dy the main-deck," or get it clear.

PRE-EMPTION. A right of purchasing necessary cargoes upon reasonable
compensation to the individual whose property is thus diverted. This
claim is usually restricted to neutrals avowedly bound to the enemy's
ports, and is a mitigation of the former practice of seizing them.
(_See_ COMMEATUS.)

PREMIUM. Simply a reward; but in commerce it implies the sum of money
paid to the underwriters on ship or cargo, or parts thereof, as the
price of the insurance risk.

PREROGATIVE. A word of large extent. By the constitution of England the
sovereign alone has the power of declaring war and peace. The crown is
not precluded by the Prize Act from superseding prize proceedings by
directing restitution of property seized, before adjudication, and
against the will of the captors.

PRESENT! The military word of command to raise the musket, take aim, and
fire.

PRESENT ARMS! The military word of command to salute with the musket.

PRESENT USE. Stores to be immediately applied in the fitting of a ship,
as distinguished from the supply for future sea use.

PRESERVED MEAT AND VEGETABLES. The occasional use of such food and
lime-juice at sea, is not only a great luxury, but in many cases
essential to the health of the crew, as especially instanced by the
increase of scurvy in ships where this precaution is neglected.

PRESIDENT. At a general court-martial it is usual for the authority
ordering it to name the president, and the office usually falls upon the
second in command.

PRESS, TO. To reduce an enemy to straits. (_See_ IMPRESSMENT.)

PRESS-GANG. A party of seamen who (under the command of a lieutenant)
were formerly empowered, in time of war, to take any seafaring men--on
shore or afloat--and compel them to serve on board men-of-war. Those who
were thus taken were called _pressed men_.

PRESS OF SAIL. As much sail as the state of the wind, &c., will permit a
ship to carry.

PRESSURE-GAUGE. The manometer of a steam-engine.

PREST. Formerly signified quick or ready, and a _prest man_ was one
willing to enlist for a stipulated sum--the very reverse of the _pressed
man_ of later times. (_See_ PRESS-GANG.)

PRESTER. An old name for a meteor.

PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE. Is such as by a fair and reasonable interpretation
is deducible from the facts of a case.

PREVENTER. Applied to ropes, &c., when used as additional securities to
aid other ropes in supporting spars, &c., during a strong gale