Meaning of lee gauge | Babel Free

Definitions

The position of a sailing vessel leeward of another in battle, often restricting manoeuvrability and gunnery.

obsolete, uncountable

Examples

“The ship, or fleet, with the lee-gage could not attack ; if it did not wish to retreat, its action was confined to the defensive, and to receiving battle on the enemy’s terms.”

“In 1694, the 40-gun ship “Scarborough” was captured off Tory Island in very much the same manner as the “Anglesea,” that is, by the enemy taking the lee gauge ; and going back still further, the printed accounts of the Four Days’ Fight, in June, 1666, all dwell on the disadvantage which we were at by being to windward of the enemy.”

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