spirking n also sperking. Cp OED spirket2 obs (1711), spirketting naut 2 (1846 quot). A strip of wood covering the space between the floor-board of a boat and the inside plank at the water-line (P 127-75).
1966 Evening Telegram 14 Nov, p. 11 I have never forgotten the thrill that came to me when I read therein that in one of Anson's ships 'the spirketing' had become decayed, for it was my first encounter of the standard term and spelling spirket or spirketing for that part of a fishing boat that I had heard all my life called by my neighbours 'the spirk'ns.' Q 67-34 Spirkins. A covering board to prevent any dirt from getting underneath the ceiling of a fishing boat. 1969 Nfld Qtly July, p. 20 Sperkings. Short pieces of board nailed inside at the water line between the edge of the ceiling and the plank.
