ern term for the sheldrake, _Tadorna vulpanser_.

SLYNG. An ancient piece of sea-ordnance: there were also _di-slyngs_.

SMACK. A vessel, sometimes like a cutter, used for mercantile purposes,
or for carrying passengers; the largest of which, the Leith smacks,
attained the size of 200 tons.

SMACK-SMOOTH. Level with the surface; said of a mast which has gone by
the board.

SMALL. The narrow part of the tail of a whale, in front of the flukes.
Also, that part of the anchor-shank which is immediately under the
stock.

SMALL-ARM MEN. Those of the crew selected and trained to the use of
small-arms. When they have effected their boarding, they seldom retain
more than their pistol and cutlass.

SMALL-ARMS. The muskets, pistols, cutlasses, tomahawks, and
boarding-pikes, in charge of the gunner, on board ship.

SMALL-HELM. One of the principal results of sound seamanship is the
proper trim of the vessel and the sail carried; by which means the
action of the rudder is reduced to a minimum, not requiring the tiller
to be moved either hard up or hard down. Also used to denote that a
turbulent jaw-me-down bully has been brought to his senses by a more
vigorous mind.

SMALL SAILS. Top-gallant-studding-sails and the _kites_.

SMALL STUFF. The term for spun-yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of
rope, even for yarns.

SMART. Ready, active, and intelligent.

SMART-MONEY. A pension given to a wounded man, according to the extent
of the injury and his rank. Thus a lieutenant gets L91, 5_s._ for the
loss of a leg, and a captain L300.

SMART-TICKET. The certificate from a captain and surgeon, by which only
the smart-money is obtainable.

SMASHERS. Anything large or powerful. Also, pieces of ordnance of large
calibre, in form between the gun and the carronade. Also, a very general
epithet for north-country seamen.

SMELT [Anglo-Saxon, _smylt_]. The fry of salmon, samlet, or _Salmo
eperlanus_.

SMEW. The white-headed goosander, _Mergus albellus_.

SMITER. An archaism for a scimitar. In the legend of Captain Jones,
1659, we are told:

"His fatal _smiter_ thrice aloft he shakes,
And frowns; the sea, and ship, and canvas quakes."

SMITING-LINE. A line by which a yarn-stoppered sail is loosed, without
sending men aloft. If well executed, marks the seaman.

SMOKE-BALLS. A pyrotechnical preparation, thrown to short distances from
mortars, to choke men out of mines, to conceal movements, &c. They
continue to smok