gaff-topsails

The wind was light, but fair, and the little craft, which turned out to be a taunt-rigged schooner of about a hundred and twenty tons, came gliding along like some white-winged thing of life, for she had a square sail and fore and main gaff-topsails set.

The Von Toodleburgs Or, The History of a Very Distinguished Family A. R. [Illustrator] Waud

They have a large round black eye, full of intelligence and fire: their warlike spines and gaff-topsails give them the true buccaneer build.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 23, February, 1873 Various

She was running under her jib and foresail, with fore-topsail and fore - topgallantsail, being only square rigged forwards, like most ocean steamers; but, in order to save coals and ease the engines, the skipper had set the fore and main trysails with gaff-topsails and staysails as well, piling on every rag he could spread.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

Let me pause for a minute to look out over the sea sparkling in the sun, or to gaze at a sailor going aloft to the gaff-topsails, or running out the bowsprit, and I am sure to hear the hateful voice, 'Ere, you,' Ump, no sodgerin '.

Chapter 6 1904

Every stitch of canvas was out -- topsails, gaff-topsails, staysails, and jibs -- and the good yacht bounded with a will to the bright west.

Doctor Claudius, A True Story 1881

The southwest breeze rippled the deep blue water; sailboats, blue, red, and green, were darting about like white-winged butterflies; sloops passed and repassed, cutting the air with the white and slender points of their gaff-topsails.

Malbone: an Oldport romance 1869

The southwest breeze rippled the deep blue water; sailboats, blue, red, and green, were darting about like white-winged butterflies; sloops passed and repassed, cutting the air with the white and slender points of their gaff-topsails.

Malbone: an Oldport Romance Thomas Wentworth Higginson 1867

Her sails, carried at all times, were as follows: -- Fore, fore topmast, staysail jib, two large trysails; the usual square sails on fore and main, with the exception of the mainsail, which was a flying one; spanker and gaff-topsails; all standing rigging wire.

The Fight Between the Alabama and the Kearsarge 1864

The bow of the West Wind was thus pointed closer into the wind; and the gaff-topsails enabled her to hold her speed after this change.

A Victorious Union Oliver Optic 1859

Christy went to the wheel, and Graines, with three men at each sail, assisting himself, soon had shaken out and set the gaff-topsails.

A Victorious Union Oliver Optic 1859