Stays to Stern Board

Ropes of hemp or iron used for supporting masts. The fore-and-aft stays lead forward and comprise fore, foretopmast, jib, flying-jib, jib-topsail, inner-jib, outer-jib, main, main-topmast, middle, main-topgallant, main royal, mizzen, mizzen-topmast, mizzen-topgallant and mizzen-royal stays. Those stays which lead down to the vessel's sides are called backstays. (See Breast, Standing, Shifting, Preventer and Backstays.) A vessel is said to be in stays or hove in stays when she is tacking.

Sails which hoist upon stays. The fore staysail is the first head sail forward the foremast; the main staysail goes between the fore and mainmasts; the mizzen staysail goes between the main and mizzen masts. There are also middle, topmast, topgallant and royal staysails. (See engravings.)

An order to the wheelsman for him to keep the vessel's head as it is.

A vessel without masts or sails, and propelled by a screw or paddle wheels. This class of vessel is confined as a rule to inland waters, such as rivers, harbors, sounds, gulfs, lakes and bays.

A small boat propelled by steam and using coal for fuel. (See Naphtha Fuel Launch.)

A harbor cargo vessel propelled by steam. (See Lighter.)

A siren blown by steam instead of a bellows.

A small engine found on board

steamships for controlling the rudder when under way, and by which the tiller may be put from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard in an instant.

The whistle forward the smoke-stack on a

steam vessel, blown by steam, and used to signal courses; as a warning during fogs, etc.

To guide a vessel on her course by the movement of the helm.

The lower deck of a passenger vessel, and on which the steerage passengers live.

When a vessel moves through the water with sufficient velocity to make her obedient to her helm.

The bridge on which the steering wheel is placed.

The wheel connected with the tiller, and by which the ship is steered.

A bowsprit steeves in proportion as it is raised from the horizontal. A long spar having a block at one end, and used in stowing some kinds of cargo.

To stem the tide is to make headway against it. The perpendicular piece of timber at the extreme forward part of the ship which is scarphed into the keel. (See Part II.)

The light carried on top of the stem on all inland vessels, and which takes the place of the masthead light as carried by ocean steamers. The stem light is white in character, and shows from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on each side.

To sail against the tide with just about sufficient way on to overcome its velocity.

To step a mast is to fix a lower mast in position. A framing of wood or iron on the main keelson into which the heel of a lowermast sets.

The after-part of the vessel.

An order given to the crew of a boat to back her astern with their oars.

The motion of a vessel when she progresses backward--stern foremost.