CHAIN-SLINGS. Chains attached to the sling-hoop and mast-head, by which a lower yard is hung. Used for boat or any other slings demanded.
CHAIN-STOPPER. There are various kinds of stoppers for chain-cables, mostly acting by clamping or compression.
CHAIN, TOP. A chain to sling the lower yards in time of battle, to prevent them from falling down when the ropes by which they are hung are shot away.
CHAIN-WELL, OR LOCKER. A receptacle below deck for containing the chain-cable, which is passed thither through the deck-pipe.
CHALAND. A large flat-bottomed boat of the Loire.
CHALDERS. Synonymous with _gudgeons_ of the rudder.
CHALDRICK. An Orkney name for the sea-pie (_Hæmatopus ostralegus_).
CHALDRON. A measure of coals, consisting of 36 bushels; a cubic yard = 19 cwts. 19 lbs.
CHALK, TO. To cut.--_To walk one's chalks_, to run off; also, an ordeal for drunkenness, to see whether the suspected person can move along the line. "Walking a deck-seam" is to the same purpose, as the man is to proceed without overstepping it on either side.
CHALKS. Marks. "Better by chalks:" wagers were sometimes determined by he who could reach furthest or highest, and there make a chalk-mark.--_Long chalks_, great odds.
CHALLENGE. The demand of a sentinel to any one who approaches his post. Also, the defiance to fight.
CHAMADE. To challenge attention. A signal made by beat of drum when a conference is desired by the enemy on having matter to propose. It is also termed beating a parley.
CHAMBER, OR CHAMBER-PIECE. A charge piece in old ordnance, like a _paterero_, to put into the breech of a gun prepared for it. (_See_ MURDERER.) Used by the Chinese, as in _gingals_ (which see).
CHAMBER OF A MINE. The seat or receptacle prepared for the powder-charge, usually at the end of the gallery, and out of the direct line of it; and, if possible, tamped or buried with tight packing of earth, &c., to increase the force of explosion.
CHAMBER OF A PIECE OF ORDNANCE. The end of the bore modified to receive the charge of powder. In mortars, howitzers, and shell-guns, they are of smaller diameter than the bore, for the charges being comparatively small, more effect is thus expected. The gomer chamber (which see) is generally adopted in our service. In rifled guns the powder-chamber is not rifled; it and the bullet-chamber differ in other minute respects from the rest of the bore. Patereroes for festive occasions are sometimes called chambers; as the small mortars, formerly used for firing salutes in the parks, termed also pint-pots from their shape and handles.