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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accommodation ladder

In less than ten minutes the boat had been swung out by means of a derrick, and was straining at her painter alongside the accommodation ladder.

From The Wireless Officer by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

One by one the passengers began to ascend the swaying accommodation ladder.

From The Wireless Officer by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

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 Oliver Optic

Next morning I was enjoying the cool breeze under the bridge awning, when the second mate came up to inform me that a shore boat was approaching the accommodation ladder.

From The Kidnapped President by Guy Newell Boothby

The captain and first mate were at the head of the accommodation ladder to receive him.

From The Submarine Hunters A Story of the Naval Patrol Work in the Great War by Edward S. Hodgson

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