rust
through them, each acting like two levers. It is employed to wind in the
cable, or any other weighty matter. Also, a portable wooden or cast-iron
machine, fitted with wheels and pinions similar to those of a winch, of
use in loading and discharging timber-vessels, &c.--_The crab with three
claws_, is used to launch ships, and to heave them into the dock, or off
the key.--_To catch a crab._ To pull an oar too light or too deep in the
water; to miss time in rowing. This derisive phrase for a false stroke
may have been derived from the Italian _chiappar un gragno_, to express
the same action.

CRABBING TO IT. Carrying an over-press of sail in a fresh gale, by which
a ship crabs or drifts sideways to leeward.

CRABBLER. _See_ KRABLA.

CRAB-BOAT. Resembles a large jolly-boat.

CRAB-CAPSTAN. _See_ CRAB.

CRAB-WINDLASS. A light windlass for barges.

CRAB-YAWS. _See_ YAW.

CRACK. "In a crack," immediately.

CRACKER. So named from the noise it makes in exploding; it is applied
to a small pistol. Also, to a little hard cabin biscuit, so called from
its noise in breaking.

CRACKNEL. A small bark. Also, biscuits (see 1 Ki. xiv. 3).

CRACK OFFICER. One of the best class.

CRACK ON, TO. To carry all sail.

CRACK-ORDER. High regularity.

CRACK-SHIP. One uncommonly smart in her evolutions and discipline,
perhaps from the old English word for a fine boy. Crack is generally
used for first-rate or excellent.

CRADLE. A frame consisting of bilge-ways, poppets, &c., on the principle
of the wedge, placed under the bottom of a ship, and resting on the ways
on which it slips, thus launching her steadily into the water, at which
time it supports her weight while she slides down the greased ways. The
cradle being the support of the ship, she carries it with her into the
water, when, becoming buoyant, the frame separates from the hull, floats
on the surface, and is again collected for similar purposes.

CRADLES. Standing bedsteads made up for wounded seamen, that they may be
more comfortable than is possible in a hammock. Boats' chocks are
sometimes called cradles.

CRAFT [from the Anglo-Saxon word _craeft_, a trading vessel]. It is now a
general name for lighters, hoys, barges, &c., employed to load or land
any goods or stores.--_Small craft._ The small vessels of war attendant
on a fleet, such as cutters, schooners, gunboats, &c., generally
commanded by lieutenants. Craft is also a term in sea-phraseology for
every ki