(_To the Editor of the Mirror._)
Sir,--The annexed _Definition_ of Nautical, Names, &c. will not, I dare
say, to most of your readers, be uninteresting. G.W.N.
_The Starboard_ is the right side of the ship, as the _lar_-board is the
left.
_The Parrel_ is a movable band-rope, used to fasten the yard to its
respective mast.
_Backstays_ are long ropes, reaching from the right and left sides of
the vessel to the mast heads.
_Travellers_ are slight iron rings, encircling the backstays, and are
used for hoisting the top-gallant yards, and confining them to the
backstays.
_Rolling-tackle_ is a number of pulleys, engaged to confine the yard to
the weather side of the mast; this tackle is much used in a rough sea.
_Booms_ are masts or yards, lying on board in reserve.
_The Courses_ are the mainsail, foresail, and the mizen.
_The Staysail_ is of a triangular form, running upon the
fore-topmast-stay, just above the bowsprit.
_Reef-tackles_ are ropes employed in the operation of reefing. &c.
_Clue-lines_ are used to truss up the clues, or to lower the corners of
the largest sails.
_The Brake_ is the handle of the pump, by which it is worked.
_Bowlines_ are ropes for keeping the windward edge of the sail steady.
_The Wells_ are places in the ship's hold for the pumps, &c.
_Earings_ are small lines, by which the uppermost corners of the largest
sails are secured to the yard-arms.
_Reefs_ are spaces by which the principal sails are reduced when the
wind is too high, and enlarged again when its force abates.
_Topsails_ are long and square, of the second degree in magnitude in all
great ships.
_Haliards_ are single ropes, by which the sails are hoisted up and
lowered at pleasure.
_Tally_ is the operation of hauling aft the _sheets_, or drawing them in
the direction of the ship's stern.
_Towing_ is the operation of drawing a vessel forward by means of long
lines, &c.
_Timoneer_, from the French _timonnier_, is a name given, on particular
occasions, to the steersman of a ship.
_Bars_ are large masses of sand or earth, formed by the surge of the
sea; they are mostly found at the entrances of great rivers or havens,
and often render navigation extremely dangerous.
_The Ox-Eye_, so called by seamen, is a remarkable appearance in the
heavens, resembling a small lurid speck, and always precedes two
particular storms, known only between the tropics.
_Azimuth-Compass_ is an instrument employed for ascertaining the sun's
magnetical azimuth.
_Studding-Sails_ are long and narrow, and are used only in fine weather,
on the outside of the large square sails.
_Stay-Sails_ have three corners, and are hoisted up on the stays when
the wind crosses the ship.
_Broaching-to_ is a sudden movement in navigation, when the ship, while
scudding before the wind, accidentally turns her side to windward.
_Wales_ are a number of strong and thick planks, covering the lower part
of the ship's side.
_Scud_ is a name given by sailors to the lowest clouds; which are mostly
observed in squally weather.
_The Sheets_ are ropes used for extending the clues, or lowering the
corners of the sails.
_Brails_ are ropes used to truss up a sail to a mast or yard.
_Reef-Bands_ are long pieces of rough canvass sewed across the sails to
give them additional strength.
_Scudding_ is a term applied to a vessel when carried furiously along by
a tempest.
_Leeward_ implies when the ship lies on that side to which the wind is
directed.
_Windbound_ means when the ship is detained in one particular station by
contrary winds.
_Windward_ is when the ship is in the direction of the wind.
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