Ruffle to Schoolmaster

A low roll of the drum used in the ceremony of saluting officers of high rank when boarding or leaving the vessel. An officer holding the rank of admiral receives four ruffles; a vice-admiral three, and rear admiral and commodore two ruffles.

A flat circle of wood secured to a spherical exploding projectile, fitted with a fuze, in order to keep it in position during the time of its passage through the gun, and to prevent the fuze from coming in contact with the bore or with the exploding charge-thus preventing premature explosion.

A warrant officer who has charge of the sails, awnings, wind-sails, and, in fact, exercises supervision over all canvas appliances on board ship.

A petty officer of the second class who works under the direction of the sailmaker, and who has care of the sail-room.

A sudden rush in a body from one part of the vessel to another; to issue suddenly.

In reference to fire-ships, the place of escape for the train-firers.

A deck-case for temporarily containing a number of charges for the guns.

The President or an ex-President of the United States visiting a vessel of the navy, or a navy yard, receives 21 guns; the Vice-President of an ex-Vice-President and the Secretary of the Navy, 19 guns; members of the Cabinet, Justices of the Supreme Court and Governors of States, 17 guns; a committee of Congress, officially visiting a vessel or navy yard, 17 guns; ministers, 15 guns; a commissioner, 11 guns; a consul-general, 9 guns; a consul, 7 guns; a vice-consul, 5 guns; an officer having the rank of admiral, 17 guns; vice-admiral, 15 guns; rear admiral, 13 guns; commodore, 11 guns; Chiefs of Bureau of the Navy Department, 11 guns; a foreign sovereign and members of a royal family when visiting a vessel of the navy receive the same number of guns as prescribed for the President. An officer or enlisted man is required to salute his superior officer on meeting by raising the cap.

A simultaneous discharge of a number of pieces of ordnance.

A coarse kind of shot once used, which derived its name from being cast in sand molds.

A warning cry employed on board ship to signify that the enemy is using scalding water from the boilers, led through a hose, as a weapon to drive their opponents away from the guns. Also used as a warning to avoid something thrown.

A petty officer of the first class who is under the direct orders of the navigating officer, and whose duty it is to write the smooth-log and instruct such classes as may be voluntarily formed from the crew of sea-going vessels. The course of simple instruction is arranged by the executive or commanding officer, or, in the case of a ship carrying a chaplain, by that officer. Naval training vessels are allowed several schoolmasters, who have charge respectively of the various classes of boys engaged in English studies, under the orders of an officer who instructs them personally in the profession of seamanship, rudimentary navigation, great gun and small arm drill, etc.