BERM. In fortification, a narrow space of level ground, averaging about a foot and a half in width, generally left between the foot of the exterior slope of the parapet and the top of the escarp; in permanent fortification its principal purpose is to retain the earth of the parapet, which, when the latter is deformed by fire or by weather, would otherwise fall into the ditch; in field fortification it also serves to protect the escarp from the pressure of a too imminent parapet. BERMUDA SAILS. _See_ 'MUDIAN. BERMUDA SQUALL. A sudden and strong wintry tempest experienced in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Bermudas; it is preceded by heavy clouds, thunder, and lightning. It belongs to the Gulf Stream, and is felt, throughout its course, up to the banks of Newfoundland. BERMUDIANS. Three-masted schooners, built at Bermuda during the war of 1814; they went through the waves without rising to them, and consequently were too ticklish for northern stations. BERNAK. The barnacle goose (_Anser bernicla_). BERSIS. A species of cannon formerly much used at sea. BERTH. The station in which a ship rides at anchor, either alone, or in a fleet; as, she lies in a good berth, _i.e._ in good anchoring ground, well sheltered from the wind and sea, and at a proper distance from the shore and other vessels.--_Snug berth_, a place, situation, or establishment. A sleeping berth.--_To berth a vessel_, is to fix upon, and put her into the place she is to occupy.--_To berth a ship's company_, to allot to each man the space in which his hammock is to be hung, giving the customary 14 inches in width.--_To give a berth_, to keep clear of, as to give a point of land a wide berth, is to keep at a due distance from it. BERTH. The room or apartment where any number of the officers, or ship's company, mess and reside; in a ship of war there is commonly one of these between every two guns as the mess-places of the crew. BERTH AND SPACE. In ship-building, the distance from the moulding edge of one timber to the moulding edge of the next timber. Same as room and space, or timber and space. BERTH-DECK. The 'tween decks. BERTHER. He who assigns places for the respective hammocks to hang in. BERTHING. The rising or working up of the planks of a ship's sides; as berthing up a bulk-head, or bringing up in general. Berthing also denotes the planking outside, above the sheer-strake, and is called the berthing of the quarter-deck, of the poop, or of the forecastle, as the case may be. BERTHING OF THE HEAD. _See_ HEAD-BOARDS. BERVIE. A haddock split and half-dried. BERWICK SMACK. The old and well-found packets of former days, until superseded by steamers. (_See_ BARRACK SMACK.) BESET IN ICE. Surrounded with ice, and no opening for advance or retreat, so as to be obliged to remain immovable. BESIEGE, TO. To endeavour to gain possession of a fortified place defended by an enemy, by directing against it a connected series of offensive military operations.