To spring a leak, is to begin to leak.
To spring a luff, is to force a vessel close to the wind, in sailing.
Spring-stay. A preventer-stay, to assist the regular one. (See Stay.)
Spring Tides. The highest and lowest course of tides, occurring every new and full moon.
Sprit. A small boom or gaff, used with some sails in small boats. The lower end rests in a becket or snotter by the foot of the mast, and the other end spreads and raises the outer upper corner of the sail, crossing it diagonally. A sail so rigged in a boat is called a sprit-sail.
Sprit-sail-yard. (See Plate 1.) A yard lashed across the bowsprit or knight-heads, and used to spread the guys of the jib and flying jib-boom. There was formerly a sail bent to it called a sprit-sail.
Spunyarn. (See page 44.) A cord formed by twisting together two or three rope-yarns.
Spurling Line. A line communicating between the tiller and tell-tale.
Spurs. Pieces of timber fixed on the bilge-ways, their upper ends being bolted to the vessel's sides above the water. Also, curved pieces of timber, serving as half beams, to support the decks where whole beams cannot be placed.
Spur-shoes. Large pieces of timber that come abaft the pump-well.