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P . . Mark for a petty officer.
P.M. [Lat. _post meridiem_.] . Post meridian, or after mid-day.
PACE . A measure, often used for reconnoitring objects. The common pace is 2-1/2 feet, or half the geometrical pace. The pace is also often roughly assumed as a yard.
PACIFIC OCEAN . A name given by the Spaniards to the 'Great Ocean,' from the fine weather they experienced on the coast of Peru. Other parts, however, prove this a misnomer.
PACK-ICE . A large collection of broken floe huddled together, but constantly varying its position; said to be open when the fragments do not touch, and close when the pieces are in contact.
PACKING-BOXES . Recesses in the casing of a steamer, directly facing the steam-ports, filled with hemp-packing and tallow, in order to form steam-tight partitions.
PACKS . Heavy thunder clouds.
PAD, OR PAD-PIECE . In ship-building, a piece of timber placed on the top of a beam at its middle part, in order to make up the curve or round of the deck.
PADDLE . A kind of oar, used by the natives of India, Africa, America, and by most savages; it is shorter and broader in the blade than the common oar.--_To paddle_, is to propel a boat more purely by hand, that is, without a fulcrum or rowlock.
PADDLE-BEAMS . Two large beams projecting over the sides of a steamer, between which the paddle-wheels revolve. (_See_ SPONSON.)
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