DICTIONARY OF

Priming 262 Procyon
Priming. Of tide, is a decrease in time interval between successive high waters. Roughly
speaking, it occurs as tides decrease from spring to neap. 2. Of a boiler, is the projection of
minute particles of water into the steam; generally due to impurities in feed water, or to
violent motion of ship. 3. Of a pump, is the insertion of water to expel air. 4. In painting, is
the first coat applied to a bare surface.
Priming and Topping. Preparation of a boiler furnace before lighting fire. Priming consists
of laying small coal over fire-bars. Topping is the laying of a transverse wall of coat a little
distance inside furnace. Kindling wood, or fire from another furnace, is laid against topping
to ignite it.
Priming Valve. Spring-loaded valve, on top of cylinder, that allows any condensed steam to
escape as piston comes upward.
Prismatic Coefficient. Immersed volume of a vessel expressed as a fraction of a block
whose length is that of the vessel and the shape of which is that of the immersed midship
section of the vessel.
Prismatic Compass. Compass fitted with a reflecting prism and a sighting vane. Used for
observing azimuths.
Prismatic Telescope. Telescope having reflecting prisms to enlarge an observed object.
Periscope is a well-known example.
Privateer. Ship, other than a warship, fitted out by persons to whom letters of marque had
been given. Name was also given to person commanding such a ship. To privateer is to
attack enemy shipping under letter of marque.
Private Ship. Naval term for any warship that is not a flag ship.
Prize. Vessel captured in war and granted to capturers by sovereign.
Prize Court. Wartime court set up to adjudicate on naval prizes taken.
Prize List. Names, ranks and ratings of personnel in a captured ship.
Prize Master. Officer, from capturing ship, who takes charge of a captured ship.
Prize Money. Share of value of captured merchant ships, paid to crews of H.M. ships.
Originally paid to personnel of capturing ship, but in war of 1914-18 was shared amongst all
personnel. In war of 1939-45 was shared amongst R.N. and R.A.F. Now discontinued.
Proa. Canoe of Ladrone Islands. One side is curved, the other straight, outrigger being fitted
on straight side. Has lateen sail and can be sailed either way. Usually about 30 ft. long and 3
ft. beam.
Procuration. The acting of one person on behalf of another. 2. A document authorising one
person to act on behalf of another.
Procyon. Star Canis Minoris. S.H.A. 246°; Dec. N05°; Mag. 0.5. Diameter is twice that of
Sun, candlepower being 5 times greater. Distant 10 light years; temperature 6500°A. Name
is Greek for 'Before the Dog', on account of it rising before Sirius.