TORPEDO. A cartilaginous fish allied to the rays, furnished with electrical organs, by means of which it is able to give powerful shocks. Also, a contrivance for blowing up ships of war by means of a submerged apparatus.
TORRENT. A land flood rushing from mountainous tracts, often with destructive effect. It is produced by an accumulation of water from rains or the melting of snows.
TORSE. A coarse kind of hemp, better known as cordilla in commerce.
TORSION OF CABLES. All ropes formed by twisting have a contrary turn, and a disposition to kink from torsion.
TORSK. See [Tusk].
TORTS. Private wrongs either to persons or property afloat. They are cognizable by the admiralty court, according to locality.
TORTUE DE MER. A turtle. Also a French gabarre, troop, or store ship, with very high 'tween decks.
TOSHING. A cant word for stealing copper sheathing from vessels' bottoms, or from dockyard stores.
TOSS IN YOUR OARS! The order to desist rowing, and throw the oars in out of the rowlocks.
TOSS THE OARS UP! Throw them up out of the rowlocks, and raise them perpendicularly an-end; the act is intended as a compliment to a superior officer rowing by. Also, the order to a boat's crew to get the oars ready for rowing, and to salute the officer on his entering the boat.