OFFICIERS-majors, the superior, or commissioned officers in a ship of war, as the captain, lieutenants, and ensign.

OFFICIERS-mariniers, the mechanical or warrant-officers in a ship of war; of which the principal are, the master, boatswain, gunner, carpenter, and sail-maker; as distinguished from the military officers described in the preceding article.

O! du navire, hola! hoa, the ship, ahoay! the manner of hailing or calling to a ship whose name is not known.

O! du Soleil Royal, hola! hoa, the Royal Sun, ahoay!

O! d'en haut, yoa-hoa, aloft there! mast-head there! &c. the call from the deck to those who are aloft to attend to some order,

O! hisse, O! hale, O! saille, O! ride, the method of singing out, as a signal to hoist, haul, or rowse together, on a tackle or rope.

OINT, stuff, tallow, or such like material, used to pay the masts, tyes of the topsail-yards, &c.

OLOFÉE, the act of springing the luff, or of hauling close upon a wind.

ORAGE. See TEMPETE.

ORDRE de bataille, the line, or order of battle in a naval engagement.

ORDRE de marche, the order of sailing.

ORDRE de retraite, the order of retreat.

ORDRES des vaisseaux, the classes into which every rate of ships is subdivided, in the French navy. See RANG.

OREILLE de liévre, a three-sided, or triangular sail; as the stay-sails.

OREILLES de l'ancre, the broad parts of the fluke of an anchor.

ORGANEAU, the ring of an anchor. See ARGANEAU.

Reference Works