N.

NEAPED, the situation of a ship which is left aground on the height of a spring-tide, so that she cannot be floated off till the return of the next spring.

O.

OFFING, implies out at sea; or at a competent distance from the shore, and generally out of anchor-ground.

OPEN, is expressed of any distant object, to which the sight or passage is not intercepted by something lying, or coming between. Thus, to be open with any place, is to be opposite to it; as the entry of port, road, or haven.

OVER-HAULING, the act of opening and extending the several parts of a tackle, or other assemblage of ropes, communicating with blocks, or dead-eyes. It is used to remove those blocks to a sufficient distance from each other, that they may be again placed in a state of action, so as to produce the effect required.

P.

PAINTER, a rope employed to fasten a boat either alongside of the ship to which she belongs, or to some wharf or key.

PALM of the anchor, the same with fluke, the broad barbed ends of the two arms at the bottom of the shank.

PARCELING, certain long narrow slips of canvas, daubed with tar, and frequently bound about a rope, in the same manner as bandages are applied to a broken limb in surgery.

To PAY, to daub or anoint the surface of any body, in order to preserve it from the injuries of the water and weather, &c.

PORTS, the embrasures or openings in the side of a ship of war, wherein the artillery is ranged in battery upon the decks above and below.

HALF-PORTS, are what stops that part of the port which when the gun is pushed out is left open.

PURCHASE, any mechanical power employed in raising or removing heavy bodies, or in fixing or extending the ship’s rigging.

Voyaging Accounts