=COUNTER MINING.=--To lay out and explode mines in the vicinity of hostile ones, in order to destroy them by percussion. =CRANK.=--A vessel is said to be crank when she lists over easily. =CRUISER.=--A warship of high speed, usually employed in scouting, commerce protection, and special service. They fall into various categories:-- (_a_) Armoured Cruiser, a vessel having vertical external armour. See also “Battle-Cruiser.” (_b_) Light Cruiser, a vessel with deck protection only; or, if armoured, of but small size and with a thin belt. (_c_) Unprotected Cruiser, a cruising vessel having no armour; included in the Light Cruiser class. =CRUISING SPEED.=--The most economical speed from the point of view of fuel consumption at which a ship can travel. =DEMURRAGE.=--Compensation paid to the owner of a vessel when she has been detained longer than her time for unloading. =DERELICT.=--A ship whose crew have abandoned her when at sea. =DESTROYER.=--A large type of torpedo-boat originally intended to destroy such craft by gun-fire--now, with submarines, the chief medium for torpedo-attack. =DEVIATION OF THE COMPASS.=--The amount of the variation of a ship’s compass from the true magnetic meridian, caused by the proximity of iron. =DIRECTOR TOWER.=--An armoured compartment in a ship whence torpedoes are fired. =DISPLACEMENT.=--The weight of water a ship displaces when floating. =Normal Displacement.=--The weight of water a ship displaces when she has her normal amount of stores, etc., on board. =DOCK.=--A place in which a ship may be placed for repair or loading and unloading. See “Floating Dock” and “Graving Dock.” =DOCKYARD.=--The works, etc., where ships are built or repairs can be carried out. In the Government dockyards ships are commissioned and supplied with stores, ammunition, coal, etc. =DRAUGHT.=--The vertical distance between the lowest portion of the keel and the water line. “=DREADNOUGHT.=”--Battleships and cruisers evoked by H.M.S. =Dreadnought=, which was the first ship to be armed with one type of big gun. “A.B.G. ships”--All-big-gun-ships. =“DREADNOUGHT” CRUISERS.=--Cruisers derived from the principle of design of H.M.S. _Dreadnought_, now called Battle Cruisers (q.v.). =ECHELON.=--Guns are said to be mounted =en echelon= when they are not mounted symmetrically but are placed diagonally athwart-ship. =ENGINES.=--The reciprocating, turbine, or internal-combustion machinery for propelling vessels. =ENSIGN.=--(Usually pronounced “ens’n.”) The flag carried by a ship as the insignia of her nationality or the nature of her duties. =ESTIMATES.=--The annual estimate or expenditure on the Royal Navy for its administration, personnel, and for the upkeep or building of new vessels. =FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY=--The Cabinet Minister who presides over the Board of Admiralty. See “Admiralty.”