Dana's Seamen's Friend; Containing a Treatise on Practical Seamanship

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1862. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... DICTIONARY OF SEA TERMS. Aback. The situation of the sails when the wind presses their surfaces against the mast, and tends to force the vessel astern. Abaft. Toward the stern of a vessel. Aboard. Within a vessel. About. On the other tack. Abreast. Alongside of. Side by side. Accommodation. (See Ladder.) A-cock-eill. The situation of the yards when they are topped up at an angle with the deck. The situation of an anchor when it hangs to the cathead by the ring only. Adrift. Broken from moorings or fasts. Without fasts. Afloat. Besting on the surface of the water. Afore. Forward. The opposite of abaft. Aft--After. Near the stern. Aground. Touching the bottom. Ahead. In the direction of the vessel's head. Wind ahead is from the direction toward which the vessel's head points. A-huli. The situation of a vessel when she lies with all her sails furled and her helm lashed a-lee. A-lee. The situation of the helm when it is put in the opposite direction from that in which the wind blows. All-Aback. When all the sails are aback. All Hands. The whole crew. All In The Wind. When all the sails are shaking. Aloft. Above the deck. Aloof. At a distance. Amain. Suddenly. At once. Amidships. In the centre of the vessel; either with reference to her length or to her breadth. Anchor. The machine by which, when dropped to the bottom, the vessel is held fast. Anchor-watch. (See Watch.) An-end. When a mast is perpendicular to the deck. A-peek. When the cable is hove taut so as to bring the vessel nearly over her anchor. The yards are a-peek when they are topped up by contrary lifts. Apron. A piece of timber fixed behind the lower part of the stern, just above the fore end of the keel. A covering to the vent or lock of a cannon. Arm. Yard-arm. The extremity of a yard. Also, t...