The sea-mans dictionary, or, An exposition and demonstration of all the parts and things belonging to a shippe together with an explanation of all the termes and phrases used in the practique of navigation / composed by Henry Manwaring ...

Man of War.

I doe not meane to describe what a Captaine or man is, who is a man of War, but a Ship of War (which is called a man of War among Sea-men) making use of the figure Metonimia, (continens pro contento) These qualities, commodities and condi∣tions, I require in a Ship, which I would say should be a right brave man of War: first, she must saile well; secondly, be roomie betwixt the Decks; thirdly, flush without any falls, (for hindering men to passe too and fro at ease,) she must beare out her lower tire all reasonable fitting weather (which if she doe, the lower she carries them the better) her chase and bowe must be well contrived, to shoote as ma∣ny Peeces right fore-ward, and bowing, as may be (for those parts come to be most used in fight) the Ordnance not to lie right over one an other, but so, as that upon the least yawe of the helme, one Peece or other may ever come to beare: And lastly, she must beare a stowte-saile, such a Ship well manned, with men convenient, to ply their Ord∣nance,

handle the sailes, and use some small shot, were worthy to be called a man of War; That Ship which wants any of these, is like a Souldier who should want either a hand, a legg, or an Arme.