The Seaman's Friend / Containing a treatise on practical seamanship, with plates, a dictionary of sea terms, customs and usages of the merchant service

by Richard Henry Dana

Athwart-hawse. Across the direction of a vessel's head. Across her cable.

Athwart-ships. Across the length of a vessel. In opposition to fore-and-aft.

A-trip. The situation of the anchor when it is raised clear of the ground. The same as a-weigh.

Avast, or 'Vast. An order to stop; as, "Avast heaving!"

A-weather. The situation of the helm when it is put in the direction from which the wind blows.

A-weigh. The same as a-trip.

Awning. A covering of canvass over a vessel's deck, or over a boat, to keep off sun or rain.

Back. To back an anchor, is to carry out a smaller one ahead of the one by which the vessel rides, to take off some of the strain.

To back a sail, is to throw it aback.

To back and fill, is alternately to back and fill the sails.