COMPASSING. (See [Compass-timbers].)
COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCES. Grants are made on the compassionate fund to the legitimate children of deceased officers, on its being shown to the Admiralty that they deserve them.
COMPASS-SAW. A narrow saw, which, inserted in a hole bored by a centre-bit, follows out required curves.
COMPASS-TIMBERS. Such as are curved, crooked, or arched, for ship-building.
COMPENSATION. If a detained vessel is lost by the negligence and misconduct of the prize-master, compensation must be rendered, and the actual captors are responsible. The principal being answerable in law for the agent's acts.
COMPENSATOR OF THE COMPASS. See [Magnetic Compensator].
COMPLAIN, To. The creaking of masts, or timbers, when over-pressed, without any apparent external defect. One man threatening to complain of another, is saying that he will report misconduct to the officer in charge of the quarter-deck.
COMPLEMENT. The proper number of men employed in any ship, either for navigation or battle. In navigation the complement of the course is what it wants of eight points; of latitude, what it is short of 90°. (See [Co-latitude].)
COMPLEMENT OF LONGITUDE. See [Supplement of Longitude].
COMPLETE BOOK. A book which contains the names and particulars of every person borne for wages on board, as age, place of birth, rating, times of entry and discharge, &c.