sliding-ways

Definitions

In ship-building, the lower part of the cradle on which a vessel slides down the launching-ways (which see). Also called bilge-ways.

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Immediately this most stirring ceremony ceases, the stentorian order comes to 'Down dog-shore!' on which the dog-shore trigger is touched off, the dog-shores fall, an awakening quiver runs through the sliding-ways and cradle; and then the whole shapely vessel, still facing the land from which she gets her being, moves majestically into the water, where her adventurous life begins.

All Afloat A Chronicle of Craft and Waterways William Charles Henry Wood 1905
Then the hull has to be transferred from the inclined plane of block piles, on which it was built, to a cradle, on which it moves down the sliding-ways into the water.

All Afloat A Chronicle of Craft and Waterways William Charles Henry Wood 1905