SCRAPER [from the Anglo-Saxon _screope_]. A small triangular iron
instrument, having two or three sharp edges. It is used to scrape the
ship's side or decks after caulking, or to clean the top-masts, &c. This
is usually followed by a varnish of turpentine, or a mixture of tar and
oil, to protect the wood from the weather. Also, metaphorically, a
cocked hat, whether shipped fore-and-aft or worn athwart-ships.
SCRATCH-RACE. A boat-race where the crews are drawn by lot.
SCRAWL. The young of the dog-crab, or a poor sort of crab itself.
SCREEN-BERTH. Pieces of canvas temporarily hung round a berth, for
warmth and privacy. (_See_ BERTH.)
SCREW-DOCK. _See_ GRIDIRON.
SCREW-GAMMONING FOR THE BOWSPRIT. A chain or plate fastened by a screw,
to secure a vessel's bowsprit to the stem-head, allowing for the tricing
up of the bowsprit when required.
SCREW-PROPELLER. A valuable substitute for the cumbersome paddle-wheels
as a motive-power for steam-vessels: the Archimedean screw plying under
water, and hidden by the counter, communicates motion in the direction
of its axis to a vessel, by working against the resisting medium of
water. (_See_ TWIN-SCREW.)
SCREWS. Powerful machines for lifting large bodies. (_See_ BED, BARREL,
and JACK SCREWS.)
SCREW-WELL. A hollow trunk over the screw of a steamer, for allowing the
propeller to be disconnected and lifted when required.
SCRIMP. Scant. A word used in the north; as, a scrimp wind, a very light
breeze.
SCRIVANO. A clerk or writer; a name adopted in our early ships from the
_Portuguese_ or _Spanish_.
SCROLL-HEAD. A slightly curved piece of timber bolted to the knees of
the head, in place of a figure: finished off by a volute turning
outwards, contrary to the _fiddle-head_.
SCROVIES. An old name given to the worthless men picked up by crimps,
and sent on board as A.B.'s.
SCRUFF. The matter adhering to the bottoms of foul vessels.
SCUD. The low misty cloud. It appears to fly faster than others because
it is very near the earth's surface. When scud is abundant, showers may
be expected.--_To scud._ To run before a gale under canvas enough to
keep the vessel ahead of the sea: as, for instance, a close-reefed main
top-sail and fore-sail; without canvas she is said to scud under _bare
poles_, and is very likely to be pooped. When a vessel makes a sudden
and precipitate flight, she is said to scud away.--_Scud like a
'Mudian._ Be off in a hurry.
SCUDO. A coin of Italy, varying in value in the different provinces.