n-post. These, and the following orders, were established when
tillers extended forward from the rudder-head, but now they often extend
aft, which requires the motion of the tiller to be reversed. With the
latter style of tiller the order "down with the helm" is carried out by
bringing the tiller _up_ to the weather side of the ship; which being
done, the order "Helm's a lee" follows.--_Bear up the helm._ That is,
let the ship go more large before the wind.--_Ease the helm._ To let the
helm come more amidships, when it has been put hard up or down.--It is
common to ease the helm before a heavy sea takes the ship when
close-hauled.--_Helm amidships_, or _right the helm_. That is, keep it
even with the middle of the ship, in a line with the keel.--_Helm over._
The position of the tiller to enable a vessel steaming ahead to describe
a curve.--_Port the helm._ Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to
starboard. (_See_ _A-lee the helm_.)--_Shift the helm._ Put it from port
to starboard, and _vice versa_, or it may be amidships.--_Starboard the
helm._ Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to port.--_Up with the
helm._ Place the tiller so as to carry the rudder to leeward. (_See_
_A-lee the helm_.)

HELMED. An old word for steered; it is metaphorically used by Shakspeare
in _Measure for Measure_.

HELMET. A piece of defensive armour; a covering for the head.

HELM-PORT. The round hole or cavity in a ship's counter, through which
the head of the rudder passes into the trunk.

HELM-PORT TRANSOM. The piece of timber placed across the lower counter,
withinside the height of the helm-port, and bolted through every timber
for the security of that part of the ship.

HELMSMAN. The timoneer, or person, who guides the ship or boat by the
management of the helm. The same as _steersman_.

HELM-WIND. A singular meteorological phenomenon which occurs in the
north of England. Besides special places in Cumberland and Westmoreland,
it suddenly rushes from an immense cloud that gathers round the summit
of Cross-Fell, covering it like a helmet. Its effects reach the
sea-board.

HELMY. Rainy [from an Anglo-Saxon phrase for rainy weather].

HELTER-SKELTER. Hurry and confusion. Defiance of good order.
Privateerism.

HELVE. The handle of the carpenter's mauls, axes, and adzes; also of an
oar, &c.

HELYER. _See_ HELIER.

HEMISPHERE. Half the surface of a globe. The celestial equator divides
the heavens into two hemispheres--th