pricker_.

STABILITY. A quality implying a ship's capacity to bear every motion of
the sea.

STACK. A precipitous rock rising out of the sea, in northern
hydrography.

STACKEN CLOUD. The same as _cumulus_ (which see).

STADE. The Anglo-Saxon _staede_, still in use. A station for ships. From
stade is derived _staith_ (which see).

STAFF. A light pole erected in different parts of a ship, whereon to
hoist and display the colours; as, _the ensign-staff_, reared
immediately over the stern; _the jack-staff_, fixed on the bowsprit-cap.
In military affairs, the staff includes all officials not having direct
and specific military command, as the adjutant-general,
quartermaster-general, majors of brigade, aides-de-camp, &c. This term
has been unaccountably pilfered by the admiralty lately from the army,
as a prefix to a naval title.

STAFF-CAPTAIN. A designation conferred in 1863 upon masters of the
fleet.

STAFF-COMMANDERS. A designation conferred in 1863 on masters of fifteen
years' seniority.

STAFF-OFFICER. On the general staff of the army, or of a combined force.
_See_ STAFF.

STAG. A name given to a rock that should be watched for, as off the
Lizard, Castlehaven, &c.

STAGE. Planks let over the ship's sides by ropes, whereon the people may
stand when repairing, &c.--_A floating stage_ is one which does not need
the support of ropes.--_Stage-gangway_ (_see_ BROW).

STAGER. A resident or practised person. _See_ OLD-STAGER.

STAGGERING UNDER IT. A ship's labouring under as much canvas as she can
bear.

STAGNES. A statute term for pools of standing water.

STAITH [Anglo-Saxon _staede_]. An embankment on the river bank whence to
load vessels. Also, a large wooden wharf, with a timber frame of either
shoots or drops, according to circumstances.

STAKES. A _weir_ (which see) for taking fish, as black-stakes, &c.

STAL-BOAT. A peculiar fishing-boat, mentioned in statute 27 Eliz. c. 21.

STALKERS. Certain fishing-nets mentioned in old statutes.

STAMMAREEN. The after or helmsman's seat in a Shetland fishing-boat.

STAMP AND GO! The order to step out at the capstan, or with hawsers,
topsail-halliards, &c., generally to the fife or fiddle.

STANCH. _See_ STAUNCH.

STANCHIONS. Any fixed upright support. Also, those posts of wood or iron
which, being placed pillar-wise, support the waist-trees and guns.

STANCHIONS OF THE NETTINGS. Slender bars of iron or wood, the lower ends
of which are fixed in iron sock