being preferred.

BOWSPRIT-HORSES. The ridge-ropes which extend from the bowsprit-cap to
the knight-heads.

BOWSPRIT-LADDER. Skids over the bowsprit from the beak-head in some
ships, to enable men to run out upon the bowsprit.

BOWSPRIT-NETTING. The netting placed just above a vessel's bowsprit, for
stowing away the fore-topmast staysail; it is usually lashed between the
ridge-ropes.

BOWSPRIT-SHROUDS. Strong ropes or chains leading from nearly the outer
end of the bowsprit to the luff of the bow, giving lateral support to
that spar.

BOW-STAVES. Early supplied to our men-of-war.

BOW-TIMBERS. Those which form the bow of the ship.

BOX. The space between the back-board and the stern-post of a boat,
where the coxswain sits.

BOXES OF THE PUMPS. Each ordinary pump has an upper and lower box, the
one a fixture in the lower part of its chamber, the other attached to
the end of the spear or piston-rod; in the centre of each box is a valve
opening upwards.

BOXHAULING. Is an evolution by which a ship is veered sharp round on her
heel, when the object is to avoid making a great sweep. The helm is put
a-lee, the head-yards braced flat aback, the after-yards squared, the
driver taken in, and the head-sheets hauled to windward; when she begins
to gather stern-way the helm is shifted and sails trimmed. It is only
resorted to in emergencies, as a seaman never likes to see his ship have
stern-way. With much wind and sea this evolution would be dangerous.

BOXING. A square piece of dry hard wood, used in connecting the frame
timbers. Also, the projection formerly left at the hawse-pieces, in the
wake of the hawse-holes, where the planks do not run through; now
disused. The stem is said to be boxed when it is joined to the fore end
of the keel by a side scarph. (_See_ BOXING OF RUDDER.)

BOXING OFF. Is performed by hauling the head-sheets to windward, and
laying the head-yards flat aback, to pay the ship's head out of the
wind, when the action of the helm alone is not sufficient for that
purpose; as when she is got "in irons."

BOX THE COMPASS, TO. Not only to repeat the names of the thirty-two
points in order and backwards, but also to be able to answer any and all
questions respecting its divisions.

BOYART. An old term for a hoy.

BOYAUX. The zig-zags or tortuous trenches in the approach of a besieger.

BOYER. A sloop of Flemish construction, with a raised work at each end.

BRAB. The sheaf of the young leaves