DICTIONARY OF

Welin Davits 382 Wet Spell
Welin Davits. Boat davits with a toothed quadrant at lower end, this quadrant engaging in a
toothed rack fitted to deck. By means of a worm shaft, engaging in a collar on davit, the
davit can be moved transversely inboard and outboard.
Welin-MacLachlan Davits. Boat's davits that move outboard transversely when the boat's
gripes are released; the speed being controlled by a brake. Falls are reeled on drums, which
also are controlled by brakes.
Well. Partitioned space, in bottom of a vessel, into which water runs and in which are pump
suctions. 2. Compartment formerly found in some fishing boats. Water was kept in it, and
fish were placed in this water when caught.
Well Deck. That part of an upper deck that is bounded, at forward and after ends, by
bulkheads supporting higher decks.
Well Found. Said of a vessel that is adequately fitted, stored, and furnished.
Wending. Going from one tack to the other under sail.
Wentle.* To roll over.
West. Cardinal point of compass, halfway between North and South, and opposite to East.
The intersection of horizon and prime vertical in that direction in which heavenly bodies set.
West Country Whipping. Method of whipping end of rope by middling the twine, halfknotting
it on either side alternately, and finishing off by reef knotting.
Westerlies. Prevailing winds between 40° and 60° latitudes North and South.
Westing. The distance, expressed in nautical miles, that a vessel makes good in a direction
due west.
Weston Purchase. Differential purchase consisting of two sprocket wheels around which is
a continuous chain having one of the wheels in the bight. Fixed wheel has 18 sprockets,
moving wheel has 17. One turn of fixed wheel lifts lower wheel one link, thus giving a
power of 35. This purchase will not walk back.
Wet. Said of a vessel that ships seas frequently.
Wet Air. Atmospheric air when cold surfaces become damp or wet although no rain is
falling. Due to condensation caused by warm, saturated air replacing cold, dry air.
Wet Bulb Thermometer. Thermometer fitted with a wick from bulb to a cistern of water so
that evaporation takes place at bulb, so extracting heat. This causes a lower temperature
reading. Amount by which temperature is lowered depends on rate of evaporation at bulb,
which, in turn, depends on moisture content of atmosphere.
Wet Dock. In contradistinction from dry dock, is a dock in which vessels are always afloat
and water level is maintained by gates that are closed before fall of tide.
Wet Fog. Fog in which moisture forms rapidly and freely on exposed conducting surfaces.
Wet Spell. Name given to a period of 15 days, or more, in which the daily rainfall has been
at least 0.04 inch.