v. Naut. To tack a ship by letting the lee-anchor down as soon as the wind is out of the sails, by which her head is brought to wind; when she then pays off, the cable is cut, and the sails trimmed to the other tack: this is only resorted to in very perilous positions, when no other manœuvre is possible. Hence Club-hauling vbl. sb.
1794. Rigging & Seamanship, II. 325. Clubhauling is practised when it is expected that a ship will refuse stays upon a lee shore.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xv. I am going to club-haul the ship, for there is no room to wear.
1868. Daily Tel., 17 Dec., 5/1. ‘Club-hauling’ upon a lee-shore is as much a last resort in navigation, as the most desperate operation in surgery.
