ize of the ling, but with a broader tail.

'TWEEN OR 'TWIXT DECKS. The one under the gun deck, where sailors
usually mess.

TWICE-LAID. Rope made from a selection of the best yarns of old rope.
Also, a sea-dish made of the salt-fish left from yesterday's dinner, and
beaten up with potatoes or yams.

TWIDDLING-LINE. A piece of small rope ornamentally fitted and used for
steadying the steering-wheel when required: no longer used.

TWIG, TO. To pull upon a bowline. Also, in familiar phrase, to
understand or observe.

TWIG-AIT. A river islet where osiers grow.

TWINE. A kind of strong thread used in sail-making; it is of two kinds:
extra, for sewing the seams; and ordinary, for the bolt-ropes. (_See_
WHIPPING-TWINE.) Irish twine or thumb-line, like nettles, is worked by
the fingers from fine yarns drawn from bolt-rope.

TWIN-SCREW. A steamer fitted with two propellers and independent
engines, to enable her to turn rapidly on her own axis. The twin-screw
principle is not new, but latterly it has been so perfected that speed
in turning is no longer a matter of doubt.

TWO-BLOCKS. The same as _chock-a-block_ (which see).

TWO-HANDED FELLOWS. Those who are both seamen and soldiers, or
artificers; as the marines and, specially, marine artillerymen.

TWO-HANDED SAW. A very useful instrument in ship-carpentry; it is much
longer than the hand-saw, and requires two men to use it.

TWO-MONTHLY BOOK. A book kept by the captain's clerk, to be forwarded
every two months, when possible, in order to prevent frauds; and in the
event of a ship being lost, to have the accounts to the nearest period.

TWO MONTHS' ADVANCE. _See_ ADVANCE MONEY.

TWO-PENCES. A deduction from each man, per mensem, formerly assigned to
the surgeon for wages.

TWO-TOPSAIL-SCHOONER. _See_ TOPSAIL-SCHOONER.

TWY. A meteor squall on the coasts of Wiltshire, Hampshire, &c.

TYE. A runner of thick rope or chain, which forms part of the purchase
used for hoisting the top-sail and top-gallant yards.

TYE-BLOCK. The block on the yard through which the tye is rove, and
passes on to be secured at the mast-head. The block secured to the lower
end of the tye is the fly-block.

TYMOOM. A Chinese river craft.

TYNDARIDES. The ancient name of the meteor called _corpo santo_.

TYPHOON, TY-FONG, OR TAI-PHON. The Chinese word for a _great wind_,
applied to hurricanes or cyclones. They are revolving storms of immense
force, occurring most frequently in those p