somewhat the same as
commodore for a squadron of ships.

BRIGANDINE. A pliant scale-like coat of mail.

BRIGANTINE. A square-rigged vessel with two masts. A term variously
applied by the mariners of different European nations to a peculiar sort
of vessel of their own marine. Amongst British seamen this vessel is
distinguished by having her main-sail set nearly in the plane of her
keel, whereas the main-sails of larger ships are spread athwart the
ship's length, and made fast to a yard which hangs parallel to the deck;
but in a brig, the foremost side of the main-sail is fastened at
different heights to hoops which encircle the main-mast, and slide up
and down it as the sail is hoisted or lowered: it is extended by a gaff
above and a boom below. Brigantine is a derivative from brig, first
applied to passage-boats; in the Celtic meaning "passage over the
water." (_See_ HERMAPHRODITE OR BRIG-SCHOONER.)

BRIGANTS. Formerly, natives of the northern parts of England.

BRIGDIE. A northern name for the basking shark (_Squalus maximus_).

BRIGHT LOOK-OUT. A vigilant one.

BRIG-SCHOONER. (_See_ HERMAPHRODITE and BRIGANTINE, by which, term she
is at present classed in law.) Square-rigged on the fore-mast, schooner
on the main-mast.

BRILL. The _Pleuronectes rhombus_, a common fish, allied to, but rather
smaller than, the turbot.

BRIM. The margin or bank of a stream, lake, or river.

BRIMSTONE. _See_ SULPHUR.

BRINE, OR PICKLE. Water replete with saline particles, as brine-pickle
for salt meat. The briny wave.

BRINE-GAUGE. _See_ SALINOMETER.

BRINE-PUMPS. When inconvenient to blow off the brine which collects at
the bottom of a steamer's boilers, the brine-pump is used for clearing
away the deposit.

BRING BY THE LEE, TO. To incline so rapidly to leeward of the course
when the ship sails large, or nearly before the wind, as in scudding
before a gale, that the lee-side is unexpectedly brought to windward,
and by laying the sails all aback, exposes her to the danger of
over-setting. (_See_ BROACH-TO.)

BRING 'EM NEAR. The day-and-night telescope.

BRINGERS UP. The last men in a boarding or small-arm party. Among
soldiers, it means the whole last rank of a battalion drawn up, being
the hindmost men of every file.

BRING HOME THE ANCHOR, TO, is to weigh it. It applies also when the
flukes slip or will not hold; a ship then brings home her
anchor.--_Bring home the log_. When the pin slips out of the log ship
and