press of sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. as much sail as the wind or other conditions will permit a ship to carry.

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press of sail British  

noun

1. Also called: press of canvas.  nautical the most sail a vessel can carry under given conditions

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Etymology

Origin of press of sail

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

The despatches of Don Louis de Cordova described the partial engagement as a complete rout, and Howe was made to flee with all press of sail from his brave pursuers.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 14 by Various

At daylight on the 15th, we were again off Rivers Peak, notwithstanding our having carried a press of sail in order to make southing during the night.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Fitzroy, Robert

We had now reason to bless the fortunate shot that had crippled her fore-topmast; for she was afraid to carry such a press of sail as she otherwise would have done.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

We endeavoured to clear the Guaianeco Islands, by carrying a heavy press of sail, but soon after midnight were obliged to furl the reefed mainsail.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Fitzroy, Robert

When the rest of the rigging was complete, the politics, genealogy, and astrology, were mounted as "royals" and "sky-scrapers;" and the ship weighed from Berlin for Leipsic under a press of sail.

From Walladmor: And Now Freely Translated from the German into English. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. by De Quincey, Thomas