self-registering log invented by Smeaton,
the architect of the Eddystone lighthouse.

SEA-WEASEL. An old name of the lamprey.

SEA-WOLF. The wolf-fish, _Anarrhicas lupus_.

SEA-WOLVES. A name for privateers.

SEA-WORTHY. The state of a ship in everyway fitted for her voyage. It is
the first stipulation in every policy of insurance, or other contract,
connected with a vessel: "for she shall be tight, staunch, and strong,
sufficiently manned, and her commander competent to his duty." (_See_
OPINION.)

SEA-WRACK GRASS. _Zostera marina_; used in Sweden and Holland for
manuring land. At Yarmouth it is thrown on shore in such abundance that
mounds are made with it to arrest the encroachments of the sea. It is
also used as thatch.

SECANT. A line drawn from the centre of a circle to the extremity of the
tangent.

SECCA. A shoal on Italian shores and charts.

SECOND. The sixtieth part of a minute. A division of a degree of a
circle. A term applied both to time and to space. Also, second in a
duel; a very important part to play, since many a life may be saved
without implicating honour.

SECONDARY PLANET. _See_ SATELLITES.

SECOND-CAPTAIN. Commanders under captains in the navy, of late.

SECOND-COUNTER. _See_ COUNTER.

SECOND-FUTTOCKS. The frame-timbers scarphed on the end of the
futtock-timbers.

SECOND-HAND. A term in fishing-boats to distinguish the second in
charge.

SECOND OFFICER. Second mate in merchantmen.

SECOND-RATE. Vessels of seventy-four guns (on the old scale).

SECTION. A draught or figure representing the internal parts of a ship
cut by a plane at any particular place athwart ships or longitudinally.

SECTOR. _See_ DIP-SECTOR.

SECULAR ACCELERATION. _See_ ACCELERATION OF THE MOON.

SECULAR INEQUALITY. _See_ INEQUALITY.

SECURE ARMS! Place them under the left arm, to guard the lock from the
weather or rain.

SEDITION. Mutinous commotion against the constituted authorities,
especially dangerous at sea.

SEDOW. The old English name for the fish called gilt-head; _Sparus
auratus_.

SEDUCE, TO. To inveigle a man to desertion.

SEELING. A sudden heeling over, and quick return.

SEER. The tumbler of a gun-lock.

SEE-SAW. Reciprocating motion.

SEGE. An old law-term for the seat or berth in which a ship lies.

SEGMENT. In geometry, any part of a circle which is bounded by an arc
and its chord, or so much of the circle as is cut off by that chord.

SEGMENTAL STERN. _See_ ROUND STER