d used in throwing the deep-sea lead, when each man, on letting go
the last turn of line in his hand, calls to the next abaft him, "Watch,
there, watch!" A buoy is said to _watch_ when it floats on the surface
of the water.

WATCH AND WATCH. The arrangement of the crew in two watches.

WATCH-BILL. The pocket "watch and station bill," which each officer is
expected to produce if required, and instantly muster the watch, or the
men stationed to any specific duty.

WATCHET. A light blue, or sky-coloured cloth worn formerly by English
sailors, especially by the boats' crews of men-of-war.

WATCH-GLASSES. The half-hour glasses employed to measure the periods of
the watch, so that the several stations therein may be regularly kept
and relieved, as at the helm, pump, look-out, &c. (_See_ GLASS.)

WATCHING A SMOOTH. Looking for a temporary subsidence of the waves of a
head-sea, previous to easing down the helm, in tacking ship.

WATCH-SETTING. In the army, retreat, or the time for mounting the
night-guards.

WATCH-TACKLE. A small luff purchase with a short fall, the double block
having a tail to it, and the single one a hook. Used for various
purposes about the decks, by which the watch can perform a duty without
demanding additional men.

WATER, TO. To fill the casks or tanks; to complete water.

WATERAGE. The charge for using shore-boats.

WATER-BAILIFF. An officer in sea-port towns for the searching of
vessels.

WATER-BALLAST. Water when used to stiffen a ship, whether carried in
casks, tanks, bags, or otherwise. The iron screw-colliers of the present
day have immense tanks constructed in their floors, on the upper part of
which the coals rest; when they are discharged, the tanks are allowed to
fill with water, which acts as ballast for the return voyage, and is
pumped out by the engine as the coals are taken in.

WATER-BARK. A small decked vessel or tank, used by the Dutch for
carrying fresh water.

WATER-BATTERY. One nearly on a level with the water--_a fleur d'eau_; a
position of much power when vessels cannot get close to it.

WATER-BEWITCHED. Bad tea, _geo-graffy_, 5-water grog, and the like
greatly diluted drinks.

WATER-BORNE. When a ship just floats clear of the ground. Also, goods
carried by sea, or on a river.

WATER-CROW. The lesser cormorant, or shag.

WATER-DOG. _See_ WATER-GALL.

WATER-FLEAS. The groups of crustaceous organisms classed as
_Entomostraca_.

WATER-GAGE. A sea wall or bank.