CHARTER-PARTY. The deed or written contract between the owners and the merchants for the hire of a ship, and safe delivery of the cargo; thus differing from a bill of lading, which relates only to a portion of the cargo. It is the same in civil law with an indenture at the common law. It ought to contain the name and burden of the vessel, the names of the master and freighters, the place and time of lading and unlading, and stipulations as to demurrage. The charter-party is dissolved by a complete embargo, though not by the temporary stopping of a port. It is thus colloquially termed a pair of indentures. CHASE, TO. To pursue a ship, which is also called giving chase.--_A stern chase_ is when the chaser follows the chased astern, directly upon the same point of the compass.--_To lie with a ship's fore-foot in a chase_, is to sail and meet with her by the nearest distance, and so to cross her in her way, as to come across her fore-foot. A ship is said to have a good chase when she is so built forward or astern that she can carry many guns to shoot forwards or backwards; according to which she is said to have a good forward or good stern chase. Chasing to windward, is often termed chasing in the wind's eye. CHASE. The vessel pursued by some other, that pursuing being the chaser. This word is also applied to a receptacle for deer and game, between a forest and a park in size, and stored with a larger stock of timber than the latter. CHASE, BOW. Cannon situated in the fore part of the ship to fire upon any object ahead of her. Chasing ahead, or varying on either bow. CHASE OF A GUN. That part of the conical external surface extending from the moulding in front of the trunnions to that which marks the commencement of the muzzle; that is, in old pattern guns, from the ogee of the second reinforce, to the neck or muzzle astragal. CHASE-GUNS. Such guns as are removed to the chase-ports ahead or astern, if not pivot-guns. CHASE-PORTS. The gun-ports at the bows and through the stern of a war-ship. CHASER. The ship which is pursuing another. CHASE-SIGHT. Where the sight is usually placed. CHASE-STERN. The cannon which are placed in the after-part of a ship, pointing astern. CHASSE MAREES. The coasting vessels of the French shores of the Channel; generally lugger-rigged; either with two or three masts, and sometimes a top-sail; the hull being bluffer when used for burden only, are thus distinguished from luggers. They seldom venture off shore, but coast it. CHATHAM. _See_ CHEST OF CHATHAM. CHATS. Lice. Also lazy fellows. CHATTA, OR CHATTY. An Indian term for an earthen vessel sometimes used for cooking. CHAW. _See_ QUID. CHEATING THE DEVIL. Softenings of very profane phrases, the mere euphemisms of hard swearing, as _od rot it_, _od's blood_, _dash it_, _dang you_, _see you blowed first_, _deuce take it_, _by gosh_, _be darned_, and the like profane preludes, such as boatswains and their mates are wont to use.