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The Sailor's Word-Book Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Sailor's Word-Book novel. A total of 265 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Sailor's Word-Book.by William Henry Smyth.PREFACE.The recent loss of Admiral Wi
The Sailor's Word-Book.by William Henry Smyth.PREFACE.The recent loss of Admiral William Henry Smyth, noticed as it was by the leading periodicals, will have recalled to many, not only the social character and amiable qualities of the compiler of thi
- 201 RETINUE. Applied strictly to the admiral's suite or followers, though it means an accompanying train in general.RETIRE. The old war-term for retreat. Thus Shakspeare makes Richard Plantagenet exclaim-- "Ne'er may he live to see a suns.h.i.+
- 202 RIG, TO. To fit the shrouds, stays, braces, and running-rigging to their respective masts, yards, and sails. Colloquially, it means to dress.--_To rig in a boom_, is to draw it in.--_To rig out a boom_, is to run it out from a yard, in order to extend the
- 203 RIPPLE-MARKS. The ripply appearance left at low water on the flat part of a sandy beach.RIPPS. _See_ TIDE-RIP. Also, strange overfalls, the waves of which, even in calm weather, will throw their crests over the bulwarks.RISBERM. Fascines placed to oppose
- 204 _Lily_ foundered with all hands in consequence, and several vessels at St. Helena have been driven from their anchors and wrecked. These waves roll in from the north, and do not break till they reach soundings, when they evince terrific power, rising from
- 205 ROUGH MUSIC. Rolling shot about on the lower deck, and other discordant noises, when seamen are discontented, but without being mutinous.ROUGH-SPARS. Cut timber before being worked into masts, &c.ROUGH-TREE. An unfinished spar: also a name given in mercha
- 206 ROYAL MERCHANT. A t.i.tle of the Mediterranean, traders of the thirteenth century, when the Venetians were masters of the sea.ROYAL MORTAR. A bra.s.s one of 5-1/2 inches diameter of bore, and 150 lbs.weight, throwing a 24-pounder sh.e.l.l up to 600 yards;
- 207 RUNE [from the Teutonic _rennen_, to flow]. A water-course.RUNGS. The same as the floor or ground timbers, and whose ends are the rung-heads. Also, a spoke, and the step or round of a ladder.RUNLET. A measure of wine, oil, &c., containing eighteen gallons
- 208 SAGITTARIUS. The ninth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the 21st of November.SAGUM. An ancient military cloak.SAIC. A sort of Greek ketch, which has no top-gallant nor mizen sails, but still spreads much canvas.SAIL. The terms applicable to
- 209 SALUTE. A discharge of cannon or small arms, display of flags, or cheering of men, in deference, by the s.h.i.+ps of one nation to those of another, or by s.h.i.+ps of the same nation to a superior or an equal. Also, the proper compliment paid by troops,
- 210 SAW-BONES. A sobriquet for the surgeon and his a.s.sistants.SAW-FISH. A species of shark (_Pristis antiquorum_) with the bones of the face produced into a long flat rostrum, with a row of pointed teeth placed along each edge.SAY-NAY. A Lancas.h.i.+re name
- 211 SCORPIO. The eighth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the 22d of October. a Scorpii, _Antares_; a nautical star.SCOT, OR SHOT. Anglo-Saxon _sceat_. A share of anything; a contribution in fair proportion.SCOTCHMAN. A piece of stiff hide, or ba
- 212 SEA. Strictly speaking, _sea_ is the next large division of water after _ocean_, but in its special sense signifies only any large portion of the great ma.s.s of waters almost surrounded by land, as the Black, the White, the Baltic, the China, and the Med
- 213 SEA-LAKE. Synonymous with _lagoon_ (which see).SEA-LAWS. The codes relating to the sea; as, the laws of Rhodes, Oleron, Wisbuy, &c.SEA-LAWYER. An idle litigious 'longsh.o.r.er, more given to question orders than to obey them. One of the pests of the
- 214 SEA-STAR. A common rayed or star-like animal, belonging to the cla.s.s _Echinodermata_. Also called _star-fish_ (_Asteria_).SEA-STREAM. In polar parlance, is when a collection of bay-ice is exposed on one side to the ocean, and affords shelter from the se
- 215 SEIN, OR SEINE. The name of a large fis.h.i.+ng-net. Also, a flat seam.SEIN-FISH. By statute (3 Jac. I. c. 12) includes that sort taken with a sein.SEIZING. Fastening any two ropes, or different parts of one rope together, with turns of small stuff.SEIZIN
- 216 SET ON! The order to set the engine going on board a steamer.SETT. A kind of s.h.i.+pwright's power, composed of two ring-bolts and a wrain-staff, with cleats and las.h.i.+ngs. Also, the particular spot in a river or frith, where stationary nets are
- 217 SHAVE. A close run; a narrow escape from a collision.SHEAF. A bundle of arrows, as formerly supplied to our royal s.h.i.+ps.SHEAL. A northern term for a fisherman's hut, whence several of them together became _sheals_ or _s.h.i.+elds_.SHEAR. An iron
- 218 Sh.e.l.l-FISH. A general term applied to aquatic animals having a hard external covering or sh.e.l.l, as whelks, oysters, lobsters, &c. These are not, however, properly speaking, fish.Sh.e.l.lING. The act of bombarding a fort, town, or position.Sh.e.l.l O
- 219 s.h.i.+P-LANGUAGE. The s.h.i.+bboleth of nautic diction, as _tau'sle_, _fok'sle_, for top-sail, forecastle, and the like.s.h.i.+P-LAST. _See_ LAST.s.h.i.+P-LAUNCH. _See_ LAUNCH.s.h.i.+P-LOAD. The estimated lading or cargo of a vessel.s.h.i.+P-LO
- 220 SHOOTING OF NETS. The running out of nets in the water, as seins, drift-nets, herring-nets, &c.; but it does not apply to trawls.SHOOTS, OR SHUTS. A large pipe or channel to lead away water, dirt, ballast, shot, &c., is called a shoot. The overfalls of a
- 221 SHROUD-TRUCKS. Small pieces of wood with holes in them, but no sheaves; they are seized on the standing-rigging as fair leaders for the running-rigging. (_See_ BULL'S-EYE.) SHUNT. A term recently introduced among engineers and gunners; but traceable
- 222 SILT-GROUNDS. Deep-water banks off Jamaica, where _silt-snappers_ are fished for.SILT-UP, TO. To be choked with mud or sand, so as to obstruct vessels.SILVER-CaeDUA. A statute term for wood under twenty years' growth.SILVER-OAR. One of the badges of
- 223 SKER, OR SKERRY. A flat insulated rock, but not subject to the overflowing of the sea: thus we have "the Skerries" in Wales, the Channel Islands, &c.SKEW. Awry, oblique; as a skew bridge, skew angle, &c. Also, in Cornwall, drizzling rain. Also,
- 224 SLANT TACK. That which is most favourable to the course when working to windward.SLAVER. A vessel employed in the odious slave-trade.SLED. The rough kind of sleigh in North America, used for carrying produce, too heavy for amus.e.m.e.nt.SLEE. A sort of cr
- 225 SLY-GOOSE. A northern term for the sheldrake, _Tadorna vulpanser_.SLYNG. An ancient piece of sea-ordnance: there were also _di-slyngs_.SMACK. A vessel, sometimes like a cutter, used for mercantile purposes, or for carrying pa.s.sengers; the largest of whi
- 226 SNOOK. A fish of the family _s...o...b..idae_, _Thyrsites atun_, abundant in Table Bay, whence it is exported, when salted, to the Mauritius.SNOTTER. The lower support of the _sprit_ (which see).SNOW. A vessel formerly much in use. It differs slightly fro
- 227 SOUSE. A method of pickling fish by immersing them in vinegar after being boiled. (_See_ MARL.) SOUSED GURNET. Best expressed by Falstaff's--"If I be not ashamed of my soldiers, I am a soused gurnet."SOUTHERN CROSS. The popular name of a gr
- 228 SPENT SHOT. A shot that has lost its penetrative velocity, yet capable of inflicting grave injury as long as it travels.SPERM WHALE. Otherwise known as the cachalot, _Physeter macrocephalus_.A large cetacean, belonging to the division of delphinoid or too
- 229 SPOON-WAYS. In slave-s.h.i.+ps, stowing the poor wretches so closely locked together, that it is difficult to move without treading upon them.SPOTS ON THE SUN. _See_ MACULae.SPOUT. A term applied to the blowing or breathing of whales and other cetaceans.
- 230 SQUARE-STERNED AND BRITISH BUILT. A phrase to express the peculiar excellence of our first-cla.s.s merchantmen.SQUARE TIMBERS. Those timbers which stand square with, or perpendicular to, the keel.SQUARE-TOPSAIL SLOOP. Sloops which carry standing yards.SQU
- 231 STANDING-JIB. The jib, as distinguished from the other jibs.STANDING-LIFTS. Ropes from the mast-heads to the ends of the upper yards, to keep them square and steady when the sail is not set.STANDING ORDERS. Special regulations remaining constant for some
- 232 STAY-BARS, OR STAY-RODS. Strong malleable iron bars for supporting the framings of the marine steam-engine.STAYED FORWARD. This term is applied to masts when they incline forward out of the vertical line; the opposite of _rake_ (which see.) STAYSAIL. A tr
- 233 "O, do but think, You stand upon the rivage, and behold A city on the inconstant billows dancing; For so appears this fleet majestical, Holding due course to Harfleur. Follow, follow!Grapple your minds to sternage of this navy."STERN-ALL. A term
- 234 STONE. The old term for a gun-flint.STONE-BOW. A cross-bow for shooting stones.STOOL. A minor channel abaft the main channels, for the dead-eyes of the backstays. (_See_ BACKSTAY-STOOLS.) STOOLS. Chocks introduced under the lowest transoms of a s.h.i.+p&#
- 235 STRAY LINE OF THE LOG. About 10 or 12 fathoms of line left unmarked next the log-s.h.i.+p, in order that it may get out of the eddy of the s.h.i.+p's wake before the measuring begins, or the gla.s.s is turned.STRAY-MARK. The mark at the junction of t
- 236 STUMP TOPGALLANT-MASTS. Those without a royal pole.STUN-SAILS. A corruption of _studding-sails_ (which see).STURGEON. _Acipenser sturio_, a large fish; it has a cartilaginous skeleton, with a small circular and tubular mouth. It is found in the European s
- 237 SUPPORT A FRIEND, TO. To make every exertion to a.s.sist a vessel in distress, from whatever cause. Neglect of this incurs punishment.SUPPORTERS. Circular knee-timbers placed under the cat-heads for their support and security.SURA. The drink otherwise cal
- 238 SWEEP OF THE TILLER. A semicircular frame on which the tiller traverses in large s.h.i.+ps; it is fixed under the beams near the fore-end of the tiller, which it supports.SWEEP-PIECE. A block at the bottom of the port-sill for receiving the chock of the g
- 239 TACES. _See_ TAISHES.TACK. A rope to confine the weather lower corners of the courses and staysails when the wind crosses the s.h.i.+p's course obliquely. Also, the rope employed to haul out the lower outer clue of a studding-sail to the boom-end. Wi
- 240 TAPPING A BUOY. Clearing it of the water which has entered it by leakage, and would otherwise prevent its watching.TAP THE ADMIRAL. Opprobriously applied to those who would "drink anything;" from the tale of the drunkard who stole spirits from t
- 241 TEMPORARY RANK. That owing to an acting commission, or to local circ.u.mstances, ceasing with a particular service.TEMPORARY STARS. Those which have suddenly become visible, and after attaining considerable brightness, have as suddenly vanished: that seen
- 242 THREE HALF-HITCHES ARE MORE THAN A KING'S YACHT WANTS. An exclamatory remark to a green hand, meaning that two are enough.THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND. Unsteady from drink.THREE SISTERS. Formerly the badge of office of boatswains' mates and masters-
- 243 TIDE-RIP. Those short ripplings which result from eddies, or the pa.s.sage of the tide over uneven bottom; also observed in the ocean where two currents meet, but not appearing to affect a s.h.i.+p's course.TIDE-RODE. The situation of a vessel at anc
- 244 TOKO FOR YAM. An expression peculiar to negroes for crying out before being hurt.TOLEDO. An esteemed Spanish sword, so called from the place of manufacture.TOLL. A demand, &c., at the Sound; hence the epithet of _Sound dues_.TOM. A pet bow-chaser, a 9 or
- 245 TOP-SAWYER. The leading man in any undertaking. One who excels; inasmuch as the man of most intellect guides the saw, and No. 2 gets the sawdust in his face.TOP-SIDE. All that part of a s.h.i.+p's side which is above the main-wales: that is, those st
- 246 TOWING OVERBOARD. Drawing anything after a s.h.i.+p or boat when she is sailing or rowing. As a manuvre to deceive an enemy, and induce him to chase, it was common to tow a sail astern by a hawser, at the same time keeping the three masts in line, so as t
- 247 TRANTER. One who carries fish for sale.TRAP-CREEL. A basket for catching lobsters.TRAPEZIUM. A quadrilateral figure that has only two of its four sides parallel.TRAPEZOID, OR TABLET. Has all its four sides and angles unequal, and no sides parallel.TRAVADO
- 248 TRICING-LINE. A small cord, generally pa.s.sing through a block or thimble, and used to hoist up any object to render it less inconvenient; such are the tricing-lines of the yard-tackle, &c.TRICK. The time allotted to a man on duty at the helm. The same a
- 249 TRUE-HORIZON. _See_ HORIZON.TRUE TIDE. Opposed to _cross-tide_ (which see).TRUE WATER. The exact depth of soundings.TRUFF. A west-country name for a trout.TRUG. A rough basket for carrying chips of timber. TRUGMAN. An early word for interpreter, being a c
- 250 TURBOT. The _Pleuronectes maximus_, a flat fish in the highest esteem with all ichthyophagi.TURKEY-GRAIN. A name for maize.TURK'S HEAD. An ornamental knot, so called from resembling a turban, used on side-ropes, &c.; it is worked with a piece of small li
- 251 ULLAGE. The remainder in a cask or package which has leaked or been partially used.--_Ullaged_ is used for damaged, short of contents.ULTIMATUM. The final conditions upon which any proposition or treaty with an enemy can be ratified.ULTRA MARE. Beyond sea
- 252 lay them in the boat from the rowlocks; "uns.h.i.+p the capstan bars," &c.UNWHOLESOME s.h.i.+P. One that will neither hull, try, nor ride, without labouring heavily in a sea. Also applied to a sugar s.h.i.+p diverted from her former trade, and not prope
- 253 VAPOUR, OR SMOKE. In polar parlance, a peculiar but natural result of the conversion of water into ice, which is too often supposed to indicate open water.VARIABLES. Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected.VARIABLE STARS. Those which ar
- 254 VICTUALLING-YARDS FOR THE ROYAL NAVY. Large magazines where provisions and similar stores are deposited, conveniently contiguous to the royal dockyards. The establishments in England and Ireland are at Deptford, Gosport, Plymouth, and Cork; and abroad at
- 255 WAFT [said to be from the Anglo-Saxon _weft_], more correctly written _wheft_. It is any flag or ensign, stopped together at the head and middle portions, slightly rolled up lengthwise, and hoisted at different positions at the after-part of a s.h.i.+p. T
- 256 WAR ESTABLISHMENT. Increased force of men and means.WARM-SIDED. Mounting heavy metal, whether a s.h.i.+p or a fort.WARNER. A sentinel formerly posted on the heights near sea-ports to give notice of the approach of vessels. Also, beacons, posts, buoys, lig
- 257 WATER-LAID ROPE. The same as _cablet_; it coils against the sun, or to the left hand.WATER-LINE. In former s.h.i.+ps of war, a fine white painted line or bend, representing the deep line of flotation, on the coppered edge.--_Load water-line._ That which t
- 258 WEATHER-EYE. "Keep your weather-eye open," be on your guard; look out for squalls.WEATHER-GAGE. A vessel has the weather-gage of another when she is to windward of her. Metaphorically, to get the weather-gage of a person, is to get the better of
- 259 WELL OFF, TO. A mode of shutting off a leak by surrounding it by timbers screwed home through the lining to the timbers, and carrying up this trunk, like a log-hut, above the water-line.WELL-ROOM OF A BOAT. The place in the bottom where the water lies, be
- 260 WHIFF. The _Rhombus cardina_, a pa.s.sable fish of the pleuronect genus.Also, a slight fitful breeze or transient puff of wind.WHIFFING. Catching mackerel with a hook and line from a boat going pretty fast through the water.WHIFFLERS. The old term for fif
- 261 WIDE-GAB. A name of the _Lophius piscatorius_, toad-fish, or fis.h.i.+ng-frog.WIDOWS' MEN. Imaginary sailors, formerly borne on the books as A.B.'s for wages in every s.h.i.+p in commission; they ceased with the consolidated pay at the close of
- 262 WING UP BALLAST, TO. To carry the dead weight from the bottom as high as consistent with the stability of a s.h.i.+p, in order to ease her quick motion in rolling.WING-WALE. A thick plank extending from the extremity of a steamer's paddle-beam to her
- 263 WORKING A LUNAR. Reducing the observations of the sun and moon, or moon and stars, in order to find the longitude. Also, a phrase used when a man sleeps during a conversation.WORKING AN OBSERVATION. Reducing the alt.i.tudes or distances of heavenly bodies
- 264 YARD-TACKLES. Tackles attached to the fore and main yards of a s.h.i.+p, whereby, with the a.s.sistance of the stay-tackles, the boats and other weights are hoisted in and out. Yard-tackles are sometimes hooked to a pendant, which is secured to the top-ma
- 265 ZIG-ZAG COURSE. Working to windward by very short tacks or angular turning boards. ZODIAC. A broad zone or belt of the heavens, the middle of which is the ecliptic, extending 9 on either side of it. It is divided into twelve signs, each measuring 30 along