FORECASTLE-NETTINGS. See [Hammock-nettings].
FORECASTLE-RAIL. The rail extended on stanchions across the after-part of the forecastle-deck in some ships.
FORE CAT-HARPINGS. See [Cat-harpings].
FORE-COCKPIT. See [Cockpit].
FORE-COURSE. The [fore-sail] (which see).
FORE-DECK. That part from the fore-mast to the bows.
FORE-FINGER, or Index-finger. The pointing finger, which was called shoot-finger by the Anglo-Saxons, from its use in archery, and is now the trigger-finger from its duty in gunnery. (See [Shoot-finger].)
FORE-FOOT. The foremost piece of the keel, or a timber which terminates the keel at the forward extremity, and forms a rest for the stem's lower end; it is connected by a scarph to the extremity of the keel, and the other end of it, which is incurvated upwards into a sort of knee, is attached to the lower end of the stem; it is also called a gripe. As the lower arm of the fore-foot lies on the same level with the keel, so the upper one coincides with the middle line of the stem; its breadth and thickness therefore correspond with the dimensions of those pieces, and the heel of the cut-water is scarphed to its upper end. Also, an imaginary line of the ship's course or direction.
FORE-GANGER of the Chain Bower Cables. Is a length of 15 fathoms of stouter chain, in consequence of greater wear and tear near the anchor, and exposure to weather. Fore-ganger is also the short piece of rope immediately connecting the line with the shank of the harpoon, when spanned for killing.
FORE-GOER. The same as fore-ganger.