DICTIONARY OF

Preventer Fid 261 Prime Vertical
Preventer Fid. Iron bolt sometimes kept along, and secured to, eyes of topmast rigging.
Directly heel of mast was clear of mast hole in trestle trees, when hoisting, fid was passed
through hole in mast so that mast would not fall to deck if mast rope parted.
Preventer Main Braces. Main yard braces that led forward. Were additional to braces
leading aft.
Preventer Plates. Iron plates running downwards, on sides of wooden vessels, from chains
to strakes below. Purpose was to spread strain of shrouds and prevent seams of side opening.
Prick. To mark off ship's position on a chart. To draw a course on a chart. 2. To put an
additional seam in middle of cloth of a sail.
Pricker. Small, thin marline spike used for stabbing holes in canvas and when splicing small
rope.
Pricking Note. Customs document authorising the shipment of stated goods.
Pricking off the Ship. Marking ship's position on chart – generally at noon.
Pride of the Morning. Mist at sunrise: usually indicating a fine and sunny day.
Primage. Money paid by shipper to Master of ship for diligence in care of cargo. Not now
paid to Master, but added to freight. Amount was usually about 10% of freight.
Primage and Average Accustomed. Words inserted in a Bill of Lading when an additional
payment is due, at customary rate, on right delivery of cargo.
Primary Circle. That great circle that is a plane of reference for all great circles passing
through its poles. Primary circle of Earth is Equator.
Primary Planet. Name sometimes given to those planets revolving around Sun, thus
distinguishing them from lesser bodies revolving around a planet.
Primary Tide. That part of a tidal undulation that is the direct response to a tide - generating
force. Term is used when comparing it with a composite tide.
Prime Entry. Statement made to Customs authorities, by Master of an arrived ship,
declaring the nature and approximate quantity of cargo brought in. Is a pre-requisite for
inward clearance.
Prime Meridian. That meridian from which longitude is reckoned. By common consent this
is now the meridian of Greenwich. Originally, was that meridian on which the magnetic
variation of compass was zero in a certain latitude. Has varied in longitude between
Jerusalem and Brazil, but most frequently through Azores and Canary Islands. First passed
through London (St. Paul's Cathedral) in 17 th century. First drawn through Greenwich, 1794.
Prime Vertical. Great circle of celestial sphere, and secondary to horizon, passing through
east and west points of horizon.