COAST. The sea-shore and the adjoining country; in fact, the sea-front of the land. (_See_ SHORE.) COAST-BLOCKADE. A body of men formerly under the jurisdiction of the Customs, termed Preventive Service, offering a disposable force in emergency; but which has been turned over to the control of the Admiralty, and now become the Coast-guard, over which a commodore, as controller-general, presides. (_See_ FENCIBLES.) COASTER. _See_ COASTING. COASTING, OR TO COAST ALONG. The act of making a progress along the sea-coast of any country, for which purpose it is necessary to observe the time and direction of the tide, to know the reigning winds, the roads and havens, the different depths of water, and the qualities of the ground. As these vessels are not fitted for distant sea voyages, they are termed coasters. COASTING PILOT. A pilot who has become sufficiently acquainted with the nature of any particular coast, to conduct a ship or fleet from one part of it to another; but only within his limits. He may be superseded by the first branch-pilot he meets after passing his bounds. COASTING TRADE. The commerce of one port of the United Kingdom with another port thereof. A trade confined by law to British ships and vessels. COAST-WAITER. Custom-house superintendents of the landing and shipping of goods coastways. COAST-WARNING. Synonymous with _storm-signal_; formerly fire-beacons were used to give warning of the approach of an enemy. COAT. A piece of tarred canvas nailed round above the partners, or that part where the mast or bowsprit enters the deck. Its use is to prevent the water from running down between decks. There is sometimes a coat for the rudder, nailed round the hole where the rudder traverses in the ship's counter. It also implies the stuff with which the ship's sides or masts are varnished, to defend them from the sun and weather, as turpentine, pitch, varnish, or paint; in this sense we say, "Give her a coat of tar or paint." By neglecting the scraper this may become a crust of coatings. COAT OF MAIL. The chiton shell. COAT-TACKS. The peculiar nails with which the mast coats are fastened. COB. A young herring. Also, a sea-gull. Also, a sort of short break-water--so called in our early statutes: such was that which forms the harbour of Lyme Regis, originally composed of piles and timber, lined with heaps of rock; but now constructed of stone compacted with cement. COBB. A Gibraltar term for a Spanish dollar. COBBING. An old punishment sometimes inflicted at sea for breach of certain regulations--chiefly for those quitting their station during the night. The offender was struck a certain number of times on the breech with a flat piece of wood called the _cobbing-board_. Also, when _watch_ was cried, all persons were expected to take off their hats on pain of being cobbed.