or HATCHWAY, a square or oblong opening in the deck of a ship, of which there are several, forming the passageways from one deck to another, and into the hold or lower apartments. See Plate CLXIX., 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 jetties. See UU 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.