15:52 Feb 24, 2011 |
English language (monolingual) [PRO] Law/Patents - Ships, Sailing, Maritime / phrase in a report written by a Coast Guard officer | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Martin Riordan Brazil Local time: 07:40 | ||||||
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SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED | ||||
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4 | slow speed away from the waves |
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Discussion entries: 3 | |
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slow speed away from the waves Explanation: I think the word "bell" derives from the Engine Order Telegraph (see 1st link), which rang a bell when transmitting commands to change speed. It doesn´t mean that the TOI actually had one, but the author uses the expression when referring to vessel speed. "down swell" means to go in the same direction as the waves, which were 6-8' high. As the context explains, Coxwain ordered this to keep the crew drier and make the movement of the boats easier. A boat going "down swell" is no longer battling agains the waves, and also will roll a lot less than a boat going across the direction of the waves. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_order_telegraph |
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Notes to answerer
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