several Services they are wanted for.
Scale
A Mathematical Instrument, consisting of one or more Lines drawn on
Wood, Metal, or other Matter, divided into unequal Parts; of great
Use in laying down Distances in Proportion, or in measuring Distances
already laid down.
Scantling
A Measure, Size or Standard, whereby Dimensions of Things are
determined.
Scarfed
Is the same as pieced, fastened, or joined in; thus they say, the Stem
of a Ship is Scarfed into her Keel, and they imply by it, that the two
Pieces are so shaped as to join with one another close and even, which
is called Wood and Wood.
Scavel Spitters
Are a small Spade, only shod half Way, and are used for digging Clay.
Schoolmaster
No one to be warranted who has not been examined at _Trinity House_,
and produces a Certificate of his being well skilled in Navigation,
_&c._ who is to instruct Voluntiers, and other Youths of the Ship; to
inform against such as are Idle; and not to be paid his Wages without a
Certificate from the Captain.
Scoops
Are for throwing Water out of Boats, Lighters, _&c._
Scrapers
Are used for scraping the Ship's Sides, Decks, Boats, _&c._
Screw
Plates
To cut Screws.
Tapps
To make or cut the Nutts.
Screws for Hatches
Are made with a very nice Worm, that works in a Nutt let into a Sort of
Drum-head, which lifts up or lowers them down to let in or out Water
into the Docks or Bason.
Screws Wood
Are for lifting great Bodies, and are generally placed at the Bow of a
Ship when to be launched off a Slip, to start her.
Scribeing
In Joynery, _&c._ is when one Side of a Piece of Stuff being fitted to
the Side of some other Piece, which last is not Regular, to make the
two close together all the Way.
Scuppers
Are made of Leather, and laid to convey the Water from off the Ship's
Decks, for which Holes are cut in the Ship's Sides.
Scuttles
Are square Holes big enough for the Body of a Man to go down on
Occasion into any Room below; also the little Windows or long Holes
which are cut out in Cabbins to let in Light, are called Scuttles.
Sea Gate
When two Ships are aboard one another, by Means of a Wave or Billow,
then they lie in a Sea Gate.
Seams
Are where the Planks of a Ship, or Boards in a Boat meet and join
together; also Sails are sewed with a flat or round Seam.
Sea Yoke
When the Sea is so rough that the Helm cannot be governed by Hand, they
make a Yoke to steer by, having two Blocks seized to the End of the
Helm or Tiller, and reeving two Falls through them, they govern the
Helm.
Seizing
Is the same as fastening two Ropes together; or a Block to the End of a
Tackle or Pendant is called Seizing it.
Send
When a Ship either at an Anchor or under Sail, falls with her Head or
Stern deep into the Trough or hollow of the Sea between two Waves or
Billows, they say she sends much a-head or a-stern.
Serve
To Serve a Rope, is to lay spun Yarn round it with a Serving Mallet,
which preserves it from wet, fretting or galling in any Place.
Sett
When the Seamen observe on what Point of the Compass the Sun, Land,
_&c._ bears, they call it, Setting the Sun, or Land by their Compass.
Setts for Saws
Are for setting the Teeth when out of Order, so as they may cut with
the greater Exactness.
Settle
When a Deck of a Ship sinks lower than it was, when first laid; is
called Settling.
Sew
When a Ship at low Water comes to be on the Ground to lie dry, they
say, she is Sewed; and if she be not quite left dry, they say, she Sews
to such a Part.
Shakles
Are those Rings with which the Ports are shut fast, by lashing the
Port Bar to them. There are also Shakles put on the Bilbow Bolts for
confining the Men that have been guilty of Faults.
Shank-painter
A short Chain fastened under the Fore Shrouds by a Bolt to the Ship's
Side, having at the other End a Rope spliced to the End of the Chain,
on which the After-part of the Anchor Rests, when it lies by the Ship's
Side.
Sheer
When a Ship is not steered steadily, then they say she Sheers, or goes
Sheering, or when at an Anchor she goes in and out by Means of the
swift running of the Tide.
Sheers
Are two Masts or Yards set a-cross at the upper End of one another, and
are used generally for setting or taking out Ships Masts, where there
is no Hulk to do that Office.
Sheathing
Is casing that Part of a Ship which is to be under Water, with Firr
Board of an Inch thick, which, by laying Hair and Tar mixed together
upon the Inside of the Boards, and then nailing them on, is to prevent
the Worm from eating her Bottom.
Sheats
Are Ropes bent to the Clews of the Sails, serving in the lower Sails to
hawl Aft the Clew of the Sail; but in Top-sails they serve to hawl home
the Clew of the Sail close to the Yard-Arm.
Shifters
Certain Men employed by the Cooks to shift or change the Water in which
the Flesh or Fish is put and laid for some Time, in order for boiling.
Ships
Of War are masted with three Masts and a Bow-sprit, and sailed with
square Sails.
Advice Boats
Now out of Use, but were formerly fitted with two Masts, and square
Sails.
Belander
Has Rigging and Sails not unlike a Hoy, but is broader and flatter;
the covering of the Deck is raised up half a Foot higher than the
Gunwale, between which, and the Deck, there is a Passage left free for
the Men to walk; are seldom above twenty-four Tun, and can lie nearer
the Wind than a Vessel with cross Sails can do.
Bomb Vessels
Go sometimes with three Masts and square Sails; sometimes Ketch
fashion, with one and a Mizon.
Brigantines
Not now used, but were built light for rowing or sailing, and had two
Masts and square Sails.
Hagboats
Are masted and sailed Ship fashion, but built in Figure after the
Manner of _Dutch_ Fly Boats.
Hoys
Are fitted with one Mast and a Spreet-sail, and sometimes with
Shoulder of Mutton Sails, whose Yards are not a-cross, but stands Fore
and Aft like a Mizon, so can lie nearer the Wind.
Hulks
They are generally old Ships cut down to the Gun Deck, and fitted
with a large Wheel for Men to go in when Careening; and has several
Capstons fixed on the Deck for setting Ships Masts.
Ketches
Fitted with two Masts, and their Main-sail and Top-sail stands square
as Ships do; and their Fore-sail and Jibbs stands as Hoys do.
Lighters
Are made use of for laying down or shifting the Moarings; for bringing
a-shore or carrying off Ships Cables, Anchors, _&c._ or taking in
Ballast out of Ships that are to be docked, _&c._
Pinks
Are masted, and sail with three Masts, Ship fashion, but round
sterned, with a small Lute or Projection Abaft over the Rother.
Punts
Are built four square, and used about the Docks for fetching Clay, and
other Services as the Master Shipwright wants them for.
Shallop
Is a small Light Vessel, with only a small Main and Fore-mast, and
Lugg-sails to haul up and let down on Occasion.
Sloops
Are sailed and masted as Mens Fancies lead them, sometimes with one
Mast, with two, and with three, with Bermudoes, Shoulder of Mutton,
Square, Lugg, and Smack Sails; they are in Figure either square or
round Stern'd.
Smacks
Are necessary Transporting Vessels, with one Mast and half Spreet-sail.
Yachts
One Mast with an half Spreet or Smack Sail, and sometimes Ketch
fashion.
Shivers
Are those little round Wheels in Blocks in which the Rope runs, they
turn with the Rope; and the Voyal Blocks have Pieces of Brass in their
Centers, (which are called Coaks) with Holes in them, into which the
Iron Pin of the Block goes, and on which they turn. These Shivers are
of Lignum Vitæ, but those in the Heels of Topmasts, and in great Ships,
Catheads are generally Brass.
Shoal
When a Ship sails towards a Shore, and they find by Sounding the Water
grows shallow by Degrees; or when a Sail is too deep, and any Canvas is
cut from its Depth, then they say the Sail is Shoaled.
Shoe for an Anchor
Is made of a Piece of Baulk, or thick Stuff, one End cut with a Hole
for the Bill of the Anchor to go into, and the other with a triangular
Notch to receive the Stock, which keeps off the Sheats, Tacks, and
other running Rigging from gauling or being entangled with the Flooks.
Shot of a Cable
Is the splicing two or three Cables together, that a Ship may ride safe
in deep Water, and in great Roads.
Shovels
Are allowed the Boatswains for trimming, heaving in or out their
Ballast, or cleaning the Ship.
Shrouds
Are great Ropes in a Ship which come down both Sides of all Masts; they
are fastened below to the Chains by the Ship's Side with Lanyards, and
aloft are seized so as to have an Eye, which goes over the Head of the
Mast; and so are the Pendants and Swifters, they are Parcelled and
Served, to prevent the Masts gauling them. The Top-mast Shrouds are
fastened to the Puttock Plates by dead Eyes and Lanyards, as the others
are; the Terms are, Ease the Shrouds, that is, slacken them; set up the
Shrouds, that is, set them stiffer.
Signals
Are given for the beginning of a Battle, or an Attack at Sea, by
Cannon, Lights, Sails, Flags, _&c._ in the Day, Night, in a Fog, in
Distress, or calling Officers on board the Admiral.
Sinnet
Is made of Rope Yarn, consisting generally of two, six, or nine
Threads, which are divided into three Parts, and are platted over one
another, and then is beaten smooth and flat with a Mallet; is to serve
the Ropes, that is, to keep them from gauling.
Skeets
Are for weting Yachts Sails, or the Ship's Sides in ordinary the Summer
Season.
Skek
Usually called the Skeg, is that little Part of the Keel, which is cut
slaunting, and is left a little without the Stern Post.
Skids
Are wooden Fenders fay'd on the Outside of the Ship, for the
Conveniency of hoisting in Boats, Provisions, _&c._
Skimmers
Made with a round Hoop of Iron, and a Socket for a Pole or Spar to go
into, as a Handle in the Middle of the Hoop. A Net is made of Rope
Yarn, not unlike an Oyster Drudge, and they are used by the Scavengers
for clearing Chips, _&c._ which float on the Surface of the Water, from
getting into the Joints of the Gates, or into the Drains of the Docks.
Slatch
After long foul Weather, if there come a small interval of fair, they
say, this is a Slatch of fair Weather.
Sleepers
Are commonly three Strakes of Foot Waaling thicker than the rest,
wrought over the Wrungheads.
Slices
Are used by the Smiths to clear and keep their Fire together.
Slideing Rule
A Mathematical Instrument serving to work Questions in Gauging,
measuring Timber without the Use of Compasses, merely by the slideing
of the Parts of the Instrument one by another, the Lines and Divisions
whereof give the Answer by Inspection.
Slings
Boat
Are fixed with Thimbles and Tackle Hooks, which hook into small
Ringbolts drove in the Stem, Midships and Stern of the Boats, for
hoisting them in or out of the Ship.
Buoy
Are fixed round them, which not only is a Means to defend them from
being staved, but also the Buoy-ropes are seized to one of their Ends.
Butt
Gun
Hogshead
Are made use of for hoisting them in or out of the Ship.
Snipe Bills
Are a Sort of Hooks used for fastening the Axle-trees of the Chain
Pumps to the Bitts.
Snorters
The Smiths put them on one End of the Beak Iron, to turn any of their
Work with.
Soap
Is used for Paying the Slips to make them slippery, that the Ships,
when to be launched in their Cradles, or Buildge ways, meet with no
Obstruction or Stop in their Run.
Sodder
Used by the Plumber for soddering of Pipes, Furnace, and Water Cocks,
_&c._
Sounding
Is when the Depth of Water is tryed either by an Inch or three Quarter
Rope, with a deep Sea Lead at the End of it; is marked at two, three,
or four Fathom with a Piece of black Leather betwixt the Strands, but
at five Fathom is marked with a Piece of white Leather or Cloth.
Spanshakle
Is a large Clasp of Iron, which goes round the End of the Davit upon
the Fore-Castle, having a long Bolt, which goes through a Fore-Castle
Beam, and also Forelocks through an upper Deck Beam in the Midships.
Sparrs
Ft.
Cant Are from 33 to 35 long 5 Hands } { Wrought into
} { Booms,
} {
Barling 30 28 4 } { Top-gallant-masts,
} {
Boom 24 20 3 } { Flag Staffs,
} { Boats Masts, _&c._
Midling 20 16 } { Delivered } {
} { into Store. } { For Bowsprits,
} { } { Boat Hooks,
Small 16 11 } { Six Score to} { Mop Staves, _&c._
} { the hundred } {
Spell
Signifies doing any Work for a short Time, and then leaving it.
Therefore a fresh Spell is when fresh Men come to work; and to give a
Spell, is all one as to say, Work in such a one's Room.
Spiles
Are small Wood Pins, which are drove into the Nail-holes, when a Ship's
Sheathing is taken off.
Spindle
Is the smallest Part of a Ship's Capston; and where the Vane flies at
the Mast Head, is also called a Spindle, and made of Iron.
Spitts
Are allowed the Boatswains, and used for roasting the Officers Victuals.
Spirketing
Are Strakes of thick Plank wrought from the lower Edge of each Port to
each Deck respectively within Side of the Ship.
Splice
When the Ends of two Pieces of Cable or Rope are untwisted, and the
several Strands are wrought into one another by a Fid, it is called a
Splice.
Split
When a Sail is blown to pieces, it is Split.
Spooning
When a Ship being under Sail in a Storm at Sea, and cannot bear it, but
is forced to put before the Wind, then she Spoons.
Spring
When a Mast is only crack'd, but not quite broken in any Part of it, as
in the Partners, Hounds, _&c._ then it is Sprung.
Spunyarn
Is made out of Junk, old Cordage, _&c._
Spurketts
The Holes or Spaces between the Futtocks or Rungs by the Ship's Sides,
Standing-part
Of the Sheat, is that which is made fast to a Ring at the Ship's
Quarter; when they say over-haul the Sheat, they mean haul upon the
Standing Part; and the Standing Part of a Tackle is the End of the Rope
where the Block is seized or fastened.
Standing Rigging
Are those Ropes which do not run in any Block, but are set taught, or
let slack, as occasion serves, as the Shrouds, Stays, Back-stays, _&c._
Standards
Are a Sort of Knees fay'd from the Deck to the Sides of the Ship
within-board, to strengthen her in the same Manner as Knees, but are
bigger.
Stantions
Iron
Are fixed on the Quarters of a Ship, to which the Nettings are
generally seized; they stand likewise in the Waste, at the Entering
Place, and in the Tops.
Wood
Are those Timbers which being set up Pillarwise, do support and
strengthen the Decks, _&c._
Staples
Are drove into Ships false Keels, Ports, and several other Uses they
are applicable to.
Starboard
The Right Hand Side of a Ship, as Larboard is the Left; thus they say,
Starboard the Helm, or Helm a Starboard, when he that Conds would have
the Men at the Helm or Steering Wheel put the Helm to the Right Side of
the Ship.
Stays
Are Ropes made with four Strands and a Heart in the Middle, whose Uses
are to keep the Masts and Top-masts from falling. To bring a Ship upon
the Stays, or to Stay her, is in order to her Tacking.
Steady
A Word of Command at Sea from him that Conds, to the Men at the Helm or
Steering Wheel, to keep the Ship Steady in her Course, and not to make
Angles or Yaws (as they call them) in and out.
Steelyards
A Kind of Ballance used for weighing large Anchors, whose Weight are
found by the Use of one single Weight placed on the Beam, with the
proper Pea hanging at the End of the Beam.
Steer
To guide or govern a Ship by the Helm or Steering Wheel.
Steerage
Is always before the Bulk-head of the great Cabbin, and in which the
Admirals or Captains generally dine.
Steeve
The Bowsprit of a Ship Steeves when either stands too upright, and not
streight enough forward.
Stem
A Curve Piece of Timber projecting from the foremost End of the Keel to
the Height of the Bowsprit, into which the Body of the Ship terminates
Afore, and all the whooding Ends of the out-board Planks are rabbited.
Steps
For Masts, are large Pieces of Timber fay'd cross the Keelson in the
Hold into which the Heels of the Masts are fitted. And Steps for
Capstons are fitted on the Decks respectively for their Use; other
Steps for Ladders are for going from one Deck to another.
Stern
Is all that Part of a Ship as is right Aft, and adorned with Sash
Lights.
Stern fasts
Are large Ropes which come out at the Gun-room, or After-Ports of a
Ship, in order to lash her fast to a Wharf, _&c._
Stern Post
A streight Piece of Timber tennanted into the After-End of the Keel,
with an agreeable Rake or Declination from the Perpendicular; into this
are all the Transoms scored and bolted, and all the whooding Ends of
the out-board Plank of the Bottom rabbited; and on this Post hangs the
Rother.
Steward
Is he that acts for the Purser, receives and issues all Provisions out
to the several Messes of Victuals, _&c._ to the Ship's Company.
Stiles
In Carpentry, _&c._ are the upright Pieces which go from the Bottom to
the Top of the Wainscot.
Stirrup
Is an Iron Plate that turns up on each Side of a Ship's Keel, at her
Fore-foot or Stern, where it is bolted.
Stoaked
When the Water in the Bottom of a Ship cannot come to the Well, or pass
through the Limber-holes, but something Choaks them up, so that the
Pumps will not work, then they say she is Stoaked.
Stocks
A Ship is said to be on the Stocks when building.
Stone
Flatner
Is used by the Bricklayers for bringing up the Foundations of Houses,
_&c._
Grind
For the Workmen to whet their Tools, _&c._
Gun
Is laid in the Bottom of the Dock Dreins.
Gutter
Is laid at the Officers Lodgings and Store-houses for carrying off the
Water.
Load
Are used for touching the Needles of Azimuth or Brass Box Compasses.
Marble
Is brought from _Plymouth_, and burnt in the Kiln to make Lime.
Paving Smooth
Laid at the Bottoms of Cellars, Kitchens, and Courts of the Officers
Houses, _&c._
Portland Block
Is used at, and for the Service of the Stone Docks.
Rub
Are for the House Carpenters and Joyners to whet their Tools on.
Stools
The Ship's Poop and Top Lanterns stand on them, which are supported by
the Cranks.
Stopper
Is a Piece of Cable-laid Rope, having a Whale Knot at one End, with a
Lanyard fastened to it, and the other End is spliced round a Thimble
in the Ring-bolts upon Deck, and at the Bitts; its Use is to stop the
Cable, that it do not run out too fast; they take Turns with the
Lanyard about the Cable, and the Whale Knot stops it, so that it cannot
slip away faster than is necessary.
Stoves
Are square Boxes made of Plank filled with Bricks, and when fitted with
an Iron Ring and small Bars, are for burning Charcoal, in order for the
Cook to dress the Admiral's or Captain's Victuals on.
Strakes
Are the uniform Ranges of Planks on the Bottom, Decks and Sides of the
Ships, and the Garboard is that which is next the Keel.
Strap
Is a Rope spliced about any Block, or made with an Eye to fasten it any
where on Occasion.
Stream
When a Ship would only stop a Tide in fair Weather and smooth Water,
they generally ride only by their Stream Anchor.
Streight
A narrow Sea Passage between two Lands.
Stretch
When a Ship with all her Sails drawing, steers out of a Road where she
has lain at an Anchor, then they say she is stretching away for Sea.
Strike
A Word variously used. When a Ship in Fight, or on meeting with a Man
of War, lets down or lowers her Topsails at least half Mast high, she
Strikes, meaning, she yields or submits, or pays her Devoir to the Man
of War she passes by. When a Ship touches Ground in Shoal Water, they
say, she Strikes. When any Topmast is to be taken down, the Word is,
Strike the Topmast. And when any Thing is let or lowered down into the
Hold, they call it Striking down into the Hold.
String
Is that strake of Plank within Side of the Ship that is wrought over
the upper Deck Ports in the Wast.
Surge
When heaving at the Capston, if the Cable, Voyal, or Messenger happen
to slip a little, they call it Surging.
Swabber
Is to see that the Ship's Decks are kept neat and clean.
SwallowTails
Are Bolts forged at one End not unlike a Bird's Tail, sharpened and
hardened; are used in breaking up old Ships, for cutting off the
Tree-nails and Bolts after they are almost sawed through with a Hack
Saw; then they put the Swallow Tail thereon, which clips the Bolt,
and by driving it with a Maul, cuts and separates the same. As also a
strong forked fastening together two Pieces of Timber.
Sweep
When the Mold of a Ship begins to compass in at the Rung-heads, they
call it the Sweep of her; as they do when a Hawser is dragged along the
Ground at the Bottom of the Sea, to recover any Thing that is sunk,
Sweeping for it.
Swifters
Are esteemed a Part of the Gang of Fore and Main Shrouds, (where they
have odd ones) and of the same Size which are for succouring those
Masts.
Swifting
A Boat, is compassing her Gunwale round with a good Rope. A Ship is
either bringing her a-ground, or on a Carreen; and the Capston Bars,
is straining a Rope all round the outer Ends of them, to prevent their
flying out of the Drum-head.
Swivels
Are made use of at the Moarings in Harbour, to which the Cables and
Bridles are bent, that the Ships may swing round either upon Tide of
Ebb or Flood.
Tables
Deal
Are allowed the Warrant Officers for their Cabbins.
Wainscot
Allowed the Admirals and Commanders for their Cabbins, _&c._
Tack about
When a Ship's Head is to be brought about so as to lie a contrary Way.
Tacks
Are Ropes Cable-laid tapering, having a Whale Knot at one End, which
is seized or fastened into the Clew of the Sail, reeved through the
Chess-trees, and then brought through a Hole in the Ship's Side; its
Use is to carry forward the Clew of the Sail, to make it stand close
by a Wind; and whenever the Sails are thus trimmed, the Fore and Main
Tacks are brought close by the Board, and hauled as forward on as they
can be, and are usually belayed to the Bitts or a Kevel to fasten them.
Tackles
In a Ship, are Ropes running in three or four Parts, having at one
End a Pendant with a Block fastened to it, and also a Tackle Hook for
heaving any Thing in or out of the Ship.
Taffarel
Is the uppermost Part of a Ship's Stern Abaft, and always carved.
Tallow
Is for Paying Ship's Bottoms, and also allowed to the Boatswains and
Carpenters for several Uses it is proper for.
Tarr
Is used for Tarring white Yarn at the Rope Yard, by the Riggers, and
Boatswains for Ships Rigging, and for Tarpawlings, Paying Ships Sides,
Weather Boards, _&c._
Tarras
Used by the Masons in the Stone Work of the Docks, and for pointing or
repairing the Joints, which from Time to Time stand in Need of Repair.
Tarpawling
Is a Piece of Canvas well Tarr'd over, to lay on the Hatches,
Grateings, or any Place to keep off Rain.
Taught
Is the same as setting the Rope stiff or fast, they say, Set Taught the
Shrouds, Stays, or any other Ropes, which are too slack and loose.
Taunt
When the Masts of a Ship are too tall, they say, She is Taunt masted.
Tier
The several Ranks of Guns placed on the Decks are called the Lower,
Middle, or Upper Tier.
Tender
Is a small Vessel taken up on Contract for attending the Men of War,
and employed for pressing Seamen, _&c._
Thauts
Are for the Men which row the Boats to sit on.
Thimbles
Are a Sort of round Rings, whose Edges are turned up, and the Ropes go
round in the hollow Part of the Outside of them when they are seized,
in order to prevent the Tackle Hook from galling the Rope.
Thoals
Are those Pins in the Gunwale of a Boat, between which the Men put
their Oars when they row.
Thrums
Are allowed the Boatswains and Carpenters to make Mops; and also to the
Master Caulker for Mops to Pay the Ships Bottoms.
Thwart Ship
Is across the Ship.
Tides
Two periodical Motions of the Waters of the Sea, called the Flux and
Reflux, or the Ebb and Flow.
Ties
Or Runners, are those Ropes by which the Yards hang, and they with the
Halyards carry or hoist the Yards up.
Tiller
The very same with the Helm of a Ship, and are also used in small Ships
and Boats for Steering them.
Tiller for Saws
Are Handles for Whip Saws.
Timber
Ash
Is used by the Master House Carpenter in Wheelwright Work.
Beech
Is used for Ways at the Bottom of the Dock, and sometimes cut into
Keel-pieces.
Elm
Is used for making Drumheads, for Capstons, Ships Caps, Keel-pieces,
Lyons, Tafferels, _&c._
Firr
Is used for making Davits, by the House Carpenters for Girders, and
such like large Uses in Building.
Oak Compass
Is used by the Shipwrights, and converted for the Compassing Timbers
of a Ship.
Streight
Is used by the Shipwrights for Beams on board a Ship, and for other
Services that it is requisite to be used on, and also by the House
Carpenter in his Way of building.
Timbers
Are those which Form the Body of a Ship, as Floor Timbers, Futtocks,
_&c._
Timbers Top
Are the upper Timbers in the Frame of a Ship, forming her Sides, _&c._
Tin Plates
Double
Single