AVERAGE-ADJUSTER. A qualified person engaged in making statements to show the proper application of loss, damage, or expenses in consequence of the accidents of a sea adventure. AVERAGE-AGREEMENT. A written document signed by the consignees of a cargo, binding themselves to pay a certain proportion of general average that may from accident arise against them. AVERAGE-STATER. _See_ AVERAGE-ADJUSTER. AVIST. A west-country term for "a fishing." AVVISO. An Italian advice-boat. [_Aviso_, Sp.] Despatch-boat or tender. AWAFT, OR AWHEFT. The displaying of a stopped flag. (_See_ WHEFT.) AWAIT. Ambush; cutting off vessels by means of boats hidden in coves which they must pass in their course. AWARD. A judgment, in maritime cases, by arbitration; and the decision or sentence of a court-martial. A-WASH. Reefs even with the surface. The anchor just rising to the water's edge, in heaving up. AWAY ALOFT. The order to the men in the rigging to start up. AWAY OFF. At a distance, but in sight. AWAY SHE GOES. The order to step out with the tackle fall. The cry when a vessel starts on the ways launching; also when a ship, having stowed her anchor, fills and makes sail. AWAY THERE. The call for a boat's crew; as, "_away there!_ barge-men." AWAY WITH IT. The order to walk along briskly with a tackle fall, as catting the anchor, &c. AWBLAST. The arbalest, or cross-bow. AWBLASTER. The designation of a cross-bowman. A-WEATHER. The position of the helm when its tiller is moved to the windward side of the ship, in the direction from which the wind blows. The opposite of _a-lee_. A-WEIGH. The anchor being _a-trip_, or after breaking out of the ground. AWK. _See_ AUK. AWKWARD SQUAD. A division formed of those men who are backward in gaining dexterity. (_See_ SQUAD.) AWL. A tool of a carpenter, sail-maker, and cobbler. AWME. A tierce of 39 gallons. A Dutch liquid measure. AWNING. A cover or canvas canopy suspended by a crow-foot and spread over a ship, boat, or other vessel, to protect the decks and crew from the sun and weather. (_See_ EUPHROE.) Also that part of the poop-deck which is continued forward beyond the bulk-head of the cabin. AWNING-ROPES. The ridge and side ropes for securing the awning. AXE. A large flat edge-tool, for trimming and reducing timber. Also an Anglo-Saxon word for _ask_, which seamen still adhere to, and it is difficult to say why a word should be thought improper which has descended from our earliest poets; it may have become obsolete, but without absolutely being vulgar or incorrect. AXIOM. A self-evident truth or proposition, that cannot be made plainer by demonstration.