Part 75

Welding

When the Smiths give their Iron a proper Heat in the Forge, in order to double up the same when wanted to weld a Work in the Doublings, so as to be in one Piece thick enough for the Purpose it is wanted for.

Well

A square Place, parted off and planked round the Main-mast from the Gundeck down to the Foot-waaling, to keep the Ballast, &c. from the Pumps placed therein.

Whale-knot

Is a round Knot or Knob made with three Strands of a Rope at one End of the Tacks, Topsail Sheats and Stoppers, so that they cannot slip.

Wheels Steering

Are placed on the Quarter Deck, fixed to an Axis, round which go the Wheelrope, which is made fast to the Tiller in the Gun-Room, it passes through Blocks at the Side, and from thence comes up to the Wheel in the Midships.

Whelps

Are those Brackets set Edge ways upon the Barrel of a Capston, which give the Sweep to it, and are so contrived that a Voyal or Cable brought about them may not surge so much as it would do, if the Body of the Capston was quite round and smooth.

Whipstaff

Is fastened into the Helm, for him that Steers to hold in his Hand, thereby to move the Helm and Steer the Ship: It goes through the Rowl, and made fast to the Tiller with a Ring.

Whirles

Used by the Rope-makers when either laying small Cordage, or spinning Yarn, and are placed in the Heads of the Wheels and Works in Brasses fixed therein.

Whoodings

Are the Ends of the Bottom Planks at the Extremities of the Ship, rabbited into the Stem Afore, and into the Post Abaft.

Winches Iron

Are Handles for turning round Grindstones, Wheels of Chain Pumps, &c.

Wind

Bringing a Ship's Head about, is called Winding of her, and when rides at an Anchor, she is said to wind up. Also when she is under Sail, they use to enquire, How she Winds, that is, which way she lies with her Head; so, to Wind the Boat, is to turn her Head about.

Wind Taught

Implying as much as stiff in the Wind, for a Thing is Taught, when it is stiff. Thus too much Rigging over Head, or any Thing holding Wind Aloft, is said to hold a Ship Wind Taught; by which is meant, she stoops too much in her Sailing in a stiff Gale of Wind. So also, when a Ship rides in Stress of Wind and Weather, they strike down her Topmasts, which holds too much Wind, or be Wind Taught.

Winding Tackle Pendant

Is a Cable-laid Rope brought about the Head of the Mast, having a treble Block with three Shivers in it, seized fast to the End, through which and a double Block, the Fall is reeved, so brought to the Capston by a Snatch Block, whereby the Guns, or any other heavy Stores, are hoisted in or out.

Windlass

Is a Piece of Timber having six or eight Squares, and is fixed thwart Ship Abaft the Forecastle; in small Ships, Hoys, &c. this Windlass will Purchase as much as a Capston in weighing of an Anchor, and without any Danger to those that heave, because they heave here about with Handspikes, put into several Holes made in the Windlass, of which though one should happen to break, yet would the Windlass paul of itself, without any further Danger.

Wind sails

Are used for drawing fresh Air into the Holds of Ships, by cooling every Part, which contributes towards preserving them from Decay.