The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence

		Before (or forward of) the beam (as above). Ahead of abeam, etc. Broad. A large angle of bearing, used ordinarily of the bow. "Broad off the bow" approaches "before the beam." On the bow, starboard or port, weather or lee. To one side of ahead, to right or left, to windward or to leeward. On the quarter, starboard or port, weather or lee. To one side of astern; to right or left, to windward or to leeward.
Bearings, by compass.		The full circle of the compass, 360 degrees, is divided into thirty-two points, each point being subdivided into fourths. From north to east, eight points, are thus named: North; north by east; north-northeast; northeast by north; northeast; northeast by east; east-northeast; east by north; East. From East to South, from South to West, and from West to North, a like naming is used.
Beat, to.		To gain ground to windward, by successive changes of direction, called tacks.
Boom.		See "Spars."
Bow, or head.		The forward part of a vessel, which is foremost when in motion ahead. On the Bow. See "Bearing." To head "bows-on": to move directly towards.
Bow and Quarter Line.		See pp. 84, 200.
Bowsprit.		See "Spars."
Braces.		Ropes by which the yards are turned, so that the wind may strike the sails in the manner desired.
Bring-to.		To bring a vessel's head as near as possible to the direction from which the wind blows; usually with a view to heaving-to, that is, stopping. See heave-to and luff.
Broadside.		The whole number of guns carried on one side of a vessel; starboard or port broadside, weather or lee broadside.
Cable.		The heavy rope which was attached to the anchor, and held the ship to it. Cables are now chains, but in the period of this book were always hemp. To veer cable, to let more out, to let the ship go farther from the anchor. To slip the cable, to let it all go overboard, releasing the vessel. Cable's length: 120 fathoms.
Chase, General.		A chase by a fleet, in which, in order to more rapid advance, the places of the vessels in their usual order are not to be observed.
Close-hauled.		See "Course."
Column.		See "Line Ahead."
Come up.		A ship comes up, when her bow comes more nearly to the direction of the wind. Used generally when the movement proceeds from some other cause than the movement of the helm. See "Luff."