HOUSED. The situation of the great guns upon the lower gun-decks when
they are run in clear of the port, and secured. The breech being let
down, the muzzle rests against the side above the port; they are then
secured by their tackles, muzzle-lashings, and breechings. Over the
muzzle of every gun are two strong eye-bolts for the muzzle-lashings,
which are 3-1/2-inch rope. When this operation is well performed, no
accident is feared, as every act is one of mechanical skill. A gun is
sometimes housed fore and aft to make room, as in the cabin, &c. Ships
in ordinary, not in commission, are housed over by a substantial
roofing.

HOUSEHOLD TROOPS. A designation of the horse and foot guards, who enjoy
many immunities and privileges for attending the sovereign.

HOUSEWIFE. _See_ HUZ-ZIF.

HOUSING, OR HOUSE-LINE. A small line formed of three fine strands,
smaller than rope yarn; principally used for seizings of the
block-strops, fastening the clues of sails to their bolt-ropes, and
other purposes. (_See_ MARLINE, TWINE.)

HOUSING-IN. After a ship in building is past the breadth of her bearing,
and that she is brought in too narrow to her upper works, she is said to
be _housed in_, or pinched. (_See_ TUMBLING HOME.)

HOUSING OF A LOWER MAST. That part of a mast which is below deck to the
step in the kelson; of a bowsprit, the portion within the
_knight-heads_.

HOUSING-RINGS. Ring-bolts over the lower deck-ports, through the
beam-clamps, to which the muzzle-lashings of the guns are passed when
housed.

HOUVARI. A strong land wind of the West Indies, accompanied with rain,
thunder, and lightning.

HOUZING. A northern term for lading water.

HOVE DOWN, properly _hove out_ or _careened_. The situation of a ship
when heeled or placed thus for repairs.--_Hove off_, when removed from
the ground.--_Hove up_, when brought into the slips or docks by cradles
on the gridiron, &c.

HOVE-IN-SIGHT. The anchor in view. Also, a sail just discovered.

HOVE-IN-STAYS. The position of a ship in the act of going about.

HOVE KEEL OUT. Hove so completely over the beam-ends that the keel is
above the water.

HOVELLERS. A Cinque-Port term for pilots and their boatmen; but
colloquially, it is also applied to sturdy vagrants who infest the
sea-coast in bad weather, in expectation of wreck and plunder.

HOVERING, AND HOVERING ACTS. Said of smugglers of old.

HOVE-SHORT. The ship with her cable hove taut towards her anchor, when
the sa