HALF-TIDE ROCKS. Those showing their heads at half-ebb. (See [Tide].)
HALF-TIMBERS. The short timbers or futtocks in the cant-bodies, answering to the lower futtocks in the square-body; they are placed so as to give good shiftings.
HALF-TOP. The mode of making ships' tops in two pieces, which are afterwards secured as a whole by what are termed sleepers.
HALF-TOPSAILS, Under. Said of a chase about 12 miles distant, the rest being below the horizon.
HALF-TURN AHEAD! An order in steam navigation. (See [Turn Ahead!])
HALF-WATCH TACKLE. A luff purchase. (See [Watch-tackle].)
HALIBUT. A large oceanic bank fish, Hippoglossus vulgaris, weighing from 300 to 500 lbs. particularly off Newfoundland; it resembles plaice, and is excellent food, nor does it easily putrefy.
HALLEY'S CHART. The name given to the protracted curves of the variation of the compass, known as the variation chart.
HALLIARDS, Halyards, or Haulyards. The ropes or tackles usually employed to hoist or lower any sail upon its respective yards, gaffs, or stay, except the cross-jack and spritsail-yard, which are always slung; but in small craft the spritsail-yard also has halliards. (See [Jeers].)
HALO. An extensive luminous ring including, the sun or moon, whose light, passing through the intervening vapour, gives rise to the phenomenon. Halos are called lunar or solar, according as they appear round the moon or sun. Prismatically coloured halos indicate the presence of watery vapour, whereas white ones show that the vapour is frozen.