a ship, as well as the figure and dimensions of all the inferior timbers.

MAÎTRE de l'équipage, or MAITRE entre tenu duns le port, an officer whose duty resembles that of our master-attendant in a dock-yard; inasmuch as he has charge of whatever relates to the equipping, mooring, or securing of ships; as well with regard to rigging, arming, and fitting them for sea, as to the careening and floating them out of the docks.

MAITRE de grave, a person appointed to take care of the salt cod, whilst drying upon the flakes at Newfoundland.

MAÎTRE de hache. See CHARPENTIER.

MAÎTRE-mâteur, the master mast-maker.

MAÎTRE des ponts & des pertuis, a master wherry-man, or waterman, whose office it is to conduct the small craft of a harbour through bridges, or other dangerous places.

MAÎTRE de ports, an harbour-master, or officer appointed to take care of a port, and it's booms, and places of anchorage; to arrange the shipping conveniently therein, and regulate their moorings with regard to each other: He has also the command of the ordinary-men employed about the rigging, careening, &c.

MAÎTRE de ports is likewise an officer resembling our tide-surveyors of the customs in an out-port.

MAÎTRE de quai, a principal wharf-master, or officer appointed to regulate the affairs of wharfs and keys, and the shipping moored along-side thereof: to see that the fires are extinguished at night, and that no fires be made in any ship or boat during the night : He is besides to appoint the proper places for ballasting and unballasting vessels; as also for careening, caulking, and repairing them, and tarring their rigging: Finally, he is to place the light-houses, beacons, and buoys, where necessary; to examine once a month, and after every storm, the usual channels of passage for shipping; and to see whether the ground has not shifted, to as to alter the usual stations of anchorage.

MAÎTRE de vaisseau, or CAPITAINE, the master or commander of a merchant-ship.

Reference Works