o the wind until she has shot up to the weather
danger; the helm is then shifted, and with all aback forward, she falls
short off on the opposite tack. Such is also achieved at anchor in
club-hauling (which see).--_To board a ship_, is to enter her in a
hostile manner in order to take forcible possession of her, either from
the attacking ship or by armed boats. The word _board_ has various other
applications among seamen:--_To go aboard_ signifies to go into the
ship.--_To slip by the board_, is to slip down a ship's side.--_To board
it up_, is to beat up, sometimes on one tack and sometimes on
another.--_The weather-board_ is the side of the ship which is to
windward.--_By the board_, close to a ship's deck.

BOARD AND BOARD. Alongside, as when two ships touch each other.

BOARDERS. Sailors appointed to make an attack by boarding, or to repel
such attempt from the enemy. Four men selected from each gun were
generally allotted as boarders, also to trim sails, tend pumps, repair
rigging, &c.

BOARD HIM. A colloquialism for I'll ask, demand, or accost him. Hence
Shakspeare makes Polonius say of Hamlet,

"I'll board him presently."

To make acquaintance with; to fasten on.

BOARD HIM IN THE SMOKE. To take a person by surprise, as by firing a
broadside, and boarding in the smoke.

BOARDING. An assault made by one vessel on another, by entering her in
battle with a detachment of armed men.

BOARDING-BOOK. A register which has for its object the recording all
particulars relative to every ship boarded, a copy of which is
transmitted to the admiral under whose orders the ship is employed.
(_See_ GUARD-BOOK.)

BOARDING-NETTINGS. A framework of stout rope-netting placed where
necessary, to obstruct an enemy's boarders.

BOARDING-PIKE. A defensive lance against boarders.

BOARDLINGS. Flippant understrappers of the admiralty and navy-boards.

BOARD OF TRADE. A committee of the Privy Council appointed for the
consideration of commercial matters.

BOAT. A small open vessel, conducted on the water by rowing or sailing.
The construction, machinery, and even the names of boats, are very
different, according to the various purposes for which they are
calculated, and the services on which they are employed. Thus we have
the long-boat and the jolly-boat, life-boat and gun-boat, but they will
appear under their respective appellations.--_A bold boat_, one that
will endure a rough sea well.--_Man the boat_, send the crew