EASE THE HELM! An order often given in a vessel close-hauled, to put the helm down a few spokes in a head sea, with the idea that if the ship's way be deadened by her coming close to the wind she will not strike the opposing sea with so much force. It is thought by some that extreme rolling as well as pitching are checked by shifting the helm quickly, thereby changing the direction of the ship's head, and what is technically called "giving her something else to do." EASE UP, TO. To come up handsomely with a tackle-fall. EAST. From the Anglo-Saxon, _y'st_. One of the cardinal points of the compass. Where the sun rises due east, it makes equal days and nights, as on the equator. EAST-COUNTRY. A term applied to the regions bordering on the Baltic. EAST-COUNTRY SHIPS. The same as _easterlings_. EASTERLINGS. Traders of the Baltic Sea. Also, natives of the Hanse Towns, or of the east country. EASTERN AMPLITUDE. An arc of the horizon, intercepted between the point of the sun's rising and the east point of the magnetic compass. EAST INDIA HOY. A sloop formerly expressly licensed for carrying stores to the E. I. Company's ships. EASTING. The course made good, or gained, to the eastward. EASTINTUS. From the Saxon, _east-tyn_, an easterly coast or country. _Leg. Edward I._ EAST WIND. This, in the British seas, is generally attended with a hazy atmosphere, and is so ungenial as to countenance the couplet-- "When the wind is in the east, 'Tis good for neither man nor beast." EASY. Lower gently. A ship not labouring in a sea.--_Taking it easy._ Neglecting the duty. "Not so violent." EASY DRAUGHT. The same as _light draught of water_ (which see). EASY ROLL. A vessel is said to "roll deep but easy" when she moves slowly, and not with quick jerks. EATING THE WIND OUT OF A VESSEL. Applies to very keen seamanship, by which the vessel, from a close study of her capabilities, steals to windward of her opponent. This to be done effectually demands very peculiar trim to carry weather helm to a nicety. EAVER. A provincial term for the direction of the wind. A quarter of the heavens. EBB. The lineal descendant of the Anglo-Saxon _ep-flod_, meaning the falling reflux of the tide, or its return back from the highest of the flood, full sea, or high water. Also termed _sæ-æbbung_, sea-ebbing, by our progenitors. EBB, LINE OF. The sea-line of beach left dry by the tide. EBBER, OR EBBER-SHORE. From the Anglo-Saxon signifying shallow. EBB-TIDE. The receding or running out of the sea, in contradistinction to flood. EBONY. A sobriquet for a negro. ECHELON. [Fr.] Expressing the field-exercise of soldiers, when the divisions are placed in a situation resembling the steps of a ladder, whence the name. ECHINUS. A word lugged in to signify the sweep of the tiller. (_See_ SEA-EGG.)