting  against  the  hollow  of  the 
shoulder;  on  the  left  side  with  the  long  rifle,  on  the  right  with  the  short. 

SHOULDER-OP-MUTTON  SAIL.  A  kind  of  triangular  saU  of  pecu- 
liar  form,  used  mostly  in  boats.  It  is  very  handy  and  safe,  particularly 
as  a  mizen.     It  is  the  Bermuda  or  'Mugian  rig. 

SHOULDER  THE  ANCHOR.  When  a  seaman  forgets  his  craft,  and 
gives  his  ship  too  little  cable  to  ride  by,  she  may  be  thrown  across  tide, 
lift  or  shoulder  her  anchor,  and  drift  off. 

SHOUT.  A  light  and  nearly  flat-bottomed  boat  used  in  our  eastern  fens 
for  shooting  wild-duck.     {See  Gunning-boat.) 

SHOUTE-MEN.     The  old  name  for  the  lightermen  of  the  Thames. 

SHOVEL.  A  copper  implement  for  removing  a  cartridge  from  a  gun 
without  injuring  it.  Pormerly  used,  and  as  late  as  1816  by  the  Turks, 
to  convey  the  powder  into  the  chamber  without  using  cartridges :  also 
used  to  withdraw  shot  where  windage  was  large.     (See  Ladle.) 

SHOYELL,  OR  Shoveller.  Spathulea  dypeata,  a  species  of  duck  with  a 
broad  bill  Formerly  written  sclicvela/rd.  Also  applied  to  a  hoverer  or 
smuggler. 

SHOVE  OPP !  The  order  to  the  bowman  to  put  the  boat's  head  off  with 
his  boat-hook. 

SHOW  A  LEG!  An  exclamation  from  the  boatswain's  mate,  or  master- 
at-arms,  for  people  to  show  that  they  are  awake  on  being  called.  Often 
"  Show  a  leg,  and  turn  out." 

SHRAB.  A  vile  drugged  drink  prepared  for  seamen  who  frequent  the 
filthy  purlieus  of  Calcutta.     (See  Doasta.) 

SHRAPNEL  SHELL.  Invented  by  General  Shrapnel  to  produce,  at  a 
long  range,  the  effect  of  common  case;  whence  they  have  been  also  called 
spherical  case.  They  have  a  thickness  of  only  one-tenth  of  their  diameter; 
so  that^  on  the  action  of  the  frise,  they  are  opened  by  a  very  small  burst- 
ing charge,  and  allow  the  bullets  with  which  they  are  filled  to  proceed 
with  much  the  same  direction  and  velocity  that  the  shell  had  at  the 
moment  of  explosion.  They  require,  however,  extremely  nice  manage- 
ment 


( 


SHRIMP SHROUD -TRUCKS  623 

SHRIMP.  The  small  crustacean  Crangon  vulgaris^  well  known  as  an 
article  of  food 

SHROUD-KNOT.     See  Kkot. 

SHROUD-LAID.  The  combination  in  the  larger  cordage,  also  known  as 
hawser-laid. 

SHROUD-ROPE.  A  finer  qnalitj  of  hawser-laid  rope  than  is  commonly 
used  for  other  purposes.  It  is  also  termed  purchase-rope;  but  four- 
stranded  rope  is  frequently  used  for  standing  rigging.  All  the  strands 
are  finer,  of  better  hemp,  and  pass  the  gauge.  Thus  the  patent  shroud-laid 
rope,  made  from  clean  Petersburgh  hemp,  was  found  to  break  at  a  strain 
between  6f  and  7^  cwt.  per  inch  of  girth  in  inches  squared.  Thus  a 
patent  rope  of  5  inches  would  require  175  cwt.  Common  rope,  25  threads 
in  each  strand,  broke  with  5  cwt.  per  inch,  and  fell  off  at  130  threads  to 
4  cwt.  per  inch.     Thus, 

cwt.  qn.  Ibt. 
A  oommon  10-inoh  cable  weighed  per  100  fathoms,  19     0    21 

A  superior        „  „  21     0      3 

SHROUDS.  The  lower  and  upper  standing-rigging.  They  are  always 
divided  into  pairs  or  couples;  that  is  to  say,  one  piece  of  rope  is  doubled, 
and  the  parts  fastened  together  at  a  small  distance  from  the  middle,  so 
as  to  leave  a  sort  of  noose  or  collar  to  fix  upon  the  mast-head;  the  ends 
have  each  a  dead-eye  turned  in,  by  which  they  are  set  up  by  laniards  to 
the  channel.  {See  Channel  and  Dead-etes.) — Bentinck  ahrouda.  Strong 
ropes  fixed  on  the  futtock-staves  of  the  lower  rigging,  and  extending  to 
the  opposite  channels,  where  they  are  set  up  by  means  of  dead-eyes  and 
laniards,  or  gun-tackle  runner  purchases,  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
other  shrouds.  Their  use  is  to  support  the  masts  when  the  ship  rolls. — 
Bowsprit  shrouds  are  now  generally  made  of  chain.  They  support  the 
bowsprit  in  the  same  way  that  other  shrouds  support  the  masts. — 
Bumkin  or  boomkin  shrouds.  Strong  chains  fixed  as  stays  to  the  bum- 
kin  ends,  to  support  the  strain  exerted  by  the  fore-tacks  upon  them. — 
Futtock  or  foot-hook  shrouds.  Portions  of  rigging  (now  sometimes  chain) 
communicating  with  the  futtock-plates  above  the  top,  and  the  cat-harpings 
below,  and  forming  ladders,  whereby  the  sailors  climb  over  the  top-brim. 
Top-g<dlant  shrouds  extend  to  the  cross-trees,  where,  passing  through 
holes  in  the  ends,  they  continue  over  the  futtock-staves  of  the  topmast 
.  rigging,  and  descending  almost  to  the  top,  are  set  up  by  laniards  passing 
through  thimbles  instead  of  dead-eyes. — Topmast  shrouds  extend  from 
the  topmast  head  to  the  edges  of  the  tops,  and  are  set  up  to  the  futtock 
dead-eyes. 

SHROUD-STOPPER.  A  stout  rope-stopper  made  fast  above  and  below  a 
part  of  the  shroud  which  has  been  damaged  by  an  enemy's  shot,  or  other- 
wise. 

SHROUD-TRUCKS.  Small  pieces  of  wood  with  holes  in  them,  but  no 
sheaves;  they  are  seized  on  the  standing-rigging  as  fair  leaders  for  the 
running-rigging.     (See  Bull's-etes.) 


1 1 

11 


64.4.  SPLICE SPOON-DRIFT 

it  resembles  a  continuous  lay,  and  is  adapted  to  run  through  the  sheave- 
hole  of  a  block,  Ac.,  for  which  use  it  is  generally  intended. — The  short 
splice  is  used  upon  cables^  slings,  block-strops,  and,  in  general,  all  ropes 
which  are  not  intended  to  run  through  blocks. — Spliced  eye  forms  a  sort 
of  eye  or  circle  at  the  end  of  a  rope,  and  is  used  for  splicing  in  thimbles, 
bull's-eyes,  *<&c,  and  generally  on  the  end  of  lashing  block-strops.  (See 
Etb-sfuce.) 

SPLICE  THE  MAIN  BRACE.  In  nautical  parlance,  to  serve  out  an 
extra  allowance  of  grog  in  bad  weather  or  after  severe  exertion. 

SPLICING  FID.  A  tapered  wooden  pin  for  opening  the  strands  when 
splicing  large  ropes;  it  is  sometimes  driven  by  a  laige  wooden  mallet 
called  a  commander, 

SPLINTER-NETTING.  A  cross-barrwi  net  formed  of  half-inch  rope 
lashed  at  every  rectangular  crossing,  and  spread  from  rigging  to  rigging 
between  the  main  and  mizen  masts,  to  prevent  wreck  from  aloft^  in  action, 
from  wounding  the  men  at  the  upper-deck  guns.  They  are  frequently 
used  at  the  open  hatchways  to  prevent  accidents. 

SPLITTER.  A  man  engaged  in  the  Newfoundland  fisheries  to  receive  the 
fish  from  the  header,  and,  with  a  sharp  knife,  dexterously  to  lay  it  open. 

SPLITTING  OUT.  To  remove  the  blocks  on  which  a  vessel  rests  in  a 
dock,  or  at  launching,  when  the  pressure  is  too  great  for  them  to  be 
driven,  but  by  splitting. 

SPLITTING  THE  BOOKS.  The  making  of  a  new  complete-book  after 
payment^  in  which  the  dead,  run,  or  discharged  men  are  omitted;  but  the 
numbers  which  stood  against  the  men's  names  in  the  first  list  must  be 
continued. 

SPOKES.  The  handles  of  the  wheel,  not  the  radii. — To  put  a  spoke  in  a 
mdvUs  wheel,  is  to  say  something  of  him  to  his  advantage,  or  otherwise. 

SPOK&SHAVK  That  useful  instrument  similar  to  the  carpenter's  draw- 
ing-knife, for  smoothing  rounds  or  hollows. 

SPOLIATION  OP  A  Ship's  Papem.  An  act  which,  by  the  maritime  law 
of  every  court  in  Europe^  not  only  excludes  further  proof,  but  does,  per 
se,  infer  condemnation.  Our  own  code  has  so  far  relaxed  that  this  cir- 
cumstance shall  not  be  damnatory.  The  suppression  of  ships'  papers, 
however,  is  regarded  in  the  admiralty  courts  with  great  suspicion. 

SPONSON.  The  curve  of  the  timbers  and  planking  towards  the  outer 
part  of  the  wing,  before  and  abaft  each  of  the  paddle-boxes  of  a  steamer. 

SPONSON-RIM.     The  same  as  unng-vxde  (which  see). 

SPONTOON.     A  light  halbert. 

SPOOM,  To.     An  old  word  frequently  found  in  Dryden,  who  thus  uses  it, 

*' When  virtue  tp^oms  before  a  prosperous  gale, 
My  heaving  wishes  help  to  fill  the  sail." 

SPOON-DRIFT.  A  showery  sprinkling  of  the  water  swept  from  the  tops 
of  the  waves  in  a  brisk  gale.  Driving  snow  is  also  sometimes  termed 
spoon-drift. 


SIDEPIECES SIGHT- VANES  625 

SIDE-PIECES.     Parts  of  a  made  mast. 

SIDEREAL  ASTEONOMY.     That  branch  of  the  science  which  relates 

to  the  fixed  stars. 
SIDEREAL  DAY.     The  interval  between  the  departure  and  return  of  a 

star  to  the -meridian;  in  other  words,  its  two  successive  transits. 
SIDEREAL  PERIOD.     See  Revolution. 
SIDEREAL  TIME.     The  time  shown  by  a  clock  regulated  by  the  fixed 

stars,  and  compensated  to  accelerate  upon  mean  time  by  the  daily  amount 

of  3  minutes  56*56  seconds. 
SIDE-RODS.     Rods  hanging  from  each  of  the  cross-heads,  one  on  each  side 

of  the  cylinder  of  a  steam-engine,  and  connected  to  the  pins  of  the  side- 
levers  below;  their  duty  is  to  cause  a  simultaneous  movement. 
SIDE-SCALE     A  simple  graduation,  adopted  by  Sir  Philip  Broke  in  the 

Shannon^  for  the  quick  elevation  or  depression  of  the  guns. 
SIDE-STEPS.     Pieces  of  wood  bolted  to  the  side  of  a  ship  for  the  con- 

venience  of  ascending;  in  smaller  vessels  they  have  a  ladder  made  of  rope 

with  wooden  thwarts,  which  hooks  to  the  gangway. 
SIDING  OR  SIDED.     The  dimensions  or  size  of  timber,  the  contrary  way 

to  which  the  mould  side  is  placed;  one  side  sided  smooth,  to  work  from 

or  to  fit. 
SIDING  DIMENSION.     The  breadth  of  any  piece  of  timber. 
SIEGE.     A  continued  endeavour,  by  systematic  military  means,  such  as 

batteries,  trenches,  mines,  <bc.,  to  overpower  the  defences  of  a  place  and 

take  possession  of  it. 
SIEGE- ARTILLERY.     The  ordnance  (guns,  mortars,  howitzers,  <tc.)  used 

for  overpowering  the  fire  and  destroying  the  defences  of  a  fortified  place; 

their  weight  and  power,  limited  mainly  by  the  kind  of  transport  at  hand, 

seldom  exceed  those  of  the  light  100-pounder  rifled  gun,  and  are  mostly 

above  those  of  guns  of  position,  such  as  the  old  18-pounder,  or  the  40- 

pounder  rifle. 
SIEGE-TRAIN.     Properly,  the  whole  of  the  material,  with  its  transport, 

required   for  carrying  on  a  siege;  but   more   frequently  used   for  the 

necessary  siege  artillen/,  together  with  its  ammunition,  carriages,  machines, 

and  appliances  of  all  kinds. 
SIESTA.     The  hour  of  the  afternoon  in  hot  climates,  when  Spaniards, 

Italians,  <&c.,  retire  to  repose  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 
SIGHTING  THE  LAND.     Running  in  to  catch  a  view. 
SIGHTS.     The  fixed  marks  on  fire-arms,  by  which  their  direction  is  regu- 
lated in  aiming:  generally,  two  small  fittings  of  brass  or  iron,  that  near  the 

breech  having  a  notched  head,  and  that  towards  the  muzzle  a  pointed  one. 

(See  DiSPAHT.) — Astronomical  sights.     Observations  taken  to  determine 

the  time  or  latitude,  as  well  as  for  chronometer  rates. 
SIGHT  THE  ANCHOR,  To.     To  heave  it  up  in  sight,  in  order  to  prove 

that  it  is  clear,  when,  from  the  ship  having  gone  over  it,  there  is  suspicion 

that  it  may  be  fouled  by  the  slack  cable. 
SIGHT- VANES,    ^ee  Vanes. 

2  R 


626  SIGNALIZE SIMOOM 

SIGNALIZE,  To.  To  distinguish  one's  self;  a  word  also  degraded  to  the 
meaning  of  communicating  intelligence  by  means  of  signals  or  telegraph. 

SIGNAL-MAN.  The  yeoman  of  the  signals;  a  first-class  petty  officer  in 
the  navy. 

SIGNAL  OF  DISTRESS.  When  a  ship  is  in  imminent  danger,  she 
hoists  her  national  flag  upside  down,  and,  if  she  is  armed,  fires  minute 
guns;  also  lets  fly  top-gallant  sheets,  &c.;  indeed  does  anything  to  attract 
observation. 

SIGNAL-OFFICER.  In  a  repeating  frigate,  a  signal-midshipman;  in  a 
flag-ship,  a  flag-lieutenant. 

SIGNALS.  Codes  of  signals  have  been  used  for  centuries  and  changed 
frequently.  Their  use  is  too  well  known  to  need  explanation.  They  are 
conveyed  by  flags,  semaphores,  balls,  guns,  lights,  rockets,  bells,  horns, 
whistles,  &c.,  and  half  a  century  since  were  carried  on  with  incredible 
ability.  It  may  be  also  observed  that  signal  officers  of  those  days  became 
subsequently  the  elite  of  the  navy;  signal-officer  being  then  a  proud  term 
of  distinction. — Fog-signaZa,  certain  operations  which  emit  sound. — Night- 
signals,  either  lanterns  disposed  in  certain  figures,  flashes,  or  false  fires, 

SIGNIFER.     The  zodiac. 

SIGNING  OFFICERS.    The  captain,  senior  lieutenant,  master,  and  purser 

(now  paymaster);  but  where  the  document  relates  to  the  stores  in  chaise 

of  any  stated  officer,  that  officer  is  to  sign  it  instead  of  the  purser. 
SIGNS  OF  THE  ZODIAC.     The  emblems  of  the  twelve  divisions,  into 

which  the  ancients  divided  the  ^diac. 
SILL.     A  northern  term  for  the  young  of  a  herring. 
SILLOCK.     The  podling,  or  young  of  the  coal-fish,  affording  food  and  oil 

on  the  Scottish  coasts;  they  are  grayish,  and  are  taken  when  somewhat 

less  than  a  herring. 
SILL  OF  A  DOCK.     The  timber  at  the  base  against  which  the  gates 

shut;  and  the  depth  of  water  which  will  float  a  vessel  in  or  out  of  it, 

is  measured  from  it  to  the  surface. 
SILLON.     An  old  word  for  envelope.     In  fortification,  formerly,  a  counter- 
guard. 
SILLS.     The  upper  and  lower  parts  of  the  framing  of  the  ports.     The 

bottom  pieces  of  any  ports,  docks,  scuttles,  or  hatches.   ' 
SILT.     Sediment;  ooze  in  a  harbour,  or  at  a  lock-gate. 
SILT-GROUNDS.     Deep-water  banks  off"  Jamaica,  where  siU-snappers  are 

fished  for. 
SILT-UP,  To.     To  be  choked  with  mud  or  sand,  so  as  to  obstruct  vessels. 
SILVER-C-^DUA.     A  statute  term  for  wood  under  twenty  years'  growth. 
SILVER-OAR.     One  of  the  badges  of  the  civil  court  afloat,  conferring  the 

power  to  arrest  for  debt  if  not  less  than  £20. 
SILVER-THAW.     The  term  for  ice  falling  in  large  flakes  from  the  sails 

and  rigging,  consequent  on  a  frost  followed  suddenly  by  a  thaw. 
SIMOOM.     The  Arabian  name  for  the  sirocco  (which  see).     The  simoom, 


SIMULATION SIXAVATEB  GROG  627 

sirocco,  samiel,  aud  klamsin,  seem  to  be  modifications  of  the  same  wind 

from  the  desert 
SIMULATION.    The  vice  of  counterfeiting  illness  or  defect,  for  the  purpose 

of  being  invalided. 
SINE.     A  right  sine  in  geometry,  is  a  right  line  drawn  from  one  end  of  an 

arc  perpendicularly  upon  the  radius  from  the  centre  to  the  other  end  of 

the  arc;  or  it  is  half  the  chord  of  twice  the  arc. 
SINET.     An  old  Chaucerian  term  for  zenith. 
SINGING.     The  chaunt  by  which  the  leadsman  in  the  chains  proclaims 

his  soundings  at  each  cast: — 

'*To  heave  the  lead  the  seaman  sprung. 
And  to  the  pilot  cheerly  sung, 

By  the  deep—nine." 

SINGLE,  To.     To  unreeve  the  running  part  of  topsail  sheets,  <&c.,  to  let 

them  run  freely,  or  for  harbour  duty. 
SINGLE-ACTION  ENGINE.    See  Atmospheric  Steam-knginb. 
SINGLE  ANCHOR.     A  ship  unmoored,  having  hove  up  one  bower,  rides 

by  the  other. 
SING  SMALL.     To  make  a  bullying  boaster  sing  smaUy  by  lowering  his 

arrogance. 
SINICAL  QUADHANT.     See  Quadrant. 
SINNET.     See  Sennit. 
SIR.     Once  a  scholastic  title  applied  to  priests  and  curates;  now  to  knights. 

"Aye,  aye,  sir,*'  is  the  well-known  answer  from  seamen,  denoting  'cute- 

ness,  combined  with  good  humour  and  obedience. 
SIRIUS.     The  principal  star,  a,  of  the  constellation  Canis  Major,  and  the 

brightest  in  the  heavens;  the  dog-star. 
SIROCCO.     An  oppressively  hot  parching  wind  from  the  deserts  of  Africa, 

which  in  the  southern  part  of  Italy  and  Sicily  comes  from  the  south-east; 

it  sometimes  commences  faintly  about  the  summer  solstice. 
SISERARA,  OR  SuRSBRARA.     A  tremendous  blow;  or  a  violent  rebuke. 
SISSOO.     An  Indian  timber  much  used  in  the  construction  of  country 

ships. 
SISTER  OR  CISTERN  BLOCK.    A  turned  cyUndrical  block  having  two 

sheave-holes,  one  above  the  other.     It  fits  in  between  the  first  pair  of 

topmast  shrouds  on  each  side,  and  is  secured  by  seizings  below  the  cat- 

harpings.     The  topsail-lifb  reeves  through  the  lower,  and  the  reef-tackle 

pendant  through  the  upper. 
SISTER  KEELSONS.     Square  timbers  extending  along  the  floors,  by  the 

main  keelson,  leaving  sufficient  space  on  each  side  for  the  limbers.     {See 

Side  Keeia) 
SISTROID  ANGLE.    One  Hke  a  sistrum,the  Egyptian  musical  instrument. 
SITCH.     A  little  current  of  water,  generally  dry  in  summer. 
SIX-UPON-FOUR     Reduced  allowance;  four  rations  allotted  to  six  men. 
SIX-WATER  GROG.     Given  as  a  punishment  for  neglect  or  drunken- 


C28  SIZE SKEWER.PIBCES 

neasy  instead  of  the  usual /our-toater,  which  is  one  part  mm,  and  four  parts 

water,  lime-juice,  and  sugar. 
SIZE,  To.     To  range  soldiers,  marines,  and  small-arm  men,  so  that  the 

tallest  may  be  on  the  flanks  of  a  party. 
SIZE-FISH.     A  whale,  of  which  the  whale-bone  blades  are  six  feet  or 

upwards  in  length;  the  harpooner  gets  a  bonus  for  striking  a  ^size-fish." 
SIZES.     A  corruption  for  aix-uponr/our  (which  see). 
SKARKALLA.     An  old  machine  for  catching  fish. 
SELA.B.T.     A  name  of  the  cormorant  in  the  Hebrides. 
SK  ATE.     A  well-known  cartilaginous  fish  of  the  ray  family,  Rata  hcUia. 
SKATE-LURKER     A  cant  word  foi*'  a  beting  impostor  dressed  ,as  a 

sailor. 
SKEDADDLE,  To.     To  stray  wilfully  from  a  wateiing  or  a  working  party. 

An  archaism  retained  by  the  Americans. 
SKEDDAN.     The  Manx  or  Erse  term  for  herrings. 
SKEEL.     A  cylindrical  wooden  bucket.     A  large  water-kid. 
SKEER,  OR  Scab.     A  place  where  cockles  are  gathered.     {See  Scab.) 
SKEET.     A  long  scoop  used  to  wet  the  sides  of  the  ship,  to  prevent  their 

splitting  by  the  heat  of  the  sun.     It  is  also  employed  in  small  vessels  for 

wetting  the  sails,  to  render  them  more  efficacious  in  light  breezes;  this  in 

large  ships  is  done  by  the  fire  engine. 
SKEE-TACK.     A  northern  name  for  the  cuttle-fish. 
SKEGG.     A  small  and  slender  part  of  the  keel  of  a  ship,  cut  slanting,  and 

left  a  little  without  the  stem-post;  not  much  used  now,  owing  to  its 

catching  hawsers,  and  occasioning  dead  water.     The  after-part  of  the  keel 

itself  is  also  called  the  skegg. 
SKEGG-SHORES.     Stout  pieces  of  plank  put  up  end- ways  under  the  skegg 

of  the  ship,  to  steady  the  afler-part  when  in  the  act  of  being  launched. 
SKELDRYKE.     An  old  term  for  a  small  passage-boat  in  the  north. 
SKELETON  OF  A  REGIMENT.     Its  principal  officers  and  staff 
SKELLY.     The  Leuciacue  cephaluSy  or  chub.     In  the  northern  lakes  it  is 

often  called  the  fresh- water  herring. 
SKELP,  To.     To  slap  with  the  open  hand:  an  old  word,  said  to  have  been 

imported  fix)m  Iceland: — 

"IcMino'tella*; 
Some  gat  a  skelp,  and  some  gat  a  claw." 

SKENE,  OR  Skain.     A  crooked  sword  formerly  used  by  the  Irish. 

SKENY.     A  northern  term  to  express  an  insulated  rock. 

SKER,  OR  Skerry.  A  flat  insulated  rock,  but  not  subject  to  the  over- 
flowing of  the  sea:  thus  we  have  "the  Skerries*'  in  Wales,  the  Channel 
Islands,  &c, 

SKEW.  Awry,  oblique;  as  a  skew  bridge,  skew  angle,  &c.  Also,  in 
Cornwall,  drizzling  rain.     Also,  a  rude-fashioned  boat 

SKEWER-PIECES.  When  the  salt  meat  is  cut  up  on  board  ship  by  the 
petty  officers,  the  captain  and  lieutenants  are  i>ermitted  to  select  wliole 


SKID-BEAMS SKIRTS  629 

pieces  of  8  or  16  lbs.,  for  which  they  are  charged  2  or  4  lbs.  extra.  The 
meat  being  then  divided  into  messes,  the  remnants  are  cut  into  small 
pieces  termed  skewer-pieces,  and  being  free  from  bone,  are  charged  ad  lib. 
to  those  who  take  them. 

SKID-BEAMS.  Baised  stanchions  in  men-of-war  over  the  main-deck, 
parallel  to  the  quarter-deck  and  forecastle  beams,  for  stowing  the  boats 
and  booms  upon. 

SKIDDY-COCK.     A  weslHsountry  term  for  the  water-rail. 

SKIDER.     A  northern  term  for  the  skate. 

SKIDS.  Massive  fenders;  they  consist  of  long  compassing  pieces  of  timber, 
formed  to  answer  the  vertical  curve  of  a  ship's  side,  in  order  to  preserve 
it  when  weighty  bodies  are  hoisted  in  or  lowered  against  it.  They  are 
mostly  used  in  whalers.  Boats  are  fitted  with  permanent  fenders,  to  pre- 
vent chafing  and  fretting.  Also,  beams  resting  on  blocks,  on  which  small 
craft  are  built.  Also,  pieces  of  plank  put  under  a  vessel's  bottom,  for 
launching  her  off  when  she  has  been  hauled  up  or  driven  ashore. 

SKIFF.  A  familiar  term  for  any  small  boat;  but  in  particular,  one  re- 
sembling a  yawl,  which  is  usually  employed  for  passing  rivers.  Also,  a 
sailing  vessel,  with  fore-and-aft  mainsail,  jib  foresair,  and'  jib:  differing 
from  a  sloop  in  setting  the  jib  on  a  stay,  which  is  eased  in  by  travellers. 
They  have  no  topmast,  and  the  mainsail  hauls  out  to  the  taffrail,  and 
traverses  on  a  traveller  iron  horse  like  a  cutter^s  foresail. 

SKILLET.     A  small  pitch-pot  or  boiler  with  feet. 

SKILLY.  Poor  broth,  served  to  prisoners  in  hulks*  Oatmeal  and  water 
in  which  meat  has  been  boiled.  Hence,  ahtUygnlee,  or  burgoo,  the  drink 
made  with  oatmeal  and  sugar,  and  served  to  seamen  in  lieu  of  cocoa  as 
late  as  1814. 

SKIN.  This  term  is  frequently  used  for  the  inside  planking  of  a  vessel, 
the  outside  being  the  case. 

SKIN  OF  A  SAIL.  The  outside  part  when  a  sail  is  furied.  To  furl  in 
a  clean  skin,  is  the  habit  of  a  good  seaman. — To  akin  up  a  sail  in  the  hunt. 
To  make  that  part  of  the  canvas  which  covers  the  sail,  next  the  mast  when 
furled,  smooth  and  neat,  by  turning  the  sail  well  up  on  the  yard. 

SKIP-JACK.  A  dandified  trifling  officer;  an  upstart.  Also,  the  merry- 
thought of  a  fowl.  Also,  a  small  fish  of  the  boneta  kind,  which  frequently 
jumps  out  of  the  water.     A  name  applied  also  to  small  porpoises. 

SKIPPAGR     An  archaism  for  tackle  or  ship  furniture. 

SKIPPER.  The  master  of  a  merchant  vessel.  Also,  a  man-of-war's  man's 
constant  appellation  for  his  own  captain.  Also,  the  gandanock,  or  saury- 
pike,  Esox  saurus, 

SKIKLING.  A  fish  taken  on  the  Welsh  coasts,  and  supposed  to  be  the 
fry  of  salmon. 

SKIRMISH.  An  engagement  of  a  light  and  irregular  character,  generally 
for  the  purpose  of  gaining  information  or  time,  or  of  clearing  the  way  for 
more  serious  operations. 

SKIRTS.     The  extreme  edges  of  a  plain,  forest,  shoal,  &c. 


630  SKIS-THURSDAY SLACK  HBLM 

SKIS-THURSDAY.  «Tlie  Lady-day  in  Lent"  of  the  Society  of  Ship- 
wrights at  Newcastle,  instituted  in  1630. 

SKIT.     An  aspersive  inuendo  or  for  fun. 

SKIVER.  '  A  dirk  to  stab  with. 

SKOODRA.     ^  Shetland  name  for  the  ling. 

SKOOL.  The  cry  along  the  coast  when  the  herrings  appear  first  for  the 
season :  a  corruption  of  school. 

SKOORIE.     A  northern  term  for  a  full-grown  coal-fish. 

SKOTTEFER  [Anglo-Sax.  scot,  an  arrow  or  dart].     Formerly,  an  archer. 

SKOUTHER.     A  northern  name  for  the  stinging  jelly-fish. 

SKOUTS.  Guillemots  or  auks,  so  called  in  our  northern  islands  from  their 
wary  habits. 

SKOW.     A  flat-bottomed  boat  of  the  northern  German  rivers. 

SKRAE-FISH.     Fish  dried  in  the  sun  without  being  salted. 

SKUA     A  kind  of  sea-gull. 

SKUNK-HEAD.     An  American  coast-name  for  the  pied  duck. 

SKURRIE.  The  shag,  Phalacrocorax  graculus.  Applied  to  frightened 
seals,  &c, 

SKY-GAZER.  The  ugly  hare-lipped  Uranoscopus,  whose  eyes  are  on  the 
crown  of  its  head;  the  Italians  call  him  pesce-prete,  or  priest-fish.  Also, 
a  sail  of  very  light  duck,  over  which  un-nameable  sails  have  been  set, 
which  defy  classification. 

SKY-LARKING.  In  olden  times  meant  mounting  to  the  mast-heads,  and 
sliding  down  the  royal-stays  or  back-stays  for  amusement;  but  of  late 
the  term  has  denoted  frolicsome  mischief,  which  is  not  confined  to  boys, 
unless  three  score  and  ten  includes  them. — Skying  is  an  old  word  for 
shying  or  throwing. 

SKYLIGHT.  A  framework  in  the  deck  to  admit  light  vertically  into  the 
cabin  and  gun-room. 

SKYSAIL.     A  small  light  sail  above  the  royal 

SKYS AIL-MAST.  The  pole  or  upper  portion  of  a  royal  mast,  when  long 
enough  to  serve  for  setting  a  skysail;  otherwise  a  skysaal-mast  is  a  sepa- 
rate spar,  as  sliding  gunter  (which  see). 

SKY-SCRAPER.  A  triangular  sail  set  above  the  skysail;  if  square  it 
would  be  a  moonsail,  and  if  set  above  that,  a  star-gazer,  dec. 

SLAB.     The  outer  cut  of  a  tree  when  sawn  up  into  planks.     (Alburnum.) 

SLAB-LINES.  Small  ropes  passing  up  abaft  a  ship's  mainsail  or  foresail, 
led  through  blocks  attached  to  the  trestle-trees,  and  thence  transmitted, 
each  in  two  branches,  to  the  foot  of  the  sail,  where  they  are  fastened. 
They  are  used  to  truss  up  the  slack  sail,  after  it  has  been  "disarmed"  by 
the  leech  and  bunt-linea 

SLACK.  The  part  of  a  jx>pe  or  sail  that  hangs  loose. — To  slacky  is  to  de- 
crease in  tension  or  velocity;  as,  "Slack  the  laniard  of  our  main-stay;*' 
or  "The  tide  slackens." 

SLACK  HELM.  If  the  ship  is  too  much  by  the  stern,  she  will  carry  her 
helm  too  much  a-lee. 


SLACK  IN  STATS SUDE-TALVB  (jgi 

SLACK  IN  STAYS.     Slow  in  going  about.     Also  applied  to  a  Uzy  man. 

SLACK  OFF,  OK  Slackeh  !  The  order  to  ease  away  the  rope  or  tackle 
by  which  anything  is  held  fast;  as,  "Slack  up  the  hawser." 

SLACK  WATER,  The  interval  between  the  flux  and  reflux  of  the  tide, 
as  between  the  last  of  the  ebb  and  first  of  the  flood,  or  vice  versa,  during 
which  the  water  remains  apparently  quiescent. 

SLADE  [the  Angjo-Saxon  dad^     A  valley  or  open  tract  of  country. 

SLAKE.     An  accumulation  of  mud  or  ooze  in  the  bed  of  a  river. 

SLANT  OF  WIND.     An  air  of  which  advantage  may  be  taken. 

SLANT  TACBC.  That  which  is  most  &vourable  to  the  course  when  work- 
ing to  windward. 

SLAYER.     A  vessel  employed  in  the  odious  slave-trade. 

SLED.  The  rough  kind  of  sleigh  in  North  America,  used  for  carrying 
produce,  too  heavy  for  amusement 

SLEK  A  sort  of  cradle  placed  under  a  ship's  bottom  in  Holland,  for 
drawing  her  up  for  repairs. 

SLEECH.  A  word  on  our  southern  coasts  for  mud  or  sea-sand  used  in 
agriculture. 

SLEEP.    A  sail  sleeps  when,  steadily  filled  with  wind,  it  bellies  to  the  breeze. 

SLEEPERS.  Timbers  lying  fore  and  ail  in  the  bottom  of  the  ship,  now 
generally  applied  to  the  knees  which  connect  the  transoms  to  the  after 
timbers  OD  the  ship's  quarter.  They  are  particularly  used  in  Greenland 
ships,  to  strengtheu  the  bows  and  stem-frame,  to  enable  them  to  resist  the 
shocks  of  the  ice.  Also,  any  wooden  beams  used  as  supports.  Also, 
ground  tier  casks. 

SLEEVR  The  word  formerly  used  to  denote  the  narrows  of  a  channel, 
and  particularly  applied  to  the  Strait  of  Dover,  still  called  La  Manche 
by  the  French.  When  Napoleon  was  threatening  to  invade  England,  he 
was  represented  trying  to  get  into  a  coat,  but  one  of  the  sleeves  utterly 
baffled  him,  whence  the  point:  "II  ne  peul  pat  paeeer  La  Afanche." 

SLEBVE-FISK.  A  name  for  the  calamary,  Loligo  vidgaris,  an  animal 
allied  to  the  cuttle-fish. 

SLICK  A  bar  of  iron  with  a  flat,  sharp,  spear-shaped  end,  used  in  strip- 
ping oflT  sheathing,  ceiling,  and  the  like.  The  whaler'e  tliee  is  a  slender 
chisel  about  four  inches  wide,  used  to  cut  into,  and  flinch  the  fish. 

SLICES-  Tapering  wedges  of  plank  used  to  drive  under  the  false  keel, 
and  between  the  bilge- ways,  preparatory  to  launching  a  vesseL 

SLICK.  Smooth.  Thia  is  usually  called  an  Americanism,  but  b  a  veiy  old 
sea-term.     In  the  Book/or  Boys  and  Girls,  1686,  it  is  aptly  illustrated: 


SLIDE-VALVE  CASING.     A  casing  on  one  side  of  the  cylinder  of  an 
en^ne,  which  covers  the  nozzles  or  steam-ports,  and  confines  the  alide- 

SLIDE-VALVE  ROD.     A  rod  connecting  the  slide-valves  of  an  engine, 


632  SLIDE-VALVES SLIP 

to  both  of  which  it  is  joined;  it  passes  through  the  casing  cover,  the 
opening  of  which  is  kept  steam-tight. 

SLIDE-VALVES.  The  adaptations  used  in  a  marine-engine  to  change 
the  admission  of  the  steam  into,  and  its  eduction  from,  the  cylinder,  by 
the  upper  and  lower  steam-ports  alternately. 

SLIDING  BAULKS,  or  SLiDiNG-PLiLNKS.  Those  timbers  fitted  under 
the  bottom  of  a  ship,  to  descend  with  her  upon  the  bilge-ways  when 
launched. 

SLIDING  BILGE-BLOCKS.  Those  logs  made  to  slide  under  the  bUge 
of  a  ship  in  order  to  support  her. 

SLIDING  GUNTERS.  Masts  fitted  for  getting  up  and  down  with  faci- 
lity abaft  the  mast;  generally  used  for  kiteSj  as  royals,  skysails^  and 
the  like. 

SLIDING-KEEL.  A  contrivance  to  prevent  vessels  from  being  driven  to 
leeward  by  a  side-wind;  it  is  composed  of  planks  of  various  breadths, 
erected  vertically,  so  as  to  slide  up  and  down,  through  the  keel. 

SLING,  To.  To  pass  the  top-chains  round  the  yards  when  going  into 
action.  Also,  to  set  any  large  article,  in  ropes,  so  as  to  put  a  tackle  on, 
and  hoist  or  lower  it.  When  the  clues  are  attached  to  a  cot  or  hammock, 
it  is  said  to  be  slung;  also  water-kegs,  buoys,  <S:c.,  are  slung. 

SLING-DOGS.  In  timber  lifting,  a  dog  is  an  iron  implement  with  a  fang 
at  one  end,  and  an  eye  at  the  other,  in  which  a  rope  may  be  made  fast 
for  hauling  anything  along.  Two  of  these  fastened  together  by  a  shackle 
through  the  eyes  are  called  sling-dogs.  {See  Span-dogs.)  Also,  an  ancient 
piece  of  ordnance.     (See  Slyng.) 

SLING-HOOP.  That  which  suspends  the  yard  from  the  mast,  by  which 
it  is  hoisted  and  lowered. 

SLINGS.  A  rope  fitted  to  encircle  any  large  article,  and  suspend  it  while 
hoLstiug  and  lowering.  Also,  leather  straps  made  fast  to  both  ends  of  a 
musket,  serving  for  the  men  to  hang  them  by  on  their  shoulders,  that 
both  hands  may  be  free. — Boat-slings,  Strong  ropes,  furnished  with 
hooks  and  iron  thimbles,  whereby  to  hook  the  tackles  to  keel,  stem,  and 
stem  bolts,  in  order  to  hoist  the  boats  in  or  out  of  the  ship. — Btwy-slings 
are  special  fittings  adopted  in  order  that  a  buoy  may  securely  ride  on  the 
wave,  and  mark  the  position  of  the  anchor,  the  buoy-rope  being  attached 
to  an  eye  in  the  slings. — Butt-slings  are  those  used  in  slinging  casks;  they 
may  be  described  as  a  running  eye  over  one  end,  and  a  similar  one  made 
with  two  half  hitches  over  the  standing  part  on  the  other;  all  of  which 
jam  close  home  when  the  strain  is  brought  on  the  bight. — Yard-slings, 
The  rope  or  chain  used  to  supjjort  a  yard  which  does  not  travel  up  and 
down  a  mast.  The  slings  of  a  yard  also  imply  that  part  on  which  the 
slings  are  placed. — Slings  is  also  a  term  on  the  American  coast  for 
drams,  or  a  drink  of  spirits  and  water;  the  custom  of  slinging  prevails 
there  extensively,  even  where  intoxication  is  despised. 

SLIP.  An  inclined  plane  by  the  water  side,  on  which  a  ship  may  be  built. 
There  are  also  slips  up  which  vessels  may  be  drawn  for  receiving  repairs. 


SLIPBEND SLOW  HER  633 

Also,  a  short  memorandum  of  the  proposed  insurance  of  a  ship,  which  is 
sometimes  offered  to  the  underwriters  for  subscription,  previous  to  the 
effecting  of  a  policy.  Also,  in  steam  navigation,  the  difference  between 
the  pitch  of  the  propelling  screw,  and  the  space  through  which  the  screw 
actually  progresses  in  the  water,  during  one  revolution. — To  dipf  is  to  let 
go  the  cable  with  a  buoy  on  the  end,  and  quit  the  position,  from  any 
sudden  requirement,  instead  of  weighing  the  anchor. — To  slip  by  the 
hoard.     To  slip  down  by  the  ship's  side.  \ 

SLIP-BEND.  When  a  man  makes  a  false  step,  and  slips  down  a  hatch- 
way, or  overboard. 

SLIP-KNOT,  OR  Slippery-hitch.  One  which  will  not  bear  any  strain, 
but  will  either  become  untied,  or  will  traverse  along  the  other  part  of 
the  rope. 

SLIP-ROPE.  A  rope  passed  through  anything  in  such  a  manner  that  it 
will  render  or  may  be  slipped  instantaneously,  as  in  canting  to  make  sail,  &c, 

SLIP-SHACKLE.  A  shackle  with  a  lever-bolt,  for  letting  go  suddenly; 
yet^  when  ringed,  is  sufficient  to  secure  the  ship. 

SLIVE,  OR  Sliver.  An  old  term  for  a  sluice.  Also,  any  thin  piece  of 
split  wood  used  as  a  filling.  Also,  a  short  slop  wrapper,  formerly  called 
a  slimng, 

SLOOP.  In  general  parlance  is  a  vessel  similar  to  a  cutter;  the  bowsprit, 
however,  is  not  running,  and  the  jib  is  set  on  a  standing  stay  with  hanks. 
In  North  America  the  sloop  proper  sets  only  a  mainsail  and  foresail,  the 
latter  jib-shaped,  on  a  short  standing  bowsprit,  and  has  no  topmast.  The 
rig  is  greatly  used  for  yachts  there,  and  is  most  effective  in  moderate 
weather.  Sloop  in  the  royal  navy  is  a  term  depending  on  the  rank  of 
the  officer  in  command  Thus,*  the  donkey  frigate  Blossom  was  one 
cruise  rated  a  shipf  when  commanded  by  a  captain — the  next^  a  sloop, 
because  only  commanded  by  a  commander. 

SLOP-BOOK  A  register  of  the  slop  clothing,  soap,  and  tobacco,  issued  to 
the  men;  also  of  the  religious  books  supplied. 

SLOPE  OF  WIND.  A  breeze  favouring  a  long  tack  near  to  the  required 
course,  and  which  may  be  expected  to  veer  to  fair. 

SLOP-ROOM.  The  place  appointed  to  keep  the  slops  in,  for  the  ship's 
company;  generally  well  aft  and  dry. 

SLOPS.  A  name  given  to  ready-made  clothes,  and  other  furnishings,  for 
seamen,  by  Maydman,  in  1691.  In  Chaucer's  time,  sloppe  meant  a  sort 
of  breeches.  In  a  MS.  account  of  the  wardrobe  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  is 
an  order  to  John  Fortescue  for  the  delivery  of  some  Naples  fustian  for 
"Sloppe  for  Jack  Greene,  our  Foole." 

SLOP-SHOP.  A  place  where  ready-made  clothing  for  seamen  is  sold,  not 
at  all  advantageously  to  Jack. 

SLOT.  An  archaic  term  for  a  castle  or  foi^t  Also,  a  groove  or  hole 
where  a  pin  traverses. 

SLOT-HOOP.     The  same  as  truss-hoops. 

SLOW  HER!     In  steam  navigation,  the  same  as  "Ease  her  I" 


63 1  SLOW  MATCH SMART 

SLOW  MATCH.     See  Match. 

SLOW  TIME.     In  marching,  means  75  paces  to  a  minute. 

SLUDGK  A  wet  deposit  formed  bj  streams.  Also^  a  stratum  of  young 
ice  in  rough  seas.  Also,  in  polar  parlance,  comminuted  fragments  of 
brash  ice. 

SLUDGE-HOLES.  Adaptations  at  the  ends  of  the  water-passages  between 
the  flues  of  a  steamer's  boilers,  bj  which  the  deposits  can  be  raked  out. 

SLUE,  To.  To  turn  anytliing  round  or  over  in  aitu:  especially  expressing 
the  movement  of  a  gun,  cask,  or  ship ;  or  when  a  mast,  boom^  or  spar 
is  turned  about  in  its  cap  or  boom  iron. 

SLUED.     When  a  man  staggers  under  drink;  unable  to  walk  steadily. 

SLUE-KOPK  A  rope  peculiarly  applied  for  turning  a  spar  or  other  object 
in  a  required  direction. 

SLUR-BOW.  A  species  of  cross-bow  formerly  used  for  discharging  fire 
arrows. 

SLUSH.  The  fat  of  the  boiled  meat  in  the  coppers,  formerly  the  per- 
quisite of  the  ship's  cook.  Aiso  applied  to  anything  like  plashy  ground, 
but  most  commonly  to  snow  in  a  thaw.     Any  wet  dirt 

SLUSH-BUCKET.  A  bucket  kept  in  the  tops,  to  grease  the  masts, 
sheets,  <Sca,  to  make  all  run  smoothly. 

SLUSH-ICE.     The  first  layer  which  forms  when  the  surface  is  freezing. 

SLY-GOOSE.     A  northern  term  for  the  sheldrake,  Tadoma  vulpanaer. 

SLYNG.     An  ancient  piece  of  sea-ordnance :  there  were  also  di^lyngs. 

SMACK.  A  vessel,  sometimes  like  a  cutter,  used  for  mercantile  purposes, 
or  for  carrying  passengers ;  the  largest  of  which,  the  Leith  smacks^  at- 
tained the  size  of  200  tons. 

SMACK-SMOOTH.  Level  with  the  surface;  said  of  a  mast  which  has 
gone  by  the  board. 

SMALL.  The  narrow  part  of  the  tail  of  a  whale^  in  front  of  the  flukes. 
Also,  that  part  of  the  anchor-shank  which  is  immediately  under  the 
stock. 

SMALL-ARM  MEN.  Those  of  the  crew  selected  and  trained  to  the  use 
of  small-arms.  When  they  have  eflected  their  boarding,  they  seldom 
retain  more  than  their  pistol  and  cutlass. 

SMALL- ARMS.  The  muskets^  pistols,  cutlasses,  tomahawks,  and  boarding- 
pikes,  in  charge  of  the  gunner,  on  board  ship. 

SMALL-HELM.  One  of  the  principal  results  of  sound  seamanship  is  the 
proper  trim  of  the  vessel  and  the  sail  carried;  by  which  means  the  action 
of  the  rudder  is  I'eduoed  to  a  minimum,  not  requiring  the  tiller  to  be 
moved  either  hard  up  or  hard  down.  AJso  used  to  denote  that  a  turbu- 
lent jaw-me-down  bully  has  been  brought  to  his  senses  by  a  more  vigorous 
mind. 

SMALL  SAILS.     Topgallant-studding-sails  and  the  kUea, 

SMALL  STUFF.  The  term  for  spun-yam,  marline,  and  the  smallest 
kinds  of  rope,  even  for  yarns. 

SMART.     Ready,  active,  and  intelligent. 


SMAET-MONEY SNAKING  635 

SMART-MON£Y.     A  pension  given  to  a  wounded  man,  according  to  the 

extent  of  the  injury  and  his  rank.     Thus  a  lieutenant  gets  £91,  5s.  for 

the  loss  of  a  leg,  and  a  captain  £300. 
SMAET-TICKET.     The  certificate  from  a  captain  and  surgeon,  by  which 

only  the  smart-money  is  obtainable 
SMASHERS.     Anything  large  or  powerful.     Also,  pieces  of  ordnance  of 

large  calibre,  in  form  between  the  gun  and  the  carronade.     Also,  a  very 

general  epithet  for  north-country  seamen. 
SMEILT  [Anglo-Saxon,  amylt].     The'  fry  of  salmon,  samlet,  or  Scdmo  eper- 

lanua. 
SMEW.     The  white-headed  goosander,  Mergus  aWellits. 
SMITER     An  archaism  for  a  scimitar.     In  the  legend  of  Captain  Jones, 

1659,  we  are  told: 

**  His  fatal  smiter  thrice  aloft  he  shakes, 
And  frowns;  the  sea,  and  ship,  and  canyas  qoakes/' 

SMITING-LINE.  A  line  by  which  a  yam- stoppered  sail  is  loosed,  without 
sending  men  aloft.     If  well  executed^  marks  the  seaman. 

SMOKE-BALLS.  A  pyrotechnical  preparation,  thrown  to  short  distances 
from  mortal^,  to  choke  men  out  of  mines,  to  conceal  movements,  &c. 
They  continue  to  smoke  densely  from  25  to  30  minutes. 

SMOKE-BOX.  A  part  which  crosses  the  whole  front  of  a  marine  boiler, 
over  the  furnace  doors ;  or  that  part  between  the  end  of  tubes  furthest 
from  the  fire-place  and  bottom  of  the  funnel. 

SMOKES.  Dense  exhalations,  mixed  with  the  finer  particles  of  sand,  on 
the  Calabar  shores  and  borders  of  the  Great  Zahara  desert^  which  prevail 
in  autumn.  Also,  the  indications  of  inhabitants  when  coasting  new 
lands.     For  its  meaning  in  Arctic  voyages,  see  Vapour. 

SMOKE-SAIL.  A  small  sail  hoisted  against  the  foremast  when  a  ship 
rides  head  to  wind,  to  give  the  smoke  of  the  galley  an  opportunity  of 
rising,  and  to  prevent  its  being  blown  aft  on  to  the  quarter-deck. 

SMOOTH.  A  Cornish  term  applied  when  the  surf  abates  its  fury  for  a 
short  space.     Also,  the  lee  of  a  ship  or  of  a  rock. 

SMUG-BOATS.     Contraband  traders  on  the  coast  of  China;  opium  boats. 

SMUGGLING.  Defrauding  the  public  revenue  by  importing  or  exporting 
goods  without  paying  the  customs  dues  chargeable  upon  them. 

SMURLIN.  A  bivalve  mollusc,  Mi/a  truncata,  used  as  food  in  the  Shet- 
land Islands. 

SNAGGLE,  To.     To  angle  for  geese  with  a  hook  and  line  properly  baited. 

SNAGS.  The  old  word  for  lopped  branches  and  sharp  protuberances,  but 
now  chiefly  applied  to  sunken  obstructions  in  the  American  rivers. 

SNAIL-CREEPING.  Gouging  out  the  surfaces  of  timbers  in  crooked 
channels,  to  promote  a  circulation  of  air. 

SNAKE-PIECES.     See  Pointers. 

SNAKING.  The  passing  of  small  stuff  across  a  seizing,  with  marline 
hitches  at  the  outer  turns ;  or  the  winding  small  ropes  spirally  round  a 


636  SNAPE SNOW 

large  one,  the  former  lying  in  the  intervals  between  the  strands  of  the 

latter.     {See  Wormino.)      The  stays  and  back-stays,  when  the  Shannon 

engaged  the  Chesapectke,  were  snaked  with  half-inch  rope  from  &.thom  to 

fathom,  to  prevent  their  falling  if  shot  away.     Also,  the  finishing  touch 

to  neat  seizings,  to  prevent  the  parts  from  separating  when  becoming 

slack  by  drying. 
SNAPE,  To.     In  ship-carpentry,  is  to  hance  or  bevel  the  end  of  anything, 

so  as  to  fay  upon  an  inclined  plane:  it  is  also  designated ^tncA. 
8NAP-HAIJNCE.     An  old  word  for  a  fire-lock  or  musket;  a  spring-lock 

for  fire-arms. 
SN APING-POLK     An  old  term  for  a  fiahing-rod. 
SNAPPER     A  well-known  fish  of  the  Mesoprion  tribe,  highly  valued  as 

food  in  the  West  Indies  and  tropics  generally. 
SNAPPING-TURTLE.     A  well-known  freshwater  tortoise  of  the  rivers 

in  the  United  States;  Clielydra  serpentina, 
SNARES.     The  cords  which  pass  across  the  diameter  of  one  hoop  at  the 

end  of  a  drum. 
SNARLEY-YOW.     A  discontented,  litigious  grumbler.     An  old  guard- 
ship  authority  who  knows  when  to  play  the  courtier. 
SNARL-KNOT.      A   northern   expression   for  a  knot  that   cannot   be 

drawn  loose. 
SNATCH.     Any  open  lead  for  a  rope :  if  not  furnished  with  a  sheave,  it  is 

termed  a  dumb  snatch,  as  on  the  bows  and  quarters  for  hawsers. 
SNATCH-BLOCK.     A  single  iron-bound  block,  with  an  opening  in  one 

side  above  the  sheave,  in  which  the  bight  of  a  rope  may  be  laid,  instead 

of  reeving  the  end  through,  which  in  some  circumstances  would  be  very 

inconvenient,  as  when  warps  are  led  to  the  capstan,  &c     The  same  as 

notch-block. 
SNEER.     To  ^make  all  sneer  again"  is  to  carry  canvas  to  such  an  extent 

as  to  strain  the  ropes  and  spars  to  the  utmost. 
SNEEZER.     A  stiff  gale  of  wind. 

SNIFTING-VALVE.     In  the  marine  engine  {see  Tail-valve). 
SNIGGLING.     A  peculiar  mode  of  catching  eels  in  small  streams  and 

ponds,  described  by  Izaak  Walton. 
SNIKKER-SNEE.     A  combat  with  knives;  also,  a  large  clasp-knife. 
SNOGO.     A  cock-pit  game  at  cards,  called  also  blind  hookey,  apparently 

affording  equal  chances,  but  easily  managed  to  his  own  advantage  by  a 

knavish  adept. 
SNOOD  [Anglo-Saxon,  snod\,   A  short  hair-line  or  wire  to  which  hooks  are 

fastened  below  the  lead  in  angling.     Or  the  link  of  hair  uniting  the  hook 

and  fishing-line. 
SNOOK.     A  fish  of  the  family  Scomberidce,  Thyrsites  atun,  abundant  in 

Table  Bay,  whence  it  is  exported,  when  salted,  to  the  Mauritius. 
SNOTTER.     The  lower  support  of  the  sprit  (which  see), 
SNOW.     A  vessel  formerly  much  in  use.     It  differs  slightly  from  a  brig. 

It  has  two  masts  similar  to  the  main  and  fore  masts  of  a  ship,  and  close 


SNUBBING  HER SOLENT  SEA  637 

abail  the  main-mast  a  trysail-mast.  Snows  differ  only  from  brigs  in  that 
the  boom-mainsail  is  hooped  to  the  main-mast  in  the  brig,  and  traverses 
on  the  trysail-mast  in  the  snow. 

SNUBBING  HER.  Bringing  a  ship  up  suddenly  with  an  anchor,  and 
short  range  of  cable,  yet  without  jerking.  [Said  to  be  from  the  Icelandic 
snubba.^ 

SNUG.     Under  proper  sail  to  meet  a  gale. 

SNY,  A  gentle  bend  in  timber,  curving  upwards :  when  it  curves  down- 
wards, it  is  said  to  hang. 

SO !  An  order  to  desist  temporarily  from  hauling  upon  a  rope,  when  it  has 
come  to  its  right  position. 

SOAK  AND  SEND !     The  order  to  pass  wet  swabs  along. 

SO  AM.     The  dried  air-bladder  of  herrings. 

SOCKETS.  The  holes  in  which  swivel-pintles,  or  the  capstan  or  windlass 
spindles  move. 

SOD-BANK  A  peculiar  effect  of  refraction  sometimes  seen  in  calm 
weather,  showing  all  objects  on  the  water  multiplied  or  magnified.  A 
poor  name  for  a  fine  phenomenon. 

SOFT-LAES.  A  term  on  our  northern  coast  for  the  small  coves  and  bays 
formed  by  the  waves  on  the  more  friable  parts  of  cliffs. 

SOFT-PLANK.  Picking  a  soft  plank  in  the  deck,  is  choosing  an  easy 
berth.     (See  Plank  It.) 

SOFT  TOMMY,  or  Soft  Tack.  Loaves  of  bread  served  out  instead  of 
biscuit. 

SOLAN-GOOSE.  The  gannet,  Sula  basaana,  a  well-known  sea  fowl,  fre- 
quenting the  coasts  of  many  countries  in  the  northern  hemisphere  in  the 
summer  to  lay  its  eggs,  and  then  migrating. 

SOLANO.  An  oppressive  wind,  blowing  from  Africa  into  the  Mediter- 
ranean; synonymous  with  sirocco. 

SOLAR  DAY.  Is  the  interval  which  elapses  between  two  successive 
meridian  transits  of  the  sun^  and  is  the  unit  of  time  in  common  use. 

SOLAR  SPECTRUM.  The  coloured  image  of  the  sun  produced  by  refrac- 
tion through  a  prism. 

SOLAR  SPOTS.    See  Macula  ' 

SOLAR  SYSTEM.  The  sun,  planets,  and  comets,  which  are  assumed  to 
form  a  system,  independent  of  the  surrounding  fixed  stars. 

SOLDIER.  One  that  has  enlisted  to  serve  his  government  in  peace  or 
war;  receiving  pay,  and  subject  to  the  Mutiny  Act  and  Articles  of  War. 

SOLDIER-CRAB.     A  name  for  the  Iiermit-crab  (which  see). 

SOLDIER'S  WIND.  One  which  serves  either  way;  allowing  a  passage  to 
be  made  without  much  nautical  ability. 

SOLE.  A  common  flat-fish,  Solea  vulgaris.  Also,  the  decks  of  the  cabin 
and  forecastle  in  some  ships,  respectively  called  the  cabin  and  /orecastle 
soles.     Also,  the  lining  of  the  bilgeways,  rudder,  and  the  like. 

SOLENT  SEA.  The  old  name  of  the  narrow  strait  between  Hampshire 
and  the  Isle  of  Wight. 


638  BOLE SOUNDINOLINE 

SOLE  OF  A  GUN-PORT.  The  lower  part  of  it,  more  properlj  called 
port-aUl. 

SOLE  OF  THE  RUDDER  A  piece  of  timber  attached  to  its  lower  part 
to  render  it  nearly  level  with  the  false  keeL 

SOLLERETS.     Pieces  of  steel  which  formed  part  of  the  armour  for  the  feet. 

SOLSTICES.     The  epochs  when  the  sun  passes  through  the  solstitial  points. 

SOLSTITIAL  COLURE.  A  great  circle  passing  through  the  poles  and 
solstitial  points. 

SOLSTITIAL  POINTS.  The  two  points  where  the  tropics  meet  the 
ecliptic,  in  longitude  90"*  and  270°. 

SOMA.     A  Japan  junk  of  burden. 

SONG.  The  call  of  soundings  by  the  leadsman  in  the  channels.  Songs  are 
also  used  to  aid  the  men  in  keeping  time  when  pulling  on  a  rope,  where  a 
fife  is  not  available.  They  are  very  common  in  merchant  ships.  The 
whalers  have  an  improvised  song  when  cutting  docks  in  the  ice  in  Arctic 
seas. 

SON  OF  A  GUN.  An  epithet  con vepng  contempt  in  a  slight  degree,  and 
originally  applied  to  boys  bom  afloat,  when  women  were  permitted  to 
accompany  their  husbands  to  sea;  one  admiral  declared  he  literally  was 
thus  cradled,  under  the  breast  of  a  gun-carriage. 

SOPS.  A  northern  term  for  small  detached  clouds,  hanging  about  the  sides 
of  a  mountain. 

SORT.     **  That's  your  sort^"  means  approval  of  a  deed. 

SORTIE     See  Sally. 

SOUGH.  A)i  old  northern  term  for  the  distant  surging  of  the  sea;  a  hollow 
murmur  or  howling,  or  the  moaning  of  the  wind  before  a  gale. 

SOUND  [Anglo-Saxon,  8und\,  An  arm  of  the  sea  over  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  which  soundings  may  be  obtained,  as  on  the  coasts  of  Norway  and 
America.  Also,  any  deep  bay  formed  and  connected  by  reefs  and  sand- 
banks. On  the  shores  of  Scotland  it  means  a  narrow  channel  or  strait. 
Also,  the  air-bladder  of  the  cod,  and  generally  the  swimming-bladder  or 
**  soundes  of  any  fysshes."     Also,  a  cuttle-fish. 

SOUND,  Velocity  of.  May  be  freely  assumed  at  nearly  1142  feet  in  a 
second  of  time,  when  not  affected  by  the  temperature  or  wind;  subject  to 
corrections  when  great  accuracy  is  required. 

SOUND  DUES.  A  toll  formerly  levied  by  the  Danes  on  all  merchant 
vessek  passing  the  sound  or  strait  between  the  North  Sea  and  the  Baltic. 

SOUNDING.  The  operation  of  ascertaining  the  depth  of  the  sea,  and  the 
quality  of  the  ground,  by  means  of  a  lead  and  line,  sunk  from  a  ship  to 
the  bottom,  where  some  of  the  ooze  or  sand  adheres  to  the  tallow  in  the 
hollow  base  of  the  lead.  Also,  the  vertical  diving  of  a  whale  when  struck. 
It  is  supposed  to  strike  the  bottom,  and  will  take  3  or  4  coils  of  whale- 
line,  equal  to  2000  feet 

SOUNDING-LEAD.    See  Lead. 

SOUNDING>-LINE.  This  line,  with  a  plummet^  is  mentioned  by  Lucilius; 
and  was  the  8und-gyrd  of  the  Anglo-Saxons. 


80UNDINQB0D SPALES  639 

SOUNDINO-KOD.  A  slight  rod  of  iron  marked  with  feet  and  inches, 
which  being  let  down  by  a  line  in  a  groove  of  the  side  of  the  pump^  indi- 
cates what  water  there  is  in  the  weU,  and  consequently  whether  the  ship 
requires  pumping  out  or  not. 

SOUNDINGS.  To  be  in  soundings  implies  being  so  near  the  land  that  a 
deep-sea  lead  will  reach  the  bottom,  which  is  seldom  practicable  in  the 
ocean.  As  soundings  may,  however,  bo  obtained  at  enormous  depths,  and 
at  great  distances  from  the  land,  the  term  is  limited  in  common  parlance 
to  parts  not  far  from  the  shore,  and  whore  the  depth  is  about  80  or  100 
&thoms.  Also,  a  name  given  to  the  specimen  of  the  ground  brought  up 
adhering  to  the  tallow  stuck  upon  the  base  of  the  deep-sea  lead,  and  dis- 
tinguishing the  nature  of  the  bottom,  as  sand,  sheUs,  ooze,  (kc. 

SOUNDLESS.  Places  assumed  formerly  to  be  bottomless,  but  thousands 
of  fathoms  are  now  measured.  Our  elders  little  thought  of  a  submarino 
telegraph  across  the  Atlantic  Ocean ! 

SOUE.CE.  The  spring  or  origin  of  a  stream  or  river,  or  at  least  one  of  the 
tributaries  of  supply. 

SOURS.     An  old  word  for  a  rise,  or  rapid  ascent 

SOUSK  A  method  of  pickling  fish  by  immersing  them  in  vinegar  afler 
being  boiled.     (See  Marl.) 

SOUSED  GURNET.  Best  expressed  by  Falstaff  *s— "  If  I  be  not  ashamed 
of  my  soldiers,  I  am  a  soused  gurnet" 

SOUTHERN  CROSS.  The  popular  name  of  a  group  of  stars  near  the 
South  Pole,  which  are  somewhat  in  the  figure  of  a  cross. 

SOUTHERN-UGHTa     See  Aubora  Australis. 

SOUTHING.  In  navigation,  implies  the  distance  made  good  towards  the 
south :  the  opposite  of  nortliing. 

SOUTHING  OP  THE  MOON.  The  time  at  which  the  moon  passes  the 
meridian  of  any  particular  place.  Popularly  the  term  is  used  to  denote 
the  meridian  transit  of  any  heavenly  body  south  of  the  observer. 

SOUTH  SEA.    See  Pacific  Ocean. 

SOUTH-WESTER.     A  useful  water-proof  hat  for  bad  weather. 

SOUTH-WIND.  A  mild  wind  in  the  British  seas  with  frequent  fogs;  it 
generally  brings  rain  or  damp  weather. 

SOW.  The  receptacle  into  which  the  molten  iron  is  poured  in  a  gun- 
foundry.  The  liquid  iron  poured  from  it  is  termed  pig,  whence}  the  term 
pig-ballast. 

SPADE.  In  open  speaking,  to  call  a  spade  a  spade  is  to  give  a  man  his 
real  character.     The  phrase  is  old  and  still  in  use. 

SPADO,  OR  Spadroon.     A  cut-and-thrust  sword  [from  the  Spanish]. 

SPAKE-NET.     A  peculiar  net  for  catching  crabs. 

SPALDING-KNIEE.     A  knife  used  for  spUtting  fish  in  Newfoundland. 

SPALDINGS.  A  north-country  name  for  whitings  and  other  small  fish, 
split  and  dried. 

SPALES.  In  naval  architecture,  internal  strengthening  by  cross  artificial 
beams.    {See  Cross  Spales.) 


6  iO  SPAN SPANNING 

SPAN.  A  rope  with  both  ends  made  fast,  so  that  a  purchase  may  be  hooked 
to  its  bight  Also,  a  small  line  or  cord,  the  middle  of  which  is  usually 
attached  to  a  stay,  whence  the  two  ends  branch  outwards  to  the  right 
and  left^  having  either  a  block  or  thimble  attached  to  their  extremities. 
It  is  used  to  confine  some  ropes  which  pass  through  the  corresponding 
blocks  or  thimbles  as  a  fair  leader. 

SPAN-BLOCKS.  Blocks  seized  into  each  bight  of  a  strap,  long  enough 
to  go  across  a  cap,  and  allow  the  blocks  to  hang  clear  on  each  side,  as 
main-lifts,  topmast  studding-sail,  halliards,  blocks,  &c. 

SPAN  IN  THE  RIGGING,  To.  To  draw  the  upper  parts  of  the  shrouds 
together  by  tackles,  in  order  to  seize  on  the  cat-harping  legs.  The  rigging 
is  also  '^ spanned  in"  when  it  has  been  found  to  stretch  considerably  on 
first  putting  to  sea,  but  cannot  be  set  up  until  it  moderates. 

SPANISH-BUBN.  A  specious  method  of  hiding  defects  in  timber,  by 
chopping  it  in  pieces. 

SPANISH-BXJRTON.  The  single  is  rove  with  three  single  blocks,  or  two 
single  blocks  and  a  hook  in  the  bight  of  one  of  the  running  parts.  The 
dovhle  Spanish-burton  is  furnished  with  one  double  and  two  single 
blocks. 

SPANISH  DISTURBANCE.  An  epithet  given  to  the  sudden  armament 
on  the  Nootka  Sound  afiaii*,  in  1797,  an  epoch  from  which  many  of  our 
seamen  dated  their  service  in  the  late  wars. 

SPANISH  MACKEREL.  An  old  Cornish  name  for  the  tunny,  or  a 
scomber,  larger  than  the  horse-mackerel 

SPANISH  REEF.  The  yards  lowered  on  the  cap.  Also,  a  knot  tied  in 
the  head  of  the  jib. 

SPANISH  WINDLASS.  A  wooden  roller,  or  heaver,  having  a  rope 
wound  about  it,  through  the  bight  of  which  an  iron  bolt  is  inserted  as  a 
lever  for  heaving  it  round.  This  is  a  handy  tool  for  turning  in  rigging, 
heaving  in  seizings,  <&c. 

SPANKER.  A  fore-and-afl  sail,  setting  with  a  boom  and  gaff,  frequently 
called  the  driver  (which  see).     It  is  the  aftermost  sail  of  a  ship  or  bark. 

SPANKER*  EEL.     A  northern  term  for  the  lamprey. 

SPANKING.  Going  along  with  a  fresh  breeze  when  the  spanker  teUs,  as 
the  aft  well-boomed  out-sail.  The  woi*d  is  also  used  to  denote  strength, 
spruceness,  and  size,  as  a  spanking  breeze,  a  spanking /rigate,  itc, 

SPANNER.  An  instrument  by  which  the  wheel-lock  guns  and  pistols  were 
wound  up;  also  used  to  screw  up  the  nuts  of  the  plummer  boxes.  Also, 
an  important  balance  in  forming  the  radius  of  parallel  motion  in  a  steam- 
engine,  since  it  reconciles  the  curved  sweep  which  the  side-levers  describe 
with  the  perpendicular  movement  of  the  piston-rod,  by  means  of  which 
they  are  driven. 

SPANNING  A  HARPOON.  Fixing  the  line  which  connects  the  harpoon 
and  its  staff.  The  harpoon  iron  is  a  socketed  tool,  tapering  3  feet  to  the 
barb-heads;  on  that  iron  socket  a  becket  is  worked;  the  staff  fits  in  loosely. 
The  harpoon  line  reeves  upwards  from  the  socket  through  this  becket, 


i 


SPAN  OF  RIGGING SPELL  641 

and  through  another  on  the  staff,  so  that  on  strikiog  the  whale  the  staff* 
leaps  out  of  the.  socket  and  does  not  interfere  with  the  iron,  which  other- 
wise miglA  be  wrenched  out. 

SPAN  OF  RIGGING.  The  length  of  shrouds  from  the  dead-eyes  on  one 
side,  over  the  masthead,  to  the  dead-eyes  on  the  other  side  of  the  ship. 

SPAN-SHACKLE.  A  large  bolt  running  through  the  forecastle  and 
spar-deck  beams,  and  forelocked  before  each  beam,  with  a  large  triangular 
shackle  at  the  head,  formerly  used  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  end  of 
the  davit.  Also,  a  bolt  similarly  driven  through  the  deck-beam,  for 
securing  the  booms,  boats,  anchors,  &c, 

SPAR.  The  general  term  for  any  mast,  yard,  boom,  gaff,  &c.  In  ship- 
building, the  name  is  applied  to  small  firs  used  in  making  staging. 

SPAR-DECK.  This  term  is  loosely  applied,  though  properly  it  signifies  a 
temporary  deck  laid  in  any  part  of  a  vessel,  and  the  beams  whereon  it 
rests  obtain  the  name  of  skid-beams  in  the  navy.  It  also  means  the 
quarter-deck,  gangways,  and  forecastle  of  a  deep-waisted  vessel;  and, 
rather  strangely,  is  applied  to  the  upper  entire  deck  of  a  double-banked 
vessel,  without  an  open  waist 

SPARE.  An  epithet  applied  to  any  part  of  a  ship's  equipage  that  lies  in 
reserve,  to  supply  the  place  of  such  as  may  be  lost  or  rendered  incapable 
of  service;  hence  we  say,  spare  tiller,  spare  topmasts,  &c 

SPARE  ANCHOR.     An  additional  anchor  the  size  of  a  bower. 

SPARE  SAILS.  An  obvious  term.  They  sliould  be  pointed  before  stow- 
ing them  away  in  the  sail-room. 

SPARLING.  A  name  on  the  Lancashire  coasts  for  the  smelt  (pBmerus 
eperlanus), 

SPARTHE.     An  Anglo-Saxon  term  for  a  halbert  or  battle-axe. 

SPAT.     The  spawn  or  ova  of  the  oyster. 

SPEAK  A  VESSEL,  To.     To  pass  within  hail  of  her  for  that  purpose. 

SPECIFIC  GRAVITY.  The  comparative  weights  of  equal  bulks  of 
different  bodies,  water  being  generally  represented  as  unity. 

SPECK-BLOCKS.     See  Flensing. 

SPECK-FALLS,  or  Pubchase.  Ropes  rove  through  two  large  purchase- 
blocks  at  the  mast-head  of  a  whaler,  and  made  hst  to  the  hlubher-guy, 
for  hoisting  the  blubber  from  a  whale. 

SPECKTIONEER  The  chief  harpooner  in  a  Greenland  ship.  He  also 
directs  the  cutting  operations  in  clearing  the  whale  of  its  blubber  and  bones. 

SPECTRUM.  The  variously  coloured  image  into  which  a  ray  of  light  is 
divided  on  being  passed  through  a  prism. 

SPEED-INDICATOR.     A  modification  of  Massey's  log. 

SPELL.  The  period  wherein  one  or  more  sailors  are  employed  in  parti- 
cular duties  demanding  continuous  exertion.  Such  are  the  spells  to  the 
hand-lead  in  sounding,  to  working  the  pumps,  to  look  out  on  the  mast- 
head, <&c.,  and  to  steer  the  ship,  which  last  is  generally  called  the  *' trick 
at  the  wheel"  Spelrian^  Anglo-Saxon,  "to  supply  another's  room." 
Thus,  SpeU  ho!  is  the  call  for  relief. 

2s 


642  SPENCER SPILE 

SPENCER.  The  fore-and-main  trysails;  fore-and-afb  sails  set  with  gaffs, 
introduced  instead  of  main-topmast  and  mizen  staysails. 

SPENT.  From  expend:  said  of  a  mast  broken  by  accident,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  one  shot  away. 

SPENT  SHOT.  A  shot  that  has  lost  its  penetrative  velocity,  yet  capable 
of  inflicting  grave  injury  as  long  as  it  travels. 

SPERM  WHALK  Otherwise  known  as  the  cachalot,  PhyseUr  macro- 
cepliolus.  A  large  cetacean,  belonging  to  the  division  of  delphinoid  or 
toothed  whales.  It  is  found  in  nearly  all  tropical  and  temperate  seas,  and 
is  much  hunted  for  the  valuable  sperm-oil  and  spermaceti  which  it  yields. 
When  full  grown,  it  may  attain  t^e  length  of  60  feet^  of  which  the  head 
occupies  nearly  one-third. 

SPERONARA.  A  Mediterranean  boat  of  stouter  build  than  the  scam- 
pa  via,  yet  rowed  with  speed :  in  use  in  the  south  of  Italy  and  Malta. 

SPHERA  NAUTICA.  An  old  navigation  instrument.  In  1576  Martin 
Frobisher  was  supplied  with  a  brass  one,  at  the  cost  of  £4,  6s.  8d. 

SPHERE.  The  figure  formed  by  the  rotation  of  a  circle.  A  term  singu- 
larly, but  very  often,  misapplied  in  parlance  for  orbit. 

SPHERICAL  CASE-SHOT.     See  jShrapnel  Shell. 

SPHERICAL  TRIANGLK  That  contained  under  three  arcs  of  great 
circles  of  a  sphere. 

SPHEROID.  The  figure  formed  by  the  rotation  of  an  ellipse,  differing 
little  from  a  circle. 

SPICA,  OR  a  YiBGiNis.     The  lucida  of  Virgo,  a  standard  nautical  star. 

SPIDER.     An  iron  outrigger  to  keep  a  block  clear  of  the  ship's  side. 

SPIDER-HOOP.  The  hoop  round  a  mast  to  secure  the  shackles  to  which 
the  futtock-shrouds  are  attached.  Also^  an  ii-on  encircling  hoop,  fitted 
with  belaying  pins  round  the  mast. 

SPIDER -LINES.  A  most  ingenious  substitution  of  a  spider's  long 
threads  for  wires  in  micrometer  scales,  intended  for  delicate  astronomical 
observations. 

SPIE:E-NAILS.    See  DECK-NAiLa 

SPIKE-PLANK.  {Speakrplmik  ?)  In  Polar  voyages,  a  platform  projecting 
across  the  vessel  before  the  mizen-mast,  to  enable  the  ice-master  to  cross 
over,  and  see  ahead,  and  so  pilot  her  clear  of  the  ice.  It  corresponds 
with  the  bridge  in  steamers. 

SPIKE-TACKLE  and  CANT-FALLS.  The  ropes  and  blocks  used  in 
whalers  to  sling  their  prey  to  the  side  of  the  ship. 

SPIKE-TUB.  A  vessel  in  which  the  fat  of  bears,  seals,  and  minor  quarry 
is  set  aside  till  a  ^making  off"  gives  an  opportunity  for  adding  it  to  the 
blubber  in  the  hold. 

SPIKING  A  GUN.  Driving  a  large  nail  or  iron  spike  into  the  vent, 
which  will  render  the  cannon  unserviceable  until  removed.     {See  Cloy.) 

SPILE.  A  stake  or  piece  of  wood  formed  like  the  frustum  of  a  cone.  A 
vent-peg  in  a  cask  of  liquor.  Small  wooden  pins  which  are  driven  into 
nail-holes  to  prevent  leaking. 


SPILINGS SPLICE  64,3 

SPIUNGS.  In  carpentry  and  sLip-building,  the  dimensions  taken  from  a 
straight  line,  a  mould's  edge,  or  rule-staf^  to  any  given  sny  or  curve  of  a 
plank's  edge. 

SPILL,  To.  Whether  for  safety  or  facility,  it  is  advisable  to  shiver  the 
wind  out  of  a  sail  before  furling  or  reefing  it.  This  is  done  either  by 
collecting  the  sail  together,  or  by  bracing  it  bye,  so  that  the  wind  may 
strike  its  leech  and  shiver  it.  A  very  effeminate  captain  was  accustomed 
to  order,  "  Sheevar  the  meezen  taus'le,  and  let  the  fore-topmast  staysail 
He  dormant  in  the  brails !" 

SPILLING  LINES.  Hopes  contrived  to  keep  the  sails  from  blowing 
away  when  they  are  clued  up,  being  rove  before  the  sails  like  the  bunt- 
lines  so  as  to  disarm  the  gale,  in  contradistinction  to  clue-lines,  i&c,  which 
cause  the  sails  to  belly  full. 

SPIN  A  TWIST  OR  A  YARN,  To.  To  tell  a  long  story;  much  prized 
in  a  dreary  watch,  if  not  tedious. 

SPINDLE.  The  vertical  iron  pin  upon  which  the  capstan  moves.  {See 
Capstan.)  Also,  a  piece  of  timber  forming  the  diameter  of  a  made  mast. 
Also,  the  long-pin  on  which  anything  revolves.  A  windlass  turns  on 
horizontal  spindles  at  each  extremity. 

SPINGAED.     A  kind  of  small  cannon. 

SPIRE-VAPOUR.  A  name  suggested  to  Captain  Parry  for  certain  little 
vertical  streams  of  vapour  rising  from  the  sea  or  open  water  in  the 
Arctic  regions,  resembling  the  JxMrher  in  North  America  (which  see). 

SPIRIT-ROOM.  A  place  or  compartment  abaft  the  after-hold,  to  contain 
the  ship's  company's  spirits. 

SPIRKITTING.  That  strake  of  planks  which  is  wrought,  anchor-stock 
fashion,  between  the  water-way  and  the  lower  sill  of  the  gun-ports 
withinside  of  a  ship  of  war. — SpirkUting  is  also  used  to  denote  the  strake 
of  ceiling  between  the  upper-deck  and  the  plank-sheer  of  a  merchantman; 
otherwise  known  as  quick^wark, 

SPIT.  A  bank,  or  small  sandy  projection,  with  shallow  water  on  it, 
generally  running  out  from  a  point  of  land.  Also,  meteorologically,  very 
slight  rain. 

SPITFIRE-JIB.     In  cutters,  a  small  storm-jib  of  very  heavy  canvas. 

SPITHEAD  NIGHTINGALES.  Boatswains  and  boatswains'  mates, 
when  winding  their  calls,  especially  when  piping  to  dinner. 

SPLA-BOARDS.  Planks  fixed  at  an  obtuse  angle,  to  reflect  light  into  a 
magazina 

SPLICE.  The  joining  of  two  ropes  together.  Familiarly,  two  persons 
joined  in  wedlock, — To  splice.  To  join  the  two  untwisted  ends  of  a  rope 
together.  There  are  several  methods  of  making  a  splice,  according  to  the 
services  for  which  it  is  intended;  as : — The  long  rolling  splice  is  chiefly 
used  in  lead-lines,  log-lines,  and  fishing-lines,  where  the  short  splice  would 
be  liable  to  separation,  as  being  fi^uently  loosened  by  the  water. — The 
long  splice  occupies  a  great  extent  of  rope,  but  by  the  three  joinings  being 
fixed  at  a  distance  from  each  other,  the  increase  of  bulk  is  divided;  hence 


6  4;  4  SPLICE SPOON-DRIFT 

it  resembles  a  continuous  lay,  and  is  adapted  to  run  through  the  sheave* 
hole  of  a  block,  &c.,  for  which  use  it  is  generally  intended. — The  short 
splice  is  used  upon  cables^  slings,  block-strops,  and,  in  general,  all  ropes 
which  are  not  intended  to  run  through  blocks. — Spliced  eye  forms  a  sort 
of  eye  or  circle  at  the  end  of  a  rope,  and  is  used  for  splicing  in  thimbles, 
bull's-eyes,  *&c.,  and  generally  on  the  end  of  lashing  block-strops.  {See 
Eye-splice.) 

SPLICE  THE  MAIN  BRACK  In  nautical  parlance,  to  serve  out  an 
extra  allowance  of  grog  in  bad  weather  or  after  severe  exertion. 

SPLICING  FID.  A  tapered  wooden  pin  for  opening  the  strands  when 
splicing  large  ropes;  it  is  sometimes  driven  by  a  lai^  wooden  mallet 
called  a  commander, 

SPLINTER-NETTING.  A  cross-barred  net  formed  of  half-inch  rope 
lashed  at  every  rectangular  crossing,  and  spread  from  ngging  to  rigging 
between  the  main  and  mizen  masts,  to  prevent  wreck  from  aloffc^  in  action, 
from  wounding  the  men  at  the  upper-deck  guns.  They  are  frequently 
used  at  the  open  hatchways  to  prevent  accidents. 

SPLITTER.  A  man  engaged  in  the  Newfoundland  fisheries  to  receive  the 
fish  from  the  header,  and,  with  a  shaip  knife,  dexterously  to  lay  it  open. 

SPLITTING  OUT.  To  remove  the  blocks  on  which  a  vessel  rests  in  a 
dock,  or  at  launching,  when  the  pressure  is  too  great  for  them  to  be 
driven,  but  by  splitting. 

SPLITTING  THE  BOOKa  The  making  of  a  new  complete-book  after 
payment)  in  which  the  dead,  run,  or  discharged  men  are  omitted;  but  the 
numbers  which  stood  against  the  men's  names  in  the  first  list  must  be 
continued. 

SPOKES.  The  handles  of  the  wheel,  not  the  radii. — To  piU  a  spoke  in  a 
mcm*s  wheel,  is  to  say  something  of  him  to  his  advantage,  or  otherwise. 

SPOKE-SHAVE.  That  useful  instiniment  similar  to  the  carpenter's  draw- 
ing-knife, for  smoothing  rounds  or  hollows. 

SPOLIATION  OP  A  Ship's  Papers.  An  act  which,  by  the  maritime  law 
of  every  court  in  Europe,  not  only  excludes  further  proof,  but  does,  per 
se,  infer  condemnation.  Our  own  code  has  so  far  relaxed  that  this  cir- 
ciunstance  shall  not  be  damnatory.  The  suppression  of  ships'  papers, 
however,  is  regarded  in  the  admiralty  courts  with  great  suspicion. 

SPONSON.  The  curve  of  the  timbers  and  planking  towards  the  outer 
part  of  the  wing,  before  and  abaft  each  of  the  paddle-boxes  of  a  steamer. 

SPONSON-RIM.     The  same  as  vnng-wale  (which  see). 

SPONTOON.     A  light  halbert. 

SPOOM,  To.     An  old  word  frequently  found  in  Dryden,  who  thus  uses  it, 

^'When  virtue  »p^m8  before  a  prosperous  gale, 
My  heaving  wishes  help  to  fill  the  saiL" 

SPOON-DRIFT.  A  showery  sprinkling  of  the  water  swept  from  the  tops 
of  the  waves  in  a  brisk  gale.  Driving  snow  is  also  sometimes  termed 
spoon-drift. 


SPOONING SPEIT  645 

SPOONING,  OR  Sfooming.     Driving  under  a  heavy  gale,  such  as  force* 

a  ship  to  run  before  it  without  any  canvas  set. 
SPOON-WAYS,      In  slave-ships,  stowing  the  poor  wretches  so  closely 

locked  together,  that  it  is  difficult  to  move  without  treading  upon  them. 
SPOTS  ON  THE  SUN.    See  Macula 
SPOUT.     A  term  applied  to  the  blowing  or  breathing  of  whales  and  other 

cetaceans.      The  expired  air,  highly  charged  with  moisture  from  the 

lungs,  has  frequently  been  mistaken  for  a  stream  of  water.     {See  also 

WaTERtSPOUT.) 

SPOUTER.     A  whaling  term  for  a  South  Sea  whale. 

SPRAT  WEATHER.  The  dark  days  of  November  and  December,  so 
called  from  that  being  the  most  favourable  season  for  catching  sprats. 

SPREAD  A  FLEET,  To.     To  keep  more  open  order. 

SPREAD  EAGLE.  A  person  seized  in  the  rigging;  generally  a  passenger 
thus  made  to  pay  his  entrance  forfeit. 

SPREE.     Uproarious  jollity,  sporty  and  merriment 

SPRING.  A  crack  running  obliquely  through  any  part  of  a  mast  or  yard, 
which  renders  it  unsafe  to  carry  the  usual  sail  thereon,  and  the  spar  is 
then  said  to  be  sprung.  Also,  a  hawser  laid  out  to  some  fixed  object  to 
slue  a  vessel  proceeding  to  sea.  {See  Warp.) — To  spring.  To  split  or 
break. — To  spring  a  butt.  To  start  the  end  of  a  plank  on  the  outside  of 
a  ship's  bottom.  {See  Butt.) — To  spring  a  leaky  is  when  a  vessel  is  sud- 
denly discovered  to  leak. — To  spring  the  luff,  easing  the  helm  down  to 
receive  a  breeze;  to  bring  a  vesseFs  head  closer  to  the  wind  in  sailing. 
Thus  a  vessel  coming  up  sharply  to  the  wind  under  full  way  shoots,  and 
may  run  much  to  windward  of  her  course,  until  met  by  a  contrary  helm. 
— To  spring  a  WMie,    To  fire  its  charge. 

SPRING-BEAM.  In  a  steamer,  a  fore-and-aft  beam  for  connecting  the 
two  paddle-beams,  and  supporting  the  outer  end  of  the  paddle-shaft. 

SPRING-FORELOCK.  One  jagged  or  split  at  the  pointy  thereby  forming 
springs  to  prevent  its  drawing. 

SPRING-SEARCHER.  A  steel-pronged  tool  to  search  for  defects  in  the 
bore  of  a  gun. 

SPRING-STAYS.  Are  rather  smaller  than  the  stays,  and  are  placed 
above  them,  being  intended  as  substitutes  should  the  main  one  be  shot 
away. 

SPRING-TIDE.  The  periodical  excess  of  the  elevatipn  and  depression  of 
the  tide,  which  occurs  when  both  the  sun  and  moon  act  in  the  same 
direction. 

SPRIT  [Anglo-Saxon,  spreotas],  A  small  boom  which  crosses  the  sail  of 
a  boat  diagonally  from  the  mast  to  the  upper  aftmost  comer :  the  lower 
end  of  the  spiit  I'ests  in  a  sort  of  becket  called  the  snotter,  which  encircles 
the  mast  at  that  place.  These  sails  are  accordingly  called  sprit-sails. 
Also,  in  a  sheer-hulk,  a  spur  or  spar  for  keeping  the  sheers  out  to  the 
required  distance,  so  that  their  head  should  plumb  with  the  centre  of  the 
ship  when  taking  out  or  putting  in  masts. 


6  J.6  aPRIT-SAIL SPUIRLING.LINE 

SPRIT-SAIL.  A  sail  formerly  attached  to  a  yard  which  hung  under  the 
bowsprit,  and  of  importance  in  naval  actions  of  old. 

SPRIT-SAIL  SHEET  KNOT.  May  be  crowned  and  walled,  or  double- 
walled,  and  is  often  used  as  a  stopper-knot 

SPRIT-SAIL  TOP-SAIL.  A  sail  extended  above  the  sprit-sail  by  a  yard, 
which  hung  under  the  jib-boom. — Top-g(xUant  sprit-aail  was  set  upon 
the  flying  jib-boom  in  the  same  manner  that  the  sprit-sail  was  set  upon 
the  inner  jib-boom.  The  sprit-sail  course,  top-sail,  and  topgallant-sail 
were  similar  in  effect  to  those  on  the  foremast,  and  in  former  times,  when 
the  bowsprit  stood  more  erect,  it  was  indeed  the  bowsprit  or  mast. 

SPRIT-SAIL  YARD.  A  yard  slung  across  the  bowsprit,  lashed  to  the 
knight-heads,  and  used  to  spread  the  guys  of  the  jib  and  flying  jib-boom. 
To  this  yard  the  sprit-sail  was  formerly  bent. 

SPRIT-SAIL  YARDING.  A  cruelty  in  which  some  fishermen  wreak 
vengeance  on  sharks,  dog-fish,  <bc.,  that  encroach  on  their  baits,  and  foul 
their  nets.  They  thrust  a  piece  of  wood  through  the  gills  of  the  uncon- 
scious offender,  and  in  that  condition  turn  it  adrift  upon  the  ocean. 

SPROKET-WHEEL.  That  at  the  upper  extremities  of  the  chain-pump- 
tubes,  worked  by  crank-handles. 

SPRUNG.  Damaged  in  various  ways.  Also,  the  ship  slued  round  by 
means  of  guys.  In  ship-building,  it  indicates  that  a  plank  is  strained  so 
as  to  crack  or  fly  open. 

SPUEING  THE  OAKUM.  When  the  ship's  labouring  forces  the  caulk- 
ing  out  of  her  seams. 

SPUN.  The  being  turned  back  or  rejected,  on  being  examined  touching 
qualifications. 

SPUNGE.  A  cylindrical  block  of  wood  covei'ed  with  sheepskin,  used  to 
clean  the  interior  of  a  gun  after  firing,  and  to  extinguish  any  sparks  that 
may  remain  behind.  The  rope-sponge,  fixed  on  a  strong  rope  instead  of 
a  stafl*,  has  a  rammer-head  on  its  opposite  end:  it  is  used  for  service  with 
lower-deck  guns  in  bad  weather  when  the  ports  cannot  be  opened  except 
at  moments  for  firing. 

SPUNK.  A  fungus  {Polyporua  foTnentariua  and  others)  growing  on  the 
trunks  of  trees,  ft*om  which  tinder  is  made. 

SPUN- YARN.  A  small  line,  formed  of  two,  three,  or  more  old  rope-yams 
not  laid,  but  twisted  together  by  hand  or  winch.  Spun-yam  is  used 
for  various  purposes,  as  seizing  and  serving  ropes,  weaving  mats,  &c. 

SPUR.  A  projecting  portion  of  a  cliff.  In  fortification,  spurs  are  walls 
that  cross  a  part  of  the  rampart  and  join  to  the  town-walL  Also,  in  a 
sheer-hulk,  the  same  as  sprit  (which  see). 

SPURKETS,  OR  Spirkets.  The  spaces  between  the  timbers  along  a 
ship's  side  betwixt  the  upper  and  lower  futtocks,  or  betwixt  the  rungs 
fore  and  afb. 

SPURLING-LINK  The  line  which  formed  the  communication  between 
the  wheel  and  the  tell-tale:  it  went  round  a  small  barrel,  abaft  the  barrel 
of  the  wheel,  and  made  the  pointer  show  the  position  of  the  tiller. 


SPUKN-WATER SQUARE  647 

Also,  a  line  with  thimbles  as  fair-leaders  for  running  rigging.  Now  out  of 
use. 

SPURN- WATER.  A  channel  left  above  the  ends  of  a  deck,  to  prevent 
water  from  coming  any  further.     The  water-wajB. 

SPURS,  OB  Spur-shores.  Large  pieces  of  timber  in  launching,  the  lower 
ends  of  which  are  fixed  to  the  bilge-ways,  and  the  upper  ends  fayed  and 
bolted  to  the  ship's  bottom  for  additional  security. 

SPURS  OF  THE  BEAMS.  Curved  pieces  of  timber,  serving  as  half- 
beams,  to  support  the  decks,  where  a  whole  one  cannot  be  placed,  on 
account  of  the  hatchways. 

SPURS  OF  THE  BITTS.     The  same  as  standards  (which  see). 

SQUAD.  A  diminutive  of  sqiLodron,  Also,  a  small  party  of  soldiers  as- 
sembled for  drill  or  inspection. 

SQUADRON.  A  division  of  a  fleet,  as  van,  centre,  and  rear  squadrons. 
A  flying  squadron  may  be  commanded  by  a  rear-admiral,  and  consist  of 
any  class  of  vessels.  Also,  a  body  of  cavalry  consisting  of  two  troops,  or 
from  80  to  150  men.  Squadron  is  the  ordinary  unit  in  reckoning  the 
cavalry  force  of  an  army. 

SQUALL.  A  sudden  gust  of  wind,  frequently  occasioned  by  the  interrup- 
tion and  reverberation  of  the  wind  from  high  mountains.  These  are  very 
frequent  in  the  Mediterranean,  particularly  in  the  Levant. — A  black  sqitall. 
One  attended  with  a  dark  cloud  and  generally  heavy  rain. — A  white  squall. 
This  furious  and  dangerous  gust  occurs  in  clear  weather,  without  any 
other  warning  than  the  whifce  foam  it  occasions  on  the  surface  of  the  sea, 
and  a  very  thin  haze.  When  this  squall  reaches  a  ship,  copious  rain 
attends  it.  It  is  very  destructive  to  the  flying-kite  school,  and  many  lives 
have  been  sacrificed  by  it. 

SQUARE.  An  instrument  formed  by  a  stock  and  a  tongue  fixed  at  right 
angles.  Also,  in  the  army,  a  formation  of  infantry  devised  to  resist 
cavalry.  (See  Hollow  Square  and  Rallying  Squark.)  Also,  a  term 
peculiarly  appropriated  to  the  yards  and  their  sails.  Thus,  when  the 
yards  hang  at  right  angles  with  the  mast  they  are  said  to  be  "  square 
by  the  lifts/'  when  perpendicular  to  the  ship's  length,  they  are  ^^  square 
by  the  braces;"  but  when  they  lie  in  a  direction  perpendicular  to  the 
plane  of  the  keel,  they  are  "  square  by  the  lifts  and  braces."  The  yards 
are  said  to  be  very  square  when  they  are  of  extraordinary  length,  and  the 
same  epithet  is  applied  to  their  sails  with  respect  to  their  breadth.  Also, 
a  figure  composed  of  four  equal  sides  and  four  right  angles,  is  the  square 
of  geometry. 

SQUARE-BUTTED.  The  yard-arms  of  small  shipping  so  made  that  a 
sheave-hole  can  be  cut  through  without  weakening  the  yard. 

SQUARE-FRAMES.  In  marine  architecture,  implies  those  frames  which 
are  square  with  the  line  of  the  keel,  having  no  bevelling  upon  them. 

SQUARE  IN  THE  HEAD.     Very  bluff  and  broad  in  the  fore-body. 

SQUARE-KNOT.     The  same  as  reqf-knot. 

SQUARE  MAINSAIL.    See  Mainsail. 


648  SQUARE STABBER 

SQUARE  OR  SQUARING  MARKS.  Marks  placed  upon  the  lifts  and 
braces. 

SQUARE  RIBBONS.  A  synonym  of  horizontal  lines,  or  horizontal 
ribbons, 

SQUARE-RIGGED.  Ships  having  chiefly  square  sails;  a  term  used  in 
contradistinction  to  all  vessek  which  do  not  use  them.  It  is  also  applied 
to  vessels  with  unusually  long  yards.  The  term  is  also  familiarly  used  to 
denote  a  person's  being  full-dressed. 

SQUARE-SAIL.  The  flying  sail,  set  on  the  fore-yard  of  a  schooner,  or  the 
spread-yard  of  a  cutter  or  sloop. 

SQUARE-SAIL  BOOM.  A  boom  hooked  on  to  an  eye-bolt  in  the  fore- 
part of  the  foremast  of  a  fore-and-aft  vessel,  to  boom  out  the  square- 
sail. 

SQUARE-SAILS.  Colloquially  applied  to  the  courses;  but  the  term  may 
be  used  for  any  four-cornered  sail  extended  to  a  yard  suspended  by  the 
middle. 

SQUARE-STERNED.  Implies  a  stem  where  the  wing-transom  is  at 
right  angles  with  the  stem-post.     (See  Pink  and  Round  Stern.) 

SQUARE-STERNED  AND  BRITISH  BUILT.  A  phraae  to  express  the 
peculiar  excellence  of  our  flrst-class  merchantmen. 

SQUARE  TIMBERS.  Those  timbers  which  stand  square  with,  or  per- 
pendicular to,  the  keel. 

SQUARE-TOPSAIL  SLOOP.     Sloops  which  carry  standing  yards. 

SQUARE  TUCK.  The  after-part  of  a  ship's  bottom,  when  terminated  in 
the  same  direction  up  and  down  as  the  wing-transom. 

SQUARE  YARDS !  The  order  to  attend  to  the  lifts  and  braces,  for  going 
before  the  wind. — To  square  a  yard.  In  working  ship,  m6ans  to  bring 
it  in  square  by  the  marks  on  the  braces.     Figuratively,  to  settle  accounts. 

SQUARING  THE  DEAD-EYES.  Bringing  them  to  a  line  parallel  to 
the  sheer  of  the  ship. 

SQUARING  THE  RATLINES.  Seeing  that  all  are  horizontal  and  ship- 
shape. 

SQUATTER.  The  flutter  of  searbirds  along  the  water.  Also,  one  who 
settles,  without  a  title.  The  hybrid  but  expressive  Americanism  ahsquatvr- 
late,  means  to  clear  off;  the  reverse  of  to  sqiuU, 

SQUAW.     A  woman  of  the  North  American  Indians. 

SQUEEGEE.  An  effective  swabbing  implement,  having  a  plate  of  gutta- 
percha fitted  at  the  end  of  a  broom  handle. 

SQUETEE.  The  Yankee  name  of  a  labrus,  very  common  in  the  waters  of 
Long  Island  Sound  and  adjacent  bays,  but  never  found  in  rivers. 

SQUID.  An  animal  allied  to  the  cuttle-fish,  belonging  to  the  class  Cepha- 
lopoda; the  calamary  or  Loligo  of  naturalists. 

SQUILGEE,  OR  Squillagee.  A  small  swab  made  of  untwisted  yams. 
Figuratively,  a  lazy  mean  fellow. 

SQUIRM.     A  wriggling  motion  like  that  of  an  eel.    Also,  a  twist  in  a  rope. 

STABBER     A  pegging  awl;  the  same  as  pricker. 


STABILITY STAND  (549 

STABILITY.  A  quality  implying  a  ship's  capacity  to  bear  every  motion 
of  the  sea. 

STACK.    A  precipitous  rock  rising  out  of  the  sea,  in  northern  hydrography. 

STACKEN  CLOUD.     The  same  as  cumtdua  (which  see). 

STADE.  The  Anglo-Saxon  stcede,  still  in  use.  A  station  for  ships.  From 
stade  is  derived  ataith  (which  see). 

STAFF.  A  light  pole  erected  in  different  parts  of  a  ship,  whereon  to  hoist 
and  display  the  colours;  as,  the  enaign-ataffl  reared  immediately  over  the 
stern;  the  jack-stqffy  fixed  on  the  bowsprit-cap.  In  military  affairs,  the 
staff  includes  all  officials  not  having  direct  and  specific  military  command, 
as  the  adjiitant-general,  quartermaster-general,  majors  of  brigade,  aides- 
de-camp,  &c  This  term  has  been  unaccountably  pilfered  by  the  admi- 
ralty lately  from  the  army,  as  a  prefix  to  a  naval  title. 

STAFF-CAPTAIN.  A  designation  conferred  in  1863  upon  masters  of  the 
fleet 

STAFF-COMMANDERS.  A  designation  conferred  in  1863  on  masters 
of  fifteen  years'  seniority. 

STAFF-OFFICER.  On  the  general  staff  of  the  army,  or  of  a  combined 
force.     See  Staff. 

STAG.  A  name  given  to  a  rock  that  should  be  watched  for,  as  off  the 
Lizard,  Castlehaven,  &c. 

STAGR  Planks  let  over  the  ship's  sides  by  ropes,  whereon  the  people  may 
stand  when  repairing,  &C.—A  floating  stage  is  one  which  does  not  need 
the  support  of  ropes. — Stage-gangway  (see  Brow). 

STAGER.     A  resident  or  practised  person.     See  Old-staoer. 

STAGGERING  UNDER  IT.  A  ship's  labouring  under  as  much  canvas 
as  she  can  bear. 

STAGNES.     A  statute  term  for  pools  of  standing  water. 

STAITH  [Anglo-Saxon  st<Bde\  An  embankment  on  the  river  bank  whence 
to  load  vessela  Also,  a  large  wooden  wharf,  with  a  timber  frame  of 
either  shoots  or  drops,  according  to  circumstances. 

STAKES.     A  weir  (which  see)  for  taking  fish,  as  black-stakes,  (fee. 

STAL-BOAT.     A  peculiar  fishing-boat,  mentioned  in  statute  27  Eliz.  c.  21. 

STALKERS.     Certain  fishing-nets  mentioned  in  old  statutes. 

STAMMAREEN.     The  after  or  helmsman's  seat  in  a  Shetland  fishing-boat. 

STAMP  AND  GO!  The  order  to  step  out  at  the  capstan,  or  with 
hawsers,  topsail-haUards,  dra,  generally  to  the  fife  or  fiddle. 

STANCH.     See  Staunch. 

STANCHIONS.  Any  fixed  upright  support  Also,  those  posts  of  wood 
or  iron  which,  being  placed  pillar-wise,  support  the  waist-trees  and  guns. 

STANCHIONS  of  the  Nettings.  Slender  bars  of  iron  or  wood,  the 
lower  ends  of  which  are  fixed  in  iron  sockets  at  proper  distances. 

STAND,  To.  The  movement  by  which  a  ship  advances  towards  a  certain 
object^  or  departs  from  it;  as,  "The  enemy  stands  in  shore;"  "We  saw 
three  sail  standing  to  the  southward."  "  That  ship  has  not  a  mast  stand- 
ing," implies  that  she  has  lost  all  her  masts. 


650  STANDARD STANDING  WARRANTS 

STANDARD.     Formerly,  in  ship-building,  was  an  inverted  knee,  placed 

upon  the  deck  instead  of  beneath  it,  and  having  its  vertical  branch  pointed 

upwards  fix)m  that  which  lay  horizontally. — RoycU  standard.     A  flag  in 

which  the  imperial  ensigns  of  England,  Scotla.nd,  and  Ireland  are  quar- 
tered.    It  is  never  hoisted  on  board  a  ship  unless  when  visited  by  the 

royal  family,  and  then  it  is  displayed  at  the  mast-head  allotted  to  the 

rank;  at  the  main  only  for  the  sovereign. 
STANDARD-DEALS.    Those  planks  of  the  pine  or  fir  above  7  inches  wide 

and  6  feet  long :  under  that  length  they  are  known  as  deal-ends. 
STANDARD-KNEES.    See  Deck  Standaed-kneks. 
STAND  BY  !     The  order  to  be  prepared;  to  look  out  to  fire  when  directed. 

— To  stand  hy  a  rope,  is  to  take  hold  of  it;  tlie  anchor,  prepare  to  let  go. 
STAND  CLEAR  OF  THE  CABLE  1    A  precautionary  order  when  about 

to  let  go  the  anchor,  that  nothing  may  obstruct  it  in  running  out  of  the 

hawse-holes.     Also,  a  warning  when  idlers  obstruct  quarter-deck  duty. 
STANDEL.     In  our  statutes,  is  a  young  store  oak-tree. 
STAND  FROM  UNDER !     A  notice  given  to  those  below  to  keep  out  of 

the  way  of  anything  being  lowered  down,  or  let  fall  from  above. 
STANDING  BACKSTAYS.     The  rigging  proper.     {See  Backstays.) 
STANDING  BEVELLING.     The  alteration  made  obtuse  or  outside  a 

square,  in  hewing  timber,  as  opposed  to  acute,  or  wnder-bevelling,  which 

is  within  a  square. 
STANDING  BOWSPRIT.     One  that  is  fixed  permanently  in  its  place, 

not  the  running-in  bowsprit  of  a  cutter. 
STANDING-JIB.     The  jib,  as  distinguished  from  the  other  jibs. 
STANDING-LIFTS.     Ropes  from  the  mast-heads  to  the  ends  of  the  upper 

yards,  to  keep  them  square  and  steady  when  the  sail  is  not  set. 
STANDING  ORDERS.     Special  regulations  remaining  constant  for  some 

particular  branch  of  service. 
STANDING  PART  OF  A  HOOK.     That  part  which  is  attached  to  a 

block,  chain,  or  anything  which  is  to  heave  the  hook  up,  with  a  weight 

hanging  to  it;  the  part  opposite  to  the  point 
STANDING  PART  OF  A  SHEET.     That  part  which  is  secured  to  a 

ring  at  the  ship's  bow,  quarter,  side,  &c, 
STANDING   PART   OF   A   TACKLE  or  Rope.     The  part  which  is 

made  fast  to  the  mast,  deck,  or  block,  in  contradistinction  to  that  which 

is  pulled  upon,  and  is  called  the  fall,  or  running  part. 
STANDING  PULL.     One  with  the  face  towards  the  tackle,  being  about 

2  feet  each  pull. 
STANDING  RIGGING.     That  part  which  is  made  fast,  and  not  hauled 

upon;  being  the  shrouds,  backstays,  and  stays  for  the  support  of  the  masts. 
STANDING  UP.     A  ship  in  good  trim,  and  well  attended  to,  is  said 

to  stand  well  up  to  her  canvas, 
STANDING  WARRANTS.     Those  officers  who  remain  with  a  ship  in 

ordinary,  or  on  the  stocks,  as  the  gunner,  carpenter,  boatswain,  and  cook, 

and  till  1814  the  purser. 


STANDING  WATEB STAET  (55I 

STANDING  WATER     Water  where  there  is  no  current  or  tide. 

STAND  IN  SHORE,  To.     To  sail  directly  for  the  land. 

STAND  OF  ARMLS.  A  complete  set  for  one  man;  now-a-days,  simply  a 
musket  and  bayonet.  Also,  an  arm-stand  holding  the  muskets  and  cut- 
lasses on  the  quarter-deck — ornamental,  and  ready  for  salute  or  service. 

STAND  RIGHT  UNDER !     Jocularly,  "  Get  out  of  the  way." 

STAND  SQUARE,  To.  To  stand  or  be  at  right  angles  relatively  to  some 
object. 

STANGrS.     Poles  put  across  a  river.     Also,  eel-spears. 

STANK.     An  old  statute  term  for  staunch  (which  see). 

STAPLE.  Merchants  of  the  staple  formerly  meant  those  who  exported 
the  staple  wares  of  the  country. 

STAPLE-KNEES,  ob  Staple-loi>oing  KNEEa  The  same  as  deck  standard- 
knees  (which  see). 

STAR,  Double.    See  Double  Stab. 

STAR,  Tempobaby.     See  Tempobaby  Stab. 

STAR,  Yabiable.    See  Yabiable  Stab. 

STARBOARD.  The  opposite  of  larboard  or  port;  the  distinguishing  term 
for  the  right  side  of  a  ship  when  looking  forward  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon 
st/orcMrd\. 

STARBOARD  THE  HELM!  So  place  the  helm  that  the  rudder  is 
brought  on  the  port  side  of  the  stem-post.     (See  Habd-a-Stabboabd.) 

STAR-BOLINS.  The  old  familiar  term  for  the  men  of  the  starboard 
watch,  as  larbolin  was  for  the  larboard  or  port  watch. 

STAR-FISHES.    See  Sea-stab. 

STARFORTS.  Those  traced  in  the  form  of  a  star,  with  alternate  salient 
and  re-entering  angles.  They  are  not  in  much  favour,  being  expensive 
in <  construction,  of  small  interior  space^  and  having  much  dead  space  in 
their  ditches. 

STARGLINT.     A  meteorite. 

STARPAGODA.  A  gold  coin  of  the  East  Indies.  In  Madras  its  value 
is  7s.  6d. 

STARS,  Fixed.  Those  innumerable  bodies  bespangling  the  heavens  from 
pole  to  pole,  distinguishable  from  the  planets  by  their  apparent  fixity; 
it  is,  however,  certain  that  many  of  them  move  through  space  at  a  rate 
vastly  greater  than  that  of  the  earth  in  her  orbit>  though,  from  their 
enormous  distance,  we  can  with  difficulty  perceive  it. 

START.  A  long  handle  or  tail;  whence,  by  analogy,  "  start  point."  But 
sometimes  applied  by  navigators  to  any  point  from  which  a  departure  is 
taken.  Also,  the  expected  place  of  a  struck  whale's  rising,  afler  having 
plunged  or  sounded. — To  start,  applied  to  liquids,  is  to  empty;  but  if  to 
any  weighty  as  the  anchor,  &c.,  implies  to  move. — To  start  bread.  To 
turn  it  out  of  bags  or  casks,  and  stow  it  in  bulk. — To  sta^t  a  butt-end. 
When  a  plank  has  loosened  or  sprung  at  the  butt-^nd,  by  the  ship's 
labouring,  or  other  cause. — To  start  a  tack  or  sheet.  To  slack  it  off,  as  in 
tacking  or  manoeuvring,  *'  raise  tacks  and  sheets." 


652  STARTING STAY 

STARTING.  An  irregular  and  arbitrary  mode  of  punishment  with  canes 
or  ropes'  ends,  long  since  illegal  in  the  British  navy. 

STARTING-BOLT,  or  Drift-bolt.  A  bolt  used  to  drive  out  another; 
it  is  usually  a  trifle  smaller. 

STASH  IT  THERE !     An  old  order  to  cease  or  be  quiet. 

STAT&ROOM.  A  sleeping  cabin,  or  small  berth,  detached  from  the  main 
cabin  of  merchantmen  or  saloon  of  passenger  vessela 

STATION.  The  allotted  places  of  the  duties  of  each  person  on  board.  In 
most  merchantmen  the  cry  of  *' Every  man  to  his  station,  and  the  cook 
to  the  fore-sheet,''  is  calling  the  hands  and  the  idlers. 

STATION ARI^.  Those  vessels  of  a  Roman  fleet  ordered  to  remain  at 
anchor. 

STATIONARY  POINTS.  Those  points  in  a  planet's  orbit  in  which,  as 
viewed  from  the  earth,  it  appears  to  halve  no  motion  amongst  the  stars. 

STATION-BILL.  A  list  containing  the  appointed  posts  of  the  crew  when 
performing  any  evolution  but  action. 

STATIONER.  One  who  has  had  experience,  or  who  has  been  some  time 
on  a  particular  station. 

STATIONING  A  SHIP'S  COMPANY.  Arranging  the  crew  for  the 
ready  execution  of  the  evolutionary  duties  of  a  ship. 

STATION-POINTER  A  circular  instrument  furnished  with  one  stan- 
dard radius,  and  two  movable.  By  laying  off  two  observed  angles  right 
and  left  from  a  central  object,  and  laying  the  instrument  over  the  objects 
on  a  chart,  the  position  of  the  observer  is  instantly  fixed. 

STATIONS  FOR  STAYS !     Repair  to  your  posts  to  tack  ship. 

STAUNCH.  ^  flood-gate  crossing  a  river  to  keep  up  a  head  of  water, 
and,  by  producing  a  rush  in  dry  weather,  floating  the  lighters  over  the 
adjacent  shallows. 

STAVE,  To.  To  break  a  hole  in  any  vessel  Also,  to  drive  in  the  head  of 
a  cask,  as  of  spirits,  to  prevent  the  crew  from  misusing  it  in  case  of 
wreck. — To  stave  off»     To  boom  off;  to  push  anything  off  with  a  pole. 

STAVES.  Wood  prepared  for  the  component  parts  of  a  cask.  In  1781, 
staves  were  ruled  not  to  be  a  naval  store,  unless  it  were  shown  that  the 
French  at  Brest  were  in  some  peculiar  want  of  casks.  Also,  the  wood 
of  lances,  formerly  an  object  of  great  care,  insomuch  that  Shakspeare 
makes  Richard  III.  say : — 

*'Look  that  my  itaves  be  sound,  and  not  too  heavy.'' 

STAY.  A  large  strong  rope  extending  from  the  upper  end  of  each  mast 
towards  the  stem  of  the  ship,  as  the  shrouds  are  extended  on  each  side. 
The  object  of  both  is  to  prevent  the  masts  from  springing,  when  the  ship 
is  pitching  deep.  Thus  stays  are  fore  and  afl;  those  which  are  led  down 
to  the  vessePs  side  are  ha^h^tays, — The  fore-stay  is  that  which  reaches 
from  the  foremast-head  towards  the  bowsprit  end. — The  main-stay  is  that 
which  extends  to  the  ship's  stem. — The  mizenrstay  is  that  which  is 
stretched  to  a  collar  on  the  main-mast,  immediately  above  the  quarter- 


STAY STEAM-PACKET  (553 

deck. — The  /ore-topmdst  stay  is  that  which  comes  to  the  end  of  the  bow- 
sprit, a  little  beyond  the  fore-stay,  on  which  the  fore-topmast  staysail  runs 
on  hanks. — The  mairirtopmctst  stay  is  attached  to  the  hounds  of  the  fore- 
mast^ or  comes  on  deck. — The  mizen-topmaat  stay  is  that  which  comes  to 
the  hounds  of  the  main-mast  The  top-gallant,  royal,  or  any  other  masts, 
have  each  a  stay,  named  after  their  respective  masta — Spring-stay  is  a 
kind  of  substitute  nearly  parallel  to  the  principal  stay,  and  intended  to 
help  the  principal  stay  to  support  its  mast. — Stay  of  a  steamer.  An  iron 
bar  between  the  two  knees  which  secure  the  paddle-beams.  {See  Funnel- 
stays.) — To  stay.  To  tack,  to  bring  the  ship's  head  up  to  the  wind  for 
going  about;  hence  to  miss  stays,  is  to  fisul  in  the  attempt  to  go  about — 
In  stays,  or  hove  in  stays,  is  the  situation  of  a  vessel  when  she  is  staying, 
or  in  the  act  of  going  about;  a  vessel  in  bad  trim,  or  lubberly  handled,  is 
sure  to  be  slack  in  stays,  and  refiises  stays,  when  she  has  to  wear. 

STAY  APEEK.     When  the  cable  and  fore-stay  form  a  line.    {See  Apeek.) 

STAY-BARS,  or  Stay-rods.  Strong  malleable  iron  bars  for  supporting 
the  framings  of  the  marine  steam-engine. 

STAYED  FORWARD.  This  term  is  appHed  to  masts  when  they  incUne 
forward  out  of  the  vertical  line;  the  opposite  of  rake  (which  see.) 

STAYSAIL.     A  triangular  sail  hoisted  upon  a  stay. 

STAYSAIL-NETTING.     See  Bowsprit-netting. 

STAYSAIL-STAY.     The  stay  on  which  a  staysail  is  set 

STAY-TACKLES,  Fore  and  Main.  Special  movable  purchases  for  hoisting 
in  and  out  boats,  anchors,  &c  They  plumb  the  fore  and  main  hatchways, 
working  in  conjunction  with  fore  and  main  yard  tackles. 

STEADY !  The  order  given  to  the  steersman,  in  a  fair  wind,  to  steer  the 
ship  on  her  course  without  deviating;  to  which  he  answers.  Steady  it  is, 
sir. 

STEADY-FAST.  A  hawser  carried  out  to  some  fixed  object  to  keep  a 
vessel  steady  in  a  tide-way,  or  in  preparation  for  making  sail  from  a  fast. 

STEADY  GALE.     A  fresh  breeze  pretty  uniform  in  force  and  direction. 

STEALING.  The  gaining  of  a  rat-line  or  two  in  height  while  waiting  on 
the  lower  part  of  the  rigging,  for  the  order  to  go  aloft.  Also,  a  vessel  Ls 
said  to  steal  ahead  when  she  moves  with  the  lightest  breath  of  air. 

STEAM-CHEST.  The  reservoir  for  steam  above  the  water  of  the  boiler; 
sometimes  termed  stea/m-chamher. 

STEAM-CRANE.     A  crane  worked  by  means  of  a  steam-engine. 

STEAM-CYLINDER.     See  Cylinder. 

STEAM-FRIGATE.  A  large  armed  steamer  commanded  by  a  captain  in 
the  na^'y. 

STEAM-HOIST.  A  machine  in  dockyards  for  driving  piles,  working 
pumps,  kc, 

STEAM  NAVIGATION.  The  management  of  vessels  propelled  by  steam- 
power. 

STEAM-PACKET.  A  steamer  employed  in  trading  regularly  between 
two  places  with  goods  and  passengers. 


g54  '  STEAM-PIPB STEM 

STEAM-PIPR    See  Waste-steam  Pipe. 

STEAM-PORTS.  Oblong  passages  leading  from  the  nozzle-faces  to  the 
inside  of  the  cylinder;  by  them  the  steam  enters  and  returns,  above  and 
below  the  piston. 

STEAM-RAM.  A  new  order  of  war-vessel,  fitted  for  running  prow  on 
against  an  enemy's  ship,  to  stave  her  in  by  crushing. 

STEAM  SLOOP-OF-WAR     One  commanded  by  a  commander. 

STEAM-TUG.  A  vessel  fitted  with  a  marine  steam-engine,  and  expressly 
employed  for  towing  ships. 

STEAM- WINCH.  A  machine  for  hoisting  out  cargo  or  working  a  ship*s 
pumps. 

STEAT^     Broad  low  vessels  used  by  the  ancient  pirates. 

STEELER,  OK  Stealer.  The  forembst  and  aftermost  plank  in  a  strake, 
which  drops  short  of  the  stem  or  stern-post 

STEEP-TO.  [Anglo-Saxon  st^ap,]  Said  of  a  bold  shore,  admitting  of  the 
largest  vessels  coming  very  close  to  the  cliffs  without  touching  the  bottom. 
{See  Bold  Shore.) 

STEEP-TUB.  A  large  tub  in  which  salt  provisions  are  soaked  previous  to 
being  cooked. 

STEERAGE.  The  act  of  steering.  {See  Nice  Steerage.)  Also,  that  part 
of  the  ship  next  below  the  quarter-deck,  immediately  before  the  bulkhead 
of  the  great  cabin  in  most  ships  of  war.  The  portion  of  the  'tween-decks 
just  before  the  gun-room  bulkhead.  In  some  ships  the  second-class  pas- 
sengers are  called  steerage  passengers.  The  admiral's  cabin  on  the  middle 
deck  of  three-deckers  has  been  called  the  steerage, 

STEERAGE-WAY.  When  a  vessel  has  sufficient  motion  in  the  water  to 
admit  of  the  helm  being  effective. 

STEER  HER  COURSE,  To.  Going  with  the  wind  fair  enough  to  lay 
her  course. 

STEERING  [Anglo-Saxon  steorari].  The  perfection  of  steering  consists 
in  a  vigilant  attention  to  the  motion  of  the  ship's  head,  so  as  to  check 
every  deviation  from  the  line  of  her  course  in  the  first  instant  of  its  com- 
mencement, and  in  applying  as  little  of  the  power  of  the  helm  as  possible, 
for  the  action  of  the  rudder  checks  a  ship's  speed. 

STEERING-SAIL.     An  incorrect  name  for  a  studding-sail. 

STEER  LARGE,  To.     To  go  free,  off  the  wind.     Also,  to  steer  loosely. 

STEER  SMALL,  To.     To  steer  well  and  within  small  compass,  not  drag- 

•    ging  the  tiller  over  from  side  to  side. 

STEERSMAN.  The  helmsman  or  timoneer;  the  latter  from  the  French 
timoTiy  helm. 

STEEVING.  Implies  the  bowsprit's  angle  from  the  horizon :  formerly  it 
stood  at  an  angle  of  70  to  80  degrees,  and  was  indeed  almost  a  bow  mast 
or  sprit.  Also,  the  stowing  of  cotton,  wool,  or  other  cargo,  in  a  merchant- 
man's  hold  with  a  jack^ew. 

STEM.  The  foremost  piece  uniting  the  bows  of  a  ship;  its  lower  end 
scarphs  into  the  keel,  and  the  bowsprit  rests  upon  its  upper  end.     The 


STBM-KNBB STBEN-BOARD  655 

outside  of  the  stem  is  usually  marked  with  a  scale  of  feet  and  inches, 
answering  to  a  perpendicular  from  the  keel,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  ship's 
draught  of  water  forward. — False  stem.  When  a  ship's  stem  is  too  flat, 
so  that  she  cannot  keep  a  wind  well,  a  false  stem,  or  gripe,  is  fayed  on 
before  the  right  one,  which  enables  her  to  hold  a  better  wind. — From 
stem  to  stem,  from  one  end  of  the  ship  to  the  other. — To  stem,  to  make 
way  against  any  obstacle.  ''She  does  not  stem  the  tide,"  that  is,  she 
cannot  make  head  against  it  for  want  of  wind. 

STEM-KNEE.  In  shiphbuilding,  the  compass-timber  which  connects  the 
keel  with  the  stem.     {See  Deadwood-knee.) 

STEMSON.  An  arching  piece  of  compass-timber,  worked  within  the  apron 
to  reinforce  the  scarph  thereof,  in  the  same  maimer  as  the  apron  supports 
that  of  the  stem.  The  upper  end  is  carried  as  high  as  the  upper  deck, 
the  lower  being  scarphed  on  to  the  kelson. 

STEP.  A  large  clamp  of  timber  flxed  on  the  kelson,  and  fitted  to  receive 
the  tenoned  heel  of  a  mast  The  steps  of  the  main  and  fore  masts  of 
every  ship  rest  upon  the  kelson;  that  of  the  mizen-mast  sometimes  rests 
upon  the  lower-deck  beams. — To  step  a  boat^s  mast  To  erect  and  secure  it 
in  its  step  in  readiness  for  setting  sail. 

STEP  OF  THE  CAPSTAN.  A  solid  block  of  wood  fixed  between  two 
of  the  ship's  beams  to  receive  the  iron  spindle  and  heel  of  the  capstan. 

STEP  OUT,  To.  To  move  along  simultaneously  and  cheerfully  with  a 
tackle-fall,  &c 

STEPPES.  The  specific  application  is  to  the  vast  level  plains  of  South-east 
and  Asiatic  Bussia,  resembling  the  Landes  of  France.     (See  Landes.) 

STEPPING.  The  sinking  a  rabbet  in  the  dead-wood,  wherein  the  heels  of 
the  timbers  rest.     {See  Beabdikg-line.) 

STEPS  OF  THE  SIDK  Pieces  of  quartering  nailed  to  the  sides  amid- 
ships, from  the  wale  upwards;  for  the  people  ascending  or  descending  the 
ship. 

STERE'S-MAN.     A  pilot  or  steerer,  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  st/ora, 

STER&TRE.     An  archaic  word  for  rudder. 

STEEN.  The  afler-part  of  a  ship,  ending  in  the  tafiarel  above  and  the 
counters  below. — J5y  the  stem.  The  condition  of  a  vessel  which  draws  more 
water  abaft  than  forward. 

STERNAGR     The  after-part  of  a  ship,  and  therefore  Shakspeare*s  term 

is  simple  enough  for  any  but  commentators.     Henry  Y.'s  fleet  is  sailing 

away: — 

**0,  do  but  think. 
You  stand  upon  the  rivage,  and  behold 
A  dty  on  the  inconstant  billows  dancing; 
For  so  appears  this  fleet  majestical, 
Holding  due  course  to  ECarfleur.    Follow,  follow! 
Grapple  your  minds  to  stemage  of  this  navy." 

STERN- AliL.     A  term  amongst  whalers,  meaning  to  puU  the  boat  stem 

foremost^  to  back  off  after  having  entered  an  iron  {harpoon). 
STERN-BOARD.     This  term  is  familiarly  known  to  seamen  as  tacking 


656  STERN-CHASBES STIFF 

by  misadveutuve  in  stays;  or  purposely,  as  a  seamanlike  measure,  to  effect 
the  object.  Thus  a  ship  in  a  narrow  channel  is  allowed  to  fly  up  head  to 
wind  until  her  stem  nearly  touches  a  weather  danger;  the  head-yards  are 
then  quickly  braced  abox,  and  the  helm  shifted.  Thus  she  makes  stem- 
way  until  all  the  sails  are  full,  when  she  is  again  skilfully  brought  to  the 
wind  before  touching  the  danger  under  her  lee.  Generally  speaking, 
however,  it  refers  to  bad  seamanship. 

STERN-CHASERS.     The  guns  which  fire  directly  aft. 

STERN-DAVITS.  Pieces  of  iron  or  timber  projecting  from  the  stem, 
with  sheaves  or  blocks  at  their  outer  ends,  for  hoisting  boats  up  to. 

STERN-FAST.     A  rope  used  to  confine  the  stem  of  a  vessel  to  a  wharf,  &c. 

STERN-FRAME.  That  strong  and  ornamental  union  based  on  the  stem- 
post,  transom,  and  fashion-pieces. 

STERN-KNEE.     Synonymous  with  stem-eon  (which  see). 

STERN-LADDER.  Made  of  ropes  with  wooden  steps,  for  getting  in  and 
out  of  the  boats  astern. 

STERNMOST.  Implies  anything  in  the  rear,  or  fieuiihest  astern,  as  opposed 
to  headmost. 

STERN-PORTS.     The  ports  made  between  the  stem-timbere. 

STERN-POST.  The  opposite  to  the  stem;  scarphed  into  the  keel,  and 
suspending  the  rudder.  In  steam-ships,  where  a  screw  is  fitted,  it  works 
between  this  and  an  after  stem-post  which  carries  the  rudder. 

STERN-SHEETS.  That  part  of  a  boat  between  the  stem  and  the  aft- 
most  thwart,  furnished  with  seats  for  passengers. 

STERN-SON.  A  knee-piece  of  oak-timber,  worked  on  the  after  dead- 
wood;  the  fore-end  is  scarphed  into  the  kelson,  and  the  after-side  fayed 
into  the  throats  of  the  transoms. 

STERN-WALK.     The  old  galleries  formerly  used  to  line-of-battle  shipa 

STERN-WAY.  The  movement  by  which  a  ship  goes  stem  foremost. 
The  opposite  of  head-way. 

STEVEDORE,  or  Stivadore.  A  stower;  one  employed  in  the  hold  in 
loading  and  unloading  merchant  vessels. 

STEWARD.  There  are  several  persons  under  this  appellation  in  most 
ships,  according  to  their  size,  appointed  to  the  charge  of  the  sea-stores  of 
the  various  grades.  The  paymaster's  steward  has  most  to  do,  having  to 
serve  the  crew,  and  therefore  has  assistants,  distinguished  by  the  sobriquet 
of  Jack-o*-the-dust,  <&c.  In  large  passenger  ships  which  do  not  carry  a 
purser,  part  of  his  duties  devolves  upon  the  captain's  steward.  In  smaller 
merchant  ships  the  special  duties  of  the  steward  are  not  heavy,  so  that  he 
assists  in  the  working  of  the  ship,  and  in  tacking;  his  station  is,  ex  officio, 
the  main-sheet. 

STICHLING.  A  grown  perch,  thus  described  by  old  Palsgrave:  "Stycke- 
lyng,  a  maner  of  iysshe. " 

STICKLEBACK.    A  very  small  fish,  armed  with  sharp  spines  on  its  back. 

STICKS.     A  familiar  phrase  for  masts. 

STIFF.     Stable  or  steady;  the  opposite  to  crank;  a  quality  by  which  a 


STIFF  BOTTOM STOCK  OF  AX  ANCHOR  657 

Bhip  stands  up  to  her  canyas,  and  carries  enough  sail  without  heeling  over 
too  much. 

STIFF  BOTTOM.     A  clayey  bottom. 

STIFF  BREEZE.  One  in  which  a  ship  may  carry  a  press  of  sail,  when  a 
little  more  would  endanger  the  spars. 

STIFFENING  ORDER  A  custom-house  warrant  for  making  a  provision 
in  the  shipping  of  goods,  before  the  whole  inward  cargo  is  discharged,  to 
prevent  the  vessel  getting  too  light 

STILL  WATER.  Another  name  for  slack-tide;  it  is  also  used  for  water 
under  the  lee  of  headlands,  or  where  there  is  neither  tide  nor  current. 

STING-RAY.  A  fish,  Trygon  pcutinaectf  which  wounds  with  a  serrate 
bone,  lying  in  a  sheath  on  the  upper  side  of  its  tail;  the  wound  is  painful, 
as  all  fish- wounds  are,  but  not  truly  poisonous,  and  the  smart  is  limited  by 
superstition  to  the  next  tide. 

STINK-BALLS.  A  pyrotechnical  preparation  of  pitch,  rosin,  nitre,  gun- 
powder, colophony,  assafoetida,  and  other  offensive  and  suffocating  ingre- 
dients, formerly  used  for  throwing  on  to  an  enemy's  decks  at  close 
quarters,  and  still  in  use  with  Eaatem  pirates,  in  earthen  jan,  or  stink-pot«. 

STIPULATION.  A  process  in  the  instance-court  of  the  admiralty,  which 
is  conventional  when  it  regards  a  vessel  or  cargo,  but  pnetoiian  and 
judicial  in  proceedings  against  a  person. 

STIREMANNUS.  The  term  in  D(mesday  Book  for  the  pilot  of  a  ship 
or  steersman. 

STIRRUP.  An  iron  or  copper  plate  that  turns  upwards  on  each  side  of  a 
ship's  keel  and  dead-wood  at  the  fore-foot,  or  at  her  skegg,  and  bolts 
through  all:  it  is  a  strengthener,  but  not  always  necessary. 

STIRRUPS.  Ropes  with  eyes  at  their  ends,  through  which  the  foot-ropes 
are  rove,  and  by  which  they  are  supported;  the  ends  are  nailed  to  the 
yards,  and  steady  the  men  when  reefing  or  furling  sails. 

STIVER.  A  very  small  Dutch  coin.  "Not  worth  a  stiver"  is  a  collo- 
quialism to  express  a  person's  poverty. 

STOACH-WAY.  The  streamlet  or  channel  which  runs  through  the  silt 
or  sand  at  low-water  in  tidal  ports;  a  term  principally  used  on  our 
southern  shores. 

STOAXED.  The  limber  holes  impeded  or  choked,  so  that  the  water  can- 
not come  to  the  pump-well. 

STOCADO.     A  neat  thrust  in  fencing. 

STOCCADE.  A  defensive  work,  constructed  of  stout  timber  or  trunks  of 
trees  securely  planted  together.     Originally  written  stockade, 

STOCKADE.     Now  spelled  stoccade. 

STOCK  AND  FLUKR     The  whole  of  anything. 

STOCK-FISH.  Ling  and  haddock  when  sun-dried,  without  salt,  were 
called  stock-fish,  and  used  in  the  navy,  but  are  now  discontinued,  from 
being  thought  to  promote  the  scurvy. 

STOCK  OF  AN  ANCHOR.  A  cross-beam  of  wood,  or  bar  of  iron,  secured 
to  the  upper  end  of  the  shank  at  right  angles  with  the  flukes;  by  its 

2  T 


658  STOCKS STOPPER 

means  the  anchor  is  canted  with  one  flake  down,  and  made  to  hook  the 
ground. — Stock  of  a  gun,  musket,  or  pistol,  is  the  wooden  part  to  which 
the  barrel  is  fitted,  for  the  convenience  of  handling  and  firing  it  Stock 
is  also  applied  to  stores  laid  in  for  a  voyage,  as  sea-stock,  live-stock,  <S^. 
— To  stock  to,  in  stowing  an  anchor,  is,  by  means  of  a  tackle  upon  the 
upper  end  of  the  stock,  to  bowse  it  into  a  perpendicular  direction,  which 
tackle  is  hence  denominated  the  stock-tackle. 

STOCKS.  A  frame  of  blocks  and  shores  whereon  to  build  shipping.  It 
has  a  gradual  declivity  towards  the  water. 

STOER-MACKEREL.     A  name  for  the  young  tunny-fish. 

STOITING.  An  east-country  term  for  the  jumping  of  fishes  above  the 
sur&ce  of  the  water. 

STOKE,  To.     To  frequent  the  galley  in  a  man-of-war,  or  to  trim  fires. 

STOKE-HOLE.  A  scuttle  in  the  deck  of  a  steamer  to  admit  fuel  for  the 
engine.  Also,  the  space  for  the  men  to  stand  in,  to  feed  and  trim  the 
fires. 

STOKER,  OR  f*iREMAif.  The  man  who  attends  to  feed  and  trim  the 
fires  for  the  boilers  in  a  steam-vesseL 

STOMACH-PIECE.    See  Apron. 

STONACRE,     A  sloop-rigged  boat  employed  to  carry  stone  on  the  Severn. 

STONK     The  old  term  for  a  gun-flint. 

STONE-BOW.     A  cross-bow  for  shooting  stones. 

STOOL.  A  minor  channel  abaft  the  main  channels,  for  the  dead-eyes  of  the 
backstays.     {See  Backstay-stools.) 

STOOLS.  Chocks  introduced  under  the  lowest  transoms  of  a  ship's  stem- 
firame,  to  which  the  lower  ends  of  the  fashion-pieces  are  fastened;  they 
form  the  securities  of  the  quarter-galleries.  Also,  the  thick  pieces  of 
plank,  fayed  together  edgeways,  and  bolted  to  the  sides  of  the  ship  for 
backstays.  Also,  the  ornamental  block  for  the  poop-lantern  to  stand 
upon. 

STOP.  A  small  projection  on  the  outside  of  the  cheeks  of  a  lower  mast^ 
at  the  upper  parts  of  the  hounds.  Also,  the  word  given  by  him  who 
holds  the  glass  in  heaving  the  log,  to  check  the  line  and  determine  how 
fast  she  is  going. — To  stop.  To  tie  up  with  small  stuff;  as  a  sail  is  stopped 
when  sending  it  aloft  to  prevent  the  wind  from  blowing  it  away;  a  flag 
is  stopped  to  make  a  whefb,  <fec 

STOP  HER !  An  order  to  check  the  cable  in  being  payed  out.  Also,  a 
self-explanatory  phrase  to  direct  the  engineer  of  a  steamer  to  stop  the 
action  of  the  engines. 

STOPPAGE  IK  Transitu.  A  valuable  privilege  under  which  an  unpaid 
consigner  or  broker  may  stop  or  countermand  his  goods  upon  their  passage 
to  the  consignee  on  the  insolvency  of  the  vendee. 

STOPPER  OF  THE  Anchor.  A  strong  rope  attached  to  the  cat-head, 
which,  passing  through  the  anchor-ring,  is  afterwards  fastened  to  a  timber- 
bead,  thereby  securing  the  anchor  on  t^he  bow. 

STOPPER  OF  THR  Cable.     Commonly  called  a  deck-stopper.     A  piece  of 


STOPPERING STORM-KITE  659 

rope  having  a  larg'e  knot  at  one  end,  and  hooked  or  lashed  to  a  ring-bolt 
in  the  deck  hj  the  other;  it  is  attached  to  the  cable  by  a  laniard,  which 
is  passed  securely  round  both,  by  several  turns  passed  behind  the  knot,  or 
round  the  neck  of  the  stopper,  by  which  means  the  cable  is  restrained 
from  running  out  of  the  ship  when  she  rides,  and  is  an  additional 
security  to  the  bitted  cable. — Dog-atopper,  A  strong  rope  clenched  roimd 
the  mainmast,  and  used  on  particular  occasions  to  relieve  and  assist  the 
preceding  when  the  ship  rides  in  a  heavy  sea,  or  otherwise  veering  with 
a  strain  on  the  cable. — Wing-stoppers,  Similar  pieces  of  rope  clenched 
round  one  of  the  beams  near  the  ship's  side,  and  serving  the  same  purpose 
as  the  preceding. — Rigging-stoppers  have  a  knot  and  a  laniard  at  each 
end;  they  are  used  when  the  shrouds,  stays,  or  backstays  are  stranded 
in  action,  or  in  a  gale;  they  are  then  lashed  above  and  below,  in  the  same 
manner  as  those  of  the  cables,  to  the  wounded  parts  of  the  shroud,  4&c., 
which  are  thereby  strengthened,  so  as  to  be  fit  for  service.  Other 
rigging-stoppers  have  dead-eyes  and  tails,  so  that  by  securing  one  dead- 
eye  above  and  the  other  below  the  injury,  they  can  be  set  up  by  their 
laniard,  and  brought  to  an  even  strain  with  the  other  shrouds.  Stoppers 
are  also  pieces  of  rope  used  to  prevent  the  running-rigging  from  coming 
up  whilst  being  belayed.  Sometimes  they  have  a  knot  at  one  end,  and  a 
hook  at  the  other,  for  various  purposes  about  the  decks. 

STOPPERING.  The  act  of  checking  or  holding  fast  any  rope  or  cable  by 
means  of  a  stopper. 

STOPPER-KNOT.  Single  and  double  wall,  without  crowning,  and  the 
ends  stopped  together. 

STOP  THE  VENT,  To.   To  close  it  hermetically  by  pressing  the  thumb  to  it. 

STOP-WATER.  Anything  tending  to  impede  the  sailing  of  a  ship,  by 
towing  overboard.     Also,  a  name  for  particular  tree-nails. 

STORE-KEEPER.  An  officer  in  the  royal  dockyards,  invested  with  the 
general  charge  of  naval  stores,  as  the  sails,  anchors,  cordage,  &c. 

STORES.  A  general  term  for  the  arms,  clothing,  ropes,  sails,  provisions, 
and  other  outfit,  with  which  a  ship  is  supplied. 

STORE-SHIP.  A  government  vessel  appropriated  for  carrying  munitions 
and  stores. 

STORM,  To.  To  take  by  vigorous  assault,  in  spite  of  the  resistance  of  the 
defenders. 

STORM-BREEDERS.     Heavy  cumulo^3tratus  clouds. 

STORM-DRUM.  A  canvas  cylinder  3  feet  in  length,  expanded  at  each 
end  by  a  strong  wooden  hoop  3  feet  in  diameter.  Fitzro/s  is  painted 
black,  and  presents,  when  suspended,  the  appearance  of  a  black  square  of 
3  feet,  from  all  points  of  view. 

STORM-FINCH.     The  petrel,  or  Mother  Gary's  chicken. 

STORM- JIB.  In  cutters,  the  fifth  or  sixth  size :  the  inner  jib  of  square- 
rigged  ships. 

STORM-KITE  A  contrivance  for  sending  a  hawser  from  a  stranded  vessel 
to  the  shore. 


660  STORMS STRAIT  GULF 

STOBMS  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  steorm].  Tempests,  or  gales  of  wind 
in  naiitic  language,  are  of  various  kinds,  and  will  be  found  under  their 
respective  designations.  But  that  is  a  storm  which  reduces  a  ship  to  her 
storm  stay-sails,  or  to  her  bare  poles. 

STOBM-SAIL.  A  sail  made  of  stout  No.  1  canvas,  of  reduced  dimensions, 
for  use  in  a  gale. 

STORM-SIGNAL.  The  hoisting  of  a  danger-flag.  Also,  Fitzro/s  drum 
and  cone,  which  show  the  direction  of  the  expected  gale. 

STORM-TRYSAIL^  A  fore-and-aft  sail,  hoisted  by  a  gaff,  but  having  no 
boom  at  its  foot^  and  only  used  in  foul  weather. 

STORM-WARNING.     See  Forbcast. 

STORM-WAY  K  A  wave  which  tumbles  home  without  being  accompanied 
by  wind.     Sometimes  the  result  of  a  gale  elsewhere. 

STORMY  PETREL.  A  small  dark  coloured  sea-bird,  FroceUaria 
pelagica. 

STOVE.  Broken  in;  thus,  when  violent  damage  is  done  to  the  upper  part 
of  a  ship's  hull,  she  is  said  to  be  stove;  when  on  any  portion  of  her  bottom, 
she  is  bilged. — A  stove,  is  a  kind  of  kiln  for  warping  timber  in. — Hanging 
stoves  are  also  used  on  board  ship  for  airing  the  'tween  decks. 

STOWAGK  An  important  art  more  practised  than  understood,  for  the 
stower  seldom  consults  the  specialities  of  the  vessel's  construction;  it  is  the 
general  disposition  of  the  ballast^  cargo,  &c.y  contained  in  a  ship's  hold, 
with  regard  to  their  shape,  size,  or  solidity,  agreeably  to  the  form  of  the 
vessel,  and  its  probable  centre  of  gravity.  A  badly  stowed  vessel  cannot 
be  properly  handled,  and  is  indeed  dangerous  to  the  lives  of  all  on  board. 
Owners  and  masters  are  l^ally  liable  to  the  losses  by  bad  stowage  or 
deficient  dunnage.     {See  Wet.) 

STOWAGE  GOODS.     Those  which  usually  pay  freight  according  to  bulk. 

STOWED  IN  BULK.    See  Bulk. 

STOWING  HAMMOCKS.  Placing  them  in  a  neat  and  symmetrical  order 
in  the  hammock-netting. 

STOWING-STRAKE.     See  Steeler. 

STRAGGLING-MONEY.  If  a  man  be  absent  from  his  duty  without 
leave,  but  not  absent  long  enough  to  be  logged  as  run,  and  is  brought  on 
board,  a  deduction  is  to  be  made  from  his  wages  at  the  discretion  of  the 
captain;  not,  however,  to  exceed  the  sum  of  £1. 

STRAIGHT  OF  BREADTH.  The  space  before  and  abaft  the  dead-flat, 
in  which  the  ship  is  of  the  same  uniform  breadth  as  at  the  dead-flat. 

STRAIN-BANDS.     Bands  of  canvas  sustaining  the  strain  on  the  beUy  of 

the  sails,  and  reinforced  by  the  linings,  (fee. 
STRAIT,  OR  Straight.  A  passage  connecting  one  part  of  a  sea  with 
another;  as,  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  of  Sunda,  of  Dover,  <kc.  This  word 
is  often  written  in  the  plural,  but  without  competent  reason. 
STRAIT  GULP.  An  arm  of  the  sea  running  into  the  land  through  a 
narrow  entrance  channel,  as  the  Gulf  of  Venice  The  Mediterranean 
itself  is  but  a  vast  strait  gulf. 


STBAKK STREAMER  661 

STRAKE.  One  breadth  of  plank  in  a  ship,  either  within  or  without  board, 
wrought  from  the  stem  to  the  stem-post. — Garboardstrake,  The  lowest 
range  of  planks,  &jing  into  the  keel-rabbets. —  Wash-stroke  guards  spray. 

STRAND.  A  number  of  rope-yams  twisted  together;  one  of  the  twists  or 
divisions  of  which  a  rope  is  composed.  The  part  which  passes  through  to 
form  the  eye  of  a  splice.  Also,  a  sea-margin;  the  porticm  alternately  left 
and  covered  by  tides.  Synonymous  with  beach.  It  is  not  altered  from 
the  original  Anglo-Saxon. 

STRANDED.  A  rope  is  stranded  when  one  of  its  strands  is  broken  by 
chafing^  or  by  a  strain.  A  vessel  is  stranded  when  driven  on  shore,  in 
which  case  the  justices  of  the  peace  may  call  in  assistance.  The  term 
'^  stranded  on  the  beach,"  is  not  so  incorrect  as  has  been  asserted;  and 
comes  under  the  usual  exception  in  charter-parties  and  bills  of  lading,  of 
'*all  and  every  dangers  of  the  seas,  rivers,  and  navigation  of  whatsoever 
nature  or  kind;"  and  in  all  policies  of  insurance  it  falls  under  the  general 
words  of  ''all  other  perils,  losses,  or  misfortunes,"  against  the  risk  of 
which  the  instirance  is  madcw 

STRANGE  SAIL.  A  vessel  heaving  in  sight,  of  which  the  particular» 
are  unknown. 

STRAPS  OP  THE  RUDDER    See  Pintle. 

STRATAGEM.  A  plan  devised  to  throw  dust  into  the  eyes  of  an  enemy, 
in  order  to  deceive  him. 

STRATEGY.  The  science  of  the  naval  and  military  combinations  which 
compel  movements  and  battles,  or  the  contrary,  but  not  including  the 
operations  of  actual  battle,  which  belong  to  tactics, 

STRATUS.  A  low  cloud  which  forms  a  horizontal  line.  The  hig^jier 
cloud  of  the  same  shape  is  called  cirro^trcUus. 

STRAW!  A  word  of  command,  now  obsolete,  formerly  given  to  dismiss 
soldiers  who  were  to  remain  in  readiness  to  &11  in  again  at  a  moment's 
notice. 

STRAY  LINE  OF  THE  LOG.  About  10  or  12  fathoms  of  line  left 
unmarked  next  the  log-ship,  in  order  that  it  may  get  out  of  the  eddy  of 
the  ship's  wake  before  the  measuring  begins,  or  the  glass  is  turned. 

STRAY-MARK.     The  mark  at  the  junction  of  the  stray  and  log  lines. 

STREAM.  Anglo-Saxon  iar  flowing  toater,  meaning  especially  the  middle 
or  most  rapid  part  of  a  tide  or  current. 

STREAM-ANCHOR  A  smaller  one  by  two-thirds  than  the  bowers,  and 
larger  than  the  kedges,  used  to  ride  steady,  or  moor  with  occasionally. 
In  certain  cases  it  is  used  for  warping. 

STREAM-CABLE.  A  hawser  smaller  than  the  lower  cables,  and  used 
with  the  stream-anchor  to  moor  the  ship  in  a  sheltered  river  or  haven; 
it  is  now  more  generally  a  small  chain. 

STREAMER  Formerly  described  thus: — *^  A  streamer  shall  stand  in  the 
toppe  of  a  shippe,  or  in  the  forecastle,  and  therein  be  putt  no  armes,  but 
a  man's  conceit  or  device,  and  may  be  of  the  length  of  20,  30,  40,  or  60 
yardes." 


662  STREAM-ICE STEINGERS 

STREAM-ICE.  A  collection  of  pieces  of  driffc  or  bay  ice,  joining  each 
other  in  a  ridge  following  in  the  line  of  current.     {See  Sea-stream.) 

STREAM-LAKE.  One  which  communicates  with  the  sea  by  means  of  a 
river. 

STREAM  THE  BUOY,  To.  To  let  the  buoy  fall  from  the  after-part  of 
the  ship's  side  into  the  water,  preparatory  to  letting  go  the  anchor,  that 
it  may  not  foul  the  buoy-rope  as  it  sinks  to  the  bottom. 

STREMES.     An  old  English  word  for  "the  rays  of  the  sun." 

STRENGTH.  In  naval  architecture,  means  giving  the  various  pieces  of  a 
ship  their  proper  figures,  so  that  by  their  combination  and  disposition 
they  may  be  united  into  a  firm  and  compact  frame.  In  regimental  afGurs 
it  implies  merely  the  number  of  men  actually  serving. 

STRENGTH  OF  THE  TIDK  Where  it  runs  strongest,  which  in  ser- 
pentine courses  will  be  found  in  the  hollow  curves. 

STRESS.  Hard  pressure  by  weather  or  other  causes.  Stress  of  weather 
often  compels  a  ship  to  put  back  to  the  port  whence  she  sailed. 

STRETCH.  A  word  frequently  used  instead  of  tack;  as,  ^  We  shall  make 
a  good  stretch." — To  stretch.  To  sail  by  the  wind  under  a  crowd  of 
canvas. 

STRETCH  ALONG  A  BRACE,  To.  To  lay  it  along  the  decks  in  readi- 
ness for  the  men  to  lay  hold  of;  called  manning  it, 

STRETCHER.     See  Sheer-pole. 

STRETCHERS.  Narrow  pieces  of  wood  placed  athwart  the  bottom  of  a 
boat^  for  the  rowers  to  place  their  feet  against^  that  they  may  communi- 
cate greater  effort  to  their  oars.  Also,  cross-pieces  placed  between  a 
boat's  sides  to  keep  them  apart  when  hoisted  up  and  griped.  Colloquially, 
a  stretcher  means  a  lie  exaggerated  to  absurdity. 

STRETCH  OUT !  In  rowing,  b  the  order  to  pull  strong;  to  bend  forward 
to  the  utmost 

STRICTLAND.     An  archaic  term  for  an  isthmus. 

STRIKE,  To.  A  ship  strikes  when  she  in  any  way  touches  the  bottom. 
Also,  to  lower  anything,  as  the  ensign  or  topsail  in  saluting,  or  as  the 
yards,  topgallant-masts,  and  topmasts  in  a  gale.  It  is  also  particularly 
used  to  express  the  lowering  of  the  colours  in  token  of  surrender  to  a 
victorious  enemy. 

STRIKE  DOWN!     The  order  to  lower  casks,  Ac.,  into  the  hold. 

STRIKERS.  Men  furnished  with  harpoons  or  grains  to  attack  fish;  hence 
the  term  dolphin^striker  (which  see),  where  these  men  place  themselves. 

STRIKE  SOUNDINGS,  To.  To  gain  bottom,  or  the  first  soundings,  by 
the  deep-sea  lead,  on  coming  in  frt)m  sea. 

STRING  [Anglo-Saxon  strceng].  In  ship-building,  a  strake  within  side, 
constituting  the  highest  range  of  planks  in  a  ship's  ceiling,  and  it  answers 
to  the  sheer-strake  outside,  to  the  scarphs  of  which  it  gives  strength. 

STRINGERS.  A  name  sometimes  applied  to  shelf-pieces  (which  see). 
Also,  heavy  timber  similarly  carried  round  a  ship  to  fortify  her  for  special 
heavy  service,  as  whaling,  dbc. 


STRIPPED STUBB  663 

STRIPPED  TO  THE  GIRT-LINR  AU  the  standing-rigging  and  fumi- 
tare  having  been  cleared  off  the  masts  in  the  course  of  dismantling. 

STRIPPING.  An  inconvenient  feult  of  many  lead-ooated  projectiles — the 
throwing  off  portions  of  their  coating  on  discharge  from  the  gun. 

STRIP  THE  MASTS,  To.     To  clear  the  masts  of  their  rigging. 

STROKE.  A  pull  or  single  sweep  of  the  oars  in  rowing;  hence  the  order, 
''Row  a  long  stroke,"  which  is  intended  to  move  the  boat  forward  more 
steadily. 

STROKE-OAR.  The  aflermost  oar  in  a  boat^  from  which  the  others  take 
their  time. 

STROKE  OF  THE  SEA.  The  shock  occasioned  to  a  vessel  by  a  heavy 
sea  striking  her. 

STROKE-SIDE  of  a  Boat.  That  in  which  the  afler  starboard  rowlock 
is  placed,  or  where  the  after  oar  is  rowed  if  single-banked. 

STROKESMAJN*.     The  man  who  rows  the  aftmost  oar  in  a  boat 

STROM.     An  archaism  of  storm  or  tempest. 

STROMBOLO.  Bits  of  ampelite  or  cannel-coal  found  on  our  southern 
coasts,  charged  with  bitumen,  sulphur,  and  salt.  The  name  is  referred 
to  the  Island  of  Stromboli,  but  the  Brighton  people  insist  that  it  is  from 
the  Flemish  atrom-boUen,  meaning  stream  or  tide  balls. 

STRONO-BACEl.  The  same  with  Samson^s  post  (which  see).  Also,  an 
adaptation  of  a  strong  piece  of  wood  over  the  windlass,  to  lift  the  turns  of 
a  chain-cable  clear  of  it. 

STRONG  BREEZE.  That  which  reduces  a  ship  to  double-reefed  topsails, 
jib,  and  spanker. 

STRONG  GALE.  That  strength  of  wind  under  which  close-reefed  topsails 
and  storm-staysails  are  usually  carried  when  close-hauled. 

STROP,  OR  Stbap.  a  piece  of  rope^  spliced  generally  into  a  circular  wreath, 
and  used  to  surround  the  body  of  a  block,  so  that  the  latter  may  be  hung 
to  any  particular  situation  about  the  masts,  yards,  or  rigging.  Strops  are 
also  used  occasionally  to  fasten  upon  any  large  rope  for  the  purpose  of 
hooking  a  tackle  to  the  eye  or  double  part  of  the  strop,  in  order  to  extend 
or  pull  with  redoubled  effort  upon  the  same  rope;  as  in  setting  up  the 
rigging,  where  one  hook  of  the  tackle  is  fixed  in  a  strop  applied  to  the 
particular  shroud,  and  the  other  to  its  laniard. 

STROP-BOUND  BLOCK.  A  single  block  used  in  the  clue  of  square- 
sails  for  the  clue-lines  to  lead  through;  it  has  a  shoulder  left  on  each  side 
to  prevent  the  strop  from  chafing. — Iron-^tropj  a  hoop  of  iron,  in  lieu  of 
rope,  round  the  shell  of  a  block. 

STRUCK  BY  A  SEA.  Said  of  a  ship  when  a  high  rolling  wave  breaks 
on  board  of  her. 

STRUT.     A  stanchion  or  sustaining  prop  to  the  lower  beams. 

STUBB,  OB  DooG.     The  lower  part  of  a  rainbow  visible  towards  the  hori- 
zon, and  betokening  squally  weather :  it  is  fisiinter  than  the  wind-gall. 
On  the  banks  of  Newfoundland  they  are  considered  precursors  of  clearer 
I  wearer,'  and  termed  fog-dogs. 


66*  STUD SUBMAMNB 

STUD,  OB  Bar.  A  small  piece  of  cast-iron  introduced  across  the  middle 
of  each  linlr  of  the  larger  chain-cables,  where,  acting  as  a  strengthener,  it 
prevents  collapse,  and  keeps  the  links  endways  to  each  other. 

STUDDING-SAIL  BOOM.  A  spar  rigged  out  for  the  purpose  of  setting 
a  studding-sail,  and  taking  its  name  from  the  sail  it  belongs  to. 

STUDDING-SAILS.  Fine-weather  sails  set  outside  the  square-sails;  the 
term  '^scudding-sails''  was  formerly  used. — Topmast  and  top-gaUant  stud- 
dingsails.  Those  which  are  set  outside  the  top-sails  and  topgallant-sails. 
They  have  yards  at  the  head,  and  are  spread  at  the  foot  by  booms,  which 
slide  out  on  the  extremities  of  the  lower  and  topsail  yards,  and  their  heads 
or  yards  are  hoisted  up  to  the  topsail  and  top-gallant  yard-arms. 

STUDDING-SAIL  YARD.  The  spar  to  which  the  head  of  the  studding- 
sail  is  extended. 

STUFF.  A  coat  0/ stuff,  a  term  used  for  any  composition  laid  on  to  ships' 
spars,  bottom,  <fec.     Also,  square  timber  of  different  thicknesses. 

STUFFING-BOX.  A  contrivance  on  the  top  of  a  steam  cylinder-cover, 
packed  with  hemp,  and  kept  well  soaked  with  tallow,  to  prevent  steam 
from  passing  through  while  the  piston-rod  is  working. 

STUMP.  A  derogatory  but  well-known  name  in  navigating  our  eastern 
coasts  for  the  beautiful  tower  of  Boston  church.     {See  Snag.) 

STUMP  TOPGALLANT-MASTS.     Those  without  a  royal  pole. 

STUN-SAILS.     A  corruption  of  studding'SaUs  (which  see). 

STURGEON.  A  cipenser.sturi-Oy  a  large  fish;  it  has  a  cartilaginous  skeleton, 
with  a  small  circular  and  tubular  mouth.  It  is  found  in  the  European 
seas  and  larger  rivers.  The  roes  are  made  into  caviare,  and  the  sounds 
and  muscular  parts  into  isinglass.     It  is  a  royal  fish  in  England. 

STUREE-MANNE.     An  old  name  for  a  seaK*aptain. 

SUBALTERNS.     All  commissioned  army  officers  ranking  below  captains. 

SUB-LIEUTENANT.  A  rank  lately  reproduced,  to  which  a  midshipman 
is  entitled  on  passing  for  lieutenant;  formerly  styled  mate. 

SUBMARINE  BANK.  An  extensive  sandy  plateau  with  deep  water 
over  it. 

SUBMARINE  TELEGRAPH.  Consists  of  a  steel  wire-rope,  containing 
a  heart  of  gutta-percha  and  other  soft  materials,  in  which  are  inclosed 
the  copper  wires  through  which  the  communication  by  electricity  is  con- 
veyed. Rapid  progress  has  been  made  in  the  art  of  making  and  handling 
this  rope,  as  is  proved  by  the  existence  of  two  cables  between  Ireland 
and  America,  one  of  which  was  recovered  from  the  deep  sea  by  creeping. 

SUBMARINE  THERMOMETER  An  instrument  for  trying  the  tem- 
perature of  the  sea  at  different  depths.  It  consists  of  a  hollow  weighted 
cylinder  in  which  a  Six's  thermometer  is  placed;  the  cylinder  being  pro- 
vided with  a  valve  at  each  end,  opening  upwards,  so  that  as  it  sinks  the 
valves  open,  allowing  a  free  course  of  water  through  the  cylinder:  when 
it  reaches  the  required  depth  the  line  is  checked  and  the  valves  close;  it 
is  then  hauled  gently  in,  and  the  thermometer  reaches  the  surface  sur- 
rounded by  water  of  the  required  depth,  indicating  its  temperature. 


I 

I 

I 


SUBSIDY SUNDAY  665 

SUBSIDY.     A  stipulated  Buin  of  money  paid  by  one  ruler  to  another,  in 

pursuance  of  a  treaty  of  alliance  for  offensive  and  defensive  war.     Also, 

a  sum  allowed  for  tlie  conveyance  of  mails. 
SUBSISTENCK     The  amount  to  be  issued  to  troops  as  daily  pay,  after 

making  the  regulated  deductions  for  rations,  necessaries,  &c. 
SIJCOADES.     Sweetmeats  entered  at  the  custom-house;  formerly  a  large 

part  of  the  cargo  of  Spanish  West  Tndiamen. 
SUCCOUR.     An  enterprise  undertaken  to  relieve  a  place  besieged  or 

blockaded,  by  either  forcing  the  enemy  from  before  it,  or  throwing  in 

supplies. 
SUCKING.     The  action  of  the  pump  when  the  well  is  nearly  dry,  or  at 

least  BO  low  at  the  pump-foot  as  to  admit  air. 
SUCK-STONE.     An  archaic  name  for  the  remora. 
SUCK  THE  MONKEY,  To.     To  lob  the  grog-can.    {See  Monkey.) 
SUCTION.     The  rising  of  a  fluid  by  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  into  a 

space  where  a  vacuum  has  been  created. 
SUFFERANCR     A  permission  on  the  custom-house  transire  (which  see.) 
SUFFERANCE  WHARF.    See  Whakp. 
SUFFOLK  BANG.     A  very  poor  and  hard  kind  of  cheese,  which  was 

indignantly  refused  in  our  North  Sea  fleet.     It  was,  as  farmer's  boy 

Bloomfield  admitted,  "too  hard  to  bite." 
SUGAR-LOAF.     A  term  applied  to  conical  hills  along  a  sea-coast. 
SUGAR-LOAF  SEA     High  turbulent  waves  with  little  wind.   * 
SUGG,  To.     To  move  or  rock  heavily  on  a  bank  or  reef. 
SUIT  OF  SAILS.     The  whole  of  the  sails  required  to  be  bent  for  a  vessel. 
SULLA GE.     The  deposition  of  mud  and  silt  by  water. 
SULLIT.     A  broad  Dutch  fishing-boat. 

SULPHUR.     A  mineral  which  forms  a  principal  ingredient  in  the  manu- 
facture of  gunpowder,  and  greatly  increases  the  rapidity  of  its  combustion. 
SUMMERrBLINK.     A  transient  gleam  of  sunshine  in  bad  weather. 
SUMMER  COUTS.     A  northern  name  for  the  aurora  borealis. 
SUMMER  SOLSTICE.    See  Canceb. 

SUMP.     A  bog  or  swamp.     Also,  a  patent  fuse  used  in  mining. 
SUMPIT.    An  arrow  blown  from  the  sumpitan,  in  Borneo.     The  sumpitan 

is  about  7  feet  long;  the  arrow  has  been  driven  with  some  force  at  130 

yarda     Some  suppose  it  to  be  poisoned. 
SUN.  *  The  central  body  of  our  planetary  system,  and  the  source  of  light 

and  heat;  it  is  850,000  miles  in  diameter. — WitJi  the  sun,  i.e.  from  left  to 

right. — Against  the  sun,  from  light  to  left 
SUN  AND  MOON  in  distance.     When  the  angle  between  those  bodies 

admits  of  measurement  for  lunars  (about  IdO"*). 
SUNDAY.     Ought  to  be  a  day  of  rest  at  sea  as  well  as  on  shore,  when 

religious  services  might  generally  be  performed.      Though   called  the 

negro's  holiday,  it  oflen  brings  but  little  cessation  from  work  in  some 

merchantmen ;  they  sail  on  a  Sunday,  not  because  of  exigency,  but  because 

it  is  otherwise  a  leisure  day,  and  thereby  gained  to  the  owner& 


ggg  SUNFISH SUBFACE  CUKRENT 

SUN-FISH.     The  Orthagoriscm  moloy  a  wliimsical-looking  creature,  like 

the  head  of  a  large  fish  severed  from  its  body.     Also,  a  name  in  the  south 

for  the  basking  shark,  from  its  habit  of  lying  in  the  sunshine. 
SUNKEN  ROOBL     Tliat  which  lies  beneath  the  surface  of  the  sea,  and  is 

dangerous  to  navigation. 
SUNK  LAND.     Shallows  and  swamps. 
SUN-STAR.     The  Solaster  paposa,  one  of  the  lai^est  and  handsomest  of 

our  radiated  star-fishes. 
SUPERANNUATED.     Applied  to  such  as  have  permission  to  retire  from 

the  service  on  a  stated  pension,  on  account  of  age  or  infirmity. 
SUPER-CARGO.     A  person  charged  with  the  accounts  and  disposal  of  the 

cargo,  and  all  other  commercial  affairs  in  the  merchant-ship  in  which  he 

sails. 
SUPER-HEATEID.     Said  of  steam,  the  heat  of  which  has  been  raised  after 

being  generated. 
SUPER-HEATER     A  contrivance  for  increasing  the  temperature  of  the 

steam  to  the  extent  that  it  would  lose  on  its  way  from  the  boiler,  until 

exhausted  from  the  cylinder. 
SUPERIOR  CONJUNCTION.     When  an  inferior  planet  is  situated  in 

the  same  longitude  as  the  sun,  and  has  that  luminary  between  it  and  the 

earth,  it  is  said  to  be  in  superior  conjunction. 
SUPERIOR  PLANETS.     Those  which  revolve  about  the  sun  as  a  centre, 

outside  the  earth's  orbit;  the  opposite  of  iriferior, 
SUPERIOR  SLOPE.     The  inclined  upper  sur&,ce  of  a  parapet. 
SUPERNATANT  PART  OF  A  SHIP.     That  part  whicl^  when  afloat, 

is  above  the  water.     This  was  formerly  expressed  by  the  name  dead-work. 
SUPERNUMERARIES.     Men  over  and  above  the  established  comple- 
ment of  a  ship,  who  are  entered  on  a  separate  list  in  the  ship's  books  for 

victuals  and  wages. 
SUPPLEMENT  OF  LONGITUDE.      The  term  usually  applied  to  its 

complement,  or  what  it  wants  of  180^ 
SUPPORT  A  FRIEND,  To.     To  make  every  exertion  to  assist  a  vessel 

in  distress,  from  whatever  cause.     Neglect  of  this  incurs  punishment. 
SUPPORTERS.     Circular  knee-timbers  placed  under  the  cat-heads  for 

their  support  and  security. 
SURA.     The  drink  otherwise  called  toddy  (which  see). 
SURDINY.     An  old  name  for  the  fish  sardine. 
SURE,  OB  Shore.    See  Shobe. 
SURES.     Peculiar  southerly  winds  which  blow  on  the  coasts  of  Chili, 

Peru,  and  Mexico,  accompanied  by  a  fog  or  vapour,  called  sv^es  pardos. 
SURF.     The  swell  and  foam  of  the  sea,  which  breaks  upon  the  shore,  or 

any  rock  lying  near  the  sur&ca     The  most  violent  surfs  are  those  which 

break  upon  a  fiat  shore,  as  on  the  Coromandel  and  African  coasts. 
SURFACE  CURRENT.     A  current  which  does  not  extend  more  than 

8  or  10  feet  below  the  surface.     Also,  fresh  water  running  over  salt  at 

the  mouths  of  great  rivers. 


SURF-BOAT SWAB  667 

SURF-BOAT.  A  peculiar  kind  of  flat-bottomed  boat,  varying  according  to 
local  exigencies,  for  landing  men,  or  goods,  in  butL  (See  Massoola^-boat.) 

SURGE.  A  large  swelling  wave.  Also,  the  tapered  part  of  the  whelps 
between  the  chocks  of  the  capstan,  upon  which  the  messenger  is  readily 
surged. — To  surges  is  to  slacken  up  suddenly  a  portion  of  a  rope  where  it 
renders  round  a  pin,  windlass,  or  capstan;  as,  ''Surge  the  messenger.''  A 
ship  is  said  to  surge  on  a  reef  when  she  rises  and  falls  with  the  heave  of 
the  sea^  so  as  to  strike  heavily. 

SURGE  HO !     The  notice  given  when  a  rope  or  cable  is  to  be  surged. 

SURGEON.  A  competent  medical  officer,  appointed  to  attend  the  sick 
and  wounded  on  bou'd  a  ship  of  war,  for  which  purpose  he  has,  according 
to  the  rate  of  the  ship^  from  one  to  two  assistants,  once  called  surgeon's 
mates,  but  latterly  (MsiatarU-eurgeona  (which  see). 

SURGE  THE  CAPSTAN",  To.  To  slacken  the  rope  heaved  round  upon 
its  barrel,  to  prevent  its  parts  from  riding  or  getting  foul 

SURINGER.     An  archaism  for  surgeon. 

SURMARKS.  In  ship-building,  the  points  on  the  moulds  where  the 
bevellings  are  to  be  applied  to  the  timbers. 

SURROGATES.  Those  substituted  or  appointed  in  the  room  of  others ; 
as  naval  captains  formerly  acting  for  judges  in  Newfoundland. 

SURVEY.  An  inspection  or  examination  made  by  several  practical 
officers  into  the  condition  of  any  stores  belonging  to  a  ship.  Also,  those 
important  astronomical  observations,  soundings,  and  other  data,  collected 
by  officers  who  are  employed  in  constructing  charts  and  plans  of  seas, 
shoals,  rocks,  harbours,  &c. 

SURVEYING  VESSELS.  Those  equipped  for  examining  coasts,  dan- 
gers, &C.;  their  utility  is  unquestionable.  Some  of  the  smaUer  vessels  of 
war  on  every  station  might  be  profitably  employed  in  thus  examining  all 
reported  dangers. 

SURVEYORS  AT  LLOYD'S.    See  Lloyd's  Subvbyors. 

SURVEYORS  OF  THE  NAVY.  Two  officers  who  formerly  sat  at  the 
navy  board,  being  invested  with  the  charge  of  building  and  repairing  the 
royal  ships  at  the  different  dockyards  of  the  kingdom;  for  which  they 
were  trained  to  the  theory  and  practice  of  ship-building. 

SUSPENSION  OF  ARMS.  A  short  truce  agreed  upon  by  contending 
forces,  for  a  special  object  of  importance. 

SUTILES.  Ancient  cobles  made  of  strong  staves  sewed  together,  and 
covered  with  leather  or  skins. 

SUTLER  A  victualler  who  follows  the  camp  to  sell  provisions  to  the 
troops.  In  garrisons  and  garrison-towns  there  are  also  sutlers  who  pro- 
vide victuals  of  every  kind;  but  Drayton's  sutlers  must  have  been  very 
petty  traders,  as,  when  at  Agincourt,  Isambert's  ^^ rascals"  were  noted — 

"For  aetting  on  those  with  the  luggage  left, 
A  few  poor  sntlers  with  the  campe  that  went. 
They  basely  fell  to  pillage  and  to  theft'* 

SWAB.     A  sort  of  long  mop,  formed  of  rope-yams  of  old  junk,  used  for 


668  SWABBER SWEATING  THE  PURSER 

cleaning  and  drying  the  decks  and  cabins  of  a  ship.     Also,  a  sobriquet 

for  a  sot.     Also,  for  an  epaulette. — Hcmd-stoab,    A  small  swab  for  wiping 

dry  the  stem-sheets  of  a  boat^  washing  plates  and  dishes,  &c 
SWABBER.     Formerly  a  petty  officer  on  board  ships  of  war,  whose 

employment  was  to  see  that  the  decks  were  kept  clean.    Also,  a  man 

formerly  appointed  to  use  the  swabs  in  drying  up  the  decks.     He  was 

sometimes  called  ship's  sweeper;  more  commonly  captain  of  swabbers. 
SWAB-ROPR     A  line  bent  to  the  eye  of  a  swab  for  dipping  it  overboard 

in  washing  it. 
SWAB-WASHER     The  principal  swab-washer,  or  captain  of  the  head,  in 

large  ships. 
SWAB-WRINGEBS.     People  appointed  to  wash  the  swabs  and  wring 

them  out,  ready  for  use. 
SWAD,  OR  SwADKiN.    A  newly  raised  soldier.    Also,  a  fish-basket. 
SWADDIE.     A  discharged  soldier. 
SWAGG,  To.     To  sink  down  by  its  own  weight;  to  move  heavily  or  bend. 

Synonymous  with  8<»gg,     Also,  the  bellying  of  a  heavy  rope. 
SWAKE.     A  provincial  term  for  a  pump-handle. 
SWALLOW.     The  score  of  a  block. 
SWALLOW'S  TAIL.     In  fortification,  an  old  form  of  outwork,  having  its 

front  broken  into  a  re-entering  angle,  and  its  two  long  fianks  conveiging 

towards  the  rear. 
SWALLOW-TAILS.    The  points  of  a  burgee.     Also,  the  tails  of  a  coat. 
SWAMP.     A  tract  of  land  or  bog  on  which,  from  its  impermeable  bottom, 

the  collected  fresh  water  remains  stagnant. 
SWAPR     A  wooden  support  for  a  small  light.     Also,  a  pump-handle;  a 

lever.     Also,  a  long  oar  used  in  working  a  coal-keel  in  the  north. 
SWART-BACK.     The  Lanu  marintu,  or  great  black  and  white  gull. 
SWARTS.     A  name  formerly  applied  by  voyagers  to  Indians  and  negroes. 
SWASH.     A  sudden  surge  of  the  sea.     Also^  a  shoal  in  a  tide-way  or 

mouth  of  a  river,  over  which  the  water  flows,  and  the  tide  ripples  in 

ebbing  or  flowing. 
SWASHWAT.     A  channel  across  a  bcoik,  or  among  shoals,  as  the  noted 

instance  between  the  Goodwin  Sands. 
SWATHE.     The  entire  length  of  a  sea-wave. 
SWAY,  To,  OR  Sway  away.    To  hoist  simultaneously;  particularly  applied 

to  the  lower  yards  and  topmasts,  and  topgallant-masts  and  yards. — To 

6way  away  on  all  top-ropes.     To  go  great  lengths  (colloquially). 
SWAY  UP,  To.     To  apply  a  strain  on  a  mast-rope  in  order  to  lift  the 

spar  upwards,  so  that  the  fid  may  be  taken  out,  previous  to  lowering 

the  mast.     Or  sway  yards  aloft  ready  for  crossing. 
SWEIARING.     A  vulgar  and  most  irrational  vice,  which  happily  is  fast 

going  out     Habitual  swearing  was  usually  typical  of  a  bad  officer.     It 

may  have  originated  in  the  custom  too  often  demanded  by  law,  of  solemn 

asseverations  on  frivolous  subjecta 
SWEATING  THE  PURSER.  Wasting  his  stores.  Burning  his  candles,  Ac. 


SWEEP SWIFTIKO  A  SHIP  (Jfig 

SWEEP.  The  trending  or  inolination  of  a  coast  to  a  crosoeni  Alao,  that 
part  of  the  mould  of  a  ahipi  where  she  begins  to  compass  in  the  rung> 
heads.  Also,  a  large  kind  of  oar. — To  sweep  a  coaaL  To  sail  along  at  a 
reasonable  distance  with  a  vigilant  inspection. 

SWEEPING.  The  act  of  dragging  the  bight  or  loose  part  of  a  small  rope 
along  the  ground,  in  a  harbour  or  roadstead,  in  order  to  recover  a  sunk 
anchor  or  wreck.  The  two  ends  of  the  rope  are  fastened  to  two  boats,  a 
weight  being  suspended  to  the  middle,  to  sink  it  to  tlie  ground,  so  that, 
as  the  boats  row  ahead,  it  may  drag  along  the  bottom.  Also^  a  term  used 
for  rapidly  scrutinizing  a  certain  portion  of  the  heavens  in  quest  of 
planets,  comets,  &c. 

SWEEP  OF  THE  TILLER.  A  semi-circular  frame  on  which  the  tiller 
traverses  in  large  ships;  it  is  fixed  under  the  beams  near  the  fore-end  of 
the  tiller,  which  it  supports. 

SWEEP-PIECK  A  block  at  the  bottom  of  the  port-sill  for  receiving  tlio 
chock  of  the  gun-carriage,  and  to  aid  in  training  the  gun. 

SWEEPS.  Lai'ge  oars  used  on  board  ships  of  war  in  a  calm,  either  to 
assist  the  rudder  in  turning  them  round,  or  to  propel  them  ahead  when 
chasing  in  light  winds.  Brigs  of  38G  tons  have  been  swept  at  3  knots  or 
more. 

SWEETENING  COCK.  A  wholesome  contrivance  for  preventing  fetid 
effluvia  in  ships*  holds,  by  inserting  a  pipe  through  the  ship's  side,  with 
a  cock  at  its  inner  end,  for  admitting  water  to  neutralize  the  accumulated 
bilge-water,  as  also  to  supply  the  wash-deck  pump. 

SWELCIIIE.  A  rapid  current  formed  by  the  tide  of  the  Pentland  Firth 
against  the  Isle  of  Stroma.    Also,  a  seal  in  those  parts, 

SWELL.  A  rolling  wave  which  seldom  breaks  unless  it  meets  resistance, 
generally  denoting  a  continuous  heaving,  which  remains  for  some  time 
after  the  wind  which  caused  it  has  subsided.  Also,  the  gradual  thickening 
of  the  muzzle  of  a  gun,  hounds  of  a  mast,  &c, 

SWIFT.  When  the  lower  rigging  becomes  slack  at  sea,  single  blocks  are 
placed  on  each  shroud  about  8  feet  above  the  deck,  a  hawser  rove  through 
them,  and  tlie  rigging  swifted  in,  to  bring  a  fair  strain.  The  bars  of  the 
capstan  are  swifted,  by  passing  a  rope-uwifber  over  all  their  ends,  and 
bowsing  it  well  taut  The  rigging  is  also  swifted  down  preparatory  to 
replacing  the  ratlines  truly  horizontal  after  sotting  up. 

SWIFTER.  A  strong  rope,  sometimes  encircling  a  boat,  about  0  inclicH 
below  her  gunwale,  both  to  strengthen  her  and  protect  her  in  coses  of 
collision.     {See  Fekder.) 

SWIFTERS.  A  pair  of  shrouds,  fixed  on  the  starboard  and  port  sides  of 
the  lower  mast,  above  the  pendants,  and  before  all  the  other  shrouds: 
they  are  never  confined  to  the  cat-harpings. 

SWIFTING  A  SHIP.  Either  bringing  her  aground  or  upon  a  careen; 
also  passing  cables  round  her  bottom  and  upperworks,  to  help  to  keep 
her  from  straining — the  ''undergirding'*  mentioned  by  St.  Paul  in  his 
shipwreck. 


670  SWIG  OFF SWORD-MAT 

SWIG  OFF,  To.  To  pull  at  the  bight  of  a  rope  by  jerks,  having  its  lower 
end  fast;  or  to  gain  on  a  rope  hj  jumping  a  man's  weight  down,  instead 
of  hauling  regularly. 

SWlLKER^  To.     A  provincialism  for  splashing  about. 

SWILL.  A  wicker  fish-basket.  The  air-bladder  of  a  Ml— To  sunll.  To 
drink  greedily. 

SWIM,  To  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  8voymm\,  To  move  along  the  surface 
of  the  water  by  means  of  the  simultaneous  movement  of  the  hands  and 
feet  With  the  Bomans  this  useful  art  was  an  essential  part  of  educa- 
tion. 

SWIMS.     The  flat  extremities  of  east-country  barges. 

SWINE-FISH.     A  northern  name  of  the  wolf-fish,  Anarhichaa  lupus. 

SWINE'S  FEATHER.  The  spike  or  tuck  on  the  top  of  a  musket-rest 
[corrupted  from  sweyn,  a  boar's  bristle]. 

SWING,  To.  A  ship  is  said  to  swing  to  the  wind  or  tide,  when  they  change 
their  direction  while  she  is  lying  at  anchor. — To  swing  ship  for  local 
attraction  and  adjustment  0/ compasses.  This  is  done  by  taking  the  bear- 
ings of  a  very  distant  object  at  each  point  of  the  compass  to  which  her 
head  is  brought;  also,  by  using  a  theodolite  on  shore,  and  taking  its 
bearing  from  the  ship,  and  the  observer*s  head  from  the  theodolita 

SWINGING-BOOM.  The  spar  which  stretches  the  foot  of  a  lower  stud- 
ding-sail; in  large  ships  they  have  goose-necks  in  one  end  which  hook  to 
the  foremost  part  of  the  fore-chains  to  iron  strops  fitted  for  the  purpose. 
In  port  they  are  hooked  to  bolts  at  the  bends,  which,  by  bringing  them 
lower  down,  enables  the  boats  to  ride  easier  by  them  as  guest-warp  booms. 

SWIPES.  The  weak  beer  supplied  to  ships  on  the  home  station.  A  swipe 
is  an  implement  for  drawing  water  for  a  brewery,  the  name  of  which  has 
thus  been  transferred  to  the  beer. 

SWIRL.  An  eddying  blast  of  wind;  a  whirling  wavy  motion.  Also,  a 
knot  in  timber. 

SWISH.     An  old  term  for  the  light  driving  spray  of  the  sea. 

SWIVEL.  A  pivot  working  freely  round  in  a  socket.  They  are  fitted  in 
boats'  bows,  ships'  tops  and  bulwarks,  &c.f  for  bearing  small  cannon  of 
i  lb.  or  1  lb.  calibre,  which  are  worked  by  hand,  and  called  swivels. 
Also,  a  strong  link  of  iron  used  in  mooring  chains,  &c»f  which  permits  the 
bridles  to  be  turned  repeatedly  round,  as  occasion  requires.  Also,  a  swivel- 
link  in  chain-cables,  made  so  as  to  turn  upon  an  axis,  and  keep  the  turns 
out  of  the  chain. 

SWONA  WELLS.  Whirlpools  much  dreaded  by  the  sailors  of  the  Pent- 
land  Firth.  They  seem  to  be  caused  by  the  rapidity  of  the  tide  and  the 
position  of  Swona,  which  exactly  crosses  the  stream. 

SWORD-FISH.  A  large  fish  of  the  family  Scomhertdcs,  remarkable  for 
the  prolongation  of  the  nose  into  a  straight,  pointed,  sword-like  weapon. 
The  European  species,  common  in  the  .Mediterranean,  is  the  Xiphias 
gladius  of  naturalists 

SWORD-MAT.     A  mat  made  with  shoulders  to  protect  the  laniards  of  the 


SYKB TABLBT  671 

lower  rigging,  boats'  gripes^  6ic,  and  worked  by  a  piece  of  wood  somewhat 
resembling  a  sword  in  shape,  to  diive  home  the  roving  threads. 

SYKE  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  sych],  A  streandet  of  water  that  flows  in 
winter  and  dries  up  in  summer. 

SYMPIESOMETEK,  or  Oil-baboheter.  A  convenient  portable  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  weight  of  the  atmosphere  by  the  compression  of 
a  gaseous  column;  capital  for  small  cabins. 

SYNODICAL  MONTH.  The  period  in  whibh  the  moon  goes  through 
every  variety  of  phase,  as  from  one  conjunction  to  another. 

SYNODICAL  PERIOD  or  REVOLUTION.  If  the  interval  of  periodic 
time  of  a  planet,  or  comet,  be  taken  in  reference  to  its  passages  through 
either  of  the  nodes,  its  circuit  is  called  synodicaL 

SYFHERED.  One  edge  of  a  plank  overlapping  that  of  another,  so  that 
both  planks  shall  make  a  plane  surface  with  their  bevelled  edges,  though 
not  a  flat  or  square  joint. 

SYSTEM.  The  method  of  disposing  the  correlative  parts  of  a  fortifica- 
tion, proposed  variously  by  many  eminent  engineers. 

SYSTEM  OF  THE  UNIVERSE.    See  Copernican  System. 

SYZIGEE.  Either  conjunction  or  opposition,  in  reference  to  the  orbit  of 
the  moon. 


T. 

TAB.     The  arming  of  an  archer's  gauntlet  or  glove. 

TABERIN.  A  species  of  shark  greatly  dreaded  by  the  pearl-fishers  of 
Ceylon. 

TABERNACLK  A  strong  trunk  on  the  deck  of  river  baizes,  forming  a 
kind  of  hinge  to  enable  them  to  lower  the  ma^  when  going  under  bridges. 
Also,  used  to  elongate  the  mast  of  any  boat  by  stepping  it  in  a  tabernacle. 

TABLE-CLOTH.  A  fleecy-looking  cloud  which  sometimes  covers  the 
"table"  or  flat  top  of  Table  Mountain,  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  it  is  the 
forerunner  of  a  south-easter,  being  the  condensation  of  moisture  in  the 
sea-air  as  it  ascends  the  mountain  side. 

TABLE-LAND.  Land  which  is  flat-topped,  however  it  may  be  raised  more 
or  less  above  the  ordinary  level  of  the  vicinity. 

TABLE-MONEY.  An  allowance  to  admirals  and  senior  officers,  in  addi- 
tion to  their  pay,  to  meet  the  expenses  of  their  official  guests. 

TABLES.    See  Astronomical  Tables,  and  Nautical  Tables. 

TABLE-SHORE.     A  low  level  shore. 

TABLET.  See  Trapezoid.  Also,  a  flat  coping  stone  placed  at  the  top  of 
the  rev^tement  of  the  escarp,  to  protect  the  masonry  from  the  weather.    * 


672  TABLING TAIL 

TABLING.  A  broad  bem  on  tbe  edges  of  a  sbip's  sails,  to  sirengtben 
tbem  in  tbat  part  wbicb  is  sewed  to  tbe  bolt-rope.  Also,  letting  one 
piece  of  timber  into  anotber,  similar  to  tbe  hooking  of  planks,  so  tbat  tbey 
cannot  be  pulled  asunder. 

TACES.     See  Taishes. 

TACK.  A  rope  to  confine  tbe  weatber  lower  comers  of  tbe  courses  and 
staysails  wben  tbe  wind  crosses  tbe  sbip's  course  obliquely.  Also,  tbe 
rope  employed  to  baul  out  tbe  lower  outer  clue  of  a  studding-^ail  to  tbe 
boom-end  Witb  jibs  and  fore-and-aft  sails,  tbe  tack  confines  tbem 
amidsbips.  A  sbip  is  said  to  be  on  the  Uick  of  tbe  side  from  wbicb  tbe 
wind  comes :  even  if  it  be  on  tbe  quarter. — To  tack.  To  go  about,  to 
cbange  tbe  course  from  one  board  to  anotber  from  tbe  starboard  to  tbe 
port  tack,  or  vice  versd.  It  is  done  by  turning  tbe  sbip's  bead  suddenly 
to  tbe  wind,  wbereby  ber  bead-sails  are  tbrown  aback,  and  cause  ber  to 
fall  off  from  tbe  wind  to  tbe  otber  tack.     Tbe  opposite  to  wearing. 

TACK  AND  HALF-TACK.  Working  to  windward,  or  along  sbore,  by 
long  and  sbort  boards,  or  legs,  alternately. 

TACKLK  A  purcbase  formed  by  tbe  connection  of  a  fall,  or  rope,  witb 
two  or  more  blocks.  Wben  a  power  sustains  a  weigbt  by  a  rope  over  a 
fixed  sbeave,  tbe  weigbt  and  power  will  be  equal;  but  if  one  end  of  tbe 
rope  be  fixed,  and  tbe  sbeave  be  movable  witb  tbe  weigbt,  tben  tbe 
power  will  be  but  balf  tbe  weigbt;  but  in  a  combination  of  sbeaves,  or 
pulleys,  tbe  power  will  be  to  tbe  weigbt  as  1  to  tbe  numbers  of  parts  of 
tbe  &1L — Ground-tackU.  Ancbors,  cables,  &c. — Tack-tackle,  A  small 
tackle  used  to  pull  down  tbe  tacks  of  tbe  principal  sails  to  tbeir  respec- 
tive stations,  and  particularly  attacbed  to  tbe  mainsails  of  brigs,  sloops, 
cutters,  and  scbooners. 

TACKLE-FALL.     Tbe  part  bauled  upon  in  any  tackle,  simple  or  com- 
pound. 
]r    TACK  OR  SHEET.     A  man's  saying  tbat  be  will  not  start  tack  or  sbeet 
implies  resolution. 

TACK-PINS.     Tbe  belaying  pins  of  tbe  fife-rail;  called  also  Jack-pins. 

TACTICS.  Tbe  art  of  disposing  and  applying  naval  or  military  forces  in 
action  witb  tbe  enemy,  in  wboee  presence  strategy  gives  place  to  tactics. 

TAFFIA     A  bad  spirit,  made  and  sold  at  Mauritius. 

TAFFB.AIL,  ob  Taffarel.  Tbe  upper  part  of  a  sbip's  stem,  a  curved 
railing,  tbe  ends  of  wbicb  unite  to  tbe  quarter-pieces. 

TAIL.  A  rope  spliced  into  tbe  strop  or  round  of  any  block,  leaving  a  long 
end  for  making  fast  Jio  rigging,  spars,  kc — To  tail  on  to  a  banL  To  be 
aground  abaft  only. — To  tail  up  or  down  a  stream,  Wben  at  ancbor  in 
a  river,  is  as  a  sbip's  stern  swings. 

TAIL-BLOCK.  A  rope-stropped  block,  bavLng  an  end  of  rope  attacbed  to 
it  as  a  tail,  by  wbicb  it  may  be  fastened  to  any  object  at  pleasure. 

TAIL  OF  A  GALK  Tbe  latter  part  of  a  gale,  wben  its  violence  is  dying 
out. 

TAIL  ON,  OR  Tally  ov.     Tbe  order  to  clap  on  to  a  rope. 


TAIL-RACE TALLANT  (573 

TAIIi-RA.CE.     The  water  which  leaves  the  paddles  of  a  Bteam-boat     Also, 

the  water-course  of  a  mill  beyond  the  water-wheel. 
TAIL-TACKLE.     A  luff-tackle  purchase,  with  a  hook  ia  the  end  of  the 
single  block,  and  a  tail  to  the  upper  end  of  the  double  block.    Sjnonj- 
mous  with  watcli-tctckle. 

TAIL  UP.  When  a  whale  dives  perpendicularly.  In  this  case  whalers 
expect  the  fish  to  rise  near  the  same  spot     Also  termed  fluking. 

TAIL- VALVE.  A  valve  in  the  air-pump  at  the  opposite  side  from  the 
condenser,  and  connected  with  the  latter  by  a  pipe  under  the  air-pump : 
it  opens  when  pressed  by  steam  entering  the  condenser  by  the  blow- 
through  valve,  but  the  weight  of  the  atmosphere  is  sufficient  to  keep  it 
shut  so  long  as  there  is  a  vacuum  in  the  condenser. 

TAINT.  By  admiralty  law,  the  taint  of  contraband  extends  to  all  pix)perty 
on  board  belonging  to  the  owners  of  detected  contraband  articles. 

TAISHES.     Armour  for  the  thighs. 

TAISTE.     A  northern  name  for  the  black  guillemot. 

TAJASO.  The  jerked  beef  supplied  to  ships  on  some  parts  of  tlie  coast  of 
America. 

TAKK  The  draught  of  fishes  in  a  single  drag  of  the  net  Also,  to  take^ 
in  a  military  sense,  to  take  or  adopt  any  particular  formation,  as  to  take 
open  order,  or  to  take  ground  to  the  right  or  the  left. — ^To  take  an  as- 
tronomical observation,  so  to  ascertain  the  position  of  a  celestial  body  as  to 
learn  from  it  the  place  of  the  ship. 

TAKEL  [Anglo-Saxon}  The  arrows  which  used  to  be  supplied  to  the  fleet; 
the  takill  of  Chaucer. 

TAKEN  AFT.     Complained  of  on  the  quarter-deck. 

TAKE-UP.  The  part  between  the  smoke-box  and  the  bottom  of  the  funnel 
in  a  marine  boiler.  Also,  a  seaman  tcikea  up  slops  when  he  applies  to  the 
purser  for  articles  of  ready-made  clothes,  to  be  charged  against  his  wages. 
AJso,  an  officer  takes  up  the  gauntlet  when  he  accepts  a  challenge,  though 
no  longer  in  the  form  of  a  glove. 

TAKE  WATER  ON  BOARD,  To.     To  ship  a  sea. 

TAKING  A  DEPART  CJRK  Determining  the  place  of  a  ship  by  means 
of  the  bearing  and  distance  of  a  known  object^  and  assuming  it  as  the 
point  to  be  calculated  from. 

TAKING  IN.  The  act  of  brailing  up  and  furling  sails  at  sea;  generally 
used  in  opposition  to  setting.  {See  Furl  and  Shorten.)  Also  said  of  a 
ship  when  loading. 

TAKING  OFF.     Said  of  tides,  when  decreasing  from  the  spring-tides. 

TALARO.  A  silver  coin  of  Ragusa,  value  3s.  sterling :  also  of  Venice, 
value  4s.  2d. 

TALE  [from  Anglo-Saxon  tael,  number].  Taylor  thus  expressed  it  in  1630 — 

'*  Goods  in  and  out,  which  daily  ships  doe  fraight 
By  guesse,  by  tale,  by  measure,  and  by  weight*' 

TALLANT.     The  upper  hance,  or  break  of  the  rudder  abaft. 

2  U 


(57^  TALL  SHIP TARBET 

TALL  SHIP.     A   phrase  among  the  early  voyagers  for   square-rigged 

vessels  having  topmasts. 
TALLY,  To.     To  haul  the  sheets  aft;  as  used  by  Falconer — 

**  And  while  the  lee  dae-gamet's  lower'd  away. 
Taut  aft  the  sheet  they  tally,  and  belay." 

TALUS.     The  old  word  in  fortification  for  slope. 

TAMBOUR.  A  projecting  kind  of  stockade,  attached  to  ill-flanked 
walls,  (fee. 

TAN  AND  TANNED  SAILS.     Those  steeped  in  oak-bark. 

TANG,  OR  Tanole.  Fucua  digitata,  and  other  sea-weed,  which  are  used 
as  manure. 

TANGENT.  A  right  line  raised  perpendicularly  on  the  extremity  of  a 
radius,  touching  the  circle  without  cutting  it. 

TANGENT-SCALE.  Fitted  to  the  breech  of  a  gun  for  admeasuring  its 
elevation;  it  is  a  sliding  pillar  marked  with  degrees  and  their  sub- 
divisions (according  to  the  distance  between  the  sights  on  the  gun),  and 
bears  a  notch  or  other  sight  on  its  head.  With  rifled  guns  a  vernier, 
reading  the  minutes,  is  generally  added. 

TANGENT-SCREW.  A  screw  acting  tangentially  to  a  circle,  by  means 
of  which  a  slow  motion  may  be  given  to  the  vernier  of  any  instrument. 

TANG-FISH.     A  northern  name  for  the  seal 

TANK.  A  piece  of  deep  water,  natural  as  well  as  artificial.  Also,  an  iron 
cistern  for  containing  fresh  water — a  great  improvement  on  wooden  casks 
for  keeping  water  sweet. 

TANKA.  A  covered  Chinese  shore-boat  for  conveying  passengers  to  ships; 
worked  by  women  only. 

TANTARA.     An  old  word  for  the  noise  of  a  drum. 

TAPERED.  A  term  applied  to  ropes  which  decrease  in  size  towards  one 
end,  as  tacks  and  sheets.     Also  termed  rat-tailed. 

TAPERED  CLEAT.  A  piece  of  wood  bolted  under  the  beams,  to  support 
them  when  pillars  are  not  used. 

TAPPING  A  BUOY.  Clearing  it  of  the  water  which  has  entered  it  by 
leakage,  and  would  otherwise  prevent  its  watching. 

TAP  THE  ADMIRAL.  Opprobriously  applied  to  those  who  would 
"drink  anything;"  from  the  tele  of  the  drunkard  who  stole  spirits  from 
the  cask  in  which  a  dead  admiral  was  being  conveyed  to  England. 

TAR  [Anglo-Saxon  tare],  A  kind  of  turpentine  which  is  drained  from 
pines  and  fir-trees,  and  is  used  to  preserve  stending  rigging,  canvas,  <fec., 
irom  the  eflects  of  weather,  by  rendering  them  water-proof  Also,  a 
perfect  sailor;  one  who  knows  his  duty  thoroughly.  {See  Jack  Tar.) 
— Coal  or  gas  tar,  A  fluid  extracted  from  coal  during  the  operation  of 
making  gas,  (fee;  chiefly  used  on  wood  and  iron,  in  the  place  of  paint. 

TARBET,  OB  Tarbebt.  Applied  to  low  necks  of  land  in  Scotland  that 
divide  the  lakes  from  the  sea.  It  literally  means  boat-carT3ring;  and  is 
analogous  to  the  Canadian  "portage." 


i 


TAKBEUSH TKACH  675 

TARBRUSH,  Touch  of  the.  A  nautical  term  applied  to  those  who  are 
slightly  darkened  hj  mixed  blood. 

TARGET  [Anglo-Saxon  targe],     A  leathern  shield.     A  mark  to  aim  at. 

TARCrlA.     An  archaic  term  for  a  vessel,  since  called  a  tartan. 

TARI.     A  coin  of  Italy,  value  8d.  sterling. 

TARIFF.     List  of  duties  payable  upon  exported  and  imported  goods. 

TARITA.     An  ancient  term  for  a  ship  of  burden. 

TARN.     A  small  mountain  lake  [probably  from  the  Icelandic  tiaum], 

TARPAULIN.  Canvas  well  covered  with  tar  or  paint  to  render  it  water- 
proof Also,  the  foul-weather  hats  and  jackets  of  seamen;  often  applied 
to  the  men  themselves.      Properly  pavlin  when  paint  is  used. 

TARRED  WITH  THE  SAME  BRUSH.  Equivalent  to  "birds  of  a 
feather." 

TARRING  AND  FEATHERING.  A  punishment  now  obsolete,— in- 
flicted by  stripping  the  delii^quenty  then  smearing  him  with  tar,  covering 
him  with  flocks  and  feathers,  and  towing  him  ashore.  It  was  ordered  in 
the  naval  enactments  of  Richard  I.  for  theft. 

TARROCK.     The  kittiwake,  Lwrus  tridactylus^  a  small  species  of  gull. 

TARRY-BREEKS.     A  north-country  name  fpr  a  sailor. 

TARTAN.  A  small  coasting  vessel  of  the  MeiHterranean,  with  one  mast 
and  a  bowsprit,  lateen-rigged.  \ 

TARTAR.  A  domineering  commanding  officer. V--^<c)  catch  a  Ta/rtar, 
Said  of  a  vessel  which  mistakes  her  enemy's  force,  ai^d  is  obliged  to  yield. 

TASKING.     Examining  a  vessel  to  see  whether  her  timbers  are  sound. 

TASTING  TIMBER  Chipping  it  with  an  adze,  and  boring  it  with  an 
augur,  to  ascertain  its  quality. 

TATOOING.  The  Burmese,  South  Sea  Islanders,  and  others,  puncture 
the  skin  untU  it  bleeds,  and  then  rub  in  fine  soot  and  other  colouring 
matter.     The  practice  has  become  common  amongst  sailors. 

TATTIES.  Mats  hung  before  doors  and  windows  in  India^  on  which  water 
is  thrown,  to  cool  the  air  inside  by  evaporation. 

TATTOO.  The  evening  sound  of  drum  or  trumpet,  after  which  the  roll  is 
called,  and  all  soldiers  not  on  leave  of  absence  should  be  in  their  quarters. 

TAUNT.  High  or  tall,  conmionly  applied  to  very  long  masts. — AU  a 
taunto  is  a  ship  having  all  her  light  and  long  spars  aloft.  ; 

TAURUS.  The  second  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  enters  about  the 
20th  of  April 

TAUT  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  tought].     Tight. 

TAUT  BOWLINE.     A  ship  sailing  close-hauled  is  "on  a  taut  bowline." 

TAUT  HAND.     A  strict  discipUnarian. 

TAUT  HELM,  ok  Taut  Weathkr-helm.  A  ship  with  a  side  wind  is 
said  to  carry  a  taut  weather-helm,  when  the  water  presses  heavily  on  the 
lee  side  of  the  rudder;  often  the  result  of  her  being  too  much  by  the  head. 

TAUT  LEECH.     A  sail  well  set  on  a  wind,  and  well  filled. 

TEACH,  To.  In  marine  architecture,  is  applied  to  the  direction  which 
any  line  or  curve  seems  to  point  out. 


N 


C76  TEAGLE TENAILLE 

TEAGLK     A  nortEem  word  for  a  crane  for  lifliDg  goods. 

TEAK.  Tectona  grandisy  a  stately  tree,  tbe  pride  of  Indian  and  Burmese 
forests,  used  extensively  in  ship-building;  baving  the  valuable  property  of 
not  shrinking,  and,  by  means  of  its  essential  oil,  preserving  the  iron  bolts 
driven  into  it  &om  rusting. 

TEAL.     A  small  species  of  wild  duck,  Querqtiednta  ertcea, 

TEAM.  Ships  blockading  a  port,  being  generally  formed  in  a  line,  are 
said  to  be  ''in  the  team." 

TEAM-BOAT.  A  ferry-boat  worked  with  horses  by  paddle-wheel  pro- 
pulsion. 

TEA- WAGGON.  A  name  given  to  the  old  East  India  Company^s  shipn 
on  account  of  their  cargo. 

TEAZED  OAKTJM.     Oakum  worked  out  for  caulking.     (Tow). 

TE  DEXJM.  A  hymn  sung  in  thanksgiving  for  victory  obtained.  In 
many  cases  the  causes  of  war  are  such  that  chanting  the  Te  Deum  is 
rank  blasphemy. 

TEE-IRON.  An  instrument  for  drawing  the  lower  box  in  the  barrel  of  a 
pump.    T-shaped  clamp,  knee,  or  other  piece  of  iron-work. 

TEETH.     A  name  for  the  guns  in  a  ship. 

TEE-TOTALLER.  A  very  old  and  general  amplification  of  foto%,  re- 
cently borrowed  from  sea  diction  to  mark  a  class  who  wholly  abstain  from 
alcoholic  drinks. 

TELEGRAPH,  To.  To  convey  intelligence  to  a  distance,  through  the 
medium  of  signals. 

TELESCOPIC  OBJECTS.  All  those  which  ai-e  not  %'isible  to  the  un- 
assisted eya 

TELL  OFF,  To.  To  divide  a  body  of  men  into  divisions  and  subdivisions, 
preparatory  to  a  special  service. 

TELL-TALE.  A  compass  hanging  fietce  downwards  from  the  be^ms  in  the 
cabin,  showing  the  position  of  the  vessel's  head.  Also,  an  index  in  front 
of  the  wheel  to  show  the  position  of  the  tiller. 

TELL-TALE  SHAKR  The  shake  of  a  rope  from  aloft  to  denote  that  it 
wants  letting  go. 

TELL  THAT  TO  THE  MARINES !  A  sailor's  exclamation  when  an 
improbable  story  is  related  to  him. 

TEMOTNS.    See  Witnesses. 

TEMPEST.  A  word  not  much  used  by  seamen.  It  is,  however,  synonym- 
ous with  storm,  gales,  &c.     {See  Storms.) 

TEMPORARY  RANK.  That  owing  to  an  acting  commission,  or  to 
local  circumstances,  ceasing  with  a  particular  service. 

TEMPORARY  STARS.  Those  which  have  suddenly  become  visible,  and 
ailer  attaining  considerable  brightness,  have  as  suddenly  vanished  :  that 
seen  by  Tycho  in  1572  is  a  notable  instance. 

TENAILLE.  In  fortification,  a  long  low  outwork  traced  on  the  inward 
prolongation  of  the  faces  of  the  bastions.  It  covers  the  curtain,  and 
conveniently  defends  the  interior  of  the  ravelin  and  its  redoubt. 


TENAILLOX TKRX  (J77 

TENAILLON.  In  fortification^  a  low  outwork  of  two  faces  meeting  in  a 
salient  angle,  sometimes  attacheil  to  ravelins  to  afford  nearer  Hanking 
fire, 

TENCH.     Tinea  vulgaru^  a  well-known  fresh-water  fish. 

TEND,  To.  To  watch  a  vessel  at  anchor  on  the  turn  of  a  tide,  and  cast 
her  hj  the  helm,  and  some  sail  if  necessary,  so  as  to  keep  the  cable  dear 
of  the  anchor  or  turns  out  of  her  cables  when  moored. 

TENDER.  A  small  vessel  duly  commanded,  and  employeil  to  attend  a 
larger  one,  to  supply  her  with  stores,  to  carry  intelligence  or  volunteers 
and  impressed  men  to  receiving  ships,  <l:c.  An  enemy's  ship  captured  by 
cutters  or  boats  fitted  out  as  tenders  by  men-of-war,  but  without  any 
commission  or  authority  from  the  admiitdty,  will  not  insure  a  prize  to 
the  benefit  of  the  ship.  The  condemnation  will  be  as  a  droit  of  admir* 
alty,  on  the  principle  that  an  officer  does  not  retain  his  commisidon  for 
the  purposes  of  price  on  board  another  ship ;  but  if  captured  by  one  of 
her  boats,  and  brought  to  the  ship,  she  is  good  prize,  as  with  slaves. 
Tender  is  also  a  synonym  of  crank;  thus,  a  spar  may  be  tender, 

TENDINQ.  The  movement  by  which  a  sliip  turns  or  swings  round  when 
at  single  anchor,  or  moored  by  the  head,  at  evoi*y  change  of  tide  or  wind. 

TENON.  The  squai^  heel  of  a  mast,  cut  for  fitting  into  the  step,  Also, 
the  end  of  any  piece  of  timber  which  is  fashione<l  to  enter  into  a  mortise 
in  another  piece;  tliey  are  then  said  to  be  tenoned  together;  as,  for 
instance,  the  stem-post  is  tenoned  into  the  keel. 

TEN-POUNDER  A  name  given  to  a  bony  mullet-shaped  fish  of  the 
West  Indies. 

TENSILE  STRAIN.  The  greatest  efibrt  to  extend,  stretch,  or  dmw 
asunder,  as  in  proving  bars  of  iron,  chain-cables,  i^c. 

TENT.  A  canvas  shelter  pitched  upon  a  pole  or  )K)les,  and  stayed  with 
cords  and  pegs.  Also,  a  roll  of  lint,  or  other  material,  used  in  searching 
a  wound.  Also,  a  small  piece  of  iron  which  kept  up  the  cock  of  a  gtin- 
lock. 

TEREDO  NAVALIS.  A  worm  which,  furnished  with  a  peculiar  augur 
adaptation  at  its  head,  bores  into  timber,  forming  a  shell  as  it  progresses. 
They  attain  the  length  of  three  feet  or  more,  with  a  diameter  of  one 
inch  or  less.  Even  if  the  ship  be  destroyed  by  them,  the  loss  is  not 
within  the  policy  of  insurance. 

TERMINAL  VELOCITY  op  any  given  Body.  The  greatont  velocity  it 
can  acquire  by  falling  freely  through  the  air;  the  limit  being  arrivinl  at 
when  the  increase  of  the  atmospheric  reHistanco  becomes  0(\\u\\  to  tlio 
increase  of  the  force  of  gravity. 

TERMINATOR.  The  line  separating  the  illuminated  from  the  dark 
portion  of  the  moon's  disc. 

TERM-PIECES,  or  Terms.  Pieces  of  carved  work  on  each  side  of  the 
taffrail  upon  the  side  stem-timber,  and  extending  down  as  low  as  the 
foot-rail  of  the  balcony. 

TERN,  OR  Sea-swallow.     A  species  of  sea-bird,  allied  to  the  gulls,  but  of 


678  TERNARY  SYSTEM THERMOMETRIC  SAILING 

smaller  and  lighter  make,  and  with  longer  and  more  pointed  wings  and 
tail;  genus  Sterna. 

TERNARY  SYSTEM.  Three  stars  in  close  proximity,  and  found  to  be 
in  physical  connection,  as,  for  instance,  (  Cancri. 

TERRADA.  An  Indian  boat,  otherwise  called  toriee,  A  large  'long-shore 
boat  of  the  Gulf  of  Persia, 

TERRAPIN  (contracted  by  sailors  into  turpin  and  tenopen),  A  fresh- 
water tortoise,  plentiful  in  America,  and  much  esteemed  for  food. 

TERREPLEIN.  In  fortification,  the  horizontal  surface  of  the  rampart  in 
rear  of  the  parapet. 

TERRESTRIAL  REFRACTION.  The  property  of  the  atmosphere  by 
which  objects  appear  to  be  higher  than  they  really  are,  and  in  certain 
cases  producing  the  effect  called  deceptio  visus,  B.nd /ata  morgana, 

TERRITORY.  The  protection  of  neutral  territory  operates  to  the  resti- 
tution of  enemy's  property  captured  within  its  limits.  Since  the  intro- 
duction of  fire-arms  that  distance  has  usually  been  recognized  to  be  almost 
three  English  miles. 

TERTIATE,  To.  To  examine  whether  a  piece  of  ordnance  is  truly  bored 
and  has  its  due  proportion  of  metal  in  every  part,  especially  at  the  vent, 
the  trunnions,  and  the  muzzle. 

TESTING  A  CHAIN-CABLK  Trying  its  strength  by  the  hydraulic 
machine,  which  strains  it  beyond  what  it  is  likely  to  undergo  when  in  use. 

TESTONE.  A  silver  Papal  coin,  value  Is.  3d.  A  testone  is  also  a  current 
coin  in  Portugal,  consisting  of  100  reis. 

TETE  DE  PONT.  A  work  covering  the  farther  end  of  a  bridge  from 
assault  from  the  country  beyond. 

TEW,  To.     To  beat  hemp. 

THAXJGHTS  (properly  Athwarts).     See  Thwarts. 

THEODOLITK  The  theodolite,  as  used  in  land-surveying,  levelling,  Ac., 
is  well  known.  But  the  great  theodolite,  with  its  vertical  circle  and 
telescope  adapted  to  the  observation  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  as  used  by 
nautical  astronomers,  commonly  called  an  alt-azimuth  instrument,  is 
almost  an  observatory  per  se.  By  this  alone,  within  three  hours  on  each 
side  of  noon,  the  longitude,  latitude,  and  magnetic  variation  of  a  position 
may  be  determined. 

THERE!  A  word  added  in  hailing  any  part  of  a  ship;  as,  "Forecastle 
there!"  "Mast-head  there!" 

THERE  AWAY !  A  phrase  accompanied  by  pointing  on  a  bearing,  or  to 
an  object  in  sight.     Thereabout,  in  that  quarter. 

THERMOMETER  An  instrument  to  measure  the  amount  of  heat  by  the 
expansion  of  a  fluid  (generally  quicksilver)  contained  in  a  glass  bulb,  in 
connection  with  which  is  a  hermetically  closed  tube,  up  which  the  fluid 
rises  as  the  heat  increases.  This  tube  is  graduated  differently  in  different 
countries. 

THERMOMETRIC  SAILING.  A  scheme  for  detecting  the  approach  to 
shoal  water  by  the  diminution  of  temperature,  and  found  to  be  useful  in 


THICK THREE  g79 

8ome  places,  such  as  the  Agulhas  and  Newfoundland  Banks;  in  the  latter 
a  difference  of  20*"  has  been  observed,  on  quitting  the  Gulf  Stream  and 
gaining  soundings  in  100  fathoms. 

THICK- AND-DRY  FOR  WEIGHING!  To  clap  on  nippers  closely, 
just  at  starting  the  anchor  from  the  ground. 

THICK  AND  THIN  BLOCK,  or  Fiddle-block.  A  block  having  one 
sheave  larger  than  the  other,  sometimes  used  for  quarter-blocks. 

THICK  STUFF.  Sided  timber,  or  naval  planks,  under  one  foot,  and 
above  4  inches  in  thickness. 

THIEVES'  CAT.  A  cat-o'-nine-tails  having  knots  upon  it,  and  only  used 
for  the  punishment  of  theft. 

THIMBLE.  An  iron  ring  with  a  concave  outer  surface  to  contain  snugl}'- 
in  the  cavity  a  rope,  which  is  spliced  about  it.  Its  use  is  to  defend  the 
rope  which  surrounds  it  from  being  injured  by  another  rope,  or  the  hook 
or  a  tackle  which  passes  through  it 

THIMBLE-EYES.  Are  thimble-shaped  apertures  in  iron-plates  where 
sheaves  are  not  required;  frequently  used  instead  of  dead-eyes  for  the 
topmajst-rigging,  fiittock-plates,  and  backstays  in  the  channels. 

THODS.     An  old  northern  term  for  sudden  gusts  of  wind. 

THOKES.  Fish  with  broken  bellies,  which  are  prohibited  to  be  mixed 
or  packed  with  tale  fish. 

THOLE,  Thole-pin,  ok  Thowel  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  thol].  Certain 
pins  in  the  gunwale  of  a  boat,  instead  of  the  rowlock-poppets,  and  serving 
to  retain  the  oars  in  position  when  pulling;  generally  there  is  only  one  pin 
to  each  oar,  which  is  retained  upon  the  pin  by  a  grommet,  or  a  cleat  with 
a  hole  through  it,  naUed  on  the  side  of  the  oar.  The  principal  use  is  to 
allow  the  oar,  in  case  of  action,  suddenly  to  lie  fore-and-aft  over  the  side, 
and  take  care  of  itself.  This  was  superseded  by  the  swinging  thowel,  or 
metal  crutch,  in  1819,  and  by  admiralty  order  at  Portsmouth  Yard  in 
1830. 

THORN-BACK.     A  well-known  fish  of  the  ray  kind,  Eaia  davata, 

THOROUGH-PUTS,  ob  Thobough-foots,  are  kinks  or  tangles  in  a  rope; 
or  parts  of  a  tackle  not  leading  fair  by  reason  of  one  of  the  blocks  having 
been  passed  round  part  of  the  fall,  and  so  getting  a  turn. 

THOUGHT.     An  old  spelling  of  thwart. 

THRASHER,  ob  Thbesheb.  A  species  of  shark  with  a  long  tail,  Car- 
cha/rias  vulpes.  Also  applied  to  a  kind  of  grampus,  which  was  supposed 
to  attack  the  whale  by  leaping  out  of  the  water  and  inflicting  blows  with 
its  powerful  tail 

THREAD  [Ang.-Sax.  thred].  The  middle  of  a  river  or  stream. — To  thread. 
To  run  a  ship  through  narrow  and  intricate  channels  among  islands. 

THREE-COCKED  HAT.  A  silly  article  of  sea-wear  now  happily  passing 
away,  retained  only  by  coachmen,  lord-mayor's  men,  and  parish  beadles. 

THREE-DECKERS.     Ships  with  three  full  batteries. 

THREE  HALF-HITCHES  abe  mobe  than  a  king's  yacht  wants. 
An  exclamatory  remark  to  a  green  hand,  meaning  that  two  are  enough. 


680  THREE THROW 

THREE  SHEETS  IN  THE  WIND.     Unsteady  from  drink. 

THREE  SISTERS.  Formerly  the  badge  of  office  of  boatswains'  mates 
and  masters-at-arms,  made  of  three  rattans  bound  together  with  waxed 
twine. 

THREE-SQUARE.  An  odd  word  applied  to  staysails,  or  anything  trian- 
gular, as  was  the  oblong  square  to  a  parallelogram. 

THRIFT.     Armeriay  a  genus  of  handsome  plants  growing  on  the  sea-coast. 

THROAT.  The  widened  and  hollowed  end  of  a  gaff  next  the  mast;  opposed 
to  peak,  the  outer  end.  Also,  the  midship  portion  of  the  floor-timbers 
and  transoms.     The  contrary  of  breech, 

THROAT-BOLTS.  Eye-bolts  fixed  in  the  lower  part  of  tops,  and  the  jaw- 
ends  of  gaffs,  for  hooking  the  throat-halliards  to. 

THROAT-BRAILS.     Those  which  are  attached  to  the  gaff  for  trussing  up 

the  sail  close  to  the  gaff  as  well  as  the  mast     (See  B&aii^,  and  Tophast- 

STAYSAiLS.)     Falconer  says : — 

*'For  he  who  striTes  the  tempest  to  disarm, 
Will  never  first  embnul  the  lee  yard-arm.^' 

Brail  thus  applies  to  leech-lines,  clue-lines,  &c 

THROAT-HALLIARDS.  Ropes  or  tackles  applied  to  hoist  the  inner 
part  of  the  gaff,  and  its  portion  of  the  sail,  and  hook  on  to  the  throat-bolts, 
as  above. 

THROAT-SEIZING.  In  blocks,  confines  the  hook  and  thimble  in  the  strop 
home  to  the  scores.  Also,  in  turning  in  rigging,  the  throat-seizing  is 
passed  with  riding  turns,  through  which  the  end  is  hove  taut,  and  being 
turned  up  sharply,  is  well  seized  to  the  standing  part  of  the  rigging, 
making  it  a  severo  cross  nip,  which  cannot  render  or  slip. 

THROT.     That  part  of  the  mizen-yard  close  to  the  mast. 

THROTTLE- VALVE.  A  valve  in  the  steam-pipe  of  an  engine  for  pre- 
venting the  escape  of  steam,  or  rogulating  the  velocity  of  its  passage  from 
the  boiler  to  the  cylinder. 

THROUGH  ALL.  Canying  canvas  in  heavy  squalls  without  starting  a 
stitch*  It  demands  not  only  coui*age,  but  seamanlike  judgment  Also 
applied  to  the  cable,  or  any  purchase  where,  by  reason  of  its  slipperiaess, 
the  purchase  does  not  nip;  she  is  then  said  to  be  ^'heaving  through  all.'' 
"Fresh  nippers,  thick  and  dry,  for  weighing,"  are  then  called  for,  and 
sand  applied  to  overcome  the  slipping. 

THROUGH  FASTENINGS.  AppHed  to  bolts  and  treenails  driven 
through  both  the  timber  and  plank  of  the  sides. 

THROUGH-PIECES.     See  Graving-pieces. 

THROUGH  THE  FLEET.  A  seaman's  being  sentenced  by  court-mar- 
tial to  be  towed  by  a  boat  from  every  ship  through  the  fleet,  and  re- 
ceive alongside  each  a  proportion  of  the  lashes  to  be  inflicted.  But  this 
was  only  awarded  where  the  offence  deserved  a  less  punishment  than 
death,  and  is  now  discontinued,  solitary  confinement  or  penal  servitude 
being  substituted. 

THROW.     A  cast  of  the  hand-lead. 


THROWING TICKLING  OF  FISH  68 1 

THROWING  A  Steah-enoine  out  op  Gear.  Disconnecting  the  eccentric 
rod  from  the  gab-lever. 

THRUM.  Any  coarse  woollen  or  hempen  yam.  It  is  used  for  mops,  &c., 
in  the  cabins;  also  for  mats,  which  are  worked  on  canvas  with  a  large 
bolt-rope  needle. — To  thrum.  A  vessel,  when  leaky,  is  thrummed  by 
working  some  heavy  spare  sail,  as  the  spritsail,  into  a  thrummed  mat, 
greasing  and  tarring  it  well,  passing  it  under  the  bottom,  and  heaving  all 
parts  tight.  The  pressure  forces  the  tarred  oakum  into  the  openings,  and 
thus,  in  part,  arrests  the  ingress  of  water. 

THRUMMED  MAT.  A  small  mat  faced  with  rope-yam  or  spun  yarn, 
which  is  used  in  a  vessel's  rigging  to  prevent  chafing. 

THRUST.     The  effort  of  a  screw-propeller. 

THUD.     The  sound  of  a  bullet  on  hitting  the  intended  object 

THULE  [Gaelic  thiuith].     An  extreme  object  to  the  north. 

THUMB-CLEAT.  In  shape  resembling  a  thumb.  They  arrest  the  topsail- 
reef-earings  from  slipping,  and  are  also  lashed  to  the  rigging  with  a  hollow, 
cut  out  to  act  as  a  hook,  to  suspend  the  bight  of  a  rope,  as  the  truss-pen- 
dants on  the  lower  masts. 

THUNDERING.  A  sailor*s  emphatic  word  for  anything  choice,  large, 
fine,  or  powerful. 

THUNDER  SQUALL.  This  is  similar  to  the  black  squall,  only  that  it 
is  always  preceded  and  attended  by  lightning  and  thunder,  and  accom- 
panied by  extremely  heavy  rain. 

THUNNY.     See  Tunny. 

THUS,  Very  well  Thus,  or  Dyce.  The  order  to  the  helmsman  to  keep 
the  ship  in  her  present  direction,  when  sailing  close-hauled.  This  tiiily 
sailor's  motto  was  adopted  by  the  Earl  St.  Vincent. 

THWART  CLAMPS  or  KNEES.  Those  which  secure  the  after,  main, 
and  fore  thwarts  to  the  rising  and  gunwales,  and  which  support  the 
masts. 

THWART-MARKS,  to  a  Harbour.  Two  objects  on  the  land,  which, 
brought  into  line  with  each  other,  mark  the  safe  course  between  shoals, 
as  those  on  Southsea  Common  act  for  the  Needlesf,  Swashways,  &c 

THWARTS  (properly  Athwarts).  The  seats  or  benches  athwart  a  boat 
whereon  the  rowers  sit  to  manage  their  oars. 

THWART-SHIPS.  Across  the  ship,  or  from  one  side  to  the  other.  (See 
Athwart.) 

TIBRIC.     An  old  name  for  the  coal-fish. 

TIBURON[Sp.]    The  shark. 

TICKET.  An  official  waiTant  of  discharge,  so  that  a  heavy  penalty  attaches 
to  the  loss  of  any  of  the  blank  ones  in  the  captain's  charge.  It  is  always 
used  in  counterparts,  which  are  ordered  to  be  perfect  duplicates  of  each 
other. 

TICKET-BOOK.  A  register  for  accounting  for  all  tickets  and  certificates 
received  and  used. 

TICKLING  OF  FISH     Tlie  same  as  gennelin.     (See  Groping.) 


682  TIDAL  WAVE TIEREBS 

TIDAL  WAVE.  The  wave  caused  by  the  combined  action  of  the  sun  and 
moon :  its  greatest  influence  is  felt  some  time  after  the  moon  has  passed 
the  meridian  of  any  place. 

TIDE.  A  regular  periodical  current  of  waters,  setting  alternately  in  a  flux 
and  reflux;  it  is  owing  to  the  attraction  of  the  sun  and  moon,  but  chiefly 
to  the  latter.  The  highest  as  well  as  most  rapid,  perhaps,  are  in  the 
Gulf  of  Fundy  and  the  river  Wye;  and  on  the  contrary  the  lowest,  as  well 
as  feeblest,  are  in  the  Mediterranean  generally. — To  tide,  is  to  work  up 
or  down  a  river  or  harbour,  with  a  fair  tide  in  a  head  wind  or  a  calm; 
coming  to  anchor  when  the  tide  turns. 

TIDE  OB  TIDAL  HARBOUR  A  port  which  can  only  be  entered  at  a 
certain  time  of  flood. 

TIDE  AND  HALF-TIDE.  Those  roadsteads  affected  by  several  rivers 
or  channels  leading  into  them;  as,  for  instance,  Spithead 

TIDE-BALL.  A  ball  hoisted  to  denote  when  the  depth  of  water  permits 
vessels  to  enter  a  bar-harbour,  or  to  take  the  bar  outside,  from  the  known 
depth  within. 

TIDE-GATE.     A  place  where  the  tide  runs  strong. 

TIDE-GAUGE.  An  instrument  contrived  for  measuring  the  lieight  of  the 
tides. 

TIDE,  Ebb  OP.     The  falling  tide. 

TIDE-POOL.     A  sort  of  basin  worn  in  seaside  rocks. 

TIDE-HIP.  Those  short  ripplings  which  result  from  eddies,  or  the  passage 
of  the  tide  over  uneven  bottom;  also  observed  in  the  ocean  where  two 
currents  meet,  but  not  appearing  to  affect  a  ship*s  coursa 

TIDE-RODE.  The  situation  of  a  vessel  at  anchor  when  she  swings  by  the 
force  of  the  tide.     In  opposition  to  wind-rode, 

TIDE'S  WORK.  The  amount  of  progress  a  ship  has  made  during  a 
favourable  tide.  Also,  a  period  of  necessary  labour  on  a  ship  during  the 
ebbing  and  slack  water  of  a  tide.  That  is  when  the  sea  has  left  the 
vessel  aground  between  two  tides,  so  as  to  enable  workmen  to  repair 
defects  down  to  a  certain  depth,  laid  bare  by  the  receding  tide. 

TIDE-WAY.  The  mid-stream;  or  a  passage  or  channel  through  which  the 
tide  sets,  and  runs  strongly. 

TIE-FOR-TYE.  Mutual  obligation  and  no  favour;  as  in  the  case  of  the 
tie-matey  the  comrade  who,  in  the  days  of  long  hair^  performed  the  tie  for 
tie  on  the  tails.     {See  Tye.) 

TIER.  A  regular  row  of  anything.  Also,  a  range  in  the  hold;  hence  the 
terms,  ground  tier,  second  and  upper  tier,  &c.,  of  casks  or  goods  stowed 
there. — Cable-tier,     The  space  in  a  ship  where  hempen  cables  were  coiled. 

TIERCK  Is  specially  applied  to  provision  casks,  and  is  the  third  of  a 
pipe;  but  the  beef-tierce  contains  280  Iba,  or  28  galls.,  whilst  that  of 
pork  only  contains  260  lbs.,  or  26  galls.  Now  the  beef-tierce  oflen  con- 
tains 336  lbs.,  and  the  pork  300  lb& 

TIERERS.  Men  formerly  stationed  in  the  tiers  for  coiling  away  the  cables, 
where  strength^  activity,  and  ability  shone  conspicuously. 


TIEE-SHOT TIMBERS  683 

TIER-SHOT.  That  kind  of  grape-shot  which  is  secured  in  tiers  by  parallel 
iron  discs. 

TIES.     An  old  name  for  mooring  bridles.    Also,  stops  to  a  saiL    {See  Tye.) 

TIGHT.  Close,  free  from  leaks.  Hence  a  ship  is  said  to  be  tight  when 
no  water  leaks  in;  and  a  cask  is  called  tight  when  none  of  the  liquid 
leaks  out.     Applied  to  ropes  or  chains  this  word  becomes  taut, 

TILLER     A  straight-grained  timber  beam,  or  iron  bar,  fitted  into  or 

f  round  the  head  of  the  rudder,  hj  means  of  which  the  latter  is  moved. 
{See  Heuc.) 

TILLEErHEAD.  The  extremity  of  the  tiller,  to  which  the  tiller-ropes  are 
attached. 

TILLEB-BOPES.  The  ropes  which  form  a  communication  between  the 
end  of  the  tiller  and  the  barrel  of  the  wheel;  they  are  frequently  made 
of  untarred  rope,  though  hide  is  much  better;  and  iron  chains  are  also 
used.     By  these  the  tiller  is  worked  and  the  vessel  steered. 

TILLER-SWEEP.    See  Sweep  op  the  Tilleb. 

TILT.  A  small  canopy  extended  over  the  stem-sheets  of  a  boat,  supported 
by  iron  or  wood  work,  to  keep  off  rain,  as  an  awning  is  used  to  keep  off 
the  sum — To  tiU,     To  lift  up  a  little  on  one  side  or  end  of  anything. 

TILT-BOAT.  One  expressly  fitted  like  a  tilt-waggon,  to  preserve  powder 
or  other  fragile  stores  from  the  weather. 

TIMBER  [Anglo-Saxon].  All  large  pieces  of  wood  used  in  ship-building, 
SiS  Jloor'timherSy  croas-piecee, /uttocks, /rames,  and  the  like  (all  which  see). 

TIMBER  AND  ROOM,  is  the  distance  between  two  adjoining  timbei*s, 
which  alwa3rs  contain  the  breadth  of  two  timbers,  and  two  or  three  inches 
besides.     The  same  as  room  and  apace,  or  berth  a/nd  apace, 

TIMBER-CONVERTER  A  dock-yard  official  who  has  the  chaise  of 
converting  timber  for  its  different  purposes  in  ship-building. 

TIMBERrHEADS.  The  heads  of  the  timbers  that  rise  above  the  decks, 
and  are  used  for  belaying  hawsers,  large  ropes,  &c,  {See  Kevel-heads.) 
These  being  such  important  parts  of  a  ship,  men  of  acknowledged  talent 
in  the  royal  navy  are  styled  "the  timber-heada  of  the  profession.'* 

TIMBER-HITCH,  is  made  by  taking  the  end  of  a  rope  round  a  spar,  and 
after  leading  it  under  and  over  the  standing  part,  passing  two  or  three 
turns  round  its  own  part,  making  in  fact  a  running  but  self-jamming  eye. 

TIMBERS.  The  incurvated  ribs  of  a  ship  which  branch  outwards  from 
the  keel  in  a  vertical  direction,  so  as  to  give  strength,  figure,  and  solidity 
to  the  whole  fiibric.  One  timber  is  composed  of  several  pieces.  {See 
Fbame.) — Cant  or  aquwre  timbera^  are  those  which  are  placed  obliquely  on 
the  keel  towards  the  extremities  of  a  ship,  forming  the  dead  solid  wood 
of  the  gripe,  and  of  the  after  heel. — Filling  timbera.  Those  which  are 
put  up  between  the  frames.  One  mould  serves  for  two  timbers,  the  fore- 
side  of  the  one  being  supposed  to  imite  with  the  after-side  of  the  one 
before  it,  and  so  make  only  one  line. — KnucMe-dmbera  are  the  foremost 
cant-timbers  on  a  ship's  bow :  the  hindmost  on  the  quarter  are  termed 
^aahion-piecea. 


684.  TIMBBK-TASTEB TOE  A  LINE 

TIMBEErTASTEK  One  appointed  to  examine  and  pronounce  upon  the 
fitness  of  timber. 

TIME,  Mean,  ob  Mean  Solar  Time.  That  shown  by  a  clock  or  watch 
when  compensated  for  the  uneqiial  progress  of  the  sun  in  the  ecliptic, 
and  which  thence  forms  an  equable  measure  of  time. — To  take  time  is  for 
an  assistant  to  note  the  time  by  a  chronometer  at  each  instant  that  the 
observer  calls  ''stop,"  on  effecting  his  astronomical  observation  for  altitude 
of  a  heavenly  body,  or  for  contact  with  the  sun  and  moon,  or  moon  and 
star. 

TIME-KEEPER,  Time-piece,  or  Chronometer.  An  instrument  adapted 
for  measunug  mean  time.  The  result  of  many  years  of  study  and 
experiment  by  our  best  horologists.     (See  Longitude.) 

TIMENOGUY.  Formerly  a  rope  carried  taut  between  different  parts  of 
a  vessel,  to  prevent  the  sheet  or  tack  of  a  course  from  getting  foul  in 
working  ship;  specially  from  the  fore-rigging  to  the  anchor-stock,  to 
prevent  the  fouling  of  the  fore-sheet. 

TIMONEER  [derived  from  the  French].  The  helmsman.  Also,  one  on 
the  look-out,  who  directs  the  helmsman. 

TIMONOGY.  This  term  properly  belongs  to  steering,  and  is  derived  from 
timoTiy  the  tiller,  and  the  twiddling-lines,  which  worked  in  olden  times  on 
a  gauge  in  front  of  the  poop,  in  ships  of  the  line,  by  which  the  position  of 
the  helm  was  easily  read  even  from  the  forecastle. 

TINDAL.     A  Lascar  boatswain's-mate. 

TINKER.  A  small  mortar  formerly  used  on  the  end  of  a  staff,  now 
superseded  by  the  Coehorn.     Also,  a  small  meu^kerel. 

TINKERMEN.  Fishermen  who  destroyed  the  fry  of  fish  on  the  Thames 
by  nets,  and  other  unlawful  contrivances,  till  suppressed  by  the  mayor 
and  corporation  of  London. 

TIN-POTTER.     A  galley  skulker,  shamming  Abraham. 

TIPPET.     A  snood  for  a  fishing-line. 

TIPPING  ALL  NINES,  or  Tipped  the  Nines.     Foundering  from  press 
of  sail 
Y      TIPPING  THE  GRAMPUS.     Ducking  a  skulker  for  being  asleep  on  his 
watch.     (See  Blowing  the  Grampus.) 

TIRE.     Synonymous  with  tier, 

TITIVATE,  To;  or  Titivate  off  to  the  Nines.  To  freshen  the  paint- 
work; to  put  into  the  highest  kelter. 

TOAD-FISH.     The  Lophius  piacatoinus,  or  fishing-frog. 

TOBACCO.  Has  been  supplied  for  the  use  of  the  ships'  companies  in  the 
royal  navy  from  the  Ist  January,  1799. 

TOB  ACCO-CH  ARTS.  The  worthless  charts  formerly  sold  by  ship-chandlers. 

TOD-BOAT.     A  broad  flat  Dutch  fishing-boat. 

TODDY.  The  sura  or  juice  extracted  from  various  kinds  of  palm,  and 
often  called  palm-wine.  A  mixture  of  spirits^  water,  and  sugar  is  also 
called  toddy.     (See  Arrack.) 

TOE  A  LINE !     The  order  to  stand  in  a  row. 


TOGGLE TOMPION  685 

TOGGLE.  A  strong  pin  of  wood,  sometimes  used  instead  of  a  hook  in 
fixing  a  tackle,  or  it  is  put  through  the  bight  or  eye  of  a  rope,  bolt,  or 
block-strop,  to  keep  it  in  its  place.  In  ships  of  war  it  is  usual  to  fix 
toggles  upon  the  running  parts  of  the  topsail-sheets,  the  jears,  &c.,  when 
preparing  for  action,  so  that  if  the  rope  is  shot  away  below,  the  toggle 
may  stop  the  yard  from  coming  don^oi.  The  toggle  is  used  in  masting 
operations,  in  securing  the  standing  part  of  fore  and  main  sheets,  but 
especially  in  whaling  operations,  cutting  in,  flensing,  d:c.,  a  hole  is  cut  in 
the  blubber,  the  eye  of  the  purchase  strop  passed  through  and  toggled. 
In  cold  weather  especially  it  is  preferred  to  the  hook,  which  at  low  tem- 
peratures is  apt  to  snap  suddenly,  and  is,  moreover,  heavier  to  handle. 
The  term  is  also  used  for  putting  the  bights  of  the  sheets  in  the  beckets. 
{See  Bbcket.) 

TOGGLE-BOLT.  This  bolt  is  used  to  confine  the  ensign-staff,  and  the 
like,  into  its  place  by  means  of  a  strap;  it  has  a  fiat  head,  and  a  mortice 
through  it,  that  receives  a  toggle  or  pin. 

TOGS.  A  very  old  term  for  clothes. — Togged  to  Uie  nines,  in  full  dress.— 
Swnjday  toga,  the  best  clothes. 

TOISK  The  French  fathom,  nearly  approaching  to  ours :  the  proportion  of 
the  English  yard  to  the  French  demi-toise  being  as  36  to  38*35.  The 
toise  is  equal  to  6-3946  English  feet 

TOKE.  A  drink  made  from  honey  in  Madagascar;  very  dangerous  to 
Europeans. 

TOKO  FOR  YAM.  An  expression  peculiar  to  negroes  for  crying  out 
before  being  hurt. 

TOLEDO.  An  esteemed  Spanish  sword,  so  called  from  the  place  of  manu- 
facture. 

TOLL.     A  demand,  <fec.,  at  the  Sound;  hence  the  epithet  of  Sound  dues. 

TOM.     A  pet  bow-chaser,  a  9  or  12-pounder.     {See  Long  Tom.) 

TOMAHAWK.  A  weapon  somewhat  resembling  a  hand  pole-axe,  much 
used  in  boarding  an  enemy,  as  it  is  not  only  effective  in  combat^  but 
useful  in  holding  on,  and  in  cutting  away  fasts  and  rigging  when  required. 
The  name  is  derived  from  the  hatchet  of  the  North  American  Indians. 

TOM    ASTONERS.      Dashing  fellows;    from  astound   or  "astony,"   to  J^ 
terrify. 

TOM  COX'S  TRAVERSE.     Up  one  hatchway  and  down  another :  others    i^ 
say  three  turns  round  the  long  boat,  and  a  pull  at  the  scuttle.     It  means 
the  work  of  an  artful  dodger,  all  jaw,  and  no  good  in  him. 

TOMMY  COD.  A  very  small  variety  of  the  Gadua  morrhua,  which 
mostly  appears  in  the  winter  months;  whence  it  is  also  called  frost-fish  at 
Halifax  and  in  Newfoundland. 

TOM  NORIR     A  name  of  the  puffin,  Fratercula  arctica, 

TOM  PEPPER.  A  term  for  a  liar;  he  having,  accoitiing  to  nautic 
tradition,  been  kicked  out  of  the  nether  regions  for  indulging  in  £a.lse- 
hood. 

TOMPION.     A  circular  plug  of  wood,  used  to  stop  the  muzzle  of  a  gun,  and 


:; 


^ 


686  TOMTOM TOP- ARMINGS 

thereby  keep  out  the  wet  at  secu  The  tompions  are  carefully  encircled 
with  tallow  or  putty  for  the  same  purpose.  Also,  the  stopper  fitted  to 
go  between  the  powder  and  shell  in  a  mortar.  This  name  is  often  pro- 
nounced as  well  as  written  tompkin. 

TOM-TOM.  A  small  drum,  made  from  the  stem  of  a  hollowed  tree,  gene- 
rally of  the  palm-tribe,  as  the  centre  is  pithy  and  the  skin  flinty.  It  is 
covered  by  the  skin  of  a  lizard  or  shark,  and  beaten  with  the  fingera  It 
is  used  throughout  the  tropics,  and  produces  a  hollow  monotonous  sound. 
In  the  East  Indies  it  is  used  to  proclaim  public  notices,  and  to  draw  atten- 
tion to  conjurors,  snake-charmers,  &c, 

TON,  OB  Tun  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  tunne].  In  commerce,  20  cwt,  or 
2240  lbs.,  but  in  the  cubical  contents  of  a  ship  it  is  the  weight  of  water 
equal  to  2000  lbs.,  by  the  general  standard  for  liquids.  A  tun  of  wine 
or  oil  contains  4  hogsheads.  A  ton  or  load  of  timber  is  a  measure  of  40 
cubic  feet  in  the  rough,  and  of  50  when  sawn:  42  cubic  feet  of  articles 
equal  one  ton  in  shipment. 

TONER  A  canoe  of  some  burden,  made  of  the  hollowed  trunk  of  a  tree 
in  early  use  on  the  Malabar  coast.     {See  Terrada.) 

TON  FOR  TON  AND  MAN  FOR  MAN.  A  phrase  implying  that  ships 
sailing  as  consorts,  ought  fairly  to  divide  whatever  prize  they  take. 

TONGUE  [Anglo-Saxon  tungd\,  The  long  tapered  end  of  one  piece  of 
timber  made  to  fay  into  a  scarph  at  the  end  of  another  piece,  to  gain 
length.  Also,  a  low  salient  point  of  land.  Also,  a  dangerous  mass  of  ice 
projecting  under  water  from  an  iceberg  or  floe,  nearly  horizontally;  it  was 
on  one  of  these  shelves  that  the  Cruardian  frigate  struck. 

TONGUE  OF  A  BEVEL.  The  movable  part  of  the  instrument  by 
which  the  angles  or  bevellings  are  taken. 

TONNAGE.  A  custom  or  impost  formerly  granted  to  the  crown  for  mer- 
chandise imported  or  exported.  Also,  the  admeasurement  of  a  ship,  and 
thence  to  ascertain  her  cubical  contents  converted  into  tons.  {See  Burden.) 

TOP.  A  sort  of  platform  placed  over  the  head  of  the  lower  mast^  from 
which  it  projects  like  a  scafibld.  The  principal  intention  of  the  top  is  to 
extend  the  topmast-shrouds,  so  as  to  form  a  greater  angle  with  the  mast, 
and  thereby  give  it  additional  support  It  is  sustained  by  certain  timbers 
bolted  fore-and-aft  on  the  bibs  or  shoulders  of  the  mast,  and  called  the 
trestle-trees;  athwart  these  are  the  cross-trees.  In  ships  of  war  it  is  used 
as  a  kind  of  redoubt^  and  is  fortified  accordingly.  It  is  also  very  con- 
venient for  containing  the  materials  for  setting  the  small  sails,  fixing  and 
repairing  the  rising,  kc.  The  tops  are  named  after  their  respective 
masts.  This  top  was  formerly  fenced  on  the  afler-side  by  a  rail  about 
three  feet  high,  between  the  stanchions  of  which  a  netting  was  usually 
constructed,  and  stowed  in  action  with  hammocks.  This  was  covered 
with  red  baize,  or  canvas  painted  red,  and  called  the  top-armour.  Top- 
armours  were  in  use  with  the  Spaniards  in  1810. 

TOP-ARMINGS.  Hammocks  stowed  inside  the  rigging  for  the  protection 
of  riflemen. 


r 


TOP  A  YARD TOP.RAIL  687 

TOP  A  YARD  OR  BOOM,  To.  To  raise  up  one  end  of  it  by  hoisting 
on  the  lift,  as  the  spanker-boom  is  lifted  before  setting  the  saiL 

TOP-BLOCK.  A  laige  single  block  with  an  iron  strop  and  hook,  by  which 
it  is  hooked  into  an  eye-bolt  under  the  lower  cap,  and  is  used  for  the  top- 
pendant  to  reeve  through  in  swaying  up  or  lowering  down  the  topmasts. 

TOP  BURTON-TACKLE.     .See  Burton. 

TOP-CASTLES.  Castellated  ledgings  suiTounding  the  mast-heads  of  our 
early  ships,  in  which  the  pages  to  the  officers  were  stationed  to  annoy  the 
enemy  with  darts,  &c 

TOP-CHAIN.  A  chain  to  sling  the  yards  in  time  of  battle,  in  case  of  the 
ropes  by  which  they  are  hung  being  shot  away. 

TOPE.  A  small-sized  Chinese  junk.  Also,  the  Galeua  vulgaris,  a  kind  of 
shark.     Also,  a  small  grove  of  trees  in  India. 

TOP-GALLANT.  In  the  Cotton  MSa  this  word  appears  as  "top-gar- 
land." 

TOPGALLANT-FORECASTLE.  A  short  deck  forward  above  the  upper 
deck,  mostly  used  as  a  galley,  but  in  some  merchantmen  a  berthing 
place  for  their  crews,  though  generally  very  wet  and  uncomfortable  for 
want  of  a  few  necessary  fittings.  Also,  it  facilitates  working  the  head- 
sails. — In  several  of  the  ironclad  frigates,  chase-guns  are  fitted  there. 

TOPGALLANT-MAST.  The  third  mast  above  the  deck ;  the  uppermost 
before  the  days  of  royals  and  flying  kites. 

TOP-GALLANT  QUARTER-BOARDS,  or  Top-gallant  Bulwarks. 
See  Quarter-boards. 

TOPGALLANT-SAILS.  The  third  sails  above  the  decks:  they  are  set 
above  the  topsail-yards,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  topsails  above  the 
lower  yards. 

TOP-HAMPER.  Any  unnecessary  weight  either  on  a  ship's  decks  or  about 
her  tops  and  rigging.  Also,  applied  to  flying-kites  and  their  gear.  Also, 
to  an  officer  overclothing  himself. 

TOP-LANTERN,  or  Top-light.  A  large  signal-lantern  placed  in  the 
after-part  of  a  top,  in  ships  where  an  admiral's  flag  or  commodore's  pen- 
dant flies. 

TOP-LINING.  A  lining  on  the  afler-part  of  sails,  to  prevent  their  chafing 
against  the  top-rim.  Also,  a  platform  of  thin  board  nailed  upon  the  upper 
part  of  the  cross-trees  on  a  vessel's  top. 

TOP-MAST.     The  second  division  of  a  mast  above  the  deck.     (See  Mast.) 

TOP-MAUL.  A  large  hammer  used  to  start  the  topmast  fid,  and  to  beat 
down  the  top,  when  setting  up  topmast-rigging. 

TOP-MEN.  Selected  smart  seamen  stationed  in  the  several  tops,  to  attend 
the  taking  in  or  setting  of  the  upper  sails. 

TOP-NETTINGS.     See  Top. 

TOPPING.     Pretentious;  as,  topping  the  officer;  also,  fine,  gallant,  <fec. 

TOPPING-LIFTS.     Those  lifts  which  support  a  spar,  davit,  &c. 

TOP-RAIL.  A  rail  supported  on  stanchions  across  the  after-part  of  each 
of  a  ship's  tops. 


(J83  TDP.RIDERS TOP-TACKLE  PENDANT 

TOP-RIDERS.     See  Upper  Fottock-riders. 

TOP  RIM  OB  BRIM.  The  circular  sweep  of  tlie  fore  part  of  a  veasers 
top,  and  covering  in  the  ends  of  the  cross-trees  and  trestle-trees,  to  pre- 
vent their  chafing  the  topsail. 

TOP-ROPE.  The  mast-rope  employed  to  sway  up  a  topmast  or  topgallant- 
mast,  in  order  to  fix  it  in  its  place,  or  lower  it  The  top-rope  is  rove 
through  a  block  which  is  hooked  on  one  side  of  the  cap,  and  passing 
through  the  sheave-hole  of  the  mast,  is  brought  upwards  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  fastened  to  an  eyebolt  in  the  foremost  part  of  the  cap.  To  the 
lower  end  of  the  topmast  top-rope  a  tackle  is  fixed.  {See  Top-tackle.) 
"Swaying  on  all  top-ropes;"  figuratively,  "going  the  whole  hog"  in  jovi- 
ality or  any  trickery. 

TOPSAIL  HAUL!  or  Main-topsail  Haul!  When  the  mainsail  is  not 
set,  this  is  the  order  given  to  haul  the  after-yards  round  when  the  ship  is 
nearly  head  to  wind  in  tacking. 

TOP-SAILS.  The  second  sails  above  the  decks,  extending  across  the  top- 
masts, by  the  topsail-yards  above,  and  by  the  lower  yards  beneath,  being 
fastened  to  the  former  by  earings  and  robands,  and  to  the  latter  by  the 
topsail-sheets,  which,  passing  through  two  great  blocks  or  cheeks  fixed  on 
its  extremities^  and  thence  to  two  other  blocks  fixed  on  the  inner  part  of 
the  yard  close  by  the  mast^  lead  downwards  to  the  deck. — Paying  debts 
with  flying  topeaile,  or  toith  a  flying /ore-topsailf  is  leaving  them  unpaid. 
Vessels  not  having  topsail-yards  rigged  aloft,  set  topsails  flying,  as  cutters 
yachts,  schooners,  iic, 

TOPSAIL-SCHOONER.  Is  full  schooner-rigged,  but  carries  a  square- 
topsail  on  the  foremast;  the  foresail  not  bent^  but  set  as  a  square-sail. 
She  may  also  carry  a  main-topsail,  and  is  then  termed  a  two-topsail 
schooner. 

TOPSAIL-SHEET  BITTS.  Standing  bitt-heads  through  which  the  topsail- 
sheets  lead,  and  to  which  they  are  belayed. 

TOP-SAWYER.  The  leading  man  in  any  undertaking.  One  who  excels; 
inasmuch  as  the  man  of  most  intellect  guides  the  saw,  and  No.  2  gets  the 
sawdust  in  his  face. 

TOP-SIDE.  All  that  part  of  a  ship's  side  which  is  above  the  main-wales : 
that  is,  those  strakes  between  the  sheer-strake  and  upper  black-strake. 

TOP-SWIVEL.  Once  a  favourite  arm  for  ships'  topa>  but  from  the  con- 
fined space  and  elevation  rather  an  encumbrance  than  a  useful  addition. 

TOP-TACKLK  A  large  tackle,  or  properly  pendant,  hooked  to  the  lower 
end  of  the  topmast  top-rope,  and  to  the  deck,  in  order  to  increase  the 
mechanical  power  in  lifting  the  topmast  in  order  to  fid  it.  It  is  composed 
of  two  strong  iron-bound  double  or  triple  blocks^  the  hooks  of  which  work 
on  a  swivel 

TOP-TACKLE  PENDANT.  The  pendant  used  with  the  above.  The  top- 
mast is  swayed  up  by  a  top-rope  or  hawser.  The  pendant,  which  is  of 
better  material,  and  hawser-laid,  has  an  eye  and  thimble  spliced  in  one 
end,  and  is  pointed  at  the  other.     This  pendant  is  barely  long  enough  to 


TOP TOSS  (589 

lower  the  topmast  temporarily  in  bad  weather,  and  when  the  topmast  is 
high  enough  for  fidding,  the  purchase  is  block  and  block,  and  cannot  lift 
it  higher.     {See  Top-ROPE.) 

TOP  THE  GLIM,  To.     To  snuff  the  candle. 

TOP  THE  OFFICER,  To.     To  arrogate  superiority. 

TOP.TIMBER  BREADTH.  The  distance  between  the  upper  part  of  the 
same  timber  and  the  middle  line. 

TOP-TIMBER  HOLLOW.  A  name  sometimes  given  to  the  back  sweep 
which  forms  the  upper  part  of  the  top-timber. 

TOP-TIMBERS.  The  first  general  tier  which  reach  the  top  are  called  long 
top-timbers,  and  those  below  short  top-timbers. 

TOP  YOUR  BOOM.     See  Boom. 

TOR.  A  high  rock  or  peak:  also  a  tower,  thus  retaining  the  same  meaning 
it  had,  as  torr,  with  the  Anglo-Saxons. 

TORMENTER  The  large  two-pronged  iron  fork  used  by  the  ship's  cook, 
to  fish  out  the  cooked  meat  from  the  copper. 

TORMENTUM.     A  pistol;  a  gun;  a  piece  of  ordnance. 

TORNADO.  A  peculiar  squall,  accompanied  with  rain  and  lightning, 
similar  in  suddenness  to  the  white  squall  of  the  West  Indies,  and  expe- 
rienced off  the  equatorial  region  of  the  west  coast  of  Africa  between 
December  and  June.  It  appears  first  as  a  small  black  spot  in  the  east, 
and  barely  affords  time  to  put  the  ship  before  the  wind  and  clue  up  all. 
The  wind  veers  round  the  compass,  and  lasts  a  very  short  time. 

TORPEDO.  A  cartilaginous  fish  allied  to  the  rays,  furnished  with  electrical 
organs,  by  means  of  which  it  is  able  to  give  powerful  shocks.  Also,  a 
contrivance  for  blowing  up  ships  of  war  by  means  of  a  submerged  ap- 
paratus. 

TORRENT.  A  land  flood  rushing  from  mountainous  tracts,  often  with 
destructive  effect  It  is  produced  by  an  accumulation  of  water  from 
rains  or  the  melting  of  snows. 

TORSR     A  coarse  kind  of  hemp,  better  known  as  cordilla  in  commerce. 

TORSION  OF  CABLES.  All  ropes  formed  by  twisting  ha\^  a  contrary 
turn,  and  a  disposition  to  kink  from  torsion. 

TORSK.    SeeTvsK. 

TORTS.  Private  wrongs  either  to  persons  or  property  afloat.  They  are 
cognizable  by  the  admiralty  court,  according  to  locality. 

TORTUE  DE  MER.  A  turtle.  Also  a  French  gabare,  troop,  or  store 
ship,  with  very  high  'tween  decks. 

TOSHING.  A  cant  word  for  stealing  copper  sheathing  from  vessels* 
bottoms,  or  from  dock-yard  stores. 

TOSS  IN  YOUR  OARS !  The  order  to  desist  rowing,  arid  throw  the 
oars  in  out  of  the  rowlocks. 

TOSS  THE  OARS  UP !  Throw  them  up  out  of  the  rowlocks,  and  raise 
them  perpendicularly  an-end ;  the  act  is  intended  as  a  compliment  to  a 
superior  officer  rowing  by.  Also,  the  order  to  a  boat's  crew  to  get  the 
oars  ready  for  rowing,  and  to  salute  the  officer  on  his  entering  the  boat 

2x 


690  TOSS TOUBNIQUET 

TOSS  UP  THE  BUNT,  To.  In  furling  a  sail,  to  make  its  final  package 
at  the  centre  of  the  yard  when  in  its  skin. 

TOT,  OB  ToTT.  A  drinking-cup  somewhat  smaller  than  the  r^ulation 
half-pint,  by  which  a  surplus  is  left  in  the  distribution  of  the  regular 
allowance  of  grog,  and  awarded  to  the  cook  of  each  mess,  for  the  day,  for 
his  trouble. 

TOTAL  LOSS.  A  term  in  marine  insurance,  implying  that  the  under- 
writers are  to  pay  the  amount  insured  without  salvage. 

TOTK  An  abbreviation  of  total. — To  tote.  To  watch,  to  spy,  or  to  carry, 
whence  the  very  singular  fish  on  the  southern  coasts  of  America^  whic] 
carries  small  pebbles  on  its  little  sharp  horns  for  making  a  nest  is  called 
the  atone-toter, 

TOTTY-LAND.  Certain  heights  on  the  side  of  a  hill  [probably  derive(' 
from  the  Anglo-Saxon  tottan^  to  elevate]. 

TOUCH.  In  ship-building,  the  broadest  part  of  a  plank  worked  top-and- 
butt.  Also,  the  angles  of  the  stem-timbers  at  the  counters.  Also,  keep 
ing  touch  is  fulfilling  the  terms  of  an  agreement — speaking  of  the  faith 
between  seamen  and  their  employers. 

TOUCH-AND-GO.  Said  of  anything  within  an  ace  of  ruin;  as  in  round- 
ing a  ship  very  narrowly  to  escape  rocks,  <&a,  or  when,  under  sail,  she 
rubs  against  the  ground  with  her  keel,  without  much  diminution  of  her 
velocity. 

TOUCH-AND-TAKK  An  old  proverb  which  Nelson  applied  to  a  ship 
about  to  encounter  her  opponent.     A  Nelsonian  maxim. 

TOUCH-BOX.  The  receptacle  for  lighted  tinder  when  matgh-locks  were 
used. 

TOUCH-HOLE.  The  small  aperture  at  the  end  of  a  musket  or  pistol,  by 
which  the  fire  of  the  priming  was  communicated  to  the  charge.  In  guns, 
called  the  vent 

TOUCHING.  The  state  of  a  ship's  sails  when  they  first  begin  to  lift  or 
shiver  with  their  edges  in  the  direction  of  the  wind.  It  is  occasioned 
either  by  a  change  in  the  wind  or  in  the  ship's  course.  {See  Full  akd 
By.) — Luff  and  touch  her  !  is  the  order  to  the  helmsman  to  bring  the 
vessel  up,  and  see  how  near  she  will  come  to  the  wind,  or  to  give  fiacility 
for  taking  in  a  reef  when  about  to  lower  the  topsails,  or  for  deadening 
the  ship's  way. 

TOUCHING  AT.  Stopping  or  anchoring  at  some  intermediate  port  in  the 
course  of  a  voyage. 
^  TOUCH  OF  THE  TAR-BKUSH.  A  nautical  phrase  expressive  of  those 
officers  who  are  seamen  as  well  as  qua/rter-deckers.  Also  said  of  a  white 
person  in  whose  ancestry  there  has  been  some  admixture  of  one  of  the 
dark  races. 
V  TOUCH  UP  IN  THE  BUNT,  To.  To  mend  the  sail  on  the  yard; 
figuratively,  to  goad  or  remind  forcibly. 

TOUCH-WOOD.     ^cePuKK. 

TOURNIQUET.      Screw-bandages  used  for  stopping  the  flow  of  blood. 


TOUT TRACE  (JQ] 

They  are  distributed  about  the  quarters  before  action,  and  a  number  of 
men  are  taught  to  apply  them.  A  handkerchief  and  toggle,  or  stick  of 
any  kind,  is  sometimes  substituted. 

TOUT,  To.  An  old  term  for  looking  out,  or  keeping  a  prying  watch; 
whence  the  revenue  cruisers  and  the  customs  officers  were  called  touters. 
The  name  is  also  given  to  crimps. 

TOW,  To.  To  draw  or  drag  a  ship  or  boat  by  means  of  a  rope  attached  to 
another  vessel  or  boat,  which  advances  by  steam-power,  rowing,  or  sailing. 
The  Koman  method,  as  appears  by  the  triumphal  arch  at  Orange,  was  by 
a  rope  fastened  to  a  pulley  at  the  top  of  the  mast.  They  also  fastened  a 
rope  to  the  head  of  a  boat^  and  led  it  over  men's  shoulders,  as  practised 
on  our  canals  at  the  present  day. 

TOWAGE.  The  towing  of  a  vessel  through  the  water.  Also,  the  money 
given  for  being  towed.    Vessels  thus  relieved  give  claim  for  salvage  service. 

TOW-BLOWEN.     A  term  on  our  eastern  coasts  for  a  blown  herring. 

TOWEL.  A  word  very  absurdly  introduced  into  marine  law.  "  If  a 
mariner,"  says  Molloy,  "shall  commit  a  faulty  and  the  master  shall  lift 
up  the  towel  three  times  before  any  mariner,  and  he  shall  not  submit^  the 
master  at  the  next  place  of  land  may  discharge  him."  Some  think  that 
this  refers  to  an  oaken  stick,  but  it  is  no  doubt  corrupted  from  the  osier 
la  tovmUe,  or  turning  a  delinquent  out  of  his  mess,  of  the  laws  of  Olerou. 

TOWING-BRIDLR  A  stout  chain  with  a  hook  at  each  end  for  attaching 
a  tow-rope  to;  also,  a  large  towing-lMoh  in  the  bight  of  the  chain. 

TOWING-HOOK     See  Towikg-bridle. 

TOWING  OVERBOARD.  Drawing  anything  after  a  ship  or  boat  when 
she  is  sailing  or  rowing.  As  a  manoeuvre  to  deceive  an  enemy,  and 
induce  him  to  chase,  it  was  common  to  tow  a  sail  astern  by  a  hawser,  at 
the  same  time  keeping  the  three  masts  in  line,  so  as  to  deceive  the  chaser 
as  to  distance. 

TOWING-PATH.     The  hauling-way  along  a  canal  or  artificial  harbour. 

TO  WING-POST.  A  substantial  timber  fixed  through  the  deck  of  a  steam- 
tug  for  making  the  tow-rope  fieut  to.  Also,  a  similar  post  in  canal  barges 
to  keep  the  tow-line  up  clear  of  the  path. 

TOW-LINE  [Anglo-Saxon  tohrline^  A  small  hawser  or  warp  used  to 
move  a  ship  from  one  part  of  a  harbour  or  road  to  another  by  means  of 
boats,  steamers,  kedges,  dbc.  ^ 

TOWN-MAJOR.  An  officer  in  a  garrison  specially  supervising  the  detail 
of  the  guards,  and  of  other  local  current  duties. 

T-PLATES.  Iron  plates  in  the  form  of  the  letter  T  placed  under  the 
channels  to  add  strength. 

TRABACCOLO.     An  Adriatic  trading  craft. 

TRABALEO.     Ancient  coasting  vessels, 

TRABARI^.  Ancient  canoes,  made  of  hollowed  trees,  capable  of  carry- 
ing two  or  three  men. 

TRACE.  In  fortification,  the  horizontal  disposition  of  the  works;  also,  a 
plan  of  the  same. 


(592  TK  ACK-BOAT TRAINING-SHIP 

TRACK-BOAT  [from  the  Dutch  treck-scfiui/t].  A  vessel  used  on  a  canal 
or  narrow  stream. 

TRACKING.  Hauling  any  vessel  or  floating  body  along  a  canal  or  river 
by  a  rope  dragged  along  the  bank  by  men  or  horses. 

TRACK  OF  A  SHIP.  The  line  of  a  ship's  course  through  the  water. 
{See  Wake.) 

TRADE.  Implies  the  constant  destination  of  any  particular  merchant 
vessels,  as  the  Lisbon  trade,  West  India  trade,  <&c. 

TRADER.  A  vessel  employed  regularly  in  any  particular  branch  of  com- 
merce, whether  sea-borne  or  coasting,  British  or  foreign. 

TRADE-ROOM.  A  part  of  the  steerage  of  a  Yankee  notion-trader  where 
light  goods  and  samples  of  the  cargo  are  kept  for  general  business. 

TRADE- WINDS.  Currents  of  air  moving  from  about  the  30th  degree  of 
latitude  towards  the  equator.  The  diurnal  motion  of  the  earth  makes 
them  incline  from  the  eastward,  so  that  in  the  northern  hemisphere  they 
are  from  the  N.K,  and  in  the  southern  hemisphere  from  the  S.E.  Their 
geographical  position  in  latitude  varies  with  the  declination  of  the  sun. 
In  some  parts  of  the  world,  as  the  Bay  of  Bengal  and  China  Sea,  the 
action  of  the  sun  on  the  neighbouring  land  has  the  power  of  reversing 
the  trades;  the  winds  are  there  called  monsoons. 

TRADING-VESSEL.     See  Trader. 

TRAIL  A  PIKE,  To.  To  hold  the  spear  end  in  the  right  hand,  and  the 
butt  trailed  behind  the  bearer. 

TRAIL-BOARDS.  A  carved  board  on  each  side  of  the  stem,  reaching 
from  it  to  the  figure,  or  to  the  brackets.  The  carved  work  between  the 
cheek-knees  of  the  head  at  the  heel  of  the  figure. 

TRAIN  OR  TRAIL  OF  ARTILLERY.  A  certain  number  of  pieces  of 
ordnance,  completely  mounted  and  fitted  with  appurtenances  and  retinue 
of  attendants,  ready  to  follow  in  rear  of  an  army,  <fec.  (See  Battering 
Guns.)  Also,  the  hinder  part  of  a  gun-carriage. — Train  also  signifies 
a  line  of  gunpowder  or  other  combustible  material  forming  a  communica- 
tion with  any  body  intended  to  be  set  on  fire  or  exploded. 

TRAINING-LEVEL.  A  gravitating  instrument  for  the  same  purpose  as 
the  training-pendulum. 

TRAINING-PENDULUM.  An  improved  pendulum  to  facilitate  the 
accurate  elevation  and  depression  of  guns  on  board  ship,  by  means  of 
coloured  spirits  or  quicksilver  confined  in  a  tube. 

TRAINING-SHIP  for  the  Merchant  Service.  A  vessel  properly 
equipped  with  instructors  and  means  to  rear  able-bodied  lads  for  the 
merchant  service. 

TRAINING-SHIP  for  Naval  CADETa  H.M.S.  Britannia,  commanded 
by  a  captain  and  complement  of  officers  for  the  primary  training  of  naval 
cadets.  They  are  nominated  by  the  first  lord,  examined  as  to  ability  and 
constitution,  and  entered  on  trial.  If  they  pass  a  pretty  rigid  examina- 
tion, they  are  nominated  to  ships;  but  if  they  fail,  they  are  not  admitted 
into  the  navy.     Great  interest  is  required  for  a  nomination. 


TRAIN-TACKLE TRANSOM  (593 

TRAIN-TACKLK  A  tackle  which  is  during  action  hooked  to  an  eye- 
bolt  in  the  train  of  a  gun-carriage,  and  to  a  ring-bolt  in  the  deck;  its  use 
is  to  prevent  the  gun  from  running  out  of  the  port  whilst  loading,  and 
for  running  it  in  when  fired. 

TRAJECTORY.  An  astronomical  term  for  the  orbital  curve  described 
by  a  planet  or  comet,  now  seldom  used  in  that  science,  but  generally 
employed  for  the  path  described  by  a  shot  or  shell. 

TRAMMEL.     A  large  drag-net  for  the  cod  fishery. 

TRAMONTA'N'A.  The  north  wind  in  general  in  the  Mediterranean,  but 
also  denoting  a  peculiar  cold  and  blighting  wind,  very  hurtful  in  the 
Archipelago. 

TRAN.     A  Norwegian  word  for  fish-oil,  adopted  in  our  northern  fisheries. 

TRANKEH,  or  Trakkies.     A  large  boat  of  the  Gulf  of  Persia. 

TRANSFER  There  can  be  no  legal  transfer  of  property  captured  at  sea, 
without  a  legal  condemnation  in  the  admiralty  courts  and  therefore  the 
sale  or  occupancy  of  vessels  and  goods  -by  pirates  does  not  alter  or 
extinguish  the  loser's  right  of  property.  Transfer  is  the  legal  state  of  a 
registered  ship,  or  shares  in  her,  to  persons  qualified  to  be  owners  of 
British  ships.  Also,  the  turning  over  men  or  companies  from  one  ship 
to  another. 

TRANSHIPMENT  OF  TREASURR  Ships  on  a  distant  station  receiving 
treasure  for  conTeyance  to  some  other  man-of-war  about  to  proceed  to 
England,  from  another  port  on  the  same  station.  Both  captains  partake 
of  the  freight,  relatively  as  to  distance  and  deposit. 

TRANSIRE,  A  custom-house  document  specifying  the  goods  shipped  by 
a  coasting  vessel,  docketted  with  a  sufferance  for  their  discharge  on  ar- 
riving at  the  place  of  destination. 

TRANSIT.  The  precise  culmination  of  a  heavenly  body  over  the  meridian 
of  a  place. 

TRANSIT  OP  Mercury  or  Vekus.  These  planets  being  situated  between 
the  sun  and  the  earth,  occasionally  appear  to  us  to  pass  over  his  disc, 
from  east  to  west. 

TRANSIT  INSTRUMENT.  A  telescope  fitted  with  vertical  wires,  and 
revolving  on  an  axis  in  the  plane  of  the  meridian,  with  which  the  time 
may  be  obtained  by  observing  the  passage  of  the  stars  and  planets  com- 
pared with  their  computed  time. 

TRANSITU.  Goods  of  an  enemy's  colony  surrendering  between  the  time 
of  sailing  and  capture  do  not  change  their  hostile  character  in  transitu; 
though  the  owners  may  have  become  British  subjects  by  capitulation, 
upon  the  principle  that  the  national  character  cannot  be  altered  in  tran- 
sitiL     {See  Stoppage  in  Transitu.) 

TRANSMISSION.  The  property  in  a  merchantman,  or  a  share  therein, 
transmitted  in  consequence  of  the  authenticated  death,  bankruptcy,  or 
insolvency  of  any  registered  owner. 

TRANSOM.  The  vane  of  a  cross-staff,  made  to  slide  along  it  by  means  of 
a  square  socket;  it  may  be  set  to  any  of  the  graduations. 


694;  TRANSOM TRAVELLER 

TRANSOM  OF  A  Gun-carriage.  A  cross  piece  of  timber  uniting  the 
cheeks;  generally  between  the  trunnion-holes  and  the  fore  axle-tree. 

TRANSOM-KNEES.  Curved  timbers,  or  pieces  of  iron,  which  bind  and 
connect  the  ship's  quarter  to  the  transoms,  being  bolted  to  the  latter,  and 
to  the  after  timbers.  Knees  which  have  one  arm  applied  to  either  end 
of  a  transom,  and  the  other  running  diagonally  along,  and  bolted  to  the 
ship's  side. 

TRANSOMS.  'Thwartship  pieces  forming  the  buttocks  of  a  ship,  ex- 
tended across  the  stem-post,  to  which  they  are  bolted,  and  give  her  after- 
part  the  figure  most  suitable  to  the  service  for  which  she  is  intended. — 
Deck-transom,  That  on  which  all  the  lower  deck  planks  are  rabbeted. 
The  first,  second,  third  transoms,  Ac.,  are  respectively  below  the  pre- 
ceding.— Hdm-^ost  transom.  That  which  is  at  the  head  of  the  stern- 
-post, and  forms  the  upper  part  of  the  gun-room  ports. —  Wing-transom, 
The  next  below,  and  forming  the  lower  part. 

TRANSPORT.  A  private  ship  hired  by  government  for  carrying  troops, 
stores,  and  munitions  of  war.  The  proportion  of  tonnage  for  troops  em- 
barked in  transports  is  two  tons  per  man. 

TRANSPORTING.  Moving  a  ship  by  means  of  hawsers  only,  from  one 
part  of  a  harbour  to  another. 

TRANSPORTING-BLOCKS.  Two  snatch-blocks,  fitted  one  on  each  side 
above  the  tafirail,  to  admit  a  hawser,  when  transporting  a  ship. 

TRANSPORT  OFFICE.  Formerly  a  department  imder  government 
directed  by  commissioners,  who  chartered  vessels  and  appointed  officers  for 
conveying  troops  to  or  from  this  country:  they  were  also  to  provide  accom- 
modation and  provision  for  all  prisoners  of  war,  as  well  as  to  regulate  their 
exchange  by  cartel,  &c.     Now  under  a  naval  director  of  transport. 

TRANS-SHIP,  To.     To  remove  a  cargo  from  one  ship  to  another. 

TRANSVERSE  AXIS.  The  first  or  principal  diameter  of  an  ellipse; 
that  which  crosses  it  lengthwise.     {See  Major  Axis.) 

TRANSVERSE  SECTION.  A  'thwartship  view  of  any  part  of  a  ship 
when  cut  by  a  plane  at  right  angles  to  the  keeL 

TRANTER.     One  who  carries  fish  for  sale. 

TRAP-CREEL.     A  basket  for  catching  lobsters. 

TRAPEZIUM.  A  quadrilateral  figure  that  has  only  two  of  its  four  sides 
parallel. 

TRAPEZOID,  OR  Tablet.  Has  all  its  four  sides  and  angles  unequal,  and 
no  sides  parallel 

TRAVADO,  OR  Travat  [from  tornado}  A  heavy  squall,  with  sudden 
gusts  of  wind,  lightning,  and  rain,  on  the  coast  of  North  America;  like 
the  African  tornado,  it  commences  with  a  black  aloud  in  calm  weather 
and  a  clear  sky. 

TRAVEL,  To.     For  a  thimble,  block,  <fec.,  to  run  along  on  beams  or  ropes. 

TRAVELLER.  One  or  more  iron  thimbles  with  a  rope  spliced  round 
them,  sometimes  forming  a  kind  of  tail,  but  more  generally  a  species  of 
grummet — Traveller  of  boat's  masts,  jib-boom,  <kc.     An  iron  ring  fitted 


\ 


r 


yUAVELLEBIRON TRAVEKSEWIND  (595 

80  aa  to  slip  up  and  down  a  spar,  to  i*un  in  and  out  on  a  boom  or  gaf!,  for 
the  purpose  of  extending  or  drawing  iu  the  outer  comer  or  tack  of  the  saiL 

TRAVELLER-IRON.  To  a  cutter's  foresail,  boom-mainsail,  or  spanker- 
boom;  generally  termed  traveller  horse.     (See  Hobsk.) 

TRAVELLING-BACKSTAYS,  are  generally  the  breast  backstays,  which 
set  up  with  a  runner  purchase  in  the  channels  on  the  weather  side;  that 
to  leeward  is  let  go  in  stays.  The  traveller  is  a  strong  parrel-strop  which 
passes  round  the  mast,  and  through  two  thimbles  of  which  the  breast 
backstays  reeve.  As  the  yard  is  hoisted  this  slips  up,  but  when  a  reef  is 
taken  in  it  is  rode  down  by  the  feet  of  two  men  close  to  the  tye  block, 
and  thus  supports  the  mast  from  the  toprim  to  the  paireL 

TRAVELLING-GUYS.  The  jib  traveller  guys  are  seized  on  to  the 
traveUer,  and  are  shortened  in  and  set  up  when  the  jib  is  eased  in. 

TRAVELLING-MARTINGALE.  A  similar  contrivance  adapted  to  a 
mai*tingale  to  support  the  jib-boom  in  that  particular  part  where  the  jib- 
tack  is  fixed.     (See  Martingale.) 

TRAVERSE.  Denotes  the  several  courses  a  ship  makes  under  the  changes 
of  wind  or  manoeuvres.  It  is  self-evident  that  if  she  steered  a  course 
there  would  be  no  traverse.  But  her  course  being  north,  and  the  wind 
from  the  north,  it  is  evident  she  could  have  but  two  courses  open  to  her, 
E.N.E.,  or  W.N.W.  The  reduction  of  the  distances  run  on  each  course, 
corrected  for  variation  and  leeway,  constitutes  the  traverse  table,  from 
which  the  reckoning  is  deduced  each  day  up  to  noon.  From  this  zig-zag 
set  of  lines  we  have  the  term  Tom  Coafa  traverse  (which  see).  Also,  in 
fortification,  a  mound,  oflen  of  parapet  form,  raised  to  cover  from  enfilade 
or  reverse  fire.  Also,  to  traverse  a  gun  or  mortar.  To  alter  its  direction 
from  right  to  left,  or  vice  versd,  with  handspikes,  tackles,  <!^c. 

TRAVERSE  A  YARD,  To.     To  get  it  fore  and  aft. 

TRAVERSE-BOARD.  A  thin  circular  piece  of  board,  marked  with  all 
the  points  of  the  compass,  and  having  eight  holes  bored  in  each,  and 
eight  small  pegs  banging  from  the  centre  of  the  board.  It  is  used  to 
determine  the  difierent  courses  run  by  a  ship  during  a  watch,  by  sticking 
one  peg  into  the  point  on  which  the  ship  has  run  each  half  hour.  It  is 
useful  in  light  and  variable  winds. 

TRAVERSE-HORSK     See  Jackstays. 

TRAVERSE  QUESTIONS.     Cross  examinations  at  a  court-martiaL 

TRAVERSE  SAILING.  Resolving  a  traverse  is  merely  a  general  term 
for  the  determination  of  a  single  course  equivalent  to  a  series  of  successive 
courses  steered,  whatever  be  the  manner  of  finding  the  lengths  of  the  lines 
forming  the  triangles. 

TRAVERSE-TABLE.  A  table  which  gives  the  difference  of  latitude  and 
departure  corresponding  to  a  certain  course  and  distance,  and  vice-^ersd. 
It  is  generally  calculated  to  every  quarter  of  a  point  or  degree,  and  up  to 
a  distance  of  300  miles. 

TRAVERSE-WIND.  A  wind  which  sets  right  in  to  any  harbour,  and 
prevents  the  departure  of  vessels. 


(596  TRAVERSIER TRESTLE-TREES 

TRAVERSIER.     A  small  fishing  vessel  on  the  coast  of  Rochelle. 

TRAVERSUM.     A  archaic  term  for  a  ferry. 

TRAWL.     A  strong  net  or  bag  dragged  along  the  bottom  of  fishing-banks, 

by  means  of  a  rope,  a  beam,  and  a  pair  of  iron  trawl-heads. 
TR  AYERES.     An  archaic  term  for  a  sort  of  long-boat. 
TREADING  A  SEAM,  or  Dancinq  Pedro-pee.     See  Pedro-a-pied. 
TREAD  OF  A  SHIP  or  KEEL.     The  length  of  her  keel. 
TREAD  WATER,  To.     The  practice  in  swimming  by  which  the  body  is 

sustained  upright,  and  the  head  kept  above  the  surface. 
TREBLE-BLOCK.     One  fitted  with  three  sheaves  or  rollers. 
TREBLING.     Planking  thrice  around  a  whaler's  bows  in  order  the  more 

effectually  to  withstand  the  pressure  of  the  ice. 
TREBT7CHET.     An  engine  of  old  to  cast  stones  and  batter  walls. 
TRECK-SCHT7YT.     A  canal  boat  in  Holland  for  carrying  goods  and 

passengers. 
TREEING.     In  the  Arctic  regions,  refraction  sometimes  causes  the  ice  to 

resemble  a  huge  wall,  which  is  considered  an  indication  of  open  water  in 

that  quarter. 
TREE-NAILS.     Long  cylindrical  oak  or  other  hard  wood  pins,  driven 

through  the  planks  and  timbers  of  a  vessel  to   connect  her  various 

parts. 
TREE-NAIL  WEDGR     A  cross  is  cut  in  the  tree-nail  end,  and  wedges 

driven  in,  caulked;  or  sometimes  a  wedge  is  driven  into  its  inner  end, 

and  the  tree-nail  is  thus  secured. 
TREES  OF  A  SHIP.     The  chess-trees,  the  cross-trees,  the  rough-trees, 

the  trestle-trees,  and  the  waste-trees. 
TRELAWNEY.     A  poor  mess  composed  of  barley-meal,  water,  and  salt. 
TRENCHES.     The  earthworks  by  which  a  besieger  approaches  a  fortified 

place ;  generally  half  sunk  in  the  ground,  the  other  half  formed  by  the 

excavated  earth  thrown,  as  a  parapet,  to  the  front. 
TRENCHMAN.     See  Truomak. 
TRENCH  THE  BALLAST,  To.     To  divide  the  ballast  in  a  sHp's  hold 

to  get  at  a  leak,  or  to  trim  and  stow  it. 
TREND,  To.     To  bend  or  incline,  speaking  of  a  coast;  as,  "The  land  trends 

to  the  south-west."     Also,  the  course  of  a  current  or  stream. 
TREND  OP  AN  -Anchor.     The  lower  end  of  the  shank,  where  it  thickens 

towards  the  arms,  usually  at  one-third  frem  the  crown.     In  reund  terms, 

it  is  the  same  distance  on  the  shank  from  the  throat  that  the  arm  measures 

from  the  throat  to  the  bill 
TRENNEL.     See  Tree-nails. 

TREPANG.     An  eastern  name  for  the  Ilololhuria,  or  h^che-de-mer^  fre- 
quently called  the  sea-slug;  used  as  an  article  of  food  by  the  Chinese. 
TRESTLE-TREES.     Two  strong  bars  of  timber  fixed  horizontally  fore-and- 
aft  on  each  side  of  the  lower  masthead,  to  support  the  topmast,  the  lower 

cross-trees,  and  top;  smaller  trestle-trees  are  fitted  on  a  topmast-head  to 

support  the  topgallant-mast  and  topmast  cross-trees. 


TRIANGLE TRIMMED  697 

TRIANGLE,  or  Trigon.  A  geometrical  figure  consisting  of  three  sides 
and  as  many  angles.  Also,  a  machine  formed  bj  spars  for  lifting  weights, 
water-casks,  &c  Also,  a  stage  hung  round  a  mast^  to  scrape,  paint,  or 
grease  it. 

TRIANGrULTJM.     One  of  the  ancient  northern  constellations. 

TRIATIC  STAY.  A  rope  secured  at  each  end  of  the  heads  of  the  fore 
and  main  masts^  with  thimbles  spliced  in  its  bight  to  hook  the  stay-tackles 
to.  This  term  applies  also  to  the  jumper-stay,  extending  in  schooners 
from  the  mainmast-head  to  the  foremast-head,  clearing  the  end  of  the  fore 
gaff. 

TRIBUTARY.  Any  stream,  large  or  small,  which  directly  or  indirectly 
joins  another  stream. 

TRICE,  To.     To  haul  or  lift  up  by  means  of  a  lashing  or  line. 

TRICE  UP— LIE  OUT !  The  order  to  lift  the  studding-sail  boom-ends 
while  the  topmen  move  out  on  the  yards,  preparatory  to  reefing  or  furling. 

TRICING  BATTENS.  Those  used  for  the  hammocks,  or  tricing  up  the 
bags  between  the  beams  on  the  lower- deck. 

TRIOING-LINE.  A  small  cord,  generally  passing  through  a  block  or 
thimble,  and  used  to  hoist  up  any  object  to  render  it  less  inconvenient; 
such  are  the  tricing-lines  of  the  yard-tackle,  &c, 

TRICK.     The  time  allotted  to  a  man  on  duty  at  the  helm.     The  same  a 
apdl. 

TRICKER.     An  old  spelling  for  the  trigger  of  a  gun. 

TRIR     An  old  word  for  trim. — Out  of  ti'tCy  crank. 

TRIGGER  In  ship-building,  is  the  letting  fall  the  paul  of  the  cradle  by 
which  the  dog-shore  falls  flush,  and  offers  no  further  obstruction  to  the 
ship  gliding  down  the  ways  into  her  absurdly  termed  "native  element." 
Also,  a  small  catch  under  the  lock  of  fire-arms,  by  drawing  which  back, 
when  the  piece  is  cocked,  it  is  discharged. 

TRIGGER-FINGER.    See  Fore-fiitger. 

TRIGGER-LINE.     A  line  by  which  the  gun  is  fired. 

TRIG-MEAT.  A  western  term  for  any  kind  of  sheU-fish  picked  up  at  low 
water. 

TRIGON.     See  Triangle. 

TRIGONOMETRY.  The  science  which  deals  with  measuring  triangles, 
or  determining  their  unknown  sides  and  angles,  plane  or  spherical. 

TRIM.  The  set  of  a  ship  on  the  water,  whether  by  the  head  or  the  stern, 
or  on  an  even  keeL  It  is  by  the  disposition  of  the  ballast^  cargo,  masts, 
and  other  weight  which  she  carries,  that  a  vessel  is  best  adapted  for  navi- 
gation. Also,  the  working  or  finishing  of  any  piece  of  timber  or  plank 
to  its  proper  shape  or  form. — In  trxntj  is  neat  and  regular. — To  trim,  is 
to  arrange  the  sails  so  that  they  may  receive  the  full  advantage  of  the 
wind. 

TRIM  OP  THE  Hold.  The  arrangement  of  the  cargo,  <kc.,  by  which  a 
vessel  carries  sail  well,  and  becomes  under  control  as  well  as  seaworthy. 

TRIMMED.     Sails  properly  set,  and  yards  well  braced  after  tacking. 


698  TRIMMED  SHARP TROOP-SHIPS 

TRIMllkLED  SHARP.     The  arrangement  of  a  ship's  sails  in  a  slant  wind, 

so  that  she  maj  keep  as  close  as  possible  to  the  breeze. 
TRIMMING  A  JACKET.  BopeWnding  the  wearer. 
TRIMONIER.     A  corruption  of  timoneer,  but  formerly  a  rating  on  ships' 

books. 
TRIM  THE  BOAT !     The  order  to  sit  in  the  boat  in  such  a  manner  as 

that  she  shall  float  upright.     Also,  to  edge  aft,  so  that  her  steerage  be- 
comes easier,  and  she  does  not  ship  heavy  seas. 
TRINK.     An  old  contrivance  for  catching  fish.    (Statute  2  Hen.  YI.  c.  15.) 
TRIP.     An  outward-bound  passage  or  short  voyage,  particularly  in  the 

coasting  trade.     It  also  denotes  a  single  board  in  plying  to  windward. 

Also,  the  movement  by  which  an  anchor  is  loosened  fix>m  its  bed  and 

raised  clear  of  the  bottom,  either  by  its  cable  or  buoy-rope. — The  anchor's 

a-tripf  i.e.  no  longer  holda 
TRIPLE  STAR.     Three  stars  situated  in  close  proximity,  but  apparently 

only  optically  connected.     {See  Ternary  System.) 
TRIPPING.     Giving  a  yard  the  necessary  cant  by  a  tripping-line.     Also, 

the  lifting  an  upper  mast  to  withdraw  its  fid,  in  order  that  it  may  be 

lowered  by  means  of  the  mast-rope. 
TRIPPING-LINE.     A  small  rope  serving  to  unrig  the  lower  top-gallant 

yard-arm  of  its  lift  and  brace,  when  in  the  act  of  sending  it  down  on  deck. 

Also,  the  line  used  for  tripping  an  upper  mast. 
TROACHER,  or  Troakeb.     A  dealer  in  smuggled  good& 
TROCHOID,  OR  Cycloid.     A  geometrical  curve,  resulting  from  a  circle 

being  made  to  ran  along  a  right  Hne,  whence  the  French  designate  it 

roulette.     But  if  a  circle  be  made  to  roll  along  the  circumference  of 

another  circle,  it  becomes  an  epicycloid  (which  see). 
TROITE.     An  archaism  for  the  cuttle-fish. 
TROLLING.     Drawing  the  bait  along  the  water  to  imitate  the  swimming 

of  a  real  fish;  this  is  generally  done  by  a  long  line  attached  to  the  stem 

of  a  sailing-boat.     The  word  of  old  signified  sauntering  or  idling  about. 
TROMBONK     A  species  of  blunderbuss  for  boat  service,  taking  its  name 

from  its  unseemly  trumpet  mouth. 
TRONA     An  article  of  export  from  Tripoli  and  Egypt;  the  natron  of 

commerce,  and  over  munnoo  of  the    East  Indies.     Sesqui-carb.  of  soda 

mixed  with  salt  and  sulphate  of  soda. 
TROOP.     A  company  of  cavalry,  commanded  by  a  captain,  generally  from 

forty  to  sixty  strong.     Also,  an  assembling  beat  of  the  drum. — Trooping 

the  guards  or  tlie  colours,  are  special  military  ceremonies  connected  with 

guard-mounting. — Troop  the  guard,     A  ceremony  daily  practised  in  large 

ships  by  the  marines  at  morning  muster. 
TROOP-BOATS.     Are  built  with  great  flatness  of  floor,  with  extreme 

breadth,  carried  well  forward  and  aft^  and  possessing  the  utmost  buoyancy, 

as  well  as  capacity  for  stowaga     They  were  carried  as  paddle-box  boats 

(inverted),  and  thus  protected  the  paddles  as  well  as  being  ready  for  use. 
TROOP-SHIPS.     A  class  of  vessel  of  excellent  account^  during  war,  in  the 


TROPHY TRUCKS  699 

hands  of  goverument;  far  preferable  to  hired  transports  for  the  purpose 
of  conveying  soldiers,  especially  cavalry  and  their  horses.  They  were 
usually,  in  the  last  French  war,  50*s  and  64's;  and  with  the  lower-deck 
guns  taken  out^  were  roomy  and  airy. 

TROPHY.  Anything  captured  from  an  enemy  and  shown  or  treasured  as 
a  token  of  victory. 

TROPICAL  MOTION.     See  Motion. 

TROPICAL  REVOLUTION.  If  the  periodic  time  of  a  circuit  round  the 
sun  be  taken  in  reference  to  the  equinoxes  or  tropics,  it  is  called  a  tro- 
pical revolution. 

TROPIC-BIRD.  Phaeton  ceifheriuSy  a  well-known  sea-bird,  distinguished 
by  two  very  long  feathers  in  its  tail;  also  termed  boatawain-bird,  from 
the  tail  feathers  resembling  a  marline-spike. 

TROPICS.  Two  imaginary  lines  upon  the  globe,  or  lesser  circles  of  the 
sphere,  parallel  to  the  equator,  and  at  23Y  distance  on  each  side  of  it; 
they  touch  the  ecliptic  at  its  greatest  distances  from  the  equator,  and  from 
the  boundaries  of  the  sun's  declination,  north  and  south. 

TROUGH  [firom  the  Anglo-Saxon  troh],  A  small  boat  broad  at  both 
ends.  Also,  the  hollow  or  interval  between  two  waves,  which  resembles 
a  broad  and  deep  trench  perpetually  fluctuating.  As  the  set  of  the  sea 
is  produced  by  the  wind,  the  waves  and  the  trough  are  at  right  angles 
with  it;  hence  a  ship  rolls  heaviest  when  she  is  in  the  trough  of  the  sea. 

TROUL.     The  action  of  silt  being  rolled  along  by  a  tide. 

TROUNCE,  To.  To  beat  or  punish.  An  old  word;  in  Mathew's  trans- 
lation of  ijie  Bible,  1537,  we  find,  "The  Lord  trounced  Sisera." 

TROUNCER     An  old  word  for  a  waister. 

TROUS  DE  LOUP.  Holes  dug  in  the  form  of  an  inverted  cone,  with  a 
sharp  picket  or  stake  in  each,  to  break  the  march  of  an  enemy's  column 
when  advancing  to  the  attack. 

TROW.  A  clinker-built,  flat-floored  barge  used  on  the  Severn,  &c  Also, 
a  sort  of  double  boat  with  an  interval  between,  and  closed  at  the  ends;  it 
is  used  on  the  Tyne  for  salmon-fishing,  the  fisherman  standing  across 
the  opening,  leister  in  hand,  ready  to  strike  the  quarry  which  passes. 

TRUCE.  The  exhibition  of  a  flag  of  truce  has  been  religiously  respected 
amongst  civilized  nations.  It  is  a  request  by  signal  to  desist  from  farther 
warfare,  until  the  object  of  the  truce  requested  has  been  acceded  to  or 
rejected. 

TRUCHMAN.     See  Trugman. 

TRUCK.  A  Cornish  word  for  the  trough  between  two  sur&.  Also,  ex- 
change, as  fish  for  grog,  iic 

TRUCKLE.     A  Welsh  coracle. 

TRUCKS.  Pieces  of  wood  of  various  forms,  though  mostly  round;  they  are 
for  different  purposes,  as  wheels  on  which  the  gun-carriages  run. — Trucks 
of  the  Jlagstavea  or  at  the  masthead.  Circular  caps  on  the  upper  mast- 
heads; they  are  generally  furnished  with  two  or  more  small  sheaves, 
through  which  the  signal  halliards  are  rov& — Trttcks  of  the  parrels. 


700  TRUE TRUSS-HOOPS 

Spherical  pieces  of  wood,  termed  bull^s-eyes,  having  a  hole  through  them, 
in  which  is  inserted  the  rope  of  the  parrel.  (See  TABXEL^y^Trucks/ar/air 
leaders,  are  similar  to  bull's  eyes,  but  are  scored  to  fit  the  shrouds  to 
which  thej  are  seized.  The  ropes  are  thus  kept  from  getting  jammed 
between  the  yards  and  the  rigging;  they  are  also  useful,  especially  at 
night,  as  guides  to  particular  ropes. 

TRUE  ANOMALY.     See  Anomaly. 

TRUE-BLUR  A  metaphorical  term  for  an  honest  and  hearty  sailor: 
''true  to  his  uniform,  and  uniformly  true." 

TRUE-HORIZON.    See  Horizon. 

TRUE  TIDE     Opposed  to  cross-tide  (which  see). 

TRUE  WATER     The  exact  depth  of  soundings. 

TRUFF.     A  west-country  name  for  a  trout. 

TRUG.     A  rough  basket  for  carrying  chips  of  timber. 

TRUGMAN.  An  early  word  for  interpreter,  being  a  corruption  of  drago- 
man; also  called  trench-man,  but  not  trencher-man,  as  a  worthy  Medi- 
terranean consul  wrote  it. 

TRUMPETER.  A  petty  officer  and  musician  stationed  on  the  poop,  to 
sound  salutes  and  yarious  evolutionary  orders. 

TRUNCHEON.     A  field-marshal's  baton;  also  a  constable's. 

TRUNDLE-HEAD.  The  lower  drum-head  of  a  capstem,  when  it  is 
double,  and  worked  on  one  shaft  both  on  an  upper  and  lower  deck. 

TRUNDLE-SHOT.  An  iron  bolt  16  or  18  inches  long,  with  sharp  points, 
and  a  ball  of  lead  just  inside  each  head. 

TRUNK.  (See  Rudder-trunk.)  Also,  a  large  species  of  turtle.  Also,  a 
place  for  keeping  fish  in.  Also,  an  iron  hoop  with  a  bag,  used  to  catch 
crabs  and  lobsters. — Fire-trunks,  Funnels  fixed  in  fire-ships  under  the 
shrouds,  to  convey  the  flames  to  the  masts,  rigging,  and  sails. 

TRUNK -ENGINE.  A  direct-acting  steam-«ngine,  in  which  the  end  of 
the  connecting-rod  is  attached  to  the  bottom  of  a  hollow  trunk,  passing 
steam-tight  through  the  cylinder  cover. 

TRUNK-FISH  A  name  of  the  Ostracian,  a  fish  remarkable  for  having 
its  body  encased  in  an  inflexible  armour  of  hard  octagonal  plates,  the  fins, 
mouth,  and  gill-openings  passing  through  holes  in  this  casing. 

TRUNNION-RING.  The  ring  round  a  cannon  next  before  the  trunnions, 
now  disused. 

TRUNNIONS.  The  arms,  or  two  pieces  of  metal  projecting  firom  the 
opposite  sides  of  a  gun,  by  which  it  rests  and  swings  upon  its  carriage, 
Acting  as  an  axis  of  elevation  or  depression.  Also,  pieces  of  well-seasoned 
wood,  used  in  securing  the  ship's  timbers. 

TRUSS.  The  trusses  or  paiTels  of  the  lower  yards  serve  to  bind  them  to 
their  masts,  and  are  bowsed  taut  when  the  yards  are  trimmed,  in  order 
to  arrest  motion  and  friction.  But  the  introduction  of  an  iron  goose-neck, 
centering  and  securing  the  yard  well  free  of  the  mast^  very  much  super- 
sedes the  use  of  trusses. 

TRUSS-HOOPS.     Synonymous  with  clasp-hoops  for  masts  or  spars;  they 


TRUSS-PARREL TUBULAR  70I 

are  open  iron  hoops,  so  made  that  their  ends,  being  let  into  each  other, 
maj  be  well  fastened  by  means  of  iron  wedges  or  forelock  keys. 

TRUSS-PARREL.     That  part  of  a  rope-truss  which  goes  round  the  yard. 

TRUSS-PENDANT.  That  part  of  a  rope-truss  into  which  the  trus&-tackle 
blocks  are  seized. 

TRUSS-PIECES.  The  fillings  in  between  the  frame  compartments  of  the 
riders,  in  diagonal  trussing. 

TRUSS-TACKLR  A  gun-tackle  purchase  applied  to  the  ends  of  the 
truss-pendants,  to  bowse  them  taut  home  to  the  mast. 

TRUSS   UP,  To.     To  brail  up  a  sail  suddenly;  to  toss  up  a  bunt 

TRY,  To,  OR  LiB-TO,  IN  A  Gale,  is,  by  a  judicious  balance  of  canvas,  to 
keep  a  ship's  bow  to  the  sea^  and,  with  as  much  as  she  can  safely  show, 
prevent  her  rolling  to  windward  in  the  trough  of  a  sea.  Close-hauled 
under  all  sail,  a  vessel  gains  headway  within  six  points  of  the  wind;  but 
in  trying  she  may  come  up  to  five  and  fall  off  to  seven :  so  that  a  vessel 
does  not  hold  her  own-  If  the  vessel  be  in  proper  trim,  or  properly 
stowed,  she  will  naturally  keep  to  the  wind;  but  custom,  and  deficiency  of 
seamanlike  ability,  have  induced  the  lazy  habit  of  hushing  the  helm  alee. 

TRY  BACK  FOR  A  BEND,  To.  To  pay  back  some  of  the  bight  of  a 
cable,  in  order  to  have  sufficient  to  form  the  bend. 

TRY  DOWN,  To.     To  boil  out  the  oil  from  blubber  at  sea  in  whalers. 

TRYING  THE  RANGK  A  lubberly  mode  of  estimating  the  distance  of 
an  enemy's  ship  or  fort  by  firing  a  shot  at  it. 

TRYSAIL.  A  reduced  sail  used  by  small  craft  in  lieu  of  their  mainsail 
during  a  storm.  Also,  a  fore-and-aft  sail,  set  with  a  boom  and  gaff,  in 
ships,  synonymous  with  the  spencers  of  brigs  and  schooners,  and  the 
spsjiker  or  driver  of  ships.     (See  Storm  Trysail.) 

TRYSAIL-MAST.  A  spar  abaft  the  fore  and  main  mast,  for  hoisting  the 
trysail. 

TRY-WORKS.     Large  copper  boilers,  for  boiling  the  blubber  in  whalers. 

TUB,  Grog.  A  half-cask,  set  apart  for  mixing  the  daily  allowance  of  spirit 
with  water,  lime-juce,  and  sugar,  prior  to  its  being  served  out  to  the  ship's 
company. 

TUB,  Match.  A  conical  tub  used  to  guard  the  slow  match  in  action. 
They  were  formerly  about  five-gallon  capacity,  the  head  being  sunk  about 
two  inches,  and  four  holes  bor^  to  insert  slow  matches.  They  are  now 
almost  disused,  except  to  keep  a  light  ready  for  signal  purposes,  as 
rockets,  blue  lights,  &c,  by  night. 

TUBES.     See  Chain-pump. 

TUBES,  FOR  Guns.  A  kind  of  portable  priming,  for  insertion  into  the 
vent, — of  various  patterns.     {See  Fbiction-tubb,  Quill-tubes,  <kc.) 

TUBS,  Topsail-Halliard.  Circular  framed  racks  in  which  the  topsail- 
halliards  are  coiled  clear  for  running,  and  are  prevented  from  fouling  by 
being  sent  adrift  in  a  gale. 

TUBULAR  BOILERS.  Those  in  which  the  flame  and  hot  gases,  after 
leaving  the  furnaces,  pass  through  a  great  number  of  small  iron  or  brass 


702  TUCK TURN 

tubes  surrounded  hy  water,  by  which  means  these  gases  are  made  to 

impart  some  of  their  heat  to  tiie  water  before  they  escape;  thus  fuel  is 

economized. 
TUCK.     The  after-part  of  a  ship^  immediately  under  the  stem  or  counter, 

where  the  ends  of  the  bottom  planks  are  collected  and  terminate  by  the 

tuck-rail.     Thus  the  fir  frigates  of  1812-14  had  flat,  square  transoms 

similar  to  boats,  or  heart-shaped.      Hence  our  square-tucked  frigates, 

brigs,  &c, 
TUG.     A  vessel  for  towing  in  and  out  of  harbours  and  the  like.     (See 

Steam  Tug.) 
TUG,  To  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  teogariy  to  pull].      It  now  signifies  to 

hang  on  the  oars,  and  get  but  little  or  nothing  ahead. 
TUGG.     A  heavy  sort  of  wain  or  cart,  on  which  the  ship-timber  for  naval 

arsenals  was  formerly  conveyed  from  Sussex. 
TUMBLE  IN.    See  Tumbuno  Home. 
TUMBLER.     One  of  the  numerous  names  for  the  porpoise,  Phoccena  com- 

munis.     Also,  a  contrivance  to  avoid  the  necessity  <^  having  copper 

nailed  on  the  mast  to  prevent  a  gaff  from  chafing  it. 
TUMBLE   UP !     A  requisition  of  the  boatswain's  mates,  &c.,  to  quicken 

the  hands  after  being  piped  up.     The  cry  is  well  understood,  though  so 

contrary  to  the  known  tendency  of  gravitation. 
TUMBLING-HOME.    The  opposite  of  wall-sided,  or  flaring  out.     That 

part  of  a  ship's  side  which  curves  inwardly  above  the  extreme  breadth. 

In  all  old  sea-books  this  narrowing  of  a  ship  from  the  extreme  breadth 

upwards  is  called  housing  in.     {See  Uppeb-wosk&) 
TUMBLING  SEA.     The  increased  rolling  before  a  gale. 
TUMBRIL.    A  covered  cart  for  conveying  ammunition  and  pioneers'  tools. 
TUM-TUM.     A  West  India  dish,  consisting  of  boiled  plantain  beat  into  a 

paste  and  fried. 
TUNGULA.     A  small  boat  in  the  Moluccafl  and  Borneo. 
TUNNY.     A  well-known  lai^e  fish  of  the  fiunily  Scomberidce,     It  forms 

an  important  branch  of  Mediterranean  commerce. 
TURBONADA.     A  roaring  squall,  or  short  hurricane,  of  frequent  occur- 
rence in  the  Pacific  Ocean  [a  mimo-phonetic^  term  adopted  from  the 

Spaniards]. 
TURBOT.     The  Pleuranectea  maximus,  a  flat  fish  in  the  highest  esteem 

with  all  icthyophagi. 
TURKEY-GRAIN.     A  name  for  maize. 

TURK'S  HEAD.     An  ornamental  knot,  so  called  from  resembling  a  tur- 
ban, used  on  side-ropes,  dec.;  it  is  worked  with  a  piece  of  small  line  by 

following  the  lead  till  it  is  formed  with  three  parts  to  each  cross. 
TURN,  To  Take  or  Catch  a.     To  pass  a  rope  once  or  twice  round  a 

cleat^  pin,  kevel,  or  any  other  thing,  to  keep  it  fast. 
TURN  AHEAD  !     A  self-explanatory  order  to  the  engineer,  in  regulating 

the  movement  of  a  steamer. 
TURN  A  TURTLE,  To.     To  take  the  animal  by  seizing  a  flipper,  and 


TURN  IN TWIDDLING-LINE  703 

throwing  him  on  his  back,  which  renders  him  quite  helpless.  Also  ap- 
plied to  a  vessel  capsizing;  or  throwing  a  person  suddenly  out  of  his 
hammock. 

TURN  IN,  To.     To  go  to  bed.— ^o  turn  out.    To  get  up. 

TURN  IN  A  DEAD-EYE  or  HEART,  To.  To  seize  the  end  of  a 
shroud  or  stay,  &a,  securely  round  it. 

TURNING  IN  RIGGING.  The  end  of  a  vessel's  shrouds  carried  round 
the  dead-eyes,  laid  back  and  secured  by  seizings. 

TURNING-ROOM.     Space  in  a  narrow  channel  for  a  ship  to  work  in. 

TURN  IN  THE  HAWSK     Two  crosses  in  a  cable. 

TURN  OF  THE  TIDE.     The  change  from  ebb  to  flood,  or  the  contrary. 

TURN  OUT  THE  GUARD !  The  oitier  for  the  marines  of  the  guard 
to  fall  in,  on  the  quarter-deck,  in  order  to  receive  a  superior  officer  ou 
board. 

TURN  OVER  MEN,  To.     To  discharge  them  out  of  one  ship  into  another. 

TURN  THE  GLASS.  The  order  in  throwing  the  log  when  the  stray 
line  is  payed  out. 

TURN  THE  HANDS  UP,  To.     To  summon  the  entire  crew  on  deck. 

TURN  TO  WINDWARD,  To.  To  gain  on  the  wind  by  alternate  tack- 
ing. It  is  when  a  ship  endeavours  to  make  progress  against  the  wind  by 
a  compound  course  inclined  to  the  place  of  her  destination;  otherwise 
called  plying  or  beating  to  windward. 

TURNPIKE-SAILORS.  Rascals  who  go  about  dressed  as  sailors  pre- 
tending that  they  have  been  shipwrecked,  and  soliciting  charity. 

TURPIS  CAUSA.  An  unsustainable  suit  for  wages,  on  the  part  of  a 
British  pilot,  for  navigating  a  foreign  ship  to  an  enemy's  port 

TURRET-SHIP.  A  vessel,  more  or  less  armoured,  fitted  with  one  or  more 
heavily  plated  revolving  turrets,  each  carrying  one  or  more  guns  of  the 
heaviest  class,  which  look  out  above  the  deck;  the  whole  worked  by  steam- 
power.  It  represents  the  present  improvement  on  the  inventions  of  the 
cupola-ship,  shield-ship,  and  monitor. 

TURTLR  The  well-known  marine  reptile  described  by  early  navigators 
as  "reasonable  toothsom  meate."  The  homy  covering  of  the  shell  of 
some  species  furnishes  the  substance  commonly  known  as  tortaisesIieU. 

TURTLE-CRAWL.     A  shallow  lagoon,  wherein  turtles  are  kept. 

TURTLE-PEG.  A  socketed  pointed  iron  on  a  staff;  it  is  slightly  barbed, 
and  is  a  special  tool  for  sticking  turtle. 

TUSK.  The  Brosmus  vulgaris^  a  savoury  fish  taken  in  the  northern  seas, 
about  the  size  of  the  ling,  but  with  a  broader  tail. 

'TWEEN  OB  'TWIXT  DECKS.  The  one  under  the  gun  deck,  where 
sailors  usually  mess. 

TWICE-LAID.  Rope  made  from  a  selection  of  the  best  yams  of  old  rope. 
Also,  a  sea-dish  made  of  the  salt-fish  left  from  yesterday's  dinner,  and 
beaten  up  with  potatoes  or  yams. 

TWIDDLING-LINE.  A  piece  of  small  rope  ornamentally  fitted  and 
used  for  steadying  the  steering-wheel  when  required :  no  longer  used. 


^1 


704  TWIG TYPHOON 

TWIG,  To.  To  pull  upon  a  bowline.  Alao,  in  familiar  phrase,  to  under- 
stand or  observe. 

TWIG-AIT.     A  river  islet  where  osiers  grow. 

TWINK  A  kind  of  strong  thread  used  in  sailmaking;  it  is  of  two  kinds  : 
extra,  for  sewing  the  seams;  and  ordinary,  for  the  bolt-ropes.  (See  Whip- 
ping-twine.) Irish  twine  or  thumb-line,  like  nettles^  is  worked  bj  the 
fingers  from  fine  jams  drawn  from  bolt-rope. 

TWIN-SCREW.  A  steamer  fitted  with  two  propellers  and  independent 
engines,  to  enable  her  to  turn  rapidly  on  her  own  axia  The  twin-screw 
principle  is  not  new,  but  latterly  it  has  been  so  perfected  that  speed  in 
turning  ia  no  longer  a  matter  of  doubt 

TWO-BLOCKS.     The  same  as  chock-Orhlock  (which  see> 

TWO-HANDED  FELLOWS.  Those  who  are  both  seamen  and  soldiers, 
or  artificers;  as  the  marines  and,  specially,  marine  artillerymen. 

TWO-HANDED  SAW.  A  very  useful  instrument  in  ship-carpentry;  it 
is  much  longer  than  the  hand-saw,  and  requires  two  men  to  use  it 

TWO-MONTHLY  BOOK.  A  book  kept  by  the  captain's  clerk,  to  be  for- 
warded every  two  months,  when  possible,  in  order  to  prevent  frauds;  and 
in  the  event  of  a  ship  being  lost,  to  have  the  accounts  to  the  nearest  period. 

TWO  MONTHS'  ADVANCK     See  Advance  Money. 

TWO-PENCES.  A  deduction  from  each  man,  per  mensem,  formerly 
'  assigned  to  the  surgeon  for  wages. 

TWO-TOPSAIL-SCHOONER    See  Topsail-schooner. 

TWY.     A  meteor  squall  on  the  coasts  of  Wiltshire,  Hampshire,  &c. 

TYE.  A  runner  of  thick  rope  or  chain,  which  forms  part  of  the  purchase 
used  for  hoisting  the  topsail  and  top-gallant  yards. 

TYE-BLOCK.  The  block  on  the  yard  through  which  the  tye  is  rove,  and 
passes  on  to  be  secured  at  the  mast-head.  The  block  secured  to  the  lower 
end  of  the  tye  is  the  fly-block. 

TYMOOM.     a  Chinese  river  craft. 

TYND ABIDES.     The  ancient  name  of  the  meteor  called  corposanto, 

TYPHOON,  Ty-fono,  or  Tai-phon.  The  Chinese  word  for  a  ([reat  wind, 
applied  to  hurricanes  or  cyclones.  They  are  revolving  storms  of  immense 
force,  occurring  most  frequently  in  those  parts  of  the  world  which  are 
subject  to  monsoons,  and  take  place  at  those  seasons  when  the  monsoons 
are  changing.  They  seem  to  be  eddies  formed  by  the  meeting  of  oppos- 
ing currents  of  air — for  instance,  the  westerly  winds  near  the  equator  and 
the  easterly  winds  of  higher  latitudes — ^which  accounts  for  the  important 
fact  that  these  storms  revolve  in  opposite  directions  in  the  two  hemi- 
spheres— in  the  southern  with,  in  the  northern  against,  the  hands  of  a 
watch;  but  the  circular  tendency  in  both  supports  the  name  of  cyclone. 


UGLY UNDER  FOOT  705 


U. 

UGLY.     A  term  applied  to  a  threatening  heavy  atmosphere,  also  to  a  head- 
sea.     Also,  to  an  ugly  craft,  as  a  mischievous  foe,  or  a  pirate. 
ULCUS.     An  old  term  for  the  hulk  of  a  ship  of  burden  (^.  Ethelred). 
ULIGINOUS  CHANNELS.     Those  connecting  the  branches  of  rivers, 

by  cuts  through  the  soil. 
ULLAGE.     The  remainder  in  a  cask  or  package  which  has  leaked  or  been 

partially  used. — Ullaged  is  used  for  damaged,  short  of  contents. 
ULTIMATUM.     The  final   conditions  upon   which   any   proposition  or 

treaty  with  an  enemy  can  be  ratified. 
ULTKA  MARE.     Beyond  seas — a  naval  law  term. 
ULTRA  VIRES.     Beyond  the  power  of  might  or  right  to  interfere. 
ULTRA-ZODIACAL.     Beyond  the  limits  of  the  zodiac;  applied  to  those 

asteroids  that  revolve  outside  the  ancient  zodiac. 
UMBRA.     The  dark  shadow  of  the  moon,  earth,  or  any  other  planet. 
UMBRELLA-WARPING.     A  contrivance  similar  to  an  umbrella,  by 

which  ships  in  a  calm  can  be  warped  ahead. 
UNATTACHED.     In  military  phraseology,  an  officer  not  belonging  to 

any  one  company  or  regiment,  or  on  half-pay. 
UNBEND,  To.    To  cast  oflf  or  untie ;  to  remove  the  sails  from  their  yards 

and  stays;  to  cast  loose  the  cables  from  their  anchors,  or  to  untie  one 

rope  from  another. 
UNBITT,  To.   To  remove  the  turns  of  a  cable  from  off  the  bitts.   {See  Birrs.) 
UNCLAIMED,  as  Derelict.     Vessels  found  at  sea  without  a  human 

being,  or  a  domestic  animal,  on  board  are  good  prizes,  if  not  claimed  within 

366  days.     If  so  claimed,  full  salvage,  or  half  her  value,  is  assigned  to 

the  salvors. 
UNDECAGON.     A  geometrical  figure  of  eleven  equal  sides  and  angles. 
UNDER  BARE  POLES.     The  condition  of  a  ship  under  no  canvas,  or 

when  the  wind  is  too  violent  to  allow  of  any  sail  being  set  on  her. 
UNDER-BEVELLING.     The  alteration  made  inside  a  square  in  hewing 

timber,  as  opposed  to  standing-bevelling. 
UNDER-BRIGHT.      A  meteorological  term  for  the  strong  light  which 

sometimes  appears  below  clouds  near  the  horizon. 
UNDER  CANVAS.     Synonymous  with  under  sail, 
UNDER-CURRENT.     A  stream  which  sets  beneath  the  surface-water  of 

the  sea  whilst  that  is  either  in  a  quiescent  state  or  moving  in  a  contrary 

direction.     Swift  rivers  may  run  out  at  top  whilst  the  fiood-tide  runs  in 

below. 
UNDER  DECK,     The  floor  of  a  cabin,  or  'tween  decks. 
UNDER  FOOT.     Under  the  ship's  bottom ;  said  of  an  anchor  which  is 

dropped  while  she  has  headway.     An  anchor  is  often  dropped  under  foot 

2  Y 


706  UNDER  LEVEL UNIOOEN 

when  calm  preyailB  and  the  drift  would  be  towards  danger. — To  drop  an 
anchor  under  foot,  is  to  let  it  go  and  veer  a  little  of  the  riding  cable  when 
the  coming  home,  or  parting  of  the  one  by  which  she  is  riding,  is  feared. 

UNDER  LEVEL.    See  Beveluno. 

UNDER-MANNED.  When  a  ship  has  an  insufficient  complement^  or  is 
short-handed. 

UNDER-MASTED.  When  the  masts  are  either  too  small  or  too  shorty  so 
that  a  ship  cannot  spread  the  sail  necessary  to  give  her  proper  speed. 

UNDER  METAL.  The  condition  of  a  gun  when  the  muzzle  is  depressed, 
and  the  metal,  i.e.  the  breech,  raised  3  the  proper  position  when  not  in 
use,  to  prevent  moisture  collecting  in  the  chamber. 

UNDER-RUN  A  HAWSER  ob  WARP,  To.  To  haul  a  boat  along  under- 
neath it^  in  order  to  clear  it^  if  any  part  happens  to  be  fouL  To  under- 
run  a  tackle,  is  to  separate  the  several  parts  of  which  it  is  composed,  and 
range  them  in  order,  so  that  the  general  effort  may  not  be  interrupted 
when  it  is  put  in  motion  by  the  parts  crossing,  or  by  thorough-foots. 

UNDER  SAIL.  The  state  of  a  ship  when  she  is  in  motion  from  the 
action  of  wind  on  her  sails. 

UNDER-SET.  Wherever  the  wind  impels  the  surface-water  directly  upon 
the  shore  of  a  bay,  the  water  below  restores  equilibrium  by  taking  a  direc- 
tion contrary  to  the  wind.  The  resaca,  or  underset,  is  particularly  dan- 
gerous on  those  beaches  where  heavy  surf  prevails. 

UNDER-SHORE,  To.  To  support  or  raise  a  thing  by  putting  a  spar  or 
prop  under  it,  as  a  ship  is  shored  up  in  dock. 

UNDERrSKINKER     Assistant  to  the  purser's  steward. 

UNDER  THE  LEK  Sheltered  from  the  wind  by  some  intervening 
object,  as  a  ship  under  the  lee  of  the  land. 

UNDER  THE  SEA.  A  ship  lying-to  in  a  heavy  gale,  and  making  bad 
weather  of  it 

UNDER  THE  WIND.  So  situated  to  leeward  of  something  as  not  to 
feel  the  wind. 

UNDER-TOW.  An  under  current  especially  noticed  at  the  mouths  of 
great  rivers,  or  where  tide  and  half-tides  prevail,  completely  hampering 
the  sails  even  with  a  good  breeze.     {See  Undeb-cubrent.) 

UNDER  WAY.  A  ship  beginning  to  move  under  her  canvas  after  her 
anchor  is  started.  Some  have  written  this  under  weigh,  but  improperly. 
A  ship  is  under  weigh  when  she  has  weighed  her  anchor:  she  may  be 
with  or  without  canvas,  or  hove-to.  As  soon  as  she  gathers  way  she  is 
under  way.     This  a  moot  point  with  old  seamen. 

UNDERWRITERS.  The  parties  who  take  upon  themselves  the  risk  of 
insurance^  and  so  called  from  subscribing  their  names  at  the  foot  of  the 
policy.  They  are  legally  presumed  to  be  acquainted  with  every  custom 
of  the  trade  whereon  they  enter  a  policy. 

UNICORN.  The  old  name  for  the  howitzer,  as  improved  from  the  licom, 
borrowed  from  the  Turks  during  the  last  century  by  the  Russians^  and 
iran  the  latter  by  Europe  generally. 


UNICORN-FISH UP  AND  DOWN  707 

UNICORN-FISH,  or  Sea-Unicorn.    A  name  for  the  narwJuU  (wliich  see). 
UNIFOBM.     The  dress  prescribed  by  regulation  for  officers  and  men  of 

the  armj,  navj,  marines,  &c. 
UNION.     The  national  flag  of  Great  Britain,  on  shore  or  afloat.     It  is  a 

composition  of  the  crosses  of  St.  Creorge  of  England,  St.  Andrew  of  Scot- 
land, and  St.  Patrick  of  Ireland,  the  last  having  been  bronght  in  in  1801. 

It  was  formerly  inscribed,  "For  the  Protestant  Religion  and  for  the 

Liberty  of  England."     It  is  in  the  upper  canton  of  all  British  ensigns. 

At  the  main  it  is  the  proper  flag  of  an  admiral  of  the  fleet;  and  was  thus 

flown  by  Lord  Howe  at  the  battle  of  June  1,  1794. 
UNION  DOWN.     When  a  ship  hoists  her  ensign  upside  down  it  is  a 

signal  of  distress  or  of  mourning. 
UNION-JACEL     The  union  flag  used  separately;  in  the  merchant  service 

it  must  have  a  broad  white  border. 
UNUMBER,  To.     With  a  gun  on  a  travelling-carriage,  to  release  it  from 

the  limber,  by  lifting  the  trail  off  the  pintail  and  placing  it  on  the  ground, 

thus  bringing  it  to  the  position  for  action. 
UNLIVERY.    Expenses  of  unlivery  and  appraisement  are  a  charge  in  the 

first  instance  against  the  captors  of  a  prize,  to  be  afterwards  apportioned 

by  them  ratably  against  the  cargo. 
UNMAN  AGE  A  BLR     When  a  vessel  refuses  to  answer  her  helm,  has  lost 

her  rudder,  or  is  crippled  in  masts  or  sails. 
UNMOORED.     Having  one  anchor  weighed;  lying  at  single  anchor. 
UNREEVING.     The  act  of  withdrawing  a  rope  firom  any  block,  thimble, 

dead-eye,  dxx,  through  which  it  had  formerly  passed.     (See  Reeve.) 
UNRIG,  To.     To  dismantle  a  ship  of  her  standing  and  running  rigging. 

— To  unrig  the  ca/pstcm  is  to  take  out  the  bars. 
UNROOMAGED.     An  antiquated  sea  term,  which,  from  its  application 

by  Sir  W.  Raleigh,  in  his  account  of  Sir  R.  Granville's  action,  may  mean 

"out  of  trim." 
UNROVE  HIS  LIFE-LINK     Departed  this  life. 
UNSERVICEABLE  TICKET.     This  is  made  out  in  the  same  manner, 

and  requires  the  same  notations,  as  a  sick-ticket  (which  see),  only  that  no 

inventory  of  clothes  and  other  effects  is  necessaiy. 
UNSHIP,  To.     The  opposite  of  to  ship.    To  remove  any  piece  of  timber 

from  its  situation  in  which  it  is  generally  used,  as  "unship  the  oars," 

lay  them  in  the  boat  from  the  rowlocks;  ^'unship  the  capstan  bars,  &c. 
UNWHOLESOME  SHIP.     One  that  will  neither  hull,  try,  nor  ride, 

without  labouring  heavily  in  a  sea.     Also  applied  to  a  sugar  ship  diverted 

from  her  former  trade^  and  not  properly  cleansed,  even  before  taking  in  a 

cargo  of  timber. 
UP  ALONG.     Sailing  from  the  mouth  of  the  channel  upwards. 
UP  ANCHOR     Pipe  to  weigh ;  every  man  to  his  station. 
UP  AND  DOWN.     The  situation  of  the  cable  when  it  has  been  hove  in 

Bufliciently  to  bring  the  ship  directly  over  the  anchor.     (See  Right  up 

AND  DOWN.) 


708  UP-AND-DOWN  TACKLE USAGES 

UP-AND-DOWN  TACKLE.  A  purchase  used  in  bowsing  down  tlie 
eyes  of  the  lower  rigging  over  the  mast-heads ;  lifting  objects  from  the 
hold ;  getting  anchors  over  the  side,  <kc 

UP  BOATS !  The  order  to  hoist  the  boats  to  the  stern  and  quarter  davits. 

UP  COURSES !     The  order  to  haul  them  up  by  the  clue-garnets,  &c. 

UPHAND-SLEDGR  A  large  sledge-hammer  used  in  blacksmith's  work, 
and  lifted  with  both  hands,  in  contradistinction  to  the  short  stroke  by 
the  master  smith. 

UPHROE.     See  Uvrou, 

UPMAKING.  Pieces  of  plank  or  timber  piled  on  eacb  otber  as  fiUing-up 
in  buUding,  more  especially  those  placed  between  the  bilge-ways  and  ship's 
bottom  preparatory  to  launching. 

UPPER  COUNTER.  The  counter  between  the  wing  transom  and  the 
rail     {See  Counteb.) 

CJPPER  DECK.  The  highest  of  those  decks  which  are  continued  through- 
out the  whole  length  of  a  ship  without  falls  or  interruptions,  as  the 
quarter-deck,  waist,  and  forecastle  of  frigates,  &c. 

UPPER  FINISHING.    See  Finishings. 

UPPEP.  MASTS.  The  top-mast,  topgallant-mast,  and  royal-mast;  any 
spars  above  these  are  termed  poles.     {See  Pole-masts.) 

UPPER  STRAKE  ok  WASH  of  Boats.  A  strake  thicker  than  those 
of  the  bottom,  wrought  round  the  gunwales,  and  lined  within  the  poppets. 

UPPER  OR  TOP-RIDER  FUTTOCKS.  These  timbers  stand  nearly  the 
same  as  hreadth-riderSj  and  very  much  strengthen  the  topside. 

UPPER  TRANSIT.  The  passage  of  a  circumpolar  star  over  the  meridian 
above  the  pole;  the  opposite  of  the  lower  trcmsiL 

UPPER-WORKS.  That  part  of  a  ship  which  rises  from  the  water's  sur- 
face when  she  is  properly  trimmed  for  a  voyage. 

UP  SCREW !     The  order  in  steamers  to  lift  the  screw  on  making  sail 

UP  WITH  THE  HELM.  Put  it  a-weather;  that  is,  over  to  the  wind- 
ward side,  or  (whichever  way  the  tiller  is  shipped)  so  as  to  carry  the  rud- 
der to  leeward  of  the  stem-post. 

URANOGRAPHY.  The  delineation  of  constellations,  nebul®,  ifec,  on 
celestial  charts  or  globes. 

URANOSCOPUS.    See  Sky-gazer. 

URANUS.  A  supeiior  planet  discovered  by  the  elder  Herschel  in  1781; 
it  has  four  known  satellites,  but  possibly  six,  according  to  the  impression 
of  the  discoverer. 

URCA.     An  armed  Spanish  fly-boat. 

URSA  MAJOR     One  of  the  ancient  northern  constellations. 

URSA  MINOR.  An  ancient  northern  constellation,  in  which  the  north 
polar  star  is  situated. 

USAGES.  Besides  the  general  laws  of  merchants,  there  are  certain  com- 
mercial and  sea&ring  usages  which  prevail  in  particular  countries  with 
the  force  of  law.  Underwriters  are  bound  by  usages;  and  they  are  1^1 
precedents,  binding  in  courts-martial. 


USHANT  TEAM VANES  709 

USHANT  TEAM.  The  sobriquet  given  to  that  portion  of  the  Channel 
fleet  which  blockaded  Brest. 

UTLAGHE  An  outlaw;  whence  by  corruption  logger s^  people  trans- 
ported by  sentence  of  law. 

U  VROU.  The  circular  piece  of  wood,  with  holes  in  it,  by  which  the  legs 
of  a  crowfoot  are  extended  for  suspending  an  awning. 


VACUUM.     A  space  utterly  empty,  even  of  air  or  vapour. 

YADMEL.      Coarse  woollen  manufacture  of  the  Orkneys.     {See  "Wad- 

MABEL.) 

VAIL^  To.  An  old  word  signifying  to  lower,  to  bend  in  token  of  submis- 
sion; as,  "Vail  their  top-gallants."  Thus  in  the  old  play  George  a-Green, 
''  Let  me  alone,  my  lord;  I'll  make  them  vail  their  plumes." 

VAKKA.     A  large  canoe  of  the  Friendly  Islands,  with  an  outrigger. 

VALE,  OR  Dale  (which  see).  Also,  gunwale. — To  vale,  was  an  old  term 
for  "  dropping  down,"  as  in  a  river. 

VALUATION.  In  cases  of  restitution  after  property  has  been  sold,  and 
account  of  sales  cannot  be  obtained,  it  may  be  taken  at  the  invoice  price, 
and  10  per  cent  profit;  but  this  mode  of  estimating  it  does  not  include 
freight,  even  though  the  ship  and  cargo  belong  to  the  same  person. 

VALUED  POLICY.  Is  where  a  value  has  been  set  upon  the  ships  or 
goods  insured,  and  this  value  inserted  in  the  policy  in  nature  of  liqui- 
dated damages,  to  save  the  necessity  of  proving  it,  in  case  of  a  total  loss. 

VALVES.     See  under  their  respective  particular  names. 

VAMBRACE.     Armour  for  the  front  of  the  arm. 

VAN  [formerly  vant,  contracted  from  avant],  That  part  of  a  fleet,  army, 
or  boidy  of  men,  which  is  advanced  in  the  first  line  or  front. — Vangtuwd, 
The  advanced  division. 

VANR  A  piece  of  buntin  extended  on  a  wooden  stock,  which  turns  upon 
a  spindle  at  the  mast-head;  it  shows  the  direction  of  the  wind. — A  distin- 
guishing vcmSy  denotes  the  division  of  a  fleet  to  which  a  ship  of  the  line 
belongs,  according  to  the  mast  on  which  it  is  borne. — Dog-vane,  A  small 
light  vane,  formed  of  thin  slips  of  cork,  stuck  round  with  feathers,  and 
strung  upon  a  piece  of  twine.  It  is  usually  fastened  to  the  top  of  a  half- 
pike,  and  placed  on  the  weather  side  of  the  quarter-deck,  in  order  to  show 
the  helmsman  the  direction  of  the  wind. 

VANES.  The  sights  of  cross-stafl's,  fore-stafls,  quadrants,  &c.,  are  pieces 
of  brass  standing  perpendicularly  to  the  plane  of  the  instrument;  the  one 


7 1 0  VANE-SPINDLE VEBE 

opposite  to  the  fore  horizon-glass  is  the  foresight-vane,  the  other  the  back- 
sight-vane. 

VANE-SPINDLR  The  pivot  on  which  the  masthead-vane  turns  j  it 
should  never  be  made  of  metal,  lest  it  attract  lightning,  unless  the  masts 
be  fitted  with  Sir  W.  Snow  Harris's  conductors. 

VANFOSSE.     A  wet  ditch  at  the  outer  foot  of  the  glacis. 

YANG.  A  rope  leading  from  the  end  of  the  gaff  to  the  rail,  one  on  each 
side,  so  that  the  two  form  guys  attached  to  the  outer  ends  of  the  gafis  to 
steady  them,  and  when  the  sails  are  not  set  keep  them  amidships. 

VANGEE  A' contrivance  for  working  the  pumps  of  a  vessel  by  means  of 
a  barrel  and  crank-breaks. 

YAPOUE,  OB  Shoke.  In  polar  'parlance,  a  peculiar  but  natural  result 
of  the  conversion  of  water  into  ice,  which  is  too  often  supposed  to  indicate 
open  water. 

VARIABLES.  Those  parts  of  the  sea  where  a  steady  wind  is  not  ex- 
pecveci. 

VARIABLE  STARS.     Those  which  are  found  to  exhibit  periodical  fluc- 

-  tuations  of  brightness ;  of  which  Algol  and  Mira  Ceti  are  notable  ex- 
amples. 

VARIATION.  A  term  applied  to  the  deviation  of  the  magnetic  needle 
or  compass,  from  the  true  north  point  towards  either  east  or  west;  called 
also  the  declination.  The  variation  of  the  needle  is  properly  ddined  as 
the  angle  which  a  magnetic  needle  suspended  at  liberty  makes  with  the 
meridian  line  on  a  horizontal  plane;  or  an  arc  of  the  horizon,  compre- 
hended between  the  true  and  the  magnetic  meridian.  {See  Annual 
Vabiation.) 

VAJRIATION  CHART.  The  well-known  chart  produced  by  Halley, 
whereon  a  number  of  curved  lines  show  the  variation  of  the  compass  in 
the  places  they  pass  through.  Tlie  admiralty  variation  chart  has  been 
brought  to  great  perfection. 

VARIATION  OF  THE  MOON.  An  inequality  in  the  movement  of 
our  satellite,  amounting  at  certain  times  to  37'  in  longitude :  it  was  the 
first  lunar  inequality  explained  by  Newton  on  the  principles  of  gravita- 
tion. 

VARIATION  OF  THE  VARIATION.  Is  the  change  in  the  declina- 
tion of  the  needle  observed  at  different  times  in  the  same  place. 

VEDETTK     One  or  two  cavalry  soldiers  stationed  on  the  look-out. 

VEER,  To.  To  let  out,  to  pay  out,  to  turn  or  change.  Also,  to  veer  or 
wear,  in  contradistinction  from  tacking.  In  tacking  it  is  a  necessary 
condition  that  the  ship  be  brought  up  to  the  wind  as  close-hauled,  and 
put  round  against  the  wind  on  the  opposite  tack.  But  in  veering  or 
wearing,  especially  when  strong  gales  render  it  dangerous,  unseamanlike, 
or  impossible,  the  head  of  the  vessel  is  put  away  from  the  wind,  and 
turned  round  20  points  of  the  compass  instead  of  12,  and,  without  strain 
or  danger,  is  brought  to  the  wind  on  the  opposite  tack.  Many  deep- 
thinking  seamen,  and  Lords  St  Vincenty  Exmouth,  and  Sir  R  Owen, 


V£EE VERIFICATION  711 

issued  orders  to  wear  instead  of  tacking,  when  not  inconvenient,  deeming 

the  accidents  and  wear  and  tear  of  tacking,  detrimental  to  the  sails,  spars, 

and  rigging. 
VEER  A  BUOY  IN  A  SHIP'S  WAKE,  To.     To  slack  out  a  rope  to 

which  a  buoy  has  been  attached,  and  let  it  go  astern,  for  the  purpose  of 

bringing  up  a  boat^  or  picking  up  a  man  who  may  have  fallen  overboard. 
YEEE  AND  HAUL,  To.     To  gently  tauten  and  then  slacken  a  rope 

three  times  before  giving  a  heavy  pull,  the  object  being  to  concentrate 

the  force  of  several  men.     The  wind  is  said  to  veer  and  haul  when  it 

alters  its  direction;  thus  it  is  said,  to  veer  aft,  and  haul  forward. 
VEER  AWAY  THE  CABLE,  To.     To  slack  and  let  it  run  out 
VEERING  CABLE,  Thb.     That  cable  which  is  veered  out  in  unmooring, 

and  not  unspliced  or  unshackled  in  clearing  hawse. 
VEGA,  a  LyrsB.     The  bright  luclda  of  the  old  northern  constellation  Lyra. 
VEIN.     The  clear  water  between  the  openings  of  floes  of  ice.     The  same 

aa  ice-lane.    Also,  a  very  limited  current  of  wind-a  cat's-paw. 
VELOCITY.     In  naval  architecture^  designmg  for  velocity  is  giving  that 

form  to  a  ship's  body  by  which  she  will  pass  through  the  water  in  the 

quickest  space  of  time, 
VELOCITY  OF  TIDE  or  CURRENT,  depends  on  several  circumstances. 

First,  the  tide  varies  with  the  state  of  the  moon,  running  strongest  at  the 

springs,  and  the  force  of  the  ebb  is  much  increased  by  rains,  land  freshes, 

&;q.     The  ciuTents  also  vary,  especially  when  wind  and  tide  combine  to 

accelerate  their  action. 
VEND  AVAL  [Sp.  south  wind,  tiempo  di  vendavcUes],     A  stormy  time  on 

the  coast  of  Mexico,  in  the  autumn,  with  violent  thunder,  lightning,  and 

rain. 
VENDUE  MASTER.     A  commercial  and  marine  auctioneer. 
VENE-SEANDES.     The  old  commercial  term  for  Venetian  sequins. 
VENT.     In  artillery,  the  small  aperture  near  the  breech  by  which  the  fire 

of  the  priming  is  communicated  to  the  charge. 
VENT-BIT.     A  peculiar  augur  or  screw  gimlet  used  for  clearing  the  vent 

of  a  gun  when  obstructed. 
VENT-FIELD  op  a  Gun.     The  raised  tablet  in  the  metal  near  the  breech 

in  which  the  vent  is  bored. 
VENTILATOR.     The  name  of  various  machines  contrived  to  expel  the 

foul  air  from  the  store-rooms  and  hold,  and  introduce  fresh  in  its  stead. 
VENT-PIECE.      The  movable  fitment  which  closes  the  breech  and  con- 
tains the  vent  in  Armstrong  breech-loading  guns. 
VENT-PLUG.     A  fid  or  stopple  made  of  leather  or  oakum  fitting  in  the 

vent  of  a  piece  to  stop  it  against  weather,  drc. 
VENTRAL  FIN.     The  posterior  pair  of  fins  under  the  body  of  fishes, 

corresponding  to  the  hind  legs  of  terrestrial  quadrupeds. 
VENUS.     One  of  the  inferior  planets,  and  the  second  in  order  of  distaace 

from  the  sun.     (See  Tbaksit  of  Veitus). 
VERIFICATION  OF  SHIP'S  PAPERS.     In  this  necessary  process  it 


712  VERITAS VICE-CONSUL 

is  declared  that  papers  of  themselves  prove  nothing,  and  require  to  be 
supported  by  the  oaths  of  persons  in  a  situation  to  give  them  validity. 

VERITAS.  A  register  of  shipping  established  in  Paris,  on  the  principle 
of  Lloyd's  List 

VERNAL  EQUINOX.  The  i)oint  where  the  sun  crosses  the  equator, 
going  north.  It  is  opposite  the  place  of  the  autumnal  equinox.  {See 
Equinoxes.) 

VERNIER,  OR  Nonius.  A  graduated  scale  for  the  measurement  of 
minute  divisions,  especially  on  the  arcs  of  astronomical  instruments, 
sextants,  <fec.  The  thousandth  part  of  a  degree  can  be  taken  by  the 
naked  eye;  the  ten  thousandth  by  a  microscope. 

VERSED  SINE.  In  geometry,  is  the  part  of  the  radius  intercepted 
between  the  arc  and  its  sine. 

VERTEX.  The  zenith,  the  point  overhead;  the  apex  of  a  conical  moun- 
tain. 

VERTICAL  ANGLES.  Opposite  angles  made  by  two  lines  cutting  or 
crossing  each  other,  and  are  always  equal.   {See  Angle  of  the  Vertical.) 

VERTICAL  CIRCLES.  Great  circles  of  the  sphere  intei-cepting  each 
other  in  the  zenith  and  nadir,  and  cutting  the  horizon  at  right  angles. 

VERTICAL  FIRE.  In  artillery,  that  directed  upward  at  such  an  angle 
as  that  it  will  fall  vertically,  or  nearly  so,  to  its  destination.  It  includes 
all  elevations  above  30°,  though  the  most  usual  is  45°.  It  is  very  effective 
with  shells;  but  with  small  balls,  as  proposed  by  Camot  and  others,  who 
have  ill  reckoned  the  retardation  by  the  atmosphere,  it  is  insignificant. 

VERTICAL  FORCR  The  centre  of  displacement  is  also  that  of  the 
eentre  of  vertical  force  that  the  water  exerts  to  support  the  immersed 
vessel.  Also,  the  dip  of  the  magnetic  needle,  measured  by  vibrations  of 
the  dipping  needle  over  certain  arcs,  and  referable  to  some  fixed  position, 
as  Greenwich,  where  corresponding  observations  with  the  same  needle 
have  been  previously,  as  well  as  subsequently,  made. 

VERTICAL  PLAN.     See  Orthography. 

VERTICITY.  The  tendency  of  the  loadstone  to  point  towards  the  mag- 
netic north  and  south. 

VESSEL.  A  general  name  for  all  the  different  sorts  of  ships,  boats,  dfc, 
navigated  on  the  ocean  or  on  rivers  and  canals. 

VETAYLK     An  archaism  for  victuals. 

VIA  LACTEA.  That  weU-known  irregular  luminous  band,  stretching 
across  the  sky  from  horizon  to  horizon :  it  consists  of  myriads  of  small 
stars,  and  has  passed  under  the  names  of  Milky  Way,  Galaxy,  Jacob's 
Ladder,  Watling-strete,  &c. 

VICE-ADMIRAL.  The  rank  in  the  fleet  next  to  that  of  an  admiral;  he 
carries  his  flag  at  the  fore. 

VICE-ADMIRALTY  COURTS.  Branches  of  the  High  Court  of  Ad- 
miralty, instituted  for  carrying  on  the  like  duties  in  several  of  our  colonies, 
prize-courts,  <fec.     {See  Admiralty,  High  Court  of.) 

VICE-CONSUL.     An  officer  appointed  in  seaports  to  aid  the  consul  in 


VICE-KAIL VIS  INERTIJE  713 

affairs  relating  to  merchant  vessels.  If  there  be  a  resident  consul,  the 
vice-consul  is  appointed  and  paid  by  him.  Vice-consuls  wait  on  com- 
manders, consuls  on  captains,  captains  on  consuls-general — the  naval 
authority  providing  boats. 

VICE-NAIL.     A  screw. 

VICTUALLER.  A  vessel  which  carries  provisions  In  the  early  age  of 
the  navy,  each  man-of-war  had  a  victualler  especially  attached  to  her;  as, 
in  Henry  VIIL's  reign,  we  find  the  Nicholaa  Draper^  of  140  tons  and 
40  men,  was  victualler  to  the  Trinity  Sovereign;  the  Barbara  of  Green- 
wich to  the  Gahrid  Royal,  and  so  on. 

VICTUALLING-BILL.  A  custom-house  document,  warranting  the  ship- 
ment of  such  bonded  stores  as  the  master  of  an  outward-bound  merchant- 
man may  require  for  his  intended  voyage. 

VICTUALLING-BOOK.  A  counterpart  of  the  ship's  open  list,  which  is 
kept  by  the  purser,  to  enable  him  to  make  the  necessary  entries  in  it 

VICTUALLING-YARDS  for  the  Rotal  Navy.  Large  magazines  where 
provisions  and  similar  stores  are  deposited,  conveniently  contiguous  to  the 
royal  dockyards.  The  establishments  in  England  and  Ireland  are  at 
Deptford,  Gosport,  Plymouth,  and  Cork;  and  abroad  at  Malta,  Gibraltar, 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Jamaica,  Halifax,  Trincomalee,  and  Hongkong. 

VIDETTE.    See  Vedette. 

VI  ET  ARMIS.     With  force  of  arms. 

VIGIA  [Sp.  look-out].  A  hydrographical  warning  on  a  chart  to  denote 
that  the  pinnacle  of  a  rock,  or  a  shoal,  may  exist  thereabout. 

VINTINER  [from  vigintinaritui].  An  officer  in  our  early  fleet  who  com- 
manded a  company  of  twenty  men. 

VIOL,  OR  VoTOL,  A  large  messenger  formerly  used  to  assist  in  weighing 
an  anchor  by  the  capstan. 

VIOL  OR  VOYOL  BLOCK.  A  large  single-sheaved  block  through  which 
the  messenger  parsed  when  the  anchor  was  weighed  by  the  fore  or  jeer  cap- 
stan; its  block  was  usually  lashed  to  the  main-mast^  This  voyol-purchase 
was  afterwards  improved  thus :  the  voyol-block  was  securely  lashed  to 
the  cable  at  the  manger-board,  the  jeer-fall  rove  through  it,  and  brought 
to  the  jeer-capstan,  and  the  standing  part  belayed  to  the  bitts;  thus  a 
direct  runner  purchase  instead  of  a  dead  nip  was  obtained.  It  was  only 
used  when  other  means  failed,  and,  after  the  introduction  of  Phillipps' 
patent  capstan,  was  disused. 

VIOLENCE  The  question  in  tort,  as  to  the  amount  of  liability  incurred 
by  the  owners  for  outrages  and  irregularities  committed  by  the  master. 

VIRE.     The  an'ow  shot  from  a  cross-bow;  also  called  a  quaml. 

VIRGILI-^     A  denomination  of  the  Pleiades. 

VIRGO.  The  sixth  sign  of  the  zodiac,  which  the  sun  entera  about  the 
21st  August     Spica,  a  Virginis,  is  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude. 

VIS  INERTI-^  That  physical  property  in  all  bodies  by  which  they  resist 
a  power  that  endeavours  to  put  them  in  motion,  or  to  change  any  motion 
they  are  possessed  of;  it  is  in  proportion  to  their  weight 


714  '^S  INSITA VOLUTE 

YIS  INSITA.  The  innate  force  of  matter;  another  name  for  vis  inertice. 
It  is  that  by  which  a  vessel  "keeps  her  way." 

VISITATION  AND  SEARCH.  The  law  of  nations  gives  to  every  belli- 
gerent cruiser  the  right  of  visitation  and  search  of  all  merchant  ships; 
wherefore,  resistance  to  such  search  amounts  to  a  forfeiture  of  neutrality. 

VISNR  A  neighbouring  place;  a  term  often  used  in  law  in  actions  of 
•marine  replevin. 

VIS  VIVA.  The  whole  effective  force  or  power  of  acting  which  resides 
in  a  given  moving  body. 

VITRT.     A  light  and  durable  canvas. 

VITTORY.     A  fine  canvas,  of  which  the  waistcloths  were  formerly  made. 

VIVANDIKRK  A  kind  of  female  sutler.  In  the  French  army  they  are 
attached  to  regiments,  which  they  accompany,  sometimes  even  into  the 
skirts  of  action. 

VIVIEB.  A  French  fishing-boat^  the  same  as  the  weU-boats  of  the  English 
coasts,  in  having  a  well  amidships  in  which  to  keep  the  fish  alive  until 
arrival  in  port. 

VIZY,  OE  ViZE.     An  old  name  for  the  muzzle-sight'  on  a  musket. 

VOCABULARY,  The  system  of  naval  signals  based  on  Sir  Home  Pop- 
ham's  improvements. 

VOES.  Arms  or  inlets  of  the  sea,  or  sounds,  in  the  Shetland  and  Orkney 
Isles.     Also  applied  to  creeks  and  bay& 

VOGOVANS.     From  voguer  and  avomt^  chief  rowers  in  the  galle3rs. 

VOLANT.  A  piece  of  steel  on  a  helmet,  presenting  an  acute  angle  to  the 
front 

VOLCANO.  A  burning  mountain  or  vent  for  subterranean  fire;  also  ap- 
plied to  one  which  vomits  only  mud  and  water. 

VOLLEY.     The  simultaneous  discharge  of  a  number  of  firearms. 

VOLLIGTJR'^    A  small  boat  used  on  the  shores  of  Asia  Minor. 

VOLUMK  The  contents  of  the  globe  of  a  planet,  usually  given  in  its  pro- 
portion to  that  of  the  earth;  or  any  named  mass,  solid,  fluid,  or  vaporous. 

VOLUNTARY  CHARGE.  A  document  delivered  with  the  purser's 
accounts  respecting  provisions. 

VOLUNTARY  STRANDING.  The  beaching  or  running  a  vessel  pur- 
posely aground  to  escape  greater  danger;  this  act  is  treated  as  particular 
average  loss,  and  not  a  damage  to  be  made  good  by  general  contribution. 

VOLUNTEER.  One  who  freely  offers  himself  for  a  particular  servica 
Formerly,  in  the  army,  a  gentleman  who,  without  any  certain  post  or 
employment)  served  in  the  hope  of  earning  preferment,  or  from  patriotiiim. 
Latterly,  also  a  civilian  who  has  enrolled  himself  in  a  corps  of  volunteers, 
for  organization  and  training  for  the  defence  of  the  country. 

VOLUNTEERING  fbom  a  MERCHAirrMAN  into  the  Navy.  Any  sea- 
man can  leave  his  ship  for  the  purpose  of  forthwith  entering  into  the 
royal  navy;  and  thus  leaving  his  ship  does  not  render  him  liable  to  any  for- 
feiture whatever. 

VOLUTE.    See  Scboll-hkad. 


VOLVELLE WAFT  7l  6 

VOLVELLK  The  contrivance  of  revolving  graduated  circles,  for  making 
calculations,  in  old  scientific  works. 

VORTEX,  A  whirlwind,  or  sudden,  rapid,  or  violent  motion  of  air  or 
water  in  gyres  or  circles. 

VOUCHER  A  written  document  or  proo^  upon  which  any  account  or 
public  charge  is  established. 

VOYAGE.  A  journey  by  sea.  It  usually  includes  the  outward  and  home- 
ward trips,  wldch  are  called  passage& 

VOYOL.    See  Viol. 

VKAOH.  Searweed  used  as  a  manure  in  the  Channel  Islands.  Also,  a 
Manx  term  for  the  mackerel 

VXJLFE.     A  rapid  whirlpool  or  race  on  the  coast  of  Norway. 


W. 


WABBLE,  To  [from  the  Teutonic  v)ahden\  To  reel  confusedly,  as  waves 
on  a  windy  day  in  a  tide-way.  It  is  a  well-known  term  among  mechanics 
to  express  the  irregular  motion  of  engines  or  turning-lathes  when  loose  in 
their  bearings,  or  otherwise  out  of  order.  A  badly  stitched  seam  in  a 
sail  is  wabbled.  It  is  also  applied  to  the  undulation  of  the  compass-card 
when  the  motion  of  the  vessel  is  considerable  and  irregular. 

WAD.  A  kind  of  plug,  closely  fitting  the  bore  of  a  gun,  which  is  rammed 
home  over  the  shot  to  confine  it  to  its  place,  and  sometimes  also  between 
the  shot  and  the  cartridge :  generally  made  of  coiled  junk,  otherwise  a 
rope  grommet,  ko, 

WADE,  To.  An  Anglo-Saxon  word,  meaning  to  pass  through  water 
without  swimming.  In  the  north,  the  sun  was  said  to  wade  when  covered 
by  a  dense  atmosphere. 

WAD-HOOK.  An  iron  tool  shaped  like  a  double  cork-screw  on  the  end 
of  a  long  stafi)  for  withdrawing  wads  or  charges  from  guns;  called  also  a 

WADMAKEL.  A  hairy,  coarse,  dark-coloured  stuff  of  the  north,  once  in 
great  demand  for  making  pea-jackets,  pilot-coats,  and  the  like. 

WAFT  [said  to  be  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  wefi\^  more  correctly  written 
wTheft,  It  is  any  flag  or  ensign,  stopped  together  at  the  head  and 
middle  portions,  slightly  rolled  up  lengthwise,  and  hoisted  at  different 
positions  at  the  after-part  of  a  shijx  Thus,  at  the  ensign-stafl^  it  signifies 
that  a  man  has  fallen  overboard;  if  no  ensign-staff  exists,  then  half-way  up 
the  peak.  At  the  peak,  it  signifies  a  wish  to  speak;  at  the  mast-head, 
recals  boats;  or  as  the  commander-in-chief  or  particular  captain  may  direct. 


716  WAirrORS WAKE 

WAFTORS.  Certain  officers  formerlj  appointed  to  guard  our  coast 
fisheries.     Also,  swords  blunted  to  exercise  with. 

WAGER  POLICY.  An  engagement  upon  interest  or  no  interest  j  the 
performance  of  the  voyage  in  a  reasonable  time  and  manner,  and  not  the 
bare  existeuce  of  the  ship  or  cargo,  is  the  object  of  insuranca 

WAGES  OR  PAY  OP  the  Royal  Navy  is  settled  hy  act  of  parliament. 
In  the  merchant  service  seamen  are  paid  by  the  month,  and  I'eceive  their 
wages  at  the  end  of  the  voyage. 

WAGES  REMITTED  FROM  ABROAD.  When  a  ship  on  a  foreign 
station  has  been  commissioned  twelve  calendar  months,  every  petty  offi- 
cer, seaman,  and  marine  serving  on  board,  may  remit  the  half  of  the  pay 
due  to  them  to  a  wife,  father,  mother,  grandfather,  grandmother,  brother, 
or  sister. 

WAGGON.  A  place  amidships,  on  the  upper  deck  of  guard-ships,  assigned 
for  the  supernumeraries'  hammocks. 

WAGGONER.  A  name  applied  to  an  atlas  of  charts,  from  a  work  of  this 
nature  published  at  Ley  den  in  1583,  by  Jans  Waghenaer. 

WAIF.     Goods  found  and  not  claimed;  derelict.     Also  used  for  wq/i. 

WAIST.  That  portion  of  the  main  deck  of  a  ship  of  war,  contained  be- 
tween the  fore  and  main  hatchways,  or  between  the  half-deck  and  galley. 

WAIST-ANCHOR.  An  additional  or  spare  anchor  stowed  before  the 
chess-tree.     {See  Spare  Akchor.) 

WAIST-BOARDS.  The  berthing  made  to  fit  into  a  vessel's  gangway  on 
either  side. 

WAIST-CLOTHS.  The  painted  canvas  coverings  of  the  hammocks  which 
are  stowed  in  the  waist-nettings. 

WAISTERS.  Green  hands,  or  worn  seamen,  in  former  times  stationed  in 
the  waist  in  working  the  ship,  as  they  had  little  else  of  duty  but  hoisting 
and  swabbing  the  decka 

WAIST-NETTINGS.  The  hammock-nettings  between  the  quarter-deck 
and  forecastle. 

WAIST-RAIL.     The  channel-rail  or  moulding  of  the  ship's  side. 

WAIST-TREE.     Another  name  for  rotigh-tree  (which  see). 

WAIVE,  To.  To  give  up  the  right  to  demand  a  court-martial,  or  to 
enforce  forfeitures,  by  allowing  people  who  have  deserted,  &c,  to  return 
to  their  duties. 

WAIVING.  The  action  of  dispensing  with  salutes — ^by  signal,  by  motion 
of  the  hand  to  guards,  d^.,  and  to  vessels,  which  may  be,  in  accordance 
with  old  custom,  passing  under  the  lee  to  be  hailed  and  examined. 

WAIVING  AMAIN.  A  salutation  of  defiance^  as  by  brandishing 
weapons,  <fec 

WAKR  The  transient^  generally  smooth,  track  impressed  on  the  surface- 
water  by  a  ship's  progress.  Its  bearing  is  usually  observed  by  the  compass 
to  discover  the  angle  of  lee-way.  A  ship  is  said  to  be  in  the  wake  of 
another,  when  she  follows  her  upon  the  same  track.  Two  distant  objects 
observed  at  sea  are  termed  in  the  wake  of  each  other^  when  the  view  of  the 


WALE-REARED WALRUS  7]  7 

farthest  off.  is  intercepted  by  the  one  that  is  nearer.  (See  Cbossino  a 
Ship's  Wake.) 

WALE-REAKED.     Synonymous  with  waU-sided. 

"WALES.  The  thickest  strakes  of  wrought  stuff  in  a  vessel.  Strong 
planks  extending  all  along  the  outward  timbers  on  a  ship's  side,  a  little 
above  her  water-line;  they  are  synonymous  with  bends  (which  see).  The 
channel-wale  is  below  the  lower-deck  ports,  and  the  main-wale  between 
the  top  of  those  ports  and  the  sills  of  the  upper-deck  ports. 

WALK  AWAY !  The  order  to  step  out  briskly  with  a  tackle  fall,  as  in 
hoisting  boats. 

WALK  BACK!  A  method  in  cases  where  a  purchase  must  not  be 
lowered  by  a  round  turn,  as  "Walk  back  the  capstan;"  the  men  con- 
trolling it  by  the  bars  and  walking  back  as  demanded. 

WALKER'S  KNOT.     See  Matthew  Walker. 

WALKING  A  PLANK.  An  obsolete  method  of  destroying  people  in 
mutiny  and  piracy,  under  a  plea  of  avoiding  the  penalty  of  murder.  The 
victim  is  compelled  to  walk,  pinioned  and  blindfolded,  along  a  plank  pro- 
jecting over  the  ship's  side,  which,  canting  when  overbalanced,  heaves  him 
into  the  sea.  Also,  for  detecting  whether  a  man  is  drunk,  he  is  made  to 
walk  along  a  quarter-deck  plank. 

WALKING  AWAY  WITH  THE  ANCHOR  Said  of  a  ship  which  is 
dragging,  or  aliouldering,  her  anchor;  or  when,  from  fouling  the  stock 
or  upper  fluke,  she  trips  the  anchor  out  of  the  ground. 

WALKING  SPEAKING-TRUMPET.  A  midshipman  i-epeating  quar- 
ter-deck orders. 

WALK  SPANISH,  To.     To  quit  duty  without  leave;  to  desert. 

WALK  THE  QUARTER-DECK,  To.  A  phrase  signifying  to  take  the 
rank  of  an  officer. 

WALK  THE  WEATHER  GANGWAY  NETTING.  A  night  pun- 
ishment  in  a  man-of-war  for  those  of  the  watch  who  have  missed  their 
muster. 

WALL.  A  bank  of  earth  to  restrain  the  current  and  overflowing  of  water. 
(See  Sea-rank.) 

WALL-KNOT,  or  Wale-knot.  A  particular  sort  of  large  knot  raised 
upon  the  end  of  a  rope,  by  untwisting  the  strands,  and  passing  them 
among  each  other. 

WALL-PIECE.  A  very  heavy  powerful  musket^  for  use  in  fortified 
places. 

WALL-SIDED,  The  sides  of  a  ship  continuing  nearly  perpendicular  down 
to  the  surface  of  the  water,  like  a  wall.  It  is  the  mean  between  tumbling 
home  And  Jlauing  out, 

WALRUS  [Dan.  hvdlrro8\  The  Trichecua  rosmarus,  a  large  amphibious 
marine  animal,  allied  to  the  seals,  found  in  the  Arctic  regions.  Its 
upper  canines  are  developed  into  large  descending  tusks,  of  considerable 
value  as  ivory.  It  is  also  called  morse,  sea-horse,  and  sea-cow.  This 
animal  fuiniished  Cook,  as  well  as  our  latest  Arctic  voyagers,  with 


718  WALT WARP 

■ 

Arctic  beef.  The  skin  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  Esquimaux,  as 
well  as  to  the  Russians  of  Siberia,  &c 

"WALT.  An  old  word,  synonymous  with  cranJc;- or  tottering,  like  a  sprung 
spar. 

WANE.  In  timber,  -an  imperfection  implying  a  want  of  squareness  at  one 
or  more  of  its  comers;  under  this  deficiency  it  is  termed  uxme-woocL 

WANE-CLOTJD.    See  Cirro-stratus.! 

WANGAN.     A  boat,  in  Maine,  for  carrying  provisions. 

WAN  Y.     Said  of  timber  when  spoiled  by  wet. 

WAPP,  OR  WHAP.  A  name  formerly  given  to  any  short  pendant  and 
thimble,  through  which  running-rigging  was  led.  Also,  a  rope  where- 
with rigging  was  set  taut  with  wall-knots,  one  end  being  fast  to  the 
shroud,  and  the  other  brought  to  the  laniard.  But  any  shroud-stopper 
is  a  vKipp. 

WAR  A  contest  between  princes  or  states,  which,  not  being  determinable 
otherwise,  is  referred  to  the  decision  of  the  sword.  It  may  exist  without 
a  declaration  on  either  side,  and  is  either  civily  de/ensivCy  or  offenHve. 

WAR-CAPERER.     A  privateer. 

WARDEN.    See  Lord-warden. 

WARD-ROOM.  The  commissioned  officers'  mescH^bin,  on  the  main-deck 
in  ships  of  the  line. 

WARD-ROOM  OFFICERS.  Those  who  mess  in  the  ward-room,  namely: 
the  commander,  lieutenants,  master,  chaplain,  surgeon,  paymaster,  marine- 
officers,  and  assistant-surgeons. 

WARE,  To.     See  Veer. 

WAREHOUSING  SYSTEM.  The  use  of  bonding  places  under  charge 
of  officers  of  the  customs,  in  which  goods  may  be  deposited,  without  any 
duty  upon  them  being  exacted,  until  they  be  cleared  for  home  use,  or  for 
exportation. 

WAR  ESTABLISHMENT.     Increase  force  of  men  and  means. 

WARM-SIDED.     Mounting  heavy  metal,  whether  a  ship  or  a  fort. 

WARNER.  A  sentinel  formerly  posted  on  the  heights  near  searports  to 
give  notice  of  the  approach  of  vessels.  Also,  beacons,  posts,  buoys^  lights, 
dec.,  warning  vessels  of  danger  by  day  as  well  as  by  night. 

WARNING-SIGi^AL.  Hoisted  to  warn  vessels  not  to  pass  a  bar.  Also^ 
to  warrant  higher  pay  to  watermen  plying  between  Portsmouth  and 
Spithead,  <fec.,  according  to  severity  of  weather. 

WARP.  A  i-ope  or  light  hawser,  employed  occasionally  to  transport  a 
ship  from  one  place  to  another  in  a  port,  road,  or  river.  Also^  an  east- 
coast  term  for  four  herrings.  Also,  land  between  the  sea-banks  and  the 
sea, — Warp  of  lower  rigging,  A  term  used  in  the  rigging-loft,  as,  before 
cutting  out  a  gang  of  rigging,  it  is  warped.  Also,  to  form  the  warp  of 
spun-yam  in  making  sword-mats  for  the  rigging-gripes^  slings^  ^ — To 
fjoarp.  To  move  a  vessel  from  one  place  to  another  by  warps,  which  are 
attached  to  buoys,  to  other  ships,  to  anchors,  or  to  certain  fixed  objects 
on  shore.     Also,  to  flood  the  lands  near  rivers  in  Yorkshire. 


WABPING WASH-BOARDS  7l  9 

WARPING  AND  FRAMING  THE  TIMBERS.  Putting  in  the 
beam-kneesy  coamings,  6ic,  and  dividing  the  spaces  between  the  beams  for 
fitting  the  carlines. 

WARPING-BLOCK.  A  block  made  of  ash  or  ehn,  used  in  rope-making 
for  warping  off  yam. 

WARRANT.  A  writ  of  authority,  inferior  to  a  commission;  in  former 
days  it  was  the  name  given  to  the  deed  conferring  power  on  those  officers 
appointed  by  the  navy  board,  while  those  granted  by  the  admiralty  were 
styled  commissions.  Also,  a  document,  under  proper  authority,  for  the 
assembling  of  a  court-martial,  punishment,  execution,  &c.  Also,  a  tabu- 
lated regulation  for  cutting  standing  and  running  rigging,  as  well  as  for 
supply  of  general  stores,  as  warranted  by  the  admiralty. — Brownrfaper 
warrants.     Those  given  by  a  captain,  and  which  he  can  cancel. 

WARRANT-OFFICER  Generally  one  holding  his  situation  from  par- 
ticular boards,  or  persons  authorized  by  the  sovereign  to  grant  it.  In  the 
royal  navy  it  was  an  officer  holding  a  warrant  from  the  navy  board,  as 
the  master,  surgeon,  purser,  boatswain,  gunner,  carpenter,  kc  In  the 
year  1831,  when  the  commissioners  of  the  navy,  or  navy  board,  were 
abolished,  all  these  powers  reverted  to  the  admiralty,  but  the  commis- 
sions and  warrants  remain  in  effect  the  same. 

WARRANTY.  The  contract  of  marine  insurance,  expressing  a  certain 
condition  on  the  part  of  the  insured,  upon  which  the  contract  is  to  take 
effect;  it  is  always  a  part  of  the  written  poUcy,  and  must  appear  on  the 
&ce  of  it     In  this  it  differs  from  representcUion  (which  see). 

WARREN-HEAD.     A  northern  term  for  a  dam  across  a  river. 

WAR-SCOT.  A  contribution  for  the  supply  of  arms  and  armour,  in  the 
time  of  the  Saxons. 

WAR-SHIP.  Any  ship  equipped  for  offence  and  defence ;  whereas  ma'iv- 
of -vow  generally  signifies  a  vessel  belonging  to  the  royal  navy. 

WARTAKK  An  archaic  term  for  a  rope-fast,  or  spring.  In  that  early 
sea-song  {^emp,  Henry  VI.)  which  is  in  the  library  of  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  the  skipper  of  the  ship  carrying  a  cargo  of  "pylgryms  "  ex- 
claims, ''Hale  in  the  wartake ! " 

WARTH.  An  old  word  signifying  a  ford.  Also,  a  flat  meadow  dose  to  a 
stream. 

WASH  An  accumulation  of  silt  in  estuaries.  Also,  a  surface  covered  by 
floods.  Also,  a  shallow  inlet  or  gulf:  the  east-country  term  for  the  sea- 
shore. Also,  the  blade  of  an  oar.  Also,  a  wooden  measure  of  two-thirds 
of  a  bushel,  by  which  small  shell-fish  are  sold  at  Billingsgate,  equal  to 
ten  strikes  of  oysters. —  Washy  or  a-wa^K  Even  with  the  water's 
edge. 

WASH-BOARD,  ob  WASH-STRAKE.  A  movable  upper  strake  which 
is  attached  by  stud-pins  on  the  gunwales  of  boats  to  keep  out  the  spray. 
Wash-boards  are  also  fitted  on  the  sills  of  the  lower-deck  ports  for  the 
same  purpose. 

WASH-BOARDS.    A  term  for  the  white  facings  of  the  old  naval  uniforuL 


I 


720  WASHERMAN WATCHING 

WASHERMAN.  A  station  formerly  for  an  old  or  otherwise  not  very- 
useful  person  on  board  a  man-of-war. 

WASHEKS.  Leather,  copper,  lead,  or  iron  rings  interposed  at  the  end  of 
spindles,  before  a  forelock  or  linch-pin,  to  prevent  friction,  or  galling  the 
wood,  as  of  a  gun-truck.     Also  used  in  pump-gear. 

WASHING-PLACE.  In  1865,  baths  and  suitable  washing-places  were 
fitted  for  personal  use  in  the  ships  of  the  royal  navy.  Both  hot  and  cold 
water  are  supplied.  Shades  of  Drake,  Frobisher,  and  Raleigh,  think  of 
that! 

WASHING  THE  HAND.     A  common  hint  on  leaving  a  ship  disliked. 

WASH-WATER.     A  ford 

WATCH.  The  division  of  the  ship's  com|)any  into  two  parties,  one  called 
the  starboard,  and  the  other  the  larboard  or  port  watch,  alluding  to  the 
situation  of  their  hammocks  when  hung  up ;  these  two  watches  are,  how- 
ever, separated  into  two  others,  a  first  and  second  part  of  each,  making 
four  in  all  The  crew  can  also  be  divided  into  three  watches.  The 
officers  are  divided  into  three  watches,  in  order  to  lighten  their  duty;  but 
it  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  watch  may  sleep  when  their  services 
are  not  demanded,  whereas  it  is  a  crime,  liable  to  death,  for  an  officer  to 
sleep  on  his  watch.  In  a  ship  of  war  the  watch  is  generally  commanded 
by  a  lieutenant,  and  in  merchant  ships  by  one  of  the  mates.  The  word 
is  also  applied  to  the  time  during  which  the  watch  remains  on  deck, 
usually  four  hours,  with  the  exception  of  the  dog-watches. — Anchor-icatch. 
A  quarter  watch  kept  on  deck  while  the  ship  rides  at.  single  anchor,  or 
remains  temporarily  in  port. — Dog-watches,  The  two  relief  which  take 
place  between  4  and  8  o'clock  p.m.,  each  of  which  continues  only  two 
hours,  the  intention  being  to  change  the  turn  of  the  night-watch  every 
twenty-four  hours. — First  watch.      From  8  p.m.  till  midnight. — Middle^ 

.  watch.  From  midnight  till  4  A.M. — Morning-watch.  From  4  to  8  A.M. 
— Watch  is  also  a  word  used  in  throwing  the  deep-sea  lead,  when  each 
man,  on  letting  go  the  last  turn  of  line  in  his  hand,  calls  to  the  next 
abaft  him,  **  Watch,  there,  watch!"  A  buoy  is  said  to  watch  when  it 
floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 

WATCH  AND  WATCH.  The  arrangement  of  the  crew  in  two 
watches. 

WATCH-BILL.  The  pocket  "watch  and  station  bill,"  which  each  officer 
is  expected  to  produce  if  required,  and  instantly  muster  the  watch,  or  the 
men  stationed  to  any  specific  duty. 

WATCHET,  A  light  blue,  or  sky-coloured  cloth  worn  formerly  by  English 
sailors,  especially  by  the  boats'  crews  of  men-of-war. 

WATCH-GLASSES.  The  half- hour  glasses  employed  to  measure  the 
periods  of  the  watch,  so  that  the  several  stations  therein  may  be  regularly 
kept  and  relieved,  as  at  the  helm,  pump,  look-out,  <fec.     (See  Gla6&) 

WATCHING  A  SMOOTH.  Looking  for  a  temporary  subsidence  of  the 
waves  of  a  head-sea,  previous  to  easing  down  the  helm,  in  tacking 
ship. 


f 


WATCH-SETTING WATEE-HORSE  721 

WATCH-SETTING.  la  the  army,  retreat^  or  the  time  for  mounting  the 
night-guards. 

WATCH-TACKLE.  A  small  luff  purchase  with  a  short  fall,  the  double 
block  having  a  tail  to  it^  and  the  single  one  a  hook.  Used  for  various 
purposes  about  the  decks,  hy  which  the  watch  can  perform  a  duty  with- 
out demanding  additional  men. 

WATER,  To.     To  fill  the  casks  or  tanks ;  to  complete  water. 

WATERAGE.     The  charge  for  using  shore-boats. 

WATER-BAILIFF.  An  officer  in  sea-port  towns  for  the  searching  of 
vessels. 

WATERrBALLAST.  Water  when  used  to  stiffen  a  ship,  whether  carried 
in  casks,  tanks,  bags,  or  otherwise.  The  iron  screw-colliers  of  the  present 
day  have  immense  tanks  constructed  in  their  floors,  on  the  upper  part  of 
which  the  coals  rest;  when  they  are  discharged,  the  tanks  are  allowed  to 
fill  with  water,  which  acts  as  ballast  for  the  return  voyage,  and  is  pumped 
out  by  the  engine  as  the  coals  are  taken  in. 

WATER-BARK.  A  small  decked  vessel  or  tank,  used  by  the  Dutch  for 
carrying  fresh  water. 

WATER-BATTERY .  One  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  wsiter—itjleur  d'eau; 
a  position  of  much  power  when  vessels  cannot  get  close  to  it. 

WATER-BEWITCHED.  Bad  tea,  geograffy,  5 -water  grog,  and  the  like 
greatly  diluted  drinks. 

WATER-BORNE.  When  a  ship  just  floats  clear  of  the  ground.  Also, 
goods  carried  by  sea,  or  on  a  river. 

WATER-CROW.     The  lesser  cormorant,  or  shag. 

WATER-DOG.    See  Water-gall. 

WATER-FLB2AS.  The  groups  of  crustaceous  organisms  classed  as  Ento- 
mostraca. 

WATER-GAGE.  A  sea  wall  or  bank.  Also,  an  instrument  to  measure 
the  depth  of  inundations. 

WATER-GALL.  A  name  of  the  toind-gaU  (which  see).  Shakspeare,  iu 
the  Bape  o/Lucrecey  uses  the  term  thus: — 

''And  round  about  her  tear-distained  eye 
Blue  circles  stream'd,  like  rainbows  in  the  sky. 
These  water-galls  in  her  dim  element 
Foretell  new  storms  to  those  already  spent." 

WATER-GAYEL.  A  rent  paid  for  fishing  in  some  river,  or  other  benefit 
derived  therefrom. 

WATER-GUARD.  Custom-house  officers  employed  to  prevent  fraud  on 
the  revenue  in  vessels  arriving  at,  or  departing  from,  a  port. 

WATER  HIS  HOLE.  A  saying  used  when  the  cable  is  up  and  down, 
to  encourage  the  men  to  heave  heartily,  and  raise  the  shank  of  the  anchor 
so  that  the  water  may  get  down  by  the  shank,  and  relieve  the  anchor  of 
the  superincumbent  mud. 

WATER-HORSE.  Cod-fish  stacked  up  in  a  pile  to  drain,  under  the  pro- 
cess of  cure. 

2  z 


722  WATER-LAID  BOPE .WATER-SPOTJT 

WATER-LAID  ROPE.  The  same  as  coMet;  it  coils  against  the  sun,  or 
to  the  left  hand. 

WATERLINR  In  former  ships  of  war,  a  fine  white  painted  line  or  bend, 
representing  the  deep  line  of  flotation,  on  the  coppered  edge. — Load^water 
line.  That  which  the  surface  of  the  water  describes  on  a  ship  when  she 
is  loaded  or  ready  for  sea. 

WATER-LINE  MODEL.     The  same  as  key-modd  (which  see). 

WATERLOGGED.  The  state  of  a  ship  full  of  water,  having  such  a 
buoyant  cargo  that  she  does  not  sink.  In  this  dangerous  and  unmanage- 
able situation  there  is  no  resource  for  the  crew  except  to  free  her  by  the 
pumps,  or  to  abandon  her  by  taking  to  the  boats;  for  the  centre  of  gravity 
being  no  longer  fixed,  the  ship  entirely  loses  her  stability,  and  is  almost 
totally  deprived  of  the  use  of  her  sails,  which  may  only  operate  to  ac- 
celerate her  destruction  by  oversetting  her,  or  pressing  her  head  under 
water.  Timber-laden  vessels,  water-logged,  frequently  float  for  a  very  long 
period. 

WATER-PADS,  Fellows  who  rob  ships  and  vessels  in  harbours  and 
rivers. 

WATER-PLOUGH.  A  machine  formerly  used  for  taking  mud  and  silt 
out  of  docks  and  rivers. 

WATERSAIL.  A  save-dU,  or  small  sail,  set  occasionally  under  the  lower 
studding-sail  or  driver-boom,  in  a  falv  wind  and  smooth  sea. 

WATERSCAPE,     A  culvert,  aqueduct,  or  passage  for  water. 

WATERSHED.  A  term  introduced  into  geography  to  denote  the  divid- 
ing ridges  in  a  hilly  country.  In  geology,  it  implies  that  the  water  is 
shed  thence  naturally,  by  the  inclination,  to  the  valley  base.  Ab  regards 
nautical  men  in  search  of  water,  it  is  therefore  expedient  to  look  for  the 
depressed  side  of  the  strata. 

WATER-SHOT,  or  Quabter-shot.  When  a  ship  is  moored,  neither 
across  the  tide,  nor  right  up  and  down,  but  quartering  between  both. 

WATERrSHUT.     An  old  name  for  a  flood-gate. 

WATER-SKY.  In  Arctic  seas,  a  dark  and  dull  leaden  appearance  of  the 
atmosphere,  the  reflected  blue  of  the  sea  indicating  clear  water  in  that 
direction,  and  forming  a  strong  contrast  to  the  pale  hlink  over  land  or  ice. 

WATER-SNAKES.  A  group  of  snakes  {HydrophU),  whose  habitat  is  the 
sea.  Some  of  them  are  finely  coloured,  and  generally  very  like  land- 
snakes,  except  that  their  tails  are  broader,  so  as  to  scuU  or  propel  them 
through  the  water. 

WATER-SPACE.  The  intervening  part  between  the  flues  of  a  steamer*s 
boiler. 

WATER-SPOUT,  A  large  mass  of  water  collected  in  a  vertical  column, 
and  moving  rapidly  along  the  surface  of  the  sea.  As  contact  with  one 
has  been  supposed  dangerous,  it  has  been  suggested  to  fire  cannon  at  them, 
to  break  the  continuity  by  aerial  concussion.  In  this  phenomenon,  heat 
and  electricity  seem  to  take  an  active  part^  but  their  cause  is  not  fully 
explained,  and  any  &ct8  respecting  them  by  observers  favourably  placed 


WATBR-STANG WEATHER  723 

will  help  towards  further  researches  into  their  nature.     {See  Whirl- 
wind.) 

WATKRrSTANG.     A  spar  or  pole  fixed  across  a  stream. 

WATER-STEAD.     An  old  name  for  the  bed  of  a  river. 

WATER-STOUP.     A  northern  name  for  the  common  periwinkle. 

WATER-TAKING.     A  pond,  the  water  of  which  is  potable. 

WATER-TANKS.     See  Tanks. 

WATER-TIGHT.  Well  caulked,  and  so  compact  as  to  prevent  the  admis- 
sion of  water.     The  reverse  of  leaky, 

WATER- WATS.  Certain  deck-planks  which  are  wrought  next  to  the 
timbers;  they  serve  to  connect  the  sides  of  a  ship  to  her  decks,  and  form 
a  channel  to  carry  oflf  any  water  by  means  of  scuppera 

WATER- WAR.     A  name  for  the  bore  or  hygre  of  the  Severn. 

WATER-WITCH.     A  name  of  the  dipper. 

WATER-WRAITH.  Supposed  water-spirits,  prognosticating  evil,  in  the 
Shetland  Islands, 

WATH.     A  passage  or  ford  through  a  river. 

WATTLES.  A  kind  of  hair  or  small  bristles  near  the  mouth  and  nostrils 
of  certain  fish.     Also,  hurdles  made  by  weaving  twigs  together. 

WA YE  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  lomg],  A  volume  of  water  rising  in  surges 
above  the  general  level,  and  elevated  in  proportion  to  the  wind. 

WAYESON.  Such  goods  as  after  shipwreck  appear  floating  on  the  waves. 
(See  Flotsam.) 

WAYING.  Signals  made  by  arm  or  otherwise  to  a  vessel  to  come  near  or 
keep  off. 

WAY.  Is  sometimes  the  same  as  the  ship's  rake  or  run,  forward  or  back- 
ward, but  is  most  commonly  understood  of  her  sailing.  Way  is  often  used 
for  wc^.  Thus  when  she  begins  her  motion  she  is  said  to  be  under  way; 
and  when  that  motion  increases,  to  have  /resh-way  through  the  water. 
Hence,  also^  she  is  said  to  have  head-toay  or  atem-wa/yf  to  gather  way  or 
to  lose  wa^y  dbc.  {See  Wini>*s-way.) — Gofngway,  means  a  clear  space  to  pass. 
The  gangway  is  the  side  space  between  die  forecastle  and  quarter-deck. 

*  WAY  ALOFT !  or  'Way  up  !  The  command  when  the  crew  are  required 
aloft  to  loose,  reei^  furl  sails,  or  man  yards,  ikc. 

WAY-GATE.     The  taU-race  of  a  miU. 

WAYS.  Balks  laid  down  for  rolling  weights  along. — Launching-ways, 
Two  parallel  platforms  of  solid  timber,  one  on  each  side  of  the  keel  of  a 
vessel  while  building,  and  on  which  her  cradle  slides  on  launching. 

WEAL,     A  wicker  basket  used  for  catching  eels. 

WEAR     See  Weir.— Tb  wear.    {See  Yber.) 

WEAR  AND  TEAR.  The  decay  and  deterioration  of  the  hull,  spars, 
sails,  ropes,  and  other  stores  of  a  ship  in  the  course  of  a  voyage. 

WEATHER  [from  the  Aiiglo-Saxon  wcedeVy  the  temperature  of  the  air]. 
The  state  of  the  atmosphere  with  regard  to  the  degree  of  wind,  to  heat 
and  cold,  or  to  drjmess  and  moisture,  but  particularly  to  the  first.  It  is 
a  word  also  applied  to  everything  lying  to  windward  of  a  particular  situa- 


724  WEATHER-ANCHOR WEATHER-HELM 

tion,  hence  a  ship  is  said  to  have  the  weather-gage  of  another  when  further 

to  windward.     Thus  also,  when  a  ship  under  sail  presents  either  of  her 

sides  to  the  wind,  it  is  then  called  the  wecUher-side,  and  all  the  rigging 

situated  thereon  is  distinguished  by  the  same  epithet.     It  is  the  opposite 

of  lee.     To  weather  anything  is  to  go  to  windward  of  it.     The  land  to 

windward,  is  a  weather  shore. 
WEATHER-ANCHOR     That  lying  to  windward,  by  which  a  ship  rides 

when  moored. 
WEATHER-BEAM.     A  direction  at  right  angles  with  the  keel,  on  the 

weather  side  of  the  ship. 
WEATHER-BITT.     Is  that  which  holds  the  weather-cable  when  the  ship 

is  moored. 
WEATHER-BOARD.     That  side  of  the  ship  which  is  to  windward. 
WEATHER-BOARDS.     Fieces  of  plank  placed  in  the  ports  of  a  ship 

whea  laid  up  in  ordinary;  they  are  in  an  inclined  position,  so  as  to  turn 

off  the  rain  without  preventing  the  circulation  of  air. 
WEATHER-BORNE.     Pressed  by  wind  and  sea. 
WEATHER-BOUND.     Detained  by  foul  winds;  our  forefathers  used  the 

term  wcBder/cuL 
WEATHER-BREEDERS.     Certain  appearances  in  the  heavens  which 

indicate  a  gale,  as  wind-galls,  fog-dogs,  Ac» 
WEATHER-CLOTHa     Coverings  of  painted  canvas  or  tarpaulin,  used  to 

preserve  the  hammocks  when  stowed,  from  injury  by  weather. 
WEATHER-COIL.     When  a  ship  has  her  head  brought  about,  so  as  to  lie 

that  way  which  her  stem  did  before,  as  by  the  veering  of  the  wind;  or  the 

motion  of  the  helm,  the  sails  remaining  trimmed. 
WEATHER-COILING.     A  ship  resuming  her  course  after  being  taken 

aback;  rounding  off  by  a  stem-board,  and  coming  up  to  it  again. 
WEATHER-EYE.     "Keep  your  weather-eye  open,"  be  on  your  guard; 

look  out  for  squalls. 
WEATHER-GAGR     A  vessel  has  the  weather-gage  of  another  when  she 

is  to  windward  of  her.     Metaphorically,  to  get  the  weather-gage  of  a 

person,  is  to  get  the  better  of  him. 
WEATHER-GALL:— 

'*A  weather-gall  at  morn, 
Fine  weather  all  gone." 
(See  WiND-OALL.) 

WEATHER-GLASS.     A  familiar  term  for  the  barometer. 
WEATHER-GLEAM.     A  peculiar  clear  sky  near  the  horizon,  with  great 

refraction. 
WEATHER-GO.     The  end  of  a  rainbow,  as  seen  in  the  morning  in  showery 

weather. 
WEATHER-HEAD.     The  secondary  rainbow. 
WEATHER-HELM.     A  ship  is  said  to  carry  a  weather-helm  when  she  is 

inclined  to  gripe,  or  come  too  near  the  wind,  and  therefore  requires  the 

helm  to  be  kept  constantly  a  little  to  windward. 


WEATHERLURCH WEEVIL  725 

WEATHER-LURCH.     A  heavy  roU  to  windward. 

WEATHERLY.     Said  of  a  well-trimmed  ship  with  a  clean  bottom,  when 

she  holds  a  good  wind,  and  presents  such  lateral  resistance  to  the.  water, 

that  she  makes  but  little  lee-way  while  sailing  close-hauled. 
WEATHER  ONE'S  DIFFICULTIES,  To.     A  colloquial  phrase  mean- 
ing to  contend  with  and  surmount  troubles. 
WEATHER-ROLLS.     Those  inclinations,  so  inviting  to  coming  waves, 

which  a  ship  makes  to  windward  in  a  heavy  sea;  the  sudden  rolls  which 

she  makes  to  leeward  being  termed  lee-lurches. 
WEATHER-ROPEa     An  early  term  for  those  which  were  tarred. 
WEATHER-SHEETS.     Those  fast  to  the  weather-clues  of  the  sails.— 

"  Haul  over  the  weather- sheets  forward,"  applies  to  the  jib  when  a  vessel 

has  got  too  close  to  the  wind  and  refuses  to  answer  her  helm. 
WEATHER-SHORR     The  shore  which  lies  to  windward  of  a  ship. 
WEATHER-SIDR     That  side  of  a  ship  on  which  the  wind  blows;  it  is 

the  promenade  for  superior  officers.     (See  also  its  synonym  Windward.) 
WEATHER  THE  CAPE,  To.      To  becomfe  experienced;  as  it  implies 

sailing  round  Cape  Horn,  or  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
WEATHER-TIDR     The  reverse  of  lee-tide.     That  which,  running  con- 
trary to  the  direction  of  the  wind,  by  setting  against  a  ship's  lee-side 

while  under  sail,  forces  her  up  to  windward. 
WEATHER- WARNING.     The  telegraphic  cautionary  warning  given  by 

hoisting  the  storm-drum  on  receiving  the  forecast. 
WEATHER- WHEEL.     The  position  of  the  man  who  steers  a  large  ship, 

from  his  standing  on  the  weather-side  of  the  wheel. 
WEAVER.     One  of  the  popular  names  of  the  fish  Trachinus  vipera, 
WEDGE  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  toegeli,     A  simple  but  effective  mechanical 

force;  a  triangular  solid  on  which  a  ship  rests  previous  to  launching. 

Many  of  the  wedges  used  in  the  building  and  repairing  of  vessels  are 

called  sett-wedges. 
WEDGE-FIDS.     For  top  and  top-gallant  masts;  in  two  parts,  lifting  by 

shores  and  sett-wedges,     (See  Settinq-up.) 
WEDGE-SHAPED  GULF.      One  which   is  wide  at  its  entrance,  and 

gradually  narrows  towards  its  termination,  as  that  of  California. 
WEDGING  UP.     Gaining  security  by  driving  wedges. 
WEED,  To.     To  clear  the  rigging  of  stops,  rope-yams,  and  pieces  of  oakum. 
WEEKLY  ACCOUNT.     A  correct  return  of  the  whole  complement  made 

every  week  when  in  harbour  to  the  senior  officer.     Also,  a  sobriquet  for 

the  white  patch  on  a  midshipman's  collar. 
WEEL.     A  kind  of  trap-basket,  or  snare,  to  catch  fish,  made  of  twigs  and 

baited;  contrived  similarly  to  a  mouse-trap,  so  that  fish  have  a  ready 

admittance,  but  cannot  get  out  again. 
WEEPING.     The  oozing  of  water  in  small  quantities  through  the  seams  of 

a  ship. 
WEEYIL  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  M?e/f].     CuraUiOy  a  coleopterous  insect 

which  peiforates  and  destroys  biscuit,  wood,  <fec. 


726  WEFT WELSHMAN'S  BEEECHES 

WEFT.    See  Waft. 

WEIGH,  To  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  woeg].     To  move  or  carry.     Applied 

to  heaving  up  the  anchor  of  a  ship  about  to  sail,  but  also  to  the  raising 

any  great  weight,  as  a  sunken  ship,  kfi. 
WEIGHAGE.     The  charge  made  for  weighing  goods  at  a  dock. 
WEIGH-SHAFT.     In  the  marine-engine,  the  same  as  wiper-ahaft, 
WEIGHT-NAILS.     Somewhat  similar  to  deck-nails,  but  not  so  fine,  and 

with  square  heads;  for  fastening'  cleats  and  the  lika 
WEIGHT  OF  METAL.     The  weight  of  iron  which  the  whole  of  the  guns 

are  capable  of  projecting  at  one  round  from  both  sides  when  single-shotted. 

{See  Broadside-weight.) 
WEIK..    An  old  word  for  sea-weed.     Also,  a  fishing  inclosure;  and  again, 

a  dam,  or  strong  erection  across  a  river,  to  divert  its  course. 
WELD,  To.     To  join  pieces  of  iron  or  other  metal  by  placing  in  contact  the 

parts  heated  almost  to  fusion,  and  hammering  them  into  one  mass. 
WELKIN  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  weal  can].     The  visible  firmament. 


<( 


One  cheer  more  to  make  the  welkin  ring." 


WELL  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  toyU\,  A  bulk-headed  inclosure  in  the 
middle  of  a  ship's  hold,  defending  the  pumps  from  the  bottom  up  to  the 
lower  deck  from  damage,  by  preventing  the  entrance  of  ballast  or  other 
obstructions,  which  would  choke  the  boxes  or  valves  in  a  short  time,  and 
render  the  pumps  useless.  By  means  of  this  inclosui*e  the  artificers  may 
likewise  more  readily  descend  into  the  hold,  to  examine  or  repair  the 
pumps,  as  occasion  requires. 

WELI^  OR  Trunk  of  a  Fishino-vessel.  A  strong  compartment  in  the 
middle  of  the  hold,  open  to  the  deck,  but  lined  with  lead  on  every  side, 
and  having  the  bottom  perforated  with  small  holes  through  the  floor,  so 
that  the  water  may  pass  in  freely,  and  thus  preserve  the  fish  alive  which 
are  put  into  it.     Lobster-boats  are  thus  fitted. 

WELL-CABINS.  Those  in  brigs  and  small  vessels,  which  have  no  after- 
windows  or  thorough  draught. 

WELL-END.     See  Pump-poot. 

WELL  FARE  YE,  MY  LADS  !  An  exclamation  of  approbation  to  the 
men  at  a  hard  heave  or  hauL 

WELL  FOUND.     Fully  equipped. 

WELL-GROWN.  A  term  impl3dng  that  the  grain  of  the  wood  follows 
the  shape  required,  as  in  knee-timber  and  the  like. 

WELL  OFF,  To.  A  mode  of  shutting  off  a  leak  by  surrounding  it  by 
timbers  screwed  home  through  the  lining  to  the  timbers,  and  carrying  up 
this  trunk,  like  a  log-hut,  above  the  water-line. 

WELL-ROOM  OF  a  Boat.  The  place  in  the  bottom  where  the  water  lies, 
between  the  ceiling  and  the  platform  of  the  stem-sheets,  from  whence  it 
is  baled  into  the  sea. 

WELL  THERE,  BELAY !     Synonymous  with  that  wiU  do, 

WELSHMAN'S  BREECHES.    See  Dutchman's  Breeches. 


WBND  A  COUBSE WHALK-CALP-  727 

WEND  A  COURSE,  To.     To  sail  steadily  on  a  given  direction. 

WENDING.  Bringing  the  ship's  head  to  an  opposite  course.  Turning  as 
a  ship  does  to  the  tide. 

WENTLE.     An  old  term  signifying  to  roll  over. 

WENTLE-TEAP.  The  Scalaria  pretiosa^  a  very  elegant  univalve  shell, 
much  valued  by  collectors. 

WEST-COUNTRY  PARSON.  A  fish,  the  hake  (Gadus  marlucius),  is  so 
called,  from  a  black  streak  on  its  back,  and  from  its  abundance  along  our 
western  coast. 

WESTER^  OR  Waster.  A  kind  of  trident  used  for  striking  salmon  in  the 
north. 

WESTING.  This  term  in  navigation  means  the  distance  made  by  course 
or  traverses  to  the  westward;  or  the  sun  after  crossing  the  meridian. 

WESTWARD  [Anglo-Saxon  weste-ivearde].—  Westward-hoe,  To  the  west! 
It  was  one  of  the  cries  of  the  Thames  watermen. 

WEST  WIND.  This  and  its  collateral,  the  S.W.,  prevail  neai-ly  three- 
fourths  of  the  year  in  the  British  seas,  and  though  boisterous  at  times, 
are  very  genial  on  the  whole. 

WET.  The  owners  and  master  of  a  ship  are  liable  for  all  damage  by  wet. 
{See  Stowage.) 

WET-BULB  THERMOMETER.  One  of  which  the  bulb  is  kept  moist 
by  the  capillary  attraction  of  cotton  fibres  fi'om  an  attached  reservoir. 

WET-DOCK.     A  term  used  ior  float  (which  see),  and  also  dock, 

WETHERS.     The  flukes  or  hands  of  a  harpoon. 

WETTING  A  COMMISSION.     Giving  an  entertainment  to  shipmates      y 
on  receiving  promotion. 

WHALE.  A  general  term  for  various  marine  animals  of  the  order  Getacea, 
including  the  most  colossal  of  all  animated  beings.  From  their  general 
form  and  mode  of  life  they  are  frequently  confounded  with  fish,  fix)m 
which,  however,  they  differ  essentially  in  their  organization,  as  they  are 
warm-blooded,  ascend  to  the  surface  to  breathe  air,  produce  their  young 
alive,  and  suckle  them,  as  do  the  land  mammalia.  The  cetacea  are  divided 
into  two  sections: — 1.  Those  having  homy  plates,  called  baleen,  or  "whale- 
bone," growing  from  the  palate  instead  of  teeth,  and  including  the  right 
whales  and  rorquals,  or  finners  and  hump-backs  (see  these  terms).  2.  Those 
having  true  teeth  and  no  whalebone.  To  this  group  belong  the  sperm- 
whale,  and  the  various  forms  of  bottle-noses,*  black-fish,  grampuses,  nar- 
whals, dolphins,  porpoises,  &c  To  the  larger  species  of  many  of  these 
the  term  ''whale"  is  often  applied. 

WHALE- BIRD.  A  beautiful  little  bird  seen  hovering  in  flocks  over  the 
Southern  Ocean,  in  search  of  the  small  crustaceans  which  constitute  their 
food. 

WHALE-BOAT.  A  boat  varying  from  26  to  56  feet  in  length,  and  from 
4  to  10  feet  beam,  sharp  at  both  ends,  and  admirably  adapted  to  the  in- 
tended purpose,  combining  swiftness  of  motion,  buoyancy,  and  stability. 

WHALE-CALF.     The  young  whale. 


728  WHALE-FISHERIES WHEEL 

WHALE-FISHERIES.  The  places  at  which  the  capture  of  whales,  or 
'^whale-fisherj/'  is  carried  on.  The  principal  are  the  coasts  of  Green- 
land and  Davis  Straits,  for  the  northern  right  whale;  Bermuda,  for  hump- 
backs; the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  and  the  Australian  seas,  for  the  southern 
right  whale;  the  North  Pacific,  for  the  Japanese  right  whale;  and  various 
places  in  the  intertropical  and  southern  seas,  for  the  sperm-whale.  But 
the  constant  persecution  to  which  these  auimals  are  subjected  causes  a 
frequent  change  in  their  habitats.  They  have  been  nearly  extermin- 
ated, or  rendered  so  scarce  as  not  to  be  worth  following,  in  many  dis- 
tricts where  they  formerly  most  abounded,  and  in  order  to  make  the  trade 
remunerative,  new  grounds  have  to  be  continually  sought.  Maury*s 
''whale  charts"  give  much  valuable  information  on  this  subject 

WHALER.     A  name  for  a  vessel  employed  in  the  whale-fisheries. 

WHALE'S  FOOD.  The  name  given  in  the  North  Sea  to  the  Clio  barealis, 
a  well-known  moUusk,  on  which  whales  feed. 

WHANGERS,  or  Cod-whakgebs.  Fish-curers  of  Newfoundland.  An 
old  term  for  a  large  sword. 

WHAPPER  The  largest  of  the  turtle  kind,  attaining  7  or  8  cwts.,  off 
Ascension.  [The  name  is  supposed  to  be  derived  from  guapoy  Sp.,  grand 
or  fine.]     {See  Looqerhead.) 

WHARF,  OR  Quay.  An  erection  of  wood  or  stone  raised  on  the  shore  of 
a  road  or  harbour  for  the  convenience  of  loading  or  discharging  vessels  by 
cranes  or  other  means.  A  wharf  is  of  course  built  stronger  or  slighter  in 
proportion  to  the  effort  of  the  tide  or  sea  which  it  is  intended  to  resist, 
and  the  size  of  vessels  using  it. —  Wharf,  in  hydrography,  is  a  scar,  a  rocky 
or  gravelly  concretion,  or  frequently  a  sand-bank,  as  Mad  Wharf  in  Lan- 
cashire, where  the  tides  throw  up  dangerous  ripples  and  overfalls. 

WHARFAGE  DUES.  The  dues  for  landing  or  shipping  goods  at  a 
wharf;  customs  charges  in  particular.  Thus  for  goods  not  liable  to  duty, 
and  forcibly  taken  for  examination,  whar&ge  chai^ges  are  demanded  even 
from  a  ship  of  war ! 

WHARFINGER.  He  who  owns  or  keeps  a  wharf  and  takes  account  of 
all  the  articles  landed  thereon  or  removed  from  it>  for  which  he  receives 
a  certain  fee. 

WHARF-STEAD.     A  ford  in  a  river. 

WHAT  CHEER,  HOI    Equivalent  among  seamen  to,  How  fare  yef 

WHAT  SHIP  IS  THAT  1  A  question  often  put  when  a  jaw-breaking 
word  has  been  intrusively  uttered  by  savants, 

WHAT  WATER  HAVE  Y0U1  The  question  to  the  man  sounding,  as 
to  the  depth  of  water  which  the  lead-line  gives. 

WHAUP.     The  larger  curlew,  JVumenitts  areuatus, 

WHEAT.  An  excellent  article  for  sea-diet;  boiled  with  a  proportion  of 
molasses,  it  makes  a  most  nutritious  breakfast  As  it  stows  well,  and 
would  even  yield  nearly  the  same  weight  in  bread,  it  should  be  made  an 
article  of  allowance. 

WHEEL.     A  general  name  for  the  helm,  by  which  the  tiller  and  rudder 


WHEEL WHIMSEY  729 

are  worked  in  steering  the  ship;  it  has  a  barrel,  round  which  the  tiller- 
ropes  or  chains  wind,  and  a  wheel  with  spokes  to  assist  in  moving  it 

WHEEL  AND  AXLR  A  well-known  mechanical  power,  to  which  belong 
all  turning  or  wheel  machines,  as  cranes,  capstans,  windlasses,  cranks,  &c. 

WHEEL-HOUSE.  A  small  round-house  erected  in  some  ships  over  the 
steering-wheel  for  the  shelter  of  the  helmsman. 

WHEEL-LOCEL  A  small  machine  attached  to  the  old  musket  for  pro- 
ducing sparks  of  fire. 

WHEEL-ROPES.  Eopes  rove  through  a  block  on  each  side  of  the  deck, 
and  led  round  the  barrel  of  the  steering-wheel.  Chains  are  also  used  for 
this  purpose. 

WHEELa     See  Trucks. 

WHEFT.  More  commonly  written  waft  (which  see).  Although  wheft  is 
given  in  the  official  signal-book,  bibliojdulists  ignore  the  term. 

WHELEL     A  well-known  shell-fish,  Buccinum  undcUum, 

WHELPS.  The  brackets  or  projecting  parts  which  rise  out  of  the  barrel 
or  main  body  of  the  capstan,  like  buttresses,  to  enlarge  the  sweep,  so  that 
a  greater  portion  of  the  cable,  or  whatever  rope  encircles  the  barrel, 
may  be  wound  about  it  at  one  turn  without  adding  much  to  the  weight 
of  the  capstan.  The  whelps  reach  downwards  from  the  lower  part  of  the 
drum-head  to  the  deck.  The  pieces  of  wood  bolted  on  the  main-piece  of 
a  windlass,  or  on  a  winch,  for  firm  holding,  and  to  prevent  chafing,  are 
also  called  whelps. 

WHERE  AWAY  ?  In  what  bearing  1  a  question  to  the  man  at  the  mast- 
head to  designate  in  what  direction  a  strange  sail  lies. 

WHERRY.  A  name  descended  from  the  Roman  Aorta,  the  oare  of  our 
early  writers.  It  is  now  given  to  a  sharp,  light,  and  shallow  boat  used 
in  rivers  and  harbours  for  passengers.  The  wherries  allowed  to  ply  about 
London  are  either  scullers  worked  by  one  man  with  two  sculls,  or  by  two 
men,  each  pulling  an  oar.  Also,  a  decked  vessel  used  in  fishing  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland:  numbers  of  them  were  notorious 
smugglers. 

WHETHER  OR  NO,  TOM  COLLINS.  A  phrase  equivalent  to, 
**  Whether  you  will  or  not^  such  is  my  determination,  not  to  be  gain- 
said." 

WHICH  WAY  DOES  THE  WIND  LIE?    What  is  the  matter? 

WHIFF.  The  Ehomhua  cardina,  a  passable  fish  of  the  pleuronect  genus. 
Also,  a  slight  fitful  breeze  or  transient  puff  of  wind. 

WHIFFING.  Catching  mackerel  with  a  hook  and  line  from  a  boat  going 
pretty  fast  through  the  water. 

WHIFFLERS.  The  old  term  for  fifers,  preceding  the  body  of  archers  who 
cleared  the  way,  but  more  recently  applied  to  very  trifling  fellows. 
Smollett  named  Captain  Whiffle  in  contempt. 

WHIMBREL.     The  smaller  species  of  curlew,  Numeniua  phcepua, 

WHIMSEY.  A  small  crane  for  .hoisting  goods  to  the  upper  stories  of 
warehouses. 


u 


730  WHIN  YARD WHISTLE 

WHINYAHD.     A  sort  of  hanger,  serving  both  as  a  weapon  and  a  knife. 

An  archaism  for  a  cutlass.     See  the  Gentleman  in  the  Cobler  of  Canter- 

bu/riey  1590: — 

"  His  doake  grew  laige  and  aid. 
And  a  faire  winniaid  by  his  side.** 

WHIP.  A  single  rope  rove  through  a  single  block  to  hoist  in  light  articles. 
Where  greater  and  steadier  power  is  demanded,  a  block  is  added,  and  the 
standing  part  is  made  £ast  near  the  upper  block.  Thus  it  becomes  a 
dovhle  whip, — To  whip.  To  hoist  by  a  whip.  Also  to  tie  twine,  whipping 
fashion,  round  the  end  of  a  rope  to  prevent  its  untwisting. 

WHIP,  OR  Whip-Staff.  A  strong  staff  fastened  into  Uie  helm  for  the 
steersman  to  move  the  rudder  thereby. 

WHIP- JACBL  An  old  term,  equivalent  to  fresh-water  sailor,  or  a  sham- 
shipwrecked  tar.     {See  Turnpike-sailobs.) 

WHIPPERS.  Men  who  deliver  the  cargoes  of  colliers  in  the  river  Thames 
into  lighters. 

WHIPPING-TWINE.     Used  to  whip  the  ends  of  ropes. 

WHIP-RAY.  A  ray  with  a  long  tail  ending  in  a  very  fine  point.  It  is 
armed  with  a  dangerous  serrated  spine,  jagged  like  a  harpoon.  Called 
also  sting-ray  and  etinga/ree, 

WHIP-SAW.  The  largest  of  that  class  of  useful  instruments,  being  that 
generally  used  at  the  saw-pit. 

WHIP  UPON  WHIP.  A  sort  of  easy  purchase,  much  used  in  colliers. 
It  consists  of  one  whip  applied  to  the  falls  of  another. 

WHIRL,  OR  RoPE-WiNCH.  Small  hooks  fastened  into  cylindrical  pieces 
of  wood  which  communicate  by  a  leather  strap  with  a  spoke-wheel,  whereby 
three  of  them  are  set  in  motion  at  once.  Used  for  spinning  yam  for 
ropes.     Now  more  commonly  made  of  iron. 

WHIRLER)  OR  Tro(70HTON*s  Top.  An  ingenious  instrument  invented  by 
Troughton,  and  intended  to  serve  as  an  artificial  horizon  at  sea;  but  it 
was  found  that  its  centrifugal  force  was  incapable  of  counteracting  the 
ordinary  motion  of  a  ship. 

WHIRLPOOL.  An  eddy  or  vortex  where  the  waters  are  continually 
rushing  i-ound.  In  rivers  they  are  very  common,  from  various  accidents, 
and  are  usually  of  little  consequence.  In  the  sea  theyB,re  more  dangerous, 
as  the  classical  Charybdis,  and  the  celebrated  Maelstrom  and  Saltens- 
trom,  both  on  the  coast  of  Norway. 

WHIRLWIND.  A  revolving  current  of  wind  of  small  diameter  that  rises 
suddenly,  but  is  soon  spent. 

WHISKERS.  Two  booms,  half-yards,  or  iron  spars  projecting  on  each 
side  before  the  cat-heads;  they  are  for  spreading  the  guys  of  the  jib-boom 
instead  of  having  a  spritsail-yard  across.  In  many  vessels  the  sprit-sail 
(then  termed  spread-yard)  is  lashed  across  the  forecastle  so  as  to  rest  before 
the  cat-heads  on  the  gunwale,  and  the  guys  rove  through  holes  bored  in 
it,  and  set  up  in  the  fore-channels. 

WHISTLR     From  the  Ang.-Sax.  wied,     (See  Boatswain's  Call  ) 


WHISTLE ■WHITWOBTH  ODN  73] 

WHISTLE  FOR  THE  WIND,  To.  A  anperatitiouB  practice  among  old 
seamen,  who  are  equally  scrupulous  to  avoid  whistling  during  a  heavr 
gale. — To  toet  ona't  whittle.  To  take  a  drink.  Thus  Chaucer  tells  us  that 
the  miller  of  Trumpingtou's  lad;  had 

"  Hir  Joly  whutle  wel  ywette," 

WHISTLING  PSALMS  TO  THE  TAFFRAIL.  Expending  advice  to 
no  purpoea 

WHITE  BAIT  OR  BITE.  The  Clupea  alba,  a  well-known  fish  caught  in 
the  Thames,  hut  strictly  a  sea-fish,  erroneously  held  to  be  mere  fry  till 
1826,  when  Yarrell  raised  it  to  the  rank  of  a  perfect  fish. 

WHITE  BOOT-TOP.  A  painted  white  line  carried  fore  and  afi;  on  the 
hammock -netting  base.     It  gives  a  longer  appearance  to  a  ship. 

WHITE  CAPS.  Waves  with  breaking  crests,  specially  between  the  east 
end  of  Jamaica  and  Kingston;  but  obtaining  generally  when  the  sea- 
breeze,  coming  fresh  over  the  waves,  and  travelling  fkster,  turns  their 
tope:  tinned  also  white-hortet. 

WHITE  FEATHER  The  figurative  symbol  of  cowardice:  a  whito 
feather  in  a  cock's  tful  being  considered  a  proof  of  cross-breeding. 

WHIT&FISH.  A  fish  of  the  sabnon  fomily,  found  in  the  lakes  of  North 
America;  also  a  name  of  the  hard-head  {which  see).  It  is  a  general  name 
for  ling,  cod,  tngk,  haddock,  halibut,  and  the  like,  and  for  roach,  dace, 
&0.,  from  the  use  of  their  scales  to  form  artificial  pearla  Also  applied  to 
the  beluga  or  white  whale  (Beluga  leueas),  a  cetacean  found  in  the  Arctic 
seas  and  the  Oulf  of  St.  Lawrence.     It  is  from  12  to  15  feet  long. 

WHITE-HEBRINO.  A  pickled  herring  in  the  north,  but  in  other  parts 
a  freeh  herring  Is  so  called. 

WHITE-HORSK   A  nameof  the  ifata/u^nwo.   {See  alto  Wbite  Cap 

WHITE-LAFPELLE.  A  sobriquet  for  a  lieutenant,  in  allusion  to  1 
former  uniform.     {See  Lappili^) 

WHITE-ROPE.  Rope  which  has  not  been  tarred.  Manilla,  coir,  ai 
some  other  ropes,  do  not  require  tarring. 

WHITE  SQUALL.  A  tropical  wind  said  to  give  no  warning;  it  swee 
the  surface  with  spoon-drift. 

WHITE-TAPE.    A  term  amongst  smu^lera  for  hollands  or  gin. 

WHITE-WATER  That  which  b  seen  over  extensive  sandy  patchi 
where,  owing  to  the  limpidity  and  shallowness  of  the  sea,  the  light  of  t 
sky  ifl  reflected. 

WHITINO.  The  name  given  in  Cumberland  to  the  Salmo  albvs,  or  wbi 
salmon.     Also  the  Oadve  merlangua,  both  split  or  dried. 

WHITTLE  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  hv>ylet^  A  knife;  also  used  for 
sword,  but  contemptuously. — To  whittle.     To  cut  sticks. 

WHETWORTH  GUN.  A  piece  rifled  by  having  a  twisted  hexagoT 
bore^  and  throwing  a  more  elongated  shot  with  a  sharper  twist  than  t 
Armstrong  gun,  with  results  experimentally  moro  beautiful,  but  not  j 
so  practically  useful 


732  WHO  OOMBS  THBEE WINCH 

WHO  COMES  THERE  ?     The  night  challenge  of  a  sentry  on  his  post 

WHOLE-MOULDING.     The  old  method  of  forming  the  principal  part  of 
'  a  vessel.    Boats  are  now  the  only  vessels  in  which  this  method  is  practised. 

WHOLESOME  SHIP.  One  that  will  try,  hull,  and  ride  well,  without 
heavy  labouring  in  the  sea. 

WHOODINGS.  Those  ends  of  planks  which  are  let  into  the  rabbets  of 
the  stem,  the  stem-posts,  &c.     (See  Rabbet  and  Hood-end&) 

WHO  SAYS  AMEN1    Who  will  clap  on  with  a  will? 

WHO  SHALL  HAVE  THIS?  An  impartial  sea  method  of  distributing 
the  shares  of  short  commons.  One  person  turns  his  back  on  the  portions, 
and  names  some  one,  when  he  is  asked,  '^  Who  shall  have  tlUaf  " 

WICH.     A  port^  as  Harwich,  Greenwich,  Ac. 

WICK  [Anglo-Saxon  tvyc],     A  creek,  bay,  or  village,  by  the  side  of  a  river. 

WICKET.  A  small  door  in  the  gate  of  a  fortress,  for  use  by  foot-pas- 
sengers when  the  gate  is  closed. 

WIDDERSHINS.  A  northern  term  signifying  a  motion  contrary  to  the 
course  of  the  sun.  The  Orkney  fishermen  consider  themselves  in  immi- 
nent danger  at  sea,  if,  by  accident^  their  vessel  is  turned  against  the  sun, 

WIDE-GAB.  A  name  of  the  Lophius  piscatorius,  toad-fish,  or  fishing- 
frog. 

WIDOWS'  MEN.  Imaginary  sailors,  formerly  borne  on  the  books  as 
A.B.'s  for  wages  in  every  ship  in  commission;  they  ceased  with  the  con- 
solidated pay  at  the  close  of  the  war.  The  institution  was  dated  .24 
Geo.  II.  to  meet  widows'  pensions;  the  amount  of  pay  and  provisions  for 
two  men  in  each  hundred  was  paid  over  by  the  paymaster-general  of  the 
navy  to  the  widows'  fund. 

WILD.  A  ship's  motion  when  she  steers  badly,  or  is  badly  steered.  A 
tjfUd  roadstead  implies  one  that  is  exposed  to  the  wind  and  sea. 

WILDFIRE  A  pyrotechnical  preparation  burning  with  great  fierceness, 
whether  under  water  or  not;  it  is  analogous  to  the  ancient  Greek  fire^ 
and  is  composed  mainly  of  sulphur,  naphtha,  and  pitch. 

WILD-WIND.     An  old  term  for  whirlwind. 

WILL,  With  a.     With  all  zeal  and  energy. 

WILL     A  term  on  our  northern  shores  for  a  sea-gull. 

WILLICK.     A  northern  name  for  the  FraAercula  arcticay  or  pufiin. 

WILLIE-POURIT.     A  northern  name  for  the  seal 

WILLIWA  W.     A  sort  of  whirlwind,  occurring  in  Tierra  del  Fuego. 

WILLOCK.     A  name  for  the  guillemot^  Uria  troile. 

WIMBLE.     The  borer  of  a  carpenter's  centre-bit. 

WINCH  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  wince],  A  purchase  formed  by  a  shaft 
whose  extremities  rest  in  two  channels  placed  horizontally  or  perpendicu- 
larly, and  furnished  with  cranks,  or  clicks,  and  pauls.  It  is  employed  as 
a  purchase  by  which  a  rope  or  tackle-fall  may  be  more  powerfully  applied 
than  when  used  singly.  A  small  one  with  a  fly-wheel  is  used  for  making 
ropes  and  spun-yam.  Also,  a  support  to  the  windlass  ends.  Also,  the 
name  of  long  iron  handles  by  which  the  chain-pumps  are  worked.     Also, 


WINCHBrPIB. WINDLASS  733 

a  small  cylindrical  machine  attached  to  masts  or  bitts  in  vessels,  for  the 
purpose  of  hoisting  anything  out  of  the  hold,  warping,  &c. 

WINCH-BITTS.     The  supports  near  their  ends. 

WIND  [precisely  the  Anglo-Saxon  word],  A  stream  or  current  of  air 
which  may  be  felt.  The  horizon  being  diyided  into  32  points  {see  Compass), 
the  wind  which  blows  from  any  of  them  has  an  assignable  name. 

WINDAGR  The  vacant  space  left  between  a  shot  and  the  bore  of  the 
piece  to  which  it  belongs,  generally  expressed  by  the  difference  of  their 
diameters;  it  is  for  fiicility  of  loading,  but  the  smaller  it  is  the  better  will 
be  the  performance  of  the  gun. 

WIND  AND  WATER  LINE.  That  part  of  a  ship  lying  at  the  surfiice 
of  the  water  which  is  alternately  wet  and  dry  by  the  motion  of  the  waves. 

WIND  A  SHIP  OR  BOAT,  To.  To  change  her  position  by  bringing 
her  stem  round  to  the  place  where  the  head  was.     (See  Wekdiko.) 

WIND  AWAY,  To.     To  steer  through  narrow  channels. 

WIND-BANDS.     Long  clouds  supposed  to  indicate  bad  weather. 

WIND-BOUND.     Detained  at  an  achorage  by  contrary  winds. 

WIND-FALL.  A  violent  gust  of  wind  rushing  from  coast-ranges  and 
mountains  to  the  sea.  Also,  some  piece  of  good  luck,  a  turtle,  fish,  vege- 
tables, or  a  prize. 

WIND-GAGR    See  Anemombtkr. 

WIND-GALL.  A  luminous  halo  on  the  edge  of  a  distant  cloud,  where 
there  is  rain,  usually  seen  in  the  wind's  eye,  and  looked  upon  as  a  sure 
precursor  of  stormy  weather.  Also,  an  atmospheric  effect  of  prismatic 
colours,  said  likewise  to  indicate  bad  weather  if  seen  to  leeward. 

WINDING  A  CALL.  The  act  of  blowing  or  piping  on  a  boatswain's 
whistle,  to  communicate  the  necessary  orders.     {See  Call.) 

WINDING-TAOKLK  A  tackle  formed  of  one  fixed  triple  three-sheaved 
block,  and  one  double  or  triple  movable  block.  It  is  principally  used  to 
hoist  any  weighty  materials^  as  the  cannon,  into  or  out  of  a  ship. 

WINDING-TACKLE  PENDANT.  A  strong  rope  made  fast  to  the  lower 
mast-head,  and  forming  the  support  of  the  winding-tackle. 

WIND  IN  THE  TEETH.     Dead  against  a  ship. 

WINDLASS  [from  the  Ang.-Sax.  vnndUa].  A  machine  erected  in  the 
fore-part  of  a  ship  which  serves  to  ride  by,  as  well  as  heave  in  the  cable. 
It  is  composed  of  the  carrick-heads  or  windlass-heads,  which  are  secured 
to  all  the  deck-beams  beneath,  and  backed  by  long  sleeper  knees  on  deck. 
The  main-piece  is  whelped  like  the  capstan,  and  suspended  at  its  ends  by 
powerful  spindles  falling  into  metal  bearings  in  the  carrick  or  windlass 
heada  Amidships  it  is  supported  by  chocks,  where  it  is  also  furnished 
with  a  course  of  windlass-pawls,  four  taking  at  separate  angles  on  a  main 
ratchet,  and  bearing  on  one  quadrant  of  the  circumference.  The  cables 
have  tbree  turns  round  this  main-piece  (one  cable  on  each  side):  holes  are 
cut  for  the  windlass-bars  in  each  eighth  of  the  squared  sides.  The  wind- 
lass may  be  said  also  to  be  supported  or  reinforced  by  the  pawl-bitts,  two 
powerful  bitt-heads  at  the  centre. — Spanish  wincUctss.     A  machine  formed 


\ 


jt 


734  WINDL  ABS-BITIS WINI>.TIOHT 

of  a  handspike  and  a  small  lever,  usually  a  tree-nail,  or  a  tree-nail  and  a 

-  marline-flpike,  to  set  up  the  top-gallant  riggiug,  heave  in  seizings,  or  for 
any  other  short  steady  purchase. 

WINDLASS-BITTS.    See  CARRiCK-Brrra 

WINDLASS-CHOCKS.  Those  pieces  of  oak  or  elm  fastened  inside  the 
bows  of  small  craft,  to  support  the  ends  of  the  windlass. 

WINDLASS-ENDS.  Two  pieces  which  continue  the  windlass  outside  the 
bitt-heads. 

WINDLASS-LINING.  Pieces  of  hard  wood  fitted  round  the  main-piece 
of  a  windlass  to  prevent  chafing,  and  also  to  enable  the  cable  to  hold  on 
more  firmly. 

WINDLESTR A Y.     A  sort  of  bent  or  seaside  grass. 

WINDLIPPER.  The  first  effects  of  a  breeze  of  wind  on  smooth  water, 
before  waves  are  raised. 

WIND-RODR  A  ship  is  wind-rode  when  the  wind  overcomes  an  opposite 
tidal  force,  and  she  rides  head  to  wind. 

WINDS.  LoccU  or  pectUicbr, — Trcuie'iinnde  occur  within  and  beyond  the 
tropical  parallels.  They  are  pretty  regular  in  the  North  Atlantic,  as  far 
as  5**  N.,  where  calms  may  be  expected,  or  the  south-east  trade  may  reach 
across,  depending  on  the  season;  but  when  near  land  they  yield  to  the 
land  and  sea  breezes.  Thus  at  10**  N.  the  land-breeze  will  be  at  R  from 
11  P.M.  until  6  A.M.,  then  calm  intervenes  up  to  10  A.1L,  when  the  sea- 
breeze  sets  in,  probably  W.,  and  blows  home  fresh.  Yet  at  20  miles  off 
shore  the  trade-wind  may  blow  pretty  strong  from  N.R  or  RN.K — ^The 
harmattan  is  a  sudden  dry  wind  blowing  off  the  coast  of  Africa,  so 
charged  with  almost  impalpable  dust  that  the  sun  is  obscured.  It  sucks 
up  all  moisture,  cracks  furniture  and  earthenware,  and  prostrates  animal 
nature.  The  rigging  of  vessels  becomes  a  dirty  brown,  and  the  dust  ad- 
hering to  the  blacking  cannot  be  removed. — The  tornado  lasts  for  a  short 
time,  but  is  of  great  force  during  its  continuance. — The  northers  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  or  off  the  Heads  of  Virginia,  are  not  only  very  heavy 
gales,  but  are  attended  with  severe  cold.  On  a  December  day,  off  Gal- 
veston, the  temperature  in  a  calm  was  at  sunset  86**.  The  norther  came 
on  about  midnight,  and  at  8  A.1L  the  temperature  had  fallen  to  12**,  and 
icicles  were  hanging  from  the  eaves  of  the  houses.  The  Tiempo  di  Yen- 
davaleSf  or  southers  of  Western  America,  is  an  opposite,  blowing  heavily 
home  to  the  coast.  The  ta\fii/ng  of  China,  or  typhoon  of  the  Indian  seas, 
is  indeed  precisely  similar  to  the  hurricane  of  the  West  Indies. 

WIND-SAIL.  A  funnel  of  canvas  employed  to  ventilate  a  ship  by  con- 
veying a  stream  of  fresh  air  down  to  the  lower  decks.  It  is  suspended 
by  a  whip  through  the  hatchways,  and  kept  open  by  means  of  hoops;  the 
upper  part  is  also  open  on  one  side,  and  guyed  to  the  wind.  Ships  of 
war  in  hot  climates  have  generally  three  or  four  of  these  wind-sails. 

WIND-TAUT.     A  vessel  ivt  anchor,  heeling  over  to  the  force  of  the  wind. 

WIND-TIGHT.  A  cask  or  vessel  to  contain  water  is  said  to  be  wind- 
tight  and  water-tight. 


WINDWAKD WINTKR.QUARTERS  735 

WINDWARD.  The  weather-side;  that  on  which  the  wind  blows;  the 
opposite  of  leeward  (which  see).  Old  sailors  exhort  their  neophytes  to 
throw  nothing  over  the  weather-side  except  ashes  or  hot  water :  a  hint 
not  mistakabla 

WINDWARD  SAILING,  or  Turning  to  Windward.  That  mode  of 
navigating  a  ship  in  which  she  endeavours  to  gain  a  position  situated  in 
the  direction  whence  the  wind  is  blowing.  In  this  case  progress  is  made 
by  frequent  tacking,  and  trimming  sail  as  near  as  possible  to  the  wind. 

WINDWARD  SET.     The  reyene  of  leetvard  set. 

WINDWARD  TIDE.     See  Wkathbr-tide. 

WINE  OF  HEIGHT.  A  former  perquisite  of  seamen  on  getting  safely 
through  a  particular  navigation. 

WING.     The  projecting  part  of  a  steamer's  deck  before  and  abaft  each  of 

the  paddle-boxes,  bounded  by  the  loing-wale. 
jJ5^ING-AND-WING.     A  ship  coming  before  the  wind  with  studding-sails 
on  both  sides;  also  said  of  fore-and-ail  vessels,  when  they  are  going  with 
the  wind  right  aft,  the  foresail  boomed  out  on  one  side,  and  the  mainsail 
on  the  other. 

WINGERS.  Small  casks  stowed  close  to  the  side  in  a  ship's  hold,  where 
the  large  casks  would  cause  too  great  a  rising  in  that  part  of  the  tier. 

WINGS.  Those  parts  of  the  hold  and  orlop-deck  which  are  nearest  to  the 
sides.  This  term  is  particularly  used  in  the  stowage  of  the  several 
materials  contained  in  the  hold,  and  between  the  cable-tiers  and  the 
ship's  sides.  In  ships  of  war  they  are  usually  kept  clear,  that  the  carpenter 
and  his  crew  may  have  access  round  the  ship  to  stop  shot-holes  in  time  of 
action.  Also,  the  skirts  or  extremities  of  a  fleets  when  ranged  in  a  line 
abreast^  or  when  forming  two  sides  of  a  triangla  It  is  usual  to  extend 
the  wings  of  a  fleet  in  the  daytime,  in  order  to  discover  any  enemy  that 
may  fidl  in  their  track;  they  are,  however,  generally  summoned  by  signal 
to  form  close  order  before  night.  In  military  parlance,  the  right  and 
left  divisions  of  a  force,  whether  these  leave  a  centre  division  between 
them  or  not. — Wing-tranaom,  The  uppermost  transom  in  the  stem- 
frame,  to  which  the  heels  of  the  counter-timbers  are  let  on  and  bolted. 

WING  UP  BALLAST,  To.  To  carry  the  dead  weight  from  the  bottom 
as  high  as  consistent  with  the  stability  of  a  ship,  in  order  to  ease  her 
quick  motion  in  rolling. 

WING^WALK  A  thick  plank  extending  from  the  extremity  of  a  steamer's 
paddle-beam  to  her  side;  it  is  also  designated  the  aponsanrrini, 

WINNOLD-WEATHER.  An  eastern-county  term  for  stormy  March 
weather. 

WINTER-FISH.     This  term  generally  alludes  to  cured  cod  and  ling. 

WINTER-QUARTERS.  The  towns  or  posts  occupied  during  the  winter 
by  troops  who  quit  the  campaign  for  the  season.  Also,  the  harbour  to 
which  a  blockading  fleet  retires  in  wintry  gales.  In  Arctic  parlance,  the 
spot  where  ships  are  to  remain  housed  during  the  winter  months — from 
the  1st  October  to  the  1st  July  or  August. 


736  WINTEE-SOLSTICE WOLF-FISH 

WINTEBrSOLSTICK     See  Caprioobhus. 

WIPER.  A  cogged  contrivance  in  machinery  by  which  a  rotatory  motion 
is  converted  into  a  reciprocating  motion. 

WIPEErSHAFT.  An  application  to  the  valve  equipoise  of  a  marine- 
engine  :  their  journals  or  bearings  lie  in  bushes,  which  are  fixed  upon  the 
frame  of  the  engine. 

WIRE-MICROMETEE.  An  instrument  necessary  for  delicate  astrono- 
mical measurements.  It  contains  vertical  and  horizontal  wires,  or  spider- 
lines,  acting  in  front  of  a  comb  or  scale  for  distances,  and  on  a  graduated 
circle  on  the  screw-head  for  positions. 

WIRE-ROPE.  Rigging  made  of  iron  wire  galvanized,  and  laid  up  like 
common  cordage. 

WISBUY  LAWS.  A  maritime  code  which,  though  framed  at  a  town 
in  the  now  obscure  island  of  Gothland,  in  the  Baltic,  was  submissively 
adopted  by  Europe. 

WISHES  [from  the  British  tuk,  water].    Low  lands  liable  to  be  overflowed. 

WISHY-WASHY.     Any  beverage  too  weak.     Over-watered  spirits. 

"  His  food  the  land-crab,  lizard,  or  the  frog; 
His  drink  a  wish-wash  of  six-water  grog.*' 

WITH.     An  iron  instrument  fitted  to  the  end  of  a  boom  or  mast^  with  a 

ring  to  it,  through  which  another  boom  or  mast  is  rigged  out  and  secured. 

Also,  in  mechanics,  the  elastic  withe  handles  of  cold  chisels,  set-tools,  &c., 

which  prevent  a  jar  to  the  assistant's  wrist. 
WITH  A  WILL.     Pull  aU  together. 
WITHERSHINS.     See  Widdbrshins. 

WITHEYS.     Any  low  places  near  rivers  where  willows  grow. 
WITHIN-BOA  RD.     Inside  a  ship. 
WITHOUT.     Outside,  as,  studding-sail  without  studding-sail;  or,  without 

hoards  outside  a  ship. 
WITH  THE  SUN.     Ropes  coiled  from  the  left  hand  towards  the  right; 

but  where  the  son  passes  the  meridian  north  of  the  observer,  it  is  of  course 

the  reverse. 
WITNESSES,  OR  Teitoins,  are  certain  piles  of  earth  left  in  digging  docks, 

or  other  foundations,  to  judge  how  many  cubic  feet  of  earth  have  been 

removed. 
WITTEE-WITTEE.     The  ingeniously-constructed  fish-hook  of  the  Pacific 

islanders,  made  of  mother-of-pearl,  with  hair  tufts,  serving  at  once  both 

as  hook  and  bait 
WO  ARE.     An  old  term  for  sea- weed.     Also,  the  shore  margin  or  beach. 
WOBBLE,  To.     In  mechanics,  to  sway  or  roll  from  side  to  side.     {See 

Wabble.) 
WOLD.    An  extensive  plain,  covered  with  grass  and  herbs,  but  bare  of  trees. 
WOLF.     A  kind  of  fishing-net 
WOLF-FISH.    Anarrichas  lupits,  also  called  cat-fish.   A  fish  of  the  northern 

seas,  from  2  to  3  feet  long,  with  formidable  teeth,  with  which  it  crushes 

the  shells  of  the  crustaceans  and  mollusks  on  which  it  feeds. 


I 


WOLTING WORKING  737 

WOLYING.     The  old  way  of  spelling  woolding. 

WONDER-CHONR     An  old  term,  mentioned  by  Blount  as  a  contrivance 

for  catcbing  fish. 
WONGS.     A  term  on  our  east  coast,  synonymous  with  low  lands  or  wUlies 

(which  see). 
WOOD,  To.     A  gun  is  said  to  wood  when  it  takes  the  portsills  or  port- 
sides,  or  the  trucks  the  waterways. — To  toood.     When  wooding-parties 

are  sent  out  to  cut  or  procure  wood  for  a  ship. 
WOOD  AND  WOOD.     When  two  pieces  of  timber  are  so  let  into  each 

other  as  to  join  close.     Also,  when  a  tree-nail  is  driven  through,  its  point 

being  even  with  the  inside  surface. 
WOODEN  BUOYS.     Buoyant  constructions  of  wood  of  various  shapes, 

with  a  ring-bolt  at  each  end,  to  which  vessels  can  make  &st  for  a  time. 

{See  Dolphin.) 
WOOD-ENDa    See  Hood-ends. 
WOODEN  WALLS.   A  term  signifying  the  fleet,  and  though  thought  to  be 

peculiarly  English,  was  used  by  the  Delphic  oracle,  when  applied  to  by  the 

Athenians  on  the  Persian  invasion:  ^Defend  yourselves  by  wooden  walls." 
WOODEN-WINGS.     The  lee-boards,  for  keeping  barges  to  windward. 
WOOD-LOCKS  OF  THE  BrUDDEB.     Pieces  of  timber  sheathed  with  copper, 

in  coppered  ships,  placed  in  the  throating  or  scores  of  the  stem-post,  to 

prevent  the  rudder  from  rising  or  unshipping. 
WOOD-MULLS.     Laige  thick  hose  worn  by  the  men  in  coasters  and  flsh- 

ing-boats. 
WOOD-SHEATHING.     All  plank  applied  to  strengthen  a  vessel.     {See 

Double.) 
WOOF.     A  northern  name  of  the  gray  gurnard. 
WOOLDEKS.     Bandages.     The  bolt  of  a  Spanish  windlass  is  called  a 

woolder. 
WOOLDING.     The  act  of  winding  a  piece  of  rope  about  a  mast  or  yard, 

to  support  it  where  it  is  fished,  or  when  it  is  composed  of  several  pieces. 

Also,  the  rope  employed  in  this  service. 
WOOL-PACKS.     In  meteorology,  light  clouds  in  a  blue  sky. 
WORD.     The  watchword;  the  parole  and  countersign,  which,  being  issued 

to  the  authorized  persons  at  guard-mounting,  become  a  test  whereby  spies 

or  strangers  are  detected. 
WOEK,  To.     Said  of  a  ship  when  she  strains  in  a  tempestuous  sea,  so  as 

to  loosen  her  joints. 
WORK  ABACK.     This  is  said  of  a  steam-engine  if  reversed,  to  propel  the 

vessel  astern. 
WOfeK  A  SHIP,  To.     To  adapt  the  sails  to  the  force  and  direction  of 

the  wind. 
WORK  DOUBLE  TIDES,  To.     Implying  that  the  work  of  three  days  is 

done  in  two,  or  at  least  two  tides'  work  in  twenty-four  hours. 
WORKING   A  DAY'S  WORK.     Reducing  the   dead-reckoning  and 

meridian  altitudes  to  noon  of  each  day. 

3  A 


738  WORKING WBECK 

WORKING  A  LXJNAK.  Reducing  the  obeervations  of  the  sun  and  moon, 
or  moon  and  stars,  in  order  to  find  the  longitude.  AIso^  a  phrase  used 
when  a  man  sleeps  during  a  conversation. 

WORKING  AN  OBSERVATION.  Reducing  the  altitudes  or  distances 
of  heavenly  bodies  by  calculation. 

WORKING  PARTIES.  Gangs  of  hands  employed  on  special  duties  out 
of  the  ship  or  dockyard. 

WORKING  TO  WINDWARD.  Sailing  against  the  wind  by  alternate 
tacks.     (See  Beating.) 

WORKING  UP.  The  keeping  men  at  work  on  needless  matters,  beyond 
the  usual  hours,  for  punishment. 

WORKS.  All  fortificational  constructions,  whether  permanent^  field,  or 
makeshifts  of  the  moment;  from  the  most  soUd  bastion  to  the  rudest  rifle- 
pit 

WORK  UP  JUNK,  To.  To  draw  yams  from  old  cables,  &c.,  and  there- 
with to  make  foxes,  points,  gaskets,  sinnit,  or  spun-yam. 

WORM.  An  iron  tool  shaped  like  a  double  corkscrew  on  the  end  of  a 
long  staff,  for  withdrawing  charges,  ignited  remains  of  cartridges,  dec.,  from 
fire-arms.  Called  also  a  wad-hook  in  artillery.  {See  also  Tkblbdo'N ay ams,) 
— To  worm.  The  act  of  passing  a  rope  spirally  between  the  lays  of  a 
cable;  a  smaller  ropSe  is  wormed  with  spun-yam.  Worming  is  generally 
resorted  to  as  a  preparative  for  serving.     {See  Likk-wobmikg.) 

WORM-EATEN,  ob  Wormed.  The  state  of  a  plank  or  of  a  ship's  bottom 
when  perforated  by  a  particular  kind  of  boiing  moUusk,  Teredo  na/wdis, 
which  abounds  in  the  tropics. 

WORMS.  Timber  is  preserved  against  worms  by  several  coats  of  common 
whale-oil,  or  by  the  patents  of  Payne,  Sir  W.  Burnett,  Kyan,  and  others. 

WRACK.  The  English  name  for  the  fucus;  the  sea-weed  used  for  the  manu- 
facture of  kelp,  and  in  some  places  artificially  grown  for  that  purpose. 

WRACK-RIDER.     A  species  pf  brandling  faintly  barred  on  both  sides. 

WRAIN-BOLT.  A  ring-bolt  with  two  or  more  forelock-holes  in  it,  occa- 
sionally to  belay  or  make  fast  towards  the  middle.  It  is  used,  with  the 
wrain-staff  in  the  ring,  for  seUing-to  the  planks. 

WRAIN-STAFF.  A  stout  billet  of  tough  wood,  tapered  at  its  ends,  so  as 
to  go  into  the  ring  of  the  wndn-bolt,  to  make  the  necessary  setts  for 
bringing-to  the  planks  or  thick  stuff  to  the  timber. 

WRASSR     The  CrenUdbrus  tinea,  a  sea-fish,  sometimes  called  old-wife. 

WRECK  The  destruction  of  a  ship  by  stress  of  weather,  rocks,  <fec.;  also 
the  ruins  of  the  ship  after  such  accidents;  also  the  goods  and  fragments 
which  drive  on  shore  after  a  ship  is  stranded.  It  is  said  that  the  term 
is  derived  from  the  sea- weed  called  wrack,  denoting  all  that  the  sea  washes 
on  shore  as  it  does  this  weed.  A  ship  cast  on  shore  is  no  wreck,  in  law, 
when  any  domestic  animal  has  escaped  with  life  in  her.  The  custody  of 
the  cargo  or  goods  belongs  to  the  deputy  of  the  vice-admiral,  and  they  are 
restored  to  the  proprietors  without  any  fees  or  salvage,  but  what  the 
labour  of  those  who  saved  them  may  reasonably  deserve. 


WRECKAGE XYLOSTKOMA  739 

WRECKAGE.     Spars,  rigging,  or  goods  floating  about  after  a  wreck. 

WRECKERS.  A  name  which  includes  both  meritorious  salvors  of  ships 
in  distress,  and  the  felonious  brutes  who  merely  hasten  to  wrecks  for 
plunder.  One  of  our  British  colonies  deemed  it  so  entirely  a  legal  pro- 
cedure to  make  a  wreck  of  or  cripple  a  vessel  on  the  reef,  that  a  naval 
officer  was  threatened  with  legal  proceedings  by  a  lawyer  whom  he  pre- 
vented from  carrying  out  his  practice  afloat. 

WRECK-FREE.  Is  to  be  exempt  from,  the  forfeiture  of  shipwrecked 
goods  and  vessels:  a  privil^;e  which  Edward  I.  granted  by  charter  to 
the  barons  of  the  .Cinque  Poits. 

WRIGHT'S  SAILING.     Synonymous  with  MerccUor'a  sailing. 

WRING  A  MAST,  To.  To  bend,  cripple,  or  strain  it  out  of  its  natural 
position  by  setting  the  shrouds  up  too  taut.  The  phrase,  to  wring,  is 
also  applied  to  a  capstan  when  by  an  undue  strain  the  component  parts 
of  the  wood  become  deranged,  and  are  thereby  disunited.  The  head  of  a 
mast  is  frequently  wrung  by  bracing  up  the  lower  yards  beyond  the 
dictates  of  sound  judgment 

WRONG,  To.  To  outsail  a  vessel  by  becalming  her  sails  is  said  to  wrong 
her. 

WRONG  WAY.  When  the  ship  casts  in  the  opposite  direction  to  that 
desired  Also,  a  ship  swinging  in  a  tide's  way,  out  of  the  direction  which 
would  keep  her  hawse  clear. 

WRUNG-HEADS.  An  old  term  for  that  part  of  a  ship  near  the  floor- 
heads  and  second  futtock-heels,  which,  when  she  lies  aground,  bears  the 
greatest  strain. 


A. 

XEBEC,  OR  Zebec.  A  small  three-masted  vessel  of  the  Mediterranean, 
distinguished  fix)m  all  other  European  vessels  by  the  great  projection  of 
her  bow  and  overhanging  of  her  stem.  Being  generally  equipped  as  a 
corsair,  the  xebec  was  constructed  with  a  narrow  floor,  for  speed,  and  of 
great  breadth,  to  enable  her  to  carry  a  great  press  of  sail.  On  the  Bar- 
bary  coast  the  xebec  rig  was  deemed  to  vary  from  the  felucca,  which  in 
hull  is  the  same,  by  having  the  foremast  square-rigged. 

XERAFEEM.     A  Malabar  coin  of  the  value  of  Is.  4d.  sterling. 

XEROONITZ.     A  Russian  coin  of  two  roubles,  or  Qs.  sterling. 

XERO-POTAMO.  A  term  common  on  the  coasts  of  Greece  for  flumare, 
or  torrents,  which  are  dry  at  certain  seasons. 

XUGIA,     The  second  bank  of  rowers  in  an  ancient  trireme. 

XYLOSTROMA  Oak-leather,  a  peculiar  fungus  found  within  growing 
oaka 


740  YACHT TABD-ARM 


I. 


Y. 


YACHT.  A  vessel  of  state  or  pleasure:  the  former  is  usually  employed  to 
convey  great  personages.  One  of  the  designs  of  a  yacht  being  accommoda- 
tion, they  are  usually  fitted  up  with  great  comfort;  their  propulsion  is  by 
sails  or  steam.  Small  yachte,  rigged  as  sloops,  were  formerly  used  by 
the  commissioners  of  the  navy;  they  were  originally  royal  yachts,  and  one 
at  Chatham  was  renowned  as  the  yacht  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  same 
plate  being  in  use  in  her  up  to  a  very  late  date.  Private  pleasure-boats, 
when  sufficiently  large  for  a  sea  voyage,  are  also  termed  yachts.  {See 
Royal  Yacht.) 

YACHT  CLUB,  ROYAL.  An  institution  embodied  by  a  number  of  noble- 
men and  gentlemen  about  the  year  1820,  to  which  certain  privileges  are 
attached.  It  was  originally  established  at  Cowes,  but  several  ports,  as 
well  as  the  Thames,  have  their  special  clubs,  and  similar  privileges. 

YAM.  The  tubers  of  the  Dioscorea  saHva,  and  others;  a  valuable  vege- 
table on  long  voyages.  2>.  aculecUa  frequently  produces  tubers  3  feet  long, 
and  weighing  30  lbs.  Also,  the  West  India  word  for  food;  "Toko  for 
yam,''  the  negro's  punishment — blows  but  no  food. 

YANKEE.  An  appellation  often  erroneously  given  to  North  Americans 
in  general,  whereas  it  is  strictly  applicable  to  those  of  the  New  England 
states  only;  it  is  not  used  complimentarily  in  the  back  settlements. 

YARD.     A  measure  of  length,  consisting  of  3  feet 

YARD  [Anglo-Saxon  gyrde],  A  long  cylindrical  timber  suspended  upon 
the  mast  of  a  vessel  to  spread  a  sail.  They  are  termed  square,  lateen,  or 
lug :  the  first  are  suspended  across  the  masts  at  right  angles,  and  the  two 
latter  obliquely.  The  square  yards  taper  from  the  middle,  which  is  called 
the  slings,  towards  the  extremities,  which  are  termed  the  yard-arms;  and 
the  distance  between  is  divided  by  the  artificers  into  quarters,  called  the 
firsts  second,  third  quarters,  and  yard-arms.     The  middle  quarters  are  i 

formed  into  eight  sides,  and  each  of  the  end  parts  is  figured  like  the 
frustum  of  a  cone :  on  the  alternate  sides  of  the  octagon,  in  large  spars, 
oak  battens  are  brought  on  and  hooped,  so  as  to  strengthen,  and  yet  not 
greatly  increase,  the  weight. — To  hra^e  the  ya/rds.  To  traverse  them 
about  the  masts,  so  as  to  form  greater  or  lesser  angles  with  the  ship's 
length.     {See  Brace.) — To  square  the  yards,     {See  Square.) 

YARD-ARM.  That  part  of  a  yard  outside  the  quarter,  which  is  on  either 
side  of  the  mast  beyond  the  battens,  when  it  lies  athwart  the  ship.  It 
generally  means  the  extremity  of  the  yard,  and  it  is  fitted  with  sheave- 
holes  for  reeving  sheets  through. 

YARD-ARM  AND  YARD-ARM.      The  situation  of  two  ships  lying 


YARD-ARM YAWL  74.] 

alongside  one  another,  so  near  ihat  their  yard-arms  nearly  toach  each 
other,  or  even  cross.  The  term  implies  close  action  and  no  mistake. 
YAED-ARM  CLEATS.  Wooden  wedges  fixed  on  the  yards  at  those 
points  where  they  support  the  lifts  and  braces,  and  where  the  head-earings 
are  secured  The  reef^cleats  on  the  topsail-yards  are  beyond  the  lifts 
and  braces. 
YARD-ARM  PIECE.     An  octagonal  piece  of  timber  supplied  to  replace 

a  yard-arm  if  shot  away.  It  is  one-third  the  length  of  the  main-yard. 
YARD-ROPE.  Is  only  used  for  temporary  purposes;  the  most  usual 
application  of  the  term  is  that  by  which  a  yard  is  hoisted  for  crossing,  or 
sent  down.  Also,  rove  for  execution.  The  yard-rope  of  the  lighter  yards 
is  the  halliards,  which,  when  the  yard  is  crossed,  is  made  into  tie  and 
halliards  by  a  peculiar  mode  of  toggling  on  the  halliard  purchase,  as  in 
the  order,  ''Toggle  the  halliards  T 
YARDS.    See  Dockyards. 

YARDS  APEEK.    When  they  are  topped,  so  as  to  resemble  St.  Andrew's 
cross;  it  is  done  as  a  token  of  mourning,  or  for  convenience  when  vessels 
lie  alongside  of  each  other,  as  in  the  docks. 
YARD-TACKLES.     Tackles  attached  to  the  fore  and  main  yards  of  a 
ship,  whereby,  with  the  assistance  of  the  stay-tackles,  the  boats  and  other 
weights  are  hoisted  in  and  out.     Yard-tackles  are  sometimes  hooked  to  a 
pendant^  which  is  secured  to  the  top-mast  head,  and  hauled  out  to  the 
yard-arm  by  means  of  a  small  tackle,  until  the  yard-tackle  plumbs  the 
spot  where  it  is  wished  to  work. 
YARE  [Ang.-Sax.  for  dexterous  or  quick].     It  was  formerly  a  favourite 
nautical  phrase,  as  ''Be  yare  at  the  helm;''  and  is  used  by  Shakspeare's 
boatswain  in  the  Tempest 
YAREMLEK.     A  silver  Turkish  coin  of  20  paras,  or  9d.  sterling. 
YARMOUTH  CAPON.     A  red  herring ;  a  bloater. 
YARMOUTH  HERRING-BOAT.    A  cHncher-built  vessel  with  lug-sails, 

similar  to  the  drift  or  mackerel  boats. 
YARN.     One  of  the  threads  of  which  ropes  are  composed.     A  number  of 
these  are  twisted  together  to  form  a  strand,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of 
the  proposed  rope.     Three  strands  are  then  twisted  into  one  another, 
which  completes  the  process  of  ordinary  rope-making;  but  cables,  hawsers, 
and  other  ground  tackling,  are  composed  of  three  strands,  each  of  which 
is  formed  of  three  lesser  ones.     (See  Cable,  Hawser,  &c.) — A  toitgh  ya/m, 
A  long  story,  or  tale,  hard  to  be  believed. 
YARN-SPINNING.     A  figurative  expression  for  telling  a  story. 
YATAGHAN.     A  crooked  sabre  used  in  the  Levant.     Also,  the  knife- 
swords  of  India. 
YAUGH.     An  archaic  term  for  a  little  bark,  pinnace,  or  yacht. 
YAW.     The  quick  movement  by  which  a  ship  deviates  from  the  direct  line 

of  her  course  towards  the  right  or  left>  from  unsteady  steering. 
YAWL.     A  man-of-war's  boat,  resembling  the  pinnace,  but  rather  smaller; 
it  is  carvel-built,  and  generally  rowed  with  twelve  oars.    The  yawl  in  the 


742  YAW-SIGHTED YOU,  SIB! 

Customs  Act  is  a  carvel-built  vessel  of  the  cutter  class,  but  having  a 

jigger  or  mizen  lug,  the  boom-mainsail  being  curtailed,  so  that  its  boom 

traverses  clear  of  the  mizen-mast :   used  also  by  yachts.     Also,  a  small 

jfishing-vesseL 
YAW-SIGHTED.     A  nautical  term  for  those  who  squint. 
YAW-YAW.     A  nickname  for  the  seamen  of  the  shores  of  the  Baltic. 
YEAR.     The  duration  of  the  earth's  revolution  round  the  sun,  or  of  the 

apparent  revolution  of  the  sun  in  the  ecliptic.  i 

YELL.     An  old  sea-term  to  express  a  rolling  motion. 
YELLOW  ADMIRAL.     A  retired  posts^iptain,  who,  not  having  served  J 

his  time  in  that  rank,  is  not  entitled  to  his  promotion  to  the  active  flag. 
YELLOW-BELLY.     A  name  given  to  a  person  bom  in  the  fens  along 

our  eastern  shores:  also  occasionally  to  half-castes,  &c 
YELLOW  FEVER.    A  cant  term  for  drunkenness  at  Greenwich  Hospital; 

the  sailors  when  punished  wearing  a  parti-coloured  coat,  in  which  yellow 

predominates. 
YELLOW-FLAG.     The  signal  of  quarantine. 
YELLOWING.     The  passing  over  of  captains  at  a  flag  promotioiL 
YELLOW-TAIL.      A  well-known  tropical  fish,  often  in  company  with 

whip-rays;  it  is  about  4  feet  long,  with  a  great  head,  large  eyes,  and 

many  fins.     Leiostomas. 
YEO-HEAVE-YEOING.     The  chant  or  noise  made  at  the  windlass  and 

purchase-falls  in  a  merchantman,  to  cheer  and  lighten  labour,  but  not 

permitted  in  a  man-of-war. 
YEOMAN.     An  experienced  hand  placed  in  charge  of  a  store-room,  who 

should  be  able  to  keep  the  accounts  of  supply  and  expenditure. 
YESTY  [from  the  Anglo-Saxon  gist].    A  foaming  breaking  sea.     Shak- 

speare  in  Macbeth  gives  great  power  to  this  state  of  the  waters : — 

"Though  the  yesty  waves 
Confound,  and  swallow  navigation  np.** 

YOKK     A  transverse  board  or  metal  bar,  a  substitute  for  the  tiller,  which 

crosses  the  head  of  a  boat's  rudder,  and  having  two  lines  extending  from  its 

opposite  extremities  to  the  stem-sheets  of  the  boat,  whereby  she  is  steered. 
YOKE-LINES.     The  ropes  by  which  the  boat's  steerage  is  managed. 
YOUNG.     A  word  often  used  for  uninitiated. — Yotmg  gentlemen,  a  general 

designation  for  midshipmen,  whatever  their  age. 
YOUNG  FLOOD.    See  Flood. 
YOUNG  ICE.     Nearly  the  same  as  bay-ice,  except  that  it  is  only  applied 

to  ice  very  recently  formed,  or  of  the  present  season. 
YOUNGSTER,  or  Younker  [an  old  term;  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  Jwwjj^r]. 

A  volunteer  of  the  first-class,  and  a  general  epithet  for  a  stripling  in  the 

service. 
YOUNG  WIND.     The  commencement  of  the  land  or  sea  breeze. 
YOU,  SIR !    The  irritating  mode  in  which  some  officers  address  the  seamen. 

The  late  Lord  Collingweod  never  permitted  it.