LOWE. A flame, blaze. The torch used in the north by fish-poachers.
LOWER, TO. The atmosphere to become cloudy. Also, to ease down
gradually, expressed of some weighty body suspended by tackles or ropes,
which, being slackened, suffer the said body to descend as slowly, or
expeditiously, as occasion requires.
LOWER-BREADTH-SWEEP. The second on the builder's draught, representing
the lower height of breadth, on which line is set off the main
half-breadth of the ship at its corresponding timber.
LOWER COUNTER. The counter between the upper counter and the rail under
the lights.
LOWER-DECKERS. The heaviest armament, usually on the lower deck.
LOWER-FINISHING. _See_ FINISHINGS.
LOWER HANDSOMELY, LOWER CHEERLY. Are opposed to each other; the former
being the order to lower gradually, and the latter to lower
expeditiously.
LOWER-HEIGHT. _See_ MAIN-BREADTH.
LOWER-HOLD. The space for cargo in a merchant-vessel, fitted with
'tween-decks.
LOWER-HOLD-BEAMS. The lowest range of beams in a merchantman.
LOWER-HOPE. A well-known reach in the Thames where ships wait for the
turn of the tide.
LOWER-LIFTS. The lifts of the fore, main, and crossjack-yards.
LOWER MASTS. _See_ MAST.
LOWER TRANSIT. The opposite to the upper transit of a circumpolar star:
the passage _sub polo_.
LOW LATITUDES. Those regions far removed from the poles of the earth
towards the equator, 10 deg. south or north of it.
LOW SAILS. The courses and close-reefed top-sails.
LOW WATER. The lowest point to which the tide ebbs. (_See_ TIDE.) Also,
used figuratively for being in distress, without money.
LOXODROMIC. The line of a ship's way when sailing oblique to the
meridian.
LOXODRONIUS. The _traverse table_.