STOOLS. Small channels for the dead-eyes of the backstays. STOPPER. A stout rope with a knot at one end, and sometimes a hook at the other, used for various purposes about decks; as, making fast a cable, so as to overhaul. (See CAT STOPPER, DECK STOPPER.) STOPPER BOLTS. Ring-bolts to which the deck stoppers are secured. STOP. A fastening of small stuff. Also, small projections on the outside of the cheeks of a lower mast, at the upper parts of the hounds. STRAND. (See page 43.) A number of rope-yarns twisted together. Three, four or nine strands twisted together form a rope. A rope is _stranded_ when one of its strands is parted or broken by chafing or by a strain. A vessel is _stranded_ when she is driven on shore. STRAP. A piece of rope spliced round a block to keep its parts well together. Some blocks have iron straps, in which case they are called _iron bound_. STREAK, or STRAKE. A range of planks running fore and aft on a vessel's side. STREAM. The _stream anchor_ is one used for warping, &c., and sometimes as a lighter anchor to moor by, with a hawser. It is smaller than the _bowers_, and larger than the _kedges_. _To stream a buoy_, is to drop it into the water. _Stretchers._ Pieces of wood placed across a boat's bottom, inside, for the oarsmen to press their feet against, in rowing. Also, cross pieces placed between a boat's sides to keep them apart when hoisted up and griped. STRIKE. To lower a sail or colors. STUDDINGSAILS. (See PLATE 2.) Light sails set outside the square sails, on booms rigged out for that purpose. They are only carried with a fair wind and in moderate weather. SUED, or SEWED. The condition of a ship when she is high and dry on shore. If the water leaves her two feet, she sues, or is sued, two feet. SUPPORTERS. The knee-timbers under the cat-heads. SURF. The breaking of the sea upon the shore. SURGE. A large, swelling wave. To _surge_ a rope or cable, is to slack it up suddenly where it renders round a pin, or round the windlass or capstan. _Surge ho!_ The notice given when a cable is to be _surged_. SWAB. A mop, formed of old rope, used for cleaning and drying decks. SWEEP. To drag the bottom for an anchor. Also, large oars, used in small vessels to force them ahead. SWIFT. To bring two shrouds or stays close together by ropes. SWIFTER. The forward shroud to a lower-mast. Also, ropes used to confine the capstan bars to their places when shipped. SWIG. A term used by sailors for the mode of hauling off upon the bight of a rope when its lower end is fast. SWIVEL. A long link of iron, used in chain cables, made so as to turn upon an axis and keep the turns out of a chain. SYPHERING. Lapping the edges of planks over each other for a bulkhead. TABLING. Letting one beam-piece into another. (See SCARFING.) Also, the broad hem on the borders of sails, to which the bolt-rope is sewed.