Sailor's Word-book, A - C — Cas- CB

CARY.

_See_ MOTHER CARY'S CHICKEN.

_Procellaria pelagica_.

CASCABLE.

That generally convex part of a gun which terminates the breech end of it.

The term includes the usual button which is connected to it by the neck of the cascable.

CASCADE.

A fall of water from a considerable height, rather by successive stages than in a single mass, as with a cataract.

CASCO.

A rubbish-lighter of the Philippine Islands.

CASE.

The outside planking of the ship.

CASE-BOOK.

A register or journal in which the surgeon records the cases of all the sick and wounded, who are placed under medical treatment.

CASEMATE.

In fortification, a chamber having a vaulted roof capable of resisting vertical fire, and affording embrasures or loop-holes to contribute to the defence of the place: without these it would be merely a bomb-proof.

CASERNES.

Often considered as synonymous with _barracks_; but more correctly small lodgments erected between the ramparts and houses of a fortified town, to ease the inhabitants by quartering soldiers there, who are also in better condition for duty than if living in various parts.

CASE-SHOT, COMMON.

Called also canister-shot.

Adapted for close quarters if the enemy be uncovered.

It consists of a number of small iron balls, varying in weight and number, packed in a cylindrical tin case fitting the bore of the gun from which it is to be fired.

Burrel, langrage, and other irregular substitutes, may be included under the term.

Spherical case-shot are officially called _shrapnel shell_ (which see).

CASHIERED.

Sentenced by a court-martial to be dismissed the service.

By such sentence an officer is rendered ever after incapable of serving the sovereign in any position, naval or military.

CASING.

The lining, veneering, or planking over a ship's timbers, especially for the cabin-beams; the sheathing of her.

Also a bulk-head round a mast to prevent the interference of cargo, or shifting materials.

CASING-COVER.

In the marine steam-engine is a steam-tight opening for the slide-valve rod to pass through.

CASK.

A barrel for fluid or solid provisions.

(_See_ STOWAGE.

) CASKETS (properly GASKETS).

Small ropes made of sinnet, and fastened to grummets or little rings upon the yards.

Their use is to make the sail fast to the yard when it is to be furled.

CASSAVA, OR CASSADA.

A species of the genus _Jatropha janipha_, well known to seamen as the cassava bread of the West Indies.

Tapioca is produced from the _Jatropha manihot_.

Caution is necessary in the use of these roots, as the juice is poisonous.

The root used as chewsticks, to cleanse the teeth and gums, by the negroes, produces a copious flow of frothy saliva.

CAST.

A coast term meaning four, as applied to haddocks, herrings, &c. Also, the appearance of the sky when day begins to break.

A cast of pots, &c. --_A'cast_, when a ship's yards are braced a'cast preparatory to weighing.

Also condemned, cast by survey, &c. CAST, TO.

To fall off, so as to bring the direction of the wind on one side of the ship, which before was right ahead.

This term is particularly applied to a ship riding head to wind, when her anchor first loosens from the ground.

To pay a vessel's head off, or turn it, is getting under weigh on the tack she is to sail upon, and it is casting to starboard, or port, according to the intention.

--_To cast anchor.

_ To drop or let go the anchor for riding by--synonymous with to anchor.

--_To cast a traverse.

_ To calculate and lay off the courses and distances run over upon a chart.

--_To cast off.

_ To let go at once.

To loosen from.

CAST.

A short boat passage.

CAST-AWAY.

Shipwrecked.

CAST-AWAYS.

People belonging to vessels stranded by stress of weather.

Men who have hidden themselves, or are purposely left behind, when their vessel quits port.

CASTING ACCOUNTS.

Sea-sickness.

CAST-KNEES.

Those hanging knees which compass or arch over the angle of a man-of-war's ports, rider, &c. CASTLE.

A place strong by art or nature, or by both.

A sort of little citadel.

(_See_ FORECASTLE, AFT-CASTLE, &c. ) CASTLE-WRIGHTS.

Particular artificers employed in the erection of the early ship's castles.

CAST-OFFS.

Landsmen's clothes.

CAST OF THE LEAD.

The act of heaving the lead into the sea to ascertain what depth of water there is.

(_See also_ HEAVE THE LEAD and SOUNDING.

) The result is a cast--"Get a cast of the lead."

CASTOR.

{a} Gemini, a well-known nautical star in the zodiac, which has proved to be a double star.

CASTOR AND POLLUX.

Fiery balls which appear at the mast-heads, yard-arms, or sticking to the rigging of vessels in a gale at sea.

(_See_ COMPASANT and CORPOSANT.

) CASTRAMETATION.

The art of planning camps, and selecting an appropriate position, in which the main requirement is that the troops of all arms should be so planted in camp as immediately to cover their proper positions in the line of battle.

CAST THE WRONG WAY.

_See_ WRONG WAY.

CASUALTIES.

In a military sense, comprehends all men who die, are wounded, desert, or are discharged as unfit for service.

CAT.

A ship formed on the Norwegian model, and usually employed in the coal and timber trade.

These vessels are generally built remarkably strong, and may carry six hundred tons; or in the language of their own mariners, from 20 to 30 keels of coals.

A cat is distinguished by a narrow stern, projecting quarters, a deep waist, and no ornamental figure on the prow.

CATALAN.

A small Spanish fishing-boat.

CATAMARAN.

A sort of raft used in the East Indies, Brazils, and elsewhere: those of the island of Ceylon, like those of Madras and other parts of that coast, are formed of three logs; the timber preferred for their construction is the _Dup_ wood, or _Cherne-Maram_, the pine varnish-tree.

Their length is from 20 to 25 feet, and breadth 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 feet, secured together by means of three spreaders and cross lashings, through small holes; the centre log is much the largest, with a curved surface at the fore-end, which tends and finishes upwards to a point.

The side logs are very similar in form, and fitted to the centre log.

These floats are navigated with great skill by one or two men, in a kneeling position; they think nothing of passing through the surf which lashes the beach at Madras and at other parts of these coasts, when even the boats of the country could not live upon the waves; they are also propelled out to the shipping at anchor when boats of the best construction and form would be swamped.

In the monsoons, when a sail can be got on them, a small out-rigger is placed at the end of two poles, as a balance, with a bamboo mast and yard, and a mat or cotton-cloth sail, all three parts of which are connected; and when the tack and sheet of the sail are let go, it all falls fore and aft alongside, and being light, is easily managed.

In carrying a press of sail, they are trimmed by the balance-lever, by going out on the poles so as to keep the log on the surface of the water, and not impede its velocity, which, in a strong wind, is very great.

CATANADROMI.

Migratory fishes, which have their stated times of going from fresh-water to salt and returning, as the salmon, &c. CATAPULT.

A military engine used by the ancients for throwing stones, spears, &c. CATARACT.

The sudden fall of a large body of water from a higher to a lower level, and rather in a single sheet than by successive leaps, as in a cascade.

CATASCOPIA.

Small vessels anciently used for reconnoitring and carrying despatches.

CAT-BEAM.

This, called also the beak-head beam, is the broadest beam in the ship, and is generally made of two beams tabled and bolted together.

CAT-BLOCK.

A two or three fold block, with an iron strop and large hook to it, which is employed to cat or draw the anchor up to the cat-head, which is also fitted with three great sheaves to correspond.

CATCH.

A term used among fishermen to denote a quantity of fish taken at one time.

CATCH A CRAB.

In rowing, when an oar gets so far beneath the surface of the water, that the rower cannot recover it in time to prevent his being knocked backwards.

CATCH A TURN THERE.

Belay quickly.

CATCH-FAKE.

An unseemly doubling in a badly coiled rope.

CATERER.

A purveyor and provider of provisions: now used for the person who takes charge of and regulates the economy of a mess.

(_See_ ACATER.

) CAT-FALL.

The rope rove for the cat-purchase, by which the anchor is raised to the cat-head or catted.

CAT-FISH.

A name for the sea-wolf (_Anarrhicas lupus_).

CAT-GUT.

A term applied to the sea-laces or _Fucus filum_.

(_See_ SEA-CATGUT.

) CAT-HARPINGS, OR CATHARPIN LEGS.

Ropes under the tops at the lower end of the futtock-shrouds, serving to brace in the shrouds tighter, and affording room to brace the yards more obliquely when the ship is close-hauled.

They keep the shrouds taut for the better ease and safety of the mast.

CAT-HEAD.

The cat-head passes through the bow-bulwark obliquely forward on a radial line from the fore-mast, rests on the timbers even with the water-way, passes through the deck, and is secured to the side-timbers.

It is selected from curved timber.

Its upper head is on a level with the upper rail; it is furnished with three great sheaves, and externally strengthened by a cat-head knee.

It not only is used to lift the anchor from the surface of the water, but as it "looks forward," the cat-block is frequently lashed to the cable to aid by its powerful purchase when the capstan fails to make an impression.

The cat-fall rove through the sheaves, and the cat-block furnish the cat-purchase.

The cat-head thus serves to suspend the anchor clear of the bow, when it is necessary to let it go: the knee by which it is supported is generally ornamented with carving.

Termed also _cat-head bracket_.

CAT-HOLES.

Places or spaces made in the quarter, for carrying out fasts or springs for steadying or heaving astern.

CAT-HOOK.

A strong hook which is a continuation of the iron strop of the cat-block, used to hook the ring of the anchor when it is to be drawn up or catted.

CAT-LAP.

A common phrase for tea or weak drink.

CAT O' NINE TAILS.

An instrument of punishment used on board ships in the navy; it is commonly of nine pieces of line or cord, about half a yard long, fixed upon a piece of thick rope for a handle, and having three knots on each, at small intervals, nearest one end; with this the seamen who transgress are flogged upon the bare back.

CATRAIA.

The catraia of Lisbon and Oporto, or pilot surf-boats, are about 56 feet long, by 15 feet beam, impelled by sixteen oars.

CAT-RIG.

A rig which in smooth water surpasses every other, but, being utterly unsuited for sea or heavy weather, is only applicable to pleasure-boats who can choose their weather.

It allows one sail only--an enormous fore-and-aft main-sail, spread by a gaff at the head and a boom at the foot, hoisted on a stout mast, which is stepped close to the stem.

CAT-ROPE.

A line for hauling the cat-hook about: also cat-back-rope, which hauls the block to the ring of the anchor in order to hook it.

CAT'S-PAW.

A light air perceived at a distance in a calm, by the impressions made on the surface of the sea, which it sweeps very gently, and then passes away, being equally partial and transitory.

Old superstitious seamen are seen to scratch the backstays with their nails, and whistle to invoke even these cat's-paws, the general forerunner of the steadier breeze.

Cat's-paw is also a name given to a particular twisting hitch, made in the bight of a rope, so as to induce two small bights, in order to hook a tackle on them both.

Also, good-looking seamen employed to entice volunteers.

CAT'S-SKIN.

A light partial current of air, as with the cat's-paw.

CAT'S-TAIL.

The inner part of the cat-head, that fays down upon the cat-beam.

CAT-STOPPER, OR CATHEAD-STOPPER.

A piece of rope or chain rove through the ring of an anchor, to secure it for sea, or singled before letting it go.

CAT-TACKLE.

A strong tackle, used to draw the anchor perpendicularly up to the cat-head, which latter is sometimes called cat.

CATTAN.

_See_ KATAN.

CAT THE ANCHOR.

When the cat is hooked and "cable enough" veered and stoppered, the anchor hangs below the cat-head, swings beneath it; it is then hauled close up to the cat-head by the purchase called the cat-fall.

The cat-stopper is then passed, and the cat-block unhooked.

CATTING.

The act of heaving the anchor by the cat-tackle.

Also, sea-sickness.

CATTY.

A Chinese commercial weight of 18 ozs.

English.

Tea is packed in one or two or more catty boxes, hence most likely our word tea-caddy.

CAUDAL FIN.

The vertical median fin terminating the tail of fishes.

CAUDICARIAE.

A kind of lighter used by the Romans on the Tiber.

CAUL.

The membrane encompassing the head of some infants when born, and from early antiquity esteemed an omen of good fortune, and a preservative against drowning; it was sought by the Roman lawyers with as much avidity as by modern voyagers.

Also, a northern name for a dam-dike.

Also, an oriental license.

(_See_ KAULE.

) CAULK, TO.

(_See_ CAULKING.

) To lie down on deck and sleep, with clothes on.

CAULKER.

He who caulks and pays the seams.

This word is mistaken by many for _cawker_ (which see).

CAULKER'S SEAT.

A box slung to a ship's side whereon a caulker can sit and use his irons; it contains his tools and oakum.

CAULKING OF A SHIP.

Forcing a quantity of oakum, or old ropes untwisted and drawn asunder, into the seams of the planks, or into the intervals where the planks are joined together in the ship's decks or sides, or rends in the planks, in order to prevent the entrance of water.

After the oakum is driven in very hard, hot melted pitch or rosin is poured into the groove, to keep the water from rotting it.

Among the ancients the first who made use of pitch in caulking were the inhabitants of Phaeacia, afterwards called Corfu.

Wax and rosin appear to have been commonly used before that period; and the Poles still substitute an unctuous clay for the same purpose for the vessels on their navigable rivers.

CAULKING-BUTT.

The opening between ends or joints of the planks when worked for caulking.

CAULKING-IRONS.

The peculiar chisels used for the purpose of caulking: they are the caulking-iron, the making-iron, the reeming-iron, and the rasing-iron.

CAULKING-MALLET.

The wooden beetle or instrument with which the caulking-irons are driven.

CAURY.

Worm-eaten.

CAVALIER.

In fortification, a work raised considerably higher than its neighbours, but generally of similar plan.

Its object is to afford a plunging fire, especially into the near approaches of a besieger, and to shelter adjacent faces from enfilade.

Its most frequent position in fortresses is at the salient of the ravelin, or within the bastion; and in siege-works in the advanced trenches, for the purpose of enabling the musketry of the attack to drive the defenders out of the covered way.

CAVALLO, by some CARVALHAS.

An oceanic fish, well-known as the bonito or horse-mackerel.

CAVALOT.

A gun carrying a ball of one pound.

CAVALRY.

That body of soldiers which serves and fights on horseback.

CAVER.

_See_ KAVER.

CAVIARE.

A preparation of the roe of sturgeons and other fish salted.

It forms a lucrative branch of commerce in Italy and Russia.

CAVIL.

A large cleat for belaying the fore and main tacks, sheets, and braces to.

(_See_ KEVELS.

) CAVITY.

In naval architecture signifies the displacement formed in the water by the immersed bottom and sides of the vessel.

CAWE, OR CAWFE.

An east-country eel-box, or a floating perforated cage in which lobsters are kept.

CAWKER.

An old term signifying a glass of strong spirits taken in the morning.

CAY, OR CAYOS.

Little insulated sandy spots and rocks.

The Spaniards in the West Indies called the Bahamas _Los Cayos_, which we wrote _Lucayos_.

(_See_ KEY.

) CAZE-MATTE.

_See_ CASEMATE.

CAZERNS.

_See_ CASERNES.