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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of accommodation ladder

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accommodation ladder

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

Tom had recognised the dear old pater seated beside the port-captain, and as the boat pulled alongside he rushed down the accommodation ladder so as to be the first to welcome him.

From The War of the Axe Adventures in South Africa by Percy-Groves, J.

Somers directed the coxswain of the first cutter to pull in to the accommodation ladder of the steamer.

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

A boat was pulled up to the accommodation ladder.

From With Cochrane the Dauntless by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

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