HEADING. As to ships in company, one advancing by sail or steam faster than another heads her.
HEADING UP THE LAND WATER. When the flood-tide is backed by a wind, so that the ebb is retarded, causing an overflow.
HEAD-KNEES. Pieces of moulded compass timber fayed edgeways to the cut-water and stem, to steady the former. These are also called cheek-knees.
HEADLAND. Wherever the coast presents a high cliffy salient angle to the sea, without projecting far into it, it is called a headland; but if the point be low, it is a spit, tongue, or point. (See [Bluff].)
HEADMOST. The situation of any ship or ships which are the most advanced in a fleet, or line of battle. The opposite of sternmost.
HEAD-NETTING. An ornamental netting used in merchant ships instead of the fayed planking to the head-rails.
HEAD OF A COMET. The brighter part of a comet, from which the tail proceeds.
HEAD OF A MAST, or Mast-head. The upper part of any mast, or that whereon the caps or trucks are fitted.
HEAD OF A WORK. In fortification, the part most advanced towards the enemy. In progressive works, such as siege-approaches and saps, it is the farthest point then attained.
HEAD OF WATER. Water kept to a height by winds, or by artificial dams and sluice-gates. The vertical column which dock-gates have to bear.