tack, tant, taut, thrum a sail, tow, turning to windward, etc...


a corruption of tight.

Thrum a sail

is to insert in it, through small holes made by a bolt-rope-needle, or a marline-spike, a number of short pieces of rope-yarn or spun-yarn, in order, by the sail's being drawn over a hole in the ship's bottom, to assist in stopping the leak.


or taunt rigged, means when a ship is very lofty in her masts. All-a-tanto, is said when a ship, having had some of her masts struck, has rehoisted them.


is to change the course from one board to another, or to turn the ship about from the starboard to the larboard tack, or vice versa, in a contrary wind.