When we remember that such vessels as the _Taeping_ and other clippers have been known to maintain for long periods an average of 13 knots an hour, we may well regret that the coming of the steamship was not delayed a century later, to give these ships a complete epoch of their own. Perhaps in the course of events time will wreak its revenge, and give us back once more a period of true seamanship and a recurrence of the most interesting ways of a ship.
[Illustration: MODEL OF FULL-RIGGED SHIP “CARMARTHENSHIRE.”
Built of wood, with iron beams, in the year 1865. The double topsail yards and stuns’l booms are discernible. She was of 812 tons register; length, 174·6 ft.; beam, 32·7 ft.; depth, 20·5 ft.]
BITTACLE (Binnacle). See pp. 214 and 253.
BITTS. Posts on a deck to which cables, etc., could be fastened.
BOLT-ROPES. Ropes round the edge of a sail to prevent tearing.
BRAILS. Small ropes used for the purpose of shortening a ship’s canvas.
CAREEN. To lay a ship over on to her side for the purpose of cleaning, caulking, etc.
CATHEADS. Short projecting beams serving as a bracket to suspend the anchor clear of the bows.
DRABLER. Canvas laced on the bonnet of a sail to give it more drop.
DRIVER. A large squaresail set occasionally upon the mizzen-yard or gaff.
DUNNAGE. Loose wood or other material packed in the hold with the cargo to prevent it from shifting.
GAFF. A spar used for extending the upper edge of a fore-and-aft rectangular sail.
GRIPE, to. To come up into the wind in spite of the helm.
GRIPE of a ship. 1. The sharpness of her stern under the water. 2. A projection added to the keel.
GRIPES. Lashings securing a boat in its place.
GROUND-TACKLE. Ropes and tackle used in connection with anchors and mooring apparatus generally.
HAWSE-PIPES. The metal linings to the hawse-holes or holes in a ship’s bows through which the cable passes.
HOG, to. To scrub a ship with flat scrubbing brooms called hogs.
MANGER. A small apartment made in the ship’s bows to catch the water flowing through the hawse-holes.
MIZZEN. The aftermost mast of a vessel with two or more masts. Sometimes called a jigger. In medieval four-masters the aftermost mast was called the bonaventure mizzen, and the one immediately forward of this the main mizzen.