SPRING, a crack or breach running transversely or obliquely through any part of a mast or yard, so as to render it unsafe to carry the usual quantity of sail thereon.

SPRING is also a rope passed out of one extremity of a ship and attached to a cable proceeding from the other, when she lies at anchor. It is usually done to bring the ship’s broad-side, or battery of cannon, to bear upon some distant object.

SPRITSAIL, a sail attached to a yard which hangs under the bowsprit.

SQUALL, a sudden and violent blast of wind, usually occasioned by the interruption and reverberation of the wind from high mountains.

STANCHION, a sort of small pillar of wood or iron used for various purposes in a ship; as to support the decks, the quarter-rails, the netings, and awnings.

STANDING, the movement by which a ship advances towards a certain object, or departs from it.

STARBOARD, the right side of a ship when the eye of the spectator is directed forward.

To STAY, the same as to tack; the contrary to wear, which see; hence the phrase to miss stays when she fails in the operation.

STIFF, the quality by which a ship is enabled to carry a sufficient quantity of sail, without hazard of oversetting.

STREAKS, or STRAKES, the uniform ranges of planks on the bottom and sides of a ship.

To STRIKE, to run ashore, or to beat upon the ground in passing over a bank or shallow.

STUDDING-SAILS, certain light sails extended, in moderate and steady breezes, beyond the skirts of the principal sails, where they appear as wings upon the yard-arms.

Voyaging Accounts