y a single rower sitting in the middle of the
boat. Also, a light metal-helmet worn in our early fleet.--_To scull._
To row a boat with a pair of sculls. Also, to propel a boat by a
particular method of managing a single oar over the boat's stern, and
reversing the blade each time. It is in fact the half-stroke of the
screw rapidly reversed, and closely resembles the propelling power of
the horizontal tail of the whale.

SCULPTURES. The carved decorations of the head, stern, and quarter of an
old ship-of-war. Also, the copper plates which "adorned" the former
books of voyages and travels.

SCUM OF THE SEA. The refuse seen on the line of tidal change; the drift
sent off by the ebbing tide. Or (in the neighbourhood of the rains), the
fresh water running on the surface of the salt and carrying with it a
line of foam bearing numerous sickly gelatinous marine animals, and
physaliae, commonly called Portuguese men-of-war, affected by the fresh
water and other small things often met with on the surface sea.

SCUM-O'-THE-SKY. Thin atmospheric vapours.

SCUPPER-HOSE. A canvas leathern pipe or tube nailed round the outside of
the scuppers of the lower decks, which prevents the water from
discolouring the ship's sides.

SCUPPER-LEATHER. A flap-valve nailed over a scupper-hole, serving to
keep water from getting in, yet letting it out.

SCUPPER-NAILS. Short nails with very broad flat heads, used to nail the
flaps of the scuppers, so as to retain the hose under them: they are
also used for battening tarpaulins and other general purposes.

SCUPPER-PLUGS. Are used to close the scuppers in-board.

SCUPPERS. Round apertures cut through the water ways and sides of a ship
at proper distances, and lined with metal, in order to carry the water
off the deck into the sea.

SCUPPER-SHOOTS. Metal or wooden tubes which carry the water from the
decks of frigates to the sea-level.

SCURRY. Perhaps from the Anglo-Saxon _scur_, a heavy shower, a sudden
squall. It now means a hurried movement; it is more especially applied
to seals or penguins taking to the water in fright.

SCUTTLE. A small hole or port cut either in the deck or side of a ship,
generally for ventilation. That in the deck is a small hatchway.

SCUTTLE, TO. To cut or bore holes through part of a ship when she is
stranded or over-set, and continues to float, in order to save any part
of her contents. Also, a trick too often practised by boring holes below
water, to sink a