=FIRST SEA LORD.=--The Senior =Naval Officer= serving on the Board of Admiralty. =FLARE.=--The over-hang of the upper part of a ship’s sides beneath the forecastle. The peculiar outward and upward curve in the form of a vessel’s bow. When it hangs over she is said to have a “Flaring Bow.” =FLEET.=--A number of vessels in company, be they war or other vessels. =FLEET IN BEING.=--An inferior naval force, capable of action and influencing or impeding the operations of an enemy. =FLEET RESERVE.=--Short-service men who have left continuous service, but are liable to be called upon in case of war. =FLEET-UNIT.=--A vessel fit to form a unit in a fleet. =FLOATING DOCK.=--An oblong floating structure in which a ship may be placed, and out of which the water may be pumped, bringing her above water-level, so that the bottom of the ship can be repaired, etc.; they have usually no motive power. =FLOTTENVEREIN.=--The German Navy League. =FLUSH DECK.=--A deck having neither raised nor sunken part, so that it runs continuously from stem to stern. =FORE AND AFT.=--In the direction of a line drawn from stem to stern of a vessel--at right angles to athwartships. =FORWARD.=--In front of--the forepart, in the vicinity of the bows of a vessel. =GRAVING DOCK.=--A dock excavated out of the land into which entry is made from seaward. =GUN.=--A weapon used for firing shot or shell. See “Breech-loader” and “Q.F. Gun.” =GUNBOAT.=--A small type of slow cruiser armed with light guns, specially adapted for harbour or river service. =GUN-COTTON.=--A high explosive used in torpedoes and submarine mines, etc. =Wet Gun-Cotton.=--Gun-Cotton with a certain percentage of moisture in it; it is useless as an explosive unless dry gun-cotton is present to detonate it. =GUNLAYER.=--A man specially qualified to train (lay) and fire a gun. =Gunlayers’ Test.=--An annual practice carried out in every ship to test the efficiency of the gun-layers individually. =GUN-POWER.=--The fighting efficiency of a ship expressed in the total weight of metal capable of being discharged in a single broadside or a specified period of time. =HALYARD.=--A rope with which a sail, flag, or yard is hoisted. =HARVEYISED.=--Armour made by the “Harvey” process. Now obsolete. =HATCH, HATCHWAY.=--An opening in the deck of a ship through which persons or cargo may descend or be lowered. =HEAVY GUN.=--Any gun greater than and including a 4-in. Q.F. or B.L. =HOG.=--When a vessel has a tendency to droop at her ends she is said to hog. =HORNPIPE.=--The dance once popular among the sailors of the British Navy and still sometimes performed at festive times. =HOSPITAL SHIP.=--An auxiliary vessel specially designed for the reception of sick and wounded men; by nature of her duties and under rules of International Law she is immune from attack. =HULL.=--The body, framework, and plating of a vessel.