ATTACK. A general assault or onset upon an enemy. Also the arrangement for investment or battle. (See [False Attack].)
ATTEMPT, To. To endeavour to carry a vessel or place by surprise; to venture at some risk, as in trying a new channel, &c.
ATTENDANT MASTER. A dockyard official. (See [Master-attendant].)
ATTENTION. A military word of command, calling the soldier from the quiescent position of "at ease" into readiness for any exercise or evolution. Also the erect posture due to that word of command, and which is assumed by a private soldier in the presence of an officer. The attending to signals.
ATTERRAGE. The land-fall, or making the land. Usually marked on French charts and plans to show the landing-place.
ATTESTATION. In Admiralty courts the attestation of a deed signifies the testifying to the signing or execution of it.
ATTESTED. Legally certified; proved by evidence.
ATTILE. An old law term for the rigging or furniture of a ship.
ATTORNEY. See [Sea-attorney].
ATTRACTION. The power of drawing, or the principle by which all bodies mutually tend towards each other; the great agent in nature's wonderful operations.—Attraction of mountains, the deviating influence exercised on the plumb-line by the vicinity of high land. But exerting also a marvellous effect on all floating bodies, for every seaman knows that a ship stands inshore faster than she stands out, the distances being similar.