FALL OF TIDE. An ebb.

FALL OUT, TO. To increase in breadth. Among soldiers and small-arm men,
to quit the ranks of a company.

FALLS. When a ship is not flush, this is the term given to those risings
of some parts of her decks (which she may have) more than others.

FALL-WIND. A sudden gust.

FALMADAIR. An old word signifying rudder, or a pilot.

FALSE ALARM. _See_ ALARM.

FALSE ATTACK. A feigned assault, made to induce a diversion or
distraction of the enemy's forces, in order that the true object
elsewhere may be carried.

FALSE COLOURS. To sail under false colours and chase is an allowable
stratagem of war, but firing under them is not permitted by the maritime
law of England.

FALSE FIRE, BLUE FLAMES. A composition of combustibles filled into a
wooden tube, which, upon being set fire to, burns with a light blue
flame from a half to several minutes. They are principally used as
night-signals, but often to deceive an enemy.

FALSE KEEL. A kind of supplemental or additional keel secured under the
main one, to protect it should the ship happen to strike the ground.

FALSE KELSON, OR KELSON RIDER. A piece of timber wrought longitudinally
above the main kelson.

FALSE MUSTER. An incorrect statement of the crew on the ship's books,
which if proved subjects the captain to cashiering.

FALSE PAPERS. Frequently carried by slavers and smugglers.

FALSE POST. _See_ FALSE STERN-POST.

FALSE RAIL. A thin plank fayed at the head-rails as a strengthener.

FALSE STEM. A hard timber fayed to the fore-part of the main stem, its
tail covering the fore-end of the keel. (_See_ CUT-WATER.)

FALSE STERN. An additional stern fixed on the main one, to increase the
length and improve the appearance of a vessel.

FALSE STERN-POST. A piece bolted to the after-edge of the main
stern-post to improve steerage, and protect it should the ship tail
aground.

FAMILY-HEAD. When the stem was surmounted with several full-length
figures, as was the custom many years ago.

FAMLAGH. The Erse or Manx term for oar or ore weed, wrack, or manure of
sea-weed.

FANAL [Fr.] A lighthouse.

FANCY-LINE. A line rove through a block at the jaws of a gaff, used as a
down-haul. Also, a line used for cross-hauling the lee topping-lift.
Also, a cord laid up neatly for sashed cabin-windows. Sometimes used for
_tracing-line_.

FANE. An old term for weather-cock: "a fayne of a schipe." (_See_ VANE.)

FANG, TO. To pour water into a pump in order