f a river, over which the water flows, and the tide ripples in ebbing
or flowing.

SWASHWAY. A channel across a bank, or among shoals, as the noted
instance between the Goodwin Sands.

SWATHE. The entire length of a sea-wave.

SWAY, TO, OR SWAY AWAY. To hoist simultaneously; particularly applied to
the lower yards and top-masts, and topgallant-masts and yards.--_To sway
away on all top-ropes._ To go great lengths (colloquially).

SWAY UP, TO. To apply a strain on a mast-rope in order to lift the spar
upwards, so that the fid may be taken out, previous to lowering the
mast. Or sway yards aloft ready for crossing.

SWEARING. A vulgar and most irrational vice, which happily is fast going
out. Habitual swearing was usually typical of a bad officer. It may have
originated in the custom too often demanded by law, of solemn
asseverations on frivolous subjects.

SWEATING THE PURSER. Wasting his stores. Burning his candles, &c.

SWEEP. The trending or inclination of a coast to a crescent. Also, that
part of the mould of a ship, where she begins to compass in the
rung-heads. Also, a large kind of oar.--_To sweep a coast._ To sail
along at a reasonable distance with a vigilant inspection.

SWEEPING. The act of dragging the bight or loose part of a small rope
along the ground, in a harbour or roadstead, in order to recover a sunk
anchor or wreck. The two ends of the rope are fastened to two boats, a
weight being suspended to the middle, to sink it to the ground, so that,
as the boats row ahead, it may drag along the bottom. Also, a term used
for rapidly scrutinizing a certain portion of the heavens in quest of
planets, comets, &c.

SWEEP OF THE TILLER. A semicircular frame on which the tiller traverses
in large ships; it is fixed under the beams near the fore-end of the
tiller, which it supports.

SWEEP-PIECE. A block at the bottom of the port-sill for receiving the
chock of the gun-carriage, and to aid in training the gun.

SWEEPS. Large oars used on board ships of war in a calm, either to
assist the rudder in turning them round, or to propel them ahead when
chasing in light winds. Brigs of 386 tons have been swept at 3 knots or
more.

SWEETENING COCK. A wholesome contrivance for preventing fetid effluvia
in ships' holds, by inserting a pipe through the ship's side, with a
cock at its inner end, for admitting water to neutralize the accumulated
bilge-water, as also to supply the wash-deck pump.

SWELCHIE. A rapid c