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."
Convoy. A body of unarmed or weakly armed vessels, in company with ships of war.
Convoy, to. To accompany a number of unarmed vessels, for their protection.
Course. The direction of a vessel's movement, with regard to the compass or to the wind.
Compass course. The point of the compass towards which the vessel heads.
Wind courses: