BLOW-OFF-PIPE, in a steamer, is a pipe at the foot of each boiler, communicating with the sea, and furnished with a cock to open and shut it.--_Blowing-off_ is the act or operation of using the blow-off-pipe to cleanse a marine steam-engine of its brine deposit; also, to clear the boilers of water, to lighten a ship if grounded. BLOW-OUT. Extravagant feasting regardless of consequences. BLOW OVER, (IT WILL). Said of a gale which is expected to pass away quickly. BLOW-PIPE. An engine of offence used by the Araucanians and Borneans, and with the latter termed _sumpitan_: the poisoned arrow, _sumpit_, will wound at the distance of 140 or more yards. The arrow is forced through (like boys' pea-shooters) by the forcible and sudden exertion of the lungs. A wafer can be hit at 30 yards to a certainty, and small birds are unerringly stunned at 30 yards by pellets of clay. BLOW THE GAFF. To reveal a secret; to expose or inform against a person. BLOW-THROUGH VALVE. A valve admitting steam into the condenser, in order to clear it of air and water before starting the engine. BLOW UP, TO. To abuse angrily. BLOW-VALVE. A valve by which the first vacuum necessary for starting a steam-engine is produced. BLUBBER. The layer of fat in whales between the skin and the flesh, which is flinched or peeled off, and boiled for oil, varying from 10 to 20 inches in thickness. (_See_ SEA-BLUBBER.) BLUBBER FORKS AND CHOPPERS. The implements with which blubber is "made off," or cut for stowing away. BLUBBER-GUY. A large rope stretched from the main to the fore mast head of whalers, to which the speck-falls are attached for the operation of flensing. BLUE. _Till all's blue_: carried to the utmost--a phrase borrowed from the idea of a vessel making out of port, and getting into blue water.--_To look blue_, to be surprised, disappointed, or taken aback, with a countenance expressive of displeasure. BLUE-JACKETS. The seamen as distinguished from the marines. BLUE LIGHT. A pyrotechnical preparation for signals by night. Also called Bengal light. BLUE-LIGHTISM. Affected sanctimoniousness. BLUE MOON. An indefinite period. BLUE-NOSE. A general term for a native of Nova Scotia. BLUE PETER. The signal for sailing when hoisted at the fore-topmast head; this well-known flag has a blue ground with a white square in the centre. BLUE PIGEON. A nickname for the sounding lead. BLUE WATER. The open ocean. BLUFF. An abrupt high land, projecting almost perpendicularly into the sea, and presenting a bold front, rather rounded than cliffy in outline, as with the headland. BLUFF-BOWED. Applied to a vessel that has broad and flat bows--that is, full and square-formed: the opposite of lean. BLUFF-HEADED. When a ship has but a small rake forward on, being built with her stem too straight up. BLUNDERBUSS. A short fire-arm, with a large bore and wide mouth, to scatter a number of musket or pistol bullets or slugs. BLUNK. A sudden squall, or stormy weather.