An old merchant sailor, now dead, once told me that Port Mahon was that godless city from which the Ark set sail, in which case the name may have some traditional connection with that evil ‘Mahoun’ or ‘Mahu,’ prince of darkness, mentioned by Shakespeare and some of our older poets.
The real Port Mahon, a fine harbour in Minorca, was taken by the French, from Admiral Byng, in the year 1756.
I think that the phrases originated at the time of Byng’s consequent trial and execution.
Purchase.—See ‘Tackle.’
Quidding.—Tobacco-chewing.
Sails.—The sail-maker.
Santa Cruz.—A brand of rum.
Scantling.—Planks.
Soger.—A laggard, malingerer, or hang-back. To loaf or skulk or work Tom Cox’s Traverse.
Spunyarn.—A three-strand line spun out of old rope-yarns knotted together. Most sailing-ships carry a spunyarn winch, and the spinning of such yarn is a favourite occupation in fine weather.