Moby-Dick (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (92 page)
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Authors: Herman Melville
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Log, or Log-book.
A journal kept by the chief officer, in which the situation of the vessel, winds, weather, courses, distances, and everything of importance that occurs, is noted down.
A journal kept by the chief officer, in which the situation of the vessel, winds, weather, courses, distances, and everything of importance that occurs, is noted down.
Log.
A line with a piece of board, called the
log-chip,
attached to it, wound upon a reel, and used for ascertaining the ship’s rate of sailing.
A line with a piece of board, called the
log-chip,
attached to it, wound upon a reel, and used for ascertaining the ship’s rate of sailing.
Long-boat.
The largest boat in a merchant vessel. When at sea, it is carried between the fore and main masts.
The largest boat in a merchant vessel. When at sea, it is carried between the fore and main masts.
Long-timbers.
Timbers in the cant-bodies, reaching from the dead-wood to the head of the second futtock.
Timbers in the cant-bodies, reaching from the dead-wood to the head of the second futtock.
Lubber’s hole.
A hole in the top, next the mast.
A hole in the top, next the mast.
Luff.
To put the helm so as to bring the ship up nearer to the wind.
To put the helm so as to bring the ship up nearer to the wind.
Spring-a-luff! Keep your luff!
&c. Orders to luff. Also, the roundest part of a vessel’s bow. Also, the forward leech of fore-and-aft sails.
&c. Orders to luff. Also, the roundest part of a vessel’s bow. Also, the forward leech of fore-and-aft sails.
Made.
A
made mast
or
block
is one composed of different pieces. A ship’s lower mast is a made spar, her topmast is a whole spar.
A
made mast
or
block
is one composed of different pieces. A ship’s lower mast is a made spar, her topmast is a whole spar.
Marl.
To wind or twist a small line or rope round another.
To wind or twist a small line or rope round another.
Marlingspike.
An iron pin, sharpened at one end, and having a hole in the other for a lanyard. Used both as a fid and a heaver.
An iron pin, sharpened at one end, and having a hole in the other for a lanyard. Used both as a fid and a heaver.
Martingale.
A short, perpendicular spar, under the bowsprit-end, used for guying down the head-stays.
A short, perpendicular spar, under the bowsprit-end, used for guying down the head-stays.
Mast.
A spar set upright from the deck, to support rigging, yards, and sails. Masts are whole or
made
.
A spar set upright from the deck, to support rigging, yards, and sails. Masts are whole or
made
.
Mate.
An officer under the master.
An officer under the master.
Mess.
Any number of men who eat or lodge together.
Any number of men who eat or lodge together.
Midships.
The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel.
The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel.
Mizzen-mast.
The aftermost mast of a ship. The spanker is sometimes called the
mizzen
.
The aftermost mast of a ship. The spanker is sometimes called the
mizzen
.
Moor.
To secure by two anchors.
To secure by two anchors.
Mortice.
A
morticed block
is one made out of a whole block of wood with a hole cut in it for the sheave; in distinction from a
made block.
A
morticed block
is one made out of a whole block of wood with a hole cut in it for the sheave; in distinction from a
made block.
Neap tides.
Low tides, coming at the middle of the moon’s second and fourth quarters.
Low tides, coming at the middle of the moon’s second and fourth quarters.
Near.
Close to wind. “Near!” the order to the helmsman when he is too near the wind.
Close to wind. “Near!” the order to the helmsman when he is too near the wind.
Nip.
A short turn in a rope.
A short turn in a rope.
Oakum.
Stuff made by picking rope-yarns to pieces used for caulking, and other purposes.
Stuff made by picking rope-yarns to pieces used for caulking, and other purposes.
Oar.
A long wooden instrument with a flat blade at one end, used for propelling boats.
A long wooden instrument with a flat blade at one end, used for propelling boats.
Offing.
Distance from the shore.
Distance from the shore.
Orlop.
The lower deck of a ship of the line; or that on which the cables are stowed.
The lower deck of a ship of the line; or that on which the cables are stowed.
Out-haul.
A rope used for hauling out the clew of a boom sail.
A rope used for hauling out the clew of a boom sail.
Out-rigger.
A spar rigged out to windward from the tops or crosstrees, to spread the breast-backstays.
A spar rigged out to windward from the tops or crosstrees, to spread the breast-backstays.
Painter.
A rope attached to the bows of a boat, used for making her fast.
A rope attached to the bows of a boat, used for making her fast.
Palm.
A piece of leather fitted over the hand, with an iron for the head of a needle to press against in sewing upon canvass. Also, the fluke of an anchor.
A piece of leather fitted over the hand, with an iron for the head of a needle to press against in sewing upon canvass. Also, the fluke of an anchor.
Parral.
The rope by which a yard is confined to a mast at its centre.
The rope by which a yard is confined to a mast at its centre.
Partners.
A frame-work of short timber fitted to the hole in a deck, to receive the heel of a mast or pump, &c.
A frame-work of short timber fitted to the hole in a deck, to receive the heel of a mast or pump, &c.
Pawl.
A short bar of iron, which prevents the capstan or windlass from turning back.
A short bar of iron, which prevents the capstan or windlass from turning back.
Peak.
The upper outer corner of a gaff-sail.
The upper outer corner of a gaff-sail.
Pendant, or Pennant.
A long narrow piece of bunting, carried at the mast-head.
A long narrow piece of bunting, carried at the mast-head.
Broad pennant,
is a square piece, carried in the same way, in a commodore’s vessel.
is a square piece, carried in the same way, in a commodore’s vessel.
Pillow.
A block which supports the inner end of the bowsprit.
A block which supports the inner end of the bowsprit.
Pin.
The axis on which a sheave turns. Also, a short piece of wood or iron to belay ropes to.
The axis on which a sheave turns. Also, a short piece of wood or iron to belay ropes to.
Pinnace.
A boat, in size between the launch and a cutter.
A boat, in size between the launch and a cutter.
Pintle.
A metal bolt, used for hanging a rudder.
A metal bolt, used for hanging a rudder.
Pitch.
A resin taken from pine, and used for filling up the seams of a vessel.
A resin taken from pine, and used for filling up the seams of a vessel.
Poop.
A deck raised over the after part of the spar deck. A vessel is
pooped
when the sea breaks over her stern.
A deck raised over the after part of the spar deck. A vessel is
pooped
when the sea breaks over her stern.
Port.
Used instead of
larboard
.
To port the helm,
is to put it to the larboard.
Used instead of
larboard
.
To port the helm,
is to put it to the larboard.
Port, or Port-hole.
Holes in the side of a vessel, to point cannon out of. (See
Bridle
.)
Holes in the side of a vessel, to point cannon out of. (See
Bridle
.)
Portoise.
The gunwale. The yards are
a-portoise
when they rest on the gunwale.
The gunwale. The yards are
a-portoise
when they rest on the gunwale.
Preventer.
An additional rope or spar, used as a support.
An additional rope or spar, used as a support.
Quarter.
The part of a vessel’s side between the after part of the main chains and the stern. The
quarter
of a yard is between the slings and the yard-arm.
The part of a vessel’s side between the after part of the main chains and the stern. The
quarter
of a yard is between the slings and the yard-arm.
The wind is said to be
quartering
when it blows in a line between that of the keel and the beam and abaft the latter.
quartering
when it blows in a line between that of the keel and the beam and abaft the latter.
Quarter-deck.
That part of the upper deck abaft the main-mast.
That part of the upper deck abaft the main-mast.
Quarter-master.
A petty officer in a man-of-war, who attends the helm and binnacle at sea, and watches for signals, &c., when in port.
A petty officer in a man-of-war, who attends the helm and binnacle at sea, and watches for signals, &c., when in port.
Race.
A strong, rippling tide.
A strong, rippling tide.
Rake.
The inclination of a mast from the perpendicular.
The inclination of a mast from the perpendicular.
Ramline.
A line used in mast-making to get a straight middle line on a spar.
A line used in mast-making to get a straight middle line on a spar.
Ratlines.
(Pronounced
rat-lins.
) Lines running across the shrouds, horizontally, like the rounds of a ladder, and used to step upon in going aloft.
(Pronounced
rat-lins.
) Lines running across the shrouds, horizontally, like the rounds of a ladder, and used to step upon in going aloft.
Rattle down rigging.
To put ratlines upon rigging. It is still called rattling
down,
though they are now rattled
up
; beginning at the lowest.
To put ratlines upon rigging. It is still called rattling
down,
though they are now rattled
up
; beginning at the lowest.
Razee.
A vessel of war which has had one deck cut down.
A vessel of war which has had one deck cut down.
Reef.
To reduce a sail by taking in upon its head, if a square sail, and its foot, if a fore-and-aft sail.
To reduce a sail by taking in upon its head, if a square sail, and its foot, if a fore-and-aft sail.
Reef-band.
A band of stout canvass sewed on the sail across, with points in it, and earings at each end for reefing.
A band of stout canvass sewed on the sail across, with points in it, and earings at each end for reefing.
A
reef
is all of the sail that is comprehended between the head of the sail and the first reef-band, or between two reef-bands.
reef
is all of the sail that is comprehended between the head of the sail and the first reef-band, or between two reef-bands.
Reef-tackle.
A tackle used to haul the middle of each leech up toward the yard, so that the sail may be easily reefed.
A tackle used to haul the middle of each leech up toward the yard, so that the sail may be easily reefed.
Ribs.
A figurative term for a vessel’s timbers.
A figurative term for a vessel’s timbers.
Ride at anchor.
To lie at anchor. Also, to bend or bear down by main strength and weight; as, to
ride down
the main tack.
To lie at anchor. Also, to bend or bear down by main strength and weight; as, to
ride down
the main tack.
Rigging.
The general term for all the ropes of a vessel. (See
The general term for all the ropes of a vessel. (See
Running, Standing.
) Also, the common term for the shrouds with their ratlines; as, the
main rigging, mizzen rigging,
&c.
) Also, the common term for the shrouds with their ratlines; as, the
main rigging, mizzen rigging,
&c.
Right.
To
right
the helm, is to put it amidships.
To
right
the helm, is to put it amidships.
Ring.
The iron ring at the upper end of an anchor, to which the cable is bent.
The iron ring at the upper end of an anchor, to which the cable is bent.
Ring-bolt.
An eye-bolt with a ring through the eye.
An eye-bolt with a ring through the eye.
Roach.
A curve in the foot of a square sail, by which the clews are brought below the middle of the foot. The
roach
of a fore-and-aft sail is in its forward leech.
A curve in the foot of a square sail, by which the clews are brought below the middle of the foot. The
roach
of a fore-and-aft sail is in its forward leech.
Rombowline.
Condemned canvass, rope, &c.
Condemned canvass, rope, &c.
Round in.
To haul in on a rope, especially a weather-brace.
To haul in on a rope, especially a weather-brace.
Round up.
To haul up on a tackle.
To haul up on a tackle.
Rowlocks, or Rollocks.
Places cut in the gunwale of a boat for the oar to rest in while pulling.
Places cut in the gunwale of a boat for the oar to rest in while pulling.
Royal.
A light sail next above a topgallant sail.
A light sail next above a topgallant sail.
Royal yard.
The yard from which the royal is set. The fourth from the deck.
The yard from which the royal is set. The fourth from the deck.
Rudder.
The machine by which a vessel or boat is steered.
The machine by which a vessel or boat is steered.
Run.
The after part of a vessel’s bottom, which rises and narrows in approaching the stern post.
The after part of a vessel’s bottom, which rises and narrows in approaching the stern post.
By the run.
To let go
by the run,
is to let go altogether, instead of slacking off.
To let go
by the run,
is to let go altogether, instead of slacking off.
Runner.
A rope used to increase the power of a tackle. It is rove through a single block which you wish to bring down, and a tackle is hooked to each end, or to one end, the other being made fast.
A rope used to increase the power of a tackle. It is rove through a single block which you wish to bring down, and a tackle is hooked to each end, or to one end, the other being made fast.
Running rigging.
The ropes that reeve through blocks, and are pulled and hauled, such as braces, halyards, &c.; in opposition to the
standing rigging,
the ends of which are securely seized, such as stays, shrouds, &c.
The ropes that reeve through blocks, and are pulled and hauled, such as braces, halyards, &c.; in opposition to the
standing rigging,
the ends of which are securely seized, such as stays, shrouds, &c.
Saddles.
Pieces of wood hollowed out to fit on the yards to which they are nailed, having a hollow in the upper part for the boom to rest in.
Pieces of wood hollowed out to fit on the yards to which they are nailed, having a hollow in the upper part for the boom to rest in.
Sails
are of two kinds:
square sails
which hang from yards, their foot lying across the line of the keel, as the courses, topsails, &c.; and
fore-and-aft sails,
which set upon gaffs, or on stays, their foot running with the line of the keel, as jib, spanker, &c.
are of two kinds:
square sails
which hang from yards, their foot lying across the line of the keel, as the courses, topsails, &c.; and
fore-and-aft sails,
which set upon gaffs, or on stays, their foot running with the line of the keel, as jib, spanker, &c.
Sail ho!
The cry used when a sail is first discovered at sea.
The cry used when a sail is first discovered at sea.
Scantling.
A term applied to any piece of timber, with regard to its breadth and thickness, when reduced to the standard size.
A term applied to any piece of timber, with regard to its breadth and thickness, when reduced to the standard size.
Scarf.
To join two pieces of timber at their ends by shaving them down and placing them over-lapping.
To join two pieces of timber at their ends by shaving them down and placing them over-lapping.
Schooner.
A small vessel with two masts and no tops.
A small vessel with two masts and no tops.
A
fore-and-aft schooner
has only fore-and-aft sails.
fore-and-aft schooner
has only fore-and-aft sails.
A
topsail schooner
carries a square fore topsail, and frequently, also, topgallant sail and royal. There are some schooners with three masts. They also have no tops.
topsail schooner
carries a square fore topsail, and frequently, also, topgallant sail and royal. There are some schooners with three masts. They also have no tops.
A
main topsail schooner
is one that carries square topsails, fore and aft.
main topsail schooner
is one that carries square topsails, fore and aft.
Score.
A groove in a block or dead-eye.
A groove in a block or dead-eye.
Scud.
To drive before a gale, with no sail, or only enough to keep the vessel ahead of the sea. Also, low, thin clouds that fly swiftly before the wind.
To drive before a gale, with no sail, or only enough to keep the vessel ahead of the sea. Also, low, thin clouds that fly swiftly before the wind.
Scull.
A short oar.
A short oar.
To scull,
is to impel a boat by one oar at the stern.
is to impel a boat by one oar at the stern.
Scuppers.
Holes cut in the water-ways for the water to run from the decks.
Holes cut in the water-ways for the water to run from the decks.
Scuttle.
A hole cut in a vessel’s deck, as, a hatchway. Also, a hole cut in any part of a vessel.
A hole cut in a vessel’s deck, as, a hatchway. Also, a hole cut in any part of a vessel.
To scuttle,
is to cut or bore holes in a vessel to make her sink.
is to cut or bore holes in a vessel to make her sink.
Seams.
The intervals between planks in a vessel’s deck or side.
The intervals between planks in a vessel’s deck or side.
Seize.
To fasten ropes together by turns of small stuff.
To fasten ropes together by turns of small stuff.
Seizings.
The fastenings of ropes that are seized together.
The fastenings of ropes that are seized together.
Set.
To
set up rigging,
is to tauten it by tackles. The seizings are then put on afresh.
To
set up rigging,
is to tauten it by tackles. The seizings are then put on afresh.
Shackles.
Links in a chain cable which are fitted with a movable bolt so that the chain can be separated.
Links in a chain cable which are fitted with a movable bolt so that the chain can be separated.
Shakes.
The staves of hogsheads taken apart.
The staves of hogsheads taken apart.
Shank.
The main piece in an anchor, at one end of which the stock is made fast, and at the other the arms.
The main piece in an anchor, at one end of which the stock is made fast, and at the other the arms.
Shank-painter.
A strong rope by which the lower part of the shank of an anchor is secured to the ship’s side.
A strong rope by which the lower part of the shank of an anchor is secured to the ship’s side.
Sheathing.
A casing or covering on a vessel’s bottom.
A casing or covering on a vessel’s bottom.
Sheave.
The wheel in a block upon which the rope works.
The wheel in a block upon which the rope works.
Sheave-hole,
the place cut in a block for the ropes to reeve through.
the place cut in a block for the ropes to reeve through.
Sheep-shank.
A kind of hitch or bend, used to shorten a rope temporarily.
A kind of hitch or bend, used to shorten a rope temporarily.
Sheet.
A rope used in setting a sail, to keep the clew down to its place. With square sails, the sheets run through each yard-arm. With boom sails, they haul the boom over one way and another. They keep down the inner clew of a studdingsail and the after clew of a jib. (See
Home.
)
A rope used in setting a sail, to keep the clew down to its place. With square sails, the sheets run through each yard-arm. With boom sails, they haul the boom over one way and another. They keep down the inner clew of a studdingsail and the after clew of a jib. (See
Home.
)
Sheet anchor.
A vessel’s largest anchor: not carried at the bow.
A vessel’s largest anchor: not carried at the bow.
Shell.
The case of a block.
The case of a block.
Ship.
A vessel with three masts, with tops and yards to each. To enter on board a vessel. To fix anything in its place.
A vessel with three masts, with tops and yards to each. To enter on board a vessel. To fix anything in its place.
Shiver.
To shake the wind out of a sail by bracing it so that the wind strikes upon the leech.
To shake the wind out of a sail by bracing it so that the wind strikes upon the leech.
Shoe.
A piece of wood used for the bill of an anchor to rest upon, to save the vessel’s side. Also, for the heels of shears, &c.
A piece of wood used for the bill of an anchor to rest upon, to save the vessel’s side. Also, for the heels of shears, &c.
Shore.
A prop or stanchion, placed under a beam. To
shore,
to prop up.
A prop or stanchion, placed under a beam. To
shore,
to prop up.
Shrouds.
A set of ropes reaching from the mast-heads to the vessel’s sides, to support the masts.
A set of ropes reaching from the mast-heads to the vessel’s sides, to support the masts.
Sills.
Pieces of timber put in horizontally between the frames to form and secure any opening; as, for ports.
Pieces of timber put in horizontally between the frames to form and secure any opening; as, for ports.
Skin.
The part of a sail which is outside and covers the rest when it is furled. Also, familiarly, the sides of the hold; as, an article is said to be stowed
next the skin.
The part of a sail which is outside and covers the rest when it is furled. Also, familiarly, the sides of the hold; as, an article is said to be stowed
next the skin.
Skysail.
A light sail next above the royal.
A light sail next above the royal.
Sky-scraper.
A name given to a skysail when it is triangular.
A name given to a skysail when it is triangular.
Slabline.
A small line used to haul up the foot of a course.
A small line used to haul up the foot of a course.
Slack.
The part of a rope or sail that hangs down loose.
The part of a rope or sail that hangs down loose.
Slack in stays,
said of a vessel when she works slowly in tacking.
said of a vessel when she works slowly in tacking.
Sleepers.
The knees that connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship’s quarter.
The knees that connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship’s quarter.
Slings.
The ropes used for securing the centre of a yard to the mast.
The ropes used for securing the centre of a yard to the mast.
Yard-slings
are now made of iron. Also, a large rope fitted so as to go round any article which is to be hoisted or lowered.
are now made of iron. Also, a large rope fitted so as to go round any article which is to be hoisted or lowered.
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