"The tough ash-spear, so stout and true,
Into a thousand flinders flew."
FLINT. The stone of a gun-lock, by which a spark was elicited for the
discharge of the loaded piece.
FLIP. A once celebrated sea-drink, composed of beer, spirits, and sugar,
said to have been introduced by Sir Cloudesley Shovel. Also, a smart
blow.
FLIPPER. The fin-like paw or paddle of marine mammalia; it is also
applied to the hand, as when the boatswain's mate exulted in having
"taken a lord by the flipper."
FLITCH. The outside cut or slab of a tree.
FLITTER. The Manx name for limpet.
FLITTERING. An old English word for floating.
FLIZZING. The passage of a splinter [from the Dutch _flissen_, to fly].
FLO. An old English word for arrow, used by Chaucer.
FLOAT [Anglo-Saxon _fleot_ or _fleet_]. A place where vessels float, as
at Northfleet. Also, the inner part of a ship-canal. In wet-docks ships
are kept afloat while loading and discharging cargo. Two double gates,
having a lock between them, allow the entry and departure of vessels
without disturbing the inner level. Also, a raft or quantity of timber
fastened together, to be floated along a river by a tide or current.
FLOATAGE. Synonymous with _flotsam_ (which see). Pieces of wreck
floating about.
FLOAT-BOARDS. The same as _floats_ of a paddle-wheel.
FLOATING ANCHOR. A simple machine consisting of a fourfold canvas,
stretched by two cross-bars of iron, rivetted in the centre, and swifted
at the ends. It is made to hang perpendicularly at some distance below
the surface, where it presents great resistance to being dragged through
the water, diminishing a ship's leeward drift in a gale where there is
no anchorage.
FLOATING BATTERY. A vessel expressly fitted for action in harbours or
sheltered waters, having heavier offensive and defensive dispositions
(generally including much iron-plating) than would be compatible with a
sea-going character. Also, a vessel used as a battery to cover troops
landing on an enemy's coast. Also, one expressly fitted for harbour
defence.
FLOATING BETHEL. An old ship fitted up in a commercial port for the
purpose of public Worship.
FLOATING BRIDGE. A passage formed across a river or creek by means of
bridges of boats, as over the Douro, Rhine, &c.
FLOATING COFFIN. (_See_ FRAPPING A SHIP.) A term for the old 10-gun
brigs.
FLOATING DAM. A caisson used instead of gates for a dry-dock.
FLOATING DOCK. _See_ CAISSON.
FLOATING GRAVING-DOCK. A modified _camel_ (which see).
FLOATING LIGHT. A vessel moored off rocks or sand-banks, hoisting lights
at night.
FLOATING PIER. As the stage at Liverpool.
FLOATING STAGE. For caulkers, painters, &c.
FLOATS. Large flat-bottomed boats, for carrying blocks of stone. Also,
the 'thwart boards forming the circumference and force of the
paddle-wheels of steamers.
FLOE. A field of floating ice of any extent, as beyond the range of
vision, for notwithstanding its cracks the floes pressed together are
assumed as one; hence, if ships make fast to the floe-edge, and it parts
from the main body, sail is made, and the ship goes to the next
available floe-edge.
FLOGGING THE GLASS. Where there is no ship time-piece the watches and
half-hour bells are governed by a half-hour sand-glass. The run of the
sand was supposed to be quickened by vibration, hence some weary soul
towards the end of his watch was said to flog the glass.
FLOME. An old word for a river or flood.
FLOOD AND FLOOD-TIDE. The flux of the tide, or the time the water
continues rising. When the water begins to rise, it is called a young
flood, next it is quarter-flood, half-flood, and top of flood, or high
water.
FLOOD-ANCHOR. That which the ship rides by during the flood-tide.
FLOOD-MARK. The line made by the tide upon the shore at its greatest
height; it is also called high-water mark. This denotes the jurisdiction
of the High Court of Admiralty, or vice-admirals of counties.
FLOOK, OR FLUCK. The flounder; but the name, which is of very old
standing, is also applied to various other pleuronects or flat-fish.
FLOOR. The bottom of a vessel on each side of the kelson; but strictly
taken, it is only so much of her bottom as she rests upon when aground.
Such ships as have long and withal broad floors, lie on the ground with
most security; whereas others which are narrow in the floor, fall over
on their sides and break their timbers.
FLOOR-GUIDE. In ship-building, is a ribband placed between the floor and
the keel.
FLOOR-HEAD. This, in marine architecture, is the third diagonal,
terminating the length of the floors near the bilge of the ship, and
bevellings are taken from it both forward and abaft. The upper
extremities of a vessel's floor-timbers, plumb to the quarter-beam.
FLOOR-HOLLOW. The inflected curve of the floor, extending from the keel
to the back of the floor-sweep, which the floor does not take.
FLOOR-PLANS. In naval architecture, are longitudinal sections, whereon
are represented the water-lines and ribband-lines.
FLOOR-RIBBAND. This is an important fir-timber which runs round a little
below the floor-heads, for the support of the floors.
FLOOR-RIDERS. Knees brought in from side to side over the floor ceiling
and kelson, to support the bottom, if bilged or weak, for heavy cargo.
FLOORS, OR FLOOR-TIMBERS. Those parts of the ship's timbers which are
placed immediately across the keel, and upon which the bottom of the
ship is framed; to these the upper parts of the timbers are united,
being only a continuation of floor-timbers upwards.
FLOOR-SWEEPS. The radii that sweep the heads of the floors. The first in
the builder's draught, which is limited by a line in the body-plan,
perpendicular to the plane of elevation, a little above the keel; and
the height of this line above the keel is called the _dead-rising_.