DICTIONARY OF

Normal Centre 237 Notice to Mariners
Normal Centre (of Earth). That point, in Earth's axis, at which a vertical line passing
through an observer would meet the axis.
Normal Latitude. Angle between plane of Equator and a vertical line passing downwards
through an observer.
Normand's Formula. Introduced by M. Normand, in 1882, to calculate 'Inch Trim Moment'
from area of waterplane, length of load waterline, beam and volume of displacement.
Norman Heads. Shaped extremities of cross piece of wooden bitts. Used for taking turns
with ropes.
Normans. Short lengths of shaped timber put into sprockets of capstan to take turn of a rope
that has been led to capstan for heaving. 2. U-shape irons put over whelps of capstan to
prevent riding turns in hemp cable.
Norte. Cold N'ly wind in Gulf of Mexico.
North. Cardinal point of the compass. The direction of that pole of Earth at which an
observer would note that direction of Earth's rotation was towards his left hand.
North Easter. Gale blowing from a NE'ly point.
North East Monsoon Current. Ocean current caused by NE monsoon in Arabian Sea. Sets
S along Malabar coast and then SW'ly to African coast, where it meets a northerly stream
from Zanzibar. Then sets E'ly across Indian Ocean.
North East Passage. Navigable waterway, between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, that passes
along north coast of Europe. Discovered by Nordenskiold in 1878-9.
Northern Signs. Signs of Zodiac north of Equinoctial. They are those from Aries to Virgo,
both inclusive.
Northern Waggoner.* Old name for constellation Ursa Major.
North Following. In or towards the N to E quadrant of the compass. Formerly used in
connection with a pair of observed stars that had not reached the meridian.
Northing. Distance, or latitude, made good in a N'ly direction.
North Pole. Northern extremity of Earth's axis of rotation. North pole of Equator, or
Equinoctial.
North Preceding.* In or towards the N to W quadrant of compass. Formerly used in
connection with a pair of observed stars that had crossed the meridian north of observer.
North Star. Star Polaris Ursae Minoris.
Notary Public. Public official who is authorised to take statements on oath, and who keeps a
record of all statements so made.
'Nothing Off.' Injunction to helmsman to keep ship's head close to wind, and not let it fall to
leeward.
Notice of Abandonment. Formal surrender, by owner, to underwriters of policy on an
insured ship that is a constructive total loss. Is a prerequisite to payment of insurance.
Notice of Readiness. Written notice, given by Master or agent of an arrived ship, stating
ship's readiness to load and approximate amount of cargo required. Delivered to shipper or
his agent.
Notice to Mariners. Periodical, or casual, notices issued by Hydrographic Department, or
other authority, regarding changes in lights, buoys, and other navigational aids; alterations in
charted information; menaces to navigation and other matters of importance and urgency to
shipping and navigation.