DEATH or Money Boats. So termed from the risk in such frail craft. They were very long, very narrow, and as thin as the skiffs of our rivers. During the war of 1800-14 they carried gold between Dover and Calais, and defied the custom-house officers.
DEATH-WOUND. A law-term for the starting of a butt end, or springing a fatal leak. A ship had received her death-wound, but by pumping was kept afloat till three days after the time she was insured for: it was determined that the risk was at an end before the loss happened, and that the insurer was not liable.
DEBARK, To. To land; to go on shore.
DEBENTURE. A custom-house certificate given to the exporter of goods, on which a bounty or drawback is allowed. Also, a general term for a bill or bond.
DEBOUCHE. The mouth of a river, outlet of a wood, defile, or narrow pass. In military language, troops defile or march out from.
DECAGON. A plane geometrical figure that has ten equal sides, and as many equal angles.
DECAMP, To. To raise the camp; the breaking up from a place where an army has been encamped.
DECEPTIO VISUS. Any extraordinary instance of deception to the sight, occasioned by the effects of atmospheric media. (See [Terrestrial Refraction] and [Mirage].)
DECIMATION. The punishing every tenth soldier by lot, was truly decimatio legionis.
DECIME. A small copper coin of France, equal to two sous, or one-tenth of a franc.