; as
preventer-backstays, braces, shrouds, stays, &c.

PREVENTER-PLATES. Stout plates of iron for securing the chains to the
ship's side; one end is on the chain-plate bolt, the other is bolted to
the ship's side below it.

PREVENTER-STOPPERS. Short pieces of rope, knotted at each end, for
securing the clues of sails or rigging during action, or when strained.

PREVENTIVE SERVICE. The establishment of coast-guards at numerous
stations along the shores of the United Kingdom for the prevention of
smuggling.

PRICKER. A small marline-spike for making and stretching the holes for
points and rope-bands in sails. Also, the priming-wire of a gun. Also, a
northern name for the basking-shark.

PRICKING A SAIL. The running a middle seam between the two seams which
unite every cloth of a sail to the next adjoining. This is rarely done
till the sails have been worn some time, or in the case of heavy canvas,
storm-sails, &c. It is also called middle-stitching.

PRICKING FOR A SOFT PLANK. Selecting a place on the deck for sleeping
upon.

PRICKING HER OFF. Marking a ship's position upon a chart by the help of
a scale and compasses, so as to show her situation as to latitude,
longitude, and bearings of the place bound to.

PRIDE OF THE MORNING. A misty dew at sunrise; a light shower; the end of
the land breeze followed by a dead calm in the tropics.

PRIEST'S-CAP. An outwork which has three salient angles at the head and
two inwards.

PRIMAGE. Premium of insurance. Also, a small allowance at the water side
to master and mariner for each pack or bale of cargo landed by them:
otherwise called _hat-money_.

PRIMARY PLANET. (_See_ PLANETS, PRIMARY.)

PRIME. The fore part of the artificial day; that is, the first quarter
after sunrise.

PRIME, TO. To make ready a gun, mine, &c., for instantaneous firing.
Also, to pierce the cartridge with the priming-wire, and apply the
quill-tube in readiness for firing the cannon.--_To prime a fire-ship._
To lay the train for being set on fire.--_To prime a match._ Put a
little wet bruised powder made into the paste called devil, upon the end
of the rope slow-match, with a piece of paper wrapped round it.

PRIME VERTICAL. That great circle which passes through the zenith and
the east and west points of the horizon.

PRIMING-IRONS. Consist of a pointed wire used through the vent to prick
the cartridge when it is "home," and of a flat-headed one similarly
inserted after discharge to insu