Also 9 fare-way. [See FAIR a. 16; the interpretation suggested by the spelling fareway (cf. FARE v.) appears to be erroneous.] A navigable channel in a river or between rocks, sandbanks, etc.; the usual course or passage of a vessel on the sea or in entering and leaving a harbor.
1584. in Binnell, Descr. Thames (1758), 62. Item, That the fair Way be kept as deep and large as heretofore it hath been.
1675. Lond. Gaz., No. 1006/4. The fair way going into Plymouth Sound.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789). Débacleur, an officer whose duty it is to regulate the mooring of light and laden ships in a harbour, and to keep the passage, or fair-way, open and clear.
1858. Adm. Reg., in Merc. Marine Mag., V. 103. Sea-going vessels … at anchor in roadsteads or fairways.
1883. Champ. Jrnl., 523. Clear water fareways, by which the fishermen wend a speedy course from point to point.
1893. Daily Chron., 4 Jan., 5/7. She was in the fairway of all steamers crossing to and from New York.
attrib. 1875. Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket-bk., v. (ed. 2), 137. Fairway buoys are plainly marked.
