face, where it presents great resistance to being dragged through
the water, diminishing a ship's leeward drift in a gale where there is
no anchorage.

FLOATING BATTERY. A vessel expressly fitted for action in harbours or
sheltered waters, having heavier offensive and defensive dispositions
(generally including much iron-plating) than would be compatible with a
sea-going character. Also, a vessel used as a battery to cover troops
landing on an enemy's coast. Also, one expressly fitted for harbour
defence.

FLOATING BETHEL. An old ship fitted up in a commercial port for the
purpose of public Worship.

FLOATING BRIDGE. A passage formed across a river or creek by means of
bridges of boats, as over the Douro, Rhine, &c.

FLOATING COFFIN. (_See_ FRAPPING A SHIP.) A term for the old 10-gun
brigs.

FLOATING DAM. A caisson used instead of gates for a dry-dock.

FLOATING DOCK. _See_ CAISSON.

FLOATING GRAVING-DOCK. A modified _camel_ (which see).

FLOATING LIGHT. A vessel moored off rocks or sand-banks, hoisting lights
at night.

FLOATING PIER. As the stage at Liverpool.

FLOATING STAGE. For caulkers, painters, &c.

FLOATS. Large flat-bottomed boats, for carrying blocks of stone. Also,
the 'thwart boards forming the circumference and force of the
paddle-wheels of steamers.

FLOE. A field of floating ice of any extent, as beyond the range of
vision, for notwithstanding its cracks the floes pressed together are
assumed as one; hence, if ships make fast to the floe-edge, and it parts
from the main body, sail is made, and the ship goes to the next
available floe-edge.

FLOGGING THE GLASS. Where there is no ship time-piece the watches and
half-hour bells are governed by a half-hour sand-glass. The run of the
sand was supposed to be quickened by vibration, hence some weary soul
towards the end of his watch was said to flog the glass.

FLOME. An old word for a river or flood.

FLOOD AND FLOOD-TIDE. The flux of the tide, or the time the water
continues rising. When the water begins to rise, it is called a young
flood, next it is quarter-flood, half-flood, and top of flood, or high
water.

FLOOD-ANCHOR. That which the ship rides by during the flood-tide.

FLOOD-MARK. The line made by the tide upon the shore at its greatest
height; it is also called high-water mark. This denotes the jurisdiction
of the High Court of Admiralty, or vice-admirals of counties.

FLOOK, OR FLUCK. The flounder; but the name, which is of v