greater than that of the earth in her orbit, though, from their
enormous distance, we can with difficulty perceive it.

START. A long handle or tail; whence, by analogy, "start point." But
sometimes applied by navigators to any point from which a departure is
taken. Also, the expected place of a struck whale's rising, after having
plunged or sounded.--_To start_, applied to liquids, is to empty; but if
to any weight, as the anchor, &c., implies to move.--_To start bread._
To turn it out of bags or casks, and stow it in bulk.--_To start a
butt-end._ When a plank has loosened or sprung at the butt-end, by the
ship's labouring, or other cause.--_To start a tack or sheet._ To slack
it off, as in tacking or man[oe]uvring, "raise tacks and sheets."

STARTING. An irregular and arbitrary mode of punishment with canes or
ropes' ends, long since illegal in the British navy.

STARTING-BOLT, OR DRIFT-BOLT. A bolt used to drive out another; it is
usually a trifle smaller.

STASH IT THERE! An old order to cease or be quiet.

STATE-ROOM. A sleeping cabin, or small berth, detached from the main
cabin of merchantmen or saloon of passenger vessels.

STATION. The allotted places of the duties of each person on board. In
most merchantmen the cry of "Every man to his station, and the cook to
the fore-sheet," is calling the hands and the idlers.

STATIONARIAE. Those vessels of a Roman fleet ordered to remain at anchor.

STATIONARY POINTS. Those points in a planet's orbit in which, as viewed
from the earth, it appears to have no motion amongst the stars.

STATION-BILL. A list containing the appointed posts of the crew when
performing any evolution but action.

STATIONER. One who has had experience, or who has been some time on a
particular station.

STATIONING A SHIP'S COMPANY. Arranging the crew for the ready execution
of the evolutionary duties of a ship.

STATION-POINTER. A circular instrument furnished with one standard
radius, and two movable. By laying off two observed angles right and
left from a central object, and laying the instrument over the objects
on a chart, the position of the observer is instantly fixed.

STATIONS FOR STAYS! Repair to your posts to tack ship.

STAUNCH. A flood-gate crossing a river to keep up a head of water, and,
by producing a rush in dry weather, floating the lighters over the
adjacent shallows.

STAVE, TO. To break a hole in any vessel. Also, to drive in the head of
a cask, as of spirits,