The largest boat belonging to a sailing vessel.
c. 1515. Cocke Lorell’s B., 12. Some ye longe bote dyde launce.
1578. in G. T. Clarke, Cartæ Glamorgan (1890), II. 348. And that the … Greene Dragon sent certaine in her longe boate and prayed the said Rich. to come abourde her who so did in the said longe boate.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. i. 68. Conuey him hence, and on our long boats side, Strike off his head.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 3. The Boteswaine … his Mate [is to haue] the command of the long boate, for the setting forth of Anchors.
1694. trans. Milton’s Lett. State, Wks. 1851, VIII. 410. Our Long-boats sent to take in fresh Water, were assail’d in the Port.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 130. When they find themselves sinking they save themselves in the long-boat.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), F 4. The largest boat that usually accompanies a ship is the long-boat,… which is generally furnished with a mast and sails.
1814. Scott, Wav., lix. The vessel is going to pieces, and it is full time for all who can, to get into the long-boat and leave her.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xiv. 33. All hands are sent ashore with an officer in the long-boat.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Long Boat, is carvel-built, full, flat, and high.
