HAMPERED. Perplexed and troubled.
HAMRON. An archaic term, meaning the hold of a ship.
HANCES. Spandrels; the falls or descents of fife-rails. Also, the breakings of the rudder abaft. (See [Haunch].)
HAND. A phrase often used for the word man, as, "a hand to the lead," "clap more hands on," &c.—To hand a sail, is to furl it.—To lend a hand, to assist.—Bear a hand, make haste.—Hand in the leech, a call in furling sails. To comprehend this it must be understood that the leech, or outer border of the sail, if left to belly or fill with wind, would set at naught all the powers of the men. It is therefore necessary, as Falconer has it, "the tempest to disarm;" so by handing in this leech-rope before the yard, the canvas is easily folded in, and the gasket passed round.
HAND-GRENADE. A small shell for throwing by hand. (See [Grenade].)
HAND-GUN. An old term for small arms in the times of Henry VII. and VIII.
HANDLASS. A west-country term for a small kind of windlass.
HANDLE. The title prefixed to a person's name.—To handle a ship well, is to work her in a seamanlike manner.
HAND-LEAD. A small lead used in the channels, or chains, when approaching land, and for sounding in rivers or harbours under 20 fathoms. (See [Lead].)
HANDLES OF A GUN. The dolphins.