CRACKNEL. A small bark. Also, biscuits (see 1 Ki. xiv. 3). CRACK OFFICER. One of the best class. CRACK ON, TO. To carry all sail. CRACK-ORDER. High regularity. CRACK-SHIP. One uncommonly smart in her evolutions and discipline, perhaps from the old English word for a fine boy. Crack is generally used for first-rate or excellent. CRADLE. A frame consisting of bilge-ways, poppets, &c., on the principle of the wedge, placed under the bottom of a ship, and resting on the ways on which it slips, thus launching her steadily into the water, at which time it supports her weight while she slides down the greased ways. The cradle being the support of the ship, she carries it with her into the water, when, becoming buoyant, the frame separates from the hull, floats on the surface, and is again collected for similar purposes. CRADLES. Standing bedsteads made up for wounded seamen, that they may be more comfortable than is possible in a hammock. Boats' chocks are sometimes called cradles. CRAFT [from the Anglo-Saxon word _cræft_, a trading vessel]. It is now a general name for lighters, hoys, barges, &c., employed to load or land any goods or stores.--_Small craft._ The small vessels of war attendant on a fleet, such as cutters, schooners, gunboats, &c., generally commanded by lieutenants. Craft is also a term in sea-phraseology for every kind of vessel, especially for a favourite ship. Also, all manner of nets, lines, hooks, &c., used in fishing. CRAG. A precipitous cliff whose strata if vertical, or nearly so, subdivide into points. CRAGER. A small river lighter, mentioned in our early statutes. CRAGSMAN. One who climbs cliffs overhanging the sea to procure sea-fowls, or their eggs. CRAIG-FLOOK. The smear-dab, or rock-flounder. CRAIK, OR CRAKE. A ship; a diminutive corrupted from _carrack_. CRAIL. _See_ KREEL. CRAIL-CAPON. A haddock dried without being split. CRAKERS. Choice soldiers (_temp._ Henry VIII.) Perhaps managers of the crakys, and therefore early artillery. CRAKYS. An old term for great guns. CRAMP. A machine to facilitate the screwing of two pieces of timber together. CRAMPER. A yarn or twine worn round the leg as a remedy against cramp. CRAMPETS. The cramp rings of a sword scabbard. Ferrule to a staff. CRAMPINGS. A nautical phrase to express the fetters and bolts for offenders. CRAMPOON. _See_ CREEPER. CRANAGE. The money paid for the use of a wharf crane. Also, the permission to use a crane at any wharf or pier. CRANCE. A sort of iron cap on the outer end of the bowsprit, through which the jib-boom traverses. The name is not unfrequently applied to any boom-iron. CRANE. A machine for raising and lowering great weights, by which timber and stores are hoisted upon wharfs, &c. Also, a kind of catapult for casting stones in ancient warfare. Also, pieces of iron, or timber at a vessel's sides, used to stow boats or spars upon. Also, as many fresh or green unsalted herrings as would fill a barrel.