MIDDLE-LATITUDE SAILING. A method of converting departure in difference of longitude, and vice versâ, by using the middle latitude instead of the meridional parts, as in Mercator's sailing.
MIDDLE-TIMBER. That timber in the stern which is placed amidships.
MIDDLE-TOPSAIL. A deep-roached sail, set in some schooners and sloops on the heel of their top-masts between the top and the cap. A modification of this, under the name of a lower top-sail, is now very common in double-topsail-yarded ships. (Cunningham's top-sails.)
MIDDLE-WALES. The three or four thick strakes worked along each side between the lower and middle-deck-ports in three-deckers.
MIDDLE-WATCH. The portion of the crew on deck-duty from midnight to 4 A.M.
MIDDLE-WATCHER. The slight meal snatched by officers of the middle-watch about five bells (or 2·30 A.M.)
MIDDLING A SAIL. Arranging it for bending to the yard.
MIDDY. An abbreviation for the younger midshipmen, synonymous with mid.
MIDRIB. A narrow canal or culvert.
MIDSHIPMAN. A naval cadet appointed by the admiralty, with the exception of one in each ship appointed by the captain. No person can be appointed midshipman until he has served one year, and passed his examinations; nor a lieutenant without having previously served six years in the royal navy as midshipman, and having further passed two severe examinations—one in seamanship and one in gunnery. A midshipman is then the station in which a young volunteer is trained in the several exercises necessary to attain a knowledge of steam, machinery, discipline, the general movements and operations of a ship, and qualify him to command.