cast, to

The Sailor's Word-Book

To fall off, so as to bring the direction of the wind on one side of the ship, which before was right ahead. This term is particularly applied to a ship riding head to wind, when her anchor first loosens from the ground. To pay a vessel's head off, or turn it, is getting under weigh on the tack she is to sail upon, and it is casting to starboard, or port, according to the intention.


♦ To cast anchor. To drop or let go the anchor for riding by synonymous with to anchor.

♦ To cast a traverse. To calculate and lay off the courses and distances run over upon a chart.

♦ To cast off. To let go at once. To loosen from.

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