GALEAS. _See_ GALLIAS.
GALE OF WIND. Implies what on shore is called a storm, more particularly
termed a _hard gale_ or _strong gale_; number of force, 10.--_A stiff
gale_ is the diminutive of the preceding, but stronger than a
breeze.--_A fresh gale_ is a still further diminutive, and not too
strong for a ship to carry single-reefed top-sails when
close-hauled.--_A top-gallant gale_, if a ship can carry her top-gallant
sails.--_To gale away_, to go free.
GALEOPIS. An ancient war-ship with a prow resembling the beak of a
sword-fish.
GALITA. _See_ GUERITE.
GALL. _See_ WIND-GALL.
GALLANTS. All flags borne on the mizen-mast were so designated.
GALLAN WHALE. The largest whale which visits the Hebrides.
GALLED. The result of friction, to prevent which it is usual to cover,
with skins, mats, or canvas, the places most exposed to it. (_See_
SERVICE.)
GALLEON, OR GALION. A name formerly given to ships of war furnished with
three or four batteries of cannon. It is now retained only by the
Spaniards, and applied to the largest size of their merchant ships
employed in West India and Vera Cruz voyages. The Portuguese also have
ships trading to India and the Brazils nearly resembling the galleons,
and called caragues. (_See_ CARACK.)
GALLEOT, OR GALLIOT. A small galley designed only for chase, generally
carrying but one mast, with sixteen or twenty oars. All the seamen on
board act as soldiers, and each has a musket by him ready for use on
quitting his oar. Also, a Dutch or Flemish vessel for cargoes, with very
rounded ribs and flattish bottom, with a mizen-mast stept far aft,
carrying a square-mainsail and main-topsail, a fore-stay to the
main-mast (there being no fore-mast), with fore-staysail and jibs. Some
also call the bomb-ketches galliots. (_See_ SCAMPAVIA.)
GALLERY. A balcony projecting from the admiral's or captain's cabin; it
is usually decorated with a balustrade, and extends from one side of the
ship to the other; the roof is formed by a sort of vault termed a cove,
which is frequently ornamented with carving. (_See_ STERN; also
QUARTER-GALLERY.)
GALLERY OF A MINE. The passage of horizontal communication, as
distinguished from the shaft or vertical descent, made underground by
military miners to reach the required position, for lodging the charge,
&c.; it averages 4-1/2 feet high by 3 feet wide.
GALLERY-LADDER. Synonymous with _stern-ladder_.
GALLEY. A low, flat-built vessel with one deck, and propelled by sails
and oars, particularly in the Mediterranean. The largest sort, called
galleasses, were formerly employed by the Venetians. They were about 160
feet long above, and 130 by the keel, 30 wide, and 20 length of
stern-post. They were furnished with three masts and thirty banks of
oars, each bank containing two oars, and every oar managed by
half-a-dozen slaves, chained to them. There are also _half-galleys_ and
_quarter-galleys_, but found by experience to be of little utility
except in fine weather. They generally hug the shore, only sometimes
venturing out to sea for a summer cruise. Also, an open boat rowing six
or eight oars, and used on the river Thames by custom-house officers,
and formerly by press-gangs; hence the names "custom-house galley,"
"press-galley," &c. Also, a clincher-built fast rowing-boat, rather
larger than a gig, appropriated in a man-of-war for the use of the
captain. The _galley_ or _gally_ is also the name of the ship's hearth
or kitchen, being the place where the grates are put up and the victuals
cooked. In small merchantmen it is called the caboose; and is generally
abaft the forecastle or fore-part of the ship.
GALLEY-ARCHES. Spacious and well-built structures in many of the
Mediterranean ports for the reception and security of galleys.
GALLEY-FOIST OR FUST. The lord-mayor's barge, and other vessels for
holidays. (_See_ FUST.)
GALLEY-GROWLERS. Idle grumblers and skulkers, from whom discontent and
mutiny generally derive their origin. Hence, "galley-packets," news
before the mail arrives.
GALLEY-NOSE. The figure-head.