s in men-of-war over the main-deck, parallel
to the quarter-deck and forecastle beams, for stowing the boats and
booms upon.

SKIDDY-COCK. A west-country term for the water-rail.

SKIDER. A northern term for the skate.

SKIDS. Massive fenders; they consist of long compassing pieces of
timber, formed to answer the vertical curve of a ship's side, in order
to preserve it when weighty bodies are hoisted in or lowered against it.
They are mostly used in whalers. Boats are fitted with permanent
fenders, to prevent chafing and fretting. Also, beams resting on blocks,
on which small craft are built. Also, pieces of plank put under a
vessel's bottom, for launching her off when she has been hauled up or
driven ashore.

SKIFF. A familiar term for any small boat; but in particular, one
resembling a yawl, which is usually employed for passing rivers. Also, a
sailing vessel, with fore-and-aft main-sail, jib fore-sail, and jib:
differing from a sloop in setting the jib on a stay, which is eased in
by travellers. They have no top-mast, and the main-sail hauls out to the
taffrail, and traverses on a traveller iron horse like a cutter's
fore-sail.

SKILLET. A small pitch-pot or boiler with feet.

SKILLY. Poor broth, served to prisoners in hulks. Oatmeal and water in
which meat has been boiled. Hence, _skillygalee_, or burgoo, the drink
made with oatmeal and sugar, and served to seamen in lieu of cocoa as
late as 1814.

SKIN. This term is frequently used for the inside planking of a vessel,
the outside being the _case_.

SKIN OF A SAIL. The outside part when a sail is furled. To furl in a
clean skin, is the habit of a good seaman.--_To skin up a sail in the
bunt._ To make that part of the canvas which covers the sail, next the
mast when furled, smooth and neat, by turning the sail well up on the
yard.

SKIP-JACK. A dandified trifling officer; an upstart. Also, the
merry-thought of a fowl. Also, a small fish of the bonito kind, which
frequently jumps out of the water. A name applied also to small
porpoises.

SKIPPAGE. An archaism for tackle or ship furniture.

SKIPPER. The master of a merchant vessel. Also, a man-of-war's man's
constant appellation for his own captain. Also, the gandanock, or
saury-pike, _Esox saurus_.

SKIRLING. A fish taken on the Welsh coasts, and supposed to be the fry
of salmon.

SKIRMISH. An engagement of a light and irregular character, generally
for the purpose of gaining information or time, or