SQUADRON, escadre, (squadrone, Ital.) either implies a detachment of ships employed on any particular expedition, or the third part of a naval armament. See the articles Flag, Centre, Fleet, and Division.
SQUALL, raffale, a sudden and violent blast of wind, usually occasioned by the interruption and reverberation of the wind from high mountains. These are very frequent in the Mediterranean; particularly that part of it which is known by the name of the Levant, as produced by the repulsion, and new direction which the wind meets with in its passage between the various islands of the Archipelago.
SQUARE, a term peculiarly appropriated to the yards and their sails, implying that they hang at right angles with the mast or keel; or that they are of greater extent than usual.
Thus, when the yards are so balanced by their lifts, as to hang at right angles with the mast, they are said to be square by the lifts: when they hang perpendicular to the ship’s length, they are called square by the braces: but when they lie in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the keel, they are square by the lifts and braces; or, in other words, they hang directly across the ship, and parallel to the horizon.
The yards are said to be very square, when they are of extraordinary length; and the same epithet is then applied to their sails, which by consequence acquire an additional breadth.
Square-rigged, an epithet applied to a ship whose yards are very long. It is also used in contradistinction to all vessels whose sails are extended by stays or lateen-yards; or by booms and gaffs; the usual situation of which is nearly in the plane of the keel; and hence
Square-sail, treou, is a sail extended to a yard, which hangs parallel to the horizon, as distinguished from the other sails which are extended by booms and stays, placed obliquely. This sail is only used in fair winds, or to scud under in a tempest. In the former case, it is furnished with a large additional part called the bonnet, which is then attached to its bottom, and removed when it is necessary to scud. See that article.
STAFF, baton, a light pole erected in different parts of a ship, whereon to hoist and display the colours.
The principal of these is reared immediately over the stern, to display the ensign; another is fixed on the bowsprit, to extend the jack; three more are erected at the three mast-heads, or formed by their upper ends, to show the flag or pendant of the respective squadron or division to which the ship is appropriated. See Ensign, Mast, Jack, and Pendant.
STANCHION, a sort of small pillar of wood or iron used for various purposes in a ship; as to support the decks, the quarter-rails, the nettings, the awnings, &c.