gangway
3. Naut. f. Used interjectionally, as a demand to clear the way.
Seems like he’s using it in a slightly different sense, to mean “get out of there” but not “clear the way.”
side, v.
12. To move or turn sideways.
Right?
larboard, n. Naut.
The side of a ship which is to the left hand of a person looking from the stern towards the bows. Opposed to starboard.
midships, n. Naut.
The middle part of a vessel (with regard to either its length or its breadth); spec. the middle part as identified by the point of intersection of a fore-and-aft line and the broadest portion of the vessel.
The ribs and terrors in the whale,
This site helpfully points out that Father Mapple’s hymn (original to Melville) is a parody-variant of this existing hymn by Isaac Watts (which I believe was figured out by going here). The biblical text of Psalm 18, which is clearly discernible in the Melville even if you don’t know the Watts, is here. The book of Jonah is also worth a look in this regard (and for the rest of this chapter). The present piece is sort of a fusion of Psalms 18 and Jonah 2.
clinch, v.
3. trans. Naut. To make fast the end of a rope in a particular way: see CLINCH n. 2.
6. trans. To secure, make fast. Obs. rare.
clinch, n.
2. Naut. ‘A method of fastening large ropes by a half-hitch, with the end stopped back to its own part by seizings’ (Adm. Smyth): that part of a rope which is clinched.
seizing, vbl. n.
2. concr. (Naut.) b. A small cord for ‘seizing’ two ropes together, or a rope to something else.
I think he just means something like “grab hold of this verse; seize it with your attention.”
sea-line
3. A line used at sea; (a) a sounding line.
sound, v.
2. a. Naut. To employ the line and lead, or other appropriate means, in order to ascertain the depth of the sea, a channel, etc., or the nature of the bottom. Also fig.
canticle
1. A song, properly a little song; a hymn. c. transf.
pilot n.
1. A navigator, guide, or driver. b. fig. A leader; a mentor, teacher; a moral or spiritual guide; a clergyman.
Amittai
Jonah’s father, as per the first verse of the book of Jonah. Also mentioned in an epithet for Jonah in Kings 14:25. This site is telling me it means “my truth” in Hebrew. The important thing here, I’d say, is just to be reassured that there’s nothing to know about Amittai .
Joppa
Wikipedia tells me that Joppa is Jaffa. Oh, and so too will Melville in a few sentences. Jonah 1:3.
Tarshish
Wikipedia says that Tarshish might have been Tarsus or Tartessos (Spain), but that more likely in this case it just means “some faraway city.” Of course, Melville’s about to tell us it’s Cadiz. This is part of the school of speculation regarding the Spanish “Tartessos.”
slouched, ppl. a.
1. slouched hat, a slouch hat. Also, one worn in such a manner that the brim hangs over the face.
slouch hat
A hat of soft or unstiffened felt or other material, esp. one having a broad brim which hangs or lops down over the face.
essay, v.
4. To attempt; to try to do, effect, accomplish, or make (anything difficult)
he paid the fare thereof
Still working on Jonah 1:3. King James Version as always.
cupidity
2. spec. Inordinate desire to appropriate wealth or possessions; greed of gain.
at its axis
Can’t picture this. What does this lamp look like?
heel, v. Chiefly Naut.
1. intr. Of a ship: To incline or lean to one side, as when canted by the wind or unevenly loaded.
plunge, v.
7. transf. a. intr. To fling or throw oneself violently forward, esp. with a diving action: said of a horse (opposed to REAR, v.)
steel tags
Well, I certainly get the general metaphorical gist here, but is he saying that the horse is harnessed by some kind of spikes in its flesh? Or just that the body armor is uncomfortable to it? I don’t know what these steel tags are or how exactly they hurt the horse, despite a fair amount of searching on my part.
prodigy
3. b. A wonderful example of (some quality).
careen, v.
4. a. intr. ‘A ship is said to careen when she inclines to one side, or lies over when sailing on a wind’ (Smyth Sailor’s Word-bk.).
boatswain
1. An officer in a ship who has charge of the sails, rigging, etc., and whose duty it is to summon the men to their duties with a whistle.
as I have taken it
i.e. ‘as I understand it from the text’? Or ‘as I said earlier’? Or what?
direful, a.
Fraught with dire effects; dreadful, terrible.
panther, n.
1. c. fig. A fierce, powerful, or elusive person or thing.
masterless, a.
3. Unable to be mastered or controlled; ungovernable. Obs.
seething
means just what you think it means.
shoots-to
I assume he means “to” in the sense of “shut.” No?
ground-swell
A deep swell or heavy rolling of the sea, the result of a distant storm or seismic disturbance.
quick, a.
17. Of feelings: Lively, vivid, keen, strongly felt.
plummet, n.
2. A piece of lead or other metal attached to a line, and used for sounding or measuring the depth of water; a sounding-lead.
as the great Pilot Paul has it
In Corinthians 9:27. There’s a sort of pun on “castaway” going on here, if you couldn’t tell.
truck, n.
2. Naut. a. A circular or square cap of wood fixed on the head of a mast or flag-staff, usually with small holes or sheaves for halliards.
kelson, Naut.
1. a. A line of timber placed inside a ship along the floor-timbers and parallel with the keel, to which it is bolted, so as to fasten the floor-timbers and the keel together; a similar bar or combination of iron plates in iron vessels.
strong arms yet support him
Does he mean treading water? I think he means treading water.
quarter
18. a. Exemption from being immediately put to death, granted to a vanquished opponent by the victor in a battle or fight; clemency or mercy shown in sparing the life of one who surrenders. b. transf. and fig.
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