g. Also, a hawser laid out to some fixed object to
slue a vessel proceeding to sea. (_See_ WARP.)--_To spring._ To split or
break.--_To spring a butt._ To start the end of a plank on the outside
of a ship's bottom. (_See_ BUTT.)--_To spring a leak_, is when a vessel
is suddenly discovered to leak.--_To spring the luff_, easing the helm
down to receive a breeze; to bring a vessel's head closer to the wind in
sailing. Thus a vessel coming up sharply to the wind under full way
shoots, and may run much to windward of her course, until met by a
contrary helm.--_To spring a mine._ To fire its charge.

SPRING-BEAM. In a steamer, a fore-and-aft beam for connecting the two
paddle-beams, and supporting the outer end of the paddle-shaft.

SPRING-FORELOCK. One jagged or split at the point, thereby forming
springs to prevent its drawing.

SPRING-SEARCHER. A steel-pronged tool to search for defects in the bore
of a gun.

SPRING-STAYS. Are rather smaller than the stays, and are placed above
them, being intended as substitutes should the main one be shot away.

SPRING-TIDE. The periodical excess of the elevation and depression of
the tide, which occurs when both the sun and moon act in the same
direction.

SPRIT [Anglo-Saxon, _spreotas_]. A small boom which crosses the sail of
a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner: the lower
end of the sprit rests in a sort of becket called the snotter, which
encircles the mast at that place. These sails are accordingly called
sprit-sails. Also, in a sheer-hulk, a spur or spar for keeping the
sheers out to the required distance, so that their head should plumb
with the centre of the ship when taking out or putting in masts.

SPRIT-SAIL. A sail formerly attached to a yard which hung under the
bowsprit, and of importance in naval actions of old.

SPRIT-SAIL SHEET KNOT. May be crowned and walled, or double-walled, and
is often used as a stopper-knot.

SPRIT-SAIL TOP-SAIL. A sail extended above the sprit-sail by a yard,
which hung under the jib-boom.--_Top-gallant sprit-sail_ was set upon
the flying jib-boom in the same manner that the sprit-sail was set upon
the inner jib-boom. The sprit-sail course, top-sail, and topgallant-sail
were similar in effect to those on the fore-mast, and in former times,
when the bowsprit stood more erect, it was indeed the bowsprit or mast.

SPRIT-SAIL YARD. A yard slung across the bowsprit, lashed to the
knight-heads, and used to spread the g