ships in distress, both to save other lives, as well as on the chance of earning that which very frequently turns out to be but a miserable reward for their labours: for which latter reason they are often called "grabbers" by those who sit at home, and, while risking nothing, are certainly not less eager after plunder. The nation may feel proud, however, that in the Admiralty it has a court which recognises the enormous risks these men run, and is always anxious to award them just compensation. Wreck free.-Exempt from the forfeiture of wreckage. Under Edward I. this privilege was granted the lords of the Cinque Ports. Wring.-To twist or injure by too severe a pressure. Wrong.-To wrong another (in sailing).—To take the wind out of her sails by unfair means. Under some circumstances this may, in racing, constitute a foul. Wrung heads.—(See RUNG.) X. Xebec (pronounced "zebeck").—A small three-masted vessel, lateen-rigged, and often with an overhanging bow, used in conveying merchandise in the Mediterranean and sometimes seen on the west coast of Spain. 4. Yacht.-It is impossible to define this term, and it may, therefore, be best to give it its broadest meaning, i.e., a pleasure vessel, of any sort, size or shape, from the half-decked boats of the inland rivers to the three-masted" Sunbeam," the well-known ship belonging to Lord Brassey. : Yard. A spar suspended to a mast for the purpose of extending a sail. It is elevated by means of a rope; and this rope is accordingly called a halyard (i.e., haul yard). In square-rigged vessels the yards go athwart the masts-i.e., at right angles to the keel line. In fore-and-aft rig they run fore and aft, i.e., in a line parallel with the keel. Yards take their names from the sails they carry on a full-rigged ship there will be five on each mast. On the main mast the main yard, main top-sail yard, main top-gallant yard, main royal yard, main sky-sail yard, and in rare instances a yard to higher sails called respectively the moon-raker and the jumper; and the same on the other masts, substituting for main," the word "fore or mizzen" as the case may be, with the exception that the lowest yard on the mizzen mast is known as the cross jack (which see) or crotched yard. The yard of a square-rigged ship is divided into two parts, each part being again sub-divided into four. The middle is called the sling; the end the yard arm; and the distance between these, the quarters. Hence we have the 1st, 2nd, 66 66 and 3rd quarters, and the 4th or yard arm, on each side. (See fig.) The yard arms are very frequently mentioned both at sea and in all literature relating to it. It is from them that punishments (keel hauling, etc.), said once to have been practised in the British Navy, and most probably so in the Dutch, were performed. To the yard arms the braces are attached, which work or traverse the yards about the masts, and beyond them run out small booms which carry the studding sails, when set in fair weather. Brace the yards.-To traverse them about the masts so as to present the sails at a proper angle to the wind. Top the yards.-To elevate one side by the lifts so that it is higher than the other. (See fig.) Yards a'peak.-The yards topped in such a manner as to resemble the letter X; this is sometimes a sign of mourning. (See fig.) Yard tackles.-Tackles attached to the yard arms for lifting anything into the ship. In fore-and-aft rig the word " yard" is less often used, but still there are several spars called yards; and rightly so, for they are both balanced to the mast and carry sails, and are swayed (lifted), moreover, by hal-yards. Such are the : Topsail yard (or gaff topsail yard) which extends the head of a big-topsail. bosaThis is, generally speaking, a small yard, and in fore and-aft rig it extends the head or foot of a sail beyond some other sail or spar. The term "jack" is rather indiscriminately applied by seamen; its general meaning, however, is "small" or extra." Thus in a jack top-sail, the jack-yard is a pole standing in a vertical position, its end rising beyond the head of the mast; while in a big, or, as it is sometimes called, a spinnaker top-sail, the jack-yard is a small boom, at the foot of the sail, projecting beyond the guyend of the gaff. (Both these are illustrated under the heading JACK.) Booms and gaffs are not, properly speaking, on the other hand, may be regarded as such. The spars to which the heads of lug sails are yards. yards; but a sprit, (See under SPRIT.) bent are also called Yards must be kept in to the mast, or otherwise they would lift, and their sails become practically useless. They are, therefore, kept in by various devices, mostly in the form of hoops of iron or rope, called yard guides or parrels. A sprit is kept in place by fitting its heel into a loop called the snotter. Yarn.-Fibrous threads, which, being twisted together, compose the strands used in making a rope. Yaw. Yawing (of a sailing vessel) is deviating from the true course. A person who is careless or ignorant of the method of steering, keeps a boat " yawing" from side to side. Great care should be taken, therefore, by beginners, not to fall into this fault, which is considered quite unpardonable by yachtsmen. Yaw sighted.-Having a squint. Yawl.-A vessel with two mastsmain and mizzen, the mizzen being small and carrying usually only one sail. It is a serviceable rig for cruising yachts, the boom not extending beyond the taffrail, which therefore allows of the sail being easily reefed. The mizzen sail, too, has many advantages -it helps the boat round when in stays; it keeps her steady in a rolling sea; it counteracts an overpress of head canvas; in going up to moorings, or in moving the boat only a short distance, it may be used with the aid only of a foresail; and, in a word, it renders the boat essentially a handy craft. But, VARIOUS YAWLS. on the other hand, the great loss of sail area sustained by placing a mizzen where, as in a cutter, the foot of the mainsail would extend beyond the taffrail, precludes it from being a fast rig; and for this reason, perhaps, the yawl is no longer so popular as it was, the cutter having superseded it. Yell (old term).—A rolling motion. Yellow. Yellow flag.—The flag carried by vessels in quarantine. Where this is seen it is wise to always pass to windward of it. Yellowing. The passing over of captains at a flag-promotion. An old term for a malpractice which, perhaps, may not be altogether obsolete. Yellow fever.-An old term made use of in Greenwich Hospital, and denoting drunken ness. Yoke. A fitting binding two parts together, as the yoke of a mast, commonly called the lower-cap. The lower aperture (in the trestle trees), or, often, a ring through which a topmast runs. (See fig.; also. CAP.) Yoke of a rudder.-The flat plate or tiller to which, in long, open boats, the rudder or yoke lines are attached. (See fig. ; also under RUDDER.) Yoke lines.-Another name for rudder lines. Young.-Young gentlemen.-On board a war-ship the midshipmen are thus termed. Young flood (of the tide).-The first of the rising tide. Yunker. Another name for youngster. Z. Zenith. The point directly overhead of any person. Yoke Zephyr.-The West wind: but in general conversation it often signifies only a light wind. |