Pere la Hoste among the French, and a
lawyer among the English, are the prime authorities. Moreover, it is a
fact well known to those who served half a century back, when Lord
Keith, Sir P. Durham, Sir P. Malcolm, and B. Hallowell practised their
squadrons, that questions remained in dispute and undecided for at least
sixteen years.

NAVE-HOLE. The hole in the centre of a gun-truck for receiving the end
of the axle-tree.

NAVEL HOODS. Those hoods wrought above and below the hawse-holes,
outside a ship, where there are no cheeks to support a bolster.

NAVEL LAVER. The sea-weed _Ulva umbilicus_.

NAVEL LINE. _See_ LINE.

NAVIGABLE. Any channel capable of being passed by ships or boats.

NAVIGANT. An old word for sailor.

NAVIGATION. The art of conducting vessels on the sea, not only by the
peculiar knowledge of seamanship in all its intricate details, but also
by such a knowledge of the higher branches of nautical astronomy as
enables the commander to hit his port, after a long succession of bad
weather, and an absence of three or four months from all land. Any man
without science may navigate the entire canals of Great Britain, but may
be unable to pass from Plymouth to Guernsey.

NAVIGATION ACTS. Various statutes by which the legislature of Great
Britain has in a certain degree restricted the intercourse of foreign
vessels with her own ports, or those of her dependent possessions; the
object being to promote the increase of British shipping.

NAVIGATOR. A person skilled in the art of navigation. In old times, the
ship's _artist_. Also, one who plies merely on canals. Also, the _navvy_
who works on embankments, cuttings, &c.

NAVITHALAMUS. A word in Law-Latin signifying a yacht.

NAVVIES. The vigorous labourers employed in cutting canals, railroads,
or river works in temporary gangs.

NAVY. Any assembly of ships, whether for commerce or war. More
particularly the vessels of war which, belonging to the government of
any state, constitute its maritime force. The Royal Navy of Great
Britain is conducted under the direction of the lords-commissioners for
executing the office of lord high-admiral, and by the following
principal officers under them:--the controller of the navy, controlling
dockyards, building, &c., with his staff; the accountant-general,
store-keeper general, and controller of victualling. These several lords
meet as a board at Somerset House on special days to give the affairs
the force of the