is the beam upon which the stanchions of the beak-head bulk-head stand. The upper side of it is kept well with the upper side of the upper deck port-sills, and lets down upon the spirketting at the side. But its casting over the bow-sprit, in the middle, giving it a form which in timber is not to be gotten without difficulty, a framing of two large carlings, and a stanchion on each side of the bowsprit, is now generally substituted in its place.

Small vessels, either open or decked. Rowing boats are open, and others are generally decked over. Boats are managed on the water by rowing and sailing, and are occasionally slight or strong, sharp or flat bottomed, open or decked, plain or ornamented, as they may be designed either celerity or burthen, for deep or shallow water, for sailing in a harbor or at sea, for convenience or pleasure.

The construction and the names of boats are different, according to the various purposes for which they are calculated, and the services required of them.

The largest that ships take to sea is the LONG-BOAT, built very strongly, and furnished with masts and sails.

The LAUNCH is a sort of LONG-BOAT, and is now generally taken to sea in its stead; but it is not built upon a principle of sailing, it being more flat, is broader, and more useful for weighing small anchors than the LONG-BOAT.

The BARGE is next in size, but very different from the former in its construction, having a slighter frame, and being more ornamented. It is constructed for rowing or sailing, having conveniences for ten or twelve oars, and two or three masts, and is chiefly used for the conveyance of admirals and other officers of rank to and from the ship.

The PINNACE is of the same form as the barge, but is something smaller, and never rows more than eight oars. It is for smaller ships, or for the use of officers of subordinate rank.

A YAWL is something less than the pinnace, nearly of the same form, and used for similar purposes. They are generally rowed with six oars.

The above boats are all carvel-built.

CUTTERS for ships are clincher-built, and are used for the conveyance of seamen, or the lighter stores. They are shorter and broader in proportion to their length than the long boat, and constructed either for rowing or sailing.

for securing GUNS. have the part that enters into the wood cylindrical. Those for ring-bolts have the rings turned into an eye made at the head of the bolt. The rings are sometimes made angular, to receive many turns of lashing; such are the bolts for lashing the booms and spare anchors. Eye bolts have only an eye made at the head of the bolt, to which the tackles. may be hooked.

Some eye-bolts have a shoulder to them, to resist a great strain, as the fish-tackle eye-bolt, which has a plate, or long strap, made under the eye to prevent its burying into the plank. The TOGGLE-BOLT has a flat head and a mortise through it, that receives a toggle or pin. Its use is to confine the ensign staff. into its place, by means of a strap.

A projection of wood formerly left on the hawse-pieces, in wake of the hawse-holes, and which projected as far out as the plank inside and out. This method of fitting the hawse-holes is now, however, generally laid aside; as, among other advantages which attend the present practice, it is found that, as the method of boxing consumed an unnecessary quantity of large timber, this expense is now avoided; beside which, the planks, without boxing, run forward to the stem, and thereby strengthen the bow. The purpose of boxing is much better answered by a pipe of lead let through the holes, and turned with a flap inside and out, the undersides of which are the thickest, to allow for the wearing of the cable.

The term BOXING is also applied to the scarp of the lower piece of stem, let flat wise into the forefoot.

The upper rail of the balcony, or of the breast-work at the fore part of the quarter deck.

The stanchions, with their rails, at the fore part of the quarter-deck. The breast-work fitted on the upper deck of such ships as have no quarter-deck serves to make a separation from the main-deck.

A smaller sort of capstan, formed of a wooden pillar, and three or more small whelps, whose lower end works in a socket, whilst the middle traverses or turns round in partners which clip it in a circle. Above the whelps are two holes to receive bars, that act as levers, and by which it is turned round. It serves as a capstan for raising of weights.

By a machine of this kind, so simple in its construction, may be heaved up the frame timbers. of vessels when building. For this purpose it is placed between two floor timbers, while the partners which clip it in the middle may be of four or five inch plank fastened on the same floors. A block is fastened beneath in the slip, with a central hole for its lower end to work in.

Besides the crab described here, there is another sort which is shorter and portable. The latter is fitted in a frame composed of cheeks, across which are the partners, and at the bottom a small platform to receive the spindle.