SHIPS. 1G9 



Dead-Reck'oning. — The calculation made of a ship's place by 

 observing the way she makes by the log, and allowing for 

 currents, etc., no recourse being had to observation. 



Log. — Tlie record of the I'ate of a ship's velocity. 



Loxodrom'ics (Gr. loxos, oblique, and dramas, a course). — The 

 art of abliquc sailing by the rhumb, a line which always 

 makes an erjual angle with every meridian ; that is, when 

 a ship sails neither directly under the equator nor under 

 the same meridian, but obliquely. 



Orthodrom'ics (Gr. orthos, right, and dramas, a course). — 

 The art of sailing an the arc af a grnat circle. 



Reck'oning". — An account of the ship's course and distance ; the 

 course being determined by the compass and the distance 

 by the log-books, and no aid being had from observation. 



Rhumb. — A circle on the earth's surface making a given angle 

 with the meridian of the place, marking the direction of 

 any object tlirough which it passes. 



Sea'manship. — The art, or skill in the art, of working a ship. 



Traverse-sairing. — A sailing by compound courses. 



PARTS AND BELONGINGS OF A SHIP. 



Back'stays. — The ropes or stays which extend from the top- 

 mast-heads to both sides of a ship, to assist the shrouds in 

 supporting the masts when strained by a weight of sail, 

 and to prevent them from giving way and falling over- 

 board. 



Beam. — The large main timbers that stretch across a ship to 

 support a deck. 



Belay 'ing-pin. — A strong pin in the side of a vessel, or by 

 the mast, round which ropes are wound when they are 

 fastened or belayed. 



Bin'naele. — A wooden case or box in which the compass and 

 lights are kept. 



Bitts. — A frame of two strong pieces of timber fixed perpen- 

 dicularly in the fore-part of a ship on which to fasten the 

 cables. 



Blue'-Peter. — In the British marine, a blue flag with a white 

 square in the centre, used as a signal for sailing, to recall 

 boats, etc. 



Bob'stay. — lloiics to confine the bowsprit of a ship downward 

 to the stem. 

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