BOAT-GEER. A general name for the rigging and furniture of a boat.
BOAT-HIRE. Expenses for the use of shore-boats.
BOAT-HOOK. An iron hook with a straight prong at its hinder part; it is fixed upon a pole, by the help of which a boat is either pulled to, or pushed off from, any place, and is capable of holding on by anything.
BOATILA. A narrow-sterned, flat-bottomed boat of the Gulf of Manar.
BOATING. Transporting men, munitions, or goods, in boats.
BOAT-KEEPER. One of the boat's crew who remains in charge of her during the absence of the others. In small vessels he is sometimes called the boatman.
BOAT-NAILS. Those supplied for the carpenter's use are of various lengths, generally rose-headed, square at the points, and made both of copper and iron. (_See_ NAILS.)
BOAT-ROPE. A separate rope veered to the boat to be towed at the ship's stern.
BOAT'S CREW. The men appointed as the crew of any particular boat, as the barge's crew, cutter's crew, &c.
BOAT'S-GRIPES. Lashings for the secure stowage of boats. (_See_ GRIPES.)
BOAT-SKIDS. Portable pieces of plank used to prevent chafing when a boat is hoisted or lowered. (_See_ SKIDS.)
BOATSWAIN. The officer who superintends the boat-sails, ship's-sails, rigging, canvas, colours, anchors, cables and cordage, committed to his charge. He ought also to take care that the blocks and running ropes are regularly placed to answer the purposes for which they are intended, and that the sails are properly fitted to their yards and stays, and well-furled or reefed when occasion requires. He pipes the hands to their several duties, seeing that they attend his call, and ought to be in every way a thorough seaman. Although termed boatswain, the boats are not in his charge. They, with the spars, &c., and stores for repair, belong to the carpenter. The boatswain is the officer of the first lieutenant; he gives no order, but reports defects, and carries out the will of his superior.
BOATSWAIN-BIRD. _Phaethon æthereus_, a tropical bird, so called from its sort of whistle. It is distinguished by two long feathers in the tail, called the marling-spike.
BOATSWAIN-CAPTAIN. An epithet given by certain popinjays in the service to such of their betters as fully understand the various duties of their station.