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mosquito fleet

American  

noun

  1. a group or fleet of PT boats or other small, armed boats.


Etymology

Origin of mosquito fleet

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At the time, the modest island resort, formerly a mosquito fleet terminal and later a laundromat, was a stop along the Northwest version of the hippie trail.

From Seattle Times Jul. 1, 2023

It dates to 1951, when the state took over operations from the Puget Sound Navigation Co., one of the surviving companies from the early days of Puget Sound’s privately owned mosquito fleet.

From Washington Post Aug. 5, 2022

Once upon a time, an armada of small ships ferried freight and passengers across the many waters surrounding Seattle, and it was called the mosquito fleet.

From Seattle Times Jan. 29, 2022

Frustrated fishermen took to the seas, marshaling what they called the "mosquito fleet" of skiffs and small boats loaded with buckets and hand-skimmers that launched off a state ferry press-ganged into service.

From Reuters May 6, 2010

Then a mighty cheer went up from the men of the mosquito fleet, in which the passengers aboard the Glasgow joined with a will.

From The Boy Allies Under the Sea by Clair W. (Clair Wallace) Hayes

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