WHITWORTH GUN. A piece rifled by having a twisted hexagonal bore, and throwing a more elongated shot with a sharper twist than the Armstrong gun, with results experimentally more beautiful, but not yet so practically useful.
WHO COMES THERE? The night challenge of a sentry on his post.
WHOLE-MOULDING. The old method of forming the principal part of a vessel. Boats are now the only vessels in which this method is practised.
WHOLESOME SHIP. One that will try, hull, and ride well, without heavy labouring in the sea.
WHOODINGS. Those ends of planks which are let into the rabbets of the stem, the stern-posts, &c. (See [Rabbet] and [Hood-ends].)
WHO SAYS AMEN? Who will clap on with a will?
WHO SHALL HAVE THIS? An impartial sea method of distributing the shares of short commons. One person turns his back on the portions, and names some one, when he is asked, "Who shall have this?"
WICH. A port, as Harwich, Greenwich, &c.
WICK [Anglo-Saxon wyc]. A creek, bay, or village, by the side of a river.
WICKET. A small door in the gate of a fortress, for use by foot-passengers when the gate is closed.