e it, and
overcome it swimming.--_To breast a bar_, to heave at the capstan.--_To
breast to_, the act of giving a sheer to a boat.

BREAST-BACKSTAYS. They extend from the head of an upper-mast, through an
out-rigger, down to the channels before the standing backstays, for
supporting the upper spars from to windward. When to leeward, they are
borne abaft the top-rim. (_See_ BACKSTAYS.)

BREAST-BEAMS. Those beams at the fore-part of the quarter-deck, and the
after-part of the forecastle, in those vessels which have a poop and a
top-gallant forecastle.

BREAST-FAST. A large rope or chain, used to confine a ship's broadside
to a wharf or quay, or to some other ship, as the head-fast confines her
forward, and the stern-fast abaft.

BREAST-GASKETS. An old term for bunt-gaskets.

BREAST-HOOKS. Thick pieces of timber, incurvated into the form of knees,
and used to strengthen the fore-part of a ship, where they are placed at
different heights, directly across the stem internally, so as to unite
it with the bows on each side, and form the principal security,
supporting the hawse-pieces and strain of the cables. The breast-hooks
are strongly connected to the stem and hawse-pieces by tree-nails, and
by bolts driven from without through all, and forelocked or clinched
upon rings inside.

BREAST-RAIL. The upper rail of the balcony; formerly it was applied to a
railing in front of the quarter-deck, and at the after-part of the
forecastle-deck. Also, fife-rail.

BREAST-ROPE. The lashing or laniard of the yard-parrels. (_See also_
HORSE.) Also, the bight of a mat-worked band fastened between the
shrouds for the safety of the lad's-man in the chains, when sounding, so
that he may hang over the water, and let the lead swing clear.

BREAST-WORK. A sort of balustrade of rails, mouldings, or stanchions,
which terminates the quarter-deck and poop at the fore ends, and also
incloses the forecastles both before and behind. (_See_ PARAPET.) Now
applicable to the poop-rails only. In fortification, it signifies a
parapet thrown up as high as the breasts of the men defending it.

BREATHER. A tropical squall.

BREATH OF WIND. All but a dead calm.

BREECHING. A strong rope passing through at the cascable of a gun, used
to secure it to the ship's side, and prevent it recoiling too much in
time of battle, also to secure it when the ship labours; it is fixed by
reeving it through a thimble stropped upon the cascable or knob at the
breech o