STOPPER OF THE ANCHOR. A strong rope attached to the cat-head, which,
passing through the anchor-ring, is afterwards fastened to a
timber-head, thereby securing the anchor on the bow.

STOPPER OF THE CABLE. Commonly called a deck-stopper. A piece of rope
having a large knot at one end, and hooked or lashed to a ring-bolt in
the deck by the other; it is attached to the cable by a laniard, which
is passed securely round both, by several turns passed behind the knot,
or round the neck of the stopper, by which means the cable is restrained
from running out of the ship when she rides, and is an additional
security to the bitted cable.--_Dog-stopper._ A strong rope clenched
round the main-mast, and used on particular occasions to relieve and
assist the preceding when the ship rides in a heavy sea, or otherwise
veering with a strain on the cable.--_Wing-stoppers._ Similar pieces of
rope clenched round one of the beams near the ship's side, and serving
the same purpose as the preceding.--_Rigging-stoppers_ have a knot and a
laniard at each end; they are used when the shrouds, stays, or backstays
are stranded in action, or in a gale; they are then lashed above and
below, in the same manner as those of the cables, to the wounded parts
of the shroud, &c., which are thereby strengthened, so as to be fit for
service. Other rigging-stoppers have dead-eyes and tails, so that by
securing one dead-eye above and the other below the injury, they can be
set up by their laniard, and brought to an even strain with the other
shrouds. Stoppers are also pieces of rope used to prevent the
running-rigging from coming up whilst being belayed. Sometimes they have
a knot at one end, and a hook at the other, for various purposes about
the decks.

STOPPERING. The act of checking or holding fast any rope or cable by
means of a stopper.

STOPPER-KNOT. Single and double wall, without crowning, and the ends
stopped together.

STOP THE VENT, TO. To close it hermetically by pressing the thumb to it.

STOP-WATER. Anything tending to impede the sailing of a ship, by towing
overboard. Also, a name for particular tree-nails.

STORE-KEEPER. An officer in the royal dockyards, invested with the
general charge of naval stores, as the sails, anchors, cordage, &c.

STORES. A general term for the arms, clothing, ropes, sails, provisions,
and other outfit, with which a ship is supplied.

STORE-SHIP. A government vessel appropriated for carrying munitions and
s