MAASH. A large trading vessel of the Nile.
MACE. A war-club of old.
MACHICOULIS. A projecting gallery over gateways, or walls insufficiently
flanked: being open at the bottom between its supporting corbels, it
allows of defending the foot of the wall.
MACKEREL. The _Scomber vulgaris_, a well-known sea-fish.
MACKEREL-BOAT. A stout clinch-worked vessel, with a large fore-sail,
sprit-sail, and mizen.
MACKEREL-SKY. _See_ CIRRO-CUMULUS.
MACKEREL-STURE. A northern name for the tunny, _Scomber thynnus_.
MACULAE. Dark temporary spots which are very frequently observed upon the
sun's disc: they are of various forms, surrounded by a lighter shade or
penumbra.
MAD. The state of a compass needle, the polarity of which has been
injured.
MADDY, OR MADDIE. A large species of mussel abundant among the rocks of
the western islands of Scotland and Wales.
MADE. A professional term for having obtained a commission, or being
promoted. Also, in some points synonymous with _built_. (_See_ MADE
MASTS, &c.)
MADE-EYE. Synonymous with _Flemish eye_ (which see).
MADE MASTS. The large masts made in several pieces. A ship's lower mast
is a made spar; her top-mast is a whole spar.--_Made block_ is one
having its shell composed of different pieces.
MADRIERS. Long and broad planks, used for supporting the earth in
mining. Also, an old term for sheathing.
MAGAZINE. A place built for the safe-keeping of ammunition; afloat it is
confined to a close room, in the fore or after part, or both, of a
ship's hold, as low down as possible; it is lighted occasionally by
means of candles fixed in the light-room adjoining it, and no person is
allowed to enter it with a lamp or candle. (_See_ LIGHT-ROOM.)
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS. A popular term for the two _Nubeculae_, or great
cloudy-looking spots in the southern heavens, which are found to consist
of a vast number of nebulae and clusters of stars.
MAGELLAN JACKET. A name given to a watch-coat with a hood, worn in high
latitudes--first used by Cook's people.
MAGGED. Worn, fretted, and stretched rope, as a magged brace. Also,
reproved.
MAGNET. _See_ COMPASS.
MAGNETIC AMPLITUDE. The angle between the east or west point of a
compass and any heavenly body at its rising or setting.
MAGNETIC AZIMUTH. An arc of the horizon intercepted between the azimuth
circle of a celestial object and the magnetic meridian.
MAGNETIC COMPENSATOR. An iron plate fixed near the compass, to
neutralize the effect of local attraction upon the needle.
MAGNETIC NEEDLE. Applied to theodolites, ships' compasses, &c. A
balanced needle, highly magnetized, which points to the magnetic pole,
when not influenced by the local attraction of neighbouring iron. The
magnetism may be discharged by blows, or a fall; hence, after an action
at sea, the needles are often found to be useless, until re-magnetized.
MAGNETIC STORM. An extraordinary magnetic action indicated by delicate
magnetometers in a magnetic observatory, not perceptible on ordinary
magnets.
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH. An instrument for communicating messages by means of
magnetism.
MAGNITUDE OF AN ECLIPSE. The proportion which the eclipsed part of the
surface of the sun or moon bears to the diameter; it is sometimes
expressed in digits, but more frequently as a decimal, the diameter
being taken as unity.
MAGNITUDES OF STARS. The relative degrees of apparent size in which the
fixed stars are arranged, and classed according to the intensity of
their light. The first six classes, designated by Greek letters, include
all those which are distinctly visible to the naked eye.
MAHONE, MAHONNA, OR MAON. A former Turkish flat-bottomed vessel of
burden, mentioned among the ships of Soliman Pasha, in the siege of Diu.
MAID. A coast name of the skate.
MAIDEN. A fortress which has never been taken.
MAIL. A coat of armour. Also, a number of rings interwoven net-wise, and
used for rubbing off the loose hemp from white cordage after it is made.
MAIL-SHELL. A name for the chiton.
MAIN. A continent or mainland. Also, figuratively, the ocean.
MAIN-BODY. The body of troops that marches between the advance-guard and
the rear-guard of an army.
MAIN-BOOM. The spar which stretches the foot of the boom-mainsail in a
fore-and-aft rigged vessel.
MAIN-BRACE. A purchase attached to the main-yard for trimming it to the
wind.
MAIN-BREADTH. The broadest part of a ship at any particular timber or
frame, distinguished by upper and lower heights of breadth lines.
MAIN-CAPSTAN. The after one, as distinguished from the jeer-capstan.
MAIN-COURSE. The main-sail.
MAIN-GUARD. The principal guard of a garrison town, usually posted in
the place-of-arms, or the market-place.
MAIN-HOLD. That part of a ship's hold which lies near the main-hatch.
MAIN-ICE. A body of impenetrable ice apparently detached from the land,
but immovable; between which and the land are lanes of water.
MAIN-JEERS. Jeers for swaying up the main-yard.
MAIN-KEEL. The principal keel, as distinguished from the false-keel and
the keelson.
MAIN-PIECE. The strong horizontal beam of the windlass, supported at the
ends by iron spindles in the _windlass-bitts_.
MAIN-PIECE OF THE RUDDER. The _rudder-stock_, or piece which is
connected by the _rudder-bands_ to the stern-post.
MAIN-POST. The stern-post, as distinguished from the false-post and
inner-post.
MAIN ROYAL-MAST. That above the main topgallant-mast.
MAIN-SAIL. This, in a square-rigged vessel, is distinguished by the
so-termed _square main-sail_; in a fore-and-aft rigged vessel it obtains
the name of _boom main-sail_. Brigs carry both.
MAIN-SAIL HAUL! The order given to haul the after-yards round when the
ship is nearly head to wind in tacking.
MAIN-SHAFT. The principal shaft in machinery.
MAINSHEET-HORSE. A kind of iron dog fixed at the middle of a wooden
beam, stretching across a craft's stern, from one quarter stanchion to
the other; on it the mainsheet-block travels.
MAIN-SPRING. The source of continuous motion in a time-keeper. Also,
that part of a musket-lock which is sunk into the stock.
MAIN-STAYSAIL. A storm-sail set between the fore and main masts.
MAIN-TACK BLOCK. A block forming part of the purchase used for hauling
the main-tack down to.
MAIN-TACKLE. A large and strong tackle, hooked occasionally upon the
main pendant, and used for various purposes, particularly in securing
the mast, by setting up the rigging, stays, &c.
MAIN-TACKLE PENDANT. A stout piece of rope with a hook in one end, and a
thimble in the other, sometimes used for hauling the main-tackle down.
MAIN-TOP BOWLINE. The bowline of the main-topsail. It is used to haul
the weather-leech forward when on a wind, which makes the sail stand
better.
MAIN-TOPSAIL HAUL! The order used instead of _main-sail haul_, when the
main-sail is not set.
MAIN-TRANSOM. A term often applied to the _wing-transom_ (which see).
MAIN-WALES. The lower wales, which are generally placed on the lower
breadth, and so that the main-deck knee-bolts may come into them.
MAIN-YARD MEN. Those in the doctor's list.
MAISTER. _See_ MASTER.
MAIZE. Indian corn, an article of extensive commerce in many countries.
In Italy it is called _Turkey grain_ and _grano d'India_; in America
simply _corn_, all other grains retaining their distinctive names.
MAJOR. The next rank below that of lieutenant-colonel; the junior
field-officer.
MAJOR AXIS. In the orbit of a planet, means the line joining its
aphelion and perihelion.
MAJOR-GENERAL. The next in rank below the lieutenant-general.
MAJOR OF BRIGADE. _See_ BRIGADE-MAJOR.
MAKE, TO. Is variously applied in sea-language.
MAKE A GOOD BOARD. _See_ BOARD.
MAKE A LANE THERE! The order of the boatswain for the crew to separate
at muster, to facilitate the approach of any one whose name is called.
(_See_ LANE.)
MAKE BAD WEATHER, TO. A ship rolling, pitching, or leaking violently in
a gale.
MAKE FAST. A word generally used for tying or securing ropes. To
fasten.
MAKE FREE WITH THE LAND, TO. To approach the shore closely.
MAKE HEAD-WAY. A ship makes head-way when she advances through the
water.
MAKE IT SO. The order of a commander to confirm the time, sunrise, noon,
or sunset, reported to him by the officer of the watch.
MAKE LEE-WAY, TO. To drift to leeward of the course.
MAKE READY! Be prepared.
MAKES. This expresses coming on; as, the tide makes, &c.
MAKE SAIL, TO. To increase the quantity of sail already set, either by
letting out reefs, or by setting additional sails.
MAKE STERN-WAY, TO. To retreat, or move stern foremost.
MAKE THE LAND, TO. To see it from a distance after a voyage.
MAKE WATER, TO. Usually signifies the act of a ship leaking, unless the
epithet _foul_ be added. (_See_ FOUL WATER.)
MAKING IRON. One of the caulker's tools; it has a groove in it, and is
used after the caulking iron to finish off the seam. (_See_ MEAKING.)
MAKING OFF. Cutting the flensed blubber of a whale into pieces, fitted
to pass in at the bilge-holes of the butts which receive it.
MALA FIDES. In admiralty law, not to be presumed, even under concealment
of letters, or deviation from truth in formal papers.
MALDUCK. One of the names given to the fulmar, _Procellaria glacialis_.
MALKIN. A joint-staff sponge, for cleaning out a piece of ordnance.
MALINGERER [Fr. _malingre_]. One who counterfeits illness for the
purpose of avoiding duty.
MALLARD. The male of the wild duck (_Anas boschas_).
MALLEMAK, OR MOLLYMAUK. A sea-bird; the _Procellaria glacialis_, called
also _fulmar_ (which see).
MALLEMAROKING. The visiting and carousing of seamen in the Greenland
ships.
MALLET. A wooden hammer, of which there are several sorts.--_A caulking
mallet_ is employed to drive the oakum into the seams of a ship. The
head of this mallet is long, cylindrical, and hooped with
iron.--_Serving mallet._ A cylindrical piece of wood with a groove on
one side and a handle on the other. It is used in serving the rigging,
binding the spun yarn more firmly about it than could be done by hand.
MALLOW. A northern name for the sea-plant _Zostera marina_.
MALTHA. Mineral pitch.
MAN. A ship is frequently spoken of as _man_; as man-of-war,
merchantman, Guineaman, East or West Indiaman, Greenlandman, &c.
MAN, TO. To provide a competent number of hands for working and fighting
a ship; to place people for duty, as "Man the barge;" "Man the capstan;"
"Man the yards," &c.
MAN, ISLE OF, BATTERY. A name given to the three guns mounted on ships'
turrets.
MANACLE. A handcuff.
MANARVEL, TO. To pilfer small stores.
MANATEE, MANATI, OR SEA-COW (_Manatus americanus_). A herbivorous
aquatic animal of the order _Sirenia_, found in the West Indies and
South American rivers. Another species (_Manatus senegalensis_) inhabits
the west coast of Africa.
MAN-BOUND. Detained in port in consequence of being short of complement.
MAN-BROKER. Synonymous with _crimp_ (which see).
MANBY'S MORTAR. An efficient apparatus for throwing a shell with a line
and chain attached to it, over a stranded vessel, and thereby opening a
communication between the wreck and the shore.
MANCHE OF MANGALORE. A flat-bottomed boat of burden, about 25 to 35 feet
long, 6 or 7 feet broad, and 4 or 5 feet deep, for landing the cargoes
of the _patamars_, which are discharged and loaded at the mouth of the
river. These boats are sewed together like the Masulah boats of
Madras.--The _Manche of Calicut_ is very similar to the foregoing, with
the exception of a raking stem for the purpose of taking the beach.
MANCHINEEL. _Hippomane mancinella_, a tree which grows to a vast size on
the coasts of the Caribbee Isles and neighbouring continent. The fruit
and sap are highly poisonous; but sleeping beneath the branches does not
cause death, as was erroneously supposed.
MANDARIN. A Portuguese word derived from _mandare_, "to command." It is
unknown to the Chinese and Tonquinese, who style their dignitaries
"quahn."
MANDILION. A loose boat-cloak of former times.
MANDRIL. A wooden cylinder for forming paper cartridges.
MANGER. A small berthing in the bows, extending athwart the deck of a
ship-of-war immediately within the hawse-holes, and separated on the
after-part from the rest of the deck by the _manger-board_, a strong
coaming rather higher than the hawse-holes, serving to prevent the
ingress of the sea when the cables are bent; this water is returned to
the sea through the manger-scuppers, which are made large for that
purpose.
MANGONEL. An ancient military engine in the form of a gigantic
cross-bow, discharging large darts and stones, used in battering
fortified places: a kind of ballista.
MANGONIZE, TO. To traffic in slaves.
MAN-HANDLE, TO. To move by force of men, without levers or tackles.
MAN-HOLE. The aperture, secured by a door, in the upper part of a
steam-boiler, which allows a person to enter for repairing it or
removing the deposit or crust of salt.
MAN-HUNTING. The impress service.
MANIFEST. An official inventory of the cargo of a merchant ship,
specifying the name and tonnage of the vessel, the description of goods,
the names of shippers and consignees, and the marks of each package.
MANILLA ROPE. A valuable cordage made in the Philippines, which, not
being subject to rot, does not require to be tarred.
MANIPLE. A small armed party; a term derived from the subdivision of a
Roman cohort.
MAN[OE]UVRE. A dexterous management of anything connected with the ship.
MAN-OF-WAR. Any vessel in the royal navy.
MAN-OF-WAR BIRD, OR FRIGATE BIRD. _Fregata aquila_, a sea-bird of the
family _Pelecanidae_, found in the tropics, remarkable for the length of
its wings and rapidity of its flight.
MAN-OF-WAR FASHION. A state of order, tidiness, and good discipline.
MAN-OF-WAR'S MAN. A seaman belonging to the royal navy.
MANOMETER. A steam-gauge.
MAN OVERBOARD! A cry which excites greater activity in a ship than any
other, from the anxious desire to render assistance.
MAN SHIP! Is to range the people on the yards and rigging in readiness
to give three cheers, as a salute on meeting, parting company, or other
occasions; a good old custom now slackening. In war, as instanced by the
_Nymphe_ and _Cleopatra_, the meeting of enemies was truly chivalrous;
though there was a case where the response was so moderated as to be
laughed at as "a cheer with the chill on."
MANSIONS OF THE MOON. _See_ LUNAR MANSIONS.
MANTILLIS. A kind of shield anciently fixed upon the tops of ships as a
cover for archers.
MANTLETS. Large movable musket-proof blinds used by besiegers at the
head of a sap, now mostly fitted to embrasures to protect the gunners
from sharpshooters: they are best when made of plaited rope.
MANUAL-EXERCISE. The regulated series of motions for handling and
carrying the musket, except what is connected with firing it.
MANUBALIST. A stout cross-bow.
MANXMAN. A seaman or native of the Isle of Man.
MANZERA. A vessel used in the Adriatic for carrying cattle.
MAON. _See_ MAHONE.
MAR. Latin _mare_, the sea: a prefix, as Margate, the sea-way, &c.
MARABUT. A sail which galleys hoisted in bad weather. Also, small
edifices on Barbary headlands, occupied by a priest.
MARCHES. Borders or confines of a country, as the marches of Ancona, &c.
MARCHING ORDER. A soldier fully equipped with arms, ammunition, and a
portion of his kit, carries from 30 to 35 lbs. In _service marching_
order, by the addition of provisions and some campaigning necessaries,
he carries nearly 50 lbs. But _heavy marching_ order, which was yet
heavier, is now happily abolished.
MARCO-BANCO. An imaginary coin of Hamburg commerce, equal to 1_s._
5-3/4_d._ sterling.
MARE'S TAILS. A peculiar modification of the cirrus, indicating wind.
MARGIN LINE. A line or edge parallel to the upper side of the wing
transom, and just below it, where the butts of the after bottom planks
terminate.
MARINARIUS. An old statute term for a mariner or seaman.
MARINATE, TO. To salt fish, and afterwards preserve it in oil or
vinegar.
MARINE. Belonging to the sea. It is a general name for the royal or
mercantile navy of any state; also the whole economy of nautical
affairs.
MARINE BAROMETER. A barometer, the tube of which is contracted in one
part to prevent the sudden oscillations of the mercury by the ship's
motion.
MARINE BOARDS. Establishments at our different ports for carrying into
effect the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act.
MARINE BUILDINGS. Those constructed for making or preserving ships, as
docks, arsenals, store-houses, &c.
MARINE CLOTHING-ROOM. A compartment of the after-platform, to receive
the clothes and stores of the royal marines.
MARINE ENGINES. Those steam engines which are used to propel ships,
whether on the ocean or in rivers, in contradistinction to locomotives
on shore.
MARINE GLUE, OR JEFFREY'S GLUE. A well-known adhesive composition of
great importance in ship carpentry, and in various nautical uses. The
substance is said to consist of caoutchouc, gum, and mineral oil.
MARINE INSURANCE. A contract by which an individual or a company agree
to indemnify the losses or damages happening to a ship or cargo during a
voyage. For this agreement the ship-owner pays a sum in advance, called
the premium, which falls to the insurer in case the ship arrives safe in
a specified harbour. If the ship or cargo, however, be lost by default
of the person insured, the insurer shall not be accountable. Among the
Romans, the state made good losses by shipwreck, which occasioned many
frauds. It is mentioned in the laws of Oleron, but was regulated under
its present bearings in England in 1601.
MARINE LAGOON. A lake or inlet formed by the encroachments of the sea,
and the deposits of fluviatile action.
MARINE OFFICER. An officer of the Royal Marines. Jocularly and witlessly
applied to an empty bottle, as being "useless;" but better rendered as
having "done its duty, and ready to do it again."
MARINER. One who obtains his living on the sea, in whatever rank. But
with our old voyagers mariners were able seamen, and sailors only
_ordinary_ seamen. Thus, Middleton's ship sailed from Bantam in 1605,
leaving 18 men behind, "of whom 5 were mariners, and 13 sailors."
MARINE RAILWAY. A term which has been applied to a slip for hauling
vessels on to repair.
MARINER'S COMPASS. _See_ COMPASS.
MARINER'S NEEDLE. The magnetized bar of a mariner's compass.
MARINES, THE ROYAL. A body of officers and soldiers raised to serve on
board men-of-war, and trained to fight either at sea or on shore: their
chosen body of artillery was esteemed one of the best under the crown.
(_See_ ARTILLERY.) "Tell that to the marines" was a common rejoinder to
any improbable assertion, when those fine fellows had not acquired their
present high estimation.
MARINE STORES. A general term for the iron-work, cordage, sails,
provisions, and other outfit, with which a vessel is supplied.
MARITIMA ANGLIAE. The profit and emolument formerly arising to the king
from the sea, but which was afterwards granted to the lord high admiral.
MARITIME. Pertaining to sea affairs: all but synonymous with _marine_
(which see.)
MARITIME COUNTRY. A country which has its shores washed by the sea.
MARITIME INTEREST. _See_ BOTTOMRY.
MARITIME LAW. That branch of international law, or the law of nations,
which consists of general principles, chiefly derived from ancient codes
of law, and admitted by civilized nations, as to commercial intercourse
with enemies and neutrals.
MARITIME LIEN. A privileged claim in respect of service done to, or
injury caused by, a ship, to be carried into effect by legal process.
MARITIME POSITIONS. The intersection of the geographical co-ordinates of
the latitudes and longitudes of places on the globe.
MARITIME POWERS. Those states which possess harbours, &c., on the
coasts, and a powerful navy to defend them.
MARK. A certain regulated length for Spanish sword-blades, under penalty
of fine, and the weapon to seizure. Also, any object serving for the
guidance of ships, as sea-marks, land-marks, leading-marks, &c. Also, a
piece of twine on a running rope, as a brace, &c., to show when, by
being near the belaying pin or the bitts, it has been sufficiently
hauled in. "Mark of the fore-brace down, sir;"--answer, "Belay, oh."
MARKAB. The lucida, or chief star, in the ancient constellation
_Pegasus_.
MARKS AND DEEPS. Marks are the measured notifications on the hand
lead-line, with white, blue, and red bunting, leather, and knots; deeps
are the estimated fathoms between these marks. They are thus noted: mark
2 leather; mark 3 blue; deep 4; mark 5 white; deep 6; mark 7 red; deep
8; deep 9; mark 10 leather; deep 11; deep 12; mark 13 blue; deep 14;
mark 15 white; deep 16; mark 17 red; deep 18; deep 19; mark 20 two
knots.
MARL, TO. To souse fish in vinegar to be eaten cold. _See_ SOUSE.
MARLE, TO. To wind marline, spun-yarn, twine, &c., about a rope, so that
every turn is secured by a kind of knot, and remains fixed, in case the
rest should be cut through by friction. It is commonly used to fasten
slips of canvas, called parsling, upon the surface of a rope, to prevent
its being galled, or to attach the foot of a sail to its bolt-rope, &c.,
with marling hitches, instead of sewing it.
MARLINE. _See_ LINE.
MARLINE-HOLES. Holes made for marling, or lacing the foot-rope and clues
in courses and top-sails.
MARLINE-SPIKE. An iron pin tapering to a point, and principally used to
separate the strands of a rope, in order to introduce the ends of some
other through the intervals in the act of knotting or splicing; it is
also used as a lever in marling, fixing seizings, &c. (_See_ FID.)
MARLINE-SPIKE HITCH. A peculiar hitch in marling, made by laying the
marline-spike upon the seizing stuff, and then bringing the end of that
seizing over the standing part, so as to form a jamming bight.
MARMIT. A pot fitted with a hook for hanging it to the bars of the
galley-range.
MAROON. A name for a bright light of that colour used for signals; and
also for an explosive ball of prepared paste-board.
MAROONING. A custom among former pirates, of putting an offender on
shore on some desolate cape or island, with a gun, a few shot, a flask
of powder, and a bottle of water.
MARQUE. _See_ LETTERS OF MARQUE.
MARQUEE. An officer's oblong tent; has two poles, and curtains all
round; it is often assigned to various staff purposes.
MARROT. A name for the guillemot.
MARRY, TO, THE ROPES, BRACES, OR FALLS. To hold both together, and by
pressure haul in both equally. Also so to join the ends of two ropes,
that they will pass through a block.
MARS. One of the ancient superior planets, the next to the earth in
order of distance from the sun.
MARSH [Anglo-Saxon _mersc_, a fen]. Low land often under water, and
producing aquatic vegetation. Those levels near the sea coast are
usually saturated with salt water.
MARSILIANA. A Venetian ship of burden, square-sterned.
MART. A commercial market. Also a colloquialism for marque, as a letter
of _mart_ or _marque_.
MARTELLO TOWER. So named from a tower in the Bay of Mortella, in
Corsica, which, in 1794, maintained a very determined resistance against
the English. A martello tower at the entrance of the bay of Gaeta beat
off H.M.S. _Pompee_, of 80 guns. A martello is built circular, and thus
difficult to hit, with walls of vast thickness, pierced by loop-holes,
and the bomb-proof roof is armed with one heavy traversing gun. They are
30 to 40 feet high, surrounded by a dry fosse, and the entrance is by a
ladder at a door several feet from the ground.
MARTIAL LAW. The law of war, obtaining between hostile forces, or
proclaimed in rebellious districts; it rests mainly on necessity, custom
in like cases, and the will of the commander of the forces; thus
differing from _military law_ (which see). Martial law is proclaimed
when the civil law is found to be insufficient to preserve the peace; in
the case of insurrection, mutiny, &c., the will and judgment of the
officer in command becomes law.
MARTIN. A cat-sized creature with a valuable fur imported from Hudson's
Bay and Canada in prodigious numbers.--"_My eye and Betty Martin_," is a
common expression implying disbelief; a corruption of the Romish _mihi,
beate Martine!_
MARTINET. A rigid disciplinarian; but one who, in matters of inferior
moment, harasses all under him.
MARTINGALE. A rope extending downwards from the jib-boom end to a kind
of short gaff-shaped spar, fixed perpendicularly under the cap of the
bowsprit; its use is to guy the jib-boom down in the same manner as the
bobstays retain the bowsprit. The spar is usually termed the
_dolphin-striker_, from its handy position whence to strike fish.
MARTNETS. The leech-lines of a sail--they were said to be _topped_ when
the leech was hauled by them close to the yard.
MARYN [Anglo-Nor.] The sea-coast.
MARYNAL. An ancient term for mariner.
MASCARET. A peculiar movement of the sea near Bordeaux in summer, at low
water.
MASK. A cruive or crib for catching fish. A battery is said to be masked
when its external appearance misleads the enemy.
MAST [Anglo-Saxon _maest_, also meant chief or greatest]. A long
cylindrical piece of timber elevated perpendicularly upon the keel of a
ship, to which are attached the yards, the rigging, and the sails. It is
either formed of one piece, and called a pole-mast, or composed of
several pieces joined together and termed a made mast. A lower mast is
fixed in the ship by _sheers_ (which see), and the foot or keel of it
rests in a block of timber called the step, which is fixed upon the
keelson.--_Expending a mast_, or carrying it away, is said, when it is
broken by foul weather.--_Fore-mast._ That which stands near the stem,
and is next in size to the main-mast.--_Jury-mast._ (_See_
JURY-MAST.)--_Main-mast._ The largest mast in a ship.--_Mizen-mast._
The smallest mast, standing between the main-mast and the
stern.--_Over-masted_, or _taunt-masted_. The state of a ship whose
masts are too tall or too heavy.--_Rough-mast_, or _rough-tree_. A spar
fit for making a mast. (_See_ BOWSPRIT and JIB-BOOM.)--_Springing a
mast._ When it is cracked horizontally in any place.--_Top-mast._ A
top-mast is raised at the head or top of the lower-mast through a cap,
and supported by the trestle-trees.--_Topgallant-mast._ A mast smaller
than the preceding, raised and secured to its head in the same
manner.--_Royal-mast._ A yet smaller mast, elevated through irons at the
head of the topgallant-mast; but more generally the two are formed of
one spar.--_Under-masted_ or _low-masted ships_. Vessels whose masts are
small and short for their size.--_To mast a ship._ The act of placing a
ship's masts.
MAST-CARLINGS. Those large carlings which are placed at the sides of the
masts from beam to beam, to frame the partners and give support.
MAST-COAT. A conical canvas fitted over the wedges round the mast, to
prevent water oozing down from the decks.
MASTER. The epithet for the captain or commander of a merchant vessel.
When England first became a maritime power, ships with sailors, and a
master to navigate, were furnished by the Cinque Ports, &c., and the
fighting part of the men was composed of soldiers sent on board,
commanded by generals, &c. Among the early voyagers there was a
distinction between _master_ and _maister_, the latter being the office;
as, "we spoke the _Dragon_, whereof Master Ivie was maister," in Welsh's
_Voyage to Benin_, A.D. 1590. In most applications, _master_ denotes
chief; as master boat-builder, master caulker, master sail-maker, &c.
MASTER OF A SHIP-OF-WAR. An officer appointed by the commissioners of
the navy to attend to the navigating a ship under the direction of the
captain, the working of a ship into her station in the order of battle,
and in other circumstances of danger, but he reports to the first
lieutenant, who carries out any necessary evolution. It is likewise his
duty, in concert with lieutenants on surveys, to examine and report on
the provisions. He is moreover charged with their stowage. For the
performance of these services he is allowed several assistants, who are
termed second-masters, master's assistants, &c. This officer's station
has been termed the meridional altitude of the lower order of
midshipmen, but it is requisite that he be both a good officer and a
seaman. He ranks after lieutenants according to date, but is subordinate
in command to all lieutenants.
MASTER AND COMMANDER. A title which, in 1814, was simplified to
commander, the next degree above lieutenant; he ranks with, but after, a
lieutenant-colonel.
MASTER-AT-ARMS. In former times was an officer appointed to command the
police-duty of a ship, to teach the crew the exercise of small arms, to
confine by order of superiors any prisoners, and to superintend their
confinement. Also, to take care that fires and lights were put out at
the proper hour, and no spirituous liquors brought on board. He was
assisted by _ship's corporals_, who also attended the gangway with the
sentinels. Until 1816, the junior lieutenant was nominally
lieutenant-at-arms, and drilled the seamen, assisted by the serjeant of
marines.
MASTER-ATTENDANT. An officer in the royal dockyards appointed to assist
in the fitting or dismantling, removing or securing vessels of war, &c.,
at the port where he resides; to inspect the moorings in the harbour, to
visit all the ships in ordinary, and to attend at the general musters in
the dockyard, taking care that all the individuals registered in the
navy-book are present at their duty.
MASTER MARINER. Shipmaster or captain of a merchant vessel.
MASTER OF MISRULE. An officer of an hour or two, when the hands were
piped "to mischief." The lord or abbot of misrule on shore has
immemorially been a person selected to superintend the diversions of
Christmas. In these larks, however, malicious mischief was unknown.
MASTER OF THE FLEET. A master on board the commander-in-chief's ship,
who has a general superintendence of the stores issued to the fleet, and
reports to the flag-captain any deviations from rule which he may
observe.
MASTER-SHIPWRIGHT. The chief superintendent in the building and
repairing of ships in the royal dockyards.
MAST-HEAD. The upper part of a mast above the rigging.
MAST-HEADING. A well-known marine punishment, said to give midshipmen
the best time for reading. A court-martial, as a substitute, punishes
the parents as well as the thoughtless youth.
MAST-HEAD MEN. The men stationed aloft to keep a look-out.
MAST-HEAD PENDANTS. _See_ PENDANT.
MAST-HIGH. A figurative expression of height.
MAST-HOLES. The apertures in the deck-partners for stepping the masts.
MAST-HOOPS. The iron hoops on made or built masts.
MAST-HOUSE. In dockyards, where masts are made.
MASTIC. An excellent cement latterly introduced into ship-building,
instead of putty and other appliances, to protect the heads of bolts.
MAST-ROPE [Anglo-Saxon _maest-rap_]. That which is used for sending masts
up or down.
MASULAH OR MASSOOLAH BOATS. Madras boats, of which the planks are sewed
together with coir yarn, crossing the stitches over a wadding of coir or
straw, which presses on the joints, and prevents much leakage. The
vessel is thus rendered pliable, and yields to the shock on taking the
ground in the surf, which at times runs from 10 to 16 feet high. They
are rowed by twelve men, in double banks, with oars formed by an oval
piece of board lashed to the end of a rough piece of wood. They are
guided by one man with a long steer-oar, who stamps and yells with
excitement as he urges the men to pull when a rolling surf is coming up
astern. These boats are from 30 to 35 feet in length, 10 to 11 feet in
breadth, and 7 to 8 feet in depth.
MAT. To prevent chafing, a thick mat is woven from strands of old rope,
spun yarn, or foxes, containing each a greater or lesser number of
rope-yarns, in proportion to the intended mat to be made. The largest
and strongest kinds are called _paunch-mats_. The _thrum-mat_ is
precisely similar to the present cocoa-nut fibre door-mats. Where it is
possible, rounding is now used instead of mats, it being neater and
holding less water.
MATCH. A wager of emulation by rowing, sailing, man[oe]uvring, &c.
(_See_ QUICK MATCH.)--_Slow match_, used by artillerymen, is a very
loose rope steeped in a solution of nitre, and burns at the rate of
about one inch an hour, and is either used alone, or for lighting the
port-fires, by which guns are yet fired for salutes on shore.
MATCHLOCK. A musket fired with a match fixed on the cock opening the
pan; long out of use, except in China and some parts of India.
MATCH-TUBS. Conical tubs about 18 inches in height, which have a sunken
head perforated with holes, to admit the slow match to hang with the
lighted end downwards.
MATE. Generally implies adjunct or assistant.
MATE OF A MERCHANT-SHIP. The officer who commands in the absence of the
master, and shares the duty with him at sea. (_See_ CHIEF MATE or
OFFICER.) There are first, second, third, and fourth mates.
MATE OF A WATCH. The senior or passed midshipman is responsible to the
officer of the watch. He heaves the log, inserts on the log-board all
incidents occurring during his watch, musters the men of the watch, and
reports to the officer in charge, who, when he is relieved, writes his
initials on the log-board.
MATE OF THE LOWER-DECK. An officer of considerable importance in former
times in ships of the line; he was responsible for the state and
condition of the lower deck, and the residents there.
MATE OF THE MAIN-DECK. The officer appointed to superintend all the
duties to be executed upon the main-deck during the day.
MATERIAL MEN. The persons who furnish all tackles and stores, &c., to
repair or fit out ships. The high court of Admiralty allows material men
to sue against remaining proceeds in the registry, notwithstanding past
prohibitions.
MATERIEL. A French word that has been naturalized in speaking of naval
or military stores.
MATHEMATICS. The science which treats of every kind of quantity that can
be numbered or measured.
MATIES, OR MATEYS. Dockyard artificers, shipwrights, carpenters, &c.
MATO. A shell formerly of some commercial value on the west coast of
Africa.
MATRASS. The square head of an arrow called _quarril_. In chemistry it
is the Florence oil flask used for evaporation. From its thinness it
will stand great gradual heat.
MATROSS. Formerly an assistant gunner in the artillery.
MATTHEW WALKER. A knot, so termed from the originator. It is formed by a
half hitch on each strand in the direction of the lay, so that the rope
can be continued after the knot is formed, which shows as a transverse
collar of three strands. It is the knot used on the end of the laniards
of rigging, where dead-eyes are employed.
MAUD. A salmon-net fixed in a square form by four stakes.
MAUL. A heavy iron hammer, used for driving tree-nails or bolts; it has
one end faced, and the opposite pointed, whence it is often called a
pin-maul.--_Top-maul_ is distinguished by having an iron handle, with an
eye at the end, by which it is tied fast to the mast-head. It is kept
aloft for driving the iron fid in or out of the top-mast.
MAUND. An Indian weight, which varies in amount depending on the part of
the country. Also, a basket used by fishermen; a measure of small fish.
MAUNJEE. The native boatmen of the river Hooghly.