Meaning of scuttle-butt | Babel Free

Definitions

Noun. [C1]

Examples

“[S]o they continue⟳ to fire as directed, until they are either sent down to the cock-pit themselves, or have⟳ a momentary respite from their exertions, when, choaked with smoke⟳ and gunpowder, they go aft to the scuttle-butt, to remove⟳ their parching thirst.”

“In this way, with an occasional break⟳ by relieving the wheel, heaving the log⟳, and going to the scuttle-butt for a drink⟳ of water, the longest watch⟳ was passed away; […]”

“The scuttle-butt is a goodly, round, painted cask, standing on end⟳, and with its upper head removed, showing a narrow circular shelf within, where rest⟳ a number⟳ of tin cups for the accommodation of drinkers. Central, within the scuttle-butt itself, stands an iron⟳ pump, which, connecting with the immense water-tanks in the hold⟳, furnishes an unfailing supply⟳ of the much-admired Pale Ale, first brewed in the brooks of the Garden of Eden, and stamped with the brand of our old father Adam, who never knew what wine was.”

“It was the middle-watch: a fair moonlight; the seamen were standing in a cordon, extending from one of the fresh-water butts in the waist, to the scuttle-butt near the taffrail. In this manner, they passed the buckets to fill⟳ the scuttle-butt.”

“[T]he scuttle-butts are on the starboard side of the galley. You will find⟳ a bottle on one of them that will serve⟳ as a dipper. Drink⟳ moderately, for your life's sake, and get⟳ a pannikin from the galley and bring⟳ it aft, filled.”

CEFR level