small island lying between Orkney and Shetland, 10 or 12 leagues E. N. E. from the former; and seven, eight, or 10 leagues S. W. from the latter. It is three miles long, and scarcely half a mile broad, very craggy, with three high rocks which are visible both from Orkney and Shetland. It contains a small quantity of arable land, which is very fruitful and well manured; excellent pasturage for sheep; and affords great plenty of sea and water fowl, and all kinds of fish upon the coasts. There is in effect no port, though they have two that are nominally so: one at the south end, which is full of rocks, where only small boats can lie; the other at the north-east end, larger and safer in summer, so that it serves commodiously enough for their fishery. The duke of Medina Sidonia, when commander of the famous Spanish armada in 1588, was wrecked on the east coast of this island. The ship broke to pieces, but the duke and 200 made their escape. They lived here so long, that both they and the inhabitants were almost famished. At length the duke and the poor remains of his people were carried over to the main land of Shetland, and then to Dunkirk, by one Andrew Humphry, for which service Andrew was rewarded with 3000 merks. This island produced its former proprietor between 50 and 60l. sterling. It was sold at Edinburgh in 1766, for about 85l. to James Stewart of Burgh, Esq.

Fair-curve, is a winding line, used in delineating ships, whose shape is varied, according to the part of the ship which it is intended to describe.

Fair-way, in sea language, the path or channel of a narrow bay, river, or haven, in which ships usually advance advance in their passage up and down; so that if any vessels are anchored therein, they are said to lie in the fair-way.