What is "to man the yards"

Man \Man\ (m[a^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Manned (m[a^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Manning.]

1. To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort.

   See how the surly Warwick mans the wall !
   --Shak.

   They man their boats, and all their young men arm.
   --Waller.

2. To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify. ``Theodosius having manned his soul with proper reflections.''
   --Addison.

3. To tame, as a hawk. [R.]
   --Shak.

4. To furnish with a servant or servants. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

5. To wait on as a manservant. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

   Note: In ``Othello,'' V. ii. 270, the meaning is uncertain, being, perhaps: To point, to aim, or to manage.

   To man a yard (Naut.), to send men upon a yard, as for furling or reefing a sail.

   To man the yards (Naut.), to station men on the yards as a salute or mark of respect.