Guns. Pounders. lbs. Poop, 10 24 240 Quarter-deck, 22 24 long } 848 Forecastle, 10 32 cans. } Main-deck, 34 24 816 Middle, 36 24 864 Lower, 36 32 1152 ---- ---- 148 3920 ---- Broadside of 1960 But latterly, 56 and 84 pounders on the lower, and 32 on the middle, afforded a heavier weight of broadside. The _Santissima Trinidada_, taken from the Spaniards, carried four whole tiers of guns. Now, the tonnage of the largest of these would be insignificant. "Deckers" are exploded, and a _Pallas_ of the same tonnage (2372) carries 8 guns, a _Bellerophon_ (4272) carries 18 guns, ranging in size, however, from the 64-pounder up to the 300-pounder.--_Flush-deck_, or deck flush fore and aft, implies a continued floor laid from stem to stern, upon one line, without any stops or intervals.--_Half-deck._ In the Northumberland colliers the steerage itself is called the half-deck, and is usually the habitation of the ship's crew. DECK-SEAM. The interstices between the planks. DECK-SHEET. That sheet of a studding-sail which leads directly to the deck, by which it is steadied until set; it is also useful in taking it in, should the down-haul be carried away. DECK STANDARD-KNEES. Iron knees having two tails, the one going on the bottom of a deck-beam, the other on the top of a hold-beam, while the middle part is bolted to the ship's side. DECK-STOPPER. (_See_ STOPPER OF THE CABLE.) A strong stopper used for securing the cable forward of the capstan or windlass while it is overhauled. Also abaft the windlass or bitts to prevent more cable from running out. DECK-TACKLE. A purchase led along the decks. DECLARATION OF WAR. A ceremonial frequently omitted, and esteemed by the greatest authorities rather a proof of magnanimity than a duty. The Romans proclaimed it; but except Achaia, none of the Grecian states did. It would be to the interests of humanity and courtesy were it made indispensable. It has been held (especially in the case of the _Leopard_ and _Chesapeake_) that without a declaration of war, no hostile act at the order of an admiral is legal. DECLINATION, of a celestial object, is the arc between its centre and the equinoctial: with the sun, it is its angular distance from the equator, either north or south, and is named accordingly. DECLINATION, TO CORRECT. A cant phrase for taking a glass of grog at noon, when the day's works are being reduced.