to prevent the crew from misusing it in case of
wreck.--_To stave off._ To boom off; to push anything off with a pole.

STAVES. Wood prepared for the component parts of a cask. In 1781, staves
were ruled not to be a naval store, unless it were shown that the French
at Brest were in some peculiar want of casks. Also, the wood of lances,
formerly an object of great care, insomuch that Shakspeare makes Richard
III. say:--

"Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy."

STAY. A large strong rope extending from the upper end of each mast
towards the stem of the ship, as the shrouds are extended on each side.
The object of both is to prevent the masts from springing, when the ship
is pitching deep. Thus stays are fore and aft; those which are led down
to the vessel's side are _backstays_.--_The fore-stay_ is that which
reaches from the foremast-head towards the bowsprit end.--_The
main-stay_ is that which extends to the ship's stem.--_The mizen-stay_
is that which is stretched to a collar on the main-mast, immediately
above the quarter-deck.--_The fore-topmast stay_ is that which comes to
the end of the bowsprit, a little beyond the fore-stay, on which the
fore-topmast staysail runs on hanks.--_The main-topmast stay_ is
attached to the hounds of the fore-mast, or comes on deck.--_The
mizen-topmast stay_ is that which comes to the hounds of the main-mast.
The top-gallant, royal, or any other masts, have each a stay, named
after their respective masts.--_Spring-stay_ is a kind of substitute
nearly parallel to the principal stay, and intended to help the
principal stay to support its mast.--_Stay of a steamer._ An iron bar
between the two knees which secure the paddle-beams. (_See_
FUNNEL-STAYS.)--_To stay._ To tack, to bring the ship's head up to the
wind for going about; hence to _miss stays_, is to fail in the attempt
to go about.--_In stays_, or _hove in stays_, is the situation of a
vessel when she is staying, or in the act of going about; a vessel in
bad trim, or lubberly handled, is sure to be _slack in stays_, and
_refuses stays_, when she has to wear.

STAY APEEK. When the cable and fore-stay form a line. (_See_ APEEK.)

STAY-BARS, OR STAY-RODS. Strong malleable iron bars for supporting the
framings of the marine steam-engine.

STAYED FORWARD. This term is applied to masts when they incline forward
out of the vertical line; the opposite of _rake_ (which see.)

STAYSAIL. A triangular sail hoisted upon a