method of tacking a ship by letting go the lee-anchor
as soon as the wind is out of the sails, which brings her head to wind,
and as soon as she pays off, the cable is cut and the sails trimmed;
this is never had recourse to but in perilous situations, and when it is
expected that the ship would otherwise miss stays. The most gallant
example was performed by Captain Hayes in H.M.S. _Magnificent_, 74, in
Basque Roads, in 1814, when with lower-yards and top-masts struck, he
escaped between two reefs from the enemy at Oleron. He bore the name of
_Magnificent Hayes_ to the day of his death, for the style in which he
executed it.
CLUB-LAW. The rule of violence and strength.
CLUE. Of a square sail, either of the lower corners reaching down to
where the tacks and sheets are made fast to it; and is that part which
comes goring out from the square of the sail.
CLUE-GARNETS. A sort of tackle rove through a garnet block, attached to
the clues of the main and fore sails to haul up and truss them to the
yard; which is termed clueing up those sails as for goose-wings, or for
furling. (_See_ BLOCK.)
CLUE-LINES. Are for the same purpose as clue-garnets, only that the
latter term is solely appropriated to the courses, while the word
clue-line is applied to those ropes on all the other square sails; they
come down from the quarters of the yards to the clues, or lower corners
of the sails, and by which the sails are hauled or clued up for furling.
CLUE OF A HAMMOCK. The combination of small lines by which it is
suspended, being formed of knittles, grommets, and laniards; they are
termed double or single clues, according as there are one or two at each
end. Latterly iron grommets or rings were introduced, but did not afford
the required spread, and in some cases triangular irons, or
span-shackles were substituted, called _Spanish clues_, formed by fixing
the knittles at equal distances upon a piece of rope instead of a
grommet, which having an eye spliced, and a laniard placed at each end,
extends the hammock in the same way as a double clue.--_From clue to
earing._ A phrase implying from the bottom to the top, or synonymous
with "from top to toe." Or literally the diagonal of a square sail.
Also, every portion, as in shifting dress; removing every article. Also,
cleaning a ship from clue to earing; every crevice.--_A clue up._ A case
of despair. In readiness for death.
CLUE-ROPE. In large sails, the eye or loop at the clues is
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