DRUM. _See_ STORM-DRUM. DRUM-CAPSTAN. A contrivance for weighing heavy anchors, invented by Sir S. Morland, who died in 1695. DRUMHEAD COURT-MARTIAL. Sudden court held in the field for the immediate trial of thefts or misconduct. (_See_ PROVOST-MARSHAL.) DRUMHEAD OF CAPSTAN. A broad cylindrical piece of elm, resembling a millstone, and fixed immediately above the barrel and whelps. On its circumference a number of square holes are cut parallel to the deck, to receive the bars. DRUMLER. An ancient transport. (_See_ DROMON.) Also, a small piratical vessel of war. DRUMMER. The marine who beats the drum, and whose pay is equivalent to that of a private of fourteen years' standing. Also, a singular fish of the corvinas kind, which has the faculty of emitting musical noises, whence it has acquired the name of _crocros_. DRUXY. Timber in a state of decay, the condition of which is manifested by veins or spots in it of a whitish tint. DRY-BULB THERMOMETER. The readings of this instrument, when compared with those of a wet-bulb thermometer, indicate the amount of moisture in the air, and thence the probability of rain. DRY DOCK. An artificial receptacle for examining and repairing vessels. (_See_ GRAVING-DOCK.) DRY DUCKING. Suspending a person by a rope a few yards above the surface of the water. DRY FLOGGING. Punishing over the clothes of a culprit. DRY GALES. Those storms which are accompanied with a clear sky, as the _northers_ of the Gulf of Mexico, the _harmattan_ of Africa, &c. DRY HOLY-STONING. _See_ HOLY-STONE. DRY-ROT. A disease destructive of timber, occasioned by a fungus, the _Merulius lachrymans_, which softens wood and finally destroys it; it resembles a dry pithy cottony substance, whence the name dry-rot, though when in a perfect state, its sinuses contain drops of clear water, which have given rise to its specific Latin name. Free ventilation and cleanliness appear to be the best preservatives against this costly evil. DRY ROWING. "Row dry." Not to dash the spray with the blade of the oar in the faces of those in the stern-sheets. D.S.Q. Means, in the complete book, discharged to sick quarters. DUB. A northern term for a pool of deep and smooth water in a rapid river. DUBB, TO. To smooth and cut off with an adze the superfluous wood.--_To dubb a vessel bright_, is to remove the outer surface of the plank completely with an adze. Spotting to examine planks with the adze is also dubbing. DUBBAH, OR DUBBER. A coarse leathern vessel for holding liquids in India. DUBHE. A standard nautical star in the Great Bear. DUCAT. A well-known coin in most parts of Europe; the average gold ducat being nine shillings and sixpence, and the silver three shillings and fourpence. DUCATOON. A coin of the Dutch Oriental Isles, of seven shillings. Also, a silver coin of Venice, value four shillings and eightpence. DUCK, TO. To dive, or immerse another under water; or to avoid a shot.