stem, and the
stern-post: it is also called the _plan of elevation_, and it exhibits
the out-board works, as the wales, sheer-rails, ports, drifts, height of
water-line, &c.

SHEERED. Built with a curved sheer. (_See_ MOON-SHEERED.)

SHEER-HULK. An old ship fitted with sheers, &c., and used for taking out
and putting in the masts of other vessels.

SHEERING. The act of deviating from the line of the course, so as to
form a crooked and irregular path through the water; this may be
occasioned by the ship's being difficult to steer, but more frequently
arises from the negligence or incapacity of the helmsman. For _sheering_
or _shearing_ in polar seas, _see_ LAPPING.

SHEER-LASHING. Middle the rope, and pass a good turn round both legs at
the cross. Then take one end up and the other down, around and over the
cross, until half of the lashing is thus expended; then ride both ends
back again on their own parts, and knot them in the middle. Frap the
first and riding turns together on each side with sennit.

SHEER-MAST. The peculiar rig of the rafts on the Guayaquil river; also
of the piratical prahus of the eastern seas, and which might be imitated
in some of our small craft with advantage: having a pair of sheers
(instead of a single mast) within which the fore-and-aft main-sail
works, or is hoisted or slung.

SHEER-MOULD. Synonymous with _ram-line_ (which see).

SHEER OFF, TO. To move to a greater distance, or to steer so as to keep
clear of a vessel or other object.

SHEER-PLAN. The draught of the side of a proposed ship, showing the
length, depth, rake, water-lines, &c.

SHEER-RAIL. The wrought-rail generally placed well with the sheer or
top-timber line; the narrow ornamental moulding along the top-side,
parallel to the sheer.

SHEERS. Two or more spars, raised at angles, lashed together near their
upper ends, and supported by guys; used for raising or taking in heavy
weights. Also, to hoist in or get out the lower masts of a ship; they
are either placed on the side of a quay or wharf, on board of an old
ship cut down (_see_ SHEER-HULK), or erected in the vessel wherein the
mast is to be planted or displaced, the lower ends of the props resting
on the opposite sides of the deck, and the upper parts being fastened
together across, from which a tackle depends; this sort of sheers is
secured by stages extending to the stem and stern of the vessel.

SHEER-SAIL. A drift-sail.

SHEER TO THE ANCHOR, TO. To direc