DICTIONARY OF

Slide Valve 316 Slipway
Slide Valve. Mechanism that admits steam on alternate sides of piston of reciprocating
engine. Operated by the engine. Two commonest are 'Piston' and 'D' types.
Sliding Baulk. Substantial flat timber put under bilges of a vessel being launched, and
resting on bilgeways of launching slip. Travels with ship when launching.
Sliding Gunter. Nearly vertical yard carrying a small sail that was set, (1) above royal or
skysail, (2) carries the main sail of a boat.
Sliding Keel. 'Drop Keel.'
Sliding Ways. Inclined ways on which a vessel is built, and down
which she slides when launched.
Sling. A rope with its ends short-spliced together used to lift cargo.
Slings. Chains or ropes by which a yard is suspended from a mast. 2. The middle part of a
yard. 3. Chains or wires by which ships' boats are hoisted; specifically those attached to the
boat.
Slip. Of propeller, is the difference between theoretical advance of ship by propeller action
and the actual advance. Mainly due to propeller acting in a yielding medium. See 'Positive
slip', 'Negative slip'.
Slip. Particulars of a maritime risk against which insurance is required. Made out by broker
and offered to underwriters. When initialled by insurer it is treated as an acceptance of risk,
and is exchanged for signed policy.
Slip. Inclined bed of masonry, sloping towards water, on which ships are built. 2. Inclined
bed, often fitted with rollers, on to which vessels can be hauled for examination of
underwater body, for painting and for repairing. 3. Hinged tongue of metal, fitted
with a securing link, used for holding a rope or cable that may require instant release. 4. To
slip is to let go inboard end of cable or rope, and get underway.
Slip Hook. Hook fitted with a hinged portion that can be slipped, so that a weight carried by
it can be disengaged and allowed to fall off.
Slip Knot. Knot that is free to run along the rope around which is made. 2. Knot made with
bighted end of rope so that, by pulling on the rope, the knot falls apart.
Slippery Hitch. Derisive name for a bend, or hitch that does not hold. Name is sometimes
given to a 'Slip Knot'.
Slip Rope. Rope whose end is passed outboard through forward fairlead, through ring of a
buoy and brought inboard. When moorings are taken in, the inboard end of rope can be
released to free the ship.
Slip Stopper. Chain that confines a stowed anchor to the billboard By releasing a slip, in
end of chain, anchor is freed.
Slipstream. Current of water projected on rudder by propeller action.
Slipway. One of the inclined longitudinal timbers supporting a vessel on a building or
repairing slip. Inclination varies between one in 12 to one in 24, according to size of vessel it
is designed to take.