AUSTER. The south wind of the ancients, gusts from which quarter are called _autan_.
AUSTRAL. Relating to the south.--_Austral signs_, those on the south side of the equator, or the last six of the zodiac.
AUTHORITY. The legal power or right of commanding.
AUTOMATIC BLOW-OFF APPARATUS. _See_ BLOW-OFF-PIPE.
AUTUMNAL EQUINOX. The time when the sun crosses the equator, under a southerly motion, and the days and nights are then everywhere equal in length. (_See_ LIBRA.)
AUTUMNAL POINT. That part of the ecliptic whence the sun descends southward.
AUTUMNAL SIGNS. Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius.
AUXILIARIES. Confederates, an assisting body of allies; or, physically speaking, vessels using steam as an auxiliary to wind.
AUXILIARY SCREW. A vessel in which the screw is used as an auxiliary force. Such a vessel is usually fully masted for sailing purposes.
AVANIA. The fine or imposition imposed on Christians residing under Turkish governors, when they break the laws.
AVANT-FOSSE. In fortification, an advanced ditch without the counterscarp, and stretching along the foot of the glacis.
AVAST. The order to stop, hold, cease, or stay, in any operation: its derivation from the Italian _basta_ is more plausible than _have fast_.
AVAST HEAVING! The cry to arrest the capstan when nippers are jammed, or any other impediment occurs in heaving in the cable, not unfrequently when a hand, foot, or finger, is jammed;--stop!
AVERAGE. Whether _general_ or _particular_, is a term of ambiguous construction, meaning the damage incurred for the safety of the ship and cargo; the contribution made by the owners in general, apportioned to their respective investments, to repair any particular loss or expense sustained; and a small duty paid to the master for his care of the whole. Goods thrown overboard for the purpose of lightening the ship, are so thrown for the good of all, and the loss thus sustained must be made up by a general average or contribution from all the parties interested. (_See_ GENERAL AVERAGE.)
AVERAGE-ADJUSTER. A qualified person engaged in making statements to show the proper application of loss, damage, or expenses in consequence of the accidents of a sea adventure.
AVERAGE-AGREEMENT. A written document signed by the consignees of a cargo, binding themselves to pay a certain proportion of general average that may from accident arise against them.