bowspirit

There was deep water to its sheer foot, so that our sky-aspiring bowspirit crumpled at the impact and snapped short off.

Chapter 15 1915

Wanst there, he will consult with mimbers iv th 'Noo York Bar Association, who will lead him to a firm iv competent expert accountants, who will give him his time, which is two minyits measured be th' invarse ratio iv th 'distance fr'm th' binnacle to th 'cook-stove, an' fr'm th 'cook-stove, east be north to th' bowspirit.

Mr. Dooley's Philosophy Finley Peter Dunne 1901

The Anne was a small brig, and her unlucky neighbour a heavy three-masted vessel, with three hundred Irish emigrants on board; and as her bowspirit was directly across the bows of the Anne, and she anchored, and unable to free herself from the deadly embrace, there was no small danger of the poor brig going down in the unequal struggle.

Roughing It in the Bush 1852

Irish emigrants on board; and as her bowspirit was directly across the bows of the Anne, and she anchored, and unable to free herself from the deadly embrace, there was no small danger of the poor brig going down in the unequal struggle.

Roughing It in the Bush Susanna Moodie 1844