FALLS. When a ship is not flush, this is the term given to those risings of some parts of her decks (which she may have) more than others. FALL-WIND. A sudden gust. FALMADAIR. An old word signifying rudder, or a pilot. FALSE ALARM. _See_ ALARM. FALSE ATTACK. A feigned assault, made to induce a diversion or distraction of the enemy's forces, in order that the true object elsewhere may be carried. FALSE COLOURS. To sail under false colours and chase is an allowable stratagem of war, but firing under them is not permitted by the maritime law of England. FALSE FIRE, BLUE FLAMES. A composition of combustibles filled into a wooden tube, which, upon being set fire to, burns with a light blue flame from a half to several minutes. They are principally used as night-signals, but often to deceive an enemy. FALSE KEEL. A kind of supplemental or additional keel secured under the main one, to protect it should the ship happen to strike the ground. FALSE KELSON, OR KELSON RIDER. A piece of timber wrought longitudinally above the main kelson. FALSE MUSTER. An incorrect statement of the crew on the ship's books, which if proved subjects the captain to cashiering. FALSE PAPERS. Frequently carried by slavers and smugglers. FALSE POST. _See_ FALSE STERN-POST. FALSE RAIL. A thin plank fayed at the head-rails as a strengthener. FALSE STEM. A hard timber fayed to the fore-part of the main stem, its tail covering the fore-end of the keel. (_See_ CUT-WATER.) FALSE STERN. An additional stern fixed on the main one, to increase the length and improve the appearance of a vessel. FALSE STERN-POST. A piece bolted to the after-edge of the main stern-post to improve steerage, and protect it should the ship tail aground. FAMILY-HEAD. When the stem was surmounted with several full-length figures, as was the custom many years ago. FAMLAGH. The Erse or Manx term for oar or ore weed, wrack, or manure of sea-weed. FANAL [Fr.] A lighthouse. FANCY-LINE. A line rove through a block at the jaws of a gaff, used as a down-haul. Also, a line used for cross-hauling the lee topping-lift. Also, a cord laid up neatly for sashed cabin-windows. Sometimes used for _tracing-line_. FANE. An old term for weather-cock: "a fayne of a schipe." (_See_ VANE.) FANG, TO. To pour water into a pump in order to fetch it, when otherwise the boxes do not hold the water left on them. FANGS. The valves of the pump-boxes. FANIONS. Small flags used in surveying stations, named after the bannerets carried by horse brigades, and corrupted from the Italian word _gonfalone_, a standard. FANNAG-VARRY. The Erse term for a shag or cormorant, still in use on our north-western shores, and in the Isle of Man. FANNING. The technical phrase for breadthening the after-part of the tops. Also, widening in general. FANNING-BREEZE. One so gentle that the sail alternately swells and collapses. FANTODS. A name given to the fidgets of officers, who are styled jib-and-staysail Jacks.