CRANE-BARGE. A low flat-floored lump, fitted for the purpose of carrying a crane, in aid of marine works. CRANE-LINES. Those which formerly went from the spritsail-topmast to the middle of the fore-stay, serving to steady the former. Also, small lines for keeping the lee backstays from chafing against the yards. CRANG. The carcass of a whale after being flinched or the blubber stripped off. CRANK, OR CRANK-SIDED. A vessel, by her construction or her stowage, inclined to lean over a great deal, or from insufficient ballast or cargo incapable of carrying sail, without danger of overturning. The opposite term is _stiff_, or the quality of standing well up to her canvas.--_Cranky_ expresses a foolish capriciousness. Ships built too deep in proportion to their breadth are notoriously crank.--_Crank by the ground_, is a ship whose floor is so narrow that she cannot be brought on the ground without danger. CRANK-HATCHES. Are raised coamings on a steamer's deck, to form coverings for the cranks of the engines below. CRANK-PIN. In steam machinery, it goes through both arms of the crank at their extremities; to this pin the connecting-rod is attached. CRANKS OF A MARINE ENGINE; eccentric, as in a turning-lathe. The bend or knee pinned on the shafts, by which they are moved round with a circular motion. Also, iron handles for working pumps, windlasses, &c. Also, erect iron forks on the quarter-deck for the capstan-bars, or other things, to be stowed thereon. Also, the axis and handle of a grindstone. Also, an old term for the sudden or frequent involutions of the planets in their orbits. CRANK-SHAFT. In a steamer. (_See_ INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.) CRAPPO, OR GENERAL CRAPAUD. Jack's name for a Frenchman, one whom he thinks would be a better sailor if he would but talk English instead of French. CRARE, OR CRAYER. A slow unwieldy trading vessel of olden times. Thus Shakspeare, in _Cymbeline_, with hydrographic parlance:-- "Who ever yet could sound thy bottom? Find The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare Might easiliest harbour in?" CRATER OF A MINE. Synonymous with _funnel_ (which see). CRAVAISE. An Anglo-Norman word for cray-fish. CRAVEN. An old term synonymous with _recreant_ (which see). CRAWL. A sort of pen, formed by a barrier of stakes and hurdles on the sea-coast, to contain fish or turtle. On the coast of Africa, a pen for slaves awaiting shipment. CRAWLING OFF. Working off a lee-shore by slow degrees. CRAY-FISH. A lobster-like crustacean (_Astacus fluviatilis_) found in fresh-water. CRAZY. Said of a ship in a bad state. CREAK. The straining noise made by timbers, cabin bulk-heads, and spars in rolling. CREAR. A kind of Scotch lighter. (_See_ CRARE.)