vbl. sb. (See quot. 1846.)
1805. Shipwright’s Vade-M., 238. Upon the cross-spales is marked the middle line and the breadth of the ship at the place of spaling.
1846. A. Young, Naut. Dict., 289. Spaling, or Baulking, in shipbuilding, means keeping the frames to their proper breadths by cross-spales or baulks, which should so remain till some of the deck beam knees are bolted.
