SG Heritage Dictionary

Carling [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. A piece of timber in a ship, ranging fore and aft, from one deck beam to another, directly over the keel, serving as a foundation for the body of the ship. On these rest the ledges, on which the planks of the deck are made fast.

2. Carline-knees are timbers in a ship, lying across from the sides to the hatchway, and serving to sustain the deck.

Carling [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

A short timber running lengthwise of a ship, from one transverse desk beam to another; also, one of the cross timbers that strengthen a hath; -- usually in pl.

Carlings [Noun plural] Webster's Dictionary 1913

Same as Carl, 3.