=cutwater=—That portion of the stem of a vessel that cleaves the water as she moves ahead. =davit=—A light crane mounted on a ship’s side and used for hoisting and lowering boats. Ordinarily two davits are used to each boat. The projecting beam over which the anchor is sometimes hoisted is also sometimes called a davit. =deck=—The covering of the interior of a ship, either carried completely over her or only over a portion. Decks correspond to the floors and roof of a flat-topped building. =derelict=—A ship adrift at sea without her crew. =destroyer=—Formerly called “torpedo-boat destroyer.” These ships are enlargements of torpedo boats and were originally designed to destroy those small, fast warships. They have proved very useful for many naval duties, and are now an important part of every large navy’s forces. =dhow=—A small sailing vessel common in Egyptian and Arabian waters. It generally carries one or two lateen sails. =dinghy=—A small open boat used as a tender for a yacht. =dock=—An artificially constructed basin for the reception of vessels. It may be a wet dock, where ships lie while loading and unloading, or a dry dock, in which they are repaired after the water is pumped out. =dock yard=—An enclosed area in which the work connected with the building, fitting out, or repair of ships is carried on. =drabbler=—An additional strip of canvas, sometimes laced to the bottom of the “bonnet” on a square sail when the wind is light. Rarely seen nowadays, but common in the Middle Ages. =draft=—The depth beneath the surface of the water of the lowest point of a ship’s keel. =dreadnaught=—A modern battleship carrying heavy armour and a main battery of guns all of a very large and uniform calibre. =driver=—The fore-and-aft sail on the mizzenmast of a square-rigged ship. It is sometimes called the spanker. =dry dock=—An artificial basin which can be flooded in order to permit the entry of ships, and then pumped dry in order that their hulls may be examined, painted, and repaired. =dugout=—A canoe or boat made from a log hollowed out and cut down until it has become a vessel capable of carrying one or more passengers. =ensign=—The flag carried by a ship as the insignia of her nationality. Also, the lowest commissioned officer of the United States Navy. =fathom=—A nautical measure, equal to six feet. =fid=—A bolt of wood or metal which holds the heel of a topmast. =fife rail=—A plank or rail in which a group of belaying pins is kept. =figure of eight=—A knot. For illustration see page 193. =flagship=—That ship of a fleet or squadron which flies the flag of the admiral in command. =fore and aft=—An expression signifying those sails which, when at rest, lie in a line running from bow to stern of a vessel. The sails of a schooner are fore and aft.