was
sentenced to carry a capstan-bar during a watch.

CAPSTAN-BARS. Long pieces of wood of the best ash or hickory, one end of
which is thrust into the square holes in the drumhead, like the spokes
of a wheel. They are used to heave the capstan round, by the men setting
their hands and chests against them, and walking round. They are also
held in their places in the drumhead holes, by little iron bolts called
capstan or safety pins, to prevent their flying out when the surging
overcomes the force of the men. Many men have been killed by this
action, and more by the omission to "pin and swift."

CAPSTAN-ROOM. _See_ ROOM.

CAPSTAN-STEP. (_See_ STEP OF THE CAPSTAN.) The men march round to the
tune of a fiddle or fife, and the phrase of excitement is, "Step out,
lads, make your feet tell."

CAPSTAN-SWIFTER. A rope passed horizontally through notches in the outer
ends of the bars, and drawn very tight: the intent is to steady the men
as they walk round when the ship rolls, and to give room for a greater
number to assist, by manning the swifters both within and without.

CAPTAIN. This title is said to be derived from the eastern military
magistrate _katapan_, meaning "over everything;" but the term _capitano_
was in use among the Italians nearly 200 years before Basilius II.
appointed his katapan of Apulia and Calabria, A.D. 984. Hence, the
corruption of the Apulian province into _capitanata_. Among the
Anglo-Saxons the captain was _schipp-hlaford_, or ship's lord. The
captain, strictly speaking, is the officer commanding a line-of-battle
ship, or a frigate carrying twenty or more cannon. A captain in the
royal navy is answerable for any bad conduct in the military government,
navigation, and equipment of his ship; also for any neglect of duty in
his inferior officers, whose several charges he is appointed to
regulate. It is also a title, though incorrectly, given to the masters
of all vessels whatever, they having no commissions. It is also applied
in the navy itself to the chief sailor of particular gangs of men; in
rank, captain of the forecastle, admiral's coxswain, captain's
coxswain, captain of the hold, captain of main-top, captain of fore-top,
&c.

CAPTAIN. A name given to the crooner, crowner, or gray gurnard (_Trigla
gurnardus_).

CAPTAIN OF A MERCHANT SHIP. Is a certificated officer in the mercantile
marine, intrusted with the entire charge of a ship, both as regards life
and property. He is in no way inv