ck, and is secured to the side-timbers.
It is selected from curved timber. Its upper head is on a level with the
upper rail; it is furnished with three great sheaves, and externally
strengthened by a cat-head knee. It not only is used to lift the anchor
from the surface of the water, but as it "looks forward," the cat-block
is frequently lashed to the cable to aid by its powerful purchase when
the capstan fails to make an impression. The cat-fall rove through the
sheaves, and the cat-block furnish the cat-purchase. The cat-head thus
serves to suspend the anchor clear of the bow, when it is necessary to
let it go: the knee by which it is supported is generally ornamented
with carving. Termed also _cat-head bracket_.

CAT-HOLES. Places or spaces made in the quarter, for carrying out fasts
or springs for steadying or heaving astern.

CAT-HOOK. A strong hook which is a continuation of the iron strop of the
cat-block, used to hook the ring of the anchor when it is to be drawn up
or catted.

CAT-LAP. A common phrase for tea or weak drink.

CAT O' NINE TAILS. An instrument of punishment used on board ships in
the navy; it is commonly of nine pieces of line or cord, about half a
yard long, fixed upon a piece of thick rope for a handle, and having
three knots on each, at small intervals, nearest one end; with this the
seamen who transgress are flogged upon the bare back.

CATRAIA. The catraia of Lisbon and Oporto, or pilot surf-boats, are
about 56 feet long, by 15 feet beam, impelled by sixteen oars.

CAT-RIG. A rig which in smooth water surpasses every other, but, being
utterly unsuited for sea or heavy weather, is only applicable to
pleasure-boats who can choose their weather. It allows one sail only--an
enormous fore-and-aft main-sail, spread by a gaff at the head and a boom
at the foot, hoisted on a stout mast, which is stepped close to the
stem.

CAT-ROPE. A line for hauling the cat-hook about: also cat-back-rope,
which hauls the block to the ring of the anchor in order to hook it.

CAT'S-PAW. A light air perceived at a distance in a calm, by the
impressions made on the surface of the sea, which it sweeps very gently,
and then passes away, being equally partial and transitory. Old
superstitious seamen are seen to scratch the backstays with their nails,
and whistle to invoke even these cat's-paws, the general forerunner of
the steadier breeze. Cat's-paw is also a name given to a particular
twisting hitch, made in th