STERN-SHEETS. That part of a boat between the stern and the aftmost thwart, furnished with seats for passengers.
STERN-SON. A knee-piece of oak-timber, worked on the after dead-wood; the fore-end is scarphed into the kelson, and the after-side fayed into the throats of the transoms.
STERN-WALK. The old galleries formerly used to line-of-battle ships.
STERN-WAY. The movement by which a ship goes stern foremost. The opposite of head-way.
STEVEDORE, or Stivadore. A stower; one employed in the hold in loading and unloading merchant vessels.
STEWARD. There are several persons under this appellation in most ships, according to their size, appointed to the charge of the sea-stores of the various grades. The paymaster's steward has most to do, having to serve the crew, and therefore has assistants, distinguished by the sobriquet of Jack-o'-the-dust, &c. In large passenger ships which do not carry a purser, part of his duties devolves upon the captain's steward. In smaller merchant ships the special duties of the steward are not heavy, so that he assists in the working of the ship, and in tacking; his station is, ex officio, the main-sheet.
STICHLING. A grown perch, thus described by old Palsgrave: "Styckelyng, a maner of fysshe."
STICKLEBACK. A very small fish, armed with sharp spines on its back.
STICKS. A familiar phrase for masts.
STIFF. Stable or steady; the opposite to crank; a quality by which a ship stands up to her canvas, and carries enough sail without heeling over too much.