Surf to Swinging Booms

A breaking sea on a shelving shore. (See Breakers.)

A boat built specially for carrying passengers and cargo through the surf.

To surge a rope or cable is to slack it suddenly. A swelling wave.

The medical officer of the vessel, whose duty it is to look after the sanitary arrangements of the ship, inspect the food, distribute anti-scorbutics to the men if necessary, and care for any member on board in the event of sickness or accident. On some vessels the surgeon is also obliged to act as purser.

In the event of putting into port with masts or bulwarks gone, on the vessel leaking, the master reports to the port authorities, also to his consul it in a foreign port, and after noting a protest calls for an examination upon his vessel and cargo in order that the damages may be appraised; and this examination is known as a survey. Two shipmasters or two other experienced persons are called to examine the rigging and hull and hatches, and in the event of damaged cargo, two merchants, acquainted with the kind of cargo carried, are called to examine and report whether the cargo was properly stowed and dunnaged. Upon receiving the report the master immediately extends his protest. Should the vessel be a steamer, and the machinery or boilers be injured, then a shipmaster and an engineer would be called. (See Nautical Surveying.)

A rope mop used for cleaning the decks. A term applied to a worthless individual on board ship.

The space or opening in a block which takes the rope before it passes over the sheave.

A flag having two pointed ends.

A drink made of vinegar, molasses and water, and much indulged in by sailors in tropical climates.

To let the yards fall to the horizontal after they have been sent aloft. (See Cross Yards.)

To pull; to hoist.

When a sail is stretched so as to set as flat as possible it is said to be sweated. To sweat anything is to get it as taut as possible.

Dragging the bottom for anything lost. Forcing a vessel ahead by the use of long oars.

Long oars.

The roll of the sea. The following symbols are used to express the character of same; S, smooth; M moderate; L, long; R, rough; C, cross; H, heavy; V H, very heavy.

To swift the shrouds is to bring two of them close together by a binding of rope.

The forward shrouds of a lower mast on the port and starboard sides. There are fore, main and mizzen

swifters. The lengths of rope employed for keeping the capstan bars in place are also known as swifters.

To bear off on the hauling part of a tackle when its end is made fast.

Said of a vessel when she turns around under the influence of the wind or tide when at anchor.

Turning the vessel around in adjusting her compasses.

(See Boat Booms.)