SNARES. The cords which pass across the diameter of one hoop at the end
of a drum.

SNARLEY-YOW. A discontented, litigious grumbler. An old guard-ship
authority who knows when to play the courtier.

SNARL-KNOT. A northern expression for a knot that cannot be drawn loose.

SNATCH. Any open lead for a rope: if not furnished with a sheave, it is
termed a _dumb snatch_, as on the bows and quarters for hawsers.

SNATCH-BLOCK. A single iron-bound block, with an opening in one side
above the sheave, in which the bight of a rope may be laid, instead of
reeving the end through, which in some circumstances would be very
inconvenient, as when warps are led to the capstan, &c. The same as
_notch-block_.

SNEER. To "make all sneer again" is to carry canvas to such an extent as
to strain the ropes and spars to the utmost.

SNEEZER. A stiff gale of wind.

SNIFTING-VALVE. In the marine engine (_see_ TAIL-VALVE).

SNIGGLING. A peculiar mode of catching eels in small streams and ponds,
described by Izaak Walton.

SNIKKER-SNEE. A combat with knives; also, a large clasp-knife.

SNOGO. A cockpit game at cards, called also _blind hookey_, apparently
affording equal chances, but easily managed to his own advantage by a
knavish adept.

SNOOD [Anglo-Saxon, _snod_]. A short hair-line or wire to which hooks
are fastened below the lead in angling. Or the link of hair uniting the
hook and fishing-line.

SNOOK. A fish of the family _Scombridae_, _Thyrsites atun_, abundant in
Table Bay, whence it is exported, when salted, to the Mauritius.

SNOTTER. The lower support of the _sprit_ (which see).

SNOW. A vessel formerly much in use. It differs slightly from a brig. It
has two masts similar to the main and fore masts of a ship, and close
abaft the main-mast a trysail-mast. Snows differ only from brigs in that
the boom-mainsail is hooped to the main-mast in the brig, and traverses
on the trysail-mast in the snow.

SNUBBING HER. Bringing a ship up suddenly with an anchor, and short
range of cable, yet without jerking. [Said to be from the Icelandic
_snubba_.]

SNUG. Under proper sail to meet a gale.

SNY. A gentle bend in timber, curving upwards: when it curves downwards,
it is said to _hang_.

SO! An order to desist temporarily from hauling upon a rope, when it has
come to its right position.

SOAK AND SEND! The order to pass wet swabs along.

SOAM. The dried air-bladder of herrings.

SOCKETS. The holes in which swivel-pintle