_ OPEN ICE.)

DRIFTING-UP. Is used as relating to sands which are driven by the winds.
As at Cape Blanco, on the coast of Africa, off the tail of the Desert of
Zahara, where the houses and batteries have been thus obliterated.

DRIFT-MUD. Consisting chiefly of an argillaceous earth, brought down by
the rivers, floated about, and successively deposited in banks; forming
the alluvial and fertile European settlements of Guiana.

DRIFT-NET. A large net, with meshes of one inch, used in the pilchard
fishery in August; also, for herrings and mackerel in March: used in
drifting in the Chops of the Channel. Also, of strong gauze, for
molluscs.

DRIFT-PIECES. Solid pieces fitted at the drifts, forming the scrolls on
the drifts: they are commonly mitred into the gunwale.

DRIFTS. Detached masses of soil and underwood torn off the shore by
floods and floating about, often mistaken for rocks and dangers. Also,
in ship-building, those parts where the sheer is raised, and the rails
are cut off, ending with a scroll; as the drift of the quarter-deck,
poop-deck, and forecastle.

DRIFT-SAIL. A contrivance, by means of immersing a sail, to diminish the
drift of a ship during a gale of wind. (_See_ DRAGS.)

DRIFT-WAY. Synonymous with _lee-way_.

DRILL. Systematized instruction in the practice of all military
exercises.

DRILL-SHIPS. A recent establishment of vessels in which the volunteers
composing the Royal Naval Reserve are drilled into practice.

DRINK-PENNY. Earnest money at rendezvous houses, &c.

DRIP-STONE. The name usually given to filters composed of porous stone.

DRIVE, TO [from the Anglo-Saxon _dryfan_]. A ship drives when her anchor
trips or will not hold. She drives to leeward when beyond control of
sails or rudder; and if under bare poles, may drive before the wind.
Also, to strike home bolts, tree-nails, &c.

DRIVER. A large sail formerly used with the wind aft or quartering. It
was a square sail cut like a studding-sail, and set with a great yard on
the end of the spanker-boom, across the taffrail. The name latterly has
been officially applied to the spanker, both being the aftermost sails
of a ship, the ring-tail being only an addition, as a studding or
steering sail. (_See_ STEERING-SAIL.) Also, the foremost spur in the
bilge-ways, the heel of which is fayed to the fore-side of the foremost
poppet, and the sides of it look fore and aft. Also, a sort of
fishing-boat.

DRIVER-BOOM. The boom to which the