fore-sail of a ship, in tempestuous weather, for reefing or furling them
more conveniently. They are passed through blocks above the yard, and
thence leading down before the sail, come under its bottom, and return
upwards behind it to the yard, where they are fastened; so that the
sail, by their effort, is closely and immoveably confined to the yard.
SPINDLE, a sort of iron-pin tapering at the upper end to a point. It is
used to stick into the upper end of the top-gallant-mast, so as to carry
a vane, which, turning thereon horizontally, will show the direction of
the wind. It is usually crowned with a globular or conical piece of wood
called the acorn, which prevents the vane from being blown off. See
ACORN.
SPINDLE is also the lower end or foot of the capstern, which is shod
with iron, and becomes the pivot or axis upon which it turns in the
saucer. See the article CAPSTERN.
SPIRKETTING, that range of planks which lies between the water-ways and
the lower edge of the gun-ports within the side of a ship of war.
_To_ SPLICE, _episser_ (_splitser_ Dutch, _plico_ Lat.) to join the two
ends of a rope together, or to unite the end of a rope to any other part
thereof.
There are several different methods of performing this operation,
according to the services on which it is to be employed. Thus, there is
the short-splice, the long-splice, the eye-splice, and the cunt-splice;
all of which are calculated for different purposes.
The short-splice is made by untwisting the ends of two ropes, or the two
ends of one rope, and, having placed each of the _strands_ of one
opposite to and in the interval between two _strands_ of the other, to
draw them close together; and then interweave the strands of one into
the alternate strands of the other, by penetrating the latter with a
_fid_ or marline-spike, parallel to the axis or length of the rope. This
splice is used on the cables, slings, block-strops, and in general all
ropes which are not intended to run through blocks, or where the splice
is not in danger of being loosened or separated.
The long-splice being fixed in three places, occupies a greater extent
of the rope; but by the division of the joinings, the bulk is also
divided into different parts of its length. Hence it is much neater and
smoother than the short-splice, and better adapted to run through the
channel of a block, &c. for which use it is generally calculated.
The eye-splice being intended to make a sort of eye or circle at the end
of a rope, the strands are untwisted, and their extremities thrust
through the three strands in that part of the said rope, whereon the
splice is to be formed, and thence passing over the surface of the
second strand, they are again thrust through the third, which compleats
the operation.
The cunt-splice is constructed in the same manner as the eye-splice,
being no other than the ends of two lines fastened together at a short
distance from each other, the extremities of either being interwoven
into the _bight_ of the other, so that the line becomes double in the
extent of the splice. This 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.
SPLIT, the state of a sail which is rent asunder by the violence of a
tempest, or by sustaining a greater effort on one part of its surface
than the rest.
SPLIT, when applied to a ship, is also the state of being stranded and
bilged on a rock or shore.
SPOON-DRIFT, a sort of showery sprinkling of the sea-water, swept from
the surface of the waves in a tempest, and flying according to the
direction of the wind like a vapour.
SPOONING. By the explanation of this term in our dictionaries, it seems
formerly to have signified that movement, in navigation, which is now
called scudding. Be that as it may, there is at present no such phrase
in our sea-language.
SPRAY, the sprinkling of the sea, which is driven from the top of a wave
in stormy weather. It differs from spoon-drift, as being only blown
occasionally from the broken surface of a high wave, whereas the latter
continues to fly horizontally along the sea, without intermission,
during the excess of a tempest or hurricane.
SPRING, a crack or breach running transversely or obliquely through any
part of a mast or yard, so as to render it unsafe to carry the usual
quantity of sail thereon.
SPRING is also a rope passed out of one extremity of a ship and attached
to a cable proceeding from the other, when she lies at anchor. It is
usually performed to bring the ship’s broad-side, or battery of cannon,
to bear upon some distant object; as another ship, or a fortress on the
coast, &c. When a ship rides by anchors which are only carried out of
one end, she will swing upon the surface of the water like a
weather-cock, according to the direction of the wind; unless when the
wind is opposed by a current. Now, if instead of being fastened at one
end, she is attached by ropes, which, proceeding from her head and stern
towards the same source, sustain an equal effort of the wind, it is
evident that her side will be presented to the wind; and that, by
slackening one of those ropes, and keeping fast the other, her side will
lie more or less obliquely to the wind, so as to be opposed to any
distant object to the right or left.
Thus, if a ship rides with her head northerly, and it is required to
cannonade a fortress lying on the south or south-east: a hauser is run
out of the stern, and being carried forward, without her side, is
attached to the cable, at a competent distance ahead of the ship: the
hauser is then tightened by the _capstern_ or tackles, and the cable
being slackened, the ship immediately turns her side towards the object
intended to be battered.
SPRING is likewise a rope reaching diagonally from the stern of a ship
to the head of another which lies _along-side_ or a-breast of her, at a
short distance. This is generally performed to make one of the ships
_sheer_ off, to a greater distance from the other; or to make
merchant-ships lie uniformly in the same tier. Springs of this sort are
therefore occasionally applied from a ship, to a wharf or key, for the
same purposes.
_To_ SPRING A LEAK. See the article LEAK.
SPRINGING THE LUFF. See LUFF.
SPRING-TIDE, the periodical excess of the elevation and depression of
the TIDE. See that article.
SPRIT, (_spryttan_, Sax. to branch out) a small boom or pole which
crosses the sail of a boat diagonally, from the mast, to the upper
hindmost corner of the sail, which it is used to extend and elevate: the
lower end of the sprit rests in a sort of wreath or collar called the
_snotter_, which encircles the mast in that place. These sort of sails
are accordingly called sprit-sails.
SPRITSAIL, _civadiere_, a sail attached to a yard which hangs under the
bowsprit, as represented in fig. 2. _y_, plate IX. It is furnished with
a large hole in each of its lower corners, to evacuate the water with
which the cavity, or belly of it is frequently filled, by the surge of
the sea when the ship pitches.
SPRITSAIL-TOPSAIL, _perroquet de beaupré_, a sail extended above the
former, by a yard which hangs across the _gib-boom_. The lower corners
of this sail are hauled _home_ to the spritsail-yard-arms; after which
the sail is drawn out towards the extremity of the boom, in light winds,
as any other topsail-yard is hoisted upon its mast.
Formerly the spritsail-topsails were set on a mast, which was erected
perpendicularly on the end of the bowsprit: but this method has of late
been justly rejected as inconvenient and dangerous to the bowsprit,
although serviceable in light breezes,
SPUNGE. See the article CANNON.
SPUN-YARN, _bittord_, a small line or cord formed of two or three
rope-yarns twisted together by a winch. The yarns of which it is usually
made at sea, are drawn out of the strands of old cables or other ropes,
and are knotted together and tarred. It is employed for several
purposes; particularly to fasten one rope to another, to seize
block-strops to the shrouds, and to _serve_ ropes which are liable to be
chafed by rubbing one against another, &c.
SPURS _of the beams_. See the article DECK, and the explanation of the
figure annexed thereto.
SQUADRON, _escadre_, (_squadrone_, Ital.) either implies a detachment of
ships employed on any particular expedition, or the third part of a
naval armament. See the articles FLAG, CENTRE, FLEET, and DIVISION.
SQUALL, _raffale_, a sudden and violent blast of wind, usually
occasioned by the interruption and reverberation of the wind from high
mountains. These are very frequent in the Mediterranean; particularly
that part of it which is known by the name of the Levant, as produced by
the repulsion, and new direction which the wind meets with in its
passage between the various islands of the Archipelago.
SQUARE, a term peculiarly appropriated to the yards and their sails,
implying that they hang at right angles with the mast or keel; or that
they are of greater extent than usual.
Thus, when the yards are so balanced by their _lifts_, as to hang at
right angles with the mast, they are said to be square by the lifts:
when they hang perpendicular to the ship’s length, they are called
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; or, in
other words, they hang directly across the ship, and parallel to the
horizon.
The yards are said to be very square, when they are of extraordinary
length; and the same epithet is then applied to their sails, which by
consequence acquire an additional breadth.
SQUARE-RIGGED, an epithet applied to a ship whose yards are very long.
It is also used in contradistinction to all vessels whose sails are
extended by _stays_ or _lateen-yards_; or by booms and gaffs; the usual
situation of which is nearly in the plane of the keel; and hence
SQUARE-SAIL, _treou_, is a sail extended to a yard, which hangs parallel
to the horizon, as distinguished from the other sails which are extended
by _booms_ and stays, placed obliquely. This sail is only used in fair
winds, or to scud under in a tempest. In the former case, it is
furnished with a large additional part called the bonnet, which is then
attached to its bottom, and removed when it is necessary to _scud_. See
that article.
STAFF, _baton_, a light pole erected in different parts of a ship,
whereon to hoist and display the colours.
The principal of these is reared immediately over the stern, to display
the _ensign_; another is fixed on the bowsprit, to extend the _jack_;
three more are erected at the three mast-heads, or formed by their upper
ends, to show the flag or pendant of the respective squadron or division
to which the ship is appropriated. See ENSIGN, MAST, JACK, and PENDANT.
STANCHION, a sort of small pillar of wood or iron used for various
purposes in a ship; as to support the decks, the quarter-rails, the
_nettings_, the _awnings_, &c.
The first of these are two ranges of small columns, fixed under the
beams, throughout the ship’s length _between-decks_; one range being on
the starboard, and the other on the larboard side of the hatchways. They
are chiefly intended to support the weight of the artillery.
STANCHIONS _of the nettings_, are either slender bars of iron, whose
lower ends are fixed in iron sockets at proper distances; or square
wooden pillars let into the upper part of the ship’s side. See
QUARTER-NETTING.
STANDARD, _courbe_, in ship-building, is no other than an inverted knee,
which is placed above the deck instead of beneath it, and having its
vertical branch pointed upwards from that which lies horizontally. The
figure and position of one of these standards is expressed by the curve
line _f_, which is dotted through the gun-carriage in the MIDSHIP-FRAME,
plate VII. Such also are the standards of the bits and channels.
_Royal_ STANDARD, _etendard royale_, a flag in which the imperial
ensigns of Great Britain, and the arms of France and Ireland, together
with the armorial bearings of Hanover, are united and quartered. It is
never hoisted unless when the sovereign is personally aboard; at which
time it is displayed at the main-top-mast-head.
STANDING, in navigation, the movement by which a ship advances towards a
certain object, or departs from it: as the enemy stands in-shore: the
English fleet are standing _off_: at day-break we discovered three sail
standing to the northward, &c.
STARBOARD, _tribord_, the right side of the ship when the eye of the
spectator is directed forward. See LARBOARD.
STAY, (_etai_, Fr.) a large strong rope employed to support the mast on
the fore part, by extending from its upper end towards the fore part of
the ship, as the shrouds are extended to the right and left, and behind
it. See MAST, RIGGING, and SHROUD.
The stay of the fore-mast _a_, fig. 10. plate IX. which is called the
fore-stay, reaches from the mast-head towards the bowsprit-end: the
main-stay _b_, extends over the fore-castle to the ship’s stem; and the
mizen-stay _c_, is stretched down to that part of the main-mast which
lies immediately above the quarter-deck: the fore-top-mast-stay _d_,
comes also to the end of the bowsprit, a little beyond the fore-stay:
the main-top-mast-stay _e_, is attached to the head or _hounds_ of the
fore-mast; and the mizen-top-mast-stay comes also to the hounds of the
main-mast: the fore-top-gallant-stay comes to the outer end of the
jib-boom; and the main-top-gallant-stay is extended to the head of the
fore-top-mast.
STAY-SAIL, a sort of triangular sail extended upon a stay. See SAIL.
STEDDY, the command given by the pilot, &c. to the helmsman, in a _fair_
wind, to steer the ship according to the line, on which she advances at
that instant, without deviating to the right or left. The helmsman
accordingly answers, steddy; to shew his attention and obedience to the
pilot’s order.
STEERAGE, an apartment without the great _cabin_ of a ship, from which
it is separated by a thin partition. In large ships of war it is used as
a hall through which it is necessary to pass to, arrive at, or depart
from the great cabin. In merchant-ships it is generally the habitation
of the inferior officers and ship’s crew. See also BIRTH.
STEERAGE is also used to express the effort of the helm; and hence
STEERAGE-WAY, is that degree of progressive motion communicated to a
ship, by which she becomes susceptible of the effects of the helm to
govern her course. See HELM and SAILING.
STEERING, _gouverner_ (_steoran_, Sax.) may be defined the art of
directing the ship’s way by the movements of the helm; or of applying
its efforts to regulate her course when she advances.
The perfection of steering consists in a vigilant attention to the
motion of the ship’s _head_, so as to check every deviation from the
line of her course in the first instant of its motion; and in applying
as little of the power of the helm as possible. By this she will run
more uniformly in a streight path, as declining less to the right and
left: whereas, if a greater effort of the helm is employed, it will
produce a greater declination from the course, and not only increase the
difficulty of steering, but also make a crooked and irregular tract
through the water. See HELM.
The helmsman should diligently watch the movements of the head by the
land, clouds, moon, or stars; because although the course is in general
regulated by the compass, yet the vibrations of the needle are not so
quickly perceived, as the sallies of the ship’s head to the right or
left, which, if not immediately restrained, will acquire additional
velocity in every instant of their motion, and demand a more powerful
impulse of the helm to reduce them; the application of which, will
operate to turn her head as far on the contrary side of her course.
The phrases used in steering a ship vary according to the relation of
the wind to her course. Thus, if the wind is _fair_, or _large_, the
phrases used by the pilot, or officer, who superintends the steerage,
are _port_, _starboard_, and _steddy_. The first is intended to direct
the ship’s course farther to the right; the second is to guide her
farther to the left; and the last, as explained under that word, is
designed to keep her exactly in the line, whereon she advances,
according to the course prescribed. The excess of the first and second
movement is called hard-a-port, and hard-a-starboard; the former of
which gives her the greatest possible inclination to the right, and the
latter an equal tendency to the left.
If, on the contrary, the wind is _foul_ or _scant_, the phrases are
_luff_, _thus_, and _no nearer_; the first of which is the order to keep
her close to the wind; the second, to retain her in her present
situation; and the third, to keep her sails full. The effects of these
movements are farther explained under the several terms; but more
particularly under the article FULL AND BY.
In a ship of war, the exercise of steering the ship is usually divided
amongst a number of the most expert sailors, who attend the helm in
their turns; and are accordingly called _timoneers_, from the French
term _timonier_, which signifies helmsman. The steerage is constantly
supervised by the quarter-masters, who also attend the helm by rotation.
In merchant-ships every seaman takes his turn in this service, being
directed therein by the mate of the watch, or some other officer.
As the safety of a ship, and all contained therein, depend, in a great
measure, on the steerage or effects of the helm, the apparatus by which
it is managed should often be diligently examined by the proper
officers. Indeed, a negligence in this important duty appears almost
unpardonable, when the fatal effects which may result from it are duly
considered.
STEEVING, the elevation of a ship’s bowsprit above the stem, or the
angle which it makes with the horizon.
STEM, _etrave_, (_stammen_, Swed.) a circular piece of timber, into
which the two sides of a ship are united at the fore end: the lower end
of it is scarfed to the _keel_, and the _bowsprit_ rests upon its upper
end.
The stem is formed of one or two pieces, according to the size of the
vessel; and as it terminates the ship forward, the ends of the _wales_
and planks of the sides and bottom are let into a groove or channel, in
the middle of its surface, from the top to the bottom: which operation
is called _rabetting_. See that article.
The out side of the stem is usually marked with a scale, or division of
feet, according to its perpendicular height from the keel. The intention
of this, is to ascertain the draught of water at the fore part, when the
ship is in preparation for a sea-voyage, &c.
The stem at its lower end is of equal breadth and thickness with the
keel, but it grows proportionally broader and thicker towards its upper
extremity. See _Naval_ ARCHITECTURE and _Ship_-BUILDING.
STEMSON, _marsouin_, an arching piece of timber fixed within the apron
to reinforce the scarf thereof, in the same manner as the apron supports
the scarf of the stem. In large ships it is usually formed of two
pieces, as represented by I. in plate I. PIECES OF THE HULL.
STEP, _carlingue_, a block of wood fixed on the decks or bottom of a
ship, and having a hole in its upper side fitted to receive the heel of
a mast or _capstern_.
The steps of the main and fore-masts of every ship rest upon the kelson,
as appears in fig. 2. and 3. plate VI. to which they are firmly secured
by _knees_, bolts, or spike-nails. The step of the mizen-mast usually
rests upon the lower deck. See also the article CAPSTERN.
STERN, _arcasse_, (_steor_, Sax.) the posterior face of a ship; or that
part which is presented to the view of a spectator, placed on the
continuation of the keel behind, as exhibited in plate X. fig. 1, 2, and
3; and in plate XI. fig. 1.
The stern, as represented in plate X. is terminated above by the
_taffarel_, and below by the _counters_: It is limited on the sides by
the quarter-pieces; and the intermediate space comprehends the galleries
and windows of the different cabins.
EXPLANATION of fig. 1. plate X. which exhibits the Stern of
a seventy-four gun-ship.
A, the keel, with _a_ the false keel beneath it.
A B, the stern-post.
C, the rail which determines the height of the counters.
D D, the upper and lower quarter-galleries, with their balustrades and
windows.
E, the quarter-pieces: and P F P, the taffarel.
K G K, the lower counter, with H H, its gun-ports.
G, the rail which separates the lower counter from the second or upper
counter; which last is included between G and C.
K K, the wing-transom.
L L, the deck-transom.
M, N, O, first, second, and third transoms; with _l_, _m_, _n_, _o_,
four intermediate transoms.
O M L K P, the direction of the fashion-piece, whose upper part is
expressed by the dotted lines K P.
Q, the cove, a sort of arched canopy, serving as a roof to the
stern-gallery.
R Q R, the screen bulk-head, or partition, containing the cabin windows.
R S S R, the balustrade of the stern gallery, with S S, the
foot-pace-rail, which determines the height of its floor, or platform.
S C S, the ward-room windows.
T, the lower finishing of the quarter gallery.
[Illustration:
_To Face STERN_ _PLATE X._
]
Fig. 2. exhibits a stern view of a 60 gun-ship, with the curve of the
_frame-timbers_ on one side, and the disposition of all the planks of
the bottom on the other side.
Fig. 3. represents a stern view of a French man of war of 70 guns.
Plate XI. fig. 1. is a stern for a first or second rate: accordingly it
is furnished with a middle apartment between the ward-room and the
captain’s cabin. This apartment is also furnished with galleries on the
stern and quarter. The other parts of it are described in the
explanation of fig. 1. in plate X. See also the article QUARTER.
STERN-FAST, a rope used to confine the stern of a ship or boat to any
wharf or jetty-head, &c.
STERNMOST, usually implies that part of a fleet of ships which is in the
rear, or farthest astern, as opposed to _head-most_.
STERN-POST, _etambot_, a long straight piece of timber erected on the
extremity of the _keel_, to sustain the rudder, and terminate the ship
behind.
This piece, which is expressed by B in the PIECES _of the_ HULL, plate
I. ought to be well secured and supported; because the ends of all the
lower planks of the ship’s bottom are fixed in a channel, cut on its
surface; and the whole weight of the rudder is sustained by it.
The dimensions of the stern-post, or the proportional breadth and
thickness, in the different parts of its height, are geometrically
delineated in the _quarter_ and stern of a 74 gun-ship, plate VIII. and
X. being expressed in both by A B. It is usually marked like the _stem_,
with a scale of feet from the keel upwards, in order to ascertain the
draught of water, at that part of the vessel.
The difficulty of procuring a stern-post of sufficient breadth in one
piece, has introduced the practice of fixing an additional piece behind
it, which is strongly bolted to the former. The hinges, which support
the rudder, are accordingly fixed to this latter, which is also tenanted
into the keel, and denominated the back of the _post_, being expressed
by E in the _pieces_ of the _hull_, referred to above. It is half the
breadth of the stern-post, at the heel, but diminishes gradually towards
the upper end, where it is one third narrower.
The stern-post is strongly attached to the keel by a knee, G, PIECES of
the HULL, of which one branch extends along the keel, being _scarfed_
and bolted to the _dead-wood_, and fore-locked under the keel; whilst
the other branch inclines upwards, and corresponds with the inside, or
fore part of the stern-post; to which it is also bolted in the same
manner.
STERN-SHEETS, that part of a boat which is contained between the stern
and the aftmost, or hindmost, seat of the _rowers_. It is generally
furnished with benches, to accommodate the passengers. See the article
BOAT.
STERN-WAY, the movement by which a ship retreats, or falls backward,
with her stern foremost.
STEWARD, _maitre-valet_, an officer in a ship of war, appointed by the
purser, to distribute the different species of provisions to the
officers and crew; for which purpose he is furnished with a mate, and
proper assistants.