ORIENTER les voiles, to trim the sails; or place them in the most advantageous manner, to receive the wind, and accelerate the ship's course.

ORIN, the buoy-rope of an anchor.

ORSE, the larboard side, in the dialect of Provence. Also the order to luff.

ORSER, to row against the wind, or row head-to-wind. This is likewise the language of the gallies.

ORTODROMIE, a course which lies upon a meridian or parallel.

OSSEC, the water-way, or well-room of a boat.

OSSIERES. SeeHAUSSIERES.

OUAGE, the track or wake of a ship. See HOUAICHE.

Tirer en OUAICHE, to take a ship in tow astern when she is disabled.

Trainer un pavillon ennemi en OUAICHE, to drag the colours or ensign of an enemy after the ship, so as to sweep the water therewith, as a sign of victory.

OVERLANDRES, small vessels navigated on the Rhine and Meuse.

OUEST, or OCCIDENT, the west point of the compass or horizon.

OUEST- nord-ouest, &c. See ROSE de vents.

OURAGAN, an hurricane.

OUVERT, etre ouvert, to have any object open in sailing past it; or to be abreast of any place, as a road, the entrance of a harbour, or river, &c.

OUVERTURE, an opening, or valley between two hills, beheld from the sea and serving frequently as a land-mark.

OUVRIERS, the artificers, &c. in a dock-yard; also the riggers of a ship.

OUVRIR, to open, or discover two objects separately at sea, when sailing at some distance from them.

Reference Works