St. Lawrence at La Chine, there reported to rush in
spring-time at the rate of 40 miles an hour. Thus the shooting Old
London Bridge was the cause of many deaths, and gave occasion to the
admirable description in the _Loves of the Triangles_ (anti-Jacobin),
when all were agreed:

"'Shoot we the bridge,' the vent'rous boatmen cry;
'Shoot we the bridge,' th' exulting fare reply."

SHOOT-FINGER. This was a term in use with the Anglo-Saxons from its
necessity in archery, and is now called the trigger-finger from its
equal importance in modern fire-arms. The mutilation of this member was
always a most punishable offence; for which the laws of King Alfred
inflicted a penalty of fifteen shillings, which at that time probably
was a sum beyond the bowman's means.

SHOOTING-GLOVES. These were furnished to the navy when cross-bows,
long-bows, and slur-bows were used.

SHOOTING OF NETS. The running out of nets in the water, as seins,
drift-nets, herring-nets, &c.; but it does not apply to trawls.

SHOOTS, OR SHUTS. A large pipe or channel to lead away water, dirt,
ballast, shot, &c., is called a shoot. The overfalls of a river, where
the stream is narrowed by its banks, whether naturally or artificially,
especially the arches of a bridge, constitute a shoot.

SHOOT THE COMPASS, TO. To shoot wide of the mark.

SHOOT THE SUN, TO. To take its meridional altitude; literally aiming at
the reflected sun through the telescope of the instrument. "Have you
obtained a shot?" applied to altitudes of the meridian, as for time,
lunar distances, &c.

SHORE. A prop fixed under a ship's sides or bottom, to support her when
laid aground or on the stocks. Shores are also termed _legs_ when used
by a cutter or yacht, to keep the vessel upright when the water leaves
her. (_See_ LEGS.) Also, the general name for the littoral of any
country against which the waves impinge, while the word _coast_ is
applied to that part of the land which only lies contiguous to the
sea.--_Bold shore._ A coast which is steep-to, permitting the near
approach of shipping without danger; it is used in contradistinction to
a _shelving-shore_.

SHORE-ANCHOR. That which lies between the shore and the ship when
moored.

SHORE-BOATS. Small boats or wherries plying for hire at sea-ports.

SHORE-CLEATS. Heavy cleats bolted on to the sides of vessels to support
the shore-head, and sustain the ship upright.

SHORE-FAST. A hawser carried out to secure a vessel t