HORSE-POTATOES. The old word for yams.
HORSE-POWER. A comparative estimate of the capacity of steam-engines, by assuming a certain average effective pressure of steam, and a certain average linear velocity of the piston. The pressure multiplied by the velocity gives the effective force of the engine exerted through a given number of feet per minute; and since the force called a horse-power means 33,000 lbs. acting thus one foot per minute, it follows that the nominal power of the engine will be found by dividing the effective force exerted by the piston, multiplied by the number of feet per minute through which it acts by 33,000.
HORSES. Blocks in whalers for cutting blubber on. (See [White-horse].)
HORSE-SHOE. In old fortification, a low work of this plan sometimes thrown up in ditches.
HORSE-SHOE CLAMP. The iron or copper straps so shaped, used as the fastenings which connect the gripe with the fore-foot at the scarph of the keel and stem.
HORSE-SHOE HINGES. Those by which side-scuttles or ventilators to the cabins are hung.
HORSE-SHOE RACK. A sweep curving from the bitt-heads abaft the main-mast carrying a set of nine-pin swivel-blocks as the fair leaders of the light running gear, staysail, halliards, &c.
HORSE-TONGUE. A name applied to a kind of sole.
HORSE-UP. See [Horsing-iron].
HORSING-IRON. An iron fixed in a withy handle, sometimes only lashed to a stick or tree-nail, and used with a beetle by caulkers.—To horse-up, or harden in the oakum of a vessel's seams.