, it often brings but little cessation from work in some
merchantmen; they sail on a Sunday, not because of exigency, but because
it is otherwise a leisure day, and thereby gained to the owners.

SUN-FISH. The _Orthagoriscus mola_, a whimsical-looking creature, like
the head of a large fish severed from its body. Also, a name in the
south for the basking shark, from its habit of lying in the sunshine.

SUNKEN ROCK. That which lies beneath the surface of the sea, and is
dangerous to navigation.

SUNK LAND. Shallows and swamps.

SUN-STAR. The _Solaster papposus_, one of the largest and handsomest of
our radiated star-fishes.

SUPERANNUATED. Applied to such as have permission to retire from the
service on a stated pension, on account of age or infirmity.

SUPER-CARGO. A person charged with the accounts and disposal of the
cargo, and all other commercial affairs in the merchant-ship in which he
sails.

SUPER-HEATED. Said of steam, the heat of which has been raised after
being generated.

SUPER-HEATER. A contrivance for increasing the temperature of the steam
to the extent that it would lose on its way from the boiler, until
exhausted from the cylinder.

SUPERIOR CONJUNCTION. When an inferior planet is situated in the same
longitude as the sun, and has that luminary between it and the earth, it
is said to be in superior conjunction.

SUPERIOR PLANETS. Those which revolve about the sun as a centre, outside
the earth's orbit; the opposite of _inferior_.

SUPERIOR SLOPE. The inclined upper surface of a parapet.

SUPERNATANT PART OF A SHIP. That part which, when afloat, is above the
water. This was formerly expressed by the name _dead-work_.

SUPERNUMERARIES. Men over and above the established complement of a
ship, who are entered on a separate list in the ship's books for
victuals and wages.

SUPPLEMENT OF LONGITUDE. The term usually applied to its complement, or
what it wants of 180 deg.

SUPPORT A FRIEND, TO. To make every exertion to assist a vessel in
distress, from whatever cause. Neglect of this incurs punishment.

SUPPORTERS. Circular knee-timbers placed under the cat-heads for their
support and security.

SURA. The drink otherwise called _toddy_ (which see).

SURDINY. An old name for the fish _sardine_.

SURE, OR SHORE. _See_ SHORE.

SURES. Peculiar southerly winds which blow on the coasts of Chili, Peru,
and Mexico, accompanied by a fog or vapour, called _sures pardos_.

SURF. The swell and f