DICTIONARY OF

Compass Course 93 Compression of (Earth's Axis).
Compass Course. Angle between North-South line of a magnetic compass and ship's fore
and aft line.
Compass Error. Angle that North-South line of compass makes with true meridian at a
position. Is of same value as the 'Correction' but opposite in name.
Compass Float. Buoyant element incorporated in card of liquid compass to reduce friction
between cap and pivot.
Compass Needles. Magnetised steel needles, of high retentivity, that tend to keep North-
South line of compass card in magnetic meridian.
Compass Pivot. Column, in centre of compass bowl, having a needle point - usually of
iridium - on which a jewelled cap, in centre of compass card, rests and is free to move.
Compass Rose. Graduated circles, on a chart, that indicate direction of true and magnetic
North, and angular values from these points.
Compass Timber. Timber that is naturally bent, and is suitable for securing deck beams to
frames, etc., in wooden vessels.
Compeared. Word used in Protests and other legal documents. Signifies that one person
was in the presence of another.
Compensation. In ship construction, is a restoration of strength lost by a member or
members being pierced or otherwise weakened. 2. Recompense for a loss sustained. 3.
Magnetic adjustment of mariner's compass.
Complement. Quantity necessary to complete a given value. 2. Correct number of men
required for manning a ship.
Complete Superstructure Vessel. One of relatively small tonnage, but large-carrying
capacity, resulting from having additional space not having permanent means of closing
openings in deck.
Complimentary Ensign. Flag of the country whose territorial waters a ship is entering.
Usually hoisted at foremast head of merchant vessel as an act of courtesy and starboard
spreader of a yacht.
Component. (Of tide.) That part of a tidal undulation that is due to an actual tide raising
body, or ascribed to an hypothetical harmonic constituent.
Composite. Applied to vessels built with iron framing and wood sides.
Composite Build. Composite construction.
Composite Policy. Policy of marine insurance that is subscribed by more than one company.
Composite Sailing. Method of sailing in which part of the track is a great circle, and part is
along a parallel of latitude.
Composite Track. Track of vessel when 'composite sailing'.
Compound Engine. Steam engine with high- and low-pressure cylinders through which
steam passes, thus making use of expansive property of steam.
Compression of (Earth's Axis). Difference between equatorial and polar diameters (or
radii) of Earth, when expressed as a fraction of the equatorial value: this is 1/297.