h see).

CELLS. _See_ SILLS.

CELOCES, OR CELETES. Light row-boats, formerly used in piracy, and also
for conveying advice.

CEMENT, ROMAN. For docks, piers, &c. _See_ POZZOLANA.

CENTIME. _See_ FRANC.

CENTINEL. _See_ SENTINEL.

CENTRAL ECLIPSE. _See_ ECLIPSE.

CENTRE (usually CENTER). The division of a fleet between the van and the
rear of the line of battle, and between the weather and lee divisions in
the order of sailing.

CENTRE OF CAVITY, OF DISPLACEMENT, OF IMMERSION, AND OF BUOYANCY, are
synonymous terms in naval architecture for the mean centre of that part
of a vessel which is immersed in the water.

CENTRE OF GRAVITY, OR BALANCING POINT. _See_ GRAVITY.

CENTRE OF MOTION. _See_ MOTION (CENTRE OF).

CENTURION. A military officer who commanded one hundred men, in the
Roman armies.

CEOLA. A very old term for a large ship.

CERADENE. A large fresh-water mussel.

CERCURI. Ancient ships of burden fitted with both sails and oars.

CERTIFICATE. A voucher or written testimony to the truth of any
statement. An attestation of servitude, signed by the captain, is given
with all discharges of men in the navy.

CERTIFY, TO. To bear official testimony.

CESSATION OF ARMS. A discontinuation or suspension of hostilities.

CETINE. An ancient large float, says Hesychius, "in bulk like a whale;"
derived from _cetus_, which applied both to whale and ship.

C.G. Coast-guard (which see).

CHAD. A fish like a small bream, abundant on the south-west coasts of
England.

CHAFE, TO. To rub or fret the surface of a cable, mast, or yard, by the
motion of the ship or otherwise, against anything that is too hard for
it.--_Chafing-gear_, is the stuff put upon the rigging and spars to
prevent their being chafed.

CHAFFER. A name for a whale or grampus of the northern seas.

CHAFING-CHEEKS. A name given by old sailors to the sheaves instead of
blocks on the yards in light-rigged vessels.

CHAFING-GEAR. Mats, sinnet, spun-yarn, strands, battens, scotchmen, and
the like.

CHAIN. When mountains, hills, lakes, and islands are linked together, or
follow each other in succession, so that their whole length greatly
exceeds their breadth, they form what is termed a chain. A measuring
chain is divided into links, &c., made of stout wire, because line is
apt to shrink on wet ground and give way. The chain measure is 66 feet.

CHAINAGE OF SHIP. An old right of the admiral.

CHAIN-BOLT. A large bolt to secure the chain