Barge. A large double-banked boat, used by the commander of a vessel, in the navy.
Bark, or Barque. (See Plate 4.) A three-masted vessel, having her fore and main masts rigged like a ship's, and her mizzen mast like the main mast of a schooner, with no sail upon it but a spanker, and gaff topsail.
Barnacle. A shell-fish often found on a vessel's bottom.
Battens. Thin strips of wood put around the hatches, to keep the tarpaulin down. Also, put upon rigging to keep it from chafing. A large batten widened at the end, and put upon rigging, is called a scotchman.
Beacon. A post or buoy placed over a shoal or bank to warn vessels off. Also as a signal-mark on land.
Beams. Strong pieces of timber stretching across the vessel, to support the decks.
On the weather or lee beam, is in a direction to windward or leeward, at right angles with the keel.
On beam-ends. The situation of a vessel when turned over so that her beams are inclined toward the vertical.
Bear. An object bears so and so, when it is in such a direction from the person looking.
To bear down upon a vessel, is to approach her from the windward.