hold

The Sailor's Word-Book

The whole interior cavity of a ship, or all that part comprehended between the floor and the lower deck throughout her length.


♦ The after-hold lies abaft the main-mast, and is usually set apart for the provisions in ships of war.

♦ The fore-hold is situated about the fore-hatchway, in continuation with the main-hold, and serves the same purposes.

♦ The main-hold is just before the main-mast, and generally contains the fresh water and beer for the use of the ship's company.

♦ To rummage the hold is to examine its contents.

♦ To stow the hold is to arrange its contents in the most secure and commodious manner possible.

♦ To trim the hold (see trim of the hold). Also, an Anglo-Saxon term for a fort, castle, or stronghold.

♦ Hold is also generally understood of a ship with regard to the land or to another ship; hence we say, "Keep a good hold of the land," or "Keep the land well aboard," which are synonymous phrases, implying to keep near the land; when applied to a ship, we say, "She holds her own;" i.e. goes as fast as the other ship; holds her wind, or way.

♦ To hold. To assemble for public business; as, to hold a court-martial, a survey, &c.

♦ Hold! An authoritative way of separating combatants, according to the old military laws at tournaments, &c.; stand fast!

The Sailor's Word-Book

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