Part 39

Lee Latch

A Word of Command to the Men at the Helm or Steering Wheel, spoken by him that Conds, to take Care that the Ship don't go to leeward of her Course.

Lee Shore

Is that on which the Wind blows; and therefore to be under the Lee of the Shore, is to be close under the Weather Shore, or under the Wind.

Leeward Ship

One that doth not keep her Wind, or doth not sail so near the Wind, nor make her Way so good as she should.

ALee the Helm

They mean put the Helm to the Leeward Side of the Ship.

To lay a Ship by the Lee, or to come by the Lee, is to bring her so that all her Sails may lie flat against her Masts and Shrouds, so that the Wind may come right upon her Broadside.

Leech of a Sail

Signifies the outward Skirt of the Sail from the Earing to the Clew, or Middle of the Sail between the two.

Leech Lines

Are Ropes fastened to the Leech of the Topsails (only) and then reeved into a Block at the Yard, just by the Topsail Runners; their Use is to hawl in the Leech of the Sail, when the Topsails are to be taken in, which is always first done, and then the Sail can be taken in with the greater Ease.

Lett Fall

The Word at Sea for putting out a Sail when the Yard is Aloft, and the Sail is to come down from the Yard; but when the Yards are lowered, then the Sail is loosed below, before they hoist the Yard: Neither is it said properly of Topsails, because the Yards lie on the Cap, and therefore the Word for them is, Heave out your Topsails; nor can it be applied to the Mizon; for to it, the Word is, Strike the Mizon and set it, so that in Strictness it belongs only to the Main and Fore Courses, when their Yards are hoisted up.

Level

An Instrument used by Carpenters, Bricklayers and Masons, and made of a long Piece of Wood at Bottom, and with an upwright Piece in the Middle, to hold a Thread and Plummet, which plays about a perpendicular line there drawn, and when it falls exactly on it, then is the Bottom Piece in a true Level or horizontal Position.

Lewis's

Are made of Iron, and put into the Holes the Masons cut beveling in large Stones for purchasing them, which spread themselves (by having a Wedge put into the Middle) like a Dovetail, so that there is no Danger of the Stones falling when hoisted up, in order to be laid in its bed of Mortar.

Lie

A Ship lies under the Sea, when her Helm being made fast a Lee, she lies so a-hull that the Sea breaks upon her Bow, or her Broadside.

Lieutenant

Is a Commission Officer next to the Captain, who, upon the Death or Absence of the Commander, has the entire Charge and Conduct of the Ship, and stands accountable for the whole Duty as Commander of her; and the youngest is to exercise the Seamen, and to see that the Small Arms are kept in good order.

Lifts

Are Ropes made fast to the Yard Arms, and their Use is either to hoist or top the Yard, that is, to make the Ends of the Yards hang higher or lower, as occasion serves. The Topsail Lifts serve as Sheats to the Top-gallant Yards, as well as Lifts for the Topsail Yards. And they at the Spritsail Yard are standing and running Lifts.

Limber Boards

Are Pieces of Plank fayd from the Foot Waaling to the upper Edge of the Keelson, to prevent the Ballast stopping the free Course of the Buildge-water to the Pumps, which runs through Holes made in the Timbers for that Purpose, and are called Limber Holes.

Limber Irons