d the ordinary limit.

FORCED MEN. Those serving in pirate vessels, but who refused to sign
articles.

FORCER. The piston of a _forcing-pump_.

FORCES. The army collectively, or naval and military forces engaged.

FORCING-PUMP. Any pump used to force water beyond that force demanded to
deliver at its level, as fire-engines, &c.

FORD. The shallow part of a river, where troops may pass without
injuring their arms.

FORE. The distinguishing character of all that part of a ship's frame
and machinery which lies near the stem, or in that direction, in
opposition to _aft_ or _after_. Boarders to the fore--advance!

FORE-AND-AFT. From head to stern throughout the ship's whole length, or
from end to end; it also implies in a line with the keel; and is the
opposite of _athwart-ships_, which is from side to side.

FORE-AND-AFTER. A cocked hat worn with the peak in front instead of
athwart. Also, a very usual term for a schooner with only fore-and-aft
sails, even when she has a crossjack-yard whereon to set a square-sail
when occasion requires.

FORE-AND-AFT SAILS. Jibs, staysails, and gaff-sails; in fact, all sails
which are not set to yards. They extend from the centre line to the lee
side of a ship or boat, so set much flatter than square-sails.

FORE-BAY. A rising at a lock-gate flooring. Also, the galley or the
sick-bay.

FORE-BODY. An imaginary figure of that part of the ship afore the
midships or dead-flat, as seen from ahead.

FORE-BOWLINE. The bowline of the fore-sail.

FORE-BRACES. Ropes applied to the fore yard-arms to change the position
of the fore-sail occasionally.

FORECAST. A storm warning, or reasonable prediction of a gale from the
inferences of observed meteorological instruments and phenomena.

FORECASTLE. Once a short deck placed in the fore-part of a ship above
the upper deck; it was usually terminated, both before and behind, in
vessels of war by a breast-work, the foremost part forming the top of
the beak-head, and the hind part, of the fore-chains. It is now applied
in men-of-war to that part of the upper deck forward of the after
fore-shroud, or main-tack block, and which is flush with the
quarter-deck and gangways. Also, a forward part of a merchantman under
the deck, where the seamen live on a platform. Some vessels have a short
raised deck forward, which is called a _top-gallant forecastle_; it
extends from the bow to abaft the fore-mast, which it includes.

FORECASTLE-DECK. The fo