_, is a ship whose floor is so narrow that she cannot be
brought on the ground without danger.

CRANK-HATCHES. Are raised coamings on a steamer's deck, to form
coverings for the cranks of the engines below.

CRANK-PIN. In steam machinery, it goes through both arms of the crank at
their extremities; to this pin the connecting-rod is attached.

CRANKS OF A MARINE ENGINE; eccentric, as in a turning-lathe. The bend or
knee pinned on the shafts, by which they are moved round with a circular
motion. Also, iron handles for working pumps, windlasses, &c. Also,
erect iron forks on the quarter-deck for the capstan-bars, or other
things, to be stowed thereon. Also, the axis and handle of a grindstone.
Also, an old term for the sudden or frequent involutions of the planets
in their orbits.

CRANK-SHAFT. In a steamer. (_See_ INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.)

CRAPPO, OR GENERAL CRAPAUD. Jack's name for a Frenchman, one whom he
thinks would be a better sailor if he would but talk English instead of
French.

CRARE, OR CRAYER. A slow unwieldy trading vessel of olden times. Thus
Shakspeare, in _Cymbeline_, with hydrographic parlance:--

"Who ever yet could sound thy bottom? Find
The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare
Might easiliest harbour in?"

CRATER OF A MINE. Synonymous with _funnel_ (which see).

CRAVAISE. An Anglo-Norman word for cray-fish.

CRAVEN. An old term synonymous with _recreant_ (which see).

CRAWL. A sort of pen, formed by a barrier of stakes and hurdles on the
sea-coast, to contain fish or turtle. On the coast of Africa, a pen for
slaves awaiting shipment.

CRAWLING OFF. Working off a lee-shore by slow degrees.

CRAY-FISH. A lobster-like crustacean (_Astacus fluviatilis_) found in
fresh-water.

CRAZY. Said of a ship in a bad state.

CREAK. The straining noise made by timbers, cabin bulk-heads, and spars
in rolling.

CREAR. A kind of Scotch lighter. (_See_ CRARE.)

CREEK. A narrow inlet of the sea shoaling suddenly. Also, the channels
connecting the several branches of a river and lake islands, and one
lake or lagoon with another. It differs from a cove, in being
proportionately deeper and narrower. In law, it is part of a haven where
anything is landed from the sea.

CREEL, OR CRUE, for fishing. _See_ KREEL.

CREENGAL. _See_ CRINGLE.

CREEPER. A small grapnel (iron instrument with four claws) for dragging
for articles dropped overboard in harbour. When anything falls, a dish
or other