magnetic meridian. (_See_ ANNUAL
VARIATION.)

VARIATION CHART. The well-known chart produced by Halley, whereon a
number of curved lines show the variation of the compass in the places
they pass through. The admiralty variation chart has been brought to
great perfection.

VARIATION OF THE MOON. An inequality in the movement of our satellite,
amounting at certain times to 37' in longitude: it was the first lunar
inequality explained by Newton on the principles of gravitation.

VARIATION OF THE VARIATION. Is the change in the declination of the
needle observed at different times in the same place.

VEDETTE. One or two cavalry soldiers stationed on the look-out.

VEER, TO. To let out, to pay out, to turn or change. Also, to veer or
wear, in contradistinction from tacking. In tacking it is a necessary
condition that the ship be brought up to the wind as close-hauled, and
put round against the wind on the opposite tack. But in veering or
wearing, especially when strong gales render it dangerous, unseamanlike,
or impossible, the head of the vessel is put away from the wind, and
turned round 20 points of the compass instead of 12, and, without strain
or danger, is brought to the wind on the opposite tack. Many
deep-thinking seamen, and Lords St. Vincent, Exmouth, and Sir E. Owen,
issued orders to wear instead of tacking, when not inconvenient, deeming
the accidents and wear and tear of tacking, detrimental to the sails,
spars, and rigging.

VEER A BUOY IN A SHIP'S WAKE, TO. To slack out a rope to which a buoy
has been attached, and let it go astern, for the purpose of bringing up
a boat, or picking up a man who may have fallen overboard.

VEER AND HAUL, TO. To gently tauten and then slacken a rope three times
before giving a heavy pull, the object being to concentrate the force of
several men. The wind is said to veer and haul when it alters its
direction; thus it is said, to veer aft, and haul forward.

VEER AWAY THE CABLE, TO. To slack and let it run out.

VEERING CABLE, THE. That cable which is veered out in unmooring, and not
unspliced or unshackled in clearing hawse.

VEGA. {a} Lyrae. The bright lucida of the old northern constellation
Lyra.

VEIN. The clear water between the openings of floes of ice. The same as
_ice-lane_. Also, a very limited current of wind--a cat's-paw.

VELOCITY. In naval architecture, designing for velocity is giving that
form to a ship's body by which she will pass through the water