An Universal Dictionary of the Marine / Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

by William Falconer

Dangers naturels, a general name for the dangers of a coast or bank, as rocks, or shelves of mud, sand, &c. which the officers of the adjacent ports are charged to distinguish by buoys or beacons.

DARD a feu, a fire-arrow, used to burn the sails of an enemy’s ship.

DARSE, or Darsine. See Bassin.

DÉBACLE, or Débaclage, the act of clearing or opening an harbour, by removing the lightened vessels to make room for such as are laden.

DÉBACLEUR, an officer whose duty it is to regulate the mooring of light and laden ships in a harbour, and to keep the passage, or fair-way, open and clear.

DÉBARCADOUR, a wharf, or storehouse, to receive goods discharged from a ship.

DÉBARDAGE, the act of unlading in general, but particularly fire-wood.

DÉBARDER, to unlade wood, &c. Whence

DÉBARDEUR, a lighter-man. See Gabarier and Porte-faix.

DÉBARQUEMENT, a return of the artillery, stores, rigging, &c. of a ship of war into the dock-yard; also the discharging of the officers and crew.