DICTIONARY OF

Counter 99 Covering Strap
Counter. Sloping and curved underside of after part of hull abaft sternpost and above
waterline.
Counter Brace. To brace fore and main yards in opposite directions.
Counter Current. Ocean current that flows in the direction opposite, approximately, to that
of main current. Equatorial counter currents are continuations of main currents after they
have recurved.
Countermart. To resist attack of an enemy.
Counter Rails. Ornamental moulding across square sterns of olden ships.
Counter Sea. Sea running in direction opposite to prevailing wind.
Counter Stays. Projecting timbers that support an overhanging stern.
Counter Trades. Winds on polar side of trade wind, but blowing in an opposite direction.
Coup d' Assurance. Firing of a gun by a warship when she shows her national ensign to
vessel she is chasing.
Coup de Semonce. Firing of a shot across the bows of a vessel chased by a warship.
Coupee. Flag having vertical stripes.
Couple. Two equal forces that are parallel to each other but working in opposite
directions—so generating a turning movement.
Courge. Small wickerwork basket towed astern of a shrimper. Prawns and shrimps are kept
alive in it.
Course. Direction steered by a vessel. Angle that ship's fore and aft line makes with a
meridian, or with north-south line of a compass. May be true, Magnetic, Compass or Gyro
course. 2. Sail bent to lower yard of a sailing ship.
Course Error. Error of indication, by a gyro compass, on any particular course.
Course Recorder. Mechanical aid to pilotage. A 'plotter' is moved, electrically, over a chart;
being controlled in speed and direction by electric log and gyro repeater. Recorder thus
indicates ship's charted position at any moment.
Courtesy Flag. 'Complimentary Ensign.'
Court of Survey. Composed of a judge and nautical assessors. Has powers to order survey
of a vessel, to detain or to release her, to order repairs or alterations to be made, to order a
certificate of seaworthiness to be given.
Covering Note. Document in which each underwriter states his acceptance of a proportion
of a marine risk by stating the amount and then initialling it. Is evidence of insurance
pending issue of policy.
Cove. Small creek, inlet or bay sheltered from wind. 2. Arched moulding at foot of taffrail.
Covering Board. Plank that overlaps seam between planking of side of a wooden ship and
the outboard deck plank.
Covering Strap. Doubling piece covering butt of ship's side plating, and to which the butted
plates are riveted.