SHEER-HULK. An old ship fitted with sheers, &c., and used for taking out
and putting in the masts of other vessels.
SHEERING. The act of deviating from the line of the course, so as to
form a crooked and irregular path through the water; this may be
occasioned by the ship's being difficult to steer, but more frequently
arises from the negligence or incapacity of the helmsman. For _sheering_
or _shearing_ in polar seas, _see_ LAPPING.
SHEER-LASHING. Middle the rope, and pass a good turn round both legs at
the cross. Then take one end up and the other down, around and over the
cross, until half of the lashing is thus expended; then ride both ends
back again on their own parts, and knot them in the middle. Frap the
first and riding turns together on each side with sennit.
SHEER-MAST. The peculiar rig of the rafts on the Guayaquil river; also
of the piratical prahus of the eastern seas, and which might be imitated
in some of our small craft with advantage: having a pair of sheers
(instead of a single mast) within which the fore-and-aft main-sail
works, or is hoisted or slung.
SHEER-MOULD. Synonymous with _ram-line_ (which see).
SHEER OFF, TO. To move to a greater distance, or to steer so as to keep
clear of a vessel or other object.
SHEER-PLAN. The draught of the side of a proposed ship, showing the
length, depth, rake, water-lines, &c.
SHEER-RAIL. The wrought-rail generally placed well with the sheer or
top-timber line; the narrow ornamental moulding along the top-side,
parallel to the sheer.
SHEERS. Two or more spars, raised at angles, lashed together near their
upper ends, and supported by guys; used for raising or taking in heavy
weights. Also, to hoist in or get out the lower masts of a ship; they
are either placed on the side of a quay or wharf, on board of an old
ship cut down (_see_ SHEER-HULK), or erected in the vessel wherein the
mast is to be planted or displaced, the lower ends of the props resting
on the opposite sides of the deck, and the upper parts being fastened
together across, from which a tackle depends; this sort of sheers is
secured by stages extending to the stem and stern of the vessel.
SHEER-SAIL. A drift-sail.
SHEER TO THE ANCHOR, TO. To direct the ship's bows by the helm to the
place where the anchor lies, while the cable is being hove in.
SHEER UP ALONGSIDE, TO. To approach a ship or other object in an oblique
direction.
SHEER-WALES. Strakes of thick stuff in the top-sides of three-decked
ships, between the middle and upper deck-ports. Synonymous with
_middle-wales_.
SHEET. A rope or chain fastened to one or both the lower corners of a
sail, to extend and retain the clue down to its place. When a ship sails
with a side wind, the lower corners of the main and fore sails are
fastened by a tack and a sheet, the former being to windward, and the
latter to leeward; the tack is, however, only disused with a stern wind,
whereas the sail is never spread without the assistance of one or both
of the sheets; the staysails and studding-sails have only one tack and
one sheet each; the staysail-tacks are fastened forward, and the sheets
drawn aft; but the studding-sail tacks draw to the extremity of the
boom, while the sheet is employed to extend the inner corner.
SHEET-ANCHOR. One of four bower anchors supplied, two at the bows, and
one at either chest-tree abaft the fore-rigging; one is termed the
sheet, the other the spare anchor; usually got ready in a gale to let go
on the parting of a bower. To a sheet anchor a stout hempen cable is
generally bent, as lightening the strain at the bow, and being more
elastic.
SHEET-BEND. A sort of double hitch, made by passing the end of one rope
through the bight of another, round both parts of the other, and under
its own part.
SHEET-CABLE. A hempen cable used when riding in deep water, where the
weight of a chain cable would oppress a ship.
SHEET-COPPER. Copper rolled out into sheets, for the sheathing of ships'
bottoms, &c.
SHEET-FISH. The _Silurus glanis_, a large fish found in many European
rivers and lakes.
SHEET HOME! The order, after the sails are loosed, to extend the sheets
to the outer extremities of the yards, till the clue is close to the
sheet-block. Also, when driving anything home, as a blow, &c.
SHEET IN THE WIND. Half intoxicated; as the sail trembles and is
unsteady, so is a drunken man.
SHELDRAKE. The _Anas tadorna_, a large species of wild duck.
SHELF. A dangerous beach bounded by a ledge of flat rocks a-wash. In icy
regions, (_see_ TONGUE).
SHELF-PIECES. Strakes of plank running internally in a line with the
decks, for the purpose of receiving the ends of the beams. They are also
called _stringers_.
SHELKY. A name for the seal in the Shetland Isles.
SHELL. In artillery, a hollow iron shot containing explosive materials,
whether spherical, elongated, eccentric, &c., and destined to burst at
the required instant by the action of its _fuse_ (which see).--_Common
shells_ are filled with powder only, those fired from mortars being
spherical, and having a thickness of about one-sixth of their diameter.
(_See_ also SEGMENT-SHELL and SHRAPNEL SHELL.) Also, the hard calcareous
external covering of the mollusca, crustacea, and echinoderms.
SHELL-FISH. A general term applied to aquatic animals having a hard
external covering or shell, as whelks, oysters, lobsters, &c. These are
not, however, properly speaking, fish.
SHELLING. The act of bombarding a fort, town, or position.
SHELL OF A BLOCK. The outer frame or case wherein the sheave or wheel is
contained and traverses about its axis.
SHELL-ROOM. An important compartment in ships of war, fitted up with
strong shelves to receive the shells when charged.
SHELL, SHRAPNEL. _See_ SHRAPNEL SHELL.
SHELVES. A general name given to any dangerous shallows, sand-banks, or
rocks, lying immediately under the surface of the water.
SHELVING. A term expressive of step-like rocks lying in nearly
horizontal strata, or inclining very gradually; as a "shelving bottom,"
or a "shelving land." Applied to the shore, it means that it ascends
from the sea, and passes under it at an extremely low angle, so that
vessels of draught cannot approach.
SHERE. An archaic sea-term for running aground.
SHEVO. An entertainment, thought by some to be derived from the gaiety
of the chevaux, or horse-guards; more probably from _chez-vous_.
SHIBAH. A small Indian vessel.
SHIELD-SHIP. A vessel fitted with one or more massive iron shields, each
protecting a heavy gun or guns. The name was applied to an improvement
on the "cupola-ship," before the latter was perfected into the
"turret-ship."
SHIELD TOWER OR TURRET. A revolving armoured cover for guns.
SHIEVE, TO. To have head-way. To row the wrong way, in order to assist
the steersman in a narrow channel.
SHIFT. In ship-building, when one butt of a piece of timber or plank
overlaunches the butt of another, without either being reduced in
length, for the purpose of strength and stability.--_To shift_ [thought
to be from the Anglo-Saxon _scyftan_, to divide]. To change or alter the
position of; as, to shift a sail, top-mast, or spar; to shift the helm,
&c. Also, to change one's clothes.
SHIFT A BERTH, TO. To move from one anchorage to another.
SHIFTED. The state of a ship's ballast or cargo when it is shaken from
one side to the other, either by the violence of her rolling, or by her
too great inclination to one side under a great press of sail; this
accident, however, rarely happens, unless the cargo is stowed in bulk,
as corn, salt, &c.
SHIFTER. A person formerly appointed to assist the ship's cook in
washing, steeping, and shifting the salt provisions; so called from
having to change the water in the steep-tub.
SHIFTING A TACKLE. The act of removing the blocks of a tackle to a
greater distance from each other, in order to extend their purchase;
this operation is otherwise called _fleeting_ (which see).
SHIFTING BACKSTAYS, ALSO PREVENTER. Those which can be changed from one
side of a ship to the other, as the occasion demands.
SHIFTING BALLAST. Pigs of iron, bags of sand, &c., used for ballast, and
capable of being moved to trim the vessel. Also, a term applied to
messengers, soldiers, and live-stock.
SHIFTING-BOARDS. One or more wooden bulk-heads in a vessel's hold, put
up fore-and-aft, and firmly supported, for preventing a cargo which is
stowed in bulk from shifting.
SHIFTING-CENTRE. _See_ META-CENTRE.
SHIFTING SAND. A bank, of which the sand, being incoherent, is subject
to removal or being driven about by the violence of the sea or the power
of under-currents. Very accurate experiments have proved that the sands
at the mouths of rivers are differently acted on during every hour of
tide (or wind together); hence sands shift, and even stop up or render
some channels unsafe.
SHIFTING THE MESSENGER. Changing its position on the capstan from right
to left, or _vice versa_.
SHIFTING WINDS. Variable breezes, mostly light.
SHIFT OF WIND. Implies that it varies, or has changed in its direction.
SHIFT THE HELM! The order for an alteration of its position, by moving
it towards the opposite side of the ship; that is, from port to
starboard, or _vice versa_.
SHIMAL. A severe gale of wind from the N.W. in the Gulf of Persia and
its vicinity; it is accompanied by a cloudless sky, thus differing from
the _shurgee_.
SHINDY. A kind of dance among seamen; but also a row. Apparently
modernized from the old Erse _sheean_, clamour.
SHINE. _To take the shine out of_. To excel another vessel in a
man[oe]uvre. To surpass in any way.
SHINER. The familiar name for a lighthouse. Also, a name for the _dace_
(which see). Also, money; Jack's "shiners in my sack."
SHINGLE. Coarse gravel, or stones rounded by the action of water; it is
used as ballast.
SHINGLES. Thin slips of wood, used principally in America, in lieu of
slate or tiles in roofing. In very old times a planked vessel was termed
a "shyngled or clap-boarded ship."
SHINGLE-TRAMPER. A coast-guard man.
SHIN UP, TO. To climb up a rope or spar without the aid of any kind of
steps.
SHIP [from the Anglo-Saxon _scip_]. Any craft intended for the purposes
of navigation; but in a nautical sense it is a general term for all
large square-rigged vessels carrying three masts and a bowsprit--the
masts being composed of a lower-mast, top-mast, and topgallant-mast,
each of these being provided with tops and yards.--_Flag-ship._ The ship
in which the admiral hoists his flag; whatever the rank of the commander
be; all the lieutenants take rank before their class in other
ships.--_Line-of-battle ship._ Carrying upwards of 74 guns.--_Ship of
war._ One which, being duly commissioned under a commissioned officer by
the admiralty, wears a pendant. The authority of a gunboat, no superior
being present, is equal to that of an admiral.--_Receiving ship._ The
port, guard, or admiral's flag-ship, stationed at any place to receive
volunteers, and bear them _pro. tem._ in readiness to join any ship of
war which may want hands.--_Store-ship._ A vessel employed to carry
stores, artillery, and provisions, for the use of a fleet, fortress, or
Garrison.--_Troop-ship._ One appointed to carry troops, formerly called
a transport.--_Hospital-ship._ A vessel fitted up to attend a fleet, and
receive the sick and wounded. Scuttles are cut in the sides for
ventilation. The sick are under the charge of an experienced surgeon,
aided by a staff of assistant-surgeons, a proportional number of
assistants, cook, baker, and nurses.--_Merchant ship._--A vessel
employed in commerce to carry commodities of various sorts from one port
to another. (_See_ MERCHANTMAN.)--_Private ship of war._ (_See_
PRIVATEERS, and LETTERS OF MARQUE.)--_Slaver_, or _slave-ship_. A vessel
employed in carrying negro slaves.--_To ship._ To embark men or
merchandise. It also implies to fix anything in its place, as "Ship the
oars," _i.e._ place them in their rowlocks; "Ship capstan-bars." Also,
to enter on board, or engage to join a ship.--_To ship a sea._ A wave
breaking over all in a gale. Hence the old saying--
"Sometimes we ship a sea,
Sometimes we see a ship."
_To ship a swab._ A colloquialism for mounting an epaulette, or
receiving a commission.
SHIP-BOY. Boys apprenticed to learn their sea-duties, but generally
appointed as servants.
SHIP-BREAKER. A person who purchases old vessels to break them to pieces
for sale.
SHIP-BROKER. One who manages business matters between ship-owners and
merchants, in procuring cargoes, &c., for vessels.
SHIP-BUILDER. Synonymous with naval constructor.
SHIP-BUILDING, OR NAVAL ARCHITECTURE. The art of constructing a ship so
as to answer a particular purpose either for war or commerce. It is now
expanding into a science.
SHIP-CHANDLER. A tradesman who supplies ships with their miscellaneous
marine stores. (_See_ MATERIAL MEN.)
SHIP-CONTRACTOR. The charterer or freighter of a vessel.
SHIP-CRAFT. Nearly the same as the Anglo-Saxon _scyp-craeft_, an early
word for navigation.
SHIP CUT DOWN. One which has had a deck cut off from her, whereby a
three-decker is converted into a two-decker, and a two-decker becomes a
frigate. They are then termed razees.
SHIP-GUNS. Those cast expressly for sea-service.
SHIP-KEEPER. An officer not much given to going on shore. Also, the man
who has charge of a ship whilst she is without any part of her crew.
SHIP-LANGUAGE. The shibboleth of nautic diction, as _tau'sle_,
_fok'sle_, for top-sail, forecastle, and the like.
SHIP-LAST. _See_ LAST.
SHIP-LAUNCH. _See_ LAUNCH.
SHIP-LOAD. The estimated lading or cargo of a vessel.
SHIP-LOG. _See_ LOG-BOOK.
SHIP-LORD. A once recognized term for the owner of a ship.
SHIPMAN [Anglo-Saxon _scyp-mann_]. The master of a barge, who in the
days of Chaucer had but "litel Latin in his mawe," and who, though "of
nice conscience toke he no kepe," was certainly a good fellow.
SHIPMAN'S CARD. A chart; thus Shakspeare's first witch in _Macbeth_ had
winds--
"And the very ports they blow,
All the quarters that they know
I' the shipman's card."
SHIPMASTER. The captain, commander, or padrone of a vessel. (_See_
MASTER.)
SHIPMATE. A term once dearer than brother, but the habit of short
cruises is weakening it.
SHIPMENT. The act of shipping goods, or any other thing, on board a ship
or vessel.
SHIP-MONEY. An imposition charged throughout this realm in the time of
Charles I., but which was declared illegal.
SHIP-OWNER. A person who has a right of property in a ship. The interest
of part-owners is quite distinct, so that one cannot dispose of the
share of the other, or effect any insurance for him, without special
authority.
SHIPPER. He who embarks goods; also mentioned in some of our statutes as
the master of a ship. (_See_ SKIPPER.)
SHIPPING AFFAIRS. All business of a maritime bearing.
SHIPPING GOODS. Receiving and stowing them on board.
SHIPPING GREEN SEAS. When heavy seas tumble over the gunwale either to
windward or leeward; sometimes resulting from bad steerage and
seamanship, or over-pressing the vessel.
SHIPPING MANIFEST. _See_ MANIFEST.
SHIPPING MASTERS. Persons officially appointed and licensed to attend to
the entering and discharging of merchant seamen.
SHIP-PROPELLER. _See_ SCREW-PROPELLER.
SHIP RAISED UPON. One of which the upper works have been heightened by
additional timbers. About the year 1816 several creditable corvettes of
600 tons were constructed; after three had been tried, the mistaken
order was issued to make them into frigates. Hence the term donkey and
jackass frigates, _Athol_ and _Niemen_ to wit.
SHIP'S BOOKS. The roll of the crew, containing every particular in
relation to entry, former ships, &c.
SHIP-SHAPE. In colloquial phrase implies, in a seamanlike manner; as,
"That mast is not rigged ship-shape;" "Put her about ship-shape," &c.
(_See_ BRISTOL FASHION.)
SHIP'S HUSBAND. The agent or broker who manages her accounts with regard
to work performed, repairs, &c., under refit or loading.
SHIP-SLOOP. Commanders were appointed to 24-gun sloops, but when the
same sloops were commanded by captains, they were rated ships.
SHIP'S LUNGS. Dr. Hall's name for the bellows with which he forced the
foul air out of ships.
SHIP'S PAPERS. Documents descriptive of a vessel, her owners, cargo,
destination, and other particulars necessary for the instance court.
Also, those documents required for a neutral ship to prove her such.
SHIP'S REGISTRY AND CERTIFICATE. An official record of a ship's size,
the bills of lading, ownership, &c.
SHIP'S STEWARD. The person who manages the victualling or mess
departments. In the navy, paymaster's steward.
SHIP-STAR. The Anglo-Saxon _scyp-steora_, an early name for the
pole-star, once of the utmost importance in navigation.
SHIP-TIMBER. Contraband in time of war.
SHIPWRECK. The destruction of a vessel by her beating against rocks, the
shore, &c.--too often including loss of life. In early times the seizure
of goods, and even the murder of the mariners, was apt to be the
consequence.
SHIPWRIGHT. A builder of ships. The art of bending planks by fire is
attributed to Pyrrhon, the Lydian, who made boats of several
configurations.
SHIPYARD. Synonymous with _dockyard_.
SHIVER. Synonymous with _sheave_.
SHIVERING. To trim a ship's yards so that the wind strikes on the edges
or leaches of the sails, making them flutter in the wind. The same
effect may be intentionally produced by means of the helm.
SHOAL. A danger formed by sunken rocks, on which the sea does not break;
but generally applied to every place where the water is shallow,
whatever be the ground. (_See_ FLAT SHOAL, SHOLE, or SCHOLE.) Also,
denotes a great quantity of fishes swimming in company--_squamosae
cohortes_. Also, a vessel is said to shoalen, or shoal her water, when
she comes from a greater into a less depth.
SHOALED-HARBOUR. That which is secured from the violence of the sea, by
banks, bars, or shoals to sea-ward.
SHOD, OR SHODE. An anchor is said to be shod when, in breaking it from
its bed, a quantity of clayey or oozy soil adheres to the fluke and
shank.
SHOE. The iron arming to a handspike, polar-pile, &c.
SHOE OF THE ANCHOR. A flat block of hard wood, convex on the back, and
having a hole sufficiently large to contain the bill of the anchor-fluke
on the fore-side; used to prevent the anchor from tearing the planks on
the ship's bow when fishing it, for which purpose the shoe slides up and
down along the bow. Where vessels ease the anchor down to "a cock-bill,"
it is also sometimes used.--_To shoe or clamp an anchor._ To cover the
palms with broad triangular pieces of thick plank, secured by iron hoops
and nails. Its use is to give the anchor a greater resisting surface
when the mud is very soft. Also, for transporting on shore.
SHOE OF THE FORE-FOOT. _See_ FORE-FOOT, GRIPE, HORSE.
SHOE-PIECE. A board placed under the heel of a spar, or other weighty
mass, to save the deck. In some cases intended to slip with it.
SHOLES. _See_ SOLE.
SHOOT, TO. To move suddenly; as "the ballast shoots on one side." Also,
a ship shoots ahead in stays. Also, to push off in a boat from the shore
into a current; to descend a rapid. The term is well used thus amongst
the powerful rivers of N. America, of which perhaps the finest example
is given by the St. Lawrence at La Chine, there reported to rush in
spring-time at the rate of 40 miles an hour. Thus the shooting Old
London Bridge was the cause of many deaths, and gave occasion to the
admirable description in the _Loves of the Triangles_ (anti-Jacobin),
when all were agreed:
"'Shoot we the bridge,' the vent'rous boatmen cry;
'Shoot we the bridge,' th' exulting fare reply."
SHOOT-FINGER. This was a term in use with the Anglo-Saxons from its
necessity in archery, and is now called the trigger-finger from its
equal importance in modern fire-arms. The mutilation of this member was
always a most punishable offence; for which the laws of King Alfred
inflicted a penalty of fifteen shillings, which at that time probably
was a sum beyond the bowman's means.
SHOOTING-GLOVES. These were furnished to the navy when cross-bows,
long-bows, and slur-bows were used.
SHOOTING OF NETS. The running out of nets in the water, as seins,
drift-nets, herring-nets, &c.; but it does not apply to trawls.
SHOOTS, OR SHUTS. A large pipe or channel to lead away water, dirt,
ballast, shot, &c., is called a shoot. The overfalls of a river, where
the stream is narrowed by its banks, whether naturally or artificially,
especially the arches of a bridge, constitute a shoot.
SHOOT THE COMPASS, TO. To shoot wide of the mark.
SHOOT THE SUN, TO. To take its meridional altitude; literally aiming at
the reflected sun through the telescope of the instrument. "Have you
obtained a shot?" applied to altitudes of the meridian, as for time,
lunar distances, &c.
SHORE. A prop fixed under a ship's sides or bottom, to support her when
laid aground or on the stocks. Shores are also termed _legs_ when used
by a cutter or yacht, to keep the vessel upright when the water leaves
her. (_See_ LEGS.) Also, the general name for the littoral of any
country against which the waves impinge, while the word _coast_ is
applied to that part of the land which only lies contiguous to the
sea.--_Bold shore._ A coast which is steep-to, permitting the near
approach of shipping without danger; it is used in contradistinction to
a _shelving-shore_.
SHORE-ANCHOR. That which lies between the shore and the ship when
moored.
SHORE-BOATS. Small boats or wherries plying for hire at sea-ports.
SHORE-CLEATS. Heavy cleats bolted on to the sides of vessels to support
the shore-head, and sustain the ship upright.
SHORE-FAST. A hawser carried out to secure a vessel to a quay, mole, or
anchor buried on shore.
SHORE REEF. The same as fringing reef.
SHORT, SHORT STAY, SHORT APEEK. "Heave short," means to heave in the
cable till it is nearly up and down, and would hold the vessel securely
until she had set all common sail, and would not drag or upset the
anchor. If, however, the wind be free, and the making sail unimportant,
_short_ would probably be _short apeek_, or up and down, the last move
of weighing awaiting perhaps signal or permission to part.
SHORT ALLOWANCE. When the provisions will not last the period expected,
they may be reduced in part, as two-thirds, half-allowance, &c., and
thus _short-allowance money_ becomes due, which is the nominal value of
the provisions stopped, and paid in compensation.
SHORT BOARDS. Frequent tacking, where there is not room for long boards,
or from some other cause, as weather or tide, it is required to work to
windward on short tacks in a narrow space.
SHORTEN, TO. Said of a ship's sails when requisite to reduce those that
are set. And _shorten in_, when alluding to the anchor, by heaving in
cable.
SHORT-HANDED. A deficient complement of men, or short-handed by many
being on the sick-list.
SHORT-LINKED CHAIN. A cable without studs, and therefore with shorter
links than those of stud-chains; such are slings and chains generally
used in rigging bobstays, anchor-work, &c. Cables only have studs.
SHORT-SEA. A confused cross sea where the waves assume a jerking
rippling action, and set home to the bows or sides; especially tiresome
to boats, hampering the oars, and tumbling in-board. Also, a race.
SHORT-SERVICE. Chafing geer put on a hemp cable for a short range.
SHORT-SHEETS. Belong to shifting sails, such as studding-sails, &c.
SHORT-TACKS. _See_ SHORT BOARDS.
SHORT-TIME OR SAND GLASS. One of 14 seconds, used in heaving the log
when the ship is going fast.
SHOT. All sorts of missiles to be discharged from fire-arms, those for
great guns being mainly of iron; for small-arms, of lead. When used
without prefix, the term generally means the solid shot only, as fired
for a heavy blow, or for penetration. Also, a synonym of _scot_, a
reckoning at an inn, and has immemorially been thus understood. Ben
Jonson's rules are
"As the fund of our pleasure, let each pay his shot."
Also, a lot or quantity. Also, the particular spot where fishermen take
a draught with their nets, and also the draught of fishes made by a net.
Also, the sternmost division of a fishing-boat. Also, arrows, darts, or
anything that was shot. Also, a kind of trout. Also, a foot-soldier who
carried a fire-lock.--_To be shot of_, signifies to get rid of, turned
out.--_To shot the guns._ In active service the guns were generally
loaded, but not shotted, as, from corrosion, it was found difficult to
draw the shot; and the working and concussion not unfrequently started
it, and consequently, if the gun was fired before re-driving it "home,"
it was in danger of bursting.
SHOT-LOCKER. A compartment built up in the hold to contain the shot.
SHOT-NET. A mackerel-net.
SHOT-PLUGS. Tapered cones to stop any sized shot-hole.
SHOT-RACKS. Wooden frames fixed at convenient distances to contain shot.
There are also, of recent introduction, iron rods so fitted as to
confine the shot.
SHOTTEN-HERRING. A gutted herring dried for keeping. Metaphorically, a
term of contempt for a lean lazy fellow.
SHOULDER OF A BASTION. The part of it adjacent to the junction of a face
with a flank. The _angle of the shoulder_ is that formed by these two
lines.
SHOULDER ARMS! The military word of command to carry the musket
vertically at the side of the body, and resting against the hollow of
the shoulder; on the left side with the long rifle, on the right with
the short.
SHOULDER-OF-MUTTON SAIL. A kind of triangular sail of peculiar form,
used mostly in boats. It is very handy and safe, particularly as a
mizen. It is the Bermuda or 'Mugian rig.
SHOULDER THE ANCHOR. When a seaman forgets his craft, and gives his ship
too little cable to ride by, she may be thrown across tide, lift or
shoulder her anchor, and drift off.
SHOUT. A light and nearly flat-bottomed boat used in our eastern fens
for shooting wild-duck. (_See_ GUNNING-BOAT.)
SHOUTE-MEN. The old name for the lightermen of the Thames.
SHOVEL. A copper implement for removing a cartridge from a gun without
injuring it. Formerly used, and as late as 1816 by the Turks, to convey
the powder into the chamber without using cartridges: also used to
withdraw shot where windage was large. (_See_ LADLE.)
SHOVELL, OR SHOVELLER. _Spatula clypeata_, a species of duck with a
broad bill. Formerly written _schevelard_. Also applied to a hoverer or
smuggler.
SHOVE OFF! The order to the bowman to put the boat's head off with his
boat-hook.
SHOW A LEG! An exclamation from the boatswain's mate, or master-at-arms,
for people to show that they are awake on being called. Often "Show a
leg, and turn out."
SHRAB. A vile drugged drink prepared for seamen who frequent the filthy
purlieus of Calcutta. (_See_ DOASTA.)
SHRAPNEL SHELL. Invented by General Shrapnel to produce, at a long
range, the effect of common case; whence they have been also called
_spherical case_. They have a thickness of only one-tenth of their
diameter; so that, on the action of the fuse, they are opened by a very
small bursting charge, and allow the bullets with which they are filled
to proceed with much the same direction and velocity that the shell had
at the moment of explosion. They require, however, extremely nice
management.
SHRIMP. The small crustacean _Crangon vulgaris_, well known as an
article of food.
SHROUD-KNOT. _See_ KNOT.
SHROUD-LAID. The combination in the larger cordage, also known as
hawser-laid.
SHROUD-ROPE. A finer quality of hawser-laid rope than is commonly used
for other purposes. It is also termed purchase-rope; but four-stranded
rope is frequently used for standing rigging. All the strands are finer,
of better hemp, and pass the gauge. Thus the patent shroud-laid rope,
made from clean Petersburgh hemp, was found to break at a strain between
6-3/4 and 7-1/4 cwt. per inch of girth in inches squared. Thus a patent
rope of 5 inches would require 175 cwt. Common rope, 25 threads in each
strand, broke with 5 cwt. per inch, and fell off at 130 threads to 4
cwt. per inch. Thus,
cwt. qrs. lbs.
A common 10-inch cable weighed per 100 fathoms, 19 0 21
A superior " " 21 0 3
SHROUDS. The lower and upper standing-rigging. They are always divided
into pairs or couples; that is to say, one piece of rope is doubled, and
the parts fastened together at a small distance from the middle, so as
to leave a sort of noose or collar to fix upon the mast-head; the ends
have each a dead-eye turned in, by which they are set up by laniards to
the channel. (_See_ CHAINS and DEAD-EYE.)--_Bentinck-shrouds._ Strong
ropes fixed on the futtock-staves of the lower rigging, and extending to
the opposite channels, where they are set-up by means of dead-eyes and
laniards, or gun-tackle runner purchases, in the same manner as the
other shrouds. Their use is to support the masts when the ship
rolls.--_Bowsprit shrouds_ are now generally made of chain. They support
the bowsprit in the same way that other shrouds support the
masts.--_Bumkin or boomkin shrouds._ Strong chains fixed as stays to the
bumkin ends, to support the strain exerted by the fore-tacks upon
them.--_Futtock or foot-hook shrouds._ Portions of rigging (now
sometimes chain) communicating with the futtock-plates above the top,
and the cat-harpings below, and forming ladders, whereby the sailors
climb over the top-brim. _Top-gallant shrouds_ extend to the
cross-trees, where, passing through holes in the ends, they continue
over the futtock-staves of the top-mast rigging, and descending almost
to the top, are set up by laniards passing through thimbles instead of
dead-eyes.--_Topmast-shrouds_ extend from the top-mast head to the edges
of the tops, and are set up to the futtock dead-eyes.
SHROUD-STOPPER. A stout rope-stopper made fast above and below a part of
the shroud which has been damaged by an enemy's shot, or otherwise.
SHROUD-TRUCKS. Small pieces of wood with holes in them, but no sheaves;
they are seized on the standing-rigging as fair leaders for the
running-rigging. (_See_ BULL'S-EYE.)
SHUNT. A term recently introduced among engineers and gunners; but
traceable back to the year 931, a "zunte-stone" being placed on a spot
where the road deviated.
SHURGEE. A prevailing S.E. wind in the Gulf of Persia; it is usually
preceded by a heavy dew, which is quite the reverse with the _shimal_.
SHUT IN, TO. Said of landmarks or points of land, when one is brought to
transit and overlap the other, or intercept the view of it.
SHUTTING ON. Joining the arms of an anchor to its shank. Also, welding
one piece of iron to another to lengthen it.
SICK-BAY. A portion of the fore-part of the main-deck, reserved for the
accommodation of the sick and wounded; any other place set apart for
invalids is called the _sick-berth_.
SICK-BERTH ATTENDANT. _See_ LOBLOLLY-BOY.
SICK-BOOK. An account of such officers and men as are on the sick list
on board, or are sent to an hospital, hospital-ship, or sick-quarters.
SICK-FLAG. The yellow quarantine flag, hoisted to prevent communication;
whence the term of the yellow flag, and yellow admirals. There are two
others--one with a black ball, the other with a square in the
centre--denoting plague, or actual diseases.
SICK-MESS. A table for those on the doctor's list. When seamen are thus
placed, their provisions are turned over to the surgeon, who accounts
for their re-purchase by government, if not consumed, and the proceeds
are applied to purchase comforts beyond those allowed by the service.
SICK-TICKET. A document given to an officer, seaman, or marine, when
sent to an hospital, certified by the signing officer and the surgeon,
stating the entry, rank, rating, &c., together with other particulars.
SIDE. All that part of a ship which extends from stem to stern in
length, and from the upper edge of the gunwale above, to the lower edge
of the main-wale, below which the _bottom_ commences.
SIDE-BOYS, OR SIDE-MEN. Those appointed to attend the gangways when
boats come alongside, and offer the man-ropes to the officer ascending.
SIDE COUNTER-TIMBER. The stern timber which partakes of the shape of the
top-side, and heels upon the end of the wing-transom.
SIDE-KEELSONS. A name for sister-keelsons. First used in mortar-vessels
to support the bomb-beds; later they have crept in to support the
engines in steamers, and furnish a free flow beneath their flooring for
the water, as well as for ventilation.
SIDE-LADDER, OR ACCOMMODATION-LADDER. A complete staircase structure
used in harbour by most large ships.
SIDE-LEVER. A lever on each side of the cylinder of a marine
steam-engine, resembling the beam of the ordinary land-engine. (_See_
LEVER.)
SIDE OUT FOR A BEND, TO. The old well-known term to draw the bight of a
hempen cable towards the opposite side, in order to make room for the
bight being twined to coil it in the tier. The most expert and powerful
seamen were selected for this duty, now rare.
SIDE-PIECES. Parts of a made mast.
SIDEREAL ASTRONOMY. That branch of the science which relates to the
fixed stars.
SIDEREAL DAY. The interval between the departure and return of a star to
the meridian; in other words, its two successive transits.
SIDEREAL PERIOD. _See_ REVOLUTION.
SIDEREAL TIME. The time shown by a clock regulated by the fixed stars,
and compensated to accelerate upon mean time by the daily amount of 3
minutes 56.56 seconds.
SIDE-RODS. Rods hanging from each of the cross-heads, one on each side
of the cylinder of a steam-engine, and connected to the pins of the
side-levers below; their duty is to cause a simultaneous movement.
SIDE-SCALE. A simple graduation, adopted by Sir Philip Broke in the
_Shannon_, for the quick elevation or depression of the guns.
SIDE-STEPS. Pieces of wood bolted to the side of a ship for the
convenience of ascending; in smaller vessels they have a ladder made of
rope with wooden thwarts, which hooks to the gangway.
SIDING OR SIDED. The dimensions or size of timber, the contrary way to
which the mould side is placed; one side sided smooth, to work from or
to fit.
SIDING DIMENSION. The breadth of any piece of timber.
SIEGE. A continued endeavour, by systematic military means, such as
batteries, trenches, mines, &c., to overpower the defences of a place
and take possession of it.
SIEGE-ARTILLERY. The ordnance (guns, mortars, howitzers, &c.) used for
overpowering the fire and destroying the defences of a fortified place;
their weight and power, limited mainly by the kind of transport at hand,
seldom exceed those of the light 100-pounder rifled gun, and are mostly
above those of _guns of position_, such as the old 18-pounder, or the
40-pounder rifle.
SIEGE-TRAIN. Properly, the whole of the material, with its transport,
required for carrying on a siege; but more frequently used for the
necessary _siege artillery_, together with its ammunition, carriages,
machines, and appliances of all kinds.
SIESTA. The hour of the afternoon in hot climates, when Spaniards,
Italians, &c., retire to repose during the heat of the day.
SIGHTING THE LAND. Running in to catch a view.
SIGHTS. The fixed marks on fire-arms, by which their direction is
regulated in aiming: generally, two small fittings of brass or iron,
that near the breech having a notched head, and that towards the muzzle
a pointed one. (_See_ DISPART.)--_Astronomical sights._ Observations
taken to determine the time or latitude, as well as for chronometer
rates.
SIGHT THE ANCHOR, TO. To heave it up in sight, in order to prove that it
is clear, when, from the ship having gone over it, there is suspicion
that it may be fouled by the slack cable.
SIGHT-VANES. _See_ VANES.
SIGNALIZE, TO. To distinguish one's self; a word also degraded to the
meaning of communicating intelligence by means of signals or telegraph.
SIGNAL-MAN. The yeoman of the signals; a first-class petty officer in
the navy.
SIGNAL OF DISTRESS. When a ship is in imminent danger, she hoists her
national flag upside down, and, if she is armed, fires minute guns; also
lets fly top-gallant sheets, &c.; indeed does anything to attract
observation.
SIGNAL-OFFICER. In a repeating frigate, a signal-midshipman; in a
flag-ship, a flag-lieutenant.
SIGNALS. Codes of signals have been used for centuries and changed
frequently. Their use is too well known to need explanation. They are
conveyed by flags, semaphores, balls, guns, lights, rockets, bells,
horns, whistles, &c., and half a century since were carried on with
incredible ability. It may be also observed that signal officers of
those days became subsequently the elite of the navy; _signal-officer_
being then a proud term of distinction.--_Fog-signals_, certain
operations which emit sound.--_Night-signals_, either lanterns disposed
in certain figures, flashes, or false fires, &c.
SIGNIFER. The zodiac.
SIGNING OFFICERS. The captain, senior lieutenant, master, and purser
(now paymaster); but where the document relates to the stores in charge
of any stated officer, that officer is to sign it instead of the purser.
SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC. The emblems of the twelve divisions, into which the
ancients divided the zodiac.
SILL. A northern term for the young of a herring.
SILLOCK. The podling, or young of the coal-fish, affording food and oil
on the Scottish coasts; they are grayish, and are taken when somewhat
less than a herring.
SILL OF A DOCK. The timber at the base against which the gates shut; and
the depth of water which will float a vessel in or out of it, is
measured from it to the surface.
SILLON. An old word for envelope. In fortification, formerly, a
counterguard.
SILLS. The upper and lower parts of the framing of the ports. The bottom
pieces of any ports, docks, scuttles, or hatches.
SILT. Sediment; ooze in a harbour, or at a lock-gate.
SILT-GROUNDS. Deep-water banks off Jamaica, where _silt-snappers_ are
fished for.
SILT-UP, TO. To be choked with mud or sand, so as to obstruct vessels.
SILVER-CAEDUA. A statute term for wood under twenty years' growth.
SILVER-OAR. One of the badges of the civil court afloat, conferring the
power to arrest for debt if not less than L20.
SILVER-THAW. The term for ice falling in large flakes from the sails and
rigging, consequent on a frost followed suddenly by a thaw.
SIMOOM. The Arabian name for the _sirocco_ (which see). The simoom,
sirocco, samiel, and kamsin seem to be modifications of the same wind
from the desert.
SIMULATION. The vice of counterfeiting illness or defect, for the
purpose of being invalided.
SINE. A right sine in geometry, is a right line drawn from one end of an
arc perpendicularly upon the radius from the centre to the other end of
the arc; or it is half the chord of twice the arc.
SINET. An old Chaucerian term for zenith.
SINGING. The chaunt by which the leadsman in the chains proclaims his
soundings at each cast:--
"To heave the lead the seaman sprung,
And to the pilot cheerly sung,
By the deep--nine."
SINGLE, TO. To unreeve the running part of top-sail sheets, &c., to let
them run freely, or for harbour duty.
SINGLE-ACTION ENGINE. _See_ ATMOSPHERIC STEAM-ENGINE.
SINGLE ANCHOR. A ship unmoored, having hove up one bower, rides by the
other.
SING SMALL. To make a bullying boaster _sing small_, by lowering his
arrogance.
SINICAL QUADRANT. _See_ QUADRANT.
SINNET. _See_ SENNIT.
SIR. Once a scholastic title applied to priests and curates; now to
knights. "Aye, aye, sir," is the well-known answer from seamen, denoting
'cuteness, combined with good humour and obedience.
SIRIUS. The principal star, {a}, of the constellation Canis Major, and
the brightest in the heavens; the dog-star.
SIROCCO. An oppressively hot parching wind from the deserts of Africa,
which in the southern part of Italy and Sicily comes from the
south-east; it sometimes commences faintly about the summer solstice.
SISERARA, OR SURSERARA. A tremendous blow; or a violent rebuke.
SISSOO. An Indian timber much used in the construction of country ships.
SISTER OR CISTERN BLOCK. A turned cylindrical block having two
sheave-holes, one above the other. It fits in between the first pair of
top-mast shrouds on each side, and is secured by seizings below the
cat-harpings. The topsail-lift reeves through the lower, and the
reef-tackle pendant through the upper.
SISTER-KEELSONS. Square timbers extending along the floors, by the main
keelson, leaving sufficient space on each side for the limbers. (_See_
SIDE-KEELSONS.)
SISTROID ANGLE. One like a sistrum, the Egyptian musical instrument.
SITCH. A little current of water, generally dry in summer.
SIX-UPON-FOUR. Reduced allowance; four rations allotted to six men.
SIX-WATER GROG. Given as a punishment for neglect or drunkenness,
instead of the usual _four-water_, which is one part rum, and four parts
water, lime-juice, and sugar.
SIZE, TO. To range soldiers, marines, and small-arm men, so that the
tallest may be on the flanks of a party.
SIZE-FISH. A whale, of which the whalebone blades are six feet or
upwards in length; the harpooner gets a bonus for striking a
"size-fish."
SIZES. A corruption for _six-upon-four_ (which see).
SKARKALLA. An old machine for catching fish.
SKART. A name of the cormorant in the Hebrides.
SKATE. A well-known cartilaginous fish of the ray family, _Raia batis_.
SKATE-LURKER. A cant word for a begging impostor dressed as a sailor.
SKEDADDLE, TO. To stray wilfully from a watering or a working party. An
archaism retained by the Americans.
SKEDDAN. The Manx or Erse term for herrings.
SKEEL. A cylindrical wooden bucket. A large water-kid.