SLOW MATCH. _See_ MATCH.
SLOW TIME. In marching, means 75 paces to a minute.
SLUDGE. A wet deposit formed by streams. Also, a stratum of young ice in
rough seas. Also, in polar parlance, comminuted fragments of brash ice.
SLUDGE-HOLES. Adaptations at the ends of the water-passages between the
flues of a steamer's boilers, by which the deposits can be raked out.
SLUE, TO. To turn anything round or over _in situ_: especially
expressing the movement of a gun, cask, or ship; or when a mast, boom,
or spar is turned about in its cap or boom iron.
SLUED. When a man staggers under drink; unable to walk steadily.
SLUE-ROPE. A rope peculiarly applied for turning a spar or other object
in a required direction.
SLUR-BOW. A species of cross-bow formerly used for discharging fire
arrows.
SLUSH. The fat of the boiled meat in the coppers, formerly the
perquisite of the ship's cook. Also applied to anything like plashy
ground, but most commonly to snow in a thaw. Any wet dirt.
SLUSH-BUCKET. A bucket kept in the tops, to grease the masts, sheets,
&c., to make all run smoothly.
SLUSH-ICE. The first layer which forms when the surface is freezing.
SLY-GOOSE. A northern term for the sheldrake, _Tadorna vulpanser_.
SLYNG. An ancient piece of sea-ordnance: there were also _di-slyngs_.
SMACK. A vessel, sometimes like a cutter, used for mercantile purposes,
or for carrying passengers; the largest of which, the Leith smacks,
attained the size of 200 tons.
SMACK-SMOOTH. Level with the surface; said of a mast which has gone by
the board.
SMALL. The narrow part of the tail of a whale, in front of the flukes.
Also, that part of the anchor-shank which is immediately under the
stock.
SMALL-ARM MEN. Those of the crew selected and trained to the use of
small-arms. When they have effected their boarding, they seldom retain
more than their pistol and cutlass.
SMALL-ARMS. The muskets, pistols, cutlasses, tomahawks, and
boarding-pikes, in charge of the gunner, on board ship.
SMALL-HELM. One of the principal results of sound seamanship is the
proper trim of the vessel and the sail carried; by which means the
action of the rudder is reduced to a minimum, not requiring the tiller
to be moved either hard up or hard down. Also used to denote that a
turbulent jaw-me-down bully has been brought to his senses by a more
vigorous mind.
SMALL SAILS. Top-gallant-studding-sails and the _kites_.
SMALL STUFF. The term for spun-yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of
rope, even for yarns.
SMART. Ready, active, and intelligent.
SMART-MONEY. A pension given to a wounded man, according to the extent
of the injury and his rank. Thus a lieutenant gets L91, 5_s._ for the
loss of a leg, and a captain L300.
SMART-TICKET. The certificate from a captain and surgeon, by which only
the smart-money is obtainable.
SMASHERS. Anything large or powerful. Also, pieces of ordnance of large
calibre, in form between the gun and the carronade. Also, a very general
epithet for north-country seamen.
SMELT [Anglo-Saxon, _smylt_]. The fry of salmon, samlet, or _Salmo
eperlanus_.
SMEW. The white-headed goosander, _Mergus albellus_.
SMITER. An archaism for a scimitar. In the legend of Captain Jones,
1659, we are told:
"His fatal _smiter_ thrice aloft he shakes,
And frowns; the sea, and ship, and canvas quakes."
SMITING-LINE. A line by which a yarn-stoppered sail is loosed, without
sending men aloft. If well executed, marks the seaman.
SMOKE-BALLS. A pyrotechnical preparation, thrown to short distances from
mortars, to choke men out of mines, to conceal movements, &c. They
continue to smoke densely from 25 to 30 minutes.
SMOKE-BOX. A part which crosses the whole front of a marine boiler, over
the furnace doors; or that part between the end of tubes furthest from
the fire-place and bottom of the funnel.
SMOKES. Dense exhalations, mixed with the finer particles of sand, on
the Calabar shores and borders of the Great Zahara desert, which prevail
in autumn. Also, the indications of inhabitants when coasting new lands.
For its meaning in Arctic voyages, _see_ VAPOUR.
SMOKE-SAIL. A small sail hoisted against the fore-mast when a ship rides
head to wind, to give the smoke of the galley an opportunity of rising,
and to prevent its being blown aft on to the quarter-deck.
SMOOTH. A Cornish term applied when the surf abates its fury for a short
space. Also, the lee of a ship or of a rock.
SMUG-BOATS. Contraband traders on the coast of China; opium boats.
SMUGGLING. Defrauding the public revenue by importing or exporting goods
without paying the customs dues chargeable upon them.
SMURLIN. A bivalve mollusc, _Mya truncata_, used as food in the Shetland
Islands.
SNAGGLE, TO. To angle for geese with a hook and line properly baited.
SNAGS. The old word for lopped branches and sharp protuberances, but now
chiefly applied to sunken obstructions in the American rivers.
SNAIL-CREEPING. Gouging out the surfaces of timbers in crooked channels,
to promote a circulation of air.
SNAKE-PIECES. _See_ POINTERS.
SNAKING. The passing of small stuff across a seizing, with marline
hitches at the outer turns; or the winding small ropes spirally round a
large one, the former lying in the intervals between the strands of the
latter. (_See_ WORM.) The stays and backstays, when the _Shannon_ engaged
the _Chesapeake_, were snaked with half-inch rope from fathom to fathom,
to prevent their falling if shot away. Also, the finishing touch to neat
seizings, to prevent the parts from separating when becoming slack by
drying.
SNAPE, TO. In ship-carpentry, is to hance or bevel the end of anything,
so as to fay upon an inclined plane: it is also designated _flinch_.
SNAP-HAUNCE. An old word for a fire-lock or musket; a spring-lock for
fire-arms.
SNAPING-POLE. An old term for a fishing-rod.
SNAPPER. A well-known fish of the Mesoprion tribe, highly valued as food
in the West Indies and tropics generally.
SNAPPING-TURTLE. A well-known fresh-water tortoise of the rivers in the
United States; _Chelydra serpentina_.
SNARES. The cords which pass across the diameter of one hoop at the end
of a drum.
SNARLEY-YOW. A discontented, litigious grumbler. An old guard-ship
authority who knows when to play the courtier.
SNARL-KNOT. A northern expression for a knot that cannot be drawn loose.
SNATCH. Any open lead for a rope: if not furnished with a sheave, it is
termed a _dumb snatch_, as on the bows and quarters for hawsers.
SNATCH-BLOCK. A single iron-bound block, with an opening in one side
above the sheave, in which the bight of a rope may be laid, instead of
reeving the end through, which in some circumstances would be very
inconvenient, as when warps are led to the capstan, &c. The same as
_notch-block_.
SNEER. To "make all sneer again" is to carry canvas to such an extent as
to strain the ropes and spars to the utmost.
SNEEZER. A stiff gale of wind.
SNIFTING-VALVE. In the marine engine (_see_ TAIL-VALVE).
SNIGGLING. A peculiar mode of catching eels in small streams and ponds,
described by Izaak Walton.
SNIKKER-SNEE. A combat with knives; also, a large clasp-knife.
SNOGO. A cockpit game at cards, called also _blind hookey_, apparently
affording equal chances, but easily managed to his own advantage by a
knavish adept.
SNOOD [Anglo-Saxon, _snod_]. A short hair-line or wire to which hooks
are fastened below the lead in angling. Or the link of hair uniting the
hook and fishing-line.
SNOOK. A fish of the family _Scombridae_, _Thyrsites atun_, abundant in
Table Bay, whence it is exported, when salted, to the Mauritius.
SNOTTER. The lower support of the _sprit_ (which see).
SNOW. A vessel formerly much in use. It differs slightly from a brig. It
has two masts similar to the main and fore masts of a ship, and close
abaft the main-mast a trysail-mast. Snows differ only from brigs in that
the boom-mainsail is hooped to the main-mast in the brig, and traverses
on the trysail-mast in the snow.
SNUBBING HER. Bringing a ship up suddenly with an anchor, and short
range of cable, yet without jerking. [Said to be from the Icelandic
_snubba_.]
SNUG. Under proper sail to meet a gale.
SNY. A gentle bend in timber, curving upwards: when it curves downwards,
it is said to _hang_.
SO! An order to desist temporarily from hauling upon a rope, when it has
come to its right position.
SOAK AND SEND! The order to pass wet swabs along.
SOAM. The dried air-bladder of herrings.
SOCKETS. The holes in which swivel-pintles, or the capstan or windlass
spindles move.
SOD-BANK. A peculiar effect of refraction sometimes seen in calm
weather, showing all objects on the water multiplied or magnified. A
poor name for a fine phenomenon.
SOFT-LAES. A term on our northern coast for the small coves and bays
formed by the waves on the more friable parts of cliffs.
SOFT-PLANK. Picking a soft plank in the deck, is choosing an easy berth.
(_See_ PLANK IT.)
SOFT TOMMY, OR SOFT TACK. Loaves of bread served out instead of biscuit.
SOLAN-GOOSE. The gannet, _Sula bassana_, a well-known sea fowl,
frequenting the coasts of many countries in the northern hemisphere in
the summer to lay its eggs, and then migrating.
SOLANO. An oppressive wind, blowing from Africa into the Mediterranean;
synonymous with _sirocco_.
SOLAR DAY. Is the interval which elapses between two successive meridian
transits of the sun, and is the unit of time in common use.
SOLAR SPECTRUM. The coloured image of the sun produced by refraction
through a prism.
SOLAR SPOTS. _See_ MACULAE.
SOLAR SYSTEM. The sun, planets, and comets, which are assumed to form a
system, independent of the surrounding fixed stars.
SOLDIER. One that has enlisted to serve his government in peace or war;
receiving pay, and subject to the Mutiny Act and Articles of War.
SOLDIER-CRAB. A name for the _hermit-crab_ (which see).
SOLDIER'S WIND. One which serves either way; allowing a passage to be
made without much nautical ability.
SOLE. A common flat-fish, _Solea vulgaris_. Also, the decks of the cabin
and forecastle in some ships, respectively called the _cabin_ and
_forecastle soles_. Also, the lining of the bilge-ways, rudder, and the
like.
SOLENT SEA. The old name of the narrow strait between Hampshire and the
Isle of Wight.
SOLE OF A GUN-PORT. The lower part of it, more properly called
_port-sill_.
SOLE OF THE RUDDER. A piece of timber attached to its lower part to
render it nearly level with the false keel.
SOLLERETS. Pieces of steel which formed part of the armour for the feet.
SOLSTICES. The epochs when the sun passes through the solstitial points.
SOLSTITIAL COLURE. A great circle passing through the poles and
solstitial points.
SOLSTITIAL POINTS. The two points where the tropics meet the ecliptic,
in longitude 90 deg. and 270 deg.
SOMA. A Japan junk of burden.
SONG. The call of soundings by the leadsman in the channels. Songs are
also used to aid the men in keeping time when pulling on a rope, where a
fife is not available. They are very common in merchant ships. The
whalers have an improvised song when cutting docks in the ice in Arctic
seas.
SON OF A GUN. An epithet conveying contempt in a slight degree, and
originally applied to boys born afloat, when women were permitted to
accompany their husbands to sea; one admiral declared he literally was
thus cradled, under the breast of a gun-carriage.
SOPS. A northern term for small detached clouds, hanging about the sides
of a mountain.
SORT. "That's your sort," means approval of a deed.
SORTIE. _See_ SALLY.
SOUGH. An old northern term for the distant surging of the sea; a hollow
murmur or howling, or the moaning of the wind before a gale.
SOUND [Anglo-Saxon, _sund_]. An arm of the sea over the whole extent of
which soundings may be obtained, as on the coasts of Norway and America.
Also, any deep bay formed and connected by reefs and sand-banks. On the
shores of Scotland it means a narrow channel or strait. Also, the
air-bladder of the cod, and generally the swimming-bladder or "soundes
of any fysshes." Also, a cuttle-fish.
SOUND, VELOCITY OF. May be freely assumed at nearly 1142 feet in a
second of time, when not affected by the temperature or wind; subject to
corrections when great accuracy is required.
SOUND DUES. A toll formerly levied by the Danes on all merchant vessels
passing the sound or strait between the North Sea and the Baltic.
SOUNDING. The operation of ascertaining the depth of the sea, and the
quality of the ground, by means of a lead and line, sunk from a ship to
the bottom, where some of the ooze or sand adheres to the tallow in the
hollow base of the lead. Also, the vertical diving of a whale when
struck. It is supposed to strike the bottom, and will take 3 or 4 coils
of whale-line, equal to 2000 feet.
SOUNDING-LEAD. _See_ LEAD.
SOUNDING-LINE. This line, with a plummet, is mentioned by Lucilius; and
was the _sund-gyrd_ of the Anglo-Saxons.
SOUNDING-ROD. A slight rod of iron marked with feet and inches, which
being let down by a line in a groove of the side of the pump, indicates
what water there is in the well, and consequently whether the ship
requires pumping out or not.
SOUNDINGS. To be in soundings implies being so near the land that a
deep-sea lead will reach the bottom, which is seldom practicable in the
ocean. As soundings may, however, be obtained at enormous depths, and at
great distances from the land, the term is limited in common parlance to
parts not far from the shore, and where the depth is about 80 or 100
fathoms. Also, a name given to the specimen of the ground brought up
adhering to the tallow stuck upon the base of the deep-sea lead, and
distinguishing the nature of the bottom, as sand, shells, ooze, &c.
SOUNDLESS. Places assumed formerly to be bottomless, but thousands of
fathoms are now measured. Our elders little thought of a submarine
telegraph across the Atlantic Ocean!
SOURCE. The spring or origin of a stream or river, or at least one of
the tributaries of supply.
SOURS. An old word for a rise, or rapid ascent.
SOUSE. A method of pickling fish by immersing them in vinegar after
being boiled. (_See_ MARL.)
SOUSED GURNET. Best expressed by Falstaff's--"If I be not ashamed of my
soldiers, I am a soused gurnet."
SOUTHERN CROSS. The popular name of a group of stars near the South
Pole, which are somewhat in the figure of a cross.
SOUTHERN-LIGHTS. _See_ AURORA AUSTRALIS.
SOUTHING. In navigation, implies the distance made good towards the
south: the opposite of _northing_.
SOUTHING OF THE MOON. The time at which the moon passes the meridian of
any particular place. Popularly the term is used to denote the meridian
transit of any heavenly body south of the observer.
SOUTH SEA. _See_ PACIFIC OCEAN.
SOUTH-WESTER. A useful water-proof hat for bad weather.
SOUTH-WIND. A mild wind in the British seas with frequent fogs; it
generally brings rain or damp weather.
SOW. The receptacle into which the molten iron is poured in a
gun-foundry. The liquid iron poured from it is termed _pig_, whence the
term pig-ballast.
SPADE. In open speaking, to call a spade a spade is to give a man his
real character. The phrase is old and still in use.
SPADO, OR SPADROON. A cut-and-thrust sword [from the Spanish].
SPAKE-NET. A peculiar net for catching crabs.
SPALDING-KNIFE. A knife used for splitting fish in Newfoundland.
SPALDINGS. A north-country name for whitings and other small fish, split
and dried.
SPALES. In naval architecture, internal strengthening by cross
artificial beams. (_See_ CROSS-SPALES.)
SPAN. A rope with both ends made fast, so that a purchase may be hooked
to its bight. Also, a small line or cord, the middle of which is usually
attached to a stay, whence the two ends branch outwards to the right and
left, having either a block or thimble attached to their extremities. It
is used to confine some ropes which pass through the corresponding
blocks or thimbles as a fair leader.
SPAN-BLOCKS. Blocks seized into each bight of a strap, long enough to go
across a cap, and allow the blocks to hang clear on each side, as
main-lifts, top-mast studding-sail, halliards, blocks, &c.
SPAN IN THE RIGGING, TO. To draw the upper parts of the shrouds together
by tackles, in order to seize on the cat-harping legs. The rigging is
also "spanned in" when it has been found to stretch considerably on
first putting to sea, but cannot be set up until it moderates.
SPANISH-BURN. A specious method of hiding defects in timber, by chopping
it in pieces.
SPANISH-BURTON. The _single_ is rove with three single blocks, or two
single blocks and a hook in the bight of one of the running parts. The
_double_ Spanish-burton is furnished with one double and two single
blocks.
SPANISH DISTURBANCE. An epithet given to the sudden armament on the
Nootka Sound affair, in 1797, an epoch from which many of our seamen
dated their service in the late wars.
SPANISH MACKEREL. An old Cornish name for the tunny, or a scomber,
larger than the horse-mackerel.
SPANISH REEF. The yards lowered on the cap. Also, a knot tied in the
head of the jib.
SPANISH WINDLASS. A wooden roller, or heaver, having a rope wound about
it, through the bight of which an iron bolt is inserted as a lever for
heaving it round. This is a handy tool for turning in rigging, heaving
in seizings, &c.
SPANKER. A fore-and-aft sail, setting with a boom and gaff, frequently
called the _driver_ (which see). It is the aftermost sail of a ship or
bark.
SPANKER-EEL. A northern term for the lamprey.
SPANKING. Going along with a fresh breeze when the spanker tells, as the
aft well-boomed out-sail. The word is also used to denote strength,
spruceness, and size, as a _spanking breeze_, a _spanking frigate_, &c.
SPANNER. An instrument by which the wheel-lock guns and pistols were
wound up; also used to screw up the nuts of the plummer boxes. Also, an
important balance in forming the radius of parallel motion in a
steam-engine, since it reconciles the curved sweep which the side-levers
describe with the perpendicular movement of the piston-rod, by means of
which they are driven.
SPANNING A HARPOON. Fixing the line which connects the harpoon and its
staff. The harpoon iron is a socketed tool, tapering 3 feet to the
barb-heads; on that iron socket a becket is worked; the staff fits in
loosely. The harpoon line reeves upwards from the socket through this
becket, and through another on the staff, so that on striking the whale
the staff leaps out of the socket and does not interfere with the iron,
which otherwise might be wrenched out.
SPAN OF RIGGING. The length of shrouds from the dead-eyes on one side,
over the mast-head, to the dead-eyes on the other side of the ship.
SPAN-SHACKLE. A large bolt running through the forecastle and spar-deck
beams, and forelocked before each beam, with a large triangular shackle
at the head, formerly used for the purpose of receiving the end of the
davit. Also, a bolt similarly driven through the deck-beam, for securing
the booms, boats, anchors, &c.
SPAR. The general term for any mast, yard, boom, gaff, &c. In
ship-building, the name is applied to small firs used in making staging.
SPAR-DECK. This term is loosely applied, though properly it signifies a
temporary deck laid in any part of a vessel, and the beams whereon it
rests obtain the name of skid-beams in the navy. It also means the
quarter-deck, gangways, and forecastle of a deep-waisted vessel; and,
rather strangely, is applied to the upper entire deck of a double-banked
vessel, without an open waist.
SPARE. An epithet applied to any part of a ship's equipage that lies in
reserve, to supply the place of such as may be lost or rendered
incapable of service; hence we say, spare tiller, spare top-masts, &c.
SPARE ANCHOR. An additional anchor the size of a bower.
SPARE SAILS. An obvious term. They should be pointed before stowing them
away in the sail-room.
SPARLING. A name on the Lancashire coasts for the smelt (_Osmerus
eperlanus_).
SPARTHE. An Anglo-Saxon term for a halbert or battle-axe.
SPAT. The spawn or ova of the oyster.
SPEAK A VESSEL, TO. To pass within hail of her for that purpose.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY. The comparative weights of equal bulks of different
bodies, water being generally represented as unity.
SPECK-BLOCKS. _See_ FLENSE.
SPECK-FALLS, OR PURCHASE. Ropes rove through two large purchase-blocks
at the mast-head of a whaler, and made fast to the _blubber-guy_, for
hoisting the blubber from a whale.
SPECKTIONEER. The chief harpooner in a Greenland ship. He also directs
the cutting operations in clearing the whale of its blubber and bones.
SPECTRUM. The variously coloured image into which a ray of light is
divided on being passed through a prism.
SPEED-INDICATOR. A modification of Massey's log.
SPELL. The period wherein one or more sailors are employed in particular
duties demanding continuous exertion. Such are the spells to the
hand-lead in sounding, to working the pumps, to look out on the
mast-head, &c., and to steer the ship, which last is generally called
the "trick at the wheel." _Spel-ian_, Anglo-Saxon, "to supply another's
room." Thus, _Spell ho!_ is the call for relief.
SPENCER. The fore-and-main trysails; fore-and-aft sails set with gaffs,
introduced instead of main-topmast and mizen staysails.
SPENT. From _expend_: said of a mast broken by accident, in
contradistinction to one shot away.
SPENT SHOT. A shot that has lost its penetrative velocity, yet capable
of inflicting grave injury as long as it travels.
SPERM WHALE. Otherwise known as the cachalot, _Physeter macrocephalus_.
A large cetacean, belonging to the division of delphinoid or toothed
whales. It is found in nearly all tropical and temperate seas, and is
much hunted for the valuable sperm-oil and spermaceti which it yields.
When full grown, it may attain the length of 60 feet, of which the head
occupies nearly one-third.
SPERONARA. A Mediterranean boat of stouter build than the _scampavia_,
yet rowed with speed: in use in the south of Italy and Malta.
SPHERA NAUTICA. An old navigation instrument. In 1576 Martin Frobisher
was supplied with a brass one, at the cost of L4, 6_s._ 8_d._
SPHERE. The figure formed by the rotation of a circle. A term
singularly, but very often, misapplied in parlance for orbit.
SPHERICAL CASE-SHOT. _See_ SHRAPNEL SHELL.
SPHERICAL TRIANGLE. That contained under three arcs of great circles of
a sphere.
SPHEROID. The figure formed by the rotation of an ellipse, differing
little from a circle.
SPICA, OR {a} VIRGINIS. The lucida of Virgo, a standard nautical star.
SPIDER. An iron out-rigger to keep a block clear of the ship's side.
SPIDER-HOOP. The hoop round a mast to secure the shackles to which the
futtock-shrouds are attached. Also, an iron encircling hoop, fitted with
belaying pins round the mast.
SPIDER-LINES. A most ingenious substitution of a spider's long threads
for wires in micrometer scales, intended for delicate astronomical
observations.
SPIKE-NAILS. _See_ DECK-NAILS.
SPIKE-PLANK. (_Speak-plank?_) In Polar voyages, a platform projecting
across the vessel before the mizen-mast, to enable the ice-master to
cross over, and see ahead, and so pilot her clear of the ice. It
corresponds with the bridge in steamers.
SPIKE-TACKLE AND CANT-FALLS. The ropes and blocks used in whalers to
sling their prey to the side of the ship.
SPIKE-TUB. A vessel in which the fat of bears, seals, and minor quarry
is set aside till a "making off" gives an opportunity for adding it to
the blubber in the hold.
SPIKING A GUN. Driving a large nail or iron spike into the vent, which
will render the cannon unserviceable until removed. (_See_ CLOY.)
SPILE. A stake or piece of wood formed like the frustum of a cone. A
vent-peg in a cask of liquor. Small wooden pins which are driven into
nail-holes to prevent leaking.
SPILINGS. In carpentry and ship-building, the dimensions taken from a
straight line, a mould's edge, or rule-staff, to any given sny or curve
of a plank's edge.
SPILL, TO. Whether for safety or facility, it is advisable to shiver the
wind out of a sail before furling or reefing it. This is done either by
collecting the sail together, or by bracing it bye, so that the wind may
strike its leech and shiver it. A very effeminate captain was accustomed
to order, "Sheevar the meezen taus'le, and let the fore-topmast staysail
lie dormant in the brails!"
SPILLING LINES. Ropes contrived to keep the sails from blowing away when
they are clued up, being rove before the sails like the buntlines so as
to disarm the gale, in contradistinction to clue-lines, &c., which cause
the sails to belly full.
SPIN A TWIST OR A YARN, TO. To tell a long story; much prized in a
dreary watch, if not tedious.
SPINDLE. The vertical iron pin upon which the capstan moves. (_See_
CAPSTAN.) Also, a piece of timber forming the diameter of a made mast.
Also, the long-pin on which anything revolves. A windlass turns on
horizontal spindles at each extremity.
SPINGARD. A kind of small cannon.
SPIRE-VAPOUR. A name suggested to Captain Parry for certain little
vertical streams of vapour rising from the sea or open water in the
Arctic regions, resembling the _barber_ in North America (which see).
SPIRIT-ROOM. A place or compartment abaft the after-hold, to contain the
ship's company's spirits.
SPIRKITTING. That strake of planks which is wrought,
anchor-stock-fashion, between the water-way and the lower sill of the
gun-ports withinside of a ship of war.--_Spirkitting_ is also used to
denote the strake of ceiling between the upper-deck and the plank-sheer
of a merchantman; otherwise known as _quick-work_.
SPIT. A bank, or small sandy projection, with shallow water on it,
generally running out from a point of land. Also, meteorologically, very
slight rain.
SPITFIRE-JIB. In cutters, a small storm-jib of very heavy canvas.
SPITHEAD NIGHTINGALES. Boatswains and boatswains' mates, when winding
their calls, especially when piping to dinner.
SPLA-BOARDS. Planks fixed at an obtuse angle, to reflect light into a
magazine.
SPLICE. The joining of two ropes together. Familiarly, two persons
joined in wedlock.--_To splice._ To join the two untwisted ends of a
rope together. There are several methods of making a splice, according
to the services for which it is intended; as:--_The long rolling splice_
is chiefly used in lead-lines, log-lines, and fishing-lines, where the
short splice would be liable to separation, as being frequently loosened
by the water.--_The long splice_ occupies a great extent of rope, but by
the three joinings being fixed at a distance from each other, the
increase of bulk is divided; hence it resembles a continuous lay, and
is adapted to run through the sheave-hole of a block, &c., for which use
it is generally intended.--_The short splice_ is used upon cables,
slings, block-strops, and, in general, all ropes which are not intended
to run through blocks.--_Spliced eye_ forms a sort of eye or circle at
the end of a rope, and is used for splicing in thimbles, bull's-eyes,
&c., and generally on the end of lashing block-strops. (_See_
EYE-SPLICE.)
SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE. In nautical parlance, to serve out an extra
allowance of grog in bad weather or after severe exertion.
SPLICING FID. A tapered wooden pin for opening the strands when splicing
large ropes; it is sometimes driven by a large wooden mallet called a
_commander_.
SPLINTER-NETTING. A cross-barred net formed of half-inch rope lashed at
every rectangular crossing, and spread from rigging to rigging between
the main and mizen masts, to prevent wreck from aloft, in action, from
wounding the men at the upper-deck guns. They are frequently used at the
open hatchways to prevent accidents.
SPLITTER. A man engaged in the Newfoundland fisheries to receive the
fish from the _header_, and, with a sharp knife, dexterously to lay it
open.
SPLITTING OUT. To remove the blocks on which a vessel rests in a dock,
or at launching, when the pressure is too great for them to be driven,
but by splitting.
SPLITTING THE BOOKS. The making of a new complete-book after payment, in
which the dead, run, or discharged men are omitted; but the numbers
which stood against the men's names in the first list must be continued.
SPOKES. The handles of the wheel, not the radii.--_To put a spoke in a
man's wheel_, is to say something of him to his advantage, or otherwise.
SPOKE-SHAVE. That useful instrument similar to the carpenter's
drawing-knife, for smoothing rounds or hollows.
SPOLIATION OF A SHIP'S PAPERS. An act which, by the maritime law of
every court in Europe, not only excludes further proof, but does, _per
se_, infer condemnation. Our own code has so far relaxed that this
circumstance shall not be damnatory. The suppression of ships' papers,
however, is regarded in the admiralty courts with great suspicion.
SPONSON. The curve of the timbers and planking towards the outer part of
the _wing_, before and abaft each of the paddle-boxes of a steamer.
SPONSON-RIM. The same as _wing-wale_ (which see).
SPONTOON. A light halbert.
SPOOM, TO. An old word frequently found in Dryden, who thus uses it,
"When virtue _spooms_ before a prosp'rous gale,
My heaving wishes help to fill the sail."
SPOON-DRIFT. A showery sprinkling of the water swept from the tops of
the waves in a brisk gale. Driving snow is also sometimes termed
spoon-drift.
SPOONING, OR SPOOMING. Driving under a heavy gale, such as forces a ship
to run before it without any canvas set.
SPOON-WAYS. In slave-ships, stowing the poor wretches so closely locked
together, that it is difficult to move without treading upon them.
SPOTS ON THE SUN. _See_ MACULAE.
SPOUT. A term applied to the blowing or breathing of whales and other
cetaceans. The expired air, highly charged with moisture from the lungs,
has frequently been mistaken for a stream of water. (_See also_
WATER-SPOUT.)
SPOUTER. A whaling term for a South Sea whale.
SPRAT WEATHER. The dark days of November and December, so called from
that being the most favourable season for catching sprats.
SPREAD A FLEET, TO. To keep more open order.
SPREAD EAGLE. A person seized in the rigging; generally a passenger thus
made to pay his entrance forfeit.
SPREE. Uproarious jollity, sport, and merriment.
SPRING. A crack running obliquely through any part of a mast or yard,
which renders it unsafe to carry the usual sail thereon, and the spar is
then said to be sprung. Also, a hawser laid out to some fixed object to
slue a vessel proceeding to sea. (_See_ WARP.)--_To spring._ To split or
break.--_To spring a butt._ To start the end of a plank on the outside
of a ship's bottom. (_See_ BUTT.)--_To spring a leak_, is when a vessel
is suddenly discovered to leak.--_To spring the luff_, easing the helm
down to receive a breeze; to bring a vessel's head closer to the wind in
sailing. Thus a vessel coming up sharply to the wind under full way
shoots, and may run much to windward of her course, until met by a
contrary helm.--_To spring a mine._ To fire its charge.
SPRING-BEAM. In a steamer, a fore-and-aft beam for connecting the two
paddle-beams, and supporting the outer end of the paddle-shaft.
SPRING-FORELOCK. One jagged or split at the point, thereby forming
springs to prevent its drawing.
SPRING-SEARCHER. A steel-pronged tool to search for defects in the bore
of a gun.
SPRING-STAYS. Are rather smaller than the stays, and are placed above
them, being intended as substitutes should the main one be shot away.
SPRING-TIDE. The periodical excess of the elevation and depression of
the tide, which occurs when both the sun and moon act in the same
direction.
SPRIT [Anglo-Saxon, _spreotas_]. A small boom which crosses the sail of
a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner: the lower
end of the sprit rests in a sort of becket called the snotter, which
encircles the mast at that place. These sails are accordingly called
sprit-sails. Also, in a sheer-hulk, a spur or spar for keeping the
sheers out to the required distance, so that their head should plumb
with the centre of the ship when taking out or putting in masts.
SPRIT-SAIL. A sail formerly attached to a yard which hung under the
bowsprit, and of importance in naval actions of old.
SPRIT-SAIL SHEET KNOT. May be crowned and walled, or double-walled, and
is often used as a stopper-knot.
SPRIT-SAIL TOP-SAIL. A sail extended above the sprit-sail by a yard,
which hung under the jib-boom.--_Top-gallant sprit-sail_ was set upon
the flying jib-boom in the same manner that the sprit-sail was set upon
the inner jib-boom. The sprit-sail course, top-sail, and topgallant-sail
were similar in effect to those on the fore-mast, and in former times,
when the bowsprit stood more erect, it was indeed the bowsprit or mast.
SPRIT-SAIL YARD. A yard slung across the bowsprit, lashed to the
knight-heads, and used to spread the guys of the jib and flying
jib-boom. To this yard the sprit-sail was formerly bent.
SPRIT-SAIL YARDING. A cruelty in which some fishermen wreak vengeance on
sharks, dog-fish, &c., that encroach on their baits, and foul their
nets. They thrust a piece of wood through the gills of the unconscious
offender, and in that condition turn it adrift upon the ocean.
SPROKET-WHEEL. That at the upper extremities of the chain-pump-tubes,
worked by crank-handles.
SPRUNG. Damaged in various ways. Also, the ship slued round by means of
guys. In ship-building, it indicates that a plank is strained so as to
crack or fly open.
SPUEING THE OAKUM. When the ship's labouring forces the caulking out of
her seams.
SPUN. The being turned back or rejected, on being examined touching
qualifications.
SPUNGE. A cylindrical block of wood covered with sheepskin, used to
clean the interior of a gun after firing, and to extinguish any sparks
that may remain behind. The _rope-sponge_, fixed on a strong rope
instead of a staff, has a rammer-head on its opposite end: it is used
for service with lower-deck guns in bad weather when the ports cannot be
opened except at moments for firing.
SPUNK. A fungus (_Polyporus fomentarius_ and others) growing on the
trunks of trees, from which tinder is made.
SPUN-YARN. A small line, formed of two, three, or more old rope-yarns
not laid, but twisted together by hand or winch. Spun-yarn is used for
various purposes, as seizing and serving ropes, weaving mats, &c.
SPUR. A projecting portion of a cliff. In fortification, spurs are walls
that cross a part of the rampart and join to the town-wall. Also, in a
sheer-hulk, the same as _sprit_ (which see).
SPURKETS, OR SPIRKETS. The spaces between the timbers along a ship's
side betwixt the upper and lower futtocks, or betwixt the rungs fore and
aft.
SPURLING-LINE. The line which formed the communication between the wheel
and the tell-tale: it went round a small barrel, abaft the barrel of the
wheel, and made the pointer show the position of the tiller. Also, a
line with thimbles as fair-leaders for running rigging. Now out of use.
SPURN-WATER. A channel left above the ends of a deck, to prevent water
from coming any further. The water-ways.
SPURS, OR SPUR-SHORES. Large pieces of timber in launching, the lower
ends of which are fixed to the bilge-ways, and the upper ends fayed and
bolted to the ship's bottom for additional security.
SPURS OF THE BEAMS. Curved pieces of timber, serving as half-beams, to
support the decks, where a whole one cannot be placed, on account of the
hatchways.
SPURS OF THE BITTS. The same as _standards_ (which see).
SQUAD. A diminutive of _squadron_. Also, a small party of soldiers
assembled for drill or inspection.
SQUADRON. A division of a fleet, as van, centre, and rear squadrons. A
flying squadron may be commanded by a rear-admiral, and consist of any
class of vessels. Also, a body of cavalry consisting of two troops, or
from 80 to 150 men. Squadron is the ordinary unit in reckoning the
cavalry force of an army.
SQUALL. A sudden gust of wind, frequently occasioned by the interruption
and reverberation of the wind from high mountains. These are very
frequent in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Levant.--_A black
squall._ One attended with a dark cloud and generally heavy rain.--_A
white squall._ This furious and dangerous gust occurs in clear weather,
without any other warning than the white foam it occasions on the
surface of the sea, and a very thin haze. When this squall reaches a
ship, copious rain attends it. It is very destructive to the flying-kite
school, and many lives have been sacrificed by it.
SQUARE. An instrument formed by a stock and a tongue fixed at right
angles. Also, in the army, a formation of infantry devised to resist
cavalry. (_See_ HOLLOW SQUARE and RALLYING SQUARE.) Also, a term
peculiarly appropriated to the yards and their sails. Thus, when the
yards hang at right angles with the mast they are said to be "square by
the lifts;" when perpendicular to the ship's length, they are "square by
the braces;" but when they lie in a direction perpendicular to the plane
of the keel, they are "square by the lifts and braces." The yards are
said to be very square when they are of extraordinary length, and the
same epithet is applied to their sails with respect to their breadth.
Also, a figure composed of four equal sides and four right angles, is
the square of geometry.
SQUARE-BUTTED. The yard-arms of small shipping so made that a
sheave-hole can be cut through without weakening the yard.
SQUARE-FRAMES. In marine architecture, implies those frames which are
square with the line of the keel, having no bevelling upon them.
SQUARE IN THE HEAD. Very bluff and broad in the fore-body.
SQUARE-KNOT. The same as _reef-knot_.
SQUARE MAIN-SAIL. _See_ MAIN-SAIL.
SQUARE OR SQUARING MARKS. Marks placed upon the lifts and braces.
SQUARE RIBBONS. A synonym of _horizontal lines_, or _horizontal
ribbons_.
SQUARE-RIGGED. Ships having chiefly square sails; a term used in
contradistinction to all vessels which do not use them. It is also
applied to vessels with unusually long yards. The term is also
familiarly used to denote a person's being full-dressed.
SQUARE-SAIL. The flying sail, set on the fore-yard of a schooner, or the
spread-yard of a cutter or sloop.
SQUARE-SAIL BOOM. A boom hooked on to an eye-bolt in the fore-part of
the fore-mast of a fore-and-aft vessel, to boom out the square-sail.
SQUARE-SAILS. Colloquially applied to the courses; but the term may be
used for any four-cornered sail extended to a yard suspended by the
middle.
SQUARE-STERNED. Implies a stern where the wing-transom is at right
angles with the stern-post. (_See_ PINK and ROUND STERN.)
SQUARE-STERNED AND BRITISH BUILT. A phrase to express the peculiar
excellence of our first-class merchantmen.
SQUARE TIMBERS. Those timbers which stand square with, or perpendicular
to, the keel.
SQUARE-TOPSAIL SLOOP. Sloops which carry standing yards.
SQUARE TUCK. The after-part of a ship's bottom, when terminated in the
same direction up and down as the wing-transom.
SQUARE YARDS! The order to attend to the lifts and braces, for going
before the wind.--_To square a yard._ In working ship, means to bring it
in square by the marks on the braces. Figuratively, to settle accounts.
SQUARING THE DEAD-EYES. Bringing them to a line parallel to the sheer of
the ship.
SQUARING THE RATLINES. Seeing that all are horizontal and ship-shape.
SQUATTER. The flutter of sea-birds along the water. Also, one who
settles, without a title. The hybrid but expressive Americanism
_absquatulate_, means to clear off; the reverse of to _squat_.
SQUAW. A woman of the North American Indians.
SQUEEGEE. An effective swabbing implement, having a plate of
gutta-percha fitted at the end of a broom handle.
SQUETEE. The Yankee name of a labrus, very common in the waters of Long
Island Sound and adjacent bays, but never found in rivers.
SQUID. An animal allied to the cuttle-fish, belonging to the class
_Cephalopoda_; the calamary or _Loligo_ of naturalists.
SQUILGEE, OR SQUILLAGEE. A small swab made of untwisted yarns.
Figuratively, a lazy mean fellow.
SQUIRM. A wriggling motion like that of an eel. Also, a twist in a rope.
STABBER. A pegging awl; the same as _pricker_.
STABILITY. A quality implying a ship's capacity to bear every motion of
the sea.
STACK. A precipitous rock rising out of the sea, in northern
hydrography.
STACKEN CLOUD. The same as _cumulus_ (which see).
STADE. The Anglo-Saxon _staede_, still in use. A station for ships. From
stade is derived _staith_ (which see).
STAFF. A light pole erected in different parts of a ship, whereon to
hoist and display the colours; as, _the ensign-staff_, reared
immediately over the stern; _the jack-staff_, fixed on the bowsprit-cap.
In military affairs, the staff includes all officials not having direct
and specific military command, as the adjutant-general,
quartermaster-general, majors of brigade, aides-de-camp, &c. This term
has been unaccountably pilfered by the admiralty lately from the army,
as a prefix to a naval title.
STAFF-CAPTAIN. A designation conferred in 1863 upon masters of the
fleet.
STAFF-COMMANDERS. A designation conferred in 1863 on masters of fifteen
years' seniority.
STAFF-OFFICER. On the general staff of the army, or of a combined force.
_See_ STAFF.
STAG. A name given to a rock that should be watched for, as off the
Lizard, Castlehaven, &c.
STAGE. Planks let over the ship's sides by ropes, whereon the people may
stand when repairing, &c.--_A floating stage_ is one which does not need
the support of ropes.--_Stage-gangway_ (_see_ BROW).
STAGER. A resident or practised person. _See_ OLD-STAGER.
STAGGERING UNDER IT. A ship's labouring under as much canvas as she can
bear.
STAGNES. A statute term for pools of standing water.
STAITH [Anglo-Saxon _staede_]. An embankment on the river bank whence to
load vessels. Also, a large wooden wharf, with a timber frame of either
shoots or drops, according to circumstances.
STAKES. A _weir_ (which see) for taking fish, as black-stakes, &c.
STAL-BOAT. A peculiar fishing-boat, mentioned in statute 27 Eliz. c. 21.
STALKERS. Certain fishing-nets mentioned in old statutes.
STAMMAREEN. The after or helmsman's seat in a Shetland fishing-boat.
STAMP AND GO! The order to step out at the capstan, or with hawsers,
topsail-halliards, &c., generally to the fife or fiddle.
STANCH. _See_ STAUNCH.
STANCHIONS. Any fixed upright support. Also, those posts of wood or iron
which, being placed pillar-wise, support the waist-trees and guns.
STANCHIONS OF THE NETTINGS. Slender bars of iron or wood, the lower ends
of which are fixed in iron sockets at proper distances.
STAND, TO. The movement by which a ship advances towards a certain
object, or departs from it; as, "The enemy stands in shore;" "We saw
three sail standing to the southward." "That ship has not a mast
standing," implies that she has lost all her masts.
STANDARD. Formerly, in ship-building, was an inverted knee, placed upon
the deck instead of beneath it, and having its vertical branch pointed
upwards from that which lay horizontally.--_Royal standard._ A flag in
which the imperial ensigns of England, Scotland, and Ireland are
quartered. It is never hoisted on board a ship unless when visited by
the royal family, and then it is displayed at the mast-head allotted to
the rank; at the main only for the sovereign.
STANDARD-DEALS. Those planks of the pine or fir above 7 inches wide and
6 feet long: under that length they are known as _deal-ends_.
STANDARD-KNEES. _See_ DECK STANDARD-KNEES.
STAND BY! The order to be prepared; to look out to fire when
directed.--To _stand by_ a rope, is to take hold of it; _the anchor_,
prepare to let go.
STAND CLEAR OF THE CABLE! A precautionary order when about to let go the
anchor, that nothing may obstruct it in running out of the hawse-holes.
Also, a warning when idlers obstruct quarter-deck duty.
STANDEL. In our statutes, is a young store oak-tree.
STAND FROM UNDER! A notice given to those below to keep out of the way
of anything being lowered down, or let fall from above.