TILLER-HEAD. The extremity of the tiller, to which the tiller-ropes are attached.
TILLER-ROPES. The ropes which form a communication between the end of the tiller and the barrel of the wheel; they are frequently made of untarred rope, though hide is much better; and iron chains are also used. By these the tiller is worked and the vessel steered.
TILLER-SWEEP. See [Sweep of the Tiller].
TILT. A small canopy extended over the stern-sheets of a boat, supported by iron or wood work, to keep off rain, as an awning is used to keep off the sun.—To tilt. To lift up a little on one side or end of anything.
TILT-BOAT. One expressly fitted like a tilt-waggon, to preserve powder or other fragile stores from the weather.
TIMBER [Anglo-Saxon]. All large pieces of wood used in ship-building, as [floor-timbers], [cross-pieces], [futtocks], [frames], and the like (all which see).
TIMBER AND ROOM, is the distance between two adjoining timbers, which always contain the breadth of two timbers, and two or three inches besides. The same as room and space, or berth and space.
TIMBER-CONVERTER. A dockyard official who has the charge of converting timber for its different purposes in ship-building.
TIMBER-HEADS. The heads of the timbers that rise above the decks, and are used for belaying hawsers, large ropes, &c. (See [Kevel-heads].) These being such important parts of a ship, men of acknowledged talent in the royal navy are styled "the timber-heads of the profession."
TIMBER-HITCH, is made by taking the end of a rope round a spar, and after leading it under and over the standing part, passing two or three turns round its own part, making in fact a running but self-jamming eye.