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In the middle of a ship, with regard to her length, and sometimes also her breadth. Totten.

med of a broad board or slab of wood or metal which may be raised into a water-tight case amidships, when in shallow water, or may be lowered to increase the area of lateral resistance and prevent leeway when the vessel is beating to windward. It is used in vessels of all sizes along the coast of the United States…

vent pitching when closehauled. -- To ease the helm (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

n who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] -- Gallows bitts (Naut.), one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows, gallows top, gallows frame, etc. -- Gallows frame. (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine.

who stand facing the prow, or by poling. A gondola for passengers has a small open cabin amidships, for their protection against the sun or rain. A sumptuary law of Venice required that gondolas should be painted black, and they are customarily so painted now.

A helve. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Helm amidships, when the tiller, rudder, and keel are in the same plane. -- Helm aport, when the tiller is borne over to the port side of the ship. -- Helm astarboard, when the tiller is borne to the starboard side. -- Helm alee, Helm aweather, when the tiller is borne over to the lee o…

of skins stretched over a frame, and usually capable of carrying but one person, who sits amidships and uses a double-bladed paddle. It is peculiar to the Eskimos and other Arctic tribes.

In the middle of a ship; -- properly amidships.

A space amidships used to keep blocks, ropes, etc.; a space on a ship belonging to no one in particular to care for.

Having a flush deck, or with only a moderate depression amidships; -- said of a vessel.

nally abolished. -- Ship of the line. See under Line. -- Ship pendulum, a pendulum hung amidships to show the extent of the rolling and pitching of a vessel. -- Ship railway. (a) An inclined railway with a cradelike car, by means of which a ship may be drawn out of water, as for repairs. (b) A railway arranged for t…

e in collision with; to strike against; as, a bullet struck him; the wave struck the boat amidships; the ship struck a reef.

A boat with an open well amidships. It is used in spearing fish. Knight.

casks stowed in the wings of a vessel's hold, being smaller than such as are stowed more amidships. Totten.

r. To its ends lines are attached which lead forward so that the boat can be steered from amidships.