htly round a rope.

SERVING OUT SLOPS. Distributing clothing, &c. Also, a cant term to
denote punishment at the gangway.

SET. The direction in which a current flows, or of the wind. (_See_
DIRECTION.)--_To set_, is to observe the bearings of any distant object
by the compass. (_See_ BEARING.) Also applied to the direction of the
tide, as "the tide setting to the south," is opposed to a swelling sea
setting to the north-west. Also, when applied to sails, implies the
loosing and spreading them, so as to force the ship through the water on
weighing. When in chase, or other emergency, the term is sometimes used
as synonymous with _make sail_.

SET-BOLTS. Used in drifting out bolts from their position. Also employed
for forcing the planks and other works, bringing them close to one
another, as Blake's bringing-to bolts, with wood screws, eyes, and
rings.

SET FLYING. Sails that do not remain aloft when taken in, but are hauled
on deck or stowed in the tops, as skysails, studding-sails, &c.

SET IN. Said when the sea-breeze or weather appears to be steady.

SET ON! The order to set the engine going on board a steamer.

SETT. A kind of shipwright's power, composed of two ring-bolts and a
wrain-staff, with cleats and lashings. Also, the particular spot in a
river or frith, where stationary nets are fixed.

SETTEE. A single-decked Mediterranean vessel with a long and sharp
prow, without top-masts, and carrying lateen sails. They were mostly
used as transports to galleys.

SET THE CHASE, TO. To mark well the position of the vessel chased by
bearing, so that by standing away from her on one tack, she may be cut
off on the other.

SETTING. The operation of moving a boat or raft by means of poles. Also,
arranging the sights of a gun, or pointing it.

SETTING POLE. A pole, generally pointed with iron, forced into the mud,
by which boats and barges are moored in shallow water.

SETTING THE WATCH. The military night guard or watch at the evening
gun-fire. Naval watches are not interfered with by time.

SETTING-UP. Raising a ship from her blocks, shores, &c., by wedges
driven between the heels of the shore and the dock foundation.

SETTLE. Now termed the _stern-sheets_ [derived from the Anglo-Saxon
_settl_, a seat].--_To settle._ To lower; also to sink, as "the deck has
settled;" "we settled the land." (_See_ LAYING.) "Settle the main
top-sail halliards," _i.e._ ease them off a little, so as to lower the
yard, as on sh