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 ...

Ballast.

Is that Gravell, Stones, Leade or any other goods, which is layd next the keelson of the Ship to keep her stiffe in the sea; of Ballast, that is best which is heaviest, lyes closest, and fastest, and dryest, both for the ship bearing a saile, stowing of goods, health of the company, and sa∣ving of cask and other goods; whereof if a ship have too much, she will draw too much water, if too little, she will beare no sayle. To trench the Ballast, that is, to devide the Ballast in any part of the ships howld, which is commonly done, to find a Leake in the bottome of the ship, or to undock the ship. The Ballast shoots, that is, runs over from one side

to the other, and therefore Come and all kind of graine, is danger ous la∣ding, for that will shoote, but only that they make Ponches (as they are called,) that is Bulke heads of boords, to keep it up fast, that it doe not run from one side to the other, as the ship doth heele upon a Tacke.