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.