introduction of chain-cables, bitts are coated with iron, and vary in

their shapes. There are several other smaller bitts; as, the topsail-sheet bitts, paul-bitts, carrick-bitts, windlass-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 fathoms 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 still 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 It is now disused--chain cables having superseded hemp.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. BIZE. A piercing 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 ADMIRALTY. An imaginary record of offences. Also, a document of great 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 cetaceans. The animal so called in the south seas belongs to the genus _Globiocephalus_. 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 (_Larus ridibundus_). BLACK-HOLE. A place of solitary confinement for soldiers, and tried in some large ships. BLACK-INDIES. Newcastle, Sunderland, and Shields. 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 pirate. Also, a capacious tin can for 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 Devil's 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 condensed 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-STRAKE. 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 strake. BLACK-STRAP. The dark country wines of the Mediterranean. Also, bad port, such as was served for the sick in former times. BLACK-TANG. The sea-weed _Fucus vesicolosus_, or tangle. 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 (_Balaena australis_) is often known to whalemen. BLAD. A term on our northern coasts for a squall with rain. BLADDER-FISH. A term for the tetraodon. (_See_ BALLOON-FISH.) 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. BLAKE. 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 whale. 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 blast_, to blow up with gunpowder. BLAST-ENGINE. A ventilating machine to draw off the foul air from the hold of a ship, and induce a current of fresh air into it. BLATHER. Thin mud or puddle. Also, idle nonsense. BLAY. 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 emission of flame to throw a 13-inch shell. BLAZING STARS. The popular name of comets. BLEAK. The _Leuciscus alburnus_ 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 false 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. A small acanthopterygious fish (_Blennius_). 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 (_Cottus cataphractus_). BLIND. Everything that covers besiegers from the enemy. (_See_ ORILLON.) BLINDAGE. 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 exclusively to cure herrings or bloaters.--_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 top-sail lifts and reef tackles. Every block is composed of three, and generally four, parts:--(1.) 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. BLOCKADE. The investment of a town or fortress by sea and land; shutting up all the avenues, so that it can receive no relief.--_To blockade a port_ is to prevent any communication therewith by sea, and cut off supplies, in order to compel a surrender when the provisions and ammunition are exhausted.--_To raise a blockade_ is to discontinue it.--Blockade is violated by egress as well as by ingress. Warning on the spot is sufficient notice of a blockade _de facto_. Declaration 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 confiscation. The absence of the blockading force removes liability, and _might_ (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. BLOCKHOUSE. 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 overhanging 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 proportion of labour on the shoulders of their shipmates. BLOODY FLAG. A large red flag. BLOOM. A peculiar warm blast of wind; a term used in iron-foundries. 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 whales 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. BLOWE. 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, grampuses, &c., they are united into a single crescentic opening. BLOW HOME. The wind does not cease or moderate till it comes past that place, blowing continuously 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 HARD. Said of the wind when it is strong and steady. BLOWING THE GRAMPUS. Throwing water over a sleeper on 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. _Blown_ 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 falling 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.--_Blowing-off_ is 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 OVER, (IT WILL). Said of a gale which is expected to pass away quickly. BLOW-PIPE. An engine of offence used by the Araucanians and Borneans, and with the latter termed _sumpitan_: the poisoned arrow, _sumpit_, will wound at the distance of 140 or more yards. The arrow is forced through (like boys' pea-shooters) by the forcible and sudden 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 VALVE. 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 off, and boiled for oil, varying from 10 to 20 inches in thickness. (_See_ SEA-BLUBBER.) BLUBBER FORKS AND CHOPPERS. The implements with which blubber is "made off," or cut for stowing away. BLUBBER-GUY. 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. BLUE. _Till all's 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 blue_, to be surprised, disappointed, or taken aback, with a countenance expressive of displeasure. BLUE-JACKETS. The seamen as distinguished from the marines. BLUE LIGHT. A pyrotechnical preparation for signals by night. Also called Bengal light. BLUE-LIGHTISM. Affected 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-topmast 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 cliffy in outline, 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. 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 _boy_. A familiar epithet for a comrade, derived probably from the negro. BOADNASH. Buckhemshein coins of Barbary. BOANGA. A Malay piratical vessel, impelled by oars. BOARD. Certain offices under the control of the executive government, 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 1-1/2 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 windward, or sailing against the direction of the wind.--_To make a good board._ To sail in a straight line when close-hauled, without deviating to leeward.--_To make short boards_, is to tack frequently before the ship has run any great length of way.--_To make a stern board_, is when by a current, 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 stern board is frequently a very critical as well as seamanlike operation, 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 board 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 _board_ has various other applications among seamen:--_To go aboard_ signifies to go into the ship.--_To slip by the board_, is to slip down a ship's side.--_To board it up_, is to beat up, sometimes on one tack and sometimes on another.--_The weather-board_ is the side of the ship which is to windward.--_By the board_, close to a ship's deck. BOARD AND BOARD. Alongside, as when two ships touch each other. BOARDERS. 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. BOARD HIM. A colloquialism for I'll ask, demand, or accost him. Hence Shakspeare makes Polonius say of Hamlet, "I'll board him presently." 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. BOARDING-BOOK. A register which has for its object the recording all particulars relative to every ship boarded, a copy of which is transmitted to the admiral under whose orders the ship is employed. (_See_ GUARD-BOOK.) BOARDING-NETTINGS. A framework of stout rope-netting placed where necessary, to obstruct an enemy's boarders. BOARDING-PIKE. A defensive lance against boarders. BOARDLINGS. Flippant understrappers of the admiralty and navy-boards. BOARD OF TRADE. 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, machinery, 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 boat_, one that will endure a rough sea well.--_Man the boat_, 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 charge. BOAT-DAVIT. A curved piece of timber with a sheave at its outer end, which projects over the boat's stern, while the inner end is shipped into a cleat on each side of the bottom of the boat, for weighing anchors when needed. (_See_ DAVIT.) BOAT-FAST. _See_ PAINTER. BOAT-GEER. A general name for the rigging and furniture of a boat. BOAT-HIRE. Expenses for the use of shore-boats. BOAT-HOOK. 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. A narrow-sterned, flat-bottomed boat of the Gulf of Manar. BOATING. Transporting men, munitions, or goods, in boats. BOAT-KEEPER. 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_ NAILS.) BOAT-ROPE. A separate rope veered to the boat to be towed at the ship's stern. BOAT'S CREW. 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 stowage of boats. (_See_ 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, ship's-sails, rigging, canvas, colours, anchors, cables and cordage, committed to his charge. He ought also to take care that the blocks and running ropes are regularly placed to answer the purposes for which they are intended, and that the sails are properly fitted to their yards and stays, and well-furled or reefed when occasion requires. 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. _Phaethon aethereus_, a tropical bird, so called from its sort of whistle. It is distinguished by two long feathers in the tail, called the marling-spike. 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 breakfast," "sweepers," &c. BOATSWAIN'S STORE-ROOM. Built expressly for boatswain's stores, on a platform or light deck. BOATSWAIN'S YEOMAN. _See_ YEOMAN. BOAT THE ANCHOR. Place the anchor in-board in the boat. BOAT THE OARS. Put them in their proper places fore and aft on the thwarts ready for use. BOB. A knot of worms on a string, used in fishing for eels; also colloquially, it means a berth.--_Shift your bob_, to move about, to dodge, to fish.--_Bear a bob_, make haste, be brisk. BOB. The ball or balance-weight of a clock's pendulum; the weight attached to the plumb-line. BOBBERY. A disturbance, row, or squabble; a term much used in the East Indies and China. BOBBING. A particular method of fishing for eels-- "His hook he bated with a dragon's tail, And sat upon a rock, and bobb'd for whale." BOBBING ABOUT. Heaving and setting without making any way. BOBBLE. The state of waves when dashing about without any regular set or direction, as in cross tides or currents. BOBSTAY-COLLARS. These are made with large 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-HOLES. 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 upwards. The bowsprit is also fortified by shrouds from the bows on each side, which are all very necessary, as the fore-mast and the upper spars on the main-mast are stayed and greatly supported by the bowsprit. BOCCA. [Sp. _boca_, 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.--_Bocca Tigris_, 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-body, midship-body, square-body, &c. 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 With a bare bodkin?" BODY. The principal corps of an army, or the main strength of a fleet. BODY, OF A PLACE. In fortification, the space inclosed by the enceinte, or line of bastions and curtains. BODY-HOOPS. Those which secure the aris 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 stern-post introduced at the fore-part of an aperture cut in the dead-wood in a ship fitted with a screw-propeller. BOG. A marsh, or a tract of land, which from its form and impermeable bottom retains stagnant water. (_See_ QUAGMIRE.) BOG-BLUTER. 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 generally applied to the Emeralders. BOGUE, 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 craft. BOGUE. Mouth of a river; hence disembogue. Bogue forts, China. BOHEMIAN. A conceited dawdler in his duties. Shakspeare ridicules 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 applied 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. Cloudy 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. BOLIDE. A name for aerolite (which see). BOLINE. _See_ BOWLINE. _Clavus 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. Also a lighter sort of dolphin for attaching vessels to. Wharves have bollards to which vessels are secured when alongside. BOLLARD-TIMBERS. Two pieces of oak, usually called knight-heads (which see). BOLLING OR BOWLING AWAY. Going with a free wind. BOLME. An old term for a waterman's pole or boom. BOLOTO. A small boat of the Philippines and Moluccas. BOLSTERS. Small cushions or bags of tarred canvas, used to preserve the stays from being chafed by the motion of the masts, when the ship pitches at sea. Pieces of soft wood covered with canvas, placed on the trestle-trees, for the eyes of the rigging to rest upon, and prevent a sharp nip. Also pieces of oak timber fayed to the curvature of the bow, under the hawse-holes, and down upon the upper cheek, to prevent the cable from rubbing against the cheeks.--_Bolsters_ for sheets, tacks, &c., are small pieces of fir or oak, fayed under the gunwale, or other part, with the outer surface rounded to prevent chafing.--_Bolsters_, for the anchor lining. Solid pieces of oak bolted to the ship's side at the fore part of the fore-chains on which the stanchions are fixed that receive the anchor lining. BOLT. A cylindrical pin of iron or copper to unite the different parts of a vessel, varied in form according to the places where they are required. In ship-building square ones are used in frame-fastening; the heads of all bolts are round, saucer, or collared.--_Bolt of the irons_, which runs through three pairs of shackles.--_Drift_ or _drive-bolts_ are used to drive out others.--_Bay-bolts_, have jags or barbs on each side, to keep them from flying out of their holes.--_Clench-bolts_ are clenched with rivetting hammers.--_Fend_ or _fender bolts_, made with long and thick heads, and struck into the outermost bends of the ship, to save her sides from bruises.--_Forelock-bolts_ have at the end a forelock of iron driven in, to keep them from starting back.--_Set-bolts_ are used for forcing the planks, and bringing them close together.--_Ring-bolts_ are used for the bringing to of the planks, and those parts whereto are fastened the breeches and tackle of the guns.--_Scarp-bolts_ and _keel-bolts_, pointed, not clinched, used for false keel or temporary purposes.--_Bringing-to bolts_, fitted with an eye at one end, and a nut and screw at the other, for bringing to the ends at the stem, &c.--_To bolt_, to start off, 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_ KNIGHT-HEADS.) BOLT OF CANVAS. The piece or roll of 39 yards in which it is supplied, but which usually measure about 40 yards in length; it is generally from 22 to 30 inches wide. 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-aft sails is termed the luff. BOLTROPE-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 _bomba_]. 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 introduction 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 containing 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 _basilisk_, and by the Dutch _donderbass_. Used to assail a town, fortress, or fleet, by the projection of shells from mortars. 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 punch. 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-SPAR [a corruption of _boom_]. A spar of a larger kind. BOMKIN. _See_ BUMKIN. BONA FIDE. In good faith; without subterfuge--_Bona fides_ is a condition necessary to entitle to the privilege of pre-emption in our admiralty courts. BONAVENTURE. The old outer mizen, long disused. BONDING. _See_ WAREHOUSING SYSTEM. BONDING-POND. An inclosed space of water where the tide flows, for keeping timber 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. (_See_ BOTTOMRY.) BONE, TO. To seize, take, or apprehend. A ship is said to carry a bone in her mouth and cut a feather, when she makes the water foam before her. BON GRACE. Junk-fenders; for booming off obstacles from a ship's sides or bows. (_See_ BOWGRACE.) BONITO. The _Thynnus pelamys_, a fish of the scomber family, commonly about 2 feet long, with a sharp head, small mouth, full eyes, and a regular semi-lunar tail. BONI-VOCHIL. The Hebridean name for the great northern diver (_Colymbus glacialis_). 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, "Lace 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-dab; the _Pleuronectes rhombus_. BONXIE. The Shetland name for the skua-gull (_Cataractes vulgaris_). Also a very general northern term for sea-birds. BONY-FISH. One of the names of the hard-head (which see). BOOBY. A well-known tropical sea-bird, _Sula fusca_, of the family _Pelecanidae_. 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 lifts off in one piece. BOOK. A commercial term for a peculiar packing of muslin, bast, and other stuffs.--_Brought to book_, made to account. BOOKING. A reprimand. BOOKS. (_See_ SHIP'S BOOKS.) Official documents. BOOM. A long spar run out from different 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. BOOMAGE. 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_ MAIN-SAIL. BOOMS. A space where the spare spars are stowed; the launch being generally stowed between them. BOOPAH. A Tongatabou canoe with a single out-rigger. 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. BOOZE. A carouse; hence, _boozy_, 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. _borracho_, drunk]. A skin for holding wine or water, usually a goat's. Used in the Levant. A skin-full; literally, gorged with wine. BORASCA. A storm, with thunder and lightning. BORD. 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 anything over the side of the vessel. BORDELS. 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 banks. 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 Hooghly, 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 spring-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 especially in the Bay of Fundy, where at the river Petticodiac the tide rises 76 feet. It also occurs in Borneo and several rivers in the East. (_See_ HYGRE.) 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. Sailed 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 A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. Said of a person who, by birth or connection, has all the usual obstacles to advancement cleared away for him. Those who toil unceasingly for preferment, and toil in vain, are said to have been born with a wooden ladle. Again, the silver-spoon gentry are said to come on board through the cabin windows; those less favoured, over the bows, or through the hawse-holes. BORNE. Placed on the books for victuals and wages; also supernumerary 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 fish 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 olive-oil and lemon-juice. BOTCH, TO. To make bungling work. BOTE'S-CARLE. 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. BOTTE. An old English term for boat, and assuredly the damaged boat into which Prospero is turned adrift by Shakspeare. BOTTLE-BUMP. The bittern, so called on our east coast. BOTTLE-CHARTS. 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 ships. BOTTLE-NOSE, OR BOTTLE-NOSED 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 thing, in contradistinction 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," &c., and in the latter sense "a British bottom, a Dutch bottom," &c. 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. BOTTOM-CLEAN. Thoroughly clean, free from weeds, &c. BOTTOM-PLANK. That which is placed between the garboard-strake and lower back-strake. BOTTOMREE, OR BOTTOMRY-BOND. 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 commerce 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 affair 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 AND CHINE, 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. BOUILLI. 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 produced mutiny; vide Adams' account of the _Bounty_ miseries. 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, appeles 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 Bernier'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_ PUNCH.) BOUNCE. The larger 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-bound_, or be-neaped. (_See_ NEAPED.)--_Wind-bound._ Prevented from sailing by contrary wind.--_Where are you bound to?_--_i.e._ To what place are you going?--_Bound on a cruise._ A corruption of the old word _bowne_, 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-BOATS. 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_ BURN. BOURSE. A place where merchants congregate. An exchange. BOUSE. _See_ BOWSE. BOUT. A turn, trial, or round. An attack of illness; a convivial meeting.--_'Bout ship_, the brief order for "about ship." BOW. The fore-end 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 bow._ An arc of the horizon (not exceeding 45 deg.) 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 deg., three vanes, and a shank or staff. Also the bow of yew, a weapon of our early fleets. BOW. _She bows to the breeze_; when the sails belly out full, and the ship inclines and goes ahead, pitching or bowing over the blue waves. BOW-BYE. The situation of a ship when, in stays, she falls back off the wind again, and gets into irons, which demands practical seamanship 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. 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_ SPARE ANCHOR, SHEET, STREAM, COASTING, KEDGE, &c.) BOW-FAST. A rope or chain for securing a vessel by the bow. (_See_ FAST.) BOWGE, OR BOUGE. An old term for bilge. BOWGER. A name given in the Hebrides to the coulter-neb, or puffin (_Fratercula arctica_). BOWGRACE. A kind of frame or fender of old junk, placed round the bows and sides of a ship to prevent her receiving injury from floating ice or timbers. (_See_ BON GRACE.) 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. Meeting a turbulent swell in coming to the wind. BOWLINE. A rope leading forward which is fastened to a space connected 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 forward 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 bowline.--_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-CRINGLE. An eye worked into the leech-rope of a sail; usually in that of a fore-sail two, a main-sail 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!! THREE!!!) 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 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 part, and by a twist given screw-fashion to the right, 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 home. 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 ship-building, longitudinal curves representing the ship's fore-body cut in a vertical section. BOWLING-ALONG. Going with a free wind. BOW-LOG TIMBERS. 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 l'embarcation." In double-banked boats there are always two bowmen. Also an archer, differently pronounced. BOW-OAR. The foremost oar or oars, in pulling a boat. BOW-PIECES. The ordnance in the bows; also in building. BOW-RAIL. A rail round the bows. BOWSE, TO. To pull upon any body with a tackle, or complication of pulleys, in order to remove it, &c. 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 the jib_, a colloquialism to denote the act of tippling: it is an old phrase, and was probably derived from the Dutch _buyzen_, to booze. BOWSPRIT, OR BOLT-SPRIT. 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 staysails, the jib, and flying-jib, which have a most useful influence in counter-balancing 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-sail, sprit-topsail, &c. BOWSPRIT, RUNNING. In cutter-rigged vessels. (_See_ CUTTER.) 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 bowsprit, through which the jib-boom traverses. BOWSPRIT-GEAR. A term denoting the ropes, blocks, &c., belonging 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 bowsprit-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 staysail; 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-STAVES. Early supplied to our men-of-war. BOW-TIMBERS. Those which form the bow of the ship. BOX. The space between the back-board and the stern-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 stern-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 stern-way. 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_ BOXING OF RUDDER.) BOXING OFF. Is performed by hauling the head-sheets 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 purpose; 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. BOYART. An old term for a hoy. BOYAUX. The zig-zags or tortuous trenches in the approach of a besieger. BOYER. A sloop of Flemish construction, with a raised work at each end. BRAB. The sheaf of the young leaves of the Palmyra palm (and also of the cocoa-nut), from which sinnet or plait for hats is made. BRAB-TREE. The Palmyra palm. BRACE. 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 ship-building, 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 about_, to turn the yards round for the contrary tack, or in consequence of a change of wind.--_To brace abox_, a man[oe]uvre 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 effect the stopping of the vessel. (_See_ COUNTER-BRACE.)--_To brace in_, to lay the yard less oblique, as for a free wind, or nearly square.--_To brace round_, synonymous with brace about.--_To brace sharp_, 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 deg. 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 man[oe]uvre of tacking or wearing.--_To brace up_, or _brace sharp up_, to lay the yards more obliquely 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 SHAKES. 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 used in the merchant service to save rope, to give the blocks more freedom for slewing to their work, but chiefly 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 AFT! The order usually given after being hove-to, with fore or main top-sail square or aback, and jib-sheet flowing, _i.e._ 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 gallery. 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 miscellaneous 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 marina_, or sea-grass. BRAILS. Ropes passing through leading blocks on the hoops of the mizen-mast and gaff, and fastened to the outermost leech of the sail, in different places, to truss it close up as occasion requires; all trysails and several of the staysails 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 _brachium_, an arm or lever. Also, used to check the speed of machinery by frictional force pressing on the circumference of the largest wheel acted on by leverage of the brake. BRAN, TO. To go on; to lie under a floe edge, in foggy weather, in a boat in Arctic seas, to watch the approach of whales. BRANCH. 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 application to affluents is improper. Any branch or ramification, as in estuaries, where they traverse, river-like, miles of territory, 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 deface 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 corner 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-PAWNEE. 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 BRANLIN. 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 currents, 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." BRAWET. 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 clear breach_ implies the waves rolling clean over without breaking. Shakspeare in "Twelfth Night" uses the term for the breaking of the waves.--_Clean-breach_, when masts and every object on deck is swept away. BREACHY. Brackish, as applied to water, probably originating in the sea breaking in. BREAD. The usual name given to biscuit. BREAD-BARGE. The tray in which biscuit is handed round. BREAD-FRUIT (_Artocarpus incisa_). This most useful tree has a wide range of growth, but the seedless variety produced in Tahiti and some of the South Sea Islands is superior to others; it has an historical interest from its connection with the voyage of the _Bounty_ in 1787. BREAD-ROOM. The lowest and aftermost part of the orlop deck, where the biscuit is kept, separated by a bulk-head from the rest; but any place parted off from below deck for containing the bread is so designated. BREAD-ROOM JACK. The purser's steward's help. BREADTH. The measure of a vessel from side to side in any particular place athwart-ships. (_See_ STRAIGHT OF BREADTH, HEIGHT OF BREADTH, TOP-TIMBER BREADTH, &c.)--_Breadth of beam_, extreme breadth of a ship. BREADTH EXTREME. _See_ EXTREME BREADTH OR BEAM. BREADTH LINE. A curved line of the ship lengthwise, intersecting the timbers at their greatest extent from the middle line of the ship. BREADTH-MOULDED. _See_ MOULDED BREADTH. BREADTH-RIDERS. Timbers placed nearly in the broadest part of the ship, and diagonally, so as to strengthen two or more timbers. BREAK, TO. To deprive of commission, warrant, or rating, by court-martial. BREAK. The sudden rise of a deck when not flush; when the aft, and sometimes the fore part, of a vessel's deck is kept up to give more height below, and at the drifts.--_Break of the poop_, where it ends at the foremost part. BREAKAGE. The leaving of empty spaces in stowing the hold. In marine insurance, the term alludes to damage occurring to goods. BREAK-BEAMS. Beams introduced at the break of a deck, or any sudden termination of planking. BREAK-BULK. To open the hold, to begin unloading and disposing of the goods therein, under legal provisions. BREAKERS. Small barrels for containing water or other liquids; they are also used in watering the ship as gang-casks. (_See_ BAREKA.) Also, those billows which break violently over reefs, rocks, or shallows, lying immediately at, or under, the surface of the sea. They are distinguished both by their appearance and sound, as they cover that part of the sea with a perpetual foam, and produce loud roaring, very different from what the waves usually have over a deeper bottom. Also, a name given to those rocks which occasion the waves to break over them.--_Breakers ahead!_ the common pass-word to warn the officer of broken water in the direction of the course. (_See also_ SHIP-BREAKER.) BREAK-GROUND. Beginning to weigh, or to lift the anchor from the bottom. 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 act of extricating casks or other objects from the hold-stowage. BREAKING LIBERTY. Not returning at the appointed time. BREAKING OF A GALE. Indications of a return of fine weather; short gusts at intervals; moaning or whistling of the wind through the rigging. BREAKING-PLATE DISTANCE. The point within which iron-plated ships, under concentrated fire, may be damaged. BREAKING THE EY. _See_ EYGHT. BREAKING-UP OF THE MONSOON. A nautical term for the violent storms that attend the shifting of periodical winds. BREAK-OFF. (_See_ BROKEN-OFF). "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 proper position 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 from 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 furze, 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, &c., which not only makes it smooth and slippery, so as to divide the fluid more 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 aground after the tide has ebbed from her or by docking or careening. BREAST, TO. To run abeam of a cape or object. To cut through a sea, the surface of which is poetically termed breast.--_To breast the sea_, to meet it by the bow on a wind.--_To breast the surf_, to brave 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 out-rigger, down to the channels before the standing backstays, for supporting the upper spars from to windward. When to leeward, they are borne abaft the top-rim. (_See_ BACKSTAYS.) 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 broadside to a wharf or quay, or to some other ship, as the head-fast confines her forward, and the stern-fast abaft. BREAST-GASKETS. An old term for bunt-gaskets. 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 through all, and forelocked or clinched upon rings inside. BREAST-RAIL. The upper rail of the balcony; formerly it was applied to a railing in front 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 stanchions, which terminates the quarter-deck and poop at the fore ends, and also incloses the forecastles both before and behind. (_See_ PARAPET.) Now 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. All but a dead calm. BREECHING. A strong rope passing 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 is passed through 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 charged, 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 above. BREECH-LOADER. A gun, large or small, charged at the breech. The method is a very old one revived, but with such scientific modifications as to have enormously increased the effectiveness of small-arms; with cannon its successful practical application to the larger natures has not yet been arrived at, but with field-guns 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 part 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. BREEZE. This word is widely understood as a pleasant zephyr; but among seamen it is usually applied as synonymous with wind in general, whether weak or strong. BREEZE, SEA OR LAND. A shifting wind blowing from 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 sea-ward by day, which is returned as the earth cools at night. BREEZE, TO KICK UP A. To excite disturbance, and promote a quarrelsome row. BREEZING UP. The gale freshening. BREEZO. A toast given by the presiding person at a mess-table; derived from _brisee generale_. 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 bridge. Military bridges to afford a passage across a river for troops, are constructed with boats, pontoons, casks, trusses, trestles, &c. Bridge in steam-vessels is the connection between the paddle-boxes, from which the officer 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 ridge 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. BRIDGE-ISLET. A portion of land which becomes insular at high-water--as Old Woman's Isle at Bombay, and among others, the celebrated Lindisfarne, thus _tidally_ sung by Scott:-- "The tide did now his flood-mark gain, And girdled in the saint'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_ MOORING-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 moorings 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 abaft 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 artillery 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 commanding troops which are brigaded. BRIGADIER. An officer commanding a brigade, and somewhat the same as commodore for a squadron of ships. BRIGANDINE. A pliant scale-like coat of mail. BRIGANTINE. A square-rigged vessel with two masts. A term variously applied by the mariners of different European nations to a peculiar sort 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 extended by a gaff above and a boom below. Brigantine is a derivative from brig, first applied to passage-boats; in the Celtic meaning "passage over the water." (_See_ HERMAPHRODITE OR BRIG-SCHOONER.) BRIGANTS. Formerly, natives of the northern parts of England. BRIGDIE. A northern name for the basking shark (_Squalus maximus_). BRIGHT LOOK-OUT. A vigilant one. BRIG-SCHOONER. (_See_ HERMAPHRODITE and BRIGANTINE, by which, term she is at present classed in law.) Square-rigged on the fore-mast, schooner on the main-mast. BRILL. The _Pleuronectes rhombus_, a common fish, allied to, but rather smaller than, the turbot. BRIM. The margin or bank of a stream, lake, or river. BRIMSTONE. _See_ SULPHUR. BRINE, OR PICKLE. Water replete with saline particles, as brine-pickle for salt meat. The briny wave. BRINE-GAUGE. _See_ SALINOMETER. 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 scudding before a gale, that the lee-side is unexpectedly brought to windward, and by laying the sails all aback, exposes her to the danger of over-setting. (_See_ BROACH-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 applies also when the flukes slip or will not hold; a ship then brings home her anchor.--_Bring home the log_. When the pin slips out of the log 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. BRINGING-TO THE YARD. Hoisting up a sail, and bending it to its yard. BRING-TO, TO. To bend, as to bring-to a sail to the yard. 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 running 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 during the trades. BRISMAK. A name among the Shetlanders for the excellent fish called tusk or torsk, the best of the cod kind (_Brosmius vulgaris_). BRISTOL FASHION AND SHIP-SHAPE. Said when Bristol was in its palmy commercial days, unannoyed by Liverpool, and its shipping 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 condemned 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 registered 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 star-fish (_Ophiocoma rosula_). BROACH A BUSINESS, TO. To begin it. BROACH-TO, TO. To fly up into the wind. It generally 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 stern 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 sometimes cutting away the masts or cable. BROAD CLOTH. Square sails. BROAD OF WATER. An extensive lake with a channel communicating with the sea, or a wide opening of a river after passing a narrow entrance. 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 contradistinction to a cornet, which has only the triangle cut out of it. BROAD R. _See_ BROAD ARROW. BROADS. Fresh-water lakes, in contradistinction to rivers or narrow waters. BROADSIDE. The whole array, or the simultaneous discharge of the artillery 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 situate 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 OF METAL.) BROADSWORD. _See_ CUTLAS. BROCAGE. The same with _brokerage_ (which see). BROCLES. _See_ STRAKE-NAILS. BRODIE. 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. 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 commission. 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, &c. (which see). BROKEN-BACKED. The state of a ship so loosened in her frame, either by age, weakness, or some great strain from grounding amidships, as to droop at each end, causing the lines of her sheer to be interrupted, and termed _hogged_. It may result from fault of construction, 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, skip-jacks, &c., which worry untutored seamen. BROKER. Originally a broken tradesman, from the Anglo-Saxon _broc_, a misfortune; but, in later times, a person who usually transacts the business of negotiating between the merchants and ship-owners 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 may affect the risk. BROKET. A small brook; the sea-lark is so called at the Farne 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, OR BROOKLET. Streams of fresh or salt water, less than a rivulet, creeping through narrow and shallow passages. The clouds _brook-up_, when they draw together and threaten rain. 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 _spartium_, 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. BROUGHT-TO. A chase made to stop, and heave-to. Also, the cable is brought-to when fastened to the messenger by nippers. The messenger is brought to the capstan, or the cable to the windlass. BROUGHT TO HIS BEARINGS. 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. BROWNIE. 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. BROWSE. 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. _Bub_ and _grub_ meaning inversely meat and drink. BUBBLE. Another term for spirit-level, used for astronomical instruments. BUBBLER. A fish 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 European nations, who formerly infested the coasts of Spanish America. They were originally inoffensive settlers in Hispaniola, but were inhumanly driven from 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 went 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. BUCHAN 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. BUCKALL. An earthen wine-cup used in the sea-ports of Portugal, Spain, and Italy. [From _bocale_, It.] BUCKER. A name for the grampus in the Hebrides. It is also applied, on some of our northern coasts, to the porpoise. BUCKET. 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. BUCKHORN. Whitings, haddocks, thorn-backs, gurnet, and other fish, cleaned, gently salted, and dried in the sun. BUCKIE. A northern name for the whelk. BUCKIE-INGRAM. A name for the hermit-crab. 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 bucklers_ (which see). BUCKRA. A term for white man, used by the blacks in the West Indies, Southern States of America, and the African coast. BUCK-WEEL. A bow-net for fish. BUDE. An old name for the biscuit-weevil. BUDGE-BARREL. A small cask with copper and wooden hoops, and one head formed by a leather hose or bag, drawing close by 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 CERTIFICATE. 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, rabbeting, 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, &c. 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 rifled 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 preferred of tough steel), with a breech-piece, trunnion-piece, and various outer strengthening hoops or coils of wrought iron, shrunk or otherwise forced on; having their parts put together at such predetermined relative tensions, as to support one another under the shock of explosion, 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 method was afforded by the Armstrong gun, the "building up" which obtained in ancient days, before the casting of solid guns, having been apparently resorted to as an easy means of producing large masses of metal, without realizing the principle of the mutual support of the various parts. BUIRAN. A Gaelic 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 _bilge-ways_ (which see). BULK. In bulk; things stowed without cases or packages. (_See_ BULK-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 particularly strong, as those in the hold, which are mostly built with rabbeted 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. BULL-DANCE. At sea it is performed by men only, when without women. It is sometimes called a stag-dance. BULL-DOG, OR MUZZLED BULL-DOG. 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 fire-arms are loaded. BULL-HEAD, OR BULL-JUB. A name of the fish called miller's thumb (_Cottus gobio_). 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-SLINGS. 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 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 by 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 Garter dub Falstaff a bully-rook. BULWARK. The planking or wood-work round a vessel above her deck, and fastened externally to the stanchions and timber-heads. In this form it is 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 storm-cloud "looks like a foul bumbard." BUM-BOAT. A boat employed to carry provisions, vegetables, 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 is 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 corner 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 out-rigger over the stern 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. BUMPERS. Logs of wood placed over a ship's side to keep off ice. BUND. In India, an embankment; whence, Bunda head, and Bunda boat. BUNDLE-UP! The call to the men below to hurry up on deck. BUNDLING THINGS INTO A BOAT. Loading it in a slovenly way. BUNGLE, TO. To perform a duty in a slovenly manner. BUNGO, OR BONGA. A sort of boat used in the Southern States of America, made of the bonga-tree hollowed out. BUNG-STARTER. A stave shaped like a bat, which, applied to either side of the bung, 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, holy-stones, 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 bunt-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. BUNTLINE-CRINGLE. An eye worked into the bolt-rope of a sail, 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. BUNTLINES. 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 haul 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 aforesaid. 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_ BUNTLINES 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 watch. 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 frequently 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.--_Buoys_ of various kinds are also placed upon rocks or sand-banks to direct mariners where to avoid danger. BUOYANCY. Capacity for floating lightly.--_Centre of buoyancy_, in naval architecture, the mean centre of that part of the vessel which is immersed in the water. (_See_ CENTRE OF CAVITY.) BUOYANT. The property of floating lightly on the water. BUOY-ROPE. 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 buoy-rope_, 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 fish (_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 German, 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 merchant service it generally has the ship's name on it. BURGOMASTER. In the Arctic Sea, a large species of gull (_Larus 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 And burgonet of men." In the second part of "Henry VI." Clifford threatens Warwick-- "And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear, And tread it underfoot with all contempt." BURGOO. A seafaring dish made of boiled oatmeal seasoned with salt, butter, and sugar. (_See_ LOBLOLLY and SKILLY.) BURLEY. The butt-end of a lance. BURLEY-TWINE. A strong and coarse twine or small string. BURN, OR BOURNE. The Anglo-Saxon term for a small stream or brook, originating from springs, and winding through meadows, thus differing from a beck. Shakspeare makes Edgar say in "King Lear"-- "Come o'er the bourn, Bessy, to me." The word also signifies a boundary. BURNETTIZE, TO. To impregnate canvas, timber, or cordage with Sir William Burnett's fluid, a solution of chloride of zinc. 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 fish. BURR-PUMP. A name of the bilge-pump. BURSER. _See_ PURSER. BURST. The explosion of a shell or any gun. BURTHEN. _See_ BURDEN. BURTON. A small tackle rove in a particular manner; it is formed by two blocks or pulleys, with a hook-block in the bight of the running part; it is generally used to set up or tighten the shrouds, whence it is frequently termed a top-burton tackle; but it is equally useful to move or draw along any weighty body in the hold or on the deck, as anchors, bales of goods, large casks, &c. (_See_ SPANISH-BURTON.) The burton purchase, also _runner-purchase_ (which see). BUSH, OR BOUCHE. A circular shouldered piece of metal, usually of brass, let into the lignum vitae 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 usually given to smaller bushes of a square shape. Brass bushes are also extensively applied in the marine steam-engine work. Also, in artillery, the plug (generally of copper, on account of the superior resistance of that metal to the flame of exploded gunpowder), having a diameter of about an inch, and 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, by the substitution of a new bush. BUSH. 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 50 to 70 tons burden. BUST-HEAD. _See_ HEAD. BUSY AS THE DEVIL IN A GALE OF WIND. Fidgety restlessness, or double diligence in a bad cause; the imp being supposed to be mischievous in hard gales. BUT. A northern name for a flounder or plaice. Also, a conical basket for catching fish. BUTCHER'S BILL. A nickname for the official return of killed and wounded which follows an action. BUTESCARLI. The early name for the sea-officers in the British Navy (_see the_ EQUIPMENT OF). 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 butt_ is to loosen the end of a plank by the ship's weakness or labouring.--_Butt-heads_ 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 fire-lock. 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 north. BUTTER-FINGERED. Having a careless habit of allowing things to drop through the fingers. BUTTLE. An eastern-county name for the bittern. BUTTOCK. The breadth of the ship astern from the tuck upwards: it is terminated by the counter above, by the bilge below, by the stern-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 convexity under the stern. BUTTOCK-LINES. In ship-building, 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 expression, for sudden apprehension or misgiving. BUTTRESS. In fortification. (_See_ COUNTERFORTS.) BUTT-SHAFT, OR BUTT-BOLT. An arrow without a barb, used for shooting at a butt. BUTT-SLINGING A BOWSPRIT. _See_ SLINGS. BUXSISH. A gratuity, in oriental trading. BUZZING. Sometimes used for _booming_ (which see). BY. On or close to the wind.--_Full and by_, not to lift or shiver the sails; rap-full. BY AND LARGE. To the wind and off it; within six points. BYKAT. 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 _bill_ (which see). BYRNIE. Early English for body-armour. BYRTH. The old expression for tonnage. (_See_ BURDEN or BURTHEN.) BYSSA. An ancient gun for discharging stones at the enemy. BYSSUS. The silken filaments of any of the bivalved molluscs which adhere to rocks, as the _Pinna_, _Mytilus_, &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 stern, and to take her sails aback on the other side. 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 67-1/2 degrees from the direction of the wind. BY-WASH. The outlet of water from a dam or discharge channel. C. CAAG. _See_ KAAG. CABANE. A flat-bottomed passage-boat of the Loire. CABBAGE. 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 maritima_, 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-LECTURE. _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 lightness 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 fakes and tiers one over the other.--_To lay a cable._ (_See_ LAYING.)--_To pay cheap the cable_, 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, &c.; to keep it from galling in the hawse-pipe. (_See_ ROUNDING, KECKLING, &c.)--_To splice a cable_, to make two pieces fast together, by working the several yarns of the rope into each other; with chain it is done by means of shackles.--_To veer more cable_, to let more out. CABLE-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. CABLE-BITTED. So bitted as to enable the cable to be nipped or rendered with ease. CABLE-BITTS. _See_ BITTS. 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 ROPE. 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 3/4 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 which 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 mile. In rope-making the cable varies from 100 to 115 fathoms; 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, &c. CABLE-TIER. The place in a hold, or between decks, where the cables are coiled away. CABOBBLED. Confused or puzzled. CABOBS, OR KEBAUB. The Turkish name for small fillets of meat broiled on wooden spits; the use of the term has been extended eastward, and in India signifies a hot spiced dish of fish, flesh, or fowl. CABONS. _See_ KABURNS. CABOOSE, OR CAMBOOSE. The cook-room or kitchen of merchantmen on deck; a diminutive substitute 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-yarn lines, for worming a cable, seizing, winding tacks, and the like. CACAO [Sp.] The plant _Theobroma_, from which what is commonly termed cocoa is derived. CACCLE, OR KECCLE. To apply a particular kind of service to the cable. (_See_ KECKLING.) CACHE. A hidden reservoir of provision (to secure it from bears) in Arctic travel. Also, a deposit of despatches, &c. CADE. A small barrel of about 500 herrings, or 1000 sprats. CADENCE. The uniform time and space for marching, more indispensable 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 experience, waits for preferment; a designation, recently introduced, for young gentlemen formerly rated volunteers of the first class. Properly, the younger son in French. CADGE, TO. To carry.--_Cadger_, a carrier. Kedge may be a corruption, as being carriable. CAESAR'S PENNY. The tip given by a recruiting sergeant. CAFFILA. _See_ KAFILA. CAGE. 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 burns; much used formerly by fishermen. CAGE-WROCK. An old term for a ship's upper works. CAIQUE, 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 architecture. It may have from one to ten or twelve rowers. CAIRBAN. A name in the Hebrides for the basking-shark. CAIRN. Piles of stones used as marks in surveying. CAISSON, OR 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, and in Russia, where they were known as _camels_ (which see). Caisson is also a vessel fitted with valves, 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. _Cucurbita_, a gourd abundant within the tropics, furnishing 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. _See_ RATTAN. CALANCA. A creek or cove on Italian and Spanish coasts. CALAVANCES [_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 Caesar." To calculate the ship's position, either from astronomical observations or rate of the log. CALENDAR. A distribution of time. (_See_ ALMANAC.) CALENDAR-TIME. 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 differs from a tongue, which is the same body kept fixed beneath the main floe. The iceberg 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, OR 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. [_Calfater_, Fr.; probably from _cale_, wedge, and _faire_, to make.] To wedge up an opening with any soft material, as oakum. [_Calafatear_, 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 armament represents. CALIPASH. The upper shell of a turtle. CALIPEE. The under shell of a turtle. CALIVER. A hand-gun or arquebuss; probably the old name of the matchlock or carabine, precursors of the modern fire-lock, 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 meals or duties by various strains, each of them appropriated to some particular purpose, such as hoisting, heaving, lowering, veering away, belaying, letting go a tackle-fall, sweeping, &c. 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, first, 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 westerly winds. CALVERED 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 pillars, 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 convenience 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 river. 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 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 Rotterdam about 1690. CAME-TO. Brought to an anchor. CAMFER. _See_ CHAMFER. CAMISADO. A sudden surprise or assault of the enemy. CAMOCK. A very early term for crooked timber. CAMP. The whole extent of ground on which an army pitches its tents and lodges. (_See_ DECAMP.) CAMP, OR 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 makeshift 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, OR CANASH. An inner port, as at Granada in the West Indies. CANAL-BOAT. A barge generally towed by horses, but furnished with a large square-sail for occasional use. CAN-BODIES. The old term for anchor-buoys, now can-buoys. CAN-BUOYS. Are in the form of a cone, and therefore would countenance 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; &c. 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 corner 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 (_Calamus rudentum_), 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 crustacea. The cables, too, resist any but the sharpest axes, when used to connect logs as booms, to stop the navigation of rivers. CANEVAS. 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 battery on board or on shore, and made either of brass or iron. The principal parts are:--1st. The breech, together with the cascable and its button, called by seamen the pommelion. 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_ GUN.) CANNONADE. 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. Armstrong, and others. CANNON ROYAL. A 60-pounder of eight and a half inches bore. (_See_ CARTHOUN.) CANNON-SERPENTINE. An old name for a gun of 7-inches bore. CANOE. 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 perpendicularly. 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. The lucida of Argo Navis, and a Greenwich 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 importance in modern times, so this, under the modern name of Abukeir, has received a new "stamp of fate," 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 stern-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.e._ for careening her. CANT. 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. CANTARA. 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. Also, a small chest containing utensils for an officer's messing. Also, a kind of sutling-house in garrisons. CANTERA. A Spanish fishing-boat. CANT-FALLS. _See_ SPIKE-TACKLE. CANT-HOOK. A lever with a hook at one end for heavy articles. CANTICK-QUOINS. 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. Synonymous 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 fast to the cant cut in the whale. (_See_ CANT-BLOCKS.) CANT-RIBBONS. Those ribbons that do not lie in a horizontal or level direction. CANT-ROPE. _See_ FOUR-CANT. CANT-SPAR. 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 stern-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 stern-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 is in motion by means of her sails she is said to be under canvas. CANVAS-BACK DUCK. An American wild duck (_Fuligula valisneria_), 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 aloft; hence Marina tells Leonine-- "And, clasping to a mast, endur'd a sea 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 fire-arms.--_Cap-a-pied_, armed from head to foot. CAP, TO. To puzzle or beat in argument. To salute by touching the head-covering, as Shakspeare makes Iago'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 _Novels_.) 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 Good 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_ FOG.) CAPE-HEN. _See_ MOLLY-MAWK. CAPELLA. The lucida of Auriga, and a nautical star. CAPE-MERCHANT [_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 _Procellaria capensis_. (_See_ PINTADOS.) 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 imaginary 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 surrenders, agreed upon between the contending parties. CAPLIN, OR CAPELIN. A fish of the family _Clupeidae_, very similar to a smelt; frequently imported from Newfoundland dried. It is the general bait for cod-fish 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, as the besieger can hardly silence them till he has constructed batteries on the brink of the ditch. CAPOTE. A good storm-coat with a hood, much worn in the Levant, and made of a special manufacture. CAPPANUS. The worm which adheres to, and gnaws the bottom of a ship, to prevent which all ships should be sheathed with copper. CAPPED. A ship making against a race or very strong currents. CAPRICORNUS. The tenth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the 21st of December, and opens the winter solstice. CAP-SCUTTLE. A framing composed of coamings and head-ledges raised above the deck, with a top which shuts closely over into a rabbet. CAP-SHORE. A supporting spar between the cap and the trestle-tree. CAPSIZE, TO. To upset or overturn anything. CAP-SQUARE. The clamp of iron which shuts over the trunnions of a gun to secure them to the carriage, having a curve to receive one-third part of the trunnion, the other two being sunk in the carriage; it is closed by forelocks. CAPSTAN, CABESTAN, CAPSTERN, CAPSTON, &c. A mechanical arrangement for lifting great weights. There is a variety of capsterns, but they agree in having a horizontal circular head, which has square holes around its edge, and in these long bars are shipped, and are said to be "swifted" when their outer ends are traced together; beneath is a perpendicular barrel, round which is wrapped the rope or chain used to lift the anchor or other great weight, even to the heaving a ship off a shoal. Now, in most ships where a capstern is used to lift the anchor, the chain cable is itself brought to the capstern. The purchase or lifting power is gained by the great sweep of the bars. A perpendicular iron spindle passes through the whole capstern, and is stepped into a socket on the deck below the one on which it stands. In some cases capsterns are double in height, so that bars may be worked on two decks, giving more room for the men. CAPSTAN, TO COME UP THE. In one sense is to lift the pauls and walk back, or turn the capstan the contrary way, thereby slackening, or letting out some of the rope on which they have been heaving. The sudden order would be obeyed by surging, or letting go any rope on which they were heaving. Synonymous to "Come up the purchase." CAPSTAN, TO HEAVE AT THE. To urge it round, by pushing against the bars, as already described. CAPSTAN, TO MAN THE. To place the sailors at it in readiness to heave. CAPSTAN, TO PAUL THE. To drop all the pauls into their sockets, to prevent the capstan from recoiling during any pause of heaving. CAPSTAN, TO RIG THE. To fix the bars in their respective holes, thrust in the pins to confine them, and reeve the swifter through the ends. CAPSTAN, SURGE THE. Is the order to slacken the rope which is wound round the barrel while heaving, to prevent it from riding or fouling. This term specially applies to surging the messenger when it rides, or when the two lashing eyes foul on the whelps or the barrel. CAPSTAN-BAR PINS. Pins inserted through their ends to prevent their unshipping. CAPSTAN-BARRING. An obsolete sea-punishment, in which the offender was sentenced to carry a capstan-bar during a watch. CAPSTAN-BARS. Long pieces of wood of the best ash or hickory, one end of which is thrust into the square holes in the drumhead, like the spokes of a wheel. They are used to heave the capstan round, by the men setting their hands and chests against them, and walking round. They are also held in their places in the drumhead holes, by little iron bolts called capstan or safety pins, to prevent their flying out when the surging overcomes the force of the men. Many men have been killed by this action, and more by the omission to "pin and swift." CAPSTAN-ROOM. _See_ ROOM. CAPSTAN-STEP. (_See_ STEP OF THE CAPSTAN.) The men march round to the tune of a fiddle or fife, and the phrase of excitement is, "Step out, lads, make your feet tell." CAPSTAN-SWIFTER. A rope passed horizontally through notches in the outer ends of the bars, and drawn very tight: the intent is to steady the men as they walk round when the ship rolls, and to give room for a greater number to assist, by manning the swifters both within and without. CAPTAIN. This title is said to be derived from the eastern military magistrate _katapan_, meaning "over everything;" but the term _capitano_ was in use among the Italians nearly 200 years before Basilius II. appointed his katapan of Apulia and Calabria, A.D. 984. Hence, the corruption of the Apulian province into _capitanata_. Among the Anglo-Saxons the captain was _schipp-hlaford_, or ship's lord. The captain, strictly speaking, is the officer commanding a line-of-battle ship, or a frigate carrying twenty or more cannon. A captain in the royal navy is answerable for any bad conduct in the military government, navigation, and equipment of his ship; also for any neglect of duty in his inferior officers, whose several charges he is appointed to regulate. It is also a title, though incorrectly, given to the masters of all vessels whatever, they having no commissions. It is also applied in the navy itself to the chief sailor of particular gangs of men; in rank, captain of the forecastle, admiral's coxswain, captain's coxswain, captain of the hold, captain of main-top, captain of fore-top, &c. CAPTAIN. A name given to the crooner, crowner, or gray gurnard (_Trigla gurnardus_). CAPTAIN OF A MERCHANT SHIP. Is a certificated officer in the mercantile marine, intrusted with the entire charge of a ship, both as regards 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 OF A SHIP OF WAR. 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 appointment; he is entitled to be considered as a flag-officer, and to a share in the prize-money accordingly. He carries out all orders 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_ PORT-CAPTAIN.) 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." CAPTAIN'S GIG. _See_ GIG. 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-country word, denoting any swampy land surrounded by inclosures, and occasionally under water. CARABINEER. One who uses the carbine. CARACK, CARRAK, OR CARRICK. A large ship of burden, the same with those called galleons. Hippus, the Tyrian, 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. CARAMOUSSAL. A Turkish merchant ship with a pink-stern. 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-sterned vessel of the Azores. CARBASSE. _See_ KARBATZ. 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 flaming composition of saltpetre, sulphur, resin, turpentine, antimony, and tallow. It has three vents for the flame, 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. CARCATUS [from _caricato_, It.] A law-term for a freighted ship. CARD. The dial or face of the magnetic compass-card. "Reason the card, but passion is the gale."--_Pope._ Probably derived from _cardinal_. CARDINAL POINTS. The general 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 Capricornus. 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_ BREAMING.) 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 purpose 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, OR MALE HEMP. _See_ FIMBLE or FEMALE 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. CARLINES, OR CARLINGS. Pieces of timber about five inches square, lying fore and aft, along from one beam to another. On and athwart these the ledges rest, whereon the planks of the deck and other portions 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. CARLINO, OR CAROLINE. A small silver coin of Naples, value 4_d._ English. Ten carlini make a ducat in commerce. CARN-TANGLE. A long and large fucus, thrown on our northern beaches after a gale of wind in the offing. CAROUS. A sort of gallery in ancient ships, which turned on a pivot. It was hoisted to a given height by tackles, and thus brought to project over, or into, the vessel of an adversary, furnishing a bridge for boarding. CARP. A well-known fresh-water fish of the Cyprinidae family, considered to have been introduced into England in the time of Henry VIII.; but in Dame Berner's book on angling, published in 1486, it is described as the "daynteous fysshe" in England. CARPENTER, SHIP. A ship-builder. An officer appointed to examine and keep in order the hull of a ship, and all her appurtenances, likewise 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 carpenter's mates and one caulker, one blacksmith, and 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 in. CARPENTER'S YEOMAN. _See_ 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 declared "highly meritorious and distinguished." CARR. _See_ CAR. 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. CARRARA. The great northern diver, _Colymbus glacialis_. CARREE. A Manx or Gaelic term for the scud or small clouds that drive with the wind. CARRIAGE OF A GUN. The frame on which it is mounted for firing, constructed either exclusively 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 breech. 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 from 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 from 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 AND CARRY, as relating to hammocks.) Also, to obtain possession of a fort or place by force. Also, the direction or movement of the clouds. Also, a gun is said to carry its shot so many yards. Also, a ship carries her canvas, and her cargo. CARRY AWAY, TO. To break; as, "That ship has carried away her fore-topmast," _i.e._ has broken it off. 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 BLANCHE. 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 exchange of prisoners. In late wars, ships of war fully armed, but under cartel, carried commissions for settling peace, as flags of truce. Cartel-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 8-1/2 inches diameter of bore. CARTOUCH-BOX. The accoutrement which contains the musket-cartridges: now generally called a pouch. CARTOW. _See_ CART-PIECE. CART-PIECE. 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 safe conveyance from the magazine to the gun--borne to and fro by powder-monkeys (boys) of old. The term is loosely applied to the ammunition pouch. CARUEL. _See_ CARVEL. 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_ MOTHER CARY'S CHICKEN. _Procellaria 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. CASCADE. A fall of water from a considerable height, rather by successive 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 register 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 loop-holes to contribute to the defence of the place: without these it would be merely a bomb-proof. CASERNES. Often considered as synonymous with _barracks_; 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 _shrapnel shell_ (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. CASING. The lining, veneering, or planking over a ship'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-COVER. In the marine steam-engine is a steam-tight opening 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, OR CASSADA. A species of the genus _Jatropha 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 frothy saliva. CAST. A coast term meaning four, as applied to haddocks, herrings, &c. Also, the appearance of the sky when day begins to break. A cast of pots, &c.--_A'cast_, when a ship's yards are braced a'cast preparatory to weighing. Also condemned, cast by survey, &c. CAST, TO. To fall off, so as to bring the direction of the wind on one side of the ship, which before was right ahead. This term is particularly applied to a ship riding head to wind, when her anchor first loosens from the ground. To pay a vessel's head off, 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 cast 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 distances 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. Sea-sickness. CAST-KNEES. Those hanging knees which compass or arch over the angle of a man-of-war's ports, rider, &c. CASTLE. A place strong by art or nature, or by both. A sort of little citadel. (_See_ FORECASTLE, AFT-CASTLE, &c.) CASTLE-WRIGHTS. Particular artificers employed in the erection of the early ship's castles. CAST-OFFS. Landsmen's clothes. CAST OF THE LEAD. The act of heaving the lead into the sea to ascertain what depth of water there is. (_See also_ HEAVE THE LEAD and SOUNDING.) 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. Fiery balls which appear at the mast-heads, yard-arms, or sticking to the rigging of vessels in a gale at sea. (_See_ COMPASANT and CORPOSANT.) CASTRAMETATION. 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_ WRONG WAY. CASUALTIES. In a military sense, comprehends all men who die, are wounded, desert, or are discharged as unfit for service. 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 stern, projecting quarters, a deep waist, and no ornamental figure on the prow. CATALAN. A small Spanish fishing-boat. CATAMARAN. A sort of raft 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 preferred for their construction is the _Dup_ wood, or _Cherne-Maram_, the pine varnish-tree. Their length is from 20 to 25 feet, and breadth 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 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. The 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 out-rigger 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 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 fresh-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 beak-head 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 prevent 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 person who takes charge of and regulates the economy of a mess. (_See_ ACATER.) 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 (_Anarrhicas lupus_). CAT-GUT. A term applied to the sea-laces or _Fucus filum_. (_See_ SEA-CATGUT.) CAT-HARPINGS, OR 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-HEAD. 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 to lift the anchor from the surface of the water, but as it "looks forward," the cat-block is frequently lashed to the cable to aid by 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 by 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 fasts 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 O' 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 beam, impelled by sixteen oars. CAT-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-aft 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 forerunner 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 both. 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, OR CATHEAD-STOPPER. 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. A strong tackle, used to draw the anchor perpendicularly 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-head, 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, sea-sickness. CATTY. A Chinese commercial weight of 18 ozs. English. Tea is packed in one or two or more catty boxes, hence most likely our word tea-caddy. CAUDAL FIN. The vertical median fin terminating the tail of fishes. CAUDICARIAE. A kind of lighter used by the Romans on the Tiber. CAUL. The membrane encompassing the head of some infants when born, and from 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 modern voyagers. Also, a northern name for a dam-dike. Also, an oriental license. (_See_ KAULE.) CAULK, TO. (_See_ CAULKING.) To lie down on deck and sleep, with clothes on. CAULKER. He who caulks and pays the seams. This word is mistaken 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 Phaeacia, afterwards called Corfu. Wax and rosin appear to have been 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. CAURY. Worm-eaten. CAVALIER. In fortification, a work raised considerably higher than its neighbours, but generally of similar plan. Its object is to afford 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. CAVALLO, by some CARVALHAS. An oceanic fish, well-known as the bonito or horse-mackerel. CAVALOT. A gun carrying a ball of one pound. CAVALRY. That body of soldiers which serves and fights on horseback. CAVER. _See_ KAVER. CAVIARE. A preparation of the roe of sturgeons and other fish salted. It forms a lucrative branch of commerce in Italy and Russia. CAVIL. A large cleat for belaying the fore and main tacks, sheets, and braces to. (_See_ KEVELS.) CAVITY. In naval architecture signifies the displacement formed in the water by the immersed bottom and sides of the vessel. CAWE, OR 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 spirits taken in the morning. CAY, OR CAYOS. Little insulated sandy spots and rocks. The Spaniards in the West Indies called the Bahamas _Los Cayos_, which we wrote _Lucayos_. (_See_ KEY.) CAZE-MATTE. _See_ CASEMATE. CAZERNS. _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 FIRING. The order to leave off. CEILING. The lining or planks on the inside of a ship's frame: these are placed on the flat of the floor, and carried up to the hold-beams. The term is a synonym of _foot-waling_ (which see). CELLS. _See_ SILLS. CELOCES, OR CELETES. Light row-boats, formerly used in piracy, and also for conveying advice. CEMENT, ROMAN. For docks, piers, &c. _See_ POZZOLANA. CENTIME. _See_ FRANC. CENTINEL. _See_ SENTINEL. CENTRAL ECLIPSE. _See_ ECLIPSE. 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 OF CAVITY, OF DISPLACEMENT, OF IMMERSION, AND OF BUOYANCY, are synonymous 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 OF). CENTURION. A military officer who commanded one hundred men, in the Roman armies. CEOLA. A very old term for a large ship. CERADENE. A large fresh-water mussel. CERCURI. Ancient ships of burden fitted with both sails and oars. CERTIFICATE. 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 Hesychius, "in 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.--_Chafing-gear_, 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-yarn, strands, battens, scotchmen, 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 shrouds. Also, the bolts which fasten the channel-plates to the ship's side. CHAIN-CABLE COMPRESSOR. A curved arm of iron which revolves on a bolt through an eye at one end, at the other is a larger eye in which a tackle is hooked; it is used to bind the cable against the pipe through which it is passing, and check it from running out too quickly. CHAIN-CABLE CONTROLLER. A contrivance for the prevention of one part of the chain riding on another while heaving in. CHAIN-CABLES. Are not new; Caesar 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 emergency; at each 7-1/2 fathoms 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 handling-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 CHAIN-WALES, or CHANNELS. 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 out-rig or spread, free from the top-sides 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. They are now discontinued 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 the chains_, applies to the leadsman who stands on the channels between two shrouds to heave the hand-lead. CHAIN-SHOT. Two balls 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. CHALDERS. Synonymous with _gudgeons_ of the rudder. CHALDRICK. An Orkney name for the sea-pie (_Haematopus ostralegus_). CHALDRON. A measure of coals, consisting of 36 bushels; a cubic yard = 19 cwts. 19 lbs. CHALINK. A kind of Massoolah boat. CHALK, TO. To cut.--_To walk one's 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:" wagers were sometimes determined by he who could reach furthest or highest, and there make a chalk-mark.--_Long chalks_, great odds. CHALLENGE. The demand of a sentinel to any one who approaches his post. Also, the defiance to fight. CHAMADE. 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 _paterero_, to put into the breech of a gun prepared for it. (_See_ MURDERER.) Used by the Chinese, as in _gingals_ (which see). CHAMBER OF A MINE. The seat or receptacle prepared for the powder-charge, 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, &c., to increase the force of explosion. CHAMBER OF A PIECE OF ORDNANCE. The end of the bore modified to receive the charge of powder. In mortars, howitzers, and shell-guns, 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 our 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. Patereroes for festive occasions are sometimes called chambers; as the small mortars, formerly used for firing 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. CHAMFER. The cutting or taking off a sharp edge or angle from a plank or timber. It is also called camfering. 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 IV., and Victoria, by a naval officer, a middy in 1821. CHANCERY, IN. When a ship gets into irons. (_See_ IRONS.) 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 fair-way, 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_ CHAIN-PLATES. CHANNEL-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-plates. The wale-plank extends fore and aft to support the channels. CHANTICLEER. A name in the Frith of Forth for the dragonet or gowdie (_Callionymus lyra_). The early or vigilant cock, from which several 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. CHAPE. 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 super-cargo. CHAR. A fine species of trout taken in our northern lakes. CHARACTERS. Certain marks invented for shortening the expression of mathematical calculations, as +, -, x, /, =, : :: :, [sq], &c. CHARGE. 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 quantity 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 ship 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-SLOOPS. 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 commanders 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, OR SEA-CHART. A hydrographical map, or a projection of some part of the earth's superficies _in plano_, for the use of navigators, further distinguished as plane-charts, Mercator's charts, globular charts, and the bottle or current chart, to aid in the investigation of surface currents (all which see). A selenographic chart represents the moon, especially as seen by the aid of photography and Mr. De la Rue's arrangement. CHARTER. 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 company. A _general_ ship is where persons, unconnected, load goods. CHARTERER. The person hiring or chartering a ship, or the government or a company by their agents. CHARTER-PARTY. The deed or written contract between the owners and the merchants 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 cargo. 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, though 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 stern chase_ is when the chaser follows the chased astern, directly upon the same point of the compass.--_To lie with a ship's fore-foot 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 stern chase. Chasing 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 extending 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 stern of a war-ship. CHASER. The ship which is pursuing another. CHASE-SIGHT. Where the sight is usually 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 top-sail; the hull being bluffer when used for burden only, are thus distinguished from 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 sometimes used for cooking. CHAW. _See_ QUID. CHEATING THE DEVIL. Softenings of very profane phrases, the mere euphemisms of hard swearing, as _od rot it_, _od's blood_, _dash it_, _dang you_, _see you blowed first_, _deuce take it_, _by gosh_, _be darned_, and the like profane preludes, such as boatswains and their mates are wont to use. CHEAT THE GLASS. _See_ FLOGGING THE GLASS. CHEBACCO BOAT. A description of fishing-vessel employed in the Newfoundland fisheries. It is probably named from Chebucto Bay. CHECK. (_See_ BOWLINE.) 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, which 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 cable.--_Check 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 lift 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-carriage. (_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. CHEEKS, OR CHEEK-KNEES. Pieces of compass-timber on the 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. Also, the circular pieces on the aft-side of the carrick-bitts. CHEEKS OF AN EMBRASURE. The interior faces or sides of an embrasure. 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, immediately rest. (_See_ HOUNDS and BIBBS.) 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 animate. (_See also_ HEARTY and MAN SHIP!) CHEERING. The result of an animated excitement in action, which often incites to valour. Also, practised on ships parting at sea, on joining an admiral, &c. 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. CHELYNGE. 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^d. 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 false musters, the penalty of which is cashiering. CHEQUERED SIDES. Those painted so as to show all 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 Frith of Tay. CHESIL. From the Anglo-Saxon word _ceosl_, still used for a bank or 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 top-side 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, restored and established by an order in council of Queen Elizabeth, in 1590, supported by a contribution from each seaman and apprentice, according to the amount of his wages, for the wounded and hurt seamen of the royal navy, under the name of smart-money. CHEST-ROPE. 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, _i.e._ from swinging to and fro. (_See_ GUESS-WARP.) CHEVAUX DE FRISE. 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-turn. CHEVENDER. An old name for the chevin or chub. CHEVILS. _See_ KEVELS. CHEVIN. An old name for the chub. CHEVRON. 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 OR PITCH. When a ship suffers leakage from inefficient caulking. (_See_ SEAM.) CHEZ-VOUS. A kind of "All Souls" night in Bengal, when meats and fruits are placed in every corner of a native's house. Hence _shevoe_, for a ship-gala. CHICO [Sp. for small].--_Boca-chica_, small mouth of a river. CHIEF. _See_ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. A common abbreviation. CHIEF MATE, OR CHIEF OFFICER. The next to a commander in a merchantman, and who, in the absence of the latter, acts as his deputy. CHIGRE, CHAGOE, CHIGGRE, OR JIGGER. 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, _i.e._ 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; though in the attack of iron war vessels, where the demolishment of guns, carriages, machinery, turrets, &c., 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. CHIME. _See_ CHINE. CHIME IN, TO. To join a mess meal or treat. To chime in to a chorus or song. CHINCKLE. A small bight in a line. CHINE. The backbone of a cliff, from the backbones of animals; a name given in the Isle of Wight, as Black Gang Chine, and along the coasts of Hampshire. Also, that part of the water-way 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 run free. CHINE AND CHINE. Casks stowed end to end. CHINED. Timber or plank slightly hollowed out. CHINGLE. Gravel. (_See_ SHINGLE.) CHINGUERITO. A hot and dangerous sort of white corn 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-IRON. 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.--_Chip of the old block_, a son like his father. CHIRURGEON. [Fr.] 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. CHIULES. The Saxon ships so called. CHIVEY. A knife. 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-CHOCKS.)--_Chock of 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 excavation 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 stern-way, when tiller-ropes break, &c.--_To chock_, is to put a wedge under anything to prevent its rolling. (_See_ CHUCK.) CHOCK-A-BLOCK, OR CHOCK AND BLOCK. Is the same with _block-a-block_ and _two-blocks_ (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-FULL, CHOCK-HOME, CHOCK-UP, &c. Denote as far aft, full, home, up, &c., as possible, or that which fits closely to one another. CHOCK-CHANNELS. Those filled in with wood between the chain-plates, according to a plan introduced by Captain Couch, R.N. CHOCOLATE-GALE. A brisk N.W. wind of the West Indies and Spanish main. CHOGSET. _See_ BURGALL. 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 fall 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. Familiarly said of having a meal to assuage hunger; to be silenced. CHOKEY. An East Indian guard-house and prison. CHOMMERY. _See_ CHASSE MAREES, 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, OR 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 _cockling 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 _chou-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 cod-fish, 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-FISHER'S CREW.) Chowder is a fish-seller in the western counties. CHOWDER-HEADED. Stupid, or batter-brained. CHRISTIAN. A gold Danish coin, value in England from 16_s._ to 16_s._ 4_d._ 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. 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.) CHRUIN. A Gaelic term for masts.--_Chruin-spreie_, the bowsprit. CHUB. The _Leuciscus cephalus_, a fresh-water fish. CHUCK. A sea-shell. Nickname for a boatswain, "Old chucks." Also, an old word signifying large chips of wood. CHUCKLE-HEADED. Clownishly 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. CHUNK. A coarse slice of meat or bread; more properly _junk_. Also, the negro term for lumps of firewood. CHUNTOCK. A powerful dignitary among the Chinese. (_See_ JANTOOK.) 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). Generally pronounced by sailors _sell_, as the port-sell. CINGLE [from _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 British 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 Winchelsea, Rye, and Seaford. These places were honoured with peculiar immunities and privileges, 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 court, 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 unimpeached. It is a singular fact that it has never been legally determined whether the Downs and adjacent roadsteads are included in the limits of the Cinque Ports. All derelicts found without the limits by Cinque Port vessels are droits of admiralty. This organization was nearly broken up in the late state reforms, but the Lord Warden still possesses some power and jurisdiction. CIPHERING. A term in carpentry. (_See_ SYPHERED.) CIRCLE. A plane figure bounded by a line called the circumference, everywhere equally distant from a point within it, called 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, GREAT, LESSER, AZIMUTH, VERTICAL (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 fronting 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 multivalve shell, and have long ciliated curled tentacles, whence their name (_curl-footed_). The barnacles (_Lepas_) and the acorn-shells (_Balanus_) are familiar examples. CIRRO-CUMULUS. This, the _sonder-cloud_, 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:-- "A mack'rel sky and mares'-tails Make lofty ships carry low sails." CIRRO-STRATUS. Is the stratus of the upper regions of the atmosphere, 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 CIRRO-CUMULUS); otherwise the curl-cloud. CISCO. A fish of the herring kind, of which thousands of barrels are annually taken and salted in Lake Ontario. CISTERN. A reservoir for water placed in different parts of a ship, where a constant supply may be required. Also furnished with a leaden pipe, which goes through the ship's side, whereby it is occasionally filled with sea-water, and which is thence pumped up to wash the decks, &c. CITADEL. A fortified work of superior strength, and dominating everything else, generally separated therefrom by an open space of glacis or esplanade; often useful against domestic as well as foreign enemies. CIVIL BRANCH. That department executed by civilians, as contradistinguished from the army 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 fair, according to the informality, or justice, of their claims. CLAKE. A name for the barnacle-goose (_Anser bernicla_). Also, for the _Lepas anatifera_, a cirriped often found attached to vessels or timber by a long fleshy peduncle, sometimes 4 or 5 feet in length. CLAM. A well-known bivalve shell-fish. "As happy as a clam at high-water," a figurative expression for otiose comfort. CLAMBER. To climb; 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 fayed to all the timbers, to which they are fastened by nails 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 forelocked 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 clamp_, is to unite two bodies by surfaces or circular plates.--_Clamped_, 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. Also, a kind of forceps used for bringing up specimens of the bottom in sounding; a drag. (_See_ CLAM.) CLANG. The rattling or clashing of arms. CLAP-BOARD [German, _klapp-bord_]. An east-country 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 contradistinction 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," _i.e._ 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 clap 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_ SPAR-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 from it to avoid shipwreck. It is generally used when getting to windward is difficult. CLAYMORE. 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 fishermen on the banks of the Severn. CLEAN. Free from danger, as clean coast, clean harbour; in general parlance means quite, entirely. So Shakspeare represents AEgeon "Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia." Also, applied to a ship's hull with a fine run fore and aft.--_Clean entrance_, clean run.--_To clean a ship's bottom._ (_See_ BREAMING and HOG.) CLEAN BILL. (_See_ BILL OF HEALTH.) When all are in health. CLEAN DONE. Quite. In a seamanlike manner; purpose well effected; adroitly tricked. (_See_ WEATHERED.) CLEAN-FISH. On the northern coasts, a salmon perfectly in season. CLEAN-FULL. Keeping the sail full, 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 conduct. Also, any performance without stop or hindrance, off-hand. CLEAN SHIP. A whale-ship unfortunate in her trip, having no fish or oil. CLEAR. Is variously applied, to weather, sea-coasts, cordage, navigation, &c., as opposed to foggy, to dangerous, to entangled. It is usually opposed to _foul_ in all these senses. CLEAR, TO. Has several significations, particularly to escape from, to unload, to empty, to prepare, &c., as:--_To clear for action._ To prepare for action.--_To clear away_ for this or that, is to get obstructions out of the way.--_To clear 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 clear goods._ To pay the custom-house dues and duties.--_To clear the land._ To escape from the land.--_To clear a lighter, or the hold._ To empty either. CLEARANCE. 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 LIGHTERS. All vessels pertaining to public departments should be cleared with the utmost despatch. CLEAR THE PENDANT. _See_ UP AND CLEAR THE PENDANT. 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 large cleats under the trucks of the lower-deckers in bad weather, to insure their not fetching way. CLEATS, OR CLEETS. 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-cleat. Also, small wedges of wood fastened 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, &c. 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. 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_ ROVE and CLENCH.) CLEP. 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. CLEUGH. A precipice, a cliff. Also, a ravine or cleft. 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 _cleof_]. A precipitous termination of the land, whatever be the soil. (_See_ CRAG.) CLIMATE. 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 end 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 under the tier beams (where it was unlawfully, as regards the custom 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 fast. (_See_ CLENCH.) CLINCH A BUSINESS, TO. To finish 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 yarn: synonymous with _capping_. CLINCHER OR CLINKER BUILT. Made of clincher-work, by the planks lapping one over the other. The contrary of _carvel-work_. Iron ships after this fashion are distinguished as being _lap-jointed_. CLINCHER-NAILS. Those which are of malleable metal, as copper, wrought iron, &c., which clinch by turning back the points in rough-built fir boats where roofs and clinching are thus avoided. CLINCHER-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, _clinker-work_. CLIPHOOK. A hook employed for some of the ends of the running 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; rakish. CLIVE. An old spelling of _cliff_. CLOCK-CALM. When not a breath of wind ruffles the water. CLOCK-STARS. A name for the nautical stars, which, from their positions having been very exactly ascertained, are used for determining 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 rabbeted, and fayed close, whence they 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 labour 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 contrary 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-aft rigged vessels will sail even nearer. This point of sailing is synonymous with _on a taut bowline_ and _on a wind_. CLOSE PACK. The ice floes so jammed together that boring is impossible, and present efforts useless. (_See_ PACK-ICE.) CLOSE-PORTS. Those which lie up rivers; a term in contradistinction to _out-ports_. CLOSE-QUARTERS, OR CLOSE-FIGHTS. Certain strong bulk-heads or barriers of wood, formerly stretching across a merchant ship in several places; they were used for retreat and shelter when a ship was boarded by an adversary, and were therefore fitted with loop-holes. 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 reefs 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 bowline_, or _close by 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 wind_, 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 _klos_]. 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 cleave_, and signifying a narrow valley between two hills. (_See_ CLEUGH.) Also, in commerce, an allowance on the turn of the beam in weighing. CLOUT. From the Teutonic _kotzen_, 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 gun-carriage that comes through the nave, and through which the linch-pin goes. CLOVE-HITCH. A knot or noose by which one rope is fastened to another. (_See_ HITCH.) Two half hitches round a spar or rope. CLOVE-HOOK. Synonymous with _clasp-hook_. CLOVES. Planks made by cleaving. Certain weights for wool, butter, &c. Also, long spike-nails [derived from _clou_, 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_ NAILING and SPIKING.) CLUBBED. A fashion 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. Man[oe]uvring so as to place the first division on the windward side. CLUBBOCK. The spotted blenny or gunnel (_Gunnellus 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. _Magnificent_, 74, in Basque Roads, in 1814, when with lower-yards and top-masts 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 corners 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-GARNETS. 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_ BLOCK.) 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 corners of the sails, and by which the sails are hauled or clued up for furling. CLUE OF A HAMMOCK. The combination of small lines by which it is suspended, being formed of knittles, grommets, and laniards; they are termed double or single clues, according as there are one or two at each end. Latterly 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 clues_, 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 clue to earing._ A phrase implying 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 clue up._ A case of despair. In readiness for death. CLUE-ROPE. In 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-AND-SHEET.) CLUSTER. _See_ GROUP. CLUTCH. The oyster spawn adhering to stones, oyster shells, &c. 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 aftmost 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. COAD. In ship-building, the fayed piece called _bilge-keel_. COAK. A small perforated triangular bit of brass inserted into the middle of the shiver (now called _sheave_) of a block, to keep it from splitting and galling by the pin, whereon it turns. Called also _bush_, _cock_ or _cogg_, and _dowel_. COAKING. Uniting 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 _Gadus carbonarius_. Called _gerrack_ in its first year, _cuth_ or _queth_ in its second, _sayth_ in its third, _lythe_ in its fourth, and _colmie_ in its fifth, when it is full grown. COALING. Taking in a supply of coals for a cruise or voyage. COALS. To be hauled over the coals, 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-TRIMMER. 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 jurisdiction of the Customs, termed Preventive Service, offering a disposable 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_ FENCIBLES.) COASTER. _See_ COASTING. COASTING, OR TO COAST ALONG. The act of making a progress along the sea-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 Kingdom 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 _storm-signal_; formerly fire-beacons were used to give warning of the approach of an enemy. COAT. A piece of tarred canvas nailed round above the partners, or that 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 Regis, 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 _cobbing-board_. 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, &c. COBBLER. An armourer's rasp. COBBO. The small fish known as the miller's thumb. COBLE. A low flat-floored boat with a square stern, 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 furnished with a lug-sail; it is admirably constructed for encountering a heavy swell. Its stability 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, &c. COCKADE. First worn by St. Louis on his unfortunate crusade. COCK-A-HOOP. In full confidence, and high spirits. COCKANDY. A name on our northern shores for the puffin, otherwise called _Tom Noddy_ (_Fratercula 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-cockbill 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 see). 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-papers.--_Cocket bread._ Hard sea-biscuit. COCK-PADDLE. A name of the paddle or lump-fish (_Cyclopterus 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 hatchway, and under the lower gun-deck. The midshipmen 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 ships, and during war time, the boatswain and carpenter generally had their cabins in the fore cockpit, instead of being under the forecastle. COCKPITARIAN. A midshipman or master's mate; so called from messing in the cockpit 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 cocos_ yields _toddy_; the nut, a valuable oil and milky juice; the stem, bark, branches, &c., also serve numerous purposes. (_See_ PALMETTO.) COD. The centre of a deep bay. The bay of a trawl or seine. Also, the _Gadus 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_ LING.) COD-BAIT. The large sea-worm or lug, dug from the wet sands. The squid or cuttle, herrings, caplin, any meat, or even a false fish of bright tin or pewter. (_See_ JIG.) CODDY-MODDY. A gull in its first year's 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 Newfoundland, and remains fishing until full, or driven off by stress of weather. Season from June until October. (_See_ FISHERIES.) CODGER. An easy-going man of regularity. Also, a knowing and eccentric hanger-on; one who will not move faster than he pleases. COD-LINE. 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 after the Dutch engineer who invented it. It is the smallest piece of ordnance in the service, having a bore of 4-1/2 inches diameter, a length of 1 foot, and a weight of 3/4 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 coffer-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.) COGGE. An Anglo-Saxon word for a cock-boat or light yawl, being thus mentioned in _Morte Arthure_-- "Then he covers his cogge, and caches one ankere." But coggo, as enumerated in an ordinance of parliament (_temp._ Rich. II.), seems to have been a vessel of burden used to carry troops. COGGE-WARE. Goods carried in a cogge. COGGLE, OR COG. 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 _windlass-cogs_, _capstan-cogs_, &c. COGUING THE NOSE. Making comfortable over hot negus or grog. COIGN. _See_ QUOIN. 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. They are laid up round, one fake over another, or by concentric turns, termed _Flemish coil_, forming but one tier, and lying flat on the deck, the end being in the middle of it, as a snake or worm coils itself. 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 a _fake_, and one range of _fakes_ 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 disagreeable 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 _Borassus 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 deg. COLD-CHISEL. A stout chisel made of steel, used for cutting iron when it is cold. COLD-EEL. The _Gymnotus electricus_. COLE [from the German _kohl_]. Colewort or sea-kale; a plant in its wild state peculiar to the sea-coast. COLE-GOOSE. A name for the cormorant (_Phalacrocorax carbo_). 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 _Twelfth Night_, makes Sir Toby exclaim, "Hang him, foul collier!" The evil genius has lately introduced steam screw-vessels into this invaluable school. 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_ RUNNING-DOWN CLAUSE. COLLOP. A cut from a joint of meat. "Scotch collops." COLMIE. A fifth-year or full-grown coal-fish; 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. COLONNATI. The Spanish pillared 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 narrow front, so disposed as to move in regular succession. COLURES. Great circles passing through the equinoctial and solstitial points, and the poles of the earth. COMB. 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. COMBATANTS. Men, or bodies of troops, engaged in battle with each other. COMBE. _See_ COOMB 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 CAT. The boatswain, or other operator, running his fingers through the cat o' nine tails, to separate them. COMBINGS. _See_ COAMINGS. COMBING SEA. A rolling and crested wave. COMBUSTION. Burning, &c. (_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 board, 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 _come up with_ or overhaul a vessel chased.--_Come 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 tackle-fall._ Is to let go.--_To come up_, in ship-building, is to cast loose the forelocks 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 man[oe]uvring.--_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. Generally, 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, garrison, fort, or regiment. 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 commander is binding upon the interests of all under him, and he is alone responsible for costs and damages: he may act erroneously, and abandon what might have turned out good prize to himself and crew.--_Commander_ is also the name of a large wooden mallet used specially in the sail and rigging lofts, as anything of metal would injure the ropes or canvas. COMMANDER-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 _pre_-emption, a right of purchase upon reasonable terms, but previously liable to confiscation (Robinson). _Commeatus_, 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 corn, still termed _annona_, and the tribute and spoils of conquered countries. COMMERCIAL CODE OF SIGNALS. As Marryat's and others. 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 the 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-derelict, collision, &c., at sea beyond the county limits, even as relates to ships of war if in fault. COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS. The board of management of the customs department of the public revenue. COMMISSIONERS OF 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 immediately concerned in the building, docking, and repairing of ships in the dockyards; 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 an admiral dies in command, the senior captain hoists a first-class broad pennant, and appoints a captain, secretary, and flag-lieutenant, fulfils the duties of a rear-admiral, and wears the uniform. Commodores of the second class have no captain or pennant-lieutenant. A commodore rates with brigadier-generals, according 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 vessels, 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 _comendador_. COMMUNICATION. Corresponding by letter, hail, or signal. (_See_ LINE OF 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 staircase 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. 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 ladder-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_ RANK. COMPARISON WATCH. The job-watch for taking an observation, compared before and after with the chronometer. COMPARTMENT BULK-HEADS. 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 strengthening 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. _Terror_, 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 santo_, a ball of electric light observed flickering 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 degrees--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 lubber's point, a dark line inside the box. (_See_ ADJUSTMENT OF THE COMPASS.) COMPASS, TO. To curve; also to obtain one's object. COMPASSING. (_See_ COMPASS-TIMBERS.) COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES. Grants are made on the compassionate 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 centre-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 prize-master, 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_ MAGNETIC 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 deg. (_See_ CO-LATITUDE.) COMPLEMENT OF LONGITUDE. _See_ SUPPLEMENT OF LONGITUDE. COMPLETE BOOK. A book which contains the names and particulars 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 sheathing, 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. COMPRESSOR-STOPPER. A contrivance for holding the chain-cable by compression. COMPROMISE. The mutual agreement of a party or parties at difference, 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_ CONTROLLER.) COMPTROLLER OF THE NAVY. Formerly the chief commissioner of the navy board, at which he presided. COMRADE. A barrack term for a fellow-soldier, serving in the same company. CONCEALMENT, OR SUPPRESSIO VERI. 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, &c., in fogs: a _strombus_, _triton_, or sometimes a _murex_. 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, &c. CONDENSER. The chamber of a marine engine, where the steam, after 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 on the ship's books, the date of their being sent, and the nature of their ailment. CONDUCT-MONEY. A sum advanced to defray the travelling expenses of volunteers, and of soldiers and sailors to their quarters and ships. (_See_ SAFE-CONDUCT.) CONDUCTOR. A thick metal wire, generally 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 conveying 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 cone. CONE-BUOY. _See_ CAN-BUOYS. CONEY-FISH. A name of the burbot. CONFIGURATION. The relative 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 favour save for exceptional occasions. CONICAL TOPS OF MOUNTAINS not unfrequently indicate their nature: the truncated sugar-loaf form is generally assumed by volcanoes, though the same is occasionally met with in other mountains. CONIC SECTIONS. The curved lines and plane figures which are produced by the intersection of a plane with a cone. CONJEE. Gruel made of rice. CONJUGATE AXIS. The secondary diameter of an ellipse, perpendicular to the transverse axis. CONJUNCTION, in nautical astronomy, is when two bodies have the same longitude or right ascension. CONN, CON, OR CUN, as pronounced by seamen. This word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon _conne_, _connan_, to know, or be skilful. The pilot of old was skillful, 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 connects 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 consort_, 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 designed. 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 sustained by the perils 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 _charges d'affaires_ retire in case of hostilities, but consuls are permitted to remain to watch the interests of their countrymen. When commerce began to flourish in modern Europe, occasion soon arose for the institution of a kind of court-merchant, to determine commercial affairs 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 being public ministers, they are liable to the _lex loci_ both civil and criminal, 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_ LUNAR DISTANCES, SEXTANT, &c.) 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 necessary 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 without 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 delicto_, 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 passenger in a passenger-ship, prescribed by the legislature. CONTRARY. The wind when opposed to a vessel's course. "Cruel was the stately ship that bore her love from Mary, And cruel was the fair wind that wouldn't blow contrary." CONTRAVALLATION, LINES OF. 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 force. (_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 _accompt_. 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 schedule of expenses to be taxed, and an oath of their necessity. CONVALESCENT. Those men who are recovering health, but not sufficiently 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 dockyard; 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 passage. Also, a guard of troops to escort a supply of stores to a detached force. CONVOY-INSTRUCTIONS. The printed regulations supplied by the senior officer to each ship of the convoy. CONVOY-LIST. A return of the merchantmen placed under the protection of men-of-war, for safe conduct to their destination. COOK. A man of each mess who is caterer for the day, and answerable too, wherefore he is allowed the surplus grog, termed _plush_ (which see). The cook, _par excellence_, in the navy, was a man of importance, responsible for the proper cooking of the food, yet not overboiling 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 merchantman the cook is, _ex officio_, 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. Reckoning too is cooked, as in a certain Antarctic discovery of land, which James Ross afterwards sailed over. COOK-ROOM, OR COOK-HOUSE. The galley or caboose containing the cooking apparatus, and where victuals are dressed. COOLIE, COULEY, KOULI, OR CHULIAH. A person who carries a load; a porter or day-labourer in India and China. COOMB. The Anglo-Saxon _comb_; a low place inclosed with hills; a valley. (_See_ CWM.) COOMINGS, OR COMBINGS. The rim of the hatchways. (_See_ COAMINGS.) COOM OF A WAVE. The comb or crest. The white summit when it breaks. COON-TRAIE. A Manx and Erse term for the neap-tide. COOP, OR FISH-COOP. A hollow vessel made with twigs, with which fish are taken in the Humber. (_See_ HEN-COOP.) COOPER. A rating for a first-class petty officer, who repairs casks, &c. COOT. A water-fowl common on lakes and rivers (_Fulica atra_). The toes are long and not webbed, but bordered by a scalloped membrane. The name is sometimes used for the guillemot (_Uria troile_), and often applied to a stupid person. COOTH. _See_ CUTH. COP, OR 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. COPILL. 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_ COPPER-FASTENED. COPPERED, OR COPPER-BOTTOMED. Sheathed with thin sheets of copper, which prevents the teredo eating into the planks, or shell and weed accumulating 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 coppered without danger of its corroding the heads of the bolts by galvanic 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 nails_, 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. COQUILLAGE. 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, &c., 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 _cymba sutiles_ of Herodotus. CORACORA. _See_ KOROCORA. 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, reefs, barriers, and islands of vast extent. The "red coral" (_Corallium rubrum_) 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 ISLET. CORBEILLE [Fr. basket]. Miner's basket; small gabion used temporarily 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 CHURD 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 French as signifying a member thereof, as Cordon bleu, Knight of the order of the Holy Ghost, &c. CORDOVAN. Leather made from seal-skin; the term is derived from the superior leather prepared at Cordova in Spain. CORDUROY. Applied to roads formed in new settlements, of trees laid roughly on sleepers transverse to the direction of the road; as suddenly for artillery. CORKIR, OR CUDBEAR. 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 (_Phalacrocorax carbo_) of the family _Pelecanidae_. CORN, TO. A remainder of the Anglo-Saxon _ge-cyrned_, salted. To preserve meat for a time by salting it slightly. CORNED. Slightly intoxicated. In Chaucer's _Canterbury Tales_, mention 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 infantry; the junior subaltern 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 Valerianella. 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 negroes, 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 immediately around it. Coronae, as well as halos, have been observed to prognosticate rain, hail, or snow, being the result of snow or dense vapours nearer the earth, through which the object becomes hazy. 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 warrant is not to be contemned or avoided. COROUSE. 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. 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 gangways 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 sergeant 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. CORPSE. 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, swift, 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 [_coser_, Sp. to sew?] COSMICAL RISING AND SETTING OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES. Their rising and setting with the sun. COSMOGRAPHER. Formerly 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.) 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. _See_ GUN-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_. COULTER-NEB. A name of the puffin (_Fratercula arctica_). COUNCIL-OF-WAR. The assemblage of officers for concerting measures of moment, too often deemed the symbol of irresolution in the commander-in-chief. COUNTER. A term which enters into the composition of divers words of our language, and generally implies opposition, as _counter-brace_, _counter-current_, &c.--_Counter of a ship_, refers to her after-seat on the water: the counter above extends from 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-buttocks. 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 many marine barometers, where it slides and is fixed by adjusting screws, so as to produce an even-balanced swing, free from jerk. COUNTER-BRACE, TO. Is bracing the head-yards one way, and the after-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 is now an obsolete term, and the man[oe]uvre 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 obstruction, 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 proportions, but generally the same height as the wall; they hold it from being thrust 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 practicable 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 _counter-arched revetement_. COUNTERGUARD. 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 modern times, except when a rapid fall in the ground renders it difficult to cover the main escarp by ordinary resources. COUNTER-LINE. A word often used for _contravallation_. 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 up 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 stern, 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-aft timbers for the purpose of strengthening the counter, and forming the stern. 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 surrender; or the wound which deprives an adversary of life or resistance. COUP DE MAIN. A sudden and vigorous attack. COUP D'[OE]IL. 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 currents; but of the wind, as similarly indicated by the compass-point _from_ 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 staysails upon the lower masts are sometimes also comprehended in this denomination, as are the main staysails 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. _Trysails_ are courses (which see), sometimes termed _bentincks_. 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 age. 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 commander, 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 commissions 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 taffrail.--_My 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. 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-SHEER. COVERING-PARTY. A force detached to protect a party sent on especial duty. COVERT-WAY. _See_ COVERED WAY. COW. Applied by whalers to the female whale.--_To cow._ To depress with fear. COWARDICE, AND DESERTION OF 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 coehorn. COWIE. A name among Scotch fishermen for the porpoise. COWL. The cover of a funnel. COWRIE. Small shells, _Cypraea moneta_, used for money or barter in Africa and the East Indies. 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 with three claws_, 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 over-press of sail in a fresh gale, by which a ship crabs or drifts sideways to leeward. CRABBLER. _See_ KRABLA. CRAB-BOAT. Resembles a large jolly-boat. CRAB-CAPSTAN. _See_ CRAB. CRAB-WINDLASS. A light windlass for barges. CRAB-YAWS. _See_ YAW. CRACK. "In a crack," immediately. CRACKER. So named from the noise it makes in exploding; it is applied 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 Ki. xiv. 3). CRACK OFFICER. One of the best class. 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 bilge-ways, 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-Saxon word _craeft_, a trading vessel]. It is now a general name for lighters, hoys, barges, &c., employed to load or land any goods or stores.--_Small craft._ The small vessels of war attendant on a fleet, such as cutters, schooners, gunboats, &c., generally commanded by lieutenants. Craft is also a term in sea-phraseology for every kind of vessel, especially for a favourite ship. Also, all manner of nets, lines, hooks, &c., 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 cliffs 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 (_temp._ 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 yarn 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. The money paid for the use of a wharf crane. Also, the permission to use a crane at any wharf or pier. CRANCE. 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 vessel's sides, used to stow boats or spars upon. Also, as many fresh or green unsalted herrings as would fill a barrel. CRANE-BARGE. A low flat-floored lump, fitted for the purpose of carrying a crane, in aid of marine works. CRANE-LINES. Those which formerly went from the spritsail-topmast to the middle of the fore-stay, serving to steady the former. Also, small lines for keeping the lee backstays from chafing against the yards. CRANG. The carcass of a whale after being flinched or the blubber stripped off. 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 _stiff_, or the 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 ground 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 Frenchman, one whom he thinks would be a better sailor if he would but talk English instead of French. CRARE, OR CRAYER. A slow unwieldy trading vessel of olden times. Thus Shakspeare, in _Cymbeline_, with hydrographic parlance:-- "Who ever yet could sound thy bottom? Find The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare Might easiliest harbour in?" CRATER OF A MINE. Synonymous with _funnel_ (which see). CRAVAISE. An Anglo-Norman word for cray-fish. CRAVEN. An old term synonymous with _recreant_ (which see). CRAWL. A sort of pen, formed by a barrier of stakes and hurdles on the sea-coast, 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 (_Astacus fluviatilis_) 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 channels connecting the several branches of a river and lake islands, and one lake or lagoon with another. It differs from a cove, in being proportionately 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. CREMAILLEE. 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, &c., to a person of European and unmixed origin, but colonial born. CREPUSCULUM. _See_ TWILIGHT. CRESPIE. 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. CREST. 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 complement on the books. There are in ships of war several particular crews or gangs, as the gunner's, carpenter's, sail-maker'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, &c., by which the dupes become indebted, and when well plied with liquor are induced to sign articles, and are shipped off, only discovering their mistake on finding themselves at sea robbed of all they possessed. CRINGLE. 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 circularly 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 _hors 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 _cross-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 gurnardus_), 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-shot_, 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 beams. 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_. CROSS-GRAINED. Not straight-grained as in good wood; hence the perverse and vexatious disposition of the ne'er-do-wells. As Cotton's _Juno_-- "That cross-grained, peevish, 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. (_See_ CYLINDER CROSS-HEAD.) CROSSING A SHIP'S WAKE. When a ship sails over the transient track which another has just passed, _i.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 HAWSE. 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 vessel'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-PIECE. 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 belfry. 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 line-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 abates. 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 undulates 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. The varying directions of the flow amongst shoals that are under water. (_See_ CURRENT.) CROSS-TIMBERS. _See_ CROSS-PIECE. 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 frame of the tops on the one, and to extend the top-gallant shrouds on the other. CROTCHED-YARD. The old orthography for _crossjack-yard_ (which see). CROTCHES. _See_ CRUTCH. 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 bodies, like pieces of timber, to draw spike-nails, &c. Also, to direct and manage the great guns. CROWDIE. 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, &c. CROW-FOOT. A number of small lines spreading out from an uvrou 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 _beam-arm_ 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 corner 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_s._ 6_d._ sterling to 8_s._ (_See also_ PREROGATIVE.)--_Crown of an anchor._ 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 effect 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 CROWN. 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 particularly useful in all kinds of stoppers. (_See_ WALL-KNOT and CROWN.) CROWN-WORK. In fortification, the largest definite form of outwork, 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 work, according to the circumstances of the ground, requiring such advanced occupation. CROW-PURSE. The egg-capsule of a skate. CROW-SHELL. A fresh-water mussel. 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 ice. CROY. An inclosure on the sea-beach in the north for catching fish. When the tide flows the fishes swim over the wattles, but are left by the ebbing of the water. CRUE. _See_ KREEL. CRUE-HERRING. The shad (_Clupea alosa_). CRUER. _See_ CRARE. CRUISE, OR 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 privateers. They were generally such as sailed well, and were well manned. CRUIVES. Inclosed spaces in a dam or weir for taking salmon. CRUMMY. Fleshy or corpulent. CRUPPER. The train tackle ring-bolt in a gun-carriage. CRUSADO. _See_ CRUZADO. CRUTCH, OR CROTCH. A support fixed upon the taffrail for the main boom of a sloop, brig, cutter, &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 vessel, for securing the heels of the cant or half-timbers: they are fayed and bolted on the foot-waling. Also, stanchions of wood or iron whose upper parts are forked to receive masts, yards, and other spars, and which are fixed along the sides and gangways. Crutches 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 2_s._ 7-1/4_d._ sterling in Portugal; in England, 2_s._ to 2_s._ 2_d._ CUBBRIDGE HEADS. The old bulk-heads of the forecastle and half-decks, wherein were placed the "murderers," or guns for clearing the decks in emergency. CUBE. 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, OR CUBBOOS. _See_ CABOOSE. CUBICULATAE. Roman ships furnished with cabins. CUCKOLD'S-KNOT OR 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_ CORKIR.) A violet dye--archil, a test. CUDBERDUCE. The cuthbert-duck, a bird of the Farne Isles, off Northumberland. CUDDIC, CUDDY, OR CUDLE. All derived from cuttle-fish varieties of sepia used for baits. CUDDIE, OR CUDDIN. One of the many names for the coal-fish, a staple article of the coast of Scotland. The _Gadus carbonarius_ 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 contains 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. CUIRASS. 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 the dock to be repaired. CULCH. _See_ OYSTER-BED. CULLOCK. A species of bivalved mollusc on our northern shores, the _Tellina rhomboides_. CULMINATION, in nautical astronomy, is the transit or passage of any celestial body over the meridian of a place. CULRING. An old corruption of _culverin_. CULTELLUS. _See_ COUTEL. CULVER. A Saxon word for pigeon, whence Culver-cliff, Reculvers, &c., from being resorted to by those birds. [Latin, _columba_; _b_ and _v_ are often interchanged.] CULVERIN. An ancient cannon of about 5-1/4 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 dragon, being sculptured upon it, thus forming handles. CULVER-TAIL. The fastenings of a ship's carlings into the beams. CULVER-TAILED. 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-CIRRO-STRATUS. A horizontal sheet of cloud, with cirrus above and cumulus beneath; it is better known as the _nimbus_ or _rain-cloud_. 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. CUMULUS. A cloud indicative of fair weather, when it is small: it is sometimes seen in dense heaps, whence it obtained the name of _stacken cloud_. It is then a forerunner of change. CUND, TO. To give notice which way a shoal of fish is gone. CUNETTE. _See_ CUVETTE. CUNN, OR CON. _See_ CONN. CUNNENG. A northern name for the lamprey. CUP. 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 works. Also, colloquially used 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-country 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 _cirrus_ (which see). CURLEW. A well-known coast bird, with a long curved bill, the _Numenius arquatus_. CURRACH. A skiff, formerly used on the Scottish coasts. CURRA-CURRA. A peculiarly fast boat among the Malay Islands. 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 particular, the former depending on causes in constant action, the latter on occasional circumstances. (_See_ DIRECTION.) 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 CURTALD. An ancient piece of ordnance 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 FIRE. 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, possessing 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. CUSEFORNE. A long open whale-boat of Japan. CUSHIES. 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.--_Cut your stick_, 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 _cutlash_ 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 thigh." 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. CUT OF THE JIB. A phrase for the aspect 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, sharp-built broad vessel, commonly 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-aft main-sail, gaff-topsail, stay-foresail, and jib. The name is derived from their fast sailing. The cutter (as H.M.S. _Dwarf_) 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 largest which has answered effectually, was the _Viper_, 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 the siege. CUTTER-BRIG. A vessel with square sails, a fore-and-aft main-sail, and a jigger-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 commonly employed in carrying light stores, passengers, &c., to and from the ships; some are clench-built. They 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 FASHION. The turning-in of a dead-eye with the end of the shroud down. CUT THE CABLE, TO. A man[oe]uvre 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 _Royal Sovereign_ into a turret ship, &c.--_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 shipwrights 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 the floor timbers, and abaft by the breadth of the keelson, and must be carried up so high upon the stern 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 a whale, which is flinched by taking off circularly ribbons of the skin with blubber attached; the animal being made to turn in the water as the purchases at the mast-heads heave it upwards. CUTTING-OUT. A night-meal or forage in the officer's pantry. CUTTING OUT OR IN. In polar phraseology, is performed by sawing 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 _Cephalopoda_. 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 stem. (_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, OR 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 _glyn_ being, on the contrary, convex. CYCLE. 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. CYCLONE. _See_ TYPHOON. CYLINDER. The body of a pump; any tubular part of an engine.--_Charge 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 proportionate to the power of the engine, of which it may be termed the chief 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 in 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 the cylinder, for the purpose of letting off any water that may collect above or below the piston. CYLINDER POWDER. That made upon the improved method of charring the wood to be used as charcoal in iron cylinders. All British government gunpowder is now made thus. CYPHERING. A term in carpentry. (_See_ SYPHERED.) D. D. In the _Complete Book_, D means dead or deserted; Dsq., discharged from the service, or into another ship. DAB. The sea-flounder. An old general term for a pleuronect or flat fish of any kind, but usually appropriated to the _Platessa limanda_. The word is familiarly applied to one who is expert in anything. DABBERLACK. A kind of long sea-weed on our northern coasts. DAB-CHICK. The little grebe, _Podiceps minor_. A small diving bird common in lakes and rivers. DACOITS. _See_ DEKOYTS. DADDICK. A west-country term for rotten-wood, touch-wood, &c. DAGEN. A peculiar dirk or poignard. DAGGAR. An old term for a dog-fish. DAGGER-KNEE. 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, OR DAGGER-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 daggerplank. DAGGES. An old term for pistols or hand-guns. DAHLGREN GUN. A modification of the Paixhan gun, introduced into the United States 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. DAHM. 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. DAIRS. 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, &c. Also, a place forward, to save the decks from being wetted, now almost abolished. 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 impede the course of a stream. (_See_ INUNDATIONS and FLOATING DAM.) 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 _jowhir_, or watering of the blades. DAMASK. 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. DAMELOPRE. 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 fire. DAMSEL. A coast name for the skate-fish. DANCERS. The coruscations of the aurora. (_See_ MERRY DANCERS.) 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-- "_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 handcuffs; 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 preventing 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. DARRAG. A Manx or Erse term for a strong fishing-line made of 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. DAVIE. 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 stern, to hoist up and suspend one end of a boat.--_Fish-davit_, 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 fishing 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 through it a strong rope is rove, called the fish-pendant, to the outer end of which is fitted a large 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, &c. 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 aloft, with a tackle attached. Usually employed for bringing the anchor in-board. DAVY JONES. The spirit of the sea; a nikker; a sea-devil. 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 _Scyllium catulus_, a small dog-fish. DAWK-BOAT. A boat for the conveyance of letters in India; _dawk_ 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 SIDEREAL.) DAY-BOOK. An old and better name for the log-book; a journal [Fr.] DAY-MATES. Formerly the mates of the several decks--now abolished. (_See_ SUB-LIEUTENANT.) 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-ANGLE. 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 as _flat-calm_. 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 bracing in the yards, so as to reduce the effect of the sails, or by backing minor sails. Also, when sounding to luff up and shake all, to obtain a cast of the deep-sea lead. DEAD-EYE, OR DEAD MAN'S EYE. A sort of round 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 top-mast rigging. The term _dead_ seems to have been used because there is no revolving sheave to lessen the friction. 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 crow-foot. Also called _uvrous_. 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 is in some merchant 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 atmosphere. DEAD-MEN. The reef or gasket-ends carelessly left 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 rectifying these data by the usual allowance for current, lee-way, &c., according to the ship's known trim. This reckoning, however, should be corrected by astronomical observations of the sun, moon, and stars, whenever available, 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 stern-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_ RISING-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.), varying from fifty shares for an admiral, to half a share for the cook's mate. DEAD-SHEAVE. 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-vitae sheave let in, so as to avoid chafe. DEAD-TICKET. Persons dying 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 _make much dead-water_ when she has a great eddy following her stern, 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 _stowage_. 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 stern-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 after-end, from the stern-post, where 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, _i.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 connects the keel with the stem and stern 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 shingle; and 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 6 feet in length. DEATH OR MONEY BOATS. So termed from the risk in such frail craft. They were very long, very narrow, and as thin as the skiffs 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 springing 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 exporter 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. DECAMP, TO. To raise the camp; the breaking up from a place where an army has been encamped. DECEPTIO VISUS. Any extraordinary instance of deception to the sight, occasioned by the effects of atmospheric media. (_See_ TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION and MIRAGE.) DECIMATION. The punishing every tenth soldier by lot, was truly _decimatio legionis_. DECIME. A small copper coin of France, equal to two sous, or one-tenth of a franc. DECK, TO. A word formerly in use 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, &c. 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 _breast-hooks_. 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 midship 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 largest ship of the line:--_Poop_, the deck which includes from the mizen-mast to the taffrail. The _upper_ or _spar-deck_, from stem to stern, having conventional divisions; as, _quarter-deck_, which is, when clear for action, the space abaft the main-mast, including the cabin; next, _the 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 gun-deck_, the entire length of the ship. It is also divided conventionally into the various cabins, the waist (under the gangway), the galley, from the fore-hatchway to the sick bay, and bows. Next 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 several 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:-- Guns. Pounders. lbs. Poop, 10 24 240 Quarter-deck, 22 24 long } 848 Forecastle, 10 32 cans. } Main-deck, 34 24 816 Middle, 36 24 864 Lower, 36 32 1152 ---- ---- 148 3920 ---- Broadside of 1960 But latterly, 56 and 84 pounders on the lower, and 32 on the middle, afforded a heavier weight of broadside. The _Santissima Trinidada_, 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 _Bellerophon_ (4272) carries 18 guns, ranging in size, however, from the 64-pounder up to the 300-pounder.--_Flush-deck_, or deck flush fore and aft, implies a continued 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 down-haul 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 OF THE CABLE.) 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 courtesy 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 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 day's works are being reduced. DECOY. So to change the aspect of a ship-of-war by striking a topgallant-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 gun-shot range, she becomes an easy capture. Similar man[oe]uvres 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, &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. DEEP-SEA 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 five. The marks are now nearly superseded by Massey's patent sounding-machine.--_Marks and Deeps_, &c., _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. DEESE. 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 delivery. 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. DEFILE. 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. DEFINITIVE. Conclusive; decisive. DEFLECTION. The tendency of a ship from her true course; the departure of the magnetic 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 projectiles 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 subordinate curves not yet distinctly determined. DEFORMED BASTION. One out of shape from the irregularity 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 system of river police, and the establishment of fast rowing boats of light draught. DEL. Saxon for part.--_Del a bit_, 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 circumstances 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 between 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 {D}. 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 themselves, 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 on the western coast of Africa by the shoals off the Rio Grande, Rio 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 6-1/2 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. DEMILUNE. 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 preparation 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 F[OE]NORE. Of nautical usury; bottomry. DENE. The Anglo-Saxon _daene_; implying a kind of hollow or ravine through which a rivulet runs, the banks on either side being studded with trees. DENEB. The bright star in the constellation Cygnus, well 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 teeth. It is of the _Sparidae_ 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 contradistinction 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_ POLAR DISTANCE.) DEPRESSION, OF 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 staysail 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. _derelictus_, abandoned]. Anything abandoned at sea. A ship is derelict either by consent or by compulsion, stress of weather, &c., 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 purchase is attached, used in loading and unloading vessels. Also, a small crane either inside or outside of a ship. DERRICK, TO. A cant term for setting out on a small not over-creditable enterprise. The act is said to be named from a Tyburn executioner. DERRING-DO. A Spenserian term for deeds of arms. DESCENDING NODE. _See_ NODES. 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 by rain. (_See_ WHITE SQUALL as a forerunner.) DESCENSION. The same as _oblique ascension_ (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 tract, either absolutely sterile, or having no other vegetation 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 charged 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 degree independent of the fall of the former. DETACHED ESCARP. An escarp wall, originally invented by Carnot, 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 counterguard, to offer extraordinary difficulties to the besieger's breaching batteries; 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. A force detached from the main body for employment on any particular service. DETAIL OF DUTY. The captain's night orders. DETENTION OF 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 modern 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 _friction-tube_ (which see). DEVIATION. A voluntary departure from the usual course of the voyage, 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, mutiny of the crew. It differs from a _change_ 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 contract-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 _Raia_, 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 face! DEVIL'S TABLE-CLOTH. _See_ TABLE-CLOTH. DEVIL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT. The seam which margins the water-ways was called the "devil," why only caulkers can tell, who perhaps found it sometimes difficult for their tools. The phrase, however, means service expected, and no one ready to perform it. Impatience, and naught to satisfy it. DEW-POINT. A meteorological term for the degree of temperature at which the moisture of the atmosphere would begin to precipitate; it may be readily ascertained by means of the hygrometer. DHOLL. A kind of dried split pea supplied in India to the navy. DHONY, OR DHONEY. A country trading-craft of India from 50 to 150 tons; mostly flat-bottomed. (_See_ DONEY.) DHOW. The Arab dhow is a vessel of about 150 to 250 tons burden by measurement--grab-built, with ten or twelve ports; about 85 feet long from stem to stern, 20 feet 9 inches broad, and 11 feet 6 inches deep. Of late years this description of vessel has been well built 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 prepared, by internal equipment, for defence--many of them are sheathed on 2-1/2-inch plank bottoms, with 1-inch board, and the preparation of chunam and oil, called _galgal_, put between; 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 aloft, and the mast rakes forward, for the purpose of keeping this ponderous weight clear 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 taffrail, having a pendant and treble purchase block, which becomes the backstay, to support 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 cruising in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, as piratical vessels. 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 skill. 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. DIAGONAL BRACES, knees, planks, &c., are such as cross a vessel's timbers obliquely. (_See_ DIAGONAL TRUSSING.) 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_ RIBBANDS.) 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 strengthening a vessel internally by 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 circumference 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 used 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 deg. from that of the sun, in which position only half her disc is illuminated. DICKADEE. A northern name for the sand-piper. DICK-A-DILVER. 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 dying 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 from 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. Thus the difference of a degree of longitude in miles of the meridian would be-- At 20 deg. 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. 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; as, so many _digits eclipsed_. DIKE. _See_ DYKE. DILL. An edible dark brown sea-weed, torn from the rocks at low-water. DILLOSK. The dried leaves of an edible sea-weed. (_See_ DULCE and PEPPER-DULSE.) DILLY-WRECK. A common corruption of _derelict_ (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_ (which 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 stagnant 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. DINNAGE. _See_ DUNNAGE. DIP. The inclination of the magnetic needle towards the earth. (_See_ DIPPING-NEEDLE.) Also, 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 aquaticus_). 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 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 _minutes_, far beyond what heretofore could be elicited from 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. Wollaston, and very important, not only where the nature and quantity of the atmospherical refraction are to be examined, 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 communicating the rotatory motion without the intervention of side-levers. DIRECT FIRE. One of the five varieties into which artillerists usually divide _horizontal fire_ (which see). DIRECTION OR SET OF 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_ ARC OF 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 AULIN. A name for the arctic skua (_Cataractes parasiticus_), a sea-bird, allied to the gulls. DIRTY 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 presented by any celestial body to the eye of the observer. DISCARCARE. [Ital.] An old term meaning to unlade a vessel. DISCHARGED. 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 off. DISCHARGE-TICKET. On all foreign stations men are discharged by _foreign remove-tickets_, and in other cases by _dead_, _sick_, or _unserviceable ticket_, whether at home or abroad. DISCHARGE-VALVE. In the marine 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 discipline 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 unknown 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 conquerors. DISEMBARK. The opposite of embark; the landing of troops from any vessel or transport. DISEMBAY. To work clear out of a gulf or bay. DISEMBOGUE. The fall 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 commodities of which they stand in need. DISH, TO. To supplant, ruin, or frustrate. DISLODGE. To drive an enemy from any post or station. DI-SLYNG. _See_ SLYNG. 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, &c. &c. 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 ranks. DISMISSION. A summary 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. 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. DISOBEDIENCE. 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 irregularity. DISPART, OR THROW OF 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 OF 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 DISTANCES.) 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 effectively 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_ SIGNALS.) 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. DISTURBANCE. _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. DITTY-BAG. Derives its name from the _dittis_ 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. DITTY-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_ PARALLAX. 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 L1, 10_s._ 5_d._ per annum additional pay--one penny a-day for risking life! Also, a common web-footed sea-bird of the genus _Colymbus_. DIVERGENT. A stream flowing laterally out of a river, contradistinguished from convergent. DIVERSION. A man[oe]uvre to attract, wholly or partially, the enemy's attention away from some other part of the operations. DIVIE-GOO. A northern term for the _Larus marinus_ 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, &c. DIVING-DRESS. India-rubber habiliments, the head-piece is of light metal fitted with strong glass eyes, and an attached pliable pipe to maintain 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 commanded 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 topgallant-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 lieutenants. 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 complement of artillery, transport-corps, and generally also of cavalry, for the whole. Of a battalion, a term sometimes used in exercise, when the companies of a battalion have been equalized as to strength, for one of such companies. DJERME. _See_ JERME. 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 fishing-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 commodiously fitted either to build ships in or to receive them to be repaired 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. (_See_ BREAMING.) DOCK UP, OR DUCK UP. To clue up a corner 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, &c. DOCKYARD MATIES. The artificers in a dockyard. In former times an established declaration of war between the mates and midshipmen _versus_ the maties was hotly kept up. Many deaths and injuries never disclosed were hushed up or patiently borne. It terminated about 1830. DOCKYARDS. Arsenals containing all sorts of naval stores and timber for ship-building. In England the royal dockyards are at Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham, Sheerness, 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 Navy 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. 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 mountain. 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 cunning 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 fire-lock 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 excellent 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-DRAVE. 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 contradistinction 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 somewhat 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. DOG'S-BODY. Dried pease boiled in a cloth. DOG-SHORES. Two long square blocks of timber, resting diagonally with their heads to the cleats. They 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 fitful 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-TONGUE. A name assigned to a kind of sole. DOG-VANE. 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 from 6 to 8, in the evening. By this arrangement an uneven number of watches is made--seven instead of six in the twenty-four hours; otherwise 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. DOLDRUMS. 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, depending upon the sun's declination. Also applied to a person in low spirits. 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, OR DO-LITTLE SWORD. The old term for a dirk. DOLLAR. For this universally known coin, see PIECE OF EIGHT. DOLLOP. An old word for a lump, portion, or share. From the Gaelic _diolab_. DOLPHIN. Naturalists understand by this word numerous species of small cetaceous animals of the genus _Delphinus_, 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 (_Coryphaena 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 (_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 suspended, should be shot away in action. (_See_ PUDDENING.) DOLPHIN-STRIKER. A short perpendicular gaff spar, under the bowsprit-end, for guying down the jib-boom, of which indeed it is the chief support, by means of the martingales. (_See_ MARTINGALE.) DOLVER. 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 immediately 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. DONDERBASS. _See_ BOMBARD. 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-ENGINE. An auxiliary steam-engine for feeding the boilers of the principal engine when they are stopped; or for any other duties independent of the ship's propelling engines. DONKEY-FRIGATE. 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. DOOLAH. A passage-boat on the Canton river. DOOTED. Timber rendered unsound by fissures. DORADO. The _Coryphaena hippuris_, an oceanic fish; often called "dolphin." DOREY. A flat-floored cargo-boat in the West Indies, named after the fish John Dory. DORNICLE. A northern name for the viviparous blenny. DORRA. From the Gaelic _dorga_; a crab-net. DORSAL FIN. The median fin placed upon the back of fishes. DORY. A fish, _Zeus faber_, commonly known as "John Dory," or truly _jaune doree_, from its golden hues. DOTTLE. 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 fastenings. Doubling, however, is a term applied only where the plank thus used is not less than 2 inches thick.--To _double_ a cape. (_See_ DOUBLING A CAPE.) 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 _double-bankers_. DOUBLE-BITTED. Two turns of the cable round the bitts instead of one. DOUBLE-BLOCK. One fitted with a couple of sheaves, in holes side by side. DOUBLE-BREECHING. Additional breeching on the non-recoil system, or security 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 rope, which forms part of several useful and ornamental knots. DOUBLE DECK-NAILS. _See_ DECK-NAILS. DOUBLE DUTCH COILED AGAINST THE SUN. Gibberish, or any unintelligible or difficult language. DOUBLE EAGLE. A gold coin of the United States, of 10 dollars; value L2, 1_s._ 8_d._, 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 contradistinction to pin-mauls. DOUBLE-HEADED SHOT. Differing from bar-shot by being similar to dumb-bells, only the shot are hemispherical. 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, as in chase, it is called a _coming-up glass_. DOUBLE INSURANCE. Where the insured makes two insurances on the same risks and the same interest. DOUBLE-IRONED. Both legs shackled to the bilboe-bolts. DOUBLE-JACK. _See_ JACK-SCREW. 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 situation in the heavens, or physically near each other in space, and one of them revolving round the other. DOUBLE-TIDE. Working double-tides is doing extra duty. (_See_ WORK DOUBLE-TIDES.) DOUBLE UPON, TO. _See_ DOUBLING 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 CAPE. 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 fleet, taking advantage of the wind or other circumstances, 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: L3, 3_s._ to L3, 6_s._ English. DOUGH-BOYS. Hard dumplings boiled in salt water. A corruption of _dough-balls_. DOUSE, TO. To lower or slacken down suddenly; expressed of a sail in a squall of wind, an extended hawser, &c. 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 V.:"-- "That their hot blood may spin in English eyes, And dout them." DOUTER, OR DOUSER. An extinguisher. D'OUTRE MER. From beyond the sea. DOVER COURT BEETLE. A heavy mallet. There is 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."--_Tusser._ 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 stern-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. DOWBREK. A northern term for the fish also called spaerling or 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.--_Dowel_, or _dowel-bit_, is the tool used to cut the holes for the dowels. DOWELLING. 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 readiness 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 staysails or jib, and made fast to the upper corner 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 cockpit 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 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 roadstead for ships, stretching from 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 a-lee. 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 _hawse-hook_. DOYLT. Lazy or stupid. DO YOU HEAR THERE? An inquiry following an order, but very often needlessly. DRABLER. A piece of canvas laced on the bonnet of a sail to give it more drop, or as Captain 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 HANDS. 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 chase, or rounding a point, when she is obliged to carry more canvas to a fresh wind than she otherwise 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-man_. DRAGON. An old name for a musketoon. DRAGON BEAM OR PIECE. A strut or abutment. DRAGONET. A sea-fish, the gowdie, or _Callionymus 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 foot or on horseback." (_See_ TROOP.) The term is now applied to all cavalry soldiers who have no other special designation. DRAG-ROPES. Those used in the artillery by the men in pulling the gun backwards and forwards in practice and in action. DRAGS. 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 _drags_. DRAG-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-sail 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. DRAKE. An early piece of brass ordnance. DRAKKAR. A Norman pirate boat of former times. 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 stern-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_ SHEER-DRAUGHT.) DRAUGHT-HOOKS. Iron hooks fixed on the cheeks of a gun-carriage for dragging the gun along by _draught-ropes_. DRAUGHTSMAN. The artist who draws plans or charts from instructions or surveys. DRAW. A sail _draws_ when it is filled by the wind. A ship _draws_ so many feet of water.--_To let draw a jib_ is to cease from flattening-in the sheet.--_Draw_ is also a term for halliards in some of the northern fishing-boats.--_To draw._ To procure anything by official demand from a dockyard, arsenal, or magazine.--_To draw up the courses._ 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 submerges. 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. DRAW THE GUNS. To extract the charge of wad, shot, and cartridge from the guns. DREDGE. 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, pendants, &c., of various nations, displayed from different parts of her masts, rigging, &c., on a day of festivity. DREW. A name in our northern isles for the _Fucus loreus_, 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 head-way is made by the action of sails. In artillery, a priming-iron of modern 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 projectile. (_See_ DEFLECTION.) DRIFTAGE. The amount due to lee-way. (_See_ DRIFT.) DRIFT-BOLTS. Commonly made of steel, are used as long punches for driving out other bolts. DRIFT-ICE. The debris of the main pack. (_See_ OPEN 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 obliterated. 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, in ship-building, those parts where the sheer is raised, and the rails are cut off, ending 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 during a gale of wind. (_See_ DRAGS.) 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, &c. DRIP-STONE. 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 control 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 fore-side of the foremost poppet, and the sides of it look fore and aft. Also, a sort of fishing-boat. DRIVER-BOOM. The boom to which the driver is hauled out. DRIVING A CHARGE. Ramming home the loading of a piece of ordnance. DRIVING PILES. The motion of a ship bobbing in a head sea, compared to the vertical fall of monkeys on pile heads. DROG. A Gaelic term, still in use, to express the agitation of the sea. DROGHER. A small craft which goes round the bays of the West India Islands, to take off sugars, rum, &c., to the merchantmen.--_Lumber-drogher_ is a vessel built solely for burden, and for transporting cotton and other articles coastwise. 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, comprehending 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 Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland before any declaration of war or reprisals by the sovereign. DROM-FISH. A large fish taken and cured in quantities in the Portuguese 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. DROP, OR 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 seventeen 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 stern munnions and elsewhere. The term also means the fall or declivity of a deck, which is generally of several inches. DROUD. A fish of the cod kind, frequenting the west coast of Scotland. DROUGES. Quadrilateral pieces of board, sometimes attached to the harpoon line, for the purpose of checking in some degree 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 ship-board, "he should be bound to the corpse, and thrown into the sea." DROWNING-BRIDGE. A sluice-gate for overflowing meadows. DROWNING THE MILLER. Adding too much water to wine or 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-MARSHAL.) DRUMHEAD OF CAPSTAN. A broad cylindrical piece of elm, resembling a millstone, and fixed immediately above the barrel and whelps. On its circumference a number of square holes are cut parallel to the deck, to receive the bars. DRUMLER. An ancient transport. (_See_ DROMON.) Also, a small piratical vessel of war. DRUMMER. The marine who beats the drum, and whose pay is equivalent 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 _crocros_. DRUXY. Timber in a state of decay, the condition of which is manifested by veins or spots in it of a whitish tint. DRY-BULB 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-DOCK.) 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, &c. DRY HOLY-STONING. _See_ HOLY-STONE. DRY-ROT. A disease destructive of timber, occasioned by a fungus, the _Merulius lachrymans_, which softens wood and finally destroys it; it resembles 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 cleanliness 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 faces of those in the stern-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. DUBB, TO. To smooth and cut off with an adze the superfluous wood.--_To dubb a vessel bright_, is to remove the outer surface of the plank completely with an adze. Spotting to examine planks with the adze is also dubbing. DUBBAH, OR DUBBER. 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. DUCK, TO. To dive, or immerse another under water; or to avoid a shot. DUCK. The finest canvas (No. 8) for 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 offences, thus: the criminal was placed astride a short thick batten, fastened to the end of a rope which passed through a block hanging at the yard-arm. Thus fixed, he was hoisted suddenly up to the yard, and the rope being then slackened at once, 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_ KEEL-HAULING.) DUCKS. The general name for a sailor's dress in warm climates. Also, the military English of Bombay. _See also_ JEMMY DUCKS, the keeper of the poultry on board ship. Dried herrings, or Digby ducks in N. S. DUCK-UP! 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 language. DUFF. Pudding or dough. DUFFERS. Low pedlars; also those women who assist smugglers. Also, cowardly fellows. DUG-OUT. A canoe. DUKE OF YORK. A nickname for a particular storm trysail used in the northern seas. DULCE, DULSE, DELSE. _Iridea dulce_, one of the edible fuci. It is an article of trade in America and Holland, and is plentiful on the rocky coasts of Ireland and western England. It probably derived its name from being sweet and pleasant, not requiring cooking. DULEDGE PLATES. An old name for the tyre-streaks or iron plates on the circumference of the wheel of a field-piece. Duledge was also used for dowel, the wooden pin connecting the felloes. DULL'D. When said of the wind, fallen or moderated. DULLISH. The Manx term for the marine eatable leaf _dillisk_. DUMB-CHALDER. A metal cleat bolted to the back of the stern-post for one of the pintles to rest upon, to lessen both strain and friction. (_See_ PINTLES.) DUMB-CLEAT. Synonymous with _dumb-chalder_ and _thumb-cleat_. DUMB-CRAFT. Lighters, lumps, or punts, not having sails. Also, a name for the screws used for lifting a ship on a slip. DUMB-PINTLE. A peculiar rudder-strap. (_See_ PINTLES.) DUMB-SCRAPING. Scraping wet decks with blunt scrapers. DUMFOUNDER. To confuse or perplex. DUMMY. A wood frame landing-place in front of a pier. DUMP-BOLT. A short bolt driven in to the plank and timber as a partial security previous to the thorough fastenings being put in. DUMPS. Nearly synonymous with _down in the mouth_. DUN. A hill, an eminence. DUNBAR MEDLAR. A salted herring. DUNDERHEAD. A term used for the devil, as also for a stupid fellow. DUN-DIVER. A name for the goosander (_Mergus merganser_) in immature plumage. DUNES. An Anglo-Saxon word still in use, signifying mounds or ridges of drifted sands. (_See_ DOWNS.) DUN-FISH. A peculiar preparation of cod for the American market, by which it retains a dun or dark yellow colour. Dunning is extensively carried on in the spring at Portsmouth and other places in New Hampshire. DUNGAREE-DUCK. A name given to a small dried fish in Bombay. DUNGAREE-STUFF. A blue or striped cotton cloth much worn by the seafaring classes in India. DUNGIYAH. A broad-beamed flat-bottomed Arabian coaster trading between the Red Sea, Gulf of Persia, and the Malabar coast. DUN-HEAD. In east-country barges the after-planking which forms the cabin. DUNKIRKS. The well-known name for pirates who sailed out of Dunkirk. DUNLIN. The name of a species of sand-piper (_Tringa cinclus_). DUNN, OR DUIN. A Gaelic word for a fort, a hill, a heap, or a knoll. DUNNAGE. Loose wood or other substances, as horns, rattan, coir, &c., to stow amongst casks and other cargo to prevent their motion. A vessel dunnages below the dry cargo to keep it from bilge-water. DUNNAGE BATTENS. An extra floor in a merchantman to preserve the cargo from wet in the event of leakage. They are also used in magazines and sail-rooms so as to form a vacant space beneath the powder-barrels and ceiling. DUNNAGED. Goods or packages secured with dunnage. DUNNAGE GRATINGS. Express gratings placed on a steamer's deck to place cargo upon, serving as dunnage. DUNTER. A northern designation of the porpoise. DUNTER-GOOSE. A name in the Orkneys for the _Somateria mollissima_, or eider-duck. DUR-MAST. An inferior oak of more rapid growth than the true English. DUST. The refuse of biscuit in the bread-room. Also used for money. This term probably got into use in India, where the boat hire on the Ganges was added to by the Ghat-Manjees, in the way of "Dustooree." Moreover, a tumult or uproar. DUTCH. Language, or rather gibberish, which cannot be understood by a listener. (_See_ DOUBLE DUTCH.) DUTCH-CAPER. A light-armed vessel of the seventeenth century, adapted for privateering, and much used by the Dutch. DUTCH CONSOLATION. "Whatever ill befalls you, there's somebody that's worse;" or "It's very unfortunate; but thank God it's no worse." DUTCH COURAGE. The excitement inspired by drinking spirits; false energy. DUTCH EEL-SKUYT. A flat-bottomed somewhat cutter-rigged sea-boat, carrying lee-boards, fitted with two water-tight bulk-heads, making a well for keeping live fish in, the water being admitted through perforated plates fastened on inside the ribs. DUTCHIFYING. A term used for converting square sterns to round ones. DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES. The patch of blue sky often seen when a gale is breaking, is said to be, however small, "enough to make a pair of breeches for a Dutchman." Others assign the habiliment to a Welshman, but give no authority for the assumption. DUTCH PLAICE. The _Pleuronectes platessa_. When small, it is called fleak; when large, Dutch plaice. DUTCH PUMP. A punishment so contrived that, if the prisoner would not pump hard, he was drowned. DUTCH RECKONING. A bad day's work, all in the wrong. DUTCH REDS. High-smoked herrings prepared in Holland. DUTIES. Taxes levied by the custom-house upon goods exported or imported. DUTTEES. Coarse brown calicoes of India. DUTY. The exercise of those functions which belong to the service, and are carried out from the highest to the lowest. DWANG-STAFF. This is otherwise the _wrain-staff_ (which see). DYCE. A langridge for the old hail-shot pieces. DYCE, OR THYST, "VERY WELL DYCE." (_See_ THUS.) DYELLE. 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. DYKE. From the Anglo-Saxon _dic_, 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--_power_ and _measure_, so that a steel-yard is the simplest exponent. E. E. The second class of rating on Lloyd's books for the comparative excellence of merchant ships. (_See_ A.) EAGER. _See_ EAGRE. EAGLE. The insignia of the Romans, borrowed also by moderns, as Frederic of Prussia and Napoleon. Also, a gold coin of the United States, of the value of five dollars, or L1, 0_s._ 10_d._ 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 _eagor_, water, or _AEgir_, the Scandinavian god of the sea. (_See_ BORE and HYGRE.) EAR. A west-country term for a place where hatches prevent the influx of the tide. EARING-CRINGLE, AT THE HEAD OF A SAIL. In sail-making 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 corners or cringles of the sails. EARINGS. Certain small ropes employed to fasten the upper corners 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 the lift and rigging on the yard-arm, and are called outer turns, while the rest, which draw it close up to the yard, and are passed within the lift, &c., are called inner turns. Below the above are the _reef-earings_, which are used to reef the sail when the reef-tackles have stretched it to take off the strain. EARNE. _See_ ERNE. 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-hooks. The irregularity of surface caused by the ears is intended to be modified in future construction by the substitution of _lewis-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! EASE OFF HANDSOMELY, OR EASE AWAY 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 shifting 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, _y'st_. 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 SHIPS. The same as _easterlings_. 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 E. I. Company's ships. EASTING. The course made good, or gained, to the eastward. EASTINTUS. From the Saxon, _east-tyn_, an easterly coast or country. _Leg. Edward I._ 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 in the east, 'Tis good for neither man nor beast." EASY. 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 ROLL. 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 _sae-aebbung_, sea-ebbing, by our progenitors. EBB, LINE OF. The sea-line of beach left dry by the tide. EBBER, OR EBBER-SHORE. 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 divisions 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_ SEA-EGG.) ECLIPSE. An obscuration of a heavenly body by the interposition of another, or during its passage through the shadow of a larger body. An _eclipse 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 deg. 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 time of the vernal equinox, storms, called the equinoctial gales, are prevalent in many parts of the globe. The two points of the ecliptic, which are each 90 deg. 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 contrary to the direction of the tide or current, and appears like the motion of a whirlpool. 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 after-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 pilots call eddies, chow-chow water. EDDY-TIDE. 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 _whirlwind_ (which see). They are felt generally near high coasts intersected by ravines. The eddy-wind of a sail escaping, in a curve, makes the sail abaft 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 PIPE. 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_ EKEING. EEL. A well-known fish (_Anguilla 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. EEL-FARES. 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 for 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 _eel-stang_. 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 property of deceased officers and seamen: "The _effects_ of that sail Will be a sale of _effects_." 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 consequence daily becomes lighter, and approaches its decomposition. Reaumur 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 good; this does not destroy vitality. EGMONT, OR 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 mollissima_. 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 softness and lightness. EIGHEN. The index of the early quadrant. EILET-HOLE [Fr. _[oe]illet_]. _Refer to_ EYELET-HOLES. EJECTAMENTA MARIS. Sea products thrown on the beach, whence they become droits of admiralty. (_See_ JETSAM.) EKE, TO. [Anglo-Saxon _eacan_, to prolong.] To make anything go far by reduction and moderation, as in shortening the allowance of provisions on a voyage unexpectedly tedious. EKEING. A piece of wood fitted, by scarphing or butting, to make good a deficiency in length, as the end of a knee and the like. The _ekeing_ is also the carved work under the 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-GREASE. Hard labour with the arms. ELBOW IN THE HAWSE. Two crosses in a hawse. When a ship, being moored in a tide-way, 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 of 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 _Chimaera callorynchus_, named from the proboscis-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 terrestrial pole which is above the horizon of a spectator. ELEVATION, IN SHIP-BUILDING. A vertical and longitudinal view of a vessel, synonymous with _sheer-draught_ and _sheer-plan_. In other words, it is the orthographic design whereon the heights and lengths are expressed. ELEVATION, ANGLE OF. 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, counteracting the action of gravity during its flight, and alighting upon the mark. ELGER. An eel-spear, _Promptorium Parvulorum_, yielding many together. ELIGUGS. Aquatic birds of passage of the auk kind on our western coasts; called also razor-bills. ELITE. The elite of naval or military forces is the choicest selection from them. ELLECK. The trivial name of the _Trigla cuculus_. ELLIOT-EYE. The 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 facilitate its being shackled to the chain for riding in very deep water. ELLIPSE. In geometry, an oval figure, formed of the section of a cone by a plane cutting through both its sides obliquely. ELMO'S FIRE, ST. _See_ COMPASANT. ELONGATION. The angular distance of a heavenly body from the sun eastward or westward. ELVERS. The name of eels on the western coasts of England. EMBARGO. A temporary injunction or arrest laid on ships or merchandise by public authority, sometimes general, to prevent all ships departing, and sometimes partial, as upon foreign ships only, or to prevent their coming in. A breach of embargo, under the knowledge of the insured, discharges the underwriters from liability. EMBARK, TO. To go on board, or to put on board a vessel. EMBARKATION. 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 driftwood, trees, &c. 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 (OR IMBER?). A name for the great northern diver or loon (_Colymbus glacialis_). EMBEZZLEMENT, or simple theft, 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-appearance 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_ MARINE OFFICER. ENCAMPMENT. _See_ CAMP. ENCEINTE. [Fr.] A slightly bastioned wall or rampart line of defence, which sometimes surrounds the body of a place; when only flanked by turrets it is called a Roman wall. ENCIRCLING REEFS. A name given to a form of coral reef, the architecture of myriads of zoophytes in tropical seas. ENCOUNTER. 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-END.) 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 _broadside-on_. ENEMY. The power or people against whom war is waged. ENFIELD RIFLE. The name of the present regulation musket for infantry, as made at the government works at Enfield, on an improvement of the Minie 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_ MARINE ENGINES.) 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 introduced 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, 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 term 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 _Englishman_ and _seaman_ are names that must live and die together." ENLARGE. The wind is said to enlarge when it veers from the side towards the stern. ENLISTMENT. The engaging recruits for the army or marines. ENNEAGON. A figure 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 Peru. 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 alongside; the latter are termed stern-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 _fore-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 fore-foot 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 joins. Also, the forcing into an enemy's ship. ENVELOPE. 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, OR 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 mass raised to protect from the fire of the enemy, but differing from a parapet in having no arrangement 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, magic power that fills an _epaulet_, No wonder hundreds for thee daily fret!" the meaning of which is now pointless. EPHEMERIS, OR NAUTICAL ALMANAC. This in its wide sense, and recognizing 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 _Kalendarium Nauticum_, by Henry Seaman, Mariner, appeared; it comprised the usual matter of annual almanacs, and was enriched with such precepts and rules in the practice 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 _Ephemeris_, 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 Nautical 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. EQUATION, ANNUAL. _See_ ANNUAL EQUATION. EQUATION OF EQUINOXES. The difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox. EQUATION OF THE CENTRE. 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 retardation 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 Oceans. EQUATORIAL DOLDRUMS. _See_ DOLDRUMS. EQUATORIAL SECTOR. An instrument of large radius for finding the difference in the right ascension and declination of two heavenly bodies. EQUATORIAL TELESCOPE. 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. Storms 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 necessary 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 _earne_, a vulture, a bird of the eagle kind. Now used to denote the sea-eagle. ERRATIC WINDS. _See_ VARIABLES. ESCALADE. The forcing a way over a rampart or other defence, properly by means of ladders or other contrivances for climbing. ESCAPE-VALVES. In marine engines. (_See_ CYLINDER ESCAPE-VALVES.) ESCARP. 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'S. An officer at the exchequer 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.--_Establishment of a port._ An awkward phrase lately lugged in to denote the tide-hour of a port. ESTIVAL. _See_ AESTIVAL. 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 _Etesiae_ 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 oscillatory 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 deg. 20', whereby we sometimes see a little further round one side than at others. EVE-EEL. A northern name for the conger; from the Danish _hav-aal_, 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 aft. Some vessels sail best when brought by the head, others by the stern. 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 man[oe]uvres, 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 and army. EXCENTRIC. In a steam-engine, a wheel placed on the crank-shaft, having its centre on one side of the axis of the shaft, 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. EXCENTRICITY. 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. EXCHEQUERED. 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, where 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.--_Military execution_ is the ravaging and destroying of a country that refuses to pay contribution. EXECUTIVE BRANCH. The commissioned and working officers of the ship, as distinguished from the civilian branch. EXERCISE. The practice of all those motions, actions, and management of arms, whereby men are duly trained for service. Also, the practice of loosing, reefing, and furling sails.--_Exercise_, in naval tactics, may be applied to the forming a fleet into order of sailing, line of battle, &c. The French term is _evolutions_ or _tactiques_, 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_ SIGNALS.) EX LEX. An outlaw (a term of law). EXPANSION-VALVE. 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 officer'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 parts. EXPORTER. The person who sends the exports abroad. EXPOSED ANCHORAGE. An open and dangerous place, by reason of the elements or the enemy. EXTERIOR SIDE. The side of an imaginary polygon, upon which the plan of a fortification is constructed. EXTERIOR SLOPE. 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 stern posts of a ship. EY. _See_ EYGHT. EYE. The circular loop of a shroud or stay where it goes over the mast.--_To eye_, to observe minutely.--_Flemish eye_, a phrase particularly applied to the eye of a stay, which is either formed at the making of the rope; or by dividing the yarns 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 where 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 round holes worked in a sail to admit a cringle or small rope through, chiefly the robands (or rope-bands), and the points of the reef-line. (_See_ SAIL.) EYE OF A BLOCK-STROP. That part by which it is fastened or suspended to any particular place upon the sails, masts, or rigging; the eye is sometimes formed by making two eye-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-SORE. Any disagreeable object. EYE-SPLICE. (_See_ SPLICE.) 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 alluvial 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, marines, and small-arm men, to turn upon the heel a quarter or half a circle round in the direction ordered. FACED. Turned up with facings on the cuffs 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. FACTORAGE. 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. FACULAE. Luminous streaks upon the disc of the sun, among which the maculae, or dark spots, usually appear. FADOME. The old form used for _fathom_ (which see). FAFF, TO. To blow in flaws. FAG, TO. To tire.--_A 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 army. 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 torda_). 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_ LARGE and SCANT.)--_Fair_, in ship-building, denotes the evenness or regularity of a curve or line.--_To fair_, means to clip the timbers fair. FAIR-CURVE. 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 ascertain 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 therein, they are said to lie in the fair-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. FAKE. One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies disposed in a coil. (_See_ COILING.) 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 1-1/2 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 ship-building, 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 is about to close till the succeeding spring. FALL, TO. A town or fortress is said to fall when it is compelled to surrender 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 contact 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. 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 _medusa_, frequently thrown ashore in summer and autumn. FALL FOUL OF, TO. To reprimand severely. (_See_ FALL ABOARD OF.) 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 HOME. When the top-sides are inclined within the perpendicular; opposite of _wall-sided_. (_See_ TUMBLING HOME.) FALLING OFF. The opposite of _griping_, or _coming up to the 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 flaring. FALLING STARS. Meteors which have very much the appearance of real stars. They were falsely regarded as foreboders of wind, as Seneca in _Hippolytus_, "Ocior cursum rapiente flamma stella cum ventis agitata longos porrigit ignes." Some are earthy, others metallic. 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 retreats 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_ TIDE.) FALL IN WITH, TO. To meet, when speaking of a ship; to discover, when speaking of the land. FALL OF TIDE. 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 others. FALL-WIND. A sudden gust. FALMADAIR. An old word signifying rudder, or a pilot. FALSE ALARM. _See_ ALARM. FALSE ATTACK. A feigned assault, made to induce a diversion or distraction 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, burns with a light blue flame from a half to several minutes. They are principally used as night-signals, but often 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, OR KELSON RIDER. A piece of timber wrought longitudinally 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. (_See_ CUT-WATER.) FALSE STERN. An additional stern 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 stern-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-LINE. 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-lift. Also, a cord laid up neatly for sashed cabin-windows. Sometimes used for _tracing-line_. 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 otherwise 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 bannerets carried by horse brigades, and corrupted from the Italian word _gonfalone_, 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. The technical phrase for breadthening the after-part of the tops. Also, widening in general. FANNING-BREEZE. One so gentle that the sail 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, _fara_]. 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 FARE YE?) FARE-CROFTS. The vessels that formerly plied between England and France. FARRANE. 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 _Hamlet_; and a weight, agreeably to the depositions of the "Portingalls" before Sir Francis Drake, _in re_ the great carrack's cargo in 1592; there were "ij^_c_ 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 for _fashion_--ship-fashion, soldier-fashion.) FASHION-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 stern; they are united to the stern-post, and to the end of the wing-transom by a rabbet. FASKIDAR. A name of the _Cataractes parasiticus_, 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 stern fasts, as the case may be. FAST AGROUND. Immovable, or high and dry. FAST AND LOOSE. An uncertain and shuffling conduct. FASTENINGS. "Let go the fasts!" throw off the ropes from the bollards or cleats. Also used for the bolts, &c., 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 a _fat_ quarter. FATHER. The dockyard name given to the person who constructs a ship of the navy. FATHER-LASHER. A name of the scorpius or scorpion, _Cottus scorpius_, a fish about 9 inches long, common near rocky coasts. FATHOM [Anglo-Saxon, _faedm_]. 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 fathom_, 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. FAUSSEBRAYE. In fortification, a kind of counterguard or low rampart, intended to protect the lower part of the main escarp behind it from being breached, but considered in modern times to do more harm than good to the defence. FAVOUR, TO. To be careful of; also to be fair for.--"_Favour her_" 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 economically 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 FENA. 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, hatchway 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 resistance 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 cut-water 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. FEAZINGS. The fagging out or unravelling of an unwhipped rope. FECKET. A Guernsey frock. FECKLESS. Weak and silly. FEEDER. A small river falling into a large one, or into a dock or float. _Feeders_, in pilot slang, are the passing spurts of rain which feed a gale. FEEDING-GALE. 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-PART 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 head-way 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. _Fell_ is the Anglo-Saxon for a skin or hide. FELL-HEAD. The top of a mountain not distinguished by a peak. FELL IN WITH. Met by chance. FELLOES [from _felly_]. The arch-pieces which form the rim or circumference 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_ LUNTRA.) A little vessel with six or eight oars, frequent 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 country. 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 aphaeresis from defend; to ward off. FEND OR FENDER BOLTS. Made with long and thick heads, struck into the outermost bends or wales of a ship, to save her sides from hurts and bruises. FENDER-PILES. In a dock, &c. FENDERS. Two pieces of oak-plank fayed edgeways against the top-sides, abreast the main hatchway, to prevent the sides being chafed by the hoisting 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, &c., to prevent one vessel running against another, or against a wharf, &c. Fend off, with the boat-hook or stretchers in a boat.--_Fend the boat_, keep her from beating against the ship's side. FERNAN 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 broadsword, named after the famous Spanish sword-smith, Andrea Ferrara. FERRIAGE. An old right of the admiralty over all rivers between the sea and the first bridges. FERRY. A passage across a river or branch of the sea by boat. FERRY-BOATS. Vessels or wherries duly licensed for conveying passengers across a river or creek. FETCH, TO. To reach, or arrive at; as, "we shall fetch to windward of the lighthouse this tack." FETCH HEAD-WAY OR STERN-WAY. 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 that of the pump-spear. (_See_ PUMP.) FETCH OF A BAY OR GULF. The whole stretch from 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. FEU-DE-JOIE. A salute fired by musketry on occasions of public rejoicing, 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 _fine 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. A square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, used to support the weight of the top-mast when erected 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 top-mast 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. (_See_ MAST.) A fid is also a conical pin of hard wood, of any size from 10 inches downwards, tapering to a point, 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-spikes_ (called _stabbers_ 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 very taut. FIDDLE-BLOCK. A long shell, having one sheave over the other, and the lower smaller than the upper (_see_ LONG-TACKLES), in contradistinction 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 (_Limulus polyphemus_), from its supposed resemblance to that instrument. FIDDLE-HEAD. When there is no figure; this means that the termination of the head is formed by a scroll turning aft or inward like a violin: in contradistinction to the _scroll-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 represented 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 the field_, quitting cantonments, and going on active service. FIELD-ALLOWANCE. 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 applicable to the active operations of the field. The term generally includes 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-FORTIFICATION. 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 opera-glass, used for field-work, night-work, and at races. FIELD-GUN. _See_ FIELD-ARTILLERY. FIELD-ICE. 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-colonels, 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 all ships of war for land service. FIELD-WORKS. The constructions of _field-fortification_ (which see). FIERY-FLAW, OR FIRE-FLAIRE. A northern designation of the sting-ray (_Raia pastinaca_). 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 main-mast, and encircling both it and the pumps, furnished with belaying 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 L30, 8_s._ per annum. FIG, 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-DOWDIE. 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, ENGAGEMENT, EXERCISE, &c. FIGHTING-LANTERNS. Kept in their respective fire-buckets at quarters, in readiness for night action only. There is usually one attached to each 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 top-sails 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 bombastically exclaim-- "Clap on more sails: pursue, up with your fights." _Close fights_, synonymous with _close quarters_. FIGURE. 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. Paul's 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 1/299. FIKE. _See_ FYKE. FILADIERE. 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 file._ 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 shivering, 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 guns. FILLET-HORSE. The horse 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 is still used for piles in salt-water. FILLING IN. The replacing a ship's vacant planks opened for ventilation, 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 fayed in between the chocks 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-YARD. An order well understood to mean, fill the main-topsail, after it has been aback, or the ship hove-to. FILTER. A strainer to free water from its impurities, usually termed by seamen _drip-stone_ (which see). FILUM AQUAE. The thread or middle of any river or stream which divides countries, manors, &c.--_File du mer_, the high tide of the sea. FIMBLE HEMP; _female hemp_, is that which is chiefly used for domestic purposes, and therefore falls to the care of the women, as _carl_ or _male hemp_, which produces the flower, does to the maker of cordage. "Wife, pluck fro thy seed hemp, the _fimble hemp_ clean, This looketh more yellow, the other more green; Use this one for thy spinning, leave Michael the t'other, For shoe-thread and halter, for rope and such other."--_Tusser._ 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 affords of a race of fishermen. FIN-BACK. _See_ FINNER. FIND, TO. To provide with or furnish. FINDING. The verdict of a court-martial. FINDON HADDOCK. The Finnan Haddie, a species of haddock cured by smoke-drying at Montrose and Aberdeen. FINE. A term of comparison, as fine ship, &c., or _lean_ (which see). Also, _see_ FYEN. 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: _upper_ and _lower_, as above or below the stools. FINNER. Whales of the genus _Balaenoptera_ are so termed, being distinguished from the right whales by the possession of a small 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 comparatively little oil, and their baleen, or "whalebone," is almost worthless; consequently, they suffer much less than the right whales from the persecutions of the whalers. The finner, 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. _See_ FINNER. 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 _Promptorium Parvulorum_. FIR-BUILT. Constructed of fir. FIRE! 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 discharging ordnance. FIRE, LOSS BY. Is within the policy of insurance, whether it be by accident, 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 gunpowder, from the heaviest cannon to a pistol. FIRE-ARROWS. Missiles in olden times carrying combustibles; much used in the sea-fights 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. FIRE-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. FIRE-BARE. An old term from the Anglo-Saxon for _beacon_. FIRE-BARS. The range fronting a steam-boiler. FIRE-BILL. The distribution of the officers and crew in case of the alarm of fire, 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 with a sinnet laniard of regulated length, for reaching the water from the lower yards. (_See_ FIREMEN.) 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-FLAUGHTS. The _aurora borealis_, or northern lights. FIRE-HEARTH. The security base of the galley-range and all its conveniences. 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