NORWAY SKIFF. A particularly light and buoyant boat, which is both swift and safe in the worst weather.
NORWAY YAWL. This, of all small boats, is said to be the best calculated for a high sea; it is often met with at a distance from land, when a stout ship can hardly carry any sail. The parent of the peter-boat.
NOSE. Often used to denote the stem of a ship. Also, a neck of land: naes, or ness.
NOTARY. The person legally empowered to attest deeds, protests, or other documents, in order to render them binding.
NOTCH. The gaffle of a cross-bow.
NOTCH-BLOCK. See [Snatch-block].
NOTCH-SIGHT of a Gun. A sight having a V-shaped notch, wherein the eye easily finds the lowest or central point.
NOTHING OFF! A term used by the man at the conn to the steersman, directing him to keep her close to the wind; or "nothing off, and very well thus!" (See [Thus].)
NOTIONS. An American sea-term for a cargo in sorts; thus a notion-vessel on the west coast of America is a perfect bazaar; but one, which sold a mixture—logwood, bad claret, and sugar—to the priests for sacrament wine had to run for it.
NOUD. A term in the north for fishes that are accounted of little value.