projecting from the stern, with
sheaves or blocks at their outer ends, for hoisting boats up to.

STERN-FAST. A rope used to confine the stern of a vessel to a wharf, &c.

STERN-FRAME. That strong and ornamental union based on the stern-post,
transom, and fashion-pieces.

STERN-KNEE. Synonymous with _stern-son_ (which see).

STERN-LADDER. Made of ropes with wooden steps, for getting in and out of
the boats astern.

STERNMOST. Implies anything in the rear, or farthest astern, as opposed
to headmost.

STERN-PORTS. The ports made between the stern-timbers.

STERN-POST. The opposite to the _stem_; scarphed into the keel, and
suspending the rudder. In steam-ships, where a screw is fitted, it works
between this and an after stern-post which carries the rudder.

STERN-SHEETS. That part of a boat between the stern and the aftmost
thwart, furnished with seats for passengers.

STERN-SON. A knee-piece of oak-timber, worked on the after dead-wood;
the fore-end is scarphed into the kelson, and the after-side fayed into
the throats of the transoms.

STERN-WALK. The old galleries formerly used to line-of-battle ships.

STERN-WAY. The movement by which a ship goes stern foremost. The
opposite of _head-way_.

STEVEDORE, OR STIVADORE. A stower; one employed in the hold in loading
and unloading merchant vessels.

STEWARD. There are several persons under this appellation in most ships,
according to their size, appointed to the charge of the sea-stores of
the various grades. The paymaster's steward has most to do, having to
serve the crew, and therefore has assistants, distinguished by the
sobriquet of Jack-o'-the-dust, &c. In large passenger ships which do not
carry a purser, part of his duties devolves upon the captain's steward.
In smaller merchant ships the special duties of the steward are not
heavy, so that he assists in the working of the ship, and in tacking;
his station is, _ex officio_, the main-sheet.

STICHLING. A grown perch, thus described by old Palsgrave: "Styckelyng,
a maner of fysshe."

STICKLEBACK. A very small fish, armed with sharp spines on its back.

STICKS. A familiar phrase for masts.

STIFF. Stable or steady; the opposite to _crank_; a quality by which a
ship stands up to her canvas, and carries enough sail without heeling
over too much.

STIFF BOTTOM. A clayey bottom.

STIFF BREEZE. One in which a ship may carry a press of sail, when a
little more would endanger the spars.

STIFFENING OR