Trade Wind. A wind which blows uniformly from the same general direction throughout a fixed period. In the West Indies, from the northeast the year round. See also "Monsoon."
Veer. See "Cable."
Vessel. A general term for all constructions intended to float upon and move through the water. Specific definitions applicable to this book:
Ship, a square-rigged vessel with three masts.
Brig, a square-rigged vessel with two masts.
Schooner, a fore and aft rigged vessel with two or more masts.
Sloop, a fore and aft rigged vessel with one mast. See pp. [9], [15], [17].
Vessels of War. Ship of the Line. A ship with three or more tiers of guns, of which two are on covered decks; that is, have a deck above them. See "Line of Battle Ship."
Frigate. A ship with one tier of guns on a covered deck.
Sloop of War. A ship, the guns of which are not covered, being on the upper (spar) deck.