Swifter. The forward shroud to a lower-mast. Also, ropes used to confine the capstan bars to their places when shipped.
Swig. A term used by sailors for the mode of hauling off upon the bight of a rope when its lower end is fast.
Swivel. A long link of iron, used in chain cables, made so as to turn upon an axis and keep the turns out of a chain.
Syphering. Lapping the edges of planks over each other for a bulkhead.
Tabling. Letting one beam-piece into another. (See Scarfing.) Also, the broad hem on the borders of sails, to which the bolt-rope is sewed.
Tack. To put a ship about, so that from having the wind on one side, you bring it round on the other by the way of her head. The opposite of wearing.
A vessel is on the starboard tack, or has her starboard tacks on board, when she has the wind on her starboard side.
The rope or tackle by which the weather clew of a course is hauled forward and down to the deck.
The tack of a fore-and-aft sail is the rope that keeps down the lower forward clew; and of a studdingsail, the lower outer clew. The tack of the lower studdingsail is called the outhaul. Also, that part of a sail to which the tack is attached.
Tackle. (Pronounced tay-cle.) A purchase, formed by a rope rove through one or more blocks.