EYE-BOLTS. Those which have an eye or opening in one end, for hooking tackles to, or fastening ropes.
EYELET-HOLES, are necessary in order to bend a sail to its yard or boom, or to reef it; they consist of round holes worked in a sail to admit a cringle or small rope through, chiefly the robands (or rope-bands), and the points of the reef-line. (See [Sail].)
EYE OF A BLOCK-STROP. That part by which it is fastened or suspended to any particular place upon the sails, masts, or rigging; the eye is sometimes formed by making two eye-splices, termed lashing eyes, on the ends of the strop, and then seizing them together with a small line, so as to bind both round a mast, yard, or boom, as is deemed necessary.
EYE OF AN ANCHOR. The hole in the shank wherein the ring is fixed.
EYE OF A STAY. That part of a stay which is formed into a sort of collar to go round the mast-head; the eye and mouse form the collar.
EYE OF THE WIND. The direction to windward from whence it blows. (See [Wind's-eye].)
EYE-SHOT. Within sight.
EYES OF A MESSENGER. Eyes spliced in its ends to lash together.
EYES OF A SHIP. (See [Eyes of her].)
EYES OF HER. The foremost part of the bay, or in the bows of a ship. In olden times, and now in Spanish and Italian boats, as well as Chinese junks, an eye is painted on each bow. The hawse-holes also are deemed the "eyes of her."