QUARTER-POINT. A subdivision of the compass-card, equal to 2° 48′ 45″ of the circle.
QUARTER-PORTS. Those made in the after side-timbers, and especially in round-stern vessels. They are inconvenient for warping, and generally fitted with rollers.
QUARTER-RAILS. Narrow moulded planks, reaching from the stern to the gangway, and serving as a fence to the quarter-deck, where there are no ports or bulwarks.
QUARTERS. The several stations where the officers and crew of a ship of war are posted in time of action. (See [Battle], [Engagement], &c.) But this term differs in the army, for the soldier's quarters are his place of rest. (See [Head-quarters], [Winter-quarters], &c.)
QUARTER-SIGHTS. The engraved index on the base-rings of cannon in quarter degrees from point-blank to two or three degrees of elevation.
QUARTER-SLINGS. Are supports attached to a yard or other spar at one or both sides of (but not in) its centre.
QUARTERS OF THE YARDS. The space comprehended between the slings, or middle and half-way out on the yard-arms.
QUARTER-STANCHIONS. Strong iron stanchions in a square-sterned vessel, connecting the main-rail with the taffrail; used for ridge-ropes to extend the awnings.
QUARTER-TACKLE. A strong tackle fixed occasionally upon the quarter of the main-yard, to hoist heavy bodies in or out of the ship.