BEARING BACKSTAYS AFT. To throw the breast backstays out of the cross-tree horns or out-riggers and bear them aft. If not done, when suddenly bracing up, the cross-tree horn is frequently sprung or broken off. BEARING BINNACLE. A small binnacle with a single compass, usually placed before the other. In line-of-battle ships it is generally placed on the fife-rail in the centre and foremost part of the poop. BEARINGS. The widest part of a vessel below the plank-shear. The line of flotation which is formed by the water upon her sides when she sits upright with her provisions, stores, and ballast, on board in proper trim. BEARINGS, TO BRING TO HIS. Used in conversation for "to bring to reason." To bring an unruly subject to his senses, to know he is under control, to reduce to order. BEAT. The verb means to excel, surpass, or overcome. "And then their ships could only follow, For we had beat them all dead hollow." BEATEN BACK. Returning into port from stress of foul weather. BEATING, OR TURNING TO WINDWARD. The operation of making progress by alternate tacks at sea against the wind, in a zig-zag line, or transverse courses; beating, however, is generally understood to be turning to windward in a storm or fresh wind. BEATING THE BOOBY. The beating of the hands from side to side in cold weather to create artificial warmth. BEATING WIND. That which requires the ship to make her way by tacks; a baffling or contrary wind. BEATSTER. One who _beats_ or mends the Yarmouth herring-nets. BEAT TO ARMS. The signal by drum to summon the men to their quarters. BEAT TO QUARTERS. The order for the drummer to summon every one to his respective station. BEAVER. A helmet in general, but particularly that part which lets down to allow of the wearer's drinking. BECALM, TO. To intercept the current of the wind in its passage to a ship, by means of any contiguous object, as a high shore, some other ship to windward, &c. At this time the sails remain in a sort of rest, and consequently deprived of their power to govern the motion of the ship. Thus one sail becalms another. BECALMED. Implies that from the weather being calm, and not a breath of wind blowing, the sails hang loose against the mast. BECHE DE MER. _See_ TREPANG. BECK [the Anglo-Saxon _becca_]. A small mountain-brook or rivulet, common to all northern dialects. A Gaelic or Manx term for a thwart or bench in the boat.