Mortice. A morticed block is one made out of a whole block of wood with a hole cut in it for the sheave; in distinction from a made block. (See page 53.)
Moulds. The patterns by which the frames of a vessel are worked out.
Mouse. To put turns of rope yarn or spunyarn round the end of a hook and its standing part, when it is hooked to anything, so as to prevent its slipping out.
Mousing. A knot or puddening, made of yarns, and placed on the outside of a rope.
Muffle. Oars are muffled by putting mats or canvass round their looms in the row-locks.
Munions. The pieces that separate the lights in the galleries.
Naval Hoods, or Hawse Bolsters. Plank above and below the hawse-holes.
Neap Tides. Low tides, coming at the middle of the moon's second and fourth quarters. (See Spring Tides.)
Neaped, or Beneaped. The situation of a vessel when she is aground at the height of the spring tides.
Near. Close to wind. "Near!" the order to the helmsman when he is too near the wind.