GRAPPLING, a small anchor, fitted with four or five flukes or claws commonly used to ride a boat or other small vessel.

GUNNEL, or GUNWALE, the upper edge of a ship’s side.

H.

HANDING the sails, rolling them up close to the yard or mast to which they belong.

HAMMACOES, the same with hammoc.

To HAUL, an expression peculiar to seamen, implying to pull a single rope, without the assistance of blocks, or other mechanical powers.

To HAUL the wind, to direct the ship’s course nearer to that point of the compass from which the wind arises.

HAWSER, a large rope which holds the middle degree between the cable and tow-line.

HEAVING-short, is the drawing so much of the cable into the ship, by means of the capstern or windlass, as that by advancing, she will be almost perpendicularly above the anchor, and in a proper situation to set sail.

HEAVING-taught, the act of heaving about the capstern, till the rope applied thereto becomes streight and ready for action.

To HEEL, to stoop or incline to either side.

HUMMOCK, a little hill.

J.

JERKED, cured with salt.

GIB, or JIB-BOOM, a boom run out from the extremity of the bowsprit, parallel to its length, and serving to extend the bottom of the jib, and the stay of the fore-top-gallant-mast.

K.

KEDGE, a small anchor, used to keep a ship steady whilst she rides in a harbour or river.

Voyaging Accounts