Chapter V (3)

Is made of Iron, bolted at one End to the Beams through the Deck close to the Capston, but yet so easily as that it can turn about. Its Use is to stop the Capston from turning back, by being made to catch hold of the Whelps, therefore they say, Heave a Pawl; that is, heave a little more for the Pawl to get hold of the Whelps, and this they call Pawling the Capston; and droping Pawls are bolted to the Beams, and fall on the Drum-head, where, on the Top, are Holes cut for receiving the Iron Pawl.

Paying

Laying over the Seams of a Ship a Coat of hot Pitch, is called Paying her; or when she is a graving, and her Soil burned off, and a new Coat of Tallow, Pitch, Rozin and Brimstone boiled together, is put upon her, that is also called Paying of a Ship.

Peek

Used in these Senses: An Anchor is said to be a Peek, when the Ship being about to weigh, comes so over her Anchor, that the Cable is perpendicular between the Hawse and the Anchor, and to bring the Ship thus, is called heaving a Peek.

Also Peek the Mizon, that is, put the Mizon Yard right up and down by the Mast.

A Ship is said to ride a Peek when she lies with her Main and Fore Yards hoisted up, and then having one End of the Yards brought down to the Gunwale, the other is raised up an End.

The Reason why they thus Peek up their Yards is, least lying in a River (and they hardly ever use it but then) with their Yards a-cross, another Ship should come foul of them and break their Yards.

Pendants

Short Ropes, one End of which is fastened either to the Head of the Mast, End of the Yards, on the Main Stay, or Back of the Rother; and at the other End hath a Thimble spliced in, or a Block to reeve a Fall through.

Pendants of Tackles

Are of the same Size as the Main and Fore Shrouds, made with an Eye at the upper End, to go over the Head of the Mast when single, but when double, are put over Head by a Hitch, with a single Block at their lower End for the Runners to be reeved through.

Pentecontore

A Vessel with Fifty Oars.

Pillars

Some are turned in the Form of a Column, and others are square, and placed generally under the Beams to support them, and the Decks.

Piles

Are large Stakes drove into the Earth for a Foundation to build on, or to make Dams, _&c._

Pilot

Is he which directs the Men at the Wheel how to steer.

Pillow

The Piece of Timber whereon the Bowsprit resteth close by the Stem.

Pins

Block

For the Shives to run on.

Turn'd

To belay Ropes to.

Tyle

Used by the Bricklayers in Slates and Tyles.

Pintles

Are those Hooks by which the Rother hangs to the Stern Post.

Pirate

A Person or Vessel that robs on the High Seas, or makes Descents on the Coasts, _&c._ without Permission or Authority of any Prince or State.

Pitch

For paying Seams, and all out-board work after caulked.

Pitches

When a Ship falls with her Head too much into the Sea, or beats against it so as to endanger her Top Masts, they say, She will Pitch her Masts by the Board.

Plain Sailing

Is the Art of finding all the Varieties of the Ship's Motion.

Plank

Is sawed out of the strongest Beech, Elm, and Oak Timber, brought on to the Ship's Sides, and the latter used for laying their Decks, is cut from four Inches to one Inch and an Half thick; all above four Inches is called thick Stuff; and that cut out of Timber which grows compassing two Ways, is called Croaky; and such whose Edges happen to be circular, is called Snying.

Plates

Backstay Chain

Has a dead Eye, Iron bound at one End, through which the Lanyards of the Shrouds and Back Stays are reeved; and the other End has an Eye through which the Chain Bolt is drove into the Ship's Sides.

Puttock

Are for Fore-top-mast Shrouds, as the Chain are for the low Shrouds, but with this difference, the dead Eyes are bound into the Plates, and they have Hooks at the End of them.

Top

Are square and small, nailed on the Rim, through which the Puttock Plates go, and prevent their wearing the Top away.

Platts

Are made flat, out of Rope Yarn, and waved one over another, their Use is to save the Cable from galling in the Hawse.

Pointing

Is when the Strands of a Cable, or Rope about two Feet, are untwisted, and afterwards made less towards the End, in a tapering Manner, where it is made fast, with Marline wove into the Yarns; the Design of which is, to keep the Rope from raffling out, or that none may be cut off and stole away.

Pointers

Are Pillars in an oblique Position from the Floor Rider-heads on each Side, (pointing) or meeting each other at the Middle of the Gundeck Beams.

Poop

Is the Floor or Deck over the Round-house, being the highest or uppermost Part of the Hull of a Ship.

Ports

Are those Holes in a Ship's Side through which her Guns are put out.

Port the Helm

Signifies to put the Helm to the Left or Larboard Side; but they never say, Larboard the Helm, but always Port; though it is proper to say, Starboard the Helm, when it is put to the Right Side. A Ship is also said to heel a Port, when she swims not upright, but leans to the Left Side.

Port Last

The same as the Gunwale of a Ship; therefore a Yard is down a Port Last, when it lies down on the Gunwale.

Potts

Are allowed the Boatswains for dressing their Victuals in, and to the Carpenters for heating Pitch.

Preventers

Are Ropes of different Sizes, cut into short Lengths, and knotted at each End, to be ready in Case a Shroud should be shot or broke, that they may be seized to them.

Puddenings

Are seized round the Mast, and tapers to each End from the Middle, where it is swelled pretty large for the Low-yards (when lowered down) to rest on; and the Rings of the Anchors are also puddened, to prevent the Galling of the Cable.

Pumps

Lead

Some Ships have one fixed, whose Pipe goes down the Knee of the Head, and is there placed for washing the Decks.

Hand

Hangs over the Side, and lashed there for washing the Decks, and sometimes are put down into the Well, for freeing the Ship when she makes more Water than the Chain Pumps can throw out.

Pump Bolt

Goes through the Head, and the Brakeworks on it.

Pump Hand

Boxes Lower

Are small and short, having a Flap, and a large Staple drove into it, to draw it up on Occasion.

Ditto Upper

Are fixed to the Spear.

Brake

Is the Handle.

Hook

A long Rod of Iron with a Hook at the End, to draw up or put down the lower Box.

Stave or Spear

Is a long Rod of Iron with an Eye at the upper End, which Hooks to the Brake, and to the lower End of which the upper Box is fixed.

Pumps Chain

Are placed in the Well, and works with Chains.

Ditto Axletrees

Are fixed in the Center of the Wheels, which are turned round with Winches put on at each End.

Pumps Chain

Bolsters

A round Piece of Iron with a Hole in the Middle, and are for opening an Ess or Hook when any want shifting.

Burrs

Are round thin Pieces of Iron, very little less than the Bore of the Pump, which are placed between every Length of the Chain, and on each of them the Leather is put for bringing up the Water.

Chains

No Ship goes to Sea without a Spare one, which is kept ready leathered in case those in the Pumps should be wore out.

Dale

Is a round hollow Trunk, which conveys the Water through the Ship's Sides.

Esses

Are for repairing the Chains in Case any break or give way.

Fidds

Are for opening an Ess or Hook when old ones are to be taken out, or new put into the Chain.

Hooks

For repairing the Chains when any are wanting.

Rowles

Are put into the lower End of the Pump for the Chain to work on.

Sprockets

Are made not unlike a large Horse Shoe, drove into the Wheel, and the Chain works on them.

Swivels

Are for repairing the Chains when wanting.

Wedges

Are drove in on all sides of the Axle-tree, to keep the Wheels fast on it.

Wheels

Are turned out of Elm, in which the Sprockets are drove, and when so fitted, the Chains work round them.

Winches

Are the Handles put on each End of the Axle-tree, by which the Men work the Pump.

Purchase

The same as draw, but when they cannot haul any Thing with the Tackle, they say, The Tackle will not Purchase.

Purser

Is the Officer charged with all Sorts of Provisions allowed the Ship.

Puttock Shrouds

Are short Shrouds which go from the Fore, Main, and Mizon Shrouds to the Top, where the Plates are fixed with dead Eyes in them, through which the Lanyards are reeved for setting up the Top-mast Shrouds.

Puttock Staves

Go a-cross the lower Shrouds, and the Ends of the Puttock Shrouds are hitched round them.

Quarter

Is the After-part of the Ship without-board Aloft.

Quartering

Is when a Ship sails upon a Quarter Wind.

Quarter Pieces

Are two Pieces of carved Work reconciled to each End of the Tafferel, and when regularly suited to the same with a just Disposition of Figures, compleats the beautiful Symetry of the whole Stern and Gallery.

Quarter Tackle Pendants

Fastened on the Quarters of the Yard, and are used for taking in or hoisting Provisions, _&c._ out of the Hold, or upon Deck.

Rabbet

Is letting in a Ship's Plank to her Keel, which in the Run of her are hollowed away, and is called the Rabbet of her Keel.

Racks

Stand in the Cook-Room, at each End of the Grates, for the Spits to lye on to roast Victuals.

Rafters

Are brought from _New England_ and _Dantzick_, and being Ash, Barge, Pinnace and Wherry Oars, are made out of them.

Rails

Are generally composed of some regular Members of Architecture, they lye over and under the Banisters and Lights of the Stern and Galleries; are also ranged along the Side under several Denominations, as Sheer Rail, Plansheer Rail, Drift Rail, _&c._ they are also the principal Ornament in composing the Head of a Ship.

Rake

Is so much of a Ship's Hull as over-hangs the Stem and Stern; that Part of it Afore is called her Rake Forward, and that Abaft at the Stern Post, is called her Rake Aft.

Ranges

Are a Sort of Cleats, to which they belay or fasten the Spritsail, Fore, Main or Mizon Sheats.

Ratlings

Are small Ropes which make the Steps to get up the Shrouds, therefore are called Ratlings.

Reach

The Distance of two Points of Land which bear in a right Line to one another.

Reckonings

In Navigation, the estimating of the Quantity of the Ship's Way, or of the Run between one Place and another.

Reef

When there is a great Gale of Wind, they commonly Roll up Part of the Sail at the Head, by which Means it becomes Shoaler, and so draws not so much Wind; and this contracting or taking up the Sail they call Reefing, which is done with the Reef Tackle Pendants, Tyes, and Falls.

Reeming Irons

Are used by the Caulkers for opening the Seams of the Planks of Ships on the Stocks before caulked.

Reeve

Is to put a Rope through a Block; and, to pull a Rope out of a Block, is called Unreeving.

Reflux

Of the Sea, the Ebbing of the Water, or its Return from the Shore.

Rends

In a Ship, are the same as the Seams between her Planks.

Rhombs

The Points of the Compass.

Ribbs

Are the Timbers when the Planks are off, so called, because are bending like the Ribs of a Carcase; also those which belong to the Parrels are called Parrel Ribs.

Ride

A Ship is said to Ride, when her Anchors hold fast, so that she drives not away by the Force of Wind or Tide; and a Ship is said to Ride well when in a Head Sea, so as that the Waves do not wash over her.

Ride

Betwixt Wind and Tide

When the Wind hath equal Force over her one Way, and the Tide another; but if the Wind hath more Power over her than the Tide, she is said to Ride Wind Rode.

A Cross

When she Rides with her Fore and Main-Yards hoisted up.

Hawse-full

When in Stress of Weather she falls so deep into the Sea with her Head, that Water runs in at her Hawses.

A Peek

When one End of the Yards are peeked up, and the other hangs down; this is also said of a Ship, when in weighing she is brought directly over her Anchor.

Portoise

When her Yards are struck upon the Deck, or when are down a Portlast.

A Thwart

When her Side lies a-cross the Tide.

Riders

Are Timbers of a large Scantling fay'd within Side of the Foot Waaling; the Floor Riders are wrought over the Keelson; and the lower Futtock Riders Scarphs to the Floor Riders from the Keelson to the Orlop Beams.

Rigging

Are all the Ropes whatsoever belonging to a Ship's Masts, Yards, or any Part about her; and she is well rigg'd when all her Ropes are of their fit Length and Size, in Proportion to her Burden.

Right the Helm

A Sea Phrase used by him that Conds to the Men at the Helm or Steering Wheel, ordering them to keep the Helm even in the Middle of the Ship.

Right Sailing

Is when a Voyage is performed on some one of the four Cardinal Points.

Rings

Hatch

Are drove into the Hatches to open or shut them.

Port

Are drove into the Ports, and to which the Ropes are fastened to open or shut them.

Rings & Forelocks

Are put on the Ends of Bolts to prevent their starting out.

Riping Chissels

Are used by the Shipwrights in breaking up old Ships.

Riseing Timbers

Are large Pieces of Timber fay'd to the Keel, to the Stem Afore, and from the Keel to the Stern Post Abaft; its Use is to fashion out the lower Part of the Ship Afore and Abaft; and also to fasten the half Timbers into it; it is bolted to the Keel, Stem, and Stern Post respectively; there is also a thinner Piece of dead Wood in the Midships, fay'd on the Keel for the Breach of the Floor Timbers to be let into.

Road

A place of Anchorage at some Distance from the Shore, and sheltered from Winds, where Vessels usually Moar to wait for a Wind or Tide proper to carry them into Harbour, or set sail.

Rock Staff

With which the Smiths blow their Bellows.

Ropes

Of a Ship are, in general, all her Cordage; but those which have particular Names given them are as follows:

Auning

Are for spreading the Aunings.

Bell

Made fast to the Crank for striking it.

Boat

By which the Boats at the Ship's Stern are towed.

Bolt

Are laid white, stoved in an Oven, and then tarr'd; are the Head and Body Ropes sewed round the Sails.

Breast

Made fast to the Shrouds in the Chains, to support the Man that heaves the Lead.

Bucket

To hawl up Water.

Canhook

Seized to each Hook, to hoist Butts, Hogsheads, and other Casks on board.

Catt

For hoisting up the Anchors, in order to be stowed at the Bow.

Davit

Reeved through a Hole which is made at each End, for hauling the Davit to either Side of the Fore Castle.

Entering

To take hold of, for going up the Ship's Side.

Luffhook

Is for bousing the Tack aboard, when it blows hard, and is a Sort of a Preventer to the Tack.

Grapnel

Being bent to a Grapnel, either the Long-Boat, Pinnace or Yawl rides by it.

Guess

Is for keeping the Long-Boat, Pinnace or Yawl from steeving, or going too much in and out when towing.

Parrel

Is reeved through the Ribs and Trucks, which, with the Breast Ropes, lashes the Parrel to the Masts.

Rother

Reeved through a Hole in the Boat's Rother.

Slip

For triseing up the Bites of the Cable to the Rails of the Head.

Stantion

Reeved through the Eyes of the Stantions.

Swabb

Serves as a Handle to them.

Top

Are those with which the Top-masts are set or struck; they are reeved through an Iron-bound Block, which hooks under the Cap, and then reeved through the Heel of the Top-mast, where a Brass Shiver is placed athwart Ships; the other Part of them comes down to the Top Tackle Falls, which has double Blocks Iron-bound, and hooks to Ring Bolts upon the Deck.

Tiller

To keep the Tiller steady, that it may not fly from Side to Side.

Wast

For Boats to make fast to, along-side.

Wheel

Goes round the Spindle of the Steering Wheel, and from thence to the Tiller, and are generally white Rope.

Ropebands

Are made out of old Rope, Junk, _&c._ reeved through the Head Holes of the Sails, which make them fast to the Yards, and are vulgarly called Robins.

Rope Yarn

Is the Yarn of any Rope untwisted, but commonly made out of Junk; its Use is to make Sinnet, Mats, _&c._

Roves

Are small square Pieces of Iron, with a Hole punched in the Middle of them, through which the Nail goes, where it is clenched, and fastens the Boards of Pinnaces, Yawles, or Wherries to one another.

Rother

A Piece of Timber suitably formed, and hung with Irons called Pintles and Braces to the Stern Post; its Use is to traverse and govern the Ship under Sail.

Rother Irons

Are the Cheeks of Iron which is fastened to the Stern Post of Ships or Boats, and into which the Pintles go.

Rother Tackles

Are for Succour in Case the Tiller should break, and the Pendants are spliced to short Chains at the Back of the Rother, and the Falls come in on each Quarter of the Ship.

Round House

When the Poop is made so long as to come near, or to the Mizon Mast, there is (besides the Cabbins Abaft) an outer Apartment, which is called the Round House.

Rowle

Is a round Piece of Wood wherein the Whipstaff goes, being made to turn about, that it may carry over the Staff the easier from Side to Side.

Rowlucks

Are spaces left on the Gunwale, where two Thoals are let in at such a Distance from each other, as to admit the Oar at the End of the Loom to lie on, for rowing the Boat.

Rowse

The Cable or Hawser, that is, take it in or out.

Rozin

Is used for Paying the Ship's Sides, Boats, Blocks, _&c._

Rufftrees

Are slight Rails let into Iron Stantions, generally on the Quarter Deck and Fore Castle, against which a Weather Sail is fixed for Shelter to the Men; and likewise to keep and prevent them from tumbling over-board at Sea.

Run

So much of the After-part of a Ship as is under Water, is called her Run.

Rundlets

Are allowed the Boatswains to keep Oyl in.

Runner

Is a Rope reeved in a single Block seized to the End of a Pendant, and has at the one End a Hook to hitch into any Thing, and at the other End a long Tackle Block, into which is reeved the Fall of the Tackle or Garnet, by which Means it Purchases more than a Tackle Fall can do alone, and they, with the Halyards, hoist up the Topsail Yards, as the Ties do the Top-gallant Yards.

Rungheads

The Floor Timber Heads.

Saddles

Are used by the Smiths to turn Thimbles hollow on.

Sail

Every Yard in a Ship hath its proper Sail, (except the Cross Jack) and takes its Name from the Yard; and those which are not bent to the Yards, are, the Flying Jibb, Fore, Fore-top, Main, Main-top, Main-top-gallant, Mizon and Mizon Top-mast Stay Sails, Main and Main-top Studding Sails.

Salvagees

Are made with three flat Strands breeded, or by a small Turn put into several Rope Yarns cut into proper Lengths, and are used when a Shroud or Back Stay wants setting up, which is done by taking a Turn with the Salvagee round the Rope, to which they hook a Tackle Fall, and by bousing thereon, brings down the Shrouds or Back Stays to their proper Position.

Sand

Is used by the Bricklayers for making Mortar, and at the Kilns for stoving Plank.

Saucers

Are round thick Pieces of Iron, on which the Spindle of the Capstons work.

Saws

Hack

Are made of Scythes, and jag'd at the Edges, and are for cutting and sawing off Bolts.

Mill'd

Are used by the Masons to saw Stones.

Two hand & Whip

Are allowed to the Carpenters of all Ships that go to Sea, for the 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

Are used for lining the Bread, Cook, and Powder Rooms of Ships, covering the Tops of their Galleries, and for fining Oars, _&c._

Tight

When a Ship lets in but very little Water, she is Tight, which is known by the Smell o£ that pumped out, for if she lets in but little, it will always stink, otherwise not.

Tire Cable

The Row in the Middle of the Coiled Cable.

Toggle

A short Piece of Wood made tapering at each End, having a Score cut in the Middle of it, where a Rope is usually fastened, and when put through the Bite of another, there is no Occasion of seizing them together.

Top

Is a round Frame of Boards which lie upon the Cross-trees, near the Head of the standing Masts.

Top Armours

Are cut out of red Kersey, and tabled round with Canvas, hung about the Top for Show, and also cover the Men which are in the Tops in a Fight.

Tops Laying

Are used by the Rope-makers; those made with three Scores are for closing three Strand Ropes, and those with four are for Stays, and has a Hole bored in their Center, through which the Heart of the Stay passes.

Tools

Bolt

To make Saucer Head Bolts in.

Nail

To Head Nails in.

Thread

Is for making, altering, and repairing Colours in Store, or on board the Ship.

Tow

Whatever is drawn after a Boat or Ship with a Rope, _&c._ is said to be Towed.

Trail-board

Is a carved Board let into, or nailed on the Knee of the Head, just below the Lyon.

Transoms

Are large Pieces of Timber forming the Buttock, or After-part of the Ship on both Sides; they are transversely situate on the Post, and in the Middle bolted to it; their Ends are fastened to the After-Timbers on each Side respectively, called Fashion Pieces; they are denominated severally according to their Elevations, as Wing Transoms, Deck Transoms, Transoms under the Deck, _&c._ All which, as Post Transoms, and Fashion Pieces, being framed together, is commonly called the Stern Frame.

Traverse

A Ship when she makes Angles in and out, and cannot keep directly to her true Course, is called a Traverse. In Navigation, is the Variation of the Ship's Course, upon shifting of Winds, _&c._ And a Traverse Board, is a little round Board which hangs up, and bored full of Holes upon Lines, shewing the Points of the Compass upon it; by moving a little Peg from Hole to Hole, the Men at the Helm or Steering Wheel keeps an Account how many Glasses (that is, Half Hours) the Ship Steers upon any Point.

Treenails

Are long Pins of Wood, whence they are called Tree-nails, made out of Oak, to fasten the Planks to the Timbers, and are always Caulked with Ocham to prevent any Leak.

Tressle trees

Are those Timbers that stand Fore and Aft at the Mast-head, for the Tops to lie on.

Tressle

A wooden Frame to bear up Tables, Deals, Scaffolds, _&c._

Triangles

Are made out of large Spars, having their lower Ends ferrilled with a Ring, and a Spud drove into them, which runs into the Ground to steddy them; their upper End has a Bolt that goes through the three Parts, where a Staple is fixed for hanging a Scale Beam, when they are made use of for weighing Stores without Doors, as are received or delivered into the Yard.

Trip

A Ship goes with her Topsails a Trip she carries them hoisted up to the highest, and when the Wind blows not too hard.

Trim

Of a Ship, is her best Posture, with respect to her Proportion of Ballast, the standing of her Masts, _&c._ for Sailing, and the best Way to make her Sail well, and to find her Trim, depends very much on Experience and Judgment.

Trise

For hauling up any Thing by a single Rope, that do not run in a Block, but is done by Hand or main Strength. Thus if any Cask, Chest, or other Goods hath only a Rope fastened to it, and without a Tackle is pulled up into the Ship by Hand, it is Trised up.

Trivets