DICTIONARY OF

Close Fights 86 Clubbing
Close Fights. Barriers and obstructions erected to prevent capture of ship by boarding. In
some cases, but not in R.N., were strong bulkheads erected on upper deck, behind which
ship's company could retreat when boarded; so commanding upper deck with musket fire
through loopholes in the bulkhead.
Close Harbour.* Old name for a harbour made by engineering skill and excavation; to
distinguish it from a natural harbour.
Close Hauled. Said of a sailing vessel when she has the wind before the beam. In some
cases is applied to a vessel sailing as close to wind as possible. Collision Regulations
assume a vessel to be 'Close hauled' when wind is between her closest point of sailing
and one point free of it.
Close Jammed. So close hauled that any movement nearer the wind would put sails
aback.
Close Lined. Said of a vessel when ceiling on sides of hold is so close that there is no air
space between the planks.
Close Pack. Mass of ice-floes, mostly in contact, that impede or stop navigation.
Close Quarters. In close proximity. Yard arm to yard arm. 2. Close fights. 3. Close
fights fitted in slave ships to prevent uprising of slaves.
Close Reefed. Said of sails that have been reefed as much as possible.
Close Stowing Anchor. Any anchor having its stock in line with arms.
Close the Land. To approach the land from seaward.
Close Winded. Said of any vessel that can sail close to wind.
Cloth. Piece of canvas forming part of a sail.
Clothe. To fit a vessel with her running rigging and sails.
Clothed. Said of a mast when all sail is set on it. Sometimes used as meaning that the foot
of a lower sail is so close to deck that no wind can pass beneath it.
Cloud. Water vapour condensed into minute particles and suspended in higher reaches of
atmosphere.
Cloudburst. Name often given to very heavy rain.
Clove Hitch. Manipulation of rope end for attaching it to a bar, taut wire, etc. End is
passed round, then over its own part, then round again—in same direction—and brought up
under its own part.
Clove Hook.* Clip Hook.
Club. Spar at foot of jib, or other triangular sail. 2. Group of shipowners forming a mutual
insurance society. See 'Small Damage Club'. Clubbing. Dropping down with tide or
current, with anchor at short stay, and sheering vessel as necessary with rudder. Usually
termed 'dredging'.