A. Abbreviation for after in the U. S. General Service Code of Signals. Contraction for at, on, or in, as, a-stern, a-shore, a-poise.

Al. The highest class of excellence in merchant vessels. See CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANT VESSELS.

Aalborg. A city and seaport of Denmark, in Jutland, on the south shore of the Lymfiord, near its mouth, in the Cattegat. Lat. 57° 2' 46 N.; lon. 9° 55′ 38 E. Pop. 11,721.

Aarhuus. A seaport of Denmark, in Jutland, on the Cattegat, at the mouth of the Molle-Aue, 37 miles S. E. of Viborg. Lat. 56° 9′ 27′′ N.; lon. 10° 12′ 467 E. Pop. 15,000.

A. B. An abbreviation signifying Able Seaman. See ABLE.

Abab. A Turkish sailor who plies in coasting

craft.

Aback. The situation of a sail when the wind acts on its forward surface. The sails are laid aback, or thrown aback, by hauling in the weatherbraces or by putting the helm down, or both. They are caught aback, or taken aback, by a shift of wind, or by inattention at the helm. Flat aback means that the wind acts nearly at a right angle to the forward surface of the sail. Taken abck is also used figuratively for being taken by surprise. All aback forward is the notice from the forecastle that the head-sails have been taken aback. Brace aback is the order given to swing the yards and lay the sails aback.

Abaft.

line forming a right angle with the keel. Behind. Abaft the beam, astern of a

Abaka. made.

The fibre of which Manilla rope is

Abandon. To relinquish to underwriters all property which may be recovered from

claim to

shipwreck, capture, or any other peril stated in

the policy.

danger in remaining on board.

To desert a vessel on account of the

tion of the rays of light from the principal focus of a lens.

Abet. To excite, encourage, or assist.

Able. Competent; strong. Able Seaman, a rating on the ship's books. He must be competent to perform all the duties required of a sailor.

Able-whackets. A sea game, in which the loser is beaten over the hands with a handkerchief, tightly twisted.

Aboard. On board; inside, or upon a ship. Residing afloat. To keep the land aboard is to hug the shore. To fall aboard of is for one vessel to foul another. To lay an enemy aboard is to run into or alongside of him. To haul the tacks aboard is to set the courses.

About. To go about is to change the course of a ship by tacking. Ready about, or 'boutship, is the order to prepare for tacking.

Abox. The position of the head-yards when they are braced aback, the after-sails remaining full. Brace-abox, the order to lay the head-yards abox. This is done in boxhauling and occasionally in heaving-to, but is more generally done to box the ship's head off from the wind after she has been caught aback, or after she has missed stays.

Abraham-men. An English cant term for vagabonds who, under pretence of being destitute mariners, beg about the dock. A malingerer wanting to go on the sick-list is said to "sham Abraham."

Abrase. To dub or smooth planks. Abreast. Side by side; opposite to; parallel with. Line abreast, a formation in which the ships are abeam of each other.

Abri. (Fr.) Cove; shelter; under the lee; a safe anchorage on a weather shore. Abrid. A pintle-plate.

Abroach. On tap; in use.

Abroad. On a foreign station; in a foreign

party.

Abeam.

Opposite the centre of the ship's

abroad.

Abrupt. Steep; broken; craggy; as, of cliff's and headlands.

Absence. State of being absent. Leave of

the keel.

the stars, caused by the motion of the earth Aberration. The apparent displacement of

absent from post or duty for a specified time. Absence without leave, with manifest intention not to return, is desertion. When there is a

is to be considered a straggler for ten days, at the expiration of which he is to be regarded as a deserter.

Absorption. A term formerly used for the sinking of islands and tracts of land Subsidence.

Abstract. An abridgment of the contents of a book or document.

A-burton. The situation of casks when stowed athwartships.

Abut. When two planks are joined endwise they are said to butt or abut against each other. Abutting-joint is a joint where the pieces come together at a right angle.

Abutment. The breech-block of a fire-arm. Abyme. The site of constant whirlpools, as the Maelstrom was supposed to be. An abyss. Abyss. A depth without bottom.

Academies, Naval. The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis was founded and formally opened on October 10, 1845. On August 7, 1845, Mr. George Bancroft, Secretary of the Navy under President James K. Polk, issued instructions to Commander Buchanan for the opening of the school. The War Department had previously transferred to the naval authorities the site and buildings of Fort Severn, one of the defenses of Annapolis harbor, at the mouth of the Severn River, in the State of Maryland. | The first step was to collect the midshipmen, who, from time to time, were on shore, and give them occupation in the study of subjects essential to the education of a naval officer. In October, 1849, a board of officers was convened to reorganize the institution, and to make it conform, as nearly as possible, to the system pursued at the Military Academy at West Point. The course of instruction and the regulations were revised, and the title of the institution was changed from Naval School to U. S. Naval Academy. In November, 1851, the course of study was fixed at four years. A practice-vessel was attached to the Academy for summer cruising, and a Board of Visitors was provided for, to attend the annual examinations, and to report upon the condition of the school. After the breaking out of the civil war, in May, 1861, the Academy, with all its apparatus and personnel, was transferred to Newport, R. I., where it remained until September, 1865, when it was returned to Annapolis. The programme of studies was then rearranged to conform more closely to modern ideas, and remains practically unaltered at this date. The course of instruction embraces the following studies, viz.: seamanship, which includes naval construction, naval tactics, practical exercises, signals, swimming, gymnastics, etc.; ordnance and gunnery, which includes infantry tactics, field-artillery and boat-howitzer exercise, great guns, mortar practice, and fencing; mathematics, which comprises algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytical geometry, descriptive geometry, and calculus; steam engineering, comprising practical exercises, theory of steam-engine, and fabrication and designing of machinery; astronomy, navigation, and surveying; physics and chemistry; mechanics and applied mathematics, which includes, besides mechanics, the differential and integral calculus, and theoretical naval architecture; English studies, history and law; modern languages, French and Spanish; drawing, comprising right-line, free-hand and

perspective, topographical, and chart making. On June 1, 1880, the personnel of the Academy was as follows: commanding officer and staff, including medical and pay officers and chaplain, 12; instructors, 46 commissioned officers and 15 civilians, 61; civil officers, including secretary, librarian, clerks, etc., 14; marine officers, 3; warrant-officers, 2; and 7 mates attached to the gunnery-ship and practice-vessels; total staff of the Academy, 99; number of cadet midshipmen, 253; of cadet engineers, 99; total of students, 352; aggregate, 451. The list of successive superintendents is as follows: 1st, Commander Franklin Buchanan, 1845-47; 2d, Commander George P. Upshur, 1847-50; 3d, Captain C. K. Stribling, 1850-53; 4th, Captain L. M. Goldsborough, 1853-57; 5th, Commodore George S. Blake, 1857-65; 6th, Vice-Admiral D. D. Porter, 1865-69; 7th, Rear-Admiral John L. Worden, 1869-74; 8th, Rear-Admiral C. R. P. Rodgers, 1874-78; 9th, Commodore Foxhall A. Parker, 1878-79. In June, 1879, Commodore Parker died, and was succeeded by Rear-Admiral George B. Balch as the tenth superintendent. In 1865 two classes of cadet engineers, not to exceed 50 in the aggregate, were admitted into the Academy. The duration of their course was, until June 1, 1873, two years. By act of Congress, approved February 24, 1874, their course was lengthened to four years, and the number of classes increased to four. The examinations of candidates for cadet engineers are competitive. Candidates must be between 16 and 20 years of age, and of sound body. The number of appointments that can be made is limited by law to 25 each year. The academic examination previous to appointment is on the following subjects, namely: arithmetic, algebra, through equations of the first degree, plane geometry, natural philosophy, reading, writing, spelling, grammar, composition, geography, free-hand drawing, and the elementary principles governing the action of the steamengine. Candidates who possess the best knowledge of machinery, other qualifications being equal, have precedence for admission. The pay of cadet engineers while at the Academy is $500 per annum. After the academic course, two years' sea-service is required before being eligible to be commissioned as assistant engineers, and then only as vacancies occur. The studies of cadet engineers at the Academy consist of mathematics, analytical mechanics, theory and practice of steam engineering, physics and chemistry, French and Spanish, drawing, designing of machinery, naval architecture, and practice in the workshops. On March 3, 1873, Congress passed a law changing the duration of the course for cadet midshipmen from four to six years, to apply to the class admitted in 1873 and to all subsequent classes. Four years of the six are passed in completing the academic course, the remaining two years are passed at sea on board a regular cruising-vessel, after which they return to the Academy and are required to pass the following final graduating examination: physical, ordnance, naval tactics, navigation, French and Spanish, seamanship, and steam. The marks of this examination, combined with those of the academic course, determine the graduating number; and passing successfully, the cadet midshipman becomes a midshipman, and he is then eligible to be commissioned an ensign when va

cancies occur. The number of cadet midshipmen allowed at the Academy is one for every member and delegate of the House of Representatives, ten at large, and one from the District of Columbia, appointed by the President. The nomination of a candidate from any Congressional district or territory is made on the recommendation of the member or delegate from actual residents of his district or territory. Candidates must be of sound body, between 14 and 18 years of age, and present themselves to the superintendent of the Academy for examination for admission in June and September. The examination in reading is of course conducted orally, all other examinations are in writing. A satisfactory examination must be passed in arithmetic, geography, grammar, writing, and spelling. Candidates who pass the physical and mental examinations will be appointed as cadet midshipmen and become inmates of the Academy. Each cadet is required to sign articles by which he binds himself to serve in the navy eight years, including the time at the Academy, unless sooner discharged. The pay of a cadet midshipman is $500 a year, commencing at the date of his admission. The academic year begins October 1, and ends May 30. The year is divided into two academic terms, the first term extending from October 1 to January 30. Each of the classes is divided into a convenient number of sections of from nine to twelve members, and the recitation hours into three periods of two hours each, and no student is required to attend more than three recitations during the day; so that besides the evening study hours, one hour of each period may be devoted to study. The system of examination comprises monthly, semiannual, and annual examinations, all of which are conducted in writing, the same questions being proposed to each member of a class. If the cadet fail to pass the semi-annual or annual examination he is dropped. The monthly examination-marks are combined with the daily marks to determine the monthly standing. These marks are combined with those of the semiannual examination to find the term standing, which latter are again combined to form the annual record. The summer months are employed in cruising at sea. The sailing-vessels Constellation," and "Dale," the ironclad monitor "Nantucket," and the steamers "Mayflower" and "Standish" are permanently stationed at the Academy during the two academic terms for the purpose of instruction in great guns, and in sails, spars, steam, etc. The Constellation" is commissioned for the summer cruise

Santee," "

shipmen.

The second class is granted leave

academic grounds inside the walls consist of 50 acres. The grounds outside consist of 109 acres. Aggregate, 159 acres. The departments of study and the observatory are amply supplied with models and apparatus. The library contains 20,000 volumes, chiefly historical, scientific, and professional. At the International Exhibition held at Paris, France, in 1878, the United States Naval Academy received a diploma of the value of a gold medal, which was one of the four diplomas awarded to educational institutions in the United States for the best quality of education in the group classed as superior.

ENGLAND.-The Royal Naval Academy was first established at Portsmouth dock-yard by order from the admiralty dated March 13, 1729, the age of admission being between 13 and 16 years. The young gentlemen entered the naval service either by nomination from the admiralty through the Royal Naval Academy, or by direct nomination to sea-going ships by flag-officers and captains of ships in commission. In 1806 the title of the establishment was changed to Royal Naval College. In 1816 the college was united to the School of Naval Architecture, and the age of admission fixed at from 12 to 14 years. In 1821 the age was again altered, from 12 to 13 years, and so continued until the college was closed, in 1837. The number of cadets allowed after 1806 was 70, mainly selected from the nobility and gentry. The college was closed owing to the old method of appointing midshipmen directly into the navy without any conditions of previous preparation existing at the same time, which, being short and easy, was commonly preferred. After passing an easy entrance examination, the course of instruction at the college was not much more than elementary, and extended over a period of two years. After a year's sea-service the student was eligible to be rated as midshipman. In the year 1839 the Royal Naval College was reopened for the purpose of establishing further means of scientific education for a certain number of commissioned officers, who were allowed to remain at the college for one year. In the beginning of 1857-the experience of twenty years since the abolition of the old naval college as a seminary for boys having meanwhile fully demonstrated the necessity for some kind of preliminary training for cadets on their first entry into the service-the admiralty established a new

system of instruction on board a training-ship,

to which the cadets were to be appointed after passing into the service by a moderate test examnation, with some modification of detail on certain points. The system of educational training established in 1857 still continues in force. In 1868 a sea-going ship was established supplementary to the stationary one. Under the regulations at present in force the candidate must not be under 12 nor above 13 years of age. The

introduced. Candidates must pass a strict physical examination, and afterwards undergo a pre

are allowed to compete in a further examination in arithmetic, algebra to simple equations, Book I. of Euclid, French, Latin, English history,

drawing, the candidates selecting not more than three of these subjects, or four, if drawing be one. Successful competitors are then appointed to the Britannia," at Dartmouth, as naval cadets. The course of instruction there lasts two years, and is supplemented by a year's further training on board a special sea-going training-ship. On leaving the "Britannia" the cadets are classed according to their merits in study and conduct. Cadets having obtained one year's sea-time on leaving the training-ship, are rated as midshipmen. During the three years on board the training-ships the cadets study the following subjects: mathematics, consisting of a partial course in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, with a short course in steam, elementary surveying, English, French, geography, history, and drawing. After completing five years' service, including the time on board the training-ships, and having attained the age of 19 years, they are eligible to pass for lieutenant. The Royal Naval College at Greenwich was reorganized and opened February 1, 1874, for the instruction of officers of all branches of the naval service, including captains and excluding midshipmen.

If the

FRANCE. Students are admitted to the Naval School on board the "Borda," at Brest, once in each year, by competitive examination. Candidates of respectable parentage are eligible for admission, provided they are native Frenchmen or have been naturalized, and are not less than 14 or more than 17 years of age on the 1st of January of the year in which they compete. Their parents are obliged to pay the equivalent of $140 a year to support them while at the school. The examinations are held in July at Paris and at seven other large cities in France, and in Corsica and Algiers. The examination, partly written and partly oral, is on the following subjects: written -French and English composition; numerical calculation of plane trigonometry, and descriptive geometry; oral-French and English, general history, geography, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and descriptive geometry. To these is added drawing from nature. candidate pass the oral examination, he undergoes a further examination, more searching in the same subjects, for competition. A committee in Paris selects the prescribed number of candidates in order of merit. Those selected join the training-ship "Borda" on October 1, and remain there two years. The subjects of instruction are literary, scientific, and professional. An examination is held at the end of each year, and those that fail to pass in either branch of instruction are dismissed. At the end of two years those who pass successfully are sent on board the cruising-ship "Jean Bart," "where the course is strictly practical. The cruise lasts about one year, and on their return an examination is held in the following subjects: naval architecture, steam, seamanship, naval gunnery, infantry tactics, navigation and surveying, naval regulations, literature, English, drawing, naval book-keeping, international and maritime law, and naval hygiene, which finishes the course. There are also a certain number of students who pass directly from the Polytechnique School into the "Jean Bart," and during their subsequent service they are in no way distinguished from those who have been trained in the "Borda." The "Jean Bart" also receives a

few students from the corps of naval constructors, and takes them to sea.

GERMANY.-The officers' corps of the Imperial navy is made up from young men that enter the service as cadets, and from sailors that are granted such a chance for advancement. Applications for admission as cadet must be made to the admiralty at Berlin during the months of August and September of the year preceding the examination for admission. The application must be accompanied by a number of papers giving a detailed account of the candidate's family, his intellectual training and physical condition. The examination is held every year, in the month of April, before an examining board at Kiel, appointed by the chief of the admiralty. The candidate must first pass a physical examination, and not be more than 17 years of age, except a graduate of a high school, who must not be more than 19 years of age. The examination for admission is in the following subjects: Latin, grammar, arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, elements of physics, geography, history, French and English, and free-hand drawing. If the candidate has a certificate of graduation from a high school, or a school of equal rank, he is freed from an examination if his record in mathematics be good; if not, he must pass an examination in that branch. The results of this examination are sent to the chief of admiralty, who decides which ones shall be admitted. The cadets must pay their own expenses. The cadets selected for admission are embarked on board a practice-ship. They cruise during the summer and return to the station in September. Those cadets that show a want of aptitude for the service are then dismissed by order of the admiralty. The remaining cadets receive certificates signed by the commanding officer and other officers of the practice ship, and are ordered to attend the cadets' class of the naval school after taking the oath of allegiance. The instruction in the cadets' class is intended to prepare the cadets for the Naval Cadets' examination, and lasts about six months. This examination embraces the following subjects: navigation, seamanship, artillery, infantry tactics, arithmetic, trigonometry, geometry, chemistry, official reports, topography, English and French. Those failing to pass are either turned back or dismissed. Those cadets that have passed are embarked on board a practice-ship, and sent on a cruise for two years. During that time they receive practical training, and are also instructed in those branches of science more strictly professional. At the end of the cruise, those receiv ing a satisfactory report from the commander of a vessel are ordered to attend the first officers' examination at Kiel in the following subjects: navigation, seamanship, naval tactics, artillery, marine engines, naval architecture, knowledge of the duties of officers, French and English. Those that pass the examination are appointed second lieutenants without commissions, and are made to attend the officers' class of the Naval Academy. The course of instruction commences in October and closes the following August, and is intended to complete the theoretical education, and prepare the members for the second officers' examination, which takes place each year, in September, at Kiel, and in the following subjects: navigation, infantry tactics, artillery, naval architecture, marine engines, fortification,

drawing, geometry, trigonometry, mechanics, and physics. Full reports of the examination are submitted to the admiralty, the relative standing of those that have passed finally determined, and commissions as second lieutenant are issued. Sailors are admitted on the recommendation of their superior officers after a service of at least twelve months on board a manof-war, and must not be over 20 years of age. The regulations for admission and examinations are the same for sailors as for those persons entering from civil life.

ITALY.-The candidates enter at Naples on the 15th of June in each year; they must be of sound body, not less than 13 nor over 17 years of age, and must give security that their expenses will be paid. The examination for admission is competitive, and is in arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, ancient history, grammar, French, and geography. The Royal Naval School is composed of two divisions,-the first at Naples, and the second at Genoa. The course at Naples is two years, and comprises the following subjects: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, descriptive geometry, navigation, French and English, drawing, calculus, physics, descriptive and political geography, and Italian literature. The last two years of the course are passed at Genoa, and the following subjects taught: mechanics, astronomy, hydrography, history, political geography, Italian literature, French and English, theory of ships, naval construction, naval tactics, fortification, artillery and infantry tactics, torpedoes, and practical exercises, including fencing, gymnastics, swimming, and dancing. The practice-cruises are made each year from June to November, and the examinations take place before the cruise begins. Those who graduate are recommended for nomination to the grade of midshipmen, and go directly into active service.

RUSSIA. Those who are desirous of entering the naval service must pass into the Naval School at St. Petersburg. Candidates eligible for admission must be sons of hereditary noblemen, of superior civil or military officers, or of hereditary honorable citizens. The age of candidates must not be under 15 nor over 18 years. Those candidates who may wish it are allowed, before entering the school, to go through a trialcruise to test their aptitude for the service. If the trial-cruise be satisfactory the candidate must pass a physical and mental examination. The examination is held yearly, in the month of September, embracing the following subjects: religion, grammar, geography, history, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and French. The course of instruction lasts four years, at the expense of the government. At the end of four years the students are examined in the subjects mentioned as follows: religion, navigation and pilotage, astronomy, seamanship, naval history, naval tactics, gunnery, surveying, steam, theoretical and practical naval architecture, fortification, jurisprudence, and Russian and French languages. Having passed this examination the student is made a naval cadet, and is embarked on board a training-ship to cruise for two years, at the end of which he is subjected to a final examination in practical seamanship.

SPAIN. The Naval College for midshipmen was created by royal decree, September 18, 1844,

in order that young men who desire to become naval officers may learn, theoretically and practically, their profession. It is situated in San Carlos, department of Cadiz. The personnel is composed of, besides the commanding officer and staff, 11 professors of mathematics, I of physics, and 10 for drawing, seamanship, ship-building, English and French, fencing, gymnastics, and dancing, 2 chaplains, and 8 lieutenants, who, besides their duties as officers, give military instruction to the cadets. By a royal decree of February 20, 1864, only 60 can enter yearly. The candidate must be between 13 and 16 years of age. All the vacancies, except four, are filled by competitive examination in the following subjects: religion, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, French and English, geography, and drawing. By the last-mentioned decree the time in the college has been reduced from two and a half years to one year and a half, and the students study the following subjects: trigonometry, geometrical analysis, astronomy, navigation, physics, meteorology, chemistry, gunnery, French and English, naval tactics, infantry tactics, seamanship, geography, history (sacred, profane, and naval), religion and morals, drawing, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, and dancing.-F. W. Dickins, Lieutenant-Commander U.S.N.

Academite. A graduate of the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth, England.

Acair-phuill. A safe anchorage.

Acalephæ. A class of marine animals of low organization, having a translucent jelly-like structure, and frequently possessing the property of stinging; as, the Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia), and the common jelly-fish (Medusa).

Acapulco. A seaport of Mexico, on the Pacific. Lat. 16° 50' N.; lon. 99° 48′ W. It has a magnificent landlocked harbor, and is 302 miles S.S. W. of Mexico. Pop. 5000.

Acast. An old word for lost or cast away. Abox; as, the head-yards were said to be braced

acast.

Acater. Purveyor of victuals, whence caterer.

Acatium. A word used by the Romans for a small boat, and also for the mainmast of a ship. Acceleration. The increase of velocity in a moving body. A planet is said to be accelerated when its actual diurnal motion exceeds its mean. In the fixed stars this acceleration is the mean time by which they anticipate the sun's diurnal motion. Acceleration of the moon is the increase of her mean motion, caused by a slow change in the eccentricity of the terrestrial orbit.

Access. Means of entry or approach. Accessible, approachable by land or sea.

Acclivity. The upward slope of an inclined cliff.

Accoil. To coil together.
Accommodations.

Fittings, conveniences. Accommodation ladder, a convenient flight of steps shipped at the gangway. When shipped on both sides, the starboard ladder is reserved for the use of commissioned officers and their visit

ors.

Accompany. To sail together; to convoy. Accon. (Fr.) A flat-bottomed Mediterranean boat for carrying cargoes over shoals.

Accost. To hail; to pass within hail; to sail coastwise; to draw near.