BOARDING-BOOK. A register which has for its object the recording all particulars relative to every ship boarded, a copy of which is transmitted to the admiral under whose orders the ship is employed. (_See_ GUARD-BOOK.) BOARDING-NETTINGS. A framework of stout rope-netting placed where necessary, to obstruct an enemy's boarders. BOARDING-PIKE. A defensive lance against boarders. BOARDLINGS. Flippant understrappers of the admiralty and navy-boards. BOARD OF TRADE. A committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of commercial matters. BOAT. A small open vessel, conducted on the water by rowing or sailing. The construction, machinery, and even the names of boats, are very different, according to the various purposes for which they are calculated, and the services on which they are employed. Thus we have the long-boat and the jolly-boat, life-boat and gun-boat, but they will appear under their respective appellations.--_A bold boat_, one that will endure a rough sea well.--_Man the boat_, send the crew in to row and manage it. BOATABLE. Water navigable for boats and small river-craft. BOAT-BUOYS. Means added to increase the buoyancy of life-boats, &c. BOAT-CHOCKS. Clamps of wood upon which a boat rests when stowed on a vessel's deck. BOAT-CLOAK. A mantle for the officer going on duty; when left in the boat it is in the coxswain's charge. BOAT-DAVIT. A curved piece of timber with a sheave at its outer end, which projects over the boat's stern, while the inner end is shipped into a cleat on each side of the bottom of the boat, for weighing anchors when needed. (_See_ DAVIT.) BOAT-FAST. _See_ PAINTER. BOAT-GEER. A general name for the rigging and furniture of a boat. BOAT-HIRE. Expenses for the use of shore-boats. BOAT-HOOK. An iron hook with a straight prong at its hinder part; it is fixed upon a pole, by the help of which a boat is either pulled to, or pushed off from, any place, and is capable of holding on by anything. BOATILA. A narrow-sterned, flat-bottomed boat of the Gulf of Manar. BOATING. Transporting men, munitions, or goods, in boats. BOAT-KEEPER. One of the boat's crew who remains in charge of her during the absence of the others. In small vessels he is sometimes called the boatman. BOAT-NAILS. Those supplied for the carpenter's use are of various lengths, generally rose-headed, square at the points, and made both of copper and iron. (_See_ NAILS.) BOAT-ROPE. A separate rope veered to the boat to be towed at the ship's stern. BOAT'S CREW. The men appointed as the crew of any particular boat, as the barge's crew, cutter's crew, &c. BOAT'S-GRIPES. Lashings for the secure stowage of boats. (_See_ GRIPES.) BOAT-SKIDS. Portable pieces of plank used to prevent chafing when a boat is hoisted or lowered. (_See_ SKIDS.)