bearing,
opposite to the wind.

LIE-TO, to. To bring the vessels head on, or near, the wind, and
remain nearly stopped. Usually in heavy weather, but not always.

LINE ABREAST. See p. 122.

LINE AHEAD. See p. 85.

LINE OF BATTLE. In the line of battle the vessels are ranged on the
same straight line, steering the same course, one behind the others,
so that all the broadsides are clear to bear upon an enemy. The
line preferred is one of the close-hauled lines, because on them the
movement of a vessel in the line is more easily regulated by backing,
or shaking, some of the sails.

LINE OF BEARING. See "Bearing, line of."

LINE, Ship of the. A vessel fitted by its force for the line of
battle. Opposite generically to "cruiser." The modern term is
"battleship."

LUFF, to. The movement of changing the course to nearer the direction
whence the wind comes, by using the helm.

MAIN. }
MIZZEN.} See "Spars" and "Sails."

MAST. See "Spars." "To the mast." A sail is said to be so when aback.

MONSOON. A trade wind, in the China and Indian seas, which blows
uniformly from the northeast in winter, and from southwest in summer.

NEAP. See "Tide."

OFF--the wind. See "Course."

ON--the wind. See "Course."

PENNANT. A flag, indicating either the rank of the senior officer on
board, or a signal applicable to a particular vessel.

POINT. See "Bearings, by Compass."

PORT. To the left hand, or on the left side, of a vessel, looking from
aft forward. Opposite to Starboard.

PORT, to. Applied to steering. To move the tiller, or helm, to the
left, which moves the rudder to the right and causes the vessel to
change course towards the right hand.

QUARTER. Either side of the after part of a vessel;--as starboard
quarter, port quarter; weather quarter, lee quarter. Quarter deck:
one side of the after upper deck, reserved for the officer exercising
command, and for ceremonial purposes.

QUARTERS. A crew is at quarters when at the stations for battle.

RAKE, to. To fire the broadside from ahead or astern of an antagonist,
so that the shot may sweep the length of the vessel, which at the
period of this book was about four times the width.

RANDOM SHOT. The extreme range to which a gun could send its shot,
giving very uncertain results.

REEF, to. To reduce the surface of a sail.

RUDDER. A solid framework, pivoted at the stern of a vessel, which
being turned to one side deflects her course. See "Helm" a