DAVIT (formerly doritt, lurid, trim] David, the custom of giving implements proper names being a frequent one). A derrick of various forms, depending upon the use to which it is put. Boat-darits are used in hoisting boats. the eat darit in catting the anchor, and the fish-darit in fishing it. In modern ships fish-davits are eldnm used. The cat-darit is usually placed amidships between the bower anchors, and is long enough to reach both. It of a heavy pivoted base against which the heel of the iron spar or derrick rests, held in place by a large bolt. On the other side of the liase there is a heavy projecting lug. To this is secured the backbone of the derrick, which consists of two iron bars extending up to the head. By taking down these bars the davit may be laid nearly fiat on deck, so as to he out of the way of gun fire.
DA'VITT..NlicitAEL (1846—). An Irish jour nalist and political leader, the founder of the Irish Laud League. Be was born in Straide, Mayo, where his parents, poor peasants. were evicted from their farm when Davitt was four years of age. While engaged as a boy in a cot ton factory at Ilaslingden, Lancashire, he lost his right arm in the machinery. From the age of fifteen to twenty-two he worked in a printing office, and educated himself. Be joined the Irish revolutionary movement in 18d7, and was pres ent t the attack on Chester Castle. Detected transporting arms into Ireland, he was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude: but after serv ing half the sentence was released on a ticket of leave in 1875. and visited the United States on a lecturing tour. He obtained the funds to carry on a crusade against Irish landlordism, and on October •1, 1879, at his birthplace, organized the Land League movement. which spread over Ire land. He again visited this eountry in 1880. to superintend the organization of an American branch of the Land League. but hurried back to England on account of the prosecution of the Land League executive. He was arrested under
the Coercion Act and reimprisoned to finish his old sentence. He was leniently treated during fifteen months, and again released on a ticket of leave. He revisited America to advocate the revival of the Land League, and on his return to Ireland organized the National League. In 1883 he was imprisoned for four months for a seditious speech. In 1882, while in prison, he had been elected member of Parliament for Aleath, but was disqualified on the grounds of his unexpired ticket of leave, Subsequently elect ed several times. and disqualified or mmeat ed. he was returned unopposed for North East Cork in 1893. but shortly afterwards was com pelled to vacate through bankruptcy. In 1895 he was returned unopposed for East Kerry and South Alayo, hut resigned in 1899. In ISS9 he was implieated in the 'Parnd!i