START. A long handle or tail; whence, by analogy, "start point." But sometimes applied by navigators to any point from which a departure is taken. Also, the expected place of a struck whale's rising, after having plunged or sounded.—To start, applied to liquids, is to empty; but if to any weight, as the anchor, &c., implies to move.—To start bread. To turn it out of bags or casks, and stow it in bulk.—To start a butt-end. When a plank has loosened or sprung at the butt-end, by the ship's labouring, or other cause.—To start a tack or sheet. To slack it off, as in tacking or manœuvring, "raise tacks and sheets."
STARTING. An irregular and arbitrary mode of punishment with canes or ropes' ends, long since illegal in the British navy.
STARTING-BOLT, or Drift-bolt. A bolt used to drive out another; it is usually a trifle smaller.
STASH IT THERE! An old order to cease or be quiet.
STATE-ROOM. A sleeping cabin, or small berth, detached from the main cabin of merchantmen or saloon of passenger vessels.
STATION. The allotted places of the duties of each person on board. In most merchantmen the cry of "Every man to his station, and the cook to the fore-sheet," is calling the hands and the idlers.
STATIONARIÆ. Those vessels of a Roman fleet ordered to remain at anchor.
STATIONARY POINTS. Those points in a planet's orbit in which, as viewed from the earth, it appears to have no motion amongst the stars.
STATION-BILL. A list containing the appointed posts of the crew when performing any evolution but action.
STATIONER. One who has had experience, or who has been some time on a particular station.