oam of the sea, which breaks upon the shore, or any
rock lying near the surface. The most violent surfs are those which
break upon a flat shore, as on the Coromandel and African coasts.

SURFACE CURRENT. A current which does not extend more than 8 or 10 feet
below the surface. Also, fresh water running over salt at the mouths of
great rivers.

SURF-BOAT. A peculiar kind of flat-bottomed boat, varying according to
local exigencies, for landing men, or goods, in surf. (_See_ MASULAH
BOATS.)

SURGE. A large swelling wave. Also, the tapered part of the whelps
between the chocks of the capstan, upon which the messenger is readily
surged.--_To surge_, is to slacken up suddenly a portion of a rope where
it renders round a pin, windlass, or capstan; as, "Surge the messenger."
A ship is said _to surge_ on a reef when she rises and falls with the
heave of the sea, so as to strike heavily.

SURGE HO! The notice given when a rope or cable is to be surged.

SURGEON. A competent medical officer, appointed to attend the sick and
wounded on board a ship of war, for which purpose he has, according to
the rate of the ship, from one to two assistants, once called surgeon's
mates, but latterly _assistant-surgeons_ (which see).

SURGE THE CAPSTAN, TO. To slacken the rope heaved round upon its barrel,
to prevent its parts from riding or getting foul.

SURINGER. An archaism for surgeon.

SURMARKS. In ship-building, the points on the moulds where the
bevellings are to be applied to the timbers.

SURROGATES. Those substituted or appointed in the room of others; as
naval captains formerly acting for judges in Newfoundland.

SURVEY. An inspection or examination made by several practical officers
into the condition of any stores belonging to a ship. Also, those
important astronomical observations, soundings, and other data,
collected by officers who are employed in constructing charts and plans
of seas, shoals, rocks, harbours, &c.

SURVEYING VESSELS. Those equipped for examining coasts, dangers, &c.;
their utility is unquestionable. Some of the smaller vessels of war on
every station might be profitably employed in thus examining all
reported dangers.

SURVEYORS AT LLOYD'S. _See_ LLOYD'S SURVEYORS.

SURVEYORS OF THE NAVY. Two officers who formerly sat at the navy board,
being invested with the charge of building and repairing the royal ships
at the different dockyards of the kingdom; for which they were trained
to the theory and p