LINE AHEAD.  See p. 85.

LINE OF BATTLE.  In the line of battle the vessels are ranged on the same straight line, steering the same course, one behind the others, so that all the broadsides are clear to bear upon an enemy.  The line preferred is one of the close-hauled lines, because on them the movement of a vessel in the line is more easily regulated by backing, or shaking, some of the sails.

LINE OF BEARING.  See “Bearing, line of.”

LINE, Ship of the.  A vessel fitted by its force for the line of battle.  Opposite generically to “cruiser.”  The modern term is “battleship.”

LUFF, to.  The movement of changing the course to nearer the direction whence the wind comes, by using the helm.

MAIN. }
MIZZEN.} See “Spars” and “Sails.”

MAST. See “Spars.”  “To the mast.”  A sail is said to be so when aback.

MONSOON.  A trade wind, in the China and Indian seas, which blows uniformly from the northeast in winter, and from southwest in summer.

NEAP.  See “Tide.”

OFF—­the wind.  See “Course.”

ON—­the wind.  See “Course.”

PENNANT.  A flag, indicating either the rank of the senior officer on board, or a signal applicable to a particular vessel.

POINT.  See “Bearings, by Compass.”

PORT.  To the left hand, or on the left side, of a vessel, looking from aft forward.  Opposite to Starboard.

PORT, to.  Applied to steering.  To move the tiller, or helm, to the left, which moves the rudder to the right and causes the vessel to change course towards the right hand.

QUARTER.  Either side of the after part of a vessel;—­as starboard quarter, port quarter; weather quarter, lee quarter.  Quarter deck:  one side of the after upper deck, reserved for the officer exercising command, and for ceremonial purposes.

QUARTERS.  A crew is at quarters when at the stations for battle.

RAKE, to.  To fire the broadside from ahead or astern of an antagonist, so that the shot may sweep the length of the vessel, which at the period of this book was about four times the width.

RANDOM SHOT.  The extreme range to which a gun could send its shot, giving very uncertain results.

REEF, to.  To reduce the surface of a sail.

RUDDER.  A solid framework, pivoted at the stern of a vessel, which being turned to one side deflects her course.  See “Helm” and “Wheel.”

SAILS.  Sails are of two kinds:  square, and fore and aft.  Square sails spread more across the vessel, in the direction of her width.  Fore and aft sails more in the direction of the length.  Square sails are better for a free wind; and also for large vessels, because they can be more readily subdivided.  Fore and aft sails trim nearer to the wind, and so are convenient for coasters, which generally are smaller.