nd "Wheel."

SAILS. Sails are of two kinds: square, and fore and aft. Square sails
spread more across the vessel, in the direction of her width. Fore and
aft sails more in the direction of the length. Square sails are better
for a free wind; and also for large vessels, because they can be more
readily subdivided. Fore and aft sails trim nearer to the wind, and so
are convenient for coasters, which generally are smaller.

Vessels carrying square sails are called square-rigged. They have
always two masts, usually three; each carrying three or four sails,
one above the other. These are named from the mast on which they are
carried (see "Spars"); e.g., _main_ sail, _fore_ topsail, _mizzen_
topgallant-sail; and also from their positions on the same mast.
Thus, from lowest up, main sail, main topsail, main topgallantsail;
and main royal, if there be a fourth. The fore and main sails are
called also courses.

The topsails were the chief battle sails, because the largest, except
the courses, and more manageable than the courses.

All square-rigged vessels carry fore and aft sails, three cornered,
stretched between the bowsprit and jib-booms, and the fore topmast.
These sails are called jibs.

Fore and aft vessels also carry jibs; but on each upright mast they
have one great sail, the size of which makes it less easily handled
in an emergency, therefore less fit for fighting. Above the big sail
they have a small, light, three-cornered topsail, but this is merely
a fair weather sail, useless in battle.

Vessels of war were almost all square-rigged, with three masts.

SAILS, STUDDING. Light square sails, for moderate weather, extended
beyond the other square sails, to increase the normal spread of
canvas. Set only with a free wind, and never in battle.

SCANTLING. The size, and consequent weight and strength, of the
timbers of a vessel's hull.

SCHOONER. See "Vessel."

SHAKE, to. So to place a sail that the wind blows along it, neither
filling nor backing. The sail is thus neutralized without taking in.

SHARP-UP. A yard is sharp-up, when turned by the braces as far as the
rigging of the mast will allow. A close-hauled course requires the
yards to be sharp-up, in order that the sails may be full.

SHIP. See "Vessel."

SLIP. See "Cable."

SLOOP. See "Vessel."

SPARS. A spar is a long piece of timber, cylindrical, tapering, in
masts, towards one end, and in yards towards bot