Page 178 of Patterson’s Illustrated Nautical Encyclopedia · 25 entries
Spars rising above the deck of a vessel perpendicularly, and which support the yards, booms, gaffs and sails. The lower masts extend from the keel, where they step, to a height above the upper deck, and are secured sideways by shrouds, and fore-and-aft by stays. (See Topmasts, Topgallant Masts, Royal Masts and Skysail Masts.) Masts are either whole or made.
A mat woven from strands of old rope and used to prevent chafing.
An officer under a master. There are first, second, third, and fourth Mates.
A knot named after the originator. It is used on dead-eye lanyards. (See engraving.)
A heavy iron hammer, employed in driving bolts, etc.
A square flag hoisted at the starboard spreader, or in the rigging, to signify that the officers are at the mess table.
A red flag hoisted on the port side of a vessel, signifying that the forward hands are at mess.
An order to the helmsman directing that he should put the tiller so as to check the swing of the vessel's head.
To mend the furl is to partly refurl the sails after they have been tied up slovenly, or have become untidy looking from various causes.
(See Merchant Service.)
A fabulous sea woman having the body of a human from the head to the waist, and the form of the after-half of a fish below the hips.
The mercantile marine.
In the year 1854 what is known as the Merchant's Shipping Act was passed in Great Britain, which requires all masters and officers of British merchant vessels to be examined and to hold certificates of competency issued in accordance with the provisions of the act before they can clear a vessel from any English custom house. The certificates are issued by the British Board of Trade.
A vessel employed in transporting freight and passengers.
The openings between the cords in a net of any kind, as a fish net, boarding netting, etc.
A number of officers or forward hands who eat together.
The one who waits on the officer's table on a merchant steamship.
A member of the same mess on shipboard.
An endless rope used for heaving in a cable by a capstan (Obsolete.)
To double a rope in two equal parts.
The timber at the broadest part of the ship.
A cadet both on board merchant, revenue and naval vessels.
(See engraving.)
(See Amidships.)
An additional tack found on the middle of the foot of some courses. It is employed in calms and light airs to keep the foot of the sail hauled forward so as to prevent it from slapping back and chafing itself against the mast, when the vessel pitches and rolls.