dispatch boat

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a small, fast boat used for delivering dispatches.

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Etymology

Origin of dispatch boat

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

When Japan silenced the wireless on the London Times's dispatch boat, the News was left with the only working press craft in the Yellow Sea.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Optimist was once a dispatch boat, known as the Delphin, for the German navy.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Biggest sea battle since Trafalgar!"—yells—cheers—revolver shots!—"Dooey ranks with Nelson!"—more uproar!—"Rebels cut the cables, but the Eye-Opener gets account by special dispatch boat!"

From The Great Gold Rush A Tale of the Klondike by Jarvis, W. H. P. (William Henry Pope)

A scout brought word to Pontiac that a dispatch boat with a large store of provisions was on her way to the fort.

From Four American Indians King Philip, Pontiac, Tecumseh, Osceola by Perry, F. M. (Frances Melville)

No, my lad; I should say she was something of a dispatch boat, though she aren’t a man-of-war.

From The Ocean Cat's Paw The Story of a Strange Cruise by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)