HOME. The proper situation of any object, when it retains its full force of action, or when it is properly lodged for convenience. In the former sense it is applied to the sails; in the latter it usually refers to the stowage of the hold. The anchor is said to come home when it loosens, or drags through the ground by the effort of the wind or current. (See [Anchor].)—Home is the word given by the captain of the gun when, by the sense of his thumb on the touch-hole, he determines that the charge is home, and no air escapes by the touch-hole. It is the word given to denote the top-sail or other sheets being "home," or butting.—Sheet home! The order to extend the clues of sails to the yard-arms.—The wind blows home. When it sets continuously over the sea and land with equal velocity. When opposed by vertical or high land, the breeze loses its force as the land is neared: then it does not blow home, as about Gibraltar and Toulon.
HOME-SERVICE. The Channel service; any force, either naval or military, stationed in and about the United Kingdom.
HOME-TRADERS. The contradistinction of foreign-going ships.
HOMEWARD-BOUND. Said of a ship when returning from a voyage to the place whence she was fitted out; or the country to which she belongs.
HOMEWARD-BOUNDER. A ship on her course home.
HOMMELIN. The Raia rubus, or rough ray.
HONEST-POUNDS. Used in contradistinction to "[purser's pounds]" (which see).
HONEYCOMB. A spongy kind of flaw in the metal of ordnance, generally due to faulty casting.
HONG. Mercantile houses in China, with convenient warehouses adjoining. Also, a society of the principal merchants of the place.
HONOURS OF WAR. Favourable terms granted to a capitulating enemy on evacuating a fortress; they vary in degree, according to circumstances; generally understood to mean, to march out armed, colours flying, &c., but to pile arms at a given point, and leave them, and be sent home, or give parole not to serve until duly exchanged.