main-hatchway. The greatest beam of all is called the midship-beam.

BEAN-COD. A small fishing-vessel, or pilot-boat, common on the
sea-coasts and in the rivers of Spain and Portugal; extremely sharp
forward, having its stem bent inward above in a considerable curve; it
is commonly navigated with a large lateen sail, which extends the whole
length of the deck, and sometimes of an out-rigger over the stern, and
is accordingly well fitted to ply to windward. They frequently set as
many as twenty different sails, alow and aloft, by every possible
contrivance, so as to puzzle seamen who are not familiar with the rig.

BEAR. A large block of stone, matted, loaded with shot, and fitted with
ropes, by which it is roused or pulled to and fro to grind the decks
withal. Also, a coir-mat filled with sand similarly used.

BEAR, THE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE. Ursa Major and Minor, most important to
seamen, as instantly indicating by the pointers and pole-star the true
north at night, much more correctly than any compass bearing.

BEAR, TO. The direction of an object from the viewer; it is used in the
following different phrases: The land's end bore E.N.E.; _i.e._ it was
seen from the ship in a line with the E.N.E. point of the compass. We
bore down upon the enemy; _i.e._ having the advantage of the wind, or
being to windward, we approached the enemy by sailing large, or from the
wind. When a ship that was to windward comes under another ship's stern,
and so gives her the wind, she is said to bear under the lee; often as a
mark of respect. She bears in with the land, is said of a ship when she
runs towards the shore. We bore off the land; _i.e._ we increased our
distance from the land.--_To bear down_ upon a ship, is to approach her
from the windward.--_To bear ordnance_, to carry her guns well.--_To
bear sail_, stiff under canvas.--_To bear up_, to put the helm up, and
keep a vessel off her course, letting her recede from the wind and move
to leeward; this is synonymous with _to bear away_, but is applied to
the ship instead of the helm.--_Bear up_, one who has duly served for a
commission, but from want of interest bears up broken-hearted and
accepts an inferior warrant, or quits the profession, seeking some less
important vocation; some middies have borne up and yet become bishops,
lord-chancellors, judges, surgeons, &c.--_To bear up round_, is to put a
ship right before the wind.--_To bring a cannon to bear_, signifies that
it now