Spectacle IronsSea Terms
Sometimes called Spectacle Shackle. A three-eye iron on the clews of courses for the tack, etc., to make fast in.
Spectacle Irons to Sprit
Page 238 of Patterson’s Illustrated Nautical Encyclopedia · 28 entries
SpellSea Terms
A period of time. To spell is to relieve another at any work upon which he is employed.
Spell ho! A cry employed either by an officer signifying that the men working are to be relieved, or made use of by such men as a request for relief.
SpencerSea Terms
(See Trysail.)
Speronare A lateen rigged boat of Italy, having two masts.
SpewSea Terms
The seams of a vessel are said to spew pitch when from excessive heat the pitch melts and expands above the planks.
SpiderSea Terms
An iron crane used for keeping a block clear of anything.
Spider-bandSea Terms
The name sometimes given to the iron band just under the top, and to which the futtock-shrouds are secured.
SpileSea Terms
(See Pile.)
SpillSea Terms
To empty the wind out of a sail by luffing, or by bracing in the yards, or by hauling in or letting a boom go off, or by clewing up a sail.
Spilling LinesSea Terms
Temporary ropes fitted to sail for the purpose of spilling the wind out of them.
SpindleSea Terms
The perpendicular shaft or axle upon which the capstan revolves.
SpinnakerSea Terms
A racing sail shaped like a jib, the open foot of which is extended along a light spar called a spinnaker boom. It is set on the opposite side to the main boom when the vessel is sailing with the wind abaft the beam.
Spit Kit or KidSea Terms
A small wooden tub used as a spittoon.
SpitfireSea Terms
A name given to the storm jib.
SpliceSea Terms
To join two ropes together, or to form a loop in the end of a rope. (See Long Splice, Short Splice, Eye Splice.)
Splicing the Main BraceSea Terms
Indulging in a glass of spirits. Sometimes called topping the boom and taking an observation through a tumbler.
SpokeSea Terms
One of the handles of a steering wheel. (See King Spoke.)
Spoon-driftSea Terms
Water blown from the tops of waves during a heavy gale.
Spoon OarsSea Terms
Oars that are curved or concaved at the end of the blade, used for racing shells and other light boats.
Spray BoardSea Terms
A portable board extending above the gunwale of a boat and used for the purpose of keeping out flying water.
Spread EagleSea Terms
To spread eagle a man is to lash him in the shrouds with his arms and legs spread at angles of about 45 degrees to his body.
SpreadersSea Terms
On each bow of very sharp vessels a horizontal bar is rigged out to give more spread to the head sheets; on the same principle that the whiskers spread the jib-boom guys.
SpringSea Terms
A hawser run out from any part of a ship to the shore, or to a buoy, to turn, or spring the vessel. (See Sprung.)
Spring a-buttSea Terms
To start the end of a plank from its fastenings.
Spring a-leakSea Terms
To begin to leak.
Spring a-luffSea Terms
To put the helm down so as to bring the vessel sufficiently close to the wind to shiver the sails.
Spring-staySea Terms
A horizontal stay from one lower-mast-head to another lower-mast-head. (See Stay.)
Spring TidesSea Terms
The highest tides. Spring-tides occur every new and full moon.
SpritSea Terms
A staff used to hoist the peak of a small boomless and gaffless sail not provided with peak halliards. The upper end of the sprit rests in a small grommet or becket, and the lower end in a snotter secured to and near the foot of the mast. (See engraving.)