e recoil, and set free
again by the turn of a handle for running up. It is of various forms;
one of the simpler kind used to be always applied to carronade slides.

COMPRESSOR-STOPPER. A contrivance for holding the chain-cable by
compression.

COMPROMISE. The mutual agreement of a party or parties at difference, to
refer to arbitration, or make an end of the matter.

COMPTROLLER OF THE CUSTOMS. The officer who controls and has a check on
the collectors of customs. (_See_ CONTROLLER.)

COMPTROLLER OF THE NAVY. Formerly the chief commissioner of the navy
board, at which he presided.

COMRADE. A barrack term for a fellow-soldier, serving in the same
company.

CONCEALMENT, OR SUPPRESSIO VERI. Consists in the suppression of any fact
or circumstance as to the state of the ship, the nature of her employ,
and the time of sailing or expected arrival, material to the risk of
insurance, and is fatal to the insured. But it is held immaterial to
disclose the secret destination of privateers, the usages of trade, or
matters equally open to both parties.

CONCENTRATED FIRE. The bringing the whole or several guns to bear on a
single point.

CONCH. A large univalve, used as a horn by pilots, fishermen, &c., in
fogs: a _strombus_, _triton_, or sometimes a _murex_.

CONCHS. A name for the wreckers of the Bahama reefs, in allusion to the
shells on those shores. Though plunder is their object, the _Conchs_ are
very serviceable to humanity, and evince both courage and address in
saving the lives of the wrecked.

CONCLUDING-LINE. A small rope hitched to the middle of the steps of the
stern-ladders. Also, a small line leading through the centre of the
steps of a Jacob's ladder.

CONDEMNATION. A captured ship declared by sentence of the admiralty
court to be lawful prize. But the transfer of a prize vessel carried
into a neutral port, and sold without a condemnation, or the authority
of any judicial proceedings, is null and void.

CONDEMNED. Unserviceable, as bad provisions, old stores, &c.

CONDENSER. The chamber of a marine engine, where the steam, after having
performed its duty, is instantly reduced to water. Sailing ships
frequently carry condensers, for the purpose of making fresh from salt
water.

CONDER. A watcher of fishes, the same as balker, huer, and olpis. See
statute (1 Jac. cap. 23) relating to his employment, which was to give
notice to the fishermen from an eminence which way the herring shoals
were going.