DICTIONARY OF

Torrid Zone 359 Track
Torrid Zone. That area of Earth's surface that lies between the Tropics of Cancer and
Capricorn.
Torse. A coarse kind of hemp.
Torsion Meter. Instrument for measuring amount of torque in a shaft. Used for measuring
torque in propeller shaft turned by a turbine; thus arriving at horsepower of engine.
Total Eclipse. Eclipse of Sun, or Moon, in which no part of the disc is illuminated.
Total Loss. Used in marine insurance to denote that the subject of insurance has been
completely lost, or has been so damaged that it is valueless.
Touch. To make a brief call at a port or place. 2. To touch the bottom without grounding. 3.
Said of a sail when its luff comes into the wind. 4. Tinder or match used for firing muzzleloading
guns. 5. The broad end of a tapered plank when in contact with narrow end of
another tapered plank.
Touch and Go. To touch the ground, with the keel, for a minute or so and then proceed
again.
'Touch and Stay. ' Inserted in a marine insurance policy to permit vessel to call at a
customary port for purposes connected with the voyage. Does not give liberty to deviate.
Touch Hole. Priming hole of a muzzle-loading gun, to which tinder or match was applied
for igniting charge.
Touch Off. To fire a muzzle-loading gun by touching the priming with a match or tinder.
Touch the Ground. Temporarily and lightly to make contact with bottom when in shoal
water.
Tow. Coarse fibres of hemp that have been separated from the finer fibres.
Tow. To draw through the water by means of a rope, hawser, or cable. 2. Vessel or craft
being towed.
Towage. The act of towing. 2. Service rendered by towing.
Towage Clause. Clause in a charter party, and repeated in a bill of lading, giving a vessel
permission to tow, or to be towed, in stated circumstances.
Towing Bridle. Length of chain, or rope, having a hook in each end and carried by towing
vessel. End of tow rope is attached to the hooks.
Towing Horse. An arched transverse beam from bulwark to bulwark in a tug to keep the
towrope clear of the deck.
Towing Light. The additional white light shown on foremast of a steam vessel when towing.
Tow Line, Tow Rope. Rope or hawser by which a vessel is towed.
Trabaccolo. Adriatic cargo vessel or trawler of about 60 tons. Original rig: two masts,
lugsails, bowsprit and jibs.
Track. Route, in sea or ocean, along which vessels customarily travel. 2. That part of a line
of advance that has already been travelled; particularly applied to storms. 3. Disturbed water
astern of a vessel. 4. To tow a boat from a tow path.