»> lu ♦ ■« V \ • «o

y^'i'c

/

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

AA // ■ // f r/ /i ^ ■^ _ ''

m

uc -

/'/'jcy** ^^

/

ù •(//,£

/

^ ^/ J/L^^^-<^--

t

■■"■>

\

'^ ^ mo

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS

FOR EXECUTING THE OFFICE OF

LORD HIGH ADMIRAL

O F

GREAT BRITAIN^ &c.

THIS WORK

I s,

BY THEIR LORDSHIPS PERMISSION, WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT,

INSCRIBED B Y

THE AUTHOR.

>T »-^' - ? .• ■ •:

1

Lately puhlijhed, by the Author of this DiHionary,

The Fifth Edition, correSled, Price 3 s, fewed, of

THE SHIPWRECK, A POEM.

Printed for T. Cadell, in tlie Strand.

PREFACE.

TH E following work has engaged my utmoft appli- cation for fome years. Several performances on the fame fubjeét have already appeared ; as Sir H. Man- vvaring's Seaman^ s DîEîionary\ Bottler's Sea Dialogues \ Guillet's Gentleman s DiBionary^ and Blanckley's Naval Rxpofitoj-^ &c. Far from exhibiting an enlarged and comprchenfive view of naval affairs, thefe produ6lions are extremely imperfeél, according to the very circum- fcribed plan which their authors have adopted. There are bejQdes, the DiSlionnaire de Marine of M. Aubin, publillied in Holland ; and that of M. Saverien, pub- lished in France. Thefe are indeed voluminous, but very deficient in the mofl neceffary articles. Bcfides a circumftantial detail of the local oeconomy of different marine departments, they are fwelled out with aftro- nomy, navigation, hydrography, natural hiftorv, Sec. all of which are abundantly better treated in ether compofitions. Of the machinery of a fhip ; the difpo- fition of the rigging on her mafts and yards ; and the comparative force of her different mechanical powers, their accounts however are often vague, perplexed, and unintellio;ible. With reiiard to her internal so-

5 vernmcnt

PREFACE.

vcrnmcnt in adion ; to the general regulations of the line of battle; and to the principal movements in failinor, they are almoft totally filent. Had any of thcfe works been executed with tolerable fuccefs, it might have rendered mine unneceflary ; or probably have introduced it in the form of a tranflation.

I acknowledge with great pleafure the advantages I have derived, in the profccution ol this work, from fe- veral authors of diftinguifhed reputation : in reality however none of thofc above-mentioned are ot the num- ber. In that part which is dedicated to the theory and art of lliip-building, I owe confiderablc obligations to the ingenious M. Du Hamel. The principal pieces ufed in the conflrudlion of a fliip, together with their combination and difpofition, are copioufly and ac- curately defcribed in his RUmoiti of Naval Architec- ture : and his general account of the art itfelf is per- fpicuous and comprehenfive. Many of his explana- tions I have therefore implicitly adopted.

In treating of the artillery, I have occalionally con- fulted he Blondy Midler and Robins-, bcfides fcleding fomc valuable materials from the manufcripts of offi- cers of long experience and cflablillied reputation in that fervice. Whatever relates to the rigging, fails, machinery, and movements of a fhip ; or to the prac- tice of naval war, is generally drawn from my own ob- fervations ; unlcfs where the author is quoted.

As there are abundance of books profefledly written on aftronomy, and the theory of navigation, I have

totally

PREFACE.

totally omitted the terms of the former, as foreign to my plan ; and flightly paffed over the latter ; becaufe no reader could acquire a fufficient idea of thofe fcicnccs from fo partial a defcription. Many of the leaft important parts of a fliip, as well as oi her rigging, arc very generally dehned. To explain the track of every particular rope, through it's different channels, would be equally ufclefs and unintelligible to a land reader : to mariners it were fuperfluous : and even the youths who are trained to the fea would reap little advan- tage from it ; becaufe their fituation affords them much better opportunities of making thefe minute difcoveries.

I have in general endeavoured to give the etymology of the moft material exprefiions, unlefs when their evident analogy to common words rendered this unne- ceffary. Many reafons may be alledgcd lor introducing the French fea-terms and phrafes ; particularly that obvious one, of undcrftanding their pilots, when we may have occafion for their ailiftance. Wherever it was found neceffary to explain one technical term by another, the latter is ufually printed in italics the iirll time it is mentioned ; fo that the reader may refer to it for a further explanation.

As the plates of this publication were intended to il- luftrate the various objeds to which they refer, they are little ornamented ; but have in general the recommen- dation of fimplicity and geometrical truth. In this part I have been particularly favoured with many orin;inal drawings, which are ufually confidcrcd aniongft the inac-

ceffible

3

PREFACE.

ccflible arcana of flnp-building. They arc much more numerous, ufeful, and corred:, than what has hitherto appeared in any work of the kind. In fine, I have endeavoured, to the beft of my judgment, to retrench the fiiperfluities, and fupply the deficiencies of former writers on the lame fubjed, as well as to digeft and methodife whatever appeared loofe or inaccurate therein.

This undertaking was firft fuggeftcd to me by my worthy and ingenious friend George Lewis Scott, Efq; who confidered it as a work of extenfive utility. In- deed, in a country whofe principal fources of ftrength are derived from the fuperiority of her marine, it is evidently wanted. I have the pleafure alfo. to know that Sir Edward Hawke, and feveral ojfficers of refpedl- able abilities in our navy, are of the fame opinion. To this may be added, what the celebrated M. Du Hamel lately obferved, in a letter to me, Ce livre manquait abfolumeîit ; celui qui a été imprimé e?i Holla7îde^ et qui a eu un debit conjiderabky eji très imparfait ; celui de M. Saverien ejî e?icore plus mauvais. I mention this cxprefsly, becaufe fome fea-officers have confidered the work unneceffary. It is however fubmitted, with all pofilble deference, to fuperior judges ; to men of fcience and letters, who know the difficulty of explain- ing the parts of a mechanical fyftem, when the readers are unacquainted with the fubjedt.

A N

A N

UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY

OF THE

MARINE.

ABA ABA

ABACK, {cocffé, Fr.) the fituation of the fails when their furfaces arc flated againft the malls by the force of the wind. The fails are faid to be tsken aback, when they are brought into this fituation, either by a fuddcn change of the wind, or by an alteration in the fliip's courfe. They are laid aback, to effeA an immciate retreat, without turning to the right or left ; or, in the fea-phrafe, to give the fhip ftcrn-ii:ay, in order to avoid fome danger difcovered before her in a narrow channel ; or when flie has advanced beyond her ftation in the line of battle, or otherwifc.

The fails arc placed in this pofition by flackcning their lee-braces, and hauling in the weather ones; fo that the wiiolc eflxjrt of the wind is ex- erted on the fore-part of their furface, which readily pufhes the fhip aftern, unlefs {he is rcftrained by fome counterafting force. See Backing, and Bracing.

It is alfo ufiial to fpread fome fail aback near the ftern, as the mizcn- top-fail, when a (hip rides with a fingle anchor in a road, in order to pre- vent her from approaching it fo as to entangle the flukes of it with her flackened cable, and thereby loofen it from the ground. See Anchor,

Fig. 14. plate III. difcovcrs the plan of a fhip, a b, with her main-top- fail, c d, aback; in which the curved doted line expjjefles the cavity of it, as blown back by the wind on each fide of the mallT^ The fore-top-fail, which is full, is exhibited by the line e f. Fig. 13. reprefcnts a perfpec- tivc view of the fhip in the fame fituation ; and the dart Ihews the tiiredioii of the wind upon both.

Lay all fiat Aback, the order to arrange all the lails in this fituation.

ABAFT, (arrière, Fr. abafian. Sax. behind) the hinder part of a fhip, or all thofe parts both within and without, which lie towards tlie ftern, in oppofition to afore -, which fee.

AnAFj-, (arrière de, Vr.) is alfo ufed as a prepofition, and fignifies //«•- /her aft, or nearer the ftern ; as, the barricade ftands abaft the main-mart, i. e. behind it, or nearer the ftern.

B ABOARD

ABO ADM

ABOARD (à lord, Fr, d'crdo, Ital.) the infule of a fliip : hence any ptrlbn wlij enters a Ihip is laid to go abocrd : but when an enemy enters in the time of battle, he is faid to board. A plirafc which always implies hodility. See the article Boarding.

To fall Aboard of, {aborder, Fr.) to ftrikeor encounter another fhip, when one or both are in motion ; to be driven upon a fliip by the force of iho wind or current.

ABOARV-!Hûin-tack ! (amure la grande voik ! Fr.) the order to draw the main-tack, i. e. the lower corner of the main-fail, down to the chefs-tree. See Chbss-tree.

ABOUT, {reviré, Fr. abutan. Sax.) the fituation of a fliip immediately ^fter ihe has tscked or changed her courfe by going about, and {landing on the other tack. See Tacking.

Ai;out-Sh)P ! (adieu-va! Fr.) the order to the fhip's crew to prepare for tacking.

ABRF.AST, (par le trai-crs, Fr. oï Irecft, Sax.) fide by fide, or oppcfite to ; a fituation in which two or more fhips lie, with then- fides p;\rallcL to each otlier, and their heads equally advanced.

This term more particularly regards the line of battle at fea, where, on the different occafions of attack, retreat, or purluit, the feveral divifions of a ficet are obliged to vary their difpofitions, and yet maintain a proper regularity by failing in right or curved lines. When the line is tormcd abreaji, the whole fquadron advances uniformly, tlie fliips being equally diftant from, and parallel to each other, fo that the length of each fliip forms a right angle with the extent of the fquadron or line ahreajl. Ihe commander in chief is always ftationed in the centre, and tlie fécond and third in command in the centres of their rcfpeftive divifions. See this further illullrated in the article Line.

Abreast, within the fhip, implies on a line with the beam, or by the fide of any object aboard-, as, the frigate fprung a leak abreaft of the maia hatch-way, i. e. on the fame line with the main hatch-way, crofllng the Ihip's length at right angles, in oppofition to afore or abaft the hatch- way. See Abaft.

We difcovered a feet Abre.^st cf Bcachy Head, i. e. off, or diredlly op- pofite to it.

ACORN, (pomme de giroiiette,Fr.) a little ornamental piece of wood, fa- fhioned like a cone, and fixed on the upermoft point of the fpindle, above the vane, on the mafl-head. It is ufed to keep the vane from being blown off from the fpindle in a whirlwind, or when the fliip leans much to one fide under fail. See plate L fig. i. where a reprefents the acorn, b the vane and rtcKk, c the fpindle, and d the maft-hcad.

ADMIRAL, (amiral, Fr.) an officer of the firfl: rank and command in the fleet, and who is difcinguiflied by a flag difplayed at his main-top-matt-head. Alio an officer who fuperintends tlie naval forces of a nation, and who is authorifed to determine in all maritime caufes.

The origin and denomination of this important office, which feems

to have been eftabliflied in moft countries that border on the fea, have

5 givea

ADM ADM

given rife to a great variety of opinions. Su;ne have borrowed tlicm from the Greek, o'.hirs from the Arabic, while a third fort, with greater proba- bility, derive both the title and dignity from the Saracens'. But fince no certain conclufions have been deduced from thel'e elaborate refearches, and as it rather appears the province of this work to give the reader an idea of the office and duty of an admiral at fea, than to furniHi an hiflori- cal or chronological detail of the rank and power with which admirals have been invcfted in diBerent nations, we fhall contentedly refign this tafk to the ingenious lexicographers, who have fo repeatedly entertained us with fuch critical inveftigations.

The Admiral, or commander in chief of a fquadron, being frequently inverted with a great charge, on which the fate of a kingdom may depend, ought certainly to be poffcfTed of abilities equal to fo important a dation and fo extenfive a command. His fquadron is unavoidably expofed to a variety of perplexing fituations in a precarious element. A train of dange- rous incidents neceflarily arife from thofe fituations. The health, order, and difcipline of his people are not lefs the objects of his confideration, than the condition and qualities of his fliips. A fudden change of climate, a rank and infeflious air, a fcarcity, or unwholcfomnefs of provifions may be as pernicious to the former, as tempeftuous weather or dangerous navi- gation to the latter. A lee-fluore, an injudicious engagement with an enemy grcatlv fuperior, may be equally fatal to both. He ought to have fufficient experience to anticipate ail the probable events that may happen to his fquadron during an expedition or cruife, and, by confequence, to provide againft them. His ikill fhould be able to counteraél the various difaflers v.'hich his fquadron may fuffer from difierent caufes. His vigi- lance and prcfence of mind are necedliry to feize every favorable opportu- nity that his fiuKuion may ofrlr to profccute his principal defign -, to extri- cate himfelf from any difHcuhy or diftrefs -, to check unfortunate events in the beginning, and retard the progrefs of any great calamity. He fliould be endued with refolution ahd tortitude to animate liis officers by the force of example, and promote a fcnfc of emulation in thofe who are under his command, ss well to improve any advantage, as to fruftrate or defeat the efforts of his ill fortune.

The moft eRential part of his duty, however, appears to be military conduct. As foon as the fquadron under his command fliall put to fea, he is to form it into the proper order of battle, called the Line. In this ar- rangement he is to make a judicious diftribution of flrength from the van to the re.'.r, tlu-owing the principal force into the centre, to refill the im- prtliion of the enemy's fleet -, which might otherwife, at fome favorable op- portunity, break through his line, and throw the van and rear into confufion.

A competent knowledge cf the fean, weather, and reigning winds, of the coaft or region where he is ftationed, is alfo requifite, as it will greatly facilitate his plans on the enemy. It will enable him to avoid being im- properly embayed, wlieic he might be furprifed in a difadvantageous

* III regno S,\raccnoruni qu.ituor prxtores llatuit, nui admiralli vocabjntur. Sigeblrt.

H 2 fituation ;

ADM ADM

fitiiation-, and to judge whether it will be moft expedient to attack liis adverfiry, or lie prepared to receive his alVaiilt. When his fquadron is forced by flrefs of weather, or otherwife, to take fhelter in a road or bay, it will likewife fuggeft the neceflary conduft of keeping a fofficient num- ber of crnifers at fca, to bring him early intelligence, that they may be ready to cut or flip the cables when they fliall be too much hurried to weigh their anchors.

As the forming a complete, ftrong, and uniform line is a very mate- rial article in naval war, the admiral ought frequently to arrange the fquadron under his command into this order, that the inferior officers may obferve to bring their fhips, with greater, dexterity and alertnefs, into their feveral ftations, and maintain the regularity of the line when they tack, veer, or fail abreail. See Line.

When she admiral intends a deiccnt on an enemy's coaft, or other at- tack which may be attended with complicated and unforefeen incidents, his orders fhould be delivered or drawn up with the greateft accuracy and precifion : they fliould be fimple, perfpicuous, direCl:, and compre- hcnfive-, they fhould colledl a number of objedts into one point of view, and, forefeeing the effcds of fuccefs or defeat, appoint the proper mea- fures to be adopted in either event. Hiflory and experience confirm the necefTity of this obfervation, and prefent us with a variety of difatters that have happened on fuch occafions, merely by a deficiency in this material article. In the commanding officer, inattention, barrennefs of expedient, or a circumfcribed view of the necelTary effedls of his enterprize, may be equally pernicious. And general orders ought to be utterly free from pedantry and perplexity, which always betray a falfe taflc and confuled imagination, befides the probability of prochicing many fatal confequences.

When an admiral fliall conquer in battle, he fhould endeavor to improve his viftory, by pufning the acquired advantages as far as prudence direfts ; a conduâ: that merits his attention as much as any in the adion ! When he fhall be defeated, he ought to embrace every opportunity of faving .is many of his fhips as pofîible, and endeavor principally to afTift thofe which have been difabled. In fliort, it is his duty to avail himfelf of every praticable expedient rather than fink under his misfortune, and fufFer himl'elf to become an eafy prey to an enemy.

He fhould be fufficiently acquainted with civil law, to judge with pro- priety of the procedings of courts-martial, and to corredt the errors, and reflrain the abufes which may happen therein by miflake, ignorance, or inattention.

As fecret treaties, propofitions, or fchemes of the enemy, may occa- fionally be iubmited to his infpeftion, or fall into his pofTefCon by cap- ture ; and which it might be improper to difcover to any perfon near him, he ought to have a competent knowledge of the modern languages, or at leaft, thofe of the countries againil whom his military operations are direfted, to be able to comprehend with facility the full fcope and purport of fuch papers»

He

ADM ADM

He oiiglit to be well verfcd in geometry, fo as to be capable of ordering proper and correal fiirveys of unknown coafts, roads, or harbors to be made, and to judge of their accuracy, and detedl their errors. To afcer- tain the fitnation and longitude of different places, he fliould be alfu fufficiently fl<iiled in aftronomy and tlie method of taking obfervations, which indeed is eflcntially necefiary to the profeffion of a fea-ofRcer, al- though too much ncglefted.

By his inftrudions the admiral is likewife to affift at all councils of war that relate to naval affairs : to vifit, as often as convenient, the other fhips of his fquadron : to enquire particularly into their condition, and obferve the men muftered, taking care that no fupernumeraries are born on the books. He is direfted to acquaint the fecretary of the admiralty with all his procedings relative to the fervice, for the information of the lord-high- admiral, or lords conimiflloners of the admiralty -, and to attend him, or them, on his return home, with an account of his voyage or expedition, and to deliver a copy of his journal to their fecretary.

Much more might be obferved on this occafion. It appears however by the general outline which we have fketched, that the office and duty of an admiral requires greater flcill and more comprehenfive abilities than is ge- nerally fuppofed neceffary to the command of a naval armament. And that he ought to be duly qualified, at lead in this kingdom, to afTift at the councils of his fovereign, and enter into the enlarged fyftem of protecting his country from an invafion by lea, or of meditating a defcent on an enemy's coaft -, as well as to improve navigation, and open new channels of commerce. For further particulars of his charge lee the articles E.v-

GACEMENT, I,INE, SqUADRON.

Admirai, of the fleet, the higheft officer under the admiralty of Great- Britain : when he embarks on any expedition, he is diftmguillied by the union flag at the main-top-maft-head.

/'7tv-ADMiRAL, (vice-amiral, Fr.) the officer next in rank and command to the adniiral ; his flag is difplayed at the fore-top-maft-head.

Rear- Ad Ml 9. Ah, (contre-amiral, lieutenant-general des armées navales, Fr.) the officer next in rank and command to the vice-admiral, and who carries his flag at the mizen-top-mall-head.

There are at prefent " in England, befides the admiral of the fleet, three admirals of the white fquadron, and four of the blue. Three vice-admi- rals of tlie red, three of the white, and four of the blue. Four rear ad- mirals of the red, four of the white, and five of the blue fquadron : befides twenty-two rear admirals that have carried no flag, who are fuperannuated upon half-pay.

AVf<^- Admiral is alfo a civil officer appointed by the lords-commiffioners of the admiralty. There are feveral of thefc officers eft:ablifhed in diffeicnc parts of Great-IJritain, with judges and marflials under them, for executing jurifdidtion within their refpcdive dillrifts. Their decifions, however, are not final, an appeal lying to the court of admiralty in London.

b 1769.

ADMIRALTY,

ADM A G R

ADMIRALTY, (Atmmé, Fr.) the office of lord-high-admiral, v/1k-- thcr dilcharged by one fingle perfon, or by joint-commiffioncrs, called Lords of the Admiralty \

ADVICE-BOAT, (j>ûqttel d'avis, Fr.) a finall velTel employed to carry exprcfles or orders with all polFible difpatch.

ADRIFT, (from a and drifi, Saxj the ftate of a fhip or vefiel broke loofe from her nioorings, and driven without control at the mercy of the wind, feas, or current, or all of them together.

AFLOAT, (d Jlot, Fr.) floating on the furl'ace of the water: a fliip is faid to be afloat when there is a volume of water under her bottom of fuf- ficient depth to buoy her up from the ground.

AFORE, (avani, Fr. for, Sv.x.) all tliat part of a fliip which lies for- ward, or near the ftcm.

Afore, as a prcpofuion, likcwifc implies further forv:ard, or nearer the prow-, as, the manger ftands ofcre the fore-rnall, i. e. further forward, or nearer the ftem. In both thele Icnfes afore is ufed in contradiftindlion to abaft. See the article Abaft.

AFT, (arrière, Fr. from ^efter. Sax. or abaft) behind, or near the ftern of the fhip ; being oppofcd to fore -, as, run out the guns/«v and aft ! i. e. from one end of the fhip to the other ; and whence,

AFTER, (de l'arriére, Fr. after. Sax.) a phrafe applied to any obje<5l fituated in the hinder, part of the flaip -, as, the after-haichway, the after- capftern, the ^fter-{a\\s, ècc.

The Aftj;.r-S..\ils ufualiy comprehend all thofe which are extended on the mizen-maft, and on the ftays between the mizen and main-mafts. They are oppofed to the head-fails, v;hich include all thofe that are fpread on the fore-maft and bowfprit -, and both, by their mutual operation on the oppofitc ends of the fliip, duly balance lier when under fail. See the ar- ticle Trim.

AGENT-VicTUALLER, (avitalleur, Fr.) an officer ftationed at a royal port, to regulate the vi<ftualing of the king's fnips, under the direftion of the commiffioners for victualing the navy. Tie receives all the provifions from the vi(!^ualing-office in London, and dillributes them to the fliips in the harbor. Fie alfo receives into his ftore-houfes fuch as may be returned by fhips after the expiration of their cruife or voyage, and renders an account thereof to the faid commiffioners.

AGROUND, (eckct'.é, Fr. from a and ground. Sax.) the fituation of a fliip v.'hofe bottom, or any part of it, hangs or refts upon the ground, fo as to render her immoveable till a greater quantity of v/ater fhall float her ofl^; or till (he fhall be drawn out into the fbrcam, by the application of mechanical powers.

'^ This iiiip?rt.-i:it and high oflicc has fcldom been entruftecl to any fmgl'- priTnn, except princes of the blood ; or to ibmc nobleman meriting fuch di.linftion for his eminent fer- vices. In general the crown appoints five or feven cominifiioncrs, under the title ot " Lon/i " Cominijfioneri for cxfcutifig the Office of Lord-Higk-A.imiral of Grfat- Britain,'" &c. All maritime alFairs are entruiU-d to their juriididion. They trovern and direél the whole royal navy, with power decifivc in all marine cafes, civil, military, ard criminal, tranf- afted upon or beyond fea, in harbors, on coafts, and upon all rivers below the firll bridge iba-v.-ard,

AHEAD,

A H E A L O

AHEAD, (cvant, au devant^ Fr. from a and bead^ Sax.) further onward than the fhip, or at any dilUnce before her, lying immediately on that point of the compjfs to which her ftem is dircdled. It is iifcd in oppofi- lion to (tjlern, which cxprcfics the fituation of any objeél behind the lliip. See Astern.

To run Ahead of one's reckoning, (depajfer^ Fr.) to fail beyond the place flicwn crroncoufly in the de.id-reckoning as the fliip's Nation. Line Ahead. See the article Lixii.

A-HULL, (à fee, à nuits, iâ à cordes, Fr. from a and JmU) the firuation of a fhip when all lier fails are furled on account of the violence of the ftorm, and, when having laflitd her helm on the lee-fide, fhe lies nearly with her fide to the wind and fea, her head being for.iewhat inclined to the direction of the wind. See this further explained in the article Trying.

AIM, the diredtion of a cannon, or other fire-arm, to its objedt, or the point to which it is diredted ; v^hcnce.

To take Aim, (prendre fa -mire, from cfmer, Fr.) is to point a gun to it's objcft according to the point-blank range. See Caxnon and Range.

ALFE, (envoie, Fr. from a and Ice) tlie fituation of tlic helm when it is puflied down to the lee fide of the Ihip, in order to put the fliip about, or to lay iier head to the v/indward.

ALL in the ivind, the ftate of a fhip's fails when they are parallel to the direftion of the wind, fo as to (hake and fhiver, by turning the Ihip's head to windward, either by defign, or negleft of the helm's man.

All's ^ve/i! an acclamation of fafcty or fecurity pronounced by a centinel, and repeated by all the others who are llationed in different places of a fhip of war, at the time of ftriking the bell each half-hour during the period of the night v.'atch.

All hands high, or All hands bcay ! (tout le monde haut! Fr.) the call or order by wliich all the fliip's company are funimoned upon deck by the boatl'wain.

ALOFT, (en haut, Fr. loffter, to lift up, Dan.) up in the tops, at the mail-heads, or any where about the higher yards or riging.

ALONG-//Jt% (bord à bord, flanc i^ flanc, Fr.) fide by fide, or joined to a (hip, wharf, &c. and lying parallel thereto.

'To lay ALOSG-flde, (allonger, Fr.) to arrange a fliip by the fide of another. AtOKC-fljcre, along the coail ; this phrafe is commonly applied to coafl- ing navigation, or to a courfe which is in fight of, and nearly parallel to, the fliorc.

I.ying Along, (à la bande, ati long, Fr.) the ftate of being prefFed dowa fidew.nys by a weight of iail in a trclh wind that crofTcs the Ihip's courfe either directly or obliquely.

ALOOF, (lof, Fr.) this has frequently been mentioned as a fea-term, but whether iulHy or net we Ihall not preiume to determine -, it is known in common difcourfe to imply a/ adiflance-, and the rel'emblance of the phrafes, keep aloof, and keep a lufl\ or keep the luff, in all probability gave rife to this conjecture. If it w.is really a fea-phrafe originally, it feems to luve refercd to the dangers of a Icc-lliore, in which fituation tiie pilot

might

A M A ANC

might naturally apply it in the fenfe commonly underflood, viz. keep Vr// o(f, or quite off: it is, however, never exprcficd in that manner by feamen now. See Luff. It may not be improper to obfcrve, that, befides ufmg this phrafe in the fame fenie with us, ilie French alio call the weather fuie of a lliip, and the weather clue of a courle, /e lof.

AM.AIN, (cale-lcut, Fr. froin viû:ij, or maigiie, old French) at once, fud- denly ; as, let go (jw.im ! i. e. let it run at once. This phrafe is gener.illy applied to any thing that is hoifted or lowered by a tackle, or complication of pullies.

Amain, yield, from a fliip of war to an enemy.

S/rike Amain, lower vour topfails.

AMIDSHIPS, the middle of the fliip, either with regard to her length or breadth. Example in the firft fenfe ; The enemy boarded us amidjhips., i. e. in the middle, between the fteni and ftern. Example in the fécond fenfe ; Put the helm amidjlnps, i. e. in the middle, between tlie two fides.

ANCMOR, (ancre, Fr. anchor a, Lat. from ayy.usa, Greek) a Jieavy, flrong, crooked inftrumcnt of iron, droped from a fhip into the bottom of the water, to retain her in a convenient flation in a harbor, road, or river.

The moll ancient anchors are faid to have been of ftone, and fonietimes of wood, to which a great quantity of lead was ufually fixed. In fome places bafkets full of lirones, and lacks filled with land, were employed for the fame ufe. All thcfe v/ere let down by cords into the fea, and by their weight Hayed the courfe of the fliip. Afterwards they were com- pofed of iron, and furniflicd with teeth, wliich, being faltened to the bot- tom of the fea, greferved the veffcl immoveable ; whence o-'o-fii; and dentés are frequently taken for anchors in the Greek and Latin poets. At firft there was only one tooth, whence anchors were called sTsjÎTr.aci -, but in a fhort time the fécond was added by Eupalamus, or Anacharfis, the Scy- thian phJlofopher. The anchors with two teeth were called d!J.(f'Xc\ci, or ùix^kcixot, and from ancient monuments appear to have been much the fame with thole ufed in our days, only the ti-anlverfe piece of wood upon their handles (the ftocks) is wanting in all of them. Every fliip had lève- rai anchors, one of which, furpaffing all the reft in bignefs and ilrength, was peculiarly termed In^d, or facra, and was never ufed but in extreme danger ; whence facram anchoram folvere is proverbially applied to fuch as are forced to their laft refuge. Potter's antiquities of Greece.

The anchors now made are contrived fo as to fink into the ground as foon as they reach it, and to hold a great ftrain before they can be loofened or diflodged from their ftation. They are compofed of a ftiank, a ftock, a ring, and two arms with their flukes. The ftock, which is a long piece of timber fixed acrofs the fliank, ferves to guide the flukes in a direction per- pendicular to the furface of the ground ; fo that one of them finks into it by its own weight as foon as it falls, and is ftill preferved fteadily in that pofition by the ftock, which, together with the ftiank, lies flat on the bottom. In this fituation it muft neceflarily fuftain a great effort before it can be draged through the earth horizontally. Indeed this can only be effeded by the violence of the wind or tide, or of both of them, fometimes increafed 5 by

ANC ANC

by the turbulence of the Tea, and ading upon the fliip fo as to ftretch th? cable to it's utmoft tenfion, which accordingly may diflodge the anchor from it's bed, efpecially if the ground be foft and oozy or rocky. When the anchor is thus dilplaced, it is faid, in the fca phraie, to come home.

That the figure of this ufeful inftrumcnt may be more clearly under- ftood, let us fuppofe a long maffy beam of iron erc6ted perpendicularly, Plate I. fig. 2. b c; at the lower end of which are two arms, d e, of equal thicknefs with the beam (ufually called the fhank) only that they taper towards the points, which are elevated above the horizontal plane at an angle of thirty degrees -, or inclined to the fliank at an angle of fixty degrees: on the upper part of each arm (in this poficion) is a fluke, or thick plate of iron, g b, commonly fliaped like an ilofccles triangle, whofe bafe reaches inwards to the middle of the arm. On the upper end of the fhank is fixed the ilock tranlVerlcly with the flukes : the Itock is a long beam of oak, /, in two parts, ftrongly bolted, and hooped together with iron rings. See alfo fig. 3. Clofe above the fl:ock is the ring, ^, to whicli the cable is faltened, or bent : the ring is curiouOy covered with a number of pieces of (hort rope, which are twilled about it fo as to form a very- thick texture or covering, called the puddening, and ufed to preferve the cable from being fretted or chafed by the iron.

Every fliip has, or ought to have, three principal anchors, with a cable to each, viz. the flieet, tnaitreffe-ancre, (which is the anchora facra of the ancients) the bell bower, fécond ancre^ and fmall bower, ancre d'affotircbc^ fo called from their ufual fituation on the fliip's bows. There are befides fmaller anchors, for removing a fliip from place to place in a harbour or river, where there may not be room or wind for failing; thefe are the ftream- anchor, ancre de tone; the kedge and grappling, grapin : this lad, however, is chiefly defigncd for boats.

To drag ibe Anchors, (chaffer fur fes ancres, Fr.) implies the effort of making the anchor come home, when the violence of the wind. Sec. drains the cable fo as to tear it up from the bed into which it had funk, and draw it along the ground -, as already explained.

Foul Anchor : it is fo called when it either hooks fome other anchor, v/reck, or cable, under the furface of the water ; or when, by the wind fuddenly abating, the fliip flackens her (train, and ftraying round the bed of her anchor entangles her flack cable about the upper fluke of it, and eafily draws it out of it's place, as foon as flie begins to ride with a llrain. To prevent this, it is ufual, as flie approaches the anchor, in light winds, to draw the flack cable into the fliip as fall as poffible.

To Anchor, [ancrer, mouiller, iâc. Fr.) is to let go the anchor, and to let the fliip ride thereby.

'J be A.N'CHOR is a cock-bill, (ancre efi à la irih'e, Fr.) implies that the fhank- painter, or rope by which the flukes were hung to the fliip's bow, being call off, the flukes drop down perpendicularly; whilll the anchor is fuf- pended at the cat-head by its Hopper, ready to be funk from the bow at a

Eioment s warning.

Ji

ANC APR

At Anchor, (àFancrt, Fr.) the filiation of a fliip which rides by her anchor in a road or haven, &c. Plate 1. fig. 6. reprel'cnts the fore-part of a Ihip, as riding in this fnuation.

The Anchor is a-j>cck. Sec the article Apeek.

The Anchor is a-trip, or n-wcigb. See thofe articles.

To back ibj Anchor. Sec Iîac k.

To cat the Anchor, {caponncr I'ann'e, Fr.) is to hook a tackle called the cat to it's ring, and thereby pull it up dole to the cat-head ; which fee.

Tojip the Anchor, to draw up the llukcs upon the fliip's fide alter it is catccd. See t'le articles Davit and Fish.

To peer the pip to her Anchor, {gouverner fur T ancre, Fr.) is to fteer the fliip's head towards the place where the anclior lies when they are heavinq the cable into the Ihip ; that the cable may thereby enter the hawi'e with lels refinance, and the fliip advance towards che anchor with greater facility.

Topoe the Anchor, See the article Shoe.

To iveigb the Anchor, (lei-cr l'ancre, Fr.) to heave the anchor out of the. ground by it's cable. See Catstern and Windlass.

To zieigh the Anchor ic'ith the Iciig-boât, (lever l'encre avec la chaloupe, Fr.) is to draw it up by applying mechanical powers to the buoy-rope, and thereby pidling it up to the boat's Item or ftern.

To u-eigh .'he Anchor ly the hair, is to weigh it by the cable in a boat», when the iliip cannot approach it, or when the buoy-rope is broke. See the French term Ancre, and the plirafes which i'ucceed in order.

A^CHoa-grcund, (fond de bonne teniie, Fr.) is a bottom which is neither too deep, too fliallow, nor rocky -, as in the firft the cable bears too nearly per- pendicular, and is thereby apt to jerk the anchor out of the ground : in the fécond, the fliip's bottom is apt to ftrike at low water, or when the fea runs high, by which fiie is expofed to the danger of finking : and in the third, the anchor is liable to hook the broken and pointed ends of rocks, and tear away it's flukes-, whiUl the cable, from the fame çaufc, is conltantly in danger of being cut through as it rubs on their edges.

AN-END, {debout, Fr.) the fituation of any maft or boom, when erefted perpendicularly on the plane of the deck, tops, &c. The top-marts are alfo faid to be an-end when they arc hoifted up to their ufual ftation, at the head of the lower mails, as in fig. 3, Plate VI.

APEEK, (à pique, Fr.) perpendicular to the anchor; a Ihip is faid to be in this fituation, when the cable is drawn fo tight into the bow as to brincr. her diredtly over the anchor, fo that the cable bears right down fro.m the Ihip's ftejii.

APRON, (from a and foran. Sax.) a platform, or flooring of plank,, faiftd at the entrance of a dock, a little higher than the bottom, againft which the dock gates, are fliut. See the article Dock.

Apron, (contre étrave, Fr.) in Ihip-building, a piece of. curved timber- fixed behind the lower part of the ftem, immediately above the foremoft end of the keel. See plate I. fig. H. in the Pieces of the FIull.

The Apron conforms exactly to the fhape of the ftem, fo that when the

convexity of the former is applied to the concavity of the latter, it forms

4 one

APR ARC

one folic! piece, which ferves to fortify the ftem, and give it a firmer con» nexion with the keel.

As the apron is compofed of tv/o pieces fcaifed together, and ufed to fiipport the fcarf of the ftem, it is ncceflary that the fcarf thereof fliould be at Ibme ditlance from that of the ftem. It is formed of the ûmc thicknefs with the heel of the ftem; but it's thicknefs is equal throughout. Some- times the piece immediately under the apron forms a curve, of which the horizontal part covers the dead-wood, whilft the vertical part corrcfponds with the infideof tlie ftem, to which it is fayed, making the commencement of the apron.

Apron, (platiue de lumière, Fr.) is alfo a fquare piece of lead faftened over the touch-hole of the cannon, to keep tlie charge dry at fea, or in rainy weather.

Naval ARCHITECTURE, or the fcience of ftiip-building, compre- hends the theory of delineating marine veflels upon a plane ; and the art of framing them upon the ftocks, according to the proportions exhibited in a regular defign.

All edifices, whether civil or military, are known to be erefted in confe- qiienceof certain eftabliftied plans, which have been previoufty altered or improved till they have arrived at the defired point of perfection. The conftruélion of fliips appears alfo to require at leaft as much correiftnefs and precifion as the buildings which are founded upon terra firma : it is there- fore abfolutely neceftary that the mechanical Ikill of the fhipwright ftiould be aiTifted by plans and fe<ftions, which have been drawn with all pofilble exaftnefs, examined by proper calculations, and fubmitted to the mofl: accurate fcrutiny.

iS'lti'û/ Architecture, or fhip-building, may be diftinguiftied into three principal parts.

'^ Firft, To give the ftiip fuch an exterior form as may be moft fuitable to the fcrvice for which ftie is defigncd.

Secondly, To give the various pieces of a (hip their proper figures ; to aftcmble and unite them into a firm, compaft frame, io that by their com- bination and difpofition they may form a folid fabric, fufficient to anfwer all the purpofcs for which it is intended. And,

Thirdly, To provide convenient accommodations for the ofiicers and crew, as well as fuitable apartments for the cargo, furniture, provifions, artillery and ammunition.

The exterior figure of a fliip may be divided into the bottom and upper- works.

7 he bottom, or quick-worlc, contains what is termed the iaU, and ■which is under water when the fliip is laden. The upper- works, called alfo the dead-work, comprehend all that part which is ufually above the water when the fhip is laden

The figure of the bottom is therefore determined by the qualities which arc ncceflary for the veflel, and conformable to the fcrvice for which Ihe is propofcd.

C 2 The

ARC ARC

The limits of our d(.Tign will aot admit of a minute defcription and cnu» meration of all the pieces of timber wliieh enter into the conllriidion of a fhip, nor of a particular defcription of their aflcmblage and union -, or the manner in which they reciprocally contribute to the folidity ot thofe floating citadels. It ncverthelels appears neceflary to give a general idea of the ufe, figure, and llation of the principal pieces, to thofe who are entirely unac- quainted with the fubject. As our definitions will be greatly illullrated alfo by the proper figures, we have annexed to tliis article a plate v;hich com- prehencls fome of the mod material draughts, as well as a reprefen Cation of the principal pieces employed in naval architefture.

It is ufual among fhipwrights to ilelineate three lèverai draughts.

Firft, The whole length of the ihip is reprefented according to a fidè- vicw, perpendicular to the keel, and is termed the plane of elevation, or fheer-draught. Plate I.

Second, The fhip is exhibited according to an end view, and flripped of lier planks, lb as to prefent the outlines of the principal timbers ; and this is properly termed the plane of projedtion, or the vertical plane of the timbers, plate I. becaufe it Ihews the projedion of their frames relatively to each other. .

Third, It is not fufficient to have the vertical curves of the bottom ia different places, for a diftinft idea of the horizontal curves is alfo equally necelTary and uleful : this is obtained