Plimsoll mark

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. load-line mark.

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Etymology

Origin of Plimsoll mark

1880–85; named after Samuel Plimsoll (1824–98), English member of Parliament who brought about its adoption

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Plimsoll mark

A few were laden to the Plimsoll mark with cryolite from Greenland, fluorspar from Newfoundland, pitch and coke from the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

So the clever man heightens the Plimsoll mark, adds a million or so to shipowners’ capital by dipping his pen in the ink, and gives Jack more jam.

From The Sea and the Jungle by H. M. (Henry Major) Tomlinson

A glance told us that her sea-worthiness was questionable and that her over-burdening cargo pressed her Plimsoll mark close to the water line.

From The Portal of Dreams by Charles Neville Buck

Having avoided the scrutiny of the efficient and official, we painted out our Plimsoll mark with tongue in cheek and eyelid drooped, and, this done, took our stores aboard and packed them pretty tight.

From South with Scott by Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, Baron Mountevans

The Plimsoll mark is painted on the vessel to indicate how much cargo she should carry.

From The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 24, June 16, 1898 A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Julia Truitt Bishop