SCREW-WELL. A hollow trunk over the screw of a steamer, for allowing the propeller to be disconnected and lifted when required.
SCRIMP. Scant. A word used in the north; as, a scrimp wind, a very light breeze.
SCRIVANO. A clerk or writer; a name adopted in our early ships from the Portuguese or Spanish.
SCROLL-HEAD. A slightly curved piece of timber bolted to the knees of the head, in place of a figure: finished off by a volute turning outwards, contrary to the fiddle-head.
SCROVIES. An old name given to the worthless men picked up by crimps, and sent on board as A.B.'s.
SCRUFF. The matter adhering to the bottoms of foul vessels.
SCUD. The low misty cloud. It appears to fly faster than others because it is very near the earth's surface. When scud is abundant, showers may be expected.—To scud. To run before a gale under canvas enough to keep the vessel ahead of the sea: as, for instance, a close-reefed main top-sail and fore-sail; without canvas she is said to scud under bare poles, and is very likely to be pooped. When a vessel makes a sudden and precipitate flight, she is said to scud away.—Scud like a 'Mudian. Be off in a hurry.
SCUDO. A coin of Italy, varying in value in the different provinces.
SCUFFLE. A confused and disorderly contention—
"Then friends and foes to battle they goes;
But what they all fights about—nobody knows."