BOME-SPAR [a corruption of _boom_]. A spar of a larger kind.
BONA FIDE. In good faith; without subterfuge--_Bona fides_ is a condition necessary to entitle to the privilege of pre-emption in our admiralty courts.
BONAVENTURE. The old outer mizen, long disused.
BONDING-POND. An inclosed space of water where the tide flows, for keeping timber in.
BOND-MAN. A harsh method in some ships, in keeping one man bound for the good behaviour of another on leave.
BOND OF BOTTOMRY. An authority to borrow money, by pledging the keel or bottom of the ship. (_See_ BOTTOMRY.)
BONE, TO. To seize, take, or apprehend. A ship is said to carry a bone in her mouth and cut a feather, when she makes the water foam before her.
BON GRACE. Junk-fenders; for booming off obstacles from a ship's sides or bows. (_See_ BOWGRACE.)
BONITO. The _Thynnus pelamys_, a fish of the scomber family, commonly about 2 feet long, with a sharp head, small mouth, full eyes, and a regular semi-lunar tail.
BONI-VOCHIL. The Hebridean name for the great northern diver (_Colymbus glacialis_).
BONNET. An additional part laced to the foot of the jibs, or other fore-and-aft sails, in small vessels in moderate weather, to gather more wind. They are commonly one-third of the depth of the sails they belong to. Thus we say, "Lace on the bonnet," or "Shake off the bonnet." Bonnets have lately been introduced to secure the foot of an upper-topsail to a lower-topsail yard. The unbonnetted sail is for storm service. Bonnet, in fortification, is a raised portion of the works at any salient angle, having the same plan, but 10 or 12 feet more command than the work on which it is based. It assists in protecting from enfilade, and affords a plunging fire.
BONNET-FLOOK. A name of the well-known flat-fish, brill, pearl, or mouse-dab; the _Pleuronectes rhombus_.
BONXIE. The Shetland name for the skua-gull (_Cataractes vulgaris_). Also a very general northern term for sea-birds.
BONY-FISH. One of the names of the hard-head (which see).
BOOBY. A well-known tropical sea-bird, _Sula fusca_, of the family _Pelecanidæ_. It is fond of resting out of the water at night, even preferring an unstable perch on the yard of a ship. The name is derived from the way in which it allows itself to be caught immediately after settling. The direction in which they fly as evening comes on often shows where land may be found.