ON THE QUARTER. Being in that position with regard to a ship, as to be included in the angles which diverge from right astern, to four points towards either quarter.
OOMIAK. A light seal-skin Greenland boat, generally worked in fine weather by the women, but in bad weather by the men.
OPEN. The situation of a place which is exposed to the wind and sea. Also, applied in meteorology, to mild weather. Also, open to attack, not protected. Also, said of any distant visible object.
OPEN HAWSE. When a vessel rides by two anchors, without any cross in her cables.
OPEN ICE. Fragments of ice sufficiently separate to admit of a ship forcing or boring through them under sail.
OPENING TRENCHES. The first breaking of ground by besiegers, in order to carry on their approaches towards a besieged place.
OPEN LIST. One of a ship's books, which contains the whole of the names of the actual officers and crew, in order to regulate their victualling. The crew are mustered by the open list.
OPEN LOWER DECKERS, To. To fire the lower tier of guns. Also said of a person using violent language.
OPEN ORDER. Any distance ordered to be preserved among ships, exceeding a cable's length.
OPEN PACK. A body of drift ice, the pieces of which, though very near each other, do not generally touch. It is opposed to close pack.