Certain offices under the control of the executive government, where the business of any particular department is carried on: as the Board of Admiralty, the Navy Board, Board of Ordnance, India Board, Board of Trade, &c. Also, timber sawn to a less thickness than plank: all broad stuff of under 1-1/2 inch in thickness. (See plank.) Also, the space comprehended between any two places when the ship changes her course by tacking; or, it is the line over which she runs between tack and tack when working to windward, or sailing against the direction of the wind.
♦ To make a good board. To sail in a straight line when close-hauled, without deviating to leeward.
♦ To make short boards, is to tack frequently before the ship has run any great length of way.
♦ To make a stern board, is when by a current, or any other accident, the vessel comes head to wind, the helm is shifted, and she has fallen back on the opposite tack, losing what she had gained, instead of having advanced beyond it. To make a stern board is frequently a very critical as well as seamanlike operation, as in very close channels. The vessel is allowed to run up into the wind until she has shot up to the weather danger; the helm is then shifted, and with all aback forward, she falls short off on the opposite tack. Such is also achieved at anchor in club-hauling (which see).
♦ To board a ship, is to enter her in a hostile manner in order to take forcible possession of her, either from the attacking ship or by armed boats. The word board has various other applications among seamen:
♦ To go aboard signifies to go into the ship.
♦ To slip by the board, is to slip down a ship's side.
♦ To board it up, is to beat up, sometimes on one tack and sometimes on another.
♦ The weather-board is the side of the ship which is to windward.
♦ By the board, close to a ship's deck.