Also, to intercept a retreat.

CUT OF THE JIB. A phrase for the aspect of a vessel, or person.

CUT OUT, TO. To attack and carry a vessel by a boat force; one of the
most dashing and desperate services practised by Nelson and Cochrane, of
which latter that of cutting out the _Esmeralda_ at Callao stands
unequalled.

CUTTER. A small single-masted, sharp-built broad vessel, commonly
navigated in the English Channel, furnished with a straight running
bowsprit, occasionally run in horizontally on the deck; except for
which, and the largeness of the sails, they are rigged much like sloops.
Either clincher or carvel-built, no jib-stay, the jib hoisting and
hanging by the halliards alone. She carries a fore-and-aft main-sail,
gaff-topsail, stay-foresail, and jib. The name is derived from their
fast sailing. The cutter (as H.M.S. _Dwarf_) has been made to set every
sail, even royal studding-sails, sky-scrapers, moon-rakers, star-gazers,
water and below-water sails, that could be set by any vessel on one
mast. One of the largest which has answered effectually, was the
_Viper_, of 460 tons and 28 guns; this vessel was very useful during the
American war, particularly by getting into Gibraltar at a critical
period of the siege.

CUTTER-BRIG. A vessel with square sails, a fore-and-aft main-sail, and a
jigger-mast with a smaller one. (_See_ KETCH.)

CUTTERS of a ship are broader for their length, deeper and shorter in
proportion than the barge or pinnace; are fitter for sailing, and
commonly employed in carrying light stores, passengers, &c., to and from
the ships; some are clench-built. They generally row ten oars; others of
similar build only four, which last are termed jolly-boats. The cutters
for ships of the line are carvel-built of 25 feet, and fit for anchor
work.

CUTTER-STAY FASHION. The turning-in of a dead-eye with the end of the
shroud down.

CUT THE CABLE, TO. A man[oe]uvre sometimes necessary for making a ship
cast the right way, or when the anchor cannot be weighed.

CUTTIE. A name on our northern coasts for the black guillemot (_Uria
grille_).

CUTTING. The adjusting of a cask or spar, or turning it round.

CUTTING A FEATHER. It is common when a ship has too broad a bow to say,
"She will not cut a feather," meaning that she will not pass through the
water so swift as to make less foam or froth.

CUTTING DOWN. Taking a deck off a ship; as ships of the line are
converted into frigates, the _Royal Sovereig