s of the
ship, under the fore-channels, to prevent the bill of the anchor from
tearing the ship's side when fishing or drawing it up. (_See also_
BILL-BOARDS.)

ANCHOR-RING. Formerly the great ring welded into the hole for it. Recent
anchors have Jew's-harp shackles, easily replaced, and not so liable to
be destroyed by chain-cables.

ANCHOR-SEAT. An old term for the prow of a ship, still in use with
eastern nations--Chinese, Japanese, &c.

ANCHOR-SHACKLE. An open link of iron which connects the chain with the
anchor--a "Jew's-harp" shackle.

ANCHOR-SMITH. A forger of anchors.

ANCHOR-STOCK. A bar at the upper end of the shank, crossing the
direction of the flukes transversely, to steady their proper direction.
In small anchors it is made of iron, but in large ones it is composed of
two long cheeks or beams of oak, strongly bolted and tree-nailed
together, secured with four iron hoops. It is now generally superseded
by the iron stock.

ANCHOR-STOCK-FASHION. The method of placing the butt of one wale-plank
nearly over the middle of the other; and the planks being broadest in
the middle, and tapered to the ends, they resemble an anchor-stock, with
which it is more in keeping than is the method called _top-and-butt_;
also pursued in fishing spars, making false rudder-heads, &c.

ANCHOR-STOCKING is a mode of securing and working planks in general with
tapered butts.

ANCHOR-STOCK TACKLE. A small tackle attached to the upper part of the
anchor-stock when stowing the anchor, its object being to bring it
perpendicular and closer to the ship.

ANCHOR-WATCH. A subdivision of the watch kept constantly on deck during
the time the ship lies at single anchor, to be in readiness to hoist jib
or staysails, to keep the ship clear of her anchor; or in readiness to
veer more cable or let go another anchor in case the ship should drive
or part her anchor. This watch is also in readiness to avoid collision
in close rivers by veering cable, setting sail, using the helm, &c.,
which formerly involved the essence of seamanship.

ANCHOVY. The _Engraulis encrasicholus_. A small fish of the family
_Clupeidae_, about four inches in length, much used in sauces and
seasoning when cured. It is migratory, but principally taken in the
Mediterranean, where those of Gorgona are most esteemed in commerce.

ANCIENT. A term formerly used for the colours and their bearer, as
ensign is now. Shakspeare's Nym was only a corporal, but Pistol was an