The cunt-splice is constructed in the same manner as the eye-splice, being no other than the ends of two lines fastened together at a short distance from each other, the extremities of either being interwoven into the bight of the other, so that the line becomes double in the extent of the splice. This is chiefly used in lead-lines, log-lines, and fishing-lines, where the short-splice would be liable to separation, as being frequently loosened by the water.
SPLIT, the state of a sail which is rent asunder by the violence of a tempest, or by sustaining a greater effort on one part of its surface than the rest.
Split, when applied to a ship, is also the state of being stranded and bilged on a rock or shore.
SPOON-DRIFT, a sort of showery sprinkling of the sea-water, swept from the surface of the waves in a tempest, and flying according to the direction of the wind like a vapour.
SPOONING. By the explanation of this term in our dictionaries, it seems formerly to have signified that movement, in navigation, which is now called scudding. Be that as it may, there is at present no such phrase in our sea-language.
SPRAY, the sprinkling of the sea, which is driven from the top of a wave in stormy weather. It differs from spoon-drift, as being only blown occasionally from the broken surface of a high wave, whereas the latter continues to fly horizontally along the sea, without intermission, during the excess of a tempest or hurricane.
SPRING, a crack or breach running transversely or obliquely through any part of a mast or yard, so as to render it unsafe to carry the usual quantity of sail thereon.
Spring is also a rope passed out of one extremity of a ship and attached to a cable proceeding from the other, when she lies at anchor. It is usually performed to bring the ship’s broad-side, or battery of cannon, to bear upon some distant object; as another ship, or a fortress on the coast, &c. When a ship rides by anchors which are only carried out of one end, she will swing upon the surface of the water like a weather-cock, according to the direction of the wind; unless when the wind is opposed by a current. Now, if instead of being fastened at one end, she is attached by ropes, which, proceeding from her head and stern towards the same source, sustain an equal effort of the wind, it is evident that her side will be presented to the wind; and that, by slackening one of those ropes, and keeping fast the other, her side will lie more or less obliquely to the wind, so as to be opposed to any distant object to the right or left.
Thus, if a ship rides with her head northerly, and it is required to cannonade a fortress lying on the south or south-east: a hauser is run out of the stern, and being carried forward, without her side, is attached to the cable, at a competent distance ahead of the ship: the hauser is then tightened by the capstern or tackles, and the cable being slackened, the ship immediately turns her side towards the object intended to be battered.
Spring is likewise a rope reaching diagonally from the stern of a ship to the head of another which lies along-side or a-breast of her, at a short distance. This is generally performed to make one of the ships sheer off, to a greater distance from the other; or to make merchant-ships lie uniformly in the same tier. Springs of this sort are therefore occasionally applied from a ship, to a wharf or key, for the same purposes.