rine law. "If a mariner,"
says Molloy, "shall commit a fault, and the master shall lift up the
towel three times before any mariner, and he shall not submit, the
master at the next place of land may discharge him." Some think that
this refers to an oaken stick, but it is no doubt corrupted from the
_oster la touaille_, or turning a delinquent out of his mess, of the
laws of Oleron.

TOWING-BRIDLE. A stout chain with a hook at each end for attaching a
tow-rope to; also, a large _towing-hook_ in the bight of the chain.

TOWING-HOOK. _See_ TOWING-BRIDLE.

TOWING OVERBOARD. Drawing anything after a ship or boat when she is
sailing or rowing. As a man[oe]uvre to deceive an enemy, and induce him
to chase, it was common to tow a sail astern by a hawser, at the same
time keeping the three masts in line, so as to deceive the chaser as to
distance.

TOWING-PATH. The hauling-way along a canal or artificial harbour.

TOWING-POST. A substantial timber fixed through the deck of a steam-tug
for making the tow-rope fast to. Also, a similar post in canal barges to
keep the tow-line up clear of the path.

TOW-LINE [Anglo-Saxon _toh-line_]. A small hawser or warp used to move a
ship from one part of a harbour or road to another by means of boats,
steamers, kedges, &c.

TOWN-MAJOR. An officer in a garrison specially supervising the detail of
the guards, and of other local current duties.

T-PLATES. Iron plates in the form of the letter T placed under the
channels to add strength.

TRABACCOLO. An Adriatic trading craft.

TRABALEO. Ancient coasting vessels.

TRABARIAE. Ancient canoes, made of hollowed trees, capable of carrying
two or three men.

TRACE. In fortification, the horizontal disposition of the works; also,
a plan of the same.

TRACK-BOAT [from the Dutch _treck-schuyt_]. A vessel used on a canal or
narrow stream.

TRACKING. Hauling any vessel or floating body along a canal or river by
a rope dragged along the bank by men or horses.

TRACK OF A SHIP. The line of a ship's course through the water. (_See_
WAKE.)

TRADE. Implies the constant destination of any particular merchant
vessels, as the Lisbon trade, West India trade, &c.

TRADER. A vessel employed regularly in any particular branch of
commerce, whether sea-borne or coasting, British or foreign.

TRADE-ROOM. A part of the steerage of a Yankee notion-trader where light
goods and samples of the cargo are kept for general business.

TRADE-WINDS. Currents