BREAKERS. Small barrels for containing water or other liquids; they are also used in watering the ship as gang-casks. (_See_ BAREKA.) Also, those billows which break violently over reefs, rocks, or shallows, lying immediately at, or under, the surface of the sea. They are distinguished both by their appearance and sound, as they cover that part of the sea with a perpetual foam, and produce loud roaring, very different from what the waves usually have over a deeper bottom. Also, a name given to those rocks which occasion the waves to break over them.--_Breakers ahead!_ the common pass-word to warn the officer of broken water in the direction of the course. (_See also_ SHIP-BREAKER.) BREAK-GROUND. Beginning to weigh, or to lift the anchor from the bottom. On shore it means to begin the works for besieging a place, or opening the trenches. BREAKING. Breaking out stores or cargo in the hold. The act of extricating casks or other objects from the hold-stowage. BREAKING LIBERTY. Not returning at the appointed time. BREAKING OF A GALE. Indications of a return of fine weather; short gusts at intervals; moaning or whistling of the wind through the rigging. BREAKING-PLATE DISTANCE. The point within which iron-plated ships, under concentrated fire, may be damaged. BREAKING THE EY. _See_ EYGHT. BREAKING-UP OF THE MONSOON. A nautical term for the violent storms that attend the shifting of periodical winds. BREAK-OFF. (_See_ BROKEN-OFF). "She breaks off from her course," applied only when the wind will not allow of keeping the course; applies only to "close-hauled" or "on a wind."--_Break-off!_ an order to quit one department of duty, to clap on to another. BREAK-SHEER, TO. When a ship at anchor is laid in a proper position to keep clear of her anchor, but is forced by the wind or current out of that position, she is said to break her sheer. Also, for a vessel to break her sheer, or her back, means destroying the gradual sweep lengthways. BREAK-UP, TO. To take a ship to pieces when she becomes old and unserviceable. BREAK-WATER. Any erection or object so placed as to prevent the sea from rolling inwards. Where there is no mole or jetty the hull of an old ship may be sunk at the entrance of a small harbour, to break off or diminish the force of the waves as they advance towards the vessels moored within. Every bar to a river or harbour, intended to secure smooth water within, acts as a break-water. BREAM. A common fresh as well as salt water fish (_Abramis brama_), little esteemed as food.