A Sea of Words

by Dean King

  carbine A firearm, shorter and lighter than a musket, originally used by the cavalry.

  Carbonari A secret political society that spread through Italy, Spain, and France early in the 19th century as a result of the turmoil brought on by the French Revolution and NAPOLEON. The Carbonari (literally, “charcoal-burners”) sought to defend the rights of the people against all forms of absolutism, by any means, including assassination and armed revolt. It included army officers, government officials, and clergy and was tightly organized, with symbolic rituals and language, an oath of silence, and a rigid hierarchy. In 1814, the church issued an edict against secret societies, especially the FREEMASONS and the Carbonari. However, the Carbonari existed in some form until the middle of the century and were partially responsible for uprisings in Spain (1820), Naples (1820), and Piedmont (1821).

  carboy A large roughly spherical bottle of green or blue glass covered with basket-work for protection, used chiefly for holding acids and other corrosive liquids.

  carcharias Shark.

  carcharodon Subspecies of shark.

  card or compass-card The stiff circular piece of paper on which the 32 compass points are marked on a mariner’s compass.

  cardamom The true, or lesser, cardamom, Eletteria cardamomum. Because its aromatic seeds were thought to promote the expulsion of gas from the intestines, they were prescribed for dyspepsia, as well as to promote sweating.

  Cardan, Jerome (1501-1576) An Italian physician, mathematician, and professor of medicine who developed a system for teaching the blind that foreshadowed Braille’s. Cardan wrote on physiognomy (see PHYSIOGNOMIST), arguing that horoscopes could be drawn from the furrows in the forehead.

  careen To HEEL a ship over on one side for cleaning, CAULKing, or repairing.

  Carey’s Warranted Arrowroot A proprietary brand of an edible powdered starch prepared from the roots of any of several South American plants and used to make a bland diet suitable for invalids.

  carina A structure in the form of a KEEL or ridge; hence, the forward-projecting part of a bird’s breastbone to which the flight muscles attach.

  carious Decayed or rotten, said of bones and especially teeth.

  carline or carlingi A piece of timber about five inches square, lying FORE-AND-AFT under the deck of a ship to support the deck planks near a HATCH or MAST.

  Carrera, Jose Miguel (1785-1821) A leader in the independence movement and first president of Chile. By a coup d’etat in 1811, Carrera took control of the national government and made himself dictator. However, strife within the independence movement soon led to the restoration of Spanish rule. In 1813, BERNARDO O’HIGGINS was made leader of the movement; however, early in 1814, Carrera regained control. During an invasion by Spanish forces from Peru, Carrera and O’Higgins were defeated in October 1814 at Rancagua, where Carrera failed to come to the assistance of O’Higgins. Carrera sought aid against his opponents, first in Buenos Aires and then, in 1815, in the United States. He returned to Argentina in 1816, but he was prevented from entering Chile and instead helped Argentine provincial chiefs in sporadic revolts against Buenos Aires. He was eventually betrayed by his own men, captured, and shot.

  carronade or smasher A short-barreled lightweight gun with a chamber for the powder like a mortar and firing a heavy shot over a short distance. Taking its name from its place of manufacture, Carron Iron Works in Falkirk, Scotland, the carronade was first used on British ships in 1779.

  cartel A commissioned ship sailing under a flag of truce in time of war to exchange prisoners or to carry a proposal from one enemy to another,

  carotid pulse Pulse felt in the carotid arteries on either side of the neck.

  cartridge A case made of paper, parchment, flannel, or metal that contains the charge of powder for a firearm.

  caruncula A small fleshy outgrowth, like the wattles of the turkey-cock. Also, an outgrowth on a seed.

  carus The various forms of profound sleep or insensibility; especially the fourth and most extreme degree of insensibility, the others being SOPOR, coma, and lethargy. Also means “dear” (Latin).

  carvel-built A vessel whose planks are all flush and smooth, the edges laid close to each other, in contrast to CLINKER-BUILT, where they overlap each other.

  cascabel The knob, or pommelion, at the rear end of a cannon. See illustration, page 214.

  case-bottle A bottle, often square, used for wine and medicines and made to fit into a case with others.

  casemate A bomb-proof chamber, generally under the ramparts of a fortress, used as a barrack or a battery.

  case-shot See CANISTER SHOT.

  cashier To dismiss from a position of command or authority with disgrace and permanent exclusion from the service.

  cassia A tree, Cassia fistula, whose bark is used as a cathartic. Also, any of various trees, shrubs, and plants of the genus Cassia.

  Cassiopeia The northern constellation (shaped like a W) between Cepheus and Andromeda, in which a brilliant new star appeared in 1572 but then disappeared.

  cassowary Any member of a genus (Casuarius) of large birds, related to the ostrich, that inhabit the islands in the East Indian Archipelago as far as New Guinea. They stand about five feet high and have wings that are of no use for flight but are furnished with stiff quills that serve for protection.

  The cassowary, Casuarius galeatus, a flightless bird of the East Indies

  Castilian Of or pertaining to the Spanish province of Castile, or a native of Castile. Also, the language of that province, which is considered to be standard Spanish, as distinct from provincial dialects.

  Castle In reference to Ireland, Dublin Castle, the seat of the English vice-regal court and administration. Thus, in politics, it refers to the authority based at Dublin Castle and Irish government officials.

  Castoreum Castor, a reddish-brown liquid with a strong smell and nauseating bitter taste, obtained from two sacs in the body of the Russian beaver and used in medicine and in perfumery.

  casus belli Cause of or justification for war (Latin).

  cat A type of vessel based on a Norwegian model, distinguished by having a narrow stern, projecting QUARTERS, a deep WAIST, and no ornamental figure on the bow. Cats were often used in the coal and wood trade. Cats were sometimes bought into the service by the Admiralty, as was H.M.S. Endeavour, commanded by Captain COOK on his great voyage of 1768 to 1771. Also, short for CATHEAD. Also, to raise the anchor to the cathead and secure it. See also CAT-O’-NINE-TAILS.

  Catalan Of or pertaining to the Spanish province of CATALONIA, or a native of Catalonia. Also, the language of Catalonia, which is a dialect of Provencal and has affinities with Spanish.

  catalepsy A state of seizure or trance characterized by loss of sensation, voluntary motion, and consciousness.

  Catalonia The most northeasterly province of Spain, Catalonia is bordered by France to the north. Geographically, the Pyrenees Mountains form its northern and western boundaries and the Mediterranean, its eastern. Its wooded hills are a major source of cork, and the coastal plains, of grains, olives, and grapes. Formerly an independent principality, Catalonia’s language is closer to Provencal than Castilian Spanish. From the 9th century, Catalonia was ruled by the counts of Barcelona, the port and principal city of the region. Catalonia’s influence peaked during the 13th and 14th centuries, when it dominated Mediterranean trade, but declined during the 16th and 17th centuries. From 1640 to 1659, Catalonia joined France against Philip IV of Spain, and in 1714 it lost its autonomy. But the region has never lost its unique identity, and a separatist movement continues to the present day. See also CATALAN.

  cataract A waterfall, especially one falling headlong over a precipice; formerly also a waterspout. In medicine, a clouded eye lens, usually associated with aging.

  catastrophic Should be catastrophe, dismayed or dumbfounded (French).

  catenary The curve formed by a chain or rope of uniform density hanging freely from two fixed points not in the same vertical line.

/>   caterwaul To make the noise of cats at rutting time; to be in heat or lecherous. Also, to quarrel loudly.

  cat-fall In the cat-TACKLE, the rope between the cat-BLOCK and the sheaves in the cathead. See also CATHEAD.

  cat-harpings Small ropes that brace the SHROUDS of the lower MASTS under the TOP of SQUARE-RIGGED vessels. Until about 1820, the FUTTOCK SHROUDS were secured to the lower shrouds and futtock-STAVEs, rather than to the lower mast. To assist in securing the TOPMAST, ropes were snaked between the futtock-staves and FRAPped together to form the cat-harpin legs. Later, the cat-harpin legs were short lengths of heavy rope with an eye at each end and served throughout their length. Since the cat-harpins pulled the lower shrouds in a little, this facilitated the bracing up of the lower yard. In Young Sea Officer’s Sheet Anchor, Darcy Lever illustrates a variation, in which the cat-harpings cross, forming an X. This is the source of O’Brian’s cross cat-harpings.

  cathead A short, stout beam of timber projecting almost horizontally from the side of a ship’s bow and used for hoisting the anchor to the deck without its touching the hull and for carrying the anchor when it is suspended outside the ship. The name may possibly derive from the custom, of unknown origin, of decorating these structures with carved or cast lions’ heads, believed to bring good luck, or possibly from the north German word “kattenkopf” which is a square pin stuck in a hole of a WINDLASS, and to which the CABLE is secured. The anchor is catted, or raised and secured, to the cathead by means of the cat-TACKLE, or cat-PURCHASE, which consists of the cat-BLOCK, the CAT-FALL, and the SHEAVES in the cathead. The cat-block is furnished with a strong hook, the cat-hook, which is attached to the ring of the anchor by means of the cat-rope, or cat-back. When raised, the anchor is fastened by its ring to the cathead with the cathead-stopper, or cat-stopper.

  catholicon A panacea.

  catlin or catling A long, straight, narrow, double-edged knife used for performing amputations.

  cat-o’-nine-tails or cat Until 1881, an authorized instrument of punishment in the British Navy, composed of nine pieces of cord about half a yard long fixed upon a piece of thick rope for a handle. Each length of cord had three knots at small intervals near the striking end. Sailors were flogged with the cat on the bare back for transgressing the ARTICLES OF WAR, the rules of the service. A “thieves’ cat” had larger and harder knots than usual and was used only for punishing thieves.

  cat’s paw A slight local breeze that shows itself by rippling the surface of the sea. Also, a hitch in a rope giving loops for hoisting.

  catting the anchor See CATHEAD.

  caudle A warm drink consisting of thin gruel mixed with wine or ale, sweetened and spiced. Given chiefly to sick people.

  caulk To seal a ship’s seams and make it watertight by driving in OAKUM and pouring on melted PITCH or resin. Caulker’s mallets and caulking-irons, which resembled chisels, are used to drive the oakum into the seams. Also, a small amount of liquor.

  centaureum A plant of a large genus (Centaurea) of herbs used in strengthening tonics.

  Centurion, H.M.S. The 60-gun, fourth-rate ship in which Admiral George ANSON circumnavigated the world, harassing Spanish merchants and taking a heavily laden MANILA galleon on June 20, 1743. Launched in 1732, she was broken up in 1769.

  cephalopod Any member of the class Cephalopoda, the most highly organized class of the phylum Mollusca. Cephalopods are characterized by a distinct head and highly developed eyes and tentacles. They include cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids.

  ceruse Lead acetate, used in many wound ointments. Also lead monoxide, largely used as a white pigment in paint.

  cetacean Of or pertaining to the order Cetacea of marine mammals, including the whale and the porpoise.

  chaffinch A common European bird with pretty plumage and a short, pleasant song.

  chafing-dish A small container to hold burning charcoal or other fuel, usually used for heating food at the table.

  chain-pump A machine for drawing up water that uses a chain attached to a number of buckets or cups to lift the water and pour it out.

  chains The CHAIN-WALE, DEAD-EYES, and other hardware used to secure the lower SHROUDS of a MAST outside the ship’s side. Usually the mast being reinforced is specified, as in forechains or mainchains. To stand “in the chains” means to stand upon the chain-wale between two shrouds, from where the LEADSMAN heaves the HAND-LEAD to measure water depth.

  chain-shot or chain A kind of shot formed of two balls, or half-balls, connected by a chain, chiefly used in naval warfare to destroy MASTS, RIGGING, and sails. Also, a shot or discharge of this type.

  chain-wale or channel A broad, thick plank that projects horizontally from each of a ship’s sides abreast of a MAST, distinguished as the FORE, MAIN, or MIZZEN channel accordingly, serving to extend the base for the SHROUDS, which support the mast.

  chaise or shag A light open two-or four-wheeled carriage for one or two people, often having a calash or top. Those with four wheels resemble the phaeton, those with two, the CURRICLE. Also loosely used for pleasure carts and light carriages. A carriage for traveling, having a closed body and seats for one to three people, the driver sitting on one of the horses; more distinctively called a post-chaise. A chaise and pair or four or six is a chaise drawn by a pair, four, or six horses.

  chamade A signal by beat of drum or sound of trumpet inviting those involved to a parley.

  Chamaeleon or Chameleon One of the southern circumpolar constellations, lying between Apus and Mensa.

  Chambertin One of the finest red wines in the world, from the Cote de Nuits section of the Burgundy region of France.

  Chambolle-Musigny A commune in France’s Cote-d’Or department. Musigny, the name of a vineyard there, designates the red Burgundy the commune produces.

  Chancery The court of the Lord Chancellor of England, the highest judicial court next to the House of Lords. It formerly consisted of two distinct tribunals. The system was radically altered in 1875.

  chandler A dealer in provisions or equipment; a person who makes or sells candles.

  ’Change See ROYAL EXCHANGE.

  channel See CHAIN-WALE.

  Channel fever Much like spring fever, the euphoria felt by English seamen upon entering the English Channel on the homestretch.

  Channel Fleet The portion of the British fleet detailed for service in the English Channel.

  chantery also chanty or shanty A shipboard song, heard primarily on merchant ships during heavy work, such as turning the CAPSTAN or hoisting up a sail, to help coordinate the men’s efforts and to pass the time. A designated chanteyman led the singing, and the crew joined in, the cadence varying according to the type of work being done. The custom dated from the 16th century. The word comes from the French chanter, “to sing.”

  charnel-house A building, chamber, or vault for storing skeletons or cadavers.

  chase-piece or chaser See BOW-CHASER.

  chasse-marée The French name (literally, “chase-tide”) for a three-masted coasting vessel, many of which were LUGGER-rigged during the Napoleonic wars and used for smuggling and PRIVATEERing. See illustration, page 62.

  Cháteau Lafite The claret produced and bottled at Cháteau-Lafite, in the Medoc district of the department of Gironde, France.

  Chatham An important base and dockyard of the Royal Navy on the River Medway in Kent.

  check A sharp stoppage of motion, an interruption in a course. To check a BOWLINE is to slacken it and BELAY it again. To check a BRACE is to ease it off when it is found to be too taut. To check a CABLE is to slow it when it is running out.

  cheeks The projections on each side of the MAST on which the TRESSLETREES rest. Pieces of timber on the ship’s BOWS to secure the BEAKHEAD or CUTWATER. Also the sidepieces of a wooden gun-carriage and the two faces of a BLOCK.

  cheek-block A BLOCK fastened on one side to another object, such as a MAST.

  chelengk or chelengh Following the Battle of the NILE, a Turkish frigate was dispatched by t
he Grand Signor carrying for Nelson, as described by Steel’s Naval Chronologist of the War, “a superb diamond aigrette, called a Chelengh, or plume of triumph, taken from one of the Imperial turbans, with a pelice of sable fur of the first quality (p. 18).” In the famous portrait by Lemuel Francis Abbott, Nelson wears the chelengh proudly in his hat. Aubrey’s remarkable chelengk, awarded to him by the Grand Turk, is a diamond spray with a small mechanical heart that makes the sprays quiver.

  chelonian Of or belonging to the order of reptiles called Chelonia, distinguished by having the body enclosed in a double shell and comprising the various species of tortoises and turtles.

  Cherbourg An important port on France’s Cotentin Peninsula, across the Channel from England’s southern coast.

  cheroot A cigar open at both ends. Originally referred specifically to the ones made in Southern India or Manila.

  Chesapeake, U.S.S. One of the six original FRIGATES built for the U.S. Navy, she was commanded by Captain James Lawrence when she was captured in a bloody battle on June 1, 1813, in the Atlantic off Boston by Captain Philip BROKE in H.M.S. SHANNON. Lawrence was killed in the action, and 146 men were killed or wounded on the Chesapeake that day. Taken into the Royal Navy, she was sold in 1819.

  chesstrees Two pieces of wood bolted to the STEM of a ship perpendicular to the ship’s center line, one on the STARBOARD and the other on the LARBOARD, and used to extend the CLEW, or lower corners of the MAINSAIL, to windward.

  Chian Of or pertaining to the island of Chios (now Scio) in the Aegean Sea, famed in ancient times for its wine.

  chickadee The black-cap titmouse of North America.

  Chilon A sixth-century B.C. politician of Sparta who was credited with helping to overthrow a tyranny.

  chimaera A fabled fire-breathing monster of Greek mythology, with a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail (or according to some, with three heads, of a lion, a goat, and a serpent), killed by the Corinthian hero Bellerophon, who was helped by Pegasus, the winged horse. An unreal creature of the imagination, a mere wild fancy.