HAMMER. The shipwright's hammer is a well-known tool for driving nails
and clenching bolts, differing from hammers in general.
HAMMER, OF A GUN-LOCK. Formerly the steel covering of the pan from which
the flint of the cock struck sparks on to the priming; but now the cock
itself, by its hammer action on the cap or other percussion priming,
discharges the piece. Whether the hammer will be superseded by the
needle remains to be determined.
HAMMER-HEADED SHARK. The _Zygaena malleus_, a strange, ugly shark. The
eyes are situated at the extremities of the hammer-shaped head. They
seldom take bait or annoy human beings. They are for the most part
inert, live near the surf edge, and are frequently found washed up on
sandy beaches. Chiefly found on the coasts of Barbary.
HAMMERING. A heavy cannonade at close quarters.
HAMMOCK. A swinging sea-bed, the undisputed invention of Alcibiades; but
the modern name is derived from the Caribs. (_See_ HAMACS.) At present
the hammock consists of a piece of canvas, 6 feet long and 4 feet wide,
gathered together at the two ends by means of clews, formed by a grommet
and knittles, whence the _head-clue_ and _foot-clue_: the hammock is
hung horizontally under the deck, and forms a receptacle for the bed on
which the seamen sleep. There are usually allowed from 14 to 20 inches
between hammock and hammock in a ship of war. In preparing for action,
the hammocks, together with their contents, are all firmly corded, taken
upon deck, and fixed in various nettings, so as to form a barricade
against musket-balls. (_See_ ENGAGEMENT.)
HAMMOCK-BATTENS OR RACKS. Cleats or battens nailed to the sides of a
vessel's beams, from which to suspend the seamen's hammocks.
HAMMOCK-BERTHING. Forecastle-men forward, and thence passing aft,
foretop-men, maintop-men, mizentop-men, waisters, after-guard, and boys.
Quartermasters in the tiers.
HAMMOCK-CLOTHS. To protect them from wet while stowed in the nettings on
deck.
HAMMOCK GANT-LINES. Lines extended from the jib-boom end around the
ship, triced up to the lower yard-arms, for drying scrubbed hammocks.
HAMMOCK-NETTINGS. Take their distinguishing names according to their
location in the ship, as forecastle, waist, quarter-deck.
HAMMOCK-RACKS. _See_ HAMMOCK-BATTENS.
HAMPER. Things, which, though necessary, are in the way in times of gale
or service. (_See_ TOP-HAMPER.)
HAMPERED. Perplexed and troubled.
HAMRON. An archaic term, meaning the hold of a ship.
HANCES. Spandrels; the falls or descents of fife-rails. Also, the
breakings of the rudder abaft. (_See_ HAUNCH.)
HAND. A phrase often used for the word man, as, "a hand to the lead,"
"clap more hands on," &c.--_To hand a sail_, is to furl it.--_To lend a
hand_, to assist.--_Bear a hand_, make haste.--_Hand in the leech_, a
call in furling sails. To comprehend this it must be understood that the
leech, or outer border of the sail, if left to belly or fill with wind,
would set at naught all the powers of the men. It is therefore
necessary, as Falconer has it, "the tempest to disarm;" so by handing in
this leech-rope before the yard, the canvas is easily folded in, and the
gasket passed round.