Cap. A thick, strong block of wood with two holes through it, one square and the other round, used to confine together the head of one mast and the lower part of the mast next above it. (See Plate 1.)
Capsize. To overturn.
Capstan. A machine placed perpendicularly in the deck, and used for a strong purchase in heaving or hoisting. Men-of-war weigh their anchors by capstans. Merchant vessels use a windlass. (See Bar.)
Careen. To heave a vessel down upon her side by purchases upon the masts. To lie over, when sailing on the wind.
Carlings. Short and small pieces of timber running between the beams.
Carrick-bend. A kind of knot. (See Plate 5 and page 50.)
Carrick-bitts are the windlass bitts.
Carry-away. To break a spar, or part a rope.
Cast. To pay a vessel's head off, in getting under way, on the tack she is to sail upon.
Cat. The tackle used to hoist the anchor up to the cat-head.