DICTIONARY OF

Shelter Deck Type 307 Ship Handling
Shelter Deck Type. Type of vessel having a continuous shelter deck above main deck.
Shelving. Said of sea-bed when it slopes from shoal water to deep water with comparatively
small inclinations.
Sheratan. Star Arietis. S.H.A. 332°; Dec. N21°; Mag. 2-7.
Shield Ship.* Warship having movable shield around each gun until moment of firing.
Shift. Of wind, is a change in its direction. 2. To shift a vessel is to move her from one berth
to another.
Shifting. Moving a vessel from one berth to another. 2. Movement of stowed cargo by
movement of ship in a seaway. 3. Changing of wind's direction. 4. Separation of blocks of a
tackle when they have been hauled 'two blocks'.
Shifting Backstay. Backstay that was let go, when tacking, and shifted to the new weather
side. Is a seaman's name for a man who has no standing job, but is put to any work that may
require doing at the time.
Shifting Boards. Planks and boards erected in a hold to prevent a cargo from shifting.
Particularly necessary with bulk grain and similar cargoes. Also used for preventing shift of
solid ballast.
Shifting Centre.* Former name for 'Metacentre'.
Shifting Sands. Quicksands. Sands that are loose and fluid when wet, and cannot support
weight.
Shift of Butts. Arrangement of a series of butted joints so that they do not lie in a line, or
approximation of a line.
Shift of Wind. A definite change in wind direction.
Shingle. Coarse gravel that has been partially rounded by sea action.
Ship. A sea-going vessel. 2. Vessel having a certificate of registry. Technically, a sailing
vessel having three or more masts with yards crossed on all of them. In Victorian times, any
vessel with yards on three masts was termed a 'ship' even if other masts were fore and aft
rigged. To ship, is to put on or into a vessel; to put any implement or fitting into its
appropriate holder.
Shipbreach. Shipwreck.
Shipbreaker. One who breaks up old and unserviceable vessels.
Shipbroker. One whose business is the buying and selling of vessels. 2. One who acts as an
intermediary between a shipowner and a shipper. 3. One who acts as a ship's agent.
Shipbuilder. One whose business is the building of ships.
Ship Building. The construction of ships.
Ship Canal. Canal connected with sea and of such size that seagoing vessels can safely
navigate it.
Ship Chandler. Tradesman who deals in cordage, canvas, and other commodities required
when fitting out or storing a ship.
Ship Construction. Ship building, more especially as applied to steel ships.
Ship Fever. Typhus. In 18th century was the name given to typhus when caused by
insanitary conditions in overcrowded ships.
Ship Handling. Manoeuvring of a vessel in circumstances requiring precise and skilful
movements of rudder, engines, or sails.