CAST. A coast term meaning four, as applied to haddocks, herrings, &c. Also, the appearance of the sky when day begins to break. A cast of pots, &c.--_A'cast_, when a ship's yards are braced a'cast preparatory to weighing. Also condemned, cast by survey, &c. CAST, TO. To fall off, so as to bring the direction of the wind on one side of the ship, which before was right ahead. This term is particularly applied to a ship riding head to wind, when her anchor first loosens from the ground. To pay a vessel's head off, or turn it, is getting under weigh on the tack she is to sail upon, and it is casting to starboard, or port, according to the intention.--_To cast anchor._ To drop or let go the anchor for riding by--synonymous with to anchor.--_To cast a traverse._ To calculate and lay off the courses and distances run over upon a chart.--_To cast off._ To let go at once. To loosen from. CAST. A short boat passage. CAST-AWAY. Shipwrecked. CAST-AWAYS. People belonging to vessels stranded by stress of weather. Men who have hidden themselves, or are purposely left behind, when their vessel quits port. CASTING ACCOUNTS. Sea-sickness. CAST-KNEES. Those hanging knees which compass or arch over the angle of a man-of-war's ports, rider, &c. CASTLE. A place strong by art or nature, or by both. A sort of little citadel. (_See_ FORECASTLE, AFT-CASTLE, &c.) CASTLE-WRIGHTS. Particular artificers employed in the erection of the early ship's castles. CAST-OFFS. Landsmen's clothes. CAST OF THE LEAD. The act of heaving the lead into the sea to ascertain what depth of water there is. (_See also_ HEAVE THE LEAD and SOUNDING.) The result is a cast--"Get a cast of the lead." CASTOR. α Gemini, a well-known nautical star in the zodiac, which has proved to be a double star. CASTOR AND POLLUX. Fiery balls which appear at the mast-heads, yard-arms, or sticking to the rigging of vessels in a gale at sea. (_See_ COMPASANT and CORPOSANT.) CASTRAMETATION. The art of planning camps, and selecting an appropriate position, in which the main requirement is that the troops of all arms should be so planted in camp as immediately to cover their proper positions in the line of battle. CAST THE WRONG WAY. _See_ WRONG WAY. CASUALTIES. In a military sense, comprehends all men who die, are wounded, desert, or are discharged as unfit for service. CAT. A ship formed on the Norwegian model, and usually employed in the coal and timber trade. These vessels are generally built remarkably strong, and may carry six hundred tons; or in the language of their own mariners, from 20 to 30 keels of coals. A cat is distinguished by a narrow stern, projecting quarters, a deep waist, and no ornamental figure on the prow. CATALAN. A small Spanish fishing-boat.