The Sailor's Word-Book
Chapter 15 : ARTIFICIAL LINES. The ingenious contrivances for representing logarithmic sines and tan

ARTIFICIAL LINES. The ingenious contrivances for representing logarithmic sines and tangents, so useful in navigation, on a scale.

ARTILLERY was formerly synonymous with archery, but now comprehends every description of ordnance, guns, mortars, fire-arms, and all their appurtenances. The term is also applied to the n.o.ble corps destined to that service: as also to the theory and practice of the science of projectiles: it was moreover given to all kinds of missile weapons, and the translators of the Bible make Jonathan give his "artillery unto his lad."

ARTILLERY, ROYAL MARINE. Formerly a select branch of the _R. Marines_, specially instructed in gunnery and the care of artillery stores; a.s.signed in due proportion to all s.h.i.+ps of war. It is now separate from the other branch (to whose original t.i.tle the denomination of Light Infantry has been added), and rests on its own official basis; its relation to s.h.i.+ps of war, however, remaining the same as before, although while on sh.o.r.e the Royal Marine forces are regulated by an annual act of parliament. (_See_ ROYAL MARINE ARTILLERY.)

ARTIST. A name formerly applied to those mariners who were also expert navigators.

ARTIZAN. A mechanic or operative workman. (_See_ ARTIFICER.)

ARX. A fort or castle for the defence of a place.

ASCENDANT. The part of the ecliptic above the horizon.

ASCENDING NODE. _See_ NODES.

ASCENDING SIGNS. Those in which the sun appears to ascend towards the north pole, or in which his motion in declination is towards the north.

ASCENSION. The act of mounting or rising upwards. (_See_ RIGHT ASCENSION.)

ASCENSIONAL DIFFERENCE. The equinoctial arc intercepted between the _right_ and _oblique_ ascensions (which see).

ASCENSION OBLIQUE. _See_ OBLIQUE ASCENSION.

ASCENSION RIGHT. _See_ RIGHT ASCENSION.

ASCII. The inhabitants of the torrid zone, who twice a year, being under a vertical sun, have no shadow.

AS DEAF AS THE MAIN-MAST. Said of one who does not readily catch an order given. Thus at sea the main-mast is synonymous with the door-post on sh.o.r.e.

ASHES. _See_ WINDWARD.

ASHLAR. Blocks of stone masonry fronting docks, piers, and other erections; this term is applied to common or freestone as they come of various lengths, breadths, and thicknesses from the quarry.

ASh.o.r.e. Aground, on land.--To _go ash.o.r.e_, to disembark from a boat.

Opposed to _aboard_.

ASH-PIT. A receptacle for ashes before the fire-bars in a steamer, or under them in most fire-places.

ASIENTO [Sp.] A sitting, contract, or convention; such as that between Spain and other powers in relation to the supply of stores for South America.

ASK, OR ASKER. A name of the water-newt.

ASKEW. Awry, crooked, oblique.

ASLANT. Formed or placed in an oblique line, as with dagger-knees, &c.--_To sail aslant_, turning to windward.

ASLEEP. The sail filled with wind just enough for swelling or bellying out,--as contrasted with its flapping.

ASPECT. The looming of the land from sea-ward.

ASPER. A minute Turkish coin in accounts, of which three go to a para.

ASPIC. An ancient 12-pounder piece of ordnance, about 11 feet long.

ASPIRANT DE MARINE. Mids.h.i.+pman in the French navy.

ASPORTATION. The carrying of a vessel or goods illegally.

a.s.sAIL, TO. To attack, leap upon, board, &c.

a.s.sAULT. A hostile attack. The effort to storm a place, and gain possession of a post by main force.

a.s.sEGAI. The spear used by the Kaffirs in South Africa; it is frequently feather-bent to revolve in its flight.

a.s.sEGUAY. The knife-dagger used in the Levant.

a.s.sEMBLY. That long roll beat of the drum by which soldiers, or armed parties, are ordered to repair to their stations. It is sometimes called the _fall-in_.

a.s.sES'-BRIDGE. The well-known name of prop. 5, b. i. of Euclid, the difficulty of which makes many give in.

a.s.sIEGE, TO. To besiege, to invest or beset with an armed force.

a.s.sIGNABLE. Any finite geometrical ratio, or magnitude that can be marked out or denoted.

a.s.sILAG. The name given in the Hebrides to a small sea-bird with a black bill. The stormy petrel.

a.s.sISTANCE. Aid or help: strongly enjoined to be given whenever a signal is made requiring it.

a.s.sISTANT-SURGEON. The designation given some years ago to those formerly called "surgeon's mates," and considered a boon by the corps.

a.s.sORTMENT. The arrangement of goods, tools, &c., in a series.

a.s.sURANCE. (_See_ MARINE INSURANCE.) Conveyance or deed: in which light Shakspeare makes Tranio say that his father will "pa.s.s a.s.surance."

a.s.sURGENT. A heraldic term for a man or beast rising out of the sea.

a.s.sUROR. He who makes out the policy of a.s.surance for a s.h.i.+p: he is not answerable for the neglect of the master or seamen.

A-STARBOARD. The opposite to _a-port_.

A-STAY. Said of the anchor when, in heaving in, the cable forms such an angle with the surface as to appear in a line with the stays of the s.h.i.+p.--_A long stay_ apeek is when the cable forms an acute angle with the water's surface, or coincides with the main-stay--_short stay_ when it coincides with the fore-stay.

ASTELLABRE. The same as _astrolabe_.

ASTERIA. _See_ SEA-STAR.

ASTERISM. Synonymous with _constellation_, a group of stars.

ASTERN. Any distance behind a vessel; in the after-part of the s.h.i.+p; in the direction of the stern, and therefore the opposite of _ahead_.--_To drop astern_, is to be left behind,--when abaft a right angle to the keel at the main-mast, she drops astern.