the other to hitch into a strap spliced to
the chess-tree. They pull down the sail, and in a stiff gale help to
hold it so that all the stress may not bear upon the tack.

HOOK AND BUTT. The scarphing or laying two ends of planks over each
other. (_See_ BUTT-AND-BUTT and HOOK-SCARPH.)

HOOK-BLOCK. Any block, of iron or wood, strapped with a hook.

HOOK-BOLTS. Those used to secure lower-deck ports.

HOOKER, OR HOWKER. A coast or fishing vessel--a small hoy-built craft
with one mast, intended for fishing. They are common on our coasts, and
greatly used by pilots, especially off the Irish ports. Also, Jack's
name for his vessel, the favourite "old hooker." Also, a term for a
short pipe, probably derived from _hookah_.

HOOKEY. _See_ HOAKY.

HOOKING. In ship-carpentry this is the act of working the edge of one
plank into that of another, in such a manner that they cannot be drawn
asunder.

HOOK OF THE DECKS. _See_ BREAST-HOOKS.

HOOK-POTS. Tin cans fitted to hang on the bars of the galley range.

HOOK-ROPES. A rope 6 or 8 fathoms long, with a hook and thimble spliced
at one end, and whipped at the other: it is used in coiling hempen
cables in the tiers, dragging chain, &c.

HOOK-SCARPH. In ship-carpentry, the joining of two pieces of wood by a
strong method of hook-butting, which mode of connecting is termed _hook
and butt_.

HOOP. The principal hoops of different kinds used for nautical purposes,
are noticed under their several names, as mast-hoops, clasp-hoops, &c.
In wind-bound ships in former times the left hands of several boys were
tied to a hoop, and their right armed with a nettle, they being naked
down to the waist. On the boatswain giving one a cut with his cat, the
boy struck the one before him, and each one did the same, beginning
gently, but, becoming irritated, they at last laid on in earnest. Also,
a nautical punishment for quarrelsome fighters was, that two offenders,
similarly fastened, thrashed each other until one gave in. The craven
was usually additionally punished by the commander.

HOOPS. The strong iron bindings of the anchor-stock to the shank, though
square, are called hoops.

HOPE. A small bay; it was an early term for valley, and is still used in
Kent for a brook, and gives name to the adjacent anchorages. Johnson
defines it to be any sloping plain between two ridges of hills.

HOPPER-PUNT. A flat-floored lighter for carrying soil or mud, with a
_hopper_ or receptacle in its cent