DICTIONARY OF

Strand 335 Strike
Strand. A number of fibre yarns, or wires, twisted together. Three or more strands twisted
together form a rope. 2. The edge of the land. A beach.
Strake. A continuous line of plating, or planking, extending along ship's side from forward
to aft.
Strait/s. A narrow stretch of water joining to larger areas.
Stranding. Accidentally running aground, or being forced aground, by extraordinary
circumstances outside the usual course of navigation. In marine insurance, it must be of such
a nature that the voyage is brought to an end.
Strange Sail. An unidentified vessel that appears above the horizon.
Strap. Plate covering a joint, in wood or metal, and securely fastened to each of the joined
pieces to regain strength lost by joining.
Stratocumulus. Cloud form intermediate between stratus and cumulus. May be closely
packed, or separated by more or less horizontal streaks of sky.
Stratosphere. The upper shell of atmosphere. In it there is little change of temperature with
height. It is cloudless, and contains two regions of high ionisation - the Kenelly-Heaviside
and Appleton layers.
Stratus. Uniform layer of cloud very much like elevated fog. Height may be anything less
than a mile.
Stray Line. That part of a hand log-line that extends between the log chip and the bunting
mark at which timing commences.
Strays. Atmospherics.
Streak.* Old form of 'Strake'.
Stream. A course of running water, whether between banks or through the sea.
Stream a Buoy. To put an anchor buoy into the water just before letting anchor go.
Stream Anchor. An anchor whose weight is about that of the bower anchors. Carried aft to
act as stern anchor when required, or for kedging purposes.
Stream Current. Ocean current that flows in a definite direction- so differing from a 'drift'
current—that always sets to leeward. They are the result of drift currents that have been
arrested by some obstructions in their paths.
Stream the Log. To put the rotator in the water and pay out the log line. The reverse
operation is to 'Hand the Log‘
Stress. The effect of an applied force that does not cause permanent deformation.
Stretcher. Small piece of timber athwart a boat propelled by oars, and against which the
rower braces his feet.
Stretch Off the Land. Old sailing ship term for taking 'forty winks'.
Strike. To lower sail or ensign as a mark of respect. 2. To haul down an ensign as token of
surrender. 3. To 'strike soundings' is to pick up soundings with the lead, or sounding
machine. 4. To lower an upper mast.