KEELMEN. A rough and hardy body of men, who work the _keels_ of
Newcastle. Sometimes termed keel-bullies. They are recognized as
mariners in various statutes.
KEEL-PIECES. The parts of the keel which are of large timber.
KEEL-RAKE. Synonymous with _keel-haul_. _See_ KEEL-HAULING.
KEEL-ROPE. A coarse rope formerly used for cleaning the limber-holes.
KEELS. An old British name for long vessels--formerly written _ceol_ and
_cyulis_. Verstegan informs us that the Saxons came over in three large
ships, styled by themselves _keeles_.
KEELSON, OR KELSON. An internal keel, laid upon the middle of the
floor-timbers, immediately over the keel, and serving to bind all
together by means of long bolts driven from without, and clinched on the
upper side of the keelson. The main keelson, in order to fit with more
security upon the floor-timbers, is notched opposite to each of them,
and there secured by spike-nails. The pieces of which it is formed are
usually less in breadth and thickness than those of the keel.
KEELSON-RIDER. _See_ FALSE KELSON.
KEEL-STAPLES. Generally made of copper, from six to twelve inches long,
with a jagged hook to each end. They are driven into the sides of the
main and false keels to fasten them.
KEEP. A strong donjon or tower in the middle of a castle, usually the
last resort of its garrison in a siege. Also, a reservoir for fish by
the side of a river.--_To keep_, a term used on several occasions in
navigation; as, "_Keep her away_," alter the ship's course to leeward,
by sailing further off the wind. The reverse is, "_Keep your wind, keep
your luff_," close to the wind.
KEEP A GOOD HOLD OF THE LAND. Is to hug it as near as it can safely be
done.
KEEP HER OWN. Not to fall off; not driven back by tide.
KEEPING A GOOD OFFING. To keep well off shore while under sail, so as to
be clear of danger should the wind suddenly shift and blow towards the
shore.
KEEPING A WATCH. To have charge of the deck. Also, the act of being on
watch-duty.
KEEPING FULL FOR STAYS. A necessary precaution to give the sails full
force, in aid of the rudder when going about.
KEEPING HER WAY. The force of steady motion through the water, continued
after the power which gave it has varied or diminished.
KEEPING THE SEA. The term formerly used when orders were issued for the
array of the inhabitants of the sea-coasts.
KEEP OFF. To fall to a distance from the shore, or a ship, &c. (_See_
OFFING.)
KEEP THE LAND ABOARD. Is to sail along it, or within sight, as much as
possible, or as close as danger will permit.
KEEP YOUR LUFF. An order to the helmsman to keep the ship close to the
wind, _i.e._ sailing with a course as near as possible to the direction
from which the wind is coming. (_See_ CLOSE-HAULED.)
KEG. A small cask, of no fixed contents. Used familiarly for taking
offence, as _to keg_, is to irritate.--_To carry the keg._ To continue;
originally a smuggler's phrase.
KEGGED. Feeling affronted or jeered at.
KELDS. The still parts of a river, which have an oily smoothness while
the rest of the water is ruffled.
KELF. The incision made in a tree by the axe when felling it.