PAD, or Pad-piece. In ship-building, a piece of timber placed on the top of a beam at its middle part, in order to make up the curve or round of the deck.
PADDLE. A kind of oar, used by the natives of India, Africa, America, and by most savages; it is shorter and broader in the blade than the common oar.—To paddle, is to propel a boat more purely by hand, that is, without a fulcrum or rowlock.
PADDLE-BEAMS. Two large beams projecting over the sides of a steamer, between which the paddle-wheels revolve. (See [Sponson].)
PADDLE-BOX. The frame of wood which encircles the upper part of the paddle-wheel.
PADDLE-BOX BOATS. Boats made to fit the paddle-box rim, stowed bottom upwards on each box.
PADDLE-SHAFT. The stout iron axis carrying the paddle-wheels, which revolves with them when keyed.
PADDLE-STEAMER. A steam-ship propelled through the water by paddle-wheels.
PADDLE-WHEELS. The wheels on each side of a steamer, suspended externally by a shaft, and driven by steam, to propel her by the action of the floats.
PADDY, or Padi. Rice in the husk, so called by the Malays, from whose language the word has found its way to all the coasts of India.
PADDY-BOATS. A peculiar Ceylon boat, for the conveyance of rice and other necessaries.