C
CABIN to To CALK, or CAULK
CALL to CANNON
CANNON to CANOE
CANOE to To rig the CAPSTERN
Surge the CAPSTERN to CARPENTER of a ship
CARTEL to CATS-PAW
CARTEL
CARTRIDGE
CARTRIDGE-BOX
CAST AWAY
CASTING
CAT
CATAMARAN
CAT-HARPINS
CAT-HEADS
CATS-PAW
CAULKING to CHANNEL
CHANNELS to CHEARLY
CHEEKS of the mast to CLINCH
CLINCHER-WORK to COASTING-PILOT
COAT to COLLIERS
COLOURS to COMPASS
COMPASSING to COVE
COUNTER to CRAWL
CREEPER to CROW-FOOT
CROWNING to CUT-WATER
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CAT-HEADS
CAT-HEADS, (bossoirs, Fr.) two strong short beams of timber, which project almost horizontally over the ship's bows, on each side of the bow-sprit, being like two radii which extend from a center taken in the direction of the bow-sprit.That part of the cat-head which rests upon the fore-castle is securely bolted to the beams: the other part projects like a crane, as above described, and carries in it's extremity two or three small wheels, or sheaves, of brass, or strong wood, about which a rope called the cat-fall passes, and communicates with the cat-block, which also contains three sheaves. The machine formed by this combination of pullies is called the cat, which serves to pull the anchor up to the cat-head without tearing the ship's side with it's flukes.
The cat-head also serves to suspend the anchor clear of the bow, when it is necessary to let it go: it is supported by a sort of knee, which is generally ornamented with sculpture.
The cat-block is fitted with a large and strong hook, which catches the ring of the anchor when it is to be drawn up. See a representation of this article, plate II. fig. 14.
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© Derived from Thomas Cadell's new corrected edition, London: 1780, page 79, 2003
Prepared by Paul Turnbull
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/0304.html