HATCH, or HATCHWAY, a square or oblong opening in the DECK of a ship, of which there are several, forming the passages from one deck to another, and into the hold, or lower apartments. See Plate LXXXVIII. where A represents the main hatchway of the lower deck; NN the fore-hatchway; and OO the after-hatchway.—There are likewise hatches of a smaller kind, called scuttles. See UU in the same figure; as also the article SCUTTLE.—Hatches is also, though improperly, a name applied by sailors to the covers or lids of the hatchway.