TRANSIT. The passage of a circumpolar star over the meridian above
the pole; the opposite of the _lower transit_.

UPPER-WORKS. That part of a ship which rises from the water's surface
when she is properly trimmed for a voyage.

UP SCREW! The order in steamers to lift the screw on making sail.

UP WITH THE HELM. Put it a-weather; that is, over to the windward side,
or (whichever way the tiller is shipped) so as to carry the rudder to
leeward of the stern-post.

URANOGRAPHY. The delineation of constellations, nebulae, &c., on
celestial charts or globes.

URANOSCOPUS. _See_ SKY-GAZER.

URANUS. A superior planet discovered by the elder Herschel in 1781; it
has four known satellites, but possibly six, according to the impression
of the discoverer.

URCA. An armed Spanish fly-boat.

URSA MAJOR. One of the ancient northern constellations.

URSA MINOR. An ancient northern constellation, in which the north polar
star is situated.

USAGES. Besides the general laws of merchants, there are certain
commercial and seafaring usages which prevail in particular countries
with the force of law. Underwriters are bound by usages; and they are
legal precedents, binding in courts-martial.

USHANT TEAM. The sobriquet given to that portion of the Channel fleet
which blockaded Brest.

UTLAGHE. An outlaw; whence by corruption _laggers_, people transported
by sentence of law.

UVROU. The circular piece of wood, with holes in it, by which the legs
of a crow-foot are extended for suspending an awning.

V.

VACUUM. A space utterly empty, even of air or vapour.

VADMEL. Coarse woollen manufacture of the Orkneys. (_See_ WADMAREL.)

VAIL, TO. An old word signifying to lower, to bend in token of
submission; as, "Vail their top-gallants." Thus in the old play _George
a-Green_, "Let me alone, my lord; I'll make them vail their plumes."

VAKKA. A large canoe of the Friendly Islands, with an out-rigger.

VALE, OR DALE (which see). Also, gunwale.--_To vale_, was an old term
for "dropping down," as in a river.

VALUATION. In cases of restitution after property has been sold, and
account of sales cannot be obtained, it may be taken at the invoice
price, and 10 per cent profit; but this mode of estimating it does not
include freight, even though the ship and cargo belong to the same
person.

VALUED POLICY. Is where a value has been set upon the ships or goods
insured, and this value inserted in the policy in nature of liquid