the
sovereign in any position, naval or military.

CASING. The lining, veneering, or planking over a ship's timbers,
especially for the cabin-beams; the sheathing of her. Also a bulk-head
round a mast to prevent the interference of cargo, or shifting
materials.

CASING-COVER. In the marine steam-engine is a steam-tight opening for
the slide-valve rod to pass through.

CASK. A barrel for fluid or solid provisions. (_See_ STOWAGE.)

CASKETS (properly GASKETS). Small ropes made of sinnet, and fastened to
grummets or little rings upon the yards. Their use is to make the sail
fast to the yard when it is to be furled.

CASSAVA, OR CASSADA. A species of the genus _Jatropha janipha_, well
known to seamen as the cassava bread of the West Indies. Tapioca is
produced from the _Jatropha manihot_. Caution is necessary in the use of
these roots, as the juice is poisonous. The root used as chewsticks, to
cleanse the teeth and gums, by the negroes, produces a copious flow of
frothy saliva.

CAST. A coast term meaning four, as applied to haddocks, herrings, &c.
Also, the appearance of the sky when day begins to break. A cast of
pots, &c.--_A'cast_, when a ship's yards are braced a'cast preparatory
to weighing. Also condemned, cast by survey, &c.

CAST, TO. To fall off, so as to bring the direction of the wind on one
side of the ship, which before was right ahead. This term is
particularly applied to a ship riding head to wind, when her anchor
first loosens from the ground. To pay a vessel's head off, or turn it,
is getting under weigh on the tack she is to sail upon, and it is
casting to starboard, or port, according to the intention.--_To cast
anchor._ To drop or let go the anchor for riding by--synonymous with to
anchor.--_To cast a traverse._ To calculate and lay off the courses and
distances run over upon a chart.--_To cast off._ To let go at once. To
loosen from.

CAST. A short boat passage.

CAST-AWAY. Shipwrecked.

CAST-AWAYS. People belonging to vessels stranded by stress of weather.
Men who have hidden themselves, or are purposely left behind, when their
vessel quits port.

CASTING ACCOUNTS. Sea-sickness.

CAST-KNEES. Those hanging knees which compass or arch over the angle of
a man-of-war's ports, rider, &c.

CASTLE. A place strong by art or nature, or by both. A sort of little
citadel. (_See_ FORECASTLE, AFT-CASTLE, &c.)

CASTLE-WRIGHTS. Particular artificers employed in the erection of the
early ship's c