Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An anchor carried at a ship's bows. See bower.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Every preparation was made accordingly; the chain cable was clear, and the men at the best bower-anchor; when, it being considered injudicious to lose so fair a breeze, we again set sail, to the disappointment of most persons on board; and Messina, with all its gay attractions, was soon far astern.

    Journal of a Visit to Constantinople and Some of the Greek Islands in the Spring and Summer of 1833 John Auldjo

  • I must not fail to add that the advantage of a naturally sound and preternaturally vigorous constitution, and (except in the use of opium) one carefully guarded against any of the causes which impart a vicious state of system and so render it incapable of recuperative effort, was my main-stay, and acted the part of a bower-anchor in restoring my general system.

    The Opium Habit Horace B. Day

  • As the starboard bower-anchor was hanging only by the shank-painter, and its stock, which was of iron, was working into the ship's side, the chain-cable was unshackled, and the anchor was cut away from the bows.

    The Wreck on the Andamans Joseph Darvall

  • But being fearful that she might beat over the reef into deep water, they let go the larboard bower-anchor, and shortly afterwards found the water leaving her.

    The Wreck on the Andamans Joseph Darvall

  • One of the boats was immediately got out, with a bower-anchor; but on sounding, at the distance of ten fathoms from the ship, no ground could be found with sixty fathoms of line.

    Thrilling Narratives of Mutiny, Murder and Piracy A weird series of tales of shipwreck and disaster, from the earliest part of the century to the present time, with accounts of providential escapes and heart-rending fatalities. Anonymous

  • Once, in my indignation at finding my palings broken down, and some sugar-cane, that I had been most carefully rearing, rooted up and destroyed, while the author of the mischief, a huge sow, innocent of the restraining ring (I would have hung the ring of the 'Devastation's' best bower-anchor to her snout, had I been allowed to follow out my wishes), stood gloating over the havoc she had caused.

    Australian Search Party Charles Henry Eden 1858

  • Lieutenant Pellowe had been already directed to drop the best bower-anchor, as a means of getting the ships apart; and by the time half the prisoners had been removed, the prize separated, and fell astern.

    The Life of Admiral Viscount Exmouth Osler, Edward, 1798-1863 1854

  • On our passage down we ran on board a transport and carried away our larboard fore-chains, cathead, and small bower-anchor stock, not to speak of having so severely damaged the transport that she nearly sank.

    Hurricane Hurry William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

  • The instant the ship lost her way, the bower-anchor was let go, on which she tended to the wind; but the after-part of her keel was still aground.

    The Loss of the Royal George William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

  • He sticks by the Washington-formula; and by that he will stick; -- and hang by it, as by sure bower-anchor hangs and swings the tight war-ship, which, after all changes of wildest weather and water, is found still hanging.

    The French Revolution Thomas Carlyle 1838

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