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 CLVI., where A represents the main-hatchway of the lower deck; N N the fore-hatchway; and O O the after-hatchway.—There are likewise hatches of a smaller kind, called scuttles. See U U in the same figure; as also the article Scuttle.—Hatches are also, though improperly, a name applied by sailors to the covers or lids of the hatchway.

Hatchet, or Hitchel, in the manufactory of flax, hemp, &c., a tool, not unlike a card, for dressing and combing them into fine hairs.

They consist of sharp-pointed iron pins, or teeth, set orderly in a board.

Of these there are several sorts, some with finer and shorter teeth, others with them coarser and longer.