d breeze. (_See_ UNDER-CURRENT.)

UNDER WAY. A ship beginning to move under her canvas after her anchor is
started. Some have written this _under weigh_, but improperly. A ship is
_under weigh_ when she has _weighed_ her anchor: she may be with or
without canvas, or hove-to. As soon as she gathers way she is _under
way_. This a moot point with old seamen.

UNDERWRITERS. The parties who take upon themselves the risk of
insurance, and so called from subscribing their names at the foot of the
policy. They are legally presumed to be acquainted with every custom of
the trade whereon they enter a policy.

UNICORN. The old name for the howitzer, as improved from the licorn,
borrowed from the Turks during the last century by the Russians, and
from the latter by Europe generally.

UNICORN-FISH, OR SEA-UNICORN. A name for the _narwhal_ (which see).

UNIFORM. The dress prescribed by regulation for officers and men of the
army, navy, marines, &c.

UNION. The national flag of Great Britain, on shore or afloat. It is a
composition of the crosses of St. George of England, St. Andrew of
Scotland, and St. Patrick of Ireland, the last having been brought in in
1801. It was formerly inscribed, "For the Protestant Religion and for
the Liberty of England." It is in the upper canton of all British
ensigns. At the main it is the proper flag of an admiral of the fleet;
and was thus flown by Lord Howe at the battle of June 1, 1794.

UNION DOWN. When a ship hoists her ensign upside down it is a signal of
distress or of mourning.

UNION-JACK. The union flag used separately; in the merchant service it
must have a broad white border.

UNLIMBER, TO. With a gun on a travelling-carriage, to release it from
the limber, by lifting the trail off the pintle and placing it on the
ground, thus bringing it to the position for action.

UNLIVERY. Expenses of unlivery and appraisement are a charge in the
first instance against the captors of a prize, to be afterwards
apportioned by them ratably against the cargo.

UNMANAGEABLE. When a vessel refuses to answer her helm, has lost her
rudder, or is crippled in masts or sails.

UNMOORED. Having one anchor weighed; lying at single anchor.

UNREEVING. The act of withdrawing a rope from any block, thimble,
dead-eye, &c., through which it had formerly passed. (_See_ REEVE.)

UNRIG, TO. To dismantle a ship of her standing and running rigging.--_To
unrig the capstan_ is to take out the bars.

UNROOMAGED