Tapabalazo

Nº 4. Tapabalazo

In the sea, the tap is called a block or piece of round wood, cut according to the diameter of the bullets, which wrapped in tow is inserted into the hole they make in the hull of the ship to prevent water from entering. There is also another tapabalazo called de mares, which is a kind of cushion or canvas sack stuffed with tow and iron frames, and is used to cover a bullet under the light of the water, feeling from the edge the where it is found by means of guides, with which the entire frame is guided, until the place is right, the thrust of the fluid causes the canvas to be inserted into the hole and capped.

Diccionario militar, J.D.W.M., 1863

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