BELLY-BAND. A strip of canvas, half way between the close-reef and the foot of square sails, to strengthen them. Also applied to an army officer's sash.
BELLY-GUY. A tackle applied half-way up sheers, or long spars that require support in the middle. Frequently applied to masts that have been crippled by injudiciously setting up the rigging too taut.
BELLY-STAY. Used half-mast down when a mast requires support; as belly-guy, above.
BELOW. The opposite of _on_ or _'pon deck_. Generally used to distinguish the watch on deck, and those off the watch.
BELT. A metaphorical term in geography for long and proportionally narrow encircling strips of land having any particular feature; as a belt of sand, a belt of hills, &c. It is, in use, nearly synonymous with zone. Also, to beat with a colt or rope's end.
BELTING. A beating; formerly given by a belt.
BELTS. The dusky streaks crossing the surface of the planet Jupiter, and supposed to be openings in his atmosphere.
BENCHES OF BOATS. The seats in the after-part whereon the passengers sit; properly stern-sheets, the others are athwarts, whereon the rowers sit.
BEND, TO. To fasten one rope to another, or to an anchor. The term is also applied to any sudden or remarkable change in the direction of a river, and is then synonymous with bight or loop.--_Bend a sail_ is to extend or make it fast to its proper yard or stay. (_See_ GRANNY'S BEND.) Also, _bend to your oars_, throw them well forward.
BENDER. A contrivance to bend small cross-bows, formerly used in the navy. Also, "look out for a _bender_," or "strike out for a bend," applied to coiling the hempen cables.
BENDING ROPES, is to join them together with a bowline knot, and then make their own ends fast upon themselves; not so secure as splicing, but sooner done, and readiest, when it is designed to take them asunder again. There are several bends, as _Carrick-bend_, _hawser-bend_, _sheet-bend_, _bowline-bend_, &c.
BENDING THE CABLE. The operation of clinching, or tying the cable to the ring of its anchor. The term is still used for shackling chain-cables to their anchors.
BEND-MOULD. A mould made to form the futtocks in the square body, assisted by the _rising-square_ and _floor-hollow_.