DICTIONARY OF

Cat Davit 72 Caulk
Cat Davit. Strong davit for lifting anchor from water line to billboard when weighing
anchor.
Catenary. Originally, length of chain put in middle of a tow rope to damp sudden stresses.
Now applied to any weight put in a hawser for same purpose. 2. Curve formed by a chain
hanging from two fixed points. Cat Fall. Rope rove in a cat purchase.
Cat Harp- (ings)-(ins)-(ens). Ropes bent to foremast shroud of futtock rigging to bowse it
aft when sailing close hauled. 2. Name given to iron leg confining upper ends of/standing
rigging to mast. Ropes bowsing in the lower ends of the port futtock shrouds to the lower
ends of the starboard futtock shrouds.
Catharpin Swifter. Foremost shroud of futtock rigging.
Cat Heads. Strong timbers projecting from either side of bows of olden ships. Fitted with
sheaves for reeving cat purchase. Cathead Stopper. Chain or rope that holds ring of anchor
when stowed on billboard.
Cathode Ray Tube. A type of electronic valve with a screen which glows brightly where it
is struck by a stream of electrons released when an echo is received. This type, used in a
radar set, is known as a Plan Position Indicator. Cat Holes.* Two small holes, for mooring
ropes, in sterns of olden ships.
Cat Hook. Strong hook in end of cat pendant for lifting anchor to billboard when catting.
Catoptric. Name given to lights intensified by means of mirrors. Cat Pendant. Wire rope
rove through block on cat davit to lift anchor when catting it.
Cat Purchase. Tackle by which anchor is lifted from water level and placed on billboard.
Cat Rig. Modern version: schooner or ketch rig with no head sails, with unstayed masts,
wish-bone booms and wrap-round sails.
Cat Rope. 'Cat Back.'
Cat's Eye. 'Cat Hole.'
Catspaw. Manipulation of a bight of rope so that two small loops are made for taking hook
of a tackle. 2. Ripple made on calm water by a passing light air.
Cat's Skin. Light, warm wind on surface of sea.
Cat Tackle. 'Cat Purchase.'
Catting. Lifting the flukes of a weighed anchor on to billboard or anchor bed. Hoisting the
anchor from the water to the cathead.
Catting Link. Special link, with broad palm, used in catting anchor.
Catting Shackle, Special screw shackle used when catting anchor.
Cattle Door. Large door in vicinity of bridge or tween deck superstructure. Used when
loading or discharging cattle on the hoof.
Cattlemen. Men carried to attend cattle when carried on the hoof.
Catug. A catamaran tug locked onto the stern of a barge, the centrebody of the tug riding on
the stern of the barge.
Catwalk. A narrow and unfenced gangway.
Caulk. To make a joint watertight. 2. To press oakum, or other fibre, in a seam between
planking preparatory to 'paying'. 3. To expand the overlapping edge of a riveted iron or steel
plate so that it prevents water seeping through the joint.