accommodation ladder

American  

noun

1. a portable flight of steps, usually having a small platform at each end, suspended at the side of a vessel to give access to and from boats alongside.

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accommodation ladder British  

noun

1. nautical a flight of stairs or a ladder for lowering over the side of a ship for access to and from a small boat, pier, etc

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Etymology

Origin of accommodation ladder

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

I took his hand from one of the chiefs who had assisted him up the accommodation ladder, and led him to the cabin.

From Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo-Choo Island by Hall, Basil

In the afternoon, the captain's gig came up to the accommodation ladder, and the commander, attended by Somers, seated himself in the stern-sheets.

From Brave Old Salt or, Life on the Quarter Deck by Optic, Oliver

The accommodation ladder is a sort of light staircase occasionally fixed on the gangway.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

The second officer ran up the accommodation ladder.

From A Roving Commission Or, Through the Black Insurrection at Hayti by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

Then the handsome young officer ascended the accommodation ladder.

From A Cabinet Secret by Boothby, Guy Newell