called _stringers_.

SHELKY. A name for the seal in the Shetland Isles.

SHELL. In artillery, a hollow iron shot containing explosive materials,
whether spherical, elongated, eccentric, &c., and destined to burst at
the required instant by the action of its _fuse_ (which see).--_Common
shells_ are filled with powder only, those fired from mortars being
spherical, and having a thickness of about one-sixth of their diameter.
(_See_ also SEGMENT-SHELL and SHRAPNEL SHELL.) Also, the hard calcareous
external covering of the mollusca, crustacea, and echinoderms.

SHELL-FISH. A general term applied to aquatic animals having a hard
external covering or shell, as whelks, oysters, lobsters, &c. These are
not, however, properly speaking, fish.

SHELLING. The act of bombarding a fort, town, or position.

SHELL OF A BLOCK. The outer frame or case wherein the sheave or wheel is
contained and traverses about its axis.

SHELL-ROOM. An important compartment in ships of war, fitted up with
strong shelves to receive the shells when charged.

SHELL, SHRAPNEL. _See_ SHRAPNEL SHELL.

SHELVES. A general name given to any dangerous shallows, sand-banks, or
rocks, lying immediately under the surface of the water.

SHELVING. A term expressive of step-like rocks lying in nearly
horizontal strata, or inclining very gradually; as a "shelving bottom,"
or a "shelving land." Applied to the shore, it means that it ascends
from the sea, and passes under it at an extremely low angle, so that
vessels of draught cannot approach.

SHERE. An archaic sea-term for running aground.

SHEVO. An entertainment, thought by some to be derived from the gaiety
of the chevaux, or horse-guards; more probably from _chez-vous_.

SHIBAH. A small Indian vessel.

SHIELD-SHIP. A vessel fitted with one or more massive iron shields, each
protecting a heavy gun or guns. The name was applied to an improvement
on the "cupola-ship," before the latter was perfected into the
"turret-ship."

SHIELD TOWER OR TURRET. A revolving armoured cover for guns.

SHIEVE, TO. To have head-way. To row the wrong way, in order to assist
the steersman in a narrow channel.

SHIFT. In ship-building, when one butt of a piece of timber or plank
overlaunches the butt of another, without either being reduced in
length, for the purpose of strength and stability.--_To shift_ [thought
to be from the Anglo-Saxon _scyftan_, to divide]. To change or alter the
position of; as, to shift a sail,