main-topsail

Thus a few minutes of the voyage were lost by backing the Elsinore's main-topsail and deadening her way while the service was read and O'Sullivan was slid overboard with the inevitable sack of coal at his feet.

CHAPTER XXI 2010

Simultaneously, there was the shrieking of a parrel, up the main; and I knew that someone, or something, had let go the main-topsail haul-yards.

The Ghost Pirates 2007

All next day we lay hove to under a close-reefed main-topsail, which, being interpreted, means that the only sail set was the main-topsail, and that that was close reefed; moreover, that the ship was laid at right angles to the wind and the yards braced sharp up.

A First Year in Canterbury Settlement 2004

Suddenly her main-topsail went, yard and all, in a terrific squall; she had to bear up under bare poles, and disappeared.

Falk, by Joseph Conrad 2004

But he hurried to the helm, put it hard down, while Wilson, leaving the line, hauled at the main-topsail brace to bring the ship to the wind.

In Search of the Castaways 2003

"We're the terrier at the rat hole, sir," said Bush, coming back to Hornblower as soon as Hotspur had lain-no with her main-topsail to the mast.

Hornblower And The Hotspur Forester, C. S. 1962

Or it was as if in a dead calm the main-topsail yard had fallen without warning from its slings on to the deck.

Hornblower In The West Indies Forester, C. S. 1958

Two lengths of the main-topsail halliards; he had to keep his head clear to prevent his fumbling fingers from entangling them.

Hornblower In The West Indies Forester, C. S. 1958

When she had approached near, I filled the main-topsail, and continued to yaw the ship, while she continued to come down, wearing occasionally to prevent her passing under our stern.

The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 J. F. Loubat

The gale continued varying from N.E. to E.S. E. without increasing much, until the 31st, when it blew away our reefed foresail, and close-reefed main-topsail; fortunately, the sea did not rise in proportion to the strength of the gale, or we must have lost all our boats.

The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 J. F. Loubat