Tack-tackle, a small tackle used occasionally to pull down the tack of the principal sails of a ship to their respective stations. There is also a tackle of this kind constantly fixed to the tacks of the main-sail in brigs, sloops, and schooners, for the same purpose. See the French term Palan, and the phrases annexed thereto.
TAFFAREL, couronnement, the upper part of a ship’s stern, being a curved piece of wood, expressed by F F, in fig. 1. plate [X]. and usually ornamented with sculpture.
TAIL, a name given by sailors to the extremities of a hurricane, wherein the violence is considerably exhausted.
Tail-block, a small single block, having a short piece of rope attached to it, by which it may be fastened to any object at pleasure; either for convenience, or to increase the force applied to the said object, as explained in the first part of the article Tackle.
TAKING-IN, the act of brailing-up and furling the sails at sea, particularly when the wind increases. It is generally used in opposition to setting. See also Furl and Shorten.
TALLYING, border, a phrase used by the common sailors, implying the act of pulling aft the sheets, or lower corners of the main-sail and fore-sail.
TAR, a sort of liquid gum, of a blackish hue, which distils from pines or fir-trees, either naturally or by incision; and being prepared by boiling, is used to pay the sides of ships and boats, and their rigging, in order to preserve them from the effects of the weather, by which they would otherwise soon become cracked, split, or rotten.
Tar is also a figurative expression for a sailor of any kind.
Tar-pawling, prélart, a broad piece of canvas well daubed with tar, and used to cover the hatchways of a ship at sea, to prevent the penetration of the rain, or sea-water, which may occasionally rush over the decks. See Battens.
TARTAN, (tartana, Ital.) a small coasting vessel navigated in the Mediterranean sea, and having only one mast and a bowsprit, the principal sail, which is extremely large, being extended by a lateen-yard. See Vessel.