where a hatchway is cut.

COAMINGS OF THE HATCHES OR GRATINGS. Certain raised work rather higher
than the decks, about the edges of the hatch-openings of a ship, to
prevent the water on deck from running down. Loop-holes were made in the
coamings for firing muskets from below, in order to clear the deck of an
enemy when a ship is boarded. There is a rabbet in their inside upper
edge, to receive the hatches or gratings.

COAST. The sea-shore and the adjoining country; in fact, the sea-front
of the land. (_See_ SHORE.)

COAST-BLOCKADE. A body of men formerly under the jurisdiction of the
Customs, termed Preventive Service, offering a disposable force in
emergency; but which has been turned over to the control of the
Admiralty, and now become the Coast-guard, over which a commodore, as
controller-general, presides. (_See_ FENCIBLES.)

COASTER. _See_ COASTING.

COASTING, OR TO COAST ALONG. The act of making a progress along the
sea-coast of any country, for which purpose it is necessary to observe
the time and direction of the tide, to know the reigning winds, the
roads and havens, the different depths of water, and the qualities of
the ground. As these vessels are not fitted for distant sea voyages,
they are termed coasters.

COASTING PILOT. A pilot who has become sufficiently acquainted with the
nature of any particular coast, to conduct a ship or fleet from one part
of it to another; but only within his limits. He may be superseded by
the first branch-pilot he meets after passing his bounds.

COASTING TRADE. The commerce of one port of the United Kingdom with
another port thereof. A trade confined by law to British ships and
vessels.

COAST-WAITER. Custom-house superintendents of the landing and shipping
of goods coastways.

COAST-WARNING. Synonymous with _storm-signal_; formerly fire-beacons
were used to give warning of the approach of an enemy.

COAT. A piece of tarred canvas nailed round above the partners, or that
part where the mast or bowsprit enters the deck. Its use is to prevent
the water from running down between decks. There is sometimes a coat for
the rudder, nailed round the hole where the rudder traverses in the
ship's counter. It also implies the stuff with which the ship's sides or
masts are varnished, to defend them from the sun and weather, as
turpentine, pitch, varnish, or paint; in this sense we say, "Give her a
coat of tar or paint." By neglecting the scraper this may become a crust
of