Bilge. That part of the floor of a ship upon which she would rest if aground; being the part near the keel which is more in a horizontal than a perpendicular line.
Bilge-ways. Pieces of timber bolted together and placed under the bilge, in launching.
Bilged. When the bilge is broken in.
Bilge Water. Water which settles in the bilge.
Bilge. The largest circumference of a cask.
Bill. The point at the extremity of the fluke of an anchor.
Billet-head. (See Head.)
Binnacle. A box near the helm, containing the compass.
Bitts. Perpendicular pieces of timber going through the deck, placed to secure anything to. The cables are fastened to them, if there is no windlass. There are also bitts to secure the windlass, and on each side of the heel of the bowsprit.
Bitter, or Bitter-end. That part of the cable which is abaft the bitts.