Part 3

Anchor Stock

A Piece of Wood fastened together with Iron Hoops and Treenails upon the Square near the Ring, serving to guide the Flook, so as it may fall right and fix in the Ground.

Ditto Tackle

Are for Loosing too the Stock, so as to be clear of the Bends.

Anchoring

Is Ground fitting to hold a Ship's Anchor, so as she may safely ride it out in a Storm; stiff Clay, and hard Sand, is esteemed the best to be chose for that Purpose.

Anvils

Are used by the Smiths for working all Sorts of Iron-work on.

Aprons

Is a Plat-form raised a little above the Bottom of a Dock at its Entrance, against which the Gates shut.

Arm'd

A Ship is said to be arm'd when fitted in all Respects for War.

Avast

Signifies to stop, hold, or stay.

Auger Bitts

Made of several Sizes, and when shut to a Shank, are for boreing Holes through the Plank and Timbers, that the Treenails may go through them, for fastening both together.

Aunings

Is old Canvas spread by Ropes over the Upper Deck, Quarter Deck, or Poop; and some Ships have them fitted with thin slit Deal, over the Steering Wheel on the Quarter Deck; and all are to keep off the Sun, Rain or Wind.

Axes

Are used for cutting up Junk, or cleaving Wood.

Backstays

Are sort of Shrouds, which go up to the Topmasthead, hath Lanyards reev'd through dead Eyes, and Backstay Plates at the Ship's Side, are called standing or shifting, and are for succouring the Topmasts.

Bail or Bale

Casting or throwing the Water out of a Boat, which when done she is freed.

Ballast

Is in great Ships generally Beach Stones, and in small Iron, laid in the Hold next the Keelson, in order to keep the Ship stiff, so that she may bear the more Sail.

Barrels Press

Are emptied Tar Barrels filled with Clay, to be put on the Drags and Sledges when closeing Cables in the Rope Yard.